Traditionally Speaking....

The holidays!!!! Whether you celebrate CHanuukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Festivus whatever...there is a feeling that comes along with it. I am not sure what it is, but somehow the holiday season brings out the best in people, if only for a while. Granted, there are some people who absolutely HATE the holidays, usually because of some type of familial memory they would rather forget, but for the most part, people usually look forward to the holiday season. Why do you think that is?
Do you? Why? What associations do you make with whatever holiday you celebrate? Are there special traditions that you and your family partake in for the December holiday? What about New Year's? Are there traditions that you would want to continue with your own families someday? What is your favorite part of your holiday? And finally....what do you wish for this season? World peace? The end of of childhood hunger? Homes for everyone?
(use your judgement/50pts)

Communication Nation

Writing.
For some of you, the bane of your existence--for others, your reason for living. OK--scratch that, I am feeling very dramatic here, ya know, being close to death and all. Ahem..rewind.
Writing. Some of you hate it, some of you don't.
Blah. Ewwwww. That is horrible. Yeeeeesh, one more time...
Writing. Hateful chore, dreadful stalker lying in wait to destroy your lofty GPA...OR instrument of intellectuality, gateway to the green grass of great grades?
Which is it for you? Why?
This blog, for some of you, is the most public your writing has ever been. When I say public--that is what I mean--all of your peers can log on at any time and read what you've written. In fact, they have to.
Does knowing that you are writing for a public audience ever influence what you say? What about how you write? Do you find yourself being more conscious of your grammar, mechanics, diction etc knowing that any one of your friends (or not-friends) may be reading your thoughts and ideas?
Now, translate that question into everyday conversation. Many of you have different groups of friends; "AP" friends, athletes (not trying to say they are mutually exclusive, but sometimes they are), party friends (no details, please--I may never recover), and maybe neighborhood friends that don't go to Oak. Do you ever find yourself speaking to them differently than you do some of your other friends? How about your family members? If so, why? If not, why not?
Finally, do you think you are judged on how well you speak and write? If you do, by whom? How do you feel about that?
(450 words/65pts)

The Show Must Go On...

First, let me just say that having kids who care enough to log onto this blog and tell me they are thinking about me is a gift that all the Xmases in the world can never duplicate. Thank you all.

So, while I am trying my hardest to beat this stupid pneumonia thing (don't worry Fi Fi, it was not your fault), you guys are going to take charge of the situation. I trust you and I know you won't let me down.

The plan for tomorrow is class will go on as scheduled. I sent the lit terms quiz in, and the sub will be distributing them to you to work on. You have as much time as you need, but you MAY NOT walk around the room this time. It's all on you. There are 10 questions, each a bit different then the other. Some questions are examples, some will ask you for straight definitions, some are both.

For period 9/10, I would like Hilary and Erik to be the informal "Head Boy" and "Head Girl" (Harry Potter STYLE!). I would like you two to collect the quizzes at the end of the period and put them in a manila folder (there is a box of them on the windowsill). Label the folder: AP LANG Lit Terms Quiz. Also, if you both could take care of taking attendance, that would be fantastic.
For period 12, I would like Jordan and Devon to act as HB and HG. For you guys, just put your period's quizzes in the folder that Hil and Erik leave on my desk. You two will take care of attendance.

On Tuesday (this is getting so depressing) I want you all to bring in your TS/TD analysis for the "How to Say Nothing in 500 Words..". You are to pick a partner and go over what you have. Make any changes or additions and hand in (again to Hil and Erik or Dev and Jordy) at the end of the period. Hil/Erik and Dev/Jordy: please put all the analyses in another manila folder and label it.

Finally--tomorrow I will be posting an actual blog question. You will have until Thursday to respond ( I hope like crazy that I will be back by then).

I will also be checking in on here, so whatever questions, comments, concerns you have, use THIS blog to post. I will keep answering questions and be as active as I can without passing out!

I miss you all so much--this whole being sick thing is not my bag of books, so I really hope I am better soon.

