Greek Mythology:

Research Greek myths and post the story title and write a brief description of the story.

The Iliad Visual Search:

An epic is a long, narrative poem that tells about the adventures of a hero.  The Iliad, by Homer, centers on the Trojan War.  The Odyssey, by Homer, centers on the journey of Odysseus and his men after the war. Use Google Image search of The Iliad and post your impressions of what images you found. 

The Greek Gods:

Research the Greek Gods and blog about three Gods/Goddesses.  List any interesting facts, descriptions, powers, and important information about your three choices.
 

The Trojan War:

 

The Trojan War: Research the Trojan War and post any interesting facts you find.  You will also respond to a classmate's posts and add more information to their responses.  Your goal is to help your classmates be more knowledgeable regarding this topic. 

Homer:

In preparation for our next literary experience, research Homer and post any interesting information you find.  Please cite your sources.  You may use the following link for a reference if you are not sure of how to cite. https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/

Brother Can You Spare A Dime?

Blog your interpretation of the song Brother Can You Spare a Dime.  Read the following lyrics @ http://www.library.csi.cuny.edu/dept/history/lavender/cherries.html

You can also listen to the song on video:

 

Posthumous Pardon:

 Read the following article titled "Alabama Parole Board Approves Posthumous Pardons for Scottsboro Boys" and blog your response.  What do you think about the pardon granted?  Is this enough to make amends for what occurred in 1931? What statement is Alabama attempting to make through this gesture? 
(link located below):

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/11/21/alabama-parole-board-approves-posthumous-pardons-for-scottsboro-boys/?intcmp=latestnews

Justice For All:

A) Research "Jury Duty" and post your findings.  
B)Many people do not want to volunteer for jury service. How do you propose we make our justice system fair for everyone. How do we ensure that a jury is fair if we do not take part in this process? Explain your answer.

To Ban or Not to Ban:

Please post your response to the following:

In response to the banning of TKAM, the Jim Crow Museum has responded with the following: "The staff of the Jim Crow Museum does not advocate the banning of  To Kill a Mockingbird. We recommend that it be read by every American. Books like To Kill a Mockingbird, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and Uncle Tom's Cabin are useful tools for deep discussions about race, race relations, and racism. Books like these should not be banned because they use the 'N-word' or because they portray graphic depictions of racial bigotry. As Abraham Lincoln noted, 'We cannot escape history,' and these books are relatively accurate portrayals of sad periods in American history."

Symbolism:

View the following photos. Describe the symbolism in each of the paintings:

  

 Photo 1:

 

 Photo 2:

 

Photo 3:

Integrity:

Watch the following video: 

Harper Lee is said to have illustrated "integrity and honesty" when she wrote To Kill a Mockingbird. How is integrity demonstrated in this novel? Give specific examples. Blog your answer.

Survey Results:

Please blog about responses.  What did you find interesting about the survey results? Do you agree or disagree about the survey's findings? Explain your answer.  In addition, please respond to a published response. 

A Good Writer:

After viewing the following video, post you response as to what you think makes a great writer. 

Strange Fruit:

Read the following poem.  What is your interpretation of this work?

Southern trees bear a strange fruit,

Blood on the leaves and blood at the root,

Black body swinging in the Southern breeze,

Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees.

Pastoral scene of the gallant South,

The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth,

Scent of magnolia sweet and fresh,

And the sudden smell of burning flesh!

Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck,

For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck,

For the sun to rot, for a tree to drop,

Here is a strange and bitter crop.

Abel Meeropol,(1932)

Listen to the interview describing the "Meet Harper Lee" contest and post your response to the winning entry.   

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7056737&ft=1&f=2

Humane Prison?

Research the prison conditions during the 1930’s, specifically the living conditions and treatment of the prisoners.  What is your opinion about prisoner treatment during this time period?

Society and Justice:

Please read attached image titled "jimcrow" and blog about your impressions of this news bulletin. What does this say about society and justice in the 1930's.

Please read attached newspaper excerpt titled "April 1935" and blog your responses about how 1935's society perceived woman.  

The Scottsboro Case:

Research the Scottsboro Case.  Post any interesting facts you may find.       

