tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64595103804209168572024-03-14T06:56:57.875-07:00Confessions from room 137<b><i>Buenos dias, bloggers! Stop by periodically to post your reply to a new question. <u>Thought-provoking, insightful comments will earn extra credit</u>, for, as Ben Franklin said, "If you would not be forgotten as soon as you were rotten, either write things worth reading or do things worth writing."</i></b>shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04540900416246348777noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459510380420916857.post-1197231851172055272014-06-01T05:00:00.000-07:002014-06-01T05:00:05.578-07:00for what it's worth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidR0cRU9r-EUBuBEFVo_FJecmQDUEJUTvarQ7vqOGhR7nlhK_9YfGAkPEUMGKNaAo4fwqkqChT4Rsh1Khm86C_waJQxroMGGbnFScVtrdauQAPKMPEZj6MCpnWg4sx2So7L08RfapukdE/s1600/doorway.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidR0cRU9r-EUBuBEFVo_FJecmQDUEJUTvarQ7vqOGhR7nlhK_9YfGAkPEUMGKNaAo4fwqkqChT4Rsh1Khm86C_waJQxroMGGbnFScVtrdauQAPKMPEZj6MCpnWg4sx2So7L08RfapukdE/s1600/doorway.jpeg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<i>"The best things said come last. People will talk for hours saying nothing much and then linger at the door with words that come with a rush from the heart." -Alan Alda</i><br />
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So here we are at the doorway of your sophomore year. Before you turn to go, linger a moment to tell us what's in your heart, whatever that may be. You can share what you've learned (in class or out), what you've struggled with, and what you've triumphed over. What were your accomplishments this year, academic or otherwise? Who changed your life in big or small ways? (Shout-outs are welcome!) When your mind rewinds the last nine months, what moments make you smile?<br />
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(For extra credit, post your response by midnight on 6/13.)shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04540900416246348777noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459510380420916857.post-54522214494109815432014-05-01T05:00:00.000-07:002014-05-01T05:00:11.131-07:00back of the bus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1SITxrqjq6NWxdupMBLTs9nKGEnOngmn9fl7-a7KympQl7YHOGGVjGRuymosHj5wN2B7OwnXpWazshS_HmSwi5dkWIvpSsgFfQzhozeZaIq2DkHd33fLf9tzqBv4KEd-j1dYrSya9H4/s1600/Discrimination.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1SITxrqjq6NWxdupMBLTs9nKGEnOngmn9fl7-a7KympQl7YHOGGVjGRuymosHj5wN2B7OwnXpWazshS_HmSwi5dkWIvpSsgFfQzhozeZaIq2DkHd33fLf9tzqBv4KEd-j1dYrSya9H4/s1600/Discrimination.jpg" height="273" width="320" /></a></div>
Discrimination is a major theme in <i>To Kill a Mockingbird</i>, which is set in the Jim Crow-era South. But discrimination isn't always a black-and-white issue. While it is often race-based, people are often treated differently or unfairly for a variety of other reasons: age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, physical appearance, disabilities, and more. The pervasive nature of discrimination means that most of us have experienced it.<br />
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For extra credit this May, write about a time that you were discriminated against. (If you can't think of a personal experience, you may write about one that you witnessed or heard of that affected you.) What happened, how did it make you react/feel, and did it teach you anything?<br />
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(For extra credit, post your response by midnight on 5/31.)shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04540900416246348777noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459510380420916857.post-6034634667982641032014-04-01T14:00:00.000-07:002014-04-01T14:54:59.117-07:00from the silver screen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ePMkFm1fs0U?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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The above video is Harrison Ford revealing his all-time favorite movie. (Harrison Ford is an actor who played Indiana Jones. Indiana Jones was a guy who ... oh, nevermind.) Btw, the Mockingbird movie is much different than the book, so you'll still have to read. Sorry, suckers.<br />
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Movies are texts just like literature, and like lit, they can entertain us, move us, and shape our opinions and behavior. For April's extra credit, choose <u>one</u> movie that has impacted you in some way--perhaps it made you LOL, inspired you to think about life differently, changed the way you speak, made you cry for hours, whatever--and explain, specifically, why you would recommend it to others. This doesn't need to be your favorite film, but just one that stands out to you for some reason.<br />
