Sarah E

Please reflect on the presentation leaving constructive criticism and positive feedback.

Kim C

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Irene L

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Kaitlyn R

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Katie O

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Molly P

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Mackenzie L

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Kaitlyn W

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Will B

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Tom B

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Kendra S

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Patrick B

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Sara B

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Brittney W

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Anna P

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Drew B

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Eric L

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Jake F

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Jordan S

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Shelli M

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Katie M

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Adrienne B

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Kevin N

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Lauren L

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Taylor S

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Haliey M

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Lauren B

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Rick M

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Steven W

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Wednesday April 29

Today we have fun-filled food wednesday, where a couple of lovely ladies brought us goldfish and capri-sun. Thanks again girls

• During class, we wrote our in-class essays on a sacrifice from Brave New World and in modern society.

• Homework:
• Essay 2, What's the point? Tie it all together
• Sign- up for last lecture with Smith

Friday 4/24

We had shortened classes today because of the spring assembly! In class we watched more of The Island. Seniors need to sign up for a day to give their last lecture.

HW:
-Read 17-18
-Work on last lecture

Monday April 20th

Well today Mrs. Smith shared with us our last three assignments.. 2 in class essays 100 pts each and our last lecture another 100pts which equals 300 pts... so that is 300 points out of 1200 points... THIS MEANS WE STILL HAVE TO WORK!! AHHH

All we did in class was work on our posters that we started last week and started watching The Island.

Homework: Last Lecture is coming up soon and Chp 17-18 is due on Friday!!

Scribe April 15, 2009

Wednesday April 15, 2009

Homework:
We have a Socratic seminar on Friday, so don’t forget to type up a summary/response of chapters 7-12. You NEED this if you want to participate.

Today we started class off with talking about the connections of Brave New World and the songs we listened to on Monday. It was deep... DEEP!!

We started to map out sacrifices of BNW vs. Our Society
Such as:
Pure science
High Art
Religion
Family
Individuality/Identity/Humanity
Education
History
Democracy

Have a good wed!!!!!!!

Monday April 13

Happy Monday Everyone!

Today we did a song activity in class (you can find it on the web page), we responded to the activity by answering the following questions:

• How does this relate to BNW?
• Think about sacrifices of our own society? What is our price of progress? What are the consequences of our actions? Who is responsible for these consequences?

Our homework for tonight is to read chapters 13-14 in BNW, also if you need to conference with Smith make sure to get in and get that done.

March 18th 2009

Today was a truly tragic day at Arapahoe.
We found out at the end of 3rd hour that we lost freshman Martin Walworth, a dear friend, good student and excellent musician. This is particularly difficult due to the recent passing of Jason Wren as well. We hope they rest in peace and are here for those who are struggling through this hard time. Seniors especially (but really all upperclassmen) this is our time to protect our school, to ensure the well-being of ALL Warriors, regardless of if we know them or not, now is the time to make that connection and take care of one another.
Read the Forward of Brave New World and come to class with questions:
What's the point?
What is goin gon at this time in the world?
Any other good questions you have.
here is an online text:
http://books.google.com/books?id=s2Kn2mBVCuAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=brave+new+world#PPR7,M1

Going back to watching the Simpsons last week....What was being satirized?
Stay at home moms
stupid teens
boringness at fishing
belief in media
politics/election/society
Employee/employer relationship
reporter
money to politics
tree huggers
vegetarians/impact on society
young politicians
women=brains
men=boys will be boys
the American family

These are all examples of horatian satire

We viewed some examples of satire from the Onion, they can be found on the English Lit page. We also got into groups and looked at some of the articles together and analyzed what is being satirized and how this is done.
We looked at Harper's Index (also on the website) and played on the smartboard a little bit.


Satire groups and presentations due on Friday!
Read the Forward and bring questions.
work on your last lecture, deadline is coming up.

Again, RIP Jason and Martin, in our hearts and memories forever.

