BLOG 26~ BOCC

Choose ONE of the writing prompt below to react in a one to two paragraph response. Be prepared to share your answer with classmates and the class.

3. Reflect on the dynamic between adults and children in The Body of Christopher Creed. Besides covering up the truth, how else do the adults set a poor example for the children in this novel? Have you ever been let down by an authority figure/ role model that you trusted or respected? No names on this one.

In the novel the Body of Christopher Creed the parents are very much like the adults. They both gossip and pass information around to each other. The parents set bed examples for the kids by lying to the kids. Yes I have ben let down by an authority figure when I found out santa Claus was not real. That really crushed my hopes and dreams.

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In chapter six, Torey shares some of the lyrics from his band on pages 66-68. Choose two of these lyrics and explain what their significance is for Torey's life. Then, finish the song that Torey started--use any details about Torey's characterization or life in South Jersey to help you. Attempt to develop ten-fifteen lines for the song, and be sure to include a title. The song can be serious, silly, a rap, etc., as long as the lyrics are school appropriate and demonstrate aspects of Torey's characterization.

Be prepared to share the band's new jam!!

"blue eyes... blue as the skies"

"Baby blue... im gonna roll you all over"

light as a feather

can float through the air

pass by like warm summer day

i want to hug you

till the day I die

don't worry, be happy

everything is alright

everywhere i go

people wanna know

where chis creed is

so i told them

that some bone might of killed him

but we shall not know

he might have ran away

or murdered

The first two lines Torey's representing someone he it thinking about and their eyes. Blue eyes and how he is going to roll the person over, he probably loves this person.

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Complete the questions below, for your respective class period, based on your reading of chapter one in The Body of Christopher Creed last night. Be sure to include as much detail from the story as possible and your opinion, if asked. Do not be shy in including a quotation! One-two paragraph writing requirement.

Period 1:

How is Torey familiar with Christopher Creed? What does it mean when Torey says, "People can love their lies, tell their own lies, believe their own lies until hell pays a visit"? Explain the quotation in terms of what Torey shares in chapter one.

Torey is familiar with Christopher Creed because he sat behind he since kindergarten. They have known each other for basically their entire lives. Torey means that you can lie and people may believe you but it will come back against you at some point in time. He believes in Karma and things you do now will affect you later in life.

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Choose TWO of the four New York Times: Upfront magazine articles to read: "Should I take a job promoting cigarettes?", "Driven to Distraction", "Is your lunch causing Global Warming?', or "Locked away forever?" All of the articles introduce controversial subjects highly debated in our current American society and provide data to support the argument being made.

After reading two of the articles, write a one-paragraph response to each. Consider the following questions for each editorial [your commentary need not be in this order]:

-How does the author of the news article support a specific position on the issue? Provide an example of this slanted perspective.

-What is your personal opinion on the subject under debate? Why do you support/ refute the article's points? [ex. Cigarettes- Why would you take the job/ not take the job?; Locked away- How old do you think an individual needs to be to tell right from wrong?; Global warming- What does your diet mostly consist of?; Distraction- Who do you know that texts while driving?]

-What statistics/ collected data/ pictures/ etc. does the author choose to make his/ her point(s) in the editorial? How are they effective?

In the article driving to Distraction I thing that texting while driving is very dangerous. This should be illegal in all states because it is a very large safety hazard for other drivers and yourself. There is evidence that if you text while you drive you have a larger chance of dyeing. There are many cases where the author shows that death has come from texting. The author really shows you the message that texting while driving can cause death.

Also in the article Should I take a job Promoting Cigarettes, and I do not agree with the person. The person needed a job when he was offered one so he should take it. Also if he doesn't work in the tobacco company someone else will. Also promoting means that he is trying to get people to try tobacco but working there just means he is making the products. I believe that having a job is more important than liking it or not. Not may people enjoy their jobs but they do it because they have to.

BLOG 23

BLOG 22

Neither Momma nor Vivian ever discussed the facts of life with Ms. Angelou, leaving her with questions she is afraid to ask. The result of this is that Ms. Angelou conducts her own research and draws her own faulty conclusions. This is a dangerous thing to do, as Ms. Angelou becomes confused and disillusioned about intimacy, and ends up pregnant.

There are a lot of "what if" questions that can be drawn from this chapter. With a partner or by yourself, consider the following questions, and write your own opinions about them. CHOOSE AT LEAST FIVE QUESTIONS TO ANSWER. As a class, we will then review these questions and discuss the answers.

-What is the likelihood of Ms. Angelou becoming pregnant if Momma or Vivian had discussed the subject with her earlier?

It would be highly unlikely if she had a discussion with Vivian.

-What if Ms. Angelou had never been sexually abused? Could her pregnancy have happened anyway? Why or why not?

It could have still happened. She still would have experimented with sex even if she was not sexually abused.

-What if Bailey were still around for Ms. Angelou to confide? Would he have told her anything about this subject? Would it have made a difference to Ms. Angelou?

