In America

What defines you? Maybe it’s the shade of your skin, the place you grew up, the accent in your words, the make up of your family, the gender you were born with, the relationships you choose to have or your generation? Explain your in-depth view of the ever-changing American identity. .

Give Thanks!!!

It's that time of year when we all give thanks! Please write a list of 5 things you are MOST thankful for this year and offer a brief reason why. Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

Shakespeare Palooza

If you are attending either the 3:30 or 7:00 pm poerformance of A Midsummer Night's Dream on November 20th, see me to sign your ticket. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_aWC3DdLdY&feature=plcp

Newsworthy

Please find an online article of a current news story that you feel is worth sharing with your peers. Post the link for your classmates with a brief summary of the article's contents and then write a thoughtful response to the article.

Armageddon It!

After being plunged into darkness (without heat) for 10 days after Hurricane Sandy, cut off from all communication with the outside world (no facebook, cell phone or television), standing in obscenely long gas lines (4 hours long), and spending each day worrying about basic survival (food, heat, water, shelter, etc), I have found myself: a. counting my blessings and being thankful for the little things b. disgusted by the behavior of so many people (looting, cutting gas lines, siphening gas from others' gas tanks, fighting/using guns to intimidate others for their own gain) c. pondering the idea of what our future will be like in terms of energy, food and many other shortages d. do normal civilized people have the ability to be savages when basic needs are taken away e. overwhelmed by how generous people can be and how people can come together after a true human disater (Also, witnessed after 9/11) f. weeping tears of joy when I was plunged back into the 21st Century and could get a glimpse of CNN instead of listening to my transistor radio for electoral vote collection regarding the presidential election g. realizing how lucky I am to have a wonderful family filled with love, a roof over my head, a job I truly enjoy, and my health! Please write a thoughtful response about your experiences before, during and after this natural disaster called Hurricane Sandy. How has it influenced you personally or others around you? Discuss some of your observations about human nature. What do you think our future holds? What crucial things should we learn from this event? How is our society better or worse off going forward?

America's New Addiction

Why are Americans so obsessed with reality television? What does this say about our culture? Explain the causes of this obsession and what are some of the long term effects. Read the following ( 2 ) articles and write a thoughtful response. http://web.mit.edu/renakatz/www/cultureshock/essays/essay4.html http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/09/12/here-comes-honey-boo-boo-blows-up.html

Is Social Networking getting too political?

Most of had people tell us that at family gatherings and at parties you shouldn't bring up the topics politics or religion. It seems that the saying also applies to social networks or at least as far as politics are concerned. It has been a growing trend this Presidential election that expressing your political view on either Facebook or twitter can run the risk of losing friends and followers.Is social networking getting too political? Write a thoughtful response.