A Pale Blue Dot

Watch the first Youtube video, "A Pale Blue Dot," on the left-hand column of this blog, or go to the link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47EBLD-ISyc). The words that appear in the video are Carl Sagan's observations about a famous Voyager 1 photograph of Earth, taken from 4 billion miles away. Read it at the bottom of this page or go to the link, if you want a copy of the quote (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pale_Blue_Dot). Be prepared to discuss the significance and relevance of Sagan's powerful words.

Answer one of the following questions in one strong ACE paragraphy. Use complete sentences, being mindful to begin some of them with clauses or phrases (as discussed in class). Further, include personal examples when appropriate and give specific details with vivid verbs, demonstrative adverbs and lively adjectives. This is your writing sample, so write well.

1. Up to this moment in time, what contribution have you made to the people in your life? Keep in mind that your victories might be small but purposeful.

2. If it were possible, what failure would you go back and change?

3. What great achievement do you hope to accomplish during your lifetime?

4. To whom would you dedicate your life? Explain why that person deserves recognition.

Greetings and Salutations ! ! !

Welcome to our classroom web log! This space is designated for you to compose your thoughts, feelings, responses and questions to various subjects throughout the year. Further, it is a place for you to comment on and respond to your peers. Think of it as an interactive journal.

We need a proper title for our class blog, so if you want to astonish me with your cerebral prowess there will be extra credit for such efforts. To help you along, the class focuses on American literature in the 20th Century. This includes the Modernists, the Imagists, the Harlem Renaissance, the Beat Generation and the Sixties social, cultural and sexual revolutions. Remember to keep your suggestions school appropriate!

The first task is to read Kate Chopin’s “The Story of An Hour.” It is an incredibly short story (exactly 1009 words) about a young woman’s response to the news of her husband’s death. Knowing what you do of plot structure, character development and figurative language, choose five phrases in the story that you find particularly significant. Then briefly analyze the importance of each phrase. Please write in complete sentences and remember to back your arguments with evidence from the text.

Please be honest, open and have fun with this space!!!

Later, we will attempt to upload pictures and images and, perhaps, create our own group podcasts!

But right now, get to work on your first story!