Reading-GCSE-Tue

Summary for Lesson 1

In today’s class we began work on Of Mice & Men thinking about the history behind the novella. The class shared ideas about how they felt towards the book before thinking about the 1930s and Great Depression that serve as the backdrop. The students did some creative writing imagining themselves in the position of someone at the time and considered the ways in which race, class and unemployment feature in the story. We watched a video that explored the context and finally discussed how we see these themes in the characters and story. Excellent work everyone, I was very impressed by your hard work and focus today. Keep up the wonderful work and see you next week 🙂

Video from today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeyRUjcc_LI

Context link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zsxgp39/revision/2

More context: https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/micemen/context/historical/of-mice-and-men-and-the-great-depression/

Interesting video of photos from the 1930s: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk5vMPMQ__w

Homework

Hello Beth,

This is my homework for the first lesson.

Best wishes,

Ario

Hi Beth

Please find below my homework. Have great weekend!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_OMW9Oz_TNRpqOIBsAgB4–N6FDc1RqSq0x8wti4OSc/edit

Best wishes

Daniel

Hi Beth,

here is my homework for lesson one

kind regards,

Bobby

Hi Beth I am really sorry but I think I somehow attached Arios homework instead of mine so here is my actual homework

best wishes

Bobby

Hi Beth,

Sorry for the little delay!

Thank u so much for the amazing lesson and have a great rest of the week 🙂

Lynn

Dear Beth,

Sorry I wasn’t there for the first lesson, and sorry for my late submit!

I listened to the recording, and thank you for the lesson.

Here is my homework – have a good day!

Yichen 😊

Summary for Lesson 2

In today’s class we continued our study of Of Mice & Men thinking about the controversial issues at the heart of the novel. We learned about the racism, sexism and ableism at the heart of the story, discussing this in context and thinking about the question of how to deal with these issues in a way that places our understanding in a historical light. We looked at a video analysing these ideas and then moved on to thinking about the sadness at the core of the novel and how this connects to the American Dream. Incredible work today everyone- very well done for your insights and ideas. Was great to see you all, see you next week 🙂

Slurs & sadness video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfOGMO8Ag8w

Homework

Hi Beth

I think that I’ve allowed you access to the document of my homework for Lesson 1. Please let me know if further problems ensue.

Best wishes

Daniel

Beth! The article has been read by me.

Summary for Lesson 3

In today’s class we completed work on Of Mice & Men, debating some questions and themes within the story. We began by discussing the homework article, digging into its claims about the American Dream, before thinking about the concept of heroism in the story. The class then did some amazing group work talking about key themes and questions the novel raises and wrote some incredible creative imaginings, inventing their own Steinbeck-style character within the world of the novel. Finally we touched on reviews, thinking about how the perception of the novel has changed over time. Excellent work everyone, really brilliant analysis and very imaginative work today. See you next week for our first Fitzgerald lesson 🙂

Homework

Hi Beth!

Thank you for the amazing lesson!

-Eva

Dear Beth,

Thank you for the lesson! I really enjoyed discussing Of Mice And Men!

Here is my homework.

Yichen

Summary for Lesson 4

In today’s class we began our second book, Tender is the Night. We spoke in detail about the context of the 1920s, thinking about the ways in which the social, cultural and political history of the decade shines light on the story. We thought about how class, gender and culture were treated in the book and the class discussed the reception towards the novel in the 30s. They created their own characters inspired by the novel- which were fantastically detailed- and we did a deep dive into power, relationships and gender. Fabulous work everyone, very well done and see you next week 🙂

Roaring 20s video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfOR1XCMf7A

Homework

Summary for Lesson 5

In today’s class we continued work on Tender is the Night, discussing ideas around the central themes of the novel. We touched on the critical reception to the novel at the time and debated both sides, thinking also about how Fitzgerald’s life helps us understand this story. We looked at the idea of non-linear experience that the story illuminates and the class thought about the title of the novel and its significance in symbolic terms. Finally they planned some excellent essays based on theme and shared these in break-out rooms, bouncing off one another and sharing arguments and examples from the story. Well done today everyone, really great in-depth work on the central themes and ideas behind this story. Keep up the wonderful job and see you next week 🙂

Ode to a Nightingale: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44479/ode-to-a-nightingale

Homework

Hi Beth!

Thank you for the spectacular lesson!

-Eva

Hi Beth,

Thank you for the amazing lesson, see u next Tuesday!

Lynn

Hello Beth,

Sorry I wasn’t here for last week’s lesson, I’ve listened to the playback though.

Thank you for the lesson and see you on Tuesday.

Hi Beth,

Sorry my homework is late, I completely forgot to upload it! Thank you for the interesting lesson!

Yichen

Summary for Lesson 6

In today’s class we completed our work on Tender is the Night, thinking about characters and symbols. We thought about the notion of a psychological novel and what it may refer to, before digging into the psyche and downfall of Dick Diver. We then analysed the class’s favourite quotations from the novel and they also completed some group debate, finally working on two key questions re. the ending and chronology of the story. Finally we watched a video on symbolism to prepare for homework. Fantastic work today and over the past six weeks everyone, very well done for your dedication and amazing ideas throughout. You have all been a joy to teach and I look forward to seeing you all in the next course! Well done class 🙂

Symbolism video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69A6xyXGC-M&t=1s

Homework

Hi Beth!

Thank you for the amazing course! I enjoyed it a lot.

-Eva

Hi Beth,

Thank you for the lessons! they were very helpful.

Have a nice day,

Lynn

Hi Beth.

Thank you for the enjoyable course, it was extremely beneficial for me.

Have a wonderful remainder of the holidays.

Ario

Dear Beth,

I completely forgot about the homework again! I’m really sorry. Have a nice week.

Thank you so much for the really enjoyable course. I really enjoyed Tender Is The Night.

Here is my homework

Yichen