Laura Ritchie and her university music education students have offered to be mentors. If you are interested please contact her via email at:
mail@lauraritchie.com
.
Friday, January 30, 2015
january 30
JOURNAL TOPIC: [No journal today. Please remember to turn yours in.]
AGENDA:
1. After the sub takes roll please proceed to the cafeteria for a presentation on your course registration for next year.
HW:
1. Please make sure your course blog is up to date. You should have posts for Catcher in the Rye chapters 1-6.
2. Finish Literature Analysis #1 and post to your course blog by Monday, 2.2.
AGENDA:
1. After the sub takes roll please proceed to the cafeteria for a presentation on your course registration for next year.
HW:
1. Please make sure your course blog is up to date. You should have posts for Catcher in the Rye chapters 1-6.
2. Finish Literature Analysis #1 and post to your course blog by Monday, 2.2.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
january 29
JOURNAL TOPIC: ["Lies" by Glen Hansard; "Lies" by The Rolling Stones; "Little Lies" by Fleetwood Mac]
Why do you lie?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Press Conference: Chapters 1-6
3. Masterpiece Consultations
HW:
1. Read & respond to Chapter 7 on your course blog
Why do you lie?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Press Conference: Chapters 1-6
3. Masterpiece Consultations
HW:
1. Read & respond to Chapter 7 on your course blog
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
january 28
JOURNAL TOPIC: [today's tunes/optional: 1. hum something as a class; 2. someone take video with a phone; 3. send it to Dr. Preston; 4. write about how it relates to Catcher in the Rye; 5. get credit.]
In case today's tunes doesn't happen, here is an alternate topic:
What is it about habituated routines that make our lives both easier (more efficient) and harder to change (put down that third bag of Hot Cheetos!)? Describe a routine you want to start, describe a routine you want to stop, and describe a routine you want to continue.
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Free play (including but not limited to: reading Catcher in the Rye; writing chapter-by-chapter responses to Catcher in the Rye; reading your literature analysis book; writing your literature analysis; working on your masterpiece; catching up on your journal; thinking great thoughts; posting the great thoughts you've been thinking to your course blog)
HW:
1. Read Chapter 7 and post a response to your blog (or write on paper and bring to class)
In case today's tunes doesn't happen, here is an alternate topic:
What is it about habituated routines that make our lives both easier (more efficient) and harder to change (put down that third bag of Hot Cheetos!)? Describe a routine you want to start, describe a routine you want to stop, and describe a routine you want to continue.
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Free play (including but not limited to: reading Catcher in the Rye; writing chapter-by-chapter responses to Catcher in the Rye; reading your literature analysis book; writing your literature analysis; working on your masterpiece; catching up on your journal; thinking great thoughts; posting the great thoughts you've been thinking to your course blog)
HW:
1. Read Chapter 7 and post a response to your blog (or write on paper and bring to class)
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
january 27
JOURNAL TOPIC: [today's tunes: "Fake Friends" by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts; "The Real Me" by Doc Pomus/ performed by Johnny Adams]
Tackle any or all of these questions: What is a "phony"? How is a phony similar to or different from a "poser" or someone who "fronts"? Why is "keeping it real" so ridiculously fake so much of the time? Why is it so important, and apparently so challenging, to be who we really are? Why does Holden (and the author, J.D. Salinger) make such a big deal of this in Catcher in the Rye?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Chapter 5 reading quiz
3. Free play/masterpiece consultations
HW:
1. Read Chapter 6 and post a response to your blog (or write on paper and bring to class)
Tackle any or all of these questions: What is a "phony"? How is a phony similar to or different from a "poser" or someone who "fronts"? Why is "keeping it real" so ridiculously fake so much of the time? Why is it so important, and apparently so challenging, to be who we really are? Why does Holden (and the author, J.D. Salinger) make such a big deal of this in Catcher in the Rye?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Chapter 5 reading quiz
3. Free play/masterpiece consultations
HW:
1. Read Chapter 6 and post a response to your blog (or write on paper and bring to class)
Monday, January 26, 2015
january 26
JOURNAL TOPIC: (today's tunes: "Iron Man" by Black Sabbath; "The Iron Wheel" by Tom Morello)
As Ernest Hemingway once observed, "The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong in the broken places. But those that will not break it kills." Our first impression of Montag was one of strength and confidence-- but almost immediately, his encounter with Clarisse causes him to turn inward, question himself, and confront the truth of his nature and his marriage. Our first impression of Holden Caulfield is principled, even defiant, as he talks with Mr. Spencer on his way out of school-- but as we get to know Holden and see other people through his eyes, we start to wonder if his rebelliousness is the product of negative feelings he has about himself (and why does he need the security of that ridiculous hat?). Do you see "breaking" as evidence of strength or weakness? Is changing our personality a matter of growing, or falling apart, or ...? Do you think Holden can survive real introspection and become content with himself and others?
