Haha. Brilliant timing! Seniors, read this article that just popped up on CNN.com! Be sure to look at the photos, too.
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A Long Way Gone Web Quest
Posted on September 23, 2009 by msnev
Here are the links you will need to complete the WebQuest assigned in class. Be sure to follow the directions on your handout! If you need a copy of the handout, you can download one here: A Long Way Gone WebQuest
READ:
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5475.htm
http://www.childsoldiersglobalreport.org/content/sierra-leone
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/people/features/childrensrights/childrenofconflict/soldier.shtml
http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-164221050/rehabilitation-revenge-prosecuting-child.html
http://www.unwire.org/unwire/20010102/12341_story.asp
LISTEN:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1417144
http://hbpub.vo.llnwd.net/o16/video/olmk/alongwaygonewebclip.mp3
WATCH:
Ishmael Beah speaks to a crowd at IUPUI on March 12, 2009: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuYi0apoIJA
Go to http://www.alongwaygone.com/media.html and scroll down for several clips of a long interview with Ishmael Beah. (This is what we watched in class on Thursday, 9/24.)
CBS Interview with Ishmael Beah: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozsOLdgp_y0
Ishmael discusses the issue of child soldiers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9Tku-Aztiw
UNICEF on children of conflict: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1Qse0ofA_I
The following several links will treat you to the music Ishmael listened to on dubbed cassette tapes (before rap became what it is today):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diiL9bqvalo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Alw95s04obo
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Re: The President’s Speech
Posted on September 8, 2009 by msnev
Regardless of anyone’s personal opinions of President Obama’s policies, the author of this article makes a very valid, quite centering point.
Students: Whether you watch the speech, read the prepared text, or choose to do neither, please be aware today of the importance your personal responsibility and genuine ambition play in your education.
Parents: Whether you encouraged your child to watch the speech or discouraged them from it, please realize what a valuable opportunity for discussion this controversy is. Take the opportunity to have a family conversation about the state of education, and of our nation in general.
As always, I remain neutral on all political policy matters when discussions arise in my classroom.
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New Opportunities
Posted on September 2, 2009 by msnev
I’ve added a few things to both the “Bonus Events” and “Scholarships & Contests” pages that you may find interesting. Also, the following opportunity didn’t fit into either category but you may be interested in it nonetheless. From WVIZ/PBS:
Jack Marschall, former TV Channel 5 News Anchor, will be the featured guest for our September 29th “Careers in TV Journalism and Communications” program. Mr. Marschall is a member of the Ohio Broadcast Hall of Fame and is currently the Director of Communications and Community Relations for the Mayor’s Office in the City of Parma.
Students interested in this opportunity should contact the office of John Ramicone by September 25th. His contact information is as follows:
John R. Ramicone
Director of Distance Learning Services-WVIZ/NOTA
1375 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115
phone: 216-916-6360
fax: 216-916-6361
email: jramicone@ideastream.org
Filed under: career, events, guidance/college/career, media | Tagged: bonus, career, event, journalism, scholarships, tv | Leave a comment »
Pre-AP Summer Writing Prompts
Posted on August 9, 2009 by msnev
Here are the writing prompts for the essay required of students scheduled to take Pre-AP English. If you have already received a list of prompts and written your essay, you may disregard this post. It is intended for those students whose packet was missing the list.
Each prompt relates to Pat Frank’s Alas, Babylon . Choose one and follow the directions in your summer work packet. For those of you who enjoyed reading To Kill a Mockingbird more, don’t despair — you’ll have a chance to respond to that novel, too, once school starts.
1.) In Chapter 4, Helen points out that her children (and all children in the 1950’s) “have lived under the shadow of war — atomic war.” Do you believe children of today live under a similar shadow or shadows? What events, states of mind, or other phenomena shape the “stage” on which children live their lives in the early 21st century?
2.) To what extent does “survival of the fittest” apply in Fort Repose after The Day? What do Randy and the others understand that phrase to mean? What do you understand it to mean? You may need to do a little background research to help you.
3.) Why do you think the author used a phrase from the Revelation of John (in the Bible) as the title of the book? To what extent do you think he intended the references to Babylon in Chapters 17 and 18 of The Revelation to refer to the United States in the late 1950’s? To what extent do they relate to the United States today?
4.) What is the sequence of the escalating breakdown of “normal” order, institutions, and public services? How do people react to the sudden absence of services and procedures that they–we–take for granted? Would reactions today be different or similar? What do you think is the most serious loss?
5.) Note the importance of Alice and Florence in the novel. Analyze the development of these two characters and explain what they represent — consider their careers, family life, relationships to other characters, and brief but frequent appearances in the novel.