Friday 3-13-09

We looked at all the dates that will create a conflict. See Smith if there is a major conflict.
Do your assignments ahead of time if you are going to be absent.
Two types of Satire:
Horatian:
Happy, based on Roman character Horace, witty, makes fun of humanity, optimistic, indulgent
Examples: Bill Cosby, Saturday Night Live, the Daily Show, The Simpsons, South Park, Family Guy
Intent: happy, fun hearted
Juvenalian:
Evil, characterized by contempt, criticizes error, pessimistic, vice and error, harsh, real
Examples:
Intent: sarcastic, mocking, critical
Commonality: humor
Satirical devices: Absurdity, exaggeration, understatement, parody, wit or word play, Euphemism, irony
Think About:
What’s the point???????
What is the role of responsibility as a result of consequences?
The price of progress… What are we willing to give up in order to move forward?
We watched the Simpsons. We will discuss it on Wednesday of next week.
Homework:
Get a copy of Brave New World for sure by Wednesday
Get a group/ by Friday get at least one example of satires
Beauty papers due Monday

Wednesday 3-11-09

There is a new addition to our classroom. We have a smart board in the room now.
~ Fishbowl-
What’s the Point?
There were a lot of different points to the book and why Wilde wrote it.
What did you take away?
It was not written to be analyzed so strongly.
People have lost their individualism because they follow other people.
Outer beauty means nothing. In the end, it ruined Dorian Gray.
The point was to get people to think. Maybe there is a deeper hidden message.
Wilde wanted us to see how he was treated.

~ Peer Editing

Homework:
Fishbowl 17-20 Blog Question- Due Friday
Dorian Gray take home quiz- Due Friday
Beauty Paper- Due Monday
Purchase Brave New World by Monday

Fishbowl 17-20 Question

Now that we have finished the book, what is the point? What was Oscar's Wilde purpose in writing this?

Wednesday, March 4th

Happy Treat Wednesday!
Homework-There will be a take home quiz that will be posted on the website on Monday, it will be due Friday
Also, a rought draft of your Beauty Paper will be due Wednesday
NO CLASS ON MONDAY! WOOHOO FOR CSAPS! (Got to love being upper classmen :))
On that note, Mr. Ruggles wants us to catch up and get ahead
Fishbowl on chapters 17-20 (end of the book)
wrapping things all together, if you missed today then add posts to the blog and answer the blog question.
GIRLS BASKETBALL TONIGHT AT SCHOOL OF MINES!

Fishbowl DG Chapters 17-20

Dorian Fishbowl Chapters 13-16 Question

On the first page of the preface Wilde says, "There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written or badly written. That is all." Do you agree, due to the ideas that were brought up in class, that Wilde does not want us to pick apart his book based on morals? He merely wants society to understand that art is useless, it is just "art for art sake."

Friday, February 27, 2009

Happy Friday!

We fishbowled today on Chapters 13-16, and Ruggles just went over what he expects for sources on Monday. If you missed the fishbowl add some comments on to the blog and don't forget to answer the blog post!!!


Homework:
- BLOG POST!!!!
- Beauty Paper Sources to be checked off on Monday
- 2-3 quotes cited from Dorian Gray and 2 outside sources
-Beauty Paper Outline due Wednesday
- Dorian Gray- Read Chapters 17-20 ( Fishbowl Wednesday)

Our last Fishbowl for Dorian Gray!
Wednesday
Presenters:
Sara Beam
Shelli Marr
Anna Paul
Brittney Walker
Mackenzie Lanphear
Kaytlin Ryan

Discussers:
Adrienne Bouveron
Jordan Senior
Katie Maron
Kim Christian
Taylor Scofield
Steven Ward
Irene Lahana
Hailey Moore

Support our Boys and Girls Basketball teams this weekend at playoffs!
Girls play tonight at 7pm and Boys tomorrow at 3pm. Both games are at Arapahoe...I think :)


Hey look it's Drew!!



And Britt and I stumbled upon this picture too....

Dorian Gray Fishbowl - Chapters 13-16

Happy Friday Fishbowl.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Happy fun filled Wednesday
We had Red Vines, Brownies, Milk and even Cake today for fun filled Wednesday. Props to Anna, Brittney, and Shelly for bringing that in. We took a quiz with a partner on Dorian Gray over chapters 1-12.
We then debriefed the Fishbowl on Chapters 9-12.


HW: Conference with Mr. Ruggles if you haven’t done so
-Finishing reading 13-16 (Fish bowl on Friday)
-Beauty paper-Sources check off (Due Monday)

Monday, February 23, 2009

Monday, February 23, 2009

Happy Monday Everyone!

We had an awesome fishbowl today in class on chapters 9-12; if you missed it make sure to make it up by leaving a few comments on the blog. Also don’t forget to answer the blog question.

Today Ruggles went over the beauty paper, and how we are supposed to write it, the beauty proposal is due Wed. Feb. 25. You can find it on Smith’s web page.

Don’t forget your Last Lecture conference, if you haven’t scheduled one yet be sure to do that ASAP.

Begin reading chapters 13- 16 in Dorian Gray we have a fishbowl on these chapters Friday.

