Rocking Horse Winner

 Here's the short story!

Block C: Please read this over the weekend!

Ultraviolence

You can read the full article by Karl Marx here, but this little excerpt is where we direct our attention today:

     The purposeless massacres perpetrated since the June and October events, the tedious offering of sacrifices since February and March, the very cannibalism of the counterrevolution will convince the nations that there is only one way in which the murderous death agonies of the old society and the bloody birth throes of the new society can be shortened, simplified and concentrated, and that way is revolutionary terror.

                                                                                                                - Karl Marx, 1848

We have discussed the arguable necessity for a stratified society in order to thrive (Ancient Egypt, The Romans, every country under the industrial revolution). Marx argues the opposite. Is the downfall of a stratified society necessary?

Welcome back!

 Welcome back to the new 2023-2024 school year! Remember to bookmark this blog for homework and updates!

Animal Farm Chapter 7 and 8

1. Why does Napoleon order that the hens eggs have to be sold? How do the hens react to this?
2. Why do animals that seem to be innocent admit that they have betrayed the farm?
3. Who does Boxer blame for the executions? What does he vow to do?
4. Why is Napoleon getting different names or titles?
5. Why did the scandal involving the wood take place? Who is really to blame for this?
6. Why was there another change to the commandments?

Chapter 6

 

Animal Farm Questions Chapter 3 -5

Animal Farm Chapter 1 + 2

 Animal Farm Chapter 1 & 2

1.      List the animals that enter the barn for Old Major’s speech.

2.      If we were to connect each type of animal to a different kind of person in society, what kind of personalities do you think Orwell is describing? Describe the kinds of people represented by the following animals from Chapter 1:

a.      Boxer

b.      Pigs

c.       Mollie

d.      The Cat

e.      The Rats

3.      At one point in Chapter 2, Moses describes Sugarcandy Mountain as a place where animals may go when they die. Since this book is an allegory – what is the true story Orwell may be referring to with the character “Moses” and his stories of Sugarcandy Mountain?

4.      What do the animals with Mr. Jones’ farming equipment and tools immediately after the rebellion? How might this change the way animals take care of the farm after Mr. Jones is gone?

5.      What do you suppose happened to the milk at the end of chapter 2? How does this break the rules suggested by Old Major’s speech in chapter 1?

6.      Why are the animals so eager to do a big, successful harvest at the end of chapter 2?

Spring Break

 Wow! What a busy end before the break. Please remember to hand in your questions package, the quiz, and propaganda work. Also, your annotated DEJ!

Over Spring Break, read part 2. That's it! We'll begin work on March 27th assuming you have read part 2 - there may even be a comprehension quiz... who wouldn't want some free marks?

Chapter 6 - 8

Chapter 6

1. Party does not allow people who are physically attracted to each other to marry. We've come to learn that loving relationships are the ones that last; why does the Party enforce this policy?
2. Describe Winston’s relationship with his wife, Katharine.
3. Explain Winston’s belief that, “The sexual act, successfully performed, was rebellion. Desire was thoughtcrime.” 

Chapter 7

1. Describe how the Party utilizes history as propaganda.
2. Show how the Party’s control of the press allows it to manipulate history.
3. What is the Party’s essential command?
4. Interpret Winston’s axiom, “Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows.” 

Chapter 8

1. Define ownlife.
2. What is the irony of the proles’ situation and the Party’s view of them?
3. Infer why Winston checks for telescreens at the pub and in the room over Mr. Charrington’s shop.
4. Examine how Winston and Mr. Charrington’s knowledge of London’s churches exemplifies the Party’s approach to religion and history.

Chapter 5

1. How does Newspeak hope to eradicate all thoughtcrime?
2. Tell how citizens react to any government news about rations or production, and explain why it is an odd reaction.
3. Check this link  -  Facecrime happens when the subtle movements or gestures of your face reveal traitorous thoughts. It's a means for the Thought Police to evaluate loyalties. Based on the article, do you suspect thoughts can be managed by "faking" facial expressions? Could inauthentic expression become authentic?
4. The Party provides some means of pleasure for its citizens. Tobacco for smoking, Victory Gin, and chocolate for food are examples. In such oppression, why does the Party supply these luxuries at all? Are these items healthy choices? Consider the symbolism of such "luxuries" in the context of this dystopian world.
5. We see a lunch room conversation unfold between several characters and Winston. Examine the language of this discussion carefully, and Winston's read of these characters. Who do you think is loyal to the Party? Does Winston have a good assessment of those around him? (Include the dark-haired girl also!)
6. Examine the paragraph about "quacking" on page 64 and the paragraph where Syme explains "Duckspeak" - a newspeak word (bottom of 57). What does this reveal about the lunch room conversation?

Chapter 4

In this chapter, we learn all about Winston's work, and most of the technology that comes with the novel.

