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Blog Response #9 - Online Learning Session 7 (Fear Unit)

COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS -   Read and view the pieces: How to Manufacture Fear Where Have You Gone, Charming Billy? Then, respond to the following prompts in a clear and concise blog comment. Please post BOTH Part 1 and Part 2 in ONE POST. Part 1: In the video “How to Manufacture Fear,” Dr. Margee Kerr studies people as they travel through a “haunted” prison - Eastern State Penitentiary. There are some people who would be afraid to walk through this place during the day… let alone at night when it is meant to be scary. Are you a fan of haunted houses? Why do you think that they are so popular? What specific techniques and tools does Margee Kerr mention that are often used in haunted attractions? Can you relate to any of them (like a baby crying or a chainsaw) and understand why they are frightening? Part 2:   In “Where Have You Gone, Charming Billy?” author Tim O’Brien uses strong details and techniques to capture Paul Berlin’s fear about being in the war. Usi...
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Blog Response #8- Online Learning Session 6 (Fear Unit)

  COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS -   View and read the assigned pieces: Why is it fun to be frightened? Once Upon a Time Then, respond to the following prompts in a clear and concise blog comment. Please post BOTH Part 1 and Part 2 in ONE POST. Part 1: Dr. Margee Kerr believes that humans like - perhaps even love - to be scared. What do you feel about this? Do you have any personal examples that you can share that either support or deny her opinion? Part 2: “Once Upon a Time” is a type of literature called a fable, which provides a moral or lesson about life. After reading Gordimer “children’s story,” what do you think is the moral she was trying to convey? Cite a piece of evidence that makes you think this way in your response.
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Blog Response #7 - Online Learning Session 5 (Fear Unit)

COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS -   Read the assigned CommonLit pieces: Why is it fun to be frightened? On a Mountain Trail Then, respond to the following prompts in a clear and concise blog comment. Please post BOTH Part 1 and Part 2 in ONE POST. Part 1: Why is it fun to be frightened? How does Dr. Margee Kerr answer this question? Do you agree or disagree? Have you ever experienced a frightening situation that was FUN? Include a piece of TEXTUAL EVIDENCE in this portion of your comment. Part 2: In Wisconsin, we are fortunate to have many state parks and nature preserves to visit and enjoy the beauty of nature; however, Robinson’s story reminds us of the other side of nature: what lurks in the dark. Using evidence from the text, explain what part of the story you feel created the most suspense as the horses try to outrun the wolf pack and why this might be FUN to read?
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Blog Response #6 - Online Learning Session 4 (Fear Unit)

FEAR Blog #3: Comment COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS -   Watch & read the assigned Stephen King pieces.  Then, respond to the following prompts in a clear and concise blog comment. Please post BOTH Part 1 and Part 2 in ONE POST. Part 1: What are your impressions of Stephen King ? Have you read anything else by him? Have you seen his movies? Do you enjoy his type of writing?  Do you have any comments on his life or work in general? Part 2: What are your thoughts on the story The Man in the Black Suit? What about it did you enjoy (or not enjoy)? Would you like to read anything else by him? Use a piece of TEXTUAL EVIDENCE in this portion of your comment. FEAR Blog #3: Replies Read through the posted blog comments. Reply to TWO. You may reply in anyway you wish... a general comment to connect to the writer... a question that you have about another person's thoughts... an opposing point that might challenge a conclusion. The goal in your replies is to ...
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Blog Response #5 - Online Learning Session 3 (Fear Unit)

COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS -   Watch & read the transcript of the TED Talk What Fear Can Teach Us and read Richard Connell's short story The Most Dangerous Game . Then, respond to the following prompts in a clear and concise blog comment. Please post BOTH Part A and Part B in ONE POST. Part A: We have established that the focus of this unit is on fear and how it can shape human behavior. After viewing and reading the transcript of Karen Thompson Walker's TED Talk What Fear Can Teach Us and reading Richard Connell's short story, The Most Dangerous Game, what connections can you make between the two pieces? Why has such a truly sinister plot continued to appeal to readers for almost 100 years? Be sure to incorporate evidence from BOTH pieces in your response. Think about: Walker's theory is that fear is positive because one can learn from it. What do the main characters in the short story learn? How does this process create excitement, and even an emotional resp...
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Blog Response #4 - Online Learning Session 2 (Fear Unit)

COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS -   Watch the TEDEd Why is being scared so fun? and read Edgar Allen Poe’s short story The Tell Tale Heart . Then, respond to the following prompts in a clear and concise blog comment. Please post BOTH Part A and Part B in ONE POST. Part A: The focus of this unit is on fear and how it can shape human’s behavior.  After viewing the TEDEd and reading EAP’s short story, what conclusions can you draw as to why The Tell Tale Heart is so popular? What is it about the story that triggers the reader to experience FUN and enjoy reading it? Be sure to include text evidence from the story to support your conclusions. Part B: Think about times that you have felt afraid and enjoyed it. Where were you? What were you doing? Who were you with? Why did you find this fearful experience enjoyable? Do you still feel the same way today? REPLY INSTRUCTIONS -  Read through the COMMENTS made by your classmates and choose a minimum of TWO to REPLY to. ...
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Blog Response #3 - Guns, Germs, & Steel Excerpts 7-9

Blog Response Part A Part A: Which excerpt did you most enjoy? Excerpts 7-9 deliver a wide variety of information, starting with the development of writing which led to other forms of technology, and then wrapping everything up with an examination of Africa and how Diamond’s “Geography Theory” impacted that continent. Choose the excerpt that is most interesting to you. What do you particularly appreciate learning about? Why does this interest you? Include at least one piece of evidenc e from the text to support your thoughts . Blog Response Part B Part B: Identifying Emerging Topics Review your list of Emerging Topics for Excerpts 7-9. Which one are you most interested in pursuing at this time? If this topic is related to what you already wrote about in Part A, be sure to explain that connection. 1. Identify the topic and which excerpt it came from (this should include a quote). 2. Explain why this topic is "speaking to you." REPLIES - DAY 2: Read...
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Blog Response #2 - Guns, Germs, & Steel Excerpts 4-6

Blog Response Part A Part A: What has impacted the development of civilizations? In excerpts 4-6, Diamond explains how geography, agriculture, animals, and germs impacted and sometimes even determined the success of early civilizations. Based on Diamond’s research, which theory do you think had the greatest impact? Why? You must have at least one piece of evidenc e from the text to support your opinion. Blog Response Part B Part B: Identifying Emerging Topics Review your list of Emerging Topics for Excerpts 4-6. Which one are you most interested in pursuing at this time? 1. Identify the topic and which excerpt it came from (this should include a quote). 2. Explain why this topic is "speaking to you." REPLIES - DAY 2: Read through the posted blog comments. Reply to TWO: one you agree with and one that you disagree with and/or can followup with a clarifying question . Clearly explain why you agree or disagree with the author of the blog comment AND/...
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Blog Response #1 - Guns, Germs, & Steel Excerpts 1-3

COMMENT - Day 1: Part A: Answering Yali's Question Many possible answers to Yali's question have been posed over time. Which theory do you find the most interesting? Why? (Possible theories include genetics, climate, irrigation, and the fact that Europeans developed guns, germs, and steel before others (but this doesn't answer the question WHY they did this)). In a detailed blog comment, support your findings. You must have at least one piece of evidence from the text to support your opinion. Try starting your post by saying: The theory that I find the most interesting is... (that of genetics? climate? irrigation? Europeans just happening to develop things first?) I feel this because.... This is supported in Excerpt (1, 2, or 3) when Diamonds writes, " ." This proves _______ because________. Part B: Identifying Emerging Topics Review your list of Emerging Topics. Which one are you most interested in pursuing at this time? 1. Identify the...
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