Due 3/24/20 by Noon - Left Handed Kisses Best Evidence
Computers Needed
Learning Target - I will refine my ability to self-reflect and identify my strengths.
Today is our last post for our class. Starting tomorrow, all LA 9 teachers will be posting the same tasks based on the same skills through Schoooooooooooooooooooooooooology. The same rules will apply though: nothing will be graded, all tasks are optional but, you will still receive feedback from me.
Please pick one of the following skills you think you demonstrated the best during the last week. Post the best evidence of these skills to the class comment section. These could really help improve your skill evidence.
- Analyzing Characterization
- Evaluating Figurative Language
- Identifying Theme
Task # 1 - Characterization Answers - I will give you some hints for the following questions I asked last week. If you found these CDs and properly evaluated what they imply about the thoughts and feelings of each character, you want to use that as evidence of skill level.
- How does Andrew Bird feel about Fiona Apple’s concerns? How do you know this? (use at least 1 visual CD and 2 lines from the song. Embedding optional). Bird rolls his eyes several times which implies he is dismissive of Apple’s concerns. At the end though, he looks legitimately shocked/concerned that Apple will end their relationship when she threatens that “if [Bird] hesitates, [he] will hear the click of the receiver” (Bird). This ultimatum leaves Bird to make a choice...but, what exactly does he need to say or do to prevent Apple from “hanging up” on their relationship.
- What is Fiona Apple’s biggest concern about their relationship? Fiona simply wants to know if Bird actually loves her. Bird expresses his love for Apple by writing her songs but she wants something very specific instead. She does not want his “50 scent words” or “left-handed kisses” (Bird). These are just acts of love or physical displays of affection. However, some people want something much simpler.
- What is it that she wants from Andrew Bird? I will only give you a pretty obvious clue here because it is the key to identifying the theme. What is the one thing Brid never says in the song?
- Does Andrew Bird actually love Fiona Apple? Any proof? This one is where most people misunderstood Bird’s actions versus words. He totally loves her!!!! He used to be “a skeptic”.
Task # 2 - Language Analysis Continued - Review the LYRICS and analyze the following CDs of figurative language with a first bit of CM that translates or summarizes. The 2nd bit should analyze or make the CD meaningful. This can be done on either your Language 2 doc or Reading 2 doc. You do not need to write about all of them but, this is a great way to measure your accuracy of understanding and ability to make sense of challenging language.
- “In the heart of a skeptic/There's a question that still hovers near” (Bird). What is the question? There are options here but, if you look closely, Bird claims that he does not believe in fate…”star-crossed lovers” which is a reference to Romeo and Juliet. Apple reacts by implying that even Bird - the skeptic - can’t deny their love.
- “left handed kisses” (Bird). What is a “left handed kiss”? A sneaky, fake, kiss...the word sinister comes from the Latin for left handed. Lefties were not trusted and so the term has come to mean untrustworthy.
- “if you really loved me/You'd risk more than a few 50 cent words” What is a “50 cent” word? You might need to research what a 10 cent word is. You might be surprised by the real meaning. Back when you had to pay by the letter for printing something in the paper, 10 cents meant 10 letters long. Try to think about a word that is 10 letters long and you should think that it is a bit too fancy! Apple is criticising Brid for using big fancy words and not the precise ones that matter most. She thinks he is just showing off, trying to sound like he loves her.
- “Now it's time for a handsome little bookend” (Bird). Combine this one with Fiona’s response of “Now it's time to tie up all the loose ends” (Bird). You should have made mental connections to our climax and resolution (which means the tying up of loose ends).
- And last but certainly not least, “How did I ever find you/Drifting gently through the gyre/Of the great Sargasso sea, Atlantic Ocean” (Bird). In my opinion, this is the most beautiful line. What on Earth does this mean? Figure that out and you might actually understand the theme and what is really going on for both characters. I won’t share much here because this is where I would be able to see how well you evaluate figurative language. The Sargasso Sea is the only body of water on the planet that does not touch land! Weird concept, I know; however, just think about the odds of making it to a body of water with no shore, coastline, land next to it. I would love to see someone post a response for this one.
Figurative language - phrases that cannot be interpreted literally.
Task #3 - Figurative Visual CDs - If you paid close attention to the video, there are 3 specific images that might contain some key information about the conflicts going on in the song. Brainstorm what these images might mean.
- Fiona rings a big bell. Someone made an interesting connection to a funeral bell on the website...seemed like a cool idea.
- Fiona picks petals off a flower. Did anyone make the connection to the whole “he loves me, he loves me not” reference here? She is asking if Bird loves her or not.
- Fiona breaks a bottle...with her bare hands! This was obviously the climax
Task #4 - Revised Theme - Once you feel confident that you understand what Apple wants, how Bird actually feels and what the major elements of figurative language mean, you will need to rewrite your theme.
Post your most insightful answers from the questions above to THIS doc.
American Voices Independent Read & Assessment Reminder - If you do nothing else over break, PLEASE finish reading your American novel. Document CDs that help you identify the theme and understand the characters. Write your responses.
Requirements:
- Appropriate Novel written by an American author (200 page “minimum”)
- Active Reading Journal that proves your ability to identify theme, analyze characterization, evaluate language and harvest meaningful CDs (4 entries minimum from beginning to end of the novel)
- Four 2 CD responses (1 on theme, 1 on characterization, 1 on language, 1 self selected)
- Final Creative Presentation (this can be done in groups or individually...depending on your novel)
- Self-Generated Essay Prompts
Homework Tips - Please best your best evidence to the class blog comment section. Tomorrow, be looking for an early morning update with weekly info. And as always, finish reading your American writer novel.