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Have fun reading each others' posts (and updating your Netflix queue!). Post by midnight on 4/30 for extra credit.shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04540900416246348777noreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459510380420916857.post-26518277068534715522014-03-03T12:00:00.000-08:002014-03-03T12:19:11.581-08:00red-faced and rattled<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlU-3i5SvsfrS49cykZIt0pdPV3QyoDUCcbIdP5jlKFX5ZLUrCW_J4FAsZmgxmFXHtx77LsMX6W14JL_kHTUC4-rh_l4HzXbQGCVUyjDM4GKvmLHRigOpeiF3aMDsuv81r7xiB3OAgXM/s1600/falling_down_stairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlU-3i5SvsfrS49cykZIt0pdPV3QyoDUCcbIdP5jlKFX5ZLUrCW_J4FAsZmgxmFXHtx77LsMX6W14JL_kHTUC4-rh_l4HzXbQGCVUyjDM4GKvmLHRigOpeiF3aMDsuv81r7xiB3OAgXM/s1600/falling_down_stairs.jpg" /></a>While some of last month's posts (<a href="http://dora-gami.blogspot.com/2014/02/sensory-overload.html" target="_blank">about favorite sensory details</a>) revealed how different we all are, there were many similarities in responses as well.<br />
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One commonality we certainly share is that we've all--unfortunately--suffered embarrassing moments in life. And the only good thing about these humiliating incidents is that they're hilarious for others to hear about.<br />
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So for March's extra credit, write about a time that you were mortified. What happened? Who saw you? How did you recover...or did you? These should be at least a paragraph in length. Feel free to comment on peers' posts to offer consolation or harassment. :)<br />
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<i>For extra credit, post by midnight on 3/31.</i>shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04540900416246348777noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459510380420916857.post-74267065097292058132014-02-05T12:05:00.001-08:002014-02-05T12:05:45.719-08:00sensory overload<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1I5lweiHGSmezqUcLdhzd15NOe2jCTXVJP8mrxPyWonbYPIbr59bTztCLLIWv0zesoP6nVsSAqEdEZEL1oLNBgij5iDs7GeXYyCtwjtigV51zQMNf9QAX9MoRmKASMh4V4MkDGkWVpFY/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1I5lweiHGSmezqUcLdhzd15NOe2jCTXVJP8mrxPyWonbYPIbr59bTztCLLIWv0zesoP6nVsSAqEdEZEL1oLNBgij5iDs7GeXYyCtwjtigV51zQMNf9QAX9MoRmKASMh4V4MkDGkWVpFY/s1600/5.jpg" height="207" width="320" /></a></div>
February's the month of love, you know. But instead of discussing red hearts, cupids, and exes we can't quite get over (or ones that we're <i>SO</i> over), let's share some of our other loves. Your task for February's extra credit (due 2/28) is to share one of your favorite things for <u>each</u> of the five senses. Feel free to elaborate/explain as much as you'd like and comment on each other's choices. I'll break the ice...<br />
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<u>Some of Stefani's beloved sensory things</u>:<br />
SIGHT: The moment when hundreds of graduation caps are thrown in the air.<br />
SOUND: Crickets on a summer night, hands down. Also the sound of a football team's cleats on asphalt.<br />
SMELL: Homegrown roses. I don't care if there are little bugs inside; I'll stick my face in and snort.<br />
TASTE: Ripe peaches--the kind you can't eat on a first date because you end up slurping and getting juice all over your chin and hands and you don't even care.<br />
TOUCH: A baby's bottom. Yes, the cliche about it being the world's softest surface is true. (And no, I won't let you rub my newborn's butt to confirm; go find your own baby.)shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04540900416246348777noreply@blogger.com61tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459510380420916857.post-88679207516008721362014-01-01T06:00:00.000-08:002014-01-01T06:00:04.900-08:00word, yo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu25obpI-0mtr9AOsFbIAKlixoXgvTMKurZxk8gs_YvzbJ15XazuNE31ytLNIkcN6u-8k6WLRvU4FkhlF-mxiEIOQbU-98bMm51li9JFhWgZQaXr4IU9mJenE6GeBdC3qA_zxcJtE2690/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu25obpI-0mtr9AOsFbIAKlixoXgvTMKurZxk8gs_YvzbJ15XazuNE31ytLNIkcN6u-8k6WLRvU4FkhlF-mxiEIOQbU-98bMm51li9JFhWgZQaXr4IU9mJenE6GeBdC3qA_zxcJtE2690/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
