Last week we read Seamus Heaney's poem that captures the main theme of most of his work: digging. This week we will explore two of his later poems that explore this idea of digging.
Please complete the following steps by the end of today's class:
1. On this post I would like each of you to post your new vocabulary words and definitions for Antaeus and Bog Queen as a comment. (10 points)
2. Using the internet explore the term "bog bodies" and how it relates to northern Europe, particularly Ireland. Also research allusions from "Antaeus. "Report your findings on this post as a comment. Be sure to read and respond to others students as they share their findings. (10 points)
*Note: You can make as many comments as you like in response to other's findings. Treat this assignment as a chat environment. You can share and learn from each other.
3. On your own blogs answers the questions related to interpreting and responding to poetry from Monday's handout. Be sure to answer all 9 questions for each poem. I would prefer it you responded to each poem in a separate post. Please title your posts: My Interpretation of Seamus Heaney's Poem "Antaeus" and My Interpretation of Seamus Heaney's Poem "Bog Queen." (20 points)
Questions related to interpreting and responding to poetry:
1. Who is speaking?
2. What characterizes the speaker? What is the speaker like?
3. To whom is he or she speaking?
4. What is the speaker's emotional state?
5. Why is he or she speaking?
6. What situation is being described?
7. What are the conflicts or tensions in this situation?
8. How is the setting--social situation, physical place, and time--important to the speaker?
9. What ideas does the speaker communicate?
Monday, December 17, 2007
Friday, December 7, 2007
Découvrez les Fêtes et Personnes Français
Your task today is to research a famous French person or French holiday or festival. I would like you to answer the 5 W's of Writing on the graphic organizer. I would also like for you to only select sites with .ORG, .NET, or .EDU in their web address. In other words, do not visit websites that are hosted by .COM. I have provided a few links below that will help you get started identifying the holidays celebrated in France and get linked to other websites that offer information on French culture.
You may also research a holiday or person from the French-speaking country you researched earlier.
Les Fêtes Français
La Culturelle Français
You must record all information for the 5 W's of Writing on the handout.
You must copy and paste the web addresses that you use and save them in a word document in your student folder. Please title this document "French Research."
You need to number these sites in your word document and record the corresponding number for your site on your graphic organizer for any information you use.
Example:
1. http://www.musee-rodin.fr/biotx-e.htm
Qui? Rodin was a famous French artist who sculptured Adam, Eve, and The Thinker. [1]
If you want to copy and paste any images from the web into your word document, you must also copy and paste the web address into your word document as well.
You may also research a holiday or person from the French-speaking country you researched earlier.
Les Fêtes Français
La Culturelle Français
You must record all information for the 5 W's of Writing on the handout.
You must copy and paste the web addresses that you use and save them in a word document in your student folder. Please title this document "French Research."
You need to number these sites in your word document and record the corresponding number for your site on your graphic organizer for any information you use.
Example:
1. http://www.musee-rodin.fr/biotx-e.htm
Qui? Rodin was a famous French artist who sculptured Adam, Eve, and The Thinker. [1]
If you want to copy and paste any images from the web into your word document, you must also copy and paste the web address into your word document as well.
Monday, December 3, 2007
AdvComp: Monday, December 3
Your assignments for the next two days include the following:
1. Revise and post your Toothpaste essay.
2. Edit your short story post so that it is divided into separate paragraphs or sections.
3. Set up an account at Quizlet.com and create a new set titled "Lesson 7" and enter vocabulary words and definitions.
4. Complete the assignment on Ms. Turcotte's blog titled "Frost Analysis." Answer questions as comments to that post.
No vocabulary exercises this week because of the Quizlet activity.
If you finish early, you have two options: 1) read your peer's short stories by visiting their blogs and post valuable comments including specifics, or 2) create vocabulary sets at Quizlet for previous lessons. There is a review test coming up that will include lessons 1-7.
