Day 14

For this evening, look at "The Crucible" anticipation/reaction guide that we did today in class the other day. Pick any 2 of the 10 statements and explain how they are present in the story thus far. Also, how do the statements you picked effect the way that the Puritan's lived their life?

Day 13

Today we began reading The Crucible. Hopefully, you understood what was going on and how Reverend Parris was concerned for his well being and how Mr. Putnam used the beginning of the hysteria to begin making personal gains as well. Keep an eye on the characters and how they use this witch hunt for gain.

Think of a time when false rumors damaged a person’s reputation. How easy was it for people to believe the rumors? How did the accused person react? What were the results of the false rumors?

Day 12

Imagine living in the time of the Puritans in the late 1600's. Find and explain 3 advantages to this time period and three disadvantages to living in this time period. Then give an overall reason why you would or would not want to live at that time.

Day 11

For this evening, look at "The Crucible" anticipation/reaction guide that we did today in class. Pick any 2 of the 10 statements and explain why you answered the way that you did. Also, how do the statements you picked effect the way that people act within society?

Day 10

I truly hope you gained a greater understanding of McCarthyism based on this movie and how scary it was that in a country that is supposed to be open to differences that we focused in on a group like that. Yet, it was a scary time because of the invention of atomic and nuclear weapons and the fear that they would be used to overthrow our democracy. It is ironic that some of the greatest critics of Hitler in America where proponents of the McCarthy hearings. This rings true to the same feelings after 9/11 with Muslim Americans who saw their lives changed because of something that people they did not know or were not related to caused. It is scary what we will do when we are frightened by the unknown.

For this evening please respond to the following:

“An era of chemical McCarthyism is at hand, and "guilty until proven innocent" is the new slogan.”

What does this quote mean to you? Based on the movie, how is this quote potentially true? Make sure you use two examples from the movie to prove this point and explain each example.

Day 9

There is the idea of what do we get out of being nice to others. This often rings true during this holiday season. Listen to the following song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1i9G60wvH7Y then tell me:

1. Would you do what this man did? Why or why not?
2. Are people more likely to react this way during this time of year than other times? Why or why not?
3. If you answered yes to #2, why do you think this is true about people and society?
4. If you answered no to #2, what causes people to do nice things for others even if we do not know them?
5. Lastly, do you see yourself as a generous giving person? Why or why not? Give an example if you say yes.

Day 8

From the discussion questions:

Although fear can have beneficial effects on an individual, what are some likely destructive effects? Where does fear come from? Past experiences? Other people? Ignorance? Use examples from your personal life or from society.

Day 7

For this evening based on the handouts I gave today:

1. Read the letter to HUAC from Lillian Hellman and explain what her goal was. In other words, what or who was she trying to protect?
2. Read the testimony of Eric Allen Johnston. Who was he? Who did he work for? What was the message he was sending to the committee?
3. Last, read the speech by Joe McCarthy at Wheeling, West Virginia. Explain the message that he was trying to give to those in attendence.

Last, what is your opinion on this event in history? Are you surprised that in America this happened? Why or why not?

Truly, you will need more than 7 sentences to answer this blog so do not rush to get it done but think and do it well.

Day 6

Today you can choose between free blog and current event. If you choose free blog, do not just list things you did last weekend but make it about something that tells who you are as a person or something we do not know about you. If you choose current event, then make sure you cite your source and nothing about Tiger Woods as I am bored of this story.

Day 5

Today in class, we began discussing the idea of the Red Scare of Communism. If America is supposed to be so open minded to the ideas of others, why during the
1950's did we freak out so much about Communism? What events of the 30's and 40's led to this fear of Communism in America? Could this happen today or is it happening today? Explain your answer.

If you were absent, you wil lneed to look up this on the internet and answer the question based on your research.

Day 4

Remember for Monday:

1. Edit paper yourself using the questions I put on board.
2. Have someone edit your paper using the questions I put on board.

For this evening:

Deepak Chopra:
Giving connects two people, the giver and the receiver, and this connection gives birth to a new sense of belonging.

Day 3

Here we are at the end of the second cardmarking. Hard to believe that it is happening this fast. I am, overall, pleased with most of the way the class has gone although I would really love to see people put in more of an effort and show what you are truly capable of.

For today, I would like you to discuss your strengths and weaknesses thus far in this class. Also, what are your goals for the next cardmarking both in my class and as a student in general. Give a letter grade goal with ways you plan to make this happen. Lastly, give any constructive feedback as to how the class could be better or my teaching style could help you more. This does not include the comment no more blogging as that will not be happening.

Day 2

Today we shall do a little current eventing. Please do not do sports or entertainment unless it directly relates to a larger event in the world. Make sure you cite your source or NO POINTS.

Cardmarking 3, Day 1

There are 3 major events that are celebrating their anniversary today:

Dec. 1, 1913- The first service station opened (later known as a gas station)
Dec. 1, 1955- Rosa Parks chose not to move to the back of the bus in Montogmery Alabama.
Dec. 1, 1969- The first people were drafted for the Vietnam War.

Choose one of these events and tell why you think they were significant to the time they occurred as well why they are still significant today. Then, tell how your chosen event impacts your life today.

Probably more than 7 sentences.

Day 22

Today we shall discuss the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. What are you thankful for in your life? Are there reasons that people should be thankful that you are part of their life? (I am). What are your plans for Thanksgiving? Do you have any Thanksgiving rituals?

Day 21

Obviously, I try to keep things somewhat light in class. Some joking etc. I can make fun of myself as well as others and can be the butt of someone else's joke. To me humor is very important to get through the day. Read the following quote and tell me what you think he is saying. Then tell me the role humor plays in your life, with your friends, with your family, etc.

"A sense of humor... is needed armor. Joy in one's heart and some laughter on one's lips is a sign that the person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life."
Hugh Sidey

Day 21

The PLAN test....what can I say. Hope you all felt confident afterwards. Personally, I think they should let you go home after the test is over. Who wants to sit and think after sitting and thinking for 4 straight hours. I hope those afternoon teachers were nice to you.

As you took the plan test today, your reward is everyone gets a free 5 points for blogging. So, sit back, relax and have a good night. Remember that for tomorrow you need to have the values sheet completed.

Day 20

Today we shall current event. Remember to pick a good topic and give a brief summary. Once the summary is completed connect it to you, the world, or your community. NO CITE, NO POINTS

Day 19

As I recently completed Communication Camp connecting with people it begs me to think about connections in high school. Oddly, I only keep in touch with about 3 or 4people I was friends with in high school. Honestly, the summer before college I went away to work at a camp, made new friends and many of them went to MSU which is where I was going. I truly wanted a break from most of the people I went to high school with for a variety of reasons. I look back and wonder if that cheapens my high school experience.