Comrade Ogilvy is a figment of creativity Winston uses to rectify a problematic article. In order to erase someone's existence, Ogilvy, who also doesn't exist, will take his place. 

1. Examine why the Party requires history to be rewritten rather than sharing that events change from time to time.
2. What is the point of replacing one lie with another?
3. Why does Winston enjoy his work?

Chapter 3

This is a big one - we are introduced to the revisionist history of 1984 and Doublethink.

1. Explain and assess the Party’s slogan, “Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past.” Does this concept apply to any ruling countries today? (discussion/response)
2. What is doublethink and why is it necessary in order to survive under Big Brother’s control? Does this take place in the world we live in?
3. Discuss how the Party uses propaganda to vilify capitalism while promoting the Party’s control.

Though we can easily perceive Doublethink and the revision of history as evil, are these necessary evils? Should these practices be encouraged?

Chapter 2

 In chapter 2, we begin to see more of the domestic life of Airstrip One. We're going to take a closer look at thoughtcrime and family. Winston describes Parsons with some disgust, and considers his children with disdain.

• First - family. The children accuse Winston of thoughtcrime, and are very active. Mrs Parsons even expresses her exhaustion. The kids are dressed in a uniform for a youth club associated with the Party's values. What is the role of children in Airstrip One? The role of filial piety (love and loyalty of family)? Reflect on children and family and write an extended paragraph on these questions.

Winston states that "Thoughtcrime does not entail death: thoughtcrime IS death." (p. 30)

• One of the goals of the novel is to persuade us that even the capacity for free thought can be controlled and regulated. What exactly is thoughtcrime, and why is the Party interested in it? What does Winston mean by the quote above? 

Remember - as we read, we should keep an eye out for a passage that may work for a close reading anaylsis!

Chapter 1

1. Examine the Party’s three slogans: “War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.” At this point in the novel, what do you think they mean?
2. Generalize what the film Winston watched says about the Party, how it controls the populace, and how it views its citizens.
3. Why is the Two Minutes Hate a success?
4. Infer why Winston frightens himself when writing, “Down with Big Brother,” in his diary and how he could be guilty of thoughtcrime.
5. Describe Winston's thoughts about the dark haired girl. In one moment he's distrustful, in another he's misogynistic. Why does this change occur? How does this society alter the ability for people to form meaningful relationships?

Dystopia. Find evidence in chapter 1 that supports this novel as a dystopia. Structure your response with evidence in these categories:

• The Personal (how people consider and live with themselves)
• The Social (how people interact with each other)
• The Political (how society is structured)

English 12

 Greetings Englishers!

We're getting into some of the big work of English 12. We're going to start off taking a close look at Edgar Allan Poe. Indeed, you've probably red The Tell-Tale Heart back when you were younger. Now, we're going to read "Masque of the Red Death". There's a copy of the story in the TEXT section.

This will be our first DEJ.

ELL3 Article Questions

1. What is a "lowrider"?
2. What is the purpose of the gathering described in the text?
3. What was the reason for the 36-year ban on lowriders cruising in San Jose?
4. How did the lowriding community feel about the cruising ban?
5. How did the lowrider culture originate?
6. Why did Mexican Americans create lowriders?
7. What role did lowriders play in the Mexican American community?
8. How did the lowrider culture spread throughout California?
9. Why is lowrider culture important to David Polanco?

After that, write an extended response (1 paragraph is ok) for the following:

• Thinking about the reason lowriders were banned, was this an effective way to solve the real problem in San Jose? Was there a better solution to solve this problem?

ELL3

 Questions about our news article!

1. What are some of the good things people are using chat GPT for?
2. What kind of nefarious things people are using chat GPT for?
3. What are some of the cybersecurity concerns regarding chat GPT?
4. Your Opinion: How will AI like chat GPT change the world?
5. Does new technology like this make some education unimportant?

ELL3

 Greetings all!

Here's a link to the article you should read today. Below is our work:

1. Summarize in 4 sentences or less.
2. How cold did it get in Finland?
3. How are people in Oulu surviving the cold while biking?
4. How has this city made it possible for so many people to use their bike? (there's more than one way!)
5. Would you ride a bike in a place this cold? What would convince you do ride a bike in weather like this?

English 10

 These are the topics we'll work with today:

1. Should public schools have dress codes? (Dress codes might have certain length requirements for skirts/dresses, as an example)
2. Should the death penalty be used to punish violent criminals?
3. Should corporations be allowed to advertise in schools?
4. Should music with explicit lyrics be allowed at school dances?

GLA 10 Prep

 Here's the link you'll need for the practice exam.

Here are some student examples with their scores.

Use the structure of POINT EXAMPLE EXPLAIN - as you write body paragraphs for your argumentative composition. Check out this paragraph: