Thursday, December 20, 2007

Winter Break Blog

Hey everyone. I thought you guys might want to talk over the break or something, so I put this up just in case. There's no specific subject, just whatever you feel like talking about. Enjoy!

Monday, December 17, 2007

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Oops!

Hello everybody. I hope your weekend of studying is going well. I just received an email from Morgan, and I accidently posted the Spark outline incorrectly. I only put about a quater of that outline on. Here is the SPARK outline in its entirity!

SPARK• THE LIGHT BULB MOMENT. • THE ORIGINAL IDEA WHEN IT FIRST STARTS THEIR THINKING.• OCCURS RIGHT AFTER THE DOUBTING MOMENT.• THE BOOK IS A SPARK FOR THE READER.• THE DOMINOE AFFECT OF SPARKS.• ALTHOUGH THE ORIGINAL SPARK MAY NOT APPEAR AS BIG, IT SPARKS THE FIRE OF OTHER SPARKS THAT EVERYBODY SEES.• MACBETHo LADY MACBETHo THE DAGGERo THE WITCHES/PROPHESY• LORD OF THE FLIESo THE FIREo THE PIGSo BREAKING OFFo THE BEAST• THE CHOSENo THE BASEBALL IN THE EYEo DAVID MAKING RUEVEN LISTENo SILENCEo FREUD• FAHRENHEIGHT 451o CLARISSEo FABERo LADY IN THE HOUSEo FIREMANo BEATTYo MILDRED AND SICKNESS
Macbeth
· Lady Macbeth - "Great Glamis, worthy Cawdor, Greater than both, by the all-hail hereafter, thy letters have transported me beyond this ignorant present, and I feel now the future in the instant" - Lady Macbeth to Macbeth (Shakespeare, 34)
· Witches Prophecy – “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Glamis!...All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!... All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” Witches to Macbeth (Shakespeare, 14)
· Dagger – “Is this a dagger I see before me, the handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. I have not thee, and yet I see thee still.” – Macbeth to himself/imaginary dagger (Shakespeare, 50)

LOF
· The Fire – “Jack knelt too and blew gently, so that the smoke drifted away, thickening, and a tiny flame appeared…The flame flapped higher and the boys broke into a cheer” Description of first fire (Golding, 41)
· The Pig – “’Rescue? Yes, of course! All the same, I’d like to catch a pig first—‘ He snatched up his spear and dashed it into the ground. The opaque, mad look came into his eyes again” Jack (Golding, 53)
· The Beast – “’He says the beast came in the dark’” Littleuns/Piggy (Golding, 36)
· Breaking Off – “’We’ll make sure later, but I think it’s uninhabited.’” Ralph (Golding, 30)
· CANDLES! –“’Like candles. Candle bushes. Candle buds.’” (Golding, 30)

Fahrenheit 451
· Clarisse – “’Do you mind if I walk back with you? I’m Clarisse McClellan.’” (Bradbury, 6)
· Beatty – “Beatty stood there looking at him steadily with his eyes, while his mouth opened and began to laugh, very softly” (Bradbury, 28)
· Woman in house – “The woman on the porch reached out with contempt to them all and struck the kitchen match against the railing” (Bradbury, 40)
· Mildred’s illness – “The woman on the bed was no more than a hard stratum of marble they had reached. Go on, anyway, shove the bore down, slush up the emptiness, if such a thing could be brought out in the throb of the suction snake” (Bradbury, 14)
· Firemen – “there was no longer need of firemen for the old purposed. They were given the new job, as custodians of our peace of mind, the focus of out understandable and rightful dread of being inferior: official censors, judges, and executors. That’s you, Montag, and that’s me” (Bradbury, 58-59)
· Faber – “Yes, of course, again he found himself thinking of the green park a year ago. The thought had been with him many times recently but now he remembered how it was that day in the city park when he had seen that old man in the black suit hide something, quickly, in his coat” (Bradbury, 74)

The Chosen
· Baseball in eye – “I was still a little off balance from the pitch, but I managed to bring my glove up in front of my face just as he hit the ball. I saw it coming at me, and there was nothing I could do. It hit the finger section of my glove, deflected off, smashed into the upper rim of the left lens of my glasses, glanced off my forehead, and knocked me down.” (Potok, 29)
· David encouraging Reuven to be friends –“’ You did a foolish thing, Reuven,’ he told me sternly.’ You remember what the Talmud says. If a person comes to apologize for having hurt you, you must listen and forgive him.’” – (Potok, 63)
· Just because it’s cool – “the accident with the baseball has bound him to you” (Potok, 110)
· “’I thought you said your father never talks to you.’ ‘he doesn’t.’” (Potok, 116)
· Freud – “That’s what psychoanalysis is all about. I haven’t read too much about it yet, but it’s a long process. You’ve heard about Freud. He started psychoanalysis. I’m teaching myself German, so I can read him in the original.”



Jordan

Friday, December 14, 2007

Period 5 What Does it take to Challenge the System???

We broke up challenging the system into five big themes:
Fuel, Spark, Accomplice, Plan, Action

Here is the FUEL outline:
Fuel-
Macbeth
Want for Power
Ambition
Lady Macbeth
Lord of the Flies
Human Nature
Savagery
The beast
Stubbornness
Childishness
Power
Fahrenheit 451
Power over himself (to think)
Change of thinking
Childhood memories
Books
The Chosen
Control over his future
The capacity of his mind (Danny)
Books

Here is the PLAN outline:
Macbeth
He does not want to wait and see what his fate will be, he would rather change ità to do this he must create a plan of action
Macbeth’s plan is to kill the king
He is doing this to gain power
Macbeth is not the only one with a plan; the Witches had a plan to tempt him into doing this. They tried to show him his fate to see how he would challenge it. In doing this they accomplished their goal, to create chaos.
Macduff and Malcom had a plan to create an uprising against Macbeth, this was for the own good of the people.

Quotes-

Macbeth’s plan-
“Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle towards my hand? Come, let me clutch thee…” (Act 2.1. 42-43)
“I go, and it is done. The bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell that summons thee to heaven or to hell.” (Act 2.1. 71-73)

Witches plan-
“All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis… All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor… All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter!” (Act 1.2. 52-57)
“I conjure you by that which you profess—Howe'er you come to know it—answer me. Though you untie the winds and let them fight…Even till destruction sicken, answer me to what I ask you.” (Act 4.1. 51-62)

Malcom/Macduff’s Plan
“The time approaches that will with due decision make us know what we shall say we have and what we owe. Thoughts speculative their unsure hopes relate, but certain issue strokes must arbitrate. Towards which, advance the war.” (Act 5.4. 16-21)
The Plan
Fahrenheit 451- Montag had a plan to challenge the government in his society. The first part of his plan was to read and understand books. In order to do this he had to steal books. The second part of his plan was to plant books in all of the firefighters homes so that the government looked corrupt and then a new government had to be formed.

Beatty had a plan to die. His life was unsatisfactory and he was having an internal struggle. His plan was to get Montag to kill him so that he didn’t have to do it himself.

The government had a plan to make sure that no one had to think. Without books, time, and feelings, there is no time to think. If no one can think, then there are no thoughts of rebellion. They carried out by replacing time with constant television and noise.

“But let me tell you my plan-
“If you insist on telling me, I must ask you to leave.”
“But aren’t you interested?”
“Not if you start talking the sort of talk that could get me burnt for my trouble. The only way I could possibly listen to you would be if the fireman system itself could be burnt. Now, if you suggest that we print extra books and arrange to have them hidden in firemen’s houses all over the country, so that the seeds of suspicion would be sown amongst these arsonists, bravo, I’d say!”
“Plant the books, turn in the alarm, and see the firemen’s houses burn, is that what you mean?”
Faber raised his brows and looked at Montag as if he were seeing a new man. “I was joking.”
“If you thought it would be a plan worth trying, I’d have to take your word it would help.”

LOF-# "'We've got to have rules and obey them. After all, we're not savages. We're English, and the English are best at everything.'"
- William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Ch. 2

"He says things like Piggy. He isn't a proper chief.'"
- William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Ch. 8


# "Which is better--to have laws and agree, or to hunt and kill?"
- William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Ch. 11

"Roger advanced... as one wielding a nameless authority."
- William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Chapter 11

Ralph: "This is our island. It’s a good island. Until the grown-ups come to fetch us we’ll have fun."

Ralph, Piggy, Jack had a plan
All the same you need an army, Jack 32
Piggy’s plan was for rescue (fire smoke signal), shelter and some form of govn’t.
Ralph’s plan was to establish a form of organization, him leading, and have some people in charge of shelter, some of food, and some of fire
Jack’s plan was for everyone to hunt and only be concerned about the next few days. He was always hunting and eliminating the competition.
“I said my brother would probably make a fine tzaddik,” Danny said quietly. “It occurred to me recently that if I didn’t take my father’s place I wouldn’t be breaking the dynasty after all. My brother could take over. I had talked myself into believing that of I didn’t take his place I would break the dynasty. I think I had to justify to myself having to become a tzaddik.”
(Potok pg. 201)
In this quote, Danny is talking about his “plan.” His plan that he is talking about is not following in his father’s footsteps and becoming a rabbi. He is thinking that he can let his younger brother take that position and follow his own dreams to become a psychologist. At the end of the book, it tells us that he does go on to follow his dream.


Here is the ACCOMPLICE outline:
Friend -Chosen Aquire a freind quote- "'Reuven, listen to me. The Talmud says that a person should do two things for himself. One is to acquire a teacher. Do you remember the other?' 'Choose a freind'" (74) Had to work together or it wouldn't have challenged the system, their freindship was challenging "'...and I want you to let him be your friend and to let yourself be his freind.'" (110) "'I am happy my Daniel has chosen you as a freind'" (Reb,141) This shows that Reb was the "accomplice" to Danny making him challenge the system David challenging Reuven to challenge the system -Fahrenheit 451 Faber and Clarisse w/o whom he wouldn't have challenged the system Clarisse- "These men have been dead a long time, but I know their words point, one way or another, to Clarisse." (Montag, 72) This showed that Clarisse was the reason why Montag was challenging the system Faber- "'Yes, and look where we're headed. You'll have to travel blind for a while. Here's my arm to hold onto." (Faber, 92) Macbeth 6-9 Lady Macbeth provoked Macbeth's mind to fuel his evil. "Naught had, all's spent, where our desire is got without content. Tis safer to be that which we destroy than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy." (3:2:6-9) "He that's coming must be provided for; and you shall put this night's great business into my dispatch, which shall to all our nights and days to come give solely sovereign sway and masterdom." (1:5:68-73) Lord of the Flies Roger made Jack evil "'The chief and Roger, yes Roger." (Eric, 188) "He met the cheif, or Roger, who carried death in his hands?" (Ralph, 196) "At last he heard a voice-Jack's voice, but hushed. "Are you certain?" The savage adresssed said nothing. Perhaps he made a gesture. Roger spoke. "If you're fooling us-." (192) Piggy helped Ralph become a challenger of Jack by being his good conscience " Nobody knows where we are. Perhaps they knew where we were going to; and perhaps no. But they don't know where we are 'cos we never go there." Piggy "That's what I was going to say," Ralph (35)
Here is the SPARK outline
SEE OOPS! POST FOR THE SPARK OUTLINE IN ITS ENTIRITY
Fire
· Sparks
· The split between Jack and Ralph
· Resentment between Ralph and Jack
· Disagreements between the ones who want to work vs. the ones who want to hunt
· Jack stealing Piggy’s glasses, thus giving him the ability to make fire, which officially makes Jack chief

· Others
· The signal fire seems an unnecessary chore to Jack and others who just want to hunt
· When the signal fire goes out the animosity between Jack and Ralph increases
· Represents the hope of rescue
· “If Jack was chief he'd have all hunting and no fire. We'd be here till we died.” pg 93
Pigs
· Sparks
· The Split Between Jack and Ralph
· The difference between hunting and having fun over working for rescue
· Bloodlust in Jack
· Others
· Jack's way of coping with Ralph
· Jack's excuse for not working on the fire
· “But you can't even build huts-then you go off hunting and let out the fire-” pg 71
Breaking off
l Sparks
l The war between Jack and Ralph
l The kidnapping of the little kids to be in Jack's tribe
l Jack eventually killing Piggy
l Others
l Caused by Jack's humiliation
l He laid the conch with great care in the grass by his feet. The humiliating tears were running from the corner of each eye.
l “I'm not going to play any longer. Not with you.” pg 127
The Beast
l Sparks
l Fear
l Causes the boys to act irrationally
l Causes them to kill Simon in blind fear
l “They talk and scream. The littluns. Even some of the others. As if-”
l “As if it wasn't a good island.” pg 52



Here is the ACTION outline:

Actions

LOF- Jacks killing frenzy, boat shows up, Piggy dying, Ralph first being elected, fire problems, Jack’s cult, using the talking conch

Macbeth- Macbeth’s murders (King, Banquo, MacDuff’s family) MacDuff killing Macbeth

451- Burning lady, meeting Faber, reading poems, telling Mildred secret, took books, running away, planes bombing, public adverts,

Chosen-reading Freud, hanging out with each other, Rueven’s friendship, breaking social norms, finally tells dad, applying for collages ad taking psych. classes, Rueven frees fly.

Action: Point when the character actually challenges the system and it’s too late to turn back. Last thing you talk about thing they do to challenge the system, simple things, spark fuels first action which fuels the final result. Action is climax.

Quotes

LOF
“Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood! Do him in!” (Golding, p 152,) (by the hunters)

“Jack planned his new face. He made one cheek and one eye socket white, then he rubbed red over the other half of his face and slashed a black bar of charcoal across from right ear to left jaw.” (Golding, p. 63)

“ You let the fire go out”
This repetition made Jack uneasy

“Jack held up the head and jammed the soft throat down on the pointed end of the stick which pierced through the mouth… “This head is for the beast. It is a gift.” (by Jack)

Macbeth
“O Banquo, Banquo, our royal master’s murdered!” (Shakespeare, 67) (by Macduff)

“He [Macbeth] has killed me mother. Run away, I pray you!” (Shakespeare, 135) (by the son of Macduff)

“I go, and it is done. The bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell that summons thee to heaven, or to hell.” (Shakespeare, 51)

451
“The woman on the porch reached out with contempt to them all and struck the kitchen match against the railing” (Bradbury, p. 40)
(The scene in which the old woman is about to kill herself for her books)

“I’m antisocial they say.” … “Social to me means talking to you about things like this or talking about how strange the world is.” (Bradbury, p. 29) (by Faber)

“Montag’s hand closed like a mouth crushed the book with wild devotion, with an insanity of mindlessness to his chest.”(37, Bradbury) (Description of Montag’s action)

The Chosen
“What does he want to read in German?” he asked me.
“He wants to read Freud.”(Potok, p. 158) (David and Rueven talking about Danny’s reading Freud)

“When will you tell him? Because I will be out of town that day.”
“No,” he said quietly,” I am going to need you around that day.” (p. 201) ( Danny and Rueven)


POST ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE, AND I WILL TRY MY BEST TO ANSWER THEM! GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!




Smith Hour 5 :)

Okay today we just worked on our Challenge The System Posters and turned in our Chosen books but we finally got the question for our in class essay final. The question is:

What does it take to challenge the system?

Remember:
-You need to begin with a clear intro paragraph which includes a strong, clear argumentative thesis statement.
-Use at least 3 points of comparison with at least 2 different examples from the text to support your point.
-Make sure to use at least 3 of the 4 texts we have studied this semester.
-Finally, make sure to end with a strong conclusion paragraph.
-Double space! Proof read! Turn in your best quality work.
-Your essay must be finished and printed out before the end of final time.


Ms. Smith's Tips for Success:
-Take the first 5 minutes to create outline. Can be as simple or complex as you want.
-Just write. Take your time. Don't stop just go.
-Try to get the essay done in the first 55 minutes, so you have plenty of time to proof read and edit your essay.
-Check, check, and double check your essay.
-You can't bring an outline in, but you can think the outline through mentally so you know what you are going to say.
-Start going as soon as you get to class- no need to wait for the bell.

Ms. Smith should be available 1st and 3rd on Tuesday.



By the way, someone from the Mideastern area has agreed to blog with us. fThey are from Qatar. We GoogleEarth-ed the country. Pretty neato sweeto. Stephen thinks it looks pretty barren. Kristina thinks he is the "Sandman" since he lives in the desert.

Kristina watched the blog with Daniel Pink last night and she said that he was a pretty cool kid.

Jordan is posting our outlines of our posters on the blog so all the information should be on Blogger this weekend if you need it. If you have any questions, post them on that blog and they should get answered.


Good luck on your finals everyone :)

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Period Five Scribe 12/13/07

Hello everybody. This is my second time scribing, because I accidentally deleted my other scribe. Today is the thirteenth of December, and for those of you who weren't in class today (Alex) our homework was to scribe(which I am doing right now for the second time), to figure out what you are getting Ms. Smith for Christmas, and to have the first 62 pages of A Whole New Mind read by the end of break. We also had an opportunity to blog with Daniel Pink tonight about two hours ago.
We started off the day by talking about the different people we might blog with about A Whole New Mind and Ms. Smith hopes that we get some guy, who I can't remember his name. I think it sounds like Gregor Mendel the guy from biology who discovered cells. Anyway, she thinks that our class is the only one who can handle all his oppostion to the book A Whole New Mind because HOUR 5 IS THE BEST HOUR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After our discussion, we split up into our groups to help us prepare for our CHALLENGING THE SYSTEM final. We split up into our five groups that represent the five steps to challenge the system... the FUEL, the SPARK, the ACCOMPLICE, the PLAN, and the ACTION and worked on our posters. Tomorrow, we will collaborate all five posters so that we all get A's on our final essay. Until tomorrow when we meet again, but until then keep on learning although the bell has already rang. :)

Accomplice outline

Friend
-Chosen
Aquire a freind quote-
"'Reuven, listen to me. The Talmud says that a person should do two things for
himself. One is to acquire a teacher. Do you remember the other?' 'Choose a
freind'" (74)

Had to work together or it wouldn't have challenged the system, their freindship
was challenging
"'...and I want you to let him be your friend and to let yourself be his
freind.'" (110)

"'I am happy my Daniel has chosen you as a freind'" (Reb,141)
This shows that Reb was the "accomplice" to Danny making him challenge the
system

David challenging Reuven to challenge the system
-Fahrenheit 451
Faber and Clarisse w/o whom he wouldn't have challenged the system
Clarisse- "These men have been dead a long time, but I know their words point,
one way or another, to Clarisse." (Montag, 72)
This showed that Clarisse was the reason why Montag was challenging the system

Faber- "'Yes, and look where we're headed. You'll have to travel blind for a
while. Here's my arm to hold onto." (Faber, 92)

Macbeth 6-9
Lady Macbeth provoked Macbeth's mind to fuel his evil.
"Naught had, all's spent, where our desire is got without content. Tis safer to
be that which we destroy than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy." (3:2:6-9)

"He that's coming must be provided for; and you shall put this night's great
business into my dispatch, which shall to all our nights and days to come give
solely sovereign sway and masterdom." (1:5:68-73)

Lord of the Flies
Roger made Jack evil
"'The chief and Roger, yes Roger." (Eric, 188)
"He met the cheif, or Roger, who carried death in his hands?" (Ralph, 196)
"At last he heard a voice-Jack's voice, but hushed. "Are you certain?" The
savage adresssed said nothing. Perhaps he made a gesture. Roger spoke. "If
you're fooling us-." (192)

Piggy helped Ralph become a challenger of Jack by being his good conscience
" Nobody knows where we are. Perhaps they knew where we were going to; and
perhaps no. But they don't know where we are 'cos we never go there."
Piggy "That's what I was going to say," Ralph (35)

5th Period Spark Group

To all my group members out there:

As you all have probably figured out by now, I am at home sick. I am, however, going to try to blog for as long as possible today so that we can communicate and share our group's information. Please post all of your information here so that we can all access it.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

SCRIBE PER.2 SMTIH DEC. 12th -JAVON

Today in class we set up groups to help make CTS posters for the review for our FINAL EXAM.
-We assigned a leader to help guide us through this process and we picked our four topics for the final.
The final is an essay on CTS and it is comparisons of CTS throughout the 4 books we have read this semester: F451, Macbeth, LOF, and THE CHOSEN.
- We established our four topics in class today- DESIRE TO CHANGE, NEED OF A SYSTEM TO CHALLENGE A SYSTEM/ TYPE OF SYSTEM, AN ACCOMPLICE OR AN OUTSIDE FORCE, AND SACRIFICES MADE TO CHALLENGE THE SYSTEM.
-FOR THE POSTERS we are going to compare and contrast each topic above amongst the books, we are going to find quotes to help support our reasoning, and establish the main ideas of each in each book
-We are going to have a CREATIVE representation of our thoughts of CTS to help us visually review for our in class essay for the final on Monday, and Tuesday of next week.

Hey Period 2 Sacrifice Group

Hey we need as many ideas as you all can come up with the element of sacrifice for challenging the system. All the work we have accomplished so far will be posted as a comment to this post. Any ideas would be great
Thanks!!

