Homework tonight: Based on our conversation today, come up with a ‘free-style’ response to the prompt ‘Pi condemns “those who lack artistry and imagination, the inability to commit to a story.” How important is story-telling in the novel. The complete practice essay will be due Tuesday.

 

Today we looked at three sample essays and reviewed what makes a good essay. Here’s what we noticed:

• Reference to the structure of the book (part 1, part 2, part 3)
• Constant reference to point of the essay (topic) eg ‘better story’
• Reference to author
• Lots of quotes (even in intro and conclusion)
• Confidence
• Great vocab but not ‘cluttered’ or ‘over-worked’
• Don’t over-complicate things so that the message is lost
• It is easy to understand the point of each sentence
• If same quote/word is used it is used in a different way
• Quotes woven in
• Details about the plot had a point
• Points/religions associated with characters
• Constant focus on essay question, author intent and audience impact
• Don’t get tangled in TEEL…remember you are developing your own discussion based on the essay topic
• Be succinct, write naturally

Homework tonight: Initial planning (brainstorming) for our next practice essay: ‘Pi condemns “those who lack artistry and imagination, the inability to commit to a story.” How important is story-telling in the novel.

We are having a silent conversation today….. a Flat Chat – 3-2-1.

There are A3 pages on tables dealing with each part of the book:

Part 1 – Pondicherry

Part 2 – At Sea

Part 3 – Mexico

Round 1

In the first 15 minutes you should move around the room and add the following to as many sheets as you can:

3 statements in relation to that part of the book

2 questions that are raised in that part of the book

1 significant quote from that part of the book

Round 2

In the second 15 minutes you need to move around again and this time add the following to as many sheets as you can:

3 answers to existing questions

2 new questions raised in that part of the book

1 new statement in relation to that part of the book

Round 3

In the third 15 minutes you need to move around again and this time add the following to as many sheets as you can:

3 significant quotes from that part of the book

2 answers to questions raised in that part of the book

1 new statement in relation to that part of the book

Synthesising

Using the notes from the page at your table you now need to write a paragraph or two that summarises that part of the book – 15 min.

After 15 min you need to swap pages with another table group and write a paragraph or two that summarises that part of the book.

Homework: Essay #1 due tomorrow for correction and feedback.

Our next practice essay topic:

‘Pi condemns “those who lack artistry and imagination, the inability to commit to a story.” How important is story-telling in the novel.

 

More maths…

Homework tonight: Finish off your practice essays. These are to be handed in on Friday.

A sample conclusion for your essay:

Life is not always idyllic; and for the young Pi, paradise is quickly lost. He learns that the world can be a cruel and testing place that challenges his very existence. However, Martel equips his protagonist with the tools to survive these trials. Thus as Pi clings to life aboard the raft with his survival tools; his imagination, his faith and scientific knowledge, he can thank the lessons learnt in childhood for an adequate preparation.

Homework tonight: You need to finish your introduction, paragraph on religion and the topic sentences of your next two paragraphs. Due next lesson.

Reminder: your AT for LOP will be August 27.

Here are some ideas for topic sentences from today’s class:

• Pi is able to make sense of the world and relieve his pain through his religious multiplicity.
• Pi’s childhood in Pondicherry exposes him to three religions and it is this religious multiplicity that assists him survive his later cruel ordeal on the Pacific Ocean.
• From an early age Pi was fascinated by the many aspects of a variety of religions.
• Through Pi’s exposure to religion in his youth he gains faith in a higher power keeping him hopeful about humanity and the cruelty of the universe.
• YM examines the failure of religion but the triumphs of faith in Pi’s personal journey through his tumultuous youth under the protection of his beliiefs.
• During the novel LOP it is Pi’s faith and religious multiplicity that helps him survive and take on the challenges the real world holds.
• The concurrence and diversity of the religions explored throughout Pi’s childhood, the diversified nature of the mindsets that come with it allow him to survive what is ultimately a religious pilgrimage.
• The intricate nature of the religions that are presented to Pi in his childhood lets him face his trials on his arduous journey with a sense of hope and a higher purpose to his suffering.

Homework this weekend: write the introduction to the practice essay.

Today we structure our previous ideas into ideas for paragraphs for the practice essay: ‘To me, it was paradise on earth.’ In what ways did Pi’s childhood prepare him for a harsh and cruel world?

• ZOO/ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY/SCIENCE
• SCHOOL
• STORIES
• RELIGION/FAITH

Sophia’s notes from the board:

 

Here is the A-Z vocabulary list you came up with today:

words for lop

Today we finished our close analysis of the text. We are now moving towards discussing some of the ‘big ideas’ contained in LOP. The first one we will look at is this prompt:

‘To me, it was paradise on earth.’ In what ways did Pi’s childhood prepare him for a harsh and cruel world?

Congratulations to the orange team (James, Desi, Tessa and Sophia) for coming up with the most points on this prompt. I owe you a prize! Next lesson!

Homework tonight: spend 20 minutes finishing your mind map or organise the above boxes into three or four themes (eg. religion, science…). 

We continued discussing how Pi survives his ordeal. We will finish our close analysis next lesson.

Here are your last chapters:James 77-78; Bella 79-80; Chris 81-82; Desi 83-84; Sophia 85-86; Jasper 87-88; Daniel 89-94 (Thank you for doing extra); Mrs Wackett 95-100.

We are working on creating our own ‘map’ (mind map, spidergram etc) of LOP. What is the book about? Spend 20-30 minutes on your ‘map’ over the weekend.

Homework: In a well written paragraph respond to one of these questions: “How does religion help Pi survive?” or “What is the role of religion in Pi’s life?” Make sure your consider your sentence structure and vocabulary carefully. Hand this paragraph in tomorrow.

Today’s religious presentations were terrific and very helpful. Here are the links to the powerpoints:

Hinduism powerpoint

 

 

 

 

 Islam powerpoint

Christianity powerpoint

Homework: Finish religion presentations and chapters: Chris ch 61, 62;  Bella 63, 64; Tessa 65, 66; Sophia 67, 68; James 69, 70;  Daniel 71, 72; Jasper 73, 74;  Desi 75, 76.

This was the last of the ‘class time’ for preparing the religious presentations. These will be presented on Monday. Please make sure you divide the remaining work between your group members. (You will have only 5 minutes to put your slides together on Monday.)

 Life of Pi powerpoint

We continued through our close analysis of chapters.