"I like flawed characters because somewhere in them I see more of the truth"

--Nicolas Cage, as quoted in "His Truth is Out There"from Los Angeles Times, November 12, 2000


What does this quote mean? Provide a valid interpretation of this statement, agree or disagree with the statement as you have interpreted it, and support your opinion using specific references. Don't forget to comment on someone else's opinion.How does this quote relate to the author study that we are doing in class?


Make text connections.

"Good literature appeals to our intelligence and imagination, not merely to our curiosity"

---E.M. Forster

What does this quote mean? Provide a valid interpretation of this statement, agree or disagree with the statement as you have interpreted it, and support your opinion using specific references. Don't forget to comment on someone else's opinion.

How does this quote relate to the author study that we are doing in class?

Make text connections.

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

----Martin Luther King, Jr. Strength to love, 1963

What does this quote mean? Provide a valid interpretation of this statement, agree or disagree with the statement as you have interpreted it, and support your opinion using specific references. Don't forget to comment on someone else's opinion.

Make Text Connections.

(Please write your first and last name at the end of each of your comments)

"To gain that which is worth having, it may be necessary to loose everything else" ---Bernadette Devlin The Price of My Soul, 1969

What does this quote mean? Provide a valid interpretation of this statement, agree or disagree with the statement as you have interpreted it, and support your opinion using specific references.

You may use text connections.

Comment on at least two of your classmate's reponses.

(Don't forget to write your first and last name and your at the end of your comment)

Write at least 3 paragraphs to answer the question below. Use all 10 of last week's vocabulary words.

Is bullying a problem in your school? How does your school deal with it? Do you think that this approach is effective? What additional recommendations would you suggest? Please answer in clear, complete, and cohesive sentences. I would like at least 3 paragraphs. Please add detailed information to support your answer. Do not mention any one's name in your example.

(Underline and place in bold each vocabulary word. I am looking for 8th grade level sentences)


At the end of your paragraph put your First and last name and class

Write a one paragraph response to answer the question below. Use at least 7 of last week's vocabulary words.

One day, when you're middle aged and have teenage children of your own, you may impart to your children certain aspects of your own teen years. As your children listen to your tales, their respect for you grows incrementally, as they learn the details of your arduous life. What will you say to your children about the life that you currently enjoy?


(Underline and place in bold each vocabulary word. I am looking for 8th grade level sentences)


At the end of your paragraph put your First and last name and class

Write a letter: Be sure to use at least five words from last week's vocbulary list.

Here's the situation:

Your school is about to apply a wide range of polices to improve school safety. These policies include the use of metal detectors, random searches of coats in the closets and book bags, and the developement of large numbers of security officials throughout the building. Write a letter to the school's principal, expressing either your approval or disapproval of the school's new policies.


(Underline and place in bold each vocabulary word. I am looking for 8th grade level sentences)

At the end of your paragraph put your first and last name and class

This situation is fictitious

Write one paragraph to answer the question below. Be sure to use at least five words from last week's vocbulary list.

You've had a lot of experience with teachers, enough to know the good from the bad. If a new teacher came to you looking for advice on how to make a favorable impression, what kind of advice would you give?



(Underline and place in bold each vocabulary word. I am looking for 8th grade level sentences)


At the end of your paragraph put your First and last name and class

Dr. Carlyle Thompson Visits I.S. 68

On Wednesday May 27th, 2009 Classes 273, 274, and 281 had the honor to meet with Dr. Carlyle Thompson. Dr. Carlyle Van Thompson is a Professor of African American and American Literature at Medgar Evers College, the City University of New York. He received his Ph.D. in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia University. Dr. Thompson is the chairperson of the Department of Languages, Literature, and Philosophy. He has published scholarly articles on the works of Toni Morrison, Ernest J. Gaines, Nella Larsen, and Charles Waddell Chesnutt.

Dr. Thompson gave the students a taste of what it would be like to be in a college level class. He presented video excerpts, poems, and texts that had the same themes and as a group they looked for text-to-text, text-to-world and text-to-self connections, even taking a look at some of the text that they have read throughout the school year such as literary works by Virginia Hamilton and Walter Dean Myers. The students had many questions, were very engaged in the lesson and many were totally disappointed when the time was up and Dr. Thompson had to leave.




















On behalf of I.S. 68, the English Department and all that participated in this event I would like to personally thank Dr. Thompson for taking time out of his very busy schedule to make a difference in the lives of the students of Isaac Bildersee.

-Mrs. T. Hall