Blog 28: Interpreter of Maladies

Choose ONE of the three blog post questions to answer in one-two paragraphs. Be as detailed as possible to demonstrate your knowledge from reading the Interpreter of Maladies.

3. Explain the significance of the story's title. How is the title linked to Mr. Kapasi? Cite a quotation from the text that supports your explanation. Why does Mrs. Das take an interest in Mr. Kapasi? How does Mr. Kapasi react to the information she shares about herself?

The significance of the title is that it shows overall what the book is about. It is linked to him because he interprets maladies. Mrs. Das take an interest on Mr. Kapasi because she reveals that Bobby is not really Mr. Das's child, she had an affair and it was someone elses. she also says ho she does not love Mr. Das anymore. She wants to see if maybe Mr. Kapasi could interpret her. Mr. Kapasi then no longer has a crush on her and then find hers despicable.

Blog 27: TBCC, The End

Our reading of The Body of Christopher Creed is done! For each class period, there is a writing prompt; you may only complete the questions for your class period. Be sure your response is at least TWO paragraphs in length. Pull a quotation from the book where applicable. If you finish early, try writing on one of the other questions for review.

Period 1: What are Torey's "awards"? Which award do you believe represents Christopher Creed's? Provide reasons for your belief and cite a line of text from the book for support.

Torey awards are awards from letters and people have written to him. He is still on a search for Christopher Creed and has written letters to many people whom he think may know where Creed is or who actually might be Creed. The awards are, Most Flattering Reply, Most Insulting Reply, Reply Most Likely to be form Christopher Creed in Disguise, Reply that makes me believe Totally Creed is still alive.

"Use your spell checker and/or stick to songwriting" (327). I believe that this is the one that represents Christopher Creed. I believe it because that is what Torey said. I never formally met Christopher Creed so i don't know him that well. Torey has known him for a while and knows him very well so i trust him opinion on Creed.

Blog 26: Dishonesty Breeds Dishonesty/ Ch. 17

Choose ONE of the writing prompt below to react in a one to two paragraph response. Be prepared to share your answer with classmates and the class.

3. Reflect on the dynamic between adults and children in The Body of Christopher Creed. Besides covering up the truth, how else do the adults set a poor example for the children in this novel? Have you ever been let down by an authority figure/ role model that you trusted or respected? No names on this one.

The adults are just as bad as the children. Chief Bowen is being judgmental and accusing Bo for the murder of Christopher Creed even though he doesn't have enough evidence. All the men who Ali's mom have slept with told her mom their children's secrets, who told Ali. This is not a good example because if you know something about your children that they don't want other people to know they shouldn't tell anyone else. I have been let down by an authority figure/rolemodel before.

Blog 24: Chapter 6: Torey's Lyrics

In chapter six, Torey shares some of the lyrics from his band on pages 66-68. Choose two of these lyrics and explain what their significance is for Torey's life. Then, finish the song that Torey started--use any details about Torey's characterization or life in South Jersey to help you. Attempt to develop ten-fifteen lines for the song, and be sure to include a title. The song can be serious, silly, a rap, etc., as long as the lyrics are school appropriate and demonstrate aspects of Torey's characterization.

Be prepared to share the band's new jam!!

"So as long as I live in this here town

Where there ain't nothing to do but fool around"

The significance is that in his town it is really small and there isn't anything to do so they have to create their own entertainment and sometimes it was to make fun of Christopher Creed.

The only place to go is the Wawa

Even then it gets boring

We need to make our own entertainment

Which sometimes gets us in big trouble

The school is so small

That you know everyone and everything

And there ain't no where to go round here but down

Might as well make that funny-soundin sound

It's called the blues.

Even round here it's called the blues.

Blog 24: Chapter 1 in the Body of Christopher Creed

Complete the questions below, for your respective class period, based on your reading of chapter one in The Body of Christopher Creed last night. Be sure to include as much detail from the story as possible and your opinion, if asked. Do not be shy in including a quotation! One-two paragraph writing requirement.

Period 1:

How is Torey familiar with Christopher Creed? What does it mean when Torey says, "People can love their lies, tell their own lies, believe their own lies until hell pays a visit"? Explain the quotation in terms of what Torey shares in chapter one.

