June 6 - 10: October Sky

FINAL Marking Deadline for all May / June work is Fri. June 17

Tues. June 7 - Fri. June 10, 2016

- Documentary film is an effective storytelling medium that is increasingly focused on social, political, and environmental issues / activism.
- We will be viewing The Last Mountain, which tells the story of controversial mountaintop removal mining practices used in West Virginia (the setting of the novel October Sky). This film, the novel, and the text links below allow us to draw intertextual connections between stories that connect the past and present day mining activities with the peoples of British Columbia and West Virginia.
- A similar battle has been successfully fought in British Columbia in the Flathead Valley. As well, The Wilderness Committee has recently raised concerns about the impact of mining on BC's rivers.
- Start work on the documentary reflection chart and paragraph responses (20). Consult the discussion guide if you've missed this documentary.
- This CDC graphic shows the prevalence of cancer in proximity to MTR coal mines. Learn more about the human costs of mountain top removal coal mining. Physicians for Social Responsibility have produced the Coal's Assault on Human Health document.

 

Wed. June 8, 2016

- Lab 1 is booked this class to provide computer access to complete research for writing the ch. 4 paragraph responses.
- When these paragraphs have been completed, continue reading the novel October Sky and working on the remaining ch. 1 -8 questions. 

Mon. June 6, 2016

- In the news, author Homer Hickam is suing Universal for $20 million for breach of contract and fraud for blocking his musical production of The Rocket Boys.
- Continue reading and completion of ch. 1-8 questions.

- To better understand the historical and political setting of the novel, view "Cold War Politics in the Space Race."