February 28

Today we will listen to a very powerful song by STING called "They Dance Alone."  It's about people who disappeared in Latin American countries during revolutions during the 60's and 70's

They Dance Alone

Dosomething.org  This site gives you information on all sorts of causes that you should know about and, more importantly, causes that you can do something about.  Do you remember the part in The Bean Trees wherein Estevan tells Taylor that she lives in a horrible world where people have to make the decision to help those in need or to refuse to help.  "You live in that world, Taylor."

February 25

Here's this week's vocabulary list

February 21

Spelling Bee today after school in my room at 2:40

1. Vocab test on Bean Trees list, words "dormant" through end (see earlier blog for words)
2. Journal entry:
On page 117 Lou Ann says, "I always wondered if that night we got drunk had somoething to do with shy I lost him . . .you know, something went wrong.  You're supposed to love the same person your whole life long till death do you part and all that.  And if you don't, well, you've got to have screwed up somewhere" (117).  Write a 1/2 page journal on one of the following

• Why do some people feel guilt about things they really shouldn't feel responsible for?
• OR Does our society encourage people to feel guilty?
• OR Try to predict what it would take for Lou Ann to stop feeling guilty about her divorce

3. Reading time.  Finish chapter 9 this weekend
4.Continue working on characterization charts.  Fron now on you need to find your own examples from the book for the following characters.  I've indicated how many examples you will need.  When we finish the book you will hand in your characterization charts for 20 points
Taylor (7 examples.  You'll probably need to start a new sheet for her and Lou Ann)
Lou Ann (6 examples)
Mattie (4)
Angel (3)
Estevan (4)
Esperanza (2)
Turtle (2)

February 19

1. Sentence corrections
2. vocab test on Bean Trees list, words "dormant" through end (see earlier blog for words)
3. Continue working on characterization charts.  Lou Ann, page 101, Taylor 102
Taylor 107, Mattie 108
Reading time.  Finish chapter 7 by the beginning of the period Thursday

Bean Trees Video Project Intro

Some common motifs found in the Bean Trees include:
Two pages of notes. Write down page numbers
Page 1
Family (extended family, including friends).  In this novel there are no families that fit the old definition of man+woman+kids.  Families here include others we treat as family members.

• Taylor becomes Turtle's "mom." (Surrogate mother).  (page 24)

• Lou Ann becomes Taylor's sister (96)

Rebirth
Missy becomes Taylor who lives in new place w/ new life


 Choices
Taylor takes Turtle (24)

 Racism
Theme: ___________________________________________________________________

 Ethical responsibility
Theme: ___________________________________________________________________

 Feminism

Theme: ___________________________________________________________________
Other

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!
At the end of the period we will spend 20 minutes writing our own creative Valentines.  Here are a few of my favorite romantic poems with some awesome lines to put in Valentine's cards:

somewhere i have never traveled  by E. E. Cummings
Love Sonnet XXVII  by Pablo Neruda
How do I love thee?  Let me count the ways   by Elizabeth Barret Browning
Sonnet 18, Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer Day?  by William Shakespeare
You and I have So Much Love it Burns Like a Fire  by Kwan Tao Sheng
She Walks in Beauty Like the Night  by Lord Byron

the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses

I love you because I know no other way
than this: where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep

SHE walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies,
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meets in her aspect and her eyes

SHE walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies,
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meets in her aspect and her eyes

2nd period poems

Baby, you're sexier than socks on a rooster

I know somebody that thinks they might like you a lot.  And if I wasn't so shy, I would tell you who it is.

You are like a broom
When you do what you do
you sweep me away

Roses are red,
violets are blue,









Vocabulary for The Bean Trees here:  Vocab list 

February 13

Journal: Do you think that Taylor could be a good mother to Turtle?  Just write one paragraph, but make it good.  Remember, a strong paragraph follows this pattern:

• Topic sentence stating why she would (or wouldn't) be a good mom
• A specific example from the book that illustrates your idea
• A sentence explaining how the example supports your idea
• And a concluding sentence stating that this will make Taylor a good mother (or not)

Quiz over chapters 1-3

Fill in characterization chart for Taylor (4 examples from the book), Mrs. Greer, her mom (2 examples), Jolene (2 examples), Lou Ann (3 examples), Angel (2), Mattie (2)

Vocab for Friday's quiz, words 11-20

Remember, on Friday you also have to know everyone's name.

Oden's day, February 6th

We will start off the period correcting the following sentence.  We will start the period most days with one of these sentences.  You are to correct the sentence as you write it in your notebook.  When we hand in the notebook on March 1st, I will be looking for grammatically perfect sentences.

Notebook:  You don't need to keep a formal notebook.  You may simply staple pages together.  I do need them to be organized as follows, though:

• Sentence corrections (all together)
• Journal entries
• Poems and notes
• Other

Today we will take a look at another blog of mine that teaches a couple of things about The Bean Trees.  The blog is found here: The Bean Trees blog

February 5th

Welcome to American Literature!
Mr. Isom

This week:
Introductions
Vocabulary for The Bean Trees here:  Vocab list  Every week you will have a vocab test Friday.
Read The Bean Trees for four weeks