It's a new year! For those of us who are human, that means we have improvements (perhaps major, but maybe just some fine-tuning) that we could make about ourselves and our lives. I'm curious about your resolutions, but I'm picky about the format: come up with a New Year's resolution and condense it to just <u>ONE</u> <u>WORD</u> that you'll remember. Then, give a detailed explanation why you selected that word to represent what you want to work on in 2014.<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Sign your post with your first name, last initial, and period #. <b><u>Deadline for this post (because of semester's end) is Jan. 24 at midnight</u>.</b></span></i><br />
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Here's mine as an example:<br />
<i>Stride--I'm choosing "stride" this year to remind me to take whatever comes in stride. This applies to a few areas of my life, but most of it's centered around having another baby. I know that will drastically change our lives, our space, and our schedules at home, but I also know it's doable--so I need to take it in stride. The next four months at work will be very stressful given several changes I'll have to institute in my planning, teaching, and assessment; in addition, I'll be preparing materials for a substitute, which is a huge amount of work. Taking these challenges in stride means not letting stress rule over my attitude or my health; instead, I'll focus on small pieces that I can accomplish and perhaps ask for some help with the rest.</i>shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04540900416246348777noreply@blogger.com76tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459510380420916857.post-28635139366678841142013-12-01T06:00:00.000-08:002013-12-01T06:00:02.544-08:00give it up<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give."</i></div>
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<i>-Winston Churchill</i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBKQuAVBdfZVTuKPF-ac-KW-Y95HQRmagfD319r9e0sZA-nl8xMGm8B3Q_gKAvn_rKY5EoxmDnWTy2Sz_h0sAy2eFMIwk4mwG-b9TQSPzp4Fi8TvHtVKwBS7PNoCM9QSYRriRxzSWY88/s1600/photos-2012-01-5ba6a1325fba0755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBKQuAVBdfZVTuKPF-ac-KW-Y95HQRmagfD319r9e0sZA-nl8xMGm8B3Q_gKAvn_rKY5EoxmDnWTy2Sz_h0sAy2eFMIwk4mwG-b9TQSPzp4Fi8TvHtVKwBS7PNoCM9QSYRriRxzSWY88/s320/photos-2012-01-5ba6a1325fba0755.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I would give to Heifer International.</i></td></tr>
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Spread some generous ideas around this holiday season by telling us who you would donate your money or time to if you could (or perhaps you already do)!</div>
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[1] Name an organization,</div>
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[2] include a web address,</div>
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[3] tell us who they are/what they do, and </div>
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[4] explain why their cause is significant to <i>you</i>.</div>
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[5] Finally, <u>if you want extra credit, choose an organization that has not already been posted</u> by another student. That's right: you will need to read what your peers wrote, and the earlier you post, the easier your task.</div>
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If your ideal organization has been "claimed," check out some <a href="http://charity.lovetoknow.com/List_of_Nonprofit_Organizations" target="_blank">Nonprofit Organizations</a> or this <a href="http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.categories" target="_blank">Charity Navigator</a> for ideas. Oh--and if you've got a little to spare this season, consider following through on your recommendation or making a donation in a loved one's name as a gift!</div>
shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04540900416246348777noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459510380420916857.post-2964316841366139452013-11-01T05:00:00.000-07:002013-11-01T05:00:14.687-07:00time to thank it up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBb3VngAF7Wf7Zr2fWjNwbmoKZphqM1lQbXkVl6FdcJgVPixpYS5bNpo5oD6YVwf4i8H7mRFJAGV4yTNqkw-mop2xqrXArcwKbiZMiWu_921qmbfjEFfSZqaJVG4YV7ojzkOM0sl0d_Q8/s1600/President-Obama-Pardons-Turkey_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBb3VngAF7Wf7Zr2fWjNwbmoKZphqM1lQbXkVl6FdcJgVPixpYS5bNpo5oD6YVwf4i8H7mRFJAGV4yTNqkw-mop2xqrXArcwKbiZMiWu_921qmbfjEFfSZqaJVG4YV7ojzkOM0sl0d_Q8/s320/President-Obama-Pardons-Turkey_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It's an annual White House tradition for the President to pardon a turkey who was otherwise meant to be eaten. This lucky bird gets to live out his days at a turkey sanctuary (while another gets served in the White House dining room, of course). The pardoned turkey, other than being the focus of a press conference, is probably most grateful for the chance to live out his days, without stuffing and with his wishbone intact.<br />
