POS: Top Song Assignment

This assignment requires you to: a) examine and understand the use of ethos, pathos, and logos to defend claims, b) peruse and understand existing lists of credible top song lists and c) compose and defend your own list of top songs. Next week, you will share the audio and annotated lyric versions of your top pick.

1. Read and comprehend the explanation of ethos, pathos, and logos. (7 min.)

2. First, utilize several Bolean operators to peruse existing list of "top" or "best" "song" or "songwriters." Defend your selection for the most substantiated list (25 min.) Start here.

3. Develop your own "countdown style" list. Defend each claim with ethos, pathos, and logos.

4. Click here. Sign up for next week's list defense. On your day, you must have a playable version of your top track, copies of annotated lyrics (30) and a prepared defense including ethos, pathos, and logos. If you find yourself with extra time, begin to develop this or turn your attention to your fiction draft (due Thursday as hard copy for peer editing). Your teacher and your peers will evaluate your persuasion for a double quiz grade.

Juniors: Voicethread Links

http://voicethread.com/share/3823456/
https://voicethread.com/share/3825504/
https://voicethread.com/share/3789957/
https://voicethread.com/share/3789931/
https://voicethread.com/share/3789902/
https://voicethread.com/share/3789731/
https://voicethread.com/share/3832947/
http://voicethread.com/share/3832947/

G Block: Friday Classwork

Happy Friday, G Block. Your responses to the following directives are due by the end of class today (as a comment to this post).

1. Click here to visit a site that hosts a Learning Style Test. Take the test, honestly and carefully, and analyze the results (the colorful graph). Compose a paragraph that communicates the results (strengths, weaknessses, etc.) and your feelings regarding their accuracy and/or inaccuracy.

2. Visit Edline and open the documant named "Paragraph Revision." Correct the paragraph's grammar, punctuation, spelling, and formatting.

POS: Backmasking and Reverse Speech in Music

Backward messaging in music (commonly known as backmasking) has 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 distinctive 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.

List of Backmasked/Reverse Speech Songs

Jeff Milner's Site

Reverse Speech Site

Click here to hear 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).

Post a reflection that a) discusses your opinion of backmasking and reverse speech, b) assesses the validity of the examples you experienced. I expect direct, specific references to songs, artists and lyrics. Be sure to demonstrate the level of your investigation by being precise and thorough. (3-5 paragraphs)

AP Seniors: COW work for 11-27

Good morning.

1. Click here to view an RSA animate lecture from Ken Robinson. Leave comment (short paragraph) highlighting any takeaways.

2. Click here to view an RSA animate lecture regarding language. Consider the links between language, as presented here, and Newspeak, as presented in 1984. Leave comment (short paragraph) highlighting any takeaways.

3. On Thursday, I will check for your customized word bank. Use the existing files (Edline) and any other online or binder resources to build your own bank. A) First, group your terms and devices into 3 categories: own it; know it; need it, or some analogous form. Leave space for notes or amendments. B) Develop a bank of verbs for academic discourse. C) Begin a bank of "go-to" words.

POS: Comparative Analyses

Please post as a comment here.

POS: Friday Cow Work

PART I: Your first task for today is to revisit the allegory lesson from Wednesday. Compose a "thesis-like" statement for each song that reveals the relationships between the superficial and allegorical representations of each song. Then, select your favorite and complete that paragraph (3 statements; 1 paragraph). 

PART II: Musical plagiarism is complex, subjective, and a bit confusing. For decades, blues musicians have covered or restructured older songs as homage to past musicians. An artist may borrow lines, make allusions, or sample. Occasionally, artists take issue with this "borrowing" and sue. 

For blog-work this week, research and listen to some examples of musical plagiarism. Identify: 1) the definition of plagiarism 2) at least one example of a truly plagiarized song (paragraph explanation) and 3) at least one example of a coincidental relationship between 2 songs(paragraph explanation). Discuss your findings here. In the spirit of avoiding plagiarism and associated transgressions, you must cite (MLA format) at least 3 sources for each argument. Citations will also allow you to incorporate periodicals and other resources that may offer some direct evidence to support your claims. On the left side of this blog, you will find some of the many useful citation tools available to you. 

