Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Chapters 4-6B
In United States history, John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon held a debate that played a huge role in determining their presidential race that many believe was impacted negatively by Nixon's speaking presence. What speaking skills should leaders possess? How can these skills be developed or enhanced? What degree of importance do they play in your vote this election year? Be specific as we debate issues vs. public speaking skills.
Chapters 4-6
Snowball and Napoleon go head to head for the leadership position in these chapters. What are some positive traits and negative traits of each leader? How does that compare to the historical struggle for power between Leo Trotsky (Snowball) and Joseph Stalin (Napoleon)?
Monday, March 10, 2008
Blogging Links
Blogging Links:
- Educational Blogging: Focus on reading "What is a Blog" and "What Blogging Does for Students" sections. (http://supportblogging.com/Educational+Blogging)
- Guidelines for Using Blogs and Wikis: Scroll down and read the bold sections beginning at number 7 through 10. (http://web2debate.wikispaces.com/Guidelines+for+using+Blogs+and+Wikis)
- Mrs. Badgley's Blog Information (http://162.127.120.1/~nicole/Site/WebDesignHelpTips/F1A3F604-4B24-45C7-98E9-C3082B0CF884.html)
Chapter One Characters
Chapter One introduces three main characters: Mr. Jones, Moses, and Old Major. While Moses represents religion that is run by government and how the government can exploit the religion to meet its ends, Mr. Jones and Old Major each represent specific people in Russian history.
Mr. Jones represents Tsar Nicholas II
Old Major represents Karl Marx
Research a little bit about the one that you are assigned and find out about the historical person.
Share something that you found surprising about the historical person.
Give an example from chapter 1 that shows you how the author felt about that person or his ideas.
What is the funniest or most accurate portrayal based on your research that Orwell uses?
Post your findings on this site. Tomorrow you will have to answer one of your classmates postings from the other historical person.
Mr. Jones represents Tsar Nicholas II
Old Major represents Karl Marx
Research a little bit about the one that you are assigned and find out about the historical person.
Share something that you found surprising about the historical person.
Give an example from chapter 1 that shows you how the author felt about that person or his ideas.
What is the funniest or most accurate portrayal based on your research that Orwell uses?
Post your findings on this site. Tomorrow you will have to answer one of your classmates postings from the other historical person.
Animal Farm Characters and Historical People
Each of you was assigned a character/animal from the novel, and that person correlates to a historical person. Please post a picture of your animal and your historical person with a brief summary of the historical person. (Please follow the directions Mrs. Moninger gave in class.)
Blog Introduction
The definition of a blog is "commentary or news on a particular subject ...[which] combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic" (wikipedia.org).
To learn the difference between social networking and blogging go to this site: http://supportblogging.com/Blogs+vs+Social+Networking
A blog is an academic endeavour and should focus on the discussions that would be held in class about literature. My Space is a social network that focuses on personal thoughts, etc.
My purpose for this blog in English class involves discussing novels in an environment that allows others to offer feedback without stress of belittling by others. It should offer insight and spark discussions about the novel that go beyond the literal interpretation to thought provoking observations. It will probably involve relating the novel to specific historical events as well as discussions about the importance to modern readers. I want you to practice writing your thoughts about literature and become active readers. Ask questions that will make a reader think and want to comment.
My requirements for a good entry include:
When I start a blog, I will give you some information (whether it's defining a term, presenting historical information about the novel, pointing out a quote, or whatever). I will then ask you a question to prompt your thought process. When you respond to me, I want you to follow the same pattern. Answer my question with specific examples and information that you discover. You may add website links, pictures, video links, podcasts, and links to other blogs as needed. However, before you end your entry, you must post new information to inspire the next person to make a comment to the entry. This might be a questions, a survey, an opinionated statement, etc.
You need to focus on academic purposes of literature unless told otherwise in the directions.
You shouldn't just summarize information from the novel or that can be read from the previous entries. It should go to the deeper level to try to have a discussion about the literature.
You must provide your own thoughts and ideas or just link to borrowed ideas and interpret your understanding of any research you do.
Remember, when you read web sites, you wouldn't settle for inaccurate, incomplete, or uninteresting information. The quality of writing and effort must be the main focus because your audience's interest should be sparked.
This is not a social site. Don't tell me your darkest secrets or give me more information about your personal life than I would want to hear. Remember, this goes out to the world so you must practice safe Internet procedures.