Torey is familiar with Christopher Creed because, "when a kid sits behind you everyday since kindegarden...". He's known him basically his whole life. He means that they can believe their own lies but soon they will regret it once the truth comes out.

Blog 23: Issues in our American Society

Choose TWO of the four New York Times: Upfront magazine articles to read: "Should I take a job promoting cigarettes?", "Driven to Distraction", "Is your lunch causing Global Warming?', or "Locked away forever?" All of the articles introduce controversial subjects highly debated in our current American society and provide data to support the argument being made.

After reading two of the articles, write a one-paragraph response to each. Consider the following questions for each editorial [your commentary need not be in this order]:

-How does the author of the news article support a specific position on the issue? Provide an example of this slanted perspective.

-What is your personal opinion on the subject under debate? Why do you support/ refute the article's points? [ex. Cigarettes- Why would you take the job/ not take the job?; Locked away- How old do you think an individual needs to be to tell right from wrong?; Global warming- What does your diet mostly consist of?; Distraction- Who do you know that texts while driving?]

-What statistics/ collected data/ pictures/ etc. does the author choose to make his/ her point(s) in the editorial? How are they effective?

The author of the news article driven to distraction was clearly against texting and driving. He shows scenerios where people have been killed and injured because of it. I support the author with that texting and driving is wrong. You can't drive properly when your eyes are focused on your phone and not the road. It is not a big deal to wait a little bit and text the person back after you are done driving. Statistics they show are it is just as unsafe as drinking and driving. also 2,600 estimated annual traffic death cause by cellphone distractions. 97% of Americans who support laws that prohibit texting while driving. 17 number of states that have banned texting while driving.

Th author of Should I take a Job Promoting Cigarettes tells the person to not take the job. I agree with this. if you know something is morally wrong then you should not promote it. The more help they get with promoting, the more cigarettes they sell, and the more people will die. A statistic they use is that more than 400,000 deaths in the U.s are due to smoking.

Blog 22: the "Birds" and the bees

Neither Momma nor Vivian ever discussed the facts of life with Ms. Angelou, leaving her with questions she is afraid to ask. The result of this is that Ms. Angelou conducts her own research and draws her own faulty conclusions. This is a dangerous thing to do, as Ms. Angelou becomes confused and disillusioned about intimacy, and ends up pregnant.

There are a lot of "what if" questions that can be drawn from this chapter. With a partner or by yourself, consider the following questions, and write your own opinions about them. CHOOSE AT LEAST FIVE QUESTIONS TO ANSWER. As a class, we will then review these questions and discuss the answers.

-Would Ms. Angelou have experimented with sex on her own if she hadn't been raped as a child?

-What is the likelihood of Ms. Angelou becoming pregnant if Momma or Vivian had discussed the subject with her earlier?

-What if Momma and Vivian both gave Ms. Angelou information about sex? How would their versions differ? How would each version affect Ms. Angelou? Whose advice would she absorb more readily?

-What if Ms. Angelou had never been sexually abused? Could her pregnancy have happened anyway? Why or why not?

-What if Bailey were still around for Ms. Angelou to confide? Would he have told her anything about this subject? Would it have made a difference to Ms. Angelou?

-What if Ms. Angelou was living in Stamps when she became pregnant? How would Momma have handled the pregnancy?

-Ms. Angelou hid her pregnancy until after she graduated, so that she would have an opportunity to advance in life. Would Ms. Angelou's future have looked different if she was living in Stamps? What could she expect from life then?

-What qualities has Ms. Angelou developed as she matures that will help her raise a child alone?

-What would happen to the baby's father if Ms. Angelou's uncles knew?

-What would happen to him if the setting was Stamps and our main character was white?

Challenge: Can you develop one or two "what if" questions based on your reading of the story? Give it a try! [2 ex. credit points]

1.Would Ms. Angelou have experimented with sex on her own if she hadn't been raped as a child?

Yes, because that is nature.

2. What is the likelihood of Ms. Angelou becoming pregnant if Momma or Vivian had discussed the subject with her earlier?

She probably would have thought more about it and not gotten pregnant.

3. What if Ms. Angelou had never been sexually abused? Could her pregnancy have happened anyway? Why or why not?

Yes, because she still could have had unprotected sex even if she didn't get raped.

