Choose an Essay, any Essay...

University of Chicago Essays

Remember, choose one that you like, not what you assume will be the easiest.

Tragedy and the Common Man

The link, by Arthur Miller, in case you need it:

Read it!

Journals!

It's finally that time--journal collection!

All journals will be turned in this week for a grand total of 110 possible points added to this marking period.

I have added a link to the side that includes all journals I am counting.

Period 5/6 and 11 will have their journals collected tomorrow, 10/10.  Period 12 gets to hold off until 10/11.

I will be grading each journal as 10 points each--those 10 points are comprised of title, date, and five complete sentences that satisfactorily answer the question.  Cheesy could get you points off, as could handwriting that I cannot read.

Journals are due at the beginning of class.  Any late journals will lose 10 points each day they are late.

Peace out,

Rock

In 1492,

I'm sure you know the rest.

As I sit here, feet kicked up on this lovely start to Columbus Day weekend, I'm fondly remembering grade school.  Columbus Day wasn't just a day off--it was an event, a week-long celebration of everything explorer, an excuse for half the class to dress like Native Americans and for our teachers to throw us into make-shift canoes in the middle of the classroom.  Okay, maybe that was just my school, but for years, I blindly followed my teachers into believing Christopher Columbus was a hero.

Then I grew up, the world became more cynical, and I read Howard Zinn's People's History of the United States.  I would never again look at good ol' Chrissy the same.  Never heard of it?  Here's an excerpt:
Zinn . (Ignore the angry URL...and you may stop reading when he starts discussing his philosophy of history)

Today, I read this and thought, "Maybe I've been wrong to be angry for so long.  Maybe there's still something heroic left in the story of Christopher Columbus."

So what do you think?  Should we celebrate Columbus Day?  (And you know what I mean--there are no Columbus parties on my block, either.  I mean as a holiday.  Official.  On the calendar.)  Are there any other national holidays you find offensive?  Worthless?  Do you appreciate anything about today besides your lack of alarm clock?

Jot down some answers to this question, put 'em in your journal, and be ready to discuss.  Tuesday.  No excuses.

And this Columbus Day, do what is expected in his honor: let's walk into someone's house and tell them we live there now.

Haha.  I think...

Old Quiz

Name____________________________

English I Honors

Mrs. Rock

Vocabulary Unit 3 Quiz

Directions:  Read the following sentences, and fill in each blank with a word from the bank below.  Remember, it may be necessary to change the word ending. (5 pts. each)

regime              severance         voracity            adulate             zealous

            wistful               anomaly            flippant linear                vanquish

           

1.  If the relationship between Joe Rock and I was ever ________________, I would surely be left homeless and depressed.

2.  There was no mistaking the _____________________ in my husband’s eyes as he fondly remembered his days as a D&D Dungeon Master.

3.  It is true that my brother was known for his ___________________, his worst outburst occurred when he threw the package of Ramen noodles at my head while my friends were over.

4.  Democrats can only hope that Barack Obama __________________ John McCain in the November elections; I’m already feeling a bit pessimistic myself.

5.  While some saw Aaron’s extra opposable thumb as a(n) ____________________ burden, he saw it as just another way to shovel more fries into his mouth.

6.  The tragic downfall of most starlets, like the impressionable Ms. Lohan, is their overwhelming urge to experience ___________________ on a constant basis.

7. Ms. Daube took the most ________________ route to the two boys throwing punches and separated them with her best Vulcan Death Grip.

8.  I would like to say that I’d gladly move to the new school in 2010, but I fear the new ______________________ will force me to choose a life stuck in room 230 at the Oak.

9. I know that vocabulary tests rarely make my students feel _______________; at least this one is almost over.

10.  Marc ate the marshmallow Peeps so _____________________ that the class was certain he was going to choke at any minute. 

This weekend's homework

This weekend your homework is relatively simple, but yes, you do have some.  The first thing you should all do is study your vocabulary unit 3 words.  Sentences and lists can be found on the side of our blog, and I will post a sample quiz before Sunday.

Your second bit of homework is to read my Columbus post and read the two excerpts.  The first one is a complete chapter, but it is only really necessary to read the description of Columbus and the Arawaks; you may stop when you get to Zinn's ramblings about history and further discussion of Cortez and the Pilgrims.

I know the weather is going to be awful, but I do hope you enjoy your extra day of sleep: )

See you Tuesday!

The Week Ahead...

Tomorrow:  Reading logs due.  On the side, you will see an updated version of our terms packet(with all seven filled-in) and a blank log in case you lose it.

In class, we will discuss the rules of writing.

Thursday:  We will begin to dissect the idea of heroes through the ages, beginning with the very first formal definition from Aristotle.   Sentences are due.

Friday:  We'll be taking the SRI in the computer labs.

Over the weekend, I will be asking you to read a short comparison of Chris Columbus history--the least you can do on your day off: )

Tuesday is the date of our 3rd vocabulary quiz.  Words are on the side.