Soph vocab Unit 5--Blue Section

Choose any four words from unit 5 and write four sentences using those words correctly in context.

Your vocab quiz will be made up from these sentences.

Soph vocab Unit 5--Green section

Choose any four words from unit 5 and write four sentences using those words correctly in context.

Your vocab quiz will be made up from these sentences.

Senior purple class: vocab and dialogue

1. Post five (5) sentences, using the words correctly in context, giving a clue to the meaning of the word.

2. Look over the sample student scenes/dialogues on Studywiz (there are three separate documents, then another that contains three more).

Critique (criticize gently) any one scene/dialogue, answering these questions:

For each scene/dialogue, what spoken words are the most interesting?
For each scene/dialogue, what spoken words are the most unrealistic and NOT interesting?
For each scene/dialogue, what action occurs that is both interesting and character shaping in some way?

Due before the end of class on Friday.

SENIOR yellow in class work--vocab and dialogue

1. Post five (5) sentences, using the words correctly in context, giving a clue to the meaning of the word.

2. Look over the sample student scenes/dialogues on Studywiz (there are three separate documents, then another that contains three more).

Critique (criticize gently) any one scene/dialogue, answering these questions:

For each scene/dialogue, what dialogue is the most interesting?
For each scene/dialogue, what dialogue is the most unrealistic and NOT interesting?
For each scene/dialogue, what action occurs that is both interesting and character shaping in some way?

Due before the end of class on Friday.

Sophs #5 Journal-- The American Dream

Your final journal assignment for the first quarter is an appropriate one. You've studied the early colonists and then the early Americans. Both groups of people had visions of the greatness of America. The Puritans envisioned a religious "city upon a hill" nurtured and protected by their God. America's founding fathers constituted a democratic republic that would encourage other governments throughout the world to also engage in a social contract with its citizens, ensuring a protection of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. America was created to be a model of government for the rest of the world.

A Frenchman, Guillaume Jean de Crèvecoeur, emigrated to the colonies in 1755. He married a American-born women, raised a family, and farmed in Orange County, NY. Life was going well until the Revolutionary War broke out. Unwilling to choose between the revolutionary and the Tory cause, de Crevecoeur fled to England, leaving his wife and children. When the war ended, he published a book in 1782, Letters From an American Farmer, adapting the pseudonym of an American farmer, James, and writing back in epistles to his brethren in England. The book told of the promise of the good life in America; it is one of the first written statements of the American Dream.

The notion of the American Dream (even today) represents a romanticized ideal of the hope and promise of America. For de Crevecoeur, the American Dream promised these new and exciting gifts to all who dared to call themselves, Americans:

1. America is an asylum, a refuge for Europe's poor and downtrodden
2. The American society is a melting pot of people from all over Europe
3. The American economy rewards the hard worker with a chance to get ahead.
4. The American is free to worship as he pleases, and religion demands little of him.
5. Americans are the western pilgrims, bringing the best of Europe to this new land, and making it better. Americans are looked upon as leaders of the world.

Throughout America's history, there is no doubt that the American Dream has been realized by millions of successful people. There is also little doubt that reality of America did not always live up to the Dream. Undoubtedly, millions of people experienced failures, too--nightmares, not dreams.

Look over the five aspects of deCrevecouer's Dream listed above. Write about how any one of those ideas either rewarded OR failed an individual. Ideally, I'd like you to relate a personal story about a relative or someone you closely know. However, if you absolutely cannot think of someone, you are free to write about someone else. In that case, provide your information source at the end of your writing.

For Seniors: Punctuating Dialogue

Follow this link to learn the rules of punctuating dialogue. This page is linked to another page (click here) that provides more detailed punctuation rules.

Part of your dialogue grade will be based on correct written expression.

Senior Journal #5--Rock Riffs

Wanna get creative and have fun with some of your favorite songs ? Then try "rock riff writing." It's an idea that I have "borrowed" from Julianna Baggott, a St. Mark's alum and accomplished author.

There are no hard and fast rules. Choose a song that you really enjoy and use it to write a description, scene, dialogue, character sketch, or story (or film?) treatment.

