Biography research project

Hi all,
As you know, we are beginning our biography research project. I am pasting the overview and timeline here. I would suggest starting interviews now! Remember to record your conversations.In addition, I'll post important document here as well at the top of the post.

Guidelines and suggestions for Interview Questions

MLA Resources

Mentor texts:
New Yorker profile of Taylor Swift
New Yorker profile of Manny Ramirez
Sports Illustrated profile of LeBron James
Guimond mentor text  


Overview

I know you have felt a certain void in your life this year and have wondered what it could be. Rest assured, the answer is at hand: a meaty research project to get you ready for the rigor of next year’s standards. I believe this project will be fun and engaging if, like Einstein, you become passionately curious in the investigation of the life you have chosen to know more about. That curiosity will be the foundation and you will use a variety of research skills to collect the data needed for the project. Your goal is to create a rich and complex narrative about your subject. There are many ways to do this and we’ll discuss strategies for success as we move through this project. This work will accomplish a few objectives taken from the Common Core Standards, which establishes skills necessary to be college and career ready:

1.  Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources; assess the strengths and limitations of each source; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and overreliance on any one source and following a standard format for citation.

2. Use a variety of techniques to sequence events so that they build on one another to create a coherent whole and build toward a particular tone and outcome.

3. Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.

4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

Length:                                            12-15 typed pages, exclusive of cover and bibliography. These are minimums and maximums. The length in words is approximately 4800-7500. (use a font and line spacing which allows 400 words/page).

Subject:                                           May be living or recently deceased, may be any age, must be susceptible to a variety of kinds of research, must agree to be the subject (authorized).

Research:                                         Almost entirely primary, i.e. interviews, letters, oral histories. Some secondary research is acceptable when applicable, especially newspaper and magazine articles about the time period. Photos, clippings, etc. are encouraged. It is expected that every biography will have an extensive appendix, including transcripts (or notes) of interviews, letters, photos not included in the text, etc.

Sources:                                          Total of five sources are needed. Minimum of three people, including primary subject. At least two secondary source is recommended.

Initial Concerns:                            Family, extended family, education, town or city, religion/philosophy, career experiences, leisure activities, achievements, growth, changes, and challenges

Theme of a Life:                            Those conclusions, inductively ascertained, that give unity to the biography.

Description and Anecdote:            All should serve to reveal character. For a good guide to biographical profiles, check any recent edition of The New Yorker, which consistently presents the type of writing that I'd like you to emulate.

TIMELINE:

            DATE                                          TASK

            Monday, December 10                Selected your subject and received permission.

            Monday, December 17                Drafted a set of questions for primary source

            Friday, January 4                         Sent letters/emails of inquiry to secondary sources

            Block day, January 30/31             Conducted at least two interviews (audio recordings and transcript
            Friday, February 8                       Completed interviews (audio recordings and transcripts)

            Friday, February 22                     Researched newspapers and other sources; took notes

            Wed/Thurs March 6/7                  Formulated general “themes” of life; written at least one page of ideas

            Friday, March 15                         Researched newspapers and other sources; took notes                       

           Tuesday, April 23                          Written outline and two pages typed of draft                        

           Tuesday, April 29                          Rough draft due

           Friday, May 10                       Final draft due

!

            Note: The key to success is staying on top of the timeline, asking for help when you need it and being willing to put in the time it takes to finish with a final product of which you can be proud!

Homework for week of 12/17

Monday:
Even if I didn't see you, please finish Into the Wild for Tuesday. We'll discuss and begin to think about essay which will be due after vacation.
Memorize and practice poetry performance. Recitations will take place on Thursday.
Journals will be due on Friday.
Tuesday: Memorize and practice poetry performance. Recitations will take place on Thursday.
Journals will be due on Friday.
Block day: Journals due Friday.
Friday: Begin interviews for biography project. Select second poem for Poetry Out Loud. Second recitation will be on Thursday, January 10.

