Thursday, October 29, 2015

Friday, October 30, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar - Act 1

Objective: By the end of class, students will analyze Drama in order to improve reading comprehensive skills.

DONOW
 Write the Definitions of the following in notebooks:

Three Elements of DRAMA
1. Monologue - a long speech given to others on stage
2. Soliloquoy - a long speech given by a character alone on stage revealing his/her private thoughts
3. Aside - when a character speaks directly to the audience to provide information that is not part of the play

Direct Instruction

Assign roles
Read from soft holt reader pages 330-336

Guided /Independent

Complete study guide questions on handout provided.

Check for understanding

Individual student checks during independent work

Closure 

review plot of act 1

Exit Pass

Identify one superstitious occurance from what we read today.




Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Thursday, October 29 - period 6

Objective: By the end of class, students will make connections between Elizabethian England in the 16th century and the Roman Empire in order to improve reading comprehension of Drama.

DO NOW

Write the definition of TRAGEDY in notebooks - 

Tragedy - a piece of literature with a serious plot that ends badly and unhappily for the main characters (protagonists)

Direct Instruction

Roman Empire history  -  here

Guided

PAGE 757 - Holt Hard textbook - Preparing to read Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.

In you notebooks list the six conspirators that plan to assassinate Caesar. Leave space next to each name for short descriptions of their characters.

Read together ACT 1 summary on handout provided

Independent

View Act 1 of film.

Begin plot structure for JC.

Check for Understanding

Individual Student checks during independent work

Closure 

Summarize act 1 and review characters.

Exit PAss


Study guide

Wednesday, October 28 - Period 6

Objective: By the end of class, students will be assessed on their knowledge of the background of the fall of the Roman Empire in order to prepare to read Shakespeare's Julius Caesar.

DO NOW

On the back of your quiz sheet answer this:

Why did the ancient Romans believe in superstitions and name two of them.

7 question quiz - open note  / open book. Refer to pages 750-751 and 754 for answers if not in your notes already. 



Friday, October 30 - Propaganda in Politics and the News

Objective: By the end of class, students will examine propaganda techniques in advertising and the media in order to improve literal and interpretive comprehension skills, evaluate effects and make real world connections

DO NOW

Quizlet propaganda terms

Direct Instruction

Propaganda as a form of manipulation

Discuss propaganda as a form of manipulation,  not only in advertising but in the media as well. News reports are loaded with propaganda to ensure that citizens support the country's approach or reaction to national or international events.

propaganda in american news!

video - examples of propaganda in the news (re islam)


Connotations - persuasion vs manipulation

video using emotional / ethical appeal / scare tactics (fear) to persuade (manipulate)

Guided / Independent

Use google chrome book and choose three of the ten news articles below and summarize the propaganda used and its effects on the readers.


Llist of ten  - choose one to discuss / summarize

Closure

Review types of propaganda - share summaries and evalutions with me on google drive (karenreina1@gmail.com).

Exit Pass

If Americans are aware that propaganda exists, why is it still effective?

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Wednesday, October 28 - Hyperbole and missing work

Objective: By the end of class, students will identify hyperboles and complete missing work to date in order to improve reading comprehension and prepare for the next unit.

DO NOW

Definition of Hyperbole - an exaggerated statement or claim not meant to be taken literally but used to make a point.

Direct Instruction

Examples of Hyperboles by Donald Trump
  1. China doesn't "beat us" /  they "KILL US"
  2. America isn't "in trouble" / "It's going down the drain"
  3. "I will be the greatest jobs president that God created."
Other examples of hyperboles:


hyperboles in movies

Guided / Independent 

Hyperbole handout unless you have make-up work. The make-up work is due the end of class. You can do the hyperbole handout for homework.



Thursday, October 29-

Objective: By the end of class, students will examine propaganda techniques in advertising and the media in order to improve literal and interpretive comprehension skills, evaluate effects and make real world connections

DO NOW

Write the Definition of Propaganda in Notebooks:

information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view.

