Friday, February 22, 2013
George Orwell -- "Politics and the English Language"
George Orwell (the pen name of Eric Blair) is famous for his political writings, including this essay, the famous political allegory, Animal Farm, and the prescient novel, 1984. We may glimpse at all three, but for now, "Politics and the English Language"
It's all about how politicians -- but really all communicators -- use and especially abuse language. Even if you hate politics (and who doesn't feel at least a little disdain for the institution, these days) this essay can tell you a lot about good writing and bad writing.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Frankenstein -- RRrr--rrr!
Not really. That's the popular image of "The Creature" thanks to James Whale and Boris Karloff and the 1931 movie version. But it's miles away from Mary Shelley's creation.
This creature innately tends toward Good (that's how the Romantics and Transcendentalists saw humankind -- go figure!). But then he's launched -- with no helpful or guidance -- into this fallen world.
Your assignment: read chapters 10 - 17. Find a passage, line, phrase, or even word (it's a lectio) that captures your attention. Then expound upon it.
Due date: Friday, February 22nd.
(By the way, if you're looking for something to do over the Winter Break, check out Gods and Monsters. It's a biopic about James Whale, the director of Frankenstein. Starring Ian McKellen and Brendan Fraser. Available on Netflix, but not for streaming.)
This creature innately tends toward Good (that's how the Romantics and Transcendentalists saw humankind -- go figure!). But then he's launched -- with no helpful or guidance -- into this fallen world.
Your assignment: read chapters 10 - 17. Find a passage, line, phrase, or even word (it's a lectio) that captures your attention. Then expound upon it.
Due date: Friday, February 22nd.
(By the way, if you're looking for something to do over the Winter Break, check out Gods and Monsters. It's a biopic about James Whale, the director of Frankenstein. Starring Ian McKellen and Brendan Fraser. Available on Netflix, but not for streaming.)
Sunday, February 3, 2013
School Stress Article
Post here for "Therapy Dogs and Homework". Due Friday, February 8.
Read the article attached above or from Edmodo (two versions there -- annotated or plain) and respond with a lectio. (As such, the grade will appear in the "Writing" category.) You may respond here, or in regular lectio fashion via the "In Basket" in class.
There are a couple of points I'm especially interested in: 1) on a scale of 1-10, where would you put your stress? 2) at what age or grade did it start? 3) which, if any, of the solutions proposed in the article would you like to see? 4) what else might be a good way to reduce stress in school/your life?
But, as with any good lectio, the most important part is finding "the word or phrase that captures your attention".
Read the article attached above or from Edmodo (two versions there -- annotated or plain) and respond with a lectio. (As such, the grade will appear in the "Writing" category.) You may respond here, or in regular lectio fashion via the "In Basket" in class.
There are a couple of points I'm especially interested in: 1) on a scale of 1-10, where would you put your stress? 2) at what age or grade did it start? 3) which, if any, of the solutions proposed in the article would you like to see? 4) what else might be a good way to reduce stress in school/your life?
But, as with any good lectio, the most important part is finding "the word or phrase that captures your attention".
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