With that said, what is your views of friendship in high school? Where do you see you and your group of friends in 3-4 years? What is the importance of communication in maintaining friendships past high school? Do you think technology makes communication easier for you than it was for me and my friends?

Day 18

A year before his death at the age of 59,Hawthorne (author) wrote, "Everything is beautiful in youth- all things are allowed it." Pick 2 out of the 5 characters in Dr. Heidegger's Experiment and tell how they would react to this quote. What is your opinion of this quote?

Day 17

Great job today in regards to discussing the values of Chris' life. Remember that you need to pick one of these values and find two quotes in the book that show the value.

Remember to finish reading Dr. Heidegger's Experiment. Once you have completed the reading respond to the following blog:

If you could be ten years old again, knowing what you know now, would you turn back the clock? Give your answer as the concluding paragraph of a story about a teenager who chooses to become ten years old again. Think clearly about the positives and negatives to going back 5-6 years and show what they would be.

Day 16

We shall current event today. Remember that you must summarize your current event and then connect it to you, the world or the community and the effect that it has on it. NO CITE, NO POINTS!

Day 15

So hopefully you have enjoyed the readings of Edgar Allen Poe. We will read a few more dark transcendentalists over the next few days. Tomorrow we will try again to discuss the ideals of the values Chris McCandless had in his life. Maybe this time, you will all be ready to discuss.

For this evening, pick one value you think exemplified Chris (either good or bad) and give 3 examples of how that value is shown in the book. Then comment on how that value fits into your perception of him.

Day 14

Tomorrow we will finish bubbling and then finish reading The Black Cat.

For this evening, ponder this quote. Tell me what it means to you and how it connects to your own philosphy of life:

"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Day 13

Remember the vocab quiz on Monday. Sorry about the confusion.

For tonight, FREE BLOG!!!! Make it something that will share something about you that will teach us something we do not know.

Day 12

Today we read The Raven and spoke of the poetic and literary terms. For this evening, and keeping in mind the mood of the story, write your entry as the speaker. Compose a journal entry for a day one week after teh events described in the poem. What does the speaker feel and think now? What has happened to the raven. You must refer to 2 specific events from the poem in your entry.

Day 11

In regards to the vocab, the words are the first five that you received:

apathy
devious
indifferent
integrity
propensity

Today, I tried to discuss the different values of Chris McCandless. These values are the one that makes up his personality and pushes him to make the decisions he makes and to do the things he does both positive and negative. Create a list of 10 values for tomorrow that you think embody Chris (this is not the blog but your homework).

We began our discussion on the dark side of transcendenalism while also discussing realism vs. idealism. Your reminder is:

Romanticism- idealism vs. realism
Transcendentalism- Individuality and non-conformity

So, with that thought, pretend that you could speak for McCandless. What would you have to say to Krakauer, his biographer. To his parents? To any of the people he met along the way?

Day 10

So, "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown." You may ask what this has to do with anything yet it truly does. The Peanuts gang may be seen as transcendental, well at least some of them. Which of the characters truly are transcendental or individualists? Why do you think this? What about Charlie Brown? Personally, I do not think he is so transcendental. What do you think? Why?


Please note that next week there is no Monday blog so you will have to do all other days (obviously no Tuesday blog as there is no school).

Day 9

Good job in the discussions today. For this evening:

Please respond to the following:

Define popularity & how this concept affects your life? How can this idea be trascendental?

Day 8

Make sure that those questions are completed so you can actively participate in the discussion tomorrow.

For this evening:

Why do you think "Into the Wild" became a bestseller? What was it about this story that hit readers to the point of it selling so many copies, making it into a movie and using it in classrooms? What themes and values made people feel riveted to the story?

Day 7

As always, we shall be looking at current events this evening. Please pick wisely and do not choose entertainment or sports unless you can related back to a strong current event. Remember, the summary should be brief while the connection should be longer. DO NOT FORGET TO CITE!

Day 6

Make sure that you have completed the reading of the novel by Wednesday. We will be doing some class discussions as well as some reading circle discussions over the rest of the week.

What do you think of the many people in "Into the Wild" who seem to be living as transients or squatters (if you do not know what these mean look them up!)? Does the freedom of their lifestyle (or of Chris') appeal to you? Do you think they should attempt to establish stable homes and livelihoods? Why or why not?

Day 5

How tragic for Neil to be so fearful of his individuality in the face of his father. How sad that sometimes people impress upon us their hopes and dreams to the point that they want to live through us and not let us live for ourselves. Neil's suicide was far more than his own personal death but the death of his individuality (metaphor). I truly hope that in your lives you learn to counterbalance your need and desire for individuality with the times when conformity also comes into play. These two can co-exist as long as you are making the choices which are best (and safest) for you.

What do you think you would want to say to Chris/Alex if you were his father? His mother? His sister? Remember to related specific items from the story in your answer.

Day 4

There seem to be many similarities between Chris/Alex, Mr. Keating, the boys in "Dead Poet Society," Thoreu, and Emerson. Please discuss how some or all of these people follow the ideas of transcendentalism with examples from each of the stories or movie that you talk about.

Day 3

Hope you were able to begin and understand the movie. Even in the beginning, it is evident that there is a friction between the ideals of an individualist (Robin Williams character) and the "societal" beliefs of the establishment.

Please respond to the following quote:

Archibald Macleish:

The dissenter (look up this word if you do not know what it means) is every human being at those moments of his life when he resigns momentarily from the herd and thinks for himself.

Day 2

As today was grammar and vocab day we all know what that means: Current Event blog day! Yeah.

Remember to cite your source and no entertainment or sports unless there is a clear reason why you are talking about them.

Cardmarking 2, Day 1

This may take more than 7 sentences but deal:

What do you want to experience in your life? Give 3 experiences that you hope to have that are more than just superficial. Based on this information, how do your desires compare with Thoreau's wish to live simply and deliberately in the woods? Do you see any of yourself in Thoreau or Emerson? Why or why not?

Day 27

Today we looked at the reading "Walden Pond" by Thoreau. Imagine you, like Thoreau, went and lived in a place like Walden Pond. After one month, your parents have asked you to come back to town, get a real job and settle down. Write a letter to them explaining why you want to continue living at Walden Pond. Make sure you touch on the ideas of individualism and transcendentalism, if this fits your ideals, in the letter.

Day 26

One of the things we discussed was the idea that just because you follow transcendentalism, or individualism, does not mean that you are a selfish person nor does it mean that you are not out to be a part of society. It just means that you do things on the terms that are acceptable to you. Based on this idea, respond to the following:

What does stand and be counted mean to you? You may use a personal experience to explain.

Day 25

Decent discussion today. It would be helpful and beneficial if people would be more willing to discuss. IF this does not happen, then I will begin to assign points to discussion. I would prefer not to do this as it seems to be treating you like kids not young adults.

