On a scale of 1 to 10, rate your understanding of how to ride a bike. Use the highlighter tool.

Pre-Reading:

It’s Just Like Riding A Bike: How Much Do You (Really) Know About Your Brain?

1. On a scale of 1 to 10, rate your understanding of how to ride a bike. Use the highlighter tool.

1 (clueless) 2  3  4 5  6  7  8  9  10 (expert)

 

2. Now, draw a diagram that explains how a bicycle works (or type/describe how you think it works in bullet point form… no cheating! �)

Ø A bicycle is a fascinating device to operate. It is delightful to ride around as a leisure activity. The process of knowing how to ride a bike is straightforward. The first step is to get a bicycle that is in good condition. Ø The second step is to sit on the bike and try to balance yourself on top of the bicycle as you peddle your way on the road. It is advisable to wear the right attire as a helmet in case of any accidents occurring. Ø The cyclist is also advised to use their lanes in the roads that designated for the cyclists only. Ø The main idea behind a bicycle is the ability to balance one’s self while riding the bike. The other key thing to note is that the cyclist should have confidence while riding the along significant roads with traffic. Ø Lastly, a good bicycle should always be in good condition before riding the device in the first place.

Again, rate your understanding of how to ride a bike.

1 (clueless) 2  3  4 5  6  7  8  9  10 (expert)

 

4. Has your rating changed?  Why or why not?

Ø My rating has not changed because I have a lot of experience riding bicycles. The good thing is that I started riding one when I was very young, and I have continued doing so.

Watch “The Backwards Brain Bicycle”. Answer the following questions in full sentences (2-3 sentences).

1. What does Destin Sandlin say happens when you change any one part of the algorithm of riding a bike?

Destin says that when you change one part of the algorithm of riding a bike, it changes the whole process of riding a bike. This is because an individual’s brain is programmed in a way to coordinate the riding of the bicycle. Thus if the algorithm in mind is changed, it interferes with the whole system of riding the bike.

 

 

 

 

2. Sandman says, “Once you have a rigid way of thinking in your head, sometimes you can’t change that, even if you want to.”  Explain in your own words what that statement means.  What implications does it have for thinking beyond riding a bike?

 

The statement means that what you set or believed so rigidly in your brain is very hard to change. This means that even when you are engaged in trying out something new that you think is hard to do. The challenge will still be challenging to partake unit. You change your attitude and beliefs towards that task you are challenged upon complete.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. What does learning to ride a backward bike have to do with learning a new language?
   

Learning to ride a backward bike has a straightforward link with leaning a new language. This is because you have to change the algorithm of your brain and focus on the original concept or idea of the new language in question. The video also showcased that young children can learn new things very fast, which includes riding a backward bicycle and a new language very quickly as their brains are not affiliated with rigid algorithms they previously learned about.

 

 

 

4. What are some areas in your life where you might have rigid thinking or where you might see the world with a bias?
   
   The instance in my life where I had rigid thinking situations is during my high school years. I had believed that mathematics and physics were tough and difficult subjects to understand. This because of the negative influence of friends and family members. The rigid belief later changed after engaging more practice in the said subjects.

 

 

 

 

 

5. What does the video suggest that you can do to fight those biases?

 

The video suggests that one should be open-minded and try as much as possible not to have a rigid mind when trying to learn new things. The video also brings about the idea of not giving up when trying to learn something new the way Destin never gave up on trying to learn how to ride a backward bicycle.

In a full paragraph (6-7 sentences, including a topic and concluding sentence), describe how you think corporations, governments, or people attempt to influence our thinking and create biases for us. Include specific examples.

Government Influence On People’s Thinking   The over the year’s government has been on the negative side of influencing people. This happens at every electoral year when we elect some individuals to represent us at the administrative level. They come to the people during campaign periods and lure the citizens with many promises to accomplish when they are elected to office.   The campaigns are well done and crafted that they cover the dark sides of the candidate seeking the seats. The citizens are lured to thinking differently, and they end up electing the wrong people in the office. This is a clear indicator of the way government elected officials to have mental influence over the citizens, especially during the campaign period.

