Thursday, December 18, 2008

Active Reading Post #19

5 Comments
1. During rainy season it rains in sudden burtst in the late afternoon and it can be extremely heavy.
2. Mexico has rich varied vegetation
3. Mexico has three main crops which are corn, beans and squash.
4. People of the Mesoamerica resemble people from Eastern Asia and Native Americans.
5. Many migrants arrived on the Strait to the Americas.

4 Questions
1. What is the origin of the capitol city's name?
2. How did diseases spread in Mexico & what were the diseases?
3.

3 Vocab.
1.Progentor
2. Hegemony
3.Wholly.

1 Overview
In this section I learned that the first inhabitants of Mexico arrived across the Bering Strait.

Active Reading #17

5 Comments
1. The U.S and Mexican tax system is similar
2. Mexico's nation coat of arms is an eagle standing upon a cacus hold a wriggling serpent on it's beak
3. The colors of the Mexican flag represent the Catholic religion, insurgent movement and elements of the Spanish population that supported independence.
4.All Mexican country-dwellers live in villages
5. Concrete blocker are now being replaced with adobe.

4 Questions
1. Why do all Mexican country dwellers live in villages?
2. How long have the Mexicans been usin adobe?


3 Vocab
1. Incumbent
2.Eradicating
3. Dividends

1 Overview
In this section, I learned about Mexico's tax system and about their flag & coat of arms.

Active Reading #7

5 Comments
1. Mexico's currency is called peso
2.Peso means "piece of eight" in ancient Spanish
3.Small 20 centavo pieces "toson" are commonly given for tips
4.12 & one half peso is equal to 1 US dollar.
5. Taxes are only 20 cents for import and export

4 Questions
1.Does any one still speak ancient Spanish?
2. Why is Mexican currency so technical?
3. Why taxes so cheap in Mexico?
4. Why was the federal income revise by tha Income Tax Law in 1965?

3 Vocab
1. Supersede:
2.Levied:
3.Statutory:

1 Overview Sentence
In this section i learned about Mexican currency.

Monday, December 8, 2008

History Post #6

5 Comments
1. I dont understand how Mexico's president is more powerful than the United States' president
2. Mexico has no vice president
3. I think the president serves for 6 years.
4. Mexico searches people going to Mexico fromt the United States that may be trying to smuggle drugs.
5. The chinos have became an organized pressured group.

4 Questions
1. How long is the president's term in Mexico?
2. Why is the president most successful in his first two years as president?
3. Since Mexico has no vice president, who will replace the president if he dies?
4. What drugs do Mexicans smuggle?

3 Vocab.
1.Insurgents- Rising in revolt against established authority, especially a government.
2. Agarian
3.sparsely- thinly scattered or distributed

1 Overview Sentence.
In this section I learned that the Mexican president is more powerful than America's president.

History#5

5 Comments
1. La Paz has been linked to the northern productive area by a road that runs through the countryside.
2.Mexico contains a large number of reugees from Latin America and Franco's Spain
3. Mexico first became a federal republic in 1824
4. The Constitution is based firmly upon Roman laws
5. I didnt know the Mexicans goverenment was so powerful.

4 Questions
1. Who do upper-class Mexicans complete their education in Europe?
2. Where is Luis Cabrera from?
3. How did the Spaniards inheirt Roman Laws?
4. How is Mexico's president more successful than United States president?

3 Vocab
1Assurance- a positive declaration intended to give confidence: He received assurances of support for the project
2 Provisional- providing or serving for the time being only; existing only until permanently or properly replaced; temporary: a provisional government.
3 Apex- the tip, point, or vertex; summit

1 Overview Sentence
In this section of the book, I learned that the Mexico has a very strong government.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

History Post 4

5 Comments
1. The Spaniards introduced Christianity to Mexico
2. Mexico's traditional styles included white baggy trousers, floppy hats and sandals
3. The Spanish Civil War happened during 1936-1939
4.In 1808 Emperor Napoleon invaded Spain and put his brother on the throne
5.

4 Questions
1. What was Mexico's religion before Christianity?
2.How did Mexico get their traditional styles.

3Vocab
1.Linguistic- of or belonging to language: linguistic change.
2.Hegemony- leadership or predominant influence exercised by one nation over others, as in a confederation.
3.Homogeneous- composed of parts or elements that are all of the same kind; not heterogeneous: a homogeneous population.

2 Literary Terms
1.heavy wave of spanish immigration.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

History Post #3

5 Comments
1. Mexico speaks numerous lanugages.
2. Mexico is very polluted.
3. The major opposition party is the right wing Party of National Action.
4. Mexico City is the third largest city in the worl
5.Mexico has French influence.
4 Questions
1. How did Mexico get so polluted?
2. What has the society done to stop pollution?
3. What are some of the languages other than Spanish that the Mexicans speak?
4. What is PAN's major job?

