Well class,
We have come to the end of our journey! =) My experience with your class was a great one. In essence, our class was like a roller coaster ride. We had some ups as well as some downs. Above all though, we had a fun class where we learned about great time periods and improved our grammar (well...some of you who actually completed the work and paid attention). And although at times some of you asked "Ms. why do we have to read this?" or "why do we have to do this?" I am sure that you learned valuable information from the material we covered this year.

It is a bitter sweet goodbye because although I am happy that the school year is over, believe it or not I am going to miss our class. I am going to miss everyone one of you! I wish you endless luck in your future endevours and hold on for the ride of your life because junior year will seriously be over in a blink of an eye! =)

For this last blog entry, I want you to write me a reflection post. (This is similar to the reflection letter that we have done for each portfolio throughout the marking periods. However, being that we did not have time, your autobiography project and this letter will count as your 4th markig period portfolio grade.)


In this blog spot I want you to reflect on what we covered this year.

- Include your favorite book, poem, short story, and/or other literary work that we have covered.

- Include your favorite activity and an explanation as to why this was your favorite activity.
               (I could almost picture someone like George or Big Boy saying "Ms. what if I didn't have favorite    book or activity?" And altough I am going to really find this HARD TO BELIEVE because we did a lot of fun activities to make the not so interesting material, fun. Well for those of you like George and Big Boy, you would tell about the book and activity that you disliked the most with an explanation as to why you disliked it the most.

- Include what you learned.

- The last part of your blog should be labeled like this:


A word of advice:

The title is self-explanatory. For this part, I want you to give some advice for the in-coming sophomores.

               - Include what to do in class.
               - Include what not to do.
               - Include what ANNOYS ME for students to do in class.
             - Include any word of advice that you believe if you knew before hand, would  
                have helped you done better in class.

 One last thing guys. Good luck! I better see ALL OF YOU graduating in 2012! You were my very first class and like I told you all, you are my babies. With this said, I expect to see you all on the field in June 2012. Please don't let me down.

Ms. Benitez =)

Ethan Frome Video

Go to the following website and watch the parody video. Very funny! =)



Click the links below:
Ethan Frome's Parody
Ethan Frome Music Video

Ethan Frome- Characterization Activity

In the opening chapters of Ethan Frome the readers are given more than enough information about the main characters. Right from the very beginning, the author vividly describes the main characters of the novel and makes the reader feel as if one truly knows the characters.


For this assignment you  are to choose a character from the novel and complete the following:

      1. Find an image that best describes the character.
               Describe why this image best describes the character.

      2. Find a song that best goes with the character.
                 Describe why this song best goes with this character.

      3. Write a brief description of the character using 3 examples or evidence from the novel. Description must be one to two paragraphs.

Have fun! :)

No Homework

I was not able to post the game, so you have no hw.

Twisting the Words

Language plays an important part in the play. Characters use language to twist meaning to achieve their own ends. In the beginning of the play Cassius uses language to deceive Brutus into  murdering Caesar. Decius deceives Caesar to attend the capitol by re-interpreting Calpurnia's dream. Finally, in Act III, Brutus and Anthony use language to decieve the crowd of their true intentions.


             -Summarize Brutus's and Anthony's funeral speeches. (III. ii. 12-48 and 75-254)
             -Both of their speeches are meant to deceive the crowd.
                        -Whose speech do you believe is more effective at deceiving the crowd?  Explain.
                                  *Answers must be about two paragraphs.

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar

Friendship is a major theme in the play.  Pompey, Caesar's friend and partner, turns his back on him and plots a plan to destroy him. Then, we have Cassius who like Pompey, also plots a plan to destroy and uses Brutus, his so called "friend" to enforce his plan. For this blog question, you are to explore the theme of friendship in the play and in your life. Please answer the questions in at least two complete paragraphs.

                          * Is there anything for which you would betray a friend?
                      * Which is more important to you, friendship or materialistic gains? Explain.
                     * Describe Cassius. Is he truly a "friend" to Brutus? Explain your answer.


P.S. Please try to comment on each other's comments. I want to see what everyone has to say about each other.

Have fun!

A free man! Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

By the end of chapter 10 we discover that Douglass escaped to the North. He is finally a free man in the new city of New York. In chapter 10 he empasizes on the fact that he does not want to reveal the details of his journey. In fact, he goes on to tell the readers that he rather not say HOW he ran away for fear that the masters might prevent other slaves from running away. As you know, Douglass became an abolitionist and after having established himself, actually went back to Maryland and helped other slaves escape.


For this assignment you are Frederick Douglass! =)



You are to write a diary entry as Douglass. In this diary entry you are to explain HOW exactly you managed to escape. (Hint! Hint! Keep in mind that in chapter 10 he is no longer living with Master Auld;therefore, he is not living in the plantation anymore.)
- Use your imagination and be creative.
-Using details from the narrative come up with a plan  that you think Douglass used to escape.
- Be sure to use information from the text for your diary entry.



Must be at LEAST two paragraphs.



Have fun! =)

Homework Assignment 4-16-10

Every week we will have a quick assignment to complete on this blogger page. This week's assignment will be to analyze the following quote and explain its significance. (Answer the questions in a paragraph form. All together you should have at least two paragraphs answering all of the questions. (Min. 2 paragraphs)




Due: Monday April 19




“A little learning, indeed, may be a dangerous thing, but the want of learning is a calamity to any people.”- Frederick Douglass-






* Frederick Douglass values his education because education enabled him to be free. Analyze the quote listed above. 
              

    - Why does he believe that learning may be a dangerous thing? Explain.
                

    - Why does he view the want of learning as a calamity? Explain.
                 

    - Do you agree with Douglass's quote? Explain your response.




Make sure to use at least one example from the book.






Click on the comments link to type your answer.

Welcome!

Welcome to our official blog page!





Please join and create your own blogger account. You will need a blog account to post your responses.
This blog will be our online discussion page. Each week there will be a question posted that you will be required to answer.


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https://www.blogger.com/start

Have fun blogging!