I've included lyrics from a song that you might know by Billy Joel called Scenes from an Italian Restaurant. It's a story song already that involves two fairly well-defined characters, Brenda and Eddie. Read over the lyrics below:

Brenda and Eddie were the popular steadies /And the king and the queen of the prom /Riding around with the car top down and the radio on / Nobody looked any finer /Or was more of a hit at the Parkway Diner / We never knew we could want more than that out of life / Surely Brenda and Eddie would always know how to survive. / Brenda and Eddie were still going steady in the summer of '75 / when they decided the marriage would be at the end of July / Everyone said they were crazy / "Brenda you know that you're much too lazy/ and Eddie could never afford to live that kind of life." / Oh, but there we were wavin' Brenda and Eddie goodbye. / Well they got an apartment with deep pile carpets / And a couple of paintings from Sears / A big waterbed that they bought with the bread /They had saved for a couple of years / They started to fight when the money got tight /And they just didn't count on the tears.

OK. if YOU had chosen this song, your creative opportunities would be endless.

Describe your favorite Italian restaurant, from soup to nuts. Or describe, in even more detail, their Brenda & Eddie's humble abode.

Or write a scene at Brenda & Eddie's wedding, perhaps, that foreshadows their eventual breakup. Or a scene where Brenda & Eddie really rule the roost hanging out at the local diner.

Maybe compose a dialogue in which Eddie proposes to Brenda. Maybe have Brenda proposing to Eddie, which might explain how Eddie wasn't ready to get married in the first place.

Character sketch Eddie. Dress him appropriately, have him talk, act, react, etc. the way he should. Do the same with Brenda.

Maybe take the point of view of one of their high school "friends" who tells us in a brief dramatic monologue that she knew their marriage would "never last." [dramatic monologue is when one character talks continuously to another, who never is heard responding].

If you're really ambitious, come up with a story or movie treatment. I would define a treatment as a basic plot road map with some interesting explanatory comments sprinkled in. If you're casting the movie, who would be your first choices to play the roles of Brenda and Eddie? Mine might be Marisa Tomei and Nicholas Cage.

Hopefully, reading my "riff" ideas on this Billy Joel song will encourage you to be just as creative with your own choice.

By the way, the photo is of Caffe Napoli on Mulberry Street in New York's Little Italy.

Seniors Journal #4---A & P ---An Additional Scene

Anytime I teach Updike's story A&P, I usually get this one question--"So what do you think happened to Sammy?" As in, did he go back to the store the next day to beg forgiveness, perhaps dragged by his mom and dad?

Maybe "you" can answer this question, and provide the scene for A&P, The Next Day.

Hopefully, in class on Wednesday you played around with some scenarios. These were the ones suggested:

Based on the characters in A&P, make up an imaginary dialogue, choosing one of the four:

1. Between Sammy and his parents when he returns home to tell them he's quit his job
2. Among Queenie, Plaid, and Big Tall Goonie Goonie after they leave the A&P
3. Between Sammy and Lengel when he comes back to the A&P the next day to plead for his job back
4. any other A & P inspired scene (e.g. Sammy meets Queenie at a dance or something like that)

Well, post your dialogue/scene here for all to see what you think. Make sure your characters are "true" to the story. Don't have them change too unexpectedly.

Sophs---Logos, Ethos, Pathos

You'll need to know what these ideas mean to respond to the #4 journal assignment. The Greeks believed that good speeches should appeal to the three areas of logos, ethos, and pathos. Don't be confused by the Greek words. Think "logic" for logos, "ethics" for ethos, and "emotions" for pathos (as in the word pathetic).

Logos: Logos refers to any attempt to appeal to the intellect, the general meaning of "logical argument." Everyday arguments rely heavily on ethos and pathos, but academic arguments rely more on logos. Yes, these arguments will call upon the writers' credibility and try to touch the audience's emotions, but there will more often than not be logical chains of reasoning supporting all claims.

Ethos: Ethos is related to the English word ethics and refers to the trustworthiness of the speaker/writer. Ethos is an effective persuasive strategy because when we believe that the speaker does not intend to do us harm, we are more willing to listen to what s/he has to say. For example, when a trusted doctor gives you advice, you may not understand all of the medical reasoning behind the advice, but you nonetheless follow the directions because you believe that the doctor knows what s/he is talking about. Likewise, when a judge comments on legal precedent, audiences tend to listen because it is the job of a judge to know the nature of past legal cases.

