Week of November 26th

Deadlines are subject to change; if you have any questions, please shoot me an email to inquire. I'll do my best to post any modifications as they come up.

Monday, November 26th: Visions of “The Jazz Age”
Using 1920s advertisements and the A&E Biography of F. Scott Fitzgerald to surmise culture, values, and attitudes of America in the 1920s and compare with those of today.

Homework (due Tuesday, November 27th):
• Read Chapter One of The Great Gatsby.
• Complete email assignment on syllabus. Remember to print and bring emails to class.

Tuesday, November 27th: Point-of-View & Character Development
Analysis of narrator and principal characters introduced in Chapter One. Sketching the “Valley of Ashes.”

Homework (due Wednesday, November 28th):
• Complete 30-40 note cards (or equivalent) and bring to class, along with a list of works used. See blog for grading criteria.

Wednesday, November 28th: Note Card Check & Writing the Formal Outline
Note card self-assessment and check-in. Instructions for the formal outline presented in class.

Homework (due Thursday, November 29th):
• Read Chapter Two & Three of The Great Gatsby.
• Complete email assignment on syllabus.

Thursday, November 29th: The Language of Jazz
Rhetorical analysis of Chapter Three (and a preview of Chapter Four) in groups. Report and discuss.

Homework (due Monday, December 3rd):
• Read Chapter Four & Five of The Great Gatsby.
• Complete email assignment on syllabus.

Monday, December 3rd: As Time Goes By: Gatsby Meets Daisy
Share diaries with Daisies and Gatsbys. Introduce and plan oral interpretations of Chapter Five in groups.

Homework (due Wednesday, December 5th):
• Complete formal outline for research paper.

Tuesday, December 4th: As Time Goes By: Gatsby Meets Daisy (continued)
Finish and perform oral interpretations. Discuss.

Wednesday, December 5th: Drafting & Citations
Turn in formal outlines (if possible, please email me a copy as well). Drafting the research paper: synthesis of sources, integrated quotations, and parenthetical citations.

Homework (due Thursday, December 6th):
• Read Chapter Six of The Great Gatsby.
• Complete assigned MLA exercises (will post URL on blog).

Thursday, December 6th: Time, J. G., and the American Dream
Tracing Gatsby’s past. Time as motif and theme in Gatsby.

Homework (due Friday, December 7th):
• Read Chapter Seven of The Great Gatsby.
• Complete email assignment on syllabus.

Friday, December 7th: Drama at the Plaza
Clip from The Great Gatsby (1974). Discussion.

Homework (due Monday, December 10th):
• Work on research paper draft and continue reading The Great Gatsby.
• Email a specific question about your draft for our MLA workshop on Monday. Please send your email by Saturday night so that I can set them up for class. Attachments are fine.

Monday, December 10th: Stump the Teacher
Possible quiz on MLA basics. Answering your drafting and citation questions.

Homework (due Wednesday, December 12th):

• Read Chapters Eight & Nine of The Great Gatsby.
• Complete email assignment on syllabus.

Wednesday, December 12th: The Holocaust is Complete
Socratic seminar or class discussion using student questions.

Homework (due Thursday, December 13th):
• Complete first draft of research paper. You must bring a printed copy to class for credit.

Thursday, December 13th: Peer Consultation
Peer consultation on research paper drafts (high level revising).

Homework (due Friday, December 14th):
• One-pager responding to literary criticism (details to be announced) and The Great Gatsby.

Friday, December 14th: Responding to Literary Criticism
Sharing one-pagers; jigsaw with literary criticism.

Homework (due Monday, December 17th):
• Revised rough draft of research paper. You must bring a printed copy to class for credit.

Monday, December 17th: Peer Consultation
Peer consultation on revised research paper drafts (close editing).

Homework (due Thursday, December 20th):
• Final research paper emailed to skitsis@arlington.k12.ma.us and smkitsis@gmail.com by the end of day. I will send confirmation of receipt.

Tuesday, December 18th: Affluenza
Set up literature circles for winter break. Affluenza and the death of the American dream.

Wednesday, December 19th: Affluenza (continued)
Wrap up Affluenza. Connections to The Great Gatsby.

Thursday, December 20th: Class Does Not Meet
But research papers are due to me by email at the end of the day. Unless you preferred Wednesday?

Friday, December 21st: Affluenza
Self-assessment of research papers. Wrap up the A&E Biography of F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Have a great vacation! Upcoming deadlines to be aware of:

• Wednesday, January 2nd: Read first half of lit circle book with 10 substantial sticky notes.
• Thursday, January 3rd: Research briefs due; begin presentations to class.