Answer the following question thoroughly. Provide explanations or concrete examples to support your ideas. Think of this as a very strong journal entry that includes details and thoughtfulness.
What is the most influential element (part) of establishing or forming a person's identity? What makes you, you? Be specific and thoughtful in your response.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Period 3 (English 10A): Week Two; poem
Answer the following two questions about Judith Ortiz Cofer's poem, "El Ovido."
1) Who is the audience for this poem? Who do you think the speaker is "talking to" in the poem? Provide at least one reference (a selection) from the poem to prove your thoughts.
2)What is the message or meaning of this poem? Why do you think so?
1) Who is the audience for this poem? Who do you think the speaker is "talking to" in the poem? Provide at least one reference (a selection) from the poem to prove your thoughts.
2)What is the message or meaning of this poem? Why do you think so?
Period 6 (American Lit.): Week Three, Into the Wild
Chapter 6: Answer one of the two questions below.
1) Re-read the letter McCandless writes to Franz on pages 56-58. On page 57, McCandless opines, "You are wrong if you think Joy emanates only or principally from human relationships. God has placed it all around us. It is in everything and anything we might experience. We just have to have the courage to turn against our habitual lifestyle and engage in unconventional living." Briefly explain McCandless' perspective on joy. To what extent do you agree or disagree with his position?
2)Re-read the passage from Thoreau that begins the chapter. Identify what you believe might be an aphorism from the selection. Explain the meaning of the aphorism and then explain how McCandless tries to live out that idea thus far throughout the book.
Chapter 7: Answer one of the two questions below.
3)What commentary about Americans' relationship to ideas about sex and sexuality is the author making? (Be sure you understand the definition of "commentary," and re-read pages 65 and 66.
4) Westerberg recalls of Alex that there were "gaps in his thinking" (Krakauer, 63). Describe one such "gap" that you have discovered in Alex as you read about his travels, relationships, ideas, and accomplishments.
1) Re-read the letter McCandless writes to Franz on pages 56-58. On page 57, McCandless opines, "You are wrong if you think Joy emanates only or principally from human relationships. God has placed it all around us. It is in everything and anything we might experience. We just have to have the courage to turn against our habitual lifestyle and engage in unconventional living." Briefly explain McCandless' perspective on joy. To what extent do you agree or disagree with his position?
2)Re-read the passage from Thoreau that begins the chapter. Identify what you believe might be an aphorism from the selection. Explain the meaning of the aphorism and then explain how McCandless tries to live out that idea thus far throughout the book.
Chapter 7: Answer one of the two questions below.
3)What commentary about Americans' relationship to ideas about sex and sexuality is the author making? (Be sure you understand the definition of "commentary," and re-read pages 65 and 66.
4) Westerberg recalls of Alex that there were "gaps in his thinking" (Krakauer, 63). Describe one such "gap" that you have discovered in Alex as you read about his travels, relationships, ideas, and accomplishments.
Period 6 (American Lit.): Week Two, Into the Wild
Answer both questions below (one for chapter 4; one for chapter 5)
Chapter 4
1) What relationship is Alex/Chris establishing with the land? How does he appear to view his place in the world? Use one specific incident from this chapter to support your reasoning.
Chapter 5
2) What does the following passage from page 44 reveal? Consider both McCandless' nature or personality, as well as the point of view of the biographer, Krakauer.
"...[McCandless] was so enthralled by these tales, however, that he seemed to forget they were works of fiction, constructions of the imagination that had more to do with London's romantic sensibilities than with the actualities of life in the subarctic wilderness. McCandless conveniently overlooked the fact that London himself had spent just a single winter in the North and that he'd died by his own hand on his California estate at the age of forty, a fatuous drunk, obese and pathetic, maintaining a sedentary existence that bore scant resemblance to the ideals he espoused in print."
Chapter 4
1) What relationship is Alex/Chris establishing with the land? How does he appear to view his place in the world? Use one specific incident from this chapter to support your reasoning.
Chapter 5
2) What does the following passage from page 44 reveal? Consider both McCandless' nature or personality, as well as the point of view of the biographer, Krakauer.
