Homework for December 7 - POST BY DECEMBER 6!!

Expand the exercise on The Ant and the Grasshopper:

Write a 300-word essay.
There is a British saying that goes, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." This applies to George in the short story by Somerset Maugham. Who do you agree with more: Aesop or Maugham? Explain your answer using examples from your own life and what you have observed in other people. (Other people can be people you know personally or have read about.) In your essay, you will need to briefly summarize both the fable and the short story, "The Ant and the Grasshopper," so your reader will know what you are talking about.

Be sure to check:
1. Did you fully address the topic (the assignment)?
2. Did you organize your paragraphs and sentences so they flow logically?
3. Does your essay "sound" English (have you avoided simply translating from your other language(s)?)
4. Have you proofread carefully for grammatical and spelling errors?
5. Is your essay 300 words?

Post on your blog by December 6.

November 30 Class Activities

1. Take Survey.

2. Class Activity

3. Blog post: What do I need to do to expand my post into a 300 word essay?

4. Evaluation 

Wednesday, November 16 - Class work.

1. Re-read Aesop's fable, The Ant and the Grasshopper.
2. Review questions: CLICK HERE!
3. Preview questions for W.S. Maugham's story, "The Ant and the Grasshopper"
4. Let's re-read the story.
5. Blog post: Do you think the message in Maugham's story is the same as or different from the message in the Aesop fable of the ant and the grasshopper? Explain.
6. Reading for more detail; divide into groups and answer these questions.
7. For homework (due 11/30!): Post on your blog a SUMMARY of both the fable and the short story so your reader understands how the two versions differ (5 - 8 sentences). Then respond to the following in 5 - 8 sentences:
There is a British saying that goes, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." This applies to George in the Maugham story. Who do you agree with more: Aesop or Maugham? Explain your answer using examples from your own life and what you have observed in other people. (Other people can be people you know personally or have read about.)

Homework for November 16

1. If you have not finished your response to The Friendship Bond, do so and post it on your blog.
2. Prepare to read "The Ant and the Grasshopper," by by W. Somerset Maugh by previewing vocabulary and answering these questions: CLICK HERE.
3. Read the story,"The Ant and The Grasshopper"
4. Post on your blog by next week the answer to: Do you think the message in Maugham's story is the same as or different from the message in the Aesop fable of the ant and the grasshopper? Explain using examples from both. (8-10 sentences)
We will go over these in class, so make sure you have posted!

November 9 in class today

Read the article a second time. Using the questions below read for more detail and to bring your experience to the reading.

1.       Why did social critics expect people to be dissatisfied with their friendships? In what way were the critics’ expectations wrong?

2.       What five qualities did people say were most important to them in a friend? Would you list the same five qualities? In the same order?

3.       What are the two reasons given for ending a friendship? Which of the two reasons makes more sense to you?

4.       What three activities are most characteristic among friends in this survey? What roles does trust play in these activities?

5.       What two rules of friendship do the respondents mention? Do you follow the same rules with your friends?

6.       What limits do the respondents put on friendship? Can you be good friends with someone and say no to him or her?

Each group.

Key words Make a list of six words or expressions that you feel are important to the reading. Be ready to explain what each word means and why it is important.

Homework for November 9

1. Finish your response to Sunday in the Park about conflict.

2. Answer these questions: CLICK HERE

3. Read the article, "The Friendship Bond."

4. Post on your blog by next week the answer to: Is the idea of friendship alive and well, or is friendship in trouble according to the study? Explain using examples from the article to support your answer. (8-10 sentences)

Sunday in the Park

Sunday in the Park centered around a conflict in a public park and its effect on a family.

Write about a conflict you were involved in or witnessed.

This can be a family conflict, a conflict at work, at school, or in a public place.

Describe what happened. Was the conflict resolved? If so, how?

In you conclusion, express your opinion about this conflict. You might, for example, analyze why you think it happened or whether or not you agree with the way it was resolved.