Mrs. Herrington's English Language Arts

Book Report

2011-02-02T08:09:00.000-08:00

Here is the Book Report packet...please check back for details about how the project will be completed.

Book Report

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Fall Semester 2010-2011 Final Exam: 9th & 10th Grades

2011-01-06T07:22:00.000-08:00

Here is the Final Exam Essay Assignment:

The Essay

Prompt (Assertion/Thesis): Write a persuasive essay explaining what grade you deserve and how you have earned that grade.

Give eXamples of what we did during each unit
Explain what you learned by doing the work
Lastly, describe the Significance the learning had for you as a student and a person

A great essay will also include reflection on what you did well and what you could have done better.

Step 1: Small Group Discussion
In poster form...

Give eXamples of three assignments we did during your unit

Explain what we learned (or were supposed to learn) by doing each assignment
Describe how what you learned had academic and/or personal Significance
Step 2: Small Group Presentations
Present your poster to the class.
Students will take notes on your presentations.
Step 3: Pre-Writing
Turn your notes from the six presentations into AXES graphic organizers.
You will need one graphic organizer for each body paragraph.
Step 4: 1st Draft
Introductory Paragraph: You may lead into your thesis with an overview of your academic performance this semester. Your Intro Paragraph should end with your thesis statement.

An example of a thesis statement would be: I have earned an A in this class by consistently turning in all of my work and taking advantage of all the extra credit opportunities.

Body Paragraphs: Turn your AXES graphic organizers into body paragraphs. Each body paragraph does not need to have its own thesis. You need to have at least one body paragraph per unit!
Concluding paragraph: This is a good place to include some reflective writing in addition to your summary info.
Step 5: Final Draft - Due at the end of the Final Exam period
You will write your final draft in class during the Final Exam period.
Alternative: You may type up your final draft before your Final Exam period and turn it in at that time.

Please note all steps in the assignment (except the alternative typed copy option) will be done in class. It is up to each student to monitor their own progress and complete steps at home for homework if necessary.

Work hard, be thoughtful and you'll do great!

10th Grade: New Unit, The Art of Persuasion

2011-01-04T08:40:00.001-08:00

Students have all received the new unit packet:

The art of persuasion

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10th Grade: Life of Pi Quick Writes 5-14

2010-12-13T14:07:00.000-08:00

These are paraphrased:

Quick Writes (Paraphrased)

5 Pi believes that the real battle against evil is within each one of us. What is an internal battle (conflict)? Do you think Pi’s adventure will include an internal battle, external battle or both? Explain.

6 Discuss Pi’s spirituality.

7 What is the greatest danger each of the creatures on the lifeboat focus? what other danger exist? Explain their relation ships to each other.

8 Predict what will happen to Pi.

9 What would you do in Pi’s situation? How do you handle fear?

10 From The Little Prince, ""Men have forgotten this truth," said the fox. "But you must not forget it. You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed." Connect to Life of Pi and explain.

11 Describe the internal and external conflicts that happen on pages 184 and 185.

12 What is a bildungsroman? How has Pi matured through the course of the novel?

13 What happens in Chapter 75 (the action) and what is the significance?

14 What lives on the island and how does it/do they interact with Pi and RP?

10th Grade: Life of Pi Assignment List

2010-12-09T08:30:00.001-08:00

Please review the REVISED Life of Pi Assignment List

Life of pi assignments

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10th Grade: Life of Pi Extra Credit

2010-12-03T08:28:00.000-08:00

Email me the prompt, as it was written on the board when it was assigned, for Quick Writes 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11 and you will receive 25 Extra Credit points. You may send me two and earn up to 50 points. Please do not send me your responses, I will read those later. I only want the prompts for now.

Note: Please type your full name and period in the subject line so I know who to give credit to.

9th Grade: Of Mice and Men

2010-12-01T13:45:00.000-08:00

Welcome Back!

On Monday we began our next literary work, John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. I will be uploading the student packet as well as a list of assignments and the final due date over the course of the next week or so. Please check back early and often!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-19T12:56:00.001-08:00

Enjoy your break!

EXTRA CREDIT: ALL CLASSES

2010-11-15T08:20:00.000-08:00

EXTRA CREDIT

50 Points

1. View the documentary "Invisible Children" in the auditorium after school as part of the Week of Consciousness

2. Ask Ms. Bergan for a stamped card to turn in tomorrow

Note: I very rarely offer extra credit, please take this opportunity.