Some notable instances include (listed as original/supposed plagiarism): Chiffon's "He's So Fine"/George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord"; Tom Petty's "Mary Jane's Last Dance"/The Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Dani California;" Queen's "Under Pressure"/Vanilla Ice's "Ice, Ice Baby;"  Joe Satriani's "If I Could Fly"/Coldplay's "Viva La Vida;" Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven"/The Black Keys' "Little Black Submarines;" Fleet Foxes' "Lorelai"/Bob Dylan's "Fourth Time Around;" Pink Floyd's "Speak to Me/Breathe"/Dave Matthews Band's "Drunken Soldier." You are not limited to these examples, so feel free to find your own.

PART III: Click here to read a short article from plagiarism.org. Note your impression here. What claims resonate as accurate from your perspective?

Finished early? Please visit your peers' blogs and offer comments for any missing term 1 work. 

Juniors: Wednesday's COW Work

Well, hello there. I've left a few tasks for you to complete, all of which are due as a comment here by the end of the period. If you happen to finish early, proofread, then take a moment to reflect on the reality that you are either astonishingly efficient or a haphazard student-writer.

1. Click here to read a short essay on Steinbeck. Write a thesis statement that encapsulates the author's thesis statement. Yup, a thesis analyzing a thesis. (15 minutes)

2. Click here to build some context. In bullet form, submit 5 factoids that resonate after reading. Defend your selections. (12 minutes)

3. Visit the Poetry Foundation and browse the poems, searching strategically for a poem to pair with The Grapes of Wrath. If you prefer another message of searching, feel free to employ it. Avoid Googling "poem to pair with Grapes of Wrath;" any duplicates will not be considered for the grand prize (see below). Perhaps the poem may parallel the qualities of a character or contain Steinbeckian images of the Midwest. Compose a point-dense essay- yes, an essay- arguing the case for your poem as a parallel to the text. I will select the best pairing to use as an upcoming assessment and the winning essay writer will be exempt, receiving an automatic A. Be sure to post the poem with your essay. (50-60 minutes)

The Poetry of Song: COW work for Tuesday, 10-16

Complete the following work and submit responses as a comment here by the end of the block. 

Visit the 2 links below and read the album reviews. Then, find one of your own and answer the questions that follow. 

1. Fleet Foxes (great band, by the way)

2. Paul Simon 

3. Find one of your choice. 

As evidence of your perusal, post a comment response to the following questions:

1. List every adjective from the Fleet Foxes review.


2. For the review of your choice, select a passage ( to paste here and describe the literary and journalistic qualities that make it exemplary. 

3. Students tend to have difficulty integrating fluid quotations into their own writing. Copy and paste at least 3 excerpts from the 3 reviews that incorporate quoted song lyrics. After each sentence, create a grammatical map of the sentence structure. Example: David Fricke writes, "I wonder if I'll see/Any faces above me/Or just cracks in the ceiling," Pecknold sings in "Montezuma," imagining his deathbed.= Quote+Subject+Predicate+Preposition+Song Title+Participial Phrase. No, you can't use this one. 

4. Copy and paste Will Hermes' thesis statement here. Which of his sentences encapsulates his most profound analysis of the album? Where did you find it?

5. If you finish early, proofread your work. Use any remaining time to complete make up work or finish your homework for Thursday. 

See you all Thursday. Please be respectful of your substitute teacher as well as the computers. 

"Little Green" Analyses: POS

AP Analyses

AP Seniors: Friday's COW Work

Hello, seniors. Today you will use the COWs to complete several academic tasks.

1. You will find your high-stakes thesis poem here. I would like this thesis in hard copy form. Proofread, please.

2. Click here for a What is the What Readers' Guide. Use this as a resource. Save a digital copy or print any necessary pages. You may find the character and setting lists useful.

3. Click here to read an  interview with Eggers and Deng. Post a brief paragraph describing facets of the interview that may guide your experience as a reader.

4. If you have headphones, click here to listen to an NPR interview with Eggers. Offer a brief paragraph in the same spirit as prompt 3.

5. Below are links to photographic portfolios from "The Big Picture." Peruse them and offer 3 commentaries regarding 3 images that compel you to do so.

South Sudan Conflict
A New Nation
A Historic Vote
Scenes from Sudan

6. Select one of the works we have covered in class ("Otherwise," "Sonnet XXV," "The Flea," one of the Jigsaw poems, Chapter 1 of What is the What, or the excerpt from Gary Soto). Begin- and complete- a formal analysis of the selected work. You will type and submit it as  a comment to the appropriate post (above) by Friday, October 12. This analysis should represent your best effort toward AP-level writing; take advantage of the luxuries of time and revision while you have it. I will use the rigorous AP rubric to assess these as a test. Obviously, this can have significant pull on your average for term 1. Aim for mastery, which is a reasonable expectation considering the amount of time that you have. Take into consideration all of the analysis, thesis, sentence, and paragraph instruction we have covered. Get started now, and put forth your best effort. The rubric is not kind to strangers*.


