"The Road Not Taken" read by Robert Frost

Please complete both handouts-the vocabulary and the summary paragraph--on looseleaf for next class. Read my comments to help you understand the poem.

The newest piece of literature we will analyze is "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost. This is a very well-known poem by a well-loved American poet who used natural and rural symbols in his poems to discuss social themes. This poem has been loved and read and misunderstood by people for almost 100 years! Be very careful when you read and analyze this poem.          Ask and answer these questions as you read and analyze the poem: Symbolism--The "road" is a not a real or literal  road. What is the road a symbol for? Who is the traveler?  Setting--When and where does this poem take place? Why are the leaves of the wood yellow?  Conflict--What is his conflict? When he can't see to the end of the road what does he choose to do?  A road that is grassy and "wanted wear"--wanted someone to walk on it--what does that mean? What does he say that he will think about his decision? What I am asking you to look at now are the last 2 lines, in the last stanza: I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. You can't take this to mean that he is sorry, or that he regrets his choice. NO!  He says, as he is making a choice (at the fork in the road=symbolism), and he is young--he is looking to his future (foreshadowing)  that he could have chosen either way (both choices are equal, popular, and nice, ("both paths may be equally worn and equally leaf-covered"). He says in the 2nd and 3rd stanzas that in the future, he will look back and then call one road "less traveled by." This is Foreshadowing - hints or a suggestion of what is to come in the action of a play, poem or a story not Flashback (looking at the past).       The sigh "aaaah", is mistakenly interpreted as regret (that he made the wrong decision)  or self satisfaction (that he made the right decision). But no! Robert Frost is playing with us. He is not saying he made a good or bad decision. He says that both roads look the same, but in the future (he can not change his mind, change his decisions) he KNOWS he will think that he took the one that was less common, less popular. And that "has made the difference.' made his life turn out the way it did.        You can never go back and change your choices in the past-- you can only go forward. When you are older, your memories trick you, you don't remember things correctly. It's human nature.

Listen to Robert Frost read his poem.......You may have to copy and paste the URL into your browser. http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15717 The Road Not Taken (1915)   Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

Little Things Are Big-Characterization

What would you ask the Black man if you had a chance to speak to him?. How has the character changed over the years? How has the incident years ago affected him now?

Little Things Are Big comments

L4T-08 post a comment and then read your classmates' comments and respond to one person. 1. If you were in a similar situation as the white woman--alone, late at night, scared--and a strange person approached you--what would you do? What would your reaction be? 2. Why do you think she was out alone at night? What questions would you like to ask her?

Identifying Conflicts in Little Things Are Big

Many works of literature develop around conflict. Characters may face several types of conflict including self vs. self, self vs. person, self vs. society, and self vs. nature. In Little Things Are Big Colon struggles with both internal and external conflicts. Choose three different types of conflict that Jesus Colon faces over the course of the story. In the table below,

1. Describe the conflict
2. Identify what type of conflict
3. Explain if and how each conflict is resolved
Conflict Type of Conflict Resolution

1




2




3



Next, rewrite the ending of Little Things Are Big so that Colon approaches the woman, addressing one of these conflicts. (How does the woman respond to Colon's actions? What impact does this have on Colon?)

Little Things are Big

Little Things are Big

"The Necklace" part 2

La Parure 2/2 by apocalyptique00">
 Part 2 of the Necklace

This is an excellent video of a famous French story--in French! I can't show this in school, it's blocked but you can watch it at home. Just turn off the volume, watch the videos and enjoy. It's really well done, very interesting and one o the most important short stories you will read.

"The Necklace" part1 by de Maupassant

La Parure 1/2 by apocalyptique00">

L4T Course Outline Fall 2011

Course Outline and Parent, Teacher and Student Contract

Class Code and Section: L4T      Subject:  ESL Literature             Term: Fall 2011

Teacher: Ms. Nancy De Pas    Telephone: (718) 937-6005, ext. 104    

Email: ndepas@schools.nyc.gov   Blog: MsDePas@blogspot.com

This class is an advanced English literature course designed to help you all your language skills and to prepare for passing the English Regents Exam.. Students will improve their formal and informal language, listen for information, read for comprehension, write essays and speak clearly. It is important that you are immersed in an English-speaking environment, both at home and at school, so that you will use what you learned in class, think in English, therefore write better in English and have improved fluency. This will ensure that you will do well in the class, pass the English Regents, and graduate high school.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.     <!--[endif]-->Course Goals and Objectives

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·       <!--[endif]-->Academic skills – Improve writing summary and controlling idea paragraphs, learn how to write a critical lens essay, participate in literature circles

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·       <!--[endif]-->Language skills – Improved verbal and written expression of English, discussion of literary ideas,

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·       <!--[endif]-->Content – Poetry, short stories, music, films, videos, a novel

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·       <!--[endif]-->Thinking skills – mastering of literary terms, analyze and critique literature,  synthesize themes found in literature across different genres

<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.     <!--[endif]-->Course Requirements and Expectations

• Lateness and Absences – Be on time. Attend class every day. Bring a note from your doctor or parents when you are absent. Students who are late, cut class or are absent will miss important work such as assignments, cooperative activities, quizzes and tests and therefore they will get a lower grade. Late homework is not accepted. Students are responsible to get the assignments and notes from a classmate when they are absent.
• Note-taking – Speak, read and write English in class. Copy all class notes. Keep notes, handouts and returned work in your binder. Participate and do your own work in class and at home.  
• Behavior in class –Respect yourself and others. Respect all teachers and school staff members. Do not disrupt, talk or play in class. Dress appropriately for school. No iPods, cell phones or hats are permitted. Don’t chew gum, write on the desks, apply make-up, or eat in class. Pick up and throw out your trash. Respect school furniture and equipment. If you break any school rule, you may be sent to the dean’s office and face possible suspension. If your cell phone is taken away from you, a parent will be asked to come to school to claim it.
• Use of textbooks – Textbooks will be kept in the classroom and a text book will be sent home for study and homework. Students must bring their book to school every day. He or she is not permitted to write in the book. A fine will be charged for unreturned and damaged books. 
• Class participation – Come to class prepared to learn every day. Bring your binder, pens, highlighter and dictionary/translator. Raise your hand to speak. Pay attention to the teacher and other students.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.     <!--[endif]-->Themes & Topics

• First Marking Period – power of language, desire, ambition, discrimination, sacrifice and choice
• Second Marking Period – coming of age, responsibility, family dynamics,  immigrant experience 
• Third Marking Period – domestic violence, self identity, confronting challenges, independence

<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.     <!--[endif]-->Assessment Policy

• Homework (25%)
• Participation and Group-work (25%)
• Exams, Essays and Quizzes (25%)
• Projects and Presentations (25%)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.     <!--[endif]-->Closing statement to parents & students

• You will use teacher provided handouts and books: Voices in Literature Gold, House on Mango Street  
• I look forward to meeting with you at the Parent-Teacher Conferences: Thursday, October 27, 2011 (6:00-8:30 PM); and Friday, October 28, 2011 (1:00-3:00 PM).
• You may contact me to discuss your child’s progress at (718) 937-6005, ext. 104   ndepas@schools.nyc.gov
• Attendance in After School and Saturday Program is recommended for your child’s academic success.

Students, please sign. Parents, please sign that you will help your child follow the contract.

<!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->***************************************************************************************************

Ms. Nancy De Pas Student’s signature _____________________________Print Name _________________

      Parent/guardian’s signature_______________________ Print Name__________________ relationship____________