The Story of Stuff

Team,

I wanted to share the information we watched in class today (Story of stuff and Bottled Water). You can visit  THE STORY OF STUFF project or you can click below to click on the specific videos. Also, if you are looking to fact check or read long, you can download specific transcripts so you can learn some of the vocabulary, people or places. Or, you can turn on the closed captioning.

Technical: You will need the latest flash player. If you can’t play it on your computer, you can find most of them on youtube.

Remember: everything we watch, hear, listen to, read, etc is some form of propaganda. So, what are you going to take away from it? Will you challenge it? Will you believe without questioning? What will you do with the information?

Enjoy!

Clip: The story of stuff

Clip: The Story of Electronics

Clip: The Story of Bottled Water

Clip: The Story of Cosmetics

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NOW WHAT?? 

I know some of you felt defeated with what you watched today, but I am glad that you took something away from it, in some capacity. So, what do you do now? How can you not feel so helpless? Can you make a difference?

Well, I wish I could give you a finite, yes or no answer, but I can’t. However, I can offer you some advice: do the best you can. Our society has been structured this way for so long, as you have mentioned, that it will not change overnight or specifically by one person. I do propose that you each do your part in some way and contribute to the betterment of society in some way. I am not suggesting you to change the world single-handedly, but make little strides for the future. It make not affect you specifically or immediately, but we are all connected by the same energy so something one person does, impacts all of us. It may sound fluffy, but…just take it all in, process it, figure out what it could mean to you.

Take what you need, give back, be resourceful, be a smart consumer…

If you would like to get involved, do some reserach on “Green Organizations” in Boston. It is important to have opinions, challenge yourself and others to figure out your position in the world. It isn’t easy and may not happen tomorrow, but start now!!!

*hearts*

Literature Critic: Section A

A critical book analysis is an expression of an evaluative judgment on the quality, meaning and significance of a book. It is based on careful analysis and interpretation of a piece of literature. As the writer, you must evaluate the author’s main point, purpose, message and literary effectiveness.  As well as giving information and summaries about the book, you will give a fair, balanced and educated opinion on the book, just like Aristotle did in the marketplace or like Roger Ebert does for the movies…two thumbs up!

To down load the, rubric, and all assignments, CLICK HERE

Directions:

• Pretend you are a media critic and using the skills you have gained from evaluation types of visual propaganda, you have to critique a piece of literature (think back to terms 2 and 3).
• Ask the following questions:
• What is the message? How does the author “sell” the message?
• What is the main point and is it communicated well?
• What else, besides characters, setting, plot, theme, etc, are you supposed to “buy” into
• Using selections provided for you by the library (or one on your own that has been approved by me), you will read, question, evaluate, respond and write about the quality and effectiveness of this work. You will have to:
• Create a thesis taking a stand on your opinion/the quality of this piece
• How well (or how poorly) does it convey a message about marginalization/oppression?
• How does it (or not) appeal to your E, L, P, K?
• Supportive evidence from the piece
• Be sure to persuade your audience (use some of those propaganda techniques in a written form)
• You will be scored based on the rubric given to you
• You will have to read/annotate/take notes as you read (if you would like to photocopy your piece so that you can write on it would be fine. Otherwise, you have to take notes on a separate piece of paper as you read)
• Create an outline and rough draft
• Final draft = No more than 2 pages (Double spaced, TNR, 12, COVER PAGE. This isn’t formal, MLA writing, so you can use personal pronouns and don’t need a heading/header)
• You must have your title/author, physical copy of the short story and rationale by THURSDAY 5/26
• This writing assignment and all work  due by Tuesday, June 14^th. You need a physical copy AND uploaded to turn it in BY 7:20 am (by the start of school on 6/14

You MUST keep ALL of the materials (notes, outlines, etc.) and staple them to the BACK of your essay/response

 DUE: Tuesday, June 14^th

Current Event: Propaganda

Current Event Directions: Read the following directions below for your section. We are doing this in segments, but ALL classes will have to do this at some point during the term. Pay attention to the due dates.