*personification

Freshmen: Romeo & Juliet Text Link

Click here.

POS Voicethread Links

Jake H | Beck G | Taylor P | Hannah L | Connor R | Doug M | Seth K | Shinn F | Zack S | Derek F | Levi K | Anthony H | Andrew M | Zachary F | Dannaie G | Bobby H | Ashley B | Kayla G | Melanie M | Allison B | Ash L | Jamie W | Nicole M | Natasha M | Matthew L  Steve S. 

Fixed by Matt Litchfield! Blog

The Poetry of Song: Popular Music as a Reflection of Culture

"As the music is, so are the people of the country."

        Turkish Proverb

Type your response to the following prompt as a Word document and be sure to proofread and edit before you paste and post. Check either Billboard or Rolling Stone for the current list of America's top 50 songs. Choose at least 3 songs; avoid any songs you are very familiar with. Listen/study the lyrics to the selected songs.

Consider the subject matter, content and point of view of today's top songs and identify lines which contain poetic merit. What do these songs, as a whole, say about our modern American culture? In particular, what do these songs say about your generation as the greatest consumers of music media? How are gender roles represented in popular music? How is success measured?

Shakespeare: Predestination and the American Dream

As we study William Shakespeare and read Romeo and Juliet in class, consider the following prompt: The concept of predestination is reflected in the work of Shakespeare. The lives of men and women are "mapped out in the stars", and attempts to transcend or disrupt this order, or chain of being, only lead to tragedy. Does belief in predestination exist in some form today? Do we subscribe to a similar or different philosophy? How does predestination relate to, or conflict with, the "American Dream"? How might you categorize the belief systems of our world today? Do you believe that your destiny is mapped out for you, or do you think that you control your own fate?

Freshmen: Learning Style Test

Welcome, freshmen. Please click the link below, complete the learning style assessment, and offer a description of your results as a signed comment to this post.

Learning Style Test 

AP Literature: Beowulf & Chaucer

You will utilize this post to complete an online unit regarding Beowulf and Chaucer. As you complete your work, be sure to save it as a Word or Google Document. This unit will take some time, so be sure to work incrementally and manage your time well. Some students find it helpful to copy and paste this post onto their document for convenience. You will submit your completed unit (as a comment to this post) no later than midnight on Sunday, 9-16. Please be sure to identify which "part" is which. On Monday, I will print, read, and grade your work. Please post it all at once. You will be graded holistically on the + to - scale for 2 quizzes.

 Click here to link to a full-text online translation of Beowulf. I do not expect you to read the entire work, but you must "sample" enough of it to get a feel for Old English and respond to the following:

B1. What is a caesura? Find an example of a caesura from the text and defend your selection (paragraph).
B2. What is kenning? Find 3 examples of kenning and defend your selections (paragraph).
B3. Beowulf is indicative of Old English and is infused with a curious blend of the traditions and values of Anglo-Saxon culture and the rise of Christianity. Do a bit of research regarding the Anglo-Saxons.  Quote and discuss passages from the text that represent this unique dynamic. Use MLA format to cite your sources.

For The Canterbury Tales,

C1: Click here to access the text. Read The Prologue and the Introduction in their entirety. Chaucer will introduce you to each of his pilgrims; choose 3 of them. Discuss how Chaucer characterizes them: their class, appearance, character, etc. (3 paragraphs).
C2: Click here to check out a dope rap version of The Prologue. Describe the attire of the MC's to verify your visit.
C3: Click here to hear an audio recording of The Prologue in Middle English. Describe the narrator's voice and your impressions regarding how pronunciation, accent and emphasis help you decode the passage. 
C4: Click here to access the Pardoner's Tale. Read his tale (lines 375-682).Write a 3-5 paragraph essay in response to the following prompt: How is the Pardoner's Tale, in relation to the Pardoner's persona and role, painfully ironic? How does this irony conflict or complement the irony within the Tale itself? How might you characterize Chaucer's tone as echoed through his juxtaposition of the Pardoner's story and personality? What might we conclude about Chaucer's attitude toward religion and morality?
C5: Click here to access a link to Hieronymous Bosch's painting "The Garden of Earthly Delights". Synthesis prompt: Bosch is a Dutch painter who lived and worked shortly after the publication of the Tales. You will be able to zoom in a bit. Examine the triptych and respond to the following questions in paragraph form. 1. What scenes are being depicted in each panel? 2. Create a conversation (RAFT style) between Chaucer and the Pardoner as they discuss the image (particularly the right panel). 

