JOURNAL TOPIC:
I'm going to ask this again and again and again and [...] :
What do you love enough to try, fail, and try again?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Self-assessment/ turn in hard copy
3. Watch Jiro. Learn from Jiro. Find your inner Jiro.
HW:
1. Post about you and Jiro to your course blog.
.
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
february 25
JOURNAL TOPIC: (today's tunes: "Walking in LA" by Missing Persons;
"Walking After You" by The Foo Fighters; "Walking in Memphis" by Marc
Cohn)
Is walking from place to place something people do anymore? Do you walk in your community/neighborhood? (Slouching from locker to locker during passing periods doesn't count.) What can you tell about a person or a culture by how much/how fast/how often they walk?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Correct yesterday's exam
HW:
Learn something and post it to your course blog.
Is walking from place to place something people do anymore? Do you walk in your community/neighborhood? (Slouching from locker to locker during passing periods doesn't count.) What can you tell about a person or a culture by how much/how fast/how often they walk?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Correct yesterday's exam
HW:
Learn something and post it to your course blog.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
february 24
AGENDA: Judgement Day.
JOURNAL TOPIC:
How well did you do on the Catcher in the Rye exam? Why/why not? What percentage (out of 100) of your performance was a function of your understanding, and what percentage was a function of your accountability?
JOURNAL TOPIC:
How well did you do on the Catcher in the Rye exam? Why/why not? What percentage (out of 100) of your performance was a function of your understanding, and what percentage was a function of your accountability?
Monday, February 23, 2015
february 23
JOURNAL TOPIC:
What does the word modern mean to you? Has the meaning of the word changed over time?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Review for tomorrow's Catcher in the Rye exam by answering the following questions
HW:
Finish answering the questions and post to your course blog. The exam questions will come directly from this list.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
february 19: i've been stolen
JOURNAL TOPIC:
What would you tell Holden Caulfield if he showed up late to this class and blew off posting to his course blog?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Since I'm stuck here
3. Your job is this:
1. Post to your blog about what you did in class today. Describe anything you learned.
What would you tell Holden Caulfield if he showed up late to this class and blew off posting to his course blog?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Since I'm stuck here
- Figure out what you need to know for tomorrow's Catcher in the Rye exam. If you've read the book, review it. (If you think you can create a project that is so impressive I will let you out of taking the test, do that.) If you haven't read the book, read it. You may want to talk with someone who knows more than you do. Whatever you do, prepare. Otherwise tomorrow is going to hurt.
1. Post to your blog about what you did in class today. Describe anything you learned.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
february 18
JOURNAL TOPIC:
What makes "WTF?" a rhetorical question? (This is not a rhetorical question. Look up the phrase rhetorical question if you don't know what it means.) What is the purpose of asking a rhetorical question?
AGENDA:
1. Journal topic
2. Catcher in the Rye & WTF? discussion
3. Too lazy to read? You're writing the test.
HW:
1. Post something on your blog that shows you have a pulse and that you are thinking about this course and your performance in it. (title: I'M HERE)
What makes "WTF?" a rhetorical question? (This is not a rhetorical question. Look up the phrase rhetorical question if you don't know what it means.) What is the purpose of asking a rhetorical question?
AGENDA:
1. Journal topic
2. Catcher in the Rye & WTF? discussion
3. Too lazy to read? You're writing the test.
HW:
1. Post something on your blog that shows you have a pulse and that you are thinking about this course and your performance in it. (title: I'M HERE)
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
february 17
JOURNAL TOPIC:
What makes you feel loved? What makes Holden Caulfield feel loved?
AGENDA:
1. Journal + discussion
2. Did you read?
3. Test and/or presentations on the book this week
HW:
(depends on agenda items 2 & 3)
What makes you feel loved? What makes Holden Caulfield feel loved?
AGENDA:
1. Journal + discussion
2. Did you read?
3. Test and/or presentations on the book this week
HW:
(depends on agenda items 2 & 3)
Thursday, February 12, 2015
lest we forget
In case you ever go online without thinking about all of the people who can see what you post, read "How One Stupid Tweet Blew Up Justine Sacco's Life."
february 12
AGENDA:
1. Presentations from Catcher in the Rye
2. Take notes on each. Include [a. info that confirmed what you already knew; b. info that was new/interesting to you; c. what made it memorable; d. what you'd do to improve it.] and post your notes to your course blog. Due by the beginning of class tomorrow. If you don't post the notes to your course blog, bring the hard copy to turn in at the beginning of class tomorrow.
JOURNAL TOPIC:
In reflection, what was more effective about students teaching the chapters? What was less effective?
