Raven Blogger Awards

You all have been blogging up a storm this quarter, and some of you deserve an extra pat on the back for your blogging efforts!  So here are the winners of the Raven Blogger Award:    

POW #4 Does the Opposite Sex Ever Just Tick You Off?

Winners:  Sarah, Jack and Brendan!

Sarah really captured all that happened in Caesar in her blog, and she also wrote them in a believable way, expressing what the two women would have been feeling.  Check hers out:
http://crazysarahenglish2.blogspot.com/2011/02/does-opposite-sex-ever-just-tick-you.html

Jack also described the conflict in Caesar very well and had very few mistakes. Check his out: http://thethe101.blogspot.com/2011/02/pow4.html

Brendan even brought in some events from the play that happened before the conflicts between husband and wife.  He did an awesome job at getting into the character's heads.  Check his out: http://cottoncandyhurtsmyears.blogspot.com/2011/02/does-opposite-sex-ever-just-make-you.html

POW #5 - Pets
Winner: Bobby

Bobby wins this award because of his attention to detail and grammar.  Also, he made me smile with how much he cares about his dog.  Check his out: http://bigdogbobby24.blogspot.com/2011/02/pow-5.html

POW #6 - Wanted: A Town Crazy
Winners: Edgar and Kyle

Edgar used persuasive techniques in his ad!  He sounded like a salesman and appealed to the needs of someone looking for a job.  Check his out: http://edgarsaxpro-altoman7.blogspot.com/2011/02/pow-6-town-crazy.html

Kyle used aspects of the story we read about the town crazy in his post.  He also noted the importance of a town crazy to the good of the town.  Check his out: http://asteriskkyle.blogspot.com/2011/02/pow6.html

POW #7 - Outside Reading Book

Winners: Matt and Ryan S.

Ryan had such an interesting blog post about his book that it made me really want to know more.  He also came up with a creative rating system.  Check his out: http://ryanstafford1.blogspot.com/2011/02/pow-7.html

Matt also came up with a creative rating system.  Check his out: http://englishhr6.blogspot.com/2011/02/one-cheese-equals-dont-like-five.html

P.S. Notice how much attention the winners gave to capitalization, spelling, and grammar. 

POW #7 - Outside Reading Books

Outside Reading Novels

This weekend you will be blogging about your outside reading books.  In your post, include ALL of the following:

 

1. Rating System: Come up with your own unique rating system. It could be a picture, stars, thumbs up/down, etc... Be creative! Explain your rating system and rate the book so far.  Also explain why you are giving it that rating.
2. Image: Each post must include one image. It could be the cover of the book, or an image you find that relates to the book.
3. Questions: What questions would you have for the author? What don't you understand? What is confusing?
4. One quote: Embed one important quote from the book that speaks to you, you don't understand, or is important.  Make sure to use correct citation!

Proofread. This goes without saying.

POW #6 - Town Crazy

Imagine that another town has lost its "crazy" and has to advertise for a new one.  Write a job description stating the reasons the town needs this position filled so desperately, the job requirements, and the "compensation."  The only requirements are that you use your creativity and write at least 100 words.

POW #5 - Pets

For your fifth blog post, I want you to tell me about the dear animals in your life.  Write at least 100 words using one or more of the following prompts:

• Describe to me your favorite pet and why they were/are important to you.
• Tell me a funny or sweet story about a pet you have had. 
• If you do not have a pet and never have had a pet, do you want one?  Why or why not? 
• If you could have any kind of animal in the world, which one would you choose?  Why?
• Have you ever had a pet with an unusual talent?  How did they develop this talent?

Some advice - Type your post in a word processor (Word, Works, Google Docs) first so that you can get a word count, your misspellings are underlined, and so that you don't lose your work!  Happy posting!!

Does the Opposite Sex Ever Just Tick You Off? POW #4

In Act 2, scene I of Julius Caesar, we are introduced to our first female characters: the wives of Caeser and Brutus, and we see some sparks fly.  As we read this section, think about the way the couples interact, how they feel about each other, and what roles they take in their relationship. 

If you are a female, you will write two notes: one from Calphurnia to Portia and a response from Portia to Calphurnia.  If you are a male, you will write two notes: one from Caesar to Brutus and a response from Brutus to Caesar.  Both your notes should be in the same post and should include these items: 

• Recount the conflict you had with your husband/wife.
• Express your frustrations you have with him/her.
• Express the ways you feel pressured to act towards him/her. 
• Ask for advice from the person you are writing to and respond with advice.

This post is going to be worth more than the others.  It will be worth 30 points instead of 10, and this is what I will consider:
Did you follow directions and cover the four bullet points above? - 15 points
Is your post well-written (grammer, capitalization, punctuation, etc.)? - 5 points
Is your post at least 300 words long (about 150 words per note)? - 10 points

POW #3 - Propaganda

While you are watching television this week, pay attention to the commercials.  Pick one in which you find at least one of the propaganda techniques that we talked about (infomercials or political campaign commercials are chock-full of them).  In your blog post do these three things in at least five sentences:

• Describe the commercial to me.
• Identify the propaganda techniques in the commercial.
• Tell me if you trust the commercial or are convinced by it.  

Snapshots Example - POW #2

The picture was taken at my friend's wedding rehearsal; she was the first of my closest friends to get married, and it was an exciting, yet fragile time.

Earlier that year, I was studying in the dorm room of two of my closest friends.  My friend, Kristen and I were wondering where her roommate was, as it was a week night and beginning to get late.  We were worried about more than just her tardiness, though.  She had been absent many nights this semester, and when she was around, she was not acting like herself.  Instead of dancing in the hallways and announcing random movie times, she kept to herself and appeared worried. 

