Redistribution of wealth debate

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redistribution_of_income_and_wealth
http://origin-www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-11-25/leaving-the-justice-out-of-wealth-redistribution
http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/09/americans-reject-wealth-redistribution/404806/
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/redistribution-of-wealth.html
http://www.debate.org/redistribution/
http://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/progressivetax.asp
http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2015/02/04/can-tax-policy-distinguish-the-rich-from-the-middle-class/we-need-a-truly-progressive-tax-rate
https://toughnickel.com/personal-finance/Flat-Tax-vs-Progressive-Tax-Pros-and-Cons-for-the-US
http://www.debate.org/opinions/progressive-tax-vs-flat-tax-does-progressive-taxation-help-the-poor
http://study.com/academy/lesson/understanding-the-progressive-tax-code.html

Current Events Report

1. Use a reputable news source. Choose a source that offers well-written and well-researched news. Avoid blogs and other personal websites. Determine the credibility of the source by examining the author, the news source, who owns the news source, and so on.^[1] Some possible news sources might include your local newspaper or larger newspapers such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, Atlantic monthly.

2. Choose an article on the topic that interests you, such as healthcare, government, technology, international news, or sports. These are still very broad topics, so you should be able to find plenty of news.
3. Make sure the article is a good length. You should choose an article that gives you enough information to work with. It should help you understand the topic at hand, and it should give you enough material to write about in your summary. An article that is one to two paragraphs long is not going to be lengthy enough.
4. Read the entire article. Take some time to read through the entire article. Make sure you understand what the article says. Your objective with this assignment is to write a summary of the news story, so you need to fully understand the article.
5. Outline the news article. The first paragraph of the current events summary is a summary of the events discussed in the article. Write an outline of the article, focusing on the five Ws and H. You may choose to rearrange the five Ws and H so that your summary makes sense.
6. Outline your thoughts about the article. The reflection paragraph is your opportunity to make connections between this article and the community at large. Think about why this story is important. Think about the connection to your community, or your state, or the country. You might also think about the connection to your class. What themes are you discussing in class that relate to this article? ^[6]
• Even though the reflection is short (usually just a paragraph), you should still aim to make an argument, at least to some degree. Determine the main point that you want to make and think about how you will support that main point.

You can choose an article from:
http://www.theatlantic.com/
http://time.com/
Popular Science, etc.

Current Events Report

Due October 5th, 2016

We have a long weekend ahead of us.  Rosh Hashana is a Jewish holiday that celebrates New Year.  If you are Jewish, La'Shana Tova to you and your family. If you are not, enjoy the long weekend.  We have our first periodical report due. This assignment is not designed to inundate you with work.  It goes together with my evil master plan to help you develop your reading, writing, and critical thinking. The following list is a suggestion on the process of writing this report.  I want to eliminate guesswork and concentrate on text analysis.

1. Use a reputable news source. Choose a source that offers well-written and well-researched news. Avoid blogs and other personal websites. Determine the credibility of the source by examining the author, the news source, who owns the news source, and so on.^[1] Some possible news sources might include your local newspaper or larger newspapers such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, Atlantic monthly.

2. Choose an article on the topic that interests you, such as healthcare, government, technology, international news, or sports. These are still very broad topics, so you should be able to find plenty of news.
3. Make sure the article is a good length. You should choose an article that gives you enough information to work with. It should help you understand the topic at hand, and it should give you enough material to write about in your summary. An article that is one to two paragraphs long is not going to be lengthy enough.
4. Read the entire article. Take some time to read through the entire article. Make sure you understand what the article says. Your objective with this assignment is to write a summary of the news story, so you need to fully understand the article.
5. Outline the news article. The first paragraph of the current events summary is a summary of the events discussed in the article. Write an outline of the article, focusing on the five Ws and H. You may choose to rearrange the five Ws and H so that your summary makes sense.
6. Outline your thoughts about the article. The reflection paragraph is your opportunity to make connections between this article and the community at large. Think about why this story is important. Think about the connection to your community, or your state, or the country. You might also think about the connection to your class. What themes are you discussing in class that relate to this article? Even though the reflection is short (usually just a paragraph), you should still aim to make an argument, at least to some degree. 

You can choose an article from:
http://www.theatlantic.com/
http://time.com/
http://www.economist.com/
http://www.popsci.com/
And other reputable sources.  You can also visit your local library and peruse the printed periodicals.
Here is an amazing piece of argumentative writing

Art & Poetry

“When I say artist I mean the one who is building things … some with a brush – some with a shovel – some choose a pen.” ~Jackson Pollock

Please click on this link to view the list of New York City museums.  We live in the best place on earth when it comes to culture (and food and people).  We are going to visit two.  Spend some time exploring the rest.  Most of the time, you get student admission at a discount or free altogether. 

