Monday, September 14, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Weeks 9 and 10--Honors English 11 2009-2010
Week 9, please explain which "ism" that you read from was your favorite and why! Please read at least two other posts and respond to them!
Week 10, do the same, but complete the following: I might choose the following author for my year long author project because...
Week 10, do the same, but complete the following: I might choose the following author for my year long author project because...
Thursday, May 07, 2009
May 2009 Our Town PrePost
ENGLISH 11 Students: Please respond to this link:
Blog directions: See link below to get there ;)
THREE questions: (1) Realizing Life- What does it take to "realize life?" How do you realize life? Do you think anyone, ever, really CAN realize life? What kind of events might help us to realize life?
(2) "There's something way down deep about every person" How would you define that thing that makes us uniquely human, that connects us as humans, that makes us a part of "the circle of life?"
(3) "This is the way we were" What things (referring specifically to the list we made for the bulletin board items) do you think were handled the same or differently in the past as compared to now? (example: you will find that with regard to birth, things are far more open than even in the recent past. Dads come into the delivery room, with video cameras!)
Blog directions: See link below to get there ;)
THREE questions: (1) Realizing Life- What does it take to "realize life?" How do you realize life? Do you think anyone, ever, really CAN realize life? What kind of events might help us to realize life?
(2) "There's something way down deep about every person" How would you define that thing that makes us uniquely human, that connects us as humans, that makes us a part of "the circle of life?"
(3) "This is the way we were" What things (referring specifically to the list we made for the bulletin board items) do you think were handled the same or differently in the past as compared to now? (example: you will find that with regard to birth, things are far more open than even in the recent past. Dads come into the delivery room, with video cameras!)
Friday, August 15, 2008
Final Summer Post--English and American Studies
Hi. You should have finished your summer reading by now and have written your post responding to one of the essential questions (English) in terms of your contemporary novel. Please don't start the year off by saying any variation of the following: "Well, I didn't know what to do, so I thought I would ask when school started." You have had my phone number and email all summer long with which to ask me questions, and we will not have time to revisit your summer work (which is a good percentage of your first semester grade) during the schoolyear.
Before you start back to school, please print off two copies of your posts, including dates and times, but not your peer responses, one of your English posts and one of your history posts. You will give the latter to Mr. Vigue. If you cut and paste, as I expect you will, make SURE that you do it neatly and in an organized way.
Finally, Mr. Vigue would like you to pick up the following two texts: THE AMERICAN POLITICAL TRADITION (RICHARD HOFSTADTER) and GREAT ISSUES IN AMERICAN HISTORY, VOL. III (1864-1981) (RICHARD HOFSTADTER). You can obtain this book at B&N or Borders or even Mr. Paperback, but Mr. Vigue recommends buying a used copy on Amazon. Link:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=richard+hofstadter
Final thematic questions for history (Frederick Douglass):
(1) How is it possible that slavery could exist in the United States until the Civil War?
(2) How do you think Douglass' autobiography helped to promote an end to the evil institution of slavery in the United States?
(3) Why would such a book be so controversial in the 19th Century?
Before you start back to school, please print off two copies of your posts, including dates and times, but not your peer responses, one of your English posts and one of your history posts. You will give the latter to Mr. Vigue. If you cut and paste, as I expect you will, make SURE that you do it neatly and in an organized way.
Finally, Mr. Vigue would like you to pick up the following two texts: THE AMERICAN POLITICAL TRADITION (RICHARD HOFSTADTER) and GREAT ISSUES IN AMERICAN HISTORY, VOL. III (1864-1981) (RICHARD HOFSTADTER). You can obtain this book at B&N or Borders or even Mr. Paperback, but Mr. Vigue recommends buying a used copy on Amazon. Link:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=richard+hofstadter
Final thematic questions for history (Frederick Douglass):
(1) How is it possible that slavery could exist in the United States until the Civil War?
(2) How do you think Douglass' autobiography helped to promote an end to the evil institution of slavery in the United States?
(3) Why would such a book be so controversial in the 19th Century?
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Week Six Post: Starting Your Contemporary Novel
Hi! Well, you should be about through with The Autobiography of Franklin at this point.
In order to transition to your last reading assignment, I am going to ask you to post two things on MY blog.
(1) I want you to think about what you have learned about Franklin from reading his autobiography. Most historians agree that Franklin was the epitome of what it means to be an American. Do you think he represents what it means to be an American? (Yes or no, and why or why not.) Write at least one well-developed paragraph WITH SPECIFIC EXAMPLES from the text explaining your point of view. Please don't cop out with "well, maybe then, but not now...if not now, then explain WHY not now..." ;)
(2) Then, in a separate post, I want you to explain which contemporary novel you are going to read...start it, and decide which of our three essential questions you plan to address. Does your novel explore an aspect of the American dream? Does your novel contain a character who is an example of a quintessential American? Does your novel explain what it means to be an American today?
