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!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
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.
Monday, July 07, 2008
ENGLISH 11 BLOG: Here are the blogger addresses that I do have.
honors10-alex.blogspot.com/
abbyhonors.blogspot.com/
cocomajoboisprobablynotdoinghiswork.blogspot.com/
ashleeplawrence.blogspot.com/
shylo10.blogspot.com/
english11ljl.blogspot.com/
history-07aln.blogspot.com/
dshonorsenglish11.blogspot.com/
emilyshonorsblog.blogspot.com/
http://christinehonors80.blogspot.com/
varsitysoccer16.blogspot.com/
nokomis2010.blogspot.com/
humanities-for-jules.blogspot.com/
izapayne.blogspot.com
http://honors-11.blogspot.com/
http://nokofootball39.blogspot.com/
abbyhonors.blogspot.com/
cocomajoboisprobablynotdoinghiswork.blogspot.com/
ashleeplawrence.blogspot.com/
shylo10.blogspot.com/
english11ljl.blogspot.com/
history-07aln.blogspot.com/
dshonorsenglish11.blogspot.com/
emilyshonorsblog.blogspot.com/
http://christinehonors80.blogspot.com/
varsitysoccer16.blogspot.com/
nokomis2010.blogspot.com/
humanities-for-jules.blogspot.com/
izapayne.blogspot.com
http://honors-11.blogspot.com/
http://nokofootball39.blogspot.com/
Here are the blogger addresses that I do have.
See above for the links I have gotten for your class. I am still missing Ethan B's & Jacob R's. Please email me at evigue@msad48.org asap if I don't have a link for you. Mrs. V
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Week Two
This week’s blog response will also be done in two places. YOUR BLOG you must post on a topic that you have researched and applied to the book, and then I would like you to post your opinion on ONE of the two following topics RIGHT HERE: Don't forget to respond to eachothers' posts!
(1) At the end of Chapter 15 of Touching Spirit Bear, Garvey says, “We still believe in you and think there’s hope…because of that, we’ve stuck our necks out so far, we feel like two giraffes. Last night we convinced the Circle to release you to our custody.” After everything Cole has done, would you, as a member of that circle, make the same decision? Why or why not? Support your answer with details from the story.
(2) One of the themes of Touching Spirit Bear is “Justice should heal, not punish” (12). Do you agree with this theme? Why or why not? How could or should this principle be applied in mid-Maine?
Happy Fourth of July!
(1) At the end of Chapter 15 of Touching Spirit Bear, Garvey says, “We still believe in you and think there’s hope…because of that, we’ve stuck our necks out so far, we feel like two giraffes. Last night we convinced the Circle to release you to our custody.” After everything Cole has done, would you, as a member of that circle, make the same decision? Why or why not? Support your answer with details from the story.
(2) One of the themes of Touching Spirit Bear is “Justice should heal, not punish” (12). Do you agree with this theme? Why or why not? How could or should this principle be applied in mid-Maine?
Happy Fourth of July!
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