For thou shalt find it after many days.

5.Theexcerpt you are going to read today is taken from an American novel the title of which was borrowed from the Bible. The protagonist of the novel is a history teacher. What do you think the conflict of the novel might be like?

6.Read through the following passages (A – C) taken from the excerpt and make an educated guess about the characters’ personalities.

Passage A

‘I said you were promising,' Strand said. 'I'm not making any promises,' Romero said sullenly.

Passage B

'What I meant was that of all the students in my classes who might not otherwise go on to a college, on their own, that is, you showed the most original intelligence.'

'You're kidding, ain't you, professor?' Romero said, smirking. 'What'd you really say - that you got a kid in your class who proves that Puerto Ricans're all some kind of nuts? What's the game?'

Passage C

'I still don't get it, professor,' Romero said stubbornly.

'Don't call me professor. I'm not a professor.'

'Okay – Mr Strand – I mean, like what's in it for him? Some guy I don't even know.'

'There's nothing in it for him,' Strand said, 'except perhaps some personal satisfaction if you do well and embark on a successful career later on.'

7.Read the excerpt now and make sure you expectations of the characters prove correct.

Text 1.2.4

FromBREAD UPON THE WATERS by Irwin Shaw

“I don’t get it”, the boy was saying in Strand’s little office. Strand had told Romero that he would like to see him for a moment after classes were over and had been a little surprised when the boy actually appeared.

'I explained to you,' Strand said, 'that I mentioned you to a ... a friend of mine, a new friend, who happens to be an influential man, and he said that if you were interested in continuing your education he would try to get you a scholarship . . . '

'Yeah, yeah,' Romero said impatiently. 'I heard all that. I mean, man, why's he picking on me?'

‘I said you were promising,' Strand said.

'I'm not making any promises,' Romero said sullenly.

'I wasn't using the word in that sense,' said Strand. He found it difficult, after the long day, to keep his patience with the short, ragged boy, his face hard and suspicious under his tangled hair. Dressed in shapeless blue jeans, dirty sneakers, and a faded football jersey that was much too large for him and had probably been stolen from some locker room seasons ago, Romero lounged carelessly against the desk, impudently fingering an unlit cigarette. The number on the jersey was '17'. The boy wore it to school every day and sometimes in Strand's dreams, the number 17 crossed against a confused cloudy background. 'What I meant was that of all the students in my classes who might not otherwise go on to a college, on their own, that is, you showed the most original intelligence.'

'You're kidding, ain't you, professor?' Romero said, smirking. 'What'd you really say - that you got a kid in your class who proves that Puerto Ricans're all some kind of nuts? What's the game?'

'It isn't any game,' Strand said shortly, regretting that he had ever said anything to Hazen about the boy. 'And leave the Puerto Ricans out of it, please. My friend is interested in education, he has useful connections, he feels that out-of-the-ordinary students should be given a chance. . . . '

'I still don't get it, professor,' Romero said stubbornly.

'Don't call me professor. I'm not a professor.'

'Okay - Mr Strand - I mean, like what's in it for him? Some guy I don't even know.'

'There's nothing in it for him,' Strand said, 'except perhaps some personal satisfaction if you do well and embark on a successful career later on.'

'What do I have to do - sign a contract or something giving him half of what I make for ten years?' Romero took a battered zippo lighter out of his pocket, then thought better of it and put it back.

Strand shook his head sorrowfully. The boy obviously did not confine his reading to books on history and science. The gossip columns about Hollywood and show business and agents clearly had not been neglected in his choice of reading matter. 'Romero,' he said, 'did you ever hear of charity?'

'Charity.' The boy laughed, meanly. 'I sure have heard of charity. My old lady's on Welfare.'

'This has nothing to do with Welfare. I'm not going to sit here and argue with you all day. If you want to devote a year or two of your life to really studying - hard -there's a good possibility you can get a scholarship for a college. I think you can make it, if that means anything to you. I suggest you go home and talk it over with your mother and father.'

'My father.' The boy laughed again, his teeth gleaming white in the dark, smudged face. 'That man's long gone. I ain't seen him since I was nine years old.'

'Your mother, then.'

'She won't believe me. She'll beat the shit out of me for making up stories.'

'Then consult with yourself, Romero,' Strand said angrily. He stood up. 'If you decide you want to make something of yourself, come and tell me. If you want to be a bum all your life, forget it.' He collected some papers and stuffed them into his brief case. 'I've got a lot of work to do at home. I have to leave. I'm sure you have many important things to do yourself this afternoon,' he said sardonically, 'and I won't keep you any longer.'

Romero looked at him, smiling, as though making the teacher angry gave him some points in a secret competition with his classmates.

'Get out of here, get out of here,' Strand said and then was ashamed because he had spoken so loudly.

'Whatever you say, professor,' Romero said and went to the door. He stopped there and turned. I can take care of myself, understand?' he said harshly. 'Nobody has to lose any sleep about Jesus Romero.'

