Sunday, September 21, 2008

THINKING ABOUT RESEARCH


Over the weekend, be sure to investigate novels for your upcoming research paper.  You should have your novel in class on Tuesday.

Also, go to the "This I Believe" website (you can find it under "Helpful Links" on this blog), listen to an essay, and fill out the worksheet I gave you on Friday.  

Thursday, September 18, 2008

FOR TOMORROW, FRIDAY SEPT. 19

1. BRING CAP APPLICATION AND TRANSCRIPT RELEASE
2. STUDY FOR BNW EXAM
3. NAME RESEARCH ESSAY DUE
4. STATEMENT OF BELIEF DUE (ONE SENTENCE)

As for today's discussion......some of you did a very nice job of offering opinions, adding insight, and asking questions. However, it is difficult to have a discussion that really makes us think, when only a third of the group are actively participating. I got the impression that a few of you perhaps hadn't finished the book. This makes it difficult to discuss, of course.

Remember, it is EVERYONE'S responsibility to add to our discussion. If we're not actively discussing, then I'm just standing in the front of the room telling everyone what to think and what they should know. Hmmm... that sounds a lot like the societies in 1984 and Brave New World!!

See you tomorrow. Think about what you believe.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

BRAVE NEW WORLD EXAM


Can you answer the following exam questions?

1. 70% of female embryos are treated to become freemartins, ensuring that they are ____________________.

2. The Director states that the secret of happiness and virtue is........

3. Sleep teaching is NOT used for ____________________ education but for _____________________ education.

4. Who taught John to read?

5. The controller tells John that the chief reason Shakespeare is prohibited is because.......

Who is the speaker for the following quotes?

1. "Well, the next day there was a search. But we couldn't find her. She must have fallen into a gully somewhere; or been eaten by a mountain lion. Ford knows. Anyhow, it was horrible. It upset me very much at the time. More than it ought to have done."

2. "Oh my dear, my dear. If you knew how glad--after all these years! A civilized face. Yes and civilized clothes. Because I thought I should never see a piece of real acetate silk again."

3. "Most of our girls are freemartins, of course, I'm a freemartin myself. But we have about eight hundred unsterilized ones who need constant drilling."

4. "Well, I'd rather be unhappy than have the sort of false, lying happiness you were having here."

5. "Happiness has got to be paid for. You're paying for it, Mr. Watson--paying because you happen to be too much interested in beauty. I was too much interested in truth; I paid too."


It's a 50 question test. You've now seen 20% of it here. Also, our discussion Thursday will be worth 20 points (almost half your test grade), so come prepared to ask questions, state opinions, discuss themes, and most importantly make each other think!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

CAP APPLICATIONS DUE THURSDAY

Please bring your CAP applications to class on Thursday, Sept 18!

Sunday, September 14, 2008

BRAVE NEW WORLD


Remember that we will discuss the novel on Thursday of this week with the exam on Friday. As you read, make a list of similarities and differences between Huxley's novel and 1984. This will be one of the items for discussion on Thursday. While there are several obvious thematic similarities, the authors use very different details and plot devices to present their messages.

Here are some terms from the novel you should be familiar with. Can you explain their meanings within the context of the novel?

1. Bokanovsky group
2. Decanting room
3. Ford (what's the significance?)
4. Hypnopaedia
5. Malthusian belt
6. Nine Years' War
7. Podsnap's technique
8. Savage Reservation
9. Solidarity service
10. Pneumatic

Also, see "helpful links" below for some websites that might help your navigation of this novel.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

SEE POST ABOUT SENIOR PROJECTS BELOW!!!

I have purposely not posted anything new because I want you all to review the previous post regarding proposals. Please follow the directions below for submitting proposals.

If you were asked to make changes during your proposal session, be sure to submit those by Monday morning AT THE LATEST. Remember, you need to use the format provided on the Senior Project Web Page.

Email with any questions.

Good luck!

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

THINGS TO DO


Remember that your dossier is due this Friday. Also remember that you must include a picture of yourself somewhere on the page.

Senior Project proposals are next week, so be sure to go to the Senior Project website. You can access it from my teacher webpage under "Links" OR more simply click on the Senior Project link under "helpful links" on this blog.

Once on the Senior Project site, click "Portfolio." There you will find the proposal template upon which you can type.

Be sure to complete ALL sections of the proposal, including the section that requires mentor and parent signatures.

Another imporant aspect of the proposal is the research section. You need to take a position on an issue that a reasonable person could argue. For example "Smoking is bad for your health" is not a position that invites a reasonable alternative argument.

Bring me your drafts on Friday (or even Monday) if you want some help. Don't forget to bring THREE COPIES on proposal day.

Good luck! Let me know if you need some help or feedback.