Monday, February 9, 2009

How to set up a Google Account

1. go to the Google page
2. My Account
3. set up account-**if you have an email already--you will be asked to input it--you need to go into your email and open up the message from Google to activate your account
**If you do not have an email, you need to set up a Gmail (Google email account) so do that first (from the Google home page, go to Gmail and proceed)

Hw: Rosa Parks/Bus Boycott (Mon/Tues. 2/9-10)

1. What went through your mind while reading the selection/watching the film? Describe your thoughts using examples from the text/film.

2. What is your opinion of Rosa Parks and her accomplishments? Do you think she has affected your life today in any way?

3. Based on your understanding of the "Montgomery Boycott" what qualities do you think were valued by the early participants of the civil rights movement? How do you know?
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3 paragraphs=30 pts. (You may post response to the blog)

Thursday, February 5, 2009

"My Dungeon Shook" Questions

1.According to Baldwin, why was his father defeated in life?
2.What does Baldwin tell his nephew to trust?
3.In Baldwin's view, what is the danger most white Americans experience?
4.Why do you think the author refers to his nephew's father and grandfather?
5.How does he emphasize the importance of love in surviving bad conditions?
6.What does he see as the problem with words such as "acceptance"?
7.What is the central theme or the advice of the piece in your eyes?

Monday, February 2, 2009

Edgar A. Poe Bio Notes


*Born in Boston January 19, 1809
*Mother dies when he is very young
*Father deserts him
*He is taken in by John and Francis Allan (family friends)
*Foster mother dies
*Foster father disowns him
*Became close with his aunt Maria Clemm and daughter Virginia
*Marries Virginia (14)1836
*Wife dies of tb in 1847
*He dies at age 40, Oct. 7, 1849--no one knows why
*He was found wandering around Baltimore, semi-conscious, in someone else's clothes
*possibly died of alcoholism, brain problems (congestion)
*"claim" that his final words were "Lord help my poor soul"

Monday, January 26, 2009

Hw: Letter to a Young Child...

Over break I would like you to draft a letter, a real letter, with an envelope, heading, closing, etc. in part, because it seems to be a lost art form. This letter should be written to a young child (family member or child whom you care about, or a future child you will have), telling him or her about:
1. The world as it is in your eyes today. This could include world/current events, condition of your immediate world, your thoughts/feelings etc.
2. Your hopes for the future, for him/her and yourself, and any advice you would like to give to help him/her (what you have learned about the world and life so far).

Make it serious. It will be written in preparation for the piece we will read when we return from Regents Week.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Notes on "TheTell-Tale Heart"

Major plot events of "The Tell-Tale Heart"
*Narrator begins by telling you he is not crazy-- he just hears everything in heaven and hell( Would a crazy man be able to describe the murder he committed so calmly?)
*tells you the old man never did him wrong, he doesn't want his money, the old man loves him---it's his "evil eye" he hates!
*he is nicer to him than normal, not mean
*goes into his room each night and shines a light on the eye, waiting for it to open
*finally decides to kill him by suffocating him
*chops up his body and hides it underneath the floorboards
*feels so confident in his plan that he invites the police in to have tea over the body
*thinks he hears the old man's heart beating beneath the floorboards *he can't take it anymore and the police are shocked when he confesses the deed

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

The midterm...

Our 10th gr. midterm will take place next week Jan. 12-16th. You will most likely need 2 class days (4 periods) to finish. It will consist of a controlling idea essay and multiple choice questions, critical lens essay, and factual report (reading/mult. choice/no essay). For the lens you may use any literature we have read so far this year including your independent novels.