Monday, April 8, 2013

Dead Poets Society Response

Please read the following questions and write  each answer with depth and analysis.  I expect this to be thoughtful and I want you to use specifics from the movie to back up your ideas. Please be original and do not copy other people's responses  Make sure you adhere to proper fluency and conventions.
You must respond to at least one other person's questions.  This means you may have to log back in to do the response piece.

1.  What two "teachings" did Mr. Keating relay to the boys that spoke to you? (Be specific; try to use quotes from the movie if you can.)  How do these teachings apply today in society or to you personally?

2.  a.  What does it mean to you to make your life "extraordinary?" 
     Mr. Keating says, “We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for. To quote from Whitman, "O me! O life!... of the questions of these recurring; of the endless trains of the faithless... of cities filled with the foolish; what good amid these, O me, O life?" Answer. That you are here - that life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. That the powerful play *goes on* and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?” 
     b.  What do you want your "verse to be"?  ( I know this is a difficult question, but this is very much open to interpretation.  what are you passionate about, what moves you, what do you live for?  Do you have a purpose?

3.  What one thematic ideal did you see emerge from this movie that was most powerful and how is that message conveyed in the film?  For example a thematic ideal would be: to find passion and you would discuss how Neil finds a passion in theater, aside from the pressure to adhere to his father's expectations.

4.  Please write 2 critical questions that this movie made you ponder.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Act 3 Discussion Thread for Inherit the Wind

We are going to have a silent discussion today.  Please follow directions.  For the first half of class, we will be discussing Act 3 in itself, then we will transfer to real world questions.
Focus the first part on the text only.  Respond to my question, then ask a question when you are done.  You must respond to one another and continue to ask questions as you move through.  I want analysis, depth of thought and constant reference to the text.  

Why did the jury find Cates guilty even after there was so much support for Drummond at the end of the trial?  Why did Cates "win"according to Drummond?



Friday, August 17, 2012

Learning...What do YOU know?


Please answer all of the following questions: (Make sure you proofread and use complete sentences)These should be elaborate thoughts, not one sentence repsonses!
1) After viewing Mr. Fisch's world-renown "Did you Know" powerpoint, what are some things that strike you about the facts presented?
How does this make you think about the world and your place in it? How could this impact you?
2) Also, what did Danny Macaskill's, "Inspired Bikes" make you think about perseverance, hard work, potential, etc...? How can you apply what you saw from his adventures doing bike tricks, to your own life?
3) What is the value of learning? What is your role as a learner?

Summer Reading


Over the summer, you were asked to read at least two novels of your choice.

1) Briefly tell me what you read, including the titles and authors.
2) I want to know what you liked about the books, what you learned and, more importantly, what matters to you about the book's content? How does it resonate with you?
Please do not give me a summary; I care more about what you took away from the book.

*Make sure to adhere to proper conventions and proofread your response. If, for some reason, you did not read two novels, tell me about two novels you have read and answer the above.