The purpose of life is to increase the warm heart. Think of other people. Serve other people sincerely. No cheating.

~The Dalai Lama

In honor of Valentine's Day...

The World is Not a Pleasant Place to Be

the world is not a pleasant place
to be without
someone to hold and be held by

a river would stop
its flow if only
a stream were there
to receive it

an ocean would never laugh
if clouds weren't there
to kiss her tears

the world is not
a pleasant place to be without
someone


~Nikki Giovanni

In honor of Valentine's Day...

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

~ e.e. cummings

Macbeth Questions

Post any questions you have about the play here. Check back often for answers!

Macbeth journals now due next Wednesday!

Journals are now due February 22nd. However, no late journals will be accepted. You either have it on the 22nd or you don't. Remember that you have a long weekend to get everything done. DO NOT COME TO ME WEDNESDAY TO TELL ME THAT YOUR PRINTER IS BROKEN!

The following are journal topics that will help you in your analysis of the play, Macbeth. Complete the journals as you read the play to aid in your understanding of the action. Type all journals to present in a portfolio at the end of the unit. All journals must be approximately 300 words, or one typed, double-spaced page.

• Discuss the following quote: "Ambition destroys its possessor."
• Is Macbeth essentially a good character gone bad or was he evil all along? Draw your ideas from the text.
• Shakespeare took precise steps to achieve his goal of becoming a playwright. List the practical steps toward achieving your chosen career goal.
• Examine Macbeth's desires, motivations, and internal conflicts. Write a character profile.
• Think of something you want so much you would do just about anything to get it. Describe what you desire and consider what it would take to gain it. Do you need it?
• (Act III) If you could talk to Macbeth as a friend or confidant, what advice would you offer? Do you think he would take it? Do most people take the advice of friends?
• Would you say that Macbeth has a conscience? Why or why not?
• (Act IV, Scene ii) Write a letter from her husband that Lady Macduff might be reading as Ross arrives. Consider where he has gone, whom he plans to see, and the purpose of his trip. Explain why he has left his family.
• If the events in Macbeth were taking place today, would you want the president to send troops to Scotland to help Macduff and Malcolm? Explain why or why not.
• (Act V) Macbeth desperately wants to be king, but he proves himself to be unworthy of the position. Which characters would actually be right for the job? Complete a chart using "Character", "Skills", and "Personality" as column headings. Who would be the most qualified person? (Does not have to be 300 words)
• Do Macbeth and Lady Macbeth exchange personalities as the play progresses? Find examples from the play.
• What causes Macbeth's downfall--a tragic flaw, errors in judgement, forces beyond his control, or a combination of these? Support your opinion with evidence from the play. (See page 352 for help.)

Remember that no late journals will be accepted--not even for computer problems.

What are you reading?

I have really enjoyed SSR this nine weeks. Its given me a chance to get some reading in.

Right now, I'm reading Memoirs of a Geisha. I didn't see this movie when it came out, because I wanted to read the book. Its so beautifully written! The imagery and similes and language is astounding!

I also read Copper Sun by Sharon Draper. This book examined the life of a slave, from her kidnapping in her African village through her journey to slavery. Its a great book and there are two copies in the library for you to check out!

Stems 21-24

1. -i plural
2. jus law
3. lum light
4. ann year
5. apo away or up
6. sen old
7. sol alone
8. bas low
9. rogat ask
10. parl speak
11. potent power
12. surg rise
13. log word or reason
14. gram writing
15. cant sing
16. reg rule
17. pro forward
18. gyn woman
19. ag to do
20. act to do
21. mob move
22. sess sit
23. fic make
24. nounce tell
25. andro man
26. an- without
27. ab away
28. mel song
29. aden gland
30. aer air
31. alb white
32. ase enzyme
33. ep on
34. hum earth
35. -be life
36. bon good
37. struct build
38. chlor green
39. cyan blue
40. cyt cell
41. diplo double
42. dys bad
43. eco house
44. emia blood
45. enter intestine
46. eythro red
47. idio peculiar
48. exo out
49. im not
50. fil thread

STEMS TEST

Your stems test will still be Tuesday. I'll post the stems here over the weekend, so you can use the blogspot to study.

Fundraising idea?

Seniors--

I am looking at one of these designs as a possible sweatshirt/t-shirt idea to help raise money for prom. Is there one that you prefer? Any input is appreciated, but don't post if you don't care.

I'm out today and tomorrow with bronchitis. Leave me a message here if you need to or e-mail/im me. See you soon!

Heart Map Poetry

Post your heart map poems here.