Direct Instruction

Types of propaganda - propaganda ppt


1. Propaganda in advertising
2. Propaganda in politics
3. Propaganda in the media

youtubevideo

propaganda video - in advertising

Guided / Independent

Google the following terms and find examples of the following in ads. Explain them on the organizer provided:

  1. Bandwagon advertising
  2. Name-calling advertising or in politics
  3. Testimonials in advertising
  4. Emotional Words in advertising
  5. Transfer in avertising


Be sure to explain in detail why each advertisement uses the kind of propaganda that you labeled it.

Closure

Review propaganda and its ties to Bias. Introduction to propaganda in the media and politics.

 Bias_and_Propaganda.ppt

Exit Pass

What type of propaganda in advertising has the biggest impact on you and why?




Thursday, October 29, Propaganda in the news and Advertising

Objective: By the end of class, students will examine propaganda techniques in advertising and the media in order to improve literal and interpretive comprehension skills, evaluate effects and make real world connections

DO NOW

Write the Definition of Propaganda in Notebooks:

information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view.

Direct Instruction

Types of propaganda - propaganda ppt


1. Propaganda in advertising
2. Propaganda in politics
3. Propaganda in the media

youtubevideo

propaganda video - in advertising

Guided / Independent

Google the following terms and find examples of the following in ads. Explain them on the organizer provided:

  1. Bandwagon advertising
  2. Name-calling advertising or in politics
  3. Testimonials in advertising
  4. Transfer in advertising
  5. Card Stacking
  6. Glittering Generalities


Be sure to explain in detail why each advertisement uses the kind of propaganda that you labeled it.

Closure

Review propaganda and its ties to Bias. Introduction to propaganda in the media and politics.

 Bias_and_Propaganda.ppt

Exit Pass

What type of propaganda in advertising has the biggest impact on you and why?






Monday, October 26, 2015

Tuesday, Persuasion - Emotional vs. Logical Appeals

Objective: By the end of class, students will analyze modern presidential candidates for persuasive devices and appeals in order to improve reading comprehension.

Do  Now

What is your opinion of the current presidential race? 

Direct Instruction

Donald Trump Highlights

Donald Trump - emotional appealer. Read some of his quotes.

Guided

Read article together and annotate.

Independent 

Compare Marc Antony's persuasive appeal in his funeral speech (written by Shakespeare in 1599) to EITHER 
(a) RFK's funeral speech for MLK Jr. (in 1968) OR 
(b) to Donald Trump's presidential speeches today in 2015. 

Wht are they trying to achieve in their speeches? Do they use logical appeals (compare them)? Emotional appeals (compare them)? Are they persuasive?In your opinion, who has the strongest persuasive appeal and why?

Check for Understanding

Individual student checks during independent work.

Closure

Review persuasion

Exit Pass

Do you think advertising is more manipulative or persuasive and why?


Tuesday, October 27 - Roman Superstitions

Objective: By the end of class, students will be introduced to Roman superstitions in order to understand character motive in Julius Caesar.

DO NOW

What is a superstition? Are you familiar with any? Do you believe in them?

Direct Instruction

Discuss omens - slideshare

Guided / Independent


Read  Roman Superstitions on page 778 of holt text. Write down eight superstitions from this article int your notebooks. These are omens that directly affect the action in Julius Caesar. Date this entry in your notebooks.

Check for Understanding

Individual or group checks during independent work

Closure review the importance of omens in JC .

Exit Pass

Why do you think superstitions are less prominent in our society today?

Monday, October 26 - Period 6 - Intro to Julius Caesar

Objective: By the end of class, students will be introduced to the history of the Roman Empire to prepare to read Shakespeare's Tragedy of Julius Caesar in order to improve reading comprehensive skills.

DO  NOW
Anticipation guide for Shakespeare's Julius Caesar.

Direct Instruction

History of the Roman Empire - pages 750-751- in holt text. 

Guided / Independent

Take notes from text regarding the history of the Roman Empire.

Check for Undeerstanding


Q & A as we read together.

Closure

Review Roman empire.

Exit Pass

Are you superstitious? What superstitions or omens are you familiar with? Do you believe in any of them? Why or why not?

Friday, October 23, 2015

Monday, October 26 - RFK - Persuasive funeral speech

Objective: By the end of class, students will analyze funeral eulogy by RFK in order to make connections in persuasive writing/ speaking and improve reading comprehension.

DO NOW

Write into notebooks:

ANECDOTE - short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person often interjected into a persuasive speech to make a point.