<3
Bunje

:-(

OK, so perhaps in hindsight, it was not the best idea to make a flippant comment like, "I think I might be dying so this may be the last class we have together," and then NOT be there on Friday. Sorry sorry sorry--a million times sorry. Still alive, I swear.
But, the thing is, I have pneumonia.
Which, for those of you who know quite well, is not a fabulous thing to have when you have severe asthma as I do. So, the bottom line is, I am pretty sick--but I AM NOT DEAD, IN A COMA OR SUFFERING FROM A BEAR MAULING. And I am definitely NOT staying out for the "recommended" period of time, because I will go nutso without you guys for 2 weeks. But, I will be out for a few more days, until I am positive I am not a contagion threat to any of my babies.
So, the REAL bottom line is--this blog is now our main form of communication for a little while. Those of you who text and Facebook me as a means of keeping in touch are still welcome--even encouraged--to keep doing that--but we are going to use the blog this week as a major source of info on both our parts.
I will post a blog question a bit later, and I will also be posting some instructions for the week--you know how subs are, they are bound to screw us all up if we leave it up to whoever it may be, so I am relying on you guys to take over for me while I'm gone.
I am going to assign two people in each AP class to act as a formal "liaison" that will make any announcements and give some stuff out etc. I am not there, but the main component of our class is YOU and, as you know, you are the most important resource IN ANY CLASS as far as I'm concerned, so I feel confident that we will get past this little bump in the road and be just fine.
I will be back to post some more info later; for now, know that I am ok, I am thinking about you and that I can't wait to be back in 204! Love yas...

This is So cool...and When I say Cool I really Mean...

Let me take you to a place you may have been countless times in your life--I know I have. Your telling someone--your best friend, significant other, parent, teacher or whatever--a story. It's a great story, rife with vivid imagery and catchy dialogue and suspense and all the hallmarks of a great story. And then, you get to the best part, the juiciest detail, the apex of this recount that is going to knock your listener right on his or her butt, and you are trying to describe this one moment...and you can't think of the word to give that moment its due justice. You are literally stumped for a word and you end up going with some lame synonym that pops into your head (probably from Bunje's damn SAT Vocab list) but you know that your story falls flat because that was SO not the word you wanted. Ever happen to you? Why, do you think?
Well, I have a theory. It's in its nascent stages, but a theory nonetheless. I have procured said theory by perusing ( a word that does not mean what many of you think it means, incidentally) The Global Language Monitor. This site is dedicated to tracking trends in language, specifically the English language, and it is chock full of all kinds of fascinating facts about word etymologies, global trends, colloquialisms etc. It's really cool, especially if you're a geek like me (and many of you are--don't even try to front).
Anyway, it was while I was on this site today that my theory began to crystallize about why we, at the worst possible moments, are suddenly at a loss for words.
There are, according to the GLM, "995,112 words in the English Language, plus or minus a handful." The last count was done on September 22, 2007--a fine day indeed, I might add, autumnal equinox, Druid solstice and Bunje's b-day--and as of this moment, the clocks are ticking with a countdown to the 1,000,000th word. A pretty impressive number by any standard, especially when you consider that the French Language has fewer than 100,000 words total. The average human has approximately 14,000 words in his or her repetoire. Shakespeare had 24,000--1,700 of which he made up--floating around his brilliant brain. Man, I love that guy.
So, all this to say..what? Well, even with all of those words zooming through the ether, the bottom line is there is sometimes no word to describe, define, pinpoint or whatever, the "undefinable." That's why we can't finish the story in the scenario I mentioned earlier. Undefineable words usually fall into one of three categories: feelings, abstract concepts and phenomena.
When I say feelings, I mean like, that sensation that washes over you the first warm day after a long, cold winter when you are driving in a car with all the windows down and radio tuned into your favorite song. Or, the feeling you get when you just get your crush's phone number and you're staring at your cell phone, sweating, pacing, wondering if you should start to dial.
Occasionally, mixed in with feelings are some abstract concepts, like the idea of strength, character, courage etc.
And I know we have all experiences some weird phenomena-type occurences that we write off as "coincidence" which is a catch-all word that doesn't really encapsulate the notion that, for example, when someone you know gets pregnant suddenly all you see are pregnant women or maternity stores or baby paraphenalia. Or, when you buy a new car you begin to notice that there are 4 of that same car within a mile of your house.
All of these things and so many more, despite the much-vaunted number the GLM is broadcasting about the English Language, simply do not have a word that really captures the essence of their true meaning.
That is, until this blog.
Your task this week, Langers, is to put a word to those notions, concepts, feelings and/or phenomena. So, first I want you to think of one of those moments--the feelings, concepts or phenomena that you personally have experienced. Then, I would like you to talk about the "synonym" that would closely describe it, even though you know in your heart that synonym doesn't do it justice. Then, in a whimsical fit of language acquistion, I want you to MAKE UP a word that would better describe what you're talking about. Hell, if Mary Poppins can do it, why can't we?
(75pts/450 words)

