2-27/28 2008 "Once upon a Time"

Lesson:
We performed our 2 voice poems today. If you were absent make sure you turn in your poem.
The final South Africa project was assigned. The due dates and assignment can be found on the assignments page.
We read the story "Once Upon a Time.." by Nadine Gordimar and filled out a symbols sheet. If absent please pick up both of these.

Homwork: Read "The Moment Before the Gun Went Off" by Nadine Gordimar and answer the 4 questions at the end of the story. Quiz next class.

2-25/26 2008 "Only A" / 2 Voice Poems

Lesson:
We took our vocab test
We read the story "Only A". If absent , you can find it on the assignments page. You will need this to do your homework.
If absent, answer the following questions for class credit:

1. Think back to the last time you stood up for someone who was teased. Was it hard to do this? Why? Were there any consequences?

2. Why might the author have chosen a “mad/man woman” as the target of this story? Why does the author wait until the end to reveal that the woman is black?

3. Which came first?: Did racism lead to Apartheid , or did Apartheid lead to racism? Explain your answer.

4. What does this story tell us about:
How prejudice is passed on from one generation to the next.
The role of the bystander in passing on prejudice.
The motivation of the girls.


We then wrote 2 voice poems. The directions for this assignment can be found on the assignments page.
We discussed how our beliefs are established.

Homework:
2 voice poem due next class to perform.

2-14/15 2008 Tell Freedom

Lesson:
Discussed our personal reflections. If absent, answer the following questions:
Q: How can people use fear?
Q: How is fear used to control people?
Q: Can you have courage without fear?
Q: Can you blame Black South Africans for their circumstance?
Q: What is true courage?
Q: When was a time when you felt you had courage?


Read “Tell Freedom”. If absent, pick up the reading from the teacher and answer the following questions.

Q: Power/ what methods do people use to keep people subservient?
Q: Discuss the tension between Uncle Sam and Aunt Liza
Q: Uncle Sam says: “One day…” What does he mean? Why is he waiting? What are the consequences of rebellion for Uncle Sam? Would you have made the same decision about when to stand up for yourself?
Q: Who is the strongest character in the story?
Q: What is the author telling us about life in South Africa?


Your homework will require you to write from the perspective and voice of another character. This is not a “Rewrite”. Your writing should go deep into the internal conflict of the character you choose. you may only repeat three lines total from the original story (this will probably be dialogue). The focus should really be on flashbacks, perceptions, lens, etc of the other character.




HMWK:
Tell Freedom rewrite assignment sheet

2-12/13 Intro to South Africa

Lesson:
We introduced the South Africa Unit.
If you were absent, please pick up the Kaffir Boy packet from the back of the classroom tomorrow. Answer the questions on the study guide. To get credit for the class activity, pick up the extra reading from the classroom (this can be found also at the website: http://www.sahistory.org.za/pages/specialprojects/apartheid-and-resistance/background.htm).
Write a page explaining what apartheid was in South Africa and how it was able to keep going for such a long time.

HMWK:
Kaffir Boy Packet (sorry I don't have an electronic copy)
Study Guide (Found on the assignments page on the last page)

2-8/11 Final Kenya Discussion

Lesson:
Today we answered these questions. If absent, turn these in next class answered:

Kenya Final Discussion
1. Why does Robert Edgerton, the author of Mau Mau: An African Crucible, argue that the Mau Mau movement, an epic battle of sacrifice, cruelty, and courage, should be remembered not just in Kenya or in Africa—but as a lesson for us all? What is the lesson? How can this lesson be applied to our world today? Use specific examples from the world today to apply these lessons.

2. In what ways are the lives of Mrs. Hill and Njoroge similar? In what ways does Ngugi show the “human” sides of both characters?

3. How do Ngugi and Harry Hook, the director of The Kitchen Toto, incorporate cultural lens into the two stories?

4. Take these stories to a modern context. What are three themes you see in The Kitchen Toto and/or The Martyr. Remember, a theme is a universal message the author is expressing. Use examples to back your opinion of the author’s message.


Choose one of the following to answer as a group
5A. Make an argument from the point of view of Mrs. Hill regarding why she should have fired the shot. Extra credit if you have a thesis, assertions, and support from the story.

5B. Make an argument from the point of view of Njoroge that he should have warned Mrs. Hill or make an argument that he should not have warned her. Extra credit if you have a thesis, assertions, and support from the story.

HMWK:
Letter to Mr.K (See assignments blog)

2-7/8 2007 The Kitchen Toto

Lesson:
We finished the Kitchen Toto and started the short story"The Martyr" by Ngugi wa Thiong'o. If absent, pick up a copy of the story from the pile in the back of class.

HMWK: Read "The Martyr" and answer the study questions below

• Make an argument from the point of view of Mrs. Hill regarding why she should have fired the shot. Extra credit if you have a thesis, assertions, and support from the story.

• Make an argument from the point of view of Njoroge that he should have warned Mrs. Hill or make an argument that he should not have warned her. Extra credit if you have a thesis, assertions, and support from the story.

1-31/2-5 Outlines and Kitchen Toto

Lesson:
We checked off our outlines for our final. If absent, make sure to get this checked off. For next class you will need to include:
Rubric
Final Draft
Rough Draft(s)
Outline(s)
Original four paragraphs on the four assigned questions

We read a reading on the Mau Mau. If absent, please read the reading on the assignments page.

We then started the movie Kitchen Toto. If absent, please try to rent this before next class.

HMWK:
Final Draft of The River Between paper