LA 10 Honors Activities
Modernism and Of Mice and Men
Halfway through our Modernism unit, students were asked to read John Steinbeck's novel, Of Mice and Men. To better understand the role of relationships, specifically through George and Lenny, students were asked to participate in an activity that tested their patience and trust. One would act as the Caregiver and have certain goals and objectives for his/her partner to achieve. The other assumes the role of someone suffering from either a mental or physical impairment, and tests the patience of the Caregiver through their limitations. Students were asked to proceed with sensitivity and respect, and to truly put themselves in the position of his/her role while reflecting. See the full assignment below.
|
|
|
Realism and Walt Whitman
As we ended our Romanticism unit and began our study into Realism, we bridged the transition by studying poetry by Walt Whitman. Whitman serves as the bridge between these two genres of American Literature, and this is specifically seen through his poem, "Song of Myself." Students were asked to read this poem and analyze the extend metaphors and language to create meaning of the poem. Students were then asked to test their understanding of Whitman and Realism by writing their own versions of this poem. However, students had to situate their poem in the present day. This will assess their understanding of the unit and answer our essential question of, how voice and realism exists today. Below is an example of a student version of "Song of Myself" that focuses on the Flint Water Crisis, along with Whitman's original.