1. Presentations from Catcher in the Rye
2. Take notes on each. Include [a. info that confirmed what you already knew; b. info that was new/interesting to you; c. what made it memorable; d. what you'd do to improve it.] and post your notes to your course blog. Due by the beginning of class tomorrow. If you don't post the notes to your course blog, bring the hard copy to turn in at the beginning of class tomorrow.
JOURNAL TOPIC:
In reflection, what was more effective about students teaching the chapters? What was less effective?
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
february 11
JOURNAL TOPIC:
What is the most interesting/memorable lesson you've ever learned? How was it taught? What elements of the experience can you apply to your chapter presentations?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Presentation prep
HW:
Put the finishing touches on your presentations. Tomorrow is Go Time.
What is the most interesting/memorable lesson you've ever learned? How was it taught? What elements of the experience can you apply to your chapter presentations?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Presentation prep
HW:
Put the finishing touches on your presentations. Tomorrow is Go Time.
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
february 10
JOURNAL TOPIC:
Describe a time you were well and truly p*ssed off.
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Presentation prep
3. Presentations
HW:
1. Fix your presentations
2. Chapter 8/response to blog
Describe a time you were well and truly p*ssed off.
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Presentation prep
3. Presentations
HW:
1. Fix your presentations
2. Chapter 8/response to blog
Friday, February 6, 2015
february 5/6
JOURNAL TOPIC:
Cool and hack mean different things to different generations. (GNAR doesn't mean anything at all to most people, especially those of us over 40.) Explain 1-3 terms from your language to the tribal elders.
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Chapter-by-chapter presentations (1-7)
HW:
1. Answer the questions your colleagues asked on your course blog (title: ASK ME ANYTHING; first two sentences: "Today the other people in my class asked me questions about Catcher in the Rye. Here are my answers.")
Cool and hack mean different things to different generations. (GNAR doesn't mean anything at all to most people, especially those of us over 40.) Explain 1-3 terms from your language to the tribal elders.
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Chapter-by-chapter presentations (1-7)
HW:
1. Answer the questions your colleagues asked on your course blog (title: ASK ME ANYTHING; first two sentences: "Today the other people in my class asked me questions about Catcher in the Rye. Here are my answers.")
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
'tis the season
AP Exams are now on sale. Please see the following informational fliers and put the April 14 meeting on your calendar. I will scan and post an order form later for anyone who didn't get one. Also: the tests are $91 apiece. If you pass, it's a great investment, but I haven't seen anyone throwing wads of money around here recently, so if you have questions regarding the waiver (that allows students in need to pay $5 per test) or how to afford the fees let's talk.
february 4
***I just discovered that the post for February 3 didn't publish. Since everyone was apparently too kind to let me know, I hope you're all caught up and ready for today's essay. Please see journal topic & agenda for February 3.***
february 3
JOURNAL TOPIC:
Today is the 3rd. My grandmother's "lucky number" is 3. Do you have something in your life (a number, a place, a stuffed animal) that you consider symbolic? Why? How did this take on special meaning? If you don't have something lucky, why not? Just because, or do you think this sort of thing is superstitious?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. ESSAY
Please respond to the following prompt on paper in blue or black ink and turn in to the substitute teacher at the end of the period.
HW:
1. Catch up on anything you need to catch up on, including sleep.
Today is the 3rd. My grandmother's "lucky number" is 3. Do you have something in your life (a number, a place, a stuffed animal) that you consider symbolic? Why? How did this take on special meaning? If you don't have something lucky, why not? Just because, or do you think this sort of thing is superstitious?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. ESSAY
Please respond to the following prompt on paper in blue or black ink and turn in to the substitute teacher at the end of the period.
Harold Bloom writes, “Faulkner remarked that Holden’s dilemma was his inability to find and accept an authentic mentor, a teacher or guide who could arouse his trust [...] Holden speaks for our skepticism, and for our need.” Do you agree? How so?
HW:
1. Catch up on anything you need to catch up on, including sleep.
Monday, February 2, 2015
with breanna in mind
We are all connected. Last year Melissa Steller brought U2's Terry
Lawless to class. It turns out Terry is friends with Bill Peterson, the
former president of the musicians' union and a brilliant trumpeter who
played with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, John Williams and
many others. Bill's son Eric was my best friend growing up, from the
time we met in the third grade until the day Eric died in the summer
after our senior year of high school.
Melissa was also Breanna's and Haley's advisor on the Yosemite trip they recently announced. Last year Melissa organized a trip that Nature Bridge (formerly known as the Yosemite Institute, the oldest education organization in Yosemite Valley) called "the most amazing student experience we've ever had." Breanna and Haley were planning to top it.