1. Revise and post your Toothpaste essay.
2. Edit your short story post so that it is divided into separate paragraphs or sections.
3. Set up an account at Quizlet.com and create a new set titled "Lesson 7" and enter vocabulary words and definitions.
4. Complete the assignment on Ms. Turcotte's blog titled "Frost Analysis." Answer questions as comments to that post.
No vocabulary exercises this week because of the Quizlet activity.
If you finish early, you have two options: 1) read your peer's short stories by visiting their blogs and post valuable comments including specifics, or 2) create vocabulary sets at Quizlet for previous lessons. There is a review test coming up that will include lessons 1-7.
Frost Analysis
Please read at least one of the following commentaries on Frost's poem. And answer the questions as a comment to this post.
E-Notes
Sparknotes
1. Identify one point in which you agree with the author. Explain.
2. Identify one point in which you disagree with the author. Explain.
3. Identify and define (using the internet) to define two words from the article with which you are unfamiliar.
4. Many students get frustrated with analyzing and interpreting poetry because it seems that it detracts from the enjoyment of reading poetry. What might be one possible benefit of taking a closer look at poetry?
E-Notes
Sparknotes
1. Identify one point in which you agree with the author. Explain.
2. Identify one point in which you disagree with the author. Explain.
3. Identify and define (using the internet) to define two words from the article with which you are unfamiliar.
4. Many students get frustrated with analyzing and interpreting poetry because it seems that it detracts from the enjoyment of reading poetry. What might be one possible benefit of taking a closer look at poetry?
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Poetry
We are about to embark on a poetic journey that involves exploration, evaluation, and creation. Before we begin, I would like to see what kind of poetry you personally like. Please find a poem that speaks to you and post it to your blog. Please also include a brief commentary on why you like your poem.
Also read one of my favorite poems by Robert Frost found below and make a comment on my blog about your response or reaction to the poem.
Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening
Robert Frost
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
I love this poem because of the solitary image of a man and horse stopping to watch the snowfall. Robert Frost is so effective in creating a mood, or atmosphere, of the setting by the simple words and obvious rhyme. I can't help but long to be there, as a bird or a snowflake, and witness this man's poetic moment of simply enjoying nature. I am curious about Frost's decision to repeat the last line twice. Why would he do this? Maybe to emphasis how long his trip is going to actually take. I wonder where is headed. Why is it the darkest evening of the year? What does that reference contribute to the poem's meaning?
Also read one of my favorite poems by Robert Frost found below and make a comment on my blog about your response or reaction to the poem.
Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening
Robert Frost
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
I love this poem because of the solitary image of a man and horse stopping to watch the snowfall. Robert Frost is so effective in creating a mood, or atmosphere, of the setting by the simple words and obvious rhyme. I can't help but long to be there, as a bird or a snowflake, and witness this man's poetic moment of simply enjoying nature. I am curious about Frost's decision to repeat the last line twice. Why would he do this? Maybe to emphasis how long his trip is going to actually take. I wonder where is headed. Why is it the darkest evening of the year? What does that reference contribute to the poem's meaning?
Friday, November 2, 2007
Quizlet: Interactive Vocabulary Practice
Quizlet is a great site that allows students to create vocabulary sets, complete with words and definitions. It then has a couple of different ways to practice and master these vocabulary words, including flashcards and a click, drag, and make the word disappear exercise. Way cool!
Please check it out. It is free and the registration is quick. You could be practicing your vocabulary for next week's quiz in just a few minutes.
Please check it out. It is free and the registration is quick. You could be practicing your vocabulary for next week's quiz in just a few minutes.
NetTrekker: A Better Search Engine
NetTrekker is a great search engine that limits the content and findings for student and educator web searches. Instead of googling a topic and having to sift through the hundreds of hits for quality and appropriate information, NetTrekker does the sifting for us. NetTrekker is a more refined and efficient way of searching for information, as it links students and educators to sites that have been evaluated and used by other like-minded searchers.
You should check it out and decide for yourself. The school has a free trial account for the month of November. Just go to nettrekker.com
Username: hotspringslibrary
Password: hotspringslibrary
Be sure to let Ms. Hollingsworth or Ms. Turcotte that you checked it out and let us know what you think. If enough of us like this web tool, we may be able to get it in our school. Think of all the work and learning we could accomplish if we did not have to waste time connecting to useless sites, which are often times just trying to sell us something.
