Extra Credit Opportunities - Cards & Movie Analysis

In an effort to allow students to improve their grades in my class I am offering two extra credit assignments:

1. Greeting Cards for Injured American Soldiers - I believe that mail can be a wonderful things, especially for a person who is in the hospital over the holidays. In an effort to support our troops and spread some holiday cheer, I am offering you the chance to make holiday cards that we will send to:
A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue,NW
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001
I will accept up to two cards per person for extra credit. Feel free to make more of them, if you like. They can be Happy Holiday, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Thanks for Your Efforts, etc. It does not even have to be a holiday card, just a card that will make someone happy. I will award up to 50 points per card (100 point max. total), based on the amount of effort put into the card. I will collect them and send them off in a large envelope. The cards are due by Friday, December 5, 2008. Please see me if you have questions about this extra credit opportunity.

2. Movie Analysis: We have analyzed "We are Marshall," "Take the Lead," and "Stranger in the Village" through the lens of what it means to be a stranger and how that is portrayed through word choice, actions, opportunities, guidelines for acceptable behavior and responses. Now you can flex those muscles on your own and analyze one more movie on your own. Points will be awarded based on the level of effort and the quality of your work. I expect that a quality, thoughtfully written essay could be worth 100 points, perhaps even a bit more if the anaylsis is detailed and accurate. Please see me so that we can agree on a movie that I am familiar with and one you want to view. Once you've viewed your movie please address the following questions in a type written essay:

Who is the Stranger?
What is the voice/identity of the “stranger” in the village? Why is he/she perceived as a stranger by others? Look for a anything that sets the “stranger” apart. (Speech, dress, customs, mannerisms, etc.) The stranger does not know the rules.

Consider:
o Word choice
o People’s reaction to the character
o Clothing, behaviors, mannerisms

With What Voice Does the Stranger Speak?
Examine or describe the behaviors, rule sets and distinguishing traits of the “members of the village.” Identify in particular any aspects of the villagers that contrast strikingly with the “stranger.” Any similarities of note? How much of this concept that you’ve adopted relies on specific incidents and how much of it is suggested or implied from the stereotyped associations upon which the author leans, or assumes the reader will make?

Accepted or Rejected?
Explain how and why the main character becomes accepted into or rejected by the community.

Consider:
o Whether or not the “villagers” change their actions/reactions to the “stranger.”
o Any adaptations of new behavior/mannerisms by the main character.
o Any adaptations of new behavior/mannerisms by the community that allows the main character to become integrated.

The Impact of the Stranger and the Community Coming Together

How has the stranger and/or the community changed as a result of their interactions?

Consider:
o How have the values changed within the community as a result of the “stranger”?
o Is the community better or worse off as a result of their choices?
o Is the stranger or next stranger to come along better off or worse off as a result of their choices?

"Sweat" by Zora Neale Hurston

AS a means of getting ready to tackle Their Eyes Were Watching God, we are going to read the short story, Sweat by Zora Neale Hurston.If you need to follow the link to the text you will need to scroll down a bit to find the actual story. The site had a lot of other information related to the story.

English 12:Unit Three
“Sweat” by Zora Neale Hurston

Directions: Read the study questions below before reading the text of “Sweat” by Zora Neale Hurston. Then read the story. Answer each question using specific detail from the story. Be prepared to discuss your answers in class.

1. Describe Delia:

2. Describe Sykes:

3. How does the dialogue and dialect affect the reading of the story? Give an example from the text.

4. What does the “snake” symbolize in the beginning of the story?

5. What does the snake symbolize at the end of the story?

6. Identify three themes in the story:
a)

b)

c)
7. Identify one of the Biblical allusions in the story and explain its significance to the story.

The Bull Whip The Iron Skillet Tree & Flowers The Chinaberry Tree
Clean Laundry Sweat

7. Select one of the objects from the list above and explain its symbolic significance to the story, especially when its traditional significance is juxtaposed with the significance for the character(s) in the story.

8. Select a second object from the list above and explain its significance to the story.

9. Select a third object from the list above and explain its significance to the story.

"Stranger in the Village" Paragraph Annotation and Analysis

At this point in class we have worked paragraphs 1-14 together. Paragraphs 15-24 have been assigned to student pairs. Each student pair is to annotate and analyze their paragraph. They will then present their findings to the class, using them as a springboard for running the class discussion. It is expected that the text annotation be transferred to the text via our Smartboard. Here's what is to be discussed:
Read the paragraph aloud to the class;
- Summarize the meaning of the paragraph;
- Underline/Highlight and discuss the most important sentences/lines/phrases/words
in the paragraph. Justify and explain your choices;
- Explain the purpose of the paragraph in relation to the essay as a whole (Why is
it included? What is its purpose?)
- Describe Baldwin's reflection on what it means to him.

"Stranger in the Village" Second Analysis Worksheet

English 12 Unit 2: Stranger in the Village

(Please note that the format of this worksheet has been condensed. If you intend to fill it in, please copy and paste this onto a word processing document and add space for your answers.)

As you read this famous essay by James Baldwin please write down responses to the following questions:

1. Describe, in detail, the “village” as it is portrayed in this essay.

2. In general, what is it that people fear from this stranger?

3.In general, what is it that people might want this stranger?

4. Why is James Baldwin such and unusual stranger?

5. James Baldwin feels a very strong sense of being an outsider/stranger. Is this because the town members make him feel this way? Does he make himself feel that way? Or is it a combination? Explain your answer with at least two specific quotes and analysis from the text:

Quote:

Analysis:
Quote:

Analysis:

6. What is the impact on James Baldwin as a result of being a stranger in the village?

7. What are some of the risks that James Baldwin faces by being/becoming part of the village?

8. Describe how various people try to help James Baldwin feel less of a stranger.

9. What is the purpose of this essay?