Wednesday, October 20, 2010

READ FIRST: A note on blogging...

GET EXCITED! This is your first blog-posting assignment. But before your jump estactically into the world of online discussions, I want to remind you of a few things...

1. You are not graded on your spelling or grammar; however, keep in mind I only know so much "text speak" so don't make me feel too out of it/uncool (as if that's even possible, ha!)

2. THINK before you type. This isn't a place for a huge stream-of-consciousness entry. Clearly state your opinion and as always back it up with the text, but make it a reasonable paragraph or so.

3. Respond to each other, agree, add more details, disagree, whatever ... but do so respectfully. If you disagree then by all means, let us know, just do so constructively. There is absolutely NO insulting each other in the blog. The blog is a safe place :)

And now... HAPPY BLOGGING!!!

Birthmark -- Group One

Is there something irrational and/or insane about our fantasties of conquering nature? What does "conquering nature" even mean? Is there something ruthless about our drive to improve/conquer nature? Can we (or are we) successful?

Birthmark -- Group Two

Is there something wrong with the pursuit of perfection? What would make it okay or not okay? Is idealism (striving for perfection) a kind of madness?

Birthmark -- Group Three

What is the nature of beauty? How do we define beauty today? Is it possible to truly define beauty? What is the danger in trying to do so?

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

PERIOD 5 -- Frankenstein Blog #3

You did it! You finished Frankenstein! Congrats!!

For your last blog I would like you to:
  1. tell us your favorite part of the last section and why that is your favorite.
  2. tell us your least favorite part of the entire novel and why you disliked it.

PERIOD 7 -- Frankenstein Blog #3

You did it! You finished Frankenstein! Congrats!!

For your last blog I would like you to:
  1. tell us your favorite part of the last section and why that is your favorite.
  2. tell us your least favorite part of the entire novel and why you disliked it.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Period 7 -- Last Names A-C

Your mission is to come up with a creative title for Chapters 10 & 11.

  1. Write the title out in quotations
  2. Below the title, write out a justification for your choice -- be sure to pull from those chapters specifically in order to support your title completely.

Period 7 -- Last Names D-H

Your mission is to come up with a creative title for Chapters 12 & 13.

  1. Write the title out in quotations
  2. Below the title, write out a justification for your choice -- be sure to pull from those chapters specifically in order to support your title completely.

Period 7 -- Last Names I-M

Your mission is to come up with a creative title for Chapters 14 & 15.

  1. Write the title out in quotations
  2. Below the title, write out a justification for your choice -- be sure to pull from those chapters specifically in order to support your title completely.

Period 7 -- Last Names N-R

Your mission is to come up with a creative title for Chapters 16 & 17

  1. Write the title out in quotations
  2. Below the title, write out a justification for your choice -- be sure to pull from those chapters specifically in order to support your title completely.

Period 7 -- Last Names S-Z

Your mission is to come up with a creative title for Chapters 18-20.

  1. Write the title out in quotations
  2. Below the title, write out a justification for your choice -- be sure to pull from those chapters specifically in order to support your title completely.

Period 5 -- Last Name Starts with A & B

Your mission is to come up with a creative title for Chapters 10 & 11.

  1. Write the title out in quotations
  2. Below the title, write out a justification for your choice -- be sure to pull from those chapters specifically in order to support your title completely.

Period 5 -- Last Name Starts with C & D

Your mission is to come up with a creative title for Chapters 12 & 13.

  1. Write the title out in quotations
  2. Below the title, write out a justification for your choice -- be sure to pull from those chapters specifically in order to support your title completely.

Period 5 -- Last name Starts with E-J

Your mission is to come up with a creative title for Chapters 14 & 15.

  1. Write the title out in quotations
  2. Below the title, write out a justification for your choice -- be sure to pull from those chapters specifically in order to support your title completely.

Period 5 -- Last Name Starts with K-M

Your mission is to come up with a creative title for Chapters 16 & 17.

  1. Write the title out in quotations
  2. Below the title, write out a justification for your choice -- be sure to pull from those chapters specifically in order to support your title completely.

Period 5 -- Last Name Starts with N-Z

Your mission is to come up with a creative title for Chapters 18-20.
  1. Write the title out in quotations
  2. Below the title, write out a justification for your choice -- be sure to pull from those chapters specifically in order to support your title completely.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Last Names A-I -- Frankenstein Blog #1

From the Chapter 7 through Chapter 9 do the following:

  1. select ONE significant quote.
  2. Type the quote out (put the page number!!)
  3. Explain why you selected the quote
  4. Explain what its significance is
  5. Propose one question to the class about the quote/section you selected

Steps #3 and #4 should be at least 6 sentences long. Do not exceed 12 sentences.

Last Names J-R -- Frankenstein Blog #1

From the Chapter 3 to Chapter 6 do the following:

  1. select ONE significant quote.
  2. Type the quote out (put the page number!!)
  3. Explain why you selected the quote
  4. Explain what its significance is
  5. Propose one question to the class about the quote/section you selected

Steps #3 and #4 should be at least 6 sentences long. Do not exceed 12 sentences.

Last Names S-Z -- Frankenstein Blog #1

From the beginning of the novel up through Chapter 2 do the following:

  1. select ONE significant quote.
  2. Type the quote out (put the page number!!)
  3. Explain why you selected the quote
  4. Explain what its significance is
  5. Propose one question to the class about the quote/section you selected

Steps #3 and #4 should be at least 6 sentences long. Do not exceed 12 sentences.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

If your last name starts with letters A-I (Hard Times p. 218-278)

Look at the titles of each chapter...

Are they significant? Why/why not? What would Dickens choose to title each chapter as such? Is there a significance to not only what they say, but how little they say?

