I live near Tavi. Remember her?

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local

Speeches Speeches Speeches

Greetings!
For tonight (Thursday), I'd like for you to further explore your supports. Sure, you know that the Cards are better than the Cubs because we've got Pujols, but give me some information about that. What's his average? Why is he such an asset to the team? How is he compared to Cubs players?
Yes, we know that Chicago neighborhoods are awesome because they've got their own ethnic identities, but which identities are there? What do those unique identities do for the overall effect of the 'hood? Do the people band together more and create a safer environment?
Get into specifics, ok?
I want to see a nice, comprehensive outline for tomorrow. I WILL BE GRADING YOU ON THIS OUTLINE! Use the one on the back of your packet for guidance.

Watch the below for a little more info on speech-making...



And now watch this one just for fun.

It's Coming...

The House on Mango Street Essay Topics

Choose one of the topics below to write a 1.5-2-page, double-spaced, 12-point type essay. Be thorough. Be thoughtful. HAVE A THESIS.

DUE FRIDAY

1) Write about the advantages and disadvantages of using vignettes to tell a story.

2) What does Mango Street represent?

3) Discuss the role of women in this book and their effect on Esperanza.

4) Discuss the use of language in this book and its effect on the reader. Use examples.

5) Where or from whom does Esperanza learn to be who she is?

6) Discuss the book's themes.

7) Discuss the roles of Sally and Marin in helping form Esperanza's views, opinions and identity.

8) Discuss Esperanza's relationship with trees throughout the book.

The Dandelions (TCS singers)

Read about them here...

I've also put all the music files on the Portal under the MEDIA section on the right.

Your Apple Experiments...

Podcasts:

http://www.thecollegeschool.org/cf_media2/index.cfm?g=68

Literal Interpretations of Classic Novels...

Silly Comics of Classic books...

The Tell-Tale Heart

Click on the link to read THE TELL-TALE HEART

Answer these questions on paper to discuss in class tomorrow. Remember: this is for READING COMPREHENSION. While reading, really try to figure out what's going on. I usually read things once to get the narrative/plot down, then read again to pick up clues and hidden meanings.

1) Why does the narrator kill the old man?
2) Summarize the steps of his plan.
3) Why is the word "Death" capitalized?
4) What sound drives the narrator to confess the crime?
5) What 3 words would you use to describe the narrator?
6) Do you think the narrator feels guilty?
7) What is the turning point in the author's sanity?
8) Choose 5 words you are unfamiliar with and look them up. (Vex, Sagacity, etc.)
9) How is the narrator's madness shown in the rhythm of the writing?
10) Find three examples of alliteration.

Kookabura Questions

Answer these questions
IN COMPLETE SENTENCES.
DUE WEDNESDAY.

1) Looking only at the opening line, what kind of relationship do you think the author has with his father? How do you know?

2) Find an example of an onomatopoeia.

3) What does the repetition of this onomatopoeia do for you as a reader?

4) Why does the author use flashbacks? What does using flashbacks do for this story?

5) Is this story funny? Why or why not? BE SPECIFIC. I want quotes and examples!

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/08/24/090824fa_fact_sedaris

Kooka-whaaa?!

David Sedaris goes to Australia.

Read this: http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/08/24/090824fa_fact_sedaris

Be prepared to talk about it on Monday.

Vocab for Week of Feb 22nd

Look up in a book Dictionary! Do not use an online one.
Handwrite these out. I want to see them on paper! HANDWRITTEN!

DISGRACE
EUPHORIA
PROFOUND
DIDACTIC
INNOCENCE
DECISIVE
RESOLUTE
INVASIVE
EMBRACE
INCEPTION

Say whaaa?!?!?! How write a novel via text message.

Read this really awesome article: Japanese Novels Done By Text Messages

Answer these questions to turn in tomorrow and to discuss with the class.

1) Summarize the article. What is the point of it? What is it trying to say? I want to know the WHO WHAT WHERE WHEN WHY.

