Applied English at BVHS

Practice Blog Task--Performed in class Tuesday, August 30

2011-08-30T09:18:00.004-05:00

Type 100+ words expressing an epiphany (or "aha" moment) you experienced during our study of The Lion King. Which lens is most helpful or revealing for you? What have you learned from the "Lenses 101" flexbook I made for you? What has been the most interesting thus far?

Also, in a separate comment, sincerely compliment a classmate's work in class or on this blog task.

Read & Respond--due Friday, March 11

2011-02-16T08:04:00.005-06:00

Click on a link at the right hand of your class blog. Read the article, review, or essay written about The Road. Then, respond to what you read with 200+ words, agreeing, disagreeing, complimenting, and criticizing the article, review, or essay and the author.

Include the title and author's name of the article, review, or essay you select.

Haiku Heroes

2011-02-08T10:58:00.000-06:00

Post your haiku here for extra credit.

Senselessness in The Road--due Friday, February 11

2011-02-04T10:57:00.005-06:00

Type a paragraph/section from The Road here, selecting a passage that is not mere description or dialogue. Select a passage that seems entirely senseless or pointless--a passage that "doesn't make sense." Then, attempt to make sense out of the passage by answering these questions in 200+ words:

What meaning can you create?

What can you infer from the passage?

What symbology can you extract?

What major themes are likely present?

What can you pull out from "reading between the lines"?

Tone in The Road

2011-01-12T08:41:00.004-06:00

Type three sentences that really set a horrific tone. Put these sentences in quotes and provide the page number. Then, type three of your own sentences explaining how/why The Road creates such powerful responses in the reader.

Critical Lens Analysis--due Tuesday, Nov. 16

2010-09-29T08:35:00.005-05:00

Select any exhibit and analyze it with 300+ words. Use the "Critical Lenses 101" handout. Use at least three terms/words from the "Critical Lenses 101" flexbook that you haven't used before. Look in the EXACT way the "Critical Lenses 101" handout tells you to as a critic. Ask the EXACT questions the "Critical Lenses 101" handout tells you to ask. Have the "Critical Lenses 101" handout with you as you study your exhibit and as you write this blog task. If you do not refer to the "Critical Lenses 101" handout enough or effectively, your grade will be cut in half because you are not following directions and are not thinking in the directed way.
“EXHIBIT” = novel, play, song, job, sculpture, film, poem, concert, painting, myth, sketch, poster, artwork, photograph, t-shirt, television show, biography, board game, military situation, college visit, speech, advertisement, event, place/building (school, office), game, brochure, practice, rehearsal, ritual, haircut/style, website, routine, suit coat, celebrity
This is a picture from Half Nelson, a phenomenal film starring Ryan Gosling of (The Notebook) about a great teacher who is also addicted to harmful, horrible narcotics.

Futuristic Stories--due Tue. Nov. 2

2010-09-28T08:39:00.004-05:00

Why are futuristic novels and films so popular? What do they do to us? How do they make so much money?

Are we really that curious about the "end of things"? Why do we love to speculate about the future? Should we just focus on the present instead?

Write 300+ words answering these questions.

This picture is from the film The Road, which is about a father and son who try to survive in a world of ash and cannibalism. We'll study the novel and film.

Critical Lens Analysis--due Tuesday, Oct. 19

2010-09-08T09:37:00.006-05:00

Select any exhibit and analyze it with 300+ words. Use the "Critical Lenses 101" handout. Look in the EXACT way the "Critical Lenses 101" handout tells you to as a critic. Ask the EXACT questions the "Critical Lenses 101" handout tells you to ask. Have the "Critical Lenses 101" handout with you as you study your exhibit and as you write this blog task. If you do not refer to the "Critical Lenses 101" handout enough or effectively, your grade will be cut in half because you are not following directions and are not thinking in the directed way.

“EXHIBIT” = novel, play, song, sculpture, job, film, poem, concert, painting, myth, sketch, poster, artwork, photograph, t-shirt, television show, board game, military situation, college visit, biography, speech, advertisement, event, place/building (school, office), game, brochure, practice, rehearsal, ritual, haircut/style, website, routine, suit coat, celebrity

The Giver Excerpt--due Tuesday, Oct. 5

2010-09-05T14:02:00.003-05:00

(1) Type 30+ words directly from The Giver. (2) Then, type 300+ words explaining & analyzing this excerpt you chose. You may answer these questions to accomplish 300+ words, too:

Why is this novel so popular?

What parts are the most interesting?

