High Tech Humanities

Cora is here!

2010-08-29T19:52:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

Just wanted to share that little Cora arrived in the world on Monday, July 26th at 4:50am. She was 7lb 9oz and 21 inches long. She is sooo cute. Here are a few pics:

First hours after her birth:

Cora had jaundice so she had to stay on these lights for a few daysa after her birth:

Two weeks old:

Three weeks old:

In My Heaven

2010-06-06T10:03:00.000-07:00

Filtered light meandered aimlessly through the high-back wicker chairs on the plaza Jeanne d'Arc.

"Votre chocolate fondant mademoiselle," uttered the garcon. I sighed. French men sounded romantic even they were working.

"Brilliant! They brought two spoons!" Rose snapped up a utensil faster than I could and dug into the pile of chocolate decadence before us. I scooped up my own bite, closed my eyes, and entered heaven.

In my heaven, there is chocolate everywhere.

My tongue was falling down a chocolate waterfall of pleasure. The cake held its substance for only a moment and then disintegrated into a pool of crystallized cocoa sugar. I slowly opened my eyes as the first bite dissolved and glowered at Rose. Both of our spoons arced up like knights challenging each other to a duel. The little piece of heaven sat quivering between us. Who would get the most of it? ME, ALL ME!!!!

School Garden Blog Post

2010-05-06T13:51:00.000-07:00

Write a blog post that shares the questions you asked your senior today at the school garden and share their answers.

After that, respond to 3-4 of the reflective questions the class wrote on the board about the garden experience (or write and respond to your own questions.)

Include a relevant photo from today or one you find on the internet. Remember to spell check!

Talking these ideas out

2010-04-20T10:10:00.000-07:00

So far we've looked at potentially eye opening concepts in reading My Ishmael and watching Food Inc. Have you talked about what you are studying with your friends? With your family?

Have a discussion a member or members of your family about some of the things we've been learning in class.

- What has struck you?

- Do you agree or disagree with the concepts? Why?

- How can you apply them to the real world?

- What do your parents or family members think?

Share your conversation in a blog post. Include a photo and spell check! I know families can be busy so this post will not be due until Friday morning.

School Daze - Dialectic Journals

2010-04-19T08:09:00.001-07:00

This photo was taken at an elementary school in San Diego. When I saw it the first thing I thought about was the School Daze chapters in My Ishmael. What do you think?

For your homework tonight write one dialectic journal about the two chapters in My Ishmael called School Daze and School Daze II (so your journal can be from either chapter). I have the hand out on dialectic journals linked on today's class calendar for easy reference.

Include a relevant photo and spell check. This assignment is just like a regular dialectic journal, but on a blog, so list the quote first and then your response.

Semester Goals for Spring 2010

2010-01-06T14:19:00.001-08:00

It's the start of a new semester and a new year. It's time to list your academic goals for Humanities class. After watching Sir Ken Robinson's TED talk on Are Schools Killing Creativity? I hope you remember to focus on creativity and the Habits of Mind in your goals.

As a reminder the habits of mind are: Innovation, Perspective, Evidence, Mindfulness, Ownership, and Wonder.

Write your own blog post in which you list at least three (3) specific, academic goals for Humanities this semester. Your goals should be very detailed. We will revisit them during SLCs in February and during your TPOLs in June.

Include a relevant photo and spell check!

Hero Project Reflection

2009-11-09T07:32:00.001-08:00

Over the past several weeks we have looked at the importance of heroes. The essential question for this project was how does a hero become a hero? Today we did a final class reflection on the answer to that essential question. Now it is time for you to reflect on your own Hero project.

Write a blog post where you do the following:

Use complete sentences and answer all questions

1. Answer the essential question how does a hero become a hero?

2. Project Description: What was the Hero in My Eyes project? Use your own words to describe it.

3. Process: What steps did you take to get to the final product? (Be honest about meeting or not meeting deadlines and how that affected the process.)

4. Reflection: What did you learn? What challenges did you encounter? What would you do the same or different? How will this help you later?

5. Habits of Mind: Pick one of the six HOMs (Habits of Mind) and describe how you used it in this project. The six HOMs are: Innovation, Wonder, Ownership, Mindfulness, Perspective, and Evidence.

6. Artifact: Link to the blog post where you posted your final hero character sketch. Make sure it is a working link.

7. Picture: Include a relevant photo (because photos are fun!)

8. Don't forget to spell/grammar check.

Literary Devices Blog

2009-11-02T08:05:00.000-08:00

o Write a story based on the following prompt:

§ Make this the first line of your story: Catching the signal from one of her friends, Angela brushed her skirt, took a deep breath and walked towards where he was sitting.

o You must include three (or more) of the following literary devices. (Bold the literary device when you use it in the writing.)

§ Alliteration

§ Allusion

§ Cliché

§ Flashback

§ Foreshadowing

§ Hyperbole

§ Idiom

§ Irony

§ Metaphor

§ Simile

§ Onomatopoeia

§ Personification

§ Tone

o I would highly suggest writing this story in Word or in Google Docs first so you don’t lose your work if Blogger decides to act funny.

o Spell-check!

o Include a photo!

o Label your post as Humanities and have fun!