Homework for week of 12/10

Monday: Complete vocabulary crossword puzzle. Study vocabulary words. Quiz tomorrow.
Tuesday: Read chapters 12-14 of Into the Wild. Choose poem for Poetry Out Loud by block day. Minimum of 15 lines: www.poetryoutloud.org
Block day: Read chapter 15 of Into the Wild. Begin to memorize poem. Recitation will be on 12/20.
If you would like to record your poem and save it as an mp3 file, go here:http://www.recordmp3.org/
Friday: Read chapters 16-17 of Into the Wild. Complete book will be due on Tuesday. Begin to memorize poem. Recitation will be on 12/20.

Homework for week of 12/3

Monday: Read chapters 6-7 of Into the Wild. Revise The Catcher in the Rye essay. Due block day.
Tuesday: Revise essay. Due block day.
Thursday: Read chapters 8-9. Due Friday. Brainstorm possible biography subjects. Subject due by Monday, December 10.
Friday: Read chapters 10-11. Brainstorm possible biography subjects. Subject due by Monday, December 10. Vocabulary test due Tuesday.
Here are the words for the second round:Chapters 4-9 vocabulary words

Homework for week of 11/26

Monday: Read chapters 1-2 in Into the Wild. Due Tuesday. Review vocabulary:Vocabulary Intro-chapter 3 of Into the Wild
Test on Monday, 12/10.
Tuesday: Read chapter 3 and 4 of Into the Wild. . Study vocabulary. Test on Monday, 12/10
Thursday: Read chapter 5 of Into the Wild.
Friday: Revise essay for CITR.  Revision due Thursday, 12/6. Study vocabulary. Test on Monday.

Into the Wild journals

Journal #1:
Read through some trail journals
Part One: Think about 15 things would pack if you were to hike into the wild for 15 days in a remote mountain region. For each item, explain why you brought this item and how it might help you survive. You can make a list and offer an explanation, but keep in mind the items will need to fit into your backpack and you will not have an outside source of power.
Part Two: On a scale of 1-10 (1 equals I would be eaten by bears within the hour and 10 equates with I could live for a year this way without a problem), how would you rate in terms of survival in the wild for a month by yourself. What skills do you possess which would help you in a situation like this? What skills don't you possess which might hamper your survival? Does an adventure like this appeal to you at all? Why or why not?

Journal #2:
Listen to the song "Society", by Eddie Vedder. Lyrics are here in case you missed it in class: "Society lyrics"
As you listen, underline the lines that strike you as important or that you like. Then, take 1-2 lines and write it at the beginning of your journal. Respond to this quote in any of these forms:
Write your own "Society" poem
Write a persuasive "speech" in response
Write a brief fictional scene which illustrates the idea of this quote

Journal #3:
Read the following excerpt from Chris McCandless in a letter to Ronald Franz:
"You are wrong if you think Joy emanates only or principally from human relationships. God has placed it all around us. It is in everything and anything we might experience. We just have to have the courage to turn against our habitual lifestyle and engage in unconventional living."

In what ways do you agree with McCandless? In what ways do you disagree? In your own life, what would constitute unconventional living? Do you have any aspirations to live an unconventional life? Explain your answer with specifics.

Homework for week of 11/20

Here is the good news: if you passed in your complete rough draft for The Catcher in the Rye essay, you have very little homework this week. As I told you, you will have revisions due on this essay on Friday 11/30. I plan to get feedback to you on Monday, 11/26.

Here are a few things to consider over break.

1. Your biography research subject.

In short, here are the parameters: The subject may be living or recently dead, should be well known to the writer, must be susceptible to a variety of kinds of research, must (if living) agree to be the subject. Deadline for this part of the project will be Monday, December 10.

2. Your extra credit for Into the Wild:
Take three hours by yourself to be alone in nature. Document this time, either through three journal entries or three video logs. Mark your observations of both the natural world and your emotions and thoughts within it.

3. Your Poetry Out Loud poem:
In December, I'll ask you to memorize and recite a poem. You may choose any poem longer than 15 lines from the following list: http://www.poetryoutloud.org/poems-and-performance/find-poems
You may begin your perusal now!

