All posts should be 200 words or more. You should use formal language and mechanics. Each blog is worth 10 points. I will accept them a day late for half credit, but no credit will be given after that.
Blog #1
Select one of the topics for debate from the anticipatory handout. Explain why you agree, disagree, or are unsure about the statement and your reasons for feeling this way.
Blog #2
What makes a friend? Why do we have friends?
Blog #3
How important is it for human beings to have a place where they belong, where there are people who know them and love them?
Blog #4
Why do dreams sometimes fail?
Blog #5
Define euthanasia. Then defend or condemn the practice. Justify your belief.
Blog #6
Who is your favorite character in this book? Explain your reasons for choosing him or her.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Romeo and Juliet reflection
Select three of the following questions and respond to them on your blogs. Be sure that you specify which questions you are answering. You need to have thoughtful, well-developed responses.
“Love and insight is better than love at first sight.” Do you agree or disagree? Why?
Was it right for Romeo and Juliet to run off and get married? Or was it foolish? Or both? Explain your response.
Was it right for Romeo and Juliet to kill themselves because of their love for each other? Why or why not?
Was it wise of Friar Lawrence to give the potion to Juliet? Why or why not?
What do you think of Capulet’s orders that Juliet marry Paris? Was he correct to do so? Why or why not?
Would you have lied to your whole family if you were in Juliet’s position? Why or why not?
Do you think that The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is really a tragedy? Explain your response.
Should Romeo have been punished for killing Tybalt? How should he have been punished? Explain why you think this.
Do you think Juliet should have faked her death? Why or why not?
Why does Juliet kill herself when she could be free?
How would you feel if you were one of the parents in one of these families after all this happened?
Who was ultimately responsible for all of the death that occurred in the play? Why?
“Love and insight is better than love at first sight.” Do you agree or disagree? Why?
Was it right for Romeo and Juliet to run off and get married? Or was it foolish? Or both? Explain your response.
Was it right for Romeo and Juliet to kill themselves because of their love for each other? Why or why not?
Was it wise of Friar Lawrence to give the potion to Juliet? Why or why not?
What do you think of Capulet’s orders that Juliet marry Paris? Was he correct to do so? Why or why not?
Would you have lied to your whole family if you were in Juliet’s position? Why or why not?
Do you think that The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is really a tragedy? Explain your response.
Should Romeo have been punished for killing Tybalt? How should he have been punished? Explain why you think this.
Do you think Juliet should have faked her death? Why or why not?
Why does Juliet kill herself when she could be free?
How would you feel if you were one of the parents in one of these families after all this happened?
Who was ultimately responsible for all of the death that occurred in the play? Why?
Friday, February 6, 2009
Romeo and Juliet, Act 1
Question: What are your thoughts on Act 1?
Length: 200 words minimum
I want to hear what you think. You may write about any aspect of the first (or several aspects) at interested you. If you have a hard time getting started, here are some suggestions (not requirements) of topics that you may want to think about:
- Are the characters like you expected them to be?
- Does Romeo really love Juliet? Is true love at first sight possible?
- What about Rosaline?
- What did you think of the puns and the wordplay?
- What about the language in general?
- Do you have questions? Insights? Things you wish we could discuss more?
- If you've read the play before, how are your experiences or interpretations different this time around?
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Blogging on A Long Way Gone
As you read A Long Way Gone: Memoir of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah, I believe you will have a hard time maintaining a detachment from the story. That is why we are using this novel to begin regular blogging assignments.
In this assignment you will practice these critical reading (and writing) strategies in a community setting that embraces technology’s new role in communication.
Assignment
You have already each created your own site using Google’s Blogger – www.blogger.com. If you have forgotten your username or password, I suggest that you either remember it quickly or create a new blog, as you will be now be using this blog with each reading assignment. If you do create a new blog, please remember to give me the web address so that I can give you credit for your posts.
You will use Blogger to post comments based on readings or other relevant questions, to read your classmates entries and to share comments with each other. I will post a list of usernames and links to each person’s blog on Edline, and to our class blog (a link to this can also be found on Edline).
For A Long Way Gone, most of your blog assignments will consist of simply “chronicle your reaction to the reading.” On some nights, I will ask you to discuss a particular aspect of the reading. In these cases, I will let you know your assignment during class, and it will also be posted to Edline.
Part of your blog assignment is to respond to each other’s posts. You will be expected to read and respond to at least one classmate’s post each week. Your comments, like your posts, will be graded for quality. You must deliver a thoughtful response, not simply “good job” or “I agree.”
Rules and Reminders
Obviously, the content of your blog should be appropriate to the topic. Beyond that, the following rules and reminders are also in effect:
• Your blog should not be a simple record of events. You must reflect and comment on readings and ideas, not record what you did last night.