Hope everyone is having fun at DECA, congratulations on making state guys!

Fishbowl Ch.9-12 Blog Question

This section of the book takes place around the end of the 1800s. In England, this was a time defined by "world-weary sensibility", meaning asceticism was quickly ending. How do you think this has impacted Dorian? Is this the reason he has become such a dark person?

Dorain Gray Fishbowl 9-12

Mr. Ruggles Student Teaching Questionnaire

1. What is one thing that that Mr. Ruggles does well?

2. What is one thing that Mr. Ruggles can improve upon?

3. Rank these on a scale of one to five (with five being the highest) and leave a one sentence explanation explaining your number:

a. How would you rank Mr. Ruggles’ communication skills? (Verbal, nonverbal, written)
b. How would you rank Mr. Ruggles’ lessons (are they interesting and meaningful)
c. How would you rank Mr. Ruggles’ classroom management techniques
d. How would you rank Mr. Ruggles’ assessments (graded fairly, timely, and well done)
e. How would you rank Mr. Ruggles’ use of technology (website, PowerPoint, etc.)
f. How would you rank Mr. Ruggles’ attitude and excitement for teaching this class?

4. What is the most fun and/or meaningful activity that you have completed in this class? Why?

5. What assignment did you not enjoy? Why?

6. What else can I do to help you in the classroom?

7. What other comments or feedback do you want to give Mr. Ruggles?

True Beauty?

What is your definition of true beauty?

Chapters 4-8 Blog Question

Connection to Crime and Punishment- Dorian and Raskolnikov become progressivly more diluted in their madness and self absorption and slowly distant from society

"You are as sick as your secrets"

Do you think Dorian regrets his selfish behavior or enjoys it? Consider: his apology letter to Sybil, after which he is impressed with his selflessness

Dorian Gray 4-8 Fishbowl

Dorian Gray Chapters 1-3 Fishbowl Question

Oscar Wilde's writing is full of epigrams and he does not waste a single word; he is obviously very educated. However, in his characters he has placed a very high importance on beauty and bascially described intelligence as useless and superficial. What do you think Wilde is trying to say about intelligence? How does beauty play into art and how does this make art unimportant/important?

Friday Feb 13, 2009

OHH NO TODAY IS FRIDAY THE 13th!!!!!!!!!!!!

Homework: Read Chapters 4-8 in Dorian Gray
There is a fishbowl on these Chapters on Wednesday
Last Lecture Feedback by February 20
Self Portrait Project by February 20
In Class: Housekeeping- Grades, Papers, Last Lecture
Fishbowl- Make sure to look at the blog!! If your absent just look over the blog comments made and add your own opinion on the situations

Happy Friday!! SENIORS WE ARE SOO CLOSE!!!!! Have a good long weekend everyone!!!

Dorian Gray 1-3 Fishbowl

Wednesday, February 11

Happy Oreo Wednesday! Snaps to Lauren and Kendra for bringing us Oreos!

Homework:

• Discussers for friday: make sure you have your syllabus ready
• The first part of our Last Lecture (childhood) is due Friday
• Write feedback on Smith's Last Lecture
• Project due February 20. 

Discussion: 

First, we circled up and talked about our first thoughts on Dorian Gray and the reflection papers we wrote about the preface.  Some points we covered were:

• Wilde's book is a piece of art b/c we are still "admiring"/studying it today
• people don't like to see their flaws, nor do they like perfection because it makes them look that much worse
• Wilde says art is useless, yet his book is considered art, and he has an artist as a main character in his book and the painting itself is a very important element in it. -->paradoxes
• Anything can be art because art is anything people use to express themselves
• only the artist fully understands the ideas behind his work, or aren't there any hidden meanings?
• What if the preface was satirical? he could be saying that art is overrated, most art isn't true art...
• When the book was written Wilde was in jail/on trial. Is that why he says that no book is immoral or moral, just good or badly written? --> defending himself for what he wrote in the book. "Delve into book at your own peril" quote means that people have to make their own choice on whether they want to read a book with this kind of content. 

Vocab:

• Hellenic: relating to Greek culture
• Aestheticism: viewing all things for their beauty
• Morals: beliefs, good/bad
• Caliban: character in Shakespeare's Tempest, portrayed as monstrous
• Realism: when everyday, real-life stuff is portrayed in art
• Romanticism: emotions, senses, "aesthetic experience"

Characters:

• Basil: rich artist, friends with Lord Henry, met Dorian Gray at a party and now he is obsessed with Dorian and is painting a picture of him. Basil is mysterious and secretive but confides in Lord Henry about almost everything. 
• Lord Henry Wotton: Very rich man, had a good education and is outspoken in his opinions and ideas about life, always smiling and adds humor to book. He is manipulative, clever, bored, shallow,  uses his money for power?, persuasive, humorous. He met Dorian Gray at Basil's house. 
• Dorian Gray: orphan, he is beautiful, charming, and lively. 

