2023-24 American Literature

 Today we are going to discuss "A General History of Virginia", review vocabulary words, and give you some time to work on one of the two assignments below: 1) Write a journal entry on John Smith's purpose for writing a General History of Virginia .  In this blog you'll need a thesis statement that makes your claim on the author's purpose, and you'll need 4-5 specifics (evidence from the text) that backs-up your position.  Remember, introduce the quote, give the quote, explain the quote (particularly in how it reinforces your ideas).  You may want to quickly reread the text on your own and mark it up.  Why did John Smith write this?  Remember, this version of the text was written in 1624 - after Pocahontas had become famous (and had died of smallpox?).    2)  Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca's "from La Relacion" (pages 71-78) and answer questions 1-5 and 7 on page 79. 3) If you haven't finished your creation myth please work on that as...

  Today we are going to continue with Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca's "from La Relacion" (pages 71-78) and answer questions 1-7 on page 79. I will also give you some time to work on your creation myth if you are not finished. Tomorrow we will be moving onto John Smith and the settling of Jamestown.  

 Today, I want to discuss where you are with your creation myths and researching a Native American story (and prepping to retell it).  Then I would like to move on to explorers and settlers. Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca's "from La Relacion" (pages 71-78) and answer questions 4-7 on page 79. You can find the reading selection online at: http://mrsdsenglishclass.weebly.com/uploads/1/3/5/0/13500591/la_relacion.pdf

   I will be gone this week. You will be in the library and here is what you will need to do this week: 1) Write a creation myth (we will start working on this today). Assignment: write your own creation myth.  If you need an example, look HERE . Make sure your creation myth explains a) how the universe, the earth, and life began b) explains the workings of the natural world, c) supports and validates your social customs and values. This needs to be at least 1-page in length. 2) Read "Coyote and the Buffalo" Assignment:  read "Coyote and the Buffalo" on page then on google doc answer the following question: "What makes Coyote appealing, despite his character flaws?"  How does the author achieve this?    3) Read a Native American story on your own and prepare to retell it in your own words. Assignment: Read a Native American myth of your own.  Take notes, and retell it to class next Tuesday Remember from the textb...

Today we are going to finish "Early American Writing, Historical Content and Section Overview" (pages 23-31), and answer some questions on page 45. Also we'll talk about creation myths and write sentences with "Colloquial" and "Dotard" Colloquial Dotard Furrow Misnomer Vilification Atrophy Misogynist Vindicate Attenuate Drivel Virulent Learning Goals: RL1 and RL2 - Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.  Determine two of more themes or central ideas of the text. What are creation myths?  Do you know any? Creation myths is a story that a) describes how the universe, the earth, and life began b) explains the workings of the natural world, c) supports and validates social customs and values. After we finish reading, answer (on your blog) questions 4-7. HW: Write your own Creation Myth (this won't be due until the end of next week...

Today we will go over Unit 1 and being the overview of the period and read "The World on the Turtle's Back". HW: Look up vocabulary words.   "Early American Writing, Historical Content and Section Overview" (pages 23-31),. Here is your 1st vocabulary words.  First vocabulary quiz is in two weeks.  Colloquial Dotard Furrow Misnomer Vilification Atrophy Misogynist Vindicate Attenuate Drivel Virulent What are creation myths?  Do you know any? Creation myths is a story that a) describes how the universe, the earth, and life began b) explains the workings of the natural world, c) supports and validates social customs and values. After we finish reading, answer (on your blog) questions 4-7. HW: Write your own Creation Myth (this is due on Wednesday)               Here is a slideshow about "Creation Myths" - go HERE Early American Writing 1491-1800 (Native American Literature, Literature of Explora...

  American Literature Course Syllabus: 2023-2024 Instructor: Mr. Fielding Email: kfielding@skagwayschool.org American Literature Course Description: Emphasis: The accelerated development of critical literary skills and devices to use in the analysis of works of fiction, poetry, and non-fiction and the writing of formal essays, research papers, and creative fiction and poetry. Align to the Common Core Standards the primary purpose of American Literature is to provide an opportunity for students to expand their critical thinking, writing and presentation skills by focusing on some of the challenging materials writing my American authors. In Language Standards students will develop vocabulary acquisition and use grammar conventions appropriate to grade level.  The course is similar to English 10 in the dissection of literature in the pursuit of analysis but the class will cover more material and the expectation of the student’s performance is much higher. S...

 Welcome to American Literature.