Homework for week of 11/13

Our work this week will revolve around the essay for The Catcher in the Rye. Here is the prompt from last week:

In works of literature, childhood and adolescence are portrayed as times graced by innocence and a sense of wonder; in other works, they are depicted as times of tribulation and terror. Using The Catcher in the Rye, explain how J.D. Salinger represents childhood/adolescence as it relates to outside society.

Length:750-900 words
Here is the rubric I'll use to assess the revised draft: GHS rubric
Suggestions for drafting from U Chicago

Tuesday: Write a draft of introduction and 1-2 body paras. Due block day
Block day: Finish draft. Due Friday.
Friday:If necessary, complete draft for Monday.

Considerations for conclusions:

Think about your conclusion in graphic terms: a triangle. It should start small with your conclusions from the book and extend outward to make connections with relevant big issues today. Your first 1-2 sentences should be your final conclusions about Salinger, Holden and your argument. Then, consider applying one of these strategies to extend your ideas:
1. Consider the so what question: What is the significance of your conclusion. In this paper, why do we care about the loss of innocence in children or the futility of resisting growing up? How does it apply to the life we live right now?
2. Generate questions: What other questions does your conclusion bring up? If your ideas are complex, there will not be a simple solution or truth. Rather, think about the questions it raises and explore that thinking on paper.
3. Call to action: If applicable, think about what advice you might give to your conclusions. Is there a course of action or a solution that you can foresee? This is a good strategy for the bossy-pants voice.
4. Quotation: After you have used one of these strategies, you may want to weave in an apt quote from the book or the author which is eloquent and highlights the bigger idea you have been arguing.

Quarter One Reflection

At the end of the semester, you will have to compile a portfolio which reflects on your work and progress. In order to do this well, I would like you to take a few moments to review your work and reflect on quarter one. 

Look through your work for this quarter.

We have had many writing assignments as well as reading quizzes, performances, and presentations. Consider all of this as you reflect.

Find work that will either serve as a benchmark or that demonstrates your best work and please do one of the following:

1 Print out any work you think you might use for your portfolio at the end of the semester.

2. Place work in an electronic folder marked “Portfolio.

Goals:

Make sure you have your goal sheet! If you are nervous about losing it before January, please scan it or type it into your computer.

As you consider your work this quarter, think about where you are in addressing your three goals you set for yourself.

Make a quick list of where  you are with each of these goals and evidence you would use to support that idea.

In addition, please consider the following questions.

What do you think you did well this quarter? What would you consider your best work? Why?

What do you think you would like to continue to work on as you progress into next quarter? What was hard for you? Why?

What kinds of feedback was most helpful for your writing? Were there types of feedback that were less helpful? Explain.

What did you learn about yourself as a reader? Writer? Thinker? Speaker?

How did your thinking change or deepen as a result of our work and the texts we read this quarter?

What things do you need from me or the class to continue to move forward next quarter?

I’ll come around and check in for a quick conference with each of you later this week.

Homework for week of 11/5

Monday: Read chapter 24 of The Catcher in the Rye. Due Tuesday.
Tuesday: Make sure portfolio work is done. I'll check on block day. Finish book for block day.
Thursday: Voice piece due Friday. See details in last week's post.
Friday: Wait for it...no homework this weekend, EXCEPT to think about the prompt for the essay we began in class:
In works of literature, childhood and adolescence are portrayed as time times graced by innocence and a sense of wonder; in other works, they are depicted as times of tribulation and terror. Using The Catcher in the Rye, explain how J.D. Salinger represents childhood/adolescence as it relates to the outside world.

Homework for week of 10/29

Monday: Read chapters 15 and 16 of The Catcher in the Rye. Journals due Tuesday. Make sure you review for: development/support, voice and conventions.
Tuesday: Read chapters 17 and 18 of The Catcher in the Rye.
Block day: Read chapters 19 and 20 of The Catcher in the Rye
Friday: Chapters 21-23 of The Catcher in the Rye. Work on voice piece for Tuesday.
Voice assignment:

In this piece, you are Holden. (Sit with that idea for a moment!) Write a goodbye note to Gorham High School, commenting on all the things you think Holden would notice. This can include things that would drive Holden crazy and the things you think he might secretly like. Look at the book and think about phrases you could use to imitate his voice.

