Modern Frame Story Mayhem

In the spirit of the holidays, I thought it would be fun and diverting to consider the full implication of some of the modern storyline versions of long-established fictional characters and how they might intersect and generate new storylines based on those overlapping narratives. I, of course, cannot help but find immense humor and gratification in the above example of such an overlap, and I am curious what your response would be. I have not and in all likelihood will not watch or read any of these Twilight films or books (life is too short for that), but I can still appreciate the abiding humor in the following image because I do know about Blade. Is this how the Twilight saga should have ended?

APUSH - The Irony of the Confederate Legacy

Read the following article - Black Student Defends His Confederate Flag - and view accompanying video clip about Byron Thomas, a young African-American who attends the University of South Carolina at Beaufort - that's right, South Carolina. What are your reactions to his assertion that he is "proud" of the Confederate flag and feels that it is his right - under the Constitution - to display it? Whether you agree or disagree with Byron Thomas, back up your thoughts with some cold, hard, SPRITE-able facts. I expect a minimum 250 word developed body paragraph response that will show me the degree to which you have an A) historical appreciation as well as a B) personal perspective on this topic.

Pearl Harbor - In Memoriam

Respond to the prompt below with a developed body paragraph of at least 200 words. Make use of the notes that you took during the presentation to help you compose your paragraph so that you will have specific details that you can develop with your commentaries. Make sure that you identify what class period you are in. I have embedded the December 7, 1941 Music Video so that you can revisit it if you need to.
PROMPT: The most important thing that I am taking away from Mr. Korling's presentation about the attack on Pearl Harbor is ...

Into the Woods Review - The Frame Story

Using the example of Into the Woods, explain 1) what a frame story is and 2) how it works. Use specific examples from the stories that were incorporated into the play/film and select one story in particular (Cinderella, Jack & the Beanstalk, The Baker & His Wife, and Little Red Riding Hood) to show how it is related to the larger frame story itself (hint: who is narrating the story and what "story" is he trying to tell by using the other ones?).

Click Here for the trailer to the film version

Click Here for information on the play/film

Reflections on First Quarter APUSH 2011-12

Please write a self-reflection / class assessment on the first quarter of the year. How did you do compared to how you thought you would do before the year began? How did Mr. K do based on your first impressions and how he managed the challenges of the first quarter? What would you do differently and what would you like to see done differently if you had the first quarter to do all over again in APUSH?

Spielberg's film "Always"

What are your thoughts about Steven Spielberg's film Always? Select a scene that you feel shows the director at the height of his talent where story, character, and film technique all come together to produce something remarkable.





Click Here for basic information about the film.

Click Here for the trailer of the film.

Click Here for the interview with Spielberg about the film.