 

POS: Classwork for 6-5

Choose one of the notable songwriters from the list below. On your blog, you must complete a biographical presentation of your given artist(s) including, but not limited to, the following: a list of 10 relevant, interesting facts regarding the artist(s), a timeline, 5 high quality images, a link to relevant video footage, and a list of 5 noteworthy songs. These materials should appear on your blogs by the end of the day. Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney & John Lennon, Simon & Garfunkel, Leonard Cohen, Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, Joan Baez, Bruce Springsteen.

Comic Spirit: Peer Assessments for Senioritis

Please note the strengths and weaknesses of each and offer a tally based on the rubric. Be sure to include the students' names.

Seniors- Thanks for a Wonderful Year!

Comic Spirit: Sedaris Link

Click here.

Comedic Analysis: Meet the Parents

Please number and post your responses here.

Thanks

The Poetry of Song: Poetic Transfer

Heaney (A-E): Synthesize Heaney’s attitude toward his familial heritage and his own aspirations. How do the literal and figurative elements of the poem fuse or collide to communicate a profound and universal quandary?

Eady (F-K): Discuss how Eady utilizes an overtly inane suggestion (title) to propose a weighty universal idea. How does dancing serve as a separate metaphor for the relationship between mother and son?

Hogan (L-Q): Explore the duality encased within the dynamic nature of red and articulate the oblique- yet palpable- universal idea communicated through this poem.

Frost (R-Z): Distinguish Frost’s tone and discuss his ability to balance sympathy and detachment in the aim of making a profound statement. What does his blatant use of personification tell the reader about fate?

AP Literature: Critical Reflections

Comic Spirit: Senioritis Proposals

Comic Spirit: Rubric-based Performance Critiques

POS: Backmasking and Reverse Speech in Music

Backward messaging in music (commonly known as backmasking) has 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 distinctive 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.

List of Backmasked/Reverse Speech Songs

Jeff Milner's Site

Reverse Speech Site

Click here to hear 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).

Post a reflection that a) discusses your opinion of backmasking and reverse speech, b) assesses the validity of the examples you experienced. I expect direct, specific references to songs, artists and lyrics. Be sure to demonstrate the level of your investigation by being precise and thorough. (3-5 paragraphs)

The Poetry of Song: Plagiarism in Music

Musical plagiarism is complex, subjective, and a bit confusing. For decades, blues musicians have covered or restructured older songs as homage to past musicians. An artist may borrow lines, make allusions, or sample. Occasionally, artists take issue with this "borrowing" and sue.

For blog-work this week, research and listen to some examples of musical plagiarism. Identify: 1) the definition of plagiarism 2) at least one example of a truly plagiarized song (paragraph explanation) and 3) at least one example of a coincidental relationship between 2 songs(paragraph explanation). Discuss your findings here. In the spirit of avoiding plagiarism and associated transgressions, you must cite (MLA format) at least 3 sources for each argument. Citations will also allow you to incorporate periodicals and other resources that may offer some direct evidence to support your claims. On the left side of this blog, you will find some of the many useful citation tools available to you.

Some notable instances include (listed as original/supposed plagiarism): Chiffon's "He's So Fine"/George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord"; Tom Petty's "Mary Jane's Last Dance"/The Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Dani California"; Queen's "Under Pressure"/Vanilla Ice's "Ice, Ice Baby" , Joe Satriani's "If I Could Fly"/Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" and, most recently, Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven"/The Black Keys' "Little Black Submarines". Tyler Robidoux found an interesting one, so feel free to consult him as well. You are not limited to these examples, so feel free to find your own.

The Poetry of Song: Reflections of Popular Culture in Music

"As the music is, so are the people of the country."

        Turkish Proverb

Type your response to the following prompt as a Word document and be sure to proofread and edit before you paste and post. Check either Billboard or Rolling Stone for the current list of America's top 50 songs. Choose at least 3 songs; avoid any songs you are very familiar with. Listen/study the lyrics to the selected songs.

Consider the subject matter, content and point of view of today's top songs and identify lines which contain poetic merit. What do these songs, as a whole, say about our modern American culture? In particular, what do these songs say about your generation as the greatest consumers of music media? How are gender roles represented in popular music? How is success measured?