4. What if Bailey were still around for Ms. Angelou to confide? Would he have told her anything about this subject? Would it have made a difference to Ms. Angelou?

Yes because he could have given her advice and she would think more about the subject.

5. What if Ms. Angelou was living in Stamps when she became pregnant? How would Momma have handled the pregnancy?

Momma would not have been happy because she wasn't married and was still young.

Blog 21: Making Connections

For the past two days, your class has viewed the I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings film and responded to teacher-constructed questions during your viewing; all participating students received credit for these worksheets.

Now it is your turn to develop questions and make connections between the film and book! With a partner or individually, post five questions you realized you had about Marguerite's story from viewing the film--a question can be formed from something you were wondering about. After you have developed your questions, find the answers in the book! Challenge: Cite quotations to support your answers. Include page number.

Ex. 1. Q: Why does Uncle Willie walk with a limp and what's with his stutter?

A: He had been crippled since he was a child.

2. Q:Why doesn't Maya talk to her mother and father?

A: She doesn't feel comfortable around them as much as Bailey.

3. Q: Why does Bailey automatically love his mother?

A: Because he feels a connection to her.

4. Q:How does Maya feel about Lily?

A:She feels embarrassed that her dad is dating her.

5. Q:Why doesn't Bailey feel sad about leaving stamps?

A: He doesn't mind because then he could start over in a new place and he didn't like Stamps that much.

If you were absent from class during the film days, choose one of the themes listed, and in one paragraph explain how this theme has surfaced at least three times in your reading. Possible themes: "Family," "Generations," "Race, Ethnicity, and Culture," "Challenges and Triumphs," or "The Individual vs. Society."

Blog 20: Segregation Presented in Chapter 8

There was such a huge dividing line between the African-American community of Stamps, AK, and the Caucasian community that even the Depression affected them differently. The Caucasian people were richer, and spent their money very freely. The African-American people were already desperately poor, and barely had the resources to keep themselves alive, let alone buy luxury items. So, when the Depression hit, the Caucasian community was affected first, then slowly, it drizzled down to the African-American community.

Answer the five questions from the handout distributed in class.

Then, share in this post whether you would have preferred to be an African-American or Caucasian during the Depression in Stamp, AK, as described in the book.

[10 Class Points; Questions on Worksheet distributed 2.08.10; POSTED BY END OF CLASS PERIOD]

1. They weren't wealthy and they didn't have a lot of money during it.

2. It didn't change them that much, but it did impact their lives.

3. It did alter their view on life because they realized that not only whites were effected by it.

4. Maya's family had more money than the whites.

5. The Blacks will recover faster.

I would rather be an African American at this time because they were not as effected as badly as whites.

Blog 14: Angelou's Life, Time, & Message

During our class today, many facts were shared about Maya Angelou: her life, time period, and overall message of her works. Additionally, a definition of racism was shared as well as past and present instances of racism in United States society.

For each category, share one fact you learned from the informative groups' presentations today:

1: Time Period: African-American Experience in U.S., 1930s & 1940s

2: Maya Angelou: Biography

3: Racism: What is it? How has it occurred in the U.S.?

4: Maya Angelou: Works & Publications

5: Racism: Where does it still exist in the U.S.?

One fact should be shared for each category. Five facts should be in complete sentences. Feel free to share more than one fact that caught your attention. If you were absent today, Tues., 2.03.10, research this information on your own to complete this blog posting.

1. The bombing of Pearl Harbor December 7th 1941. Japan attacked a US military base.

2. She had a hard childhood and was a dancer and traveled all around the world for it.

3. Racism is prejudice against someone who does not look or share the same beliefs as you.

4. She published more than 30 books.

Blog 18: female role in Shakespeare's Macbeth

Now that our reading of the tragic drama, Macbeth, is complete, we are able to take a more critical eye to aspects of theme, characterization, and plot. Perhaps one of the most glaring observations about the play is the limited influence of female roles. In fact, the two main female characters, Lady Macbeth ad Lady Macduff, are only referenced in terms of their husbands. This detail is very telling of the time period in which Shakespeare wrote and the time period the story takes place.