Check Walls to ensure you have all info in notebooks - notebook check this week.

Direct Instruction

Make real life connections. The same tactics that were used to be persuasive in JC, have been used throughout history. (Logical and emotional appeals, ethical appeal, use of repetition, parallelism, irony and rhetorical questions).

Introduce Eulogy for MLK. Jr. by Robert F Kennedy - page 281 - soft holt reader. Read the boxed BACKGROUND information together. 
Antony used his funeral speech to get the people to rebel, JFK uses the speech to calm the crowd and unite. Same tactics!

Read pages 281-282 together and annotate.

Guided

View it here first

Independent

Using the graphic organizers provided, analyze Eulogy for MLK in soft holt reader (pages 281-283) and identify the persuasive devices used to convince the people to unite rather than rebel against the system. 

CRQ
Analyze RKF's Eulogy speech for MLK Jr. for persuasive appeals and devices used and explain how they are effective in convincing the crowd to unite rather than rebel against the system.


Check for understanding

Check with individual groups or pairs during independent work.

Closure

Review Examples of devices and appeals..

Exit Pass

What do you think is the most persuasive element in RFK's eulogy that encourages the crowd to support him rather than rebel?

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Friday, October 23 - Period 6 - Everyday Use Assessment

Objective: By the end of class, students will be assessed on their comprehension of short fiction and characterization in order to determine the improvement of reading comprehensive skills.

DO NOW

Multiple choice test. THEN:

Choose ONE (1) of the TWO (2) constructed responses provided. Be sure to use constructed response format.

1. Analyze how MAMA's character changes from the beginning of the story compared to the end. (be sure to provide actual character traits and examples of things she does and/or says to prove that she has changed.)

2. Analyze how the quilts are significant in a different way to Mama and Maggie as compared to Dee.  (be sure to tell me what they represent).

Friday, October 23 - JC Themes

Objective: By the end of class, students will analyze themes from Julius Caesar in order to improve reading comprehension.

DO NOW

Definition of THEME:

THEME - an underlying message in a piece of literature or text that most often needs to be inferred by interpreting information from the text.

Direct Instruction


Theme - slideshare


Guided


Read Major themes of JC together on Handout provided. Wrtire down major themes into notebooks.


Independent


Answer questions relating to each theme on a NEO.


Check for Understanding


Individual student checks during independent work.


Closure


Review JC plot, themes and persuasive devices of the funeral speeches.


Exit Pass


Can you think of any time that you use any of these persuasive appeals and/or devices to get something that you want?

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Thursday, October 23 - Period 6 - Everyday Use

Objective: By the end of class, students will analyze character and motive in short fiction in order to improve reading comprehensive skills.

DO NOW

Answer question on the paper provided. Use the back if needed.

Direct Instruction

Finish reading - pages 64-66 soft holt reader. 
 Guided

Independent

Answer the following FOUR questions in notebooks:

  • Why does Maggie have a real smile at the end of the story? Comment on the mother’s choice at the end.
  • Why is the story titled “Everyday Use”
  •  Which daughter, do you think, should have the quilt and why? 

  • How Does Mama change from the beginning of the story compared to the end? What in her actual character changes? 
Check for Understanding

Individual student checks during independent work

Closure 

Review for test tomorrow

Exit Pass

Name one specific trait that each MAMA, Dee and Maggie have that are reflective of Alice Walker herself.




Thursday, October 22 - Persuasive Speeches and

Objective: By the end of class, students will analyze and compare funeral / persuasive speech from Julius Caesar (Shakespeare 1599) improve reading interpretive skills.

DO NOW - 

Matching Quiz
Direct Instruction

Read conclusion / summary - page 356 in soft holt reader.

Guided

Complete Plot Structure - for JC. Remember that each act aligns with the five parts of a plot structure.

Independent

20 quiz points 

In constructed response format (which means restate/ explain /  provide example or quote / conclude):

Analyze the components of Marc Antony's speech that convince the people that Caesar was not an ambitious man and explain why it is more persuasive than Brutus' speech.

You may use the graphic organizer an/or a NEO to write you answer. 

Check for Understanding

Individual Student checks during independent work

Closure 

Review Plot structure. Make connections between the appeals and devices used in JC speeches compared to modern day.

