(9th) Online Discussion #23

Welcome to the final discussion of the year! Please comment on one of the following discussion topics:

1. Choose three individuals (one living, one deceased, and one fictional) who display the qualities of a hero. For each individual, explain their heroic qualities as well as at least one heroic action they performed during their lives.
2. Describe a person (living, deceased, or fictional) who many consider to be a hero, and prove how he/she is NOT a hero using at least three examples from his/her life. 
3. Explain how a person can become an everyday hero; be sure to detail five qualities of an everyday hero, and give three suggestions about actions an everyday hero might take.

Directions:

• Choose a discussion topic, and answer it completely according to the directions. Indicate in your comment which discussion question you are answering.
• Use the pen name you provided at the beginning of the year.
• Use correct spelling and grammar at all times.
• In order to receive an "A," you must not only post your answer, but comment on a peer's ideas as well. Please remain positive and polite when doing so. 

Due Date: This post will remain open for comments and discussion until WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2013 at 5:00 PM; after this time comments will close.

(9th AND 10th) Combined Discussion #21

Welcome back, everyone!

I've been seeing lots of success with the recent combined discussions, so I would like to continue the trend for a while longer.

This week does involve a bit of reading, but fear not -- the articles in question are quite short.

As an extra, anyone who posts an answer in Shakespearean English (it must still make sense!) will get some bonus credit; you can find many glossaries online to help with this.

To begin, click the PBS website links to access the biographies of those living in Shakespeare's era. You are encouraged to choose and read at least TWO of the articles to help answer the discussion questions, chosen from the following list:

• Elizabeth I
• Henry VIII
• Ben Jonson
• Christopher Marlowe

Discussion Questions (choose only one):

1. Choose one of the biographies you read. Which (from your class play) characters' personalities do you believe might have been inspired by this person, and why? Explain your answer with evidence from the article.
2. Choose one of the biographies you read. Based on your understanding of Shakespeare and his writing, do you believe that he would have made this individual a hero or a villain in one of his plays, and why? Explain your answer with evidence from the article.
3. Out of the four biographies, which individual do you believe had the greatest impact on Shakespeare as a writer, and why? Explain your answer with evidence from your article.

Directions:

• Choose a discussion question, and answer it completely according to the directions. Indicate in your comment which discussion question you are answering.
• Use the pen name you provided at the beginning of the year.
• Use correct spelling and grammar at all times.
• In order to receive an "A," you must not only post your answer, but comment on a peer's ideas as well. Please remain positive and polite when doing so.  
• EXTRA CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN IF YOU WRITE THIS ANSWER IN (UNDERSTANDABLE) SHAKESPEAREAN ENGLISH!

Due Date: This post will remain open for comments and discussion until Monday, April 15, 2013 at 5:00 PM; after this time comments will close.

(9th AND 10th) Combined Discussion #20

Because both grades have begun a drama unit this week, I would like to make this another combined forum based on the themes and ideas of William Shakespeare's time.

Please choose one of the following discussion topics:

1. Based on your understanding of history and that of Shakespeare's characters, how have the roles of men and women stayed the same in our time? How have they changed? Please address both questions!
2. What kind of characters would be most loved by the nobility of Shakespeare's time, and why? Which characters would be more enjoyed by the lower classes, and why? Please address both questions -- feel free to use examples from your class play!
3. Based on your understanding of drama and Shakespeare's time, why do you think the stage directions in his plays are so minimal? Does this lack of direction help or hurt a play's director, and why? Please address both questions!

Directions:

• Choose a discussion question, and answer it completely according to the directions. Indicate in your comment which discussion question you are answering.
• Use the pen name you provided at the beginning of the year.
• Use correct spelling and grammar at all times.
• In order to receive an "A," you must not only post your answer, but comment on a peer's ideas as well. Please remain positive and polite when doing so. 

Due Date: This post will remain open for comments and discussion until Monday, April 01, 2013 at 5:00 PM; after this time comments will close.

(9th AND 10th) Combined Discussion #19

Another combined discussion! In light of the recent Oscars showing (which some of you watched but others did not), I wanted to bring up a cultural question this time.

First things first, however. Begin by reading these articles:

• "The Oscars Broadcast, Zooming Way Past Cheeky to Land Squarely on Crass"
•  "Seth McFarlane: Crude or Classy? Delightful or a Dolt? You Be the Critic"

We know of Seth McFarlane as the creator of American Dad, Family Guy and Robot Chicken. He also voices both Peter and Stewie Griffin on Family Guy. Many people were very surprised (and anxious) to see him hosting the famous Academy Awards -- and still others were excited. In light of his performance, our discussion this time focuses on the idea of jokes, what makes them funny, and when they start to become uncomfortable or insulting. 

As you read through the articles, consider these questions (choose only one to answer!):

1. When does a joke cross the line into "bad taste"?
2. Who in society decides what is "funny" and what is simply rude? How do we know where the line is?
3. Because we live in a nation which embraces free speech, does this give us the right to say exactly what we want, when we want (jokes included)?