Civil Right Movement:

Research the Civil Rights movement in the United States and list 5 facts about it.

History of Slavery:

Research facts about slavery in our country.  How did slavery begin in the U.S.?  When did the United States abolish it?  Post any interesting facts.

The Civil War:

Chapter 1 refers to the battle of the "North and South" (The American Civil War. Research this battle and post your findings.

The Author Harper Lee:

Research the author of To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee, and post any interesting findings.                                                 

Segregation:

Post any information you find on this topic. Remember, your reader needs a complete understanding of what the term means.  Describe it in great detail. 

Hooverville:

Research what the term "Hooverville" means.  Post any information you find on this topic. Remember, your reader needs a complete understanding of what Hooverville is.  Describe it in great detail. 

The Great Depression:

The setting of "To Kill A Mockingbird" occurs during the 1930's. Research the Great Depression and post any interesting findings.   

When the Law Fails:

 Some people believe that when the law does not succeed in punishing criminals, citizens should do so.  What is your belief regarding  this idea? Give reasons to support your answer.     

Revenge:

Homer, the great author, once said, "It [revenge] is sweeter far than flowing honey." What do you think this means? The Most Dangerous Game shows how the protagonist takes revenge on General Zaroff. In your opinion is this necessary? Does this show that Rainsford is the same as the antagonist? Are his actions justified?

The Hunter and The Hunted:

According to protagonist of The Most Dangerous  Game, the world is made up of two classes--the hunters and the huntees. What does this mean?  Explain your answer.  Please publish your opinion and reply to a classmate's post.

A Moral Lesson?

Do you think that the story is a commentary on the ethics of hunting? Why or why not? What moral positions could be drawn out from the text?

The Antagonist:

What is the antagonist's role in helping the reader to determine what type of     person the protagonist is?  What type of direct characterization does Connell     use so we, the reader, may understand who Rainsford truly is? 

The Most Dangerous Game:

What is the most surprising,  telling,  interesting,  or confusing, section of The Most Dangerous Game that you, the reader, has encountered.  You may also include scenes that illustrate the literary devices we have been studying.  After you post, please reply to a classmate's response. 

Animals vs. Humans

Is there a difference between hunting animals and humans?  Please give a full answer.  Include an explanation.

Setting and Motivation:

Why is it important that the reader know the time period in which the author lived and have knowledge of the author’s life circumstances and experiences in order to truly appreciate the story and understand the author’s perspective.

Richard Connell:

Please research, Richard Edward Connell Jr., the author of The Most Dangerous Game, and post any interesting fact(s) you may find. Please reply to a post, furthering someone one else’s information. 

 

The Roaring 20's:

Use your research skills to quickly sketch out what life was like in the Roaring 20’s.  Post your findings.  Areas of interest may include: Clothing style, music, woman’s rights,

 

Hunting for Sport: Pro or Con?

What do you think about hunting solely for sport?  Please blog about your opinion and research facts or statistics to support your view and post your findings. Please blog complete answers.

 EX: Hunting – Facts about over population for certain animals.  

EX: Not Hunting – Extinction facts

 

An Alternate Ending:

Both Romeo and Juliet met with tragic endings.  Create an alternate ending to the story, Romeo and Juliet, and blog your response.

Spirits/Ghosts:

In Romeo and Juliet the subject of spirits (ghosts)came up quite often.

Research the Elizabethan Era to find out what people felt about the afterlife and if they believed in spirits and hauntings. Post your findings.

Fate or Free Will:

What is Fate?  What is Free Will?  Do you think that events in life are meant to occur?  Or do you believe that it is our actions that control our

Children and Parents:

Discuss the relationships between parents and children in Romeo and Juliet. How do Romeo and Juliet interact with their parents? Are they rebellious, in the modern sense? How do their parents feel about them?

Reading Shakespeare

What is your overall impression of Shakespeare's life, his literary impact and the time period in which he lived?  Elaborate your answer.  Do you enjoy or hate reading Shakespeare?  Please explain why.

 

Is Love Enough?