9th Grade: The Odyssey Assignments Due After Thanksgiving Break

2010-11-09T12:52:00.001-08:00

The odyssey assignments upload

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Life of Pi Assignments: Due after Winter Break

2010-11-05T08:13:00.001-07:00

Life of pi assignments

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Updated Due Date!!!! Want a Bathroom Pass? Print out and complete this literary and poetic devices crossword

2010-11-03T12:21:00.001-07:00

Literary and poetic devices crossword

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I will accept these until Friday November 12th. Here's a hint: use the glossary of terms in your textbook or find a list online!

9th Grade: The Odyssey Storyboard Books 14, 15 & 16

2010-11-03T11:27:00.001-07:00

Storyboard

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Assignment: Students are to use the following key points from each of the books to create a storyboard (one or more boards for each book). Artistic talent is not a prerequisite...stick figures are just fine.

From: Shmoop.com

Book XIV

· When Odysseus arrives at the swineherd’s home in the forest, he is nearly attacked by the dogs.
· Luckily for him, the swineherd Eumaios saves him and then welcomes him into his hut and offers him what little food and comfort he has.
· While serving his guest, Eumaios talks all about the history of the land – King Odysseus’s leaving to fight in Troy, the suitors’ uncouth takeover of Odysseus’s home, Penelope’s staunch loyalty despite her suffering, and Telemachos’s helplessness against the suitors.
· This is nothing new.
· Still disguised as a beggar, Odysseus tries to tell Eumaios that Odysseus is not dead and will come back.
· The swineherd is skeptical.
· Then he asks the beggar about himself. Odysseus makes up an elaborate story about being a man from Crete, a commoner, who coincidentally has suffered many of the same trials that Odysseus did.
· In his made-up story, he claims to have heard news about Odysseus, who had recently left an island just when the beggar arrived. He adds that Odysseus is currently consulting an oracle and then means to return home.
· Eumaios thinks the beggar is lying. He says that Odysseus is dead at sea, but it’s pretty clear that the beggar’s story has planted a seed of hope.
· Eumaios brings the beggar more food, making a big deal about treating his guest as Odysseus would’ve wished. Beggar Odysseus is touched.
· After dinner, Odysseus wants to beg for a cloak so he can sleep, but tells a witty story instead.
· Ah, but this is the kind of story that carries a subtle message, in this case, "Give me a cloak please."
· Eumaios, who is one sharp swineherd, gets the message and gives the beggar a fine heavy cloak under which to sleep. He tells him to stay at the hut until Telemachos returns and can give him passage wherever he wishes.

