AP English (A&B) Lesson Plans of Linda Robinson: Week #10 11/7/11-11/11/11
AP English
Mon.
B Day
Objectives:
(1) Point out today’s objectives and upcoming homework assignments.
(2) Through projection and handouts, students will finish explication and analysis of Richard Wright’s poem,
“Between the World and Me”. Students will analyze the significance of the title, and how the poet conveys tone
(bitter disillusionment) and theme (the destructive effect of racism on the human spirit) through elements of style,
and how the suspense and horror is built up throughout the poem. Analyze how this poem relates to both I Know
Why the Caged Bird Sings and Heart of Darkness (racism & disillusionment) (SOL 12.3, 12.4).
(3) Concluding discussion of “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”, related to the concept of the quest and the ideals
of chivalry in the structure of feudal society. Explanation of timed essay to be written on a later class day (SOL
12.4, 12.6).
(4) Return summer essay packets on Heart of Darkness; let students review essays and read comments. As intro to
discussion of this novel, teacher will give a brief presentation on African colonialism and on Nietzche’s use of
Apollo and Dionysus as metaphors with which to examine works of literature.
Circle group: Begin discussion of Heart of Darkness, guided by questions in the summer essay packets. Analyze
the extensive use of symbolism and foreshadowing to create/build on leitmotifs in the novel, from the map of Africa
to the use of the term “pilgrims” to describe the people associated with the ivory trade. Analyze the various themes
and how they are conveyed in the novel. Analyze the author’s style – esp. his deliberate creation of ambiguity
through use of framework, layered narrators, setting, anonymity of people/places etc. Analyze the characters, and
the meaning of those not named (the Intended, etc.); identify foils and parallels. Identify themes about the nature of
colonialism, the heart of the universe and mankind himself. What is meant by Kurtz’s final words? As we discuss
the characters in the novel, students will also analyze them via the Apollonian and the Dionysian concepts. (SOL
12.3, 12.4).
Handouts/Materials:
(1) Projection and handouts of poem “Between the World and Me”
(2) Graded summer essays on Heart of Darkness
Assignments:
(1) Bring Heart of Darkness novel to next several classes until finished – review novel for discussion.
(2) Quiz on Vocab Unit 8 Wed. for A-Day / Thurs. for B-Day
(3) Timed AP essay on “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”/feudalism/chivalry: Friday for A Day/ Mon. for B Day
Tues.
Wed.
A Day
NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS – TEACHER WORK DAY!
Objectives:
(1) Point out today’s objectives and upcoming homework assignments.
(2) Quiz on AP Vocabulary Unit 8 (points-of-view, rhyme forms, sound devices) with spelling component (SOL
12.3).
(3) Concluding discussion of “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”, related to the concept of the quest and the ideals
of chivalry in the structure of feudal society. Explanation of timed essay to be written on a later class day (SOL
12.4, 12.6).
(4) Through projection and handouts, students will finish explication and analysis of Richard Wright’s poem,
“Between the World and Me”. Students will analyze the significance of the title, and how the poet conveys tone
(bitter disillusionment) and theme (the destructive effect of racism on the human spirit) through elements of style,
and how the suspense and horror is built up throughout the poem. Analyze how this poem relates to both I Know
Why the Caged Bird Sings and Heart of Darkness (racism & disillusionment) (SOL 12.3, 12.4).
(5) Return summer essay packets on Heart of Darkness; let students review essays and read comments. As intro to
discussion of this novel, teacher will give a brief presentation on African colonialism and on Nietzche’s use of
Apollo and Dionysus as metaphors with which to examine works of literature.
Circle group: Begin discussion of Heart of Darkness, guided by questions in the summer essay packets. Analyze
the extensive use of symbolism and foreshadowing to create/build on leitmotifs in the novel, from the map of Africa
to the use of the term “pilgrims” to describe the people associated with the ivory trade. Analyze the various themes
and how they are conveyed in the novel. Analyze the author’s style – esp. his deliberate creation of ambiguity
through use of framework, layered narrators, setting, anonymity of people/places etc. Analyze the characters, and
the meaning of those not named (the Intended, etc.); identify foils and parallels. Identify themes about the nature of
colonialism, the heart of the universe and mankind himself. What is meant by Kurtz’s final words? As we discuss
the characters in the novel, students will also analyze them via the Apollonian and the Dionysian concepts. (SOL
12.3, 12.4).
Handouts/Materials:
(1) Projection and handouts of poem “Between the World and Me”
(2) Graded summer essays on Heart of Darkness
(3) Quiz on AP Vocab Unit 8
Assignments:
(1) Bring Heart of Darkness novel to next several classes until finished – review novel for discussion.
(2) Timed AP essay on “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”/feudalism/chivalry: Friday for A Day/ Mon. for B Day
Thurs.
B Day
Objectives:
(1) Point out today’s objectives and upcoming homework assignments.
(2) Quiz on AP Vocabulary Unit 8 (points-of-view, rhyme forms, sound devices) with spelling component (SOL
12.3).
(3) Circle group: Continue discussion of Heart of Darkness, guided by questions in the summer essay packets.
Analyze the extensive use of symbolism and foreshadowing to create/build on leitmotifs in the novel, from the map
of Africa to the use of the term “pilgrims” to describe the people associated with the ivory trade. Analyze the
various themes and how they are conveyed in the novel. Analyze the author’s style – esp. his deliberate creation of
ambiguity through use of framework, layered narrators, setting, anonymity of people/places etc. Analyze the
characters, and the role/significance of those not named (the Intended, etc.); identify foils and parallels. Identify
themes about the nature of colonialism, the heart of the universe and mankind himself. What is meant by Kurtz’s
final words? As we discuss the characters in the novel, students will also analyze them via the Apollonian and the
Dionysian concepts. (SOL 12.3, 12.4).
Handouts/Materials:
(1) Quiz on AP Vocab Unit 8
Assignments:
(1) Bring Heart of Darkness novel to next several classes until finished – review novel for discussion.
(2) Timed AP essay on “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”/feudalism/chivalry: Friday for A Day/ Mon. for B Day
Fri.
A Day
Report
Cards!
Objectives:
(1) Point out today’s objectives and upcoming homework assignments.
(2) 45 minute timed AP Exam-style essay on “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” will be written in class. Review
expectations beforehand (SOL 12.4, 12.6).
(3) Circle group: Finish (?) discussion of Heart of Darkness, guided by questions in the summer essay packets.
Analyze the extensive use of symbolism and foreshadowing to create/build on leitmotifs in the novel, from the map
of Africa to the use of the term “pilgrims” to describe the people associated with the ivory trade. Analyze the
various themes and how they are conveyed in the novel. Analyze the author’s style – esp. his deliberate creation of
ambiguity through use of framework, layered narrators, setting, anonymity of people/places etc. Analyze the
characters, and the role/significance of those not named (the Intended, etc.); identify foils and parallels. Identify
themes about the nature of colonialism, the heart of the universe and mankind himself. What is meant by Kurtz’s
final words? As we discuss the characters in the novel, students will also analyze them via the Apollonian and the
Dionysian concepts. (SOL 12.3, 12.4).
Handouts/Materials:
Assignments:
(1) Bring Heart of Darkness novel to next several classes until finished – review novel for discussion.
(2) Timed AP essay on “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”/feudalism/chivalry: Mon. for B Day