"...[McCandless] was so enthralled by these tales, however, that he seemed to forget they were works of fiction, constructions of the imagination that had more to do with London's romantic sensibilities than with the actualities of life in the subarctic wilderness. McCandless conveniently overlooked the fact that London himself had spent just a single winter in the North and that he'd died by his own hand on his California estate at the age of forty, a fatuous drunk, obese and pathetic, maintaining a sedentary existence that bore scant resemblance to the ideals he espoused in print."
Period 4 (Latino Lit.): Week Three, gods go begging
Answer two of the following questions about chapter 10:
1) What does Hollis's story about his marriage reveal about Jesse as a character? What does it also help Jesse to learn?
2) Read "Fire and Ice" (below). How does Vea use the poem to further ideas in this chapter?
3) On page 233, Vea uses a bed as a metaphor in a new way. What might be the significance of this motif?
4) Why does Vea add the storyline of the Skelleys, particularly Margie and Minne? (Hint: Think about the battles or wars the women in this novel fight.)
Fire and Ice
Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
- Robert Frost
1) What does Hollis's story about his marriage reveal about Jesse as a character? What does it also help Jesse to learn?
2) Read "Fire and Ice" (below). How does Vea use the poem to further ideas in this chapter?
3) On page 233, Vea uses a bed as a metaphor in a new way. What might be the significance of this motif?
4) Why does Vea add the storyline of the Skelleys, particularly Margie and Minne? (Hint: Think about the battles or wars the women in this novel fight.)
Fire and Ice
Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
- Robert Frost
Period 4 (Latino Literature): Week Two, gods go begging
Answer two of the following three questions about chapter 9:
1) Who is Cassandra? How and/or why is she important? Explain.
2) On page 197, Vea writes "America had fully expected to win without suffering, without loss. The boys on the hill knew differently. The American Dream -- the two-bedroom house with a white picket fence -- had always been built on a graveyard. It had always been built at the expense of the Huron Nation, at the expense of the bison, and at the expense of the Vietnamese. It had always been built on a hill."
What is Vea's argument? Explain.
3)What is the significance of the tattoo on Vo Dahn's back? Explain your response.
1) Who is Cassandra? How and/or why is she important? Explain.
2) On page 197, Vea writes "America had fully expected to win without suffering, without loss. The boys on the hill knew differently. The American Dream -- the two-bedroom house with a white picket fence -- had always been built on a graveyard. It had always been built at the expense of the Huron Nation, at the expense of the bison, and at the expense of the Vietnamese. It had always been built on a hill."
What is Vea's argument? Explain.
3)What is the significance of the tattoo on Vo Dahn's back? Explain your response.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Period 4 (Latino Literature): Week One, gods go begging
Answer two of the following questions about chapter 8.
1) Explain the title of this chapter. Based off of the events of and characters in chapter 8, why is this called "the ballet rose"?
2) What are the major differences between Mrs. Thibault and Mrs. Harp, including their appearance, personality, behavior, and residences? What significance might these differences indicate? Why do these differences matter?
3) Explain why Jesse swallows the worm at the end of the chapter. Why does it happen? What is its importance?
1) Explain the title of this chapter. Based off of the events of and characters in chapter 8, why is this called "the ballet rose"?
2) What are the major differences between Mrs. Thibault and Mrs. Harp, including their appearance, personality, behavior, and residences? What significance might these differences indicate? Why do these differences matter?
3) Explain why Jesse swallows the worm at the end of the chapter. Why does it happen? What is its importance?
Period 6 (American Lit): Week One, Into the Wild
Given the description of the perilous journey to the bus as described in chapter 2, a natural question arises: What would possess someone to want to not simply visit there, but live there? With this in mind, answer the following question: 1) How does the selection from Jack London's book at the opening of the chapter hint at McCandless's reasoning?
For chapter three, answer one of the following:
2) What do we learn of Alex/Chris from Westerberg's description of Alex's time in Carthage? Why is Alex's work ethic significant? Explain.
