Fallen Angels-English 11-Third Block

We will begin reading the novel Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers early next week. You will need to go to the library and check out your own copy of Fallen Angels before next Monday. You will need to do this on your own time. You will not be permitted to leave class to go and check your book out. You have the time before school, after school, and during your lunch to do this.

Look at the following questions and respond to them in the comment section. If you decide to post anonymously, without providing a user name, be sure to include your name in your post so that I may award you credit for completing the project. Some of the questions may require you to research other areas of the Internet. Perhaps, you might look up a summary of the novel to help you in making a decision. Please use your time wisely. You have only today in class to finish the assignment. I also encourage you to read what others are posting and feel free to respond and comment appropriately. All inappropriate comments will result in deduction of points for the project.

DO NOT COPY AND PASTE RESPONSES FROM OTHER SOURCES. I WILL BE DOING A CHECK. ANYONE CAUGHT DOING THIS WILL RECEIVE A 0/100 FOR THE PROJECT AND WILL BE WRITTEN UP FOR ACADEMIC DISHONESTY. You've been warned!

Fallen Angels

The following statements represent big ideas from the novel that can relate to many other war-related texts you might read. Simply write "agree" or "disagree" and more importantly, explain WHY.

1. Young soldiers engaged in combat typically undergo a personal transformation--a passage from youth to maturity, from innocent to experience.

2. War often forces people to reconsider their traditional notions of right and wrong.

3. War brings out extremes of behavior--not only courage, loyalty, and sacrifice but also brutality, prejudice, and arrogance.

4. War is chaotic. People often find it difficult to make sense or find meaning in combat.

Thought Provoking Questions. (Yes, you will need to answer these in depth which will require you to do some research online.)

1. What do you already know about The Vietnam War?

2. What do you want to know about The Vietnam War?

3. Why, in your opinion, was The Vietnam War so controversial?

Fallen Angels Introduction-11th Grade-2nd Block

We will begin reading the novel Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers early next week. You will need to go to the library and check out your own copy of Fallen Angels before next Monday. You will need to do this on your own time. You will not be permitted to leave class to go and check your book out. You have the time before school, after school, and during your lunch to do this.

Look at the following questions and respond to them in the comment section. If you decide to post anonymously, without providing a user name, be sure to include your name in your post so that I may award you credit for completing the project. Some of the questions may require you to research other areas of the Internet. Perhaps, you might look up a summary of the novel to help you in making a decision. Please use your time wisely. You have only today in class to finish the assignment. I also encourage you to read what others are posting and feel free to respond and comment appropriately. All inappropriate comments will result in deduction of points for the project.

DO NOT COPY AND PASTE RESPONSES FROM OTHER SOURCES. I WILL BE DOING A CHECK. ANYONE CAUGHT DOING THIS WILL RECEIVE A 0/100 FOR THE PROJECT AND WILL BE WRITTEN UP FOR ACADEMIC DISHONESTY. You've been warned!

Fallen Angels

The following statements represent big ideas from the novel that can relate to many other war-related texts you might read. Simply write "agree" or "disagree" and more importantly, explain WHY.

1. Young soldiers engaged in combat typically undergo a personal transformation--a passage from youth to maturity, from innocent to experience.

2. War often forces people to reconsider their traditional notions of right and wrong.

3. War brings out extremes of behavior--not only courage, loyalty, and sacrifice but also brutality, prejudice, and arrogance.

4. War is chaotic. People often find it difficult to make sense or find meaning in combat.

Thought Provoking Questions. (Yes, you will need to answer these in depth which will require you to do some research online.)

1. What do you already know about The Vietnam War?

2. What do you want to know about The Vietnam War?

3. Why, in your opinion, was The Vietnam War so controversial?

10th Grade Writing Assignment-Hotel Rwanda

The following resources will help you when writing your pieces that have been assigned to you. Utilize them. If you have any questions, please feel free to email. Assignments are due next Friday.


