Freshmen: Romeo and Juliet Online

A full manuscript of the play is available online by clicking here.

Seniors: 10-29 Classwork

On Wednesday, October 29th you will visit the computer lab after second lunch. You will view an episode of Frontline in preparation for What is the What. Plug in your headphones and click here to visit the PBS Frontline page. View the program "On Our Watch". Post a response to the viewing here by Friday.

Freshmen: Romeo and Juliet Themes

Click here to save drafts of your essay Google documents. This will enable you to access your work on any computer with internet access. Always save your themes to your school folder.

Afghanistan Through Hosseini's Lens

Much of what we hear and learn about Afghanistan and the Afghan people is communicated through television media. Has The Kite Runner shaped and/or changed your view of Afghanistan? Cite several lines which embody this influence. Is it wise, in your mind, to allow a novel (fiction) to affect your real world view?

POS: Backmasking and Reverse Speech in Music

Backward messages in music (commonly known as backwmasking) have been a controversy ever since the late 1960s, when messages were found backwards on some Beatles' albums, hinting that Paul McCartney had died. Some of these subliminal messages have been identified as purposeful while some are apparently inadvertent. Some believe that many of these backward messages were in fact examples of "Reverse Speech" in music. Speech reversals occur naturally in all forms of speech, sung or spoken. Explore some of the links and sites regarding this subject and offer your opinion on at least 10 specific examples. Do you buy into the theory of Reverse Speech or is it all a bunch of hogwash?


THE THEORY OF REVERSE SPEECH AND SPEECH COMPLEMENTARITY.

(1) Human speech has two disctinctive yet complementary functions and modes. The Overt mode is spoken forwards and is primarily under conscious control. The Covert mode is spoken backward and is not under conscious control. The backward mode of speech occurs simultaneously with the forward mode and is a reversal of the forward speech sounds.

(2) These two modes of speech, forward and backward, are dependent upon each other and form an integral part of human communication. One mode cannot be fully understood without the other mode. In the dynamics of interpersonal communication, both modes of speech combined communicate the total psyche of the person, conscious as well as unconscious.

(3) Covert speech develops before overt speech. Children speak backwards before they do forwards. Then, as forward speech commences, the two modes of speech gradually combine into one, forming an overall bi-level communication process.


Reverse Speech Site


Click here to here a well known sample of backmasking from Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven". This audio file will play both forward (original context) and backward (backmasking revealed).

Poetry of Song Student Blogs

The most notable "Poetry of Song" student blogs will be linked to this post...and the winners are:


Bridget G.
Laura R.
Molli B.

POS: Metallica and Johnny Got His Gun

Visit the link below to read about the novel Johnny Got His Gun and its influence on Metallica's song "One".

Wikipedia: Johnny Got His Gun

Then, view the music video for the song here:

"One" Video

Be prepared to discuss the parallels in class.

The Kite Runner: Online Discussion #2

Do you feel as though Amir has atoned for the sins of his past after his violent encounter with Assef? Do you think the author intends for you to accept this scene as atonement or question it? Who is the ultimate judge of whether or not he has repaid Hassan for his sins? How does Sohrab relate to Amir's ability or inability to redeem himself?

The Kite Runner: Discussion of Author Intent

Use your in-class lab and homework time to post a question regarding Hosseini's's construction of plot, characterization, use of foils, imagery (or other literary terms) here. Be sure to sign your post with your first name and last initial. Once you have posted your question, respond to 10 peer questions from your class by Sunday, October 5th. Use direct quotations from the text to support your answers.

Romeo and Juliet: Discussion of Author Intent

Use your in-class lab and homework time to post a question regarding Shekespeare's construction of plot, characterization, use of foils, imagery (or other literary terms) here. Be sure to sign your post with your first name and last initial. Once you have posted your question, respond to 10 peer questions from any freshmen class by Sunday, October 5th. Use direct quotations from the text to support your answers.