For this evening, ponder the following:

How do you rebel against your family, school, and community values? If you say you do not, why? Is rebellion a form of non-conformity based on the discussion from "Self Reliance?"

Day 24

As today was grammar and vocab day we all know what that means: Current Event blog day! Yeah.

Remember to cite your source and no entertainment or sports unless there is a clear reason why you are talking about them.

Day 23

Please discuss with us what you think it means to be an individualist. What are the pros? The cons? In what ways are you an individualist?

Day 22

Remember to study for vocab and grammar this evening. Make sure you are reading through chapters 7-9 and doing your post its.

For this evening:

Tell me, how would you describe your ideal world? This could include things as the people in your life, government, etc. Think about why you think Chris McClandess would want to walk away from his situation and discuss if you would ever walk away from what you have or what makes someone make a drastic decision such as this.

Day 21

Give me your impression of Alex/Chris. Talk about his relationships thus far and how these relationships guide him. Maybe touch on the theme of independence and whether he may or may not be taking it to an extreme.

Day 20

How are there only 9 entries from yesterday? I guess that means many of you will be blogging tonight and not using it as your off day.

Since it is Tuesday, we shall be doing a current event. You know the drill so make sure you have the brief summary and the connection. Also remember, NO CITE, NO POINTS.

See you tomorrow!

Day 19

Hope you got some reading done today. We will be discussing the book beginning tomorrow if we finish grammar and vocab or on Wednesday.

For this evening:


"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
Mark Twain

What does this quote mean to you and then explain how it relates to what you have read about Chris thus far.

Day 18

Free blog this evening. You must write something different or a different topic than the last free blog. Have a great weekend and GO EAGLES

Day 17

Hope you understood transcendentalism today and the fact that people who follow this philosophy are free thinkers who want to try things and do not want to be pideon holed into a box. There are many pros and cons to thinking this way and we will discuss them in several contexts over the next few weeks.

For this evening:

Life is constantly moving at a quick pace and we are often just trying to keep up. How do you escape the hectic world around you? What things do you do and do you do them with people or alone? Is it better to be a part of the world or escape from it?

Day 16

Today we began reading Into the Wild. Can you imagine running off from your parents and having no contact with them? I talk with my parents all the time so I cannot imagine it myself. I wonder how lonely he was at times even if he thought he was doing the right thing for himself.

For this evening, ponder this quote and tell me how it may relate to you and to Chris McClandless:

"Pray that your loneliness may spur you into finding something to live for, great enough to die for."
Dag Hammarskjold (1905 - 1961)

Day 15

Thanks for your attention today with vocab and grammar. Make sure you complete the worksheets so you can get an idea of what could be on the grammar section of the quiz.

For this evening, we will look at current events. Again, make sure you pick an event that is not entertainment or sports based unless you can some how attach them to something relevant going on in our world. Give a brief explanation of the event and how it directly effect you, your community and your world.

You must Cite your source. NO CITE, NO POINTS and try and remember to do it in your original blog.

Day 14

Hope your writing went well. Again, this exercise was more about seeing what types of writers are in the room so I know which skills I need to teach.

For this evening, please respond to the following quote on character and integrity:

"Character is doing the right thing when nobody's looking. There are too many people who think that the only thing that's right is to get by, and the only thing that's wrong is to get caught."
J.C. Watts

Day 13

Please respond to the following quote by President Bill Clinton in regards to the American Dream:

“We need a new spirit of community, a sense that we are all in this together, or the American Dream will continue to wither. Our destiny is bound up with the destiny of every other American.”

Day 12

Today we looked at articles about the American Dream and gave you that short piece to read. What I find interesting is this idea of what types of life our ancestors led to get the country to the place it is today. Yet, it makes me think about what we have to dream about as Americans. Therefore, my question to you is what do you think the American Dream of your generation is going to be? How will your generation move our country forward like the generations before you? Do not just re-tell yesterdays dream because we have the cars, the homes, the technological advances that our grandparents worked to give us. Think long and hard about your response.

Day 11

Today we discussed the concept of the American Dream. Discuss, again, what this concept means and how you think it may have impacted your family and your life even if you did not know you were living the American Dream. Also, tell me how you think you can support this idea as you get older. Talk with your parents or grandparents and explain how their vision of this concept is similar or different from yours.

Day 10

Good job with vocab and grammar today. Please, please study for both quizzes this week. As I explained, there are many points assigned to these quizzes and you should not allow them to bring your grade down.

For this evening, we will look at current events. Again, make sure you pick an event that is not entertainment or sports based unless you can some how attach them to something relevant going on in our world. Give a brief explanation of the event and how it directly effect you, your community and your world.

You must Cite your source. NO CITE, NO POINTS

Day 9

Today we discussed the idea of individual values and defined as something important to one person. We created a list of these values:

family, sports, friends, health, respect, freedom, independence, honesty, life, happiness, music, school and being successful.

For this evenings blog, please pick any 3 of the above or add some of your own and explain how these values make you an individual. Also comment on how this level of individuality sets you apart from family or peers or if it makes you just like them. If it makes you like them, then how are you an individual?

Day 8

Good week. We discussed freedom within the confines of the Declaration of Independence. Watched the John Adam's video and saw what it takes to put aside personal needs for the better of society. Lastly, you began working on your own Declaration of Independence from something.

For this evening, define freedom in your own words. Then tell how freedom can be both a positive and a negative. Give an example of how you express your freedoms and how your freedoms are sometimes held back. Do you think freedom will be different in one year, two years, after graduation?

This may take more than 7 sentences!

Day 7

Today will be the first of an occasional free blog. This is an opportunity to talk about anything that you want to talk about. Make sure that even though it is open ended, you must have a topic sentence and conclusion sentence.

Day 6

Today we continued talking about the value of independence. How would you define independence in your life? Do you have any independence or are you completely dependent on people and things? Look at the following quote and tell how it relates to your value of independence:

"Maybe the greatest challenge now is to find a way to keep independence while also committing ourselves to the ties that bind people, families, and ultimately societies together."
Jane O'Reilly

Day 5

Nice morning even if it was about grammar and vocabulary. Do not wait until the last minute to study for these quizzes as they are worth 25 points every week.

Since we really had not discussion today, we are going to begin do our weekly current event. The way this works is that you find a topic that is current based on a newspaper, magazine or online news source. You need to explain your current event and then discuss how this event connects to you and your community. Last, you must cite your source from the current event. Events cannot be entertainment or sports related unless you can show how they have a true connection to the greater community.

Day 4

Sorry this is up later than usual. We will be doing vocab and grammar tomorrow and finish the John Adams video.

As for what I want you to write about: What do you think are your greatest strengths and weakness as a person? How can you take a weakness and make it into a strength?

Day 3

Great discussion today. I hope that over time you guys will open up more and be more free with answering questions.

