Article of the Week #3 {English 11} Turn off that Phone

We live in a society where it is very rare that our phones can't keep us connected to the rest of the world. At our fingertips is not just a way to reach out and talk to someone, to hear their voice to be reassured that all is well, but rather a world of information awaiting the twitch of our finger. We use our phones to find out information to correct our peers, family or even {gasp} the teacher. We consume information at speeds so quickly that it is second nature to grab our phones in order to access all that is out in the internet ether. There was a time though when our phones used to connect us to each other.

However, the phones of 2012 aren't just devices that ease parents' fears; they are devices that can connect us to the other side of the planet allowing contact within in seconds without actually affixing the users together.  At what point do we just put those devices away and relate to each other? Is it okay to have your phone out on a date? At a dance? At a funeral? When is too much too much? This week's article discusses when we should Turn Off the Phone (and the Tension).  I know that I too am guilty of reaching for my phone when a conversation is just as easily had. Are we becoming a society where we only want to be social as long as it is not face to face?

The Saxons--no,they're not playing Coachella {Eng. 12}

The Anglo-Saxons--a burly bunch they were! The Anglo-Saxons that crazy marauding society! What's a scop to do, but sing the tales of those heroes who slayed dragons, saved the village and married the girl? The Anglo-Saxon's bring us Beowulf, the first epic poem ever. I mean first as in original. Beowulf , written in Old English sometime before the tenth century A.D., describes the adventures of a great Scandinavian warrior of the sixth century. A rich fabric of fact and fancy, Beowulf is the oldest surviving epic in British literature.

Beowulf exists in only one manuscript. This copy survived both the wholesale destruction of religious artifacts during the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII (the king who enjoyed torturing his wives either by killing them, divorcing them leaving them penniless or threatening death...what a catch)  and a disastrous fire which destroyed the library of Sir Robert Bruce Cotton (1571-1631).

The poem still bears the scars of the fire, visible at the upper left corner of the photograph. The Beowulf manuscript is now housed in the British Library, London.

Some fun facts about the Anglo-Saxon culture {which connect our time with theirs}:  Four Anglo-Saxon gods gave their names to days of the week: Tiw/Tuesday; Woden/Wednesday; Thunor/Thursday and Frige/Friday. Imagine, all this time we've said Thank Goodness it's Frige day!  Anglo-Saxons were superstitious. They believed in lucky charms. They thought 'magic' rhymes, potions, stones or jewels would protect them from evil spirits or sickness. Thank you www.bbc.co.uk for the fun facts.

Calling All Mockingjays-ATW #2 {English 11}

Following the success of the Hunger Games trilogy--we {as in society} might wonder: How much of this "new society" is fiction and what could actually happen? I don't mean in terms of a capitol taking over carving out strategic pieces of society to meet the needs of the capitol. What about the government or rogue scientists that have the mindset and ability to engineer a new species? What about them? This week you will read the article: D.I.Y. Biology, on the Wings of the Mockingjay.

 Your job: Read the ENTIRE article, write a Context Quote Tie-In style paragraph. Submitt your paragraph to Turnitin.com by Friday, September 14th 8 a.m..  If you are unsure what a CQT paragraph is, don't be absent this week--we will review the components and practice in class.  This will be your first writing "test" if you will. I want to see how you express your thoughts while using eveidence from an article to support your opinion.

It's September and Back to School

To my seniors, I hope to make this year memorable. I love literature and the act of discovering new meanings especially when I am able to discuss a variety of ideas with you. I look forward to the conversations we will have in class this year.

First Day of School Outfits 1890

I'm very excited to get to know all of you. I know many of you aren't in love {sigh} with English, but I hope that by the end of the year you will develop a soft spot for the written word.


We will use Turnitin.com this year and you will need the following information in order to enroll in the class to submit your work electronically.

English 12 period one: Class Id: 5491758  Password: dhssenior13 (all lower case)
English 12 period two: Class Id: 5491764  Password: dhssenior13 (all lower case)

English 11 period three: Class Id: 5491779  Password: dhsjunior14 (all lower case)
English 11 period five  : Class Id: 5491814  Password: dhsjunior14 (all lower case)
English 11 period six: Class Id: 5491835  Password: dhsjunior14 (all lower case)

Make sure you are signing up for the right class otherwise your assignments will end up in the wrong class.

English 11 students, we will start disucssing and writing about a different article of the week starting this week.  This week will be a discussion only and we will discuss  the article of Friday, September 7th during your class period. This is considered an assignment and you will receive Credit or No Credit depending on you participation.  This week's article is: One School Girl's Protest of Seventeen Magazine. Click on the link read the article, make notes on what you think is interesting, concerning and what you agree or disagree with. This is just one way that I am able to gage your ability to comprehend information and understand not only the big picture idea, but the details that help bring that 'big picture' to life.