Humanities Summer Packet CCPSG Miss Reed 2018-2019 Vision: humanities at ccpsg strives to instill independent confidence in our scholars. We achieve this mission by connecting critical thinking, social justice and the American identity to build empowered, empathetic and inquisitive literateurs and citizens.
Welcome to Humanities! Welcome to 8 th Grade Humanities. Together, we will be exploring and analyzing our culture through the lens of the humanities. To study humanities is to look at humankind s cultural legacy the sum total of the significant ideas and achievements and how yesterday s lessons impact today s society. The seven aspects of culture are: literature, philosophy/religion, music, dance, history, architecture and the arts. These integral forms of culture s values, ambitions and beliefs have shaped who we are today. You will need the following school supplies for the upcoming class and for this Summer Packet: Flag Post-Its in various colors Regular yellow Post-Its 2-3 different color highlighters Blue and black ink pens A pencil box or pouch for supplies The novel A Raisin in the Sun This year, we will be exploring American History through the lens of all Americans. Our journey will begin by exploring the American Dream and what it means to the Younger family in 1950 s Chicago and what it means to each student today. The American Dream will be our focal point for all we will do in this class, therefore, the Summer Break Packet is essential to our learning. This packet is due on the first day of school. If you run into problems or have questions, please contact me at my email: preed7292@columbus.k12.oh.us
What is the American Dream? 1. Read the following articles/watch the following videos about the American Dream. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/still-believing-in-the-americandream/ https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/1194840031120/defining-theamerican-dream.html http://business.time.com/2013/09/26/is-the-american-dreamwithering-or-just-changing/ Write a 3 paragraph essay that analyzes the question: What is the American Dream?
2. Read the novel, A Raisin in the Sun. I am going to strongly suggest that you purchase this novel as you will need to take notes following a format on the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hm1z6ropqlo The topics you need to read for are: The American Dream Symbols what objects represent ideas/theme topics in the novel? Themes what life lessons are the characters learning? Character growth You will need to answer the following questions for this novel as you read. You can also use the Summer Break Packet in our Google Classroom. The class code for this is yicfx4. You can submit the questions and answers in Google Docs into our Google Classroom. Always, always, always support your answers with evidence from the text! Questions for Act 1, Scene 1 1. At the beginning of the plan, Hansberry uses a lot of detail to help the reader visualize the Youngers apartment. What does this setting tell us about the characters? 2. What is Walter and Ruth s relationship like? What evidence shows this? 3. Consider Walter s passionate plea to Ruth (in class we call this the Eat your eggs speech). Why does he make this speech to her? What could eggs symbolize? 4. What do we find out about Mama s dream?
Questions for Act 1, Scene 2 1. What is Walter s dream? 2. What does the check symbolize to the Younger family? 3. What ways are Walter and Beneatha alike? How are they different from Mama? 4. How does conflict play a role in this novel? Questions for Act 2, Scene 1 1. Why is Walter so resentful of George? 2. What do we find out that Mama did with the money? 3. What do we learn about Clybourne Park? 4. How are the characters changing/growing? Questions for Act 2, Scene 2 1. What does Mama mean when she says to Walter, I say I been wrong son. That I been doing to you what the rest of the world been doing to you there ain t nothing worth holding on to, money, dreams, nothing else if it means if it means it s going to destroy my boy 2. Which character would the theme topic family represent the most? Questions for Act 2, Scene 3 1. What is Karl Lindner s purpose for visiting the Youngers? 2. How do the Youngers respond?
Questions for Act 3 1. What does Asagai mean when he says, isn t there something wrong in a house in a world where all dreams, good or bad, must depend on the death of a man. 2. What does Walter Lee decide with Lindner? 3. How does Walter change by the end of the book? 4. What does the plant symbolize at the end?
Set Design of the Novel Create a Set Design for Act 1 Scene 1 You can create a 3 Dimensional set design (in a box) or a color drawing on paper. Either set design should include all elements of the apartment that the characters actually appear in (remember: it s a play). You will also receive a Set Design Rubric You will also need to write a mini-essay about the importance of setting to the novel. Your mini-essay should be three paragraphs long and should answer the following questions: Why is the setting of the play important? What types of things might it tell us about the play itself? How can the setting of a play represent the characters? What theme does this setting represent at this point in the novel? SET DESIGN THAT SHOWS FEATURES FROM NOVEL 1 PARAGRAPH OF ESSAY THAT EXPLAINS THE IMPORTANCE OF SETTING 1 PARAGRAPH OF ESSAY THAT CONNECTS SETTING TO CHARACTERS 1 PARAGRAPH OF ESSAY THAT CONNECTS SETTING TO THEME 8 3 Dimensional or paper set design clearly represents the Younger apartment; colorful and creative can clearly understand the importance of setting; connects to novel setting can clearly understand how the setting in this novel connects to the characters can clearly understand how the setting connects to a possible theme in this novel 6 3 Dimensional or paper set design that represents the Younger apartment understands the importance of setting in a novel/play can understand how the setting connects to characters in text can understand how the setting can connect to the theme 4 3 Dimensional or paper set design that somewhat represents the Younger apartment In a somewhat understands the importance of setting in a novel/play In a paragraph, the reader can somewhat understand how the setting connects In a paragraph, the reader can somewhat understand how the setting and theme connect 2 3 Dimensional or paper set design that barely represents the Younger apartment This does not represent a paragraph; the reader barely understands the importance of setting in a novel/play This does not represent a paragraph; the reader barely understands the connection This does not represent a paragraph; the reader barely understand the connection Goals and Reflections: