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Class Period C Blog

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. 
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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.



War and Peace: "Platoon" (1986) by Oliver Stone

2/24/2013

 
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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 (at least 2 full paragraphs).


Once you have posted your blog entry, please respond to a classmate's blog entry. This response should be at least a paragraph in length. 

War and Peace: "The Things They Carried" short story prompt (by the end of class!)-Remember to respond to a classmate's blog entry before Monday 2/4/2013.

1/30/2013

 
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Prompt: Think about the items that you carry in your bag (backpack, purse, fanny-pack, man-bag, etc.). Choose two items and explain why you have chosen to "hump" these items wherever you go. What is the tangible and intangible element of each item and why? Then think and write about what these items say about you.

Original Blog Post: 2 Full Paragraphs (5-7 sentences)
Classmate Response Blog Post: 1 Full Paragraph (5-7 sentences)

*please note: you may use a "pen name" for this assignment (both original blog entry and response blog entry) but you MUST let me know who you are on Monday so that I may give you credit.

     -Original Blog Post: Only those posted by the end of class will be scored.
     -Response Blog Post: Only those posted by Sunday night 11:59 pm will be scored.


    Blog Requirements

    *your blog must clearly relate to the prompt.
    *connect to at least one aspect of the reading.
    *show thinking that extends beyond simple summarization.

    Blog Rubric

    ​Want to see how you will be assessed? Please click the image below.
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