June 11, 2015

Dear Cohort N,

I enjoyed working with each of the groups today!  You did a fantastic job during our discussion, despite the fact that our projector was on the blink. I appreciate your patience while that was happening.  I am really impressed by all the ideas that you were able to generate regarding extended metaphors and the ways that writers might have created something that we can interpret in a variety of complex and intriguing ways.

Here is a recap of what we did in each class, with links to anything we discussed, in case you need it.

Group 1 (9:00 to 10:15)

We listed to Muse's "Dead Inside."  Since the video wouldn't work for us, here is the link -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5sJhSNUkwQ.  (Notice the drones in the background around the wrestlers/dancers?)  Here is a link to the lyrics (http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/muse/deadinside.html.)

We discussed two poems in class today.

"Daddy" by Sylvia Plath -http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/178960

We did not have time to get to this poem, but we will read it tomorrow.  If you'd like, you can look at it this evening to prepare for tomorrow's discussion.

"Adolescence II" by Rita Dove -http://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/adolescence-ii

For June 12, 2015, your homework is to do the following:

1. Read the short story, "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.  (I provided a copy in class, but in case you need it, here is a link - http://www.tnellen.com/westside/harrison.pdf.

Group 2 (10:30 to 11:45)

We also listened to the Muse song (links above).

The projector went completely out by your class, so we were unable to look at the two poems that Group 1 read.  Instead, we read "Harrison Bergeron" together (link above).  I really enjoyed your discussion of this story!

For June 12, 2015, your homework is to do the following:

Think about the possible types of government that Diana Moon Glampers and Harrison Bergeron may symbolize in this story.  When you go to the library, research types of government and come to class prepared to discuss the types of government you feel these two characters may represent along with examples from the text that you feel demonstrate your point.

If you would like, you may also look at the two poems ("Daddy" and "Adolescence II") in preparation for tomorrow's class.

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Tentative Schedule (may be updated tomorrow)

Day	Date	Tentative Schedule of Activities/Assignments
1	Thurs, 6/11	Song, Review poetic devices.  Group 1- "Daddy", Group 2 - "Harrison Bergeron"; HOMEWORK:  Group 1 read - “Harrison Bergeron; Group 2 - Research forms of government
2	Fri, 6/12	Group 1- Discuss Harrison Bergeron; "Adolescence II" - compare the two poems. Group 2 - Discuss two Daddy poems; Discuss homework from last night; New poems Both groups - discuss poetry assignment HOMEWORK: Write draft one of poem; Read "Every Day Use"
3	Mon, 6/15	Discuss “Everyday Use.” Examples of poems.  Share poems. HOMEWORK: Complete poem and practice for competition. Prepare for Reader’s Theater Activity in class. Finish Response Paper.
4	Tues, 6/16	Compile your portfolio. Poetry competition. Reader’s Theater Activity in class. Video of short story reading by Danielle Evans.