Resources

Letters:

http://www.kcitraining.com/styleguide/book/letelem.html
http://www.savvy-business-correspondence.com/BizLetterElements.html

Memos:

http://writingcenter.gmu.edu/resources/handouts/businessmemo.pdf
http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/creed/Business/MemoFormat.html

News Article:

http://www.isitebuild.com/article-writing-2.html


Rwandan Resources

http://www.un.org
http://www.gov.rw/
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/rw.html
www.hrw.org/reports/1999/rwanda
http://www.unitedartists.com/hotelrwanda/intro.html
http://www.hrrfoundation.org/about.html
www.paulrusesabagina.com

Hotel Rwanda

Yesterday/Today, I gave a brief history introduction to the Rwandan genocide, you will be watching a behind the scenes documentary featuring the real life Paul Rusesabagina on Monday, and you watched the first third of the movie, Hotel Rwanda. Based on the history lesson, the documentary, and the movie you have a pretty clear idea that this tragedy was basically ignored by the rest of the world. The United Nations was only able to do so much. The United States had trouble clarifying if genocide like behavior was to be considered a genocide. Nearly 1 million Rwandans were murdered and it was barely a blip on the radar of the world.

The photographer in the movie makes a statement in reference to what is happening in Rwanda and the footage that he took that day, "If people see this they’ll say ‘Oh my God. That’s horrible,' Then they'll go on eating their dinners.” Is this an accurate statement in terms of how people today react to current atrocities? Why? Why not?

11th Grade

Are there any similiarities or differences between what is happening in the novel, Fallen Angels, and what is happening in world today???

Paper Assignment- 10th Grade ONLY!!!!!!

If you should have ANY questions or need to discuss your paper, feel free to post on the blog, email, or myspace me over the break.


Night Paper Assignment

Directions:
You must choose one of the following prompts. Each paper must be 1-2 typed, double spaced pages. Please be sure to edit and revise for your final copy. Use clear and concise language. Be sure to make all of your sentences complete. Concentrate on your ideas and the details you use to prove your point. I will be using the WV Writing Assessment Rubric to evaluate your essay. If you do not have a copy of the rubric, please ask for one and it will be made available for you. Due Date: The Monday you return from Spring Break.

Write a review or an article that expresses your reaction to the value of this book as assigned reading in the English or Language Arts curriculum.


Write an essay expressing your like or dislike of the book. Did it have any effect on your views? Feelings? Attitudes? Actions?

Locate pictorial images of the Holocaust. Working in an individual setting, prepare an essay based on the mood, emotions, and theme conveyed in the selected illustration.

Elie Wiesel once said that anyone who witnesses an atrocity, or an act of inhumanity, and does nothing to stop it, is just as guilty as the person committing the act. Those who know and remain silent are guilty of the same offense. To stand by silently is to participate in the crime. Do you agree with Elie Wiesel’s judgement? Explain.

Should students continue to study the Holocaust in school today? Give specific reasons for your response.

Weekly Challenge

This week's challenge. One of Rachel's challenges is to let those close to us know that they matter. This week's challenge is to write someone that you care about a letter letting them know why and how much they are appreciated. Help to make someone's day fabulous.

Rachel's Challenge

What are your initial reactions to the Rachel's Challenge presentation in which you participated today? Thoughts, questions, concerns....

Weekly Challenge

Weekly Challenge:

Introduce yourself to someone that you don't know--someone at school, in the community, at the store. Start a short conversation. You never know, you might meet a new friend, business contact, or a future boyfriend/girlfriend. Either way, you have nothing to lose.

Sam M's Questions for you...

The following statement/questions were posted by Sam M.:

My questions to everyone, although possibly the answers may be unattainable, are this:

Why do we feel the need to put up the barriers around us to block something different from us out, yet we say we're up to learn about and try new things?

and

Why not become part of the solution instead of fueling the problem?

