Homework Due May 1st

Continue reading your novel or book. Write a summary of this week's reading. Take 2 reading rate measures.
Do Chapter 5; read A, do A-1, A-2; B-1, B-2
Finish passport to College reading; Begin working on test....
Buy scantrons (2) for May 8th...

Homework for April 24th

Post your "favorite" vocabulary word to the blog. Prepare for chapter 4 test by reading Reed's and Maunter's articles (p. 164-173) review questions but not to turn in...
Do C-2 including questions for HW. Review definitions of propoganda p. 156.
Read your novel or non-fiction book, at least 25 pages. take two reading rates!

Your Favorite Vocabulary Word!

Post (as a comment to this post) your favorite (or most interesting) vocabulary word that you have come across so far this semester. Please provide the definition, and example of its use in a sentence and its etymology.
If someone has already posted your word, you must use another one!

Lists for book suggestions

here is a link to Young Adult books from the American Library Associations
http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/booklistsawards/booklistsbook.cfm
(You may have to cut and paste the above link directly into your browser address bar. )
It contains links to lists of books that you may be interested in .
Here are some I like:
Novels:
The Bone People By Teri Hulme
The Glass Castle By Jeannette Walls
The Secret Life of Bees By Sue Monk Kidd
The Kite Runner By Kalhed Hosseini
The Joy Luck Club Amy Tan
Pearl By John Steinbeck

Non-fiction
Nickel And Dimed by Barbara Enrenreich

If you have books you've read that you think others may like, please post as a comment on the blog! (Extra Credit for every post!)

Homework for next week 3/17

Read the introduction to unit 2, p.131-133. Do A-2, A-3, A-5 Read B-1 and answer questions.

Bring your vocabulary list (or index cards) for the semester to class.

Choose a novel or non-fiction book to read. See link posted separately . The book cannot be a graphic novel (novel that is mainly pictures.) Also I think it is better not to use a collection of poetry or short stories for this assignment. the book shoudl be at least 200 pages long. Check your reading level by making sure there is not more than 3 vocabulary words per page.

Test on Sky Burial

(In case you were not in class: Here is the take-home test on Sky Burial. See earlier posts for HW and Chapter 3 test.

Test On Sky Burial Due April 10 – English 162

Text questions: Please give complete detailed answers. (5 points each): (You may answer on this sheet or on a separate piece of paper; the test is open book; typed or handwritten answers are acceptable.)

1. What is the significance of the number: “560809” in the novel?

2. What are the two meanings of “Om mani padme hum” in the novel?

(Hint for one meaning see p.69)

3. What is the significance of the “holy mountains” in the story? What happens because of them?

4. What does Wen leave behind in Tibet? Why does she do this?

Combined questions. (Questions are combinations of text, reader experience and reader’s knowledge of the world) Choose any two; write one page minimum on each. Use examples from the text and your experience and knowledge if appropriate. (40 points each.)

1. Describe and discuss the scene when Wen saves Zhuoma from the soldiers. Why do you believe she does this? Why do the soldiers want to kill her? How do you believe you would react in the same situation and why?

2. Think about Wen’s quest (search) for her husband. Why does she initially go looking for him? In the end she does not find him, but instead finds out the truth about what happened to him. Considering all she goes through in her journey, do you believe her quest was ultimately a success or a failure? Pretend you are a friend of Wen’s. She comes to you for advice before leaving on her quest. What would you say to her?

3. Wen has difficulties adjusting to life with the nomadic family she lives with in Tibet whose customs and language is different from hers. Describe the stages she goes through in making this adjustment, including the changes she goes through after Zhuoma disappears. How well do you think she handles this adjustment? Have you ever been in a similar situation, adjusting to a new culture and language? If so, compare your experience to Wen’s.

4. We know that Wen was trained as a doctor in China. Once she leaves the army and is rescued by the Tibetan family, she no longer practices medicine. Why are her skills no longer needed? Give examples. Towards the end of the novel Wen does finally use her skills as a doctor to help deliver a child. Discuss the impact of this event on Wen, and her sense of identity and possibly her self-esteem. How important is the work you do in terms of how you and others see yourself? Explain.

5. Why do think the novel is named: “Sky Burial”? What is the significance of Kejun’s sky burial? What does it accomplish? Do you believe Kejun’s sacrifice was worthwhile in light of the continuing conflict in Tibet?

6. Write your own dense question and answer it using examples from the novel.

Websites on Tibet

Please post your website and your evaluation of your website and explanation of how you found it as a comment to this post. If you have difficulty, e-mail it to me and I will post it! (sradcliff@ohlone.edu) This assignment is 50% of the test on Chapter 3.