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5/21/2014

 
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Module #18 - Discussion #2 - Shame vs. Courage

5/16/2014

 
What is the role of shame in the lives of these soldiers? Does it drive them to acts of heroism, or stupidity? Or both? What is the relationship between shame and courage, according to O'Brien?

Reply to two (2) peers during this discussion.


Module #18 - Discussion #1 - Find meaning in possessions

5/16/2014

 
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In the list of all the things the soldiers carried, what item was most surprising? Which item did you find most evocative of the war? Which items stay with you?

Reply to two (2) peers during this discussion.


Module #17 - "I want to see you be BRAVE"

5/11/2014

 
PictureCowardly lion in The Wizard of Oz (wikimedia commons)
You need to read the vignette "Speaking of Courage" in order to participate in this discussion.

In "Speaking of Courage," the narrator says, "Sometimes the bravest thing on earth was to sit through the night and feel the cold in your bones. Courage was not always a matter of yes or no." How does the narrator define courage? How do you define it?


Reply to two (2) peers during this discussion.


Module #16 - Discussion #2 - Point of View

5/5/2014

 
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Why is the first story, "The Things They Carried," written in third person? How does this serve to introduce the rest of the novel? What effect did it have on your experience of the novel when O'Brien switched to first person, and you realized the narrator was one of the soldiers?

Reply to one (1) peer during this discussion.

Module #16 - Discussion #1 - What did THEY carry?

5/5/2014

 
Be sure to read the first vignette in order to participate in this discussion.

In the title story "The Things They Carried," how do the things the men carry help define them as individuals? What are some of the more interesting items? Which "things" were unexpected? What would you carry if you went to war?

Please respond to two (2) peers during this discussion.

Module #15 - What would YOU carry?

4/25/2014

 
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An identified U.S. Army personnel wears a hand lettered "War Is Hell" slogan on his helmet, June 18, 1965, during the Vietnam War. He was with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Battalion on defense duty at Phouc Vinh airstrip in South Vietnam. (AP Photo/Horst Faas) Posted on Nuno Luciano, Picasso website "Cost of War"
The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien gives readers a look into the casualties of war through not only O'Brien's eyes, but he manages to bring out the thoughts of other men who were embroiled in the war with him.

If you were to be shipped out to unknown places within the next 24 hours, what would you carry in a knapsack on your back? Why would you take it with you? Be very descriptive and clear, so your peers can get a sense of what you would carry and why.

Respond to two (2) peers' posts this week.

Module #14 - Mistakes...Consequences

4/17/2014

 
PictureDee Life's Quotes flickr.com
As your reading of Macbeth is coming to an end, give some thought to this quote.

"I made decisions that I regret, and I took them as learning experiences... I'm human, not perfect, like anybody else.
Queen Latifah

Did Macbeth learn from his mistakes? Do you consider that he was human and just made errors in judgment or is there more to it? Is Macbeth the only one to blame for the tragedy or are there others? How does this relate to society today?

Since all of this is leading up to a literary analysis of the drama Macbeth, please be sure to add some hearty discussion.

You will need to respond to one (1) peer's post this week.


Module #13 - Fate vs. Free Will

4/10/2014

 
PictureFinal Destination IMDB
There are many pieces of literature which revolve around the ideas of fate vs. free will. Does a person really have control over his or her life? Or is it a matter of destiny?

In the Final Destination movies, fate comes knocking on the doors of those who dare to defy it. However, the hero in the end is able to control fate by tricking it and therefore having free will.

What do you think? How is this topic relative to your reading thus far? What other connections to literature, film, etc. can you make?

Again, I am expecting that you are putting some thought into this discussion. It should be well-thought, organized, and clear.

You will respond to one (1) peer's post this week.


Module #12 - Ambition and Drive

4/6/2014

 
PictureKrissy Venosdale flickr.com
Ambition is a quality that is revered in life. Someone with low ambitions is looked up on as a loser of sorts. However, someone with high ambitions and personal drive is said to be motivated, successful, happy, etc.

Is this is always the case? How is this different for Macbeth? How has ambition played a part in your life so far? Where in modern society might you see ambition as a negative?


There are many questions posed above. Be sure that your response is well-organized, clear, and comprehensive. This is a larger issue, and I expect more substance (or "meat") to your response.

You will need to respond to one (1) peer's posting this week.


Module 11 - Choices and Decisions

3/29/2014

 
Choosing a college and area of study are hard decisions for high school seniors to make.