You should share new information and comment on information posted from others. You can't just lurk in the shadows and read. You will be required to post responses to other students' writing and reply to responses written about your own entries.
Spelling, Grammar, and Conventions of writing play an important role in blogging because your audience may turn off good information if it is poorly presented. You must follow the guidelines for the English classroom.
No last names, profanity, plagiarism, or destructive criticism. This is not a chance to bash others' opinions because it ruins the learning environment if other bloggers don't feel free to explore their thoughts.
Potentially Good Examples:
The Secret Life of Bees http://weblogs.hcrhs.k12.nj.us/bees/ This has good content for a blog; however, I also want you to focus on grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Literature Circles http://itc.blogs.com/literaturecircles/ This has examples from various novels done by different age groups. It basically shows that the content of entries should go beyond basic summarization to truly understanding the symbolism and motifs that authors develop.
Poor Examples:
Focus on likes and dislikes without offering specific insight to the text
Summarize the story without interpreting the thoughts
Has poor grammar, spelling, and/or writing conventions
This is not a place to write about your personal life
My question is this:
1.) Read the links in the blogging "links" section and write a summary of the #7-10.
2.) The write a reaction to what you are thinking as you read the other two links. Be sure to specifically mention which site you are referring to. You will need to go above "regugitation" of information for this second section of your blog entry.
To learn the difference between social networking and blogging go to this site: http://supportblogging.com/Blogs+vs+Social+Networking
A blog is an academic endeavour and should focus on the discussions that would be held in class about literature. My Space is a social network that focuses on personal thoughts, etc.
My purpose for this blog in English class involves discussing novels in an environment that allows others to offer feedback without stress of belittling by others. It should offer insight and spark discussions about the novel that go beyond the literal interpretation to thought provoking observations. It will probably involve relating the novel to specific historical events as well as discussions about the importance to modern readers. I want you to practice writing your thoughts about literature and become active readers. Ask questions that will make a reader think and want to comment.
My requirements for a good entry include:
When I start a blog, I will give you some information (whether it's defining a term, presenting historical information about the novel, pointing out a quote, or whatever). I will then ask you a question to prompt your thought process. When you respond to me, I want you to follow the same pattern. Answer my question with specific examples and information that you discover. You may add website links, pictures, video links, podcasts, and links to other blogs as needed. However, before you end your entry, you must post new information to inspire the next person to make a comment to the entry. This might be a questions, a survey, an opinionated statement, etc.
You need to focus on academic purposes of literature unless told otherwise in the directions.
You shouldn't just summarize information from the novel or that can be read from the previous entries. It should go to the deeper level to try to have a discussion about the literature.
You must provide your own thoughts and ideas or just link to borrowed ideas and interpret your understanding of any research you do.
Remember, when you read web sites, you wouldn't settle for inaccurate, incomplete, or uninteresting information. The quality of writing and effort must be the main focus because your audience's interest should be sparked.
This is not a social site. Don't tell me your darkest secrets or give me more information about your personal life than I would want to hear. Remember, this goes out to the world so you must practice safe Internet procedures.
You should share new information and comment on information posted from others. You can't just lurk in the shadows and read. You will be required to post responses to other students' writing and reply to responses written about your own entries.
Spelling, Grammar, and Conventions of writing play an important role in blogging because your audience may turn off good information if it is poorly presented. You must follow the guidelines for the English classroom.
No last names, profanity, plagiarism, or destructive criticism. This is not a chance to bash others' opinions because it ruins the learning environment if other bloggers don't feel free to explore their thoughts.
Potentially Good Examples:
The Secret Life of Bees http://weblogs.hcrhs.k12.nj.us/bees/ This has good content for a blog; however, I also want you to focus on grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Literature Circles http://itc.blogs.com/literaturecircles/ This has examples from various novels done by different age groups. It basically shows that the content of entries should go beyond basic summarization to truly understanding the symbolism and motifs that authors develop.
Poor Examples:
Focus on likes and dislikes without offering specific insight to the text
Summarize the story without interpreting the thoughts
Has poor grammar, spelling, and/or writing conventions
This is not a place to write about your personal life
My question is this:
1.) Read the links in the blogging "links" section and write a summary of the #7-10.
2.) The write a reaction to what you are thinking as you read the other two links. Be sure to specifically mention which site you are referring to. You will need to go above "regugitation" of information for this second section of your blog entry.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)