Length: 500-600 words

Homework for week of 10/22

Monday: Read chapters 7-9 of The Catcher in the Rye. Study for vocabulary quiz on block day. See words in last week's post.
Tuesday:
1. Read “Stuyvesant Students Describe the How and Why of Cheating” and annotate (with thoughts, not just underlines) for central argument and central idea about expectations and children. Think about how it connects to "Spoiled Rotten". We'll discuss on block day.  
2. Study for vocabulary quiz on block day.
Block day: 
Read chapters 10-14 of The Catcher in the Rye. Due Monday. 

Reminder: No school on Friday, 10/26 for students because of conferences. 

The Catcher in the Rye journals

Journal #1: If you were absent for this one (song clips from "Rock Around the Clock"), please come see me.
Journal #2: Sensory detail memories. Completed on block day. If you were absent, please come see me.
Journal #3: Choose one memory from Journal #2 and write a descriptive paragraph. Make sure you think about sentence structure and sensory details, including vivid verbs.
Journal #4:

Choose one of the beliefs from CITR take a stand, one that you feel most strongly about and articulate your position and use support to build your argument. Sheet is here, in case you need it:catcher in the rye take a stand

Journal #5
Choose three passages from The Catcher in the Rye that you feel illustrates Holden's flaws or vulnerabilities. Explain why you chose this passage and offer insight on what it shows about his struggles. It may be easiest to set up a table with two columns and put the passage (with page number) on the left hand side and the response on the right.

 

Homework for week of 10/15

Monday: Read chapters 1-2 of The Catcher in the Rye (CITR) for Tuesday. Revise "Rock Around the Clock" essay. Due Friday.
No class on Tuesday, due to PSATs.
Wednesday: Read chapter 3 of CITR for Thursday. Revise "Rock Around the Clock" essay. Due Friday.
Block day:  Revise "Rock Around the Clock" essay. Both assignments due Friday.
Friday: Read chapters 4-6 of CITR. Due Monday.
You will have a vocabulary quiz next block day. Here are the words: http://quizlet.com/2820344/catcher-in-the-rye-flash-cards/

Homework for week of 10/9

hi all,
Sorry for the delay in posting this information. I cannot edit at school because of the filters, so I had to post from home. Hopefully, we'll correct this snafu soon. For now, here is your weekly homework.
Tuesday: Write the first two paragraphs of your independent essay. Due Tuesday.In formulating a thesis, think about this general question:
What is the central theme of the memoir and how did your writer convey that theme?
In your intro, be sure to include:
Hook (1-2 sentences): This could be a compelling fact, an insight about the time period or a paraphrased scene about your memoir that was particularly gripping. Keep it short and sweet.
Development sentence(s): (1-2 sentences): This is where you introduce the author and title and give a 1-2 sentence overview of your book.
Transition: If necessary, this is the sentence which gets us from the overview to the thesis.
Thesis: This should address your insight/claim about the book.
Paragraph #2:
Body paragraph should include:
P: Point. This should be your first point in supporting your thesis. A good start could be: In the beginning of the memoir (or biography et al), [author's last name here]....
E: Evidence. Find some specific evidence which backs up your claim.
A: Analysis. Explain how this evidence helps support your thesis. You don't have to be formulaic here. The best analysis retains voice and argues effectively.
Sample paragraphs here:Exemplar paragraphs


Thursday:
Read Spoiled Rotten.
Annotate as you read, thinking about what the central argument Kolbert is making and how she goes about building her case. Which arguments do you find most effective? Which do you find less compelling? Why? Due Friday.

Draft at least four hours for your "Rock Around the Clock" essay. See details in last week's blog. Due Friday.

