But I did take up the Carnera Questions (see post below for link).
Today, students focused on the first set of chapters in this section: 21-23.
What's up w/ Ch. 21?
- "Bailey & Joyce, sittin' in a tree..." Except by kissing I mean "playing house" and by a tree I mean a blanket-made tent out back of the Store.
- Why this chapter? Why do we have to read it? What is its purpose? To accomplish the following goals:
- To reinforce the concept that children during this time period were ignorant and uncomprehending about "family matters." (This idea was introduced back in Chs. 11&12)
- Why? Because it was taboo! It wasn't considered "polite", and let's not forget, it was considered a sin, in a very religious time and place.
- So how did kids learn about..."it"? Look in the chapter. How does Bailey learn? Trial and error. Scary to think about.
- To introduce the theme of GROWING UP. Bailey, and soon Maya, will be adolescents. They're becoming young adults, and this chapter (and the Tommy Valdon episode) show us these changes taking place.
- To explore developments in the sibling relationship that unites Maya and Bailey. Joyce's leaving affects Bailey, who in turn is different towards Maya. We are all connected in positive, and negative, ways.
What's up w/ Ch. 22?
- Mortality & The Haunting of Mr. Taylor
- Maya recalls going to Mrs. Florida Taylor's funeral, and her first having to acknowledge that all things mortal must die. She makes death's fearful acquaintance. Coming to terms with death is an important part of growing up (see above)
- "Nothing gold can stay..." (Robert Frost)
- A handful of students asked, over the course of the day, what was up with that angel-baby that haunts Mr. Taylor?
- Remember: Mrs. Taylor had wanted children.
- Remember: The angel-baby had blue eyes. ("Wait, what?" It's in the chapter. Go read)
- Remember: from the beginning, what was the popular racial conception of God, the Afterlife, Angels, and generally good things? White. These things were all thought of as White. And why not? White people in the setting of the book lived blessed, privileged lives.
What's up w/ Ch. 23?
- It's Maya's 8th grade graduation! Yaaaaaay! Super-awesome! Gifts! Dresses! Hairdos! Food! Respect! THE FUTURE!
- Until the commencement speaker arrives, and ruins everything with a racist speech.
- And then, as suddenly as he walked in, he walked back out, to his white world and white prerogatives.
- Oh and PS: "Let's all vote for Donleavy this fall!"
- NOT :P
- But the Valedictorian of the class saves the day:
- Lift Every Voice and Sing
- By James Weldon Johnson, 1899
- Also called The Black National Anthem
- Full lyrics
And that's where we're going to pick up tomorrow: With triumphant singing.
HW For Tonight:
- BE READY for a RQ on Ch.21-25
- Re-read the Commencement Address in Ch. 23
- Bring in PTI to share with Hillwood??
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