And the debate rages on...

Happy Friday, folks!

I saw this in today's Newsday and thought it would be interesting for a Read and Respond! (Applause, applause, wild cheering, more applause...)

Read the following article and respond with your own thoughtful analysis. You know the drill: analytical words and text-based support, written on loose-leaf paper and handed in by the end of class.

ENJOY!

https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1Pu0d0eF7_HrQL_WJF2bkax3IBkCno3Om3dkuLoKVvqo

Hoop Dreams

Hoop Dreams

An extraordinary look at the lives of two students as they grow up with very specific aspirations...

(Video link can be found below the film poster image.)

http://www.hulu.com/watch/249576/hoop-dreams

Looking for a good yearbook quote?

Find some words of wisdom for your yearbook quote!

Think Exist: http://thinkexist.com/

Brainy Quote: http://www.brainyquote.com/

Plagiarism!

At this point in our research paper journey MOST of you (and by most, I mean 99.9%) should have read AT LEAST one book and/or gathered a decent amount of information about your topic. It's time to start cataloging your sources and expanding your information search. As your search widens and your knowledge grows, it's incredibly important to keep track of ideas, theories, statistics, etc..

This is NOT a project that can be completed in a week, a weekend, or over the course of a very long night. You MUST commit to this as the guiding project of your 2nd quarter English class and understand that it is a requirement for this course as a whole.

That being said, we need to be EXTREMELY CLEAR about the seriousness of ORIGINAL THOUGHT... and the unethical practice of PLAGIARISM.

Study Like a Scholar!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ArIj236UHs

WHAT IS PLAGIARISM?

http://library.camden.rutgers.edu/EducationalModule/Plagiarism/

SOUND Familiar?

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1136141

TEST Yourself!
http://www.lycoming.edu/library/instruction/tutorials/plagiarismGame.aspx

THIS I BELIEVE

This I Believe Website
http://thisibelieve.org/top/

Listen!
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103412215

Finding the Flexibility to Survive
http://thisibelieve.org/essay/31840/

Be Cool to the Pizza Delivery Dude
http://thisibelieve.org/essay/23/

To Occupy, Or Not To Occupy?

Wikipedia on OWS:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupy_Wall_Street

The Guardian Newspaper:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/occupy-movement

New to protests:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/06/nyregion/wall-st-protest-lures-many-new-to-this-sort-of-thing.html?_r=1&ref=nyregion

Read & Respond (Week 9) DUE MONDAY 11/14

Here are the Read and Respond articles for Week 9. As always, read each article and choose AT LEAST 2 to summarize and analyze.

How widespread is the problem of harrassment among students in schools? How can schools combat this issue?
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/07/education/widespread-sexual-harassment-in-grades-7-to-12-found-in-study.html?_r=1&hp

Corporal Punishment in the Classroom?!
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/28/education/30paddle.html

Did this Texas judge go too far?
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57319097/us-attorney-no-federal-offense-in-texas-beating/

Read & Respond (Week 8) DUE MONDAY 11/7/11

Here are the links for Week 8. You are required to read ALL of the articles and respond to AT LEAST 2 of them on loose-leaf paper. You should be SUMMARIZING the information and then ANALYZING the topic with a PERSUASSIVE opinion. As always, you are required to write in blue or black ink, and your responses should be AT LEAST a page in length!!!

Student-athletes and "pay-to-play"
http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/public/NCAA/Issues/Why+student-athletes+are+not+paid+to+play

Steve Jobs's Last Words
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/for-gods-sake/post/steven-jobss-oh-wow-and-other-last-words/2011/11/01/gIQAjST4cM_blog.html

Art or controversy?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/arts-post/post/dead-ai-weiwei-sculpture-scares-german-town/2011/11/03/gIQAdbSkiM_blog.html

READ & RESPOND (WEEK 7)

Here are the links for Week Seven. Please read ALL of the articles linked below, and then summarize/analyze AT LEAST TWO of the articles on LOOSE-LEAF PAPER. As always, you are required to write in blue or black ink. Responses should be at least a page in length!!!

Should Kids Be Bribed To Do Well In School?
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1978758,00.html

Detroit: Lost City, or Phoenix Rising?
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1926017-1,00.html

Death Penalty's Unlikely Opponents
http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/23/justice/death-penalty-opponents/index.html?eref=time_us

GREAT NEWS!!!

The McRib is back!!!
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/story/2011-10-24/mcdonalds-mcrib-sandwich/50888872/1

You have until November 14th to indulge in this rather unhealthy, but wonderful sandwhich!

Mmmmmm....

McRib Locator!!!
http://kleincast.com/maps/mcrib.php

WALL WISHER is HERE!

Hi folks,

There's a new addition to our blog. It's called Wall Wisher, and it's similar to Twitter in terms of communication capabilities. Your interaction with the site will be included in your participation grade.

