Please respond...

Nelson made a really interesting comment on his blog. He wrote...

"Today, during class we had a class discussion about All Quiet on the Western Front and war in general. We talked about different aspects of war, we talked about WWI, WWII, Desert Storm, and wars in general. After the discussion I came to the computer to write my reflection (about a subject that I already forgot) and Lucien told me that he was pretty annoyed about the fact that everytime we talk about war it goes back to past crimes and leaders. He told me that he was pretty annoyed about us not talking about wars NOW; it always goes back to Alexander, it always goes back to Hitler; WWI. Me, I believe he is right in the sense that war is NOT a thing of the past. War is currently waged in the Middle East, and in Africa, but for some reason we talk about Hitler and not Bush (or the US senate for that matter). We talk about the Holocaust and not Darfur, and even though the Holocaust was bigger, Darfur is present. And even though history is important; I believe that the present is more so."

Do you agree or disagree???

End Reflection on the Novel

Now that you have finished reading All Quiet on the Western Front, please discuss these three questions with your critical friends. Post a response to one of these questions on your blog. Be sure to integrate the responses of your critical friends in your answer...

1. What is ironic, or dramatically unexpected about the novel's ending?

2. What images of the novel are lingering in your mind? Explain why these images made a lasting impression on you.

3. Do you think Paul can claim to speak for an entire "lost generation" when he speaks of the effects of war? In Paul's opinion war ruins those who survive as must as those who die. Do you think his fellow soldiers felt the same way about war?

Seminar Thursday, February 22

Make sure you allocate time in advance to prepare for this!!!

Our seminar will be focused around the central question:

Read the packet on WWI, review your journal entries from All Quiet on the Western Front, review your notes, and specifically read the Christmas Truce articles and answer the seminar prep-questions.

You will be partnered up with your playwrite partner (inner and outer group model).

Packet and questions I will hand out today and will be posted on my dp.

EASY TOOLS FOR FORMATTING YOUR SCRIPT!!!

So, Final Draft is the best program for writing scripts. There is a trial you can download here. Let me know if you have problems. It is PC/MAC compatible from what I can see.

http://www.freesoftwaregifts.com/dest?id=156&promoid=100748&pid=1900000666&cid=86&lid=1118

Cinergy Script Editor is a free application and will also make your lives 100 times easier when formatting your scenes...This is mostly used for movie scripts, but it can be used for our purposes too.

http://www.mindstarprods.com/cinergy/preview.htm

Here is another option. It is a Microsoft Word Application that you can download for free too!
http://www3.sympatico.ca/mbelli/sm.htm

Performance Day: FRIDAY 2/16...Create a 3-5 Minute Historical Dramatic Scene

So, Friday you will be reading your dramatic scene to your classmates. I will be collecting the following components of this project. In addition, they all should be posted to your blog.

1. Character Bios (5 pts)
2. Abstract (5 points)
3. Scene (20 points)

And your reading will be worth (5 points)
In your reading, you must do the following:

a. Project your voice (level 3)
b. Connect emotionally to the text
c. Use the space in the room to establish your setting
d. Have at least one prop
e. Be professional. SO practice before you perform!!!

Tomorrow I will hand out and post the rubric for grading criteria of this assignment under PROJECTS on my DP.

HAVE FUN! Remember, drama is an often exaggerated expression of OUR HUMANITY.

DIALECTIC JOURNALING: DUE FRIDAY 2/16 & TUESDAY 2/19

Read through chapter 10 by Friday, and complete the text by Tuesday, Feburary 19. Be prepared for an assessment of the entire text next week.
Write a minimum of two dialectic journal entries and comment on two student posts. Choose one salient quote and:

1. Explain what the quotation means in the context of the text
2. Why it is important/interesting to you.

Reflection on Today's Class Discussion

In the afternoon, our seminar discussion focussed on themes from All Quiet on the Western Front. In particular, I was most impressed with the connections you were all making between the text and historical events of the past and the present.
I mentioned this on Carolina Jiminez' blog, www.carolinaj.blogspot.com , but I believe indifference to be one of humanity's most dangerous instincts. We respectfully argued in class whether or not indifference is in fact a human instinct.

Emily, www.specklefish.blogspot.com , has drawn some excellent connections on her blog between the nature of animals and the nature of humans, particularly in times of war. I encourage you to post comments on my blog and each other's blogs this weekend and keep the class conversation alive! Have a great weekend. See you Monday.

WRITE A MONOLOGUE...Due Monday, February 12 for Drama Class.

Read through chapter 7 for Monday. Now let's be a little creative!!! Write a minimum of a ten line monologue to perform in drama class on Monday. Write and in turn deliver the monologue (speech) as if you were a character in All Quiet on the Western Front. Be passionate, be thoughtful, be CREATIVE.

A monologue is a speech that one actor delivers in a play. Before you get started, consider these questions!!!

WHERE IS THIS PERSON SPEAKING?
WHO IS LISTENING?
WHAT IS THE MAIN THING THEY ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT?

NOW CHOOSE A STARTING LINE that will capture the audience's attention.

--------------------------------
IN YOUR WRITING:

Description of the Setting using imagery (time, place, what is in the space physically (ie It's 9pm in war torn Europe. John is sitting in an empty barrack on a chillingly cold day in the winter of 1914. There is an old, iron bed in the corner which appears rusty and worn. John sits on the floor, obviosuly annoyed, next to the bed struggling to take his wet boots off after a long day in the field. Mumbling under his breath as he looks desperately for a pen and paper, he finally after a few moments begins to write this letter...)

Monologue:....(minimum of 10 lines)
Your monologue should directly connect to the conflict, actions, thoughts, dilemas, themes, and realities that character is experiencing or you imagine he may be experiencing up through chapter 7 in the text.

Some of you will read/perform your monologue in drama class Monday.

Carl makes a great point!!! What are your thoughts?

Carl said

"There is the idea that the only way to attain civilization is through violence, so one could say it was inevetable for all the deaths in the Reign of Terror, but you could also compare it to the American Revolution which didn't have nearly as many brutal acts occur."


What do you guys think? Do you think violence is necessary in order for a society to progress?

check out Carl's blog at www.carlyorysh.blogspot.com

All Quiet On The Western Front: DUE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9

Read through chapter 4 (up to page 75). In this chapter Paul states:

"At the sound of the first droning of the shells we rush back, in one part of our being, a thousand years. By the animal instinct that is awakened in us we are led and protected. It is not conscious; it is far quicker, much more sure, less fallible, than consciousness. . . . It is this other, this second sight in us, that has thrown us to the ground and saved us, without our knowing how. . . . We march up, moody or good-tempered soldiers—we reach the zone where the front begins and become on the instant human animals."

Why would Paul characterize himself and his comrades as "human animals"?

Your task: Discuss the meaning of this quotation and the experiences the boys are enduring internally. In addition to your posting, comment on one other student's post.

Post: Minimum 200 words
Comment: Minimum 100 words

DUE WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7

After Napoleon abdicates in 1814, the revolution is officially over, and Louis XVIII is crowned King of France. Can you believe it? The monarchy returns!!! In light of our investigation of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic era, evaluate the legacy of the French Revolution. Do you believe it was a success or a failure? Your response should be atleast 150 words.

My First Post

this is rad!