Directions:

• Choose a discussion question, and answer it completely according to the directions. Indicate in your comment which discussion question you are answering.
• Use the pen name you provided at the beginning of the year.
• Use correct spelling and grammar at all times.
• In order to receive an "A," you must not only post your answer, but comment on a peer's ideas as well. Please remain positive and polite when doing so. 

Due Date: This post will remain open for comments and discussion until Monday, March 18, 2013 at 5:00 PM; after this time comments will close.

You're getting THREE WEEKS to answer, so please come back after your initial post and continue adding to the discussion! 

(9th) Discussion #18

Welcome back, freshmen! We're back to short-answer format questions this week, with a focus on personal essays. I might suggest having your SAQR rubric handy to make sure you're going for a score of 3!

Step One: Go to this link and read the personal essay by Vint Cerf about respect. http://thisibelieve.org/essay/29294/

Step Two: Choose ONE of the questions below to answer, making sure all directions are followed.

__________________________________

Discussion Topics (choose only one!):

1. According to the author, what are some possible dangers of communicating only through types/written words? Use evidence from the text and explanation to support your answer.
2. Based on the author's writing, how do you think he would solve a dispute between two people? Use evidence from the text and explanation to support your answer. 
3. Based on the essay, what does the author mean by "respect?" What kinds of actions are those of a respectful human being? Use evidence from the text and explanation to support your answer.

Directions:

• Choose a discussion question, and answer it completely according to the directions. Indicate in your comment which discussion question you are answering.
• Use the pen name you provided at the beginning of the year.
• Use correct spelling and grammar at all times.
• In order to receive an "A," you must not only post your answer, but comment on a peer's ideas as well. Please remain positive and polite when doing so. 

Due Date: This post will remain open for comments and discussion until Monday, February 18, 2013 at 5:00 PM; after this time comments will close. 

(9th) Discussion #17

Welcome back, freshmen. I have an interesting challenge for you this time which involves the following materials:

• your notes about sonnets
• the poems/lyrics you chose for your poetry project
• some creativity! 

___________________________________

Your job is to turn a stanza (or two) of one of your chosen songs/poems into a sonnet. Below is an example from the winner of a contest given by the Washington Post:

O proud left foot, that ventures quick within
Then soon upon a backward journey lithe.
Anon, once more the gesture, then begin:
Command sinistral pedestal to writhe.
Commence thou then the fervid Hokey-Poke,
A mad gyration, hips in wanton swirl.
To spin! A wilde release from Heavens yoke.
Blessed dervish! Surely canst go, girl.
The Hoke, the poke -- banish now thy doubt
Verily, I say, 'tis what it's all about.
        -- by "William Shakespeare" (Jeff Brechlin)

Sound familiar? Here are the original lyrics:

You put your left foot in, you put your left foot out,
You put your left foot in, and you shake it all about!

...and so on. You see? Note that this is not a true sonnet, because it has only 10 lines. However, you get the idea!

___________________________________

So, here are your instructions in detail:

1. Choose one of your poems/songs that you were asked to find for class.
2. In your post, please give us the title of the work, the stanza(s) you are using, AND the sonnet you created from those lines.
3. Please choose between ITALIAN, SHAKESPEAREAN, or BLANK VERSE style of sonnet, and do your best to follow the style.
4. Don't worry about using weird language like in the sample! Use the language of the lyrics/original poem as much as possible. 

If, by chance, you have completely forgotten everything about sonnets and your notes are unavailable, here are a couple of handy links:

• http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/writing-a-sonnet.html
• http://slb-ltsu.hull.ac.uk/awe/index.php?title=Three_types_of_sonnet 

___________________________________

REMINDERS:

• Use your pen name when posting. 
• Follow all directions for your assignment. 
• To achieve an "A" score, complete your assignment, AND comment on a peer's sonnet. 
• Please TRY this!!! You are using a pen name, and comments are meant to be helpful, so if you make an error on your sonnet or it's not "perfect," IT'S OKAY!!!! 
• Have fun with this! 

This assignment is due on  Monday, February 4, 2013 at 5:00 PM. At 5:00 PM comments will close.

(9th) Discussion #16

Freshmen, please note that during this semester the discussions will be structured differently. Every two weeks a new discussion will be posted; you must comment on each post.

This means that you will make three posts per six weeks; you may comment at any time during the two-week period that the post remains open. 

Do not e-mail me posts after discussions have closed!

Also, these discussions will require some reading, so do not skip over the selection(s) I give you!

You must answer using short-answer question format learned last semester in class. Begin with your thesis/main idea, and then explain your answer using your own ideas as well as quotations from the text.

It is highly encouraged that you respond to the posts made to your peers in addition to making your post; you may agree/disagree with this person, and explain why. Students wishing to achieve an "A" for the assignment will follow this suggestion.

__________

Sonnet II by William Shakespeare

When forty winters shall besiege thy brow,
And dig deep trenches in thy beauty's field,
Thy youth's proud livery so gazed on now,
Will be a totter'd weed of small worth held:
Then being asked, where all thy beauty lies,
Where all the treasure of thy lusty days;
To say, within thine own deep sunken eyes,
Were an all-eating shame, and thriftless praise.
How much more praise deserv'd thy beauty's use,
If thou couldst answer 'This fair child of mine
Shall sum my count, and make my old excuse,'
Proving his beauty by succession thine!
   This were to be new made when thou art old,
   And see thy blood warm when thou feel'st it cold.

