2014 State of the Union Speech by POTUS & the GOP Response

50 Years of the State of the Union Address in 6 min
Abridged 2014 State of the Union by Barack Obama in 8 min
2014 State of the Union by Barack Obama in 8 min
Republican Response in 11 min

Lord of the Flies by William Golding Audiobook

If you miss class while we are reading Lord of the Flies by William Golding aloud, please use this guide to help you catch up. You may listen to the audiobook and follow along if you prefer.

• Wednesday, 1/29: Read Chapter 1: "The Sound of the Shell," pages 7-31. Audio version starts at 0:00:00 for this section.
• Wednesday, 2/3: Read Chapter 2: "Fire on the Mountain," pages 32-47. Audio version starts at 0:53:24 for this section 
• Monday, 2/8: Read Chapter 3: Huts on the Beach, pages 48-57. Audio version starts at 1:25:35 for this section.
• Monday, 2/24: Read Chapter 4: "Painted Faces and Long Hair," pages 58-75. Audio version starts at 1:46:30 for this section. If you were here on Thursday, you may read pages 64-75 only and then complete the symbols worksheet; audio version starts at 2:01:45.
• Tuesday, 2/25: Read Chapter 5: "Beast from the Water," pages 76-94. Audio version starts at 2:27:21 for this section.
• Thursday, 2/27: Read Chapter 6: "Beast from Air," pages 95-108. Audio version starts at 3:07:10 for this section.
• Monday 3/10: Read pages 129-144 of Chapter 8: "Gift for the Darkness." Audio version starts at 4:18:24 for this section.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Audiobook & Assignments for Catch-up Work

If you missed in-class reading of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, you can catch up by listening to the audio version and following along in your book. Please see below for where today's chapter begins.

• Tuesday 1/28: Read Chapter 1, "Story of the Door," pages 1-9, and answer questions, 1-6.
• Wednesday 1/29: Read Chapter 2, "Search for Mr. Hyde," pages 10-21, and answer questions 7-13.
• Monday 2/4: Read Chapter 3: "Dr. Jekyll Was Quite at Ease" and Chapter 4: "The Carew Murder Case," pages 22-32, and answer questions 1-3
• Tuesday 2/4: Read Chapter 5: "Incident of the Letter" and Chapter 6: "Remarkable Incident of Dr. Lanyon," pages 33-45, and finish the questions.
• Monday 2/10: Read Chapter 7: "Incident at the Window," pages 46-48, and answer question 1.
• Tuesday 2/11: Read Chapter 8: "The Last Night," pages 49-66, and check in with Kapp to verbally discuss what you read.

Exploring Religious America

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2002/04/26/april-26-2002-exploring-religious-america-part-one/11569/

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Vocabulary Definitions

1.  Austere: strict with yourself

2.  Reprove: criticize or correct

3.  Countenance: appearance or face (how you look)

4.  Somber: gloomily dark

5.  Condone: to approve or at least not disapprove

6.  Iniquity: a wicked act or sin

7.  Ruminate: to think over something

8.  Duality: two-sided, or double-natured

9.  Perplex: to confuse

10.                   Calamity: a great misfortune or disaster

11.                   Lament: feel or express sadness or regret

12.                   Volatile: highly explosive

13.                   Scrutiny: looking at very carefully/closely

14.                   Enigma: something mysterious or puzzling

15.                   Aversion: strong feeling of dislike

16.                   Seclusion: alone or separate from others

English B Midterm Essay

Multi-Work Theme Essay.                                   ___/20 points

This should be a well-formed essay with a clear thesis, ample supporting evidence, strong organization, and editing that has made it very readable! See the rubric given to you by your teacher. 

You should choose one of the following prompts to write about:

OPTION A:

Human connections seem to be difficult things to achieve in the works we studied this semester. In a well-organized essay, explore what the authors (Keyes/Jackson and Saint-Exupéry) are saying about what friendship and/or loyalty means and why it seems to be so difficult. Think, too, about your own real life examples.

Think about this: What is friendship/loyalty and why is it so difficult?

