This blog is dedicated to persons who are curious about the ways humans behave as part of society. A group of us will be using this space to share our thoughts throughout a series of weeks and conversations.
We began by brainstorming a list of all the groups to which we belong. Our examples illustrated many different types of groups – academic level, GPA rank, gender, ethnicity, hierarchy of age in family, number of siblings, race, social groups, religious affiliation, socio-economic status, among others. We realized that each of our groups is like a "piece" of who we are. As a metaphor for those pieces of self, we created a pie graph of our various groups.
Afterward, we composed free verse identity poems (no rhyme, no meter) that combined lots of information about ourselves. We remembered that interesting poems use rich description; imagery; alliteration; metaphor; simile; assonance; and, allusions. We titled our poems, suggesting overall themes about our unique identities.
We thought about and defined culture as shared ways of thinking, viewing, and knowing the world. We talked about how culture rises from a combination of family, friends, life experiences, schooling, groups, media, and societal connections. This combination of influences causes each person to view the world in different ways.
We have chosen to read print texts that interest us, too. Our texts reflect more than good narration, however; they each involve issues in which we have interest. Our early investigations into our issues of interest involved extending our own points of view to think about how other people in groups might feel about our issues. We read some position papers in Teen Ink magazine, and then we wrote early position papers. We may change our initial opinions about the issues as we learn more, but that's okay. We will continually reflect and grow as thinkers and knowers of our worlds.
To understand why different people interpret issues in different ways, we're considering a wide variety of cultural influences on individuals. Importantly, as we do so, we learning both about ourselves and each other. We shared important cultural artifacts with our interest groups.
This blog will allow us to share our ideas more fully than if we just wrote in journals or chose a few significant friends or peers to listen to our thinking. This blog is evidence of our participation in a social network of learners.
28 comments:
Racism and Prison Life
In the novel, Monster, by Walter Dean Myers, the issues that are covered are racism and prison life. Racism seems to be an issue in a lot of books that I have read. Two of the books that I read last year, Night and To Kill A Mockingbird, were both about racism and same with other books that I have read in the past. I cannot remember a book that I have read before about prison life though.
Racism is the belief that a particular race is superior or inferior to another, that a person’s social and moral traits are predetermined by his or her inborn biological characteristics. Racial separatism is the belief, most of the time based on racism, that different races should remain segregated and apart from one another. It may be defined as the hatred of one person by another or the belief that another person is less than human because of skin color, language, customs, place of birth or any factor that supposedly reveals the basic nature of that person. It has influenced wars, slavery, the formation of nations, and legal codes. The most infamous example of racism by the West has been slavery, particularly the enslavement of Africans in the New World. This enslavement was accomplished because of the racist belief that Black Africans were less fully human than white Europeans and their children.
Prison life is an issue in the story Monster. Life imprisonment or life incarceration is a sentence of imprisonment for a serious crime, often for most or even all of the criminal's remaining life, but in fact for a period which varies between jurisdictions many countries have a maximum possible period of time (usually 12 to 50 years) a prisoner may be incarcerated, or require the possibility of parole after a set amount of time. In almost all jurisdictions without capital punishment, life imprisonment (especially without the possibility of parole) makes up the most severe form of criminal punishment. Only a small number of jurisdictions have gotten rid of both.
-Tony
"The Magic of Christmas"
She was happy says the glistening tree
near the cozy fire by the window;
enchanted too, says the fireplace
within the same room; a young woman
says the wrapping paper wrapped like a can
on the floor near the kitchen, roaring with laughter;
but an adult for Christmas, says the house, cluttered like an attic of memories.
Her family loved her, says the hallway walls,
painted with pictures of family and the
artwork coverd in pastel, they never knew a girl like her,
says the desk made form old wood.
Money was plenty, says the pink piggy banks and
the purses that was gathered with many memories;
and the home was warm, says the wood that lit the fire.
It is lovely here, says the filled-up driveway.
That day changed us, says the occupied house
with decorations that illuminated the house in beauty. Stockings
on the mantel say she was like an angel, so elegnat and kind; the
ornaments in the tree say she was thier pride and joy in the little glass
eyes. And the young woman? her gifts are shared all over the world-
a doll, an I-pod, a book with new binding.
The girl became a woman, they say.
The issue that my book focuses on is bullying. Bullying is a major problem in society especially in schools but it can happen anywhere and it is a very important topic that needs much attention.
Teacher’s Views on War
The Iraq War has risen controversy over whether teachers are allowed to express their opinions towards war dealing with politics. Many people argue that students should not be influenced by teacher’s opinions. Also, others believe the opposite and that “teachers are citizens who retain their right to freedom of speech”.
Should teachers be able to express their opinions as part of their freedom of speech dealing with politics and War?
What do you think?
