Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing

Today began with the promised Reading Quiz on Ch.21-25. Many students were of the opinion that it was easy. Of course it was easy. I gave ya'll an extra day to do the reading, plus we talked about half of the chapters in class.

If you've read, all the quizzes have been easy.

But enough judgment.

We then spent a minute or two connecting Edward Donleavy to the Minister's sermon on REAL vs. FALSE charity (Ch. 18). His charity is FALSE:

• He brags about his own generosity  ("Charity vaunteth not itself.")
• He expects something in return for the educational improvements he's made.
• He specifically expects votes.

Moving to happier ground, we listened to the song Henry Reed, the Valedictorian, sings with the graduates. He saves the day with James Weldon Johnson's song, often referred to in the book as the Black National Anthem.

• Links to the song, as well as the lyrics, are in the post below, from yesterday.
• Cameron W., of 2nd period, pointed out that the tone of the three verses of the song follow Maya's own emotional well being as she progresses through her Graduation day. Yeah, I think that's an amazing connection to make. I don't know if he's right or not, I'm just delighted and amazed that he was able to make the connection. 
• #brainbomb

Students took home a rock-solid piece of Informational Text from Understanding I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings historical casebook. Here's the link:

• Attitudes of African Americans Toward Education

HW For Tonight:

• Read the handout linked above.
• Annotate the reading.
• Here's an example of Annotation in Ch. 18
• Here's Ch. 23, fully annotated.
• Mark what's important, particularly striking, or anything that's puzzling for you.
• You DO NOT have to answer the Study Questions that appear on the very last page.