3 Vocab
1.Disarmament
2.Karst
3.Firmidable

Thursday, November 20, 2008

History2:::Active Reading

5 Comments
1. A large number of descendant of former Mexicans living in the southern part of the US.
2. Mexican-Americans are commonly known as chicanos
3.Mexico has three climates.
4.
5.

4 Questions
1. What does chicanos mean?
2.
3.
4.

3 Vocab.
1.Predecessor-something succeeded or replaced by something else
2.Affluence-abundance of money, property, and other material goods; riches; wealth
3.Alpine-very high; elevated

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

History:::Active Reading

5 comments
1. Mexico has lost more than half of it's national territory to it's northern neighbour due to war.
2. I think the war between Mexico and the United State has affected both countries relationship.
3. The name "Mexico" comes from the language of the ancient Aztecs.
4. Some of the information in the book i can relate too my history class.
5.In 1821 the Mexicans proclaimed their independence from Spain.
4 Questions
1. How did the Mexicans feel when their land was lost?
2. Does anyone in Mexico still speak the ancient Aztec language?
3. Is Mexico a rich country?
4.

3 Vocab.
1. Annexation-the act or an instance of annexing, esp. new territory
2. Appalling-causing dismay or horror: an appalling accident; an appalling lack of manners
3.Immense-vast; huge; very great: an immense territory

1 Overview Sentence
1. In the book I read that the Mexico has lost a vast majority of their land because of war with the U.S.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Active Reading #10

5 Comments
I predict Father is about 35 years old
2.

4 Questions
1. Is Niang happy she's going to marry Dr. Sung's son?
2. How old is Father?
3. Was introducing Big Sister to Samuel the reason Niang was so nice?
4. What does the brothers think of Big Sister marrying a 31 year old man?

Active Reading #9

5 Comment
1. I think the Protagonist will marry an older man if her Father forces her to
2. I think Big Sister finally appreciates have the Protagonist as a sister
4 Questions
1. How old was YeYe when he died?
2. Did Niang and Aunt Baba go to college?
3. Why is Father married to such a evil woman?
3 Vocab
2 Literary Term
1 Overview Sentence

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Active ReadinG #8

5 Comments
1. I found out that the setting of the book is in China.
2. I predict a big arguement will happen between the children and Niang
3.It seems as though the children are finally getting along with the Protagonist
4.I don't think Niang likes tha Father's children.
5. I realized that Niang is very sneaky and manipulative.

4 Questions
1. Why does the Father's children get treated unfairly compared to Niang's children?.
2. Will the children tell their father how they feel about Niang?
3.Will the Fathers or Niang catch on to the children's plan?
4. Where did Niang go after she seen Third Big Brother?

3 Vocab.
1.Blatant
2.Alacrity
3. Obsequious

2 Literary Terms
1."He was seized by a surged of nausea"- personification
2."...her lined careworn face, her kind eyes peering out from behind her thick glasses, and her straight black hair combed back into a bun..."-imagery
1 Overview Sentence.
1. In this section of the book, the Protagonist and her siblings plot against Niang because they are getting treated unfairly.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Active Reading #7

5 Comments
1. The protagonist felt a connection between herself and the girl in the story
2. The book that the Protagonist borrowed from Chun-mei means a lot to her.
3.I can relate my friends to Chun-mei because to some of my friends because they enjoy coming to school everyday and they like to spend as much time at school as possible
4.While Father and Niang go on a trip to get their property, the brothers act rebellious.

4Questions
1. What would Niang and Father do if the Protagonist ran away?
2. Why is everyone scared of Niang?
3. What does Niang plan on doing to the Protagonist
4. Why do the children dress in cheap clothing but Niang wears expensive designer clothes and expensive jewlery

3Vocab
1. Illicity
2.Subordination
3.Cloying

2 Literary Terms
1. "I knew I should remain silent but the words choked me"- Personification
2. "She exclaimed in a loud angry voice, shooting a quick glance at YeYe and Aunt Baba"

1 Overview Sentence
In this section of the book, Aunt Baba and Father and Niang get into a disagreement because Aunt Baba wants to get a job to support herself.

Active Reading #6

5 Comments
1. The protagonist has a lot of pain inside of her that no one cares about
2. Deep inside the Protagonist is jealous of her schoolmates.
3. I can relate to the protagonist while she is playing badminton because I am playing that in gym class.
4.I predict Chun-mei will find out about how the Protagonist is unwanted by her family.
5. The Protagonist was born in 1937.

4Questions
1. Was the Protagonist's family affected by WW2
2. How would the Protagonist's family react if they knew she wanted to be adopted by the Schilling family?
3. Who are Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh,Lana Turner and Errol Flynn?