Here is the link to the first of many walls we intend to create:

http://www.wallwisher.com/wall/keenan

I've also added the site to the bottom of this page.

CANTERBURY TALES (Online Text)

Here is a link to the Canterbury Tales ONLINE TEXT. Use it to review the work from class and to help with the upcoming reading comprehension questions.

http://www.bremesoftware.com/Chaucer/index.htm

Unblocked link:
http://www.ronaldecker.com/ct.htm

BE SURE TO COMPLETE YOUR CHARACTER CHART BASED ON THE DESCRIPTIONS!

READ & RESPOND (Week 6)

Here are the links for Week Six (Week Five was a "free" week). Please read ALL of the articles linked below, and then summarize/analyze AT LEAST TWO of the articles on LOOSE-LEAF PAPER. As always, you are required to write in blue or black ink. Responses should be at least a page in length!!!

AND YES, I'm aware that some of these links may be blocked... currently looking for more articles to choose from...

Was Shakespeare a Fraud? (School site BLOCKS this link...)
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/10/17/anonymous-hollywood-s-shakespeare-authorship-controversy.html

Do College Interviews Really Count?
http://www.forbes.com/sites/stevecohen/2011/10/10/do-college-interviews-really-count/

Dying for a Cause
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44941619/ns/world_news-asia_pacific/

The Youngest Person to be Executed in America

http://www.thegrio.com/news/was-the-youngest-person-ever-executed-innocent.php

TRAVEL TALE (Homework Assignment)

ROAD TRIP!
Imagine that you're going on a road trip and you must take three people with you in the car. The FIRST passenger is a person of your choosing, the SECOND is a favorite teacher, and the THIRD must be either Rebecca Black or Justin Bieber.

Prewriting activites should include an outline of who's in the car, where you're going, why you're headed there, and some possible "speed bumps" that could occur along the way.

Once you have the basic details on paper, begin to write your travel tale! This is a short work of creative fiction -- and by short I mean 2-3 pages with lots and lots of CREATIVITY!

Prewriting should be done in your marble notebooks, with the final product HANDED IN ON LOOSELEAF paper by FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2011

QUESTIONS? Email me: ms.k.keenan@gmail.com

Steve Jobs

Tribute to

Steve Jobs:
http://www.wired.com/video/latest-videos/latest/1815816633/a-tribute-to-steve-jobs/1202794264001

CHAUCER!!!

Start your Chaucer adventure today!
Here is a webquest to help get you started. Take notes and add to your knowledge base as the week progresses. Don't forget to list any outside sources in your notes!

http://www.lyc-arsonval-brive.ac-limoges.fr/site/IMG/pdf/Chaucer_-_WebQuest.pdf

Also...
http://www.history.com/topics/black-death/videos#coroners-report-plague

Read and Respond (Week Four)

Here are the links for Week Four's R & R. Please read ALL of the articles linked below, and then summarize/analyze AT LEAST TWO of the articles on LOOSE-LEAF PAPER. As always, you are required to write in blue or black ink. Responses should be at least a page in length!!!

STOP STUDYING! Is this an unfair system? Explain.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2094427,00.html

WEIGH IN! Is a "fat tax" fair? Explain.
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2011/10/02/denmark-introduces-fat-tax-on-foods-high-in-saturated-fat/

BULLYCIDE: Is 15 years too little, too much, or just right?
http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/bill-could-give-those-convicted-of-bullycide-15-years-in-prison-1.3203059

MEET OUR NEW MASCOT!!!

Thanks to Gina, we have an honorary class mascot. Meet our fine-finned-friend, Hrothgar!

Read and Respond (Week Three)

Hi folks!

Here are the links for Week Three's R & R. Please read ALL of the articles linked below, and then summarize/analyze AT LEAST ONE of the articles on LOOSE-LEAF PAPER. As always, you are required to write in blue or black ink.

Banned Books Week (Should public schools and public libraries ban books?)http://www.huffingtonpost.com/molly-raphael/banned-books-week-censorship_b_977058.html

Harmless Words, or Hate Speech?http://www.nbcbayarea.com/blogs/press-here/Young-People-Love-to-Use-Racial-Slurs-130204403.html

The Death of Cursive Writing?http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-cursive-schools-0925-20110925,0,7415839.story

BEOWULF

Here is a link to the translation found in our textbooks. Use it for studying or catching up!

http://www.nexuslearning.net/books/elements_of_lit_course6/anglo_saxon_period/The%20Monster%20Grendel.htm

READ and RESPOND (WEEK TWO)

You will find this week's Read and Respond articles posted below. Please read ALL of the articles, and respond to AT LEAST 2 of them on loose leaf paper, to be handed in on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2011.