How did Lois Lowry create this world?

What problems do you have with Jonas's world?

What lessons should we learn from this novel?

Critical Lens Analysis--due Tuesday, Sept. 21

2010-09-05T13:59:00.003-05:00

“EXHIBIT” = novel, play, song, sculpture, film, poem, concert, painting, myth, sketch, poster, artwork, photograph, t-shirt, television show, biography, speech, advertisement, event, place/building (school, office), game, practice, board game, military situation, college visit, rehearsal, ritual, haircut/style, website, routine, brochure, suit coat, celebrity

Practice Blog Task 9/14 Tuesday

2010-09-03T09:32:00.004-05:00

To practice blogging, answer these questions today during class time:

1. It is good to be unique, so why do so many of our rules prevent total/pure uniqueness?

2. How is Jonas's world similar to ours? How is Jonas's world different from ours?

3. What are the benefits of living in Jonas's world?

Critical Reading Task due 10/1, Thursday, by midnight

2009-09-22T11:01:00.003-05:00

Type 50+ words directly from the novel The Giver, from a part that is particularly good. Then type 200+ words explaining why you think this section is good.

Does this section help your imagination work?

Can you personally relate your life to this section?

Are you able to connect this section to your/our/the world?

Does this part enlighten you or give you wisdom about __________?

Memories & The Giver

2009-09-15T09:40:00.003-05:00

Tell us about a memory that involves the color red. Remember mine, falling off the garage? There was grey everywhere, except after I hit the ground. Include as much detail as you possibly can.

The Giver Predictions & Thoughts

2009-09-02T07:42:00.003-05:00

Answer the following questions with a total of five paragraphs (each paragraph should have 4-7 sentences):

What is going to happen in this novel? What will be given? To whom will this be given?

What are most futuristic stories about? Will it have sci-fi elements?

Do you like this book so far? Is it understandable? Does Lowry deserve the wealth and fame writing this book provides for her?

What questions do you have about this novel so far?

Similarities to Your Nonfiction Book

2009-03-25T09:12:00.006-05:00

What is similar to your nonfiction book?

What movie? What art? What song(s)? What other books or stories? And in what ways?

What other life experiences?

What makes you care about this nonfiction book over others?

Type 200+ words of your own to respond fully. Also, respond to others' comments, adding to what they wrote and giving compliments.

SAMPLE OF WHAT TO DO:

My book, Hello, I'm Special, is similar to the movie Gran Torino, because they both look at and expose problems in America. Hello, I'm Special looks at selfishness, "fame," power, greed, lust, depression, anorexia--big problems in our culture that we have created for ourselves. Gran Torino looks at prejudices like ageism, racism, sexism, and classism. Both Hello, I'm Special and Gran Torino want us to rethink our behavior so that we can live better, richer, longer lives.

Isn't it sad when people think they can get/be/have anything they want in America, just by working harder? Hard work unquestionably helps and can get you a better existences, but some opportunity, luck, chance, skill can make a big difference for some and not for others.

Isn't it sad when people prejudge you? Or when you prejudge others? We should judge people for what they can control, not for what they cannot control, right?

Meaningful Visual

2009-03-23T09:17:00.004-05:00

Find a link to a picture online and include that link, so we can see the picture too, in your comment. Then, write 50+ words about how this picture adds meaning to your nonfiction experience.

See my sample comment about the picture to the right.

Nonfiction Book Project: In-Class Blog Exercise Monday, 3/23

2009-03-19T15:01:00.004-05:00

Type a 200+ word section verbatim (word for word) from your book, then explain what is going on in this section. Also, tell why this section is important and interesting. Add 100+ words of your own.

This is a saddening image from/of Hiroshima. How do we work to prevent this sort of atrocity?

Rob Ager's Analysis Part 1

2008-12-22T16:52:00.001-06:00

Rob Ager's Analysis Part 2

2008-12-22T16:50:00.001-06:00

TeacherTube: The Giver

2008-12-03T10:27:00.000-06:00

Examine this video to think more critically about Lois Lowry's extraordinary novel The Giver.

2008-12-02T12:09:00.000-06:00

The Giver Conversation - Upload a Document to Scribd

2008-12-01T12:08:00.000-06:00

The Giver Introduction - Upload a Document to Scribd

Intrigued

2008-11-05T09:15:00.001-06:00

Post your 200+ words here. Are you intrigued in any new area now?

