Favorite Christmas Memory

What is your favorite Christmas memory?  Write a detailed paragraph explaining why.

Miracle's Boys - Characterization

In Ch. 3, find parts in the book that show character traits of Lafayette, Tyree and Charlie.  Include the actual quote from the book and page number.

QUOTE: "Some days he'd just sit on that bed with his hands hanging down between his knees. Just staring out the window and looking evil," (Woodson 5). EXPLANATION OF QUOTE: This shows that Charlie is very angry at everything in life and he is having some serious internal conflict because of the anger he has since he went to Rahway.

Thematic Essay (Contender & Finding Forrester)

The Contender and Finding Forrester have many themes in common.  Choose ONE theme that you think fits the best for both of them.  Write a thematic essay that compares that theme in both the movie and the book. You should have 2 examples for each.

For example, if you choose friendship as a theme, you should have 2 examples from The Contender and 2 examples from Finding Forrester.

Comparison Transition Words: 

• in the same way
• by the same token
• similarly
• in like manner
• likewise
• in similar fashion

Eminem and The Contender

Emenim's 60 Minutes interview contained many themes that are similar to The Contender.  Below are just a few:

Overcoming Obstacles (dads left them, poverty, etc.)
Going Above and Beyond
Hope
Caring
Persistence
Understanding
Determination
Learning/Knowledge (Dropouts that went back to school)
Drugs
Hopelessness
Bullying
Pursuing Dreams or Motivation
Proving People Wrong

After viewing the interview, begin your essay with this Topic Sentence:

TS. There are similar themes in Eminem's 60 Minutes interview and The Contender.
SD The first theme that is displayed in both is __________.
Elab  Determination is displayed in The Contender when Alfred____________________________.  This is similar to Eminem when he____________________________________.
SD
Elab
SD
Elab

Contender Writing Test

In your own life, what would it mean to be a "contender"?  Use quotes from Alfred's first conversation with Mr. Donatelli (Ch. 3) to support your essay.

Alfred and James's Friendship

Discuss the friendship between Alfred and James.  Consider it's history and future possibilities.  Use examples from the book to support your answer.

Aunt Dorothy's Family

After reading Ch. 17, answer this:  Why is Aunt Dorothy's family important in the story?  As a part of your answer, discuss each family member's significance (importance).  Here are the family members:  Aunt Dorothy, Uncle Wilson, Cousin Jeff, the younger girls.  This will be a minimum of 10 sentences long.  Use examples from the book.

Favorite Character

Who is your favorite character in The Contender?  You must include evidence from the book in your essay.  Use this format:  TS, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, Closer.

James's Future

What do you think James will do after the novel ends?  Discuss his future.  Responses must be at least 4-5 sentences long. Your response must be based on what has happened so far in the book and should include details to support your thinking.

Chapter 15 & 16 Summary - Contender

Write a 3 sentence summary for Chapter 15 and a 3 sentence summary for Chapter 16.  Post both together, but make sure they are labeled.

Alfred's Decision - Conversation with Donatelli

What is Alfred going to do?  Approaching the end of chapter 12, he's made some bad decisions and now he is going up to the gym to clean out his locker.  When he enters, he finds Mr. Donatelli sitting in his familiar spot, sitting in the same chair he always does.

Write a half-page conversation between Alfred and Mr. Donatelli that shows what Alfred is going to do next...Is he going to quit? Is he going to stick it out?  Make sure you use correct format and quotes.

Chapter 11 Summary

Write a Six-Sentence summary for chapter 11.

Chapter 9 Summary

Write a 4 sentence summary for Chapter Nine.

Chapter 7 summary

Write a seven sentence summary about chapter 7. Be sure to look at your past summaries to make sure you are including the most important information from the chapter!

The Contender - Ch. 6 Summary

Write a Six Sentence summary for Chapter 6.  Include the most important events in the chapter and write them in chronological order.  Here is an example from Chapter 5:

Chapter 5 begins with Alfred at the park running in the morning, training for boxing, when he’s stopped by police officers.  After they realize he’s not a criminal, they tease him and it takes his motivation away.  When he gets home, Aunt Pearl knows something is wrong and while asking Alfred questions, Alfred says “I’m gonna be somebody” but he’s clearly frustrated with his life.  When he gets to work, the Epstein’s call him into the office and question him about the burglary, but Alfred doesn’t say much, and the day goes on with Alfred’s trust lost.  James, now out of jail on probation, comes by the store, but ignores Alfred when he tries to talk to him.  Finally, Henry comes by the store and mentions how Mr. Donatelli was asking about Alfred, and this inspires Alfred to go to the gym that night.