Lost in Translation...

I must confess that for as long as I can remember, I've felt felt a tinge of loneliness; ok, more than a tinge. It isn't because I don't have tons of friends--I mean, I don't, but I don't need tons. The few I've got are all I need because I've never been the type of person who judges herself on popularity (Thank Buddha, or else I'd have been morbidly depressed by now!) No, the truth is that I've almost always felt lonely for one reason: the sinking feeling that there are precious few people who view the world and those in it the way I do. For some reason, this matters a great deal to me. And this is the reason that I sometimes feel like I'm miles away even while surrounded by humans.


Often, when I'm feeling alone, I like to keep moving. Specifically, I like to go for walks. Don't ask me why. So this is the state of affairs that brought me to Center City Philly the other night. As I roamed Queen Village after dark, I found myself replaying some of the interactions with various people I'd had up to that point in the day. When my mind settled on one of the day's conversations--I don't remember which--I distinctly recall feeling a rising tide of frustration. And while I'm sketchy on the details of the conversation which sparked these thoughts, I know precisely what frustrated me that evening, because it's something that consistently frustrates me to no end: the realization that most people seem to have no handle on what it means to be "intelligent." Not that I feel that I have a monopoly on the definition. It's just that I feel that people throw the word around like it's a hacky sack, with little to no thought about how their use of the term speaks volumes about what they value in terms of mental capacity.


So, you guessed it. I'd like you to weigh in on the subject. What does it mean to be "intelligent"? Who's the smartest person you've ever known? What is it that makes them so intelligent in your view? Be specific, cite examples and do your best to arrive at a definition. But DON'T consult a dictionary. If you absolutely can't resist the temptation to chew on someone else's thoughts on the subject, I'd like you to google quotations on intelligence and tell me if you come across one that sums up your views on the topic--or one that doesn't if playing devil's advocate is your thing (ahem, Reesey!). Share the quote with us and connect it with your response. Don't rush your thinking. Let it marinate...(450 words/60pts)

Off We Go...

Many of you already know the concept of the hero's journey; that is, the idea that all literature--and for that matter, all of life in general--follows that pattern of the journey. There is "the call," which is, ostensibly, the beginning of the journey; there is the threshold--literally, crossing over from the known into the unknown; the "challenges or trials," a.k.a. life's little problems or dragons to be slain, "the abyss"--when you think the whole world is against you and nothing will ever be right again. Once you get past all of that you move on to "the transformation," or in other words, the "What have you learned, Dorothy?" moment, "the atonement"--how have you made peace with what you've learned or become, and finally, "the return" (with a gift), where you come back to the only place you've ever known a changed person with a host of knowledge/skills or wealth to aid in all future endeavors.
Basically, all of literature revolves around some schematic of this journey, and if you think about it, all of your lives do too. Especially at this stage of your high school careers. Some of you have lived lives and seen things you never should have, never wanted to or never thought you would, for better or worse. All of you have been through problems and overcome obstacles and persevered. My question this week is--how? How did you do it? What type of mental, spiritual, physical, or intestinal fortitude did you need to have in order to emerge victorious from your journey? What was the journey? Did you embark upon it willingly or were you pushed? What did you learn? Did it change you? For the better? Or worse? Did you have help, or "guardians" as they say in Journey jargon? Tell me about it. (400-450 words/50pts)