Book XV

· Athene makes her way to Sparta, where Telemachos is in bed but not yet asleep. She urges him to leave immediately for Ithaka because Eurymachos is going to marry Penelope. (This is not true.)
· She advises him to go to Eumaios the swineherd as soon as he reaches Ithaka. Then he can entrust Eumaios with the news that he is home and have him go tell the queen.
· (Remember, the suitors are all ready to kill Telemachos if he shows his face, so some discretion is required.)
· All worked up by Athene’s lie, Telemachos tells Peisistratos that he must leave. Still, the prince tells him to wait until dawn (which is coming shortly).
· At dawn, Menelaos rushes to get Telemachos gifts and transportation ready. Menelaos, Helen, and Peisistratos each choose a gift for him. Helen’s, in particular, is touching – a beautiful gown woven by her own hands for Telemachos’s future bride.
· Just as Telemachos is about to leave, Zeus sends a sign – an eagle flying with a dead farmyard goose in its talons.
· Helen interprets this to mean that the god-favored Odysseus has returned to Ithaka and will remove the suitors from his home.
· Telemachos and Peisistratos drive the whole day and sleep that night at Pherai.
· The following morning, Telemachos requests that Peisistratos take him straight to his ships and send word for his men to join him. He wants to avoid meeting Nestor and waiting for more gifts, which as we’ve seen takes forever in ancient Greece.
· Peisistratos agrees and does so.
· Just as Telemachos is about to set sail, a stranger approaches him, a descendent of Melampous and a man gifted with prophetic abilities.
· This of course means we all need some back story. OK, so Melampous was a rich, happy Lord until King Neleus exiled him and took over his house. We don’t know exactly why, other than the vague mention that it had something to do with Neleus’s beautiful daughter. (The fact that this story is thrown in without a lot of details probably means Homer’s readers were already familiar with it as common knowledge.)
· Melampous was held captive in his exile by yet another man, Phylakos. Somehow he escaped, took back his lands, carried off Neleus’s daughter and gave her in marriage to his brother, and then, because it was his destiny, went to Argos to be ruler.
· Several generations later, Theoklymenos was born; he is the prophetic man who’s asking Telemachos for a ride home. His reasons for hitchhiking are: 1) he killed his cousin in Argos, and 2) he is being hunted for the murder.
· Telemachos says sure, come on board.
· Back in Ithaka, Odysseus tests whether Eumaios will try to drive him off to the city or lavish him with more hospitality.
· Eumaios takes offense at the beggar’s insinuations of being a burden and welcomes him to stay until Telemachos returns.
· Then beggar Odysseus asks for information about the Queen and Odysseus’s father, Laertes.
· Eumaios reports that Laertes is alive, but wishes he were dead because he grieves so much for his son.
· We learn that Eumaios grew up as Laertes’s ward in the household and was a playmate to the Princess Ktimene, Laertes daughter (who therefore was Odysseus’s sister).
· When Ktimene got married and left Ithaka, Eumaios was given provisions and sent to the forest to work as a swineherd. (As far as we can tell, this wasn’t intended as a punishment of any sort, though it does seem like this guy got the short end of the stick.)
· Odysseus, curious, asks Eumaios where he is from (apparently he wants more information than he just received).
· So the swineherd launches into his story.
· Eumaios reveals that he was the son of a Syrian lord and a Sidonian slave woman. His mother was unhappy as a slave and jumped at the opportunity to escape back to her homeland when some sailors whom she slept with offered her passage there.
· She took young Eumaios with her on the ship, but died barely a week into the voyage. Eumaios was sold at Ithaka to Laertes.
· Odysseus feels sorry for the guy so the two men talk night the night away and trade stories.
· Aboard Telemachos’s ship, the fugitive guy Theoklymenos asks the prince where he may find lodging in Ithaka.
· Telemachos says he would offer his own house, but unfortunately it’s currently occupied by swarms of suitors. He tells Theoklymenos briefly about his lost father.
· Zeus sends a sign, a hawk flying by with a dove in its talons.
· Theoklymenos interprets this to mean Odysseus’s family will rule Ithaka forever.
· Telemachos asks one of his crewmen, Peiraios, if Theoklymenos can stay with him. Peiraios sportingly agrees.
· When they land in Ithaka, Telemachos makes his way to the swineherd’s hut.

Book XVI

· Telemachos arrives to find Eumaios conversing with a beggar.
· Eumaios jumps up to greet Telemachos enthusiastically; it is obvious that he loves him like a son.
· Eumaios introduces the beggar to Telemachos and asks if he will lodge the old man and provide him with transport.
· Telemachos laments that his house is being intruded on, but offers the beggar clothing and food and further permission to stay with Eumaios.
· He worries aloud that he isn’t trained in arms and will likely do a lousy job of ousting the suitors. (Plus, he’s sort of outnumbered.)
· Odysseus/the beggar pumps his son up. He urges Telemachos to seek the aid of his brothers in ousting the suitors, adding that even if the odds are stacked against him, it’s better to die in glorious battle than to be beaten by all these suitors.
· Telemachos says he has no brothers and no chance against the suitors, who are some of the toughest men in the land.
· He sends Eumaios to Penelope with the news that he has returned, but warns the swineherd not to let the suitors hear.
· When Eumaios asks if he should take the news to suffering Laertes, Telemachos tells him to let Eurykleia the nurse tell him instead. (Keep this in mind.)
· At this point, Odysseus spots Athene outside and goes to her. Telemachos cannot see her.
· She tells Odysseus to reveal himself to Telemachos and removes his disguise with her wand.
· Telemachos is astonished by the staggering transformation and thinks Odysseus to be a god.
· While Telemachos is all overcome by wonder and happiness, Odysseus berates him for not taking the news more like a man.
· After the hugging and tears, the father and son plot to defeat the suitors. Based on Telemachos’s information, there are over one hundred of them. These are some mighty high odds.
· Telemachos despairs, but Odysseus tells him to have faith – after all, the gods are on their side. (Well, except for that one god…) Both Athene and Zeus, he says, will aid them against the suitors.
· Odysseus outlines the plan: tomorrow, Athene will disguise him as the beggar again for him to go to the royal hall. He will distract the suitors while Telemachos moves their weapons into another room and locks them up.
· Odysseus has set aside only two swords, spears, and shields for their own use. Other than that, they’re trusting in the gods to assist them.
· He also warns Telemachos not to let anyone else know that he has returned.
· The pair agrees to question the female servants of the household to discover which ones are loyal to their cause.
· Then they send a runner to the Queen with the information saying that Telemachos has returned.
· This not so smart for two reasons: one, they already sent Eumaios to do just that; and two, this runner shouts the news aloud so that everyone, including the suitors, hears.
· Twenty minutes later, Eumaios tells the queen in private that her son has returned, and she’s all, "No kidding."
· Back at the royal hall, the seabound suitors return to their friends, clearly having failed to ambush and kill Telemachos. They’re mad.
· Antinoös urges the suitors to act quickly. Now that everyone knows they’ve tried to kill Telemachos, they might as well strike the first blow.
· Another (and more prudent) suitor named Amphinomos isn’t quite so trigger-happy: he advises them to pray to the gods to see if they are favored. The others agree.
· Meanwhile, Medon, our favorite the town crier, has overheard the suitors’ plans yet again and brings the info to Penelope.
· She confronts the suitors and accuses them of trying to kill her son.
· Eurymachos is all, "Who, us? Never!" and the Queen, who is helpless because she is a woman, goes upstairs.
· Back at the hut, Athene again disguises Odysseus – just as Eumaios returns. He delivers the news that a crier ruined their secrecy and that he spotted an unknown ship coming to Ithaka. (It’s implied that this is the ship of the unsuccessful ambushing suitors.)
· Still, Odysseus and Telemachos aren’t worried. They eat their dinner in peace and go to sleep.

