Freshmen Syllabus

ATTENTION ALL FRESHMEN

Want to take a peek at the class syllabus? Click on the link in the right hand collumn under 'Pages.'

Untouchable Fame

This post is for juniors only.

One of the most interesting aspects of the mafia, historically, is that so many ordinary people find this violent, immoral world as romantic and desirable.

Many times in the movies, gangsters are portrayed as the heroes, and law officials are portrayed as criminals.

This dynamic was at play with Al Capone as well. While he was a violent, merciless criminal, the public at times adored him and treated him like a Hollywood star. (This instances can be glimpsed in The Untouchables whenever Capone is speaking with members of the press, and the reporters are laughing at his jokes acting like they're just happy to be hanging out with the cool kid at recess.)

The reality, of course, was quite different.

Mob bosses were not comedians or movie stars. They were cruel and heartless killers.

Even in prison, however, Capone was treated like a celebrity. Here's a typical cell at Alcatraz:

And here's Capone's cell at Alcatraz:

This infatuation with crime didn't end with prohibition, however. Even today, ordinary, law-abiding citizens are drawn to real-life criminals. Criminals are at times treated like royalty, like celebrities, and people can't wait to buy the next album, see the next movie, watch the next episode.

In a thoughful, thorough paragraph, respond to the following prompt:

1. Name a real life criminal that has gained fame and popularity - at least in part - because of his/her illegal activities.
2. Briefly summarize the person's criminal record, and describe his or her 'ride on the fame machine' - his or her rise to popularity, his or her time in the spotlight.
3. Answer the following question: Why do so many people find this individual so entertaining and riveting - despite his or her criminal record? In other words, why is this person treated like a celebrity even though he or she has broken the law?

Welcome to Period 6

The following blog entry is for period 6 students only...

Welcome to freshmen English. We're going to be using this blog quite a bit throughout the year, so just to be sure we all know how to use it, please respond to the following quesion:

What is your favorite book you've ever read, and why?

1. Click on 'comments' below.
2. Post your comment. (Try cutting and pasting from word if you like.)
3. Click on 'Name/URL' and type in your name.
4. Click on 'post comment'.

For future reference - Your responses to blog entries needs to be thoughtful and thorough. And yes, grammar and spelling count (even though this is the internet). And yes, you can earn extra credit on these. All you need to do is - after you've posted your own comment - read the comments of others and post a thoughtful reply to someone else's comment.

Here are a few books really like:

This one is about a group of Japanese junior high kids who are forced by their teachers to fight to thte death. I really enjoyed the "what would you do?" mental excercises the author puts the reader through. Believe it or not, it's in the IMC.

This one is an iconic western. I like it for the way the characters talk to each other. I have this one in the classroom, along with about 30 other books by the author.

I like this one a lot, too. Ken Bruen's books are brutal, relentless, tragic, and hillarious. Open one up. They look like poems. They are like poems, only they're better than poems. (Most poems at least.)

Welcome to Period 3

The following blog entry is for period 3 students only...

Welcome to freshmen English. We're going to be using this blog quite a bit throughout the year, so just to be sure we all know how to use it, please respond to the following quesion:

What is your favorite movie of all time, and why? 

1. Click on 'comments' below.
2. Post your comment. (Try cutting and pasting from word if you like.)
3. Click on 'Name/URL' and type in your name.
4. Click on 'post comment'. 

For future reference - Your responses to blog entries needs to be thoughtful and thorough. And yes, grammar and spelling count (even though this is the internet). And yes, you can earn extra credit on these. All you need to do is - after you've posted your own comment - read the comments of others and post a thoughtful reply to someone else's comment.

I've got a few favorite movies myself, and they include...

...for its man vs. naure manliness...

...for its man vs. man insanity...

and last but not least...

...for the letter Ben Chapman wrote to my son. (Remind me to tell you the story some time.)

Final Exam Review - Mice and Raisin

As I said in class, your study guide for Of Mice and Men and for A Raisin in the Sun isn't really up to snuff.  Here is a link that you might find helpful.

http://lit195.blogspot.com/

To Kill a Mockingbird - Final Exam Review

Okay, listen up, kids. Here are a few sections of the book that I think you should review for the final exam. Please keep in mind that this does NOT mean that the exam is limited to the following parts. But this is a good place to start.

• Scout's days at school.
• Scout, Dill, and Jem sneaking over to Boo's house late at night.
• Mrs. Bubose' interaction with the kids.
• Miss Maudie's interaction with the kids.
• Atticus' defence of Tom Robinson in court.
• Atticus and Heck Tate on the front porch, talking about Boo.

Grammar Review - Unit 3: Aggreement

Grammar Review - Unit 2: Punctuation

Grammar Review - Unit 1: Sentences

Final Exam Review - Of Mice and Men

Final Exam Review Project - Period Schedule

Please follow the following schedule
when completing each final exam review activity.

Friday, 1/7 - Period 2 - A Raisin in the Sun
Friday, 1/7 - Period 7 - Of Mice and Men

Monday, 1/10 - Period 2 - Of Mice and Men
Friday, 1/10 - Period 7 - A Raisin in the Sun

In the comments section, record an entry the contains the following components:

1. one significant quotation from Of Mice and Men
2. the speaker of the quotation
3. to whom the quotation is being spoken
4. your name (to receive credit)

There are a few stipulations. First, no repeats. Second, first come, first served. Third, the more significant and important your quotation, the more helpful this study guide will become.

Final Exam Review - A Raisin in the Sun

Final Exam Review Project - Period Schedule

Please follow the following schedule
when completing each final exam review activity.

Friday, 1/7 - Period 2 - A Raisin in the Sun
Friday, 1/7 - Period 7 - Of Mice and Men

Monday, 1/10 - Period 2 - Of Mice and Men
Friday, 1/10 - Period 7 - A Raisin in the Sun

In the comments section, record an entry the contains the following components:

1. one significant quotation from A Raisin in the Sun
2. the speaker of the quotation
3. to whom the quotation is being spoken
4. your name (to receive credit)

There are a few stipulations. First, no repeats. Second, first come, first served. Third, the more significant and important your quotation, the more helpful this study guide will become.