How to Post Comments

Look to the right, there is a link for How to Post.
Please email me if you have questions.

Monday January 31 - Homework

As we begin to look at stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination, I would like you to comment on an instance in your life that you have been either the agent or the victim of stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination.  For homework tonight, choose one of the two stories found here.  (the first story begins with "From the moment my comrades in the military discovered I was an Indian...")(the second story begins with "Who am I?

For Asian-American students, the answer is a diligent, hardworking...")  Read the story and internalize it.  Then, using your secret name, post a comment to this blog.  In the comment:
-take a paragraph or two to relate to the short story you read.
-Tell your classmates about a time you were either the victim or the person using stereotypes, prejudice, or discrimination of any kind.
-Don't be afraid to read a few other comments and speak directly to your blogmates about how you react to their comments.
-This homework is DUE WHEN YOU WALK INTO YOUR CLASS PERIOD.  No late posts will be accepted.

Tweet Tweet

I know not everybody has Twitter, nor do all people care about it or know what it is.  Does it make sense for a teacher to tweet?  Would any of you care about it or follow it if I did?  Just had the thought so I would throw it out there.

Continuing the discussion about Facebook.....

This is NOT an assignment, simply an opportunity.  There was a request to continue the class discussion about Facebook and identity.  We can't spend anymore class time, but If you still need to get a thought or two off your chest, comment to this blog entry.  You can use your real last name, or your secret name that you gave me.  That is up to you!


You don't HAVE to talk about this question, but a very interesting topic came up in 7-8....Is the definition of "friend" changing in the "real world" because of Facebook?  Should I email Mark Zuckerberg and tell him to come up with another category of relationship?  So instead of having 2,699 friends, maybe you would be associated with 25 friends and 2,674   (fill in your own word)      (acquaintances, associates, peeps....)

Interesting Article about Names

You don't have to do anything with this.  I just found it, and since we have been talking about names...I found it interesting.  Jewish Names atop American List of Popular baby names.

Wednesday and Thursday Jan 25-26

I hope you all enjoyed class today as much as I did!  Thank you for participating and sharing.  No new homework, however, you have things due on Friday:
1.) Signed Syllabus
2.) Decorated Notebook
3.) Email to Mr. Phillips if you have not done so.
4.) 7-8 - if you did not share your artifact, please bring it back and be ready to share first thing on Friday.


This is not homework...just something to think about if you need something to occupy your time.  CNN.com just had a column that posed 20 questions that will change your life.  I found many of them interesting, but take a look at #5 and #6 if you get a chance:

-How do I want the world to be different because I lived in it?
-How do I want to be different because I lived in this world?

-Think about that for a bit, then maybe you could try exchanging the word "world" with the word "class."

Tuesday January 24

Our names are a part of who we are, and we take our names pretty much everywhere we go.  Many times, it is the first thing we learn about a person.  What was the first thing I did on the first day of class?  I told you MY name.  Then, I took attendance and started to learn YOUR names.  Some scientists are even saying that names could be linked to future success in life or bad behavior.

Ralph Ellison wrote, "Through our names we place ourselves in the world."

***For homework, write at least a paragraph in your journal/notebook about what you think of when you think about your FIRST NAME.  Are you proud of your name?  Do you ever worry about "giving yourself a bad name?"  Have you ever felt like you received a negative reaction because of your name? Do you think of your family?  Were you named after someone?  Is there a religious, ethnic, or spiritual meaning behind your name? 
Write whatever you want, but think about your name and what it means.  Bring the paragraph to class.  We will be sharing with partners.  This is our first homework assignment for credit.

***Anybody remember Show and Tell??  Bring in an artifact that tells us something about you.  Try to make it a smaller artifact so that it doesn't have to be a huge production for you to bring it in.  I am NOT telling you to bring in something with monetary value that you would be nervous bringing to school.

***Email Mr. Phillips with the necessary information, if you have not done so...see Monday's Blog
***Return signed Syllabus
 If either of these are not completed by Friday, you will lose homework points.
 
***Decorated Notebooks are due Friday

Monday January 23 - Homework

Thank You for a great first day.  Please re-read the syllabi that I handed out.  I know that I threw a lot at you on the first day.  I'm telling you, this class will be different than what you are used to, but it will be GREAT, if YOU make it great.
Homework:

1.) Bring a Spiral Notebook to Class Tomorrow.

2.) Show parents/guardians the syllabus, have them sign it, and bring it back.

3.) Visit the Blog and read the first 2 posts.

3.) Send Mr. Phillips an email from the email account you check regularly.  My email address is    mr.phillips18@gmail.com      In the email, you need to include:
-Your Name

- Your Class Period

- Your Cell Phone Number

- Your secret name that you will use to post on the class Blog.

   Your secret name can be anything that is appropriate, but it must Begin with your class period.  For example, if I choose MightyEagle as my secret name, and I am in 2^nd period, my secret name will be 2MightyEagle.  If I am 7-8^th period, it would be 78MightyEagle

4.)The notebooks are to be decorated by Friday.  The outside cover should be decorated with images of how you think the world identifies you.  The inside cover should be decorated with images that shows how you identify yourself.  You don't have to start on this quite yet as we will be doing some activities that might help you.  I just wanted to give you advanced warning.


- Mr. Phillips

Welcome to the Plog!

That's right, I said it, Plog - Philips Blog.
Congratulations! You have made it to your last semester of high school.  Take your hand off your mouse and pat yourself on the back.  Okay, you can stop.  I am excited to work with you this semester.  Like I said in class, we are in similar places in regards to graduating.  You and I both only have a couple months of school left, but you and I both NEED to finish strong, and we will.

This will be our main website for class.  If you ever have any questions about assignments or what we did in class, come here and check it out.  If you are absent and are wondering what you missed, this is the FIRST PLACE you should look.  So, when you walk up to me as the bell is ringing to start class, don't be surprised when I tell you to check the Blog.   I will provide links to as many of our class readings as I can.  That way, you will never have the excuse that you forgot to bring your book home.

I have 2 quick notes to guide us through the Blog and through the class.

Respect - The one thing that I will never tolerate in our classroom or on this Blog is a lack of respect for others.  Everyone has the right to an opinion so long as the words of that opinion do not harm another person.  I want to encourage spirited debates and conversations, but your responsibility is to keep your comments free from intentionally harmful, prejudiced, and bullying language.  Everyone deserves respect!
 
Honesty - Look, this class is all about discovering our identities and what we think about the world around us.  So, we need to be honest with each other.  All posting assignments, unless otherwise stated, will use secret names.  Say how you feel.  If you have questions, post them.  If something makes you angry, tell us why.  If you are confused, help each other out.

Let's have a great semester!
-Mr. Phillips