The Alchemist

u What to expect in this Unit n We will read together and discuss the fable, The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho i t The following points will be available this unit: o n e
1. 3 Reading Responses worth 10 points each 2. 3 Discussion Days (Participation Points) 10 points each 3. A project worth 40 points 4. A research paper worth 30 points TOTAL POINTS AVAILABLE: 120 points

NOTES:
Personal Legend ______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ Alchemy _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ Spiritual Alchemy _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ Four Pillars of Alchemyfour important tips for nding ones Personal Legend: 1. 2. 3. 4.

The Alchemist
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Reading Response Expectations
FORMAT: At least 250 words 2 to 3 sentences of plot summary Personal, informal response to the text incorporating two direct quotations. Each time you provide a quotation, you must provide CONTEXT for the quotation, (who/what/when/where). Elaborate on what certain quotes/passages remind you of and your personal reactions and questions. If your thoughts take you to other research, write what you learn; (do not copy and paste info). TURN IN TO MY IN BOX AS YOU ENTER CLASS ONE PAGE ONLY: I will only grade one pageget as much content as you can into one page. GRADING: (worth 10 points) I will primarily look for content and reection; however, if your response is replete with sloppy errors in mechanics and usage, I will take off points. LATE WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED: These writings are timely responses to writing, so late work will not be accepted. If you are absent, give me a paper copy of your response the next day you are in school.
____________________________________ Student Name

Scoring Guide:

___0-2points - Mechanics Sentence Form: Sentences are skillfully constructed and effectively varied without major errors (fragments or run-ons) Spelling: Few to no spelling errors Punctuation: The paper is correctly punctuated Grammar: Few to no grammatical errors ___0-2 points - Usage/Word Choice Sentences Variety: Sentences vary in pattern and type (enhancing uency) Word Choice: Word choice is appropriate to the audience and distinctive, precise, economical and original Complexity of Language: Language is sophisticated ___0-6 points Content Complexity of Ideas: Ideas are developed with originality Support: Ideas are supported with specic, substantial and relative details

The Alchemist
Questions to consider for Group Discussion:
Why does Coelho open with the modied myth of Narcissus? How does the new version differ from the original one? How does it change the myths meaning? What might the author be suggesting about how we perceive ourselves and the world? The novel opens with Santiago thinking about his sheep. What does he observe about their existence? How might the sheep symbolize the way some people live their lives? How does his observation that they have forgotton to rely on their own instincts foreshadow later events in the story? To what degree is his fathers observation about travelers (They come in search of new things, but when they leave they are basically the same people they were when they arrived.) true about Santiago? The old man tells Santiago the story about the miner and the emerald on p. 24. How does it connect to Santiagos situation? What does he mean when he says that treasure is uncovered by the force of owing water, and it is buried by the same currents? What does this quote have to do with the miner/ emerald story? What point does the old mans story about the boy in the castle and the drops of oil (p.30-32) make? How might this story apply to us in our modern lives? How do Santiagos thoughts and perceptions about himself and the world begin to change on pp. 42-44? Describe three things that Santiago sees now that he had never noticed before. What lessons does Santiago learn by working at the crystal shop? Why do you think Coelho chose crystal? How does the crystal merchants explanation for not taking the pilgrimage to Mecca (p.55) highlight the difference between Santiago and the merchant? What effect does the merchant say Santiago has had on him? The Englishman and his goals are described on pp.65-70. What is he looking for? What does he demonstrate to Santiago that he already knows? On p. 78, he says that the progress made at the crystal shop is an example of the principle of the Soul of the World. What does he mean? How does he dene this? How does he connect the idea to the relationship between the caravan and the desert? During his trek through the desert with the alchemist, Santiago is told of many basic truths. The alchemist says,There is only one way to learn. Its through action. Everything you need to know you have learned through your journey(p.125). What are some of the things Santiago has learned through action? Why do you think the alchemist tells Santiago the story about the mans dream about the two sons (the poet and the soldier) on p. 156? Earlier in the story, the alchemist told Santiago when you possess great treasures within you, and try to tell others of them, seldom are you believed. At the end of the story, how did this simple lesson change Santiagos life? How did it lead him back to the treasure he was looking for?

