Trimester Three, Blog Four (due 3/29 at midnight)

Choose one of the prompts below and respond to it based on what you watched earlier this week in The Shawshank Redemption and on what you read in the nonfiction articles we discussed.

Choice #1 (Hope/Fear): Consider the movie’s presentation of the themes of hope and fear. What do you think the director might have been trying to say about these themes—either as they exist separately or as they work together? In what ways do the characters and events in the movie show how hope and fear are intertwined? How effectively do you feel the movie portrays these themes? Why do you find the presentation effective/not effective?

Choice #2 (Prison Programs): One of the articles we read earlier this week spoke specifically to the topic of programs for inmates. This movie does that also. What do you think of the programs that existed at Shawshank Prison? Now, make a connection to real life. What types of prison programs would be most beneficial to prisoners? What role should programs play in prisons?

Trimester Three, Blog Three (due 3/22 at midnight)

Just for kicks, I’d like to see how you—my first-hour AP English class—can improve this explanatory letter written by Indiana’s Superintendent of Public Instruction. Dr. Tony Bennett composed this letter to public school superintendents and principals to clarify his rationale for recently proposed legislation that would make it difficult for educators to conduct parent-teacher conferences and professional development within the 180-day school year as they have been able to do in the past. Though my prior statement oversimplifies this issue, the content of this letter is irrelevant (Plus, I am getting fired up thinking about it!). I would like you to complete the following: 1) Point out any conventional errors that you note in Dr. Bennett’s letter and 2) Provide suggestions for improvements that Dr. Bennett could make in regards to syntax and diction.

Based on the writing that all of you have submitted this year, I believe that you will be able to prove ample suggestions for the illustrious Dr. Bennett (who probably pays a staff to proofread his writing).

“Superintendents and Principals,

I would like to provide you with additional information regarding the waiver of instructional day policy that I announced yesterday. I was not as clear as I should have been regarding what is new policy and what is actually compliance with existing state law.

My announcement around the end of the practice of providing waivers for missed instructional days is a new policy that will be implemented next school year. Last week in Washington, I heard President Obama and Secretary Duncan speak passionately about the need for our students to be in school more, and not less, and took their words and the corresponding data that was provided to heart. It was important to me to announce this as soon as I had made a decision as I wanted you to be aware of what the expectations for the coming year.

I did not clearly state the basis for the change in practice about dismissing students for professional development and parent-teacher conferences. Questions around the scope of the Department’s authority in this area were posed to my administration several weeks ago and, consistent with the approach I have taken on many issues that have arisen over the past several months, I directed my legal staff to fully analyze the issue.

Below I have included an excerpt of the legal analysis that resulted, which clearly states that questions around the scope of the Department’s authority in this area were posed to my administration several weeks ago and, consistent with the approach I have taken on many issues that have arisen over the past several months, I directed my legal staff to fully analyze the issue. The Department does not have the right to waive instructional days for non-extraordinary circumstances under the extremely limited scope of waiver authority that is given to the Department under state law.

While I am committed to providing school districts with every reasonable flexibility, I take my responsibility to carry out Indiana’s education laws as given to the Department by the Indiana General Assembly very seriously. Although I value professional development and time for teachers to confer with parents, when this issue was raised and given a comprehensive legal review by Department legal staff and independent experts, the Department had to act within the confines of its legal authority, regardless of past practice.

I understand the challenges of incorporating professional development and parent-teacher conferences into a 180-day model. Success will require creative thinking and solutions. By consulting with superintendents and principals, I know many of you are doing just that today. As with anything else, if we truly believe it is valuable, we will find ways to incorporate it into our schedules.

Again, I apologize for the miscommunication yesterday. We will provide better clarity in the future regarding these types of announcements and issues.

Regards,

Tony Bennett
Superintendent of Public Instruction”

Trimester Three, Blog Two (due 3/15 at midnight)

After considering our class discussion regarding the Lynne Truss excerpt and rudeness, come to your own conclusion about rudeness. Make a statement about rudeness (such as Truss’ statement that “abuse is becoming accepted as the quickest and smartest way of dealing with criticism in all areas of life”), and support your assertion with anecdotal examples (130). You should also comment on at least one other classmate’s post. If you are the first to post, pose a thoughtful question for your classmates to consider.

Trimester Three, Blog One (due 3/8 at midnight)

This blog has been designed purely for the purpose of collecting feedback/information regarding vocabulary.

The vocabulary categories that we’ll have for the rest of the year (one category per week) include the following: literary devices, verbs for analysis, verbs for synthesis, verbs for argument, adjectives, adverbs, transition words, fun words to know.

If you can think of other word categories that I should include, please propose them.

For your blog, include a list of five words (with definitions), and indicate which category these words fit. Include words for a variety of categories (ex. not all should be adjectives). Do not propose words that others have already proposed, and make sure that these are words that are not often already used by most students.