AP Essay Thesis Statement

Due to unforseen chemistry experiments gone awry (the reason for today's multiple fire drills, I'm told) none of the Langers got the chance to nail down a solid thesis statement. We did have some good brainstorming sessions in each class, however, and we made some progress in each period.

Period 9/10 had the brilliant and insightful Megan Coburn who came up with a jazzy little ditty that we'll ruminate more on here.

Period 11 had JW steppin' up to the plate and delivering what sounded to be a homerun statement--also which we will ruminate more on here.

Period 12 saw Mikey, with his usual style and grace, working up a sound and cogent intellectual proposition. Also one which will be batted around here.

So, as soon as the three of them post what they had in class today, we can begin the discussion. I will log back on periodically to check on the progress and to make the final decision about each period's thesis statement.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU SHARE INFORMATION WITH ONE ANOTHER. IF YOUR FRIEND COULDN'T LOG ONTO BLOGGER TONIGHT, PLEASE TELL THEM WHAT YOUR PERIOD'S THESIS STATEMENT IS, BECAUSE IF HE/SHE DOESN'T HAVE IT, HE/SHE WON'T BE ABLE TO WRITE TOMORROW (2/21/08).

Also, in case I didn't get a chance to fully explain what I am looking for, I just want to remind you that the biggest thing I want you all to focus on is your transitions between ideas and your development of those ideas. Don't limit yourselves to one dimensional thoughts that can be explained in a 7-8 sentence paragraph. Consider the "Breaking Through" article as you write: remember how many smaller ideas she had yoked into one big one? It was multi-dimensional--one larger idea and a bunch of different perspectives and smaller ideas. Try doing that and please feel free to refer to "Breaking Through" as you are writing.

The biggest thing is DON'T PANIC. I know this is new and a little scary for some of you, and we are going to workshop this essay until you feel comfortable with it, so there is no pressure. Good Luck! See you all Monday. Oh--and don't forget the real blog is due Friday!

This Wasn't It, But It'll Do in a Pinch

Definitions schmefinitions. This week,let's try something different. (No, this was not what I was originally going to post, but since just the right words are determined to remain a "secret ingredient", I am thinking that must mean that whatever brilliant and insightful bit of gibberish I was thinking about needs more time to cook). After all the AP test fun is over we are going to do a fun little project called The Quotation Festival. Details to come later, but in preparation for that, this week's blog should have you thumbing through Bartlett's--or just hitching a ride on the Google express under "Quotes"--to come up with a quote you think sums up the aspect of your character you like best. What is it? Who said it? How does it apply to your life? (350-400 words/45pts)

Fear

Over the past few months, we have begun the process of trying to make sense of who we are, what we believe and what morals, values and ideas we are trying to develop. Doing this, while sometimes extremely stressful and dare I say even aggravating, is an integral part of determining our place in the world. For those of you sitting at your computers week after week, cursing me to the fiery pits of the abyss for coming up with questions that make your brains bleed, please know that the reasons above are my motivation. Now, with that said, onto this week's brain blaster!

In your own words, ones that make the most sense to you, define for me the idea of "fear." It means different things to different people; what does it mean to you? What is your biggest fear? What keeps you awake at night? Is whatever your fear now the same as it was when you were a sophomore, a freshmen, an eighth-grader? How has the idea of fear evolved for you? What do you notice about the evolution? From where do you think this fear comes? How do you deal with it? Don't be scared--once it's here, it's out of you! (450-500 words/60pts)

"This I believe..."

Have you ever thought about what the guiding principles in your life are? By guiding principles I simply mean the things in life that you truly and fundamentally believe; the beliefs that shape your decisions when you find yourself in a position where you have to make one. Perhaps it is the notion that "everyone, no matter how seemingly insignificant, has something to teach us" or something as common as the idea that "all men are created equal and are endowed with certain inalienable rights...among them...life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" or "treat others the way that you wish to be treated" or "blood is thicker than water."
Those are just some generic examples, but your challenge this week is explore some of your own core beliefs and choose one guiding principle that you would like to shape your journey into adulthood and throughout life. Don't get caught up in tired cliches or age-old aphorisms, be creative, be yourself. What I mean is, really think about the beliefs that you hold near and dear to your heart and try to capture them in your own words. Talk about why these beliefs are important to you and how you came to recognize them. (400-450 words/75pts)

Procrastinator's Dream...

Due to the zombie-like countenances I have witnessed after you all have taken various midterm exams, I have come to the conclusion that you need one more BRIEF reprieve from overthinking, analyzing and pondering. Therefore, this week's blog question will not be posted until after exams, Wednesday, January 30th. However, this means that your responses will be due by Saturday afternoon at 12. We will then resume our normal schedule of Sunday-Wednesday blogs.
Good Luck, pumpkins!!

Bunje Loves You

'Ello poppets. I hope this short pause in school action was restful for you.

After careful consideration and internal debate about what is best for you, I have made an executive decision to forego this week's blog response in lieu of all the mid terms that need your attention. Therefore, you are free from deep, intellectual thoughts, questions with no answers and subjective definitions of words, concepts and ideas that have definitions already. You may use this space as you wish, or you may log off happily with no threat of reprimand.

BTW--have I told you that you're running out of time for occasional papers?

Eye of the Beholder?

After reading that little ditty in class about the varying conceptions of beauty (12th period spoiler alert: you will be reading all about it this Friday), I have been seriously contemplating the idea of what makes something beautiful.
The great and powerful Sophia Loren once said, "True beauty is a mirage." True beauty? What IS that, anyway? DO NOT SAY TRUTH!!
Myself, I am awed by things of beauty, no matter what--or who--they might be (Johnny Depp...ahem…sunsets...butterflies).
This week, I would like you to muse with me about this concept. Over time, across cultures, the mystery of beauty has both vexed and captivated all walks of life. The animal kingdom even has its own notion of what makes them attractive—peacocks fluff their plumage, ducks wiggle their butts, all in the name of beauty.
Men and women have been frustrated and fascinated by beauty, have been rendered powerless in their attempts to capture it, bottle it, enhance it, ignore it, use it and celebrate it. Why? Its importance and its role in our lives will be the subject of this blog discussion, and I would like you to seriously consider what your definition of “true beauty” is. Why is beauty the object of both admiration and envy? Why does the pursuit of beauty bring us pain as well as pleasure? Consider both sexes when you ask yourself these questions—think about the pursuit, the pain, the pleasure from all angles.
(450-500 words/50pts)