As Ernest Hemingway once observed, "The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong in the broken places. But those that will not break it kills." Our first impression of Montag was one of strength and confidence-- but almost immediately, his encounter with Clarisse causes him to turn inward, question himself, and confront the truth of his nature and his marriage. Our first impression of Holden Caulfield is principled, even defiant, as he talks with Mr. Spencer on his way out of school-- but as we get to know Holden and see other people through his eyes, we start to wonder if his rebelliousness is the product of negative feelings he has about himself (and why does he need the security of that ridiculous hat?). Do you see "breaking" as evidence of strength or weakness? Is changing our personality a matter of growing, or falling apart, or ...? Do you think Holden can survive real introspection and become content with himself and others?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Discussion
3. Aeries & exit ticket: 2nd semester self-assessment
4. Masterpiece consultations
HW:
1. Read Chapter 5 of Catcher in the Rye and be prepared for a reading quiz tomorrow
Friday, January 23, 2015
january 23
JOURNAL TOPIC:
At the beginning of Chapter 3, Holden says: "I'm the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life. It's awful." Why does he say this? Why terrific in the first sentence and awful in the second sentence? What does Salinger's use of opposite (positive/negative) adjectives say about Holden's inner conflict and/or his ability to tell himself the truth?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Discussion: recap chapters 1-3, lit techniques/meanings
3. Start Chapter 4
4. How to prepare for your Masterpiece Interview
HW:
1. Finish reading and blogging about Chapter 4
2. Prepare for next week's Masterpiece Interview
At the beginning of Chapter 3, Holden says: "I'm the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life. It's awful." Why does he say this? Why terrific in the first sentence and awful in the second sentence? What does Salinger's use of opposite (positive/negative) adjectives say about Holden's inner conflict and/or his ability to tell himself the truth?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Discussion: recap chapters 1-3, lit techniques/meanings
3. Start Chapter 4
4. How to prepare for your Masterpiece Interview
HW:
1. Finish reading and blogging about Chapter 4
2. Prepare for next week's Masterpiece Interview
Thursday, January 22, 2015
January 22
JOURNAL TOPIC:
What would you tell Holden to help him with his mental outlook?
AGENDA:
Continue yesterday's work/conversations/thought processes and curate in a post to your blog (i.e., summarize the highlights and explain the value).
See you tomorrow. -dp
What would you tell Holden to help him with his mental outlook?
AGENDA:
Continue yesterday's work/conversations/thought processes and curate in a post to your blog (i.e., summarize the highlights and explain the value).
See you tomorrow. -dp
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
january 21
JOURNAL TOPIC:
In Chapter 1 of Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield says:
In Chapter 1 of Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield says:
Pencey
was full of crooks. Quite a few guys came from these wealthy
families, but it was full of crooks anyway. The more expensive
a school is, the more crooks it has - I'm not kidding.
What is he talking about? Do you agree? Explain your answer.
