GT Seminar II: Beasts of the Southern Wild

The directions for this blog post are simple. Include: 1) your thoughts/opinions/reactions to the film and its specific scenes/lines and 2) an explanation of how you see this film fitting in to our Humanity unit.

Passion Project Updates & Reflections

Write a reflection on your Passion Project progress thus far. We are approximately halfway through the project: you have had 8 Passion Project days and you have around 8 left (through early-mid January). Your reflection should be an honest account of your progress, achievements and obstacles in the past eight weeks. You should also include a list of things you still need to do and a plan to overcome current and/or anticipated obstacles.

GT Seminar II: Myers-Briggs Personality Type

Review your results of the MBTI. What did you learn about yourself? How can this (new) knowledge help you understand others? Lastly, how can it help you tackle our big question, "What does it mean to be human?"

GT Seminar II: Paradox of the Heart

Reflect on Brian Doyle's Joyas Voladoras, highlighting your favorite parts/lines. Connect the text to yourself and to the world. Explain how Joyas Voladoras can help us answer our big question, "What does it mean to be human?"

ROGATE 8: Grades!

Review my presentation about traditional grading vs. standards-based grading and write a blog post in which you discuss your opinions on grading. Be sure to address the following:

- What is the purpose of grades? (Society/School and your personal opinion)

- What is your opinion of the current, traditional system? (numbers and letters, 100 point scale)

- Do you think that the current grading system accurately represents your learning and knowledge? Share an example of a personal experience.

- Do you think we should a) keep the current grading system, b) transfer to a standards-based grading system, or c) use some combination of both? Explain.

GT Seminar II: H U M A N

What does it mean to be human? 

ROGATE 7: The End of The Giver

As we discussed, the ending of The Giver is controversial and somewhat ambiguous. Research what Lois Lowry has said about her ending. Use at least 2 different websites/interviews with the author and write about what she has said. Include the links to each website in your post.

Then, write your own interpretation of the ending. Use direct quotes from the book to support your opinion.

I look forward to reading your posts!

Joyas Voladoras

Write a blog post in response to the essay we read yesterday, Joyas Voladoras, by Brian Doyle. What meaning do you take from it? Is it discouraging and pessimistic or does it make you think about life in a positive way? What are your favorite lines? I would like to just write how you feel about this piece and what it makes you think of. When you're done, comment on at least 2 classmates' posts. I look forward to reading your responses!

ROGATE 8: Waste Land documentary response

What was the most memorable aspect/part of Waste Land for you? What did you learn from watching and what will you take away with you?

How do you think it felt for the people to have their daily routines/jobs turned into something bigger/representational? 

How do you think you would feel if you were the subject? Are there aspects of your life that you think would lend themselves to a similar kind of art?

You can read about the closing of Jardim Gramacho here.

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GT Seminar I: Second 20% Project

It's time to begin your second 20% project of the year! Once you have your idea/topic, write about what you propose to do. Include your plan, any obstacles you foresee, and possible consultants. I really want you to take risks with this. Even though we have less time, I know you'll do great things.

GT Seminar I: Terri Schiavo Case Study

As the concluding piece of our bioethics unit, complete the following writing tasks in a blog post.

• Do you believe that the decision to disconnect Terri Schiavo from life-support was justified? Explain your reasoning, use research, and include your links.
• Then, choose to answer the questions from one of the five categories below.

1. LIFE AND DEATH: What state is Terri Schiavo in? Is she dead or alive? What is the difference between life and death?

2. PERSONHOOD: Is Terri Schiavo still a person? Is she the same person?

3. RIGHT TO LIFE: Does Terri Schiavo have the right to be kept alive? Does every person have a “right to life”?

4. QUALITY OF LIFE: What is in Terri Schiavo’s best interest? Is her life still worth living? What makes life meaningful?

5. AUTONOMY: Who should decide for Terri Schiavo? When and why should other people decide for me?

Due: Monday, March 11

ROGATE 8: Weekly Consumption

My husband and I spend approximately $80-120 per week at Wegmans. 

Our staples include orange juice, pasta, salad and vegetables, bread, bananas, and peanut butter. 

As for favorite foods, I'm on a huge asparagus kick right now. 

I'm also very much into french fries (frankly, potatoes in general). 

We have Taco Tuesday every week, and if we aren't home on a Tuesday, we make sure to eat tacos another night.

(I forgot to open one of the drawers in the refrigerator and thus forgot to include the broccoli, asparagus and cucumber in the original photo. Shame!)

ROGATE 8: What the world eats compared to what you eat

After viewing the TIME photo essays about what the world eats, take your own photo in your kitchen with your family's one week food supply. Include: approximately how much your family spends on food per week. What are some of your family's staples? Favorite foods? I can't wait to see your photos! I'll take a photo as well.

ROGATE: 20% Project!

Write a blog post about your plan for your 20% project. Describe what you want to learn about and why you chose your topic. Also include:

• Materials you anticipate needing and using

• Anticipated roadblocks/obstacles/barriers

• List of people (be specific as you can) whom you can consult for this project

GT Seminar I: The DNA Dilemma: A Test That Could Change Your Life

In a few paragraphs, write your personal reaction to the TIME article we read in class, "The DNA Dilemma: A Test That Could Change Your Life." Be sure to include what you feel to be your personal limits when it comes to genome sequencing. How much would you want to know? What would you not want to know? Take the perspectives of other stakeholders as well and describe what you would do as the doctor/geneticist/genetic counselor, the parent, and the child. 

ROGATE 7: Teens and the Media

As we near the end of our unit, you should be more than ready to answer the question: Does advertising influence or reflect teen culture?

For your blog post, you will write at least 4 paragraphs. Make connections between advertising/the media and teen culture. Use at least one quote from one of your articles. You will be evaluated on your ability to make connections about how advertising influences and/or reflects teen culture and on your ability to incorporate research into your writing.

DUE: Post on your blogs by the end of class on Wednesday, January 9

Reflections and Resolutions

REFLECT: What did you learn about yourself in 2012? About the world? About life? 

RESOLVE: What do you resolve to do in the new year? What do you resolve not to do?

OR

REBUFF: If you're anti-New Year's resolutions, explain why!

Feel free to express your thoughts in a traditional blog post format or through a poem or other type of creative writing.