CHOICE BOOK RESPONSE

For today's blog assignment, I would like you to respond to a powerful passage from the reading you have done during the last couple of days.

Consider your response a conversation between you and the text.
You’ll need to record the quote/passage and your thoughts about the text.
Follow the format based on the example below.

Comment on one of the following:
● what you think something means
● the personal connections you make (to a character, setting, event)
● patterns you notice
● predictions you can pose
● commentary on important decisions made by characters, ideas expressed, or key events
● observations about a character
● what seems unusual
● recognition of a literary technique and ideas about its meaning and purpose


EXAMPLE:
“A few miles south of Soledad, the Salinas River drops in close to the hillside bank and run deep and
green.  The water is warm too, for it has slipped twinkling over the yellow sands in the sunlight
before reaching the  narrow pool. On one side of the river the golden foothill slopes curve up to the 
strong and rocky Gabilan  mountains … sycamores with mottled, white,  recumbent limbs and 
branches that arch over the  pool” (Steinbeck 1).

There’s something about the description of the pool that makes it sound lovely. The complex 
sentences and  verbs are fluid: drops, run, slipped, curve, and arch. The  descriptors are fresh and 
peaceful: deep and green,  twinkling, golden, mottled, and recumbent. With this  lovely pool
against the backdrop of the “strong and  rocky Gabilan mountains,” the spot feels like a refuge.

If you need extra time, complete your post for homework.

Reflections on William Kamkwamba

Reflections on William Kamkwamba

Today, I'd like you to review the last sections of the The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.
Provide two quote reactions to two of the following sections of the text:

• Chapter 15
• The Epilogue
• About the Book

You can write a personal response since you are reacting to his experiences. See the example below:

   "The people seated around me were so well-dressed and confident. They had important things to do, and their busy lives required them to travel in airplanes across the world. As the jet accelerated down the runway and lifted its nose in the air, I pressed my head back in the seat and laughed.
     I guess I was now one of them, too" (Kamkwamba 263).

What a moment for William. He may have never dreamed of being a passenger in an airplane. The whole experience seems surreal. Most of us take such things as airplane travel for granted, but for William, that first ride is the beginning of an incredible new journey. He accomplished so much for his family and village. William was never thinking just of himself. Instead, he focused on the ways he could make life better for those around him. He deserves the fame and I felt so happy for William in this moment. When he looks around the airplane, he should view himself as an adult. He's come so far and done more for others than many adults are able to accomplish in a lifetime. William is an inspiration.

Formatting:
Provide the quote and parenthetical citation after the quote.
Write a one-paragraph response to each of the quotes you've selected.

If you do not finish in class, complete the blog assignment for homework. (10 points)

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind - Response to an EQ

1. What does it mean to be responsible? How do human beings demonstrate responsibility for their actions and for the well being of others?

2. How do human beings overcome adversity?

3. To what extent can we improve the lives of others in our family and our community?

4. How can education influence our ability to transform ourselves and the world in which we live?

5. How can developing such qualities as resilience and resourcefulness enhance our ability to respond to challenges and problems in our community and world?

6. Why do some people just “tilt at windmills,” while others build them?

Assignment: 1. Select one of the EQs from above. Copy and paste it into a new Google Doc.
2. Find a focus quote from chapter 9 or 10 that answers the question. Copy and paste the quote into your doc, under the question. Provide a parenthetical citation.
3. Write a well-developed paragraph (6 or more sentences) in response to the EQ. Begin with a strong topic sentence. Refer to the focus quote you have chosen and provide additional details/quotes from the text to support your response. End with a concluding sentence.
4. When you've finished your response, proofread and edit it. Then, copy and paste it into a new Blog post and publish it.

10 points

Blog assignment 3: Current Event Article

1. Go to the Media Center homepage and select General Databases from the left menu
2. Choose one of the news sources from the bottom
3. Browse the current news stories for one that interests you. Copy and paste the article into a Google Doc.
4. Read the story through once. Then, after re-reading the story, prepare a one-paragraph summary.
5. Under your summary, include a thought-provoking what-if question that speaks to your topic.
6. For Monday, I would like you to respond to two of your classmates posts by reading the summary and answering the what-if questions.

Blog 1: Introduction to you

Your first blog post should include a paragraph introduction to you. In addition, post a picture that speaks to something you enjoy when you are not at school.

Here is an example:
            My name is Mrs. Panarelli and this is my 11th year teaching at Nashoba. I have taught freshmen every year that I've been here. When I'm not at school, I enjoy reading for pleasure, hiking, biking, and just being outside. During the winter, I enjoy skiing, especially the chocolate-covered waffles and hot cocoa that come along with this sport. I have three children: Alex, Joseph, and Nate. Joseph and Nate play hockey, so our weekends are starting to become very busy. And, I have two corgis: Ben and Suzy. I'm looking forward to getting to know my students this year, as always.