The Month of January 2011

Thesis Paper (100 Points)

Final paper is due on Tuesday, January 11. Have your rough draft and all parts of the final draft.

Independent Reading Project (50 Points)
(15-20 Minute Presentation)

Directions. You are to become the expert on the book you have read. Your job is to teach the rest of the class about your book. You must lead the discussion; however, the class must somehow become involved. Below is a list of requirements and suggestions on how to teach your book. If you think of another way in which you would like to teach your book, you must let me know in advance and get approval. In any case, you must have your project completed by the due date. All students must somehow be involved in putting this project together and presenting it. A suggestion: PowerPoint presentations are great for organizing your presentation and presenting information. The order in which requirements are listed below are not necessarily in the order in which they must be presented. Create a lesson that logically flows from one section to the next.

Author Background – Provide significant information about the author and especially provide information that connects the author to the book they have written.
Example: Paulo Coelho and the information you learned about him connects to why he may have written The Alchemist.
Brief Summary – Provide a brief summary of the novel. This is just so the audience has an understanding of the book. This should include a list of significant characters and events in the story. You must also touch upon the key themes found in the novel. Specific passages and quotes from the novel should be used in this section.
Example: Ms. Rich’s summaries for The Odyssey with themes and characters added to summary.
Writing Prompt – Although some of your classmates did not read your novel, get them involved in the novel by having them do a five minute free-write on a theme, topic, connection, etc. Create a prompt that generates good discussion and connects them to the happenings, characters, etc. in your novel. Use this writing prompt as part of your discussion with the class.
Example: Antigone log entries.
Article – Find an article that connects to something in the novel and share it with the class. This can be an encyclopedia entry, an actual current or not so current article, or even an information page off a reputable website. This should be photocopied and given to each member of the class. Therefore, make sure it is no longer than 2 pages in length. See me if you have an issue with this.
Example: A novel on China may deal with footbinding. I may want to share with the class what footbinding is and how it is done. Therefore, I would research footbinding and print out the article from the website, encyclopedia, or magazine.
Cultural Information and Setting – This is the most important part of the lesson: What did you learn about the culture and country in which your novel takes place? Share a map of where your story takes place and discuss traditions, beliefs, and interesting information about your culture. What is it that you learned through reading that you should share with your fellow classmates? Specific passages and quotes from the novel should be used in this section.
Question and Answer Period – Be open to any questions your classmates may have. Periodically throughout the presentation ask the students if they have any questions. You may also want to end the presentation with a question and answer period.
Review Game – Did your audience stay focused and involved throughout your presentation? Create a review game – Review Jeopardy, Review Basketball, etc. – to end your presentation. Questions should be based off the information provided throughout the presentation. Have fun with this.

We will be in the computer lab on Wednesday, January 5 through Monday, January 10. This gives you four days in class to work on this project. Use the evenings at home to gather information. This way the lab time enables your group to put the presentation together. All work must be completed for class on Tuesday, January 11. All groups must be ready to go on this day.
Period 2: Computer Lab # 438 Side A
Period 3: Computer Lab # 438 Side B