Setting Academic Goals for the New Term!

1. List at least two specific academic goals you have for the next 10-week academic term. Please make sure to include specific steps describing HOW you're planning to achieve these goals.

2. List at least 1 social/personal goal that you're planning to achieve in the next 10 weeks, also making sure to include steps on the HOW!

3. For those girls who have been attending Lindsay for some time, reflect on the goals you set for yourself last term - did you reach those goals? Why or why not?

Message to the Graduates

Today is a very special day for our Lindsay graduates and you too will be standing up on the stage someday soon receiving your diploma. This short assignment is two part: 1) write a short message to one or all of the graduates 2) how do you think you will feel when your special day arrives?

Analyzing a Novel: The Kite Runner

Please choose 4 of the following questions about the novel and answer them on your blog - make sure to give support/evidence for each of your answers:

1. Which characters change as the story proceeds? Do they change for the better or the worse, and how do they change specifically?

2. Who was your favorite character and why? Which character did you dislike most throughout the story and why?

3. List at least two major conflicts in the story and talk about what type of conflicts they are (ex: person vs. person, person vs. society, etc).

4. What is the historic time, place and social background of the novel? How does it affect what happens in the story?

5. Which is your most favorite scene in the book? In the movie?

6. Which did you enjoy better, the novel or the movie? Please give specific reasons why.

7. What is the theme of the novel? What do you think was the message the author was trying to convey by writing this book?

8. Who is the protagonist in this story? Who is the antagonist? Give an example of a scene from the story that would support your label for each character.

Resolutions for the New Year!

Research shows that broad, non-specific resolutions are often not achieved. People who make specific resolutions with plans to achieve them are 10 times more likely to achieve those goals than those people who just make general statements like, "I'm going to lose weight". When writing your resolutions for the new year, make sure that they are very specific, for example:

1. Improve my math grade

VS.

2. Finish the last three chapters in my Algebra book and get make up work from Connie before report cards are due

The second resolution is much more specific and thus, easier to achieve! Please make sure that for each of your 3 resolutions you also provide 2 steps you will take to achieve each goals set forth. Also, make sure that at least one of your resolutions is academic in nature (like the example provided above).

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Holiday Fun!

To create a holiday movie with html code to embed on your blog, google search: jibjab. You might have to copy pictures to your Lindsay folder so that you can upload them to your e-card. Copy and paste the html code to a new post on your blog, and don't forget to comment me when you are done!

The Impact of Fundamentalism on Human Rights

As documented in The Kite Runner, fundamentalism, specifically the Taliban's method of enforcing religious law, had a significant impact on the lives of women and children in Afghanistan. From watching Baba, Amir and Rahim Khan's stories, we also learned that fundamentalism created a huge crisis involving refugees and internally displaced people. In addition, scenes with Assef showed us that those individuals that came into contact with the Taliban endured some of the most brutal, inhuman and degrading treatment that the world has ever witnessed. We will be examining the severity of the Taliban's fundamentalist tactics as depicted in The Kite Runner and explore the impact the Taliban had on the human rights of individuals in Afghanistan.

Start by defining the words fundamentalist and fundamentalism.

After you have read The Taliban's Rules both Rules Regarding Females and Rules Regarding All Afghans - choose one law from each list that you think is the most oppressive and write a short paragraph on each.

The Kite Runner

Write a short review of the first half of the book in a short paragraph. You make talk freely about the book or specifics, for example: who is your favorite character so far, or your most hated, and why? What are some of the larger themes covered in the novel? Additionally, include a review of today's discussion - many of you expressed that it was your favorite discussion thus far - please discuss why this is in specifics, for example: What are a few of the questions you asked of the "characters" today? What did you think about their responses?

Precious / Push Questions

Choose at least 3 (or more for extra credit) questions and post responses on your blog! You can use evidence from both the movie and/or the novel.

1. What type of person do you believe Precious is? Based on the circumstances in her life, what would you expect from Precious?

