CHECK WITH YOUR PARENTS

I know many of you are planning to attend the protest at BLS. We have discussed the Westborough Baptist Church and Fred Phelps in class and there is also a Facebook group about the protest. I just want to make a few disclaimers.

VERY IMPORTANT:

1. DO NOT SKIP SCHOOL
2. If you come in late it WILL NOT be an excused tardy/absence.
3. Make sure you parents know what you are doing.
4. Ms. Gentile does not advocate for you to skip school, go against your parents, get in trouble or get arrested.
5. Ms. Gentile did not TELL you to go. This is NOT a school sponsored trip nor is it requred that you attend.  Just because I am going, does NOT mean that I expect you to be there. I am an adult and make my own decisions. Your parents OWN you.
6. If you are attending, bring your friends, parents, siblings. I think it is great that all of you are so tolerant of one anotehr, cultures, religions, etc. So, if your parents support this, bring them!
7. YOU CAN”T FIGHT HATE WITH HATE.
8. The protestors WANT to fight with you. They WANT to get you arrested and send you to JAIL. Then, they can sue you and get money to support their cause.
9. BE SMART.
10. BE CAREFUL.

I think this is a great discussion to have with your family and friends. Also, if you want to donoate to an LGBTQ cause that makes money from people like Fred Phelps, CLICK HERE and donate.

Have a safe weekend and make good choices!

~Ms. G

Grade 12: Final and Dinner

Hey all…

I just wanted to touch base with you about your final: Bring your binders and everything you have gotten this year; you will be allowed to use ANY and EVERYTHING. Also, you will not have the entire class period to complete your final: I need about 10 minutes to say goodbye to all of you.

As far as the dinner is concerned: here is the deal. We have a reservation at The Cheesecake Factory  @ 4:30 pm on Tuesday June 8th (In Copley). I need a final headcount by MONDAY June 7th. Please RSVP to me via my gmail account if you are coming or not. I want to know either way.

Each person should bring about $30 (this leaves money for tax and tip). If you need a loan, see me and we can work something out….remember, I’m jobless at the end of the school year so you have to pay me back.

Please dress yourselves appropriately, we are going out to dinner after all…

~Ms. Gentile

gentile.angela@gmail.com

Grade 12: Mock College

Welcome to College! Time to Get Schooled!

As incoming freshman in college, you might find difficulty with adjusting, time management, feeling comfortable and balancing work and play. You have to balance academics, work, social events, sports, among other things, which can be overwhelming. Have no fear! This assignment and project will help to familiarize you with the college workload, a syllabus, contacting your professors, money management, and planning for the next four month!

You are a college student, now! Congratulations! You made it to your first semester in college! You have just finished your first week of classes and have gotten your course outline/syllabus. The syllabus is the all encompassing outline of course expectations, contact information, assignments, paper/project criteria and textbooks. Careful: this will be the only one you will receive for the ENTIRE SEMESTER! Don’t lose it!

For this assignment:

• You will receive a packet. This packet consists of 5 course schedules from real universities, real professors and real students.
• You will have to create the following:
  • ONE weekly schedule (HW): only one for ALL classes. It will outline your class name, time, professors, building, etc.
  • Create a Semester (4 or 5 month) Calendar (T): You will make a calendar for the duration of the semester (some of you have Fall ’09, others have Spring ’10). You will have to outline the assignments you have due: readings, practices, meetings, presentations, essays, projects, etc. Careful, the major assignments might be located elsewhere in the packet.
  • Contact List (HW): Create a contact list of ALL of your professors/teaching assistants. Include name(s), subject, class name, office hours, telephone, email, building/office, websites, etc. Include any/all information from the class syllabus that pertains to contact info.
  • Materials (T): You will need to make a list of materials (binders, lab stuff, etc) and texts books needed for EACH class. Then, you will research ONLINE (amazon.com, or you can go directly to the university website) approximately how much the text books will cost you for each class. This will be used in your budget as well.
  • Class Policies (Q): you will need to make a list of important policies for each class. Be sure to include:
    • Amount of absences/attendance policies
    • Late work/Missed assignments
    • Participation
    • Grading Policies (the weight of your assignments)
  • Budget (Q): Following the outline/format given to you in class, create a budget for yourself. You will have to take with you the amount of Money you will earn over the summer, money given to you by your parents, savings account, loans, time working over break, etc. You have to create a budget for your expenses EACH MONTH: think about rent, transportation, spring break, food, bills, etc. Then, create one for how much money you need for the semester for books, and for the duration of the entire semester.

Each assignment will be graded individually. You really need to prepare yourself for the next chapter of your life. Turning the page can be exciting but nerving. I want you to be prepared as possible. Bring ALL materials to class EACH DAY! You can even leave them in class so that you don’t lose them. We will be doing other things in between, but if time allows, you can work on them. Be sure to check the syllabus so that you can be prepared and make sure that you complete all assignments!

EVERYTHING IS DUE ON: Wednesday 5/26.

Everything is STAPLED, Cover Page, name is on it and you turn in your original syllabi

(no email attachments. This must be handed in hard copy!)

All Grades: Reminders

The End of the school year is approaching. I just want to make sure that my expectations set forth from September are clear and considered.

Binders: Your Binders WILL be collected and graded for term 4 on Friday or Monday, so be prepared. They are counted as a test grade. If you do not have your binder when I ask for it (because you should be bringing it with you AT ALL TIMES), then you will earn a ZERO. Seniors: your binders will be collected on Tuesday, 5/10.

Make-up work: I allow you enough time to make up the work for as many days as you were absent, not when you feel like turning it in. I will not allow you to turn in assignments. I have already graded it and will not take MY personal time to grade something that I have already taken the time to grade. It was due when it was due. You know the story by now.

I don’t “Give” grades: You EARN the grades you get: put in effort, time, hard work, follow directions, ask for help. If you are worried about passing for the year, I do not give you grades, I do not make up grades, and I do not give you credit for something you did not do. You had all year to do well, all term to complete over 30 assignments, or30 chances to earn an A+!

These are non-negotiable, seniors who will not walk at graduation to underclassmen who have to drag a class: fair is fair is fair. This also should not surprise you; these have been my policies since September. I do not make exceptions.

If you are concerned with passing for the term or the year, then I am not sure what to tell you. You had ALL YEAR to work hard, to complete assignments, to come for extra help. If you are waiting for the last minute to graduate, pass, get a scholarship, then that ownership has been, and is now,on YOU for the past nine months. I have done all that I could to make you successful and you made CHOICES of what you wanted to do with what I had to offer you.

You need to stay strong for the duration of the term and school year. Be sure to compete ALL assignments! Study Hard for finals, create outside study groups, come for extra help, and do whatever you need to do so that your best foot steps forward.

Grade 12: Mustapha Mond’s Propaganda Factory

Mustapha Mond’s (insert other names here): Propaganda Department

Remember: there is “no civilization with out stability!” And, stability comes from the ability to follow the rules/principles set forth by the leader; but, how do the leaders get their people to follow the rules? How do leaders create stability?

Simple.

Through use of propaganda.

Directions: For this assignment, you are going to create and perform a 3 – 5 minute commercial (in class) for ONE of the following sub-departments or Mustapha Mond. You can create a product, or use an existing product/service in our society. You will perform these in class using any props, music, costumes, etc. I will be videoing your performance, so you must come prepared and know your lines!!!! This isn’t improve, so no script = no skit = no credit!

Sub-Departments:

1. Shop ‘til you drop: how are you going to reinforce consumption and an increase of production (think Poland Spring and the money they are making off of the water contamination). Think about mass consumption and capitalism.
2. Better living through science: this would be technology or technological advancements. It could be something like a hybrid car or even more complex like a bionic and prosthetic arm, or something that you create design yourself.
3. Never a dull moment!: Think of ways that society can be entertained, sensory stimulation is the highest form of happiness: going on a cruise, buying Sox tickets, going to Cancun, whatever: if you are entertained and distracted = happiness!
4. Happiness is a pill: feeling under the weather? Depressed? Take a pill! Medication makes everything better! These pills are a distraction or an easy way out, rather than fix the problem, medication covers it up? Think about it.

Guiding questions

• Who is your demographic? Who is your target audience?
• How is your product/service and presentation catered and appealing to your demographic/target audience?
• What is your slogan or jingle or catch phrase?
• How are you going to sell and reinforce your ideas?
• Ethos, Pathos, Logos = how are you going to appeal to your audience? Use a combination of these rhetorical techniques to persuade your audience to buy into your product/service.
• How will you gain the acceptance of you audience: how will they watch this commercial and think that they need or want your product/service?
• What is the style of your commercial = infomercial, celebrity endorsement, band-wagon (everyone is doing it), guilt, slander, etc.

Requirements:

• Plan: Create your proposal and planning sheet (one per group)= due at the end of class today
• Story Board = due at the end of class today
• Script = due Wednesday to practice (must be full script, with character, dialogue, stage directions, etc) and run for the full 3 – 5 minutes
• Final Script= due on the day you present. You will be graded on how well you reflect your script, reflect the guiding questions, and the thoroughness of the script.