The odyssey crossword puzzle

2010-11-03T11:14:00.001-07:00

The odyssey crossword puzzle

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Hints! Cronus and Hyperion

We completed this crossword in class on Monday. It is due with the Odyssey Unit Book when we are done reading the Odyssey.

Life of Pi: Chapters 26-36 ~ Notes and Images

2010-11-03T10:54:00.000-07:00

From: shmoop.com

Part 1, Chapter 26

Pi goes to his father's office to ask for a prayer rug and permission to be baptized.
Pi's father is having none of it. His mother tries to redirect him to literature.

Part 1, Chapter 27

Pi overhears all this. His mother and father are having a little tiff over who gave Pi permission to buy a prayer rug, etc.
Pi's father underscores his belief in progress and the New India. (See "Setting" for more.)
Pi's mother defends him. As they enumerate Pi's religious devotions, they loosen up. They even have a good laugh about the boy in the end.

Part 1, Chapter 28

Pi has obviously gotten a prayer rug because he tells us about it forever. He also gets baptized.

Part 1, Chapter 29

The family decides to move. Indira Gandhi, the prime minister, basically takes over Pi's home state of Tamil Nadu. (See Literary Devices: Setting for more.)
At dinner, Pi's parents announce their destination to Pi and Ravi: Canada. It's like your family telling you that you're moving to Siberia.

Part 1, Chapter 30

The author interjects. He meets Pi's wife, Meena.
In this chapter, and in the other chapters where the author takes over, we learn more and more about Pi's home life.

Part 1, Chapter 31

Mr. Kumar the Muslim meets Mr. Kumar the biologist at the zoo. Oh snap.
It turns out fine. Quite well, actually. Both charm Pi with their curiosity and wonder.

Part 1, Chapter 32

Pi tells about some animal's curious living arrangements: it's called zoomorphism.
Well, since you asked, it's when one animal takes another to be its own kind. Like humans keeping dogs. Or, earlier, Pi talked about rhinos and goats living together. Pi gives us some more examples.
Keep this chapter in mind for the oddest of all odd living arrangements: Richard Parker and Pi.

Part 1, Chapter 33

The author interjects. He tells us about a visit to Pi's house. Pi shows the author memorabilia, but only has four photos of childhood: a photo of Mamaji, of Richard Parker, of the Aurobindo Ashram swimming pool, and a photo of Pi's secondary school.
Pi can barely remember what his mother looked like.

Part 1, Chapter 34

Pi informs us they have sold most of the zoo animals to other zoos.
A colossal amount of paperwork exchanges hands.
Some Americans show up in Pondicherry to inspect the animals. We mention this because the Americans have "bone-crushing handshakes." Martel doesn't know, as a Canadian, that the firm handshake is a national pastime.

