Thank you to all who offered condolences or a safe trip. I'll see you all on Monday. Watch for blog updates; I may send some along.
Meanwhile:
CW...I think you'll just work on what you have this week. We'll do something new next week. (To that end: for Monday, bring five different magazines, a pair of scissors, and a glue stick.)
E3H...tomorrow you'll be doing group work, Thursday Writing Workshop, and Friday Reading Workshop. We will have an assignment for the weekend; check back tomorrow if the sub does not have it.
E2H...oops! I forgot! We have a movie to watch! (Darn, you'll say; I hate watching movies!) The sub will begin the movie tomorrow and continue it until it is finished, after which you may do workshopping. There will be an essay this weekend, due Wednesday, based on Our Town and the movie...and maybe a bit of transcendentalism as well (which ought to be pretty darned obvious from the movie). Tonight, if you have not yet discussed the "goodbyes" and the Simon Stimson speech, do so. :-) These are your first second quarter grades.
J: saying goodbye/in the end Music: Anna--Antje Duvekot, Candle in the Wind--Elton John
Well, now. Ahem. I wonder how many ceiling tiles will have fallen by Monday if the rain continues...
Today's word, courtesy once again of the discussion in the E2H class, is anomaly, which means:
a deviation from the common rule, type, arrangement, or form.
someone or something anomalous: With his quiet nature, he was an anomaly in his exuberant family.
an odd, peculiar, or strange condition, situation, quality, etc.
an incongruity or inconsistency.
Look at the Vocab List for the full collection of Words of the Day, as well as the dictionary.com WOD, which today is galumph.
First Quarter is now over!
For this weekend:
CW should work on revision of pieces from first quarter. You are now about eight weeks away from your portfolio due date. Time to hunker down. We have a few more genre studies to do, but if you don't have at least a few possibilities by now you may have a problem...
Also, don't forget that this is the last opportunity you have to write a creative letter explaining why I should focus on the good instead of the ill when I grade you at the quarter (assuming there is ill to focus on). ;-)
E3H will be writing on the boards this weekend, and the topics will be the issues that we began tackling last night and again in class today:
Responsibility: to family, self, "gift"
Religion and Art: mutually exclusive or intricately intertwined
Relation to parents’ world -->loneliness w/dad -->mother’s influence -->Parent/child relationship
If you venture into the boards, discuss these and or other topics on the "Asher Lev Discussions" board this weekend. The alternative assignment will be to take a look at some of the artists or art works that Asher Lev cites as influential. (See list below.) Select several and, in a brief essay or several short disconnected paragraphs, discuss reasons that Potok might have had for choosing them.
Artists referenced by Asher Lev: Chagall, Picasso, Robert Henri, Poussin, Modigliani, Soutine, Pascin, Michaelangelo, Rubens, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Mondrian, Renoir, Kandinsky, Rembrandt, Monet, Gaughin, Matisse
Works referenced:“Guernica,” “Massacre of the Innocents,” “The David,” “The Pieta”
E2H will be taking to the boards to discuss last night's topics:
the importance of Simon Stimson
George and Emily's "important talk"
"people were meant to live two by two"
The stage manager's philosophy about death and eternity (87-88)
"Live people don't understand, do they?"
The stage manager's final speech
Today's videos are brought to you by the letter H. First, a Hasidic rapper/reggae singer:
And then, a silly product parody:
J: collapseMusic: Falling Slowly (from "Once")Silly 70's: The Streak--Ray Stevens
Today's Missed Conferences:Emma N
Tomorrow's Conferences:Kristie, Molly, Megan, Julia, Emma S, Alex M, Max, Johnny, Reanna, Cole
The world needs people like you and me who've been knocked around by fate. 'Cause when people see us, they don't want to be us, and that makes them feel great. (From "Schadenfreude" on the soundtrack of Avenue Q)
Hi, all,
Today's message is brought to you by the Word of the Day, Schadenfruede. It is not the dictionary.com WoD, but it does come from a class discussion in E2H, so I'm adding it to the official list for October (which BTW we need to start working on). Do you want a definition? Here you go:
(noun)
satisfaction or pleasure felt at someone else's misfortune.