OPTION B:

Individuality is a theme that we’ve explored this semester. In a unified essay, explore what the authors (Keyes/Jackson and Saint-Exupéry) are saying about the nature of being an individual as well as your own observations from real life.

Think about this: Is being different a blessing or a curse?

OPTION C:

Decisions and the consequences of those decisions is a theme that we’ve explored this semester. In a unified essay, explore what the authors (Keyes/Jackson and Saint-Exupéry) are saying about how we make choice; additionally, draw on your own observations from real life.

Think about this: How do we know that the choices we make are the right choices?

English A Midterm Essay

Multi-Work Theme Essay.                           ___/20 points

This should be a well-formed essay with a clear thesis, ample supporting evidence, strong organization, and editing that has made it very readable! See the rubric given to you by your teacher. 

You should choose one of the following prompts to write about:

OPTION A: Human versus society is the unifying conflict in the works that we studied this semester. In a unified essay, explore what the authors (Rand/Jackson and Shakespeare) are saying about why the individual often feels at odds with society as a whole as well as your own observations from real life. Think about this: When should we rely on ourselves and when must we rely on others? OPTION B: Individuality is a theme that we’ve explored this semester. In a unified essay, explore what the authors (Rand/Jackson and Shakespeare) are saying about the nature of being an individual as well as your own observations from real life. Think about this: Is being different a blessing or a curse?

 

 OPTION C:

Decisions and the consequences of those decisions is a theme that we’ve explored this semester. In a unified essay, explore what the authors (Rand/Jackson and Shakespeare) are saying about how we make choice; additionally, draw on your own observations from real life.

Think about this: How do we know that the choices we make are the right choices?

World Studies Midterm Essay

Answer THREE of the following for 10 points each.  Answer neatly on a separate piece of paper (answers may be typed).  30% of total grade.

1.       How has religion been a unifying or divisive factor in the development of ancient society/societies?

2.      How has cultural diffusion (the spread of tools, practices, or other features from one culture to another) affected the development of civilization throughout the world (ancient or modern)?

3.      How has geography impacted the development of the world?

4.      How does propaganda affect the daily lives of people in American society today?

5.      How have people used “natural resources” to modify and adapt to their environments?

6.      How does a dynasty or society come to power, function, decline, and fall?  Give a specific example of a dynasty or society that rose and fell.

7.      Apply the lessons from a World Historical perspective to comment and improve upon society today.

RUBRIC

10 points =  Student clearly answers all parts of the prompt, providing multiple specific and relevant examples from his/her studies and/or observations.  Writing has a clear introduction (thesis in which an original argument is asserted), body, and conclusion.

9 points =  Student clearly attempts to answer all parts of the prompt, providing some specific and relevant evidence from his/her studies and/or observations.  Writing has a clear introduction (thesis), body, and conclusion.

8 points =  Student answers most parts of the prompt, providing relevant evidence from his/her studies and/or observations.  Writing has a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.

7 points =  Student attempts to answer the main part of the prompt, providing somewhat relevant evidence from his/her studies and/or observations.  Writing has a clear introduction and  body.

1-6 points =  Student’s answer lacks clarity and/or organization discussed above.

Economics Midterm Essay

Economics Mid-term Essay Question Options.

Choose one of the following essay prompts to complete for 20 points (20% of your midterm):

1. Draw and label a supply and demand chart.  (7 points) Provide the rule of supply and the rule of demand. (2 points) Explain two other factors that affect supply and why and how they affect supply.  Explain two other factors that affect demand and why and how they affect demand. (7 points) If you were a businessperson or even just a consumer, how could you use this information to your benefit? (4 points)

2. Define and describe capitalism/market economy. (2 points) Include at least four related terms and how they relate: free enterprise, consumer sovereignty, property rights, competition, profit motive, and/or laissez-faire economics. (6 points) Compare a market economy to a command economy and a mixed economy, stating pros, cons, and examples of each. (8 points).  Tell which type you prefer and why. (4 points)

U.S. History Midterm Essays

Section 4: Essay (10 points each):  Complete THREE of the essays.  Students should type or handwrite responses as three well-written short essays that are at least a paragraph each.  Refer to the rubric below for more information. 30 points total.