Pathos: Pathos is related to the words pathetic, sympathy and empathy. Whenever you accept a claim based on how it makes you feel without fully analyzing the rationale behind the claim, you are acting on pathos. They may be any emotions: love, fear, patriotism, guilt, hate or joy. A majority of arguments in the popular press are heavily dependent on pathetic appeals. The more people react without full consideration for the WHY, the more effective an argument can be. Although the pathetic appeal can be manipulative, it is the cornerstone of moving people to action. Many arguments are able to persuade people logically, but the apathetic audience may not follow through on the call to action. Appeals to pathos touch a nerve and compel people to not only listen, but to also take the next step and act in the world.

#4 Sophs Journal--Jim Valvano--Laugh, Think, and Cry

Jim Valvano coached the North Carolina State Wolfpack to an upset victory in the 1983 NCAA men's basketball championship game. Valvano parlayed this victory with his gift of public speaking to become one of the most likable and recognizable coaches in the land. I had the pleasure of listening to Valvano speak to a group of Delaware high school basketball coaches and All Stars. Leaving the Dover banquet hall that night, I thought to myself, "This guy is going to be a world shaker." Or something like that.

His North Carolina State teams would never come close to matching the success of the 1983 season. Then came the news that Valvano had developed cancer.

Only ten years after his national championship, his body ravaged with cancerous tumors, Valvano was awarded the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPY's (ESPN's annual BESTS). Valvano, an inspirational coach, was probably even a better public speaker. This speech will make you laugh, think, and cry, three things, that according to Valvano, you should do every day.

The Jimmy V Foundation was founded in his honor. It's still active and important today, raising millions of dollars to fight cancer. Dick Vitale, a well-known television basketball broadcaster and once a close friend of Valvano, is a main P.T. (Prime Time) Player in the battle against the insidious disease.

Your assignment: listen to the speech again (click on this link) and read the words to the speech at this link. Write your journal by responding to one or more of the following prompts:

1. What are the best parts (lines) of the speech? Why?

2. Tell me about the best 'pep talk' that you've ever received. Make sure to discuss the speaker, the situation, the audience, and the speaker's technique. Cite lines from the speech if you can.

3. How do you laugh, think, and cry each day?

4. Relate a personal story to any topic discussed in the speech.

5. Analyze the speech according to pathos, ethos, and logos.

Sickness at Schoolsville?

Never! The bug I apparently caught is a real-world one. Something so virulent could never occur at Schoolsville.

Seniors and sophs, continue to bring your texts to class til I'm back so you're prepared for any in-class assignments.

Any of you who need to make-up tests should be ready on the first day that I'm back to get to the library.

I will try to post an additional blog/journal this week, so keep checking in.

Seniors, you were given your first creative assignment today. If I had been in school, we would have had a "lab day" in order to get some ideas. Instead, I've posted some pdf. examples on Studywiz. Two are from the female gender; only one from the male side. I'll provide more "guy" examples when I return to school.

Hope to see you soon.

Weather at Schoolsville: Sunny & 86 Degrees

I'm on my sailboat all set to read your posts on Ben Franklin. Lights out at 11:59 for extra credit.

Sophs # 4 journal --Be Like Ben (Franklin, of course)

An older and wiser man writing his autobiography, Dr. Benjamin Franklin gave to the world his prescription for achieving "the bold and arduous task of moral perfection": list 13 virtues you wish to master, work on only one per week (like eradicating weeds from one flower bed at a time, he said), examine your day each evening to see if you had committed any actions contrary to that virtue (keep a record in a lined notebook), proceed to the next virtue the next week, and continue this process for a year (you'll be able to go through four cycles in 52 weeks). Sounds simple enough, right? About as easy and American as apple pie.

As a young man hiding behind the nom de plume of Poor Richard Saunders, Franklin's words of wisdom often took the shape of clever, pithily worded aphorisms like "God helps them that help themselves; a penny saved is a penny earned; fish and visitors smell in three days; an apple a day keeps the doctor away, etc."

Your journal assignment gives you some options.

You should (choose ONE of the three):

A. Tell me a personal or family tale that represents one of Franklin's virtues.

B. Tell me a personal or family tale that represents the theme of one of Franklin's aphorisms. Write that aphorism as part of your title. Check out the "talking Ben" by clicking here.

C. Relate in detail some orderly plan that you contrived in order to achieve some goal.


As Ben would have said, "Do not squander time, for that's the stuff life is made of.

POST BEFORE SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16

Senior Rage for Words: The Answers!!