Poised on the Precipice of History

At long last....the most monumental, historical election of your generation thus far is about to draw to its close. No matter the outcome, we stand on the ledge of history-in-the-making. You have seen the best and worst that this country has to offer in terms of media saturation. You have been inundated with ads, radio spots, commercials, sound bites and chatter. What have you learned? How the onslaught of political propaganda, self-aggrandizements, ernest pleas for votes and promises of brighter futures wearied or energized your souls? Did you come away from this election with a bad taste in your mouth about politics or a new-found sense of purpose? Don't hold back.

PHILLIES 2008 WORLD SERIES CHAMPS!!!!

GO PHILSSSSS!!!!
sorry Bunje I know we arent suppose to post but this is pretty important:)<3

Devil's Advocate

Ahh...controversy. Intellectual conversations are rife with it, families are torn asunder by it, school boards thrive on trying to eliminate it. You should probably know that I am not someone who shies away from controversy or controversial topics. Quite the opposite, in fact. I believe that controversy and the topics that define it have much to teach us, and I am confident that the subject of this blog will only serve to reinforce that belief. Remember the golden rule of 204--to disagree is not to disrespect.

Additionally, this topic falls in line with a paper you may be writing, so perhaps this week's blog question will give those of you who choose to write your description paper about this particular topic some unique insight or even a jumping-off point to the paper.

In 1999, a Gallup poll indicated that only approximately 60% of Americans believe that there is a hell. Out of that 60% only 4% were convinced that was their destination. So, first question--do YOU believe that hell exists? If so, do you know what it looks like? Smells like? Feels like? Where did your belief come from? Your parents? Your church? Your friends? What do you have to do in order to get there?
The word that is used most frequently in the New Testament for hell is Gehenna. Gehenna is a reference to the Valley of Hinnom located on the south side of Jerusalem, which served as the city's "garbage dump" during Jesus' time. The fires that burned here never went out. The Old Testament makes a reference to sheol as being a place where spirits reside (Deut. 32:22) and some of them will be resurrected to "everlasting life," while others are bound for "everlasting contempt" (Dan. 12:2) One is a worldly destination, the other spiritual. Which one sounds more realistic to you?
Dante Alighieri was a prolific writer who wrote the epic narrative poem titled Inferno in which the main character, Alighieri himself, travels through nine circles of hell. The main theme of this particular work is that there is a perfection to God's justice. Sinners on earth are relegated to various circles (or levels) of hell depending on the severity of sin. This would seem to indicate, at least in Alighieri's eyes, that there are varying degrees of sin and that each one is punishable in its own way. Do you believe this? If so, what is the worst sin that you can imagine and how should it be dealt with in hell?
Lastly, is it easily reconcilable to think of God as being the embodiment of love and grace yet imagine that it is through his word that people descend into hell, which is, ostensibly, a place of eternal suffering? (50 pts/400 words)

F.alse E.vidence A.ppearing R.eal

"You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith."

First, in your own words, interpret that quote from Mary Manin Morrissey.

At this point in your life, what is your biggest fear? Has it always been the same?
What did you fear the most when you were little? How did you overcome it? Why do you think you are afraid of whatever you are afraid of--both now and when you were young?
How often do you stop yourself from doing something because of fear? Do you ever regret not doing what you wanted to do?
When, if ever, is fear a good thing to feel? Why?
(450 words/65pts)

A Race Nobody Wins

I want you to really think about this question before you answer it. It requires you to closely examine yourself, your surroundings and your experiences.

