Today's Lesson

Check H/W ... Humour & Summary Reports?

Free Rice

Journal Nine: Pressure (Part Two)

John Barton:

I've always had to be the best because it's been expected of me (p. 46)

But I don't know what I want to be ... How can I tell my father I don't want to study law if I don't know what else I want to be? (p. 133-34)

Is your situation similar to John's? How? Why? What pressures do you face from your family?

P.E.E.R: Peter BY Kate Walker

Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life, but define yourself ~ Harvey Firestone.

Discuss how BULLYING is dealt with in Peter by Kate Walker.

FREE RICE LEADERBOARD WEEK 6

25) Kayrouz (18) 1290
24) Charlie (24) 1560
23) Jesse N (24) 2040
22) Jay (14) 4050
21) Vili (13) 4580
20) Andrew P (21) 5500
19) Maher (12) 6190 (?)
18) Andrew N (10) 10390
17) Jide (9) 10700
16) Hieu (23) 10840
15) Jon (17) 11000
14) DK (5) 12330
13) Phi (7) 12360
12) DD (15) 12400
11) David (8) 12500
10) Hooper (22) 12550
9) Alex (20) 13000
8) Ben (18) 15010
7) Roni (3) 15060
6) Peter (4) 18120
5) Josh (11) 21480
4) O'Beirne (1) 24030
3) Kwabena (2) 29890
2) Jesse T (16) 33390
1) Scott (6) 37050

Classwork: Monday 8th November

You need to complete the following three activities by next lesson. If by some chance you complete these before the end of the lesson, you may choose to begin preparations for the review section of your exam; which is next week.

1) Complete your summary report. Whilst this should have been completed for H/W over the weekend, I would anticipate that there would be some of you who may benefit from the extra class time given.

2) Complete a journal on the following topic. DESTINY. Josie states that we are "masters of our own destiny" yet Lee disagrees, stating that "if your father's a dustman, you're going to be a dustman and if your father's filthy rich, you're going to be because he'll introduce you to his rich friend's son/daughter" (p. 144). How true is this in your family life?

3) Complete a journal on the following topic. LEADERSHIP. Sister Louise (p. 181) states "I know what came over you. You decided to become a sheep for the day, Josephine. You weren't a leader. You were a follower. You'll never amount to anything if you can be so easily influenced."
To what is Sister Louise referring? How does what she says apply to your own life?

Just a reminder too that these (as well as the previous three LFA journals) will be examined.

Journal: Eight

Read the following quotes from LFA ...

Jacob (p. 213)

Welcome to the nineties, Josephine. Women don't have to be virgins anymore.

Josie (p. 213)

Women don't have to be pushed into things anymore ... it's (virginity) not a prize and I'm not a prize. But it's mine. It belongs to me and I can only give it away once and I want to be sure when it happens Jacob ... or one day someone else is doing it. I don't want to do it, Jacob, because everyone else is doing it.

How does pressure effect Josie? What pressures do you experience in your own lives?

Google Docs: Questionnaires

Can you please post the URL to your Survey as a comment below. I'll then post a direct link to them in this post.

Jay & Co

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dFNsa2hoVEZpZWpVdlE4dWo3Qm9JQmc6MQ

Josh & Co

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dGhkd3cxUlVKNGxOTGVpRU1yeVJPMkE6MQ

MKD

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dExONkNRZENhYk95ZlBDNjdmYjY2TkE6MQ#gid=0

Peter & Co

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dDI5VzBOWXdUNWxqVV81cEFtUU5TZEE6MA

David & Co

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dDh6QlRSXzluLXI0ZThUaGZjQjNkamc6MQ

FREE RICE LEADERBOARD WEEK 3

Only ONE month to go! Remember the target is 1 000 000! 40 000 each!

22 Hooper / Jesse N / Charlie
21 Andrew P 1160
20 Alex 1270
19 Kayrouz 1280
18 Ben 2200
17 Jon 2440
16 Jesse T 3040
15 DD 3090
14 Jay 4050
13 Vili 4580
12 Maher 6190
11 Josh 7210
10 Andrew N 8000
9 Jide 8310
8 David 11320
7 Phi 11720
6 Scott 11900
5 DK 12330
4 Peter 13030
3 Roni 15060
2 Kwabena 21240
1 O'Beirne 21390

Journal: Seven

The next series of journals deal specifically with a range of themes and issue from LFA. Use references from the text to support your response to each question.

