Thursday, March 27, 2014

March 27, 2014 - Thursday

Class Work

1. On a post-it note, write the term you plan to define. Place it on the board. (Place to be noted.) Before you post, look to see if anyone else selected your topic. Place your post by that person's post-it.

2. Gather with other "like" terms. Share your paper charts. Share sources/sites.

3. Now, ask three people who are not in your group to define your term and to give you an example of what it is. Take notes - get the correct spelling of the names.

How to write a definition essay -

Simple directions: http://www.collegeessaytips.org/college-essay-tips/how-to-write-a-definition-essay/

More complete directions with a sample: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/definition.htm

Let's look at this sample together. (paper handout provided)

On-line sample - this one is short and sweet. Note the organization.
http://www.scholaradvisor.com/essay-examples/definition-essay-example/

This one is on the same topic of "success," but elaboration helps to make a strong point.

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Getting ready for the next topic. What things did you carry to class today? Make a list. What do the things that you carry say about you?

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Homework

Write the draft of your definition essay. Decide how you will organize, then follow your plan. You could start just about anyplace on the chart!

In your essay, include a reference from In the Time of the Butterflies, information about a "wall," and at least one quotation from someone in the class. In addition, include information as needed from the other boxes on your chart.

Remember, the introduction must capture the attention of the readers and introduce the term.
Pay attention to your introduction.

Post in CANVAS. (50 pts.)

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

March 25, 2014 - Tuesday

Class Work
Let's finish the movie . . .

A. Catching up . . .
1. What do you know about the General?
2. Whose picture was framed and on the wall in the home of the Mirabel sisters?
3. Who is Leo? To what "party" did he belong?
4. Who tried to kill the General?
5. Why did the General invite the Mirabel family to the state ball?
6. Why does the General hate the people from Haiti?
7. What other problems exist in the Dominican Republic?


We pick up at the home of the Mirabel family.

Following the movie, there will be a brief discussion.

B. This was Thursday's homework.

Think of three possible topics to use as the focus of a definition essay.

Possibilities:
  • Revolution
  • Walls
  • Violence
  • Freedom
  • Unity
  • Separation
  • etc...
For each topic, write three sentences for each topic and share your personal thoughts. How does each topic relate to you?

(Three topics
Three sentences per topic.)
(24 pts.) Post in Canvas. this is due Tuesday.

What additional topics did you consider?

For homework, fill in the "definition paper" chart. (Handout)  Bring it to class on Thursday. Hand written notes are fine. If you prefer, simply create a table in WORD and carry on!





Thursday, March 20, 2014

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Class Work

This was Tuesday's homework.
Conduct some research.
1. Who were the Mirabal sisters?
2. Write a paragraph about General Rafael Trujillo.
3. Describe what life was like in the Dominican Republic in the 1950s.

4. Create an MLA Works Cited page.
 What do you know about the Mirabal sisters? At your table, agree on the 5 most important facts. Write on Post-its and post on the wall.
What do you know about General Trujillo and his rule? At your table, list the 5 most important facts. Write on Post-its and post on the wall.

Let the show begin . . . We will be watching In The Time of the Butterflies. Remember, you are keeping track of the events and people that unite and those that divide.

Homework

Think of three possible topics to use as the focus of a definition essay.
Possibilities:
  • Revolution
  • Walls
  • Violence
  • Freedom
  • Unity
  • Separation
  • etc...
For each topic, write three sentences for each topic and share your personal thoughts. How does each topic relate to you?

(Three topics
Three sentences per topic.)
(24 pts.) Post in Canvas. this is due Tuesday.


Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Class Work

Today we are going to participate in the Humannequin Project in celebration of Women's History Month 2014.

  • You will be given a handout to use to take notes. (20 minutes)
  • Upon returning to class, you will complete a QuickWrite. Post in Canvas. (25 pts) Select one of the topics that made an impact on you. Write a one-page paper and discuss. Be sure that your paper shows how you agree or disagree with the visuals on display.
  • A brief discussion period will follow.
We have been discussing walls and barriers. Today we will continue on that journey.
Over the holiday you read several articles and responded to each. (See last Thursday's blog.)

Which article did you like the best? The least?

Take a few minutes to discuss at your table. Look back at the questions and reference your responses as you discuss.

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We are going to begin watching In the Time of the Butterflies. The movie is based on a true story about the Mirabal sisters. In the movie, you will see situations where people are brought together and other occasions where they are torn apart. Take notes. Take a page and divide it in two: Things that separate vs. Things that unite.

Homework:

Conduct some research.
1. Who were the Mirabal sisters?
2. Write a paragraph about General Rafael Trujillo
3. Describe what life was like in the Dominican Republic in the 1950s.
4. Create an MLA Works Cited page.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Class Work

Share your personal experience of being "walled in" by a physical barrier.