When we arrived in Chicago, we could breathe the music. [music is being compared to air, a metaphor] jtf schoolsville

As ... my older brother was there to show me the ropes of this weird new world [ropes of the new world is a metaphor for the rules of life ... weird new world is alliteration]

Experience as a detour in my life ... getting back on the right track[detour and right track are metaphors]

Beautiful baby boy radiating like an angel [simile]

We .. sneakily slip [alliteration] Our normal loot [loot metaphor]

Each year brought new work projects, new obstacles, and new memories [parallel structure of "new" phrases]

my faithful clumsiness did me in [clusminess is personified]

I rose from a bed that beckoned for me [bed beckoned is alliteration and personification]

It was if I had pieced together the perfect guy on my own [pieced ... perfect alliteration and pieced a perfect guy is a metaphor. NOTE: "perfect guy" is not an oxymoron].

I hear an explosion of applause like a thousand little gunshots [simile comparing applause to gunshots].

Every word said, every favorite song sung during the funeral felt as if if bounced off of me, as if I was wearing an iron suit, protecting me from the truth I did not want to face [lots of stuff going on here--metaphor of wearing an iron suit to protect me one the truth (personified)].

My fingers curled into white-knuckled fists as I stared out the tinted window of my parent's SUV, watching the cars and trees blend into disfigured images before my eyes [good visual imagery, fingers curled into white-knuckled fists---cars and trees blend into disfigured images]

We have been able to weave together a sisterhood with the strings intertwined for eternity [metaphor of weaving sisterhood with strings].

It was like the whole rest of the world was on mute, except for that pestering clock up on the wall [world on metaphorical mute and pestering personified clock on the wall].

This whole carefree mindset was switched off the moment those flashing red and blue lights switched on [metaphor of mindset switched off; wordplay of switched off and switched on].

She paused for a brief moment, standing as still as a mannequin, waiting for the pitter-patter of Alicia's feet to end [simile of she compared to a mannequin].

As we sat down, my mind was pushed into rewind mode and the past few weeks came flooding back to me in a blur [mind in metaphorical rewind mode; weeks metaphorically flooding].

When I had looked for several minutes and found no sign of her, panic spread like venom [panic simile spread like a venom].

The weeks of the trip flew by. I could almost see the days on the calendar being crossed out right before my eyes [visual image of weeks being crossed out; weeks metaphorically flying by].

I had never really considered my life much more than ordinary [good opening sentence, not that you would know unless you read the essay].

Kevin had become accustomed to the bombardment and casually answered every question fired at him [a questioning parent's metaphorical bombardment (with questions fired)].

I watched cars and people outside living their everyday lives, as I was in a cell swimming up to my neck in regret [regret metaphorically fills up the pool/holding cell and the jailed person is swimming].

I wished I didn't know addiction, the wrecking ball that ruined my family [addiction metaphorically compared to a wrecking ball].

But other times, like on the golf course after a four-putt, he pouts like a puppy and disappears from the rest of the world [putt, pouts, puppy ... alliteration and he compared in a simile to a puppy].

I decided that what I really wanted was to be the athlete who was cheered for and not the drummer boy cheering [parallel structure creates sense of contrast between the "cheered for" and the "cheering"].

Soph Green Class Vocab Unit 3

Before class on Tuesday ...

Post your sentences using your vocabulary word correctly, giving a clue to the meaning of the word within your sentence.

Of course, identify yourself according to your initials.

e.g. Finding strength in numbers, we formed a coalition to demand better food service at our college's cafeteria.

Soph Blue Class Vocab Unit 3

Before class on Tuesday ...

Post your sentences using your vocabulary word correctly, giving a clue to the meaning of the word within your sentence.

Of course, identify yourself according to your initials.

e.g. Finding strength in numbers, we formed a coalition to demand better food service at our college's cafeteria.

Senior PURPLE class: Rage for Words

Your senior classmates have provided some sentences that show a mastery of the English language, maybe even a "rage for words." Take a close look at each sentence and tell me what rhetorical "trick" gives these words "life" beyond their mere literal meanings.

What do I mean by a rhetorical trick?

Words come to life when they're arranged in figures of speech (metaphors, similes, paradoxes, oxymorons, personification, etc), images, sound patterns (alliteration, assonance), or rhetorical questions. Writing certain sentence patterns (parallel structure) add emphasis. Using crisp action verbs can kick-start a sentence.

