A Walk Across America Response

TASK: You will prove that Peter Jenkins is an American Character with evidence from and analysis of the book, A Walk Across America.
DUE: Wednesday Oct. 8

Response must be typed, single-spaced, Times New Roman 12-point font.
In addition to a hard copy plus rubric, you must upload the document via Pupilpath (Google Docs).
Late papers (past period 3, Wed., Oct. 8) will lose 5 points per day late.

In your paper be sure to:
Claim Peter Jenkins is an American Character for a reason - not just because he walked across the country.
Prove that reason with text evidence (quoted with page # and paraphrased in your own words) PLUS analysis (why the text evidence proves your claim).
Provide original thinking and interpretation.
Cite all of your sources (according to the book, page 17...."........"
 or In the article entitled "Name of Article", it says "....."
Check your grammar and spelling
Make sure your writing makes sense.

Do not:
Simply rehash what we've already discussed in class.
Repeat yourself.
Make vague over-generalized statements such as "Peter wanted to see the country".


If you need help, please ask in advance of the due date.

HW Due Tues. 9/30

Read to the end of A Walk Across America.
Bring your own personal copy of Of Mice and Men to class with you.

HW Due Tuesday, 9/23

Use what you learned today about character development to create a character card for Peter Jenkins.
Create the card using your best vocabulary, and as many details as apply to each required field on the card.
Print your card and bring it with you to class on Tuesday, 9/23.
Create your character card

HW Due 9/19

Read A Walk Across America to the end of p. 149.

HW due Tues. 9/16

Read until the end of p. 56 of A Walk Across America. Annotate for how Peter Jenkins' Point of View changes before and after he starts his planning and walking across the country. You will answer an entrance ticket about this when you arrive in class tomorrow.

HW Due Monday: Response

Write a response in which you choose one of the three texts we read in class: "America" . by Neil Diamond, "America" by Paul Hoagland, and "A Quilt of a Country" by Anna Quindlen. You may type or handwrite it. Typed is preferred and will be required going forward. Save an electronic copy of your document in Google Drive.

Of the three texts, which is the most effective? Explain:

• Summarize the writer’s message (in your own words). What was the writer trying to say to the audience through the text he/she wrote?
• Provide text evidence (direct quote from the text). Choose this evidence carefully. Avoid choosing too much text. Make sure that the text you choose relates to your argument - why this text is so effective.
• Analyze: What makes the writing so effective? Use what you learned about the devices writers use to communicate their message.

HW Due Friday 9/12

On loose leaf (written) or typed (please don't write this in your notebook) Create an outline any way you know how. Do not write a draft, just plan. No need to write whole paragraphs. You will use this to plan a response to the essay, "A Quilt of a Country", the song, "America" and the poem, "America".

Thinking Question: Does Quindlen’s view of America relate more closely to “America” by Neil Diamond, or to “America” by Tony Hoagland? Or….both? Explain.

Of the 3 texts, which is the most effective*? Explain:

• Summarize the writer’s message (in your own words)
• Provide text evidence (direct quote from the text)
• Analyze: What makes the writing so effective?*

*Use what you learned about the literary devices (imagery, metaphors, similes, questions, examples) that writers use to communicate their message.

HW due Tues. 9/9

HW due Tuesday, Sept. 9
Print out the lyrics to "America" by Neil Diamond and the poem, "America" by Tony Hoagland, and "Quilt of a Country" by Anna Quindlen. Bring the texts to class with you.