Donatelli's Quotes

"I'm always here Alfred. I live here now."
"What makes you think you won't quit here too?"
"The climbing makes the man. Getting to the top is just the extra prize."
"Everybody wants to be a champion, that's not enough. You have to start by being a contender."
"It's not easy trying to be a contender. It's never fun in the beginning."
"Thousands of kids can do it, doesn't mean anything. The bag doesn't have any arms to hit you back."
"People will try to drag you down, laugh at you for wanting to be a fighter."
"If you quit before you really try, that's worse than never starting at all."

Alfred has many things that are "against" him in the book.  What are 3 things that are "against" Alfred in life?  Answer in this format:  TS, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, Closer.

Trick or Treat!!

Should there be an age limit for trick or treating?  Answer in the following format:  TS, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, Closer

Openers

Write one sentence for each "Opener"....As, After, Although, While, When, Until, Before, Because, If, Since.

Favorite Teacher

Who was your favorite teacher ever?  Answer in this format: TS, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, Closer

Soda on a Monday!

What is your favorite soda?  Answer using this format:  TS, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, Closer

Roller Coasters!

What makes an awesome roller coaster?  Answer this essay question using the following format:  TS, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, Closer.

Summary - Black Boy

Summarize Black Boy, by Richard Wright, using the following guidelines:

-Chronological order
-Most important details
-Eight sentences long

Hobby

What is your favorite hobby?  Give three reasons why.  Use this format:  TS, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, Closer

Day of the Week

What is the best day of the week?  Give three reasons why using the following format:  TS, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, Closer.

Seasons

What is the best season? Use the following format to answer the prompt:  TS, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, Closer.

Restauraunts

What are the main features of a good restaurant?  Use the following format:  TS, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, SD, Elab.  This should be 7 sentences total.  Review your "Perfect Burger" blog post before writing this....it will be similar in format and wording.

Orca Books - Elements of Story

After reading the Orca Book of your choice, write a paragraph for each of the six Elements of Story as it relates to your book.

The Perfect Burger

What makes the perfect burger?  Comment using the following format: TS, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, SD, Elab.

Elements of Story - Plot : The Passenger

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGW0aQSgyxQ

After viewing The Passenger, explain the PLOT (Act 1, Act 2, Act 3) as it relates to the short film.

First Day 2013-14 - About You

In order to practice posting to my blog, do the following:

Write a short paragraph about yourself so that I can get to know you better.

Super Size Me-Ethos, Logos, Pathos

After watching the video Super Size Me, answer this question:

How does the Super Size Me video use Ethos, Logos, and Pathos to persuade the viewer?

Ethos - Credibility, Titles, Experience (Expert Opinion, Celebrity Endorsement)

Logos - Logic, Numbers, Statistics, Phrases (if-then, therefore)

Pathos - Sympathy and Empathy.  Emotions.  Not only sad - Laughter, sense of community, connections

Hoot/Consumer Culture Final Essay

After reading Hoot by Carl Hiaasen, pick one of the following Essential Questions from the Consumer Culture unit:

What does it mean to be a global citizen?
What role does greed play in a consumer culture?
What role does an individual play in a consumer culture?

Write an essay on that answers ONE of those questions in the following format:  TS, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, Closer

David Blaine and Roy Connection - Hoot

http://www.ted.com/talks/david_blaine_how_i_held_my_breath_for_17_min.html

After watching this video, make a connection between Roy Eberhardt and David Blaine.  You should make multiple connections, use examples from both the book and the TED talk and elaborate fully.

Development: Threatening Habitats

Research the issue of development and how it it threatening the habitats of animals in this area (Google search).  Write a short report on what you find.  You must answer these questions in your post:  Who, What, When, Where, Why, How.

Eminem - 60 Minutes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPSRqVXEQ4Y

Emenim's 60 Minutes interview contained many themes.  Below are just a few:

Overcoming Obstacles
Going Above and Beyond
Hope
Caring
Persistence
Understanding
Determination
Learning/Knowledge

After viewing the interview, begin your essay with this Topic Sentence:

TS. The theme of Eminem's 60 Minutes interview is _______________.
SD
Elab
SD
Elab
SD
Elab

Landfill Harmonic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJxxdQox7n0

After watching the video, comment on the quote below as it relates to America's consumer culture:

"this (building instruments from garbage) has been a process that has taught the kids that things in life don't always happen immediately."