In the very least, go see my lilies at MoMA.  Sit in front of them and give yourself at least 15 minutes.  Keep looking... 

If you like music, turn on Debussy's Clair De Lune.  Enjoy!

Things to read & Think about

http://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-unlikely-story-of-a-change-is-gonna-come
http://www.npr.org/2014/02/01/268995033/sam-cooke-and-the-song-that-almost-scared-him
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEBlaMOmKV4
http://newsreel.org/video/THE-LANGUAGE-YOU-CRY-IN

Here are the questions for chapter 19.  Please answer all in your reading journal.  Be prepared to discuss the contents of 17, 18, 19 on Tuesday. As you finish reading 17 & 18, continue to take notes on Hester's actions and descriptive language for Dimmesdale.  This type of close reading/note-taking is an essential academic skill to have.

1. Beyond Hester’s explanation, why won’t Pearl come to Hester without the scarlet letter?
2. What is significant about the fact that Pearl will not bring her the scarlet letter, but makes her pick it up for herself?
3. Why won’t Pearl show any affection to Dimmsdale? Why does she want him to walk with them hand-in-hand in the marketplace?
4. This chapter begins on the same optimistic note that ends the previous chapter. On what kind of note does the chapter end? Why?

Extra credit:
Here is a quote for you to think about:

“Man has been called a rational being, but rationality is a matter of choice—and the alternative his nature offers him is: rational being or suicidal animal. Man has to be man—by choice; he has to hold his life as a value—by choice; he has to learn to sustain it—by choice; he has to discover the values it requires and practice his virtues—by choice. A code of values accepted by choice is a code of morality.”

How does this relate to our characters (Hester, Chillingworth, Dimmesdale)? How does this relate to your life in the next year? Do you agree with it? Disagree? Why? Thoughts, feelings, comments, arguments, rants are welcome.  

Think about the legacy of Dr. King and his message.  Spend a meaningful and reflective Monday.  

Homework for 01.09-10 weekend

›

Read Chapters 13 & 14. Choose ONE questions to answer in your reading logs. 

What social and philosophical changes is Hawthorne describing in this chapter?

›What social and philosophical changes is Hawthorne describing in this chapter?

›Compare the initial intent behind the scarlet letter to the actual effect on Hester.

›What image is Hawthorne evoking with Chillingworth, old, one shoulder higher than the other, digging up roots and collecting leaves, etc. in the forest?

›What is Hester’s response to the announcement that the Council had debated allowing her to remove her scarlet letter?

›How is the doctrine of predestination reflected in this conversation between Hester and Chillingworth?

›What pleas of Hester’s arouse sympathy and admiration in Chillingworth?

Saturday Regents prep - 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. We will concentrate on multiple-choice questions: types, tricks, format, etc.  Come!

January 26th is the ELA Regents day. I am celebrating at the Met. Join me! Turandot is playing at 8 p.m.

For more information, Metropolitan Opera

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

A Family Apart by Joan Lowery Nixon

Here are some of the historical events mentioned in the book:

• Westward expansion
• Children's Aid Society
• The Orphan Trains
• The "Potato" Famine of Ireland 
• Events that lead to the Civil War
• The Underground Railroad
• Fugitive Slave Act
• Missouri Compromise

Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce

Chief Joseph's speech in DC

Click on the link above to listen to the speech Chief Joseph made in Washington, D.C.

• How is the tone different from the one in his surrender speech?
• What happened to his people and how does he react?
• Which strategies does he use to make his speech effective?

Vocabulary:
Surrender
Bravery
Escape
Measles

"The Interlopers" by H.H. Munro

Extended activities - Writing - Pick one question and answer it in a paragraph. Be sure to:

1. Have a topic sentence that answers the question.
2. Include at least 5 supporting details that can be traced (or quoted) to the text.
3. Use adjective words and phrases that linger or draw pictures in the reader's mind.
4. Write in complete sentences, use punctuation and correct spelling.

• Do you think a different ending would have been more satisfying? Explain your answer.
• Is any feud that leads to death worth the cause? Explain your answer.
• Why do you think Ulrich and Georg's attitudes toward each other change?
• What is revealed about each man as they are pinned by the beech tree?
• What does Saki seem to be saying about the role of man's plans with this surprise ending?
• The forest plays an important role in this story. Find two examples where the forest almost seems to be a character itself.
• A beech tree is a classical symbol for a loving couple in much of literature. What significance can be drawn from Saki's use of the beech tree in this story?
• What does the fact that the land being disputed is not necessarily desirable reveal about the families who have fought over its ownership for so many years?
• If the two men had been saved, how would they have behaved toward each other years later? Explain your answer.