Tuesday, November 17, 2009

My Virtues

1.) Internet-use: Useing the interne, stops me from doing my work.
2.) Phone-use: Cell phones are distractive, which keeps me from doing my work.
3.) Happy: Happiness leads to good health
4.) Less- stingy: Be more giving because one day i may need someone to also, give me something.
5.) Non-Forgiveable: Be more forgiving. Quit holding grudges because their not loosing sleep, I am.
6.) Less-mindspeaking: I need to learn t o keep my mouth closed because mindspeaking isnt good. I gotta understand people are sensitive.
7.) Responsible: Being responsible shows a sign of maturity.
8.) Punctual: I should be at places at the exact time, school and work wise.
9.) Honesty: Telling the truth is the right thing to do because when you tell a lie, you got to tell more lies just to cover the one you just told.
10.) Participation: Interacting with others can also help you in alot of things. You can learn from others in the process and gain alot of work ethics.
11.) Less Undecided: Not being sure of things can be confusing, your basically clueless all the time.
12.) Less-Timid: having self- confidence will increase my social skills, because im the type of person that doesn't like to stand up infront of the class.
13.) Ambitious: Being determined will make me a successful person.


I think that my list of virtues, would help me reach moral perfection b/c it would make me a better person. People would have good things to say about me, instead of the bad. Going by my list of virtues, would actually help me learn more about myself and things I'm capable of doing. Based on Franklins and my virtues, living a good life is all about making good decisions.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Science vs. The Deconstruction of God's Work

During the Age of Rationalism, there was philosophers called the rationalists. Rationalism, started in Europe and soon made its way to America. Rationalists was more into science than reading scriptures. Unlike the puritans, they believed that things could be explained through science and through numbers. At the time, the Puritans disagreed with the beliefs of the Rationalists. The puritans believed that everything was in God's will and that humans had no business concerning themselves into God's work.
ELAALRL5 The student understands and acquires new vocabulary and uses it correctly in reading and writing.
This standard means, that we will be learning new vocabulary. It will increase our vocabulary. We will learn how to use our new vocabulary in reading and writing.
Vocab. that i've used in this unit is puritans, natives, God, Hell, and plenty of others....
New Vocab:
Rationalist: wanted to achieve order and explaination of the natural through science and they believed that human society was run by natural law.
Deism:a body of ideas that did not revolve around a church itself and believed in God, but not as a power that controlled everything. They believed that God created the universe, but left it up to the people to figure out how to work it, or to figure out the natural laws.

Natives vs. The Puritans

First off, in the Native commandments, God is not mentioned like it was in the puritans video. In the video,the man says, "we've deserved the fiery pit and we're sentenced to it". The puritans believe that everyone was born a sinner. God saved only a few and the rest goes straight to hell. To them, there was no way anyone could earn God's grace. To interpret the word of God, they had a man named Johnathon Edwards. My Native's American example on the other hand, talks about whats the right thing to do. Their commandments, doesnt speak about heavan nor hell. In the Native commandments, it talks about a spirit, it saids,"Oh Great Spirit, bring to our brothers the wisdom of Nature and the knowledge that if her laws are obeyed this land will again flourish and grasses and trees will grow as before". When they say spirits, it of makes me think as if they're talking about their ancestors.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Native Commandments by: Jasper Saunkeah, Cherokee

Treat the Earth and all that dwell thereon with respect.
Remain close to the Great Spirit.
Show great respect for your fellow beings.

Give assistance and kindness wherever needed.

Do what you know to be right.
Look after the well being of mind and body.
Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good.
Be truthful and honest at all times.
Take full responsibility for your actions.
Let us greet the dawn of a new day
when all can live as one with nature
and peace reigns everywhere.

Oh Great Spirit, bring to our brothers
the wisdom of Nature and the knowledge
that if her laws are obeyed
this land will again flourish
and grasses and trees will grow as before.

Guide those that through their councils
seek to spread the wisdom of their leaders to all people.
Heal the raw wounds of the earth
and restore to our soul the richness
which strengthens men's bodies
and makes them wise in their councils.

Bring to all the knowledge that great cities
live only through the bounty
of the good earth beyond their paved streets
and towers of stone and steel. _______________________________________________________________

These are the commandments of the cherokee people. Just like the bible has commandments, they have commandments to which they follow, so that they could have a good life. Out of the commandments, i liked the one that said, "Work together for the benefit of all Mankind", because its saying that if you dont work together, then you will never have anything or achieve. Basically saying,you cant do it all by yourself.
ELAALRL3 The student deepens understanding of literary works by relating them to their contemporary context or historical background, as well as to works from other time periods.

Im guessing this standard means that we will understand the meaning of literary works. we learn about them in areas such as the past and the modern day. Most of our work/ assignments will be based on the past.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

ELAALRL1 The student demonstrates comprehension by identifying evidence (i.e., examples of diction, imagery, point of view, figurative language, symbolism, plot events and main ideas) in a variety of texts representative of different genres (i.e., poetry, prose [short story, novel, essay, editorial, biography], and drama) and using this evidence as the basis for interpretation.

i think that means that we're gonna be learning about diction, imagery, point of view..etc...we will learn about drama and poetry. We might learn how to write good essays.