Introduction
Good afternoon! Buenas tardes! Cheerio mate!
Art is a reflection of the world which we inhabit, and our world has a colorful history. Visual art such as Guernica, Picasso's tragic representation of war, or Rodin's The Thinker, a man philosophizing; Debussy gives us music's representation of natural surroundings with Claire de Lune, or Beethoven's serene 6th symphony, Pastorale. Perhaps the most thorough representation of our global culture and history comes through scribed art, literature. Come and experience the world as we know it through the infinite reflections of the some of the world's greatest commentators, literaries.
Task
Your task will consist of four people, decide your role amongst the group:
1. English Patriot - God save the Queen!
2. American Patriot - From Sea to Shining Sea
3. Globetrotter - Hola! Guten Tag!
4. Youth Activist - Strength in Numbers
Your task is to determine the relationship between history and literature throughout the ages. Answer the following questions in your group presentation:
What are identifying themes of American, British, World, and Young Adult literature?
Why is literature important to a nation’s history?
What makes literature powerful?
How has literature helped mankind evolve? (in relation to race, gender, equity)
What outside influences affect a writer? From where does a literary draw inspiration?
Process
British Patriot: Use this slide show to answer the following questions:
http://www.slideshare.net/jeaguirre/timeline-and-characteristics-of-british-literature-5512725
From what year is British literature considered to have begun?
List each period of British literature, and name one theme practiced in each.
Reflect on your listings of themes. Pick two you would be most interested in reading. Why?
Why was the Neoclassical period referred to as the, “Age of Enlightenment”?
Why, do you think, does this slide show give historical context to its literature?
Which pieces of nonfiction literature from British history might interest you? Choose 2 pieces and explain why.
Additionally, answer these questions about important female authors in your nation's history:
How was Jane Austen’s personal life reflected in her novels?
What was a big issue facing women at the time that Austen addressed in her literature?
American Patriot: Use the following websites to research our literary heritage:
http://teacherweb.com/CA/WestlakeHighSchool/Schlehner/American-Themes.p…
What are common themes in American literature?
How did the history of our country affect its literature?
Reflect on your listings of themes. Pick two you would be most interested in reading. Why?
Additionally, use this website to answer these questions about important female authors in your nation's history:
https://www.biographyonline.net/writers/female-authors.html
What made Maya Angelou’s writing influential?
How did her writing assist her work with the Civil Rights Movement?
What made Harriet Beecher Stowe’s, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” a revolutionary novel?
Globetrotter, read the following directions:
Read the beginning of this page and answer the questions that follow:
https://www.courses.psu.edu/cmlit/cmlit100_tob/
What, simply, is World Literature? What does it mean that is has “legs”?
Watch these two videos and answer the questions that follow:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCAnHLR8dvE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDJwkWsdbs4
Why is World Literature important?
How is World Literature relevant to today’s society?
The second video listed several pieces of world literature. Reflect upon a piece of literature you’ve read with a similar theme to one listed and how it's related. Also, which other themes captured your interest? Any nonfiction titles? Why? Include your reflection in your presentation.
Additionally, answer these questions about important female authors in history:
https://www.biographyonline.net/writers/female-authors.html
What about Gabriela Mistral connect the European world with the Americas?
Why is this connection important?
Why was the Diary of Anne Frank universally powerful? What demographics could relate to this story?
How does this piece of literature relate to the work of Maya Angelou and Harriet Beecher Stowe?
Youth Activist: Young Adult literature is a subcategory of American literature. Use the following link to answer questions:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/15/living/young-adult-fiction-evolution/
Around what years were young adults recognized as their own social demographic?
What genres of Young Adult literature seem to connect well with teens?
What is a common theme in Young Adult literature? Why do you think teens would enjoy this?
How is the thematic content of Young Adult literature changing today? Which themes are coming to the forefront of popularity?
Reflection: As the generations pass, why do you think the thematic preferences of teenagers change?
What genres of books are your favorites? Reflect and share with your group.
Evaluation
Your groups will compile your evidence and present your discoveries in a Google Slideshow. You will be graded on your participation, subject matter competence, content organization, and oral presentation skills.
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Participation |
Students used time well in class and focused attention on the task. |
Students used time in class pretty well. Stayed focused on the task most of the time. |
Students somewhat completed the task but did not appear very interested. Focus was lost on several occasions. |
In-class participation was minimum. |
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Organization |
Students present information in logical, interesting sequence which the audience can follow. |
Students present information in a logical sequence which the audience can follow. |
Audience has a hard time following presentation due to lack of organization. |
Audience cannot understand presentation because there is little or no sequence of information. |
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Subject Knowledge and Addresses Essential Questions |
Student demonstrates full knowledge (more than required) by answering all class questions with explanations and elaboration. |
Student is at ease with expected answers to all questions, but fails to elaborate. |
Student is uncomfortable with information and is able to answer only rudimentary questions. |
Student does not have grasp of information; student cannot answer questions about subject. |
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Eye Contact |
Student maintains eye contact with audience, seldom returning to notes. |
Student maintains eye contact most of the time but frequently returns to notes. |
Student occasionally uses eye contact, but still reads most of report. |
Students read all report with no eye contact |
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Elocution (Speaks Clearly) |
Student uses a clear voice and correct, precise pronunciation of terms so that all audience members can hear presentation. |
Student's voice is clear. Student pronounces most words correctly. Most audience members can hear presentation. |
Student's voice is low. Student incorrectly pronounces terms. Audience members have difficulty hearing presentation. |
Student mumbles, incorrectly pronounces terms, and speaks too quietly for students in the back of class to hear. |
Conclusion
"Books have to be heavy because the whole world is inside them."
"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one."
"Only the very weak-minded choose not to be influenced by literature and poetry."
Congratulations. By simply researching various works of literature, you have all earned global citizenship. Literature has taken you on a journey through time and space, and widened your perspectives on this short and magnificent life. You are all better for this, and will live a richer, fuller, life because of the discoveries you've made this week.
Que les vaya bien. Adieu. Until next time, read often.