To Start:
Read this article about a current event in the Ivory Coast. Then:

• Identify any unfamiliar words.
• Write a one-sentence summary of the article.
• Why might people in West Africa consider light skin more attractive?  
• In your opinion, should the government of the Ivory Coast have intervened and made this law?
• How does tanning by white Americans compare with skin-whitening by black Africans?

In Class:

• We're working on developing well-rounded characters for our projects, using "the 5 Ps" and the character profile assignment in GoogleClassroom. If you finish early:
  • Create a character profile for a second character in your story.
  • Go even deeper, with this character questionnaire. 
  • Work on a challenge extension, such as interview prep or an additional book.
• Use your time wisely. I'll be conference with students throughout the hour.

Coming Up:

• Character profiles are due before class begins tomorrow.

To Start:
Write a letter of gratitude (thanks) to someone.

• Use email or a separate piece of paper, not your starter document.
• Write to a friend, a family member, a teacher, a coach, or anyone you appreciate.
• It should be at least one paragraph, with an opening and closing.
• It should be refined to be neat, error-free and thoughtfully worded.
• I will check your letters for completion without reading them.

In Class:
First, we’ll read “How to Write About Africa” by Binyavanga Wainaina.

• Brace yourself to be shocked and offended.
• Answer the questions in Google Classroom.
• We’ll discuss the challenging article as a class.

Then we’ll work on our story brainstorms (also in Google Classroom) and conference with Ally.

Coming Up: 
Your story brainstorm is due tomorrow before class.

To Start:
We’re switching to doing starters on paper. Silently grab your binder off the shelf and put a heading on  a clean piece of paper (Name, Section, Date, Assignment). Then respond to these prompts:

• What’s the best book you’ve read, story you’ve heard or movie you’ve seen in the last few years?
• What made it so good?
• What makes a good story a good story?

In Class:

• First, the morning class is finishing King Leopold’s Ghost.
• Then, we’re watching an interview with Chinua Achebe. As you watch, consider:
  -   What moment was Achebe trying to capture?
  -   How can fiction can be true, according to Achebe?
  -   What was the problem with European storytelling about Africa, according to Achebe?
• We’re discussing different truths about imperialism in small groups.
• Finally, we’ll individually brainstorm about the stories we’ll be writing (in GoogleClassroom).

Coming Up:

• Your story brainstorm and TFA chapters 24 and 25 are due before class tomorrow.

​

To Start:
What’s the single most interesting thing you learned this week? It can be from this class, another class at Animas, or another aspect of your life. Be specific; don’t just tell me “I learned about my country.”

In Class:

• We’re going to begin by discussing Things Fall Apart in small groups.
  
• Then, we’re going to finish up our country research.
• If you’re done with your research, continue working on a challenge extension. That could be an additional book, interview preparation, or seeing me for a more advanced reading.
• In the second half of class we’re going to finish watching King Leopold’s Ghost.
  

Looking Back:

• Country research was due today. Finish it and turn it in ASAP. If you can’t complete it at home, please see me so we can troubleshoot together. 
• Your reading log for chapters fifteen through twenty three was due today. Finish it and turn it in ASAP. I will also accept a hard copy or voice notes, if that is easier for you.

Optional and Upcoming:

• I will post the questions for Things Fall Apart tonight, if you want to finish the book this weekend.
• Begin thinking about the “who, when, where, what and why” of your story. Nothing is due.
  

 

To Start:
Happy first day of fall! What is your favorite season, and why? Think of at least five reasons, and explain them in full sentences.

In Class:
More independent work time for:

• Reading Things Fall Apart and responding to the chapter questions.
• Continuing your country research.

Coming Up:

• TFA questions for chapters 15 to 23 are due before class on Friday.
• Country research is due in class on Friday.