Youtopia

This is so cool! Check out Backyard Paradises.

Then, open a new comment on this blog. In one sentence, respond (good or bad) to the backyard utopia that most interested you.

After doing this research, I want you to think about what your version of a utopian SCHOOL would be. BNW focuses on a utopian society, Backyard Paradises focuses on utopian outdoor spaces...I want you to create a utopian school. I am very serious about this. What would it look like physically? What would the schedule be like? Who would attend? How would people learn and grow? How would the different grades interact with each other? Would students be graded? What special events would occur? What would be part of the daily schedule? You are welcome to answer all or none of these questions, but you must get specific, creative, and intentional with your description. Help us SEE this school and understand WHY it is structured the way it is.

These posts are due by the end of the period.

Structure: Begin with a one sentence quote (and yes, put it in quotation marks) that captures your vision. Then describe and explain your utopia.

My non-honors sections will vote on the honors descriptions; my honors sections will vote on the non-honors. The winning students (one honors and one non-honors) will earn 10 Bonus points on their BNW Test, get first pick on which day they would like to present their research paper topic, AND get a one-day extension on their research paper. Awesome!

Everyone will earn 10/10 points for completing this.

Pro-Pro Arguments

In your comment, please post each Pro's thesis statement followed by topic sentences supporting that side's position.
PRO 1
Thesis: Haiti's recovery efforts have been hampered by an corrupt and ineffective government.

TS:

TS:

TS:

PRO 2
Thesis: Haiti's recovery efforts have been slowed due to inconsistent global assistance and a severe drop-off of media and medical attention.

TS:

TS:

TS:

Global Issue Topics List

Please post your list of ten global issues you are interested in for your research paper. Next to three of your topics, you should include a 2-3 sentence statement of what the issue is all about (this should be in your own words--don't lift this from another source). Finally, please put an asterisk before the topic you have chosen for your research paper. Thanks!

ATOTC: Ch. 20-24 Analysis Post

Try to teach us SOMETHING.

ATOTC: Part 2, Ch. 10-16 Response

Blog Post Advice

1. "Periods go inside closing quotation marks." "They go AFTER parenthetical citations" (22).
2. Analyze, don't summarize. Try to teach us something about the text.
3. You must look closely at the text. Use the text to support your arguments.
4. Avoid this wording: "On page 19, it says..." What is "it"? Don't word sentences like this.
5. Check spelling!
6. Top Ten rules apply.

Make these posts thoughtful in both content and wording!

ATOTC: Part 2, Chapters 1-6

Remember: you are NOT summarizing! You are ANALYZING an element of your reading so that we can think about the text in new and interesting ways. Push us! Draw some conclusions!