Critiquing a Post - Sensory Detail: Sound

2009-10-06T09:27:00.001-07:00

Now that you have written your own Sound Blog I would like you to critique a classmate's blog. We will assign you a person in class today.

You are to comment on their blog, and answer the following questions. Each of the following should be at least three (3), complete sentences.

1) Which part of their description captured you and why?

2) How did they describe their sound (what writing tools did they use?)

3) What could they have done to bring their sound more to life in their writing?

Remember to use specific, positive, helpful feedback!

Sensory Detail: Sound

2009-10-05T08:04:00.000-07:00

Follow this site: http://margaretnoble.net/blog/

You will find various sound clips of our everyday world. Often times we forget to simply listen to the sounds around us because we get focused on the object producing the sound.

Using literary devices (think similes and metaphors) and focus as well as showing, not telling, select one of the sound clips from the website and in words describe the sounds, paint a picture with your words. This should be a minimum of 15 sentences. You should also include the working link to your sound clip.

Once you've described the sounds on your blog, post your description as a comment on Margaret's blog as well.

Remember to include a relevant photo, spell check and label this post as humanities.

S.L.O.B Character - What I Did This Weekend

2009-09-25T09:58:00.000-07:00

Pick any character from chapters 1-6 of The Secret Life of Bees and write a blog post as if you were them. Describe what they did over the weekend.

Use their voice and their style of vocabulary. Who did they see and interact with? What did they do? Remember, what you are writing about is in addition to what happens in the book. You are making up an extra “scene” in the book that we haven’t read yet.

I will link to examples of students’ blogs as people write them this weekend so you can get some ideas.

Requirements:
- 3 full paragraphs
- Spell check
- Include a relevant, interesting photo

Email me with any questions. I’m open to creative variations of this assignment if you want to go a slightly different way with it. Just email me in advance.

Due: Tuesday before class

* Same assignment due for MWB

Letters, Literature, and Portraits

2009-09-24T16:07:00.000-07:00

In response to President Obama's speech to students our class wrote letters to the President. Using proper business letter formatting, some of the missives expressed thanks for the message in the speech or congratulations on becoming the first African American to be President.

Other letters addressed issues like students' concerns over the upcoming health care legislation or worry about how money was or wasn't being spent to fix our current economic situation.

Shane was concerned about international trade with China, Cristina expressed her thoughts on the length of the academic school day, and Jeremy broke from the crowd and wrote a letter to Governor Schwarzenegger instead about how budget cuts are affecting us all.

Our letters are being sent out tomorrow so I hope to hear soon that perhaps some of the students receive a reply.

While our class reads The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd, a few students are taking on the challenge assignment of reading Matt de la Pena's book, Mexican White Boy. A coming-of-age novel set in National City, San Diego, Mexican White Boy deals with issues of identity and race, issues that parallel what we are studying in the Secret Life of Bees.

This morning we spent time identifying the character traits of Lily and Rosaleen, two of the main characters in The Secret Life of Bees. Afterwards students picked from a list of characters from the book and created portaits to represent them. Each portrait had to include a quote that exemplified their character. Hannah depicted Lily and chose this quote to show us who Lily was, "Standing there, I loved myself and I hated myself. That's what the black Mary did to me, made me feel my glory and my shame at the same time."

Favorite Fictional Heroes

2009-09-04T07:37:00.000-07:00

Create a blog post that describes one of your favorite fictional heroes. Make sure you:

1. Spell check

2. Include a relevant photo

3. Introduce your hero

4. Explain why they are one of your favorite heroes

5. What is so special about this hero (to you or to others?)

----------------------------------

Offred from the book the Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood is one of my favorite fictional heroes. She lives in the near future in a totalitarian theocracy. 99% of women are sterile but Offred is not, so she is controlled by the government because of her ability to have children. Her husband was murdered and her own child was taken from her to be raised by another rich family that can't have kids of their own.

She has always been one of my favorite female heroes because of her gut wrenching internal strength. She's not a super-hero; she has long, long periods of depression and despair, but when it comes down to the wire, she takes action that would frighten weaker people and helps the cause of the rebels in the book. Offred is what happens when oppressed people fight back against their oppressors. There may not be happy endings, but there is movement in the right direction that eventually leads to cataclysmic change.

Offred is striking to those who read this book because of the way she writes her story as a personal narrative. You are reading her thoughts in a journal format and you feel like you're peeking inside her brain. Sometimes it gets almost awkward as a reader as you experience things she is submitted to that should be kept private, instead you feel the pain she goes through right as it is happening.

The author has written this book so it is believable. You feel like it could be any country in the not so distant future after a potential chemical or nuclear attack wipes much of the population out. Offred is what happens to the "little people" in that society and yet, she becomes one of the most important players in the rebel movement.

30 Things You Didn't Know About Me - Part Two!

2009-09-01T19:36:00.000-07:00

I did this last year with my class and learned sooo much about my students. If you want to read last year's list, click here. If you want to read Mele's list, go here!

