February 27 - March 4 (40 points)

Writing letters is said to be "a dying art." With that in mind, look at these letters with a critical lens and think about the last time you wrote or received a letter. Has email, text messaging and instant messaging replaced carefully penned and crafted letter? Please take this opportunity to write letters to Barack Obama using text speak or email format. What would you write to the President of the United States about? This is a reflective assignment.

The following are lists of response choices: (you need to post once, and read at-least two peer responses and comment refering to their post) (you must hand in a hand written response if you are not permitted to post)

1. You may rewrite the letter to Barack Obama (from Alice Walker) demonstrating your proficiency and skill with text speak or LOL language.
2. You may respond to the letter from Alice Walker, to Barack Obama and take a stance against her advice and the transition in government.
3. You may compare and contrast the James Baldwin Letter and the Alice Walker letter looking to demonstrate differences in style and purpose.
4. You may write a letter to Mr. Wind about your experience to his teaching style and his transition from an eleventh grade English Classroom in Hamburg to a seventh grade English Classroom at Grover Cleveland International School in Buffalo. It should take the shape of the Alice Walker letter and include literary elements (repetition, theme, metaphor, etc...).

The following are the links to items we have read or watched in class.

• Alice Walker "Letter to President-Elect Barack Obama" (online print )
• James Baldwin ”My Dungeon Shook" (p. 792)

February 9-13 (20 Points)

Stride Toward Freedom (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) p. 235-238
Necessary to Protect Ourselves (Interview of Malcolm X by Les Crane) p. 239-240

Some questions to guide your response.

• What is your opinion about non-violent vs. violent protest.
• Is there anything that would provoke you to protest violently?
• Do you protest anything that the government is doing now?
• What do you think is similar in these works in terms of author’s purpose, voice, etc.?
• What is different in these pieces (again, think critically!)?
• what are the authors’ messages to their audience?
• What was the injustice that the author is speaking about?
• Relate either of these two figures to a contemporary figure in some way.

These questions are to guide your post. Feel free to talk freely about these two works. Do not feel confined to only answering these questions. Additionally, remember that you have to respond to two of your peers comments within your class period(please refer to their screen name while responding).

Email me your alias ela11mr.wind@gmail.com

Feb 2-10 Wisdom Questions and answers (optional post)

This is a place for your questions and comments about our first couple of assignments. Feel free to tell me that you like or dislike and idea or a project, however, be sure to back it up with why...

If you have a question for me that you don't want published to this site, please email me at ela11mr.wind@gmail.com
thank you
Mr. Wind
:)

P.S. if you find any quotes that you would like me to add to my list of quotes please add them here. Just comment on this post.

Do not use your complete name unless you've been granted permission. Let's use aliases to be safe. Be sure to email me so that I know your identity and so that you recieve proper credit. Do not reveal your identity in your post.

Click on the picture below for instructions on how to sign up or sign in. Likewise, you have been provided instructions in class.