1-29/1-30 The River Between Outline

Lesson:

We took our vocab test. If absent make sure you make this up.

We went over question one and four from your homework in class.

If absent, choose the best argument you have written to develop into a five paragraph essay. We worked in class on developing these.

For this assignment, the best argument is the one you can support with evidence to the novel or the readings.

If you were absent, you need to meet with me and show me you completed outline (found on the assignments page) before you begin your rough draft. Each assertion must include a quote from either The River Between or from the articles on education.

When should you integrate a quote?
In a literary analysis paper, for example, you''ll want to quote from the literary text rather than summarize, because part of your task in this kind of paper is to analyze the specific words and phrases an author uses.

For example, if you wanted to talk about how Joshua was a negative character in The River Between who beat his wife, you could support this with this quote:

Ngugi writes that Joshua, “would never refrain from punishing a sin, even if this meant beating his wife” (91)

Joshua “would never refrain from punishing a sin, even if this meant beating his wife” (Ngugi, 91)

It doesn't matter which style you use, as long as you say how it fits in the context of your argument, the author who said it, and the page number it can be found on.


HMWK: Finish outline for next class

1-23-08 The River Between Final Discussion

Lesson:
We took a final book quiz
We had our final graded discussion. If you were absent, please complete the assignment "Final discussion" from the assignments page.
Homework:
Final discussion (in-class)
Final assignment (found on the assignments page)
Kenya Vocab Review

1-18/19-2008 Golden Lines

Lesson:
We went over allusions, imagery, and figurative language in class.
If absent, write a definition for similes, metaphors, symbols, personification, and allusions.
Then, find an example of each of these in the River Between.
If you were absent, also complete the Golden Lines activity on the assignments sheet.

Homework:
Read the rest of the book
Find four themes in The River Between. Write one paragraph explaining how each is a theme and Ngugi's take on this theme. If you don't know what a theme is, look it up in your Writer's Inc. book.

1-16/17 2008 Waiyaki's Dilemma

Lesson:
We had a book quiz on pages 58-83 (if absent, make sure you see me to make this up)
We discussed our self-made study guides, the book thus far, and the pressures that Waiyaki is feeling at this point.
If absent. please fill a piece of paper (standard size or larger) with quotations, descriptions, poetry, images, symbols, photographs, etc to show the depth and complexity of Waiyaki's character. The best sheets will have details, a variety of images/text and excellent information. You may choose black/white or color to create your design.

HMWK:
Read Chapters 16-21
Study guide #4 (found on assignments page)
Quiz next class

1-14/15 2007 FGC and Feminism

Lesson:
We took a quiz on the last reading and went over the study guide

This lesson covered Female Genital Cutting (FGC) or Female Circumcision
We discussed this human rights issue as it related to Muthoni's initiation in the River Between. Please see me when you return for the information that we covered. If you want to research this on your own we answered the following questions in class. We then discussed what our role is as educated citizens regarding this topic.
Some websites that will be helpful in your research include:
http://www.tostan.org/index.htm
http://www.fgmnetwork.org/index.php

What is female circumcision?
Where is it practiced?
Why is it practiced?
What are the dangers?
Who performs it?
Why is it difficult to stop?
How, if at all, should other countries be involved with stopping this initiation?
What complications arise from trying to stop this practice?

Homework:
Read pages 58-83
Study Guide #3
Quiz next class
Write a letter to Tostan thanking them for the work they are doing.

1-10/11 2008 Initiation and Adulthood

Lesson:
Quiz #1 (If you were absent make sure you take it when you return)
If you were absent answer the following questions and turn it in next class:
What does foreshadowing mean?
What happened to all of the great men from Kameno?
What is so frightening about Waiyaki’s second birth?
Why does this happen? What is the author doing? What does Waiyaki find out later that might explain this?
What is a prophecy?
Self-fulfilling prophecy?
What do you think about Chege’s prophecy?

What does it mean to be a child?
What does it mean to be an adult?
At what age or event does this happen? Would your parents agree?
How has this age changed throughout time (example middle ages you were an adult when you were 12)?
Teenager is a relatively new concept? How do you think it came to be?
What are some pros and cons of this “teenager” process?

Would you like to see society adopt a clearer event or ceremony to transition young adults into adulthood?
What kind of transition would you prefer?
What would it look like specifically?
What challenges would this initiation address?

HMWK:
Read pgs: 23-57
Study guide #2 (found on the assignments page)
Quiz next class

1-8/9 2008 Cast Party for The River Between

Lesson:
We had our cast party and met the characters from our book over some tasty snacks
We filled out a family tree of the characters. If you missed this class, go to the assignments page and read the excerpt about each character at the party. Take notes on each character. Next class, get a character chart from me and fill it out.
Also, if absent, check out the book from the textbook window before next class.

Homework:
Read pgs 1-22
Study guide #1 (SEE ASSIGNMENTS PAGE)
Quiz on the reading next class