Read the article "The Intangible Value of a College Degree."
Post a response to the article focusing on whether or not a college degree is needed by everyone. Regardless of you answer, back up your ideas with specifics.

You need to respond to two (2) peers' posts.

Module 10 - #2 - Anticipation Guide

3/22/2014

 
PictureGlobe Theatre, London (wikimedia commons)
After completing the Anticipation Guide for Module 10, post a response to the topics presented on the guide. Why did you answer the way you did? What was your thinking about the topics presented? Do you think your responses will change after reading Macbeth, and why?

Reply to one (1) other person in the class.

Module 10 - #1 - Choices & Decisions

3/22/2014

 
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As you begin your new unit about choices and decisions, reflect upon a time in which you were faced with difficult choices and had to make the tough or unpopular decision.

Write about the reflection providing detail and critical thinking.

For this discussion, you will need to respond to two (2) other students' posts.

Module 9 - The end is near

3/21/2014

 
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(1) The writing is a daunting process; one in which few students really engage into correctly. Through your 3-week process, you have been learning more about your own writing process and preferences. Take a moment to reflect upon your process and share some techniques you employ in order to maintain time management and work through difficulties. Also, note some habits which you may want to try to improve.

(2) As your writing process nears to a close, you are continuing to prepare for the oral presentation. Discuss how you will prepare for your presentation and what you think makes an awesome presentation/presenter.

Please separate your posts as is done above. 
Be sure to respond to a minimum of one (1) person during the discussion.

Module 8 - Writing is a laborious task

3/15/2014

 
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Why is writing a research paper difficult? What difficulties have you been having and how have you been able to overcome those struggles? 

Your initial post should reflect deep critical thinking and reflection on this topic.

For this session, you MUST only reply to ONE (1) post.

Module 7 - But I swear it's my own work

3/8/2014

 
PicturePhoto: PlaneMad flickr creative commons
Go to Plagiarism 101 and read about plagiarism.

- What did you learn that you did not already know?
- How has technology affected plagiarism and work ethic of students?
 -Your initial post should reflect deep critical thinking and reflection on this topic.

For this session, you MUST reply to TWO (2) posts.

Module 6 - Robots are taking over the world

3/1/2014

 
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How has technology influenced your life?
Is it a positive thing? OR a negative?
Do you think that advancement in technology is a good thing or a bad thing? Why?


Your initial post should reflect deep critical thinking and reflection on this topic.

For this session, you MUST reply to TWO (2) posts.

Module 5 - #2 - Close Reading Instructions

2/21/2014

 
During your learning in Module #5, you are learning about close reading, which helps with analysis.

Follow the instructions below in order to prepare for your Death/Loss Unit Test in class on Wednesday, March 5.

  1. Choose 2 stories from the unit in which to perform a close reading. You may need to print a story that was only available via web. You can use the library Chromebooks to do this if needed.
  2. Perform a close reading on each story with a focus on: literary devices and theme.
  3. Take notes, annotate print outs, use sticky notes, etc. to gather information you will need for your test.
  4. Bring the notes to class. You can bring your own textbook if you want, or you may use one in the classroom. If you printed a story, please bring that as well.
  5. You are going to use the notes to construct an essay during the in-class unit test.

The unit test will also include questions about each of the readings throughout the unit. Please be sure to review any information needed in order to prepare for the unit test. There will be no reading comprehension questions. All unit test contest will be more analysis-based questions.


Module 5 - #1 - "Before I die"

2/21/2014

 
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Online Students - Great job for the discussions during Module 5. I like that you are pushing past the initial question and thinking deeper.
Now consider the following:
Why do people now make “bucket lists”? 
Do you have a bucket list? Why or why not? 
If so, share some ideas with the class?


Module 4 - Magic Anyone?

2/15/2014

 
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This week I'm going to leave the blog open. I'm still going to check to make sure you posted according to the deadlines, but I'm not going to hold your posts. They will be posted as you submit them. This is more of a real-world experience in online class discussion, and I want to see how the class handles it.

Suggestion
: Read the story "No Witchcraft for Sale" first before creating your blog.

Prompt: What are your thoughts about “magic” herbs or potions and their healing effects? Do you think that powerful thoughts can control the health (or death) of a person? Why? How? 
How might these two questions relate to religious beliefs?


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    Mrs. Erdman

    This class blog is designed for students enrolled in the English 12 online course at Freedom High School.
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