Tim O'Brien is done in conjunction with a "War Literature Unit."  He served in Vietnam and writes novels dealing with the Vietnam experience.  Tim states, "I started writing fiction to get away from the whole idea of aping reality.  I was tired of echoing what reality is and I was more interested in questions of what might be, what might have happened, what could have happened."  We read several excerpts from his novels.  Along with his work, we study other authors such as John Steinbeck's The Moon is Down, Walt Whitman (poetry from  the Civil War), and Alan Garganus (letter written in response to Whitman's letters).  Along with these authors, we take a look at the music and posters created during times of war.  We take a  look at how war effects the people; children, parents, families, soldiers, civilians, doctors, friends, and others.  This unit has several components.  There are a number of quizzes over given pieces of work along with a test over the novel The Moon is Down.  There is also a project based on this War Literature Unit.  The students will have the option of about eight different projects that they may complete for this unit.  They may work alone or with a partner or in groups.  If they choose to work with a partner or in a group, the same grade will be given to all the participants in that partnership or group.
 
 

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