3Vocab
1 Sauntered.
2.Relinquish
3.Concubin

2 Literary Terms
1. "The jagged leaves on the giant sycamore tree lining the boulevard were turning russet and golden brown in the auntumn sunshine"

1 Overview Sentence

Active Reading #5

5 Comments
1. The protagonist finally feels included with her siblings.

4 Questions
1.What did Niang do to make Big Sister become her ally?
2. Why doesn't the Protagonist accept invitations and food from her friends?
3. Does Aunt Baba and Big Sister get along?
4. Does Father have anything to do with Niang and Big Sister becoming allies?

3 Vocab Words
1. Disdainfully
2.Fincity
3.Subterfuge

2 Literary Terms
1. "To me, writing was a pure pleasure."- Alliteration

1 Overview Sentence
In the portion of the book Big Sister has betrayed her siblings for Niang; The protagonist is becoming even closer with Aunt Baba and her classmates

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Active Reading #4

5 Comments
1.Father seem not to care that the protagonist got lost trying to go home.
2.


4 Questions
1. Why didn't anyone pick the Protagonist up from school?
2. What would happen if the Chinese girls refuse to marry older men?

3 Vocab
1. Shinxline- no definition
2. Irrevocably not to be revoked or recalled; unable to be repealed or annulled; unalterable: an irrevocable decree.
3. Stoically impassive; characterized by a calm, austere fortitude befitting the Stoics: a stoical sufferer.

2 Literary Terms
1. "A faint cool breeze was blowing in from the river sweeping away the mist"- Personification
2. "Magnolia blossoms were in full bloom, dotting the tree like a giant white ribbon with bows."-simile

1 Overview Sentence
In this section of the book the Protagonist started her first day of school and no one came to pick her up.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Active Reading #3

5 Comments
1 I think Niang is trying to use Big Sister so the family will begin to like her
2. I can tell that Aunt Baba and Ye Ye dont like Niang.
3. I think it's unfair Aunt Baba can't because Niang and Father.
4. The family was very happy when father arrived, including the Protagonist
5.I think the Protagonist's father is hiding from the Japanese
4Questions
1.Is the protagonist's siblings as smart as her?
2.Does the Protagonist's family speak in Chinese or English?
3. How old was Nai Nai when she died?
4. Is the father really handleing business while he's gone?
3 Vocab Terms
1Seethed-the state of being agitated or excited
2.Fermented To produce by or as if by fermentation
3. Ardently-

2Literary Terms

1."Our stepmother was also stylish and flawless with her large piercing eyes, long shapely nails painted bright read and enormous flashing diamonds at her throat, wrist and ears- imagery
2. "Such a wonderful aroma was wafting through the door"-
1 Overview SentenceIn this section of the book, the protagonist starts first grade and no one picks her up from school; Her dad also comes back from being away for a long period of time.

Active Reading #2

5 COMMENTS
1.The protagonist's classmates are the only people that make her feel happy about herself
2. If I was the protagonist I would run away from my family.
3. I predict the protagonist would be a rebel because she is unwanted by her family and she recieves no love.
4. The protagonist's siblings are jealous of her
5.The protagonist probably felt hurt that none of her family supported her at the award ceremony.
4 Questions
1.Why is the protagonist's sister so ignorant?
2. Why is the protagonist's siblings jealous of her?
3.Does the protagonist's family ever feel bad about the way they treat her?
4.Do the way the Protagonist's family treat her affect her?
3 Vocab Terms
1.Monsigner- a title conferred upon certain prelates.
2.grotesquely- odd or unnatural in shape, appearance, or character; fantastically ugly or absurd; bizarre.
2 Literary Term
1. "A thought suddenly hit him like a blow" - simile
2. Third Brother started to tremble with terror- alliteration
1 Overview Sentence
In the portion of the story that I read, the protagonist won awards at her school; her Nai Nai also died from a stroke.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Active Reading

5 Comments
1. I think the main character lives with her Aunt Baba.
2. I dont think anyone likes the protagonist because her mother died after giving birth to her
3.The brothers seem very wild and rude
4.Third Big Brother and Aunt Baba are the only characters that are nice to the protagonist
5. I think Niang is being nice to big sister because she's up to something
4 Questions
1. How old was the protagonist's mother when she died?
2.Why are very young women married to older men?
3.Where is the setting of this book?
4.Does the protagonist of the book get along with her Niang (step-mother)
3 Vocab Words
1.Parceled- an object, article, container, or quantity of something wrapped or packed up; small package; bundle.
2.Awnings- A rooflike structure, often made of canvas or plastic, that serves as a shelter, as over a storefront, window, door, or deck
3.Maimed- To disable or disfigure, usually by depriving of the use of a limb or other part of the body.
2 Literary Terms
1. "Her large dark brown eyes were fringed with long, thick lashes"- imagery
2."I knew I should remain silent but my words choked me."-personification

1 Overview Sentence
1. In the portion of the book that I've read, the protagonist got a reward for leading her class; she also got into a fight with her older brother and her older sister.