Only respond your classmates' Franklin posts....
Summer is winding down!
In order to transition to your last reading assignment, I am going to ask you to post two things on MY blog.
(1) I want you to think about what you have learned about Franklin from reading his autobiography. Most historians agree that Franklin was the epitome of what it means to be an American. Do you think he represents what it means to be an American? (Yes or no, and why or why not.) Write at least one well-developed paragraph WITH SPECIFIC EXAMPLES from the text explaining your point of view. Please don't cop out with "well, maybe then, but not now...if not now, then explain WHY not now..." ;)
(2) Then, in a separate post, I want you to explain which contemporary novel you are going to read...start it, and decide which of our three essential questions you plan to address. Does your novel explore an aspect of the American dream? Does your novel contain a character who is an example of a quintessential American? Does your novel explain what it means to be an American today?
Only respond your classmates' Franklin posts....
Summer is winding down!
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
A note from Mr. Vigue for the kids who are taking Junior Level Honors History, too
Honors Junior History Summer Work Blog
Because of the changeover from Webmail Pro to First Class, I am going to ask you to post your summer work solely on your own blogs. Mrs. Vigue has given me a list of everyone's blogger address except for Ethan B's. I am happy to see that some of you have already been posting, but some of you have fallen behind. Email me at wvigue@msad48.org if you have any questions. I will be evaluating your posts using the same blogging rubric that Mrs. Vigue gave you as a part of your English Summer Reading packet.So far, you should have posted the following on your blog: Midwife's Tale thematic question, part one, part two and an evaluation of the author's intent. Again, I will be evaluating your work using the blogging rubric provided by Mrs. Vigue in your English packet.
Week Three and Four, you will be evaluated by Mrs. Vigue and myself, but look on her blog for directions.
Mr. Vigue
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
WEEK THREE / FOUR POST-Benjamin Franklin
You should be finishing TSB, and starting Ben Franklin's autobiography. This assignment counts for you for both Honors English AND, if you are taking it, Honors History. You have this week and next to complete this assignment.
When you get to the part in the book where Franklin writes to his son about attaining moral perfection, I would like you to read it and do the following:
Franklin epitomizes good old New England common sense. He chose to master one virtue at a time and he kept a little log in which to do so.
On MY blog, I would like you to go ahead and explain which of the virtues you still think are applicable to American society, and, also, explain if any of them are "outdated." For instance, carefully read Franklin's definitions of "justice" and "moderation." Do these definitions hold true today, or do they need new definitions for the modern world? Do you see any glaring holes in his list? Are there different virtues we should practice in these times?
On YOUR blog, please do the following: I want YOU to give "a week's strict attention" to one virtue. It can be one that is the SAME as one of Franklin's, or it can be one that you choose. Franklin thought he could only attain moral perfection if he followed a method. You will choose a virtue, practice it, and keep track of your progress by maintaining your record keeping every day. You'll ask yourself, how did I do with my virtue today? You can post on your blog every day, or you can keep track on a separate piece of paper, and post it all at the end of the week. Your post on your blog must explain the following: (1)The virtue you chose to practice, why you chose it, (2) if it is similar to Franklin's definition or entirely different and why, (3) your plan to master that virtue, and, finally, (4) summarize how you did. Did you do well? Did you find it hard to practice your virtue? Don't forget to post on each other's blogs! You'll see that I have put hyperlinks below for everyone's blogs.
ENJOY!
Sample post:
The virtue that I chose was Tranquility. I like Franklin's definition, because I think he's getting at not getting all excited about the little things over which you have no control . I have been extra tired this summer, partially due to heat, partially due to a baby who likes to get me up four times a night on average, and it seems like I have been kind of impatient and anxious about things. I want to work on being calmer, and, well, more tranquil. My plan is to blog my progress each day, and, then when the week is up, I will go ahead and summarize my thoughts on this virtue and whether I think, with this kind of practice, that I could be more tranquil!
Monday-Today I did pretty well, although I am pretty sure that my kids wouldn't agree. I got kind of upset about the messes in the kitchen and livingroom and the lack of help in the garden, but then I calmed down and decided to let it go for now. I think I need to make my expectations clearer and not just expect the kids to read my mind and clean up things that look messy to me.
Tuesday- Is it me, or is it too hot to be tranquil? Being hot makes me grumpy, but I do feel better about the house. Mr. V and I sat down and made a list and designated chores, and it IS easier to be tranquil in a clean house. And, today, I was annoyed because a check that I was supposed to get in the mail LAST THURSDAY at the LATEST, STILL DIDN'T COME, and, rather than get all upset, I just went ahead and placed another call to the company. They explained the hold up, and that was a lot better than fuming all afternoon about how I was going to afford my next box of diapers! Plus, I worked with a lot of Adult Ed students on their essays, and, rather than be surprised and upset when they got bogged down finding evidence for their main points, I tried really, really hard to make the whole thing easy going and fun, and I think that was a good step.