Full draft due Monday, 10/15 (not Friday as originally scheduled).
Friday:
Complete draft of "Rock Around the Clock". Due Monday. Revised draft due next Friday, 10/19.
Here are some exemplar papers:24 hour exemplar and 12 Hour Exemplar

Homework for week of 10/1

Monday: Revise college essay. Due Tuesday
Tuesday: Read Elvis Costello essay:Elvis Costello essay
Annotate for voice.Underline and comment upon lines which show Costello's voice most clearly. Where is his voice most compelling? What is revealed about Costello through his words? Underline his best verbs. Due block day.
Block day: Read independent book and continue to "notice" and annotate. Begin Rock Around the Clock assignment. See details within the handout.
Friday: Finish independent reading book over weekend. In-class essay on Tuesday.

Homework for week of 9/24

Check #1 for independent reading book is due on Monday, 9/24. 
Check #2 for independent reading book is due on Monday, 10/1.
You should manage your reading over the week to ensure you meet these goals.

Monday: Complete draft of college essay: 250-500 words. Due Tuesday.
Tuesday:Read sample college essay. Due block day. Edit college essay for mechanics.
Block day: Edit college essay journals. Due Friday.
Friday: Work on revisions of college essay. Revision is due Tuesday, October 2. Read and annotate for independent book.

Homework for week of 9/17

As we discussed, your work is to manage your time to finish your memoir, biography or essay collection by Tuesday, October 9. Make sure you know your goals for Monday, 9/24 and 10/1As you read, consider several noticings (specifics on the bookmark I'll give you in class)


Contrasts and Contradictions
Words of the Wiser
Revelations
Again & Again
Shifting Structure
New Vocabulary

On the back of the bookmark (or somewhere else), note the pages you see any of this happening. I'll ask you to write a short on demand essay in class on October 9th, based on these observations. We'll also have some journals which focus on these areas too.

In addition, here is what I'd like you to do for homework this week:
Monday: Read independent book. Choose two "noticings" to annotate.

Tuesday: Read Jonathan Turley's Op-Ed essay: "10 Reasons the U.S. is no longer the land of the free". Annotate in margins, thinking about the question: What is Turley's main argument? Summarize and offer opinions in margins. How do you connect Turley's ideas to Kingsolver's from last week?
Bring Mrs. Bedrosian's college essay to class.

Block day:
Read independent book. Choose two "noticings" to annotate. If applicable, notice what your narrator believes makes a good citizen.
Choose topic for college essay.
Write thesis statement.

Friday: Work on draft for college essay. Due Tuesday. Essay should be between 250-500 words. I'll check benchmark #1 of independent book on Monday. Don't forget about noting your reading rate: how many pages of your book are you reading in 30 minutes? Does it vary?

College essay journals

Journals are a place to write more informally in terms of voice, but still maintain the conventions expected in English. Unless indicated otherwise, journals should be at least one page, double-spaced in length. You are expected to work in class on the journals and then go home and finish them, if necessary. Journals #1-#5 are due Friday, September 28.


Journal #1: What do you believe in? Thinking about the "This I Believe Essays" we read, brainstorm your beliefs. It can be a simple list of many beliefs or  a paragraph about one belief you feel strongly about. Page requirements do not apply to this journal.

Journal #2: What is your legacy? Using "Portraits of Grief" from the New York Times as a model, write a snapshot that someone might use to represent your life. Write in third person. You can make up quotes, imagining what someone might say about you. Try to bring yourself into focus and avoid cliches if you can. It should be between 200-300 words.
Portraits of Grief link: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/us/sept-11-reckoning/portraits-of-grief.html#/portraits-of-grief/0

Journal #3: 
Write down the first 3-5 sentences of the opening of your book. Why do you think the author (and editor) decided on this opening? Be specific in your answer.
In the first 1-2 chapters, what is revealed about the narrator? Use specific evidence to support your ideas. What is the tone of the writing so far? How would you describe the tone of the book so far? Why?

Journal #4:
Try to get underneath one of your beliefs (journal #1) or one of the lines from "I am From" poem.
Write a poem which follows this beginning:
Underneath my shirt is my skin
Underneath my skin is my heart
Under my heart is...
Under that is...

