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Class Period B Blog

Part 2: Laila's Story (Primary Blog ONLY)

3/7/2025

7 Comments

 
These images (all images of Afghanistan occuring during the time period in Part 2) could depict some of the main plot points of the beginning of Part II (Laila's Story) of A Thousand Splendid Suns. While these moments are important, they are by no means the only significant points in these chapters. Here is a link to Getty Images collection of photos of Afghanistan in the 1980s:

https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/afghanistan-1980

After having read these chapters:
  1. Select a single passage (this may be a single paragraph or several) that you feel best typifies the thematic importance of "shelter" in this section of ATSS. You may Copy/Paste from the PDF copy of ATSS on GClassroom OR clearly paraphrase the passage to familiarize your reader.
  2. Explain the action and context of the quoted passage (you must cite the passage) and then,
  3. Explain how your understanding of this passage (1) supports your understanding of the thematic topic, "shelter," (2) deepens the character development, AND (3) builds a central message that aligns with one of the unit's essential questions (see the main ATSS page).

Primary Blog Expectations (respond to the prompt above): 100-150 words, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the name that you were assigned in class as your PEN NAME and be sure to add word count. Due by 11:59 pm on Sunday night! ​
7 Comments

ATSS Chapter One Quote Response (Primary and Secondary Responses)

2/21/2025

26 Comments

 
​At the end of chapter 1 in A Thousand Splendid Suns, Nana says to her daughter, Mariam:

Learn this now and learn it well, my daughter: Like a compass needle that points north, a man's accusing finger always finds a woman. Always. You remember that, Mariam (Hosseini 6).
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​In a thoughful and well-written paragraph, address the following points:
  • Explain your understanding of this quote within the context of the story.
  • Create a claim that either agrees or disagrees with Nana's warning to her daughter.
  • Support your claim with anecdotal evidence from your understanding of society, historical events, or personal belief.
  • End with a strong concluding statement.
Use your Pen Name!

Primary Blog Expectations (respond to the prompt above): 75-100 words, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the name that you were assigned in class as your PEN NAME and be sure to add word count at the end of your response. Due by 11:59 pm TONIGHT!

Secondary Blog Response Expectations (read everyone's primary responses, select two that interest you, and respond to their ideas): 75-100 words EACH, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. In these replies, you can contribute, agree, disagree, support, elaborate, challenge, clarify, and/or connect. Please use the PEN NAME that you were assigned in class as your PEN NAME and be sure to add word count at the end of your response. Due by 11:59 pm on Monday night!
26 Comments

NPR Throughline-Afghanistan: The Center of the World (2021)

2/6/2025

28 Comments

 
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Click on the NPR Throughline Logo above to be directed to the podcast: Afghanistan-Center of the World.
​Day One-PRIMARY BLOG ENTRY-After actively listening to the linked NPR Podcast, please consider these three topics. Select ONE of these three topics to respond to in your Primary blog entry. In this Primary blog entry:
  • Label your entry with its topic.
  • Answer the aligned questions in a soild narrative paragraph (word count below).

Day Two-SECONDARY BLOG ENTRIES-Scan through all of the Primary Blog Entries and pick TWO (ONE form each of the OTHER two topics). For EACH Secondary Blog Entry you may respond with your choice of the following types of responses:
  • Agree? Disagree? Why?
  • Continue the discussion.
  • Add additional thoughts.

1. Historical Narratives & Power: This episode explores how Afghanistan has been shaped by both internal and external forces over centuries. How does the way history is told influence our understanding of a place like Afghanistan? Who controls these narratives, and what impact does that have on global perceptions of the country?
2. Geopolitics & Identity: Afghanistan has often been referred to as the "graveyard of empires" due to its strategic location and history of resisting foreign control. How has Afghanistan's geography influenced its role in global politics, and in what ways has this shaped Afghan national identity?
3. Colonialism & Its Legacies: The episode highlights Afghanistan's encounters with colonial and imperial forces, from the British and Soviet invasions to U.S. involvement. How do the long-term effects of these interventions compare to those experienced by other nations with similar histories of foreign interference? What patterns of colonial influence do you see repeating across history?

Primary Blog Expectations (respond to the prompt above): 75-100 words, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the name that you were assigned in class as your PEN NAME and be sure to add word count. Due by 11:59 pm TONIGHT!

Secondary Blog Response Expectations (read everyone's primary responses, select two that interest you, and respond to their ideas): 75-100 words EACH, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. In these replies, you can contribute, agree, disagree, support, elaborate, challenge, clarify, and/or connect. Please use the PEN NAME that you were assigned in class as your PEN NAME and be sure to add word count. Due by 11:59 pm on Friday night!
28 Comments

Introduce yourself!

