4th Hour English 10 Blog

The Final Fishbowl!

2010-04-08T10:07:00.001-07:00

This is it--the final fishbowl!

Here are your final challenges:

1. Bring a quote into AT LEAST ONE of your responses today.

2. If you haven't done so yet, try to get in a hot seat.

3. Explain your thoughts thoroughly.

Remember our class motto: Finish strong!

F451 Fishbowl #6

2010-04-06T08:55:00.001-07:00

This is your second-to-last fishbowl, so keep up your great work!

Bring in textual passages whenever possible, and get yourself in a hot seat, even if only for a hovering moment.

Enjoy!

F451 Fishbowl #5

2010-04-01T05:59:00.000-07:00

Hello, outer circle!

Your challenge of the day: BRING AT LEAST ONE QUOTATION INTO AT LEAST ONE OF YOUR RESPONSES TODAY. You will feel and appear quite smart.

Enjoy!

F451 Fishbowl #4

2010-03-30T06:11:00.001-07:00

As you discuss Fahrenheit 451 through page 80, think about trying to make some connections between Bradbury's future society and ours.

Enjoy, and bring in quotations from the text to support some of your brilliant points!

F451 Fishbowl #3

2010-03-18T10:03:00.000-07:00

As you blog about pages 40-63 in Fahrenheit 451, slow down a little...pull in quotations that you think are significant or confusing. Use your annotations to guide you.

As always, maintain your professionalism and enjoy yourselves.

I look forward to reading this over spring break. And, by the way, I wish all of you a fantastic, safe spring break!

F451 Fishbowl #2

2010-03-17T09:43:00.000-07:00

Continue your strong work! Remember to maintain proper grammar and spelling. Enjoy!

F451 Fishbowl #1

2010-03-12T13:45:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our first formal fishbowl discussion of second semester! This discussion will cover topics in Fahrenheit 451 up through page 28.

Outer circle: Remember that you're aiming to make about five quality comments; be thorough in your responses, and bring in textual passsages when you can. Enjoy!

Books with Bomb Instructions

2010-02-28T20:42:00.001-08:00

To what extent to you agree or disagree with the following statement?

Books with instructions on how to make bombs should be banned from all school libraries in the Littleton District.

Please explain your thoughts carefully (all responses should be at least three sentences long), and remember to be professional with your grammar, spelling, and word choice.

Racist Books

2010-02-28T20:41:00.001-08:00

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

Books that promote racism should be banned from all school libraries.

Please explain your answer carefully (all responses should be at least 3 lines long), and remember to be professional with your grammar, spelling, and word choice.

Explicit Lyrics

2010-02-28T20:40:00.002-08:00

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

Music with explicit lyrics (bad words) should be censored when played on the radio.

Please be thoughtful and thorough in your response (all responses should be at least 3 lines long), and remember to be professional with your grammar, spelling, and word choice.

Rated R Movies

2010-02-28T20:40:00.001-08:00

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

People of any age should be admitted to any movie, regardless of that movie's rating.

Please be thorough in your response (all responses should be at least 3 lines long), and remember to be professional with your grammar, spelling, and word choice.

Naked at the Airport

2010-02-28T20:39:00.001-08:00

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

Our airports are considering installing technology that would enable the security people to capture and view your naked image in order to make absolutely sure that no one is passing through the gate with any dangerous items on their body. We should utilize this technology in our airports because safety should outweigh personal privacy.

Remember to be thorough in your response (all responses should be at least 3 lines long), and to be professional in your grammar, spelling, and word choice.

You're Being Watched

2010-02-28T20:38:00.000-08:00

To what extend do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

Numerous security cameras should be installed both inside and outside Arapahoe High School so that nearly every part of the school is under constant surveillance. This way, we can ensure the safety of our students and staff.

Remember to be thorough in your response (all responses should be at least 3 lines long), and to be professional with your grammar, spelling, and word choice.

Are you ready for battle? Is Macbeth?

2010-02-08T06:58:00.001-08:00

Before we finish reading Macbeth, I'd like you to use this blog to make a few predictions based on the patterns you have noticed in Acts 1-4.

