Preparing for Tomorrow's Test

Look at this amazing photo of a lightning bolt outside of Yankee Stadium.  I could make some comment about how you'll all be struck with lightning bolts of brilliance on tomorrow's test, but that would just be corny.  Not that I don't appreciate some corny jokes here and there.  (I found this photo on the LoHud Yankees Blog.)

I know you're studying for the test, but don't miss the chance to weigh in on the discussion that's happening under the post titled, "Different Perspectives on the Mosque."  The prevailing opinion seems to be that the mosque should be built where it is.  But Danny and Alannah have bravely gone against the trend, pointing out that it could probably be moved farther away and that there always could be some possibility of terrorism linked with the mosque.  What do you think?  It would be great to hear as many opinions as possible.

Okay, so tomorrow, you'll have your first test that counts for my class.  We've done plenty of preparation, so as long as you spend some significant time studying seriously tonight, you should do well on the test.  Here are some things that will help you to prepare.  I know this looks overwhelming.  Here's what is in this post:

• Each of the model quote analyses--one for each class
• Your homework

That's it!  So just look at what you need.  Remember, you can e-mail me at mtoomajian@schools.nyc.gov with questions.  You can post questions on the blog to ask for help from classmates.  And you can call your friends to ask them for help, or ask family members or other friends for help.  Good luck!

Model Quote Analyses:

Each class honed one student's quote analysis to create a paragraph that would earn a perfect score on the test.  I wanted to share all of them with you.

First, here are the directions for the quote analysis, exactly as they will appear on tomorrow's test:

Put the quotes into your own words using clear, complete sentences.  Identify the speaker of the quote and the occasion on which he/she spoke the words.  Explain why the quote is important and significant, explaining any historical details that are necessary for understanding the quote.

Now, here are the quote analyses that relate to quote 1:
The quote: “New York City was built by immigrants, and it is sustained by immigrants – by people from more than a hundred different countries speaking more than two hundred different languages and professing every faith. And whether your parents were born here, or you came yesterday, you are a New Yorker.”

An analysis written by George and honed by class 802: "Mayor Michael Bloomberg said this on August 3, 2010 on Governors Island.  He was giving a speech stating that the mosque should be built near Ground Zero.  This quote means that everybody is an immigrant because everybody (except Native Americans) emigrated from different countries.  Starting with the Dutch, the city’s buildings have been built by immigrants.  We have all done wrong and we should all treat each other with respect because we are all citizens of New York now.  We should all give each other the freedom to do what we want.  Since we’re all God’s children we are all welcome in New York City."

An analysis written by Nyah and honed by class 703: "Mayor Michael Bloomberg gave a speech on August 3, 2010, on Governors Island, in order to declare that the proposed mosque should be built near Ground Zero.  This quote is significant in meaning because it means that New York City was made because of immigrants.  At its very beginning, New York was built by the Dutch, who emigrated from a European country called the Netherlands.  Immigrants come from all over the world, being special in every way.  They put together our world and hold it together.  Even today, Dominicans help to build buildings and Mexicans manage restaurants.  No matter whether you are a local or a newcomer, you make New York a community."

Now, here is the quote analysis that relates to quote 2:
The quote: “We do not honor their lives by denying the very Constitutional rights they died protecting. We honor their lives by defending those rights – and the freedoms that the terrorists attacked.”

An analysis written by Sam and honed by class 801: "Mayor Michael Bloomberg said this quote on August 3, 2010, on Governors Island.  He was arguing that Muslims should be allowed to build a mosque near Ground Zero.  The significance of the second quote is that we can’t deny the rights of the Muslims because of what happened on 9/11.  Therefore, we have to do something that seems wrong, but it’s actually right.  We have to honor the rights that those who died on 9/11 were defending.  Specifically, we need to honor the rights protected in the First Amendment, that Americans can practice their religion freely.  That is what the second quote means."

Now, here are the quote analyses that relate to quote 3:
The quote: “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.’”

An analysis written by Will and honed by class 803:  "This is a very serious statement, said by Martin Luther King Jr.  One day everyone will come together regardless of religion, race or what we look like; we will all know that we are equal.  Dr. Martin Luther King said this in his “I Have a Dream” speech, during the 1963 March on Washington, in front of the Lincoln Memorial.  His goal was to end segregation in the South and for all people to be treated equally and to respect each other.  King is quoting from the Declaration of Independence, to point out that they declared freedom and believed all people were equal, but African-Americans were not treated equally."

An analysis written by Rosanna and honed by class 804:  "The significance of this quote is that back in 1963 African-Americans faced discrimination and were segregated.  At the March on Washington, in front of the Lincoln Memorial, Dr. Martin Luther King said he had a dream that one day we will be treated all the same.  He was quoting from the Declaration of Independence, which declared America’s freedom.  It said that everyone is made equal, but blacks were not treated equally.  Now we are.  Even though there are people that are still racist now, we still stick together."

All of these paragraphs are excellent examples of quote analysis.


Speaking of corny jokes...
Time to get off AIM and get that studying done!  (That is, unless your friend on AIM is helping you to study...)



You may also want to take another look at your homework.  Since there are so many important and helpful things in it, take a look:

Vocabulary Practice—Matching

1.       Tolerance
2.       Mosque
3.       Synagogue
4.       Petition
5.       Controversy
6.       Ground Zero
7.       Peter Stuyvesant
8.       New Amsterdam
9.       Islamic extremist
10.   Muslim

a. Jewish house of worship
b. the site of the World Trade Center
c. someone who practices Islam; someone who believes there is one God and Muhammad is God’s prophet; someone who believes that the Koran is a holy book
d. lengthy public argument concerning a major issue, in which people hold different opinions
e. Muslim house of worship
f. original name for New York City, named after a city in the Netherlands
g. someone who calls himself a Muslim and also believes the Koran tells him that non-Muslims should be killed; Islamic terrorist or supporter of Islamic terrorism
h. Dutch governor of New Netherland (original name for New York State); governed until the English took control; prohibited Jews, Quakers, and Catholics from freely practicing their religions
i. request to change something, usually made to a government official or public organization
j. willingness to accept another person’s opinions or beliefs when you disagree with them

Quote Analysis Guiding Questions
1. In Quote 1, the speaker claims that “New York City was built by immigrants, and it is sustained by immigrants.”  What are some facts that support this claim?  In other words, what specifically did immigrants do to help build the city, and what specifically do they do to sustain the city today?
2. In Quote 2, what are the “Constitutional rights” that the speaker mentions?  When he talks about the people that died protecting those rights, what people is he referring to?
3. In Quote 3, what document does the speaker quote from?  Why does he do that?