The Alchemist
P R O J E C T I D E A S
Map out Santiagos journey. Include obstacles he encounters and lessons he learns in their geographically correct locations. Provide a key which suggests ideas, progress, symbolism, etc. (I will explain) Read Walt Whitmans Leaves of Grass and keep a reaction journal which connects his verse to Coelhos Soul of the World idea. Keep a dream journal for one week. Try to interpret what you think they mean on your own, then research what they might mean according to Freud or Jung, or according to an ancient culture (medieval, Egyptian, Greek, African,etc.) Create a dance, pantomime, musical or other performance in which you use Unspoken Language to convey the story of Santiago. Create a painting, collage, photo-essay, shapescape (I will explain) or sculpture which captures an idea, relationship or moment from the story. Provide a written explanation of your work. Produce a creative writing piece which captures some of the central ideas of the book. Some ideas: Journal: A Day in the Life of a Shepherd Two or three songs (with lyrics) from The Alchemist: The Musical Rewrite a portion of the story from a different perspective: Fatima, the Alchemist,the Fortune Teller, the crystal merchant the sheep! Write Santiagos How-To Find Your Treasure Handbook, or Personal Legends for Dummies Scrapbook (with explanatory notes) of Santiagos travelsfeature pictures and items which Santiago accumulates as he learns about life Letters between Fatima and Santiago Unspoken Language Journal-Tune in to the various forms of unspoken language we experience around us every day. What gestures, facial expressions, intuitions and signals do we give and receive to guide us in our responses, actions, reactions and relationships? Observe interactions at school, at home, in nature, and in public places, and record incidents which illustrate that unspoken communication is sometimes as (if not more) powerful than the spoken word.

The Alchemist
Grading Notes:
Criteria: Time - Presentations should be between 4-5 minutes long.
4-5 minutes 3-4 minutes 2-3 minutes 1-2 minutes 30 seconds-1 minute 0-30 seconds

Appearance: Plan a professional appearance for your presentation

professional/polished presentation

evidence of rehearsal/planning no evidence of rehearsal/planning

Each partner must participate in the presentation

While this is a presentation with a partner, each person will be graded individually on the presentation - part of that grade is noted in each persons ability to work well with the other Participated equally with partner Unequal participation noted

You must provide some type of visual aid

Visual Aid is effective and explained

Visual aid does not tie into the presentation

Your project should reect your understanding of the novel

Project demonstrates understanding and elaboration of novel Does not

P r o j E c t G R A D E

Preparedness:
Ready to go when called Not ready

Failure to make a presentation will result in zero of forty points Grading Criteria
Presentation reects understanding of some aspect of the novel....40 points 10 5 0

Visual Aid accurately illustrates the point of the presentation and is neat in appearance...20 points 10 5 0

Time is between 4 and 5 minutes long...20 points 10 5 0

Presenters are professional and well prepared...20 points 10 5 0

Name

Grade

30

The Alchemist
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The Alchemist Mini-Research Paper Grading Scale (30 pts) ___0-5 points - Mechanics Sentence Form: Sentences are skillfully constructed and effectively varied without major errors (fragments or run-ons) Spelling: Few to no spelling errors Punctuation: The paper is correctly punctuated Grammar: Few to no grammatical errors NOTES: _____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ___0-5 points - Usage/Word Choice/word count at least 500 Sentences Variety: Sentences vary in pattern and type (enhancing uency) Word Choice: Word choice is appropriate to the audience and distinctive, precise, economical and original Complexity of Language: Language is sophisticated NOTES: _____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ___0-10 points Content Complexity of Ideas: Ideas are developed with originality Support: Ideas are supported with specic, substantial and relative details Quotes: 2 quotes from each source Signal phrases: 1 signal phrase from each source NOTES: _____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ __ 0-10 pointsMLA format Works Cited page: arranged in alphabetical order by authors last names and formatted correctly Correctly formatted parenthetical citations throughout paper NOTES: _____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________