Please make at least TWO predictions and explain what pattern has lead you to these predictions. In other words, make an argument for each prediction.

Here are a few topics you could consider:

Which part of the prophecies made in 1.1 and 4.1 will come true and how? Which ones won't?
What will ultimately happen to Macbeth? How?
What might happen to Lady Macbeth?
Who dies at the end of the play, and who gets to live?

Macbeth, Act 3: Acting Companies

2010-01-27T07:08:00.001-08:00

After reading your assigned scene in Act 3, please post the following on this blog:

1. The three most important events, in your humble opinion, of this scene.

2. The most important passage in this scene (please include speaker, the lines themselves, and the line numbers--just as you do in your word trace entries).

3. A thoughtful explanation as to why this passage is so significant (what does it reveal about a character or change in character? Is it part of a motif? Does it reveal any emerging themes?).

Questioning Macbeth, Act 1

2010-01-11T12:51:00.001-08:00

Based on what we have read so far in Macbeth, what are three discussion questions that could lead us to a deeper understanding of the characters, motifs, and/or themes of this play? Feel free to use the "How To Ask a Great Question" guide at the top of the class website.

After you have posted your three questions, please respond a question posted by somebody else. Be sure to reference clearly which question you are addressing.

Chance, Choice, and Tragedy

2010-01-06T12:30:00.001-08:00

Please find a fairly recent article (within the past year) that describes a tragedy that a person or group of people have faced.

On this blog, please do the following:

First, please offer a brief summary of your article (3-5 sentences).

Second, comment on whether or not you think this person had control over this tragedy--did this happen by choice or by chance? Explain your thinking.

Third, please read over the comments on this post and respond to the following question:Which is the greater tragedy--one that happens because of a bad choice, or the one that happens by random chance? Explain your thinking.

Unrequited Love

2009-12-02T07:28:00.000-08:00

Unrequited love is love that is given but not returned. For example, if you were desperately in love with someone but they failed to love you in return, your love would be unrequited.

A Midsummer Night's Dream explores several instances of unrequited love, but the most predominant instance in Act 1 is that of Helena and Demetrius. Is Helena pathetic for pursuing Demetrius so insistently, or can we call her brave? Is better to follow your love, even if your feelings are unreturned? At what point should you back down and give up?

As always, BE SURE TO READ THE OTHER COMMENTS BEFORE POSTING YOUR OWN. PLEASE COMMENT ON OTHERS' COMMENTS AND AVOID REPETITION.

The Big Take-Away

2009-11-19T05:57:00.001-08:00

What is your big take-away from The Kite Runner? In other words, what themes did you see emerging from this novel that might be relevant to your own life?

The Final Kite Runner Fishbowl!

2009-11-18T06:59:00.000-08:00

This is your last chance to express your thoughts on The Kite Runner. If you haven't gotten into a hotseat yet, try it out today! Enjoy!

Kite Runner Fishbowl #7: Chapter 23

2009-11-16T05:56:00.000-08:00

Above is a picture that our friend Rob sent us of the infamous soccer stadium.

This is our second-to-last fishbowl discussion! If you haven't made it into a hotseat yet, try it out today. Also, remember to bring in quotations from the text whenever possible.

Enjoy!

Kite Runner Fishbowl #6: Chapter 21

2009-11-12T09:18:00.000-08:00

The picture above is one that Rob sent us last spring from Afghanistan.

Keep up your insightful questions and comments. Remember to bring in textual references/quotations when possible.

Enjoy, and special thanks to Rob for enlightening us!

Kite Runner Fishbowl #5: Chapters 17-20

2009-11-11T08:15:00.001-08:00

Keep up your insight and professionalism!

Kite Runner Fishbowl #4: Chapters 14-16

2009-11-09T09:16:00.000-08:00

Fantastic comments, outer circle! Keep up the good work, but I have two challenges for you to take on today:

1. Get yourself on the inner circle at some point.

2. Bring in a direct textual reference (quote and/or page number) in at least one of your comments/questions.

Enjoy!