William Shakespeare’s plays explore life and examine the human condition. In Romeo and Juliet, we witness the unraveling of two young lovers who have sacrificed everything to be together. Unfortunately their happiness does not last. Romeo has been exiled for killing Tybalt. In addition, Juliet’s parents are determined to see their young daughter marry Paris. The wedding has been scheduled to take place in three days’time. In spite of this, Friar Laurence believes that the Capulet and Montague families will end their long lasting feud through the love that Romeo and Juliet share. Can the love of two people mend generations of family conflict? Post your opinion.

Pose a Question:

Reading literature calls for the reader to analyze, evaluate, formulate ideas,and hopefully question the larger message the author is presenting. What questions/statements do you have about Romeo and Juliet?  Post a question/statement that you, the reader, may have about Shakespeare's literary work.  

Friar Laurence

Friar Laurence plays an integral part in Romeo and Juliet. What is a friar?  What are the duties of a friar, particularly around the Elizabethan Era?

Donati and Cerchi - Inspiration for Romeo and Juliet?

Around the year 1300, a feud broke out between the Cerchi and Donati families in Florence, Italy.The cause was never recorded.The Cerchi headed the Ghibelline faction (Whites, who supported an Italian empire), and the Donati headed the Guelph faction (Blacks, who favored independent city-states). Fighting between families extended to friends and other citizens.Soon everyone was somehow entangled in this 50-year brawl, which split the city-state of Florence. Citizens would line up on opposite sides of the street.Then they would meet in the middle to fight one another in the name of Cerchi or Donati. Please research both families and post your findings. Do not forget to cite your sources.

Romeo's Character

Romeo is given a reprieve and rather than executed he is exiled.  He is directly responsible for Tybalt's death and by law should be killed.  What is his reaction when he learns of his punishment?  What is your opinion of how he acts? Should he be grateful?  Does he have the right to be so upset?  Is this a man who is simply in love with his wife, or is this the behavior of an immature individual? Use evidence from text to support your opinion.

Giffords' Stance

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/18/opinion/a-senate-in-the-gun-lobbys-grip.html?_r=0

Open the link and read the article.  What is your opinion regarding Giffords' stance on gun control?  What message is she giving?  Do you think her experiences make her a good or poor voice regarding gun control?  Is she using ethos, pathos, logos, all, or none of the three devices?   

Queen Elizabeth I

Queen Elizabeth I is a very important historical figure.  She reigned over England for 44 years.  Research her life as Queen and note the important acts, milestones and influences she had on her era.  Post your findings in a biographical format. (Use MLA citation)

Honor

Maintaining one's honor was a driving force that dictated how men behaved in the Elizabethan era. Research the concept of honor and dueling. What did men find as dishonorable? What about the practice of honor and dueling. Research and post your findings.

Master and Servant

The relationship between master and servant was interesting. Research "the day in the life" of a servant in the Elizabethan era. What type of jobs did a servant do?  Were they paid well for their service?  Post your findings. 

Crime and Punishment

In Romeo and Juliet, the punishment for inciting a riot is death. The Capulet and Montague clans have been warned to not instigate any violent arguments. Please research the justice system and possible punishment during the Elizabethan period and post your findings.

Religious Customs

When Elizabeth became Queen in the November of 1558, it was widely believed that she would restore the Protestant faith in England. Mary's persecution of Protestants had done much damage to the standing of Catholicism in England, and the number of Protestants in the country was steadily increasing. Although Elizabeth had adhered to the Catholic faith during her sister's reign, she had been raised a Protestant, and was committed to that faith. Elizabeth's religious views were remarkably tolerant for the age in which she lived. Research religious customs and post your findings.

Romantic Language

While most of us cannot imagine getting married in our early teens like Romeo and Juliet, one of the most enjoyable aspects of this play is its beautiful portrayal of romance, love, and marriage.  With that as your inspiration, post an excerpt from the text, that you find exceptionally beautiful and or romantic.  In addition, interpret what your posted text means

Elizabethan Medicine

Queen Elizabeth I's reign (1558-1603) brought the restoration of general charity, and there were many types of professionals and individuals to turn to for seeking medical attention. As a result of this broad spectrum of medical choices, a mixture of the theory of Humors, the Doctrine of Signatures, astrology, tradition, chemical science, and magic became the basis for popular medicine in Elizabethan England. Research what type of medicine was used to treat illness and post your findings.