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Read Chapter 3 of Catcher in the Rye
3. Talk about the reading together in class. See if you can guess what I'd be pointing out or asking you about.
4. Record or document your conversation and post the highlights to your course blog
HW:
Finish your post and make it pretty. :) (That means proofread and select a font/background combo that's easy to read.)
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Read Chapter 3 of Catcher in the Rye
3. Talk about the reading together in class. See if you can guess what I'd be pointing out or asking you about.
4. Record or document your conversation and post the highlights to your course blog
HW:
Finish your post and make it pretty. :) (That means proofread and select a font/background combo that's easy to read.)
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
january 20
JOURNAL TOPIC: [today's tunes: "Basket Case" by Green Day; "Volcano" by Beck]
Today you have two choices on the topic:
[1] The first line of Catcher in the Rye is this:
Today you have two choices on the topic:
[1] The first line of Catcher in the Rye is this:
"If
you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably
want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood
was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they
had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't
feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth."
Why? What first impression is Salinger (the author) trying to make about this book and its protagonist?
[2] Listen to today's tunes and write your first impressions of Holden Caulfield. Is his "voice" authentic to you? Does it express what you/people you know experience? Is it exaggerated? Explain your answer.
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Blog audit
3. Mini-lecture/discussion: Catcher in the Rye
4. Chapter 2
HW:
1. Summarize Chapters 1 & 2 of Catcher in the Rye on your course blog (title: ALL THAT DAVID COPPERFIELD KIND OF CRAP)
Friday, January 16, 2015
january 16
JOURNAL TOPIC: (today's tunes: "Angel Eyes" by Ella Fitzgerald;
"Loveless Love" by Louis Armstrong & His All-Stars; "Round Midnight"
by Thelonious Monk)
Describe a time you felt like you just didn't belong.
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Check out Catcher in the Rye
3. Computer lab & "Next Steps"
HW:
1. Complete the work you should've finished over break
2. Read the first five pages of Catcher in the Rye and write your impressions in a blog post
Describe a time you felt like you just didn't belong.
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Check out Catcher in the Rye
3. Computer lab & "Next Steps"
HW:
1. Complete the work you should've finished over break
2. Read the first five pages of Catcher in the Rye and write your impressions in a blog post
Thursday, January 15, 2015
goalllllllllll
"Why bother creating our own goals," a student asked me once, "when we're already told what it means to succeed in school? Aren't we just supposed to get A's?"
Being able to set and achieve goals is important in every endeavor: sports, organizations, self-improvement, emptying the dishwasher before your mother gets home. Even though they know their roles and agree on the idea of winning, for example, Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski requires his players to set goals for themselves and the team each season. In Coach K's words, “Mutual commitment helps overcome the fear of failure—especially when people are part of a team sharing and achieving goals. It also sets the stage for open dialogue and honest conversation.”
When you share your goals you're sharing ideas that inform and inspire your colleagues. These goals will form the basis for your Learning Plan over the spring semester, so please read this post and get the job done. Knowing more about each other will also be important because none of us will prepare for the AP exam alone.
Keep something else in mind. Unlike players on a basketball team, you are being allowed, encouraged, and required to change the game itself. Why not analyze a Russian novel by comparing it with its modern film adaptation? Watch Anna Karenina and then think about how to demonstrate what you know in such a way that it will help us. Huh? You'd rather build a robot that writes, reads, interprets, and explains Russian novels to irritating teacher types? Cool. You can do that too.
If you are still thinking of this as a high school course to be gamed, please immediately find your closest friend and ask her to roll up a newspaper and smack you on the nose with it.* (*If this doesn't work the first time, ask a friend who reads the newspaper on a computer.**) [**In this day and age, I should probably point out that this is not an actual instruction. Hands are not for hitting. Baseball bats are, but that isn't really relevant or appropriate here and now I find myself wondering how Montaigne ever righted the ship once he got off on one of these tangents.] If you're one of those people who cut corners last semester and thought we didn't notice, she will be doing you a favor. It's better that you get your act together in private before we get started, before everyone sees what you do all the time, before 70% of your course grade is determined by your learning network.