Thursday	Friday
Jess, Jess, Jazz, Tania	Franky, Liana
Hector Davide Jeff	Egeria, Leticia
Dan, Joe, Brian, Dario	Tiny, Nancy, Nancy, Deyon
Ky, Jorge, Pete	Linda, Kev, Tony
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

 

If there is a conflict or you are NOT on this schedule, you must see me on Tuesday during class!

Party Photos!

Hey everyone–here are some pictures from today’s parties. I hope everyone had fun today (I did!). Thanks again for being such a great group of kids. I loved my time with you guys and I will always look back on my student teaching experience very fondly. I can only hope the students I have in the future are half as much fun as you were!

Thanks again for a wonderful few months!

–Ms Somerset

Grade 12: BNW Ch. 18

Directions: Explain each one in context of the novel. Also, be sure to explain authors intent/message about society and life. Be sure to make connections to society as well!!!

1. What does “I ate civilization…I ate my own wickedness” (241) mean? Explain!!!
2. What is the significance of John’s self torture: how and why does he do it? What is the end result? What is the significance to the plot and to the overall message of the novel?
3. In pages 218-229, the Controller Mustapha Mond sums up the benefits of living in the “brave new world” Utopia: “The world’s stable now. People are happy; they get what they want, and they never want what they can’t get…” (220). It sounds like perfection, and yet the world Mond describes is deeply, intentionally horrifying. Why? What exactly is so bad about this society of the future? Is there anything good about it? Use the last chapter and results of the plot to explain your reasoning. This response should be at LEAST two paragraphs!!!

Grade 12: Article Response

Directions: click on the link here, South Korea: Child Starves, and read the article. This is a CRAZY article and you need to make inferences about society.

MLA FORMATTED RESPONSE (500 words) and include the following in your  HARD COPY response:

1. Your opinion: do you agree/disagree with the parent’s behavior
2. Infer: What can you infer about the priorities of society? How do you know? What makes you think this?
3. Connect: This took place in S. Korea, but what parallels can you make to American society? Be specific and give examples
4. Prevent: In your opinion, what is the major problem? How can you solve it? what can you suggest so that this doesn’t happen? How could you have solved the problem before it starts?

Due: Tuesday April 6th. Due at the beginning of class. I am not a printer, so email it to me if you are not in class, but be sure to get me a hard copy upon your return.

Quiz Grade!!! Your grade will be based on how well (insightful, thorough, big picture, etc) you answer the above questions.

*If you have trouble getting the article, go to BBC news and search the Title of the link. It will be the first archived article.

 

 

WGrade 12: Current Event: ROUND 2

Post: Left side of the room (Tiny, Petah, Ky, Linda, Leticia, etc)

Respond: Right side of the room (side with Tania, Hector,Jazzmyn, Dario, Depina, Kevin, etc)

Directions: those who are in the “post” group need to find an article about Social or society segregation: How are people purposely separating themselves from one another or how is something segregating society as a whole?

This must be from a CREDIBLE website (CNN, FOX, BBC, etc). You need to post the link, a summary and a short response explaining if you think this will help/harm society. Explain the long and short term effects, either harmful or helpful. be sure to stick to ONE side of the argument, that way you are opening the assignment to debate, which is what I want to see: some word fighting!! You must post this by the start of class by Wednesday!!!!

Those in the “respond” group: pick ONE classmate’s post. Read the article and respond to it. It would be nice if we could get a debate going, and you could disagree with the  original post. Explain WHY you take that position and be sure to reference both the article and the classmates original response. You must post this on Saturday by NOON: Current event RESPONSE: See Homepage

Good luck and no repeating articles!!!

Grade 12: BNW Ch. 12 and 13

Directions: Read though chapters 12 and 13. Then, apply the information you have on defense mechanisms, Transference and Freud in general, to the responses below.

“The tight balloon of Bernard’s self confidence was leaking from a thousand wounds. Pale, distraught, abject and agitated, he moved amoun his guests stammering incoherent apologies assuring that the savage would  certainly be there…they ignored himl drank and were either rude to his face or talked to one another about him. Loudly and often offensively, as though he has not been there” (Huxley 175).

1. Take a close look at Bernard in the following chapters. Use the passage above as well as others, in order to make an analysis about him. Write a well thought response on the following questions: What are his relationships like? To whom does he seem to connect and identify the most? What defense mechanisms is he using in his relationships? To cope with his own identity and sexuality? How is he displacing his anger/issues/fixations/complexes/etc? What in the novel tells you that? Please cite at least TWO examples from the two chapters.
2. Analyze the coded sexuality in chapter 12 and 13. What is the literal meaning and explain how/why is it sexual; what is the non-sexual example supposed to mean?