Just wanted to say...

Well, the day you have been waiting for is just around the corner.  I know the road has been difficult at times and you may have wanted to give up.  But, you must remember anything worth having is worth working for.  It has been my pleasure teaching you, and I wish for you all the very best in life.  Go and change this world.  Make it a better place.  I will miss you lots and lots.  KP

In the end...

At the end of the novel Lord of the Flies, Ralph weeps for the loss of innocence, the darkness of man's heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy.  Which of these three things do you feel is most heartfelt in Ralph?  Explain.  (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight Friday, May 4, 2012)

Piggy, don't you see that was Simon and THAT WAS MURDER!

How does Simon's death represent the death of innocence in the island, especially in regards to Ralph?  (The deadline to post a response is midnight, Tuesday, May 1, 2012.)

You knew didn't you...

In Chapter 8, Simon encounters the Lord of the Flies. He has a "conversation" with the Lord of the Flies.  In essence the 'conversation' just confirms Simon's earlier suggestion when he said during a meeting "Maybe there is a beast, I mean maybe the beast is just us." There is no creature with wings and claws; there is only the potential to do evil inside people.  Do you agree with Golding here?  Give a specific example from history that proves that people have a great potential to do evil.  What controls the evil?  (The deadline to post a response is midnight, Friday, April 27, 2012.)

Beast from Air

A sign has come from the outside world:  the dead paratrooper.  Confused in the dark, Samneric believe it to be the "beastie" they have all been fearing.  Only Simon remains convinced that the beast is mankind.  Is Simon right?  In what ways are we humans the beasts of society?  (The deadline to post a response is midnight Thursday, April 26, 2012.)

Rules---Rules---Rules

In chapter 5, when Jack and Ralph argue, Ralph says, "The rules are all we've got!"  How important are rules in society?  What rules are needed in this microcosm if the boys are to survive?  Why?  (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight Thursday, April 26, 2012.)

A Mask or Metamorphosis?

Jack masks himself with clay and charcoal. What effect does this have on his behavior? What is the purpose of any mask, either real or imagined? Do all of us wear masks from time to time? Explain. (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Tuesday, April 24, 2012.)

"They looked at each in love and hate..."

Now that we have progressed through Chapter 4, we have seen some of the differences in Ralph and Jack come into play.  What does each boy want most and represent?  How will this love and hate relationship affect the dynamics of the island?  (The deadline to post a response to the blog opportunity is midnight Saturday, April 21, 2012.)

Just wanted to say...

I really enjoyed all the career presentations this week.  I know some of you believed you could not do it and you were nervous, but I always knew you have the ability to do anything you decide to do.  I am so very proud of all you.

This belongs to us!

As Ralph looks down from the top of the bastion of the island, he exclaims, "This belongs to us!"  Much like an explorer discovering a new land, Ralph has found himself in charge of a new world--an island of boys.  What advice would you give Ralph to keep in mind as he is chief?  What is the main thing he must do?  Why?  (The deadline to post a response is midnight Thursday, April 19, 2012.)

Love--Death--Time

Renaissance poetry presents looks at three important topics: love, death and time. Which of the poems/meditations did you enjoy most? Why? (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Saturday, April 14, 2012)

A Tragic End...

Now that we have finished Macbeth, do you think Macbeth caused his own destiny or that he was under the influence of others?  Explain.  (The deadline to post a response is midnight, Thursday, April 5, 2012.)

Fair is foul and foul is fair...

So much of the story and moral of The Tragedy of Macbeth is based upon appearance versus reality.  Other than the character of Macbeth himself, what is something or someone you have noticed as not what is seems to be?  Explain how Shakespeare is using this element in his play to enhance the storyline. (The deadline to post a response to this blog question is midnight Thursday, March 29, 2012.)

Don't shake your gory locks at me...

Today, in Act III, Macbeth was visited by Banquo's ghost.  Does he deserve to be haunted with fear and paranoia or is he an innocent victim of the witches and his wife's manipulation?  Explain.  (The deadline to post a response is midnight Wednesday, March 28, 2012.)

Is this a dagger I see before me...

In Act Two of Macbeth, the murder of Duncan occurs.  So much is revealed about the true characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in this act as they react to the murder of Duncan.  What do we learn of Macbeth through his words and actions in this situation?  of Lady Macbeth?  Which of these two characters are you finding most interesting? Why?  (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight, Saturday, March 24, 2012.)

Women of Mystery and Power

Today, we began the play The Tragedy of Macbeth.  The opening scene presents the Weird Sisters.  They make predictions for Macbeth and Banquo.  What effect do you think these predictions are having on Macbeth?  Why?  What is Shakespeare revealing about people through Macbeth's reaction to the predictions?  (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight, Wednesday, March 21, 2012.)