Project: 

Then we talked about our new project due on the 20th. There are copies of the sheet we need to guide us on the website. 

Objective: reveal the artist's conflict, the struggle of the facade we are forced to have because of society and who we really are (how society views us and how we view ourselves).

Project: We need to come up with two self portraits, one that shows how society views you, one that is how you view yourself/who you truly are. You can show this through poetry, a song,  a video, a collage, a painting, etc. Be creative and unique! See the rubric on the web page if you have questions   

2/6 and 2/9

Ok, kids, here's the deal.
On Friday we wrapped up or hell unit with an in class essay. We didn't really have homework; just get Dorian Gray for Monday and work on your Last Lecture.

Monday!
Today we discussed what we would do if we could do anything without getting caught (on the blog) as well as discussing Oscar Wilde's life (fairly unconventional) and beginning Dorian Gray.

Homework: read the preface of Dorian Gray and respond to the questions on the handout we got in a one page, double spaced, typed response; read chapters 1-3 in Dorian Gray; sign up for fish bowl days if you haven't yet

Also, work on the first part of your last lecture! The reflection on your past is due on Friday, so start thinking inspirational thoughts!!!

Food for Thought: Dorian Gray

If you could do something without getting caught, would you?

Explain your thoughts, including what you would or would not do in a paragraph comment to this post.  Enjoy!

What are the greatest wrongs?

In your opinion, what are the greatest wrongs that people can commit? Murder? Betrayal? Theft? Cheating? Other ideas? If punishments could be made to fit crimes, what would be the appropriate punishment for each of these wrongdoings? Discuss your thoughts with a comment to this post.

Super Cereal Wednesday

For the first time in our class history someone brought in cereal which was a great way to start the day.

Ms. Smith is finally back but the class has now been turned over to Mr. Ruggles

We looked at videos and pictures of Hell and the afterlife.
We watched scenes from the movie Devil’s Advocate.
We listened to songs about the afterlife and the link to the songs is on the class website and the lyrics are with those songs.
Make sure to look at the pictures as well. They are also on the webpage.

The three questions we needed to ask ourselves during the movie, music and pictures and answer after were:
- What does this example say about the afterlife?
- How does this portrayal relate to your view of the afterlife?
- How does this portrayal connect to other examples of the afterlife?



HOMEWOK: SUMMARY RESPONSE PAPER DUE FRIDAY ON YOUR WIKI! There is a rubric for the summary response on the webpage. Complete Interviews if needed. Keep working on your past reflection for our speeches. Listen to ACDC’s High Way to Hell and Hells Bells. Lyrics are under the webpage. As well as look at the last 5 pictures with the same three pictures. Find a copy of Dorian Grey. Three things we learned from the background aout Dante.

Happy Monday

Ruggles began class today by asking who went to the dance... and then told a story about a boat that was used to break up people who were grinding at his dances. Just a story.

We then talked about our blogs (many people faced technical difficulties so if you haven't gotten it done try your best to do so by tomorrow, Tuesday 27).

• If you want to see the blogs but you aren't sure how to get there, try https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8520676540661633907&postID=4649249342078226153

We were supposed to do this Friday, but were a little off.
We watched a video called Legend.

Scene Two

• What does Hell look like?
• Hell was dark and damp with a firey glow all around
• Mist constantly lapped at their feet
• They were surrounded by deep caverns of rock
• Empty, slimy

What do you notice about the first scene?

• The first scene shows no ones face for quite some time
• Their voices are synthesized making them seem darker and more mysterious
• Firey mist swirls around their feet

What are the differences between this and your previous perceptions of Hell?

• This hell was much more empty than I suspected
• The language was rhyming and somewhat poetic
• There were no screams heard from the background, which I expected there to be
• Hell, though dark and hot, also seemed dark, slimy, and wet, which contradicts itself

What about the role of the fallen angel?

• The fallen angel was seen as the most evil, black-hearted spirit in the realm of Hell and was never seen, besides his clawed, slimy hands

Scene Fourteen

Watch for the portrayal of Satan

• Red skin
• Giant horns - black
• Fangs
• Long ears
• Sunken in eyes
• Cast in shadows
• Kind, loving, compassionate (to the woman)
• Quick temper
• Can shoot fire from his hands

What is the difference here?

