It really is inspiring to read your students responses. Too often the only information about young people is about their failings and like anything else, perception becomes reality for adults. I know that the majority of children are good and have aspirations and dreams that will, if allowed to come to fruition, benefit not only themselves, but this big blue marble!
Good Luck!
Mom
No need to respond, I just though t you should know what people are saying about you, my wonderful awe inspiring students!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
The Ethicist-Unethical Audiences?
The following is another question posed by a reader of the New York Times' The Ethicist column by Randy Cohen (note: Randy Cohen is the columnist, not the one posing the question). Please respond to the query with your advice. Include evidence to support your answer.
I sing in a chorus at Lincoln Center. One evening while the baritone performed a particularly difficult solo, an emotionally demanding a cappella passage, an audience member in the first-tier box, only five feet from the stage, started blowing his nose loudly and continued to do so for the duration of the solo; even his companions were gesturing for him to pipe down. Making disruptive noises at a concert is certainly rude, but if you are sitting close enough to distract the performers, does it rise to unethical? J.C., NEW YORK
I sing in a chorus at Lincoln Center. One evening while the baritone performed a particularly difficult solo, an emotionally demanding a cappella passage, an audience member in the first-tier box, only five feet from the stage, started blowing his nose loudly and continued to do so for the duration of the solo; even his companions were gesturing for him to pipe down. Making disruptive noises at a concert is certainly rude, but if you are sitting close enough to distract the performers, does it rise to unethical? J.C., NEW YORK
Friday, September 18, 2009
The Ethicist Response
The following is Randy Cohen's response to the previous scenario of the cell phone user on the bus. Please read his response carefully and write a comment which explains:
1) Whether or not you agree with him and 2) What literary devices does he use to persuade his reader? Provide an example from the text to support your answer.
Randy Cohen writes:
You should have grabbed her phone and pummeled her with it mercilessly while screaming: ''Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!'' No, no. You can't do that. You should simply have grabbed her phone and thrown it out the window. And reveled in the cheers of your fellow sufferers.
O.K., not that either.
Her misbehavior falls between manners and morals and is difficult to rebuke because cellphones are a new technology; the social codes governing their use are still evolving. Here's my guideline: don't impose your cellphone conversation on people confined in a closed space -- a bus, a restaurant, a commuter train. If your loquacity prevents those trapped nearby from reading or working or simply thinking their own thoughts, then cut it out.
You correctly suggest that different social settings permit different behavior.
I can't ask everyone at a Jets game to pipe down so I can read my book. And there are different expectations at McDonald's than at the Four Seasons. Courtesy, however, is not reserved for the wealthy: even folks who can afford only the bargain bus are entitled to consideration.
As you imply, the ordinary conversation of your fellow passengers may be as loud as the cellphone prattler's, but it's not just a matter of decibels.
We forbid playing radios or saxophones on the bus (and I trust you keep your Walkman low); we can reasonably ban innovative sources of clamor and din like cellphones. Custom, too, has its claims.
You had every right to ask this passenger to curb her logorrhea, but it is not likely she would have complied.
The bus driver, had he been an English speaker, might have had more success: he commands moral authority that passengers lack. Better still, the bus company should post this clear policy: one quick phone call to make travel plans, and that's it. Your other recourse is the small electronic jamming device, the perfect gift for any occasion, but one that is, alas, illegal in many jurisdictions.
Alternatively, I propose this federal law: unless your cellphone conversation is amusing or intriguing, you must shut up.
As always, your response will not be graded if it is received after 5pm on Friday September 25th.
1) Whether or not you agree with him and 2) What literary devices does he use to persuade his reader? Provide an example from the text to support your answer.
Randy Cohen writes:
You should have grabbed her phone and pummeled her with it mercilessly while screaming: ''Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!'' No, no. You can't do that. You should simply have grabbed her phone and thrown it out the window. And reveled in the cheers of your fellow sufferers.
O.K., not that either.
Her misbehavior falls between manners and morals and is difficult to rebuke because cellphones are a new technology; the social codes governing their use are still evolving. Here's my guideline: don't impose your cellphone conversation on people confined in a closed space -- a bus, a restaurant, a commuter train. If your loquacity prevents those trapped nearby from reading or working or simply thinking their own thoughts, then cut it out.
You correctly suggest that different social settings permit different behavior.
I can't ask everyone at a Jets game to pipe down so I can read my book. And there are different expectations at McDonald's than at the Four Seasons. Courtesy, however, is not reserved for the wealthy: even folks who can afford only the bargain bus are entitled to consideration.
As you imply, the ordinary conversation of your fellow passengers may be as loud as the cellphone prattler's, but it's not just a matter of decibels.
We forbid playing radios or saxophones on the bus (and I trust you keep your Walkman low); we can reasonably ban innovative sources of clamor and din like cellphones. Custom, too, has its claims.
You had every right to ask this passenger to curb her logorrhea, but it is not likely she would have complied.
The bus driver, had he been an English speaker, might have had more success: he commands moral authority that passengers lack. Better still, the bus company should post this clear policy: one quick phone call to make travel plans, and that's it. Your other recourse is the small electronic jamming device, the perfect gift for any occasion, but one that is, alas, illegal in many jurisdictions.
Alternatively, I propose this federal law: unless your cellphone conversation is amusing or intriguing, you must shut up.
As always, your response will not be graded if it is received after 5pm on Friday September 25th.
Friday, September 11, 2009
The Ethicist.
The following is from the New York Times column The Ethicist. Please respond in the comment box as to how you would advise the reader. Make sure you justify your response with evidence from your experience or the collective human experience. Remember to post your response by Friday September 18th at 5pm.
Chatter Bus
By RANDY COHEN
On the noisy $10 Chinatown bus from New York to Boston, the girl behind me spent the entire four hours on her cellphone, telling the same inane story to five different people. I wanted to ask her to stop, but I didn't know if I should, considering the price of the ride and that I don't mind noise in general, just her nasal, repetitive noise. What should I have done?
Justine Van Der Leun, New York
Chatter Bus
By RANDY COHEN
On the noisy $10 Chinatown bus from New York to Boston, the girl behind me spent the entire four hours on her cellphone, telling the same inane story to five different people. I wanted to ask her to stop, but I didn't know if I should, considering the price of the ride and that I don't mind noise in general, just her nasal, repetitive noise. What should I have done?
Justine Van Der Leun, New York
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Welcome Seniors!
Dear AP Language Students,
I hope you all had a productive and exciting summer. This year you will be required to check this blog for additional resources and assignments.
Your summer assignment was to read A Long Way Gone, by Ishmael Beah. Please briefly describe (in the comments section) your emotional reaction to the book. Were you affected by his story? Did you do any additional research after reading the book? Why do you think I assigned this book?
Thanks. I am looking forward to a great year!
Oh and P.S.- Mark your calendars!
English Language AP Test Wednesday, May 12th, 2010 at 8AM!
I hope you all had a productive and exciting summer. This year you will be required to check this blog for additional resources and assignments.
Your summer assignment was to read A Long Way Gone, by Ishmael Beah. Please briefly describe (in the comments section) your emotional reaction to the book. Were you affected by his story? Did you do any additional research after reading the book? Why do you think I assigned this book?
Thanks. I am looking forward to a great year!
Oh and P.S.- Mark your calendars!
English Language AP Test Wednesday, May 12th, 2010 at 8AM!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)