Homework - Due April 17

Ship Breaker vocabulary words from chapters 1-6. 

Part One: Define the following words, note the part of speech and how to change it. Use the word in a sentence that demonstrates your knowledge of the word.

rivulet, phosphorescent, desiccated, cant, rudimentary, emphatically, feral, grimaced, acrid, implacable, maelstrom

Part Two: Choose one word and create a word wall on an 8 x 11 sheet of paper. Write the word, its definition, and its part of speech in clear, visible writing. Next, create a picture, a cartoon, or collage that represents the meaning of the word. Use examples that symbolize your word’s meaning. Your work will be displayed in the classroom. 

Research Paper Topics

Research Paper Topics – On Friday, April 20, your topics are due.

Please peruse this list of options. Choose a topic that you find interesting. I will not allow more than one person in each class to research the same issue. If your topic is taken, I will help you come up with an equally interesting topic. 

Political/Social

Why is the American middle class shrinking?

Working teens in America—what are the pros and cons?

What is the relationship between education and poverty in America?

Investigate the number of homeless children in America and the burdens they endure.

What is the future of capitalism?

Is China positioning itself to be the next superpower?

The constitutionality of mandating healthcare

Child abuse – medical neglect

Child abuse – physical

What is the effect of global warming on Inuit tribe members?

What is the likelihood that parents who were abused as children abuse their children?

Psychological

What is Stockholm Syndrome?

How does growing up without a mother put children at risk?

How does growing up without a father put children at risk?

Is it worse to grow up without a mother or a father?

If a parent suffers from drug addiction, what is the likelihood that their child will?

Environment

How could the Keystone pipeline negatively impact people and the environment?

How do invasive plants, such as kudzu, threaten the environment?

What is causing the intensification and frequency of severe weather? Focus on either hurricanes or earth quakes.

How is climate change putting children’s health at risk?

What are the risks associated with offshore drilling?

Historical

The history of ship breaking in Bangladesh

Investigate the health risks associated with FEMA trailers provided to Katrina victims.

Technology

Hydrofoils

General Electric – What are they doing to combat climate change?

Medical

Illegal organ harvesting in America

Why is asthma on the rise?

What are some health hazards associated with ship breaking?

Malaria – its causes, symptoms, prevention

What are the risks of genetic engineering in humans?

What are the risks associated with overuse of antibiotics?

Religious

What might a post-apocalyptic religion be like?

Who is Ganesha?

What is karma?

Homework

For those of you who were absent today, please complete the vocabulary skills questions on page 1025 and write the sentences. You also need to answer the paragraph improvement questions on pages 1026 and 1027. For the paragraph improvement questions, only write the letter of your answer.

Ship Breaker

We started the year with a dystopian novel, and guess what? We are ending the year with a dystopian novel. This book is gritty and its themes are relevant and worth considering. Avoid reading summaries or spoilers! I promise this book is thrilling.


Please note: Our wonderful librarian, Mrs. Tommie Lynn purchased the books on her credit card, so each student needs to have money turned in no later than Wednesday, April 18. The cost of each book is $11. If you are writing a check, please make it out to Tommie Lynn Hinson.

You all will be completing a multi-genre research paper that is inspired by the world in Bacigalupi's Ship Breaker. Instead of completing a semester exam, your finished multi-genre research paper will be presented. Our journey with Nailer (the protagonist) shall commence next week or as soon as the books come in. I am looking forward to this project!

Senior Group Photo

Seniors,
The casual group photo this Friday, April 13. We shall leave school at 8:15 am and meet Steve Stubblefield on the Troy University quad. Yes, it is the morning of prom and I realize that a few of you have scheduling conflicts; however, school is scheduled to dismiss at noon.

Please wear blue jeans and a white collared shirt. Make sure that your clothing is in accordance with the dress code; otherwise, you will not be included in the photo.

Thanks!

Mrs. Payne and I will provide more specific information in class.

Test Tomorrow - Victorian Era

For tomorrow's test, the following pieces of literature will be covered:
"Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carroll
Jane Eyre  by Charlotte Bronte
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

Remember to review the literary terms and vocabulary words that precede each excerpt. Don't forget to complete tonight's homework that requires you to identify the satirical elements in Oliver Twist.


There will also be a section that covers pronoun usage; review the worksheet that we completed last week.

Hard Times Generation: Homeless Kids

Seniors,
If you were absent today, please click on the link below and write a well-developed paragraph that includes a context sentence and your reaction. Remember to focus on the children's stories and how it impacts your thoughts about poverty. Your response needs to be at least 10 sentences.

Also, consider the Poor Law of 1834 that required poor citizens of the United Kingdom to live in workhouses. Think about the history behind Oliver Twist and Jane Eyre. 

Click here to watch the video.
Program: CBS 60 Minutes
Report title: "Hard Times Generation: Homeless Kids"
Reporter: Scott Pelley
Date aired: March 6, 2011