FINALS

Hello everyone.

Here are two of the readings for the Final. Perhaps you should read them both to see which one you feel you could write more on... Either way, remember you can come to class with the story fully annotated.

1. This is "The Raven" by Edgar Allen Poe.

2. This is "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

Here is the review packet.

More posts will follow, however, if anyone wants to get a jump on reading, nows the time:)

I Like... Words

You can use different tenses or parts of speech of the following words, plus the words given to you earlier:

nonexistent ebb imbued teeming winnowed allegory mercurial amiably coyly depreciatively incredulously malignant chrono-(used as a prefix) scope aquiline sovereign endeavors analogical zenith analogue arbitrarily negation dispose abstemiously bestowed diffidently somberly inanity quixotically tenuous auto-(used as a prefix) idiosyncrasy prim trite fetid apparition twitter frailer insistent suffused luminescence coalesced oscillation tableau immobility superimposed disregarded foray bolster contrived subtly tendrils quiescence replete diffuse exasperation bufeted apprentice rudiment marauding arboreal satiated lithe wielded implacable desiccated parched emaciated intimations succulent surplus asserting ravenously forage tumult steadfastly

Friday/Weekend

1. Read The Dead Past in class. Let us know where you leave off by replying to this post with a page number. It doesn't matter, we just want to know where you are. You do not have to read over the weekend. We will continue reading on Monday. P.S. I made some notes on the first two pages to try to lead by example... this is what you should be doing while YOU read, either on paper or in your head.

2. Homework for the weekend..... START THE PROJECT. Please bring something to class on Monday to show that you have worked on your project over the weekend. (It is much better to work a little bit each day) If you want to email me with anything you have so that I could look it over, my email is akatz@cps.edu, or you can reply to the previous rubric post and I would be glad to look over what you have.

PROJECT

Here is the rubric for the project. Please, you will want to start it.

Schedule for Wednesday

1. Read Confido by Kurt Vonnegut.

2. Notice, I blacked out the end of the story...."What's the last thing it said, Pop" (Vonnegut, 2009, pg. 20). Reply to this post what you think Confido said.

3. For tomorrow, look up and be ready to share two pieces of information on Kurt Vonnegut and Isaac Asimov. Kurt Vonnegut is the author of Confido. Isaac Asimov is the author of the next short story, The Dead Past.

Schedule for Monday

1. Finish creative writing.

2. Take the quiz on part I of 2001: A Space Odyssey/Literary Terms.

3. Discuss Part I of 2001: A Space Odyssey.

WEEKEND WORK

1. Read Ruby's post from 2001: A Space Odyssey.

2. Read through the chapter Academy.

3. Post to Check out Zog.

4. Finish reading all of the 2001: A Space Odyssey part 1 (which is everything from the previous link).

5. Post to Questions.

6. Post to Poject.

7. Make sure all your posts are in.

Questions

Create two questions from the readings. Try to make the questions sound real complex :)

Project

For the project you can.....

write a science fiction short story.

write a science fiction poem.

analyze the works presented in the classroom.

research ways in which science fiction has influenced the world around us.

make a science fiction movie.

create a science fiction blog of your own.

etc.

etc.

etc.

Remember, there are some important questions that your project must answer (look at the earlier project post).

For this post, please just say what it is you are thinking of doing. Example: I love to write poems. I am going to make a series of science fiction poems that will attempt to analyze how technology in science fiction is important to the overall plot of the story as well as how it helps to highlight problems with humanity.

Check out Zog.

1. Describe the picture. (comprehension) 2. How is this picture related to the reading from 2001: A Space Odyssey. (Analysis) 3. What are your thoughts about this comic by Gary Larson (do you like it)? What are your thoughts about 2001: A Space Odyssey? (Evaluation) 4. What other drawing, similar to this, would you create to represent the increased use of technology from 2001: A Space Odyssey? (Synthesis) Please answer all four questions and include at least two quotes from 2001: A Space Odyssey, using the author's last name when quoting.

2001: A Space Odyssey

Here is our our first science fiction book we will be reading, 2001: A Space Odyssey. If you get the sublime thought to read the entire section at once, and at your own pace, please stop and reflect often. The class will be moving at a slower pace and questioning: why is this science fiction, what is science fiction and what type of science fiction is this, what is technology, how is technology used in science fiction, how is technology important in both science fiction and in the real world, and how is this similar to Henry David Thoreau's Walden. Our paltry pace will also be important for taking the time to make predictions of the literature and analyze characters. For this first reading, The Road to Extinction, please post on the following questions: What occurs in the first chapter of 2001: A Space Odyssey? How is this life similar to Henry David Thoreau's Walden? How is it different? (Please use at least 2 quotes from the reading)

ALSO, IF YOU ARE ONE WHO LIKES TO KNOW ABOUT THE AUTHOR, PERHAPS YOU WOULD WANT TO KNOW WHY ARTHUR C. CLARKE STILL HAS CLOUT IN THE SCIENCE FICTION COMMUNITY. click here and read about Geostationary Orbits or just go to wikipedia (but remember, a good researcher will follow the sources:)

Technology, through the eyes of Henry David Thoreau

What was Henry David Thoreau's view of technology? What would Thoreau think of our technology today (include one piece of modern technology in your analysis)? FOR BOTH QUESTIONS, PLEASE DO NOT HAVE A SUPERFLUOUS POST AND USE AT LEAST TWO DIRECT QUOTES FROM THE PASSAGES.

Technology

In this science fiction unit we will be focusing on technology. In your own words, what is technology? Please answer in just a few sentences.

Henry David Thoreau

Here are some specifics on Henry David Thoreau: a post from Wikipedia, a post from Answers.com, and a search for Henry David Thoreau quotes. Take a few minutes to read some of this and write three important facts that you find about Henry David Thoreau (please include where you got each of the pieces of information. Remember if you are cutting and pasting use quotes, otherwise I will assume you are summarizing and that the words are yours:) Afterwards, we will read selections from Henry David Thoreau's Walden and discuss it as a class (Economy Part D, section 8; Where I Lived, & What I Lived For, section 15, 16, 18, and 19).

Words for the quiz

These words all come from Henry David Thoreau's Walden; Or, Life in the Woods:

Click here for the pretest. Remember, pretest is not for a grade.

forsake

medium

paltry

resignation

rout

sublime

pygmies

clout

superfluous

Project

The project should be starting now. The idea is to capture much of what you are learning during this time. The questions to answer are: what is science fiction? Is it an important genre? Can you reproduce science fiction? What role does technology play in science fiction? And any future questions brought up in class discussions... There are many different mediums to communicate the answers to these questions. I have some suggestions which I shall share in class and through later posts. You will be asked to periodically post so that everyone is on the same page. Thank you:) And yes, time will be given in class to ensure that everyone has ample time;)