BTaylor


 * Britany Taylor**
 * __Annotated Diverse Text Assignment__**
 * __Print resources__**

1. Beigbeder, Frederic (2004). //Windows On The World:// New York, NY. __Summary__- This novel captures the bizarre collection f emotional modes during the events of September 11th. The first chapter is titles 8:30, and the chapters following are titled 8:31, 8:32, etc. leading up until the time of the first and second planes that hit the Twin Towers. This novel shows us what was happening “backstage” if you will, with normal routine and wandering thoughts of the characters in the story. __Rationale__: I would introduce this book as an outside reading assignment for the first few weeks of school, preferably in September, so that the dates will work coercively with the time of September 11th. The students would have a week and a half to complete the book, and highlight any interesting points. Also, the students will have to come to class prepared with discussion questions to lead each class. It will give the class an ability to have some hands on experience with teaching and leading a class discussion, as well as opening “emotional doors” where all the students will be able to relate to this book; what they were doing that day, what they felt, what they were thinking, etc. __Objectives__: My objectives will follow Standards 1 and Standards 6 and 9. The way in which I will assess this class with respect to their reading comprehension and general understanding of the concepts is through class discussion and the individual discussion days.

2. Stetson, Perkins Charlotte. (1988) //American Short Stories: The Yellow Wallpaper//: W.W. Norton & Company Inc. New York, NY. __Summary__: In this story the main character, the narrator who is also left anonymous, is stricken to bed rest for she is told to have a “disease,” which is never defined. Her husband is her main caretaker, and he supports his thesis by keeping her in a bedroom which is adorned in yellow wallpaper. Throughout the story we see a change in the character, and she begins to become completely obsessed with this wallpaper, losing sleep and appetite over its hideous patterns and angles. __Rationale__: this short story will open the students eyes to “in debth reading.” It will look beyond simple reading comprehension and test the students on reading between the lines and giving their own answer and reasoning to a story. Objectives: My objectives from this reading assignment are to follow Standard 5, which is to create instructional opportunities to encourage students’ development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills. Critical thinking being the center of this assignemtn. I hope from this reading and class discussion the students will be able to foster more critical reading skills.

3. Swift, Jonathan. (1999) //A Modest Proposal: Encyclopedia of the Self.// Retrieved on February 27 from Self Knowledge Forum Web Site: http://emotionalliteracyeducation.com/classic_books_online/mdprp10.htm__ Summary: Written in 1729, during the escape from Britain’s political tyranny. Written in satire; A Modest Proposal was written for preventing the children of poor people in Ireland from [|being] a burden on their parents or country, and for making them beneficial to the public. This was written to make the people aware of what a depression and economic fall t hey were facing, and the only way to cure it was to eat their children; as Swift states. __Rationale__: Incorporated with British literature of the late 1700’s and 1800’s in 12th grade English. __Objective__: To give students an outlook from different perspectives of the British writing. Not all of it is drone and straight forward, some of it is sarcastic and enlightening.

4. William, Blake. (2008). //A Poison Tree//. Retrieved on February 26 from Poem Hunter Web Site: http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-poison-tree/ __Summary__: A poem around the time period of this 12th grade English class. __Rationale__: Helps students use critical thinking skills. Class discussion will be the basis of this 12th grade English class, and one of the assignments will be to have each student read the poem and then write a few response questions or comments. Then the next day in class, we will change the room into a circle and one student will be chosen to lead the class with their questions. __Objective__: To follow Standard 8, where communication skills are important and the teacher takes the sideline and the students form the discussion.

5. Bradford, William. (1988). //Of Plymouth Plantation: The Norton Anthology of American// //Literature:// W.W. Norton & Company New York, NY. __Summary__: An introduction to life in New England, and Bradford’s influence on the new American culture. Also, a clear depiction of the separation of church and state. __Rationale__: this could be used as an introduction to the British literature area of the 12th grade english course. It will show students a different perspective and help them understand the separation of church and state and how religion played a major role in the development of the New England states. __Objective__: Following standard 3 of the RIBTS, as a teacher, I would introduce the lesson with this essay reflecting on how students learn and develop. A student will understand an objective of a lesson or an assignment with prior knowledge.

1. Matthews, Dave. (2007). //American Baby//. Lyrics retrieved from the Web Site www.sing365.com __Summary__: Lyrics to American Baby by Dave Matthews. __Rationale__: Used as in introduction to reading the story “Window to the World.” Goes along with the theme of unity and development of America. __Objective__: These lyrics are of a popular band and the use of culture in society today will help the students understand how important unity is to America and how it has changed since September 11th, since the song was written after the event. This would follow Standard 1 and 8.
 * Media Sources**

2. Videos retrieved from Web site http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032633. __Summary__: Live videos of candidates for 2008 election speaking about their campaign. __Rationale__: Keeps students up to date with politics and current events. Also shows the way that Democratic and republicans differ. __Objective__: Help students to make their own choices of their presidential election, since the majority of the students will be turning 18, also helps students make comparisons between 18th century government styles and today. A great leeway into class discussion. This would follow standard 9.


 * Online Interactive Sources**

1. Olga’s Gallery. (2005). //ABC Gallery.// Retrieved from Web Site http://www.abcgallery.com/ __Summary__: A list of artists and paintings from a-z. Ranging from Ancient Greek to Picasso. __Rationale__: for an assignment, have each student choose and artist and write a short paper on how their artwork relates to their time period. For example, if an artist is painting in the 1700’s, what is going on around this time in New England and across the world? What could influence this artist to paint this painting? __Objective__: this assignment will help students better understand the political, religious, emotional, and psychological changes and differences in the early time periods of New England. This would follow standard 9 on the RIBTS.

2. Annenberg Media. (2008). //Interactive.// Videos and interactive acitivites retrieved from http://www.learner.org/students/ __Summary__: Website that is focused around interactive activities for students and teachers. There are links from all ages of history including the middle ages and 18th century. __Rationale__: Interactive websites allows students to have ahnds on experience with history and exploration. Allows the student to explore and learn at his/her own pace and is also excellent for visual learners. __Objective__: To give all students an equal opportunity to explore their technological skills and knowledge. Standard 3 and Standard 9.


 * Instructional Resources**

1. Festival, Humanities Chicago. (2007) //Beowulf Lesson Plan//. Lesson plan retrieved from Web Site http://www.chfestival.org/resources/content/BeowulfLessonPlan.pdf __Summary__: An in depth lesson plan for the instruction of Beowulf. It includes activities and quizzes. __Rationale__: To use this as an aid in my teaching of the story Beowulf. It has a list of objectives and strategies in order to help my understanding the lesson. __Objective__: To use this lesson plan as an example and aid to help my own lessons to be as creative and informative.


 * The overall theme of this lesson plan would be in support of a 12th grade English class. In my high school experience, our 12th grade English class focused on 18th century literature mostly in Britain and also in New England. We spent a majority of the time on British poetry, Chaucer, and Beowulf, therefore all of these resources will aid in the teaching of a British revolved 12th grade English class.

Britany, In regards to your diverse text set for a unit for a 12th grade English class, I think you did a great job compiling resources that seem very interesting. However, I'm having some difficulty understanding how you will approach the shift between units, as these resources all cover a different subject, from famine to mental illness to terrorist attacks to art. While your rationall for each is clear and makes sense, I would suggest focusing on one topic and finding resources that more closely relate to that central theme. -Kaitlyn LaPlume