PERIOD 5 CHALLENGING THE SYSTEM!!

Hey Guys! If we have any questions or comments about the projects we would like to discuss, post it here. Also, each group will receive a 6ft long piece of white paper to put their web/display of information on tomorrow at the beginning of class. Have fun!

Daniel Pink is available at EdTech tonight at 5

Daniel Pink at Ed Tech

Event: EdTechConnect featuring Daniel Pink

Date and Time: Wednesday, December 12, 2007 7:00 pm

Eastern Standard Time (GMT -05:00, New York) Change time zone

Program: EdTechConnect

Duration: 1 hour

Description: Daniel Pink, bestselling author of A WHOLE NEW MIND, will describe how three powerful economic forces are putting a premium on right-brain abilities in the workforce. He'll describe the six artistic, empathic abilities that now matter most -- and discuss how educators are beginning to surface and sharpen those abilities in students.

Do You Have What It Takes to Challenge the System?

Well, Macbeth, Jack, Montag, and Danny sure did.
Here is a full proof method to challenging the system.
1. The very first thing you need to challenge the system is fuel to power your fire. For Macbeth it was ambition, Jack a need for power, Montag a yearning for knowledge, and Danny a lifetime of silence.
2. The next thing you need is a spark. For Macbeth it was a prophecy, Jack a caught pig, Montag a new found friend, and Danny a Freud filled book.
3. Then, an accomplice or two comes in handy. Whether it is Lady Macbeth, Roger, Faber, or Rueven, a support system always helps you through the tough times.
4. At this time a plan needs to be made. For some it was a murder, a carefully placed speech, a rebellion against the government, or a college path not laid out by his father, but what will it be for you?
5. Finally it has to be played out. No matter whom you are actions speech the strongest. Even the best plans in the world don’t matter if they are never put into action.

Time for Period Five Scribe

Hey Smith’s Period Five:
Today we started our CTS review for the FINAL! We get to have charge of our own learning. Remember this is the last week to et something for Smith for Christmas. We are etting ready to write an essay for our final on Fareinheit 451, LOF, Macbeth and The Chosen. The question was what does it take to Challenge the System??? WE got into big groups and then split up to come up with the best answer. So good luck!!!

Per. 2 Challenge the systems ideas

here is the place to put your ideas about challenging the system

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Period 5 Scribe for the Day of December 11, 2007

Class started off today with chatter while Ms. Smith collected her materials. She then said hello to our class, and while we replied, she was talking to someone in the hall. We discussed the rest of the week, during which she will give us time to sit and think about our finals. Our final will be an essay without notes or any materials. It will be on challenging the system within the four books we read this semester: Macbeth, Lord of the Flies, Fahrenheit 451, and the Chosen. Our thinking time later this week will be used to think about the essay and create posters with notes that will be hung around the classroom during finals.

After discussing homework (to think about the essay), we broke up into two groups, formerly known as the double fish bowl. We then discussed our quotes from The Chosen and the rest of the book. Our group had an interesting discussion on the effects and morality of raising Danny in silence, and we somehow got to discussing about every parent being allowed to raise their child exactly the way they want.

Scribe Per.2 of 12/11/07

Well, Here goes.

Today in class was the first time Mrs. Smith got an Intergetic "Hello Mrs. Smith" from the whole class, and we didn't have to repeat it.
After saying hello, we circled up and disscussed Book three, and then the book in general.
Here are some selected topics we disscussed:

-Differance between "suffering now-enjoy later" VS try to enjoy and avoid suffering at all costs.
-Will Danny raise his kid in silence?
-Difference between Reb's way to find answers (no talking) VS phsycologists way of finding answers (talk it out)
-Will Danny and Reuven Still Remain freinds after their paths split?
-Importance of eyes

When we were discussing, Molly mentioned that Reuven seemed like a player since he had a date every weekend, which I got a kick out of. What would we do if we didn't have Molly?


THOUGHT TO PONDER:

If this is classic art

And this is modern art

What is the world coming to?

INTERESTING FACT O' THE DAY: Both Pheobe's step-dad and one of Mrs. Smith's parents are phsycologists.

Now For The Sad Part...

The plauge of finals has finally reached English class

That's right, tonight's HW is to create an outline of the big Ideas for challenging the system.

Include ideas from all texts (LOTF, 451, Macbeth, The Chosen) in this web

Monday, December 10, 2007

Scibe'in Rachel Sabey

So Today class started without the normal Hi Mrs. Smith, it was devistating but we got through thanks to Mark and Molly. (Mark said he thought Molly was crazy and Smith asked him if he just realized that...Molly than was questioned and she came to the conclusion that she wasn't sure if she was crazy or not. Oh and for thr Record Molly I dont think you are crazy!!!)We went through our schedule and Home work. We breifly discussed chapters 15-17 intending not to give away much due to our scored discussion tomorrow. Than we read allowed Chapter 18 (the last in the Chosen!!!) and looked for a quote we thought best describes the ideas of the book to you. Then we came up with a few Questions for tomorrows disscusion. Our Homework was to Finish the book, scribe (which I'm doing) and never forget Smith and what your going to get her for Christmas. Remember she likes Banana Republic known by Mrs. Smith as the Banana. Well Class today was just that simple . So ya see ya tommrow!!! Sleep well( thats probably acward but being the Clueless person I am Sweet Dreams)

Period Two Scibe!! December Seventh!

Hey guys!!

The class started out as usual, but with a little more enthusiasm than normal because it was friday!, with Ms. Smith saying hello and the class having to repeat it twice because it takes a while to work up all that excitement.

But then Ms. Smith needed to go have a meeting over video computer thingy, and we were all pretty bummed we couldn't join, but as Smith said we wouldn't get anything done, which is probably very true. So we had a sub teacher for most of the class. First, we had to blog a thurough reflection of this semester and tell how our learning has changed this year and how technology has effected it. Hopefully one day our blogs with make a difference and more classes will get to use laptops!! After, we got to spend the period reading "The Chosen" and that put an end to our friday english class. Our only homework is to read chapters 15-17 for Monday and what are you getting Ms. Smith for Christmas?

and to spice things up, I'll tell you all one of my favorite jokes!!
so what do you call a fish with no eyes??

a fshhhhhh!! hahaha

see you all in class!!
~Nicole

Period 5 Scribage December 10

What's up my peeps? It's period 5 English December 10.

"Hello everybody."

"Hello Mrs. Smith!!"

HOMEWORK:

-Read Chapter 18

-Pick one quote that embodies the entire book and prepare to defend your point.

-Create questions for discussion tomorrow.

-React to semester reflections and pod casts


Today we are going to briefly discuss 15-17.

Hannah points out that the only way to learn Torah is in silence. When Rueven had nothing, that was the time he made the discovery on the hard Talmud text.

Leslie is confused about the dialogue about silence and how it can be heard.

Dawnielle says that the first silence was between Danny and his Dad- Silence tests relationship-but doesn't work. The second silence was a test of Danny and Rueven's relationships. Parker says that WWI veterans (artillery men) couldn't stand the silence.

Christina said that silence tests yourself. Rueven's father urged Rueven to hear the silence.