For today's response, talk to me about how you value the relationships in your life. You can talk about friends, family or other relationships you may have. Think before typing and by the end see if you can touch on why these relationships have value.

Day 2

Today, I want you to think about the values your parent(s) have tried to instill in you. Then, comment on the value of being a parent. Why do people become parents and why do they value you as their child? As discussed last year in To Kill A Mockingbird, put yourself in their shoes for a moment and think of the triumphs and the frustrations of parenting and yet why becoming a parent is such a key value in our society.

Semester 1 Cardmarking 1 Day 1

Today we listened to a cheesy song entitled "Holy Ground." As I stated in class, I do not look at the word holy as a religious term here but more as sacred. I am hoping that my classroom will be sacred to each of you; a place where you can feel comfortable in learning about English and about life. A place you can come to in good times and if you need help.

Today, I would like you to respond to the lyrics of the song. What was the author trying to say or how did you interpret this idea of of holy or sacred? Do you have places in your life that are holy and sacred? Where are they and why do they make you feel this way?

Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XltwsKCAq-M

Day 25

Current event day. The current event must come from within the last week. As always, no entertainment and no sports. Try and not do one that someone else has done. If you do, then you must somehow comment about theirs (if theirs was done first) in your blog. NO CITE, NO POINTS

Day 24

"All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsion, habit, reason, passion, and desire."
Aristotle

Do you think this is true? Why or why not? If you had to rank order these seven causes for your life what would the order be and why?

Day 23

Remember to email me at kaym@huronvalley.k12.mi.us by 8 pm with your website. Make sure that I know whose site it is.

For this evening you can free blog. I would prefer not to hear a blow by blow description of your weekend but pick a topic that shows you are an enlightened human being.

Day 22

Tell me about your project. Why did you pick the topic you did? Where there personal experiences or just an interest? How could you become more active in the cause that you are working on? How can you get more people involved in this area? After working on this project for so many days, do you feel or think differently about the topic? Why or why not? Why do you think this specific project was put into the 10th grade curriculum?

Day 21

Current event today. No sports or entertainment and try and stay away from a topic once it is discussed. NO CITE NO POINTS and cite must be in original blog.

Day 20

Tomorrow we will keep on working on your websites. Remember to closely look at spelling and grammar. Also refer to the sample at sawexample.weebly.com to make sure you are doing this correctly. There needs to be a significant amount of research on this project not just the flashiness of the site itself.

For this evening:


Here are the words from the song we listened to the very first day of class Holy Ground. I stated at the beginning of the year that my goal was to create an educational holy ground for you in my class. I have begun reflecting on the year. The good, the frustrating and the fact that honestly, there was no bad. As you begin to reflect, what are your thoughts about our "holy" ground. What have you gained from puting your feet on this space every day? What do you take with you as you enter the next year of school? Do not write things you think I would want to hear. I would hope by now that you would know me well enough that I respect honesty above all else. I am sure that we will add on to this again prior to the last blog in two weeks. What are the thoughts about having to put up with me again next year? Pros/Cons?

Reflect on how the song is or is not accurate to your experience. I know that this class has been hard for some with high expectations but without these high expectations you would not truly be ready for the next step.

“Holy Ground”
By Craig Taubman

Every Second Every minute Every hour Every day
Every thing Every one Every place Every way
Where you walk Where you stand
Where you love Where you praise
All of it is holy ground.
Every he Every she Every what Every who
It’s in her It’s in them It’s in me It’s in you
In the bitter in the sweet in the calm in the storm
All of life is holy ground
(Chorus)
So walk as if it’s holy ground
Breathe as if it’s all around
Talk and make a holy sound
Take your shoes off you’re on holy ground.
When you hurt When you heal
When you laugh When you pray
When you doubt When you keep
When you give it away
Every Second Every minute Every hour Every day
Take your shoes off you’re on holy ground.
(Chorus)
So walk as if it’s holy ground
Breathe as if it’s all around
Talk and make a holy sound
Take your shoes off you’re on holy ground.
One stop One Journey One Tapestry we weave
One people One glory One legacy we leave.
Every Second Every minute Every hour Every day
Every thing Every one Every place Every way
Where you walk Where you stand
Where you love Where you praise
All of life is holy ground.
Can you feel the holy ground?
Take your shoes off your on holy ground.

Day 19

Keep working on your project. Remember, research info due at end of hour tomorrow.

For this evening, choose from one of the following and relate it to what you think it means, your life and the world around you:


1. “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

2. "A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” Christopher Reeve

3. "People's dreams are made out of what they do all day. The same way a dog that runs after rabbits will dream of rabbits. It's what you do that makes your soul, not the other way around.”

Day 18

Hope you are doing good work on you websites. Remember the research is key before the site is completed.

Please respond to the following:

"It doesn't take a majority to make a rebellion; it takes only a few determined leaders and a sound cause."
H L Mencken

What do you think this quote means? How does this quote relate to being social activists? How can this relate to something in American history that you have learned this year?

Day17

Some people love it and some hate it but today we shall free blog. You cannot talk about anything you have previously talked about in a free blog. Stretch your mind. Pick a topic and give an opinion. Something that you like or something that you do not! No free blogging about blogging that will get you no points.

Day 16

Current event me today. As always, no sports no entertainment unless you can attach it to something current. Cite in your original response. NO CITE, NO POINTS.

Remember, it is the connection that you make that is more important than the summary of the article.

Day 15

For this evenings blog, I want you to pick one of the themes discussed in the Animal Farm. If you are not sure what they are then do some research and I am sure you will find them. Then, I want you to find a song that you think fits that theme and explain how the song and the theme work together. Make sure you mention the song and the sing or song writer when discussing this. If you want to post a video or youtube url feel free.

Day 15

So, people trying to overthrow their dictator. Interesting idea. Actually, I give Taylor and Conner a great deal of respect for having an idea and trying to get people to join. While it may not have been the best made plan, they had an issue and wanted to do something about it. This is called social activism and is something we will be talking about for the next couple of weeks.

I know that some people are tired of blogging. I want you to realize what blogging has done for you. First, it has made you write, create sentences and think. If you have blogged almost everyday this school year, you have technically written about 5 papers. Why do I do this? Because it will end up helping the writing section of the ACT. I have asked you to think and analyze quotes and situations as well as, having you think about the items we discuss in class at a more adult level. Through this, you have become more critical thinkers and I have seen this in both class discussions and in the way you answer questions on quizzes.

I know to you that it is just something that you need to remember to do everyday but this skill of thinking about this will help you as your classes get harder and then when you go to college, to the military or to work. There is a method to my madness and you will all appreciate it one day. Some of the other teachers have gone to the blog site and have commented on how better your responses are to their students who are responding in class or in a notebook at home. Most of you are on the computer as some point in the evening anyway and it would seem that being able to respond in your world would make it better for you. For some people, the blogs are a place where they can express their opinions when often they are not allowed or encouraged.