Exit Pass

Name three persuasive devices that Marc Antony used.

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Wednesday, October 21- 6th period

Objective: By the end of class, students will analyze character and motives in order to improve reading comprehensive skills.

DO NOW

20 points
Explain how Dee's rejection of her own name directly represents rejecting her immediate family and family heritage.

Direct Instruction

Read pages 62-64 - add character traits and /or find evidence that supports traits already established for Dee and Mama.

Guided / Independent

Complete all sidebars through page 64. 

Begin character trait analysis for Maggie. Remember you find out about a character not just by what they say or do, but by how others treat them or what others say about them as well.

Check for Understanding

Individual student checks during independent work.

Closure 

Review story to date. 

Exit Pass

20 points
Why does Dee want the quilts and other items so badly? What does she want to do with them and why?  

Wednesday, October 21- Marc Antony's Speech

Objective: By the end of class, students will analyze persuasive elements of speech in order to improve reading comprehensive skills.

DO NOW

In a short paragraph, explain Brutus' speech. How does he address the people and what reasons does he provide to justify his actions?

Direct Instruction

Read Antony's speech. Annotate for :

  • logical appeal
  • emotional appeals
  • rhetorical questions
  • parallelism
  • repetition.


View Antony's speech.

Guided / Independent

Use graphic organizer to log at least one of each of the above for An.tony's speech.

Complete plot structure for Julius Caesar through the speeches.

Check for Understanding

Individual student checks during independent work

Closure

Review differences in speeches an why Antony's was more persuasive.

Exit Pass

If Brutus is a tragic hero and the protagonist of the paly, then what is his tragic flaw?


Monday, October 19, 2015

Tuesday, October 20 - Every Day Use

Objective By the end of class, students will analyze character and shot fiction in order to improve reading comprehensive skills.

DO NOW

Characterization quizlet terms quiz - 2 points each

Direct Instruction

Read pages 62-63 - add character traits and /or find evidence that supports traits already established.

Guided / Independent

Answer the following in CRQ format ( restate, explain in own words, quote from the text, conclude). You may use graphic organizer if you want. 

Analyze how Mama and Dee each interpret the name "Dee" and explain why it is significant to the story. (bottom of page 61 to top of 62 - lines 170-194). 

Check for Understanding

Individual student checks during independent work

Closure

Review plot to date - make predictions

Exit Pass

What are some traits you see in Dee and then in Mama that are reflective of Alice Walker herself?

Tuesday, October 20

Objective: By the end of class, students will analyze speeches for persuasive elements in order to improve reading comprehensive skills.

DO NOW

In order to manipulate someone, you must know his/ character ad what they value. Decius used his knowledge of Caesar's character to manipulate him into going to the Senate on March 15. Explain this scene -what happened and how did Decius ultimately convince Caesar to go?

Direct Instruction

logical, ethical and emotional appeals

Guided

Reread Brutus's speech - pages 245-247 soft holt reader.  Analyze for logical and emotional appeals. Use graphic organizer. Also look for:

  • Rhetorical Questions
  • Repetition
  • Parallelism
Read Marc Antony's Speech and then View it.

Independent

Use graphic organizer to log all logical, emotional appeals as well as Rhetorical Questions, repetition and Parallelism.

Check for Understanding

Individual student checks during independent work.

Closure 

Review plot so far and discuss the strength of both speeches on the people of Rome.

Exit Pass

The people of Rome first cheer Caesar, then Brutus, and quickly thereafter, Antony and Caesar again. What does this say about Shakespeare's opinion of the common folk? Based on your answer, should common folk be involved in government (democracy)?



Monday, October 19- Alice Walker -Every Day Use

Objective: By the end of class, student will analyze character traits and associated behavior in order to improve reading comprehensive skills.

DO NOW

Write into notebooks:

Narrative = Story / Perspective = Viewpoint
Therefore Narrative Perspective = Point of View

First person Point of View uses "I." It always has some BIAS or PREJUDICE in it because it is the viewpoint of only one person.

Direct Instruction

First Person Point of View and BIAS.
It's all how you look at it - this is interesting to determine reliability of 1st person



Guided
Keep in mind that the descriptions of MAMA, DEE and MAGGIE are all through MAMA's eyes. This is how she views them and herself.

