I just finished watching this movie…wow. I tried to read “Pride and Prejudice” a number of years ago, and I never really got into it. Terrible for an English teacher, I know…
But now, knowing this about Jane Austen, knowing how…well…human she was and how the events of her life must have informed so much of what she wrote…now I want to pick up “Pride and Prejudice” again. And isn’t this, indeed, what great literature is? To help us see ourselves, reflected, in other people from widely different times and experiences than our own? To help us see how close we all really are as humans? It’s so exciting to me…and it’s also quite cool to realize that the project I’m having you complete will, hopefully, bring you to some of the same realizations as you examine the authors’ lives and time periods along with their greatest works.
So, this week, I’d like you to post two blog entries. One will be a “checkin” on the British authors project–tell me what’s going well, what your struggles are, questions you have, ways we all can help you, etc.
For the second blog entry, I’d like you to check out the Social Action wall in the classroom, as well as the website www.dosomething.org. (Click on “Projects.”) I’d like you to choose at least 2 “causes” that interest you–be as specific as you can. (For example, one cause might be raising young people’s awareness of the importance of voting.) For each cause, tell why it interests you and what kinds of things you’d like to do to help your cause. Aim for around a paragraph for each cause. These two entries are due Friday.
Then, check out each other’s blogs (after you’ve added them to your blogroll), and provide helpful, encouraging comments on at least 5 other people’s ideas. This should be completed by Tuesday.
I have to tell you all that as your English teacher, I’m absolutely thrilled to see you digging in to this project! I’ve had conversations with a number of you this past few weeks about the discoveries you’re making about your novels and authors, as well as the connections you’re making between the authors and their lives and time periods. You make your teacher proud! I’m glad you’re enjoying the process, and I’m really looking forward to seeing your presentations!
Try http://www.freerice.com, but beware…it’s addictive!
I discovered this site: http://www.dailylit.com. You can subscribe to it for free, and it breaks up the book you want to read into daily installments and e-mails an installment to you every day. I’m currently reading a little tiny chunk of “My Antonia” every day–it’s pretty awesome.
I’m so excited to be blogging with all of you! This should be an interesting experiment.
Check back here often for new ideas, links, etc. I’ll keep you updated with lots of new stuff!
