Jump Off
--Pick up a copy of the "Preparation for Final Discussion" document from the front table. We will spend the first 15 minutes of class preparing for today's circle discussion via this document. (For the last 5 or so minutes of this block of time, feel free to work with others [e.g., wrap up your preliminary work about the monomyth from last class in your small group, share a few of your ideas with a partner, etc.])
S. the C.
--If you have not already done so, make sure to follow through with grammar hammer reassessment arrangements.
--agenda/HW
--Pick up a copy of the "Preparation for Final Discussion" document from the front table. We will spend the first 15 minutes of class preparing for today's circle discussion via this document. (For the last 5 or so minutes of this block of time, feel free to work with others [e.g., wrap up your preliminary work about the monomyth from last class in your small group, share a few of your ideas with a partner, etc.])
S. the C.
--If you have not already done so, make sure to follow through with grammar hammer reassessment arrangements.
--agenda/HW
--preview of next class block
Transition
--We are going to form today's circle alphabetically by the names of our pets. If you only have one pet, great! What is his or her name? If you have multiple pets, pick one. What is his or her name? If, like me, you do not currently have a pet, consider one of the following options:
Circle Discussion (Novella Closure) -- The Alchemist up to the End
Transition
--We are going to form today's circle alphabetically by the names of our pets. If you only have one pet, great! What is his or her name? If you have multiple pets, pick one. What is his or her name? If, like me, you do not currently have a pet, consider one of the following options:
- Have you had pets in the past? If so, pick one of those names (e.g., My first cat's name was Ric.)
- If you herded sheep for a living like Santiago initially did, what would you name your favorite sheep? (Casper? Santiago? Snowball? Whatever!)
Circle Discussion (Novella Closure) -- The Alchemist up to the End
Definite items for discussion:
- First, we will finish sharing information gathered/conclusions drawn regarding allusions (a continuation of two classes ago).
- Then, we will apply the monomyth template to The Alchemist and address the "so what?!" question, potentially connecting the novella to our own lives (a continuation of last class).
Potential items for the remainder of discussion:
- Active/purposeful reading notes
- Paulo Coelho "writing what he knows"--applying author background to The Alchemist
- What is magical realism? What are magical realist authors "up to"?
- How does Coelho's The Alchemist "fit the magical realism bill", so to speak?
- Application of new terms/concepts (e.g., dilemma, fable, foil) to the novella
- For example, you might attempt to answer this question: What characters in the novella serve as foils to each other? How so? What is Coelho's potential purpose?
- What is Paulo Coelho's "thesis" about human nature as per the story he tells?
- If Coelho were to sit down and have a conversation with William Golding, how would it "play out"? Who would argue what? How would each counter?
- If Coelho were to sit down and have a conversation with George Orwell, how would it "play out"? Who would argue what? How would each counter?
--engage in discussion as per the protocol--contributions will be assessed via the "Discussion Contribution Rating Scale"
Transition
--Re-column the desks and pick up an index card from the front table.
Closure -- "Today, I learned/realized/concluded that..."
Transition
--Re-column the desks and pick up an index card from the front table.
Closure -- "Today, I learned/realized/concluded that..."
- You must include a properly punctuated nonrestrictive element within your writing. Good luck!
DEAR (time permitting)
HW (Practice/Take-Home Assessment)
--Complete 45 minutes of Membean training as directed before 11:59 PM on Thursday, 4/27. If you fail to appropriately train between now and the administration of Vocabulary Quiz #6, you will not be permitted to take the quiz until you catch up (see the "Membean Routine" document).
HW (Class Preparation)
--Remember that I reserve the right to conduct a reading assessment at any time. It would be in your best interest to continuously review your reading notes for The Alchemist and any related materials. Remember, too, that you are expected to both understand and apply your understandings of certain terms/concepts to your reading of the novella (in addition to the typical terms/concepts such as setting, symbolism, theme, etc.): allegory, allusion, aphorism, Christ(ological) figure, Coelho's "Four Obstacles" Philosophy, dilemma, everyman, fable, foil, genre, geography, interior monologue, leitmotif, literary blindness, literary communion, literary vampire, magical realism, marked for greatness, monomyth (hero's journey), motif, myth, paradox, and quest. A sample assessment question/prompt, then, might look like the following:
HW (Class Preparation)
--Remember that I reserve the right to conduct a reading assessment at any time. It would be in your best interest to continuously review your reading notes for The Alchemist and any related materials. Remember, too, that you are expected to both understand and apply your understandings of certain terms/concepts to your reading of the novella (in addition to the typical terms/concepts such as setting, symbolism, theme, etc.): allegory, allusion, aphorism, Christ(ological) figure, Coelho's "Four Obstacles" Philosophy, dilemma, everyman, fable, foil, genre, geography, interior monologue, leitmotif, literary blindness, literary communion, literary vampire, magical realism, marked for greatness, monomyth (hero's journey), motif, myth, paradox, and quest. A sample assessment question/prompt, then, might look like the following:
- How is Paulo Coelho's novella The Alchemist a blending of several literary modes/genres? Consider using any or all of the following terms in your response: genre, allegory, fable, and magical realism. What is one likely purpose Coelho was looking to fulfill when he decided to tell such a story?
--Begin thinking about your personal narrative--what story will you tell about your own life that demonstrates the universality of Joseph Campbell's monomyth?
--Work on the End-of-Course Assignment--you do not want to wait too long to get started on this!
- Paraphrasing Mini-Lesson as preparation for culminating assignment (based on observations while assessing the "Reading Nonfiction Document"s)
- ACT nonfiction passages and multiple choice questions
- "Madness" done in class upon submission of revisions
