Below are the post-discussion questions for Concerning the Division of Labor. Before you begin to write, let me quote from our teacher's guide:
Having students write essays based on interpretive or evaluative questions related to the selection they have discussed enables them to assimilate new ideas and measure them against their own experience and opinions. Such writing can be an opportunity to return to questions not fully resolved in discussion, or to investigate unexplored avenues of inquiry. It is also a satisfying closure for students to articulate their own points of view carefully and thoroughly in written form.
In the Great Books program, writing is a natural extension of interpretive work on a selection. During the week's work with a text, students experience and important part of the writing process as they continually formulate, revise, and refine their ideas, draw inferences and reasoned conclusions, and order their thoughts. Having done so, they will be better prepared to present a thesis clearly and forcefully, and to develop a significant contest for their ideas - when they write. In their final essays, students should explain the importance of the ideas they are developing, support their points with convincing arguments and evidence from the text, and consider other possible points of view - all important elements of effective writing, and of shared inquiry as well.
1. do you agree with Smith that habit, custom, and education account for almost all the differences in people's talents?
2. Is it irrational to act in a manner that does not promote self-interest?
3. How could the division of labor promote or discourage creativity and individuality?
4. What problems does the division of labor cause in our society?
5. Should a basketball player and a construction worker be paid the same amount if they work equally hard?
6. How does the division of labor operate in your school or family? How could you improve the efficiency of your school or family by increasing (or decreasing) the division of labor?
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Defn.
Hi, it's me.
Teacher in the most high, would you mind posting the definitions of the words you explained to us?
thanks!
-bob
Teacher in the most high, would you mind posting the definitions of the words you explained to us?
thanks!
-bob
Sunday, February 24, 2008
intro
Yeah Bobby, post your answer! Lol.
Here's the introduction for my essay, the thesis being "A human being and a piece of music share many things in common".
Music is the one place where versatility and consistency coexist. Or is it? Within the notes of a song, there lie many differentiating ways for the notes to be interpreted, therefore creating multiple sounds, textures, and emotions all stemming from just one piece. Within a single person, the multitude of thoughts, feelings, and opinions that that person is able to experience results in one amazingly diverse human being. A human being and a piece of music share many things in common.
Here's the introduction for my essay, the thesis being "A human being and a piece of music share many things in common".
Music is the one place where versatility and consistency coexist. Or is it? Within the notes of a song, there lie many differentiating ways for the notes to be interpreted, therefore creating multiple sounds, textures, and emotions all stemming from just one piece. Within a single person, the multitude of thoughts, feelings, and opinions that that person is able to experience results in one amazingly diverse human being. A human being and a piece of music share many things in common.
Bob??
Hey Bobby - post your answers, too. They were really good. And thanks, Juliana! I love thunderstorms, too! One time I fell asleep during a storm and it was a humongous storm. It was before Jules was born. As I slept the wind was just howling (you know how it can howl out here) and I dreamed I was sleeping in a cabin in the woods and a storm was raging. Suddenly I was enveloped in strong arms. I felt so peaceful. The little cabin was literally shaking in the wind yet I was safe, warm, and held. When I woke up the storm continued outside. I was cozy in my bed but I could not get back the feeling from the dream. Whenever it storms I am reminded of that dream and wish I could re-visit it : )
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Sounds Outside
ok, so i know that this doesn't compare to the great Ellie and Galen, but i thought i'd give this my best shot and do something different. so here it is (please pardon any wrong punctuation or mis- spelling).
As i hear the happy voices of frolicking kids outside, i can't help but think of how those exclamations of happiness would change if they suddenly heard the thundering voices of the skies. For most, this might bring a sense of dread or fear into their hearts, but for me it brings a sense of calm and relaxation.
A thunder storm has so much power, btu in the midst of that power i can feel safe and secure (inside of my house, of course). Hearing the soft pitter-patter of the rain on our roof and windows brings the perfect atmosphere and rhythm to just curl up on a couch with a book and get into a trance where nothing exists except you and the unknown world you're reading about, and nobody can enter you thoughts or touch you.
So everybody may not enjoy the awesomeness of a powerful storm, but for me it's the most enjoyable weather there is.
ok, that's it.
-julihana
As i hear the happy voices of frolicking kids outside, i can't help but think of how those exclamations of happiness would change if they suddenly heard the thundering voices of the skies. For most, this might bring a sense of dread or fear into their hearts, but for me it brings a sense of calm and relaxation.
A thunder storm has so much power, btu in the midst of that power i can feel safe and secure (inside of my house, of course). Hearing the soft pitter-patter of the rain on our roof and windows brings the perfect atmosphere and rhythm to just curl up on a couch with a book and get into a trance where nothing exists except you and the unknown world you're reading about, and nobody can enter you thoughts or touch you.
So everybody may not enjoy the awesomeness of a powerful storm, but for me it's the most enjoyable weather there is.
ok, that's it.