Comic Spirit: Thursday

Good day. I am (probably) down at the middle school right now; I should be back shortly. Today, I have arranged a hodge-podge of comedy-centered tasks for you to complete. This work is due by the end of the period. When I return, I will be calling you up to my desk to check-in, one last time, regarding term 3 grades and any missing assignments.

1. Once again, be sure that your blog is up to date and includes all completed work.

2. Visit at least 10 peer blogs and offer some feedback regarding their strongest work. Copy and paste your comments as #2 here to aid in accounting for them.

Intermission: If you have headphones, proceed to step 3. If you do not, proceed to step 5 and (hopefully) borrow some headphones toward the end of the period. I do not want audio playing out loud; it's too distracting.

3. If you have headphones, view clips from The Colbert Report (a television show and a favorite of Mr. Grasso). Write a concise paragraph analyzing Colbert's brand of comedy. Describe his brand of satire and the persona he uses to achieve it. What other tools or devices does he use to produce this satire? Cite specific examples.

4. Find the "Lazy Sunday" music video from Saturday Night Live. View it and construct a brief paragraph analyzing its satirical effect. Hint: it appears to satirize at least two different entities. What other tools or devices does he use to produce this satire? Cite specific examples.

5. Click here to read a clever and comedic approach to the college entrance essay. Write a thesis statement for it.

6. I'm a visual learner, and so are many of you. We all know that "pictures are worth a thousand words"; let's prove this hypothesis. Click here and peruse the images. Then construct a 1000 word (just kidding; let's aim for 100-word) analysis of what precisely is so awkward and comedic about your favorite snapshot among these images. Can you actually pinpoint and articulate the precise visual elements that contribute to such awkwardness? Don't get too distracted- this website is addictive.

7. Over the course of the next few weeks, we will revisit and steer our journal-writing in the direction of a 5-minute stand-up comedy routine. You may choose to write this routine and submit it for a quiz grade (wimpy, boring) or perform it for a test grade (awesome). Take some time to browse the web for some tips on constructing such a routine. Note the valuable tips and give credit to the sites.

Tuesday: POS Class-work

Hello. I am a bit under the weather today. Don't worry- just like Bob Dylan- when you think I'm out of the game, I return from the ashes with another timeless gem. I hope to be back on stage tomorrow. We'll pick up with the syllabus when I return. For today, I would like you to complete the following tasks as a posted comment here. I've graded your "Monsoon" Analyses- please email me if you submitted your work under the name "illbethereforyou". I can't identify this author.

Mr. Kefor's Virus

1. Yesterday we discussed tone. Pinpoint the tone of each song (the 2 from yesterday) with one word.
2. Identify 3 devices that serve to support the style of tone you have identified for "Rock and Roll Band". For each device, cite at least 3 quotes that represent it.
3. Identify 3 devices that serve to support the style of tone you have identified for "Have a Cigar". For each device, cite at least 3 quotes that represent it.
4. The "cigar" appears in both songs. Is the cigar functioning as a symbol or a motif? Revisit the definitions, make a decision and defend your designation.
5. Click here to visit the Poetry Foundation. Browse the poems and find one that you like. Examine the tone of the poem and the devices used to achieve it. Construct a thesis statement that includes these 3 devices and a recognition of tone (as the introductory phrase).
6. If you have extra time on your hands, "congratulations for being so efficient" or "shame on you for your haphazard approach". Seriously- be sure that your blog contains all of your recent work- we will be sharing our writing and music soon after term 3 concludes.

"Out, Out-" Thesis Statements

Comic Spirit: Thursday's Class-work

Take the time to complete the following tasks thoroughly. I will assess your work as 2 quiz grades. All of the work below is due by 9:15. You may help one another quietly and appropriately, but make sure that your work is indeed your work. There should be no duplicates.



1. While you have computers, check to be sure that you have linked all of your classmates. If you are missing a link, ask your peer for his or her url and add it.


2. On Tuesday, you listed 10 devices that Swift utilized in his Modest Proposal. Choose 3 of these devices to use for your formal analysis. For each tool/device, extract at least 3 excerpts from Swift’s essay that clearly exemplify them. Then construct a thesis statement draft that fulfills or exceeds the requirements of my rubric. Post your results as a comment here.


3. Click here. Read this Letter from Dr. King. Pull out 12 quotes: 4 that exemplify ethos; 4 that exemplify pathos; and 4 that exemplify logos. Then construct a thesis statement draft that fulfills or exceeds the requirements of my rubric. Post your results as a comment here.


