9th-Journal

Second Semester
> (15 minutes, timed writing)
 * Beginning of the World (1/23-28)
 * How did the world begin? Write your version in story form. (1-2 pages)
 * What is a myth (your definition)?
 * Denotation of myth: n. a usually traditional story of ostensibly historical events that serves to unfold part of the world view of a people or explain a practice, belief, or natural phenomenon
 * Follow up questions:
 * 1) Why do cultures have "beginning of the world" stories?
 * 2) How do people benefit from having such stories?
 * Book Letter (1/31-2/1)
 * Write a letter (one page) to someone you think might enjoy (or hate) the book you have been reading. Be sure to explain what he/she would like (or dislike) about it. Would that person relate to a certain character? Would he/she like the subject or theme? Be specific.
 * Creation Myth Summary (2/4-5)
 * Write a brief summary of the creation myth you chose.
 * //BaiL// Journals 1-15 (see //BaiL// page)
 * Spring Break/4th Quarter (4/8-9)
 * Write about your spring break (in general, or a particular experience).
 * OR Write about your goals for the 4th quarter of this school year. Be detailed.

First Semester

 * Journal 1 (9/6-7): Reader's Response
 * What book are you reading? Who is the author? What is it about? Who is your favorite or least favorite character/person so far? Explain why.
 * Journal 2 (9/10-11): Reader's Response
 * What book are you reading? Who is the author? What is the most interesting thing that has happened so far? Make a prediction about something that will happen later.
 * Journal 3 (10/16-17): Is Odysseus a hero?
 * Do you believe Odysseus is a true hero?
 * Use the qualities we discussed in class to formulate your position.
 * Compare/contrast him with your hero.
 * Identify his Hero's Journey steps.
 * Journal 4 (10/24-25): Card quotes
 * Orson Scott card states:
 * "Children are a perpetual, self-renewing underclass, helpless to escape from the decisions of adults until they become adults themselves."
 * "I felt like a person all along--the same person that I am today. I never felt that my emotions and desires were somehow less real than an adult's emotions or desires."
 * What are your thoughts on these quotes? Do you agree with one more than the other? Are they mutually exclusive or do these ideas fit together somehow? How do they compare to your life?
 * Journal 5 (11/15-16): Seminar Notes and Reflection
 * You should include the notes you took beforehand and the notes you took during discussion.
 * Reflection (1 page): Choose one of the questions from the seminar and write a final reflection, using your ideas as well as those of others in class. Did your opinions change? Did anyone make any points that you hadn't considered?
 * Journal 6 (11/26-27): Book Letter
 * Write a letter (one page) to someone you think might enjoy (or hate) the book you have been reading. Be sure to explain what he/she would like (or dislike) about it. Would that person relate to a certain character? Would he/she like the subject or theme? Be specific.
 * //Oedipus Rex//Journals:
 * Parts 1-4 (see separate assignment sheets)