brainstorming

We continued discussing the essay about lies. Students were then givenn a list of topics to divide and classify in small groups. We will continue brainstorming on Monday. Here is the list:  Types of cars  People’s temperaments or personality types  Vacations or holidays  People’s styles of spending money  Types of restaurants, or subcategories (such as types of fast food restaurants)  Clothing styles for your age group  Types of stores or shopping malls  Some type of activity, types of people or literature or entertainment that you like or dislike a great deal)

Lies

Today we began discussing the division and classification essay the students will be beginning. The students completed the following free write activity and discussed their responses: Write about some of the lies you have told. Why did you lie? What were the consequences (if any)? We then read a division and classification essay on the subject of lying. We will continue with this activity tomorrow.

final draft

Students are to turn in the final draft of their Why I Write essay on Thursday.

Anthem

I collected essay revisions today which are worth 10 possible points. We then continued viewing the documentary on North Korea and discussed connections to the novel. Anthem questions are due Monday.

Anthem free write

The students completed a free write on Anthem and discussed their thoughts. We then viewed a clip from The Vice Guide to North Korea in an effort to make connections between Anthem and real world conditions. The "Why I Write" revisions are due tomorrow. Anthem-Free write Anthem is a novel about a government that has stripped its citizens of individuality. What are some similarities to your life? Differences? Is this novel too extreme or is this a possible future? Explain. Connect some aspects of Anthem to different parts of the world. The citizens have been completely indoctrinated. In other words, they have only been given one side of the story and accept it without question. How have you been indoctrinated? Have you overcome indoctrination? Explain.

Essay revisions/Anthem

Today we began revising the Why I Write essay. Students are to incorporate figurative language throughout their next draft. This draft is due Friday. Students also received the following assignment for Anthem which is due Monday: Name: _____________________________ English 12B Anthem sections VI- XII Please answer the following questions as you read. VI. 1. What is Equality 7-2521’s punishment? VII. 1. Explain the following quote: “We are old now, yet we were young this morning” (Rand 68). 2. Why is the Council horrified at Equality’s discovery? (p. 73-74) VIII. 1. What emotion is Equality 7-2521 experiencing for the first time? IX. 1. What does Equality learn to do for the first time as he walks through the forest? (p. 86) X. 1. What is strange and unique about the house discovered by Equality and Liberty? XI. 1. What does Equality 7-2521 now realize is the goal and purpose of his life? XII. 1. What does the following quote mean to you as you prepare to graduate this year? “To be free, a man must be free of his brothers” (Rand 101).

Music

Today we read a division and classification essay on music and discussed. The "Why I Write" essay is due tomorrow.

Anthem

Today we began reading Anthem and discussing collectivism. Students are to read through part V and complete the following questions by Wednesday of next week: Name: _____________________________ English 12B Anthem sections I-V Please answer the following questions as you read. I. 1. Why is the word “alone” fearful? (p.17) 2. How does Rand create Equality 7-2521 so that he stands out from his brothers? (p.18) 3. What is Equality’s great sin? (p. 21) 4. Where are men sent at age 40? (p.28) 5. What has Equality 7-2521 stolen? Why? (p. 35-36) II. 1. How does Equality feel about Liberty 5-3000? What is Equality’s name for them? 2. At what time are they sent to the Palace of Mating? Why? 3. Why was a man burned alive? (p. 49) III. 1. What has Equality 7-2521 discovered? IV. 1. What name does Liberty 5-3000 give Equality? Is this perfect for him? Explain. 2. Would you be a friend to Equality 7-2521? Why/why not? V. 1. What does Equality 7-2521 wonder for the first time? (p. 61) 2. Why don’t inmates try to escape from prison?

Why I Write

Students must complete an essay titled Why I Write, Why I Read, or Why I Read and Write. This essay is due Tuesday 9/18.

Why I Read/Why I Write

We are currently discussing why we read and write. This will be the basis for the first writing assignment of the year.

Education

Today we read a speech from a valedictorian that criticizes education. We then discussed and began responding to the following questions: Reflect on Erica Goldson’s June 2010 graduation speech. The bullets below are just suggestions on what you may want to discuss in your free-write response. • Find your favorite passage/quote and explain why you liked it. • What points do you agree with in the speech? What points do you disagree with? Explain, • Was it a good speech? Was it appropriate? Think about audience and purpose. Are you surprised the valedictorian was allowed to give this speech? Why might a principal, superintendent, teacher, etc. approve such a speech? Why might I give you such a speech to read on your first day of your senior year? • How can students learn from this speech? How can teachers learn from this speech? • How can I run this English class in your final year at High Point so that your number one goal for the year will not be “to get out as soon as possible”? How can I “support you” rather than “hold you down”? • What can you do to change your ways in order to not be “disheartened” in the classroom?