 

Part 1: The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas

 

Access the full story here:

https://www.utilitarianism.com/nu/omelas.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assignment 1: Freewriting/Opinion Based Writing

Utopia (uto-pia  yu̇-ˈtō-pē-ə): a place of ideal perfection especially in-laws, government, and social conditions

In the box below, write two to three paragraphs about your idea of utopia (it can be longer if you wish). Be descriptive in your writing; what would it look like? What would it sound like or feel like to live in a world of ‘perfection’? How would society function, and what would governance look like? Is it possible to have a utopian society where there are total peace and comfort – and what sacrifices would we need to make to achieve it?

Living in a world of perfection like the utopia society will be quite interesting. Everybody would be happy and minding their businesses. The issue of social classes would not be there as everybody would be equally empowered to do their things. That type of world would be straightforward to govern, and everyone would behave in a civilized manner. The imaginary world would be so hospital and free from all evils of society. The society would efficiently function smoothly, and governance would modestly be structure. This is because the imagined perfect community will be having civilized people who are learned and know how to choose credible leaders. The leaders elected would do their work appropriately and deliver to the citizens of the said society as required. The possibility of having a Utopian society currently is improbable. This is because the organization is rotten with various social evils, leaders with integrity issues, and the enormous gap of social classes in the current community we are living in. The sacrifice to be made to achieve the perfect perspective of a peace and comfort society is that the citizens of the same nation should scrutinize themselves and come up with ways to better their behaviors and attitude towards leadership.

Assignment 2: Close Reading Questions for “Omelas”

In two to three sentences, answer the following questions below.

• What does it mean that “all smiles have become archaic”?  What point is the narrator making here? Explain in your own words.

 

All smiles became archaic in my word simply is the foreshadowing of the author by implying there was one incident that changes the view of Omelas, or this has been a view of Omelas that no one was willing to admit.

 

 

 

• The narrator says, “I wish I could describe it better. I wish I could convince you.   Omelas sounds in my words like a city in a fairy tale, long ago and far away, once upon a time.”  Analyze the effect on the reader of the narrator questioning the believability of her description of Omelas.  How do you feel when you read this?
  

I feel that the Omelas imagery society created was quite exaggerated by the narrator. The existence of a perfect society is quite rare and had to be existing. The narrator trying to tell us of the ideal Omelas society is quite interesting to hear but rare to find in any popular community.

 

• In your opinion, what is the worst part of the child in the basement?  Why? What are the connections the author is attempting to make between the fictional world of Omelas and our experiences in the real world?
  
  The worst part of the child in the basement I that the child was quite young and was looking neglected and left alone. The author is trying to bring a case of society pretending to be elegant and ok. Still, behind the scenes, the culture is quite ailing and has rotten individuals among them.
  
• Do you admire those who walk away from Omelas? Why or why not? Would you walk away from Omelas?
  I admire those individuals that walk away from Omelas. This is because they are true to themselves and their conscience as they cannot continue living in a society of presence. This is the society where everybody is pretending to be ok and happy but there hidden truth of the community in question
  
• Would you walk away from Omelas? Provide specific reasons why.

I would walk away from Omelas. This is because I cannot live in a society where people are pretending that everything is ok but the truth of the matter some people are being oppressed secretly, and their issues are not being fulfilled and addressed.

 

Assignment 3: A Three Paragraph Essay

Utopia (uto-pia  yu̇-ˈtō-pē-ə): a place of ideal perfection especially in-laws, government, and social conditions

In a three-paragraph essay, respond to one of the following questions:

1. Kurt Vonnegut has said, “Human beings will be happier—not when they cure cancer or get to Mars or eliminate racial prejudice or flush Lake Erie but when they find ways to inhabit primitive communities again. That’s my utopia.” Do you agree that utopia is living a more primitive life, or is your idea of utopia more based on technological advances? Explain.
2. Thich Nhat Hanh has said, “We tend to run away from suffering and to look for happiness. But if you have not suffered, you have no chance to experience real happiness.”  Do you agree that it is impossible to experience real happiness without experiencing suffering?  Why or why not?
3. Author Ken Liu has written, “In every revolution, there are winners and losers. Every dystopia is a utopia for somebody else. It just depends where you are. Are you in the class that benefits, or are you in the class that’s not?”  Write about how this statement applies to your own life.  In what ways are you the “winner” and in what ways are you the “loser”?
4. American Judge Benjamin Robbins Curtis has said, “He who is unconscious of the ties which connect him with every individual of his species feels no obligation to make sacrifices for their welfare or happiness.”  How do you think that people become “unconscious of the ties which connect” them to all people in the world?  What is the best way to make people aware of those connections?
5. Jack Carroll, a Canadian politician, has said: “Perhaps the greatest utopia would be if we could all realize that no utopia is possible; no place to run, no place to hide, just take care of business here and now.”  What are some ways that you could “take care of business here and now” by improving the lives of those around you?
6. A topic of your choice that you can discuss with me.

 

Make sure to connect your answers with what you have learned from reading Omelas. Your essay should be refined and organized. Many of the essay topics listed above are argumentative prompts – meaning that you will need to take a stance and defend your point.

 

You have been provided with a graphic organizer and rubric that you can refer to as a way of organizing and structuring your essay.

1. Kurt Vonnegut has said, “Human beings will be happier—not when they cure cancer or get to Mars or eliminate racial prejudice or flush Lake Erie but when they find ways to inhabit primitive communities again. That’s my utopia.” Do you agree that utopia is living a more primitive life, or is your idea of utopia more based on technological advances? Explain.

I believe that Utopia is living a more primitive life than expected. This is because they are praising bad governance and pretending all is well. The Utopia society has many issues to address amongst themselves rather than holding summer festivals. They also have problems like high poverty levels and neglect of children and infants.

The Utopia society is also rigid in the sense that they do not want to embrace technology; they are the type of community that still uphold primitive ways of life and customs. They’re in the fracture is quite deplorable, and they still use horses as the ancient days. The Utopia society does not embrace formal education and even adopts the old informal type of education setting.

The Utopia society can be joyful in the outside, but still, they have their dirty linen to be cleaned hidden in the inside. The ideas of having festivals are not bad, but there is no point in having many ceremonies, but the silent majority is suffering from the inside quietly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part 2: Kurt Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron”

 

 

Access the full story here: www.tnellen.com/cybereng/harrison.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assignment 4: Freewrite/Prompted Writing

In the box below, write two to three paragraphs about dissent (it can be longer if you wish). To dissent is to disagree with the majority of commonly held views, including those enforced by governments, authoritative figures, and institutions. How are we encouraged by dissenting? What are the consequences? Use specific examples to support your ideas and answers.

Very few individuals generally hold the ability to dissent in society. The government of the latter-day has posted many rules and regulations to be followed by its citizen. The Covid – 19 pandemics have brought about many restrictions that various governments have imposed on their people. The common one being the movement restrictions to multiple towns and places that have been affected by the pandemic. Various individuals have been locked down in different working places, far away from their families and their spouses.  The sad thing is that some of the individuals locked in the said areas find mischievous ways of passing the roadblocks put in place. Some collaborate with the police officer who accepts bribes and allow them to pass, which leads to further spreading of the disease. The citizens who do the deplorable act and fail to dissent follow what the majority of people do to pass the various barricaded areas. Sadly the same government that is trying to reduce the virus from spreading is the same that is allowing illegal movement of people from profoundly affected areas to the lowly regions affected by the pandemic.

 

 

Assignment 5: Close Reading Questions

Read “Harrison Bergeron” and answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences:

1. The narrator says, “Some things about living still weren’t quite right, though. April, for instance, still drove people crazy by not being springtime.”  What is Vonnegut implying here about the limitations of human control?
   

Vonnegut simply implies that human beings cannot be controlled at all. This is because various individuals have their capacities to understand and doing things. The human being as an individual is free to do as he pleases, but if the individual breaks the law of the land, he is punished accordingly, as Harrison in the article provided.