Not satisfied with that? Check out today's video. But, fair warning: it has some R-rated language in it, though it does come from a Tony Award winning musical. So if you or your parents would have objection to viewing it, please do not do so.
Anyway...
CW: I'm going to be more than a tiny bit irritated if the vast majority of you don't show up with working drafts of your "after art" pieces tomorrow...
E3H: Asher boardsare open, and you should feel free to use them (though there is no requirement this evening to do so) to begin discussion of at least some of the following topics (which in any case you should be thinking about/looking up/making notes about for tomorrow's class) Art terminology: arabesque, matrix, baroque, impressionist, expressionist, surrealist, cubist, abstract expressionist
Responsibility: to family, self, "gift"
Religion and Art: mutually exclusive or intricately intertwined?
Relation to parents’ world
loneliness w/dad
mother’s influence
Parent/child relationship)
E2H:Our Townboards are open, you should feel free to use them (though there is no requirement this evening to do so) to begin discussion of at least some of the following topics (which in any case you should be thinking about/looking up/making notes about for tomorrow's class):
the importance of Simon Stimson
George and Emily's "important talk"
"people were meant to live two by two"
The stage manager's philosophy about death and eternity (87-88)
"Live people don't understand, do they?"
The stage manager's final speech
Today's Missed Conferences:Cole, Kyle V, Sarah B, Christian
Tomorrow's Conferences:Emma N, Laura C (3H), Neil, Emma S, Kara, Alex, Kristie
If you missed class, we had a Tuesday Triple-Play in journal time. I know: a rare, rare treat. But how often does a "balloon boy" come around, anyway? :-)
E3H was quiet today because of the triathlon. RW for those who remained. HW: the rest of the fantasias and a short workshop tomorrow; Asher on Thursday.
E2H was in WW mode. HW: Acts 2 and 3 of Our Town tomorrow, though we'll begin with some leftover Act 1 issues...
CW walked to the graveyard for some remote journal time. No triple play for them... Tomorrow: P2P and "after art" sharing...
J: flying awayThe Triple Play:Come Fly With Me--Frank Sinatra; Up, Up and Away--5th Dimension; 99 Luftballons--Nena
Today's Missed Conferences: Brittany, Austin, Katie, Bonamico, Christian
Some great things there, E3H! Looking forward to tomorrow. :-)
Speaking of which...
CW: Today was one of the few really disappointingdays we've had, due to the fact that so few of you had a draft of the "after art" piece. I hope that will be rectified tomorrow; I would like to share a few of them...
E3H: fantasias and more fantasias...and then workshopping...and then Asher!
E2H: Writing Workshop tomorrow!
J: dancing on popcornMusic: Time of My Life (from "Dirty Dancing")
Unless I wake up dead tomorrow, I'll be back. I'm sick of being sick. Right now, I can go for between half an hour and an hour before collapsing. If I can just get it up to 50 minutes on a steady basis...
:-)
Everyone knows where we stand for tomorrow. We're going to throw this week's lost conferences into the first week of November (previously an off week due to P/T confs) in the same time periods as they would have been this week. Tomorrow's should be as posted.
Of course there's always the possibility that I'll wake up dead. Feel like a zombie teacher? Should it happen, here's what to do:
I'm home sick today as you undoubtedly noticed. I don't know about tomorrow. But since the periods are short, why not plan on workshops? Bring your books for reading. If E3H has the lab booked again you may use the time, but I don't know if I booked it; I'll have the sub check if I'm not in.
CW ought to have time for one P2P...
We won't have journal time tomorrow due to the very short periods...
As we go into the Columbus Day weekend, it's time to take stock.