Strand went over to the door and closed it, hard. Then he went to his desk and sat down and put his head in his hands.

7.In pairs, talk about the impression the final paragraph produced on you. What does the author mean to say here?

A. The teacher is helpless.

B. The teacher experiences a complete failure.

C. The teacher is furious.

D. ___________________ (anything else?)

8.In small groups, talk about problem kids and fill in the table. Compare your tables – and ideas – with other groups.

9.Work in small groups. Recollect the moment when you had a face-to-face tak with a problem kid / school student. Describe how it went. Did the student…

· confide in you?

· reject you?

· patronize you?

· mock at your effort?

· appreciate your attempts to help?

· complain about life and how it treats him / her?

10.Work in small groups. Talk about Mr Strand’s attitude to the boy. Will the teacher lose a night’s sleep over his unruly but promising student?

11.Work individually. Write a continuation to the excerpt (100 words). Start with the following phrase.

When Strand approached the school building the next morning, ne saw Romero leaning against the wall. The boy was obviously waiting for someone. _________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

HOME ASSIGNMENT

1. Watch the movie Freedom Writers. Prepare to talk about it in class a while later.

2.Read the excerpt from the novel Bleachers by John Grisham. Formulate your impression of the character – Coach Rake – whose funeral is described in the story. What kind of man – and teacher, if coaches are teachers – was he?

Text 1.2.5

From BLEACHERS by John Grisham

Ellen Rake Young, the eldest daughter, walked to the podium when the choir was finished and unfolded a sheet of paper. Like her sisters, she had wisely fled Messina after high school, and returned only when family matters required. Her father's shadow was too mammoth for his children to survive in such a small place. She was in her mid-forties, a psychiatrist in Boston, and had the air of someone who was out of place.

"On behalf of our family, I thank you for your prayers and support during these last weeks. My father died with a great deal of courage and dignity. Though his last years here were not some of his best, he loved this town and its people, and he especially loved his players."

Love was not a word any of the players had ever heard their Coach use. If he'd loved them, he'd had a strange way of showing it.

"My father has written a short note that he asked me to read."

She adjusted her reading glasses, cleared her throat, and focused on the sheet of paper.

"This is Eddie Rake, speaking from the grave. If you are crying, please stop."

This brought scattered laughter from the crowd, which was anxious for a light moment.

"I've never had any use for tears. My life is now complete, so don't cry for me. And don't cry for the memories. Never look back, there's too much left to do. I'm a lucky man who lived a wonderful life. I had the good sense to marry Lila as soon as I could talk her into it, and God blessed us with three beautiful daughters, and, at last count, eight perfect grandchildren. This alone is enough for any man. But God had many blessings in store for me. He led me to football, and to Messina, my home. And there I met you, my friends, and my players. Though I was emotionally unable to convey my feelings, I want my players to know that I cherished every one of them. Why would any sane person coach high school football for thirty-four years? For me it was easy. I loved my players. I wish I had been able to say so, but it was simply not my nature. We accomplished much, but I will not dwell on the victories and the champion­ships. Instead, I choose this moment to offer two regrets." Ellen paused here and cleared her throat again. The crowd appeared to hold its collective breath. "Only two regrets in thirty-four years. As I said, I'm a lucky man. The first is Scotty Reardon. I never dreamed I would be responsible for the death of one of my players, but I accept the blame for his death. Holding him in my arms as he passed away is something I have wept over every day since. I have expressed these feelings to his parents, and, with time, I think they have forgiven me. I cling to their forgiveness and take it to my death. I am with Scotty now, and for eternity, and as we look down together at this moment we have reconciled our past."

Another pause as Ellen took a sip of water.

"The second involves the state tide game in 1987. At halftime, in a fit of rage, I physically assaulted a player, our quarterback. It was a criminal act, one that should have had me banned me from the game forever. I am sorry for my actions. As I watched that team rally against enormous odds, I have never felt such pride, and such pain. That victory was my finest hour. Please forgive me, boys."

Neely glanced around him. All heads were low, most eyes were closed. Silo was wiping his face.

"Enough of the negative. My love to Lila and the girls and the grandkids. We'll all meet very soon across the river, in the promised land. May God be with you."

The choir sang "Just a Closer Walk with Thee," and the tears were flowing.

3. Do some research on John Grisham and his books about sport and athletes’ lives. Why do you think the celebrated author is so keen on writing them?

________________________________________________________________

Topic 1.2

CARER, KEEPER…

CLASS 3

1. Look at the photo featuring a teacher with his students. What do you think they are doing?

2. Watch an episode from The Great Debaters. Say why the teacher could be proud of his students.

3. Watch again and analyze the arguments put forward by the debaters. What makes them strong (or not so)?

4. Read an article telling the story of Wiley College described in the movie The Great Debaters. Was Mr Tolson really an outstanding teacher? Please, explain.

Text 1.2.6

Date: 2015-12-17; view: 803