Meet Mr. Ruggles

Next semester, you will have a student teacher for the first half of the semester. His name is Mr. Ruggles, and he'd like to know a little about you before he joins our class in January. Please take your time and respond to his questions thoughtfully and honestly (and remember to show off your writing and grammar skills).

1. I (Mr. Ruggles) have never lived in Colorado. What is your favorite thing about Colorado?

2. What do you like about English 10?

3. How do you learn best? In what concrete, specific ways?

4. What sorts of activities in the classroom have been really meaningful to you?

5. What sorts of activities outside of the classroom have been really meaningful to you?

6. What are you passionate about?

7. What sorts of things will you be participating in or doing second semester (Either inside or outside of AHS)?

8. Next semester we will be looking at the Shakespeare play “Macbeth.” What do you know about this play or about Shakespeare in general?

9. We will also be looking at Memoirs. What do you think a memoir is? Have you ever written one before?

10. What is one thing I (Mr. Ruggles) should know about this class?

11. If you were teaching the class, what is one thing you would change?

12. What is one thing you want to accomplish on the first day of class second semester?

13. What are you really motivated by (besides your parent/guardian and receiving good grades)?

14. What is one thing you want to know about me (Mr. Ruggles)?

15. Finally, what one character in a movie or a book are you most like at this point in your life? Why?

Reflecting on the Mockumentary

After having read Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, you spent a full three weeks working on creating a mockumentary that offered us a glimpse into our future society. Now that you have completed the project, take a few minutes to reflect on how the project went for you. Please respond to the following questions, and as always, remember that this is a conversation--read others' comments and respond to them as well.

1. Technology aside, what was the most challenging aspect of this project for you?
2. If you were to do this project again, what change would you make? How would this make your project more powerful?
3. What do you think Ray Bradbury would think of the prediction your mockumentary makes? Would he agree or disagree with it? Why?

Please use proper grammar (particularly capitalization) and spelling.

Fahrenheit 451: Fishbowl #4

This discussion will cover pages 102-139. Remember to show professionalism in your work and to bring in textual passages when possible. You're aiming to make around five thoughtful contributions to the conversation.

Enjoy!

F451 Fishbowl #2

Welcome to our second formal fishbowl discussion! This discussion will cover topics in Fahrenheit 451 up through page 80.

Outer circle: Remember that you're aiming to make about five quality comments; be thorough in your responses, and bring in textual passsages when you can. Enjoy!

F451 Fishbowl #1

Welcome to our first formal fishbowl discussion! This discussion will cover topics in Fahrenheit 451 up through page 63.

Outer circle: Remember that you're aiming to make about five quality comments; be thorough in your responses, and bring in textual passsages when you can. Enjoy!

Are we just average?

As you listen to the inner circle's discussion of "Harrison Bergeron," offer your own questions and comments here. Remember to maintain your usual level of professionalism, to address directly which person you're responding to, and to hit the F5 key to refresh. Have fun!

Spontaneous Live Blogging: Of Mice and Men, Chapter 4

Please remember to refer by name to each other's comments. Use professional grammar and spelling, and have fun!

Hit the F5 key to refresh so that you can see new comments.

Would You Rather...

Read the questions below and take an argumentative stand. Be sure to defend your response as thoroughly and persuasive as you can, bringing in examples when possible.

Would you rather...

Work your tail off for every single thing you have,

OR

Have everything handed over to you without ever having to lift a finger?

Your Discerning Eyes...

In class today we discussed using small but significant clues to sneak your way into a "text." Please peruse the above painting, titled "American Gothic," and respond to the following questions:

1. How would you describe the relationship between the subjects of this painting, and what clues helped you figure this out?

2. Why do you think the painting is called "American Gothic"? What image of America does this painting create? Do you agree with this image?

Remember to read the other posts to avoid repeating someone else word for word. Instead, focus on having a conversation with your classmates. Posts are due by 10 pm Sunday.

If You Really Knew Me

In an effort to get to know each other and trust each other, I'd like you to take a little risk and post five things that you'd like other people in the class to know about you. The quirkier/more unique and personal, the better.

Here are my five:
1. I am a terrible sport and throw a fit when I lose--especially when it comes to board and card games.
2. I have a phobia of people throwing up.
3. I like to watch one rerun of "Scrubs" before going to bed because I find it relaxing.
4. Sometimes I'd rather curl up in bed and read a book than go out and socialize. I would have never admitted this in high school because I used to think that it made me a dork. Now I'm automatically a dork because I'm old and a teacher, so I don't really care.
5. I tell everybody that my knee never hurts and that ACL surgery wasn't that big of a deal, but my knee actually hurts everyday. I think I'm scared that it will never go back to normal, and I don't want everyone to think that I'm a whiner.

Your turn!

Your Ideal Classroom...

What are three characteristics that would be part of a "perfect school" five years from now? Think about the roles of the student, teacher, and technology as you describe your ideal learning climate. As you consider this question, you might also think about what you might look for in your ideal college.

Please consider this question seriously and realistically, as your responses will be considered by our 21st Century Learning team.