Chapter 5-8 Fishbowl

Hey sorry guys I just got the e-mail from Ms. Smith to be invited. But! Have no fear, here is your question!

After reading up through chapter 8, what is your opinion on Lord Henry? Is he good or evil? What other characters in literature can you connect him to? Or to Oscar Wilde himself?

Scribe: Monday, 2/25

Our self-portraits (the ones that describe how others see us and how we see ourselves) were due today. Also, today was another fishbowl day which, I must say, lead to some interesting discussion. We were without computers today, but we were able to manage without them.

Through discussion, we interpreted the connections between this story and that of Hamlet. We also discussed whether or not Dorian had anything to do with the death of Sibyl and how each of the characters connected to Dorian (Basil and Henry) are developing into a certain role of good or evil (respectively).

Homework: Respond to blog post, conference with Ms. Smith BEFORE WEDNESDAY'S CLASS (remember, we have a PLC day. You could come in early Wednesday *wink wink*), National Geographic Project is due Wednesday, and be ready to present your self-portrait next class

ch. 1-4

Compare and contrast the characters we have met so far to Oscar Wilde and the Victorian Era.

SCRIBE WEDNESDAY 2-20

Today was a fishbowl day, before the fishbowl we talked about the homework and ate donuts.  

Due Today:  Our rough draft journey stories.  We did not actually turn these in, but we signed up for days and times to conference with Mrs. Smith about our stories and at that time we will show her our stories.

Homework:  Answer blog question, take home quiz, semester project, beauty project and reading for the next blog.

When we got into the fishbowl the outer circle had a silent discussion through computers and the inner circle discussed out loud.  The inner circle presenters chose to hand the leading of the conversation to the discussers.  the inner circle mainly talked about beauty vs. brains, which character represents the author, and the relationships between the characters. (are they homosexual?)

Dorian Gray 1-4 Fishbowl

SCRIBE 2-15

Hello class! I apologize for the lengthy delay of this blog post but here is what we did on Friday:

HOMEWORK: We changed the due date of our Dante projects. A ROUGH DRAFT is due on Wednesday and we need to conference with Ms. Smith because we are having trouble getting the whole thing together. Also, read 1-4 of DORIAN GREY for the fishbowl on Wednesday. Semester Project- keep it in mind.
Also for Dorian Grey, keep track of what you do/don't understand for the fishbowl, and remember that there is a ton of analysis for this book that can help.

Today was a Reflection Day. We wrote to Ms. Smith about what was going on, what was going well, what we're struggling with, and how Ms. Smith can help. That took a while, and then Ms. Smith told us her answers to the reflection questions. Ms. Smith is excited because her volleyball team dominated earlier this week and she gets to excercise again soon. The troubles have arrived again with her freshmen, and here's what we can do:
We need to make sure we put in our best effort for this class because we agreed it is very frustrating to try to teach people and really care and the people we are teaching do not care at all. Our fishbowls need to be amazing, because Hamlet was good, but now we are aiming for "superbly incredible".

After our heart to heart chat, we got out some scratch paper and did a prewriting activity. We answered questions true or false for if we agreed or disagreed, and all of the questions were connected to Dorian Gray. Most of them were about appearance and how that affects certain aspects of our lives, and there were a few surprises in terms of response, but everyone was very respectful and attentive to each other's opinions. We just barely finished when the bell rang- you could say we had perfect timing!


HOMEWORK: We changed the due date of our Dante projects. A ROUGH DRAFT is due on Wednesday and we need to conference with Ms. Smith because we are having trouble getting the whole thing together. Also, read 1-4 of DORIAN GREY for the fishbowl on Wednesday. Semester Project- keep it in mind.
Also for Dorian Grey, keep track of what you do/don't understand for the fishbowl, and remember that there is a ton of analysis for this book that can help.

That's the basic summary of our class hour, and sorry again for the post delay!!

Introduction to Dorian Gray

lIf you could do something without getting caught, would you? Why or why not?

February 8, 2008

Hello Class,

Today we were in the computer lab again working on our National Geographic Project. Ms. Smith wasn't there today because she was in the Science Leadership Academy. We had a sub.--
Mrs. Bearden who explained everything that we were suppose to do...
Our Hw. for today--

• HW. Computer lab; work on National Geographic Project
• HW. Purchase the Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (Wednesday of next week), National Geographic Project Due 2/20

Next week: Monday--

• Don't forget we are meeting in the computer lab again
• Decide due date of Project Overview
• Feel free to email Ms. Smith if your confuse

Have a safe and good weekend guys!!

Scribe for February 6, 2008

First and foremost Congrats to Weems And Ian they signed today... to college that is.

Donuts Donuts Donuts
Most Importantly the Projects are due Wednesday the 20th

Ms. Smith will be gone Friday and she expects hard work and minimal conversation.
Fun Fact for the day passing back papers is Hell for Ms Smith
Today was a work day in the Computer Lab
Did i mention projects are due February 20, 2008
If you have any questions Ms. Smith will check her E-mail this weekend so feel free to E-mail her with any concerns and such.
H.W. Work on the Project
In case you were wondering the Project is due Wednesday the 20th of February...of this year(2008).
Well have a good night Try Harder Fly Higher

Scribe for February 4th

Hello Class!

HW: Work on National Geographic Project

Today was a work day, so we met in the computer lab.
Mikaela and Phil were here to help us. :)
We first turned in our papers or compass to Ms. Smith.
We looked at www.journeystreams.com and went to the "Tell Your Story" section.
We explored the tools under "Story Tools" to see if any of them could help tell our story.
(Another tool to look at is www.vuvox.com.)
Also look at the "Dante A Hypothetical Situation" sheet online.
(Incorporate the elements listed in your journey.)

Sorry this post is so late... :)

Scribe Posting 02/01/08

Friday, February 1st.

In class:

In class today we finished reading the Contos in the packet that we all printed off. Next week, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday we will be in the computer lab (you will need to have done the homework by these days so that you are well prepared).

Canto 4

- There is light in Limbo

- It is not a bad place, and there is no punishment

- Key people who reside here: Aristotle, Plato

- Limbo- These people have never had salvation and wonder why, which makes it a mental hell

Canto 5

Canto 34

- Get out by a stream- symbolism- a way of purification

- Betrayal for Dante is the worst layer of hell because he was betrayed

- Why is it the worst layer of hell?

-The closest people to you have betrayed you

-You trusted them and they broke a promise

Homework:

Answer the following questions in a typed double space paper. Develop a clear rationale for your thinking about the hypotheical situation.

1.) How have the texts, songs, videos, etc. affected your thinking? Support and Defend your answer.

2.) As you create your hypothetical situation, how will you use this background information?

3.) Make sure in your hypothetical situation that you explain/defend your structure, placement, decisions either in paper format or included in your presentation.

Another suggestion in preparing for creating your project is to complete the compass that can be found on Ms. Smith's website or on Emily's post.

Have a great weekend!! Don't forget about the Super Bowl!