6.) What is the sequence of the escalating breakdown of “normal” order, institutions, and public services? How do people react to the sudden absence of services and procedures that they–we–take for granted? Would reactions today be different or similar? What do you think is the most serious loss?
* Some of these prompts have been adapted from discussion questions on http://www.readinggroupguides.com
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What I Did (or rather, am doing) Over My Summer Vacation, part 1
Posted on July 1, 2009 by msnev
As promised, here are some photos I took in Thailand.
Snacks in a Thai grocery store... I always visit grocery stores while in foreign countries. They are great places to learn language (you know what you expect to read on a bottle of juice or tube of toothpaste, so you can make educated guesses as to the meaning of the foreign-language words on them) and you see the sorts of things everyday people keep in their homes.
Motorbike taxis -- if I ever live in Thailand, I want to master the ladylike art of riding to work sidesaddle on the back of a motorbike that zips and zigzags through traffic, coming within centimeters of cars, busses, and ONCOMING traffic. And yes, as you see in this photo, it's perfectly legal in Thailand to ride a motorbike on the sidewalk.
These are handmade flower offerings for sale across the streets from the Hindu temple. Yes, those are lotus flowers in the right rear corner.
The famous reclining Buddha at Wat Pho.
To demonstrate the enormity of the reclining Buddha statue, here I am admiring his size-of-my-head toes.
One more for today; I will post more later though…
A rather mysterious statue.
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Defend Ohio’s Libraries!
Posted on June 24, 2009 by msnev
Ok devoted library patrons, it’s time to put your persuasive writing and speaking skills to work.
In a few days, state legislators will be voting on a proposed budget cut that would slash funding to libraries by an egregious 50 %. Libraries are already extremely strapped for cash and many rely almost completely on public funding — so if this cut passes it would almost surely mean that many libraries will close and those left will have to dramatically trim the services they offer.
You can imagine what detriment this would bring to communities across Ohio. Please, PLEASE contact your legislators to let them know how you feel about this! Even if you aren’t old enough to vote, you will be in a few short years… and future votes are more valuable to those hoping for reelection than past votes.
What you can do:
1.) Write, call, or email the following people (this is contact information for Independence residents — if you live elsewhere, check here). Identify yourself as a constituent and clearly, maturely state your concerns about the proposed budget cuts. Explain how the library system is important to you as the future of Ohio!
Senator Thomas F. Patton
Senate Building
Room #140, First Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Telephone: 614/466-8056
Email: SD24@senate.state.oh.us
Click here for Gov. Strickland’s contact information.
Representative Josh Mandel
77 S. High St
10th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-6111
Phone: (614) 644-6041
Email: district17@ohr.state.oh.us
2.) Attend a rally tomorrow (June 24th) at 10:30 AM at Cleveland Public Library. It’s located downtown at East 6th Street and Superior Avenue — be sure you know where you’re going, and understand that you may need to pay to park and/or park far away because it is a workday and you’ll be downtown. It’s best to go with a group of people and designate one as the navigator.
3.) PASS ON THIS INFORMATION!
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Welcome 2009-10 Pre-AP Students!
Posted on June 6, 2009 by msnev
I’m glad I got to meet most of you during the last week or two of school, and look forward to working with you next year. I noticed a spike in site hits over the last few days, so I’m happily surmising that you’ve read through your instruction packet for your summer reading. Thumbs up. Staying on top of things is ALWAYS a good idea.
Speaking of your summer reading, there is apparently one item missing from some/most people’s envelopes — the writing prompts for you to choose from. Two people came to see me on Friday and asked for them; in case more people are having the same problem I will post the prompts here on Monday when I am in my classroom again.
Enjoy your time off, and don’t forget to check back frequently! If you already use Twitter, feel free to follow me @Ms_Neville .
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English IV Honors: Your last extra assignment
Posted on April 9, 2009 by msnev
Please download a copy of your last honors assignment: author-study. I know most of you will be in Florida with the band all of next week, but you do need to get started on the brainstorming stage of this assignment so you don’t get behind.
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Twitter, anyone?
Posted on April 8, 2009 by msnev
I have an idea!
However, I need to find out how realistic of an idea it is before I officially launch it. I would like to use Twitter to comunicate assignment information to my classes next year, but would like to have a test run first to see how well it works.
I have set up a Twitter account under the username “Ms_Neville”. If any of you already use Twitter or would like to join, please sign up to follow me. I will send out daily tweets with homework/test/quiz reminders, interesting quotes, writing tips and ideas, etc. Parents are also welcome to follow if you’d like to keep up on what we’re doing in class.
I look forward to as many people as possible getting involved with this — I think it can be a fabulous tool for English class if we harness it.
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Ms. Neville's Class Resources 