Mali Women and Skin Bleaching...

Click here and read this article regarding Mali women.

Using a minimum of five of your eight vocabulary words, respond to this article.

SEMINAR MONDAY AND TUESDAY!!!

On Monday and Tuesday we will conduct a Socratic seminar on the Youtube commerical and the two articles below. Be sure to print them, annotate them, and come prepared with questions to pose to your classmates. Moderators will be assigned on the spot, so be sure to come ready for that responsibility!!!


Is Beauty In the Eye of the Beholder? -Monday

Morality of Fat - Tuesday. Be sure to read the comments below the article and be prepared to discuss those comments as well!

Have a great weekend!!!

DUE FRIDAY: YOU TUBE COMMERCIAL RESPONSE

Check out the Youtube video I linked to the left under SOCRATES CAFE'. Watch it and do the following:

1. What were your gut reactions to this commerical?
2. What do you think about the central message of the commercial? Be specific and give examples to support your ideas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epOg1nWJ4T8

DUE THURSDAY: WOMEN IN ANCIENT GREECE!

Read and research women in Ancient Greece and post a blog answering the following questions:


1. How did women's roles in society differ from Athens and Sparta?

2. If the Greeks are considered so advanced, so culturally elite, why do you believe gender equality (equality between men and women) was not established?

3. Based on your understanding of women in Ancient Greek society, how do you think women were depicted by artists at this time?

beauty

Tolerance and acceptance are most definitely two ideals I characterize with beauty. To me, diversity is all around us. The jungles, oceans, deserts, and other realms of nature seem to embrace differences and strive for balance and cohabitation. Clearly, there are disruptions to this process, but balance and harmony are so intrinsic in nature. I believe tolerance and acceptance, in the human form, to be universals that exemplify the optimal balance and beauty attainable amongst the human race. Intolerance is not innate. I believe, as Ben Harper says in one of my favorite songs "Burn One Down" that "when I was a baby I was not prejudiced...this was something that I learned in school. Something they taught us to do". Regardless of where it is learned, it is learned, and as long as the fight exists, I will continue to usher tolerance and acceptance as I carry on my journey through this life of mine. I choose to teach tolerance, to model acceptance, and to hopefully leave my blueprints on my students and all those who I encounter.




Click here to read about the UN's efforts to promote tolerance. The international DAY OF TOLERANCE just passed on November 16th.

DUE WEDNESDAY: YOU, PLATO, SOCRATES and some youthful truth!!!

Hey all,

SO, I may be out today so you will run the class as follows:

1. Book Club
2. Post responses on one another's blogs to each other's differing views of beauty
3. Define vocabulary words
4. Read the bios of Plato and Socrates (links to the left under SOCRATES CAFE") and then begin to wOrk on your next blog due tomorrow. Posting below.
5. Be productive!!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------

This selection from Plato's writings highlight a viewpoint of Socrates' on beauty.


Answer these questions on your blog and be prepared to discuss them with your classmates. Write, elaborate, express yourself, and have fun!


1. What is so beautiful about youth?

2. We know what "perfect" most likely means to Socrates by looking at ancient Greek sculpture and art and drawing inferences, but he doesn't describe this "perfect" human form. What are your thoughts on the idea of a "perfect" human form today? What is it in your culture for men? women? What are your thoughts surrounding those ideals?

"NOW YOU KNOW, my friend, that I cannot measure anything, and of the beautiful, I am simply such a measure as a white line is of chalk; for almost all young persons appear to be beautiful in my eyes. But at that moment, when I saw him coming in, I confess that I was quite astonished at his beauty and stature; all the world seemed to be enamoured of him; amazement and confusion reigned when he entered; and a troop of lovers followed him. That grown-up men like ourselves should have been affected in this way was not surprising, but I observed that there was the same feeling among the boys; all of them, down to the very least child, turned and looked at him, as if he had been a statue.

Chaerephon called me and said: What do you think of him, Socrates? Has he not a beautiful face?

Most beautiful, I said.
But you would think nothing of his face, he replied, if you could see his naked form: he is absolutely perfect."

Plato's Charmides

is beauty in the eye of the beholder?

We are going to begin a cross-cultural and historic examination of the concept of "beauty". For starters, before we read the great greek philosophers take on this concept, what do you think "beauty" means? It's a loaded question, I know. So let's begin here.

1. Choose two images you believe exemplify the concept of "beauty"

2. Explain why they are beautiful to you.

3. Upload the images and your description on your blog.

4. Post a comment on one person's blog in response to their ideas.

5. Be ready to share tomorrow...

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF BLOGGING

So, today we will embark on the beginning of our journey into the world of blogging. Today you will all create your own blog and make your first posts. Below is a short synopsis you must read before you begoin your journey. Enjoy this new experience and remember, the blog you are creating is attached to your digital portfolio, therefore it is an academic medium for expression. You will not publish anything you wouldn't submit to me...More on this later. Here we go...Read below!----------------------------------------------------------------
BLOGGING ANYONE?

Blogs -- short for Web logs -- are online journals or diaries. Blogs can be public or private, entertaining or educational, eclectic or subject specific.

A blog entry is similar to a traditional journal or diary entry; it usually includes the date, reflections on a topic of interest, and a signature. Students can use blogs to practice writing and communication skills; teachers can use them to post assignments, share thoughts, stimulate classroom discussion, and more.

What are the benefits of classroom blogging?

* Kids love blogging.
* Students who lack the reading and writing skills they need to succeed also may lack the motivation to practice those skills. Many are motivated, however, to chat virtually with their friends.
* Seeing their words published on the Web is a great student motivator.
* Blogs offer an innovative way for students to engage in reflective writing on classroom topics in a familiar medium.
* Blogs represent a democratization of information dissemination, providing each individual with the opportunity to publicly present his or her thoughts and opinions.
* Students who know they have an audience other than their teacher write more credibly, accurately, and carefully.
* Blogs allow others to respond, providing feedback to the authors.

In short, blogs can bring today's students into the world of writing -- even at 2 a.m., even in their pajamas! Best of all, blogs are easy to create and maintain!

LET'S BLOG!

How do you get started? Here's an easy way:

* Go to Blogger.
* Click Start Here or Learn more about it and then click to begin.
* Type in your username, password, name, and e-mail account.
* Fill in a title and description for your blogging Web page.
* Keep the circle by "Host at…."
* Type an address for your blog.
* Click to accept terms of service, and then click Next.
* Select a template and click Finish.
* Type an entry. (Maybe something like, "This is my first blog entry.")
* Choose different formatting if you wish (to bold, italic, etc.).
* Hit Post and Publish.
* Wait a few seconds and then hit View Web Page.

Basically, that's all there is to it!