8th-- Tansen's Gift

After reading the Indian legend, "Tansen's Gift," I found a youtube clip of the song Deepak Raga, as well as Megh Raga. I hope you enjoy!

Deepak Raga

7th-- A Titanic Mystery

Today we have reviewed several Reading Comprehension strategies and read a nonfictional text: "A Titanic Mystery." The Titanic continues to fascinate us to this day. Below is a video about Dr. Ballard revisiting the Titanic after 20 years. I encourage each and every one of you to watch the video in its entirety.

7th grade- One Act Play

I reviewed most of your plays and I am so impressed by your creativity and talent! I am so excited to share these with the rest of you.

7-B

Olivia, Emily C., Alexis

8th-- Chief Joseph and Other Social Activists

During our unit on speeches, we have read Susan B. Anthony's "On Women's Right to Vote" and Chief Jospeh's "Chief Joseph Speaks: On a Visit to Washington, D.C., 1879." There are so many amazing social activists who have changed our world in so many ways through the power of words. In you group, I want you to find a speech that has deeply impacted you. You may chose the two speeches above, or the speeches I will provide you.

Lessons of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - Cesar Chavez

I Have a Dream - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Give Me Liberty or Give me Death! - Patrick Henry

You may also research and find a speech of your choosing. Read the speech and implement the literary techniques and symbolism into a social/political poster.

Have fun!

8th - Susan B. Antony

Earlier today we talked about how great speeches are formed, and how they should be analyzed. One of the speeches we will be reading and analyzing tomorrow is Susan B. Anthony's infamous speech, "On Women's Right to Vote," which was written shortly after she was arrested, tried, and fined for voting in the 1872 Presidential Election.

Although voting was against the law, Susan stirred the pot by pointing out that the recently adopted 14th amendment gave everyone the right to vote:

"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."

The privileges of citizenship contained no gender qualification and so, by Susan's standards, gave women the constitutional right to vote in federal elections. She was still tried by Supreme Court Associate Justice Ward Hunt, who refused to allow her to even testify on her own behalf. He also ordered the jury to return a guilty verdict and basically made her guilty before she was even on trial. She wasn't sent to prison, but she was ordered to pay a $100 fine, which she never paid. :)

Before we read her speech, click on the video below and enjoy.



8th - The Outsiders

Everyone did an amazing job today on your final exam! I can't wait to show you guys the film. It's a classic, like the book, and it even stars a very young (and sane) Tom Cruise.

Stay Gold, my friends!!

7th- Myths

Last week we talked about myths, legends, and urban legends. We discussed our own favorite myths and investigated where most of them came from. It was fun to hear about all the different versions of the boogeyman (or el cucuy) and La Llorona. I will be posting your artwork out on the hall this week to showcase your re-telling of your stories. Some of you, however, have not turned in your project and need to do so ASAP.

In the meantime, here's a fun story about the famous railroad tracks of San Antonio that is supposedly haunted by children who were killed riding the school bus home. Here's a fun video that was on the Discovery Channel.

Today we talked about the conventions of myths. To recap, most myths contain:
1. personification
2. stories on creation/origin/nature
3. a journey, often to a different realm
4. a circular plot

We will finish reading the story of the "Salmon Boy," then investigate and discuss the conventions of epic tales.