2. What are some of the unintended consequences of making everyone “equal”?
   
   The dare consequences of making everyone equal is that there would be a lot of misbehavior and indiscipline cases. This is because some individuals will try to challenge the ruling authority in place. There would be cases of citizens not acting in a dissent behavior as they will try to use their resources to manipulate the verdict authority in place to their advantage

 

3. What do Harrison Bergeron’s choices during his few moments of freedom suggest about human nature?
   

The few moments of freedom that Harrison got show that human beings are very naughty. They take advantage of any opportunity that comes their way and exploit it to the maximum, whether it may be yielding positive or negative responses to them. This is a clear indicator that human being is quite self-centered in their way of doing things.

 

4. How does the government squelch dissent in the story?  Explain a few methods.
   The government squelches dissent in the story above by locking up individuals who go against the law in prison. The best example is Harrison in the story that was locked up in jail for trying to overthrow the government.  That is the best way to deal with rogue individuals in society.

 

5. Vonnegut has said that the writer should be an “agent of change.”  How does this story change your views, ideas, or opinions?

The story changes my views on the point that humans should use the freedoms that they possess wisely. They should not take the slightest opportunities and exploit others. They should be helping society become a better place. The case of Harrison from the story above is quite saddening that he escaped from jail just to go to the media station and cause a scene. My view is that every person should exercise their freedoms and rights effectively not only for the benefit of themselves but also for others.

 

Assignment 6: Journal Entry

For this assignment, you will write a two-page creative writing assignment that will be in the form of a journal entry set in the universe of Harrison Bergeron. You will be inserting yourself into the world of 2081, where everyone is ‘equal’… though not everyone agrees with a world full of inequality.

Your journal entry can come in many different forms. Some examples include:

• Documentation of your day-to-day experiences (what was your day at school like in Vonnegut’s world? What were your interactions with other people like? What was your relationship with friends and family like?)
• Think about what you do in your spare time (i.e., video games, biking, hockey… sports, and interests). Create a diary entry that describes how your favorite activity was impacted by society’s demand to make everyone equal.
• Describe an uprising or revolution that takes place in 2081. Would you participate in the revolt, or join forces with the government to preserve a world free of inequality?

Remember:

• Much of the dialogue and narration in your entry should be similar to those seen in the original text. Be sure, however, to change fundamental aspects of the way the story is told; what are you thinking during the scenario you find yourself in? What is your motivation, perspective, and style of telling the story? Do you interact with other characters in the story? If so, do their opinions of equality clash with yours?

 

Your assignment should be able to demonstrate:

• The ability to comprehend and connect creative writing with critical thinking
• Appreciate and understanding how language constructs personal., social and cultural identities
• Apply appropriate strategies in a variety of contexts to comprehend written texts and translate them into original forms of writing
• How language shapes ideas and influences others
• The ability to respond to the text in personal, creative and critical ways

 

A rubric for your creative writing assignment can be found on the next page. Make sure to proofread your submission for any grammatical errors or spelling issues.

 

