The Final Draft of your blog is due Wednesday, April 8, 2009.
If you have not sent me a link to your blog, do so before Wednesday!!!!
Have a Happy, and Safe Easter!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
A Totem Story
During Cole's second banishment to the island, he spends a great deal of time carving his personal journey into a Totem. Each lesson Cole learns on the island is represented by a different animal or natural image.
For this, your final blog, outline your own Totem. If you were to carve a Totem, like Cole, what would be the five significant events or lesson that you would include? What animal would you use to represent those lessons?
Your Totem must include five animals or natural symbols (eg. A sapling for a new beginning, or a mouse for feeling small or insignificant.) You must briefly describe the event that the animal represents and what that event taught you. You may enhance your blog by adding pictures of the animals.
For this, your final blog, outline your own Totem. If you were to carve a Totem, like Cole, what would be the five significant events or lesson that you would include? What animal would you use to represent those lessons?
Your Totem must include five animals or natural symbols (eg. A sapling for a new beginning, or a mouse for feeling small or insignificant.) You must briefly describe the event that the animal represents and what that event taught you. You may enhance your blog by adding pictures of the animals.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
One More "Last Chance"
In Chapter One, Cole mockingly thinks to himself, "Whatever happened, he could always count on having one more last chance." Every time Cole broke the law or hurt someone, he was told, "This is your last chance." Even Garvey advises Cole, "Don't waste this chance" when he leaves him on the island the first time.
Now, after everything he has done, Cole is given yet another "last chance"; the Circle has decided to return him to the island to complete his banishment.
Things you might want to consider:
Who is responsible for Cole's behavious?
How has Cole changed since his first stay on the island? How is he still the same?
How have the "banishment" rules and funding changed? Is this enough?
What message does this "chance" send to Cole? Peter? Other young offenders?
Now, after everything he has done, Cole is given yet another "last chance"; the Circle has decided to return him to the island to complete his banishment.
In your opinion, does Cole deserve another chance or should he be sent to jail as Peter's lawyer suggests? Support your opinion with evidence from the novel.
Things you might want to consider:
Who is responsible for Cole's behavious?
How has Cole changed since his first stay on the island? How is he still the same?
How have the "banishment" rules and funding changed? Is this enough?
What message does this "chance" send to Cole? Peter? Other young offenders?
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Cole Mathews - Villain or Victim?
In Chapter 8, Cole is violently mauled by the Spirit Bear. Many factors in Cole's life have lead him to this point- lying, bleeding to death, on an island. As he lays broken and bleeding, Cole tries to find someone to blame for his situation. But who is to blame?
For this blog entry, read the following Agree/Disagree statement and choose a side to defend. Similar to what we do in class with Agree/Disagree statements, you must support your position with opinion and evidence. Your response should include at least three (3) supporting details from the novel and be a minimum of two (2) paragraphs.
For this blog entry, read the following Agree/Disagree statement and choose a side to defend. Similar to what we do in class with Agree/Disagree statements, you must support your position with opinion and evidence. Your response should include at least three (3) supporting details from the novel and be a minimum of two (2) paragraphs.
Agree/Disagree
Cole's current situation is entirely the fault of his parents.
Do you agree or disagree? Why?
Thursday, March 12, 2009
How to post a web link
http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/news/Restorative-justice-introduced-area/article-760540-detail/article.html
Copy the link from the address bar. Open a new post window and then paste it in. It's as simple as that!
Don't forget to comment on the post!
Copy the link from the address bar. Open a new post window and then paste it in. It's as simple as that!
Don't forget to comment on the post!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Circle Justice
In Touching Spirit Bear, the protagonist, Cole Mathews participates in a healing form of justice known as Circle Justice. Circle Justice is a First Nations tradition that directly involve all affected parties in the justice process. The goal of Circle, or Restorative Justice is not to punish but to heal. The hope is that the offender and the victims walk away from the process better people.