If Bailey were around she would have told him first. This is because they have such a strong bond as brother and sister. He would have told her about his experiences and educated Marguerite with what he knew. This discussion would have influenced Marguerite not to experiment with sex as soon as she did.

-What if Ms. Angelou was living in Stamps when she became pregnant? How would Momma have handled the pregnancy?

If Marguerite was in Stamps when she became pregnant and Momma was there, she would be devastated. It would break Momma's heart to know that her granddaughter was pregnant and unmarried. Most of all she would be sad the Marguerite didn't know exactly what was going on.

-What would happen to the baby's father if Ms. Angelou's uncles knew?

They would probably beat him up or kill him.

What if Marguerite was married to the father? What would everyone's reaction be like?

Everyone's reaction would have been different. They would have accepted it and not have been as upset with the news.

What if Marguerite opted for an abortion. How would Vivian act?

She would be disappointed that she went for the abortion because she is against them.

BLOG 21

or the past two days, your class has viewed the I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings film and responded to teacher-constructed questions during your viewing; all participating students received credit for these worksheets.

Now it is your turn to develop questions and make connections between the film and book! With a partner or individually, post five questions you realized you had about Marguerite's story from viewing the film--a question can be formed from something you were wondering about. After you have developed your questions, find the answers in the book! Challenge: Cite quotations to support your answers. Include page number.

Ex. 1. Q: Why does Uncle Willie walk with a limp and what's with his stutter?

A: He was born a cripple and people have always made fun of him.

2. Q: Why does Bailey Sr. have feelings for another woman.

A: He is divorced so he is allowed to.

3. Q: Does Maya want to leave grandma and Stamps behind?

A: No Bailey wants to go but she wants to stay.

4. Q: Why does Bailey say his dad was killed?

A: Because he saw a dead black city man being pulled out of the river.

5. Q: Why does Maya and Bailey crush the presents their dad sends them?

A: They think he just sent them to make them angry and they don't want to see him.

Blog 20~ Maya Angelou

There was such a huge dividing line between the African-American community of Stamps, AK, and the Caucasian community that even the Depression affected them differently. The Caucasian people were richer, and spent their money very freely. The African-American people were already desperately poor, and barely had the resources to keep themselves alive, let alone buy luxury items. So, when the Depression hit, the Caucasian community was affected first, then slowly, it drizzled down to the African-American community.

Answer the five questions from the handout distributed in class.

Then, share in this post whether you would have preferred to be an African-American or Caucasian during the Depression in Stamp, AK, as described in the book.

1. The blacks in the community were hit by the depression two years after all the white people. It really hurt the white people "like a cyclone" but it just seemed to seep into the Black community.

2. The depression did hurt them but not as much as the white people.

3. It did change their view a little when they realized that the depression was not racist and did not only affect the blacks for once.

4. The were still worse off but the depression made more changes to the white community.

5. The white community would probably recover faster only because for the black population the white population would of had to recover because the black community rely on the white community for jobs like cotton picking.

In this time period I would still rather be white only because they are not desperate for food and even though there is a depression they still have money.

Blog 14 Maya Angelou

During our class today, many facts were shared about Maya Angelou: her life, time period, and overall message of her works. Additionally, a definition of racism was shared as well as past and present instances of racism in United States society.

For each category, share one fact you learned from the informative groups' presentations today:

1: Time Period: African-American Experience in U.S., 1930s & 1940s

2: Maya Angelou: Biography

3: Racism: What is it? How has it occurred in the U.S.?

4: Maya Angelou: Works & Publications

5: Racism: Where does it still exist in the U.S.?

One fact should be shared for each category. Five facts should be in complete sentences. Feel free to share more than one fact that caught your attention. If you were absent today, Tues., 2.03.10, research this information on your own to complete this blog posting.

1. The depression had just ended. Also in 1939 Nazi Germany invaded Poland and started WWII. Jackie Robinson was the first African American baseball player in the MLB.

2. She was raped and she acquired her name Maya Angelou while singing.

3. Racism: Prejudice, discrimination, or being against someone because of their race. People were convicted of crimes just because of their skin color.

4. She won a few Grammies for some of her pieces. She published more than 30 books, I Know Wh the Caged Bird Sings being the most famous

BLOG 15

In this post, also consider what you believe for your future in the year 2010. Premonitions are similar to New Year's Resolutions in that they have an element of self-fulfilling prophecy. One sort of resolution has to do only with oneself. You might decide to lose weight, to stop eating candy, to exercise more, or watch less TV. Other resolutions might involve family or friends. You could resolve to be more patient with your little brother or more helpful to mom. Some resolutions are about school and the outside world, such as getting to class on time or trying for better grades. Make one goal for each New Year's Resolution category: Personal Improvement, Family and Friends, and School and the Outside World.

In the new year I want to recieve better grades in school. Though I do not want to work harder because I am lazy. I also want to get in better shape. This would help me for sports and also just for daily activities. These changes would make me a lot happier.

I will also be more helpful around the hous in the new year. I will help cleaning things up and setting things up. Maybe even help with meals. Lastly i will be kinder to my sister in the new year.