Part 1, Chapter 35

The family leaves from Madras (now called Chennai) on June 21st, 1977.
Pi's mother considers buying Indian cigarettes even though she doesn't smoke. She's already homesick.

Part 1, Chapter 36

The author interjects. We meet more of Pi's family in Canada: his son Nikhil, his dog Tata, his daughter Usha, and his cat Moccasin. It's a warm domestic scene.
The author assures us that this story has a happy ending.

Federal Survey Cards

2010-11-02T11:37:00.001-07:00

Please make sure to fill out a Federal Survey Card.

This information helps us to provide services to our students. Have your student make sure to turn this card in during his or her second period class.

Thank You!

9th Grade: The Odyssey ~ a Resource

2010-10-28T07:58:00.001-07:00

Here is a hilarious website created by another teacher that has some great Odyssey stuff: http://www.lordalford.com/9grade/odyssey/ody.htm

Life of Pi: Chapters 21-25 ~ Notes and Images

2010-10-26T08:09:00.000-07:00

from http://www.shmoop.com/life-of-pi/part-1-chapter-1-summary.html

Part 1, Chapter 21

The author interjects. He's sitting in a café after meeting with Pi. He has some realizations about Pi's religious devotion, his faith in "the better story," and some stuff about God's silence.
This may sound like gibberish now but it won't be later. So keep it in mind.

Part 1, Chapter 22

Pi imagines an atheist's death versus that of an agnostic. For Pi, doubt cripples the agnostic even in death.

Part 1, Chapter 23

Well, it had to happen. Pi's imam, priest, and pandit notice he's going to mosque, church, and temple.
All this comes to a head when Pi and his family are out enjoying each other's company and these three religious leaders happen upon them. They're shocked that Pi knows each of them.
There are some insults. Some disagreement. But everyone comes basically to the same conclusion: Pi has to choose one religion. Of course, Pi doesn't think so: "Bapu Gandhi said, 'All religions are true" (1.23.54).
Pi's father defuses the situation and the family has a good laugh. Oh, Pi. They eat ice cream sandwiches.

Part 1, Chapter 24

Ravi makes fun of Pi for practicing so many religions. That's about it.

Part 1, Chapter 25

Pi laments the small-mindedness of some zealots. He more or less says: God doesn't need anyone to defend Him, right? Shouldn't we help the poor?
He goes on: the real battle against evil is within us.
Pi realizes he's got to lay low if he's going to practice so many faiths. He doesn't stop: he's just more discreet.

Life of Pi: Chapters 16-20 ~ Notes

2010-10-26T08:04:00.000-07:00

Part 1, Chapter 16

1. Pi tells us his Auntie Rohini took him to a temple when he was an infant. And that's why he loves all religions.

2. He loves Hinduism for its rituals and fragrances and vibrancy.

3. He also really believes in the principle of Brahman saguna and atman, where the divine manifest in the world connects with the divine in human beings. (See Themes: Religion for more.)

4. Pi tells a nice story about Lord Krishna and a nice story about a woman in Toronto to illustrate his point. Suffice it to say, Pi likes it when people love God and each other.

Part 1, Chapter 17

1. In this chapter, Pi becomes a Christian. Keep track, now. Pi is already Hindu. Now he adds Christianity at fourteen.

2. Pi and his family take a vacation in the hill station (a city at a higher elevation) of Munnar.

3. Pi wanders up to a Catholic church. He enters the church and meets one Father Martin. They have tea and biscuits.

4. Over the course of a few sessions, Father Martin tells Pi about Jesus Christ: Christ died for humankind's sins and not only that, it wasn't a pretty death.

5. Pi voices a few concerns: Why would a god suffer? Why would a god taint himself with death? Why doesn't Jesus do much other than tell stories and perform some rather small miracles? Why is Christ so human?

6. Father Martin answers pretty much all of these questions with one word: Love.

7. Pi becomes a Christian.

Part 1, Chapter 18

1. In this chapter, Pi discovers Islam.

2. Pi wanders into the Muslim quarter in Pondicherry. He's now fifteen years old.

3. He enters a shop with candies, Thums Up, and some sort of unleavened bread. A man startles him by asking if he'd like to try some of the bread. He would. It's doughy but filling.

