Grade 11 IB L&L: Part 1 due by Monday September 10, Part 2 due by Friday September 14

The cartoons below each communicate something about cliques and shared behaviors, values, or attributes.

Consider the following situation regarding cliques.

It is likely that at our school or in your local community there are multiple social groups, or cliques, that congregate around a shared set of interests, values, or assumptions. It is equally likely that each of the "distinct" groups (there is probably as much overlap between groups as there is true distinction) has or employs a semiotic sustem to advertise its identity. List some of the groups you commonly encounter--including your own (even if your own is a distinctly anti-group group!)--and some of the signs frequently employed.

Now, in your part 1 comment, think about and respond to the following questions. If you'd like to, you can also discuss any of the cartoons above.

1. What sign systems are commonly used?
2. How are they used differently among different groups?
3. What ideas are suggested about sign and sign systems as a result of your observations?

 Then, for part 2, comment on at least two of your classmates' posts.

Grade 12 IB B: Part 1 due before class on Monday September 10th, Part 2 due before class on Friday, September 14th

Consider the political cartoons below. In your part 1 comment, present an analysis of one of these cartoons, including a connection to Kesey's One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest. Then, for part 2, comment on at least two of your classmates' posts.

 

Grade 8: Due before class Monday, December 5th

Please post the conclusion to our class essay! For extra points, compliment and critique one of your classmate's conclusions.

Grade 8: Due before class Tuesday, October 25th

Find another example of foreshadowing in A Separate Peace. First, provide a quotation and page number that shows your example of foreshadowing. Then, explain the effect the foreshadowing has on you as a reader. Please write at least one paragraph. Bonus points for students who respond to other students!

If you need help finding an example, I found a few between pages 11 and 14!

Grade 12 IB B2 and 11 IB B1: Due before Monday, October 3rd

Browse the following blog:
http://www.menspeakup.org/

Write a reaction to one of the posts. Comment on at least one other classmates' post.

Grade 10 (A and F block): A block due before Monday, October 3rd; F Block due before Tuesday, October 4th

If you were turning "The Monkey's Paw" into a movie, what would you do to create the right atmosphere? Explain using details from the text! Comment on at least one other person's post.

Want extra credit? Find a youtube video of "The Monkey's Paw" that fits what you visualized while reading. Then, explain how it fits.

Grade 8: Due before Tuesday, October 4th

How might the story "I Just Kept on Smiling" change if told from Nicky Carver's point of view? From the teacher's? Explain using examples from the text. Comment on at least one other person's post.

Grade 11 IB B1: Due before Tuesday, September 27th

Read the following web page:
http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/northamerica/after1500/government/excluded.htm
Write a reaction to the information you learn. In your response, include specific details from the web page. Please also include a connection pertinent to what we have been discussing in class, whether it be Cisneros, minority groups, or women's rights. Comment on at least one other post.

Grade 12 IB B2: Due before Monday, September 19th

Please read the following article from Science Daily, an online news source.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101116081430.htm

The evidence from the study described in this articles aims to explain how teaching about differences between genders leads children to create stereotypes for boys and girls. Please respond to one of the following:

• Share a memory in which you were taught (by parent, teacher, older sibling, anyone…) what a boy should do/be like or what a girl should do/be like.
  


• Explain the stereotypes for boys and girls in your own culture.

Grade 11 IB B1: Due before Monday, September 19th

Read the following poem by Elizabeth Croll. Croll describes the evolving identities of women in China. China is a very large country and contains varying attitudes. The following poem in her book describes an attitude that could be considered more traditional within China's culture.

After reading, please post a reaction to the poem. Do you think the different treatments of sons and daughters is fair? Do you think the depiction is realistic? If so, to what extent? What connections can you make to your own culture?

Please comment on at least one other post.

Daughter Order
When a son is born
Let him sleep on the bed
Clothe him with fine clothes
And give him jade to play with
How Lordy his cry is!
May he grow up to wear crimson
And be the lord of the clan and the tribe.
When a daughter is born,
Let her sleep on the ground
Wrap her in common wrappings
And give her broken tiles for play things
May she have no faults, no merits of her own
May she well attend to food and wine
And bring no discredit to her parents.