Becky says that silence is a detrimental part of being a tzaddik. In silence, one cannot mask one's feelings.

Hannah says that when there is a snow storm, she walks outside and listens to the eerie silence. I've done that too! It's so amazing. She says that you can examine your feelings that you normally couldn't have time to do.

Keke says that she found that the book debates the good and bad of silence. The two characters clash in this way. She thinks that you can only fell-not hear-silence.

Stephen says that silence is good and bad. He was at Cub Scouts and he can feel God in the silence.

Whitney says that she can learn much more about a person when they are silent and that you can analyze those feelings.

Becky says that you can turn toward the happy things when talking, but in silence, you look around and see what is really happening-sometimes good, sometimes bad.

Mellisa is wondering why David is so upset about the silence.

Smith: Is is disappointment or no understanding.

Mac remembers the way a seashell sounds-traps you.

Christina says that through silence that you can gain truthfulness. She also says that the silence reminds her of monks.

Ryan says that the other day he was in an argument and how there is a moment of silence when you stare at each other.

Hannah says that in 451 there was always a distraction,

Leslie says that she noticed that Potok likes to show dialogue without quotations and unconventional dialogue. He constantly breaks the pattern.

Mellisa thinks it was odd for Reb to break the silence between Danny and Rueven.

Whitney says that it could also be because Reb needs to see Rueven.

Stephen says that it is like blind fury. He also thinks of a quote-knowledge speaks, knowledge listens-by Jimmy Hendrix. Great connection!

Morgan T says that Rueven was caught in selfishness when he refused to see Reb, but he needed to be a buffer.

Then we read- one group composes of people like Ryan and Mac who want to read aloud and a group of myself and the majority of the class who want to read silently.


I was just thinking- everybody always has an interesting picture or link on the blog. This morning I was greatly depressed that it was Monday, so I tried to cheer myself up with a video- and I found the funniest thing I think I've ever seen. It's called human tetris, and it is huge in Japan. It's always funny watching a bunch of idiots getting knocked into a pool of an ominous yellow liquid.
Well, we have reached the end of our day in period 5 as we are all reading Chapter 18 of The Chosen. I need to get reading! Happy holidays everybody!
Jordan Hall signing off from Period 5, back to you in the newsroom, Jim!

Friday, December 7, 2007

Oh My Goodness Its the period 5 Scribe!!! 12/7/07

Class started off with the usual "Hello Ms. Smith" which I notice is always said in complete unison...Choral Responses as they call them ^_^.

After that we talked with Ms. Smith about her trip to The Denver Tech Center and how she felt...*dramatic pause*....inferior to the other teachers there. Apparently, the food there wasn't very good though. We talked a bit about Mr. Booth, the fischbowl, and how so many people in the past thought computers would never be used in schools...haha isn't it ironic?

Next Ms. Smith explained the task for the day which was to post a thoughtful and thorough response to the reality check blog question. Our answers may affect the lives of many students here at AHS because technology in learning is at stake. Ms. Smith and many other teachers want technology to be a larger part in student life and so they and many students (like myself) think there should be way more then just 3 laptop classes....wouldn't it be sweet if our comments actually made a difference in school?

This is clearly not education as usual people!!!

After the explanation we were set free to work and once we finished we were allowed to begin the homework assignment which was to read chapters 15-17 of The Chosen.

Reflections Period 5

What changes have you seen this semester in regards to your education? What role did technology play in that change? What role did the constructivist philosophy play in that change? (constructivist-students becoming producers of information, students in charge of their own learning)

Make sure to include specific examples and expand on each other's ideas.

Reflections period 2

What changes have you seen this semester in regards to your education? What role did technology play in that change? What role did the constructivist philosophy play in that change? (constructivist-students becoming producers of information, students in charge of their own learning)

Make sure to include specific examples and expand on each other's ideas.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

PERIOD 2!! "scribin it up"

First of all I would like to express my sadness. I was very sad that Mrs. Smith wasn't in class today. I'm sure everyone enjoyed the sub though. He is a wise man. Of course class started with Molly saying something odd and everyone bursting out in confused laughter. Then the laughter ended with Molly and Mark exchanging puzzled glances. After that daily occurance we were off to the races. We got into small groups and "discussed the book". It was good to get an understanding on things. As a class we were surprisingly quiet in the large group discussion. Nicole and Molly had there little discussion across the class room and we went on reading individually. The reading was pleasing(in a sarcastic voice) as usual. Class seemed to end abruptly. I can say that today was a Good Day! (except for Mrs.Smith missing out)

Ashley for Period 5

Hello fellow classmates, this is Ashley F. My blogger is silly so I have to use Maddie's. We didn't get to meet all together for too long today, so i'll tell you a little about what happened from my observations.

Come back Ms. Smith!! Good choice of sub today though, he knows what he's talking about. Many people became annoyed by the length of the chapter today. The chapter was about Zionism. During the small group discussion, the class was very gender segregated. We have got to get over our fear of cooties! Well anyways, we thought that Danny is a very anti-social kid, and his dad took away his only friend.

During the discussion we also found that Maddie is OCD. Yay Maddie. Alex really wowed us today.... and what about Cate, she drives really well, she even ran into a tree. Maddison has some craker jacks. Ron from Harry Potter wasnt played by the right person---Maddie disagreed. Nunca, means NEVER!!!! Maddie is plum out of ideas.Though every one is tainting the scribing experience, this is what they wanted me to say.------Maddie likes pananas. Let's get serious.

Symbol of the "eye" became a basis for much conversation. The simple writting of the story was broken into this paragraph about the meaning of man.

Some feel that Reb Saunders will never change his ways. Why is Reb Saunders SO agaisnt Zionism? Cate stated that people need a balance of religion and reality in life. Morgan said, in the large group, that the simple story makes you have to become a part of the story. Dawnielle made a remark about the last line of chapter 13, where Reuven remembers that day they met, and how you must think about the series of events after that. Over all, good day of conversation.


Home Work: Read Chapter 14 and What are You Getting Ms. Smith for Christmas? (or should I say Hannukkah????) :)
-Ashley

Scribe for Period 5 December 5th

Well, today Ms. Smith was gone, so everyone was sad. Our sub was Mr. Rosenberg. Since today is a PLC day we had a short class, so I am scribing for the whole day. Our assignment for the day was to read Chapter 13 of The Chosen. Some people got right into their reading while others chose to first shut down their laptops. After a couple of minutes, everything was quiet and everyone was reading.
The homework was to finish reading Chapter 13 and to make sure you think about what you are going to get Ms. Smith for Christmas

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Period 2 Scribe for December 5th!!!