-Larry
Musicians across the country taking action against war.
"Madonna, no stranger to controversy, told the press: 'I am not anti-Bush, I am not pro-Iraq. I am pro-peace. I hope this provokes thought and dialogue.' Madonna is an example of the growing number of high-profile performing artists, both in the U.S. and abroad, who are openly questioning the Bush administration’s intentions to attack Iraq."
~ John
People's weekly world
There are many issues in society that have been occuring for a long time. These are issues such as racism, teen pregnancy, drug abuse, war, and many others. These issues are very important to focus on, because they are effecting people right now. Racism, although it is not as severe as it was in previous years, still exists today. War is also effecting us today. The war in Iraq has effected many people in both the United States and Iraq, because many people have died. The war in Iraq also is a cause of some of the racism here, because Americans have learned to fear middle eastern people. Teen pregnancy and drug use have become an increasing problem as well. These issues need to be brought to peoples' attention so hopefully some of them can be fixed.
Teen Pregnancy
There are many issues that occur in Massachusetts today. Some of these issues being political issues, drug and alcoholism, relationship problems, and, teen pregnancy. Teen pregnancy is such a huge issues that is happening today. I think that part of this reason is because so many teenage girls are in denial. In denial about whether or not to use protection, in denial about that their boyfriend really loves them, and much more. Also, a lot of girls that become pregnant at a young age don’t know how to deal with the fact that they are, so, some choose to ignore the fact that they are. In my opinion, this is basically a crime. The girls can hurt or kill their baby if they do harmful things to themselves while pregnant. That includes drugs, alcohol, and many other things.
I feel very strongly that teenage girls should not only practice abstinence, but if they choose not to, to absolutely use protection. Every time. If girls don’t, they are not only giving the rest of their life up, but others as well. The parents of the teenager, the father, the fathers parents, and usually siblings get involved as well. Also, this isn’t just a hard time that you’ll eventually get over. It is a lifetime commitment that many girls can’t, or really don’t want to commit to at such a young age.
Many girls don’t realize it, but your also putting their own life in danger. If anything were to go wrong during the pregnancy , they might have to end up choosing the babies life, or their own. And many young girls cannot choose between their own life and someone else’s. Also, the expenses are huge. Paying for the hospital and such, diapers food, doctors appointments, and everything else a child needs must be tough for a teenage girl to pay for all alone when their only job is part time. Being pregnant effects everything in a young girls life. I feel that young girls should be extremely carefully, and smart about teen pregnancy.
-linda
Such a common name
belongs to me.
A name of so many others,
yet it fits me so well.
Big brown eyes stare back at you;
see through you;
read your mind;
capture your heart.
My thoughts and feelings,
so ugly,
so cruel,
are spilled out on canvas.
An explosion of passion.
Looks beautiful to you,
but i see whats hidden
inside.
My canvas.
My paint.
My diary.
My life.
Me.
Bullying/ Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece and my novel Chocolate War have a lot in common. They both have to do with bullying. Slavery played a major role in ancient Greek civilization. Slaves could be found everywhere. They worked not only as domestic servants, but as factory workers, shopkeepers, mineworkers, farm workers and as ship's crewmembers. Those who were healthy, attractive, young and submissive, could sell for as much as 10 minae ($180.00). Those who were old, weak and stubborn might have sold for as little as 1/2 a mina ($9.00). If there happened to be a large supply of slaves on the market, the price automatically went down.
Visit my link shown below to see my thoughts on bullying and how it is related to ancient Greece.
http://chocolatewar.wikispaces.com/
From the homepage, look to the left and click the page titled Kent to view my page.
Look at my page at
http://chocolatewar.wikispaces.com/DAVE
The main focus of my book is war an politics. Both of those two subjects really relate to every day life. Politics is a major part in our society and it can cause the people of the society to worry. War is a problem all its own, killing for reasons that are usually not worth blood loss. These two combined are ruthless; they both keep the country men on their feet and they both can show the real truth to a blind person. That blind person will see the real reason for politics an war which are greed, money and power.
The Chocolate War- Examples in Ancient Greece- Wayne
Site for Power and Superiority in Greece
http://chocolatewar.wikispaces.com/WAYNE
I agree with Tony that racism is a common theme in many books. Last year, I also read Night and To Kill A Mockingbird. Racism was an issue that was present throughout the entire novels. Slavery also ties in with racism because African American's in the U.S. were forced into slavery and had no choice on how to like their lives.
hChocolate War-Examples of Bullying in Ancient Greece-Robin
http://chocolatewar.wikispaces.com/ROBIN
Respeonse to John
Not that long ago U2 and fellow member Bono were in Africa to raise money for AIDS. Music artists across the world are taking action towards war and many other poltical debates. These debates are things like; what the country will spend its money on, how money is raised, and one of the most important is keeping peace within and outside of the country.