Then, re-watch the final 5 minutes and find your own quote from the video and comment on your quote and how it relates to America's view of consumer culture.

Foxconn/Apple

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/24/us-hon-hai-idUSBRE88N00L20120924
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKnx2JWfNSM
 
After reading the article and watching the video, answer this question:

What role do we as individuals play in a consumer culture in the case of Foxconn/Apple?

Paragraph #1:  What is wrong with the situation over in China at Foxconn?
Paragraph #2:  What can we as consumers do about it?

Research an Article on Consumerism

It's your choice...Google and research any term that deals with the theme of CONSUMERISM.

You can research anything:
healthcare 
cell phones 
video games 
advertisements
manufacturing 
green manufacturing
computers
clothing  
food industry

The article must be recent, within the last 3 years.

Here is the structure:

Paragraph 1 - Summarize your article (4-8 sentences) INCLUDE LINK TO YOUR ARTICLE!

Paragraph 2 - How does your article relate to Consumerism? (4-8 sentences).  You should be making some deeper connections, inferences, synthesizing information, sharing background knowledge through personal experiences, etc.

Figurative Language - T4

Google "Figurative Language" and read about all the different types.  There are over 30 examples of figurative language...Your job is to use 2 examples in your narrative.  Write about something that happened to in your life in the last 24 hours.

Healthcare - Rocky Clark

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-01-06/health/chi-paralyzed-high-school-football-player-dies-at-27-20120105_1_health-insurance-health-coverage-health-care

After reading this article, answer this question:

What does Rocky Clark's story reveal about healthcare today?  Answer using the following format:  TS, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, Closer

The Science of Selling

After watching part four of the Persuaders, "The Science of Selling", find a commercial on the internet and answer the following questions:

What is your commercial doing to try to reach the consumer?
Was it effective?  Why?
Give Examples

Product Placement

After watching Part 3 of the Persuaders, "Times They Are A Changin", research product placement and show how it is used in: TV Shows, Movies, Video Games, Internet, Sports, etc.

Company Slogans - What do they mean?

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/persuaders/view/

After watching the Persuaders video, do this:

Research THREE company "slogans" and answer this question:  What is the company trying to say to the consumer with their slogan?  

Example:  Nike: Just Do It
The Nike slogan, "Just Do It" was a tribute to the company's can-do attitude, according to a case study published by the Center for Applied Research. The "Just Do It" campaign captured the company's "grit, determination and passion," says the report, and encouraged people to exercise, or just do it.

References:

Center for Applied Research: Mini Case Study: Nike's "Just Do It" Advertising Campaign

Nike Sweatshops

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5uYCWVfuPQ

After viewing this video about Nike working conditions in Indonesia, answer this question:

What can/should be done about the Nike labor situation in Indonesia?

Organize your essay like this:  2 Paragraphs

1st Paragraph :  Problems (Low wages, bad conditions, Nike not taking responsibility for problem, Athletes turning back to issue, Money Nike gives to colleges/athletes, etc)

2nd Paragraph:  Solution (Tell what can be done to solve the problems that you wrote about.  What can be done and by who?)

Theme - The Ultimate Gift

Now that we've read the book and watched the movie, what is the main THEME in The Ultimate Gift? Answer using the following format:  TS, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, SD, Elab

The Gift of a Day - Ch. 13

In this chapter, the message was clear:  Why should we wait until the last day of our lives to begin living the maximum day?  Create your own "last day" in which you describe your perfect day.

The Gift of Gratitude-Golden List

On p.124, Jason learned about "The Golden List"- a visual tablet on which was written ten thing in his life he was thankful for.  Write your own "Golden List" using numbers to separate each one.

The Gift of Problems - Ch.7

Jason Stevens learned about dealing with problems through other people's situations.  He learned that joy does not come from avoiding a problem or having someone else deal with it for you.  Joy comes from overcoming a problem or simply learning to live with it while being joyful.

Write in detail about a time when you learned something through a problem you were experiencing.

Ch. 5 - The Gift of Friendship

Answer in detail ONE of these questions:

Describe something important you did for a friend.

                         OR

Describe something important a friend did for you.

Grow Your Own Food

http://www.ted.com/talks/ron_finley_a_guerilla_gardener_in_south_central_la.html

This TED talk is devoted to the possibilities of gardening.  Since it's almost spring... let's just think about that potential for a moment.  Watch Ron Finley blend gardening and graffiti.