4. The baker shows him how to make the bread. And he also prays in front of Pi since, while Pi is in the shop, the muezzin sounds the call of prayer. To Pi, it's a physical, striking way of praying.

5. Pi is impressed.

Part 1, Chapter 19

1. Pi joins the baker in the mosque. There's also a lovely little exchange about the Islam and the Beloved.

Part 1, Chapter 20

1. Pi tells us the name of the baker: Satish Kumar. And yes, this is the second Mr. Kumar of the novel.

2. The two new buddies pray together at the bakery. One time after leaving, Pi has an ecstatic experience: all of a sudden the world is pulsing with energy and peace.

3. Pi also relates another religious experience, this one years later in Canada. It's winter. He sees the Virgin Mary in the woods. (On its own, this is exceptional but keep Pi's vision in mind for Part 2, Chapter 42.)

A note about grades...

2010-10-22T13:39:00.000-07:00

Students and Parents,
Academic grades on the current progress reports for my classes were based on the first two units, the Reflection and Goal Setting Unit and the Writing Unit. The grade is based on the points earned out of the points total.
For instance, if a student earned a 90 out of 100 on the first unit and a 90 out of 100 on the second unit, they will have earned 180 out of 200 points which is a 90% (an A). I do round up when appropriate.
If you have any questions or concerns about the grade your student earned, please do not hesitate to email me at kherrington@sandi.net
Warmly,
Kristi Herrington

Life of Pi: Chapters 1-15 ~ Quick Writes # 1, 2 & 3

2010-10-22T13:27:00.000-07:00

Quick Write #1: Do you have to believe a story in order for it to have value?

Quick Write #2: Why is it dangerous for humans to project traits like “cute” or “cuddly” onto animals like tigers? How do you predict this will be dangerous for Pi?

Quick Write #3: Theme of Spirituality
This theme often brings to mind more ethereal subjects like the soul or the soul's rebirth. You'd be both right and wrong applying such lofty thoughts to Life of Pi. In this book, spirituality grounds itself in the everyday. The most ordinary activities take on a level of spiritual intensity (granted they happen in an extraordinary setting). Often, the protagonist describes – perhaps with a little jealousy – animals engaging their surroundings with an almost yogic discipline. Of course, this is not to say spirituality is always fun and games. Sometimes suffering and duress actually bring about the protagonist's spiritual insights. In fact, except for the protagonist's suffering, spirituality might have a more limited role in the novel. Respond.

Life of Pi: Chapters 11-15 ~ Notes and Images

2010-10-22T09:46:00.001-07:00

Notes from http://www.shmoop.com/life-of-pi/part-1-chapter-1-summary.html

Part 1, Chapter 11

Pi gives us an example of just such an escape: a female black leopard from the Zurich Zoo in 1933. Animals, even exotic animals, are hiding everywhere in our cities, Pi says. There might even be something in the middle of the Mexican jungle.

Part 1, Chapter 12

The author interjects. Pi gets agitated sometimes in the telling of his story. And the author, for some reason, told Pi he likes spicy food when, really, it makes his "digestive tract twist and groan in agony like a boa constrictor that has swallowed a lawn mower" (1.12.2). Sounds painful.

Part 1, Chapter 13

Pi tells us the essentials of lion taming: when a lion mauls his trainer, it's not because the lion is bloodthirsty, but because the trainer violated its space.
Pi says that basically the trainer has to show the animal who's boss. Which doesn't mean punching a lion in the face. It's about social rank and manipulation. "It's a question of brain over brawn," Pi says (1.13.4).

Part 1, Chapter 14

Pi tells us another lion trainer fact: the animals lowest on the social totem-pole are usually the most amenable to training.

Part 1, Chapter 15

The author interjects. He describes Pi's house, which has more holy statuettes than the Vatican. Well, not really. But he has tons of statues, paintings, and photographs.
The author describes a Ganesha, a Virgin Mary, a photograph of the Kaaba, a Shiva...the list goes on. Oh, and there's also a crucifix. (See Themes: Suffering.)

Life of Pi: Chapters 6-10 ~ Notes and Images

2010-10-22T09:43:00.001-07:00

Notes from http://www.shmoop.com/life-of-pi/part-1-chapter-1-summary.html

Part 1, Chapter 6

1. The author interjects. Why? Probably to remind us he's still there. And he says Pi's cupboards are packed with food.

Part 1, Chapter 7

1. We're back to Pi's voice. Pi begins to tell us, in this chapter about his biology teacher Mr. Kumar.

2. Pi tells us a few important facts about Mr. Kumar: he's a Communist, an atheist, loves visiting the zoo, and sort of looks like a large triangle balancing on a smaller one.