I believe that if we can answer those questions and find ways to integrate new things into peoples lives little by little then we may be able to stop the bullying and start something great!

Presidential Election

Take this survey to help you determine which Presidential Candidate is most aligned with your view points.

I updated the link. This one should work better. Sorry about that.

Rachel's Challenge

This Thursday Riverside High School is going to participate in an assembly called Rachel's Challenge. Rachel Scott was the first student killed in the Columbine High School Tragedy on April 20, 1999. She left behind an amazing legacy and a simple challenge to anyone willing to accept it---treat others with kindness and compassion and you just may change the world you live in. The staff of Riverside High School is in the process of completeing preparatory work to insure that the students can emotionally handle the magnitude of the subject matter. The goal is not to glorify school violence or to promote it as a solution, but rather to educate our students and show the importance of positive living. In an effort to accomplish this goal, we are also inviting parents and community members to view the presentation and accept Rachel's Challenge on Thursday evening. Please make it a point to come to Riverside High School at 7pm on Thursday to listen and learn. It might just change your world.

Invitation:

If you are an individual that cares about kids, cares about where our society is headed, or are just plain compassionate...I invite you to come hear an incredible story of courage and hope.

Columbine High School: A Time To Remember. A Time To Hope.

Rachel's Challenge: You just might start a chain reaction.

Rachel Scott was the first person killed in the Columbine High School Tragedy on April 20, 1999. She left behind an amazing legacy and a simple challenge to anyone who will accept it--treat others with kindness and compassion and you just may change the world you live in.

Riverside High School Auditorium/Gym
March 13, 2008
7pm-8pm
Please Attend!!!
Advised: No young children.

This is a very emotional and moving presentation given by Rachel's family members. The family, soon after the Tragedy, made a pledge to visit as many middle schools and high schools in the United States to spread Rachel's Challenge. 9 years later and they are still carrying on Rachel's Challenge. I strongly urge you to attend. It will change your life.

The X Variable...

In class we have been discussing the roles that we choose from day to day and from event to event. Specifically in class, we have discussed the roles of individuals who were directly and indirectly affected during World War II and then again in the Vietnam Conflict. We have even taken a step closer to our personal knowledge base and discussed the roles that we choose in our day to day lives within our school building; specifically when it comes to stereotyping and prejudices. In preparation for Thursday's assembly, "Rachel's Challenge," we began discuss Columbine, school violence, and from where it might stem.

Over the last two days we watched the film, "Bang, Bang, You're Dead." We watched as a trouble student goes on an amazing journey to figure out right from wrong, while choosing roles that are dangerous and then again hopeful. The roles of perpetrator, bystander, victim, and rescuer are witnessed and sometimes by the same character. Each individual in the movie has a point and shows a perspective of ourselves and those around us. In short...not one person is ever the only person to blame in the end. Think about the movie and the discussions that we have started in class. Think about the following...

How do people respond when feeling victimized, fearful and hopeless? Trevor had two paths he could take: Be the “X” or be the perpetrator. What is the “X” Mr. Duncan referred to? How can individuals, families, schools, and communities help cultivate the “X” factor? Which of the paths mentioned above takes more strength of character?

Welcome to the Blog-Second Semester.

Hi there everyone. I wanted to thank you for visiting the blog. I plan on using this with my current and former classes, parents, friends, colleagues, etc so that we might continue conversations about what we do, read, write, and think about in class. Thinking doesn't just happen in the classroom; it happens every where. So many times in the evenings I think about what I should have said, might have said, or think of a whole new idea and I want to share it with you. This is a way for us to continue thinking and doing. I hope that you are an active participant. I also wanted to state, this site isn't just for students. I am hoping to get some parental feedback as well.

Carlee's PBL Video

Carlee presented on school violence and the education needed to prevent it. The above clip is full of school violence statistics that are very eye opening. In class, she also showed a map of the United States. Approximately 10 states were not colored in red, meaning that a school shooting had NOT taken place there. WV was one of the ten.