So, we are going to be studying poetry and its concepts for the next six weeks; what is your initial reaction on hearing this. Tell us your experiences with poetry, what do you like?; dislike;? Discuss what you know about poetry, figuartive language, famous poets, etc. with your classmates.
Mrs. Sherbertes is a very talented teacher; what do you remember from her poetry unit? Is there a place for poetry in your world? Actually you guys love poetry but you call it something different-Any ideas?
Finally, to begin the unit,take a minute to read the four poems I supplied on the worksheet: Like an Animal When You Love Someone, Dad's in the Bathroom, and The Weeks to Come. Which is your favorite and why? Discuss your impressions and understandings of each.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
TheEffectivenessOfPeerCounseling
It took a while but Jazz and Antonia can actually sit in the same room with one another for more than 10 minutes. They are talking but is counseling working? How would you rate its effectiveness (1 weak-5very productive). If you think it is going well, why? What has each girl done to make it work? If you think it is not working, why? Who is to blame?
Finally, could peer counseling work for 8th graders in Mercury? Why or Why not?
Finally, could peer counseling work for 8th graders in Mercury? Why or Why not?
TrueColors
"Don't let your character change color with the environment. Find out whom you are and let it stay its true color." -Rachel Scott of Rachel's Challenge-
Recently we have uncovered interesting tidbits about the "true" Jazz Luther Our ounce "subhuman punk" is a pianist prodigy, daughter of a wealthy and proud family, but eager to hide her "true" self. She seems determined to hide her wealth, her talent, and even her friendship with Antonia, from Ram, Eeks, and others, "'Come on, let's go.' She herded her group away" (page 138). Is Jazz a poser?
Antonia is much better. She has put on "a front" since day one. Antonia has hidden much about her own life and has even gone as far as to break the law to keep her identity hidden, "Throwing off his blanket, I lifted Chuckie up (from the hospital bed) and said 'Come on Michael. We're going home.'" (page 48). She has lied to parents, neighbors, teachers, students, and even herself. Is Antonia a poser?
Secondly, should your "true colors" shine proudly or is it honorable to change different ways, around different people. Keep in mind, we are not talking about how to behave in school vs. the mall. We are interested in the essence of one's personality! Who they really are deep down inside? Should your personality stay true? Do YOU let your true colors out?
Recently we have uncovered interesting tidbits about the "true" Jazz Luther Our ounce "subhuman punk" is a pianist prodigy, daughter of a wealthy and proud family, but eager to hide her "true" self. She seems determined to hide her wealth, her talent, and even her friendship with Antonia, from Ram, Eeks, and others, "'Come on, let's go.' She herded her group away" (page 138). Is Jazz a poser?
Antonia is much better. She has put on "a front" since day one. Antonia has hidden much about her own life and has even gone as far as to break the law to keep her identity hidden, "Throwing off his blanket, I lifted Chuckie up (from the hospital bed) and said 'Come on Michael. We're going home.'" (page 48). She has lied to parents, neighbors, teachers, students, and even herself. Is Antonia a poser?
Secondly, should your "true colors" shine proudly or is it honorable to change different ways, around different people. Keep in mind, we are not talking about how to behave in school vs. the mall. We are interested in the essence of one's personality! Who they really are deep down inside? Should your personality stay true? Do YOU let your true colors out?
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
DEFINENORMAL
Define "Normal?" Well, according to dictionary.com normal is conforming to the standard or the common type; usual; not abnormal; regular; natural. HUH?
On page fifty-one of Define Normal Jazz asks, "I mean, what's your defition of normal?"
Antonia responds with, "You know,normal. Happy, healthy. Someone with friends and family..." Later she adds, "You have goals and dreams. Things you want to do with your life. You value life. You don't waste it."
What is normal? Is piercing your body in every possible area, normal? Is growing up in Boston but rooting for the Yankees, normal? Is eating peanutbutter and cheese sandwiches, coloring your hair every week, or even having two groups of friends, normal? Conversely, if I want to be by myself and don't have many friends is that ABNORMAL? If I am quiet at school am I ABNORMAL? If I don't value family am I ABNORMAL?
So class, what is your definition of normal?
Remember class, you can disagree with one another but be respectful of our differences in perspective.
On page fifty-one of Define Normal Jazz asks, "I mean, what's your defition of normal?"
Antonia responds with, "You know,normal. Happy, healthy. Someone with friends and family..." Later she adds, "You have goals and dreams. Things you want to do with your life. You value life. You don't waste it."
What is normal? Is piercing your body in every possible area, normal? Is growing up in Boston but rooting for the Yankees, normal? Is eating peanutbutter and cheese sandwiches, coloring your hair every week, or even having two groups of friends, normal? Conversely, if I want to be by myself and don't have many friends is that ABNORMAL? If I am quiet at school am I ABNORMAL? If I don't value family am I ABNORMAL?
So class, what is your definition of normal?
Remember class, you can disagree with one another but be respectful of our differences in perspective.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Stereotypes
Our theme and subject for the first half of Define Normal is a very sensitve subject. Stereotyping, bullying, etc has directly effected us all. When discussing the matter please be the mature young adults that this subjects requires of you. Be precise with your word choice, and reread comments before you post them. All school rules apply, but just as importantly, the social skills of our world apply.
Stereotypes-we all have heard them and many of us have used them as our simple way of filling in the blanks for what we do not know or are not willing to learn. As we learned in class, the problem occurs when stereotypes (theory/idea) grow into something much bigger like an prejudice (attitude). At many schools, including ours, stereotypes play a major role in "bullying"; a problem many us have faced in our middle school careers.
Not including age or sex, many of us have characteristics that are prone to stereotypes. Think about this school. Where and when do stereotypes come up? Without using specific names, what are some of the groups who take a bad wrap? Feel free to discuss the origin (where do they begin) and happenings of stereotyping at our school. On a larger scale, who in the world is to blame for stereotypes?
The bigger picture is, how do we stop it! Take some time to evaluate the strategies the school has introduced to stop stereotyping "Mix it Up Day," "No Name Calling Week," school assemblies. Are these effective? What are some suggestions you would make to improve the school's problem?
Please have an open, but POSITIVE discussion on stereotyping in your life. Think of it as a journal entry with a chance to read, respond, and connect with others.
Stereotypes-we all have heard them and many of us have used them as our simple way of filling in the blanks for what we do not know or are not willing to learn. As we learned in class, the problem occurs when stereotypes (theory/idea) grow into something much bigger like an prejudice (attitude). At many schools, including ours, stereotypes play a major role in "bullying"; a problem many us have faced in our middle school careers.
Not including age or sex, many of us have characteristics that are prone to stereotypes. Think about this school. Where and when do stereotypes come up? Without using specific names, what are some of the groups who take a bad wrap? Feel free to discuss the origin (where do they begin) and happenings of stereotyping at our school. On a larger scale, who in the world is to blame for stereotypes?
The bigger picture is, how do we stop it! Take some time to evaluate the strategies the school has introduced to stop stereotyping "Mix it Up Day," "No Name Calling Week," school assemblies. Are these effective? What are some suggestions you would make to improve the school's problem?
Please have an open, but POSITIVE discussion on stereotyping in your life. Think of it as a journal entry with a chance to read, respond, and connect with others.
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