From your own perspective, what is your definition of racism?
Does ignorance of racism promote or prevent it from becoming an ideology? By ignorance I just mean the lack of knowledge that it exists. Because, if you were raised in an area that is predominantly white and you're white, odds are, you don't see much evidence that it does exist--right? Or wrong?
If you were never exposed to a multicultural environment, would you be more or less attuned to the cultural differences that exist in society? And for that matter...Do you believe that there ARE cultural differences? If so, what are they?
Do you think people hide behind the definition of cultural differences to excuse rude, inappropriate or obnoxious behavior? This question applies to ALL races, incidentally.
And finally, do you think that the division of class "levels" within schools (AP, Honors, CP, General) promotes or prevents a racial divide?
(450-500 words/60pts)

Our Secret Selves

Last week's blog question had you ruminating over why any of us care what others think about us. The question, it seemed, had one, unanimous rejoinder: for whatever reason, we just DO.
Your posts, in all of their hearbreaking honesty, brought me back to what life was like in high school; the beautiful, bizarre and at times bitter exsistence that for better or worse, will leave its mark on each one of you. Long after the doors behind you have closed, the teachers have been forgotten, and the caps and gowns have been stored, the scar of these four years will be yours to keep, forever. The real question is--how will you display that scar? Prominently--in all its disctinction and beauty? Or will you cover it up, heap layer upon layer of protective outer-coating over it so as to mask any trace of what you gained?
***Actually, that's not the REAL question, but it is something I would like you to be mindful of during the remainder of our time together. We can talk more about it another time. Now, onto this week's brain bleeder...

Over the summer, I read Robert Greene's exceptionally well-punctuated blog: "Power, Seduction and War." There are things about it I dislike, things I love and things that have me thinking for days on end. Incidentally, he wrote The 48 Laws of Power, which, Meg Reese, I think you would LOVE and also The Art of Seduction, which, is also quite interesting.
Anyway, I was reading an older post called "In Praise of the Bad Guy" and it was one of the ones that really had me musing for quite some time.
The theme of this post is that we are drawn to what we perceive is the dark side of human nature, and presumably, the dark side of ourselves. He cites certain examples of classic "villains" both real and fictional and in those we are not talking about ritualistic serial killers or people who harm animals or children per se. From virtually every standpoint, that type of "dark side" is reviled, as of course it should be.
However, there exists, in all of us, an unmistakable desire to do "the wrong" thing (his assertion), and the more we call those people who act on that desire out on it, the stronger the pull is either to the person or to the act. In his exact words: "The strength of their denunciation equals the strength of their attraction."
He goes on to say, in what may be the most controversial opinion in the entire piece, that we are drawn to certain villainous characters such as the pimp, the seducer, the hustler etc because they are more GENUINE than we are. They recognize their dark side and rather than try to hide it or deny it completely, they act on it.
We will be reading this entire piece in class I think, because I want you to get the full context of what he is saying and I am really curious to hear what you all think. For now though, taken only what I've said here into consideration, do you agree with Greene or disagree? Also to be considered of course is: Do you have a dark side?
Naturally, you must support what you are saying with thoughtful and relevant examples.(450 words/65pts)

ATTENTION LANGERS!!

PLEASE BRING YOUR BOOK (you know--that cool one with the white cover that has that name...what's that name? Oh you know what I mean!) TOMORROW (Monday) TO CLASS.
SPREAD THE WORD!!!!

***Actual Blog question posted below***

"I Am Whatever You Say I Am..."

Ahhh...the unwitting brilliance of Eminem. What ever happened to him anyway? Well, where ever he may be, he gave us this week's blog question so clearly he has not outlived his usefulness!
How many times have you said to yourself, and for that matter, to anyone who would listen--"I don't care what anyone else thinks...". I know I've said it at least once in the past month! In our heart of hearts, though, do we really believe that?
It seems an age-old question, but it is one that may not have just one answer: to what extent do other people's perceptions of you have an impact on the decisions you make? One of the overwhelming-but certainly not the ONLY-theme of last week's "Shooting an Elephant" asks us, however indirectly--don't you just love subtext?-- to evaluate such a question. Peer pressure, parental pressure, self-imposed pressure, all these outside, or inside, forces have the potential to make you act, or react, in ways that you normally might not if never exposed to those influences. My question is: Why? Why do we care? Why is it important? Why do other people's perceptions or expectations of who we are have so much of an influence on us? Or do they? Be honest with yourself when you answer. After all, it's just us.
(400 words/55pts)

Happy Birthday to the Awesomest AP Lang Teacher Ever!!!!!!!!