2. What about Precious' character leads her to overcome her situation and not be complacent?

3. Is Precious a movie about what we all can overcome or is it merely an examination of one girl's life and circumstances? Why?

4. Can you relate to Precious or her life? In what ways?

5. The book and movie are virtually free of men. What message does this send you about roles of men and women in Precious' life?

6. What are the roles of men and women, fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers, and friends in your life?

7. What is the role you play in other people's lives?

Answer all 3 of the following questions:
1. Did Precious' story make you think about what your role is to those around you, no matter how well you know them? Do you feel a responsibility to assist others?

2. Like the investment of time that BluRain makes in Precious, what investment have you made in someone's life? If you haven't made that investment, what is stopping you?

3. Has someone made the investment in you? Who?

The Kite Runner - Ethnic groups in Afghanistan

Afghanistan has approximately 8 major ethnic groups residing within 34 provinces or mini-states, each having its own distinct cultural and political identity. The 8 major ethnic groups are the Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzbeks, Turkmen, Nuristanis, Aimaqs and Balochis. Using the reading from class, please answer the following questions on your blog.

1. What is the population of Afghanistan?
2. How many major ethnic groups are there in Afghanistan? Which groups do Amir and Hassan belong to?
3. What are the two official languages of Afghanistan? How many other languages are spoken in Afghanistan?
4. What is the major religion in Afghanistan?
5. Which two ethnic groups are the largest in Afganistan?
6. What is the main language of the Pashtuns?
7. Why are the Pashtuns so influential in Afghanistan?
8. Approximately how many Tajiks are there in Afghanistan?
9. Where do most Hazaras reside?
10. Which ethnic groups were historically best known for farming?
11. Which ethnic groups are best known as nomads or for camel breeding?
12. Which Muslim sect to do the majority of Muslims in Afghanistan belong to?
13. What are the Tajiks best known for?
14. What sect of Muslims do most Hazaras belong to?

Writing Poetry / Escribir Poemas

Please submit some of your own poetry in the spirit of our recent anthology: Cool Salsa! Your poems can rhyme or be free form and if you'd like to perform/read them at our book circle, that would be awesome!!!

Also, don't forget our salsa contest on Thursday . . . bring your best!! I'll provide the chips!

God made you brown, mi'ja
to wear as a crown for you are royalty -
a princess, la raza nueva,
the people of the sun.
It is the color of Chicana women -
leader/madres of Chicano warriors
luchando por la paz y la dignidad
de la justicia de la nacion, Aztlan!!

Education not Incarceration

Education not Incarceration Forum
November 10, 2009
San Diego City College
Room D121

Organized by City College MEChA & Chicano Mexicano Prison Project

Please reflect on the panel speakers you heard - discuss some of the things you learned from the forum and talk about how the topics the speakers discussed are reflected in your own lives.

Rihanna breaks silence about domestic violence

Rihanna told interviewers she feels ashamed about falling for Chris Brown and says she left him as an example for other young women who might be in abusive relationships - she warns other young women to not be blinded by love - watch video clip below:

Rihanna: Chris Brown 'had no soul in his eyes' -- latimes.com

The Road Less Traveled - Writing Contest

We often travel the familiar road, the most certain route. However, sometimes we take a road less traveled because our hearts tell us, "You need to step off the safest path. It is time. Don't worry about what others think. Do it because you know it is right for you."

In a short story, essay, memoir, poem, or graphic panels, describe an action you took, not because it was easy and expected, but because your heart told you to take a different direction, and as a result, you arrived at a new destination.

Awards:
If you piece is chosen as a winner, it will be read aloud at a public reading and published in a statewide magazine.

Deadline:
November 15, 2009

School Goals for the New Term

Now that you've received your report cards, reflect on areas you did well on, as well as those that could use improvement. Pick 3 goals for the next term and talk about how you plan to achieve these goals. Make two of them academic goals and the third a social goal. Don't forget to include what steps you are going to take to achieve these goals!!!