For me, the blogs give an insight into each of you. I feel that I have gotten to know each of you better by reading your blogs and getting a sense of how you think, feel and yes, even write. I truly think that this exercise has created a more cohesive class. I think that I have the best 2 10th grade sections out of all the teachers. Truly, why would I want to teach you all again next year if that was not true. Am I a harder teacher than most? Yes. Why? (and I know you are dying to get to the actual prompt but bear with me). Because I believe that each of you are capable of meeting me at the level I expect. It would be a waste if my class was just easy and you walked away with less information or lower expectations. It is hard to understand that at the age of 15 & 16 but trust me I know what I am talking about.

So here is what I want you to write about: NOTHING. I want you to enjoy this weekend and know that I appreciate the work you have done this year and will continue to do for the next 5 weeks. I want you to know that I learn from each of you everyday as much as you hopefully learn from me. Enjoy your weekend but the blogs will be up and running on Monday!

To Conner and Taylor, good idea, poor execution but I am proud that you even had the thought. In the end, I am more powerful than you combined or separate so don't even think about it again. You took what you read and tried to put it into action and for that you deserve to not blog tonight.

Day 14

Today we reviewed in groups chapter 6-10 for the quiz tomorrow. If you were not here today, you are still responsible to be ready for the quiz which will cover those chapters.

For this evening, you are a newspaper reporter who has gotten permission to come to Animal Farm and interview one animal on the farm. Please create 10 questions and then "interview" that animal with their responses. Any animal cannot be used more than 4 times so pick wisely and make sure you look to see who others have done.

Day 13

Today we shall current event. Please make sure you cite in the blog. NO CITE, NO POINTS. You should also avoid doing a current event that someone else has blogged about. The only way you can do so is if you react to their blog and then find a different article that supports or refutes what they were saying.

Day 12

We have clearly illustrated how Animal Farm is an example of totalitarianism. If you still do not know the definition of this word, look it up!

With that said, answer the following:

• Find 3 examples of Napoleon’s totalitarian
regime in ch. 6-10.
• Note the page number where you found the
example.
• Copy down, in quotation marks, the section
of the text that illustrates how Napoleon’s
regime has become totalitarian.

Then, write a dialogue between Napolean and any one of the animals (pick a specific one) that would show that he is following in totalitarianism ways. There should be at least 6 lines for Napolean and 6 lines from the animal you chose.

Day 11

How might have Snowball run things if he had gotten rid of Napoleon? Would things have been any different? Are there indications that Snowball’s ideas for running the
farm would have proved more beneficial to the animals? Or would things have turned out the same? Because Orwell is writing about the corrupting force of power, things might have remained the same. Assume one side or the other of the issue (That Snowball would have been a better leader, or that he would not have
been) and write a persuasive slogan or piece of propoganda supporting your opinion.

Day 10

For Monday you must have read through chapter 8.

One of the themes in Animal Farm is Truth and Falsehood. What do you think this theme is talking about. Find me 3 examples thus far of this theme and internally cite them in your response. Then, give me an example in history or in your life when this theme was evident.

Have a great weekend.

Day 9

Can you give a description of a time in history when a world leader used, or in your life where you have used or seen used propaganda, to try and get your way. (this is not the best sentence I have ever written). Everyone cannot use Hitler so don't. How could you use propaganda to get something from someone right now?

Day 8

Today we shall current event. No sports or entertainment unless it connects to something larger, do not forget it is not about the summary but about the analysis and connection. NO CITE, NO POINT! MUST CITE IN ORIGINAL BLOG.

Day 7

Mollie chooses to live a life of comfortable slavery rather than make the sacrifices necessary in a communal society. Is this a wise choice? What is the significance of her leaving, both in the world of the novel, and considering that the novel is a political allegory based on actual events? Do you agree or disagree with her choices? Why?

Day 6

Make a list of all the changes that occur in chapter 5. Describe how these changes create vivid evidence of the pigs' increasing power. How is this allegory that you are reading comparable to world events of the past or present? Why is a totalatarianism government successful or unsuccessful?

Day 5

Make sure you have read chapters 4 & 5 for Monday.

What are Napoleon's ideas about education? How are his ideas important to the ideals of creating a society? How is Squealer able to convince the other animals to accept whatever Napoleon decides? How does this process resemble the ideals of government? Talk about a time when someone, either in your own life or in the world, has convinced you or others to follow someone. How were they able to do so? Was this a good decision on your part?

Day 4

From what you know so far about the pigs and the other animals on the farm, speculate about what the future will be like for the animals. You are a reporter and have been assigned to interview one of the animals. Pick 5 questions you would want to ask and write them as part of the blog. Then, as the animal, answer the questions.

Day 3

Examine the song "Beasts of England" as poetry. What imagery is present? What is the message? Why do the animals like it so much that they memorize it on the spot? To what emotions and needs does it appeal? Have you ever heard a song that meant something to you more than just the music; where the words reach out? What song and why?

Day 2

Today we shall free blog. The point of the free blog is to write on any topic you wish but have it be meaningful and an insight into you. If I sense that you are not being meaningful and just rushing, I reserve the right to not give you credit.

Cardmarking 6, Day 1

On page 5 of Animal Farm, there is a discussion on the order of nature. Re-read this section and explain what Old Major is saying about the order of nature. Explain how you view the order of nature in your life and how it influences you day to day.

Day 29

The idea of perception was discussed in Of Mice and Men in regards to many characters. The YouTube video of Britain's Got Talent and Susan Boyle indicates another example of people's perceptions that may or may not be correct. Please read the following quote and tell what you think it is saying. How does it relate to Of Mice and Men, Susan Boyle and yourself? Is there a way that you as an individual and people as a group could ever stop the perceptions so that people get a fair shake?

Day 28

Make sure you keep thinking about the paper and how you can make it the best it can be. Also, study for vocab and grammar.

For this evening, we will go with a current event. Remember no sports or entertainment unless you can connect it to a larger current event. NO CITE, NO POINTS.

Day 27

Please ponder the following quote:

"Justice consists not in being neutral between right and wrong, but in finding out the right and upholding it, wherever found, against the wrong"
Theodore Roosevelt

How does this quote connect to you and then how does it connect to Of Mice and Men?

Day 26

You are having a dinner party and can invite any 5 people to attend. Who would you invite and why? What is the significance of choosing these people.

For example, one of my people would be Will Smith. I would choose him because I would love to discuss how he went from recording artist to tv star to movie star and how it has effected his life. I would also choose FDR. He was president during a very difficult time and I have always been fascinated by his successes during his presidency. I think I could learn a great deal about the world from him. I would also have my grandfather because I have learned a great deal from him and have great respect for him and would want to share this with him. (I would add 2 more people). Overall, I would want to surround myself with a variety of people who would enhance what I think and how I act.