• It is much more evil looking
• Dead bodies line the floor, satan’s whole body is shown
• Real flames cover the scene

Notice interesting interactions with the woman-
Why is this significant?

• He is quiet an calm and reserved, trying to swoon her and trick her into sitting on a chair of deceit
• He is loving and kind up until the woman defies him, and his temper quickly spikes, nearly uncontrollably, raging with fury

Relationship changes throughout the scene? Why? How?

• Satan is kind and sweet in the beginning, trying to entice the woman into staying with him
• Tries to trick her into sitting into a chair of trickery
• She ends up tricking Satan

Pay attention to Satan’s last words. What makes them unique?

• “Father, forgive me”
• “What is the light without dark?”
• “What are you without me?”
• We need him to exist so that we can understand an appreciate good with the contrast of his evil
• Can heaven exist without a hell? I don't know...
• “I am a part of you all”
• We all have a little evil in us
• “You can never defeat me”
• “We are brothers, eternal”
• Reference to Cain and Able

We will get to the songs and pictures later on! :)

Homework:

• Career project interviews and Summary/Response Paper (Jan 30)
• Begin work on Pausch Lecture part 1 (Feb 13)
• Teacher appointment
• Purchase a copy of The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wild (If you want :)

Happy Friday!

We had another amazing day with Mr. Ruggles. We have an assembly today for the winter sports and to watch the teachers get their groove on we are all very disappointed we will not be able to see Ms. Smith shake her groove thang.
We started off with finishing our last presentations of our religions and their afterlife beliefs.
Rick and Tom did Shintuism-
· Their beliefs are very closely related to Buddhism
· Your spirit will be connected to the shrine that you put your name on.
· The children that die before putting their names on the shrine are thought to be diseases and plagues in life.
Katie, Steven and Jordan did Judaism-
· Little to say what happens after death
· Much more actions then beliefs
· Resurrection of the dead.
· Believes in both heaven and hell.
· Three groups on judgment day
· Righteous people- go to heaven
· Wicked people- go to hell
· Those in between- Hell initially then go to heaven
Sarah, Katie and Kaytie did Native American
· Hopi tribe- all life preparing for afterlife
o Three duties- Tawa Sun and spirit- Masauwu- Spirit of the dead- Spider Grandmother-leads them in the afterlife
o Death ceremony takes place in an underground room called the kiva.
o 4 worlds- each world gets destroyed when people become disobedient
· Inuit tribe- All things have a spirit that must be respected
o No worship of gods, just fear of everything
· Arapahoe tribe-
o 4 stages –
o Childhood-youth-adulthood-old age
o Belief in re-incarnation
Pat, Will and Jake did Islam-
· Similar to Christianity- however they do not like it
· Day of judgment- Allah chooses heaven or hell for each person.
· Call the heaven the Garden-lay peaceful in their graves
· Hell called Sunnah- suffer in their raves
After the presentations we reflected on what we learned about the religions and connectiong from religion to religion.

Homework: Afterlife Reflection Blog, Work on the first part of the lecture for the past, make interviews(you need ATLEAST 2), and make teacher appointment. Work on career Project due next Friday

Afterlife Reflection

How does what you learned about others’ interpretation of the afterlife, connect with your previous understanding as well as what we have watched, seen and read?

Donut... Popcorn Fun Filled Wednesday!

Smithers is gone today... so technically this might be more helpful for her than for the rest of us! :)

We began class by finishing up our work on our presentations, and then we presented them.

VooDoo:
Adrienne and Lauren B
There are no accidents according to Voodoo society
Death is a part of life, not necessarily a punishment
The soul lingers near the body 7 day s after someone has died
Ti Bon Ange: the soul
Vulnerable and can be captured, made into a “zombie spirit” by a sorcerer
Soul is raised by relatives if it escapes the capture of the sorcerer.
After 16 rebirths the soul can reach cosmic energy, or nirvana
They had a very interesting video on you tube
www.youtube.com/watcht?v=xRt6CTb6riY


Scientology:
Hailey, Kevin, Taylor, and Kim
The legend of the three turtles
1st turtle-no afterlife
2nd turtle- I’m going to live with God
3rd turtle- I am god! (We all are spiritual beings)
Scientology version
If you believe in scientology, then you will have a better life here and then you will have one long immortal life after you r earthly existence