Answer one or more of these questions, or talk about any connection to the TED talk:

What is your experience with gardening like?  How could you see Finley's mission affecting our community?  Explore the financial sense Finely is making "growing your own food is like printing your own money."  How is that true?  Make plans to develop a garden of your own.  What are your favorite vegetables?  Where would you put gardens in our community?  Talk about the thing about sustainability.  Do you attend the farmer's market in Appleton?  How could you get gangsta' with yo shovel?  Why is this TED talk effective?  What is this guy doing that makes you want to do something?  How is he convincing?

The Gift of Money - Ch. 4

In the book, Jason had to find a way to help people with $1500.  If you had $1500 to give away five different ways, who would you spend it on and what ways would it help?

Cost of Dropouts

http://kellygallagher.org/resources/AoW%2012_06%20Dropout%20Rate.pdf

After reading this article, respond to ALL 3 of these writing prompts (1 paragraph each):
 - Why do you think the dropout rate is so high?  Reflect.
 - What might schools do to lower the dropout rate?
 - Pick one (or more) statistic from this article and reflect

Dynamic Characters-Messenger

Write 1 paragraph for each of these characters and show how they are Dynamic characters- include details on how they started in the book and how they changed....use examples!  Each paragraph should use this format:  TS, SD (how they were at the start of book), Elab, SD (how they were at the end of book), Elab, Closer

Ed
Audrey
Marv
Ritchie

Four Paragraphs Total

Four of Hearts - Figurative Language

Identify 3 lines in Ch. "Four of Hearts" (p.287-296) that contain figurative language (simile, metaphor, personification, etc.).  Write down the lines, and explain what the author is trying to say.

Ex.  METAPHOR "...which nearly makes me throw my temper from my skin and hurl it at her."  (281)
 - The author is using Ed's temper as a metaphor for his pent-up anger to describe how he wants to snap on his Ma.

Sleep Deprivation Essay

http://kellygallagher.org/resources/AoW%2012_13%2026%20Sleep%20Deprivation.pdf

After reading this article, answer this question:

What did you find out from this article that you may not have known before?

Use facts from the article to support your answers.

Ch. 8 of Spades (p.228)

Write a FIVE sentence summary of this chapter.....We wrote the first one together in class:

Ch. 8 of Spades
Ed is thinking of how he helped the Tatupu Family and he carries the good-luck Cross with him now as he watches the Italian Restaurant on Clown Street. 

Write 4 more sentences that summarize this chapter

Choosing to Come Together

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/charlie_todd_the_shared_experience_of_absurdity.html

Charlie Todd causes bizarre, hilarious, and unexpected public scenes: Seventy synchronized dancers in storefront windows, "ghostbusters" running through the New York Public Library, and the annual no-pants subway ride. At TEDxBloomington he shows how his group, Improv Everywhere, uses these scenes to bring people together.

• What is the most absurd thing you’ve chosen to be a part of?
• What are the dangerous of group-think as it relates to choices we make?
• Share a story about a time when you became close with strangers over a common issue.
• Is this guy doing something that is good, or something that is distracting and useless?  Why?
• Do you think that you could network something like what is seen in the video, so that people choose to join you?

Part Three-Ace of Spades

Write a SEVEN sentence summary about the Ace of Spades chapter (pgs. 183-197).  The first 2 sentences we did in class are below:
At the start of part three (p.181), Ed wakes up after the beating the Rose Boys gave him and was thinking of all the people that he helped, along with hoping to receive another card.  Marv comes over and takes Ed out to breakfast, which Ed finds odd because Marv is cheap, to make sure he shows up for the Sledge Game.

Add 5 more sentences to the summary after you finish the chapter.

I Am The Messenger - Clubs

Write a 3-4 sentence summary for the following chapters:
10 of Clubs
J of Clubs
Q of Clubs
K of Clubs

Father O'Reilly

What type of person is Father O'Reilly?  Use textural support and quote blending as evidence.  TS, SD, Elab, SD, Elab

Six Paragraph Essay - I Am the Messenger

Characters...

Identify 3 characters and prove your understanding

Select 3 different characters from your book. Compose a paragraph for each character that explains what kind of a person they are. Be sure to include textual support. Oh, and I don't mean that you should tell me what their job is- I'd rather you focus on telling me all about their personality as you demonstrate with your textual support.

Conflict...