Day 25

I am going to re-run one of the blogs from the week before break. You must choose a second one different from the first and yes I will check. If you cut and paste yours or someone else's, I will give you a 0 on all blogs for this cardmarking.

There are many hypothesis on why Steinbeck kills Lennie. Below are 5 of them. Choose one and explain why this may be the best reason. Make sure that you make at least 2 specific references to the story with page numbers. This may take a few more than 7 sentences.



1. Lennie desires a “safe place,” and in death he will finally find his dream.

2. Lennie is animalistic. He cannot control his desires. He lacks the mental capacity to be conscious enough to know his own strength or to protect himself from others. But must all people who cannot control their desire to be killed?

3. Lennie is useless: Candy’s dog is killed because it is no longer useful. The same case may be applied to Lennie. But Lennie is useful to the rancher and to George.

4. Lennie is a disturbance of public order.

5. Society is responsible for the accident in which Lennie kills Curley’s wife.

Day 24

How about a current event today? Make sure you read and do not do an event that someone else does. Give a short summary and then tell the effect on you, community or world. NO CITE, NO POINTS AND CITE MUST BE IN THE BLOG.

Day 23

George is put on trial for the murder of Lennie. You are George's attorney and have to give the jury your final argument as to why he should not go to jail. What do you say? Make sure that you make references to the story and to the life they led together and what brought them to this point of having to make the decision to kill Lennie. You may need to do more than 7 sentences but if everyone does a good job I may consider not having a blog on Friday.

Day 22

There are many hypothesis on why Steinbeck kills Lennie. Below are 5 of them. Choose one and explain why this may be the best reason. Make sure that you make at least 2 specific references to the story with page numbers. This may take a few more than 7 sentences.



1. Lennie desires a “safe place,” and in death he will finally find his dream.

2. Lennie is animalistic. He cannot control his desires. He lacks the mental capacity to be conscious enough to know his own strength or to protect himself from others. But must all people who cannot control their desire to be killed?

3. Lennie is useless: Candy’s dog is killed because it is no longer useful. The same case may be applied to Lennie. But Lennie is useful to the rancher and to George.

4. Lennie is a disturbance of public order.

5. Society is responsible for the accident in which Lennie kills Curley’s wife.

Day 21

Remember to finish reading chapters 5 & 6 and complete worksheet. Tomorrow we will go over the vocab words, review adverb clauses as well as begin discussing these chapters.

Imagine yourself in the story. Think how any character’s experiences or attitudes are like or unlike yours. Describe the differences or similarities. Which character do you most understand and why?

Day 20

I am interested in learning more about you today. Give me something about yourself, your life, your family, hopes, dreams, etc. that gives a greater insight into who you are as a person.

Day 19

Loneliness is a definite concept seen while reading Of Mice and Men. Explain why you think the migrant experience could be a lonely existence. Then, choose a character that you think displays loneliness and explain why this character is, in fact, lonely. Give an example from the book that proves your point and cite the example internally in your blog. Then, discuss how or when loneliness has been a part of your life and how you handled it.

Remember you have vocab and grammar quiz tomorrow and Independent Novel Study is due on Monday.

Day 18

"Compassion literally means to feel with, to suffer with. Everyone is capable of compassion, and yet everyone tends to avoid it because it's uncomfortable. And the avoidance produces psychic numbing -- resistance to experiencing our pain for the world and other beings."
Joanna Macy

Day 17

Loneliness is a common emotion that everyone feels once in a while--some more often
than others. The ranch hands in Of Mice and Men were drifters; they had no families close by and didn't stay in one place long enough to make lasting friends. Theirs was a lonely lifestyle. Two fellows, George and Lennie, found friendship early in their lives and traveled together. From them we can see what it means to be a friend and what it means to have a friend. Friendship has great rewards, but being a friend isn't always easy.

Your assignment is write out some kind of advertisement or commercial in regards to how someone will not be lonely or how to advertise for a migrant worker. Your
advertisement should carry all the usual information in a "want ad": what you want, a job description, the requirements and the rewards.

Be as creative as you like, but remember your ad must contain the information requested above and remember that you are striving for an effective advertisement.

Make sure you look at the others so as they your show your own individuality in this piece of work.

Day 16

Today we discussed the basic things about chapter 2. For this blog, I want you to think a little bit deeper. One of the motifs of the story is following orders. Explain why this may be important when living on the ranch and being a migrant worker. Also, talk about if this style of living can take from one's individuality. Then give an example from your life when taking orders actually helped you in a situation and when it made you question your own sense of self.

Day 15

Hope you did well on your vocab quiz and grammar quiz. Keep working on your INS. Make sure you are ready to discuss OMAM chapter 2 for Monday.

For this evening:

What is a bunkhouse? What was the bunkhouse like in the book? Describe what you think an evening in a bunkhouse full of people (men or women) would be like? How would feel about living in this type of environment for an extended period of time? Why?

Day 14

Make sure you do the following this evening:

1. Study vocab
2. Study grammar
3. Finish chapter 2 with the worksheet


I am a bit nervous about your novel study as people are stating they have not even finished the book. This project will take you days to complete if you are doing it with any pride factor. 10 days is not a great deal of time when there is other stuff going on in this class and others.

For this evening, please do a current event. This may not be sports or entertainment unless you can attach it to something that is current in society or impacts society. Remember that this is not just a summary of an event but you must discuss why you chose it and how it impacts you, your community, or your society. NO CITE, NO POINTS AND THE CITE MUST BE IN THE ORIGINAL BLOG.

Day 13

Today we went over the worksheets on adjective clauses. Please, please study these concepts for the quiz on Friday. Also, we discussed the first chapter of Of Mice and Men. Please discuss this following for today's journal:

Would George really be better off without Lennie? Explain what evidence there is that George would/would not be different if he were on his own. What do you think would happen to Lennie if George left him?

Day 11

Today we began reading Of Mice and Men. Remember to re-read what we started and then read through page 16. Complete Sections 1 and 3 as well as question 20 on the worksheet. In regards to independent novel study, you are down to about 10 days before it needs to be handed in. This project is work over 200 points so I would get it done.

For this evening, I want you to think about what we have read in the first chapter. Based on the reading, what do you think of the two main characters Lennie and George? Obviously, they are very different. Why do you think they are travelling together? Do you think that Lennie being slow takes away from George's life experiences? How? What is the perception of mentally challenged people in our society? Do you think we perceive them fairly?

Day 10

One of the issues we will be looking at in Of Mice and Men is that of social agression. Social agression is defined as actions and behaviors directed at damaging another’s self-esteem, social status, or both. Social Aggression can take the form of facial expressions (including the rolling of eyes and other looks of disgust), gossip and the spreading of rumors, bullying, verbal and/or non-verbal exclusion, or the manipulation of friendships and other relationships.