1. Discuss two uniquely American values and their influence on the periods of time we have studied this semester.  How have these values been honored in the actions of the American people and influences the course of U.S. history?  How and why have these values been disregarded?  Are these values being honored today?
2. Discuss the debate over Revolution.  Discuss both sides (for and against Revolution) of the debate with specific reasons and examples for both sides.  Discuss specific events and causes that led to the Revolution as well as your opinion of such events.  If you were alive during the time period, which side would you have been on and why?
3. Discuss the debate over abolition.  Define the different degrees that people were for and against abolition, naming specific supporters/opponents.  Give multiple reasons on both sides of the debate as to why people were for abolition and people were against it.  How does this debate relate to another debate or debates that we in the United States have today?
4. Discuss Manifest Destiny: Is it a good thing or not? What was it? What were some different events that were caused by it? What were the positive and negative effects of it? In what ways do you see similar ideas/events today? What are your opinions of these contemporary manifestations of Manifest Destiny?
5. Was Reconstruction successful? Provide arguments and evidence for both sides but provide an overall thesis with ample support.
6. Choose one historical person and discuss his/her impact on American history. How did that one person affect the trajectory of the United States? Give specific things that he/she said/did and explain their effects on the country’s future. Overall, was this person a positive or negative influence on the U.S.? How/Why?

RUBRIC

• 10 points =  Student clearly answers all parts of the prompt, providing multiple specific and relevant examples from his/her studies and/or observations.  Writing has a clear introduction (thesis in which an original argument is asserted), body, and conclusion.
• 9 points =  Student clearly attempts to answer all parts of the prompt, providing some specific and relevant evidence from his/her studies and/or observations.  Writing has a clear introduction (thesis), body, and conclusion.
• 8 points =  Student answers most parts of the prompt, providing relevant evidence from his/her studies and/or observations.  Writing has a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
• 7 points =  Student attempts to answer the main part of the prompt, providing somewhat relevant evidence from his/her studies and/or observations.  Writing has a clear introduction and body.
• 1-6 points =  Student’s answer lacks clarity and/or organization discussed above.

Psychology Midterm Essays

Essay/Extended Response

In complete paragraphs, answer THREE of the following questions for 10 points each.

1.       Discuss the ethics of psychology. How do psychologists know that they are acting ethically? Why is important that psychologists reflect on the ethics of their practices? What are some examples of unethical practices/experiments and what were the consequences? Why have some psychologists acted unethically?   

2.       Discuss the controversy of psychological medication, especially when it comes to children.  Refer to the documentary “The Medicated Child” from PBS’s Frontline and discuss both sides of the issue as well as your final opinion.

3.       Discuss the different specialties within the career field of psychology. Why are there so many different types of psychologists? Which fields interest you most and why? Which field(s) are least interesting to you and why? Even though they may not interest you personally, why do these other specialties exist?

4.       Discuss one’s moral development.  Make specific references to Kohlberg’s theory of moral development.  You may discuss this theory in terms of your own life and/or other situations in the news/media/history/literature.  Discuss the stages and if you agree with Kohlberg’s classification. 

5.       Discuss intelligence. What does it mean to be intelligent? What does it mean to lack intelligence? Discuss some key terms surrounding intelligence and discuss various theories and controversies that surround intelligence as well as your own ideas as they relate to psychological thought about intelligence.

6.       Discuss the psychology of teenage development. Specifically refer to information gleaned from “Inside the Teenage Brain” (PBS’s Frontline) as well as your own experiences. Why is this such a unique and important time, psychologically, in a person’s life?

7.       Discuss one mental illness that interests you in depth. Discuss why you are interested in this disorder as well as its potential causes and effects. Discuss treatment options and their upsides and downsides. What should patients with this disorder do? What should friends and families of people with this disorder do? What should society do? WHY???

  

RUBRIC

·         10 points =  Student clearly answers all parts of the prompt, providing multiple specific and relevant examples from his/her studies and/or observations.  Writing has a clear introduction (thesis in which an original argument is asserted), body, and conclusion.

