Blog #11- Due Thursday, October 2, 2014

Blog Post #11: "What's Current Creates Currency"

This idea holds true for many types of popular texts including TV, music, and music videos. By growing up with a broad range of 'popular’ texts, we can, in a sense, take the pulse of a culture. This blog post examines popular texts as reflections of our cultural values.

Due: Thursday, October 2^nd by class time.

1) What kinds of values are prevalent in music videos?

2) How does entertaining, popular music portray social groups in a certain light?

3) Does popular music dictate what we believe? Or does it reflect our beliefs and cultural values?

4) What makes music 'popular'? Can 'pop' music be 'real' music?

5) How is music used in various forms of media to entertain?

6) How does music influence people's ideologies?

7) How does music reflect cultural values?

Task:

Step 1: Title blog post- Blog Post #11: "What's Current Creates Currency"

Step 2: Select five out of the seven questions to respond to. You do not need to write the question BUT write the number of the selected question(s).

Step 3: Write in complete sentences and include an image for at least one response.

Step 4: Read other blogs from last week and post (at least) 5 comments. Keep it positive and be specific on what you like!

Blog #10- Due Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Choose one scene from the novel and explain how it represents culture in the novel. (CANNOT USE THE BIRTHDAY SCENE WE DISCUSSED IN CLASS!)

Blog #9 Due Monday, September 29, 2014

Blog Post #9: Disappearing Languages

National Geographic: Disappearing Languages
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/enduring-voices/

Blog post assignment #9:

Click on the link above and explore the different disappearing languages. Select one
language that is “disappearing” on the map.

Answer the following questions about your selected language:
1) What language did you select? Why?
2) Why is this language considered a “dying language”? (You might have to do some
additional research.)
3) What suggestions do you have to help keep this language alive?
4) Make a chart with 5 slang words from your generation.
Example:
Slang word/phrase
selected:
Your translation of word/phrase: Explanation of word/phrase
grandparents generation?
What’s up? How’s it goin’? How are you feeling today?
5) How will your generation keep your language alive?

Blog #8 Due Thursday, 9/25/2014

nAntojos means “cravings” in Spanish

nCraving—connotations?

nWhy title it in Spanish and write it in English? 

HW Due Wednesday, 9/24/2014: Writing an Introduction

●Choose ONE of the texts we’ve read so far: “How To Tame A Wild Tongue,” “Names/Nombres,” or one of the bilingual poems.

●Respond to the following question in relation to your chosen text: How could the text be read and interpreted differently by two different readers?"

●Your first 1-2 sentences are an intriguing, interesting statement or question (not the prompt itself) related to your topic and thesis statement. You may choose to complete this piece last, but make sure it is at the beginning of your introduction.

●Your introduction includes the name of the author and title of the work you are going to discuss in the paper in the order in which you are going to discuss them.

●The final sentence(s) of your introduction is/are your thesis statement, or claim, about the texts you discuss that also relays the general structure of your paper.

** Remember, a thesis statement is something you can argue for or against.***

Blog #7 due Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Read bilingual poems and answer these questions for Tuesday, 9/24/2014:

1.In 'Bilingual' Espaillat uses parenthesis to translate several words. What is the effect of this on the audience? How does this compare to how Alvarez mixes language and Bhatt switches from one language (English) to the next (Gujarati) and back again (English)?

2.In 'Bilingual' the author refers to her father's wish to keep Spanish and English separate, in different places and times. How do all three authors view this idea of separating their languages? How does this make them feel as individuals?

3.In 'Bilingual Sestina', how does the author describe the importance of childhood memory and playing with 'things' to the experience of learning a language?

4.Explain the irony of the final words of 'Bilingual Sestina', 'en Inglais'.

5.In 'Search for my tongue', how does Bhatt play with the both the literal and figurative meaning of the word 'tongue'? How does she use imagery to illustrate her point?

6.There are many ways to discuss the nature of bilingualism and identity. Why do you think these authors chose to write poems over articles, memoirs or journals?

Blog #6 Due Friday, September, 19, 2014

Why would someone want to write a poem or song in more than one language? How does this include or exclude a particular audience?

Blog #5 due Wednesday, 9/17/2014

Do you think that "robbing a people of its language" is "more violent than war"? Why or why not?

Blog #4---Due Tuesday, 9/16/2014

After reading "How to Tame a Wild Tongue", answer the following questions on your blog:

What is Said....

❖What themes does the text explore?

❖Who are the characters? 

❖What is the conflict?

❖What is the setting?

❖What passages or lines stand out to you?

How it is said...

❖What is the structure of the text?

❖Who is the storyteller (narrator)?

❖What do you notice about the language/word choices?

❖What literary devices does the author use?  How do they enhance the message?

Context of Authorship...

❖What do you know about the time and place in which the text was written?

❖What do you know about the author?

❖What do you know about the author’s cultures or communities and/or those that impact the author?

Context of Readership...

Have you had any experiences that connect to this story?

What about your identity/culture help you understand this text OR prevent you from understanding it?

Is this text relevant to you?  Why or why not?  Do you feel that you are the intended audience?

Blog #3-- Due by Monday, September 15, 2014

Blog #3: Becoming a Critical Reader

What might be helpful to know in order to understand a text more deeply?

Annotation guide for Wednesday, September 10, 2014 homework:

http://www.gpisd.org/cms/lib01/TX01001872/Centricity/Domain/1042/Annotating%20Hints%20and%20Examples.pdf

Stereotypes: Blog HW #2

How are stereotypes constructed in the media?

Instead of making broad generalizations, we need to identify the cultural characteristics that we identify with the stereotype.  Then, we need consider why the author/producer chose to embed these characteristics.  We need to DECONSTRUCT the author’s choices.

Homework due Tuesday, September 9, 2014:

Create your blog and post the web address here! Subscribe to my blog!

Then answer this post on your own blog:

Post Description: In this introductory post, provide your readers with a little background about you. What are your interests? What are your dreams for this year and in the future? What do you care about? Then, reflect on your experiences regarding language and culture. Finally, include an image or photograph that represents you.

Possible questions you could explore in your post include:

●What role does language have in your life?●How do you define culture?●Which culture or cultures do you identify with?●Have you ever felt excluded from a cultural group due to language barriers?●Are there any shared words or signs that your culture as a way to separate from the status quo?

Posts are due BEFORE class begins! I expect a lot of effort and creativity!

Welcome to Ms. Schmitt's Virtual Classroom Blog! I have specifically designed this for the IB class of 2014-2016! Let's begin!

After creating your blog, please post the blog address in the comments section below! \

Check back here for updates and your blog homework assignments!