3. Mr. Kumar visits the zoo and, although Pi is too shy to talk to him, Mr. Kumar starts a conversation.

4. Mr. Kumar laments the state of Indian politics. Pi mysteriously answers, "Religion will save us." This starts Mr. Kumar off on a disquisition. The topic: religion and science. Basically, he says that religion never saved anyone and that we can only trust science if we want to make the world a better place. (For more check out Themes: Religion and Science.) Mr. Kumar also says we can trust communism. Pi disagrees (silently) with all of this, but loves this guy. Pi lets us know that atheists like Mr. Kumar are not the problem. Rather, agnostics annoy him more than anything else. Are these the people the book hopes to convince? Tell it like it is, Mr. Martel.

Part 1, Chapter 8

1. Pi relates to us a lesson his father once taught him. The lesson his father wants to communicate is pretty simply: Animals, especially tigers, are not your friends. Humans are more dangerous than animals because for one, they're cruel, neurotic creatures, but also because human beings project "cuddly" or "cute" traits onto really vicious beasts. Like tigers.

2. Pi launches into the story of his father's lesson. One Sunday morning, Pi's father calls Pi and Ravi over to him. He wants to teach them a lesson that could one day save their lives. This is probably baffling for an eight-year-old child.

3. Pi's father takes him and Ravi to see Mahisha, their 550-pound Bengal tiger.

4. Pi's father has the boys identify the animal. Yes, it's a tiger. Yes, tigers are dangerous. Then he has Babu, the big cats keeper, toss a goat into the tiger's cage to prove the point.

5. You can guess what happens. A little bleating, a little blood. Game over.

6. Pi's father goes through a list of other dangerous animals in the zoo.

7. The chapter ends with the boys holding guinea pigs, because these are an example of safe animals. Ah, family life at the zoo.

Part 1, Chapter 9

1. Pi talks (yes, some more) about getting animals used to presence of humans, manipulating the fight or flight instinct, and creating stress-free environments for animals so they're happy, don't kill you, etc.

2. Pi's father is very good at all of this.

Part 1, Chapter 10

1. Pi talks about how animals, though, will inexplicably try to escape sometimes. He says "animals don't escape to somewhere but from something." Keep this in mind for all the characters in the book, especially Pi.

Life of Pi: Chapters 1-5 ~ Notes and Images

2010-10-22T09:33:00.000-07:00

Notes from http://www.shmoop.com/life-of-pi/part-1-chapter-1-summary.html

Part 1, Chapter 1

1. We meet Pi Patel in this chapter. From now to Part 3, you hear Pi's voice (except for a few interruptions by the author). While he tells us a lot about his interests, and his studies in Toronto, we don't get too much of his story, or much about his childhood – yet.

2. Pi tells us he studied religion and zoology at the University of Toronto. Intriguing.

3. There's a long discussion of the three-toed sloth, which Pi thinks of as a being worthy of both scientific and spiritual inquiry.

4. We start to hear a little about Pi's suffering and how he lives with a kind of memento mori (a reminder of death). "What suffering?" you may ask. "Will he tell us later?" Yes. Pi also mentions God and types of thinkers he dislikes: for example, the agnostic.

5. Then he mentions Richard Parker. Pi says, "Richard Parker has stayed with me." From the flap of the book, you probably know Richard Parker is the tiger. And not just any tiger, but Pi's companion in a lifeboat for 227 days. Pi has "nightmares tinged with love." We're not sure if that's healthy.

6. More hints about the story. When Pi was recovering in Mexico, other patients hobbled into to Pi's room to hear his story. Pi talks about regaining his strength in the hospital.

7. At an Indian restaurant in Canada, the waiter teases Pi when he uses his hands to eat (as is the custom in India) and says, "Fresh off the boat, are you?" Of course, this means more than the waiter intended.

Part 1, Chapter 2

1. Very short chapter in the voice of the author. He describes Pi: about forty, reserved and cautious, yet still excitable.

Part 1, Chapter 3

2. Back in Pi's voice. In a roundabout way, and with digressions, and with enough interesting details to occupy even the most jaded listener, Pi tells us how he was named.