Dia de los Muertos - Persistance of Indigenous Culture

More than 500 years ago, when the Spanish Conquistadors landed in what is now Mexico, they encountered natives practicing a ritual that seemed to mock death. It was a ritual the indigenous people had been practicing at least 3,000 years. A ritual the Spaniards would try unsuccessfully to eradicate. The ritual known today as Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.

The ritual is celebrated in Mexico and certain parts of the United States.

Celebrations are held each year in various areas and although the ritual has since been merged with Catholic theology, it still maintains the basic principles of the Aztec ritual, such as the use of skulls.

Today, people don wooden skull masks called calacas and dance in honor of their deceased relatives. The wooden skulls are also placed on altars that are dedicated to the dead. Sugar skulls, made with the names of the dead person on the forehead, are eaten by a relative or friend, according to Mary J. Adrade, who has written three books on the ritual.

The Aztecs and other Meso-American civilizations kept skulls as trophies and displayed them during the ritual. The skulls were used to symbolize death and rebirth.

The skulls were used to honor the dead, whom the Aztecs and other Meso-American civilizations believed came back to visit during the month long ritual.

Unlike the Spaniards, who viewed death as the end of life, the natives viewed it as the continuation of life. Instead of fearing death, they embraced it. To them, life was a dream and only in death did they become truly awake.

"The pre-Hispanic people honored duality as being dynamic," said Christina Gonzalez, senior lecturer on Hispanic issues at Arizona State University. "They didn't separate death from pain, wealth from poverty like they did in Western cultures."

However, the Spaniards considered the ritual to be sacrilegious. They perceived the indigenous people to be barbaric and pagan.

In their attempts to convert them to Catholicism, the Spaniards tried to kill the ritual.

But like the old Aztec spirits, the ritual refused to die.

To make the ritual more Christian, the Spaniards moved it so it coincided with All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day (Nov. 1 and 2), which is when it is celebrated today.

Previously it fell on the ninth month of the Aztec Solar Calendar, approximately the beginning of August, and was celebrated for the entire month. Festivities were presided over by the goddess Mictecacihuatl. The goddess, known as "Lady of the Dead," was believed to have died at birth, Andrade said.

Today, Day of the Dead is celebrated in Mexico and in certain parts of the United States and Central America.

"It's celebrated different depending on where you go," Gonzalez said.

Tears of a Tiger

Please post your shelfari review for our novel and the Words Alive discussion.

Candlelight Vigil at Chicano Park

15 Years of Operation Gatekeeper!

Candlelight vigil for all those who have fallen victim!

Friday, October 2, 2009

Chicano Park

5:30 - 7 pm

Reflection on the DV Rally

The organizers of the San Diego Domestic Violence Awareness Rally would like some feedback so as to better improve the rally next year. Please answer the questions below and offer any other advice or suggestions you'd like.

1. List at least one or two things you learned at the rally.

2. What was you favorite event/ booth/ exhibit at the rally and why?

3. What would you include next year? (ex: location, speakers, activities, etc.)

Domestic Violence Rally

Looking at the Teen Power and Control Wheel, we recognize that there are many ways that young women are involved in violence relationships. Please list (with description) the type of violence you believe most affects young teenage women and why. Have you had any experience with any of these types of violence? How have you handled them? What advice would you give to other girls in similar situations?

To link to wheel: http://www.ncdsv.org/images/Teen%20P&C%20wheel%20NO%20SHADING.pdf

Not To Be Forgotten Rally - Domestic Violence Awareness
Thursday, October 1st
Old Town Plaza
4002 Wallace Street

Everyone together
Victims can be anyone - children, pets, men, women, elders
Enough
Relationships can be safe, calm, tender and loving
You can make a difference
Others play a role - neighbors, friends, family and coworkers
No excuse for abuse
Everyone has the power to heal