I am sorry to announce that we lost Breanna over the weekend as the result of a car accident Friday night. Many of you connected in person or via social media this weekend, and I'm grateful for the character you have shown in celebrating Breanna's life and comforting her family.
These are moments that make everything else both totally insignificant and somehow more important. When Eric died I remember feeling that all at once nothing else seemed to matter-- not my college plans, not my job, and certainly not the stupid argument he and I had just had over a concert ticket. At the same time, Eric's death gave my life a more important meaning; I wasn't going to take anything for granted or miss a single opportunity, because I was the one with the chance--with the obligation-- to make good on the promises we made ourselves and each other. I have kept him and that feeling close ever since. Eric was with me when I became a UCLA Bruin, when I bicycled the Col du Tourmalet, when I got married, when I became a father, and when I did a thousand other things that he and I imagined when we were your age. This may or may not seem strange to you, but thinking about Eric often guides my decisions. Saturday morning when Nik Koyama asked me if he could have Breanna's desk, it may as well have been Eric who said, "If you can find someone with keys on campus, come and get it."
In education we often talk about differentiation, i.e., making a concept or a skill accessible to learners with a wide range of experiences, abilities, and learning styles. It's a good idea that's difficult to implement with 35 people in 50 minutes. Part of the reason I started Open Source Learning was to help learners understand themselves well enough to adapt information to their needs. As it is with learning, so it is with grieving. Each of you are unique people with unique connections to Breanna and the people who love her. There is no one right way to experience this moment. Some will need to talk, some will need the show to go on, some will need to hug and cry and remember the good and maybe even make sure the earth isn't giving way under their feet. I'm not ashamed to admit that I started typing this twice and gave up because I couldn't see through the tears.
Today's agenda is open. We will do what we need to do, and that may differ from period to period or person to person. I spoke with Mr. Blanco yesterday afternoon and there are counselors available to help those in need. If you'd rather hang out with people you know, we're here for you. And if you'd rather take the planned lit terms quiz, we can do that too. The important thing is to remember, and connect, and make today your masterpiece. I am grateful for the short time I got to work with Breanna, and I am grateful for the day I get to spend with you. Thanks for reading. DP
Melissa was also Breanna's and Haley's advisor on the Yosemite trip they recently announced. Last year Melissa organized a trip that Nature Bridge (formerly known as the Yosemite Institute, the oldest education organization in Yosemite Valley) called "the most amazing student experience we've ever had." Breanna and Haley were planning to top it.
I am sorry to announce that we lost Breanna over the weekend as the result of a car accident Friday night. Many of you connected in person or via social media this weekend, and I'm grateful for the character you have shown in celebrating Breanna's life and comforting her family.
These are moments that make everything else both totally insignificant and somehow more important. When Eric died I remember feeling that all at once nothing else seemed to matter-- not my college plans, not my job, and certainly not the stupid argument he and I had just had over a concert ticket. At the same time, Eric's death gave my life a more important meaning; I wasn't going to take anything for granted or miss a single opportunity, because I was the one with the chance--with the obligation-- to make good on the promises we made ourselves and each other. I have kept him and that feeling close ever since. Eric was with me when I became a UCLA Bruin, when I bicycled the Col du Tourmalet, when I got married, when I became a father, and when I did a thousand other things that he and I imagined when we were your age. This may or may not seem strange to you, but thinking about Eric often guides my decisions. Saturday morning when Nik Koyama asked me if he could have Breanna's desk, it may as well have been Eric who said, "If you can find someone with keys on campus, come and get it."
In education we often talk about differentiation, i.e., making a concept or a skill accessible to learners with a wide range of experiences, abilities, and learning styles. It's a good idea that's difficult to implement with 35 people in 50 minutes. Part of the reason I started Open Source Learning was to help learners understand themselves well enough to adapt information to their needs. As it is with learning, so it is with grieving. Each of you are unique people with unique connections to Breanna and the people who love her. There is no one right way to experience this moment. Some will need to talk, some will need the show to go on, some will need to hug and cry and remember the good and maybe even make sure the earth isn't giving way under their feet. I'm not ashamed to admit that I started typing this twice and gave up because I couldn't see through the tears.
Today's agenda is open. We will do what we need to do, and that may differ from period to period or person to person. I spoke with Mr. Blanco yesterday afternoon and there are counselors available to help those in need. If you'd rather hang out with people you know, we're here for you. And if you'd rather take the planned lit terms quiz, we can do that too. The important thing is to remember, and connect, and make today your masterpiece. I am grateful for the short time I got to work with Breanna, and I am grateful for the day I get to spend with you. Thanks for reading. DP
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