Last semester was rehearsal. This is showtime.
More on how to achieve your goals and develop your community of critique in class.
january 15
JOURNAL TOPIC: (today's tunes: "Graceland" by Paul Simon; "Boy in the Bubble" by Paul Simon; "Homeless" by Paul Simon)
1. Based on what you learned last night, is it fair to say these songs were "by" Paul Simon? Why/why not?
2. Explain how Simon created something new by going back to the roots of a musical genre.
3. Can we describe music as literature?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Hey You: Masterpiece
3. Discuss HW
4. Your colleagues are treasure to be hunted* (*catch and release)
5. Intro to SMART goals
HW:
1. Create a post for your blog entitled, "MUSIC AS LITERATURE"
2. In that post, answer this question: Can we consider music to be literature? How do we define literature? What is the difference between a novel, a poem, a rap, a song, an opera, and a symphony?
1. Based on what you learned last night, is it fair to say these songs were "by" Paul Simon? Why/why not?
2. Explain how Simon created something new by going back to the roots of a musical genre.
3. Can we describe music as literature?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Hey You: Masterpiece
3. Discuss HW
4. Your colleagues are treasure to be hunted* (*catch and release)
5. Intro to SMART goals
HW:
1. Create a post for your blog entitled, "MUSIC AS LITERATURE"
2. In that post, answer this question: Can we consider music to be literature? How do we define literature? What is the difference between a novel, a poem, a rap, a song, an opera, and a symphony?
masterpiece topics
Here, in all their glory, are the topics you raised during Finals Week.
Please comment to this post with any additions, suggestions, questions,
or corrections. Please also feel free to contact
researchers/explorers/makers directly to discuss and exchange
ideas/resources.
Christina: Navy
Carlos: Barber, Para Rescue
Sabrina: Medical
Rayann: Cosmotology
Nathan: Cinematography, Teaching, Music, Psychology, Gaming Industry
Jonatan: Mechanical Engineering, Cars, Languages
Antonio: Racism, Cultures, Languages
Erika: Portuguese, French
Grant: Farming, Agriculture Business
Megan: Marine Biology
Leandro: [ ]
Christian: Software Engineering
Alexia: Music History
Justin: Human Body, Kinesiology
Megan: Psychology
Chase: Music Production, Lyrics, Instrumentation
Ashley: Food
Maddi: Does Liberal Arts = unemployment?
Kyra: Drawing/Art
Robert: Mechanics
Nathan: Flying
Ethan: Coding & Game Development
Isaiah: Barber
Morgan: Write a book; make costumes for characters
David: Technology, Cars
Edwin: Art
Maisen: Travel, Soccer
Esme: Photography
Kyler: Sports management, sports therapy, communication
Hunter: Welding
Ismael: Words
Emilio: Kinesiology
Mario: Everything
Stephanie: Books
Xavier: Everything; Stories, poems
Armando: Mechanics, cars
Dae: Education policy
Rodolfo: Technology
Abraham: Architecture
Valerie: Agriculture business & science
Mikayla: Communication skills
Grecia: Psychology
Savanah: Music, life, society & government, protest
Gina: How stuff works
Randi: Technology & social media
Olivia: Solutions for a better society
Rachel: Travel
Skyler: Psychology
Lexus: History, Animation
Tyler: Computer animation, 3D graphic design
Jared: Music production
Mollee: Cinematography, time management, spoken word poetry, writing for scholarships
Abel: Cosmotology
Alex: Computer engineering, travel
Erika: How to be The Next Steve Jobs
Thalia: Film
Gabriel: Success
Caitlin: Journalism
Jenna: Movies
Cody: Scriptwriter for video games
Jasmyn: Human consciousness; bacteria & how to kill it
Christina: Navy
Carlos: Barber, Para Rescue
Sabrina: Medical
Rayann: Cosmotology
Nathan: Cinematography, Teaching, Music, Psychology, Gaming Industry
Jonatan: Mechanical Engineering, Cars, Languages
Antonio: Racism, Cultures, Languages
Erika: Portuguese, French
Grant: Farming, Agriculture Business
Megan: Marine Biology
Leandro: [ ]
Christian: Software Engineering
Alexia: Music History
Justin: Human Body, Kinesiology
Megan: Psychology
Chase: Music Production, Lyrics, Instrumentation
Ashley: Food
Maddi: Does Liberal Arts = unemployment?