You should check it out and decide for yourself. The school has a free trial account for the month of November. Just go to nettrekker.com
Username: hotspringslibrary
Password: hotspringslibrary
Be sure to let Ms. Hollingsworth or Ms. Turcotte that you checked it out and let us know what you think. If enough of us like this web tool, we may be able to get it in our school. Think of all the work and learning we could accomplish if we did not have to waste time connecting to useless sites, which are often times just trying to sell us something.
French I: Blogging and Avatars
Today you have the opportunity to create your own blog and avatar. A blog is a web based journal where you can publish written, audio, and visual, and multi-media work that you have created. An avatar is a computer persona that you can incorporate into your blog. Avatars can be fun ways to personalize your blog and add audio content to your blog, without compromise your safety by publishing photos of yourself.
To set up a blog, you need to go to blogger.com and create a new blog. You need to have an email account in order to do this. If you don't have an email account go to google's gmail page and register for a new account.
Please follow the following guidelines for setting up a blog account, and provide me with your email address and password in case information is forgotten or misplaced.
Your user name is your email address.
Your password is of your choice.
Your display name is your first name only.
The title of your blog is "French I: Your First Name (French or English)."
Your blog web address (URL) is "firstnamefrench1.blogspot.com"
Next you need to set up a Voki account at voki.com
In order to do this you need to have a valid e-mail address. Most of you already do. If you have forgotten yours, see me. You will need to validate your voki account by checking you email and clicking on the necessary link in a message you will receive from Voki. Go ahead and check your email to do this. After you validate, you can return to voki.com and begin building your avatar.
Avatars need to be dressed appropriately as if they were going to school; there are some inappropriate outfits and these must be avoided.
Once you are ready to give your avatar text to speak, I would like you to type in French sentences. These sentences should include a greeting and introduction of yourself. You must also include at least two sentences: one, about what you like to do; two, what you do not like to do. You can then say goodbye, talk more about yourself (or your avatar), or pose questions to your audience. All your text must be written in French. There is an option on the voice creation in Voki that allows you to play with French accents.
Note: Your written text must be complete with correct accent marks in order for the pronunciation to be correct. Codes for accent marks courtesy of Penn State University http://tlt.its.psu.edu
To set up a blog, you need to go to blogger.com and create a new blog. You need to have an email account in order to do this. If you don't have an email account go to google's gmail page and register for a new account.
Please follow the following guidelines for setting up a blog account, and provide me with your email address and password in case information is forgotten or misplaced.
Your user name is your email address.
Your password is of your choice.
Your display name is your first name only.
The title of your blog is "French I: Your First Name (French or English)."
Your blog web address (URL) is "firstnamefrench1.blogspot.com"
Next you need to set up a Voki account at voki.com
In order to do this you need to have a valid e-mail address. Most of you already do. If you have forgotten yours, see me. You will need to validate your voki account by checking you email and clicking on the necessary link in a message you will receive from Voki. Go ahead and check your email to do this. After you validate, you can return to voki.com and begin building your avatar.
Avatars need to be dressed appropriately as if they were going to school; there are some inappropriate outfits and these must be avoided.
Once you are ready to give your avatar text to speak, I would like you to type in French sentences. These sentences should include a greeting and introduction of yourself. You must also include at least two sentences: one, about what you like to do; two, what you do not like to do. You can then say goodbye, talk more about yourself (or your avatar), or pose questions to your audience. All your text must be written in French. There is an option on the voice creation in Voki that allows you to play with French accents.
Note: Your written text must be complete with correct accent marks in order for the pronunciation to be correct. Codes for accent marks courtesy of Penn State University http://tlt.its.psu.edu
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Sophomores: Avatars and Vocabulary
Today you have the opportunity to create your own avatar, which is a computer persona that you can incorporate into your blog. Avatars can be fun ways to personalize your blog and add audio content to your portfolio.
