Op Eds...Seriously. Again?

Today I would like you to read the New York Post Opinion Page and explore. Find an article that is intriguing to you and read it--closely. Then...

1. Copy a link to the article.
2. Write a summary of the article. Remember that a summary is the most concise manner of retelling the main points of the text.
3. Analyze the argument of the text. What is the argument? 
4. What rhetorical strategies does the author use to try to persuade you?
5. Explain what your opinion is on the matter. What do you think about what the author's argument?

Who is this Faber character anyway?

As Montag continues his exploration of books, he seeks out Professor Faber. Enter mentor #2. Superficially, Faber appears the complete opposite of Beatty--books are necessary--at least the good ones. But dig a little deeper, there are quite a few ways he is similar to Beatty.

Re-read sections of "The Sand and the Sieve" and explore how Professor Faber compares to Captain Beatty, and then discuss the impact Faber has on Montag.

Fahrenheit 451--America today?

An interviewer once asked Ray Bradbury, "Do you think the country is moving closer to the fictional America you wrote about?" Without revealing Bradbury's answer, I challenge you to answer that question. Look back through Part One and consider the different elements of Bradbury's fictional America: the technology, the parlor walls, the "relatives", the Seashells, Beatty's perspective on American culture and education on pages 54-62. Examine these elements with a critical eye. Are there parallels to American society today?

Write a well-developed response in which you agree or disagree using specific examples from the text and modern society as support.

Funny "haha" or Funny "aaah ha"

Search some political cartoons. Find one that tickles your fancy (ha...ha). Provide the link and then analyze the heck out of it!

Opinions--Everybody's Got One

http://blogs.newsobserver.com/opinion/home/ 

Today I would like you to read the Washington Post Opinion Page and explore. Find an article that is intriguing to you and read it--closely. Then...

1. Copy a link to the article.
2. Write a summary of the article. Remember that a summary is the most concise manner of retelling the main points of the text.
3. Analyze the argument of the text. What is the argument? How does the author present it?
4. Do you see any fallacies or other flaws in the argument? If so, what are they?
5. Explain what your opinion is on the matter. What do you think about what the author's argument?

OpEd--what's the argument?

Today I would like you to read the New York Times Opinion Page and explore. Find an article that is intriguing to you and read it--closely. Then...

1. Write a summary of the article. Remember that a summary is the most concise manner of retelling the main points of the text.
2. Analyze the argument of the text. What is the argument? How does the author present it?
3. Explain what your opinion is on the matter. What do you think about what the author's argument?

In the News Today

Peruse the news and find an interesting article. Copy and paste the link. Summarize the article. Reflect on the article. Done.

Year of Wonders Reflection

It's over. The novel has ended. Anna is alive and well and the Plague is gone. What did you think of the story? The characters? The resolution? Was it what you expected?

Write a thorough reflection.

The Definitions

Think about the words survive, survivor, and survival. Define them in your own words.

Today's News

news-worldwide365.blogspot.com

Take a few minutes to search news sites, find an interesting article and read it. Then, copy and paste the link, summarize the article, and reflect on what you read.

You as a Reader

Most everyone can remember a book that has had an impact on his or her life. Often this book is connected to an experience. It could have been the first book you learned to read. It could have been a book that troubled you. An important book doesn't have to be well loved, but it has to have an impact. Think about your history as a reader. Recall a book that sticks out in your mind and complete the following:

Title:
Author:
Give two reasons why the book is important to you:
1.
2.

Past reading experiences influence our current reading and writing. List five positive or negative reading and/or writing events that affect the way you read and write today.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
*As always proofread before submitting.
This activity is from Cris Tovani's book I Read It, But I Don't Get It.

The Black Death

While viewing the documentary and clip, I, personally, had quite a few questions and curiosities about how people dealt with such a devastating amount of sickness and death. I wondered what it would be like to live day to day wondering whether or not I would be next, fearing who I might lose among my family and friends, and what that fear would do to my sense of self? My faith? My will to go on? What caused some people to stay and help and others to flee? What would happen if this occurred today? These questions then led me to a slew of philosophical questions.

So what I wonder is...what questions arose as you viewed the videos? What did you wonder? What intrigued you? What filled you with fear? What did you think in general?

Take a few moments to thoughtfully reflect and respond below. (*As a reminder, please remember to proofread and edit before you submit.)

What does it take to survive?

To prepare for the next unit, I would like you to explore some survival stories. As you read these stories, I want you to continually ask, "What did it take for these people to survive?" What trends do you see? What characteristics/traits do these people have that gave them the strength to hang on? Then I also want you to ask yourself, "Would I have survived? Do I have what it takes to survive a harrowing situation?"

Please respond thoroughly and thoughtfully--as though you were having a conversation with me about the observations you made about others AND what you think about how you would respond in these scenarios (which we hope will never occur!).

Here are some links, but feel free to explore on your own:
Reader's Digest Survival Stories
MSNBC List of Top Survival Stories
NPR Hurricane Katrina Survival Stories
Outdoor Survival Stories
Wilderness Survival Stories
National Geographic Survival Stories
Urban Survival Stories