3). How does McCandless view college? Is his treatment of his parents fair? Selfish? Smart? Describe your point of view and explain.
For chapter three, answer one of the following:
2) What do we learn of Alex/Chris from Westerberg's description of Alex's time in Carthage? Why is Alex's work ethic significant? Explain.
3). How does McCandless view college? Is his treatment of his parents fair? Selfish? Smart? Describe your point of view and explain.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Period 3 (10th Grade English): Week One
After reading about Esmeralda Santiago, answer the following two questions:
1) Why does Santiago say her life has been about coming to terms with "ifs"? What "ifs" do you think she is referring to?
2) How much do you think WHERE you live affects WHO you are? Explain your response.
1) Why does Santiago say her life has been about coming to terms with "ifs"? What "ifs" do you think she is referring to?
2) How much do you think WHERE you live affects WHO you are? Explain your response.
Monday, December 12, 2011
PERIOD 1 (A.P.): DCQ Practice Week 3
Read the prompt below. Post your first paragraph in response to the prompt. On your honor: Time yourself. No more than 11 minutes total to read, brainstorm and then post your response.
-3-
The British novelist Fay Weldon offers his observation about happy endings.
"The writers, i do believe, who get the best and most lasting response from their readers are the writers who offer a happy ending through moral development. By a happy ending, I do not mean mere fortunate events--a marriage or a last minute rescue from death-- but some kind of spiritual reassessment or moral reconciliation, even with the self, even at death."
Write a carefully reasoned, persuasive essay that defends, challenges, or qualifies this assertion. Use evidence from your observation, experience, or reading to develop your position.
-3-
The British novelist Fay Weldon offers his observation about happy endings.
"The writers, i do believe, who get the best and most lasting response from their readers are the writers who offer a happy ending through moral development. By a happy ending, I do not mean mere fortunate events--a marriage or a last minute rescue from death-- but some kind of spiritual reassessment or moral reconciliation, even with the self, even at death."
Write a carefully reasoned, persuasive essay that defends, challenges, or qualifies this assertion. Use evidence from your observation, experience, or reading to develop your position.
Period 1 (A.P.): DCQ Practice Prompt Week 2
Read the prompt below. Post your first paragraph in response to the prompt. On your honor: Time yourself. No more than 11 minutes total to read, brainstorm and then post your response.
-2-
Michael Ignatieff, Professor of the Practice of Human Rights Policy at Harvard University, made the following observations.
"To belong is to understand the tacit codes of the people you live with."
- Blood and Belonging
Consider how unspoken rules help to define group identity. Then write a carefully reasoned essay that examines the relationship between spoken rules and belonging. Use specific examples to develop your position.
-2-
Michael Ignatieff, Professor of the Practice of Human Rights Policy at Harvard University, made the following observations.
"To belong is to understand the tacit codes of the people you live with."
- Blood and Belonging
Consider how unspoken rules help to define group identity. Then write a carefully reasoned essay that examines the relationship between spoken rules and belonging. Use specific examples to develop your position.
PERIOD 1 (A.P.): DCQ Prompt Practice Week 1
Read the prompt below. Post your first paragraph in response to the prompt. On your honor: Time yourself. No more than 11 minutes total to read, brainstorm and then post your response.
-1-
The first chapter of Ecclesiastes, a book in the Bible, concludes with these words:
"For in much wisdom is much grief, and in increase of knowledge is increase of sorrow."
Write a carefully reasoned, persuasive essay that defends, challenges, or qualifies this assertion. Use evidence from your observation, experience, or reading to develop your position.
-1-
The first chapter of Ecclesiastes, a book in the Bible, concludes with these words:
"For in much wisdom is much grief, and in increase of knowledge is increase of sorrow."
Write a carefully reasoned, persuasive essay that defends, challenges, or qualifies this assertion. Use evidence from your observation, experience, or reading to develop your position.
Friday, December 9, 2011
PRACTICE POSTS: All 2011/2012 Classes Respond here! by December 13th!
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1) FULL NAME
2) CLASS PERIOD & TITLE
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