The Name Game

Visit www.behindthename.com 

Look up the Namesake character names. What do their names mean, and how do their names relate to their personalities? Explain. Give an example from the book for each character. Include page number.

• Ashoke
• Ashima 
• Nikhil
• Sonali 

Next, look up your name and your family member names. What do your names mean, and how do they relate to your personalities? Explain.

The Namesake -- INTRO

When, where, and why did your family (or you) come to the United States? What is some family lore that you know about this experience? Mention any connections, if any, to a country of origin and any traditions that your family has maintained across generations.

Metaphor in Briar Rose

Metaphor: Write a metaphor for one of the following themes and explain it. 150 words

Choices:  love, hate, happiness, sadness, intelligence, stupidity, cleverness, foolishness, power, weakness, beauty, ugliness, jealousy, admiration, friendship

Example: Love is a lemon because it is sweet and sour. I think this because........

Feminist Folklore -- Sleeping Beauty

The story of “Sleeping Beauty”  is one of the most consistently captivating fairy tales. It tells of a cursed princess dreaming in a tower, waiting patiently for her prince to rescue her. Those who recreate the tale for contemporary audiences spin the story anew, reconstructing again and again what it means both to sleep and to awaken.How do the stories told about girls and women shape society's attitudes toward them? Consider the three versions of the tale that we read in class as you respond to this question. 250 words minimum.

Fairy Tales

What is a fairy tale?  If you could be a part of any fairy tale, which would you choose? Who would you be? Why? (250 words)

The Origin of Ants

What is your interpretation of the Chinese folktale, "The Origin of Ants?" What do you think the moral of this story is? Do you like it? Why or why not?

Who are YOU?

Answer the following:

1. A book that left a lasting impression; made me think; etc. is ___________________ because........... (150 words minimum).
2. Who are you, and where are you going? (150 words)

ME:

1. There are so many good books that it is hard to choose, but a novel that has left a lasting impression on me is Painted Bird by Jerzy Kosinki. I probably read this when I was a senior in high school, like you. I remember that I couldn't put it down. I couldn't stop thinking: "How could this happen?" It is about a "gypsy" Polish boy's journey during WWII that depicts his struggle to survive and how it changed him— as told through his own boyish eyes. It is a very graphic and sobering view on human behavior and the consequences of neglect.
Right now, I am reading The Nix by Nathan Hill and Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover. I highly recommend both of them. Great reads!

2. Well, as it applies to you: I am your teacher! I love what I do because I really enjoy working with young people. These days, I mostly work with international students, but I've taught several courses in regular English lit in my years as a teacher. When I was young, I was also an ELL student. Lithuanian is my first language. Growing up in a cultural community, I always had a profound curiosity about the world. I love to travel and to experience life in different places. I lived in Rome for several years while teaching at the American-British International School. Now, I feel that I still get to experience the "world" through my interaction with the diverse students that I teach.
I am also back in school! I have a Masters in Linguistics and TESOL, but I am now studying at the University of Chicago to obtain a degree in educational publishing... this here tells where I am going.... I hope to further the work I've begun in educational publishing, primarily in the field of literacy and ELL.
I live in Bell Buckle with my husband and son, Aidas (10th grader here), and my 2 dogs! Sushi is (FOR SURE) my favorite food!