Questions to consider:
  • Was the location given/described?
  • Were there other people involved? Were they introduced?
  • Was there any conversation? Could more be added to enhance the "story?"
  • Was there a resolution to the situation?


How do people get rid of or "break down" walls? What other situations result in separation? Does the barrier always need to be physical?

Is money a barrier? Could you live in poverty? Could you survive in wealth?

Let's read the following essay by Marcus Mabry who lived in both worlds.
"Living in Two Worlds" by Marcus Mabry
http://www.theprepschoolnegro.org/2010/06/marcus-mabry-the-lawrenceville-school-class-of-85/

Think about a time when you tried to escape one world and exchange it for another. How successful were you? At what cost did you make the change. Perhaps you are still in transition. Describe the journey. (Quick Write - submit on Canvas - 25 pts.)


Homework: Read the following essays. Answer the question(s) following each. Post in Canvas. (75 Pts.)

"Terra Firma - A Journey from Migrant Farm Labor to Neurosurgery" by Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp078105

Write a brief letter encouraging or discouraging someone to come to the United States. You may include details from the essay and/or use experiences of others.

"An Identity Reduced to a Burka" by Semeen Issa and Laila Al-Marayati
http://www.mwlusa.org/topics/dress/burka.html

Question: Remember a time when a clothing code was imposed on you-for school, work, or for a social event within your peer group or family. Describe how you felt about the requirement and whether you rebelled or conformed. Are identities reduced or enhanced by clothing regulations?

"Hidden in Plain Sight" by Zaiba Malik (You will need to read between the ads on this one! The article is two pages long. Be sure to go to page two to finish.
http://articles.latimes.com/2006/oct/25/opinion/oe-malik25

Question: Write a brief narrative of a time when your choice of clothing or an other's choice of clothing drew unintended attention. Be sure to include the emotional as well as situational impact.


Happy Spring! Enjoy the break. There are no classes next week.



Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Tuesday, March 4, 2014


Class Work

1. Share the history of your wall with the others at your table.

A. Was your wall a result of or a part of war?
B. Was your wall created for the sake of beauty?
C. Was your wall functional - served a purpose. For instance, was it big enough to keep wild beasts away?
D. Was your wall erected to keep something or someone inside?
E. Was your wall "successful"? What good is a wall anyway?

Let's return to "Mending Wall." (Summarize)
We ran out of time before you had time to create a dialogue between one of the wall menders and a "someone" at home.  Take the next 10 minutes to create a conversation between you and one other person. Either play the role of the neighbor who believes that "good fences make good neighbors," or play the role of the narrator who believes that "something there is that doesn't like a wall."

Have the chosen character have a conversation with someone who was not out helping to mend the wall. Stick to your chosen character's point of view in the conversation. The other participant in the conversation may be either a hostile or a friendly audience. That is, that individual may either disagree or agree with you.

(Share with the class.)

So, do "good fences make good neighbors," or not? That is the topic of our next essay.

Now, let's think bigger. What kinds of walls or fences exist that are not necessarily tangible? (Discuss)



Go for the lyrics or for a poem - here is an example:
A winter's day

In a deep and dark December;
I am alone,
Gazing from my window to the streets below
On a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow.
I am a rock,
I am an island.

I've built walls,
A fortress deep and mighty,
That none may penetrate.
I have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain.
It's laughter and it's loving I disdain.
I am a rock,
I am an island.

Don't talk of love,
But I've heard the words before;
It's sleeping in my memory.
I won't disturb the slumber of feelings that have died.
If I never loved I never would have cried.
I am a rock,
I am an island.

I have my books
And my poetry to protect me;
I am shielded in my armor,
Hiding in my room, safe within my womb.
I touch no one and no one touches me.
I am a rock,
I am an island.

And a rock feels no pain;

by Simon and Garfunkel

As you look at the lyrics, what words and phrases create a "picture" of this personal "wall?"

Here is a chart to use to help you figure out what to include in your essay. Let's talk first. What has your experience been?

Walls/Barriers: Do good fences make good neighbors? Prove it!

Quotations about walls or barriers.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Famous poems or song lyrics about walls or barriers. Are there any famous walls in movies? Name and explain.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Facts about walls, yours specifically.
 
A.      Time to build
B.      Cost both in money and human effort
C.      Size
D.      Etc. You have much of this on your “wall” report.
 
How effective is your wall? How effective are walls in general? In short, are they worth the effort? Prove it with facts/statistics.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
What is your personal experience with walls/barriers?
 
 
 
 
 
Do you recommend walls/barriers either physical or methaphorical? Explain.
 
 
 
 

Homework:  Conduct more wall research. Complete the chart either on paper or electronically. You can recreate the chart in a Word document if you so desire. Bring it to class on Thursday.

Also, write about a personal experience that included a barrier or wall. This can be a physical or metaphorical wall. One page - just "quick write" and share the story. Due in CANVAS by Thursday. (25 pts.)