Rastafarianism:
Molly, Irene, and Kaitlin
Monotheistic
Key scriptures
Bible
Kebra Nagast
Haile Selassie
Incarnation of God (Jah-hallelujia)
Don’t believe in a literal afterlife
Africa-Ethiopia, is Zion
Heaven on earth
Marcus Garvey’s “Back to Africa”
True Rastas believe they are immortal
Dreadlocks because…
Biblical command not to remove any hair
Appearance of lion
Red, Gold and Green… what do they mean??
Red-blood shed by martyrs
Gold- wealth of African Homeland
Green- vegetation of beauty of Africa

Zoroastrianism:
Drew and Eric
Ahura Mazda is the one uncreated creator to whom all worship
Will ultimately prevail- end of time
Reincarnation
Life is a temporary state in which a mortal is expected to actively participate in the continuing battle between truth and falsehood
Fravashi acts as a guardian and protector
Pre-birth soul is with fravashi which sends you to a material body and is with you for 4 days post-death
Final renovation
Good will triumph over evil
Spiritual bodies live without food or water with no pain
Material body will not be able to cast a shadow
Everyone will speak the same language
Predominantly Indian

Buddhism:
Sarah B, Lauren L, Kendra
Means “the awakened one”
Siddhartha Gautama
Based on his teachings
Four noble truths- way of suffereing
Noble Eightfold Path- way to end the suffering
Believe in reincarnation until you live a good enough life
A way to improve the way you act
You obtain nirvana when you have finally lived a good enough path

Hinduism:
Shelli, Mackenzie, Britty, Anna
Believe in a caste system
Bramins etc
Cannot move classes, only be reborn in to one
Untouchables are doomed to live that life
Cow is sacred-temples cleaned with cow poop
Nirvana
Souls move through animals
Cows are the closest state to nirvana
3rd largest religion in the world
Scriptures- Sruti,k Smiriti, Vedas, Upanishads
Ethnic religion- based in India

We will finish the rest on Friday!

HW: Career project interviews (Jan 30.), begin work on Pausch lecture part 1 (Feb 13), teacher appointment.

Scribe: Day about "The Pit of Fire"

Ms. Smith is going to be gone for a week and a half :(

Make sure that if you need to reach Ms. Smith while she is away, try her skype: Anneemmasmith. Or you can email her!

Discussion about Blog post: Who goes to hell? Who decides? And WHY?

Moral choices deciding fate? no hell?

Using Idea of Conservation of Matter: cannot be created or destroyed, maybe reincarnation, or "floating around in nothingness" Believe in your own way

Punishment of Hell... why would it exist if God or god exists then wouldn't he want to see his children suffering.

Not enough proof of God or god to exist.

Reincarnation is a cool idea, heaven or hell is a way of making themselves accepting of death.

Purgatory, 5 people before heaven. "there shouldn't be a hell" Earn way to heaven.

Contradiction of self, decision of own fate leading to heaven (peaceful)

God or god doesn't send people to Hell, but you have to accept Jesus into your life to be saved.

When people reject God or god they get to be away from him they go to hell.

Christianity-- free will if you choose to turn on back on God or god he turns his back on you.

Why do we have this concept of hell being so dark and fiery and horrible?

Historically: keep order by telling the people that if they do not devote themselves to God or god.

Interpretation of the bible, how do we decide what is literal vs metaphorical?

Catholicism: uses fear to keep people in the church

Evil does not exist, humans trying to define what is bad.

God or god always gives the opportunity to see him, personal commitment. He gives a choice.

Being afraid of God or god, terrified of death.

God or god has a plan. I'll accept whatever he decides.

Acceptance of what happens happens.

Diversity, however universal human tendencies. Societal views are not important when it comes to death everyone dies.

Moral compass: God or god will decide.

Literal composition of self continues on forever.

Scared, what is going to happen after death? Not enough proof for an decision. Faith in life, but fear for faith beyond life because we can't comprehend what will happen.

Religions are guidelines for how to live.

Spirit never fades. People still exist after death even if only in the hearts that knew them.

Believe in all religions, wherever you think you will go that is where you will go.

Questioning everything? Past lives. What if we did things in past lives. Idea of Nirvana

Don't want to think that there is a hell because of the loved ones that could be condemned there.

The good in all people, how can anyone no matter how misled be set to this pain you would be given.

Projection over time of scary movies, from the beginning when it seemed innocent to the realistic torture and pain seen in movies today.

The relationship with God or god is what is important, it's not important to pushing this religion on others but for the non-believers to see how happy they are with their lives, and to decide for themselves.

Reincarnation learning all these lessons by different lives.

Fiery hell God or god gives us the choice.

and most importantly WHAT IS THE POINT?!?!?!?!

