Collaboration, Engagement, Integrity,

 

Creative & Critical Thinkers

Our school-wide core values

 

Mr. David Ambrose

Medford High School

English Language Arts Department

Mister Ambrose
489 Winthrop St.
Medford, MA 02155

ph: 781.393.2345

dambrose@medford.k12.ma.us

Twitter

  • Home
  • English 10 Daily Plans 2020-2021
  • English 10 Unit Plans
  • English 10 Daily Plans 2019-2020
  • Summer School 2019
  • English 10 2018-2019
  • Yearbook 2018-2019
  • Nexus 2018-2019
  • Homeroom C114, 2018-2022
  • Summer School 2018
  • English 10 2017-2018
  • Yearbook 2017-2018
  • Nexus 2017-2018
  • Summer School 2017
  • Nexus
  • Yearbook 2016-2017
  • English 10 2016-2017
  • Summer School 2016
  • Lesson Plan LibraryClick to open the Lesson Plan Library menu
    • Satire
    • Southern Gothic Literature
    • College Exploration Unit
  • Outdoor EducationClick to open the Outdoor Education menu
    • Fells Day Student Testimonials
    • 5.17.16 Faulkner-themed Hike
  • Juniors 2015-2016
  • Sophomores 2015-2016
  • Advisory 2015-2016
  • Yearbook 2015-2016
  • Humans of Medford Project
  • Summer School 2015
  • Ambrose's Core Beliefs
  • Testimonials
  • MCAS Academy
  • Sophomores 2014-2015
  • Juniors 2014-2015
  • Advisory 2014-2015
  • Yearbook 2014-2015
  • Mr. Ambrose's WritingClick to open the Mr. Ambrose's Writing menu
    • Grandpa Ben Eulogy
    • Holiday Raps 2014
  • Courses
  • Summer School 2014
  • Ideas for 2014-2015
  • Mr. Ambrose's Reflections
  • Evidence for SMART GOALS
  • Homeroom Advisory 2013-2014
  • Sophomores 2013-2014
  • Juniors 2013-2014
  • Yearbook 2013-2014
  • Common Core
  • Word of the Day
  • Photos
  • Contact Mr. Ambrose
  • Links
  • Student Showcase
  • Ideas for 2012-2013
  • Summer School 2013
  • Summer School 2012
  • Juniors 2012-2013
  • Juniors 2011-2012
  • Juniors 2010-2011
  • Juniors 2009-2010
  • Juniors 2008-2009
  • Sophomores 2012-2013
  • Sophomores 2011-2012
  • Sophomores 2010-2011
  • Sophomores 2009-2010
  • Sophomores 2008-2009
  • Summer School Archives
  • Yearbook 2012-2013
  • Yearbook 2011-2012
  • Yearbook Archives

Southern Gothic Literature

above:  William Faulkner

Overview:

This four to six week unit, to be incorporated at any time during the junior year, focuses on the emerging movement of American Gothicism, with a particular focus on Southern writers, in the years following the Civil War.  

Students explore this movement by examining works from Harper Lee to William Faulkner to Flannery O’Connor.  In this prominent period in American literature, classic archetypes are re-imagined in modern, Southern setting.  Students will analyze how the works of this time period distinctly reflect Americana, and, particularly the South, while offering social commentary on the darker side of humanity.

Teachers are encouraged to select at least one novel and a variety of the other poetry and prose in order to give students maximum exposure to the various works of the period.

Introductory Material (1 day lesson)

Southern Gothic Literary Unit Introductory PPT

This PowerPoint presentation includes a "do now" journal about the famous painting "American Gothic," as well as information about the subgenre of Southern Gothic literature - famous writers of the genre, defining characteristics of the movement, etc.

"A Good Man is Hard to Find," Flannery O'Connor (1 day lesson)

Students enter class having read the story.  They have also responded to the following question in a HW journal:

Write a response about why the grandmother touches the Misfit in the end.  Find THREE quotes from the text to support your assertions.  Here are three options for interpreation:  (1) She does it out of grace and charity.  She has transformed as a person.  (2) She is trying to save herself from being murdered.  She has not changed.  (3)  She is trying to do her best.  She has faults and makes mistakes, but is trying to do what is best for her family.

Lesson can be completed in one day.  

Download daily agenda for lesson plan here.

"A Good Man is Hard to Find" full text

  • Web link
  • Word document link

"A Good Man is Hard to Find" song lyrics

  • Web link (Song Genius)
  • Word document link
  • Youtube link to listen to song

excerpt from How to Read and Why by Harold Bloom

book review of Flannery O'Connor biography - New York Times Sunday Book Review

"Why I Live at the P.O." Eudora Welty (1 day lesson)

Download daily agenda for lesson plan here.

"Why I Live at the P.O." full text

Discussion Questions

"A Rose for Emily," William Faulkner (1 day lesson)

Download daily agenda for lesson plan here.

"A Rose for Emily" full text

Link to Mr. Gunnar's website, with Emily Dickinson "The Soul Selects Her Own Society" and other material connecting to "A Rose for Emily"

Video for "A Rose for Emily" by The Zombies

Lyrics for "A Rose for Emiy" by The Zombies

As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner (2-3 weeks)

As I Lay Dying Introductory PowerPoint

As I Lay Dying ch. 1 Introductory Exercise

Align with skills-based assessment that will appear on final exam for course.

Faulkner Lecture Notes - Parts 1 and 2

From Robert Hamblin, Southeast Missouri State University, transcript of college lecture on Faulkner.  Courtesy of Oprah's Book Club.  Good to use as an opener in the early days of the unit.

In-Context Vocabulary Handouts

In-Context Vocabulary Handout 1

In-Context Vocabulary Handout 2

Chapter Discussion Questions:

These handouts can be completed in small groups during class or individually for homework.  Use these questions to have students facilitate discussion in literature circles or in the large group setting.  Some questions adapted from Oprah's Book Club and other sources.

Chapters 1-6

Chapters 7-12

Chapters 1-19

Chapters 20-39 

Chapters 40-59

Outdoor Activities

Download a handout for a hike and journal activity that encourages students to write a descriptive passage in the style of Faulkner.  Features six excerpts from As I Lay Dying designed to coincide with three stops along the Mustang Trail.

Developed by Mr. Ambrose on 5.17.16.

Final Assessment Material

Jeopardy Review Game

Elements of Style for Peer Editting

Creating a Works Cited Page

Handling Quotations in the Text

above:  "American Gothic"

Works covered in this unit:

"American Gothic," Grant Wood (painting)

"A Good Man is Hard to Find," Flannery O'Connor (short fiction)

excerpt from How to Read and Why, Harold Bloom (nonfiction - literary criticism)

"Stranger Than Paradise," Joy Williams (nonfiction - biography)

"A Good Man is Hard to Find," Sufjan Stevens (song)

Various photographs, Eudora Welty

"Why I Live at the P.O." Eudora Welty (short fiction)

As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner

Copyright David P. Ambrose. All rights reserved.

Hosted by Yahoo!

 

Mister Ambrose
489 Winthrop St.
Medford, MA 02155

ph: 781.393.2345

dambrose@medford.k12.ma.us

Twitter