Read pages 60-61 together and then continue to read 62 on own.

Independent

Complete Character traits for Maggie. You should have character trait sheets completed now for Mama, Dee and Maggie.

Check for understanding

Individual Student checks during independent work.

Closure 

Review traits - write on board

Exit Pass

What traits of Alice Walker do you see in DEE? 

HW - complete any sidebars and/or trait sheets to be up to date through page 62.


Monday, October 19 - Julius Caesar

Objective: By the end of class, students will analyze character and develop plot structure for drama in order to improve reading comprehensive skills.

DO NOW

Quizlet Keystone Drama Terms - 2 points each

Direct Instruction

Read 344-345 - soft holt reader. Then view through the murder of Julius Caesar. Takes notes as we view - all of the information is not in the text so pay attention and write down key points when the film is paused. 

Guided Instruction

Preparing to Read the speeches by Brutus and Marc Antony.

Rhetorical (persuasive) Devices - Ways to use language to effectively persuade.

1. Repetition of words and sounds
2. Parallelism - repeated grammatical structure
3. Rhetorical Questions - questions requiring no answer because the answer is obvious.

Guided 

Use soft holt reader to read 345 -347 - Brutus' speech to the common people of Rome..

Answer sidebars and annotate for rhetorical devices. 

Independent

Then use the rhetorical device graphic organizer to record rhetorical devices and analyze the strengths and weaknesses of Brutus' speech. 

Check for understanding

Individual student checks during independent work

Closure
review

Friday, October 16, 2015

Friday 16- EveryDay Use - by Alice Walker

Objective: By the end of class, students will analyze character by recognizing direct and indirect characterization in order to improve reading comprehension.

DO NOW

10 minutes - 20 points - Will be collected at 11:43 am 

Look at page 57 again and tell me - How does Dee, mama's oldest daughter feel about her mother? Provide evidence that supports your answer.

Direct Instruction

Review Direct and indirect character traits. 


Guided/Independent

Read pages 58-59

Choose either Dee or Maggie. Complete a character trait sheet (double-sided) for the one you choose.. Be sure to note the page number and quote that reveals the character traits that you choose on each line and also say if it is direct or indirect characterization.

Check for understanding

Review traits and share -write on board with page numbers.

Closure
Review how character traits are revealed.

Exit Pass

From whose view is this story written and why is it significant (important)?





Thursday, October 15, 2015

Friday, October 16 - Julius Caesar -

Objective: By the end of class, students will analyze character and motives in order to improve reading comprehensive skills.

DO NOW

Cassius clearly convinces Brutus that Caesar is not a god and no better than any other man. He also demonstrates Caesar's weaknesses. Upon realizing these things, why is it so important to Brutus that Caesar NOT become king? What IS important to Brutus?

DIRECT INSTRUCTION

Why do you think Cassius needs Brutus to join the conspiracy in order to attempt to murder Caesar? What does Brutus have that Cassius does not?

Read / analyze 338-343 together. Complete side bars and paraphrase as we read. 

Guided / Independent

Complete character trait handout - ONE SIDE CASSIUS with evidence. ONE SIDE CAESAR with evidence

Check for understanding

Individual student checks during independent work.

Closure 

Review plot and ACT 1 events.

Exit Pass

Why do you think Brutus is so easily manipulated by Cassius?

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Thursday, October 15 -Every Day Use by Alice Walker

Objective: By the end of class, students will analyze character by using indirect characterization in order to improve writing and reading comprehensive skills.

DO NOW  - 20 points - 10 minutes!!! Timer will sound at 11:45.

In 3-5 sentences, describe Alice Walker by using the information you saw Monday in the two videos and/or page 83 of the hard holt text. Be sure to use adjectives that describe her character - what type of person is Alice Walker by things that she has said, done, how she looks, what she thinks, etc (indirect characterization).

Guided
In soft holt reader - pages  - Read together ...56-60

Complete sidebars. Also determine setting (where, what time frame and how do you know). Who is the protagonist and who is the antagonist?

Independent

Complete a character trait sheet (double-sided) for Mama. Be sure to note the page number and quote that reveals the character traits that you choose on each line and also say if it is direct or indirect characterization.