The Greeks called this creation of powerful language "rhetoric." It was once a studied, practiced, and revered skill of the Greek citizenry. These days, the artful language and word gets a nasty reputation because rhetoric is usually associated with unctuous politicians or ambitious advertisers who are selling themselves or their products.

Written by your senior classmates, here are some good, solid sentences worthy of closer inspection and analysis. With a classmate (or by yourself), analyze each sentence to discover the "rhetorical trick." Post your "answers" on the blog, giving your initials and section color, of course (the first sentence is an example of what I'd like you to do). Some of these sentences will appear as questions on your first test.

When we arrived in Chicago, we could breathe the music. [music is being compared to air, a metaphor] jtf schoolsville

As soon as I was old enough, my older brother was there to show me the ropes of this weird new world.

I like to look at this experience as a detour in my life, and I just needed some help getting back on the right track.

She guides me into Chelsea's room, and the first thing I see is a beautiful baby boy radiating like an angel in his mother's protective arms.

We would sneakily slip some extra food from the breakfast table. Our normal loot include bread and Nutella packages ....

Each year brought new work projects, new obstacles, and new memories to make this an even more unforgettable summer.

The first year, Amber shoved me jokingly, and the second year, my faithful clumsiness did me in.

I rose from a bed that beckoned for me to stay for just another minute or two.

It was if I had pieced together the perfect guy on my own.

Once I have hit my final pose, I hear an explosion of applause like a thousand little gunshots.

Every word said, every favorite song sung during the funeral felt as if if bounced off of me, as if I was wearing an iron suit, protecting me from the truth I did not want to face.

My fingers curled into white-knuckled fists as I stared out the tinted window of my parent's SUV, watching the cars and trees blend into disfigured images before my eyes.

We have been able to weave together a sisterhood with the strings intertwined for eternity.

It was like the whole rest of the world was on mute, except for that pestering clock up on the wall.

This whole carefree mindset was switched off the moment those flashing red and blue lights switched on.

She paused for a brief moment, standing as still as a mannequin, waiting for the pitter-patter of Alicia's feet to end.

As we sat down, my mind was pushed into rewind mode and the past few weeks came flooding back to me in a blur.

When I had looked for several minutes and found no sign of her, panic spread like venom.

The weeks of the trip flew by. I could almost see the days on the calendar being crossed out right before my eyes.

I had never really considered my life much more than ordinary.

Kevin had become accustomed to the bombardment and casually answered every question fired at him.

I watched cars and people outside living their everyday lives, as I was in a cell swimming up to my neck in regret.

I wished I didn't know addiction, the wrecking ball that ruined my family.

But other times, like on the golf course after a four-putt, he pouts like a puppy and disappears from the rest of the world.

I decided that what I really wanted was to be the athlete who was cheered for and not the drummer boy cheering.

Senior YELLOW class--Rage for Words

Your senior classmates have provided some sentences that show a mastery of the English language, maybe even a "rage for words." Take a close look at each sentence and tell me what rhetorical "trick" gives these words "life" beyond their mere literal meanings.

What do I mean by a rhetorical trick?

Words come to life when they're arranged in figures of speech (metaphors, similes, paradoxes, oxymorons, personification, etc), images, sound patterns (alliteration, assonance), or rhetorical questions. Writing certain sentence patterns (parallel structure) add emphasis. Using crisp action verbs can kick-start a sentence.

The Greeks called this creation of powerful language "rhetoric." It was once a studied, practiced, and revered skill of the Greek citizenry. These days, the artful language and word gets a nasty reputation because rhetoric is usually associated with unctuous politicians or ambitious advertisers who are selling themselves or their products.

Written by your senior classmates, here are some good, solid sentences worthy of closer inspection and analysis. With a classmate (or by yourself), analyze each sentence to discover the "rhetorical trick." Post your "answers" on the blog, giving your initials and section color, of course (the first sentence is an example of what I'd like you to do). Some of these sentences will appear as questions on your first test.

When we arrived in Chicago, we could breathe the music. [music is being compared to air, a metaphor] jtf schoolsville

As soon as I was old enough, my older brother was there to show me the ropes of this weird new world.

I like to look at this experience as a detour in my life, and I just needed some help getting back on the right track.