RITUALS, RULES & CULTURAL TRADITION

Josie states "We live in the same country but we're different. What's taboo for Italians isn't taboo for Australians." (p. 152)

1) What does the term TABOO mean?
2) What are the key differences between your culture or way of living and the stereotypical Australian culture or way of life?
3) Do you experience the same issues as Josie? If so, what? If not, why?

Post your response as a comment below. Remember to structure your response and adhere to the conventions of spelling, punctuation and grammar just as you would in any other written task.

Friday 29th October ... TBC

After today's lesson, the following work should be completed.

Journal # 6: Completed in EXERCISE books. Choosing 3 of the 5 topics listed on the board. Do you empathise with Josie's situation?

Features of Sitcoms: Definition and Mind Map. Add your own distinguishing features of sitcoms. Define and give examples.

Questionnaire: What type of questions will you ask? Most popular timeslot? Country or Origin? Characters? Locations? Sets? Canned Laughter? Theme Songs? Audience? FAMILY VALUES?

Extra: Familiarise yourself with Google docs. Don't have a Google account? MAKE ONE!

REMEMBER: SIMPSON'S P.E.E.R RESPONSES & LFA QUESTION SET 3: BOTH NEED TO BE POSTED ON THE BLOG!

LFA Q's Set 3: Ch 6-7

Question One

At the BBQ, Josie and Christina speak separately with Michael, Josie's new found father. He says to Christina; about Josie, that "I don't want her" (p. 65) yet shifts his perspective, later stating that "It's too late. Seventeen year-olds don't need fathers" (p. 66). To this, Christina replies "Oh God, Michael. I'm thirty-four years old and I need a father" (p.66).

What does this say about Michael's role as a father? Is he typical or atypical of what we would classify as the stereotypical father?

Answer with reference to the text, and (if applicable and appropriate) anecdotally from your own experiences and relationship with your father/s.

Question Two

Nonna speaks of the changes in the parent/child relationships over the years; stating that "Oh Jozzie, tings these days are so bad because you can get away with anyting. But tings those days were so bad because you got away wit nuting" (p. 75).

How is this applicable to your own life? Compare and contrast your parents' disciplinary actions with that of your grandparents. How are they the same? How are they different?

POST ANSWERS AS COMMENTS BELOW. OF COURSE ONLY REVEAL THE INFORMATION ABOUT YOURSELF THAT YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH SHARING WITH ALL OF US.

DUE FRIDAY 29/10/10

Journal # 5

For all of those who have been bluffing their way through the novel thus far.

What are your impressions (so far) of Josie? How does she see herself? What hang-ups does she have? How do others see her?

In your response, you MUST reference the text, using relevant quotes from the first half of the novel.

Responses should be submitted as a comment below and be a minimum of 200 words. Due next lesson!

The Simpsons: An Ideal Family?

From Lamey (March 25, 2000) New York Post

In an issue of Political Theory, a prestigious academic journal, Paul A. Cantor of the University of Virginia examines the "deep politics" of Matt Groening's popular animated cartoon, stating that "For all its slapstick nature and its mocking of certain aspects of family life, The Simpsons has as affirmative side and ends up celebrating the nuclear family as an insitution."

Do you agree?

Season 20: Episode 3 - Double, Double, Boy in Trouble

When Lenny wins the lottery and invites the Simpson family to a celebratory party at a posh hotel, Bart meets his doppelganger, Simon Woosterfield, who happens to be a member of the richest family in Springfield. Simon and Bart decide to switch places, and Bart arrives at the lavish Woosterfield mansion only to find football great Joe Montana hanging around the estate. As Simon adjusts to the simple life over at the Simpson household, Bart begins to notice his wealthy new siblings acting strangely toward him. With some frightening words of wisdom from Mr. Burns, Bart realizes his new siblings are plotting his demise so they can inherit the Woosterfield family fortune all for themselves. Lisa and Simon must reach Bart before he goes from riches to ditches.

Use the P.E.E.R acronym to structure your response and reference the above episode in your answer. Your response to the question should be at least 300 words in length.

Submit as a comment below.

FREE RICE LEADERBOARD WEEK 2

It seems as though the tracking software on freerice.com is less than desirable, so if you feel as though you should be on the leaderboard, post your total as a comment below.

Kwabena 18990
Me 12220 (21230)
Roni 11390
Wild Maso (?) 9260
Coldplay (?) 7380

Remember each student needs to reach a total of 40000 by December 1st!

Mao's Last Dancer: Extract

After reading the extract from PETER by Kate Walker and answering the comprehension questions, go to http://www.penguin.com.au/products/9780670029242/maos-last-dancer/extract and read the extract taken from MAO'S LAST DANCER by Li Cunxin.