Find a Current Event: Section G ONLY

Due: MONDAY 12/20

Directions (Section G):

• Research the following websites for local, national and international news.
• Find a current event that relates to the concepts of Propaganda: What is the idea being “sold?” How are people “buying” into the idea, but what is the real message behind it? How and why do people follow the masses without thinking? How are people buying into the media, negative images and ideas, politics, etc?
• This article should be within the past month or so.
• In the comments section of this assignment: Cut/paste the link as part of the post. DO NOT PUT IT IN THE SPACE THAT SAYS WEBSITE. If you do, your comment will go to spam.
• Cite a least ONE line
• Then, along with the link, answer the following questions
  • What is this about? Where does it take place?
  • How does this explaining the connection between hope/faith and fear?
  • What is your opinion about this article?

 

Respond to the current event: SECTION  A ONLY

DUE: Thursday12/23 by the start of class

Directions (Section G):

• Choose any article posted by your classmates
• Read the article, quote specific form from the article AND your peers
• You need ONE from each.
• No more than FOUR people per post
• You must read the article!
• Read it and respond to it as a “reply”.
  • Do you agree/disagree and why?
  • Use debate language: “You said…., but I disagree because…” or “Good point about…and I agree because…”
  • Think about your own views about faith and fear and how it connects to the post.
  • Totally ok if you fight and argue. I think a discussion back and forth is amazing!!!

Reminders:

• Be sure your name is on your post.
• Cut/paste the link IN your comment, as part of the post in order to get credit.
• Due on the dates above .
• Use appropriate language for debate: “You said…but I think..” or “I understand your point about…but I disagree because…”
• All posts will be screened by me and you will not get credit for inappropriate posts.

Grade 9: Persuasive Speeches

Persuasive Speech Assignment = Will be handed out in class on 5/27

Directions: Since you are all little Squealers, you are going to deliver a polished and persuasive speech calling for justice on a topic that interests you. What do you think is unfair and needs to be changed? The way your brother is favored at home? The way Administration in the building and the budget of the school works? The quality of the school lunch? That Frick is better than Frack? It can be simple! Don’t over think, but definitely be creative!

This could be something from a later curfew, not eating vegetables at dinner, to something in the current events of the world: oil spills, political candidates, immigration laws in Arizona. Either way, you must persuade your audience to seek justice for a cause or topic of YOUR choice.

Guidelines/Rubric (3 points each)

____2 minutes (no more, not less)

____ Describe the current situation

____Discuss why the situation is unfair and needs to be changed

____Describe the vision in a better way

____Call for appropriate action

____Use persuasive/propaganda techniques

____Makes eye contact, speaks both loudly and clearly to the class (like you mean it!)

____ use of ONE note-card to guide you but you are NOT reading

____ Sell your image! Dress to Impress! If you look like you know what your talking about…

____Preparation: you are ready to present on the day you are assigned, you have practiced

         and your effort shows

_____ /30 points

Remember: you MUST be here on the day you present!!! If you know of scheduling conflicts, the you must see me ASAP to reschedule. Otherwise, if you are not ready to go when called, you will earn a ZERO. No excuses!! Bottom line = be prepared!

SCHEDULE:

	B	C	F
Tuesday 6/1	Ally, Ashley, Caitlin Gabe, Jun Feng, Kela, Kevin, Nassika Particia Shayne Tori Tuan	Austin Bianca, Briana, Christine, Danny, Julian Latrelle, Maryan, Rashad, Wing Yu Yamilex,  Yossmill,	Agron Alex Bernard Brandon Brianna Cindy Hannah Ian Jordan Natalie Pam Tommy Viola
Wednesday 6/2	Bill, Darien Dionnha Haley, Iart Jian Karina, Romney Ruth Sandy, Teo, Trevon	Amyas, Brittany, Carol, Jenna Josh, Kadin, Kelly, Kevin A, Khang, Sabreena, Yu Lin,	Amy Aurora Christina Diego Graciela Hellena Jasmine Mina Morgan Nick Steffany Tina M Willie

*note: names are in alphabetical particular order. I will call you at random on the day you are supposed to present. If you are NOT on this list, see me ASAP (my secretary makes more mistakes in the spring…)