This is where it starts getting good...

in 3 separate paragraphs, explain how each character has conflict with another character. Be sure to explain how that relationship exists in relation to the conflicts you have mentioned above. This conference in total should equal 6 developed paragraphs with textual support. Do not schedule a conference and expect a grade if you have anything less.

Winter

What are the three worst (or best) parts about winter?  Answer using this format:  TS, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, Closer

The Only Disability in Life...

The Only Disability in Life is a Bad Attitude.  Watch this YouTube video and react to that quote.  Ten sentence minimum.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd89IydtXyk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

MARS-1 Application

http://mars-one.com/en/

After watching the video and looking over the qualifications- answer this question: Why would you be a great candidate for a mission to Mars?  Use this format:  TS, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, Closer

The Last Farm (Perspective & Relationships)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh7sQ4hPnyk

After watching this short film, put yourself in each character's shoes and answer the following:

1)You are Lilja (the daughter).  What would you say to your father if you knew what he was planning?

2)You are Groa (the wife).  If you could communicate from the dead, what would you say to your husband?

3)You are the Old Man.  What did you say in your "suicide note"?  Begin with Dear Lilja,

Women in Combat

http://kellygallagher.org/resources/AoW%2012_13%2021%20Women%20in%20Combat.pdf

Read this article, then answer this question:

Do you support the allowance of women into combat positions? Explain using the following format:  TS, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, Closer

Te'o Controversy - Relationships

http://abcnews.go.com/US/manti-teo-denies-faking-girlfriend-hoax-admits-tailored/story?id=18255156

Respond to the following questions:  

-How does this story fit with the "relationship" theme?

-What are some characteristics of a good relationship that they (Manti and Lennay) had?

-What are some characteristics of a good relationship that they were missing?

-Put yourself in Te'o's shoes...what would you have done?  Do you believe him?

Agree or Disagree - Legalize Pot?

http://kellygallagher.org/resources/AoW%2012_13%2019%20Marijuana%20health%20concerns.pdf

Read the article above and answer the following question:
Do you support the legalization of marijuana?  Why or why not? Explain using textural support (facts, quotes from the article).

Use this format:  TS, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, Closer.

The Eye of the Beholder

How does the theme IDENTITY apply to the Twilight Zone episode The Eye of the Beholder?  Use the following structure for your essay response:  TS, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, Closer.

There are two ways of looking at identity: Internal (how you see yourself), and External (how others see you)

In addition to the story details, consider these characters in your essay:
Ms. Tyler
Doctor
Nurse
President
Mr. Smith (guy at the end)

Theme (Movie and Book)

The Contender and Finding Forrester have many themes in common.  Choose ONE theme that you think fits the best for both of them.  Write a thematic essay that compares that theme in both the movie and the book. You should have 2 examples for each.

For example, if you choose friendship as a theme, you should have 2 examples from The Contender and 2 examples from Finding Forrester

Soda Linked to Depression

http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/sweet-sodas-soft-drinks-may-raise-risk-depression-183000091.html

After reading this article, answer this question using support from the reading:

Do you believe that there is solid evidence that sodas cause depression? 

Answer using the following format:  TS, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, Closer 

The Contender - Essay Test

4-5 (minimum) sentences for each response.  DO NOT POST TO BLOG.  You will print out your responses and hand in when finished.

1. Discuss the friendship between Alfred and James. Consider its limitations as well as its history and future possibilities.

2. Analyze Spoon's character and his influence on Alfred. Refer to specifics of his life and to conversations between the two characters.

3. Discuss the role of racism in the novel. Try to include all aspects of the problem.

4. Define one of the major themes of the novel and discuss how Alfred's character relates to it.

5. Choose one specific setting in the novel and show in detail how Lipsyte uses imagery to develop mood.

6. If you could choose one character in the novel to be your friend, other than Alfred, who would it be? Why?

7. Why is Aunt Dorothy's family important in the story? As part of your answer, discuss each family member's significance.

8. In your own life, what would it mean to be a "contender"?

Henry's Characteristics

What characteristics make Henry a good person?  Explain in detail using this format:  TS, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, Closer

Pet Peeves

What are your biggest pet-peeves?  Use this format:  TS, SD, Elab, SD, Elab, Closer

Alfred's Confidence Growing

Why is Alfred's confidence growing?  Use the following format to answer:  TS, SD, Elab, SD, Elab

Chapter 13 Summary....The Contender

Write a 6 sentence summary of Chapter 13