Homework:
Work on interviews
analysis
teacher appointment
cultural interpretation of after life (due Wed.)
Begin working on Paush's lecture part 1 (Feb 13)
Read the Background of Daunte

As always have a happy friday!!

Awesome discussion.

Happy PLC/Doughnut Wednesday!

So, I hate to start this blog post off on a sad note, but Smith will be gone next Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and the following Monday! So hurry up and set up a time with her to talk about your project, lecture, etc.

Today we started our discussion on the eternal tan place (for any of you who have had Hamp's class) aka Hell.
See the blog post below this for further information. :)
When posting on the blog, please be mature and civil...this is a discussion on beliefs, respect everyone's! The due date for this project is: Wednesday, January 21st.

Here are some ideas for projects:
Buddhism
Hinduism
Scientology
Kabbalah
Shintoism
Christianity
Islam
Native American
Jehovah's Witness
New Age
VooDoo
Paganism
Wicca
Mormonism
Christian Reform
Satanism

Homework:
Work on Afterlife Project, make contacts for your career interview project, set up interviews/do interviews, make an appointment with Smith, begin working on part one for your lecture.

H-E- Double Hockey Sticks

This first unit in our English class is going to get very personal very fast. I need you all the be open-minded, concientious in your replies and carry on an adult conversation. I am trusting that you can all do this and all participate so that we all learn and grow from this experience. We don't want anyone to walk away from this hurt or angry.

The question is...

Who goes to Hell? Who decides? Why do people go to Hell?

Think. Defend. Challenge. Expand.

Monday Jan. 12, 2009

HAPPY MONDAY!
Dates for career project:
Contact the people you are interviewing by 1/19
Finish Interviews by 1/25
Response due 1/30

Homework:
Finish and post outline and any other information on your wiki.
Make a teacher appointment to go over the career project.
Work on your Last Lecture.
In Class:
We turned in our Pausch reflection.
Mrs. Smith went over the rules and guidelines for our WikiSpaces.
· Go to wikispaces.com
· If you haven’t already create an account
o First name, first initial, or something so smith can identify you
· Create a new page with a name you can remember and smith can identify
· Next Create 4 links(type link and then click to add hyperlink and press ok to create new page)
o Outline-Insert the outline we created for today
o Contact
o Interview
o Summary/ Response Paper
· Save what you have
· In order to format:
o Go to manage wiki (top left)
§ Click on invite people
§ Invite asmith@lps.k12.co.us
o Look and feel link:
§ Can be used for themes and colors on your wiki
· Go back to you home page and click on the discussion tab
o Here you can post and answer questions for your viewers
· Go to your interview page
o We posted any interview questions we had during class
· Next go to http://careerproject09.wikispaces.com/
o Click on join this wiki
o Once accepted paste your wiki’s URL next to your name

Jan 9 FRIDAY!

Last day of the first week back!! Whoo!

In class:
-Due dates were given for the semester's projects.
Jan 30: Career Interview Project Due
Feb 13: 1st part of lecture due. Reflection on the past
April 3rd: 2nd section of lecture. Lasting legacy to AHS.
End of semester: 3rd part of lecture, hope for the future.
May 4th semester project DUE
-We finished watching the Pausch video

Homework Due Monday: Reflection/Connection on Paucsh Video, and an outline of the semester project.

Random fact: The word "nerd" was first coined by Dr. Seuss in "If I Ran the Zoo."

Jan. 7, 2008

DOUGHNUT FUN-FILLED WENDSDAY!!!
In class:
· We turned in our signed class expectations.
· Next we read over our class goals which can be found on the class blog.
· Everyone who didn’t get a chance to present their goals on Monday finished today
· We watched Pausch’s Last Lecture for the remainder of class (the link for the video is on this week’s class PowerPoint or you can just YouTube it)

Homework: For Monday; type a maximum 2 page reflection over Pausch last lecture.

Semester Goals to Avoid Senioritis

Yesterday in class, I asked the students our big semester question of "What's the point?" They reflected on this in class in my hope to keep the class focused especially during the final semester of their senior year. I wanted the class to understand that this class is different and that we do things differently. It is up to them to lead the class, focus the discussion, and complete the work. They need to create the point that will drive this semester and make them successful learners in life, not just in this one class.