If your last name starts with letters J-R (Hard Times p. 218-278)

Look at the titles of each chapter...

Are they significant? Why/why not? What would Dickens choose to title each chapter as such? Is there a significance to not only what they say, but how little they say?

If your last name starts with letters S-Z (Hard Times p. 218-278)

Look at the titles of each chapter...

Are they significant? Why/why not? What would Dickens choose to title each chapter as such? Is there a significance to not only what they say, but how little they say?

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

PERIOD 5 Hard Times p. 160-218

For pages 160-218, write a ONE SENTENCE summary of this section.

I'm serious.
Only one sentence.
That's it.

So think carefully, be creative, and write one amazing sentence.

PERIOD 7 Hard Times p. 160-218

For pages 160-218, write a ONE SENTENCE summary of this section.

I'm serious.
Only one sentence.
That's it.

So think carefully, be creative, and write one amazing sentence.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Hard Times p. 106-160 Blog Post

Hi everyone! This week rather than assigning you a character or something specific to discuss via the blog I am going to keep it somewhat open for you. So...

Pick a significant quote (type the text into your response) and explain why you picked it.
(Think about: how is it significant to this section of reading?to the novel as whole thus far? is it of particular importance to a specific character, a scene, an issue, etc.)

PLEASE NOTE: You cannot use the same quote as anyone else on the blog!! So if someone already used it, you need to look for a different one!
(Keep in mind, you could probably read further down the page past the text used or before it and still keep your general ideas intact)

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Hard Times p. 1-105 Reminders -- READ FIRST

  1. Read everyone else's post before you post yours
  2. Please put your name at the TOP (beginning) of your post if you do not set up one of those identities
  3. You can post anonymously, but without your name you do NOT get a grade
  4. You are not being graded on grammar and spelling, but rather your insight and discussion
  5. There's no set length -- just think and respond!
  6. Be respectful -- no talking smack on the blog, kids
  7. USE THE TEXT to support your ideas
  8. Enjoy -- yes, that's a reminder. Actually it's a demand. You MUST enjoy this so you best smile as you write your response -- I'll know... I know everything :)

Hard Times #1

character (KARE-ec-ter): a person who is responsible for the thoughts and actions within a story, poem, or other literature. Characters are extremely important because they are the medium through which a reader interacts with a piece of literature. Every character has his or her own personality, which a creative author uses to assist in forming the plot of a story or creating a mood. The different attitudes, mannerisms, and even appearances of characters can greatly influence the other major elements in a literary work, such as theme, setting, and tone. With this understanding of the character, a reader can become more aware of other aspects of literature, such as symbolism, giving the reader a more complete understanding of the work. The character is one of the most important tools available to the author.

Using the definition above, characterize Mr. Gradgrind.

Hard Times #2

character (KARE-ec-ter): a person who is responsible for the thoughts and actions within a story, poem, or other literature. Characters are extremely important because they are the medium through which a reader interacts with a piece of literature. Every character has his or her own personality, which a creative author uses to assist in forming the plot of a story or creating a mood. The different attitudes, mannerisms, and even appearances of characters can greatly influence the other major elements in a literary work, such as theme, setting, and tone. With this understanding of the character, a reader can become more aware of other aspects of literature, such as symbolism, giving the reader a more complete understanding of the work. The character is one of the most important tools available to the author.

Using the definition above, characterize Sissy Jupe.

Hard Times #4

character (KARE-ec-ter): a person who is responsible for the thoughts and actions within a story, poem, or other literature. Characters are extremely important because they are the medium through which a reader interacts with a piece of literature. Every character has his or her own personality, which a creative author uses to assist in forming the plot of a story or creating a mood. The different attitudes, mannerisms, and even appearances of characters can greatly influence the other major elements in a literary work, such as theme, setting, and tone. With this understanding of the character, a reader can become more aware of other aspects of literature, such as symbolism, giving the reader a more complete understanding of the work. The character is one of the most important tools available to the author.

Using the definition above, characterize Louisa Gradgrind.

Hard Times #3

character (KARE-ec-ter): a person who is responsible for the thoughts and actions within a story, poem, or other literature. Characters are extremely important because they are the medium through which a reader interacts with a piece of literature. Every character has his or her own personality, which a creative author uses to assist in forming the plot of a story or creating a mood. The different attitudes, mannerisms, and even appearances of characters can greatly influence the other major elements in a literary work, such as theme, setting, and tone. With this understanding of the character, a reader can become more aware of other aspects of literature, such as symbolism, giving the reader a more complete understanding of the work. The character is one of the most important tools available to the author.

Using the definition above, characterize Mr. Bounderby.

Hard Times #5

character (KARE-ec-ter): a person who is responsible for the thoughts and actions within a story, poem, or other literature. Characters are extremely important because they are the medium through which a reader interacts with a piece of literature. Every character has his or her own personality, which a creative author uses to assist in forming the plot of a story or creating a mood. The different attitudes, mannerisms, and even appearances of characters can greatly influence the other major elements in a literary work, such as theme, setting, and tone. With this understanding of the character, a reader can become more aware of other aspects of literature, such as symbolism, giving the reader a more complete understanding of the work. The character is one of the most important tools available to the author.

Using the definition above, characterize Stephen Blackpool.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Hard Times Info

Oh Hard Times, you love it! On the day your reading section is due you are required to respond on the blog. Remember to read over the Classroom Blog Instructions and to RELAX!!! This is NOT a paper where I expect you wow me with your grammatical genius...I want you to THINK and RESPOND, not worry because there are plenty of times for that later (just kidding, kind of...)

Coming soon: the blog posts!!