Short Story Grading Rubric

CATEGORY	Extending	Proficient	Developing	Emerging
Setting	Many vivid, descriptive words are used to tell when and where the story took place.	Some vivid, descriptive words are used to tell the audience when and where the story took place.	The reader can figure out when and where the story took place, but the author didn’t supply much detail.	The reader has trouble figuring out when and where the story took place.
Characters	The main characters are named and clearly described. Most readers could describe the characteristics accurately. Your characters are fully developed. You have included flat and round characters as well as dynamic and static.	The main characters are named and described. Most readers would have some idea of what the characters looked like. Your characters are somewhat developed. You have included flat and round characters as well as dynamic and static.	The main characters are named. The reader knows very little about the characters. Characters aren’t clearly defined.	It is hard to tell who the main characters are.
Problem/Conflict	It is straightforward for the reader to understand the problem the main characters face and why it is a problem. Types of conflict are evident: man vs man/ man vs self/ man vs nature/ man vs society	It is reasonably easy for the reader to understand the problem the main characters face and why it is a problem. Types of conflict are included but confusing: man vs man/ man vs self/ man vs nature/ man vs society	It is reasonably easy for the reader to understand the problem the main characters face, but it is not clear why it is a problem. A clear type of conflict isn’t evident.	It is not clear what problem the main characters face.
Solution/Resolution	The solution to the character’s problem is easy to understand, and is logical. There are no loose ends.	The solution to the character’s problem is easy to understand, and is somewhat logical.	The solution to the character’s problem is a little hard to understand.	No solution is attempted, or it is impossible to understand.
Dialogue	There is an appropriate amount of dialogue to bring the characters to life, and it is always clear which character is speaking.	There is too much dialogue in this story, but it is always clear which character is speaking.	There is not quite enough dialogue in this story, but it is always clear which character is speaking.	It is not clear which character is speaking.
Organization	The story is very well organized. One idea or scene follows another in a logical sequence with clear transitions.	The story is pretty well organized. One idea or scene may seem out of place. Clear transitions are used.	The story is a little hard to follow. The transitions are sometimes not clear.	Ideas and scenes seem to be randomly arranged.
Creativity	The story contains many creative details and descriptions that contribute to the reader’s enjoyment. The author has used his/her imagination.	The story contains a few creative details and descriptions that contribute to the reader’s enjoyment. The author has used his/her imagination.	The story contains a few creative details and descriptions, but they distract from the story. The author has tried to use his/her imagination.	There is little evidence of creativity in the story. The author does not seem to have used much imagination.
Mechanics	The story contains no errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics.	The story contains a few minor errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics.	The story contains severe and many errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics; may interfere with reading.	The story contains so many errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics that error block reading.

 

 

 

 

 

Creative Journal Concerning Harrison’s World Of 2081

Harrison’s approach to the social equality that is a showcase in the year 2081 is quite impressive. He is an open-minded individual with fundamental rights as everybody else. The fact that he is fourteen years old does not limit him to speaking about the injustices that occur in everyday life by the government. The year 2081 is perceived to be a year where there would be equality in society in all avenues.

The same year I perceived to have had much technological advancement on a broader scale. The same year is regarded to be containing individuals in an equal society who are civilized and know what they want in life. The fact that the people will be behaving in a civilized manner will bring about the government policy of having equality among all people as the occupants of the said society are acting modestly.

The society will have a small social class gap. This is because the community in 2081 will be perceived to be having people who are well educated in the various fields of work. The same education will be helpful to the individuals in society as they will use the knowledge they acquired from school wisely to benefit themselves and others. The vast technological inventions that would be witnessed is because of the enormous literate capacities gotten form the population at that time

The perceived year of 2081 will have its fair share of challenges. Many people will be educated; hence the people who would be elected in various public seats will be held accountable concerning free delivery of the promise they made. The said society will choose wise individuals who will represent their grievances to the various authoritative institutions in government.

The same perceived society will also individuals who are activists. The same educated individual that the community will be possessing, it will have its fair share of the aggressive critics of the society. The best example is that of Harrison, who is only a fourteen-year-old boy who is trying to overthrow the government. It looks quite funny that a young person who is barely an adult has the confidence of openly criticizing a ruling government.

The era of 2081 definitely will be filled with various ideologists who will be championing for revolution in multiple sectors. The critics of the government in that period will be having enormous support in such quests as individuals will be aware of suitable governance structures and how they would want their county to be governed.

I would engage myself in revolutionary activities if I were compelled to do so. This is because at that time, equality will be at its helm, and the government will be pressured to listen to the electorate. Such times would be quite enjoyable and memorable to be living in. The massive support that the educated elites in the society will be giving the activists and pressure groups to eject lousy government in power will be quite interesting to participate on personal levels.

The fact that I would be living in an era where there is equality in all aspects is quite impressive. Some government officials would be against absolute equality in all aspects of the ruling government. The individuals who would be tolerating such guys will be killing the spirit of balance in the society amongst every individual, which would be quite unfortunate.