2) Some people in the article are worried that cell-phone novels could "kill" what?"

3) Who created the cell-phone novel? How did it come about?

4) Do you think there is a demand for cell-phone novels here in America? Why or why not?

Totally awesome, yo.

Big Sky Film Festival Blog!

http://bigskydocff.blogspot.com/

Follow the documentaries I watch and write about.

Tips for Interviewing

General tips include these:

• Research. Read and obtain background information about the subject, source or topic at hand before interviewing so that you can ask informed questions.
• Ask simple questions. Keep your questions short, to the point and focused. Otherwise you risk distracting or confusing your subject, or allowing him or her to answer only part of a complex question. Break down complicated questions into shorter, simpler questions.
• Limit closed-ended questions; use mostly open-ended questions. Closed-ended questions are yes-or-no questions or those that invite very basic, one-word answers. Open-ended questions often begin with “Why?” and “How?” or phrases such as “Tell me about … ” or “How does that make you feel?” They invite longer, more insightful responses.
• Ask follow-up questions. An inexperienced interviewer asks a question, notes the response then moves on to the next question. Don’t stick to the script — listen to the answers and probe further before moving on to your prepared questions. Often it is during a follow-up question that the right quote falls into your lap. “Following up” can also involve a non-question, like a sympathetic response or a gesture of surprise or admiration.
• Take notes. While having an audio recorder is helpful, always keep a notebook handy and use it to jot down quotes, statistics or facts that strike you. You might also want to write down physical details about your environment and your subject’s appearance, facial expressions and voice. But be sure to look up from your notebook and maintain eye contact.
• Be conversational without having a conversation. Keep the interview informal and casual, not overly scripted, and go with the flow, allowing your subject to switch directions –- as long as you remain in control of the interview and are prepared to steer it back to your topic as needed.

Taken from HERE

Vocab! Due TUESDAY, FEB 1

Look up definition! Write 10 times! Study these! Learn these! Love these! TEST FRIDAY.

Frantic-adj
Dominant-adj
Cowardice-noun
Liberal-adj
Interrogate-verb
Genuine-adj
Nomad-noun
Corrupt-adjective
Initiate-verb
Tenuous-adj
Resolute-adj

Grey Gardens Reflection::Due FRIDAY

1) Is this documentary? Is this "Fly on the Wall" filmmaking? Or is this an interview? Or is it all of them? Explain.

2) If you were to make this type of documentary/interview about someone/something, who/what would you do it about? Why? What challenges do you think you'd face?

3) Do you think the Edie's were performing for the filmmakers? Or do you think they're like this all the time? What makes you think that? Give evidence.

4) What kind of writing is this like type of filmmaking? Have we done any of this type of writing? Would you like to do this sort of writing? Why?

Grey Gardens: Is It An Interview? Is is Documentary?

1) Write (with your hand! and a pen or pencil!) out each vocab word 10 times. Yes, that's right--10 times. You must turn it in Wednesday.

Truant
Bigot
Activist
Nemesis
Psychologist
Philanthropist
Kleptomaniac
Anarchist
Saboteur
Pauper
Archaeologist
Physicist

2) Thought Grey Gardens was weird? Read THIS article about what documentary really is.

Using the collaborative elements...

DUE FRIDAY, JAN 14th.
Double-spaced, 1.5 to 3 pages long. No longer than 3 pages!
12 point type.
Do it to it! Go and create!

Vocab for Jan 10th!

Hello, Sparrows!
Please find the definitions of these words as well as the ANTONYMS and PARTS OF SPEECH.
DUE MONDAY, just in time for another word game...

Acute
Mutual
Obsolete
Crucial
Infamous
Essential
Brevity
Hostile
Primitive
Relevant

VOCAB! Due TUESDAY, Jan 4th

Look up definitions AND parts of speech!

-Languid
-Palatable
-Capricious
-Novel
-Acquiesce
-Controversial
-Skirmish
-Repulsive