She guides me into Chelsea's room, and the first thing I see is a beautiful baby boy radiating like an angel in his mother's protective arms.

We would sneakily slip some extra food from the breakfast table. Our normal loot include bread and Nutella packages ....

Each year brought new work projects, new obstacles, and new memories to make this an even more unforgettable summer.

The first year, Amber shoved me jokingly, and the second year, my faithful clumsiness did me in.

I rose from a bed that beckoned for me to stay for just another minute or two.

It was if I had pieced together the perfect guy on my own.

Once I have hit my final pose, I hear an explosion of applause like a thousand little gunshots.

Every word said, every favorite song sung during the funeral felt as if if bounced off of me, as if I was wearing an iron suit, protecting me from the truth I did not want to face.

My fingers curled into white-knuckled fists as I stared out the tinted window of my parent's SUV, watching the cars and trees blend into disfigured images before my eyes.

We have been able to weave together a sisterhood with the strings intertwined for eternity.

It was like the whole rest of the world was on mute, except for that pestering clock up on the wall.

This whole carefree mindset was switched off the moment those flashing red and blue lights switched on.

She paused for a brief moment, standing as still as a mannequin, waiting for the pitter-patter of Alicia's feet to end.

As we sat down, my mind was pushed into rewind mode and the past few weeks came flooding back to me in a blur.

When I had looked for several minutes and found no sign of her, panic spread like venom.

The weeks of the trip flew by. I could almost see the days on the calendar being crossed out right before my eyes.

I had never really considered my life much more than ordinary.

Kevin had become accustomed to the bombardment and casually answered every question fired at him.

I watched cars and people outside living their everyday lives, as I was in a cell swimming up to my neck in regret.

I wished I didn't know addiction, the wrecking ball that ruined my family.

But other times, like on the golf course after a four-putt, he pouts like a puppy and disappears from the rest of the world.

I decided that what I really wanted was to be the athlete who was cheered for and not the drummer boy cheering.

Senior RED Class: Rage for Words

Your senior classmates have provided some sentences that show a mastery of the English language, maybe even a "rage for words." Take a close look at each sentence and tell me what rhetorical "trick" gives these words "life" beyond their mere literal meanings.

What do I mean by a rhetorical trick?

Words come to life when they're arranged in figures of speech (metaphors, similes, paradoxes, oxymorons, personification, etc), images, sound patterns (alliteration, assonance), or rhetorical questions. Writing certain sentence patterns (parallel structure) add emphasis. Using crisp action verbs can kick-start a sentence.

The Greeks called this creation of powerful language "rhetoric." It was once a studied, practiced, and revered skill of the Greek citizenry. These days, the artful language and word gets a nasty reputation because rhetoric is usually associated with unctuous politicians or ambitious advertisers who are selling themselves or their products.

Written by your senior classmates, here are some good, solid sentences worthy of closer inspection and analysis. With a classmate (or by yourself), analyze each sentence to discover the "rhetorical trick." Post your "answers" on the blog, giving your initials and section color, of course (the first sentence is an example of what I'd like you to do). Some of these sentences will appear as questions on your first test.

When we arrived in Chicago, we could breathe the music. [music is being compared to air, a metaphor] jtf schoolsville

As soon as I was old enough, my older brother was there to show me the ropes of this weird new world.

I like to look at this experience as a detour in my life, and I just needed some help getting back on the right track.

She guides me into Chelsea's room, and the first thing I see is a beautiful baby boy radiating like an angel in his mother's protective arms.

We would sneakily slip some extra food from the breakfast table. Our normal loot include bread and Nutella packages ....

Each year brought new work projects, new obstacles, and new memories to make this an even more unforgettable summer.

The first year, Amber shoved me jokingly, and the second year, my faithful clumsiness did me in.

I rose from a bed that beckoned for me to stay for just another minute or two.

It was if I had pieced together the perfect guy on my own.

Once I have hit my final pose, I hear an explosion of applause like a thousand little gunshots.

Every word said, every favorite song sung during the funeral felt as if if bounced off of me, as if I was wearing an iron suit, protecting me from the truth I did not want to face.

My fingers curled into white-knuckled fists as I stared out the tinted window of my parent's SUV, watching the cars and trees blend into disfigured images before my eyes.

We have been able to weave together a sisterhood with the strings intertwined for eternity.

It was like the whole rest of the world was on mute, except for that pestering clock up on the wall.

