RUBRIC for Fences project

RUBRIC FOR FENCES

 

5 = Your blog shows mastery and professionalism.  Your writing clearly reveals of sense of the context of the play from your research.  Materials are clearly organized, and the selection of elements is clearly explained and related to the play or the author.  The images and texts connect several times with the “American Dream” theme.  Information is from reliable sites.  The presentation is graceful and attractive.

 

4=Good.  You have demonstrated an understanding of the context of the play.  Materials are clearly organized, and the selection of the elements is generally clearly explained.  All or almost all of the information is from reliable sources.  The presentation may be awkward or unattractive.

 

3=Acceptable.  You demonstrate at least some understanding of the content.  The materials may be haphazardly assembled, and the selection may be unclear in places.  A substantial amount of the work may be from unreliable sources.  The page may be missing one or two elements.  The presentation may be awkward or unattractive. 

 

2= Poor.  Your presentation has many faults.  The materials are poorly assembled, and some of the selections may not be clearly related to the play, the playwright or the American Dream Theme.  There may be 1-3 items missing.  The presentation may be awkward or unattractive.

 

1= Unacceptable.  You did not demonstrate any understanding of the context of the play.  The elements on the page are difficult to relate to the work.  The page may be missing more than three elements.

Ninth Lit Project directions for Fences

Please be sure to read these directions COMPLETELY!!

Project:  Fences by August Wilson

 

PURPOSE:

 

In order to understand and appreciate a work of literature, it is important to understand its setting.  You are going to find out about the setting – the time and place – of the play FENCES.

 

THE TASK:

 

1. You are going to be composing a blog.  You will use the attached list of websites to assemble a “resource bank” of texts, photos, video clips, and music that reflect the period, background, and social situation of either the playwright, August Wilson, or of the characters in his play, FENCES -the protagonist Troy Maxson in particular. 

 

1. Your collection should include AT LEAST the following:

 

1.  
   1. A minimum of 8 photographic images
   2. A minimum of 2 headlines
   3. A minimum of 2 poems
   4. A minimum of 2 sound clips
   5. You may also include a video clip (optional)

 

1. Before you save your work, make sure that you check it against the grading rubric.  (see attached)

 

Websites for FENCES

Use the following websites for your assignment.

Websites

Commentary on the play.	Class notes from Contemporary Drama Class (English 331) at the University of Indiana. http://english.uindy.edu/english_331_docs/fences.htm“Inspired by August Wilson.”  A project of Humboldt State University, Arcata, California. http://www.humboldt.edu/~ah/wilson/ Brief commentary and study questions from San Francisco United District Schools. http://www.sfusd.edu/schwww/sch571/MLRQ/fences01.html
About the playwright.	Brief Biography from African.com. http://www.africana.com/research/encarta/tt_120.aspBiographical information and commentaries on his plays. http://www.bridgesweb.com/blacktheatre/wilson.html “Inspired by August Wilson.”  A project of Humboldt State University, Arcata, California. http://www.humboldt.edu/~ah/wilson/ The Hill District:  Home of August Wilson.  http://www.clpgh.org/exhibit/neighborhoods/hill/hill_n102.html
About the Negro Leagues.	“Welcome to Shadowball:  The Story of the Negro Leagues” http://library.thinkquest.org/3427/“Negro League Baseball.”     In particular, look at “FAQ” and “Profiles.” http://www.negroleaguebaseball.com/profiles.html “The Pittsburgh Crawfords” http://www.clpgh.org/exhibit/neighborhoods/hill/hill_n255.html “The Homestead Grays” http://www.clpgh.org/exhibit/neighborhoods/hill/hill_n218.html
General history of the period.	From Kingwood College Library “American Cultural History:  1950-1959.” http://nhmccd.edu/contracts/lrc/kc/decade50.html
Poetry of the Harlem Renaissance and afterwards.	“Poetry Exhibitions:  Poetry of the Harlem Renaissance and Beyond.”  In particular, look for poems that deal with the theme of dreams, especially American Dreams. http://www.poets.org/exh/Exhibit.cfm?prmID=7
“The African-American Odyssey:  the Civil Rights Era.”  U.S. Library of Congress, American Memory Collection.	For information on the African-American experience after World War II. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/aaohtml/exhibit/aopart9.html
The Blues.	“Blues, Gospel.”  U.S. Library of Congress American Memory Collection. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/ftvhtml/ftvhome.htmlLook under “Projects: Collection of American Blues (inspired by August Wilson” on the Humboldt State site.  http://www.humboldt.edu/~ah/wilson/

 

Fall of the House of Usher

Answer the following questions in complete sentences!

1.  How does the Fall of the House of Usher reflect/represent the Gothic style?

2.  Describe the room that Roderick Usher is staying in.  Be sure to capture the Gothic elements.

3.  Madeline’s long lasting illness baffled her doctors.  She seemed to lose interest in life and physically she would occasionally experience a cataleptical seizure.  What does “cataleptical” mean?

4.  What kind of books did the narrator and Roderick read?

5.  When Madeline dies, what does Roderick plan to do with the body? Why?

5.  Describe the vault in which the narrator and Roderick place Madeline’s coffin.

6.  After Madeline’s death, how did  Roderick change?

7.  How does Roderick react to the sounds he hears in the house?  Give examples.

8.  What does Roderick say is causing the sounds in the house?

9.  How does Roderick die?

10.  The narrator flees from the house out into the storm.  a wild light appears behind him so he turns to see what caused it.  what does he witness?

March 13 assignment

Go to the following link and answer the questions on lined paper.  http://www.cobbk12.org/~simpson/Teacher%20Sites/Donaldson/poe_scavenger_hunt.htm

The Puritans – Week of January 28-Feb 1

Brochures are still being produced and meanwhile we are reading excerpts from William Bradford’s Of Plymouth Plantation.  Students have been instructed to read, in groups, and answer questions reflecting on information gained from the textbook excerpt.  This week we will also explore captivity narratives as well as early Puritan poetry.

January 17

We had our first test…thanks to those who came to school and to those who stayed home…you will need to make-up this test!  Please bring an excused absence letter.  Vocabulary quiz is tomorrow.  We will first review some of the posted sentences.

Assignments for January 15 and 16

Students need to use this time to finish myths, post vocabulary and read the two myths entitled, “Native Lore: How Coyote Stole Fire,” and “Origin of Fire.”  There is a compare/contrast graphic organizer to fill in for this assignment.  January 17th is the date for our Native American Mythology test. 

Assignment for January 15

Students, please post your ten vocabulary (pre-fixes) sentences to this post.  These are due by the end of today…January 15th.

Ninth Lit – January 11

We focused on the Elements of a Short Story by analyzing The Most Dangerous Game.  We focused on Character(Individual, Developing and Static), Point of View, Theme, Setting, Plot and Conflict.