__________

Discussion topic choices:

• (#1) Explain how Shakespeare uses imagery and metaphor to compare life to warfare.
• (#2) Explain how Shakespeare feels about beauty in this poem.
• (#3) Explain the lesson of aging Shakespeare is trying to convey through this poem.

Directions:

• Answer all questions in the comments section of this blog using the pen name you provided to me at the beginning of the year.
• Use correct grammar and spelling at all times when making your comments. No textspeak!
• Please tell me which discussion topic you have chosen in your comment.

Due Date: This post will remain open for comments and discussion until Monday, January 21, 2013 at 5:00 PM; after this time comments will close.

(9th) Weekend Discussion #15

"Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names."

- John F. Kennedy (1917-1963)

CONSIDER: We normally hear the axiom “forgive and forget,” but Kennedy appears to believe only half of it. Based on what you know about his history, why might he have believed this? Do you agree with his assessment, and why? Which is the more ethical action, the forgiving or the forgetting, and why? Is it ethical to forget the wrongs done us by others?

Please consider that we have learned three essential parts necessary to answer a question:

·                     Idea statement (similar to a thesis; summarizes your point)

·                     Evidence (in this case, the evidence is your experience and knowledge)

·                     Explanation (combine with evidence to prove your point)

Use this format to answer these weekend discussions from now on; please also do these things:

·                     Use a pseudonym (pen name) and not your real name when posting,

·                     Respond to someone else’s answer whenever possible, and

·                     Be polite and positive at all times!

You have until Monday, December 17, 2012 @ 5:00 PM to comment on this posting. At 5:00 comments will close.

THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE FOR WEEKEND DISCUSSION UNTIL JANUARY 2013!!!!

(9th) Ratiocination / Revising Instructions

Freshmen: pasted below is the ratiocination slide displayed in class. Below that is a summary of my overall expectations of the fictional story for your final exam. Also, please consider the modified rubric attached to your original instructions page!


Ratiocination – Fictional Story 

•You will need highlighters or markers if you are at this stage (done with drafting).

•Please ratiocinate for several items:

– (In yellow) Dialogue

•check punctuation, capitalization

•Look at dialogue tags (don’t use “said”)

–(In blue) Sentences using appositives, adjective clauses, or participle phrases.

•If you have them, make sure you don’t have too many of one over another

•If you don’t have them, add some!

–(In pink/red) Evidence in support of the “importance of friendship” theme

•Is your theme clear?

•Did your characters or conflict address the theme?

–(In green) First words of each sentence

•Check for excessive repetition

•Try to vary your word choice – use a thesaurus!

•Check sentence lengths – are they varied? Are some too long/short?

Fictional Story Instructions

ž 

Today you will draft a fictional story in your notebooks. Use these resources:

¡Your character planner

¡Your comics

¡Your practice dialogue (from the comics)

¡Draft must be 2-3 notebook pages long (writing s2)

ž

ž Your story must follow these criteria:

¡Have the theme of “the importance of friendship”

¡Display good dialogue use

¡Incorporate an appropriate conflict and setting

¡Use correct spelling and grammar

žBegin working on this as soon as you finish your benchmark.

ž

žIf you finish your draft today, you may either read a book (if you brought one) or work on the vocabulary review given to you as a warm-up.

(9th) Weekend Discussion #14

"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."

Abraham Lincoln 

CONSIDER: Explain Lincoln's thoughts; what responsibilities do we have for the things that we say? Are we responsible for what other's have to say, and do we have the right to be offended by a different opinion? 

Please consider that we have learned three essential parts necessary to answer a question:

• Idea statement (similar to a thesis; summarizes your point)
• Evidence (in this case, the evidence is your experience and knowledge)
• Explanation (combine with evidence to prove your point)

Use this format to answer these weekend discussions from now on; please also do these things:

• Use a pseudonym (pen name) and not your real name when posting,
• Respond to someone else’s answer whenever possible, and
• Be polite and positive at all times!

You have until Monday, December 10, 2012 @ 5:00 PM to comment on this posting. At 5:00 comments will close.

(9th) Weekend Discussion #13

"The best way to predict the future is to invent it."

- Alan Kay

CONSIDER: You, as the next generation, are considered to be “the future” by adults. What are your responsibilities as members of “the future?” What does Kay mean when he says that you must “invent” the future in order to “predict” it?

Please consider that we have learned three essential parts necessary to answer a question:

• Idea statement (similar to a thesis; summarizes your point)
• Evidence (in this case, the evidence is your experience and knowledge)
• Explanation (combine with evidence to prove your point)

Use this format to answer these weekend discussions from now on; please also do these things:

• Use a pseudonym (pen name) and not your real name when posting,
• Respond to someone else’s answer whenever possible, and
• Be polite and positive at all times!

You have until Monday, December 3, 2012 @ 5:00 PM to comment on this posting. At 5:00 comments will close.