Movie Permission Slip

2008-10-08T09:03:00.000-05:00

Movie Permission Applied - Upload a Document to Scribd

Benefits of Blogging

2008-09-18T09:02:00.003-05:00

What else do you want your blog to have, that it currently does not? Do you see the benefits of blogging? And do you see the advantages a blog has over a website? (Responses must include your period number, 2, at the beginning of your comment and must be at least 70 words.)

20 Questions

2008-09-12T09:15:00.002-05:00

1.) What does the quarterback throw? The quarterback throws a oval-shaped ball known to most Americans as the football. Strange that it is called a "football," because only one or two guys actually strike it with their feet. It is typically made of leather, is brown, and has threads that are essential to getting a grip that is suitable to throw a spiral. Sometimes the threads are black, other times they are white. Usually, this football is oblong, almost oval-like, with points on the long ends. Good brands include Riddell and Starter.

Sweet Senior Year?

2008-09-10T08:59:00.001-05:00

So far, has your senior year been enjoyable? Are you nervous about graduation? Do you think the world is ready for you?

Advantages of Blogging

2008-06-26T19:00:00.003-05:00

| View | Upload your own

12-Word Novels

2008-06-26T18:59:00.002-05:00

Blogging's Benefits

2008-06-26T18:57:00.002-05:00

Making Knowledge Stick

2008-06-26T18:55:00.002-05:00

Six-Word Description

2008-04-10T08:31:00.003-05:00

One of your 20 comments may be just six words, instead of 20 words. Your six-word comment must describe one of the films we viewed. It must be exactly six words, but can use any kind of punctuation. It can be one phrase of six words, two phrases of three words, three phrases of two words--any combination is possible. It can even be six separate words. You must post it here. See my example to help you try it. (This is a famous way to express yourself with few words, but much thought.)

ABC Chart Vocabulary and Thought Builder--Due Monday

2008-04-09T09:24:00.005-05:00

What words are swimming through your minds? What might you include on your worksheet? Remember: you must have three words per letter, one movie per side, two total movies (of the four we viewed).

Favorite Scene or Quote from Each Film

2008-04-08T09:59:00.004-05:00

What is your favorite scene or quote from each film? What is cool about this scene or quote?

(This picture is a fan favorite from Titanic, because it begins the romance; creates the conflict; makes women viewers swoon; and shows men how to be emotional. Earlier I think, Jack stands on the front tip of the ship saying he is "King of the World!" Pretty cool movie-making. Titanic won/was nominated for the most awards ever, I think.)

Debate in Blogging

2008-04-08T09:27:00.004-05:00

Which of the four films was "the best"--and why was it "the best"? And is the acting convincing?

Helpful Link to Think About Film as Literature

2008-04-08T07:46:00.006-05:00

Copy and paste a link to another website here, then write 20+ words explaining how this site is helpful/interesting in thinking about one of the films we viewed. Your link address must be different than all others included here.

Ideology: Significant Ways of Thinking

2008-03-27T10:30:00.004-05:00

Is it possible to be "good/true" to your family (as Dan Evans is) while being "good/true" to yourself (as Ben Wade is)? William Munny has this same issue/problem. Without a wife and much income, he needs money to provide for his two kids. In fact, both of these films have money as a core issue.

Defend Your Citizenship.

2008-03-27T10:26:00.003-05:00

What have you done to contribute to and improve the United States of America (other than being born here, which was fortunate for us indeed) that entitles you to more rights and happiness than an illegal alien? Than a legal immigrant?

(This is a fabulous country--no wonder so many people want to come here--that can be improved, of course.)

Why does hate exist?

2008-03-27T10:23:00.006-05:00

Why does hate exist? What are its sources? Who hates the most? How is hate acted out? Will hate ever be eliminated? What can we do about it? Shouldn't we fight it like we keep fighting AIDS and cancer? (Racism, of course, is a form of hate.)

Opinions About Your Book

2008-02-19T08:06:00.003-06:00

What does someone on the Internet say about your book? Is your book widely-liked? Search online to find someone's opinion of your book.

Value of the Diploma

2008-02-14T20:17:00.003-06:00

What is high school good for? What skills are you working on here? How could high school be improved? How could this class be improved? What has been the best part of this class?--the worst?

Useful Skills

2008-02-07T22:50:00.001-06:00

Regarding English class, what skills are employers looking for?

Cinematic Study

2008-02-07T22:38:00.002-06:00

What movies have really made you think? Is there a skill to watching movies "well" or "carefully"? Can you "get better" at watching movies? (Soon, we'll view some so we can practice the skills that lead to knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.)