Wednesday, April 15, 2020

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.

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

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

Thursday, April 9, 2020

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.

Image result for hang in there cat

Thursday, April 2, 2020

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!

Monday, March 30, 2020

Email me!

Hey everyone! Send me an email when you see this so I can touch base with you on your grade and progress towards graduation!

DBA #3: Please complete the multiple choice section by Friday 4/3! Remember the research paper is also due!!! I will post some last pointers and tips tomorrow!!

Please email me if this isn't working for you--make sure "all assessments" is checked and you are logging in from 8am-4pm. If you are having difficulty getting the DBA--don't stress about it.

If you have not done the DBA online before it's is easy!

Step 1: Go to the blog page: eng12macks.blogspot.com
Step 2: Click on the link on the left side that says "Edoctrina"
IF you have a district laptop you should have a link there already:

Step 3: Choose Buffalo Public Schools and McKinley High School (if needed) and log-in WITH YOUR REGULAR LOG-IN INFORMATION (900 # AND PASSWORD):
Step 4: Choose DBA #3 and complete the multiple choice questions by selecting the correct answer underneath each given passage.

Step 5*****: The essay is the research paper!!! You can either copy and paste it into this section or email it to me separately.

Please email me if you have any questions or concerns!!!