Amy+Tan+Unit

We will be reading and comparing two stories by Amy Tan. Students will:

1. Compare and contrast the structure of two or more texts and analyze how the differing structure of each text contributes to its meaning and style.

2. Analyze how differences in the points of view of the characters and the audience or reader (e.g., created through the use of dramatic irony) create such effects as suspense or humor.

3. Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. 4. Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text. 5. Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.

6. Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.

Monday-





Tuesday- Journal response- Do you think it is fairly common that some mothers (or fathers) create resentment in their children by trying to do things they feel are in their children’s best interests? Think of some examples.



Complete the response questions with your group. Read and discuss each question then develop your own response to the questions on a piece of notebook paper to be turned in. Use text reference when possible.

Read Rules of the Game with your group-



If you do not complete reading in class, finish for homework.

Wednesday- Journal response What similarities and differences do you see between "Two Kinds" and "Rules of the Game"?  Group discussion Using well-developed reasoning and examples from the text to support your response, discuss each of the following questions. Then formulate your own response on a sheet of notebook paper to be turned in.

1- In paragraph 2, Waverly’s mother advises her daughter: “‘Wise guy, he not go against wind.'” Then she quotes the Chinese proverb: “‘In Chinese we say, Come from South, blow with wind–poom!–North will follow. Strongest wind cannot be seen.” Examine paragraphs 1-4 carefully and decide how this advice applies to Waverly. Explain how this scene and the passage in paragraph 2 contribute to our understanding of the relationship between mother and daughter.

2- Waverly’s mother is an important force in her life. What is the dominant impression conveyed by her behavior and speech? Use text support.

3- Reread the last exchange between Waverly and her mother at the end of paragraph 9, beginning with the sentence “One Day, as she struggled to weave a hard-toothed comb through my disobedient hair, I had a sly thought…” Write a one sentence summary of what happens next. What does this dialogue imply that is not stated directly?

4- Choose a few favorite scenes from “Rules of the Game.” What makes these scenes effective?

5- What significance do the titles of both Amy Tan stories have?

6- Identify the theme in each of the two stories.

Thursday- Open the following document. Read "Fish Cheeks" by Amy Tan and complete the activity that follows. Share your activity with Mrs. Meehan. Friday- Essays



We will be reading __Animal Farm__ by George Orwell and completing activities that cover a wide range of language arts objectives over the course of two weeks.

Day 1: Monday, November 17, 2014 Animal Farm pdf http://msxnet.org/orwell/print/animal_farm.pdf Animal Farm audio book https://archive.org/details/GeorgeOrwellsanimalFarmRadioAudio





Discussion Question #1: Animal Farm is about class struggle and how people treat each other based on the 'class' they belong to. Write about a struggle you have had to deal with due to social boundaries.

Homework: Read chapter 1. Begin folder activities.

Day 2: Tuesday, November 18, 2014 Learning targets: characters, advance the plot, or develop the theme. > of the text. >
 * I can analyze how complex characters develop through the text, interact with other
 * I can cite strong and thorough textual evidence that supports my inferences and analysis



Discussion question #2

Old Major's speech **parodies** Karl Marx’s theories of class struggle and exploitation of the working class. The speech says that the animals, who alone are productive (the workers, peasants and intellectuals to Marx) should regard man – “the only creature that consumes without producing” (the bourgeoisie and capitalists) – as their enemy, and should therefore revolt against this domination. Though Old Major is probably sincere, he does manipulate his audience, which accepts uncritically what he says.

Ä Explain HOW Old Major manipulates and persuades his listeners. Homework: Read chapter 2. Continue to work on folder activities

Day 3: Wednesday, November 19, 2014 Discussion question #3 In the last few paragraphs of chapter 2, what foreshadows the future dominance of the pigs.

Homework: Read chapter 3. Continue to work on folder activities.

Day 4: Thursday, November 20, 2014 Read chapters 4&5. =Discussion question #4- What forms of propaganda are used today. Give a few examples.= Continue to work on folder activities. Day 5: Friday, November 21, 2014 Read Chapter 6.

Continue to work on folder activities. Day 6: Monday, November 24, 2014 =Discussion question: If you were a character in a novel, what famous leader or group of people would you represent?=

Read chapters 7&8. Continue to work on folder activities. Day 7: Tuesday, November 25, 2014 Themes =Discussion Question: If you had to choose one theme that you feel the author wanted to get across, which would it be. Explain why you feel that theme is most dominant.= Finish book. Continue to work on folder activities. Day 8: Monday, December 1, 2014 Themes Work on project Day 9: Tuesday, December 2, 2014 Animal Farm assessment Folder & project due: Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Background Information on George Orwell
[|George Orwell Biography]

[|George Orwell Comprehensive Resources]

[|Orwell Rolls in His Grave] This documentary shows why Orwell's work is relevant now more than ever.