Holiday Break Assignments

In the spirit of giving and our well-established minimalist approach to school work, here is the tiny bit of miniscule speck of work I expect you to do over the break.
1. Periodical Report - Read an article of your choice from the Atlantic Monthly (theatlantic.com) and write a three paragraph report (summary, reflection, language analysis)
2. The Scarlet Letter - read Chapter 7 (lightly) and Chapter 8 (in depth) and write a two paragraph response that answers the following question:

How does Hawthorne develop the central idea of Puritan hypocrisy?

Be sure to: 

• Use characterization, conflict, setting, or structure.
• Use quotes and indicate the page numbers.
• Introduce the central idea and establish parameters for analysis.

There will be a vocabulary quiz on Monday, January 4th, 2016 from Chapter 8.

Helpful link to study the words.  You need to cut and paste Chapter 8 text into the textbox and practice and review.

 

The Scarlet Letter - Chapter 8

There may be a possibility of extra credit work, pending your parents' contacting me through Jupitergrades.

Merry Christmas to those who celebrate and Happy New Year to all!

Bonus Points - Republican Debate OR Veterans' Day Parade

For extra credit, you have an opportunity to practice analyzing argumentation.  As much as you may not care about politics, the outcomes of the democratic practice of self-determination directly affect you.  Political debates are a time-tested opportunity for the participants to showcase their rhetorical, linguistic, and dramatic skills.  And we get to decide whom to trust with our representative governance. As such, you can watch the debates and write about one candidate's position and his/her ability to effectively deliver and defend the argument.  Be sure to watch till the end to monitor consistency and "acting" style. - 1 paragraph.

How to watch:

The Old-Fashioned Way: Fox Business will carry the debates live. Several cable providers are making the network available during the debates to subscribers who do not normally get it.

On the Desktop: The network will be streaming the debate live on its website, and cable logins will not be required to watch.

On Mobile: The debate will also be streaming on the Fox News app, available on mobile phones and tablets.

 

OR You can pay respects to our veterans and go to the Veterans' Day Parade (11.11.15) that will take place on 5th ave between 26th and 52 streets.  It starts around 11:25 am.  This year commemorates the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.  This will be one of the last times you will be able to cheer on and thank the greatest generation.  They are old now and getting older.

 

Write a personal reflection on your experience (1-2 paragraphs) and send me a selfie from the parade osakhno@schools.nyc.gov

 

I'll be around 42 street - Bryant Park vicinity.

 

 

 

 

 

A View From the Bridge

We are going to see the play on December 2nd at Lyceum Theater.  The tickets are $45, which is a bargain.  Thank you, Mr. Morrison. If you wish to come with us, please, let me know ASAP.

Debates

Tuesday, October 13, 2015
CNN Democratic Primary Debate
9pm ET (8pm CT, 6pm PT)
Location: Wynn Las Vegas
Sponsors: CNN, Nevada Democratic Party
Moderator: Anderson Cooper
Candidates: Clinton, Sanders, O'Malley, Webb, Chafee
Read more at http://www.uspresidentialelectionnews.com/2016-debate-schedule/2016-democratic-primary-debate-schedule/#pTY5DTPDpMsVRoEX.99

Homework - due Wednesday, October 14 -
write a paragraph in which you argue which candidate clearly won the debate.  Use key vocabulary : topic, hook, argument, claim, counterclaim, refutation, evidence.

What is our perception of guilt?

True Crime

Click of the link above and read the article. We will answer the following questions together:

Ò What is Mosley referring to when he writes, “This is a truism of the West”?

Ò Based on context, what is the definition of truism?

Ò Original sin is the Christian explanation of the human condition—sin is with us when we come into the world and will always be with us. How does Mosley connect guilt and original sin?

Ò According to Mosley, what have we been guilty of “in 2,000 years of Western Civilization”?

Ò How can the sentence structure in paragraph 2 (“In 2,000 years of Western civilization we have been guilty”) help you understand the meaning of the word culpable?

Ò How does paragraph 2 relate to the claim and historical references in paragraph 1?

Ò According to Mosley how is guilt related to “Death and Taxes”?

Ò Mosley claims, “our relationship with guilt is as old as the DNA that defines our species.” How does this relationship change over time?

Ò What is the “predicament” we “seek to understand”?

 

All work should be done on word Document titled - {yourname}-guilt

The following question will be done individually:

Ò How does Mosley develop a central idea in paragraphs 1–4?

ÒBe sure to:

1.State your claim clearly  in the first sentence.

2.Provide details that show your understanding of the text.

3.Write a full paragraph – 5-6 sentences.

Argumentative Essay Writing

1. Is global climate change man-made? ( Find Sources )
2. Is the death penalty effective? (Find Sources)
3. Is our election process fair?
4. Do colleges put too much stock in standardized test scores? (Find Sources)
5. Is torture ever acceptable?
6. Should men get paternity leave from work?
7. Is a lottery a good idea?
8. Do we have a fair taxation system?
9. Do curfews keep teens out of trouble?
10. Is cheating out of control?
11. Are we too dependent on computers?
12. Are parents clueless about child predators on the Internet?
13. Should animals be used for research?
14. Should cigarette smoking be banned?
15. Are cell phones dangerous?
16. Are law enforcement cameras an invasion of privacy?
17. Are test scores a good indication of a school's competency?
18. Do we have a throw-away society?
19. Is child behavior better or worse than it was years ago?
20. Should companies market to children?
21. Should the government have a say in our diets?
22. Does access to condoms prevent teen pregnancy?
23. Does access to condoms lead to irresponsible, dangerous, or bad behavior?
24. Are actors and professional athletes paid too much?
25. Are CEOs paid too much?

26. Do violent video games cause behavior problems?

27. Should creationism be taught in public schools?
28. Are beauty pageants exploitive?
29. Should English be the official language in the United States?
30. Should the racing industry be forced to use biofuels?
31. When should parents let teens make their own decisions?
33. Should the military be allowed to recruit at high schools?
34. Should the alcohol drinking age be increased or decreased?
35. Does age matter in relationships?
36. What age is appropriate for dating?
37. Should gay couples be able to marry?
38. Are there benefits to attending a single-sex school?
39. Does boredom lead to trouble?
40. Does participation in sports keep teens out of trouble?
41. Is competition good?
42. Does religion cause war?
43. Should the government provide health care?
44. Should girls ask boys out?
45. Is fashion important?
46. Are girls too mean to each other?
47. Is homework harmful or helpful?
48. Should students be allowed to grade their teachers?
49. Is the cost of college too high?
50. Is college admission too competitive?

Spring 2015 Unit #1 - Argumentative Writing

Argumentative Writing – Your purpose is to persuade the audience to agree with your opinion about a controversial topic.

ESSAY - The writing task asks students to read two texts that present different perspectives on the issue and construct an argument that refers to these texts.

•What is the difference between arguments in life and arguments in writing?

Argument:

In life- conflicts engaged in using language.

In writing - opinions that can be backed up with evidence.

•What type of evidence do you use when you are trying to win an argument?

Personal experience, confirmed facts, reasons, expert research, and statistics that directly relate to and support a debatable claim.

•How can using evidence help to persuade others to agree with your argument?

•Credible Sources make the claim legitimate, irrefutable, permanent, solid.

Key vocabulary: topic, thesis statement, claim, counterclaim