Visit the following website and read up on Shakespeare's treatment of Gender Roles in Macbeth:

"Gender and Sexuality in Shakespeare's Macbeth: A Reversal in Gender Roles" (Thacker)

Do you agree/ disagree with some of the article's analysis? Choose a quotation from Thacker's writing and argue for or against it.

I disagree with it. "In Shakespeare and the Nature of Woman, Dusinberre writes that “If a man lacks physical power he becomes a woman, not respected because not feared.” However, Shakespeare proves this wrong by using Macduff as an entirely different type of man. When he hears of the murder of his family, he speaks that he must “feel it as a man”.

Read more at Suite101: Gender and Sexuality in Shakespeare's Macbeth: A Reversal in Gender Roleshttp://shakespeareantheatre.suite101.com/article.cfm/gender_and_sexuality_in_shakespeares_macbeth#ixzz0dID4i0E1

Use the following website below to fill in your class worksheet and make deeper connections between Shakespeare's relationship with Anne Hathaway and his representation of females in Macbeth:

"In Search of Shakespeare" (PBS)

"The Marriage of William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway"

[One paragraph response- 5 points, posted by 1.18.10; Worksheet handed in at the end of the period - 6 points]

blog 17: act V study guide

Answer the following Act V questions based on your reading from the past two days. You may work with a partner, but your responses should be original. Complete sentences and use of textual support is required [at least two quotations]. Posted: Fri., 1.15.10, beginning of class

Act V, scene ii

1. What does Angus say about the men that Macbeth commands?

"Those he commands move only in command,

Nothing in love. " He is saying that the soldiers he hired are only following his commands, they are not doing it because they love him.

2. How is the "plant" metaphor started in Act I, sc. iv, by Duncan, continued in this scene?

"Or so as much as it needs, to dew the sovereign flower and drown the weeds".

Act V, scene iii

1. What are Macbeth's troops doing? Why does he remain so confident?

Macbeth's troops are leaving him. He is staying so confident because the three witches told him no one born from a women can harm him in any way.

2. How does Macbeth acknowledge that Scotland is suffering?

Because of his servant.

Act V, scene iv

1. Who is Siward? What is his opinion of the king?

he is the leader of the english army and he does not want Macbeth to become king.

2. What tactical strategy does Malcom implement? What is its purpose and why is it significant to the play?

He tells all the soldier to talk a piece of a plant and hide behind it so when Macbeth spies sees them they will not count properly and will give Macbeth an inaccurate amount of soldiers. This helps to the killing of Macbeth.

Act V, scene v

1. How does the sound of the woman's cry affect Macbeth?

It reminds him what fear feels like.

2. Who dies in this scene? What are the main ideas of Macbeth's soliloquy after this event?

The queen dies. The main idea of Macbeth's soliloquy was that everyone dies eventually and that life is an illusion.

3. What does Macbeth now recognize about the prophecies? How does his realization relate to the play's central theme?

He realizes that they were fake and it plays into the play's theme by not believing everything you hear.

Blog 16: Story Time Macbeth style.

Act III: Story Time

The witches, ghosts, and characters in Shakespeare's Macbeth are sinister and frightening. Suppose you are invited into an elementary classroom to share the play Macbeth with all of the kids.

How would you hold the "story time" without giving the children nightmares? Write an adaptation [another version] of the events in the play, which include the scarier aspects of the play: Macbeth, the witches, and the ghosts.

Post this story to your own blog, and then critique another classmate's version for appropriate content.

Ex. "Melissa, wonderful start to this children's version of Macbeth. I like the details, but I feel some of the characters need to be less scary for five-year olds. Maybe instead of the characters carrying swords, they can hit each other with twizzlers? Just a thought!

Scariness Level: 3 [out of 5] Accurate telling of events: 4 [out of 5] "

[15 Points, Posted by 1.08.09, Writing Grade]

There is a man who used to be honest and loyal but had a bad influential wife who wanted him to to bad things. she wanted him to be king, and in order for him to be king he needed to make a couple of his close friends go away forever. what he did was very bad, and he got what he deserved in the end.

Blog 15: New Year's Premonition

Banquo cautions his war comrade Macbeth about the Three Weird Sisters' [Witches] premonitions: "The instruments of darkness tell us truths;/ Win us with honest trifles, to betray's/ In deepest consequence..." (Act I, scene iii, lines 123-125). Here Banquo clearly states his position on the Witches' statements. Explain in a few sentences what Banquo means with these lines for their futures.