 

 

Name ………………………

 

Teacher Comments

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Final Score

________

Final Assignment: Essay Question

Throughout this unit, you have learned two important concepts that directly relate to our understanding of society; how we understand the idea of ‘utopia’ and the importance of questioning those who make decisions for us.

For your final assignment in this unit, you will be constructing an essay that directly addresses the following questions:

1. Most people find the type of equality depicted in Harrison Bergeron Would you object to a society that sought justice not by handicapping the gifted but by “lifting” the ungifted, through genetic engineering or biotechnological enhancements? Can you think of any problems that might occur? Write a persuasive essay that discusses this question, evaluates the pros and cons of “lifting,” and states your original opinion. Be sure to support your position with evidence from the text.
2. Life is ultimately about choices. Consider the options made by characters in Harrison Bergeron and Omalas. Select a decision made by a style that you believe in having been especially crucial in either story. Explain what motivated that character to make the choice he/she did, how that choice affected that character, and how that choice affected others around him/her. Include references from the literary work to support your argument.

 

 

Remember to include:

• An introductory paragraph
• A strong, defined thesis (that argues a defendable stance or opinion)
• Three-body paragraphs to support your thesis
• A concluding paragraph
• Appropriate formatting for sources in MLA format

Make sure to proof-read your assignment. You may use a graphic organizer as a way to begin before formally writing your essay. There are many great graphic organizers to be found online using Google Search. An example of one has been provided on the next page.  Review the attached rubric to ensure that you are putting your best effort forth in the assignment!

Final essay question

Understanding the Idea of Utopia

The idea of understanding Utopia is asking ourselves the question of who are the individuals that are making the decisions for us. I will be basing my discussion on Harrison’s story and the Omelus society narrative. The two articles are a true reflection of what type of society we are truly living in.

Harrison’s article generally speaks of a free society, and there is equality in all aspects. The nation is just a created imagery of the proposed 2081 governance structure that would be in place at that time. The type of society that is perceived to be in place in 2081 will have sharp individuals who will openly be criticizing the government in place at that time. The possibility of revolutions will be realistic, and a government structure that does not fully deliver to its people will undoubtedly be shown the door.

The Omelus society, on the other hand, is quite a sad and unfortunate story. This is because the said society is still endowed will backward thinking ideologies. The people in that community are not learned and civilized. This will bring about the ruling authority to practice tyranny amongst them. The greedy leaders will forever stay in power and oppress the poor and vulnerable in society

Omelus society is quite a sad state of affairs. This is because the majority of the occupants have no say in the way they are governed. They just have to settle for what their ruling authority goes with. The unfortunate part is that such kind of governances brings about a social class where the rich will always be served by the poor. Such societies should be empowered through education where the child of the wealthy individuals can sit with the one from a humble background and speak about particular issues.

The two stories are just a picture of what the current society looks like. Some countries are still on the Omelus type of community set-up while others are a bit advanced, and they are embracing a kind of society like that of Harrison Bergeron’s story. The two articles vividly show that the world has enormous differences in their modes of administration. The main lesson gotten from the two stories is that human beings should courageously stand and fight for their rights from any ruling government. This will avoid issues of oppression of one side of the party, and it will bring about equality for all.

Graphic Organizer for Essays

 

Introduction/Hook (introduces the topic) · ·

 

 

Thesis (an argument or stance that can be defended and combined with the introduction to complete the introductory paragraph) ·

 

 

Body Paragraph #1: ____________________ · Introductory Sentence: · Point 1 & Evidence/Example: · Point 2 & Evidence/Example: · Point 3 & Evidence/Example:   · Concluding Sentence:

 

 

Body Paragraph #2: ____________________ · Introductory Sentence: · Point 1 & Evidence/Example: · Point 2 & Evidence/Example: · Point 3 & Evidence/Example:   · Concluding Sentence:

 

 

Body Paragraph #3: ____________________ · Introductory Sentence: · Point 1 & Evidence/Example: · Point 2 & Evidence/Example: · Point 3 & Evidence/Example:   · Concluding Sentence:

 

Introduction/Hook (introduces the topic) · · Restatement and rephrasing of the thesis to wrap up the concluding paragraph ·