What you need to do is set up a Voki account at voki.com
In order to do this you need to have a valid e-mail address. Most of you already do. If you have forgotten yours, see me. You will need to validate your voki account by checking you email and clicking on the necessary link in a message you will receive from Voki. Go ahead and check your email to do this. After you validate, you can return to voki.com and begin building your avatar.
Avatars need to be dressed appropriately as if they were going to school; there are some inappropriate outfits and these must be avoided.
Once you are ready to give your avatar text to speak, I would like you to type in the vocabulary words and definitions for this week's vocabulary set. You can include as much information, i.e. synonyms, antonyms, original sentences, etc. as you want, but your content/text must be in complete sentences.
Once your avatar is complete with the vocabulary words and definitions you can copy and paste the code of your avatar into your blog. All you need to do is sign into your blogger account at blogger.com and paste the copied code of your avatar into a new post. Please title this post, Things Fall Apart Vocabulary Chapter 1.
Have fun!
What you need to do is set up a Voki account at voki.com
In order to do this you need to have a valid e-mail address. Most of you already do. If you have forgotten yours, see me. You will need to validate your voki account by checking you email and clicking on the necessary link in a message you will receive from Voki. Go ahead and check your email to do this. After you validate, you can return to voki.com and begin building your avatar.
Avatars need to be dressed appropriately as if they were going to school; there are some inappropriate outfits and these must be avoided.
Once you are ready to give your avatar text to speak, I would like you to type in the vocabulary words and definitions for this week's vocabulary set. You can include as much information, i.e. synonyms, antonyms, original sentences, etc. as you want, but your content/text must be in complete sentences.
Once your avatar is complete with the vocabulary words and definitions you can copy and paste the code of your avatar into your blog. All you need to do is sign into your blogger account at blogger.com and paste the copied code of your avatar into a new post. Please title this post, Things Fall Apart Vocabulary Chapter 1.
Have fun!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Seniors: Blog Set-Up Assignment
Seniors,
Please continue setting up your blog and make sure that I have your account and password information.
To set up a blog, you need to go to blogger.com and create a new blog. You need to have an email account in order to do this. If you don't have an email account go to google's gmail page and register for a new account.
Your user name is your email address.
Your password is of your choice.
Your display name is your first name only.
The title of your blog is "British Literature: Class of 2008."
Your blog web address (URL) is "firstnamebritishliterature.blogspot.com"
Once you have set up an account I would like for you to make a new post titled "The Better Canterbury Tale. For the text of this post, all you need to do is copy and paste your revised paragraphs, and insert it into the text box.
Please continue setting up your blog and make sure that I have your account and password information.
To set up a blog, you need to go to blogger.com and create a new blog. You need to have an email account in order to do this. If you don't have an email account go to google's gmail page and register for a new account.
Your user name is your email address.
Your password is of your choice.
Your display name is your first name only.
The title of your blog is "British Literature: Class of 2008."
Your blog web address (URL) is "firstnamebritishliterature.blogspot.com"
Once you have set up an account I would like for you to make a new post titled "The Better Canterbury Tale. For the text of this post, all you need to do is copy and paste your revised paragraphs, and insert it into the text box.
When you have successfully published and viewed your first post, you can to to voki.com
to set up your avatar.
to set up your avatar.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Advanced Composition: Blog Update
You need to have the following posts on your blog by Thursday, October 11, 2007:
Writing Sample
Persuasive Essay Freewrite
Writer's Moment: Strengths and Weaknesses
Persuasive Essay
Writer's Moment: Personal Review of Persuasive Essay
Clichés Transformed (10 new clichés)
Favorite Cliché Poster
Top Ten Vocabulary Words (favorite words, definitions, and original sentence)
Baldy Articles (optional)
Writing Sample
Persuasive Essay Freewrite
Writer's Moment: Strengths and Weaknesses
Persuasive Essay
Writer's Moment: Personal Review of Persuasive Essay
Clichés Transformed (10 new clichés)
Favorite Cliché Poster
Top Ten Vocabulary Words (favorite words, definitions, and original sentence)
Baldy Articles (optional)
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