SLIPPING SCORES http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/15/education/15sat.html?ref=education

BOYS and READING http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/21/books/review/boys-and-reading-is-there-any-hope.html?_r=1&ref=education

KIDS and GUNS http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2093725,00.html

IS AN INNOCENT MAN FACING EXECUTION? http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/21/us/troy-davis-is-denied-clemency-in-georgia.html

There's a reason Willy Wonka was so creepy...

Have you ever read a Roald Dahl book? If not, then you're severely missing out! At the very least you've probably seen some of the film adaptations.

Dahl's JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH was first published 50 years ago today, and the article linked below tells of Dahl's interesting and difficult life.

Check it out!

"Roald Dahl and the Darkness Within"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14880441

Read and Respond (Week One)

Welcome to the first week of READ and RESPOND!

Each week you will be required to read and respond to a series of links. The topics might be serious, ridiculous, controversial, or even outrageous.

Read the following links and respond to at least TWO of the articles in your marble notebook.

Your response should be a clear commentary on the topics read. Include a short summary (at least one paragraph) and then take a side on the issue in at least another paragraph. Include details/points/quotes from the text, and be clear about your thoughts. Your response should be articulate, supported by text-based information, and clearly defined-- you MUST take a side. Be a lawyer. Prove your case. Make a point. Fire up your fellow classmates...

Quiz on Monday (on all four articles)!!!

"The Master's as the New Bachelor's"http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/24/education/edlife/edl-24masters-t.html?_r=1&ref=edlife

"Why We Can't Wear White After Labor Day"http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1920684,00.html

"Are Your Jeans Sagging? Go Directly to Jail"

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/30/fashion/30baggy.html

"School's New Math: the Four-Day Week"

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704869304575104124088312524.html

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

In-class assignment:

Compose a letter to yourself identifying how you feel about being a senior, and what you hope to accomplish over the course of this year. Include any fears, challenges, and/or aspirations. Your goals can be academic, social, personal, professional, etc...

You are the ONLY person who will see this letter. Once complete, you will seal your letter in an envelope and return it to me. It will then be locked up until the end of 3rd quarter when it will be returned to you. Hopefully when you read these letters again you will have accomplished many of your goals. And if not, you'll still have another quarter left to have a go at them!

ENGLISH 12 Literature

The English 12 curriculum is focused on British Literature from the Old English and Medieval periods, leading up to the Modern and Post-Modern periods of today. We will read, analyze, and respond to examples from each literary period.

Selected readings for the 2011-2012 school year include, but are not limited to:

“Beowulf”
Geoffrey Chaucer: “The Canterbury Tales”
Christopher Marlowe: “The Passionate Shepherd to his Love”
Jonathan Swift: “A Modest Proposal”
William Blake: “The Lamb”, “The Tyger”
Mary Shelley: Frankenstein
John Keats: “Ode on a Grecian Urn”
Robert Browning: “My Last Duchess”
Elizabeth Barrett Browning: “Sonnet 43”
A.E. Houseman: "To An Athlete Dying Young"
W.B. Yeats: “A Drinking Song”, “An Irish Airman Foresees His Death”
T.S. Eliot: “The Waste Land”
Seamus Heaney: “Digging”,
Eavan Boland: “Outside History”
Virginia Woolf: Mrs. Dalloway
James Joyce: “Araby”
Dylan Thomas: “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night”
Ted Hughes: “View of a Pig”

Supplemental materials include, but are not limited to:
John Gardner, “Grendel”
“Beowulf” 2007 film
“The Canterbury Tales” 2003 BBC television series (excerpts)
“Monty Python and the Holy Grail” (excerpts)
“Le Morte De Arthur” vs. “Harry Potter”
William Shakespeare “Hamlet”

Additional texts may include:
Arthur Miller, “Death of a Salesman”
Edward Albee, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”
Charlotte Perkins Gilman, “The Yellow Wallpaper”
  

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Senioritis (according to Urban Dictionary)
noun. A crippling disease that strikes high school seniors. Symptoms include: laziness, an over-excessive wearing of track pants, old athletic shirts, sweatpants, athletic shorts, and sweatshirts. Also features a lack of studying, repeated absences, and a generally dismissive attitude. The only known cure is a phenomenon known as GRADUATION.

Please report all known (or suspected) cases of this deadly disease as soon as symptoms become apparent.

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As I’ve stated before, I treat ALL of my classes as if they were AP or pre-AP level courses. As such, your attendance is CRUCIAL to your success. Lateness will NOT be tolerated. Missing assignments will receive a ZERO, and extra credit is NOT an option.

BOOK REPORTS will be required, but the format will (for the most part) be left up to you.

Your PARTICIPATION grade consists of your interaction in class AND on the class website: www.keenan12.blogspot.com

If it looks like a lot of work, it is! But RELAX. It’s the last little bit of HS English you’ll ever face. Embrace it. Enjoy it!

"A book must be the axe for the frozen sea within us."
-Franz Kafka

"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend.
Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."
-Groucho Marx