To start off class, the people who haven't yet given their signed Daniel Pink letter to Ms. Smith or had their parents send an email were reminded to do this. Now I'm reminding them again :-)
And today was a late start day, so naturally the "Hello Ms. Smith" at the beginning of class was a little more enthusiastic because we'd all slept in!
Then Molly and Ms. Smith talked about Chuck (nothing new there!). We were reminded of the question we should be mulling over night and day---"What are you getting Smith for Christmas?" Starbucks card, anyone?
We then had the rest of the class to either read Ch. 13 of The Chosen or read ahead.
And then the bell rang after a 40-minute shortened class and Period 2 English 9 Honors for December 5th was over! :-(

The Scribe for the 5th Day in the Wonderful Month of December

Well, it's my turn to scribe today. Ms. Smith is missing and a few of us thought of forming a searching party before we realized it was a scheduled absence. Today our sub is the charming Mr. Rosenberg. Our goal is to read chapter 13 in The Chosen for a discussion tomorrow. Some of us dive into our tattered copies and begin reading, while others shut down the laptops(which the sub allows us to use this time!) clear their space, and open their books searching for the bookmark they left on page one-hundred ninety nine, but is instead lying on the bedside table at home.(oops) Book Three on page two-hundred six, opens with a quote. "A word is worth one coin, silence is worth two," which certainly describes the atmosphere of the classroom. Our homework for this marvelous 5th of December is basically, read chapter 13 and continue to ponder the question that is slowly taking control over our minds; what are YOU getting Ms. Smith for Christmas?

More from December 4th's Period Two

Today in class, after going over the agenda and homework, the class split into 2 discussion groups and talked about The Chosen just like we did with Fahrenheit 451. Our participation in this discussion counted as our quiz grade over book two. My group had a slow start, but pretty soon we were talking about:

The role that Rueven plays in the relationship between Reb and Danny Saunders
  • He acts as a way for Danny and Reb to communicate because they don't talk to each other
  • Reb uses Reuven to find out what Danny does with his time in the library
  • He acts as a buffer between them

The role of Danny's siblings in the story

  • Reb promises his daughter when she is two
  • Danny's brother might be able to take Danny's place if he decides not to be a tzaddik

The reason for the quiet relationship between Danny and Reb

  • Reb is too busy
  • Reb wants Danny to find answers on his own
  • He wants Danny to decide what's important to him

The symbolism of the fly in the web passage

  • The fly can represent Danny feeling trapped because he has no choice but to become a tzaddik like his father

How Reb's past relationships might be affecting his relationship with his new family

  • He doesn't want to get to close
  • His family is not more important than his religion

No homework tonight!!!!!

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Scribe for December 4th, 2nd hour


Today we started class by closing our laptops and putting the desks into two groups, and we started two open conversations about books one and two of The Chosen. In my group, the conversation had a slow start, but after someone started talking things flowed really well.

We came up with a few different topics of conversation, but most were centered around Danny. These are some topics we discussed:


  • Danny an Reb's relationship

  • Danny's feelings about his brother

  • How Danny felt trapped

  • Whether or not Danny would abandon his inherited job

  • Why Reb decided to raise Danny in silence

  • How Reb's past affects him now

  • Why Danny's sister is significant in the story, and the possibility of Reuven liking her

For homework, Ms. Smith decided to give us a break and our only homework is to think of what we're going to get her for Christmas. Tommorow we have a sub, and we get to read all hour.

Period 2 Scribe 12/4/07




Happy Holidays!

Hey period 2!

Our relationship traces were due today!
Today in class we split up into two different groups for the discussion quiz. Smith suggested we talk about book 1 and 2, challenging the system, and our relationship traces and visual comparisons. Some of the topics my group discussed:
-How Reuven is spending every Shabbat with Danny and Reb and how he is getting used to the hasidic faith
- What Reb said about not waiting for the Messiah and how he disagrees with that
-We also compared Reb Saunders and David Malter and their beliefs

  • Reb thinks God will fix all their problems and that the jewish people shouldn't act on anything and just wait for the Messiah to come. David thinks that the jewish people need more rabbis and teachers and that they should make their way to Palestine and make it a Jewish "state".

- We also dicussed how Reb would act when Danny tells him that he does not want to become the tzaddik

  • If he doesn't become the tzaddik he might lose the relationship with his father

  • If he takes up the role of the tzaddik he will have to forget his dreams

-We talked about growing up in silence and if that allows Danny and Reb to get to know each other better and comparing growing up in silence and with talking.

-Danny's study of psychology

-the symbolism of eyes and sickness and also the connection between eyes and silence.

-how Danny has change due to his study of Freud

  • His ideas and morals are being challenged

  • the Talmud says silence is good

  • Freud says talking is good

  • Contridicting ideas

-How Reb talks to Danny through Reuven

-Danny's sstruggles with health, talking, and balancing his interests

- Jews in Europe were struggling and so were the Jews in America, people didn't do anything when all the Jews were being killed

-how sickness is being spread through the Saunders family

-CTS

  • problems lead to CTS

  • problem in the Chosen, Danny doesn’t want to be the tzaddik

  • problem in LOF stranded on the island want to get off get rescued and the other have fun

  • how do you leave the system?
  • Reuven and Danny are challenging the system

  • role of Reb and David when it comes to CTS

  • They are in a way challenging Reb

  • Reb challenging orthodox system by Reuven be Danny’s friend

Homework:

Pink Letter, late start tomorrow, and think about the gift you are going to give Smith for Christmas







Tuesday December 4, 2007-Scribe Period 5

Today in class, we started off by organizing the tables into two rectangular shapes which we would use for the two fish bowls (double bubbles) as the discussion test/quiz.
In the discussion, some things that were talked about were:
  • The selfishness of Danny that he might or might not have
  • Whether or not Danny would take the position of rabbi after his father
  • The growing or shrinking of the relationship of Reuven and Danny

The homework for tonight is just to relax because smith is going to give us a break from all the work we have had to do. (Thank you very much) But our class needs to collaborate with each other and decide what the totally awesome gift we are getting her for Christmas. Tomorrow we will have a sub and we get to use the whole class period to read!!!! Hooray!
MITCH LUEDERS

Monday, December 3, 2007

Once Upon A Time In Ms. Smith's English 5th Hour

Welcome, today we had an interesting hour during 5th block!

Let me start with the homework:
  • Tomorrow there is a quiz over book 2, but this will be a discussion quiz. There will be 2 fishbowls going on at the same time, and NO BLOGGING! This is purely discussion! And for all who have read ahead, don't reveal any information past book 2! Tonight we are to think of different comments we would like to say, or different questions we may have had, and we will be graded on what we say and how often, be prepared!
  • The RELATIONSHIP TRACE is due tomorrow! For all that still have to finish there project, we need to connect Danny, Reuven, Reb, and David all to each other and state the relationship, the feelings about the relationship, and examples. Then we need to compare 3 aspects of our life together; Ms. Smith said to make them specific people rather than a group. And she doesn't mind how you present the information, as long as it's all there.
  • And also, for anyone interested, the pod-casts are online for anyone to hear what our classmates had to say.

Today, the theme seemed to be the old saying, "What am I, chop liver!?" Some how we managed to connect this comment to many aspects of our discussion. We also had the common Emma story, and our discussion over chapters 9-10.

Here are some notes on our discussion:

Remember back to chapter 9 and the part where Reuven is describing so vividly the fly, spider and spider web. There is so much symbolism in these things, we just had to discuss what they may be! Corresponding colors are corresponding ideas) I wish I could be giving you more detail, but I couldn't write fast enough so I hope you can get the idea.

