Critical Theory Children's Book Projects

We have applied Critical Theory from the Postmodern, Marxist, Feminist, Psychoanalytic/Freudian, Archetypal/Jungian, and New Historicist schools to our favorite children's books. These presentations posted below show our strong analysis.

For Students

Instructions to upload your PowerPoint are below and also here, along with the grading rubric for the project.

Log into your Google/Gmail account (you will want one now and in the future if you don't already have one!) and go to Google Docs (http://www.docs.google.com/)

Upload your PowerPoint into Google Docs by clicking "Upload" -> unclick the boxes that say "Convert document/text..." -> "Select Files to Upload" -> find the document -> "Start Upload". Then go "Back to Google Docs" and click on the new document you just uploaded.

Share your document by clicking "Share" in the upper right corner -> "Change" -> "Anyone with the link" -> "Save"

Copy the URL from the box in the middle of your screen (NOT from the browser at the top of your screen)

Return to this Blogger blog (www.msjonesapenglish.blogspot.com) and create a Comment on the Critical Theory Children's Book Project post. You will paste the link to your Google Doc PPT into the body of your Comment, but you will disguise the long ugly URL as some nice tidy little text, in this case the title of your children's book. Do it like this: In the body of your comment, type the following:

<a href="YOURGOOGLEDOCSURL">TEXT YOU WANT TO APPEAR</a>

Hit 'Post Comment'. Then test it out! Check in with Ms. Jones if you get stuck.

Literature Circles Round 1: Acclaimed Contemporary Writers

To start blogging, click on the image of your book to the right!

Overview & Goals

In our first round of Literature Circles, we have the pleasure of reading some of the most loved and admired writers of our times. Our goals are to expand our familiarity with writers who are currently publishing, to develop our own tastes in contemporary fiction, and to further our understanding of the text by engaging in dialogue with other readers. Here we go!

Dates

Literature Circle Round 1 will run from Monday, November 15, 2010-January 3, 2011. We should have our new books for Round 2 in hand by January 3, 2011.

Members & Materials

A "Literature Circle" is comprised of at least two people who have their own copies of the book they have chosen from the Literary Selections list. Books may be obtained from local libraries (holds and reserves can be placed online through the Minuteman or BPL networks), used or new bookstores, family, friends, etc.

Reading

Reading happens independently outside of class, according to the pacing guide established by each group on Friday, November 19. Literature Circle reading and blogging happens simultaneously with other regular work in English class; please manage your times wisely.

Blogging

Blogging is the primary way we will communicate with Literature Circle group members about the text. Post to the blog once a week with a thoughtful entry of no more than 250 words! Rules for the safety of your online identity, expectations and assessment criteria, and ideas for starting discussion are posted to the right under Assignment Guidelines; read and adhere to these. Blogging is a significant project grade. Links to blogs are at the right; just click on the name or picture of your book.

Face-to-Face

Brief in-class meetings will happen 2-3 times while reading. This is classwork!

Assessments & Expectations

Clik on link to the right for specific expectations and grading rubrics.

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

by Junot Diaz

The Life of Pi

by Yann Martel

The Road

by Cormac McCarthy

All the Pretty Horses

by Cormac McCarthy

On Beauty

by Zadie Smith

The Poisonwood Bible

by Barbara Kingsolver

Midnight's Children

by Salmon Rushdie

Olive Kitteridge

by Elizabeth Strout