Update on English IV

I just wanted to let you know that I will not be posting any new assignments this week. We have a lot of students who have not access to the materials until now so I am going to "pause" all new assignments until next week so keep checking the blog for updates. Please know I am available at any time to answer your questions.

Mrs. C

A Raisin in the Sun--Introduction------REMEMBER---ALL THE WEEK'S ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE ON FRIDAY OF THAT WEEK--SO THIS WEEK IT WILL ALL BE DUE BY APRIL 24TH.

A Raisin in the Sun Day 1

First: Watch the video introduction for the play: Video Introduction to A Raisin in the Sun

Second, read the "Introduction" (pages 8-17) to the play (below is a link for the entire play including theintroduction) It is also in the left-hand column under "Quarter 4 texts": 

click here for the entire play including introduction

On a sheet of lined paper answer the following text-based questions using THE RACE STRATEGY (RESTATE ANSWER CITE EXPLAIN) when possible for full-credit:

1) Describe the importance of the play A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry to American culture.
2) Explain the need to cut several scenes from the play.
3) Describe how these cuts affected the overall meaning of the play.
4) What did James Baldwin mean when he wrote that "Americans suffer from an ignorance that is not only colossal, but sacred" (8)? How does this relate to the play?
5). Why does the author say that the end of the play is not a "happy ending" (10)?
6). Describe the 2 scenes that were cut and restored on pages 11 and 12 (Travis and Mrs. Johnson) and their effect on the play.
7) Why does it seem to some that the play is "a sad commentary on America"(13)?
8) Why does the author say that the play will be relevant even when we get past racism "as we must" (13)?

DEFINE the following vocabulary words AND then use each in your own sentence:
consciousness
presaged
ineradicably

In case you didn't see this!

Historical background information for the play

I had several people email me asking about the "due dates" for the "new" assignments (not the research paper). It is important that you check for new postings daily and email work when you are finished. Of course email me with any questions and I will get back to you as soon as I can. If it makes it easier, let's say all of the week's assignments are due by Friday of that week (for example, for this week 4/13-4/17, everything is due by 4/17. No new assignments will be given on Fridays --that will be a day to catch up. This way if you are working on assignments for other classes or have other things going on at home you have some time.

Today's assignment (due by Friday 4/17): Either copy and paste and type or take pictures of handwritten answers---

Please read the packet with necessary background information for the play. Then, answer the following questions (you must restate them and highlight where you found the answer in the passage. The packet and questions are divided into the following sections):

Click here to access a copy of the packet: RITS background info packet 

Questions for the RITS background information packet

Section 1: "Harlem"

1.Why is Langston Hughes' poem "Harlem" considered important?

Section 2: "Lorraine Hansberry"

2.Why does the play A Raisin in the Sun have a "universal appeal" (4)?

3. Describe Lorraine Hansberry's early life.

4. Give examples of the some of the difficulties Hansberry had to endure in her adult life.

Section 3: "History of African Americans in Chicago"

5. What historical circumstances led to the "great migration" north by African Americans (16)?

6. What methods/techniques were used to maintain segregation and why?

7. How did the CHA try to, "ease the pressure in the overcrowded ghettos" and what were the effects (19)?

8. Give some examples of the "vibrant" black arts community in Chicago (19).

9. What were some of the "breakthroughs" African Americans were able to make in business?

10. Give some examples of the achievements made by African Americans in the 20th-21st centuries?

Section 4: "Afrocentrism"

11. What is Afrocentrism? Eurocentrism?

12. Who was Edward Wilmot Blyden and what did he do?

13.Why did Carter G. Woodson say that African Americans at that time suffered from a "miseducation" (22)?

14. Give some examples of the changes that are detailed in the section labeled "1960s and 1970s."

15. According to the text, "Afrocentrists argue that Afrocentricity is important for people of all ethnicities who want to understand African history and the African diaspora" (25). Explain.

Pre-reading/Anticipation Guides for our next play: A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

Today begins new material---you may: 
1. download the worksheet, type on it and email it to me
2. hand write your responses on paper and send me the pictures of your responses
3. type out the answers and send them to me (on a document without the worksheet download)

Here is the link to today's worksheet: Anticipation Guide

First, cross off #8 (I believe it is already done on the worksheet download)
Second, read numbers 1-7 and either right "True" or "False" next to each statement
Third, write a 1-2 sentence explanation of why you feel the way that you do.
Fourth, decide on your 2 favorite/best responses and write them on the back on the lines
"Statement #1" and "Statement #2" and write a longer more detailed response

(NOTE--you are not relating it to the play (we have not started it) but you may relate it to something else we have read this year (Caesar, Malcolm X, etc.) if you like

Research paper due today!

• Please turn in all research papers today (either typed and emailed or handwritten and pictures sent)
• Continue to work on DBA #3 (instructions below)--even though it should be done by today, please keep working on it below (I believe it can be done on your phone without a computer)
• If you sent in a draft and are awaiting comments, please be patient with me. You will still be allowed to make revisions for a better grade.

Research paper due date!

So several students have emailed me asking for extensions on the research paper--I'm fine with everyone handing it in by next Thursday 4/9---at the very latest. Hopefully that helps those of you who need the extra time!