The novel I am reading for our issues group is "Someone Like You" by Sarah Dessen. You discussed above that people are influenced through their society, friends and family. This is shown in “Someone Like You”. Scarlet is a sixteen year old girl who becomes pregnant. She discusses how she feels about having a baby, what people would think about her and how her mother would react. Her mother was also a single parent which may have influenced her decision to keep her baby. She knew that her mother somehow pulled through so maybe Scarlet could also.
Scarlet didn’t want to tell her peers that she was pregnant right away. She knew that they would talk about her and treat her differently. Society looks down upon teen pregnancy. This influenced Scarlet’s decision to keep the baby or give it up for adoption.
~Responding To Kent~
I agree with Kent on his ideas about bullying. Bullying definitely does indeed happen everywhere. I feel it happens the most in schools. Schools are an environment where bullying is a major problem. I see bullying occur every day in the halls. It is a major problem, and it needs to be fixed and stopped.
~Responding to Larry~
Larry talked about freedom of speech in his post. I think that teachers should have the right to speak their opinion in the classroom, but there is a point where teachers need to have morals and not go too far in their opinions with students. Then again they should still have the right.
~ John
Response to Larry's Opinion comment
Teachers have the same rights as any other citizen in that they are entitled to an opinion. On the issue of politics or war, a teacher should remain unbiased, and fair to both sides of the issue. This will help keep students with mixed feelings on the issue, more comfortbale while in the classroom.
-Responding to Larry-
I believe that teachers should be able to give thier opinions about the war in Iraq. Other citizens are allowed to give thier opinions on the war so why can't teachers because they are citizens just like the rest of us. Teachers should be able to share thier opinions on the war because sometimes the students like to hear what thier teachers think. I like it when I can have a discussion with a teacher and know if they have similar thoughts about the war. Teachers really should be able to speak freely about thier thoghts on war and politics
Response to Larry's Opinion comment
Teachers have the same rights as any other citizen in that they are entitled to an opinion. On the issue of politics or war, a teacher should remain unbiased and fair to both sides of the issue. This will help keep students with mixed feelings on the issue, more comfortabale while in the classroom.
-Responding to Larry-
I believe that teachers should be able to give their opinions about the war in Iraq. Other citizens are allowed to give their opinions on the war so why can't teachers? They are citizens just like the rest of us. Teachers should be able to share thier opinions on the war because sometimes the students like to hear what their teachers think. I like it when I can have a discussion with a teacher and know if they have similar thoughts about the war. Teachers really should be able to speak freely about thier thoghts on war and politics.
Success stirs the minds of all that will and have contributed.
We were good or so we had been told.
Did we have what we needed to win.
Could coach guide us to the championship?
Challenges controversy and carelessness stand in our way like a road block in front a mile long of traffic.
Age experience and talent were our strongest points, was it enough?
This is my page on teen pregnancy and women in Ancient Greece:
http://pregnancy-in-teens.wikispaces.com/
As I look back on my years of school and where I am now I am most definitely relieved that they are over. I think about things that used to make me uncomfortable when I was younger and now its weird that I would ever be scared to do particular public acts. As I am a sophomore and making the jump to an upperclassman, some changes are inevitable. For me I plan on having a much better understanding of what I would like to go to school for and what I would like to pursue as a career. I will begin to prepare for SAT’s and my grades will be a lot more important in the long run. As an athlete my role as a football player will greatly be increased and expectations for me will be higher than past years since I’ve been a previous member of the varsity. Basketball will be a great change for me I will be asked to produce more and work much harder on my skills in order to contribute to my teams success on the varsity team. On another thought my future learning I feel will be made easier due to such increase in educational technologies such as online textbooks and self assessments, these things are good for my learning rather than reading out of a textbook and answering questions.
As I look back on my years of school and where I am now ,I am most definitely relieved that they are over. I think about things that used to make me uncomfortable when I was younger, and now it’s weird that I would ever be scared to do particular public acts. As I am a sophomore and making the jump to an upperclassman, some changes are inevitable. For me, I plan on having a much better understanding of what I would like to go to college for and what I would like to pursue as a career. I will begin to prepare for SAT’s, and my grades will be a lot more important in the long run.
As an athlete my role as a football player will greatly be increased. Expectations for me will be higher than past years, even since I’ve been a previous member of the varsity. Basketball will be a great change for me, I will be asked to produce more and work much harder on my skills in order to contribute to my team’s success on the varsity team.
On another thought, my future learning, I feel school will be made easier due to such increases in educational technologies such as online textbooks and self assessments. These things are good for my learning, rather than reading out of a textbook and answering questions.
Follow the Link to view my blog:
http://marathontactics.blogspot.com/2008/06/war-join-military-now.html
-Lucas
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