Additionally, I asked them to create some goals for themselves, for their teachers as well as for the class in order to keep us focused on the point of this class. Here are their goals (individually, teacher, and class):

Individual:
--To do the necessary behavior to earn the A: complete work on time, understand and be active in books read and papers written, become a more professional writer
--To find the point of our own lives by looking for the importance in miniscule things
--To have a professional attitude towards school and work
--To understand the message in the text instead of simply comprehending the plot
--Keep the work as the primary goal instead of life’s distractions
--To gain more knowledge than simply comprehending
--To become a more clear and concise writer
--To truly participate and be active during class
--To reach a different level by doing more than the average English class
--To increase work ethic
--To prepare for college writing by working hard now
--To work to the true highest potential
--To not only understand the text, but to develop a deeper interest
--To read in depth in order to write in depth
--To enjoy the class!
--To incorporate stronger vocabulary into writing and everyday usage
--To challenge myself to improve public speaking skills
--To permanently rid my writing of personal words
--To truly find myself in writing
--To live everyday to the fullest and think of others before myself
--To remember to bring donuts on my assigned days. This builds responsibility
--To live up to expectations
--To find a way to relive stress
--To not allow distractions of personal life to affect school work
--To become a more diversified writer by improving my ability to synthesize essays, analyze literature, and provide solid examples to back up opinion
--To look ahead and work for success in the future
--To work on organization of my thoughts


Teachers:
--To be available and supporting when asked for help
--To challenge the students to not settle for passing by asking for their best and giving them responsibility
--To make the transition between teachers smooth and by helping the students adjust
--To facilitate minds for discussion and to push the students to discover new ideas in literature
--To set HIGH standards
--To give us enough space to learn for ourselves and explore beyond the basic education provided
--To take an active interest in the students, their struggles, and their desires to improve
--To be open to branching out from the curriculum
--To provide an experience where the students leave with a personal connection to the text by fostering a closer individual reading between each person and the text
--To really connect with the students
--To check in during reading to confirm understanding of concepts
--To provide productive conference with feedback, guidance, and motivation
--To teach us to think in new ways
--To help us discover the underlying meaning of the text
--To provide a relaxed, yet productive, work environment
--To challenge us in ways that will not benefit the grade, but have long term lasting benefits
--To encouragingly point out our mistakes
--Give homework that is not only fun, but challenging
--For even weight on assignments so that one assignment won’t entirely affect the overall grade
--To stay balanced between being laid back and pushing the class to strive for our best
--To focus and eliminate busy work


Class:
--To stay engaged throughout the entirety of the semester and not succumb to Senioritis
--More group projects and deeper discussions
--To DESTROY our last fishbowl and top last semester’s fishbowls with a higher brilliance this semester
--Donuts EVERY Wednesday…let’s be responsible and not forget!
--For everyone to learn and grow together by establishing trust, respect, and courage to be ourselves
--For everyone to contribute insightful opinions in an engaging experience
--To be focused but still have fun when the time is appropriate
--For everyone to be prepared and not hinder others by their lack of preparation
--To challenge each other
--To provide variety and successful fun
--To be considerate and go with the flow
--To have a family atmosphere
--To give quality input on each others’ writing/blogging
--To know everyone’s names!
--To make our final projects AWESOME
--To come together by making everyone feel comfortable with giving their own ideas without being judged
--To live up to our expectation of having the best fishbowls in the history of fishbowls
--To have the ethic of a college class
--To know and care about each other
--To learn from each other
--To provide and environment where all of us continue to love coming to class
--To have fun and not judge each other
--To become more efficient at working together

My hope is that throughout the semester we will keep holding each other accountable to these goals, that they provide a nice structure and sounding board for where they want to go, and that most of all, that these goals point them in the right direction for the years to come.

Today Ms. Smith started out by telling a fabulous story of her dream she had about the class. Everybody in the class kept asking “Where’s Drew Babb” but would never look for him. Eric Law kept staring at the computer cart thinking Drew would pop out of there. Obviously Drew is the favorite student this year and quite possibly her favorite ever of all time. We were introduced to Mr. Ruggles and his favorite animal currently is an otter. The big question for the semester is “What’s the point?” so be thinking about that as the semester goes on. Our final at the end of the year is going to be a lecture you present to the class and will be viewed by everybody in the entire world. “It is a chance to change the world”-Anne Smith. We wrote for ten minutes about what the point is in your life right now. After writing we took time to set 3 types of goals (or expectations): -Goals for yourself, -Goals for Ms. Smith and Mr. Ruggles, -Goals for the class. After everybody made their goals we went around and shared one of the three goals with the class. And Lauren was accepted into the coast guard so congrats for that Lauren!!!!!! HW: -Print out class expectations and get it signed by parents –If Ms. Smith doesn’t have your e-mail and parents e-mail then make sure she gets that