Based on this definition, please answer at least 3 of the following in your blog:

a. What acts of social aggression have you seen in your school and community?
b. What role did the school or community environment play in those acts of aggression? What role did economic factors play? What role did social pressure play? Were there other factors that somehow impacted the situation?
c. List three major causes of social aggression in your life. Are any of these causes similar to the causes of social aggression in Of Mice & Men?
d. What are some ways people attempt to establish dominance and authority over you in your everyday life?
e. Has anyone ever taken out their anger with something else out on you? Write a letter to someone who has done this to you. Explain how his or her actions made you feel. Suggest some other ways this person might deal with his or her anger.
f. Have you ever taken your anger out on someone who is not responsible for it? Write a letter to someone you have done this to. Explain why you might have done this.
g. What are some alternatives to social aggression? Are there ways to address and respond to the causes of social aggression without attempting to damage someone else’s self-esteem or social status?

Day 9

Here we are a week into the new cardmarking. Tell me how you feel you did in the first cardmarking of the second semester. Where you pleased with your performance? Were you able to truly have pride in the work you were doing? Why or why not? What are your true goals for the 2nd cardmarking of this semester and how will you attain them?

Day 8

Today we discussed The Great Depression and migrant workers. Discuss what are the positives and negatives to living during this time period as a migrant worker. Then, write a letter to a family member discussing your experience.

Cardmarking 2, Day 7

How about a current event for today? No entertainment, no sports unless it somehow comes into play with topical events. NO CITE, NO POINTS AND CITE MUST BE IN THE ACTUAL BLOG!

Cardmarking 2, Day 6

Today you guys continued to work on your novel projects. You have had more than adequate time to read/work on your projects in class so you should have made good progress by now.

Today's blog is your reaction to a quote.

"A bore is a man who deprives you of solitude without providing you with company." - Anonymous.

Enjoy.

-Hand

Cardmarking 2, Day 4

You guys finished working on EDP's today.

Your blog for today is a FREE one!

Have a great weekend!

-Hand

Cardmarking 2, Day 3

Today you guys worked on EDP's and most likely will be doing that for the whole day tomorrow.

Respond to this quote for your blog tonight.

"Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing." -- Abraham Lincoln

-Hand

Cardmarking 2, Day 2

Today you guys learned 5 new vocab words and learned about Compound-Complex sentences. You were also given time to read/work on homework for other classes. Tomorrow you guys will have time to read and work on your independent novel projects so be prepared to do so.

Blog Today:

Find a current event and cite your source in the blog...not as an addition to the blog (he says you guys know what to do if that was confusing).

-Hand

Cardmarking 2, Day 1

Today you read during class. Make sure you are using your time wisely and not getting behind. The project is due March 25 and you do not want to rush on a project worth over 200 points.

Since we are reading, what do you think the importance of reading is? What is the difference between reading for pleasure and reading for content? How can they work together? How can this project help you in other classes as well?

Day 23

Please respond to the following:

"Anger makes you smaller, while forgiveness forces you to grow beyond what you were."
Cherie Carter Scott

Day 22

"The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind."
William James

What do you think of this? How does it relate to you? Any examples?

Day 22

Please feel free to blog on your topic. Try to not be superficial. I do not want to hear a description of your weekend or your plans for this weekend. I want you to blog about something which enables us to perceive who you are as a person.

Day 21

Today, we went over compound sentences, simple sentences and complex sentences. For this evening, I want you to write me a very short story (of at least 10 sentences but more if need be) using at least 2 simple sentences, 4 compound sentences and 4 complex sentences. Label each sentence for the type so that I can see that you are using them correctly.

The topic is up to you so have some fun if you want. If you were absent, this is one of the problems with missing school. I guess, if you want the points for today, you can research these sentence types so you have an understanding and thus write your story.

Week 5, Day 20

Please respond the the following:

"When we blindly adopt a religion, a political system, a literary dogma, we become automatons. We cease to grow."
Anais Nin

This may take somethinking or talking with parents, friends, etc. If you do not know what dogma means, look it up.

Day 18

Today we shall current event. As always no sports or entertainment unless it some how pertains to real world events. (Josh Fugate no basketball or relating it to basketball). Make sure that you quickly summarize and tell how it has an effect. YOU MUST CITE IN YOUR ACTUAL BLOG THIS TIME. IF NOT, NO POINTS!

Day 17

You should have all been doing research that touches on the depression era. What are you perceptions of the people living in this time period? Knowing yourself, how would you navigate your way to success during this time if you had just lost everything? Then, navigate yourself through this time if you were just some migrant worker?

Week 4, Day 16

We finished the movie which dealt with the ideas of perceptions and social injustices. This idea will continue to unfold as we begin talking about Of Mice and Men in regards to how people view the different characters.

For this evening:

Pick a movie or tv show which depicts a character who may be perceived one way in the beginning but is not really how they seem. Give specific examples of how the perception is wrong and how we, as the viewer, come to understand the character better. Then, give an example of a time when someone may have misperceived you or an action by you.

Day 15

As we conclude watching this movie it is evident that under the appropriate circumstances one can change initial perceptions while others still only see what they want to see. Interesting that upon learning the truth about the accident with Mr. McLean that even Charles may initially rethink his position on his "friend."

Why do you think Charles is able to change his perceptions in regards to McLeod while others did not? What did he see that others refused to see? How does the actions of the town make McLeod have to rethink his own perceptions of the town he is living in? Finally, how does this movie make you think about how you create perceptions or deal with social injustice in your own life?

Day 14

We continue to watch "A Man Without A Face." We see the unravelling of how people can misunderstand what makes people tick, think and behave. We try and understand that when we misperceive people we tend to make mistakes about who they are or what they stand for.

Another issue that comes into play for this movie is social injustice. If you are not sure what this concept means then Google it! Give your own definition of social injustice with an example. Then, give 3 examples of social injustices that are seen in the movie. Then, talk about how we, as people, need to defend social injustice in order to make a better society.

If you are behind on the movie due to absences, then go to hulu.com or another site to view.

Day 13

We began watching "A Man Without a Face." We saw early on how perceptions are created. What is Charles'(main kid) reaction to seeing the Mel Gibson character? What are others' reaction? Why are they reacting this way to him? What is the perception created of Charles by you based on what we have seen so far? How do we, as people create perceptions and why is it important that we do?

Day 12

Emily Dickinson writes a great deal about nature, death, success, loss, and hope in her writings. Using one of these themes, I would like you to write your own poem that helps us understand you. The poem must be at least 10 lines and linked to one of the above themes.

Week 3, Day 11

Please address the following quote:

“We must not allow other people's limited perceptions to define us.”
Virginia Satir

Day 10

So, pretty easy day today. What was wrong with me? Be ready to hit the floor running again on Monday.

