R.P. McMurphy

Assignment: Write an essay (1-2 pages) that answers the following prompt:

How is McMurphy portrayed compared to other men on the ward, and what does this signify? 

Your essay will be turned in on Jupiter and will only be accepted as a Juno Doc. It is due Oct 28th and is worth 50 points.

In order to write a good paper you must have a clear, strong, arguable thesis statement. It should be the last sentence of your introductory paragraph. 

Each new paragraph should focus on one main idea, that is supported with a quote from the novel. Be sure to cite each quote with the author's name and page number in parenthesis after the quote.

For example: Kesey sets an eerie tone by opening the novel with a ominous line, "They're are out there" (Kesey 1). 

Here is a good link to help you with citation questions: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/02/ 

Be sure to set up your quote with context and then explain the significance of the quote once it is stated.

You should have a concluding paragraph that restates the thesis in a different way and wraps your paper up.

Use: active voice, and present tense.

Avoid: passive voice, contractions, personal pronouns, and cliches.

Remember that writing is a process- take your time, make an outline, write and then re-write. 

Good luck; I am looking forward to reading your essays.

Poetry Out Loud Competition

We interrupt this Cuckoo's Nest reading to bring you an exciting competition- Poetry Out Loud!
As a class we will be participating in the Poetry Out Loud competition. Each student will choose a poem from the selected list of poems, memorize it and present it out loud in class. The winner of each class will compete in the school competition with a chance to compete at a national level.

Check out the website here:http://www.poetryoutloud.org/

Here is a great video that highlights Poetry Out Loud:

I am looking forward to our class competition, and hopefully, we'll send you out to compete nationally. Choose your poems and get to it!

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Initial Response

Read the first two section of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (up to "...with that damn thermometer of yours?") Then, in the comments section, write a paragraph that details your initial thoughts, feelings and reactions.  Your paragraph should be a minimum of 10 sentences with at least two quotes (properly cited) "This is my quote" (Kesey p14). Take your time, think about what you want to say and craft a well written paragraph.  Enjoy the reading and the weekend!

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Anticipation Guide

For each question below, answer with a 1,2,3, or 4 and explain your answer in the comment section.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Anticipation Guide- Label each statement below with one of the following numbers:

1= Strongly Agree            2= Agree          3= Disagree        4= Strongly Disagree

1.       ______ Discipline is absolutely necessary in most settings

2.       ______ Most people are crazy in one way or another

3.       ______ Those that are crazy/ mentally ill should be institutionalized

4.       ______ Laughter is an important part of life

5.       ______ One person can change an established and ordered society

6.       ______ American culture reinforces stereotypes of masculinity and femininity

7.       ______ Killing is never ok

8.       ______ Hate is inherent in human nature

9.       ______ Good is inherent in human nature

10.   ______ War is a horror for all involved and should be avoided at all costs

11.   ______ Sacrifice is essential to leading a productive life

12.   ______  Power corrupts those who possess it

13.   ______ People who are different are a threat

14.   ______ Most problems can be solved through medicine and drugs

15.   ______ America is a prejudice country

Ken Kesey

 Ken Kesey, the author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, was a revolutionary American figure that was at the forefront of the counter-cultural revolution of the 1960s.  He wanted to change the world, and he thought this could be done through LSD. He and his friends, known as the Merry Pranksters, aimed to turn on the world to a new consciousness.  They hosted Acid Tests and traveled the country in hopes of spreading their message.  You can read about their adventures in Tom Wolfe's The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test. Choose any section you wish and dive in.  I think you will find the writing and the subject matter intriguing.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest was inspired by Kesey's time in a veteran's mental hospital where he was given LSD as an experiment by the US government.  Below you will find a video in which Kesey describes his first "trip" on acid.

Over the next two days, you will comment twice- once in response to the video and once in response to what you have read in The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test. 

Short Story Fish Bowl-Socratic Method Review

 Warm Up Exercises - prepping for discussion:

1. 5 minutes: Start on your own with 3 questions; create a multiple choice question; then, journal. 

2. 5 minutes: Partner up; share questions and answers - go to the text. 

Socratic Discussion (2 circles Fishbowl/Observers on the outside)

One partner will be an observer - sit on opposite side of the room.

3. 6-7 minutes: Round 1 - Fishbowl is the inner circle of discussion; outer circle, observers.

4. 2-3 minutes:  Feedback on those in the Fishbowl in Round 1

5. FLIP IT - 6-7 minutes: Round 2 - Switch - inner to outer...

6. 2-3 minutes: Feedback on Round 2

Partners will be observers - sit on opposite side of the room - you will give your partner feedback on the following:

Socratic Method Norms:

1. Listen actively

2. Don't raise hands

3. Stay open to change

4. Always go back to the text

5. Give eye contact and use names

6. Monitor air time

All sorts of variations.

With time remaining, journal or discuss at large...

Homework:  In the comment section below, write a paragraph that discusses what you believe are 2 important quotes from the short story to which you are assigned.  You may not repeat quotes! Be sure to read your classmates' posts as a good way to review for our test on Friday.