3. He says, "I was named after a swimming pool." Fair enough.

4. Mr. Francis Adirubasamy returns. He's Pi's uncle and, we might add, a champion swimmer. Pi calls Francis A. "Mamaji," which is an affectionate term for uncle in Tamil (the language Indians speak in Tamil Nadu, Pi's state in eastern India).

5. We meet Ravi, Pi's brother. Ravi makes fun of Mamaji. Oh, Ravi.

6. Mamaji once tried to teach Pi's parents how to swim but they never waded past their knees. But Pi proves a faithful student to Mamaji and learns to swim in the pool and ocean.

7. Pi tells us that, besides actual swimming, people also talked about swimming in his family. Especially Mamaji and Pi's father.

8. Mamaji tells story after story about historic pools. Some are magnificent. The best pool in Paris, according to Mamaji, is the Piscine Molitor.

9. Thus we have Pi's full name: Piscine Molitor Patel, after a swimming pool in France.

Part 1, Chapter 4

1. These early chapters often outline important elements of Pi's education: Chapter 4 is the zoo and freedom chapter.

2. Pi tells us Pondicherry entered the Union of India in 1954. Not long after that – with civic achievement following civic achievement – Pondicherry gets a zoo. And Pi's family moves from Madras, India to Pondicherry after Pi's father buys the zoo.

3. Pi loves growing up in the zoo. Who wouldn't? Well, maybe members of PETA.

4. Then Pi launches into a discussion of religion, freedom, and zoos: the gist being animals are really free in zoos and religion actually frees the believer.

5. See "Themes: Religion" for more on Pi's rant. We're not sure anyone has ever talked about zoos, freedom and faith all in the same breath.

Part 1, Chapter 5

1. We've arrived at The Chapter On Pi's Nickname. That's right: the story about his name isn't over.

2. So, Pi tells us he had a few problems as a child because his classmates took advantage of similarities between Piscine and pissing. Kids will be kids. Only the teachers make fun of poor Pi too.

3. Pi decides to take matters into his own hands. On the first day of secondary school (equivalent to high school in the United States) Pi, instead of simply saying his name during roll call, writes his full name and new nickname – "Pi" – on the board. For illustrative purposes, he also writes: "π = 3.14." The nickname sticks.

9th Grade Odyssey Assignments: Update

2010-10-12T11:25:00.001-07:00

You should have the following completed thus far...

The Illustrated Odyssey Packet, Books 1-8 Read (and important points highlighted)

Books 1-8 Summaries (min. half page each)

Books 1-7 Notes (from class)

10th Grade: CAHSEE Writing Unit Book Due Date

2010-10-12T11:22:00.000-07:00

CAHSEE Writing Unit Books are due on Thursday October 14th at the start of class.

9th Grade: The Odyssey Study Guide

2010-10-01T08:10:00.000-07:00

This study guide is originally from sparknotes.com and reformatted for ease of use in class. You can always access the original information at http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/odyssey/

The odyssey upload

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9th Grade: The Illustrated Odyssey

2010-09-30T19:31:00.001-07:00

Here is a link to one of the two Odyssey packets the 9th grade classes are currently using: http://www.mythweb.com/odyssey/Odyssey.pdf

9th and 10th Grades: Writing Unit Book Due Date

2010-09-20T13:36:00.000-07:00

Your next unit book (Writing packet and final draft of "Flower Day" essay) are due on Wednesday September 22nd at the start of class. You will receive your folders back tomorrow.

Reflection and Goal Setting Unit Book: Due Monday

2010-09-09T13:08:00.000-07:00

9th & 10th Grade Classes:
Your Reflection and Goal Setting Unit Books are Due on Monday September 13th at the start of class. Make sure they are in a three prong report folder per the letter below...

Reflection and Goal Setting Packet (9th and 10th Grade)

2010-09-05T07:51:00.001-07:00

We will be working through the Reflection and Goal Setting Packet the first week of school. I will give the hard deadline this week as well as posting it here.

Reflection and goal setting packet

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Parent guardian and student letter

2010-09-04T07:37:00.001-07:00

Parents, Guardians and Students,
Welcome to another positive and productive year at Morse High School. Thank you for visiting our class website. Here you will find information about what we are studying including helpful links, assignments and printable materials.
Below you will find the letter students will be brining home on the first day of school. Please read through it and fill out the last page. You only need to return the last page with your student (by Friday September 10th).
Warmly,
Kristi Herrington

Parent guardian and student letter

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