Tuesday's Assignment

Today you will do some research to learn a bit more about George Orwell and the background to his most famous novel, 1984.

Use the links provided below to answer the following Who, What, When, Where, Why and How questions. Type your responses and hand them in. You will be graded on the thoroughness and thoughtfulness of your answers.

Links:
George Orwell Biography
The Literature Network
Levity.com
L-1.com Biography

1. Who was George Orwell? Include key information about his life and identity.
2. What personal beliefs were reflected in his writing?
3. When did he write 1984 and when was it published?
4. Where did he experience the things he wrote about?
5. Why did Orwell write 1984?
6. How did Orwell explain his topics and reasons for writing?

Monday's Assigment

Computer Lab assignment:

Read the following article and answer the questions below.

NY Times Article: Little Brother is Watching

1. What does Mr. Kirn mean when he says that the invasion of privacy has been “democratized”?
2. How are today’s communication technologies and communicators different from those Orwell imagined in “1984”?
3. Do you agree or disagree with Mr. Kirn that the actions of Tyler Clementi’s roommate are “more disturbing” than those of Orwell’s Big Brother?
4. In what way, according to Mr. Kirn, can the actions of “Little Brother” benefit society?
5. How has today’s technology blurred the lines between what’s public and what’s private?
6. What does Mr. Kirn mean when he says modern technology contributes to the fragmentation of society?

(Questions from The Learning Network: Teaching and Learning with The New York Times)

Weekly Agenda 1/9 - 1/13

Monday 1/9 - Late Entry (4, 5, 6 & 7)
- Finish Concentric Circle Posters
Homework: Read "Flowers for Algernon"
Progress reports 3/5 - 4/3

Tuesday 1/10 - Day 4
- Discuss "Flowers"
Homework: Finish "Flowers for Algernon"

Wednesday 1/11 - Day 3
- Discuss "Flowers"
Homework: TBA

Thursday 1/12 - Day 2
- Review for Midterm
Homework: Independent Reading blogs due tomorrow!
Prepare a brief "book talk" about your book for the class. Bring your book to share.

Friday 1/13 - Day 1
- Book Talks
Homework: Study for Midterms. Good luck on your exams!

Weekly Agenda: 1/2 - 1/6

Monday 1/2 - New Year's Day (Observed)

no school

Tuesday 1/4 - Day 1

- Octavia Butler's "Speech Sounds"

Homework: Read "Speech Sounds." Mark up the text. Complete two D.J.'s focused on the role communication plays in our humanity.

Wednesday 1/5 - Day 7

- Poetry Out Loud Period Finals!

Good luck, Stephen!

Thursday 1/6 - Day 6

no class

Friday 1/7 - Day 5

- Discuss "Speech Sounds"

Homework: TBA