Love or Infactuation?

At the beginning of the play, we find Romeo in love with love.  When he meets Juliet, however, he is convinced that he loves her, not merely the abstract emotion.  Juliet, also, believes she loves Romeo, the person.  How do we know that Juliet is indeed in love with Romeo, and not merely experiencing her first infatuation?

William Shakespeare

Research the author William Shakespeare. Where was he born? Was he married? What plays did he pen? Post any important information that you find. 

ELizabethan Theater Experience

Elizabethan Theater Experience:

In the late 16th and early 17th centuries, the time period in which William Shakespeare was active in the theater, attending a play during the afternoon was a favorite leisure activity for many members of London society in much the same way as going to movies and plays is a popular form of entertainment today. A closer examination of the theatre of Shakespeare’s time, however, will reveal many differences between the Elizabethan theater and the movies and plays of today. Research what this theater experience was like and post your findings.

Shakespeare's Stinging Phrases

Five hundred years ago, little in life moved more quickly than a trotting horse. With no media to fill the day, there was nothing but space for song and speech. Elizabethans took a delight with language, weaving together terms to form stinging phrases of wit. Shakespeare himself is thought to have invented (or first published) nearly 1,700 words. This was a period prior to the first English Dictionary (published 1604) where you might stitch together "ale" and "louse" to accuse your neighbor of being an "ale-louse" and no one could gainsay your usage. Research insults created by Shakespeare and post your results. Then go to the following site: www.pangloss.com/seidel/shake_rule.html and create your own insults. Post your creation.

Wedding Customs

It is said that one of the gifts to England of the Elizabethan era is Shakespeare. The Renaissance that began in Italy only made its way to England during the Elizabethan era. Shakespeare was a huge example used by many to demonstrate how the Renaissance came to be in England. It was said that 26 year old Anne Hathaway was impregnated by 18 year old William Shakespeare before their marriage. To avoid scandals and rumors, they were set to wed. Although William was three years below the age of consent, this is not entirely impossible as he may already have been treated as a working man due to financial problems that John faced. Research marriage traditions and post your findings.

Verona, Italy

'Romeo and Juliet' is set in Verona in Italy. There are a number of reasons for this setting, Verona is said to be a very romantic city so it makes the romance seem more real. It is also very hot in summer which can flare peoples tempers and lead to fights - "We shall not scape a brawl; For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring" says Benvolio afraid a fight will break out in the mid-summer heat. The heat further ignites the passion between Romeo and Juliet so it is not only negative.

Research Verona and post any interesting facts that you may encounter about this city. Where is it located? What does it look like? Etc.

Elizabethan Beauty

Elizabeth I, daughter of Henry VIII and Ann Boleyn, ascended to the throne of England in 1558. With her pale complexion and curly red hair, she was considered to be beautiful for the standards of her time. Once Queen, Elizabeth would start to set trends and wealthy women would go to great lengths to look like her. Beauty was viewed very differently in this era. Research what people perceived as beauty and post your findings. How did they attain this look?

Life Expectancy

England saw numerous epidemics in Elizabethan days. Queen Elizabeth herself came down with smallpox, though a mild case of it. The average person lived to be 42 years old. Someone who had money may have lived longer.

Research what illnesses and health issues people suffered from that may have contributed to their death. How could hygiene habits have also brought about illness and death during the Elizabethan era? Post your findings.

Shakespeare's Language

Shakespeare was responsible for creating several phrases/words that we still use today.  Please research these phrases coined by Shakespeare and post your findings.  In addition, do not forget to tell your readers what these phrases mean. 

Romeo and Juliet: Interesting Fact about Elizabethan Era

Romeo and Juliet:
The Elizabethan era was very different than today's society. In order to examine this historical time, you will research this era more closely.
Search, document on your MWDS (historical), and then post your findings on this blog.  Work with your partner to determine what facts you would like share with your classmates.   What have you discovered about the way people lived during this time frame.  Please post your findings.  Remember that language is a tool to express yourself; please use appropriate language.