  • Fly: Danny(getting caugth up in a web of the beliefs he is meant to follow and what he wants to do with his life), Reuven, Reb, Danny/Reb, David(being caught up in his controversial stories with strong meaning).
  • Spider: Reb(focusing on, kind of, betraying Danny), Reb, anything that challenges Reb's beliefs, Reb/Danny, David.
  • Spider Web: Reb's ideas, Reb, Reb's beliefs and expectations, Reuven(holding together Danny and Reb's relationship), Davids stories.
  • A point was also made on the parallel between Billy and Danny. How they are both exposed to the world and then shut off.
  • Also, a spider web is so simple, yet it has such intricate detail, like points of this story, how it has such simple language yet the message goes so much deeper.

Also, this would be important for all to pay attention to, she gave us a hint to our final; How does The Chosen fall under our theme of challenging the system? Not the superficial comparisons, but the deep meanings. Here are some of the comments people made about this question to help jog your brain for the final and the quiz tomorrow.

  • Friendship choices: everyone has a black and white mold of who should play with who, or who can be friends with who, but these boys challenge the system with their relationship, both opposing forms of Jew, but thriving together.
  • Also, the friendship of Reb and David.
  • Reuven and David: Reuven comes breaking the system of Danny and Reb's silence. David breaks the Hasidim system established for Danny by giving him controversial books to read.
  • Reb is challenging the common system by developing his own leadership, David seems to be challenging his system with his writings, Danny challenging both systems with his great mind, and this train continues...
  • Danny challenging the system by wanting to be a psychologist.
  • Reuven didn't pity Billy like most everyone would because of his blindness, instead he saw the real Billy and found him as someone to look up to.

As anyone can see, we had quite the discussion! I hope you are all ready for the quiz tomorrow! And one more thing, we must take out time in out busy lives to remember our wonderful English teacher in this time of giving! Have a great evening!

Manchester United-Simply The Best

here's that video i talked about!!!sorry if i get in trouble Smith... the world has to know the truth :)
aaron Weber

SCRIBAGE for Period Dos!

So, today was pretty much like any other: say "Hello Mrs. Smith!", get told that that wasn't very enthusiastic, say it again, and then have Molly comment on something :). All we did was discuss the chapter readings, and then got time to read and/or work on the relationship thing...




So, anyways, the homework is to finish book 2, finish the relationship thing (it's due tomorrow) and get parents to email or sign the pink letter.




By the way, I'm not sure if YouTube videos will show up on this, but here's one for Lia, showing that MANCHESTER UNITED IS AMAZINGLY, EXTRAORDINARILY, INCREDEBLY BETTER THAN ANY OTHER TEAM, INCLUDING NEWCASTLE UNITED, IN THE ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE!!!!!!!!!!! Just thought I ought to let the world know :)...





P.S. Congrats to all on the Podcasts and stuff, they sound good... an also the text is in MAN UTD. color!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Merry Christmas, Happy Channukah, HAve a Kicking Kwanzaa... and everything else!

-Aaron Weber

Friday, November 30, 2007

>GASP< period five....

Today started with; "Hello class. Hello Ms. Smith!" Wow. Original. Didn't see that coming. We got these pink sheets with lots of writing on it. You should buy A whole New Mind because if you don't, you'll embarrass us all in front of Mr. Pink. Don't worry though. You only need it by February. We're talking about chapter eight of The Chosen right now. Apparently Ms. Smith can sit on the tables, but not us. We talked about what ladies shouldn't do, namely swear or smoke. Bad things. We apparently are going to read chapters nine and ten. Has anyone noticed how Ms. Smith always has either a pink green or blue water bottle?

Here's a really cool picture.













Is it WATER, or is it FIRE?
... we may never know...

Apparently chapters 9 and 10 are short. How quaint. Oh, you have to give the pink sheet back with a signature by email or hand. Hm... Lauren's gone. Sad day. I have a picture of a sumo wrestler on my shirt. VERY COOL.
I...can't...look...away....ugh!...


Now we're reading chapters 9-10 silently. Mac's making weird faces. Almost fish-like. The chalk-board says that to listen to music in this class, you have to have it on a CD. Dawnielle is laughing with Leslie... again. Everybody else is doing what they should. The relationship trace is due December 4... and DON'T YOU FORGET IT!!!!!!!

Everybody should should look up polar bear on treadmill on Youtube. It's like third grade humor, but you KNOW WHAT, I think it's pretty darn funny.

The relationship trace that's due on 12-14 is important, and if you plan on doing it by computer, start soon, because those circles are tricky little buggers.... REMEMBER: you need to have one for Danny, Reuven, David, and Reb, as well as one for your own relationships. Take quotes, phrases and pictures from the book and your life into it.
Ever notice how cool the number 5 is? It's so much better than "2".

OH, oh! here's a funny joke:

DANNY: Hi Jake. It's a nice Febuary day isn't it?
JAKE: Actually Danny, it's a nice February day. With an "R".
DANNY: Oh, well aren't you smart.
JAKE: I am.
DANNY: Yeah right.
JAKE: (now yelling) HEY! I'm smart and you know it!
DANNY: OK! Fine! Wow, you sure got mad. Your face is red like a strawbrerry!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! That was funny Matt, you're hysterical.

I love the snow. It's nice, cold, fluffy and white!!! Snowboarding is frickin' awesome. If you CAN snowboard, then SNOWBOARD!!!!!! (I guess you could ski too...)

I will end with "good bye" in six different languages:
See ya!
Bon Voyage!
Au revoir!
Ni zaijian!
aloha!
c u l8er.
Salut!!!

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Scribe for period 2 Thursday, November 28 2007 by Kristen Wieber

Today in Mrs. Smith's 2 period honors English 9 class,

We mainly just discussed chapter 7 of "The Chosen." In doing this we got on to a long topic of how religions have been changed and split to become the many religions of today. Just a side note, a class to class connection, this reminds me of evolution because organisms were changed over time and became all the animals of today. Anyway one of the religions we talked about was Scientology and it's history and beliefs. I had never heard of this religion so it was interesting to hear about. I learned that this religion was the religion that Madonna was. I also learned that one of this religions beliefs is that there are aliens controlling everything we do in this world like were there dolls or something. Another subject of our discussion was about Reb and why he went into such depth with his speech about why Jews should read the Torah and about the difference (in mathematics) between different religions. Other than these subject we just answered any questions or comments anybody had about the chapter. Then we were able to read to ourselves for the rest of the period. Then the bell rang and we went to our next class. The End.

-Kristen Wieber

p.s. for homework we had to work on our character trace and read chapter 8

Scribe for period five!!!

Well hello everyone!!!