CW-ers will each receive a brief letter from me this weekend about how I am seeing their progress at this point, and I encourage you all to spend some time working on building up new drafts at some point this weekend.
E3H-ers are creating fantasias, and we'll be back in the lab on Tuesday and probably Wednesday to do so. You should also be reading Asher Lev, and your goal should be to finish it by Wednesday, Oct 21. (If you are not quite through by then, it will not be a disaster; just get as far as you possibly can and keep reading.) Boards are open for optional discussions, but do participate in brief conversation about Hasidism this weekend.
E2H-ers have a complicated task. First, you should review and revise your Transcendentalism papers. If you have not received it back, send it again right away. Remember to color key the new draft, please, and send it back before Tuesday. In addition, we have been discussing The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail and today we were going to get to some themes within it. Bullet point four or five key themes along with specific sections of the play that point to them for Wednesday's class Finally, you will be reading the play Our Town. I doubt very much that we'll actually get into it until Thursday, as Wednesday's class (as it turns out) is only 23 minutes long. So read Act One for Thursday instead. :-)
Whew!
Lots of stuff! That much writing tires me out. I need some video!
First...some fun with the news:
Next: Silly 70's on video!
And now a rare cover of the same song:
:-)
J: the only rule is: it begins Music: Backwards Down the Number Line--Phish Silly 70's: Seasons in the Sun--Terry Jacks
Today's Missed Conferences:Laura C (3h), Austin, Kristie
Tuesday's Conferences:Laura C (CW), Caitlin, Molly, Brittni, Austin, Megan, Kenny, Marc, Iain, Johnny, James, Jordan, Rianna, Jack
CW: More P2P tomorrow, and new genre studies next week. Oh, and another letter!
E3H: Fantasias (2nd period meet in third floor lab Friday, both classes Tuesday) are due on Monday 10/19. Asher Lev should be completed shortly thereafter. Online (and optional) discussions of the novel are now open. (Please post at least once, though, in the "Hasidism" thread; I want to make sure that you understand what that culture is all about before reading the novel.)
E2H: Finish reading the play tonight and try to work out themes. And don't forget to buy Our Town; you'll need it for the weekend...
I'll try to be brief here because I am waiting for the Theatre Fest meeting to begin...
Since there was no E2H today, just continue reading for tomorrow (Act One is due).
CW: more workshoppiness tomorrow.
E3H: 2nd period in the classroom to talk art and fantasias and Asher Lev. Fifth period meets in Lab 208.
From Cracked.com:
Grades in school Length of resume Job perspectives How much you value free pizza Likelihood you accidentally join a Christian Youth society Money appropriated in a useful manner Archery Accuracy
J: white liesMusic:white lies, blue eyes--bullet
Today's Missed Conferences:Stacey, Max, Julia
Tomorrow's Conferences: Emma F, Emma S, Sara, Sarah, Kyle V, Cole, Andy, Duke
And now things are at full throttle. We've been back in "real school" mode (not that "SpiritWeek" silliness) for two full days, so I think we've pretty much cleared it from our systems. :-)
So where exactly do we find ourselves?
In CW, we went over the benefits to a young poet/writer of playing with the language via creating a sestina, and we randomly selected six words each to build individual poems over the next couple of days. Tomorrow is pure workshop.
In E3H, we were in WW mode today, but tomorrow we will be on to something else. Tonight's assignment is to bring in a work of art. If the "work of art" is too large or you do not actually have the ability to bring it in, you may bring in a graphic representation of it. Be ready to explain your choice.
Also:My Name Is Asher Lev is available in the bookstore for $14.95. Bring cash or check to buy it. (Note as well: we will be in the computer lab either Thursday or Friday and at least Tuesday as well to work on Fantasias. If you have not selected a poem yet, do so tonight!)
In E2H, we were also in WW mode, after which I handed out a classroom set ofThe Night Thoreau Spent In Jailfor everyone to read (act one due Thursday, act two due Friday). Our Townis available for purchase from the bookstore for $12.99; bring cash or check to buy it this week.