Kyra: Drawing/Art
Robert: Mechanics
Nathan: Flying
Ethan: Coding & Game Development
Isaiah: Barber
Morgan: Write a book; make costumes for characters
David: Technology, Cars
Edwin: Art
Maisen: Travel, Soccer
Esme: Photography
Kyler: Sports management, sports therapy, communication
Hunter: Welding
Ismael: Words
Emilio: Kinesiology
Mario: Everything
Stephanie: Books
Xavier: Everything; Stories, poems
Armando: Mechanics, cars
Dae: Education policy
Rodolfo: Technology
Abraham: Architecture
Valerie: Agriculture business & science
Mikayla: Communication skills
Grecia: Psychology
Savanah: Music, life, society & government, protest
Gina: How stuff works
Randi: Technology & social media
Olivia: Solutions for a better society
Rachel: Travel
Skyler: Psychology
Lexus: History, Animation
Tyler: Computer animation, 3D graphic design
Jared: Music production
Mollee: Cinematography, time management, spoken word poetry, writing for scholarships
Abel: Cosmotology
Alex: Computer engineering, travel
Erika: How to be The Next Steve Jobs
Thalia: Film
Gabriel: Success
Caitlin: Journalism
Jenna: Movies
Cody: Scriptwriter for video games
Jasmyn: Human consciousness; bacteria & how to kill it
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
about today's creative writing
The next time someone tells you, "Dude, a FIVE year-old could teach Preston's class!" smile at that person and say, "No kidding. One already has."
Not just any five year-old. MY five year-old.
Over break I supervised a girls' basketball game and I brought my daughter Tara. After the game she stopped in her tracks and said: "WAIT! We need to go to your room!" She drew these pictures, asked me how many students I have (when did she learn how to use a copier?!?) and suggested you write a story about them. And so you shall. Due at the end of the period. :)
Not just any five year-old. MY five year-old.
Over break I supervised a girls' basketball game and I brought my daughter Tara. After the game she stopped in her tracks and said: "WAIT! We need to go to your room!" She drew these pictures, asked me how many students I have (when did she learn how to use a copier?!?) and suggested you write a story about them. And so you shall. Due at the end of the period. :)
january 14
JOURNAL TOPIC: (today's tunes: "Let the Day Begin" by The Call; "Where Do I Begin?" by Jill Sobule; "Begin the Begin" by R.E.M.)
Describe a thought or a feeling that you'd forgotten over break and experienced again when you walked back into this room. How will you re/create the thoughts/feelings you WANT in this room this semester?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Reboot
3. Introduction to spring semester (part I)
4. In-class creative writing
HW:
Research Paul Simon's album Graceland (starting with this) and come to class Thursday prepared to discuss whether this qualifies as American Literature. To do this properly, you will have to do some research and/or review your notes in order to define American Literature and make your case.
Describe a thought or a feeling that you'd forgotten over break and experienced again when you walked back into this room. How will you re/create the thoughts/feelings you WANT in this room this semester?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Reboot
3. Introduction to spring semester (part I)
4. In-class creative writing
HW:
Research Paul Simon's album Graceland (starting with this) and come to class Thursday prepared to discuss whether this qualifies as American Literature. To do this properly, you will have to do some research and/or review your notes in order to define American Literature and make your case.
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