Lord of the Flies
Talk to me.
Monday, February 28, 2005
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Why Your Posts Stink
Dear students,
I truly enjoy reading your unique thoughts. You often have some great things to say. However, you often choose to keep those thoughts hidden in your posts!
More often than not, you simply respond to whatever I say with a "that sounds great" or an "I'll have to pick that up". Show some thought and originality! I feel like the Pied Piper of Newberry--whatever I say you are going to go right along with it. So, from this day forward, your posts better be insightful, or you will find yourself without credit for them!
Be original. If I wanted you to regurgitate everything I tell you, then I wouldn't waste time challenging you!
Sincerely,
Ms. Hartness
I truly enjoy reading your unique thoughts. You often have some great things to say. However, you often choose to keep those thoughts hidden in your posts!
More often than not, you simply respond to whatever I say with a "that sounds great" or an "I'll have to pick that up". Show some thought and originality! I feel like the Pied Piper of Newberry--whatever I say you are going to go right along with it. So, from this day forward, your posts better be insightful, or you will find yourself without credit for them!
Be original. If I wanted you to regurgitate everything I tell you, then I wouldn't waste time challenging you!
Sincerely,
Ms. Hartness
New Book
I read Glamour monthly and they often recommend books to read. Last month, the recommended Smashed--The Story of a Drunken Girlhood. I ordered it online and started it last weekend, when I finished Hating Valentine's Day. Its awesome!
Its an autobiographical look at a drinker. She starts at the age of 14 and its seems as her entire adolescence is defined by drinking. She isn't an alcoholic, but is definitely out of control in several places in the book. Its worth picking up and checking out.
PS--If you respond to this post by saying that this book sounds good and you'll be sure to pick it up, then your post won't be counted towards your monthly quota. Come up with something original, folks!
Its an autobiographical look at a drinker. She starts at the age of 14 and its seems as her entire adolescence is defined by drinking. She isn't an alcoholic, but is definitely out of control in several places in the book. Its worth picking up and checking out.
PS--If you respond to this post by saying that this book sounds good and you'll be sure to pick it up, then your post won't be counted towards your monthly quota. Come up with something original, folks!
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
FOR SENIORS--Socratic Seminar
Today, we participated in the Socratic Seminar. I'd like your reactions and/or questions to today's lessons. For your information, I am also posting the guidelines for Socratic Seminars.
Guidelines for Participants in a Socratic Seminar
- Refer to the text when needed during the discussion. A seminar is not a test of memory. You are not "learning a subject"; your goal is to understand the ideas, issues, and values reflected in the text.
- It's OK to "pass" when asked to contribute.
- Do not participate if you are not prepared. A seminar should not be a bull session.
- Do not stay confused; ask for clarification.
- Stick to the point currently under discussion; make notes about ideas you want to come back to.
- Don't raise hands; take turns speaking.
- Listen carefully.
- Speak up so that all can hear you.
- Talk to each other, not just to the leader or teacher.
- Discuss ideas rather than each other's opinions.
- You are responsible for the seminar, even if you don't know it or admit it.
The History of Valentine's Day
To comment on this post, check out the webpage below. Comments about how cool it is will not be graded. Seniors--Practice your Socratic Seminar skills.
http://www.pictureframes.co.uk/pages/saint_valentine.htm
http://www.pictureframes.co.uk/pages/saint_valentine.htm
Monday, February 07, 2005
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
I read this book over the weekend and it was amazing. The basic plot is this--(as written by Dan Brown himself) A renowned Harvard symbologist is summoned to the Louvre Museum to examine a series of cryptic symbols relating to Da Vinci's work. In decrypting the code, he uncovers the key to one of the greatest mysteries of all time...and becomes a hunted man himself.
I had no idea what to expect from this book when I picked it up. There has been so much fall-out and discussion from the book that I really had no clue what it was that I was reading. And the book jacket didn't do much to settle my questions. All I knew was that people told me that the book would make me question things about my faith. It did indeed bring some thoughts to mind, but in such a way that I never imagined possible. This book is not the complicated read I expected. Its actually on the 6.4 AR level. It is extremely fast-paced and entertaining. I highly recommend checking out the copy that we have here in the library--once I turn it back in, that is. I may read it again before I take it back!
I had no idea what to expect from this book when I picked it up. There has been so much fall-out and discussion from the book that I really had no clue what it was that I was reading. And the book jacket didn't do much to settle my questions. All I knew was that people told me that the book would make me question things about my faith. It did indeed bring some thoughts to mind, but in such a way that I never imagined possible. This book is not the complicated read I expected. Its actually on the 6.4 AR level. It is extremely fast-paced and entertaining. I highly recommend checking out the copy that we have here in the library--once I turn it back in, that is. I may read it again before I take it back!
Friday, February 04, 2005
Books for Juniors
Today we read a story about the Roaring 20s and it reminded me of two books I have read several times.
Alexandra Ripley, who was commissioned to write the sequel to Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind, was the author of Charleston and On Leaving Charleston.
Charleston tells the story of Elizabeth Tradd from the age of 3 years old to 40 years old. Her life is a story of heartbreaks and triumphs. Lizzie is raised in the wealth and finery of the Old South, until the Civil War leaves her family bordering on poverty. She struggles through Reconstruction in Charleston, where the Yankees occupied for many years. The family will never be the same after the War and this book chronicles those changes.
On Leaving Charleston is Ripley's sequel to Charleston. It chronicles the rise and fall and subsequent recuperation of Garden Tradd, the grand-neice of Elizabeth Tradd and daughter of a once-rich family that became poor after the Civil War. Garden marries the rich, fast Yankee, Schuyler Harris and is ripped from Charleston on a whirl-wind tour of New York and Europe. This book chronicles the opulent spending of the Roaring 20s. Through Garden's eyes, readers can see how the 20s affected the participants. When Garden is forced to return to Charleston, the people shun her for her behavior. Yet, she has her aunt Elizabeth and her daughter and no one protects their own like South Carolinians. So when the Harrises come back for trouble, they meet the brick wall that is Charleston.
Two great books for you to check out! We may have them in the library here, and I know you can find them in the town library!
Alexandra Ripley, who was commissioned to write the sequel to Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind, was the author of Charleston and On Leaving Charleston.
Charleston tells the story of Elizabeth Tradd from the age of 3 years old to 40 years old. Her life is a story of heartbreaks and triumphs. Lizzie is raised in the wealth and finery of the Old South, until the Civil War leaves her family bordering on poverty. She struggles through Reconstruction in Charleston, where the Yankees occupied for many years. The family will never be the same after the War and this book chronicles those changes.
On Leaving Charleston is Ripley's sequel to Charleston. It chronicles the rise and fall and subsequent recuperation of Garden Tradd, the grand-neice of Elizabeth Tradd and daughter of a once-rich family that became poor after the Civil War. Garden marries the rich, fast Yankee, Schuyler Harris and is ripped from Charleston on a whirl-wind tour of New York and Europe. This book chronicles the opulent spending of the Roaring 20s. Through Garden's eyes, readers can see how the 20s affected the participants. When Garden is forced to return to Charleston, the people shun her for her behavior. Yet, she has her aunt Elizabeth and her daughter and no one protects their own like South Carolinians. So when the Harrises come back for trouble, they meet the brick wall that is Charleston.
Two great books for you to check out! We may have them in the library here, and I know you can find them in the town library!
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