Wednesday- Today I chose to listen to some really calming music (Regina Spektor) while I worked with Summer School kids, worked on my honors post, worked on my regular English syllabi, and my Adult Education folders. This was a good way to be tranquil. Sometimes you forget that you have a great CD on your shelf, and it's a great, almost new discovery all over again!
Thursday--Today was a pretty tranquil day. I had a lot to do, and I thought it would be crazy, but it wasn't. I took Liam to the doctor, and he was NOT tranquil when he was given those four shots!
Friday-- Today was the last day of summer school, and then we celebrated with Pizza Hut, shopping and swimming. That was pretty relaxing, but I spoiled it all by getting uptight at my parents' house. I didn't want to saying anything in front of my parents, so I stewed the whole time we were there. Bad.
Saturday--Well, today was a little different. Today I totally was not tranquil at all. I was trying to clean the house, get ready for Boston, work in my garden, do 1,000 things at once, and it was just not working and I was getting really frustrated.
When you get to the part in the book where Franklin writes to his son about attaining moral perfection, I would like you to read it and do the following:
Franklin epitomizes good old New England common sense. He chose to master one virtue at a time and he kept a little log in which to do so.
On MY blog, I would like you to go ahead and explain which of the virtues you still think are applicable to American society, and, also, explain if any of them are "outdated." For instance, carefully read Franklin's definitions of "justice" and "moderation." Do these definitions hold true today, or do they need new definitions for the modern world? Do you see any glaring holes in his list? Are there different virtues we should practice in these times?
On YOUR blog, please do the following: I want YOU to give "a week's strict attention" to one virtue. It can be one that is the SAME as one of Franklin's, or it can be one that you choose. Franklin thought he could only attain moral perfection if he followed a method. You will choose a virtue, practice it, and keep track of your progress by maintaining your record keeping every day. You'll ask yourself, how did I do with my virtue today? You can post on your blog every day, or you can keep track on a separate piece of paper, and post it all at the end of the week. Your post on your blog must explain the following: (1)The virtue you chose to practice, why you chose it, (2) if it is similar to Franklin's definition or entirely different and why, (3) your plan to master that virtue, and, finally, (4) summarize how you did. Did you do well? Did you find it hard to practice your virtue? Don't forget to post on each other's blogs! You'll see that I have put hyperlinks below for everyone's blogs.
ENJOY!
Sample post:
The virtue that I chose was Tranquility. I like Franklin's definition, because I think he's getting at not getting all excited about the little things over which you have no control . I have been extra tired this summer, partially due to heat, partially due to a baby who likes to get me up four times a night on average, and it seems like I have been kind of impatient and anxious about things. I want to work on being calmer, and, well, more tranquil. My plan is to blog my progress each day, and, then when the week is up, I will go ahead and summarize my thoughts on this virtue and whether I think, with this kind of practice, that I could be more tranquil!
Monday-Today I did pretty well, although I am pretty sure that my kids wouldn't agree. I got kind of upset about the messes in the kitchen and livingroom and the lack of help in the garden, but then I calmed down and decided to let it go for now. I think I need to make my expectations clearer and not just expect the kids to read my mind and clean up things that look messy to me.
Tuesday- Is it me, or is it too hot to be tranquil? Being hot makes me grumpy, but I do feel better about the house. Mr. V and I sat down and made a list and designated chores, and it IS easier to be tranquil in a clean house. And, today, I was annoyed because a check that I was supposed to get in the mail LAST THURSDAY at the LATEST, STILL DIDN'T COME, and, rather than get all upset, I just went ahead and placed another call to the company. They explained the hold up, and that was a lot better than fuming all afternoon about how I was going to afford my next box of diapers! Plus, I worked with a lot of Adult Ed students on their essays, and, rather than be surprised and upset when they got bogged down finding evidence for their main points, I tried really, really hard to make the whole thing easy going and fun, and I think that was a good step.
Wednesday- Today I chose to listen to some really calming music (Regina Spektor) while I worked with Summer School kids, worked on my honors post, worked on my regular English syllabi, and my Adult Education folders. This was a good way to be tranquil. Sometimes you forget that you have a great CD on your shelf, and it's a great, almost new discovery all over again!
Thursday--Today was a pretty tranquil day. I had a lot to do, and I thought it would be crazy, but it wasn't. I took Liam to the doctor, and he was NOT tranquil when he was given those four shots!
Friday-- Today was the last day of summer school, and then we celebrated with Pizza Hut, shopping and swimming. That was pretty relaxing, but I spoiled it all by getting uptight at my parents' house. I didn't want to saying anything in front of my parents, so I stewed the whole time we were there. Bad.
Saturday--Well, today was a little different. Today I totally was not tranquil at all. I was trying to clean the house, get ready for Boston, work in my garden, do 1,000 things at once, and it was just not working and I was getting really frustrated.
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