4. Indicate 3 potential directions (problem; solution) for your own Modest Proposal. For each, discuss possibilities regarding how you might incorporate each argumentative method (ethos, pathos, logos). Post your results as a comment here.


5. Click here. Read the analogies. If you’ve read them before, sorry. Read them again. Identify the 4 you find most humorous. Post your results as a comment here.

If you finish early, check your work. Finishing this assignment early may be indicative of a lackluster performance. If you are simply more efficient than most, turn your attention to the Modest Proposal writing tasks (tests) and get started.

AP Seniors: The Kite Runner Frontloading

(due as a comment to this post on syllabus date; worth 2 quiz grades; 0-+ holistic scale)

Part A: Click here to visit the CIA's World Fact Book. Peruse the site and respond to the following questions:

1. What are the top eight agricultural products? What product is #1? 

2. What is the life expectancy rate? What is the infant mortality rate? What deeper issues are typically reflected in these statistics?

3. How many kilometers of coastline does Afghanistan possess? How might this number have contributed to the country's history?

4. Identify the transnational issues that Afghanistan faces. 

5. Construct a thesis statement that encapsulates the essence of the Afghan nation (both its assets and its challenges). 

Part B: Click her to visit The Boston Globe's "The Big Picture: Afghanistan". View each photograph (use your judgement for the objectionable pieces) and read the corresponding footnotes. Choose the most powerful image to prompt a piece of short fiction. Write a descriptive passage that embodies the "show vs. tell" technique.

Part C: Article: "Hazaras: Afghanistan's Outsiders" (9 pages). Produce a thesis statement that encapsulates the author's message and illuminates the deeper meaning of the text.

Part D: Click here to view the Frontline Program: "The Dancing Boys of Afghanistan". Take notes and prepare to participate in a Discussion Facilitation that will include this topic.

Extra Credit: A quiz grade of 100 will be awarded for comprehensive notes for the Frontline Program: "The War Briefing". 

The Poetry of Song: Analytical Paragraphs (Friday and Monday)

On Edline, you will find two documents that are essential for this assignment. The first is a document copy of the “Jigsaw” assignment and lyrics; the second is an “analytical statement rubric”.



1. Begin by revisiting a Jigsaw song of your choice. Paste the lyrics into Word and reread them. Choose an element or device to classify and explore in an analytical paragraph of at least 5 sentences. Every single sentence should fulfill the requirements represented in the rubric.


2. Next, choose three of the poets listed below and copy and paste three poems of your choice (from three different poets) into Word. Utilize your experience in analyzing songs to study and analyze the poem. Refer to the SSRS form if need be, and produce two additional five sentence analyses, again focusing on an element or device to classify and explore.


After proofreading, post your results as a comment here.


Your teacher will randomly select on sentence from each analysis to grade with the rubric. (3 quizzes total). Do your best- these are our last assessments before the end of the course.


Robert Frost


Seamus Heaney


Jane Kenyon


Robert Creeley


Gwendolyn Brooks


Cornelius Eady

Interdisciplinary Arts: Supplement

Click here to visit Stephen Wiltshire's website. Mr. Wiltshire is an artistic savant who is capable of reproducing incredibly detailed landscapes from memory. 1. On the left, click on "My Videos". Watch at least four of the videos and offer a commentary for each.
2. Visit his "Gallery" and browse through his work. Identify his most impressive drawing and his most impressive painting; offer explanation for each.

1-17 Classwork: Interdisciplinary Arts

As we conclude our time together, please consider- and respond to- the following prompts. Post and print your results (let's shrink our margins and font to save paper). You may use your writing as notes for the Final Exam next week. Consider pasting the images and prompts into Word to streamline the process.

1. Study the drawing below by Dorian Iten. Before this course, the approach to the rendering of a bust such as this may have been something daunting and esoteric to you. Consider and describe how the artist approached this visual problem from beginning to end. Discuss the 4 essential phases of the formal drawing process, light considerations, and relationship to spherical concepts. (3-5 paragraphs)

2. Below is a painting entitled "Entombment" by Michelangelo Caravaggio. Discuss the composition, along with any underlying compositional "ribbons". Consider and describe how the artist approached this visual problem from beginning to end and his employment of the 4 essential phases of the formal drawing process, light considerations, and relationship to spherical concepts.

3. Finally, reflect on your coursework from this semester. Describe the skill-set you arrived with and how it has or has not progressed. Which drawing problems or tasks did you most benefit from? Which were too basic or redundant? Which might you undertake again? Did you make any visual "breakthroughs"?