Remember that you will be meeting in the DMT tomorrow for counselor seminars.
J: wistful justice Utterly random song: Baby Come Back--Player
Today's Missed Conferences: Laura C (cw), Emma F, Brittany F, Jack G
So welcome back after a successful and enjoyable (if a tad damp and a lot cold) homecoming weekend. Hope you all enjoyed yourselves. :-)
Now...back to business!
Today was Reading Workshop for sophs and juniors, but we do have news: Books are in!Buy your copies of Our Town (sophs--$12.99) and My Name Is Asher Lev (jrs-$14.95) any time, and as early as tomorrow!
Cw-ers learned what a sestina is today. (Call someone if you were absent; the assignment is very specific.) Finish your group's sestina individually this evening.
It's been a weird and silly week, with not much new to discuss on the blog. I could, if I chose, discuss the decision not to award Chicago the Olympics, which seems (at least the specific way it went down) like a slap in the face. Or I could discuss David Letterman and his late night love affairs. Or I could argue about health care reform, or review the latest Michael Moore movie (if I had seen it, which I have not).
But I won't.
Instead, I'm just going to say three little words and let you get on with your weekend:
CW: There is a letter for you linked on the website (CW pages/About this class/Letters), or at least there will be once I manage to get the link to work. :-)
Otherwise, more of the same. Juniors and sophs, I have no real reason to think that the books will actually come tomorrow, but why not bring the $20 anyway? :-)
Hi, everyone, and welcome back to another (or your first) year at LFHS.
What you have heard is true. The English teacher has lost her ever-loving mind and is not going to be giving any grades at all in her classes this year. Not. One.
There will be no percentages, no numbers, no scores, no letters, no anything that will count toward anything that will end up being averaged for a final grade. But before you call in the men with the white coats, let me explain:
As I hope you have read in the doc your son or daughter (I have always hated the phrase "your student" when addressed to a parent) should have showed you, there is a wealth of research that indicates that grades--or the need to achieve them--are the single greatest thing that stand in the way of a great education. Studies show that the most influential thing a teacher can do to help a student grow academically is to allow him or her to self-grade. Most teachers would rather climb Mt. Everest dressed only in a swimsuit.
But the thing is: our academic system is severely broken. We say that our goal is to get our students to master Common Core Standards, and that is all well and good. But if that is truly the goal, then why do we care how long it takes them to master them? I'm serious. Think about it this way:
Try to remember back to when you were learning how to ride a bike. Oh, it was scary. You needed all kinds of support at first, lots of help from Daddy or Mommy. Then they let go and you were very, very wobbly. Probably you fell off, maybe several times. It took quite a while before you completely mastered the skill. But when you had...you had it down perfectly for the rest of your life.
Now imagine if you were being graded on that learning experience the way schools grade you. We would not score those first scaffolding attempts with Mommy and Daddy, but then...oh, you failed those quizzes when you fell off. And those wobbly rides? C's at best. Then a bunch of B's probably before you finally settled into 100% forever. But if we graded you right at that point, you'd probably average, oh, 83% or so. Why?You've mastered the skill perfectly. So why do you not get 100% if that is what we say we care about? Why on earth do we care about all those earlier times when you didn't have it down yet?
That will be what we go for here. Students will know what the goals are. They will understand what an "A" student looks like. And they will know when they have mastered an objective. Those who do so earlier than others will become tutors to those who have not yet done it: everyone gains from this and the newly learned skills, instead of being quickly forgotten as things studied for a test usually are, will continue being applied as masters tutor their classmates.
That is an awful lot to imagine will happen because I don't give grades this year, but what the heck: if you don't dream big, you never win big, right? The research is behind this, as is the school administration. I'm happy--well, actually I am excited--to pilot this concept at LFHS. As always, I'm glad to discuss this or anything else with you.