Today, sadly Ms. Smith was not here :(… but Ms. Moritz was our sub:)!!!! To start of the class period we jumped right into a class discussion about chapter 7 of The Chosen. We began by summarizing the chapter, here are my notes…

Talked about Reuven’s dream-- he dreamed about eyes
Danny and Reuven are “officially” friends
In this chapter there is a “changing moment”
We see Danny’s world and the strength of Danny and Reuven’s friendship

We then moved into briefly talking about the Synagogues
Reuven’s- In the place of where a store was
Dark
Danny’s-crowed with men and women
Danny’s family lived above
Curtained off women
Shabbat
Walking to the synagogue was a very vivid scene- can be related to parting of the Red Seas- Reuven is amazed by Danny’s “power”
The two men ask for Danny’s advise-- think about Ms. Smith and Mrs. Moritz coming up to us and asking us to “solve” their problems
Why doesn’t he take advantage to this??
Danny’s personality is in a way confusing- he has a high thinking mind
It almost seems Danny has a guilty concisions
He is an honest person

And of course how could we not talk about Danny and his father!!!
Little brother has a blood disease- very sick
Reb is very confident
He seems to be almost the “Jewish God Father,” as I believe Matt Wood said
When Reb walked in the reader was given almost this “here comes the bride,” type image
When he comes to Reuven- first thing he says is you “are David Malter’s son?”
Reb does not agree with what David Malter writes, however there still seems to be that level of respect with Reb and Malter
Reb is direct and stern
Reuven is nervous around him
Reb gives service about Tohraà life is not complete if you don’t read the Tohra
During the service Reuven notices Danny completely changeà Reb makes a mistake and when Danny picks up on it he starts to relax and grin
When Danny smiles Reuven sees the smile that he saw from Danny when he was on home plate when he wanted to kill him. You can see this issue between Reb and Danny. Reb is like ‘I will make it a hard mistake to find’, and Danny is like ‘oh no I’m going to find the mistake’, it is a competition
It seems with all this competition Reb does not really support and honor his son
Reb knows that Danny must be strong, and he is pushing him to bring that
Then Reb turns focus on Reuven
Reuven explains error- Reb then says ‘good job’- and ‘he, referring to Reuven, is good at mathematics’- and ‘good thing my son has chosen him as his friend’ (connection to the title The Chosen)
Talked about how we feel around parents that are uptight and strict
We can all relate to the way Reuven feels around Reb

Wrapping up our discussion, we finished with the ending of chapter 7…
Danny is going to library and Reuven is just going there to think
When do we every have time to think??!! It would be nice to just have some time to think!!!

Random notes…
Nu- term like son or father
Ms. Moritz read a passage—Reb Saunders has had a horrible, tragic life that has helped him develop his personality

For the last, say five minutes of class we talked about, well we talked just about what ever came to our heads I guess:).

Oh, and don’t forget, Ms. Moritz likes fudge brownies and Ms. Smith would like a holiday gift!!!

BUT WAIT….
The homework is to read chapter 8 and to work on the relationship trace.


Thanks for subbing Ms. Moritz, it was fun to have you!!

This I Believe Essays and Podcasts-Period 5




Alex F.
Ashley F.
Becky G.
Cate M.
Dawnielle N.
Hannah L.
Jordan H.
Kristina H.
Leslie L.
MacKenzie M.
Maddie H.
Maddison M.
Matthew F.
Matt W.
Melissa Z.
Mitch S.
Morgan T.
Morgan W.
Parker H.
Ryan M.
Selena M.
Stephen F.
Tyler G.
Whitney S.

This I Believe Essays and Podcasts-Period 2





Alex D.
Alyssa S.
Amanda H.
Amy W.
A. Weber
Brian C.
Chelsea S.
Clara O.
Javon M.
John B.
Jose D.
Katherine M.
Kristen W.
Lia P.
Liz C.
Louise B.
Luke Z.
Maddie F.
Mark G.
Megan U.
Molly S.
Nick B.
Nicole K.
Nile C.
Phoebe F.
Rachel S.
Serena L.
Stef O.
Zach H.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

A Snowy Morning in Period 2

Mrs. Smith greeted us today with her usual, "Hello Everybody!" Then we breifly talked about the snow and how it will be nice to have snow in the mountains now so people can go skiing!!! We also recapped very quickly who watched Charlie Brown Christmas last night and Ms. Smith was very excited that Helio won Dancing with the Stars.

We then turned in our comparasion activity. If you were absent today you probably want to get this turned in tomorrow.

We took a vote and decided to read chapter 7 out loud in a big circle. Mrs. Smith read for a while then everybody read a paragraph. We discussed the power that Danny has as the son of the tzaddik. When Danny and Rueven arrive at the synagog, all of the men crowding around the synagog part to let Danny and Rueven through.

It was a really good day today in english. We got a lot of Chapter 7 read and had some good conversation.

Homework: Finish reading Chapter 7. Keep working on relationship trace. This is due on December 4th.

Silent reading on a cold November day(5th)

11-28-07
Well Everyone, It is Dawnielle Christine Norris speaking...

Today my dreams were so dramatically crushed when 21 people decided to read silently. I am truly heartbroken.

Apparently chapter 7 is a wee bit confusing so BRACE YOUR SELVES!

We briefly spoke about chapter 6 and why Potok would spend a whole chapter on history.

-to inform readers
- Maybe he wanted his child to understand the entire history to understand what he believed in.

Well, we are reading silently :(
I'll leave you with some encouraging words.
"Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died. "
"If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?"
The Relationship Traces are due Next Tuesday, December 4th!

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Fifth Block Scribe

Ok, well first off, we had our discussion circle of The Chosen, and let me just say, no I am not a nerd, I had my laptop out merely to take notes for this scribe. Um, ok well we started talking about how the book appears so simple, yet has a much deeper message. (In the hospital Reuven thinks about how important life is and how much we take for granted.) Then we went on to talk about how the baseball game is so symbolic. (Within the Jews, there are different “facets within.” (If you don’t know what that means, don’t ask me…it’s what Ms. Smith said.) Also, there was a war with in a war, within a war, within a war, within… yea.) Then, we talked about the magical eye! Not really, it just makes it more interestingJ. So, there is lots of symbolism with the eye, of course! Reuven never really “saw” the world and he never would have met Danny. Then we related it to Macbeth. Next, we talked about how part of life is to suffer. When you suffer, you learn, remember, and know to pay more attention. You can think and contemplate how it’s so different after the suffering is over. “If you don’t know what suffering is, then you don’t really know happiness…like a paper cut!” Then we went into tons of stories and came out with the idea that Potok’s writing is pretty simple. In other words, he doesn’t say everything which makes you relate to the character and think more often. Finally, we ended with the fact that you can reread books. You get more out of it, or a new perspective. Then we ended with more stories of things I can’t recall. Sorry! Yup, the homework is:
Venn Diagram due tomorrow
Make sure you are done reading chapter six of The Chosen.
Relationship trace due next Tuesday (12/4/07)

Period Two Scibe-November 27, 2007

Hello Period Two! After the bell rang, Ms. Smith let us know that we all need to watch the Charlie Brown Christmas special tonight.



















Watch it tonight at seven on ABC! The final Dancing with the Stars comes on after that. Who are you rooting for- Mel B., Helio, or Marie?

In class, today we got into a ♥circle of love♥,and we discussed Book One of The Chosen. We shared our thoughts and connections about the book. After the discussion, Ms. Smith was kind enough to give us time to read The Chosen or work on the venn diagram and relationship trace.
HOMEWORK:
  • Venn Diagram due tomorrow
  • Make sure you are done reading chapter six of The Chosen.
  • Relationship trace due next Tuesday (12/4/07)

It was a wonderful and productive day in Period Two!