Week 9: Film Still Project and Gatsby Exam Prep

As usual, I am "beat[ing] on, [a] boat[] against the current" (Fitzgerald 180), trying to stay on top of all my American Dreamy life demands! Monday is blog update day, and man, I meant to leave on time today.

Monday - Today, we finished watching and exploring the intricate symbolism in The Great Gatsby. Seriously, how well Fitzgerald integrated the symbolism and reflected the abuses and concerns of the 1920s is why I love the novel, and the new Leo film version does that job masterfully. It's been fun chatting about that with you guys. Now show me you get it by staging your own film stills!

Tuesday - Post film stills to blogs. Include an essay that meets the following criteria:

(1) One introductory paragraph explaining who your side character is AND why your group chose this particular side character to explore.

(2) One paragraph explaining the theme as it relates to your character's life AND to the image.

(3) One paragraph explaining the three symbols you includded in the image AND how they reflect the theme.

(4) One paragraph examining your own thoughts about the theme as it relates to your life or to American life in general.

Wednesday - Receive (and 3rd block will complete) Gatsby exam study guides; play a little Kahoot; 4th block will talk to Luisa about what college is like via Skype

Thursday - 3rd period catch-up day; 4th period catch-up OR listen to a CNN international Desk employee discuss global and cultural awareness and global conflict (as an extension of the "Danger of a Single Story" talk)

Friday - Wednesday again, but flipped. 3rd will Skype with Luisa; 4th will work on study guides

TEST MONDAAAAAAYYYYYYYY - Bring your Gatsby reading guide and study guide in for some extra points on the test and a novel reading comprehension grade.