• This is not a fiction or poetry blog. While creative writing is a noble pursuit, this is not the place for it, unless asked for specifically. If you have poems or stories, you’d like me to see, bring them to ScratchPaper or catch me outside of class.
• This is a classroom assignment. All responses should be within the core values of University High School. Responses that are inappropriate for an academic setting or seek to hurt or defame another person or group will receive a zero and be subject to disciplinary action.
• A blog is a public forum, not a private diary. Your classmates will see what you write. I will see what you write. Anyone who stumbles upon your place on the internet will see what you write. Keep that in mind.
Grading
Blogs must be 150-200 words and will be graded based on the quality of the response.
All blog entries must be made prior to the start of class. If you post your blog late for some reason, you will need to email me and let me know this. If you don’t tell me that you have posted a late entry, I won’t know that it’s there, and therefore will not give you any points for it.
Periodically, I will respond to your blogs with a suggestion or comment. This will happen more frequently at the start of the year, so that you understand whether or not you are meeting the criteria. If you have any questions about grading, just ask. Remember, you must blog with each reading assignment and comment on a classmate’s blog once a week.
Extra Credit – You will receive 1 extra credit point for each additional comment you make on a classmate’s blog beyond the weekly-required comment. You may earn up to 15 extra points. Responses must be made to material that has been posted in that week.
In this assignment you will practice these critical reading (and writing) strategies in a community setting that embraces technology’s new role in communication.
Assignment
You have already each created your own site using Google’s Blogger – www.blogger.com. If you have forgotten your username or password, I suggest that you either remember it quickly or create a new blog, as you will be now be using this blog with each reading assignment. If you do create a new blog, please remember to give me the web address so that I can give you credit for your posts.
You will use Blogger to post comments based on readings or other relevant questions, to read your classmates entries and to share comments with each other. I will post a list of usernames and links to each person’s blog on Edline, and to our class blog (a link to this can also be found on Edline).
For A Long Way Gone, most of your blog assignments will consist of simply “chronicle your reaction to the reading.” On some nights, I will ask you to discuss a particular aspect of the reading. In these cases, I will let you know your assignment during class, and it will also be posted to Edline.
Part of your blog assignment is to respond to each other’s posts. You will be expected to read and respond to at least one classmate’s post each week. Your comments, like your posts, will be graded for quality. You must deliver a thoughtful response, not simply “good job” or “I agree.”
Rules and Reminders
Obviously, the content of your blog should be appropriate to the topic. Beyond that, the following rules and reminders are also in effect:
• Your blog should not be a simple record of events. You must reflect and comment on readings and ideas, not record what you did last night.
• This is not a fiction or poetry blog. While creative writing is a noble pursuit, this is not the place for it, unless asked for specifically. If you have poems or stories, you’d like me to see, bring them to ScratchPaper or catch me outside of class.
• This is a classroom assignment. All responses should be within the core values of University High School. Responses that are inappropriate for an academic setting or seek to hurt or defame another person or group will receive a zero and be subject to disciplinary action.
• A blog is a public forum, not a private diary. Your classmates will see what you write. I will see what you write. Anyone who stumbles upon your place on the internet will see what you write. Keep that in mind.
Grading
Blogs must be 150-200 words and will be graded based on the quality of the response.
All blog entries must be made prior to the start of class. If you post your blog late for some reason, you will need to email me and let me know this. If you don’t tell me that you have posted a late entry, I won’t know that it’s there, and therefore will not give you any points for it.
Periodically, I will respond to your blogs with a suggestion or comment. This will happen more frequently at the start of the year, so that you understand whether or not you are meeting the criteria. If you have any questions about grading, just ask. Remember, you must blog with each reading assignment and comment on a classmate’s blog once a week.
Extra Credit – You will receive 1 extra credit point for each additional comment you make on a classmate’s blog beyond the weekly-required comment. You may earn up to 15 extra points. Responses must be made to material that has been posted in that week.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Things Fall Apart, Ch. 20-25
Trace the chronology of the Ibo people’s responses to the arrival and settlement of the white man. What attitudes toward the Ibo people do the white men bring and how do their attitudes determine their treatment of the native people? What is the British view of the Africans and their way of life?
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Things Fall Apart, Ch. 14-19
In Mbanta, Okonkwo is scolded for not understanding the Ibo proverb that “Mother is Supreme.” In what ways does Okonkwo ignore or refuse to acknowledge the “female” virtues in himself and others? How does this one-sidedness create problems for him in life?
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Things Fall Apart, Ch. 1-7
Based on what you have seen so far in the text, what is your opinion of Okonkwo?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