Everyone wish Bunje a digital happy birthday! Help make this the best birthday ever! It's not too late to come and join the fun! This will be up forever in order to make Bunje feel better whenever she's feeling a little gloomy, so comment away anything that will be inspirational will do!

All Creatures Great and Small...

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." --Mohandas Ghandi
Even if it wasn't Ghandi that said that, I, animal-lover to the core, would believe it whole-heartedly. Now, in some cases, this makes me a hypocrite because despite my aforementioned affinity for creatures of the four-legged variety, I am NOT a vegetarian. Barbecued chicken or steaks on the grill are way too good for me to pass up, and I NEVER met a burger I didn't like. However, I have been known to start fights with strangers at the dog park because of what I believed to be unnecessarily harsh treatment of their dogs, and I also think the punishments for animal cruelty should be higher than what they are currently. Don't even get me started on Michael Vick. I feel the need to mention all of these things for those of you who are still vexed by my whimsical fascination with fainting goats!
Anyway...
One of the main things that struck me about Alice Walker's essay (the selection for your reading log this week) was her steadfast belief in the idea that animals possess human emotions, i.e. love, despair, loneliness and happiness. There are so many things going on in "Am I Blue" and I am anxious to discuss them with you all during class, but for now, I want you to focus on the notion of anthropomorphism (very similar to personification) so if you are unsure of its definition, please look it up.
First things first--do you have a pet?
What kind? What is his/her name? How did you choose that name?
Do you believe that you can communicate with your pet or with animals in general? Can they communicate with you?
How do you know?
What is your take on the activists that spend hours campaigning for the rights of animals? Are they wasting their time frivolously when they could be helping human beings out there in the world? Do animals even HAVE rights? Should they? Should there be a limit to what people do for them? If so, what is it?
(400 words/45pts)

Ummm..Fainting Goats Anyone??

Sooooooo?????!!!!!! Was I right or was I right?? :)

Men Are From Mars, Women are From Venus? Frankly, I'm Offended.

From its opening passages, one of the premises of Their Eyes Were Watching God is that there are inherent differences (beyond the physical) between the ways in which men and women experience the world.
In your experience, is this true?
Why or why not?
What have you seen, heard, read, and/or experienced that makes you think as you do?
Who has it easier? Explain.
Would you want to trade places, even for a small amount of time with the opposite sex? If so, what would you want to know (school appropriate, please!)? If not, why?
(450 words/65pts)

In the Beginning...

Welcome to your very first 204 blog post. We will be using this blog frequently, both as a tool and a resource to get the most out of our time, and as a place we can go to share thoughts and valuable information and ideas whenever we need to. Each week, there will be a question posted that you all must respond to in the allotted amount of time. These questions may be a jumping off point to class discussions, a support activity to lend insight or knowledge to what we are doing in class, or simply a thought-provoking way to get you to look at the world around you and marvel at your place in it. These questions will not be simplistic, and they should not be done when you only have 5 or so minutes on the computer; rather, they are questions designed to make you think and your posts should reflect that. You will be graded weekly on your responses by their content, so I would encourage you to try to not leave them for the last minute. Each one will have a word minimum, but don't be discouraged by that. I care much more about the quality of the thought you put into your responses rather than the quantity of the words you use.
Now that the formalities are finished, I would like you to consider the following: You are now entering your junior year. Some people say that this is the toughest, most demanding year of high school for a variety of reasons. What do YOU think? Do you have any expectations about what this year should bring? What are you hoping to get out of your AP Lang class and your junior year in general? What are your fears about this class and/or about 11th grade? Are you where you want to be academically, socially, physically etc? If so, how do you know? If not, why do you think you aren't? (300 wrds/25pts)