In this post, also consider what you believe for your future in the year 2010. Premonitions are similar to New Year's Resolutions in that they have an element of self-fulfilling prophecy. One sort of resolution has to do only with oneself. You might decide to lose weight, to stop eating candy, to exercise more, or watch less TV. Other resolutions might involve family or friends. You could resolve to be more patient with your little brother or more helpful to mom. Some resolutions are about school and the outside world, such as getting to class on time or trying for better grades. Make one goal for each New Year's Resolution category: Personal Improvement, Family and Friends, and School and the Outside World.

For me my personal Improvement resolution is to be less judgement. I realize that it is just human to be judgmental but i shouldn't be so quick to judge because I would not want people to be quick to judge me.

I hope for happiness and health for my family. I also plan to spend more time with my family and to listen to my friend's problems more. I hope improve my grades because i am doing extremely bad in school this year.

[Two-Three Paragraph Minimum, 10 Points, Posted by 1.05.10]

Blog 14: The Macbeths

Act I, scenes vi & vii; Act II, scenes i & ii - The Macbeths

Pretend that you are a marriage counselor and that the Macbeths have sought your advice.

1. What problems do you think they have in their relationship,and what solutions do you propose?

The problems in their relationship is that they do no communicate well. Instead of explaining to each other what they expect from one other, they demand it. When macbeth does not do what Lady Macbeth wants him to do, she gets mad and yells at him. Also, Lady macbeth forces him to do something he does not want to do and makes fun of him to get him to do it.

2. Write out a list of steps they could take to prevent any more marriage problems.

Listen better. Communicate more. Be more understanding. Don't be so demanding.

[5 Points, Two short paragraphs, Posted by 12.22.09]

blog 13: why shakespeare & why macbeth

1. React to the documentary, Why Shakespeare?, from class. What surprised you the most/ least in the actors' discussions? State one lingering question about Shakespeare you have [this can be done without use of the documentary].
What surprised me the most was that they all seemed like they weren't always into shakespeare. What surprised me the least was all how good of actors they were.

2. Shakespeare: Life, Times, and Works. Research these three areas of Shakespeare's life. Use shakespeare.palomar.edu to help you. Three paragraph requirement.
No one knows the actual birthday of William Shakespeare. Anne Hathaway was eight years older than him and was pregnant when they got married. His father, John, was a money lender. A relative of his mother was executed for plotting against the Queen at the time. He and his company built two globe theaters.

Shakespeare never published any of his plays. His family were all illiterate. His father was the Mayor of Stratford. He is known to have an illegitimate son named William Davenant. Not one picture was painted of Shakespeare when he was alive.

Most of Shakespeare's poems plays were only published seven years after he died. He left his wife the "second best bed" in his will. No girls were in his plays, not even to play the female roles. No one knows how he died, but it is suggested that it as kidney disease, murder most foul, and too much to drink. The ceiling of his stage was called "The Heavens".

3. Construct a list of the characters in Shakespeare's Macbeth. Be sure to include a short description for each character.

The three witches- they were evil.

Macbeth- Was originally honest and loyal but later into the play turned into a murderer.

Lady Macbeth- Very ambitious and crazy/

Banquo- Loyal friend to macbeth but macbeth has him killed.

Macduff- Macbeth murdered his wife and children.

Blog 12: Magnet Poetry

Use a creative word scramble/ magnet word website [see below] to put together your own poem! Challenge yourself to use three poetic devices, such as metaphor, imagery, etc., in its construction. This poem should be at least ten lines in length, and you should feel free to add additional words, appropriate for school writing, to the mix! Retype your finished product into a blog posting on your own blog.

Have fun creating your magnet poetry!!!! Students will be asked to share their work in Monday's class. [10 points, posted by the end of class period, 12.11.09]

The teacher tells us that this is the last day of school

everyone is really excited to go out and have their freedom

the wind whistles and the sun is shining

the teachers even look as happy as a kid in a candy store

the doors are the exit to the last day of school

when we have no homework

and have no reason to get up early in the morning.

where you can spend a whole day on the couch watching tv

and staying out as late as your parents will allow

every kid that goes to school looks forward to this day