In a small, desperately poor village in north-east China, a young peasant boy sits at his rickety old school desk, interested more in the birds outside than in Chairman Mao's Red Book and the grand words it contains. But that day, some strange men come to his school – Madame Mao's cultural delegates. They are looking for young peasants to mould into faithful guards of Chairman Mao's great vision for China.

This is the true story of how that one moment in time, by the thinnest thread of a chance, changed the course of a small boy's life in ways that are beyond description. One day he would dance with some of the greatest ballet companies of the world. One day he would be a friend to a president and first lady, movie stars and the most influential people in America. One day he would become a star: Mao's last dancer, and the darling of the West.

After reading the extract, work with a partner to come up with 10 questions based on the extract that you will swap with another two students in the class. The questions should take on the same format as the questions from PETER and should have some focus on FAMILY VALUES. Post your QUESTIONS ONLY as a comment below.

FREE RICE LEADERBOARD WEEK 1

RONI: 7790
KWABENA: 7780
DANIEL K: 6350
ANDREW N: 6250
DAVID N: 3480

ME: 1770 (HOWEVER MY ACTUAL TOTAL IS 4530 - I DIDN'T PLAY WITHIN THE GROUP!)

CLASS TOTAL: 40530

ONLY 959470 TO GO!

LFA Q's (The First Two Set's)

Ch 1-3

1. Josie says that her biggest problem is ‘being stuck at a school dominated by rich people’ (p. 6). What does this say about Josie?

2. After arguing with Nonna, ‘I realised that I loved her as much as I disliked her’ (p. 38) Josie realises something about family and relationships. What is it that she now understands?

3. Josie says of her family, culture and identity, ‘I’ll run one day. Run for my life. To be free.’ What does this day about Josie’s mindset at this time?

Ch 4-5

1. Josie states that Jacob was ‘the epitome of individuality’ (p. 55). What does this say about Jacob’s personality?

2. Ivy states that she and John are ‘in the same circle of friends’ (p. 56). Who does this circle exclude? What does this say about those inside the group?

3. Find a quote (p. 63) that shows we as a nation have a long way to go before becoming a ‘family.’ Why is this?

Reflections

After viewing three or four reflections, choose one and contemplate the following questions.

What was the best thing about the reflection?
What was the one aspect of the reflection that was most lacking?
What would be one thing you would include in the reflection to improve it?

Post your responses as a comment below. Please be sure to identify who the reflection is by and the title of the poem reflected upon.

Poetry Evaluation

Its the same deal as the Sports Evaluation. The only key difference is that in the last question I'd like you to think specifically about the use of the NOTEBOOKS in class.

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dFUtWnIyVjkwTmRlWEwwNjdZampibFE6MA

Sports Evaluation

Can you please complete the following on-line evaluation of the last unit. Be as honest and constructive as possible in your comments.

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dE1pbkNGSDBpblNwOEFpcy1zdUZvNmc6MQ#gid=0

STETS ANALYSIS

Go to http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/top_poems.html and choose any ONE of the top FIFTY poems listed for your perusal.

Then, using the scaffold below; complete a STETS analysis of the poem. Each question needs to be answered in full sentences. Complete this work as a WORD document and then cut and paste as a comment below.

STETS Analysis

Subject Matter:

What is the poem describing? What situation, experiences and people are recorded in this poem?

Theme:

What is the underlying message that the poet is trying to communicate to the audience? What is the poet’s purpose in writing this poem?

Emotions:

What is the predominant mood or emotion of the poem? Does the mood change during the poem? If so, at what point(s)? What emotional response does the poet wish to evoke in the audience? How successful is the poet in obtaining this response?

Techniques:

How has the poet crafted this poem? Give at least three examples of the poetic techniques used and explain how they are used in the poem.

Summary:

How successful is this poem as social comment? Do you believe that it achieves the poet’s purpose? (Write this as a paragraph with quotes from the poem to prove your ideas)

Educational Game (?) # 2

Chicktionary

This is also a FREE app on iTunes. For those of you familiar with BOGGLE its the same thing, just with chickens!

http://www.clubbing.com/Pages/Games/GamePlay.aspx?game=Chicktionary&mode=play&a=msngames&gid=5

You'll need to access using IE as the game doesn't work on Firefox. Post the letters you were given as a comment below, write the longest word you were able to find in the allotted time, and use it in a sentence.

E.G.

1) TPONLEVEDME

2) DEVELOPMENT

3) This website has been an interesting development.