Kite Runner Fishbowl #3: Chapter 12

2009-11-05T07:20:00.000-08:00

Your goal today: Try to bring in a quotation from the text.

Remember what "A" quality blogs look like...

Kite Runner Fishbowl #2: Chapters 9 and 10

2009-11-03T06:34:00.001-08:00

Have an enriching discussion about Chapters 9 and 10 from The Kite Runner while the inner circle discusses similar topics out loud.

A few reminders:

1. Hit F5 to refresh your screen (new comments do not automatically pop up).

2. Show professionalism by using correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation; remember that the world will be looking at our blog.

3. If you are responding to someone directly, reference them in your comment.

4. Bring in quotations when possible.

Enjoy!

Kite Runner Fishbowl #1: Through Chapter 8

2009-11-02T05:59:00.001-08:00

Remember that your goal is to participate thoughtfully at least five times during today's discussion. A few thoughts:

1. Hit F5 to refresh your screen (new comments do not automatically pop up).

2. Show professionalism by using correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation; remember that the world will be looking at our blog.

3. If you are responding to someone directly, reference them in your comment.

4. Bring in quotations when possible.

Enjoy!

Steinbeck and the American Dream

2009-09-28T12:53:00.000-07:00

On the first day we discussed Of Mice and Men, I asked you to define "the American Dream."

Now that we've finished Of Mice and Men, I want you to respond to the following, slightly tougher question:

How would Steinbeck define the American Dream? How do you know?

Enjoy! Remember to read and comment on each other's posts.

Stereotypes and Steinbeck

2009-09-16T12:54:00.000-07:00

Think back to the article we read in class today ("The Nazi in the 7th Grade") as well as Chapter 4 in Of Mice and Men. Have a discussion we each other using the blog in which you respond to some or all of the questions below:

•What is a stereotype, and where do stereotypes originate?
•Many people think that we’re all somewhat racist, deep down. Do you agree? Do you think people hold onto their stereotypes?
•All the men on the ranch in Of Mice and Men would be considered “working class” or even “low class.” What stereotypes do they have of Crooks, and why do you think they hold onto their stereotypes of Crooks?

Remember to proofread before you post, and be sure to comment on others' posts. Enjoy!

Practicing for Tomorrow

2009-09-02T12:51:00.001-07:00

Take a look at Daniel Sprick's self-portrait, "Release Your Plans."

I'd like you to identify any two "clues" that you think are important to understanding this picture, and then I'd like you to take a guess as to what you think the larger theme of this picture might be.

Remember to read others' comments before reading your own so that you can comment on other people's thoughts (it should be a conversation), and so that you avoid repeating what somebody else already said. Also, please use proper spelling and grammar.

P.S. This picture is hanging in the Denver Art Museum right now.

American Gothic

2009-08-21T05:59:00.000-07:00

In class today we discussed using small but significant clues to sneak your way into a "text." Please peruse the above painting, titled "American Gothic," and respond to the following questions:

1. How would you describe the relationship between the subjects of this painting, and what clues helped you figure this out?

2. Why do you think the painting is called "American Gothic"? What image of America does this painting create? Do you agree with this image?

Remember to read the other posts to avoid repeating someone else word for word. Instead, focus on having a conversation with your classmates. Posts are due by 10 pm Sunday.

If You Really Knew Me...

2009-08-20T05:47:00.000-07:00

In an effort to get to know each other and trust each other, I'd like you to take a little risk and post five things that you'd like other people in the class to know about you. The quirkier/more unique and personal, the better.Here are my five:

1. I am a terrible sport and throw a fit when I lose--especially when it comes to board and card games.

2. I have a phobia of people throwing up.

3. I like to watch one rerun of "Scrubs" before going to bed because I find it relaxing.

4. Sometimes I'd rather curl up in bed and read a book than go out and socialize. I would have never admitted this in high school because I used to think that it made me a dork. Now I'm automatically a dork because I'm old and a teacher, so I don't really care.

5. I really want to be writer, but I've never submitted anything to publication because I'm afraid of my work being rejected.