11/29/16

Contagion


Yesterday you saw a film about the spread of disease. Knowing what you know about bacteria and preventing infections from the story of Phineas Gage, please write a 6 sentence paragraph reflecting on the film and story.

Please include information from the film and the story to back up your opinions.

Thanksgiving Break Assignment

Alright, I have been hearing you talk about eating mashed potatoes all week. So over break, I would like for you to record the cool things that you did. This can include movies you saw, video games you played, trips you made, etc. Anything!

Please write two five sentence paragraphs about your Thanksgiving break. Along with these two paragraphs, please include two pictures or images that you took yourself or found online. I hope you all have a great break and rest easy. I am thankful to have you as my students!

Thursday 11/17/16

Surgery is a very clean and consistent part of medicine in the 21st century. During the time that Phineas Gage lived in, we learned that doctors and scientists were just learning about bacteria. They also were just learning about anesthesia, proper surgical conditions, and how to prevent infections like the one Phineas had. Let's take a look at some information about surgery in the 18th century.

http://bhatmanjim.weebly.com/index.html


As we go through this page, please think about what you know now vs. what they knew then. After we look as a group, please select a section of the site to write a summary of the information you found there. After that, please tell me why that section interested you and any other thoughts you may have on this subject.

Tuesday 11/15/16 Living With Half of Your Brain...

Yesterday we talked about how the brain can adapt and change. Here are a few examples of how much we can do even when challenged.

Another young woman, Jessie Hall, had the same surgery and is reporting her experience seven years later.

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2015/07/10/girl-thriving-years-after-having-half-her-brain-removed/

Let's take some time to watch and read through both of these pieces. I would like you to respond and reflect in two five sentence paragraphs on your blogs. Please write one paragraph for the video and one for the article.

Thursday 11/10/16

What part of the brain is responsible for writing?

Yes, this is an English class and we write a lot in here. When reflecting on Gage and what we are learning about the brain, I wondered what parts we use to write.

http://www.publicationcoach.com/carl-zimmer/


Let's take some time to read this together. In the comment section of this post, please write a few sentences about what you think about this article.

Wednesday 11/9/16

To start class off right, I want you to use your imagination. Please respond to the questions below in a five sentence paragraph and find an image that inspires you based on what we have been talking about. I will be around to help you embed or post the image.

If you could talk to Phineas Gage today, what would you want to know? What questions would you ask him? What questions would you ask his doctors?

How Pandemics Spread

For reflection, viruses and bacteria can both spread rapidly. Here is the video we watched as a group. What can you do to prevent spreading disease? How can understanding the spread of disease us as a community at school?

Phineas Gage

As we move through the story of Phineas Gage, I have compiled some pages you can use to inform yourself. Confused? Start here and begin your own search online.

Smithsonian.com has a great article. It includes pictures and a description of his experience.

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/phineas-gage-neurosciences-most-famous-patient-11390067/?no-ist

Slate.com has even more information about his case. This includes more in depth discussions about his doctors!

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2014/05/phineas_gage_neuroscience_case_true_story_of_famous_frontal_lobe_patient.html

Greetings!

Welcome to the Bridge to English Blog! We will be doing much more than reading and writing here. We will be connecting to other classes, commenting on each other's work, and exploring the ideas we learn in the room digitally. Keep an eye on the homepage here. I will be leaving messages, pictures, videos, and food for thought you can all respond to.

Today's question comes from Riley the pitbull. How could a human possibly look as regal as this dog does? What do you think she is thinking about?