All the world's my stage...

Today, we discussed many things about Shakespeare and the Renaissance.  Comment on something you found interesting in the lecture.  Explain why you found this intriguing.  (The deadline to post a response to the blog question is midnight Friday, March 16, 2012.)

Dates to Remember with Career Paper

Interview Paper--March 8, 2012

Typed Outline with Thesis--March 13, 2012
Typed Works Cited--March 14, 2012
Opening Paragraph--March 15, 2012
First Two Body paragraphs--March 16, 2012
Entire Rough draft--March 19, 2012
Final draft in manila envelope and all cards--March 30, 2012
Oral Presentations--April 17,18, 19, 2012

Preparing for the Future

Post something you have learned about your career choice that you found interesting and explain if this pleases or concerns you about your chosen career.  (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Thursday, March 1, 2012.)

Way of Life for Knights

In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the writer focuses much of the story on honor. In what ways is Gawain honorable? What do you feel was Gawain's most redeeming trait? Why? (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight, Friday, February 17, 2012.)

Let the tales begin...

Today, you were able to hear the tales of the other Cantebury pilgrims. Which character (The Serjeant at Law, The Canon's Yeoman, The Prioress, The Miller, The Reeve, The Oxford Cleric, The Manciple, the Doctor, the Merchant, The Skipper, The Franklin,or The Second Nun's Priest) told the best story?  Explain.  (The deadline to reply is midnight, Thursday, February 16, 2012.)

Let me tell a tale ...

We have read "The Pardoner's Tale" and "The Wife of Bath's Tale."  Which of the stories do you think is better?  Why?  (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight Friday, February 10, 2012.)

When in April the sweet showers fall...

We have read all of the Prologue to The Canterbury Tales.  Of the many characters we have discussed, which character did you find most interesting?  Why?  Which character did you find most despicable?  Why? (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Wednesday, February 8, 2012.)

Just wanted to say...

I just want to say thank you all for an awesome day today.  This Friday, February 3, 2012, was one of the best days we have had this year.  Watching you playing Medieval Jeopardy and trying to get the questions right, having no one agruing, having no one off task, seeing everyone trying his/her best made it a great day in English-land.  You are amazing people; I am so happy to have you in my class. 

Canterbury Tales and the Fresh Prince of Bel-air

Here is a video of a group of students saying the first 18 lines of the Prologue to the Canterbury Tales in Fresh Prince Style.  Enjoy...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5e7q99sCVE

Music to Thine Ears...

Today, we read several medieval ballads: "Lord Randall,"  "Edward, Edward," "Get Up and Bar the Door," "Sir Patrick Spens," and "Two Corbies."  Would most people find the ballads interesting?  Why? Which of the ballads did you enjoy most?  Why?  (Deadline to post a response to this blog question is midnight Thursday, February 2, 2012.)

Defining a Hero...

The Anglo-Saxons defined a hero as "one who won fame and glory by doing great deeds."  How do you define a hero and who is your personal hero and how does this person exemplify your definition of a hero?  (The deadline to post a response to this blog question is midnight, January 23, 2012.)

Looking for a hero...

The elements of the epic hero include that he is brave, he is ethical, he is glorified, he is skilled, he is smart, he is strong and/or superhuman in ability, and he represents the culture in which he lives. Today, we finished the first battle in BEOWULF. What traits of the epic hero have you seen thus far in the story? In what ways have these traits been exaggerated? What do these traits reveal the Anglo-Saxon values and ethics? (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight Thursday, January 19, 2012.)

Here come the invaders...

We have covered a great deal about the Anglo-Saxons and the historical period in which they ruled and changed England and developed our language. They were an interesting society. What are two things you found to be interesting about the Anglo-Saxons? Explain why. (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight Friday, January 13, 2012).

Welcome to English IV!

George Eliot once wrote "It is never too late to be what you might have been." This is one of my all time favorite quotes because it echoes my belief that anyone at anytime has the power to choose his destiny. This semester as we journey through composition writing and American literature, I hope that you will find something that will inspire to choose the right destiny for yourself. I hope that you will enjoy the class and let me help you improve and enhance your writing, grammar, and reading skills. I look forward to getting to know each of you and making this a successful semester. My first questions to you are "What would you like me to help you with this semester? Why do you feel you need improvement in this area? What would the best     way(s) for me to teach you?" (The deadline to post a response to this blog question is midnight, Sunday, January 8, 2012. Remember if you post to use your initials and the block to indicate who you are.)