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What I want to know, during this month of Thanksgiving, is what are <i>you </i>thankful for? Rather than the obvious, somewhat cliche answers involving family and friends, I encourage you to be a bit more thoughtful and creative--for example, name a <i>specific </i>friend or family member and write about why you're grateful they're in your life.<br />
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Or go a completely different route, and choose something that many of us may not have even realized was a blessing (such as object that makes your life easier). Whatever you mention, <i>if you want to earn extra credit, be sure to explain why you are thankful</i>.<br />
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Please come back periodically to read and comment on each others' posts. I hope these serve as positive reminders to us as we head into what can sometimes be a challenging time of year.shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04540900416246348777noreply@blogger.com54tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459510380420916857.post-37241698387224188942013-10-01T14:52:00.002-07:002013-10-04T11:40:17.452-07:00nails on a chalkboard<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5y7DriB0ej-ytC69xBxb4lj9vAVvHKlSH6TRwu1VI2jctT1ah2ufpOeCS5V6XtHvyZzjE_SIKaeU7RXd9S1JYFMzdbUNV5NQPQZ5kIAH04aDr61oSmax5UCurD2Vl91E0ckGfZf3vOA/s1600/3164059182_82c1286782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5y7DriB0ej-ytC69xBxb4lj9vAVvHKlSH6TRwu1VI2jctT1ah2ufpOeCS5V6XtHvyZzjE_SIKaeU7RXd9S1JYFMzdbUNV5NQPQZ5kIAH04aDr61oSmax5UCurD2Vl91E0ckGfZf3vOA/s320/3164059182_82c1286782.jpg" width="320" /></a>In an article on pet peeves, the <i>New York Times</i> explained: "...some annoyances are particular to the individual, some are universal to the species, and some, like the fly, appear to torture all mammals. If ever there was a subject for scientists to pursue for clues to why we are who we are, this is the one."<br />
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So, how about you? Describe at least <u>three things</u> that drive you crazy, and <u>tell us why</u> you find them so irksome. Feel free to comment on your peers' posts.<br />
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<i>Please sign your post with your first name, last initial, and period #. You may earn extra credit by posting here by midnight on 10/31.</i>shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04540900416246348777noreply@blogger.com60tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459510380420916857.post-50355306884673425992013-09-04T06:00:00.000-07:002013-09-02T21:41:31.162-07:00nice to meet you<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-2L1SqECFkKrgE12zTEEZJyAoRVA-EMrVyhhDp8iYjsjdC8ptBI58nf7bBHQzAUkw7QTMCpO7ar0pHvAIDFbWCzaGKsUKSjHfPa7rMOfN1cQFLN7VsR4E43562HDW5h8IKFV2bD7L7Y/s1600/storytime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-2L1SqECFkKrgE12zTEEZJyAoRVA-EMrVyhhDp8iYjsjdC8ptBI58nf7bBHQzAUkw7QTMCpO7ar0pHvAIDFbWCzaGKsUKSjHfPa7rMOfN1cQFLN7VsR4E43562HDW5h8IKFV2bD7L7Y/s320/storytime.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Goats like literature.</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We'll be spending oodles of
time together this year (lucky us!), but unfortunately, we have
to spend much of that time discussing Englishy things rather than getting to
know each other. Help your classmates and I understand who you are by posting a
brief (at least a paragraph) autobiography. This can be a narrative timeline,
it can include your favorites, a pivotal moment, food allergy info...whatever you want us to know.<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: #fff9ee;"><i style="background-color: transparent;">You have until midnight on
9/30 to post a response for extra credit. Sign your response with your first name,
last initial, and period #, please!</i></span></span></div>
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shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04540900416246348777noreply@blogger.com6