This whole carefree mindset was switched off the moment those flashing red and blue lights switched on.

She paused for a brief moment, standing as still as a mannequin, waiting for the pitter-patter of Alicia's feet to end.

As we sat down, my mind was pushed into rewind mode and the past few weeks came flooding back to me in a blur.

When I had looked for several minutes and found no sign of her, panic spread like venom.

The weeks of the trip flew by. I could almost see the days on the calendar being crossed out right before my eyes.

I had never really considered my life much more than ordinary.

Kevin had become accustomed to the bombardment and casually answered every question fired at him.

I watched cars and people outside living their everyday lives, as I was in a cell swimming up to my neck in regret.

I wished I didn't know addiction, the wrecking ball that ruined my family.

But other times, like on the golf course after a four-putt, he pouts like a puppy and disappears from the rest of the world.

I decided that what I really wanted was to be the athlete who was cheered for and not the drummer boy cheering.

Seniors Yellow Vocab

Choose two vocab words from the list you were given on Friday in class. Write sentences, using these those words correctly, giving clues to the meaning of the words without actually defining them. Of course, identify yourself according to your initials.

Here's an example sentence using the word "coalition": Finding strength in numbers, we formed a coalition to demand better food service at our college's cafeteria.

Your two words should be completely different from the two words chosen by the person sitting directly next to you on BOTH sides. Talk to him or her to make sure.

Your test will be comprised of your classmates' sentences, assuming they're good enough.

Seniors Purple Vocab

Choose two vocab words from the list you were given on Friday in class. Write sentences, using these those words correctly, giving clues to the meaning of the words without actually defining them. Of course, identify yourself according to your initials.

Here's an example sentence using the word "coalition": Finding strength in numbers, we formed a coalition to demand better food service at our college's cafeteria.

Your two words should be completely different from the two words chosen by the person sitting directly next to you on BOTH sides. Talk to him or her to make sure.

Your test will be comprised of your classmates' sentences, assuming they're good enough.

Seniors Red Vocab Sentences

Choose two vocab words from the list you were given on Friday in class. Write sentences, using these those words correctly, giving clues to the meaning of the words without actually defining them. Of course, identify yourself according to your initials.

Here's an example sentence using the word "coalition": Finding strength in numbers, we formed a coalition to demand better food service at our college's cafeteria.

Your two words should be completely different from the two words chosen by the person sitting directly next to you on BOTH sides. Talk to him or her to make sure.

Your test will be comprised of your classmates' sentences, assuming they're good enough.

Senior Message: Monday's Classes are in the Library Lab

Yup. See the title. Go directly to the Library Lab for all of Mr. Fiorelli's classes on Monday, Oct. 5. Spread the word.

Seniors: Get Busy Livin' or Get Busy Dyin'

The dialogue and scenes in The Shawshank Redemption are great, but what makes the movie even better is Morgan Freeman's "narration." Great voice, but the "words" are all Stephen King's. That's right. You might know that Shawshank is based on a novella by Stephen King called Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, published in a collection called Different Seasons. The collection also contained another novella called The Body, which Hollywood transformed into the fine movie, Stand by Me.

Meanwhile, here's Red (Morgan Freeman's character) narrating Andy Dufresne's escape over a series of images that detail Andy's plan and his triumphant escape:

Red: [narrating] In 1966, Andy Dufresne escaped from Shawshank prison. All they found of him was a muddy set of prison clothes, a bar of soap, and an old rock hammer, damn near worn down to the nub. I used to think it would take six-hundred years to tunnel under the wall with it. Old Andy did it in less than twenty. Oh, Andy loved geology. I guess it appealed to his meticulous nature. An ice age here, million years of mountain building there. Geology is the study of pressure and time. That's all it takes really, pressure, and time. That, and a big god-damned poster. Like I said, in prison a man will do anything to keep his mind occupied. It turns out Andy's favorite hobby was totin' his wall through the exercise yard, a handful at a time. I guess after Tommy was killed, he decided he had been here just about long enough. Andy did like he was told, buffed those shoes to a high mirror shine. The guard simply didn't notice. Neither did I... I mean, seriously, how often do you really look at a man's shoes? Andy crawled to freedom through five hundred yards of s..t smelling foulness I can't even imagine, or maybe I just don't want to. Five hundred yards... that's the length of five football fields, just shy of half a mile.