Campbell's Classroom

Exam Prep Tip #5

2011-05-31T10:19:00.000-07:00

How to write an excellent Short Answer:

1. Read the question
2. Re-read the question and annotate for details so you ANSWER THE PROMPT
3. Write a rough thesis (Turn the question into a statement)
4. Create an idea web or short outline
5. Write the essay. A short essay should be 15-25 sentences
6. Reread your essay; make edits as needed

Tip: Use quotes from other sections of the exam to add credibility to your assertion and to add support variety (i.e. paraphrase, direct quote)

There is no need for a Works Cited, but use MLA citation format for in-text citation. You can cite the author (no page # needed).

Exam Prep Tip #4

2011-05-31T08:07:00.000-07:00

As you know, we studied many, many poems during our poetry unit. You will only need to review THREE (3) for the exam. You should go back and reread, look at annotations, and reflect on discussion notes for:
- The Weary Blues by Langston Hughes
- Success is Counted Sweetest by Emily Dickinson
- To Helen by Edgar Allen Poe

Exam Prep Tip #3

2011-05-27T11:52:00.000-07:00

You got your portfolio of writing back today; take a look through your Q3 and Q4 essays, and maybe add in your reflections from The Namesake if you haven't already, and think about the topics or themes YOU highlighted. Which quotes did you use from the novels in your writings? Why are they significant?

Now is the time to dig back into the books as well. Which quotes did you highlight in the text? Why are those passages significant? What do they say about the major characters/plot/theme of the work?

Exam Prep Tip #2

2011-05-25T10:51:00.001-07:00

Get out a sheet of paper and begin brainstorming major themes for the year. Obviously we talked about "What does it mean to be American" and you've come up with some great answers in your multigenre projects, but what else specifically did we talk about?

Some ideas:
racism and oppression
social class boundaries
gender limitations and opportunities
immigration and assimilation

Exam Prep Tip #1

2011-05-24T10:33:00.001-07:00

First, you'll want to collect up all your materials from second semester.

We've read three books:
1. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
2. The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
3. Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko

We've studied poetry:
Columbia Anthology of Poetry - BUT... most (if not all poems) can be found online

We've taken Vocabulary quizzes

We've written essays
1. Poetry
2. Gatsby
3. Namesake
4. Ceremony

Scanning the Horizon

2011-04-17T16:03:00.000-07:00

Please post your notes from our context research for Ceremony.

SAMPLE POST

Kathryn . Per X

Places: dry, sandy, spiny cactus, plateaued, muted, sunny

Laguna Pueblo are:
- Known for their pottery style w/red, yellow, and orange geometric designs
- Pueblos speak 5 different languages; Laguna Pueblo Indians speak Keres
- The seal of the Laguna Pueblo tribe is a man dancing in an Eagle suit

Until 1982, the AIS taught Lagunas not to be Indian. Students were given new names, white textbooks to learn how to be industrial workers.

Dear Mom and Dad,
I am writing to you from Wake Island, where I’m stationed in the South Pacific to help build the half-completed U.S. air and submarine base. Only a few weeks until Christmas, and I am sad that I won’t be there to celebrate with you. The news about the Pearl Harbor bombing came over the radio this morning and we were all shocked. It is nearly lunchtime here on the base. What do I hear? Airplanes? We weren’t expecting more U.S. forces. Out the window, I see Japanese bombers… 5… 10… 30… there are too many to count. It’s just like Pearl Harbor! Pray for me.
Love from your son

Genetic Influences on Alcohol and Alcoholism:
“Alcoholism, like diabetes or hypertension, is a complex condition influenced by both environment and genes.
“If we can identify those who are genetically vulnerable, we can modify the environment to help them."

Discussion Questions

2011-04-17T16:02:00.000-07:00

Please use this space to post your DQs for Ceremony readings.

SAMPLE QUESTION POST

Kathryn . PER X . PP. 1-32

DQ: When Tayo is visiting with the doctor at the VA hospital (pp. 15-16), he refers to himself in the 3rd person. What is the reader supposed to infer from this? Is he crazy? Who does he think he is if he's not himself?It's confusing.

