Setting, Point of View, and Theme Test

Tuesday 18 November 2014 for Periods 2, 5, & 6 and Wednesday 19 November 2014

Students have the entire period to complete the test.

No homework

An Explicit Theme in Ben Stiller's The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

In class, Mr. Stone has discussed several implied/implicit themes from Ben Stiller's The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) that they may choose to discuss in the up-coming test. Students should also consider an explicit theme of the movie: "To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other, and to feel. That is the purpose of life." These words are printed on a lobby wall at Life magazine where Walter Mitty works in the film. Sean O'Connell gives Walter Mitty a wallet with these words engraved in them. The words appear on the runway as Walter departs for Greenland. Near the end of the movie, Walter asks Ted Hendricks what is the motto of the company.

If you chose to use this explicit theme on the test, be sure to describe these instances and discuss how they are connected to one of the film's main story line's and its outcome.

Last Test Review for Setting, Point of View and Theme Test

Monday 17 November 2014 for Periods 2, 5, & 6 and Tuesday 18 November 2014

Students completed their T-charts about the film The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013). Each student's T-chart needs to list a minimum of five strengths of the film/aspects the student likes about the film and five weaknesses of the film/aspects of the film the student dislikes. Students highlighted in purple the heading of the column that they were choosing to argue and highlighted in blue four supporting points in that they had written in that column. They highlighted one point from the opposing column in blue that they were to label "concession."

Students took a mock test of the point-of-view portion of their up-coming test. Mr. Stone went over the correct answers and modeled the analysis he did to determine the correct answers.

Mr. Stone briefly reviewed the topics and format of the up-coming test. He emphasized the importance of preparing for the function of setting and theme portions of the test by practicing writing out their paragraph responses before the test. He modeled a response for each.

Homework: Finish studying for the test.

End of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Viewing and Test Review

Students finished viewing Ben Stiller's The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) and began reviewing for the Short Story Test 2: Setting Point of View and Theme.

Mr. Stone distributed and went over a review sheet for the upcoming test. Students should study the Quizlet stacks Mr. Stone made for Titles and Authors, Setting Details and Elements and Titles, and Vocabulary.

In addition, students should be able to list the five elements of setting:
1. geographical location
2. historical period
3. time of day
4. weather
5. cultural milieu

Students should practice writing out their paragraph responses to the question on the function of setting and the question on a theme/moral in the film The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

Students had time to complete a T-chart as part of the prewriting for their upcoming film review paper.

Homework: Finish T-chart if not finished in class and study for the upcoming test.

Test for Periods 2, 5, & 6 will be on Tuesday 18 November 2014 and for Period 7 on Wednesday 19 November 2014.

More Viewing of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Students continued to view the 2013 film version of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and take notes for their film review.

Homework: Continue studying for next week's test over Setting, Point of View, and Theme. A list of selected vocabulary words has been added to Quizlet. Study these words and the names of the authors and titles posted yesterday.

Viewing The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Journal Entry: In an entry titled "Second Quarter Book Choice," identify the author and title of the biography/autobiography you selected for your second quarter book report. Explain why you chose the book and what you have learned in your first twenty or more minutes of reading the book.

Viewing: Students began watching Ben Stiller's 2013 version of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty loosely based on James Thurber's short story. Mr. Stone asked them to write down some notes as they viewed. Students will be writing a review of the film.

Homework: Begin studying for the test over Setting, Point of View and Theme by studying the Quizlet set containing the names of the authors and titles in the unit.

Note: The test will be taken by Periods 2, 5, & 6 on Tuesday, November 18th and by Period 7 on Wednesday, November 19th. A review sheet will be distributed to students on Wednesday, November 12th.

Library: 2nd Quarter Book Selection

English I met in the library today to select an autobiography/biography to read for their second quarter book report. Students are expected to bring the book they selected to their first English class next week.

Homework: Read at least twenty minutes in your biography/autobiography.

Note: Student will be expected to read the book as outside reading during the next month. Outside reading means it is done outside of the normal class and homework time.

What Makes a Good Fillm?

Thursday 5 November 2014 for Periods 5 & 6 and Friday 7 November 2014 for Periods 2 & 7

Journal Entry: What makes a good film?

Mr. Stone presented information on how to participate in an academic discussion.

Class Discussion: What makes a good film?

No homework

Thursday the class will meet in the library for selection of an autobiography or biography to read for the second quarter book report.

Submission of Prewriting and Rough Draft of Book Report

Tuesday 4 November 2014 for Periods 2, 5 & 6 and Wednesday 5 November 2014 for Period 7

Students reviewed James Thurber's "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" for the first ten minutes of class before taking a quiz.

Students submitted seven pieces of prewriting and the rough draft of their first quarter book report.

The class discussed "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty."

No Homework

Housekeeping & Drafting Time

Mr. Stone passed out grade reports and students received back a number of recently graded assignments. They were directed to compare the scores on the assignments to their grade report to make sure there were no clerical errors.

Students were given opportunity to discuss any discrepancies with Mr. Stone.

Students had the majority of the class period to work on typing their rough draft of their book report. They were also encouraged to finish reading James Thurber's "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" if they had not done so previously (346-352).

Homework: Finish typing the seven-paragraph rough draft of the book report and be prepared for a quiz over "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" (346-352).

Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado"

Thursday 30 October 2014 for Periods 5 & 6 and Friday 31 October for Periods 1 & 7

Student's listened to a recording of Basil Rathbone reading Edgar Allan Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado."

Mr. Stone discussed how the story was an example of a gothic story.

Student began reading James Thurber's "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" (346-352).

Homework: Begin typing your seven-paragraph book report.