I'm not sure what time she showed up that night, but she was on the verge of tears.  Kristen and I dropped our studies and went to her side.  Without cajoling, Kylee told us that she was pregnant.  She was scared, confused, and worried about her future.  The wedding she knew would happen sooner or later just got thrown into the "sooner" category. 

Throughout the next few months, our group of friends banded together and did everything we could to support Kylee.  We helped her through her semester of school, picked out her wedding dress with her, and threw her a baby/wedding shower.  We went with her to doctor's appointments and were by her side during a complication in her pregnancy.   

Our help didn't ease all of her fears and anxieies, but it did strengthen the friendship we all shared; it made us realize how essential we all were to each other.  Now that we have all graduated and no longer serve as each other's families, this picture reminds me of these friendships that I cherish and the way that we all came together in support of one friend in need.     

Snapshots - POW #2

Photographs are among our most prized possessions. They capture a sliver of time in our lives that we can instantly be transported back to when we look at it. With the invention of digital photographs, you can now take thousands of photos at almost no cost.

Create a blog post about a snapshot. It could be about:

• A photograph that first comes to mind
• Your most treasured photograph
• The photograph you wish you had never taken (or been in)
• A photograph that taught you something
• A photograph you most associate with loss; Happiness; A change in your life

You do not have to post a photograph to complete this post, although you may. If you post a picture of someone else, do not include their full name, and please get permission from them first.

AOW #1

Follow this link for your next blog assignment.  Label it AOL #1.  This is due Monday. 

http://allam211.blogspot.com/search/label/AOW

Check Out My Glog!

Assignment for POW #1

For your first blog post, tell your readers about your name (first, middle or last)

• Origins of your name 
• History of your name
• The story of how you were named
• Advantages and inconveniences of your name
• Why you like/dislike your name
• Teasing about your name 
• Nicknames

Requirements:

• Write at least five sentences.
• Comment on two of your peers' posts
• Try to capture your reader's attention with your first sentence.  Make them want to read more! 

Name your post: POW #1: (Then give it an original or clever title)

(POW = Post of the Week)

Also, tag it POW at the bottom. This will allow you to organize your posts.

taken from Court Allam's blog: http://allam211.blogspot.com/

Blogging Guidelines

Welcome to a whole new world. A world of blogging! You will have an opportunity to write and express yourself, and have it heard by an audience literally around the world. However, as Peter Parker famously said, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” We should discuss the responsibility you must take on before we begin blogging.

Olathe District teachers are permitted to generate classroom specific websites referred to as “blogs” for purposes of  providing students with the ability to electronically exchange commentary and/or information related to a particular classroom  topic. The blogs will be generated and monitored by the  respective teaching staff  member in accordance with rules and regulations stated in the Olathe District Student Code of Conduct. Any blog so established is considered a virtual extension of the classroom, and therefore all Olathe District School rules and regulations shall apply. Additionally, any student participating in a blog generated by his or her classroom teacher shall be subject to the following:

1. Students will conduct themselves appropriately when participating on the blog. Students shall not use any profanity or inappropriate language on the blog, and will not make any obscene, profane, defamatory, libelous, threatening, harassing, abusive, hateful, embarrassing, disrespectful and/or discriminatory comments on the blog.

2.Students will limit their postings to class-related materials. Students will only post factually correct information, and will try to spell everything correctly and use correct grammar.

3.  Students will only use their first names. Students will not provide or refer to personally identifiable information about themselves or others, and will not post photographs/videos of themselves or others that is not related to the classroom project.

4.  Students will keep their passwords secure, and will not permit and/or facilitate any other individual’s access to the blog. Students will be responsible for anything posted in their name. Students will not use any other individual’s name or password to access the blog site.

5. Students’ postings may be removed or excluded by their teacher, or the administration at any time for any reason.

6. Participating in the blog site is a privilege, not a right. Participation in or access to the blog site shall not be considered a substitute for classroom participation. Students remain responsible for all assignments, course content, exam preparation included within the class curriculum.

7. Students who fail to follow these or any additional rules implemented by the teacher, or the administration shall be subject to the revocation of their computer, internet and/or blogging privileges, and may be subject to discipline.

taken from Court Allam's blog: http://allam211.blogspot.com/

POW #1 - In memory of Grandma Lorraine

My Irish Catholic grandmother, whose maiden name was Mary Lorraine Quinn, included a very heartfelt prayer in her nightly intercessions: to live long enough to meet all of her grandchildren.  Not only did Grandma Lorraine's prayer come to fruition, but seven of her twenty-six grandchildren were given a variation of her name.  I am one of them.  My name is Quinn Lorraine, passed down from my father, Kevin Quinn. 


I have always been proud of my name.  My dad tells me it means, "wise one," which I am more than happy to accept as truth (although I am still not sure whether this is accurate).  As a child, it made me feel special because I didn't know anyone else who had the letter "q" in their name, and so many people commented on how pretty it was.  But what has always made me most proud is telling these commenters where my name came from.


My grandmother called me "Quinnie," and was the epitome of sweetness.  Her smile was full of joy and her laughter was always genuine.  Whenever we visited, she welcomed us into her Minnesotan home with goulash and a hug.  She made me and my siblings sock monkeys, taught me how to play her organ, and told us about our father at our age.  She gave generously to her community through service and went to Mass every day. 


Though Mary Lorraine passed away almost three years ago, her memory is an essential part of who I am.  I remember her each time someone comments on the beauty or uniqueness of my name.  I remember her each time I talk to my cousins who also carry a version of her name.  I think of her when I sign my name on a check, a contract, or a letter.


My hope is that through these remembrances, I can exude even a fraction of her loving spirit.