Check for understanding

Review traits and share -write on board with page numbers.

Closure
Review how character traits are revealed.

Exit Pass

From whose view is this story written and why is it significant?




Thursday - October 15 - Julius Caesar

Objective: By the end of class, students will analyze characters and character motive in Julius Caesar in order to improve reading comprehensive skills.

DO NOW

What are some characteristics of a  DRAMA (PLAY) that differentiates it from fiction or non-fiction?

Direct Instruction

 Characteristics of a Drama

Guided

Read together in soft holt text - 330-337 - complete side bars as we read.

Independent

CRQ
Analyze how Cassius manipulates Brutus into considering turning against Caesar and joining the conspirators. Provide at least two examples and explain in detail.

Check for Understanding

Individual Student checks during independent work.

Closure 

Review plot and plot structure of JC to date.

Exit Pass

Why does Cassius need Brutus to join the conspirancy in order to attempt to murder Caesar? What does Brutus have that Cassius does not?

Wednesday - Shakesspeare's Tragedy of Julius Caesar

Objective: By the end of class, students will analyze character traits and begin to read / analyze the Tragedy of Julius Caesar in order to improve reading comprehensive skills.

DO NOW 

Look at the character traits you wrote down yesterday for Caesar, Brutus, Cassius and Marc Antony. Do the words that describe them have negative or positive connotations? Or are some neutral? Be specific for each character.

Direct Instruction

Review characters and how Shakespeare portrays them.

Read introduction and background information on pages 329  - 330 in soft holt text.

Guided 

Ensure that everyone knows their student passwords and can log onto classrooms.google.com and joined my class by entering the proper code.

Code for 1/2 = ioqylv

Code for 3/4 = Nq8zak


Independent

View Film until Act 1 scene 2 where we will start reading tomorrow out of soft holt text.

Check for Understanding

Review traits and connotations

Exit Pass







Monday, October 12, 2015

Tuesday, October 12 - Alice Walker - Intro to Everyday Use

Objective: By the end of class, students will analyze character in short fiction in order to improve reading comprehension.

DO NOW 

Due to technology, our society has become very fast-paced there is a disconnect between the older generation and younger generations because of it. and How do you maintain your family or racial or religious culture? Do you or your family do anything to hold onto tradition in this changing world?

Direct Instruction

Introduction to Alice Walker / major influences - text page 83

Background on Alice Walker - write down 5 facts about Alice Walker in your notes as you watch.

The Civil Rights Movement PRECEDED the Women's movement

women's movement of 1960's

The women's movement and the civil rights movement both had great impacts on this story, "Everyday Use."

Guided
In soft holt reader - pages  - Read together ...

Complete sidebars. Also determine setting (where, what time frame and how do you know), protagonist and antagonist.

Independent

Complete a character trait sheet (double-sided) for one of the characters (Dee, Maggie or the mother) of the story. Be sure to note the page number and quote that reveals the character traits that you choose on each line and also say if it is direct or indirect characterization.

Check for understanding

Review traits and share -write on board with page numbers.

Closure
Review how character traits are revealed.

Exit Pass

From whose view is this story written and why is it significant?



Tuesday, October 12 - Julius Caesar Characters and Connotations

Objective: By the end of class, students will analyze character and recognize word connotations in order to improve reading comprehensive skills.

DO NOW
Write this into your notebooks:

Connotation - the suggesting of an additional meaning for a word or expression, apart from its explicit meaning.

Denotation - Exact dictionary definition of the word


Persuasion (convincing someone to do something that will be beneficial to themselves and others - it has a positive connotation)
vs. 
Manipulation (convincing someone to do something for selfish reasons only - it has a negative connotation)

Direct Instruction

Discuss the major difference between persuasion and manipulation

Chrome books - practice run on Google Classrooms
GO TO CLASSROOMS.GOOGLE.COM

Set up classroom - students join - review steps , links, copying and submitting assignments, etc.

Guided 

Connotations worksheet on Google Classrooms

Independent

Read this link and write down major character traits of each Caesar, Brutus, Portia, Marc Antony and Casius in notebooks.

Check for Understanding

Individual student checks during independent work 

Closure

Submit assignment through google classroom

Exit Pass

Have you ever been manipulated by someone? What happened?