For today, pick a current event (not entertainment or sports unless you can tell why it is a current event) to write about. Briefly tell what the event is and then give your reaction, positive or negative, to the event. NO CITE, NO POINTS!

Blanzy, you cannot talk about Michael Phelps again this week. I get the fact that you think he was wrong.

Day 9

I hope you enjoyed todays pick of stories. I think they both clearly created a message about tolerance and understanding. Also, as someone said, the notion of perceptions. If you were not here, you need to call someone from the class to ask which stories we read.

For this evening, discuss the idea of tolerance. How do you define tolerance? Give me 2 examples from each story how there was this idea of tolerance. Then, tell me how the idea of perceptions was discussed in each story. I am going to guess that this will probably take more than 7 sentences.

Do not forget to study for the vocab and grammar quiz tomorrow. This is one of your first non-blog grades for the cardmarking.

Day 8

Reminder that cutting and pasting other people's blogs is not acceptable. I do read these and saw two on yesterdays. The people who do this truly must not have understood the discussion on pride. Cheating or being lazy is far from pride.


Cisneros comments, "I managed to do a lot of things in my life I didn't think I was capable of." What can you gain by attempting to do the seemingly impossible? Explain your answer.

Day 7

As we did grammar today, I figure it is a good day to do a free blog. What is going on with you and what are you thinking? Make it something good, interesting and not superficial.

Week 2, Day 1

Today we talked about the Harlem Renaissance and Langston Hughes. We read his essay "When the Negro was in Vogue" pages 932-937.

In this essay, Hughes mentions some of the African American cultural achievements and celebrities of the Harlem Renaissance. What specific cultural achievements or important celebrities might you include in an essay about African Americans today? Why are these people significant? Are there similarities to the Harlem Renaissance today? If yes how and why and if no why not. What is your take on the idea of having something in vogue? What would you say is the most vogue style of today for your generation and how does it define your generation?

Day 5

In relationship to our discussion on perceptions, how would you like people to perceive you? Based on your answer, what are things you do to create this perceptions? Are there things that you could do in your life that would create your wanted perception even better? Lastly, if someone got up at your funeral (many years from now) and started off their eulogy with the statement: the perception of ____ was truly created because______________ what would come next.

Have a great weekend and Go Steelers!

Day 4

Tried to get the blog up earlier but had to leave school and play the carpool dad all afternoon.

Today we continued our discussion of perceptions and cultures. Hopefully by the time we finished reading you truly understood the point of the Nacirema.

For this evening, I want you to find a current event and first discuss what the event is about and how you think it effects you. Then, I want you to discuss the current event if you were reading it but did not understand the country. You will probably need more than 7 sentences for this one.

Day 3

Today, we discussed why we read, to gain an understanding of man (and woman), how we create our perceptions and how those perceptions cause us to view others.

For tonight, pick a book, a movie or an historical event where perceptions caused conflict. Explain how this conflict could have been better handled if these perceptions were not created. Finally, discuss something that you have perceived one way only to find out that it was another.

Day 2

I hope to some degree that the grammar made some sense. We will continue, on Tuesdays, to review and learn new concepts. 5th hour- You need to really become responsible for notetaking but I guess I will have to demand that the notes be taken.

For today, we shall go with a current event. Remember, topic sentence and concluding sentence and NOT CITE, NO POINTS. You may not use sports or entertainment unless you can somehow connect it to world events.

Have a great night.

Semester 2, Week 1, Day 1

Welcome to a new semester. I am hoping that you will strive to do your best this semester and if you feel you did your best last semester, you will push yourself to a new level of learning and understanding.

So, I gave my speech about pride. With that in mind, give me your goals for this semester both in school in general and in my class. Tell me how you are going to take my words about pride and put them into action. Then, tell what grade you would like to work towards during this first cardmarking. Be realistic with all of these but most importantly, be honest.

Day 23

Remember to reread what we read today and to be ready for the written part of your final tomorrow.

I hope you find something of interest in "The Crucible." I think that it is somewhat fascinating that this event occurred in America and that we can still relate to it today.

For this evening, I want you to find something or someone that you found interesting in the play. Talk about how that event or person caught your attention and how it made you think more deeply about the play and about history. What is the message that you take from this story in regards to it application to us as Americans currently? To get the points for today, you must refer to 3 incidents and those impacts on the event or the person you have chosen.

Day 22

Remember to re-read! Also, 6th hour remember that you need to read up through the first column on page 237.

There are many characters that who contradict each other: Elizabeth and Abigail, Hale and Parris, Proctor and Parris. Pick a pair and write how they are different and how these characters have impacted the story and your view of the story. This may well take more than 7 sentences.

Day 21

You should re-read Act 3 especially the part we read today. Do not forget to make sure your readers log is up to date.

For this evening, pick one character and talk about their progression during the course of the story. Talk about whether they have changed for the good or the bad and how they have impacted other characters (at least 2).

Week 5 Day 20

Today we read more of Act 3. We will not do another readers log until the end of Act 3. We have seen the development and change in several of the characters since the beginning one of these being Rev. Hale. Please discuss your perception of Rev. Hale when he first came to town and the witch accusations began versus in Act 3 when he is talking with Danforth (pages 212-217). 5th hour even if we did not get to that please read so you can answer properly. Then,tell if there are any other characters who have changed positively or negatively impacting what is going on in Salem.

Day 19

Hope the vocab and Act 2 quiz went well. Today we will look at an article. Pick one but it cannot be sports or entertainment. It must be a news story. Make sure that you have a topic sentence and concluding sentence that make the blog flow. If you do not have either of these or you do not cite your source, you will not get credit for the blog.

Day 18

Puritan society pressured individuals to adhere to strict standards of conduct and belief. To what extent to you think society expects you to conform today? Explain with specific examples to community, school, your own life.

You need to have read through Act 2 and have finished questions. Also, make sure that your theme log is up to date.

Day 17

You need to complete the reading of Act 2 with the questions.

For this evening:

Summarize the events that took place in court. Then, analyze the character of Abigail and discuss how she has effected at least 2 other characters.

Day 16

Hopefully you did well on the quizzes today. Tomorrow we will begin reading Act 2.

For this evening discuss the following:

Honesty (yours or someone else's) played a role in a conflict in your life. This could be honesty fixing or hurting the conflict.

Week 4, Day 15

Welcome back. I hope you had a great vacation and are rested. We are going to be working quickly over the next couple of weeks to finish "The Crucible" and review a little for the final exam. Remember for tomorrow:

1. Vocab quiz
2. Act 1 quiz

Also, for sixth hour, you need to be working on the rewrite of your essay which needs to be turned in no later than next Monday (January 12). Fifth hour you will get your chance next week.

For this evening, I want you to choose one of the two quotes you did not write about from the worksheet and discuss it in the blog.