DQ: Are you surprised by Tayo’s statement on pg. 18 about the Japanese woman who tries to help him and her son?

I (heart) Reading

2011-02-27T12:19:00.000-08:00

Post your FLR suggestions, with a brief (1-2 sentence) blurb to let others know what is enticing about the book.

F. Scott Fitzgerald

2011-01-27T10:24:00.000-08:00

Post selected biography information with citation (not wikipedia) on the author of The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald. Remember READ all the posts and post new information about this SPA alum (class of 1913).

The Roaring 20s

2011-01-27T10:23:00.000-08:00

Post a paragraph of history (fashion, technology, news) with citation (not wikipedia) about the American Era of "The Roaring 20s." Remember to publish new information, so you'll want to READ the other posts first!

The Great Gatsby

2011-01-27T10:22:00.000-08:00

Post a paragraph of information with citation (not wikipedia) on the subject of The Great Gatsby. Remember to publish something new, so you'll want to READ the other posts first!

Q3 Poetry Unit - Terms

2011-01-04T07:12:00.000-08:00

For your selected term, provide a definition, an example, and a tool that will help us learn it (an image, song, etc.) This MUST BE POSTED before classtime on Wednesday, January 5.

Short Stories

2010-12-08T11:19:00.001-08:00

Post character, plot, and thematic information for:
- The Yellow Wallpaper by C.P. Gilman
- Fiesta, 1980 by J. Diaz
- Battle Royal by R. Ellison
- Hills Like White Elephants by E. Hemingway

Joe Turner's Come and Gone

2010-12-08T11:18:00.000-08:00

Post character, plot and thematic information for JT by August Wilson.

Booker T / W.E.B.

2010-12-08T11:17:00.002-08:00

Post key thematic elements from the "Self Relaiance" by Booker T Washington and "On Booker T Washingon" by W.E.B. Dubois.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

2010-12-08T11:17:00.001-08:00

Post character, plot, and thematic information for HF by Mark Twain.

Emerson

2010-12-08T11:16:00.004-08:00

Post key thematic ideas for Emerson's "Self-Reliance"

The Scarlet Letter

2010-12-08T11:16:00.001-08:00

Post character, plot and thematic information for SL by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

The Things They Carried

2010-12-08T11:15:00.000-08:00

Post Character, Plot, and thematic information for The T3C by Tim O'Brien.

Wikispaces for American Literature

2010-11-15T10:19:00.001-08:00

Click the link below to access the online resources from Mr. Bancks: http://americaliterature.wikispaces.com/Joe+Turner+Web+Sources

Joe Turner's Come and Gone

2010-11-12T08:58:00.000-08:00

Classes spent the day researching The Reconstruction, Joe Turner, and contemporary issues of race on Monday. Post your paragraph of information, link and/or citation as a response under this posting.

Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter

2010-09-20T10:38:00.001-07:00

For your topic, post a paragraph of data and a link for those who would like more information. Make sure to include your question and names in the posting.

The Puritans

2010-09-20T10:36:00.000-07:00

For your topic, post a paragraph of data and a link for those who would like more information. Make sure to include your question and names in the posting.

American Transcendentalism

2010-09-14T09:08:00.001-07:00

For your given topic, post original information that provides insight into American Transcendentalism for your peers. Cite your sources (providing a website link is adequate)

Transcendental Authors

2010-09-14T09:05:00.000-07:00

For your author, please provide biographical information, themes explored in their writing, causes they advocated for, and an excerpt of their work. Also, include an image, if possible. Don't forget to cite your sources!

What does it mean to be American?

2010-09-10T10:00:00.001-07:00

This is the central question we explore in American Literature. There are many answers. Some of them come from national statements; some are felt in the collective spirit. Some are outside perceptions; some are undeniably personal.

Poetry Review

2010-05-28T10:13:00.000-07:00

Study the SIX poems (linked below) to review for the poetry section on the Final Test. Think about poetic style, characters, themes, and literary devices used. The handouts you received from presenters are also a great study tool!

World War II

2010-04-19T06:41:00.003-07:00