As you learned in the novel, Circle Justice requires the offender to take responsibility and show remorse for their crime. The sentences handed out through Circle Justice are directly related to the crime. For example, a person who kills an animal may be required to work in an animal shelter.
Over the past few years, Circle Justice has gained recognition in non-Aboriginal communities as a legitimate form of justice. Your task today is to research cases where Circle Justice has been used. You are required to link at least one (1) article relating to Circle Justice to your blog entry and comment on the case.
Possible topics to discuss in your blog entry:
1. What was the crime and who was involved? (offender and victims)
2. What was the sentence handed down?
3. How long did the process take? What was the process?
4. Was it effective?
5. Do you believe Circle Justice is an effective means of justice? Why or why not?
NOTE: These are just suggestions. This is your blog, you may respond to the article however you see fit.
Your blog entry must be a minimum of two (2) paragraphs.
As you learned in the novel, Circle Justice requires the offender to take responsibility and show remorse for their crime. The sentences handed out through Circle Justice are directly related to the crime. For example, a person who kills an animal may be required to work in an animal shelter.
Over the past few years, Circle Justice has gained recognition in non-Aboriginal communities as a legitimate form of justice. Your task today is to research cases where Circle Justice has been used. You are required to link at least one (1) article relating to Circle Justice to your blog entry and comment on the case.
Possible topics to discuss in your blog entry:
1. What was the crime and who was involved? (offender and victims)
2. What was the sentence handed down?
3. How long did the process take? What was the process?
4. Was it effective?
5. Do you believe Circle Justice is an effective means of justice? Why or why not?
NOTE: These are just suggestions. This is your blog, you may respond to the article however you see fit.
Your blog entry must be a minimum of two (2) paragraphs.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Welcome to Blogging!
Welcome Grade 9 to the exciting and wonderful world of blogging!
If you're like me, you may find yourself asking, "What's blogging?" Well, blogging stands for web, as in the world wide web and log, which is another word for a journal. So, a blog is an online journal. Again, if you're like me, you're probably wondering, "If you're combining the two words why not call it welogging? Logically this makes more sense." Well, apparently, blogging is easier to say.
As you know, over the next five weeks you will be participating in a school wide novel study of Touching Spirit Bear.
So...yet again you may find yourself forming mental questions such as, "What does blogging have to do with a novel study?"
The answer is "Everything!" Since this novel study is school wide and cross-curricular, that means it will be incorporated in all subject areas, including computers.
Today, you will create a blog of your own for this unit and over the coming weeks you will add posts, web links, and images to your blog relating to the novel. Excited? I know I am!
And before you ask...YES, you will marked on this. The formatting, links, and appearance of your blog will count towards your computer mark while post content (that's what you say) will count towards your English or social studies mark depending on the assignment. To view the rubric for this assignment go to the Touching Spirit Bear 9-56 folder in studentshare. That's studentshare, NOT the dropbox.
If you're like me, you may find yourself asking, "What's blogging?" Well, blogging stands for web, as in the world wide web and log, which is another word for a journal. So, a blog is an online journal. Again, if you're like me, you're probably wondering, "If you're combining the two words why not call it welogging? Logically this makes more sense." Well, apparently, blogging is easier to say.
As you know, over the next five weeks you will be participating in a school wide novel study of Touching Spirit Bear.
So...yet again you may find yourself forming mental questions such as, "What does blogging have to do with a novel study?"
The answer is "Everything!" Since this novel study is school wide and cross-curricular, that means it will be incorporated in all subject areas, including computers.
Today, you will create a blog of your own for this unit and over the coming weeks you will add posts, web links, and images to your blog relating to the novel. Excited? I know I am!
And before you ask...YES, you will marked on this. The formatting, links, and appearance of your blog will count towards your computer mark while post content (that's what you say) will count towards your English or social studies mark depending on the assignment. To view the rubric for this assignment go to the Touching Spirit Bear 9-56 folder in studentshare. That's studentshare, NOT the dropbox.
Any Questions? Then lets get started!
go to http://www.blogger.com/
go to http://www.blogger.com/
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