are you [now] within the sound of this blog?

Comment in the next five minutes (by 9:01 PM PST) and get credit for a brilliant idea.  Whether you have one or not.

january 31

JOURNAL TOPIC: [today's tunes: "Rearviewmirror" by Pearl Jam]

At the end of Chapter 2 we encounter a harsh moment between Tom and Myrtle.  We've already encountered a few harsh moments between characters who have money, time, and the lifestyles we generally associate with being easy on ourselves and others, not hard.  Why do you suppose some people are angry or mean toward themselves and others, even their loved ones, even when they appear to "have it all"?

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. A word about thesis statements
3. Finish Chapter 2 and get into Chapter 3

follow and win: update

In fairness to periods 4, 5, and 6, I will post the quiz during the passing period before each class-- and take it down each period when the late bell rings.

gatsby thesis statement

Write a thesis statement that would begin your essay answer to the following prompt:

The Lost Generation

– Gertrude Stein once said to Ernest

Hemingway about the artists of the

1920’s, “You are all a

lost generation.”

Explain what it means to be “lost” in this context, and

analyze how at least two of the characters

in the novel are representative of the lost

generation of the 1920’s and 1930’s in America.

Use quotes, symbols, and events to support

your answer.

follow the blog and win

Did you get the notifications for the last couple posts?

Unless you're one of the 28 people following the blog, I doubt it.

So here is what I'm going to do.

I am going to give a test tomorrow.

The grading implications will be massive.

Your entire future may well depend on it,

I will give the questions online. I will give the answers online.  I will give you exactly five minutes to answer.

This will all happen at 9:04 AM.  It will disappear by the start of 3rd period.

So maybe you should follow the blog between now and then.

Just sayin'.

january 30

Today is my birthday.  (That and $2.50 will get me a cup of coffee.)

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Why do people make such a big deal out of birthdays? 

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Chapter 2 & 3 of Gatsby

my kicks

I got a kick out of all the attention students gave my shoes on Friday.  I got some really nice compliments, and I confess that I'm not used to being noticed for what I wear to school.  In fact, usually I think of my school wardrobe as "constructively invisible" -- I want the focus to be on your ideas, your skills, and your success.  However, these shoes have a story.  For the holidays I bought everyone in my family a pair.  So it tickled me that people noticed. 

Sometimes the little things make a big difference. 

Hope you all had a great weekend. dp