1. The Songs of Innocence and Experience Project AP Lit & Comp

2. The Innocence and Experience Project Inspired by William Blake’s Poetry

3. Whoa! #@&%#$ Poetry! Don’t worry! It is not just some weird, fandango English assignment. It is really just show and tell, like you used to do in 1 st grade. And it is also a weird, fandango English assignment. Show and Tell This is my skunk Pepe.

4. Show and Tell? Innocence, Experience? How is this going to work? We’ll get there, don’t worry. First, let’s talk about the ideas of innocence and experience. Children are often associated with innocence.

5. Innocence is defined as freedom from guilt or sin through being unacquainted with evil or freedom from guile or cunning or lack of worldly experience

6. So children would seem to fit the definition of innocence on all three counts … Remember your first day of school, all the things you did not know?

7. Remember when even mayhem and mischief were innocent?

8. …and monsters still lived under the bed?

9. Remember when your relationships with stuffed animals were real?

10. … and you needed help holding the barbarians at bay?

11. Remember the smell of a parent or loved one returning home?

12. Remember the confusion and fear that accompanied new experiences?

13. ... and the warmth of a loved one helping you through confusion and fear.

14. Remember when someone larger and stronger always looked out for you? These times of innocence were wonderful…

15. …but as you journeyed through life you gained more and more experience.

16. On your journey there were moments when you left the beaten path….

17. …moments when you were stopped at every possible intersection…

18. … and moments when you were forced to walk in line.

19. And, on your journey there were moments of fantastic flight…

20. … and sometimes darkness and gloom.

21. Other times you were buffeted by storms.

22. But, through success and adversity you grew and you began to create your own face, your own way of doing things.

23. As you developed your own way of doing things there were moments of beauty, even grace.

24. And, other moments, let’s just say not so much grace.

25. On your journey you were given new responsibilities …

26. … and, with them, new freedoms.

27. Perhaps you experienced your first love.

28. Maybe love, and it’s initial happiness and joy…. … did not turn out as you had hoped.

29. But, the human heart heals and is able to experience beauty, joy, wonder …

30. … and peace again.

31. Because of this resilience you continued to somersault…

32. … and work hard …

33. … and come together …

34. … to realize success.

35. Now, you are on the cusp of graduation, perhaps the first of several graduations.

36. When you are done with your schooling you will enter the workforce.

37. You may meet the person that you want to spend the rest of your life with.

38. You may even decide that you want to start this innocence thing all over again.

39. As your journey continues you will continue to gain more and more experience.

40. So, now that we have taken time to look at the concepts of innocence and experience, please take a moment to reflect upon your own innocence and experience. This is where the Show and Tell part comes into play.

41. The Innocence and Experience Project Written Component: General Notes Reference PHS Writing Rubric (Academic Rubric 2) for grading expectations The first person may be used in this paper. (Fundamentally this assignment is reflective.) The second person should not be used. Essays must be turned in to Turnitin.com and a hard copy must be provided to the instructor. A rubric with your name on it must be provided with the hard copy of the essay and prior to your oral presentation (see attached rubrics) Poetry Analysis (Analyze the three poems assigned) Support all analysis with direct textual evidence Explain the meaning and theme(s) of each poem Identify elements of Romanticism in each poem Explain whether each poem that you have been assigned should be part of Blake’s Songs of Innocence or his Songs of Experience

42. The Innocence and Experience Project Written Component (continued): Symbol of Innocence Identify an object that represents your innocence Describe this object Explain why this object represents your innocence Symbol of Experience Identify an object that represents your experience Describe this object Explain why this object represents your experience

43. The Innocence and Experience Project Oral Presentation Component General Notes Reference PHS Oral Presentation Rubric (Academic Rubric 2) for grading expectations Structure The Oral Presentation should follow the same structure as the written component of the project Symbols The symbols that are chosen should be an integral part of the oral presentation. (The class should be able to physically see, hear and touch the symbols that are chosen to represent each individual’s innocence and experience.)

44. The Innocence and Experience Project Please remember that people are sharing something personal about themselves. This is a frightening thing for many people to do – so, please be an outstanding audience. Some people may offer fairly common symbols of their innocence or experience – for example, a stuffed animal and car keys. This is fine. Other people may share deeply personal parts of their lives. This is fine also. Please be respectful of whatever your classmates choose to share with you.

45. Through sharing yourself and learning about others you are creating a new experience to go forward with on your journey.

46. Let’s do this Innocence and Experience thing! Project Due: Monday 5/25

47. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk_geYnyuOk William Blake Please view the video on William Blake below.