Civil Disobedience Response

Today you will begin working on your response to "Civil Disobedience"

In a 2 paragraph response please explain Thoreau's argument and what he is trying to say then discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree

Your 2 paragraph response will contain at least one quote from the essay

Please create a blank document with your period, full name, and the title - civil disobedience

Due 2/1/13 when you arrive in class

Civil Disobedience

Civil Disobedience By Henry David Thoreau

Today we will begin discussing some of the background that lead Thoreau to write "Civil Disobedience"

We will look briefly at the history of the Mexican-American War

Then we will begin to read and understand the meaning and message behind Henry David Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience"

Please listen and read carefully as you will have to respond to the text

Book Reviews Due

Book Reviews for the 3rd 6 weeks are due this Friday (1/25)

Please submit your reviews here when they are finished

AOW #12 Don't Lower the Bar

Today is the last day to prepare for our semester final

To practice today we will be reading AOW 12 "Don't Lower the Bar" and responding

Once you have read (and annotated the article if necessary) please write a 2 paragraph response.  In the first paragraph you will explain the authors point of view and what the article is explaining.  In the second paragraph please write your opinion about the article and whether you agree or disagree with the author's opinion on the subject.

Remember this is very similar to what you will turn in for the final, except your final will include an intro and conclusion.  If you have any difficulty or would like help please ask so you are confident taking your final in the next few days

You can find AOW 12 here

Poets Mini Research Project

Today we will begin a mini research project on poets from the transcendental era

Find directions here Poets Mini Research Project

Remember the end of the semester is approaching fast!  Now is not the time to let your grade slip

The assignment will be due Tuesday Morning 1/22

Self Reliance Essay

Choose a topic and short an essay (3-5 paragraph) regarding "Self Reliance" by Ralph Waldo Emerson

You must use one or two quotes from the essay to help explain your point

Topics:

1.  Explain a time when you went against the crowd.  Why did you decide to do so?  How did it make you feel?  What was the result?  What did you learn from the experience?

2.  Describe a time when your were pressured to do something you didn't want to do or feel was right (By friends, parents, teachers, etc.).  Why did you make that decision?  What did you learn from the experience?  How would you do it differently next time?

3.  Do you agree or disagree with Emerson's assertion that "to be great is to be misunderstood?"

4.  Do you think you could follow the ideals of "Self Reliance"? Or are they only a dream that is not possible to achieve in our modern society?

Due Monday 1/14/13

Self Reliance

Please read the excerpt from  "Self Reliance" by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Look up any words or phrases that cause confusion

Then paraphrase each section and look for deeper understanding

You will be using "Self Reliance" for an essay tomorrow and for your final essay of the unit so make sure you have a good understanding of the text

Due Friday 1/11/13

You can read the entire essay here "Self Reliance"  if you would like
 

A Psalm of Life

Today We Will Begin Our Unit on Transformational Thinkers!

We will read and analyze the poem "A Psalm of Life" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Click Here to View the Poem

Paraphrase each stanza to give yourself a better understanding of the poem and what it means.  Look up any words you have difficulty with.

Once finished you will write a one paragraph response to the poem regarding what it is about, what it means, why you think it is involved in this unit, and whether or not you liked the poem.

Due Friday 1/11/13