Brave New World, Days 1, 2, 3

Day 1, April 15

• Students began Brave New World today.
• Chapter reading assignments can be found on the calendars at the top of individual blog sites. Chapters assigned on a specific day are expected to be finished before the next class. Quizzes can be expected.
• Students were put into groups according to the caste system found in Brave New World: Alpha-Plus, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Epsilon. (There are actually only 5 castes, but "plus" and "minus" are parts of those casts. I have used the Alpha-Plus so the class will have 6 smaller groups instead of 5 larger ones)
• Group Folders:
  *On the outside, write your caste name (Alpha, etc.) and class period.
  *On the inside, write your names
  *There is a glossary of terms and 2 copies of a PowerPoint in your folder. You will add additional handouts to the folder that your group will share. If you want copies, you will have to make them yourselves.
  *As you read today’s PowerPoints and the book, jot down characteristics of your “caste.”
  *You will eventually decorate the folder to symbolize your caste.
• Pre-Reading assignment using PowerPoints inside the folders (each caste has a different PowerPoint). (1st period should choose someone from their group to post their 8 questions as a comment to this post. Due Friday, 11:59pm)
  *Highlight information about
  *Events in the author’s life that might have influenced his works
  *Themes of Brave New World
  *Information you, as a group, deem important to know before reading.
  *Answer as many of the pre-reading questions on the handout as you can at this point.
  *Create one question that begins with each of the following
  *Who, what, when, where
  *Create two questions that begin with each of the following
  *Why, how
• Students read Chapter 1 aloud in class.
• Vocabulary Assignment: Define the first 7 words (give multiple definitions when possible) Links to definitions are posted in this entry.
  **Find a logical relationship between at least 3 words.
  **For example: Putrefy means to rot or decay; acrid means sharp or biting to the taste or smell; rank means highly offensive and disgusting. These 3 words all have something to do with "yuckiness."

HOMEWORK:

Vocabulary, Read Chapter 2.

Day 2, April 17

• Journal: "Conditioning"
  If you had been conditioned to be who you are today, explain how it would have been done:
  A. Physical conditioning before you were "decanted" (Write about at least one thing that pleases your senses and one thing that doesn’t.)
  B. Psychological conditioning after you were "decanted" (Write about at least one interest/hobby and at least one thing you dislike doing/something you’re not interested in.)

• Reading schedule calendar was handed out. Chapters assigned on one day are expected to be finished the following class day. If you are absent, there is no excuse for not reading.
• Students worked in groups to answer as many pre-reading questions as they can using PowerPoints in folders. Click here for questions and instructions can be found here.
• Vocabulary, next 4 words
  Kiva – n. a large chamber, often wholly or partly underground, in a Pueblo Indian village, used for religious ceremonies and other purposes. Origin: Hopi kíva (ki- house + unidentified element
  Malignant – adj. Bad; disposed to cause harm, suffering, or distress deliberately; feeling or showing ill will or hatred. very dangerous or harmful in influence or effect
  Manifest – v. To show or demonstrate plainly; reveal
  Moribund - adj. in a dying state; near death.; on the verge of extinction or termination.; not progressing or advancing; stagnant:
• Vocabulary: Word Relationships
  Steps to taken when finding logical relationships.
  First, find logical relationships between 2. Example 1) Burgeon & carapace: legs & head of a turtle come out of its shell like buds sprout from a plant. Example 2) Decanted & Incarnadine: wine (red wine, pour wine)
  Then, try to add a 3rd word to these pairs. The result: Burgeon & carapace – Things come out – add fulminate, to explode with a loud noise; detonate. to cause to explode
  What do these 3 have in common?
  Now, do (A) and (B) on vocabulary handout.
  Create at least 3 pairs in part A and 1 triad in part B
• Chapter 3: Read study quesitons; read Chapter 3 aloud; finish for homework.

HOMEWORK: Finish chapter 3, read chapter 4. Be prepared for a quiz over Chapters 3 & 4. 1st period: 8 questions due as a blog post by 11:59pm April 17; 4th period: 8 questions due as a blog post by 11:59 April 20

Day 3, April 21:

• Vocabulary: make a cinquain or graphic organizer for 4 of the 11 vocabulary words you have defined so far. (This is not group work.)
  –Turn vocab in before beginning the reading
• Independent Reading: Chapters 5 & 6
  –Read over chapter questions before reading chapters
  –Answer chapter questions when you finish each chapter.
• Expect a quiz Thursday (including first 11 vocabulary words)

HOMEWORK: Read through Chapter 6. Answer chapter questions to prepare for a quiz.