·         9 points =  Student clearly attempts to answer all parts of the prompt, providing some specific and relevant evidence from his/her studies and/or observations.  Writing has a clear introduction (thesis), body, and conclusion.

·         8 points =  Student answers most parts of the prompt, providing relevant evidence from his/her studies and/or observations.  Writing has a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.

·         7 points =  Student attempts to answer the main part of the prompt, providing somewhat relevant evidence from his/her studies and/or observations.  Writing has a clear introduction and  body.

·         1-6 points =  Student’s answer lacks clarity and/or organization discussed above.

Digital Storytelling

Become familiar with a tool called Storybird.  Storybird collects art from a variety of artists and lets you use that art to express yourself.  I have signed you all up for Storybird accounts. 

1. Log in to Storybird with the username: AmandaG14 and the temporary password: omoabi. Change your password once you've logged in.
2. After you have logged in to Storybird, start exploring the tool.  Start by looking at my own story: Mary Ann Reads a Book.  Type a comment about something specific that you liked. 
• A good, specific compliment is not: I liked your story.  
• A good specific compliment is: I liked how you used dialogue to show how feisty your character is! Great use of indirect characterization! OR Your use of imagery description of the setting really helped set a calm tone and made me feel like I was there.
3. Write at least one good specific compliment for each of the following Storybirds that were made by your peers:
• Cat on the Run by Bry 
• The Tale of Cynthia Mercury by Celenia
•  The Day the Clouds Drifted Away by Adara
• The Perfect Day by Janelle
• Finding Friends by Lizzie
• Sally's Adventure by Jesstine
4. Find five more Storybirds through searching the website that appeal to you. Write a specific compliment for each one and send me the link for each of these as a "comment" below.
5. Create your own Storybird.  Include the link as a "comment" below on this blog post.  Your story must be grammatically correct with correct spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.  Additionally, your story must include at least three of the following: 

• have a plot that makes sense
• convey a mood, tone, or atmosphere in which pictures and text work together
• include complex and interesting characterization
• have a discernible theme.

The Medicated Child

Watch and take notes on PBS's Frontline documentary "The Medicated Child." There are six parts to the film, when you finish part 1, click on part 2, until you finish the film.

For your final exam, one of your essay options is to discuss the controversy surrounding psychological medication, especially when it comes to children. You'll have to discuss the pros and cons as well as provide an overall opinion supported by facts. It is in your best interest to take notes that will help with this task.

Sounds of Poetry & Choice Piece Planning

Week 16:

1. Many people believe that poetry is meant to be read aloud and experienced orally. Watch at least two of the Poetry Out Loud recitations.  Write a reaction to these two videos in which you comment on the poem itself (the meaning and/or literary devices) as well as the reader's delivery of the poem.  
2. Read and/or listen to "Those Winter Sundays" by Robert Hayden.  Then, read and annotate this analysis of the poem.  What is the purpose of Hayden's sound devices (alliteration and consonance) in the poem?  
3. Read the Onomatopoeia Poetry Lesson Plan. Do Exercise 1 only.
4. Since next week is our last week of regular class (and yes, you will have a final exam), I will let you choose what you would like to work on.  That's right, you can choose to write in poetry or in prose form.  You can write a poem (or a series of poems that relate to a similar theme, tone, or idea), a story, a letter, a play, a "how to" essay, a description, an article... the possibilities are endless.  This week, for credit, I would like to see a FIRST DRAFT or planning sheet (well thought-out outline or web, for example) for this final choice piece. Keep in mind that next week, for your final draft,  there are two stipulations that you must follow for full credit:
1. You must show me three drafts of your work.  Remember, drafts can involve any or all of these steps (and steps can be repeated): pre-writing/brainstorming (outlines, webs, etc.), revising, editing, and publishing. Check with me if you would like a revising or editing conference with me during the week! 
2. Your final draft must be publishable (NO ERRORS and some kind of neat, attractive presentation) and have a word count of at least 300 words.