Keep going, trying to excavate what is under the things you hold close to your metaphorical heart. (This shouldn't be an exposition on anatomy!)
See my poem I read aloud in class for ideas: Underneath sample

Journal #5: 
This journal should be two developed analytical paragraphs:


1.
Look at your notes for your memoir/biography/essay collection. Then look back at Journal #3. 
How has the writer developed the narrator or subject since the opening chapters? Has the development happened through scene, through the narrator's reflective voice, through a particular person or challenge? Try to articulate the writer's literary moves here and why you think he/she used them at this stage in the book. (one developed paragraph with a focus)



2. 
Choose one of the following noticings: Again & Again or Shifting Structure and reflect on the question, using evidence from the text. Then, reflect on the questions from the bookmark:
Again & Again: "Why did the writer decide to bring this up again and again?"
Shifting Structure: "How does this change things? Why might this shift be important?"

Homework for week of 9/10

Due on Monday: This I Believe essays with two lines chosen.

Monday:
1. Read "A Pure, High, Note of Anguish" by Barbara Kingsolver. I'll hand out paper copy, but online version is here:http://www.commondreams.org/views01/0923-03.htm. Annotate by underlining phrases which you agree or disagree with AND write thoughts in margins answering this question:
What is Kingsolver's point here? Do you agree with it?
This video may provide context to the dancing children reference in the essay. It was taken from a news clip on the day the Towers fell: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrM0dAFsZ8k 

Due Tuesday.
2. As discussed in class, take your "I am From" poem and do the following:circle all the verbs; underline all the abstract nouns. Consider revising those words to enhance your voice. ALSO, consider adding a line to your poem which exposes something about your life. Revised poem due Wednesday.
Tuesday: Revise your "I am From" poem. Due block day.
Wednesday: Finish journal #1. Due Friday.
Friday: Read first 20 pages in memoir or biography. Please note the following, either on a sticky note directly in your book or on a piece of paper:

• Why did the writer start his/her story here? Is it effective?
• Note any unfamiliar vocabulary.
• Are there any specific images, phrases or situation that seem relevant to the story so far? Note them and then look for repetitions as you continue reading?

Homework for week of 9/4

Due Tuesday: 1-2 page introduction letter
Homework for rest of week:
Tuesday: picture of yourself and six-word memoir (see last week's post for details and sample memoirs). Due block day.
Block day: Complete a draft of "I am from" poem. Due Friday.
Friday:
Revise "I am From" poems: due block day next week. 
For Monday:
Read the following essays:
http://thisibelieve.org/essay/25569/
http://thisibelieve.org/essay/11056/
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94566019

Choose two lines which you feel are effective in showing the writer's voice. Either annotate in margins or on separate sheet of paper, explaining why you find them effective.

Welcome and First Assignment of the Year! Woohoo!

I am so happy you are here!
This blog is the place where you can verify homework and deadlines, both for the week and quarter. See the interactive calendar at the bottom of the blog for helpful reminders. Also, there will be electronic links to handouts and assignments. Please download when required.

You received a copy of the syllabus today, but just in case you missed it, here it is:12A syllabus
This will give you an overview of our work for the semester.

There are a few materials you will need:

• Highlighters (three different colors if possible)
• A package of post-it notes
• A binder if you plan to print out documents

For Tuesday, 9/4:
1. Introduction Letter (1-2 pages, typed, double-spaced)
This letter will let me know a bit more about you. Here are some of the questions to help guide you:

Tell me what important things I need to know about you as a reader, writer and student.
Tell me what you consider your strengths and weaknesses and why you believe this.
Tell me  what kind of risks you would like to take this year as a student.
Tell me what inspires you.
Tell me what you think you want to do next year. How can I help?
Tell me what (if any) your fears are for this year or this class.
You may add anything you think would  help me know you better.

For block day, 9/6: Picture and six-word memoir
Please bring in a picture of what you consider your "true" self. It can be a picture from recently or when you were young. You may be doing something you love, or it may reflect a state of mind. (I can take a picture of you if you don't have one, just let me know ahead of time. ) In addition, please write a six-word memoir which tells us about an important event in your life or illustrates that true self. Here are some samples from years past: Six word memoir samples
 We'll share these next week and they will go on the bulletin board!