From Blythe to Battle Mountain

Task: Read pages 41-61 and answer the questions below?


1. Why does Jeannette act tough for her father?


2. Why does Brian, in solidarity, try to fight for Jeannette? How and why does his reaction differ from their
father’s?


3.What does the crop-dusting plane suggest about the children’s lives?



4. What does Mary’s attitude toward the piano outside suggest about her character?



5. What do you think of the Walls family’s reading habits?

Growing Up Walls Style Period 7

Directions: After reading pages 25-35 of The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls

1. Which character says, “Suffering when you’re young is good for you.”

2. Do you agree with character? Why or why not?

3. Do you feel that the Walls children are suffering?

4.On page page 28 we find out the mother's philosophy on child rearing. What values are reflected in her philosophy? What do you think of her attitudes?

5. How do Lori and Brian handle what is going within the family? What does it suggest about their future?

A Woman on The Street I

The Glass Castle is very episodic. Use this space to respond to the first episode presented in Jeannette Walls' Memoir The Glass Castle. eventually you should be creating your own questions, posts, and responding to the posts of your classmates.

Task: Write a paragraph long (6 -8 sentences) response to the passage we read in class.  

Consider the following questions: 

• Can you understand the author’s actions?  
• Can you understand the mother’s perspective?  
• How would you have reacted if you had been in the author’s shoes? 
• Could you let your parent be homeless?  
• Why would anyone choose to be homeless? 
• What are the differences between what Rosemary (the mom) and what Jeanette values? What do you think caused the difference in value systems?

Evidence Evaluation

After completing the Evidence Matrix for "What is the Achivement Gap" create a well-developed paragraph in which you analyze the structure of the article and author's use of evidence.

 

Here are some points to consider in your evaluation:

• Think about the headings and subheadings. What does each element add to the larger argument? Is each section important? Why/Why not?

• What do you Notice and Wonder about the evidence provided?
• Does the evidence make sense where it is placed?

Achievement Gap : Voice your opinion

"Each generation must, out of relative obscurity, find its mission and fulfill it or betray it"
-Frantz Fanon, Martinican scholar and psychiatrist

I believe as time goes by, the world changes for the better and for the worse. After reading an article entitled " What Is The Achievement Gap" this confirmed my belief. Franz Fanton writes "Across the country , children of color and children of poverty face unequal access to education". I feel that  as a humans we shouldn't judge a entire multitude of people just on a survey/statistic.Schools are more than equipped to educate students but you cannot force someone to learn. No two people are alike, the work ethic of students are not all the same. Money and color may play a big role in the world's class system but there are always a few exceptions to the bias.


Based on the reading, "What Is The Achievement Gap", which is about the national injustice,
do you believe that children are at a learning disadvantage because they lack the proper funding , housing, healthcare, etc ?
And in your own opinion, do you think public schools provide you with the skills to succeed in later endeavors?

- Dornel Kirby

What Do You Think? (Question 1 9/10-9/14)

Today in class we read an article from Am newspaper (March 2012) about the college graduates who  are not properly prepared for the work force.

As a student who will enter college or the work force very soon what steps do you think can be taken by educators and students to help better prepare them for the work force?

Face Your Fear

FACE YOUR FEARS (9/6-9/7 Question 1)

 

 

Task: Respond to the prompts below.

 

1. Read the quote below. Provide a valid (true or correct) interpretation of the quote agree or disagree with  quote and explain why you agree or disagree with this quote.

 

“One of the reasons people stop learning is that they become less and less willing to risk failure.” John W. Gardner Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/reasons.html#ygIeXTUITDP3y31o.99

 

2. When thinking about your own education, what scares you the most-especially in terms of English class? And if you are like Bonecrusher and “ain’t never scared” then what aspect of English class concerns you the most?

Class Reading 9-/10-9/14

Hello Guys and Dolls!

On post titled Class Readings you will be able to access the course readings if available on the web either directly from it's original website or a document that has been uploaded or you may find just a list or description of what is currently being read.

You may access this post during a shared class reading if you prefer to read online, in class when you need to catch up or on the go when you've missed a class (this blog can be accessed from any smartphone with internet access) .

Happy Reading!

Class Readings 9/10-9/14


“Survey: College grads aren’t ready for work” by John Miners from AM New York March 2012 (Not available online)

What is the Achievement Gap by Eric Tipler http://www.erictipler.com/what-is-the-achievement-gap/

“Education Gap Grows Between Rich and Poor, Studies Say" by Sabrina Tavernise

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/10/education/education-gap-grows-between-rich-and-poor-studies-show.html?pagewanted=all ,

“Achievement Gap Results Not From an Empty Cupboard of Solutions, but Empty Cupboard of Will” by Ace Parisi http://www.all4ed.org/blog/achievement_gap_results_not_empty_cupboard_solutions_empty_cupboard_will