-julihana
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
It's Too Bad That...
On a happier note - Here's my other thing that had to start with "It's too bad that...". (Wait, that sounded really ironic. But whatever...)
It's too bad that I am currently proving to be unsuccessful in my attempt to write anything of any particular interest, or anything of any importance. It's also really too bad that I couldn't think of an alternate way to write that last sentece, therefore resulting in a rather extensive use of the word "any".
I'm also finding it to be too bad that, in my current state, I am unable to write a single word that is readable (note that I didn't originally type this, I actually wrote it, which is actually a very rare occasion for me. I'm so proud) and that I can't think of that other word that means "readable" and that I am sure sounds much more favorable than "readable".
Anyway, I am aware of the fact that this paragraph is really.....uh.....uhmmm......
It's really too bad that I have loud music blaring in my room, for I am finding this to be a great perpetrator of my distraction. It's also unfortunate that I, being the fat, lazy lard that I am, am proving unable to arise from my perch and hit the power button.
Anyway, continuing along with my harried, flustered, and rather humorous (as it's turning out to be) ramble...If, when I read this aloud to you, there are frequent pauses and rather confused looks resting upon my countanance, I will take these 3 seconds to say that I "apologize profusely".
I am sure that that apology was severely lacking in its profuseness, but oh well. I guess it's just too bad.
It's too bad that I am currently proving to be unsuccessful in my attempt to write anything of any particular interest, or anything of any importance. It's also really too bad that I couldn't think of an alternate way to write that last sentece, therefore resulting in a rather extensive use of the word "any".
I'm also finding it to be too bad that, in my current state, I am unable to write a single word that is readable (note that I didn't originally type this, I actually wrote it, which is actually a very rare occasion for me. I'm so proud) and that I can't think of that other word that means "readable" and that I am sure sounds much more favorable than "readable".
Anyway, I am aware of the fact that this paragraph is really.....uh.....uhmmm......
It's really too bad that I have loud music blaring in my room, for I am finding this to be a great perpetrator of my distraction. It's also unfortunate that I, being the fat, lazy lard that I am, am proving unable to arise from my perch and hit the power button.
Anyway, continuing along with my harried, flustered, and rather humorous (as it's turning out to be) ramble...If, when I read this aloud to you, there are frequent pauses and rather confused looks resting upon my countanance, I will take these 3 seconds to say that I "apologize profusely".
I am sure that that apology was severely lacking in its profuseness, but oh well. I guess it's just too bad.
Outside writing - thingy
Hey guys...Here's my thing where we were supposed to go outside and write about....something.
Anyways, I was pretty moody when I wrote this and yeah, obviously this is pretty moody, too.
I hear our old wind chime ding-donging....tinkling away as the wind abuses it. The chimes sound spontaneously, randomly. The notes completely subservient to the wind. The melody is harsh to the ears, the notes are sporadically placed. The tone is irate in its conviction. Tonight the music reflects the wind's disposition.
The wind passes over the rees, weighing down their boughs. The wind strokes the leaves as they rustle in indignation, and carresses the branches as they sigh in submission. The trees have no control over the Napoleonic virtues of the wind.
Tonight the wind heaves itself over the fields, the rivers, and through the trees. It sounds as though it is a thousand souls lamenting over past and present dissapointments. The wind is wailing its dissatisfaction with the world.
The wind does not blow because it wishes to - it blows out of a hollow and meaningless necessity. The wind has lost all of its purpose. It blows solely out of habit.
Tonight the wind sounds weary of this world, and of other worlds, as well. The wind has been the constant and ever-present companion of our earth for centuries and millenia. Indeed, for all time. But it is now exhausted of any previously felt compassion for its needy and ever-wanting friend. The wind feels restless to leave this world behind.
Anyways, I was pretty moody when I wrote this and yeah, obviously this is pretty moody, too.
I hear our old wind chime ding-donging....tinkling away as the wind abuses it. The chimes sound spontaneously, randomly. The notes completely subservient to the wind. The melody is harsh to the ears, the notes are sporadically placed. The tone is irate in its conviction. Tonight the music reflects the wind's disposition.
The wind passes over the rees, weighing down their boughs. The wind strokes the leaves as they rustle in indignation, and carresses the branches as they sigh in submission. The trees have no control over the Napoleonic virtues of the wind.
Tonight the wind heaves itself over the fields, the rivers, and through the trees. It sounds as though it is a thousand souls lamenting over past and present dissapointments. The wind is wailing its dissatisfaction with the world.
The wind does not blow because it wishes to - it blows out of a hollow and meaningless necessity. The wind has lost all of its purpose. It blows solely out of habit.
Tonight the wind sounds weary of this world, and of other worlds, as well. The wind has been the constant and ever-present companion of our earth for centuries and millenia. Indeed, for all time. But it is now exhausted of any previously felt compassion for its needy and ever-wanting friend. The wind feels restless to leave this world behind.
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