2/3/2025

53 Comments

 
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​Written in the TONE that your pen name persona would use, introduce yourself and give a good description of what you look like. Get creative! You should identify your genus and species, your habitat, what you eat in order to help people learn about who you are. Finally, find a weird or interesting fact to add some depth to your character. Have fun!

53 Comments

Pen Name Introductions

2/16/2022

6 Comments

 

Please compose a brief introduction you yourself using your NEW pen name. Research a little bit about your new online persona and post in the comment section below:

1. Name and Image, if possible.
2. Explain what type of writing you are known for.
3. What is your most famous work and what is it about?
4. Paste a link to an Author's Page or some other web-based link to more information about yourself.

6 Comments

Kindred Blog #3

1/8/2021

2 Comments

 

Both Kevin and Dana know that they can’t change history. They say: “We’re in the middle of history. We surely can’t change it” (p. 100); and “It’s over . . . . There’s nothing you can do to change any of it now” (p. 264). What, then, is the purpose of Dana’s travels back to the antebellum South? Why must you, the reader, experience this journey with Dana? 

Primary Blog Expectations (respond to the prompt above): 60-100 words, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the name you were assigned in class as your nom de plume and be sure to add word count. Due by 11:59pm Friday night 1-10-2021! 

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2 Comments

Kindred Blog #2

12/13/2020

2 Comments

 
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Dana states: "It was that destructive single-minded love of his. He loved me. Not the way he loved Alice, thank God. He didn't seem to want to sleep with me. But he wanted me around—someone to talk to, someone who would listen to him and care about what he said, care about it." (page 180) How does the relationship between Dana and Rufus develop? How does it change? Is it love or is it something else? What are the different levels of love portrayed in Kindred?

​Primary Blog Expectations (respond to the prompt above): 60-75 words, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the name that you were assigned in class as your PEN NAME and be sure to add word count. Due by 11:59 pm on Monday night! 

Secondary Blog Response Expectations (read everyone's primary responses, select two that interest you, and respond to their ideas): 50-60 words EACH, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. In these replies, you can contribute, agree, disagree, support, elaborate, challenge, clarify, and/or connect. 
Please use the PEN NAME that you were assigned in class as your PEN NAME and be sure to add word count. Due by 11:59 pm on Friday night!

2 Comments

Kindred by Octavia Butler: Blog  Post #1

12/8/2020

12 Comments

 

What does "kindred" mean? What does it mean to be someone's "kindred spirit"? These are slightly different terms! Have you been lucky enough to find your kindred spirit yet (sometimes it takes many, many years!)? What are the pros and cons of being a kindred spirit?

Consider these questions and compose your thoughts regarding the importance of having and being someone's kindred spirit in a brief paragraph.

Primary Blog Expectations (respond to the prompt above): 60-75 words, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the name that you were assigned in class as your PEN NAME and be sure to add word count. Due by 11:59 pm on Friday night! 

Secondary Blog Response Expectations (read everyone's primary responses, select two that interest you, and respond to their ideas): 50-60 words EACH, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. In these replies, you can contribute, agree, disagree, support, elaborate, challenge, clarify, and/or connect. 
Please use the PEN NAME that you were assigned in class as your PEN NAME and be sure to add word count. Due by 11:59 pm on Sunday night!

12 Comments

Big Mouths: Kevin and JJ

11/19/2018

1 Comment

 
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You have 2 ears and 1 mouth.... Please listen twice as much as you talk. 

Kevin's BFF
1 Comment

Tues 11/24- "Platoon" (1986) directed by Oliver Stone: Please read the entire blog post carefully before composing your responses.

11/23/2015

 
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​Just as Chris and the platoon are divided between Elias and Barnes, viewers also feel somewhat divided. You feel compelled to side with Elias because he is jaded and righteous and seems to care about his men, but you can't help but admire Barnes' hardiness, his determination to win the war, and ability to survive.  After our class discussion about allegory, the Christ figure and Machiavelli, as well as the inability of humans to be purely good or evil, you understand that this is a decision that is not as easy as one might hope. 
​
Imagine that you are a soldier in this platoon. Who do you follow, Sgt. Barnes or Sgt. Elias? Take into consideration all factors: survival, morality, reality of the war environment, psychological effects of the war, constant extreme stress, and any other factors that would affect your decision. Explain your decision in a thoughtful and well supported blog entry.

Primary Blog Entry Expectations (respond to the prompt above): 200-250 words, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the assigned "pen name" given to you in class. Please complete this in the first 20 minutes of class.

Secondary Blog Entry Expectations (read everyone's first responses, select two that interest you, and respond to their ideas): 100-150 words EACH, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the assigned "pen name" given to you in class. Please complete this in the last 25 minutes of class.

PLEASE ADD WORD COUNT AT END OF EACH BLOG ENTRY!

You have ample time to complete these three entries in one period. If you do not, you may complete it as homework, but the blog post will be closed at the end of the day.



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