Here is the rubric for the novel presenations

Deep waters

Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is both an adventure novel and a satire. Remember satire "mocks or pokes fun at something to show how wrong, ridiculous, or evil something is."  Much of the humor of Huckleberry Finn, as well as the serious satire, comes from Huck's being unaware of the comic implications of what he says. What Huck takes seriously, Twain often means to be comic. Explore one of these events in chapters 1-15 and explain the difference between what Huck says and what Twain means.  (The deadline to post a response to this blog question is midnight, August 27, 2014.  You must not post the same response as the posters before you have.)

If you have 20 minutes to spare...

I recently watched this and thought it touches upon so much of what we are reading, so if you have 20 minutes, watch this and post your comments on it. 
http://www.upworthy.com/i-never-thought-id-want-to-high-five-a-teacher-for-yelling-at-a-student-but-i-was-wrong?g=2&c=reccon1

Before the raft....

We have begun reading Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and it seems that the first 4 chapters develop a series of contrasts: the Widow Douglas and Miss Watson and Tom and Huck.  Select a pairing and explain their points of comparison and contrast as seen thus far in the novel.  (CATCH:  You must not compare/contrast the same characters as the person before you has, but you must comment on their response.)  (The deadline to post a response is midnight, Thursday, August 21, 2014.)

Gumbo, pecan trees, Stetson hats, the quarter, plantations, fried chicken....

Today, we talked about Gaines' use of local color and Regionalism to create verisimilitude in A Lesson Before Dying.  Select a passage from this novel that you think most presents this local color and helps to increase the novel's verisimilitude.  Quote that passage and tell us what in it you truly could hear or visualize.  ( The deadline to post a response is midnight, Wednesday, August 20, 2014.)

Beneath the Dusty Words

We have briefly talked about a few themes in Montana 1948.  Among these themes are justice, coming of age, the presence of evil in everyone, abuse of power/position, and race relations.  Select one of these themes and briefly explain why you believe it to be significant in this novel.  Give a quote that reveals that theme and tell how it does so.  (CATCH:  You may not write on the same theme as the two people prior to you.)  The deadline to post is midnight, Thursday, August 14, 2014)

EXTRA CREDIT FOR AUGUST

Complete one of the following by August 25^th. It will not be taken late for any reason and is equal to one minor test grade.
1.  Make a bulletin board size teacher’s poster on the novel A Lesson Before Dying. 
2.  Imagine Grant is asked to give the eulogy for Jefferson’s funeral.  Write and deliver this before the class.
3.  Make a display board about Ernest Gaines or Larry Watson.  Include pictures, a listing of his major works, and a time line of at least 10 major life events.
4.  Write the theme song to Montana 1948.  Perform it before the class.  Print out the lyrics.
5.  Make a board game that a teacher could use to review her students on the novel Montana 1948 or A Lesson Before Dying.  Include playing board, pieces, and rules.
6.  Draw 5 major scenes from Montana 1948. Write a paragraph below each explaining why it is significant.  Each scene should be on a separate sheet of paper at least 8.5 X 11 inches.
7.  Draw 5 major scenes from A Lesson Before Dying.Write a paragraph below each explaining why it is significant. Each scene should be on a separate sheet of paper at least 8.5 X 11 inches.
8.  Create the diary of one of the major female characters in either Montana 1948 or
A Lesson Before Dying.  Include at least 10 entries.  Include actual events from the novel and the characters feelings about these events.  Make the cover reflect this character.

The Strength of Women

Both Gail in Montana 1948 and Vivian in A Lesson Before Dying support their mates.  Compare and contrast their strengths and roles in the novels.  Use at least one quote from each novel to support your claims and based upon what is presented in these novels, decide what the authors are saying about women.  (The deadline to post a response is midnight, Friday, August 8, 2014.)