1. I just read the Twilight series (all four books in four days). They were good.
2. I like leeks.
3. I speak French.
4. I can't roll my tongue.
5. I'm allergic to nickel.
6. I have five nieces and nephews and one more is on the way!
7. I love yoga.
8. I live on a sailboat.
9. I can make a fire without an incendiary device.
10. I got hit in the head with a shovel once.
11. I know how to build a snow cave.
12. I was charged by a moose.
13. There's nothing I enjoy more than a good book and free time to read it.
14. I grew up in Alaska.
15. I have met President Clinton and President Fox (of Mexico).
16. I've taught myself to be a better cook.
17. I got married in November and adore my husband.
18. I love making crafts.
19. My favorite dog is an English Bulldog, then a French Bulldog.
20. I can't stand the taste or smell of yogurt, sour cream or cream cheese. Blech.
21. I couldn't swallow pills until I was 13 years old.
22. I speak Spanish.
23. I am going to sail around the world in 2013.
24. I have a nervous habit of pushing my cuticles back.
25. I want to go to graduate school and possibly study law.
26. I didn't want to leave France when I lived there.
27. I ride motorcycles.
28. I'm addicted to http://www.etsy.com/
29. I play World of Warcraft, For the Horde!
30. I really want to make some brownies right now but I don't have the ingredients :)

School Starts in a Week!

2009-08-24T11:14:00.000-07:00

I can't wait to meet my new students and see all of my returning 10th graders. I hope you all had a wonderful summer. I thought I'd share this retrospective of photos from last year that Yunuen created as a birthday present for me. Make sure you come by and say hello to me and Mele next week!

My Delicious Caprese Salad

2009-06-10T21:20:00.001-07:00

I made this delicious Mozzarella Caprese salad, courtesy of the class basil. Thanks my little gardenin' gardeners! Delish!

It lasted for about five minutes after I set it out. Nom nom nom.

Groovy Video

2009-06-10T19:10:00.001-07:00

I love this song too.

"Fidelity" Choreo from Phillip Chbeeb on Vimeo.

Our Performance and Pics from Exhibition Night

2009-06-10T11:57:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures from the exhibition itself. I had a great time. Thanks for working so hard everyone.

Go class go! Way to rock those 100% handmade instruments. I'm so proud of you all <3

Mele/Charlotte Class Standouts

2009-06-09T11:24:00.001-07:00

Hello! Several students have mentioned that they want to do class standouts for our end of the year potluck on Friday, June 19th. If you are interested in being on the committee, please comment here so I can get in touch with you.

Merci beaucoup!

TPOL Schedule and Rubric

2009-06-05T12:37:00.000-07:00

Just a quick public service announcement to let you know that the TPOL Schedule and Rubric are up on my DP. Feel free to peruse them. We'll be going over everything on Monday in class. Enjoy your weekend!

Do you Have these at Home?

2009-06-04T15:25:00.000-07:00

Hey kids, I was wondering if you could help me out? My friends and I are doing a photo scavenger hunt. I'm looking for the following items to take a picture with. I have to be in the picture with them, so I was wondering if you could bring them into school if you have them. They are:

A Mister Potato Head

A Barbie Doll

Pink Toy Car

Does anyone know of a house in their neighborhood that still has its Christmas lights up?

That's it for now. Thanks you wonderful people.

The Twilight Series

2009-05-31T16:35:00.000-07:00

I admit that I've been wanting to read the Twilight series, if only to be up to snuff on the references that so many of you make in class about the main characters and storyline. Does anyone have the complete set that I could borrow over the summer?

I live in Point Loma, so if you're close, I could borrow one at a time if that makes you less nervous (I'm very protective of my books myself!) Let me know!

Editor's Roundtable Pics!

2009-05-30T13:11:00.000-07:00

I'm so proud of how hard you all worked on your This I Believe essays. I'm enjoying reading your final drafts over the weekend. Only three weeks more weeks left of school and only five more days until exhibition. I cannot wait to see your silhouettes highlighted next to these essays!

Here are some of the pictures I took yesterday of you editing your peer's drafts. See you all on Monday!

Madsen Bike Contest - Click here!!

2009-05-23T11:17:00.001-07:00

If you click on the picture below, you enter me into a contest to win this sweet bike. Click away!!!

Thank you!

Just Plain Fun

2009-05-18T10:28:00.001-07:00

If this doesn't cheer you up, I don't know what will!

And this, this is just incredible:

wingsuit base jumping from Ali on Vimeo.

Where in the heck is Matt?

2009-05-07T19:51:00.001-07:00

Where in the heck was Matt?

Where in the heck is Matt?

This is the one we didn't get a chance to watch:

Mele's Birthday Party!

2009-05-06T11:49:00.001-07:00

Here are the photos from Mele's surprise birthday party. The whole class set this up on their own, from the decorations to the food. Best. Party. Evar!!!

Here is an awesome video of students rocking out to some techno, go Gabe and Jeffrey!

This is a quick peek at the party. Enjoy!

Developing a 6th Sense at MIT

2009-03-20T11:37:00.001-07:00

Another incredible TED talk:

~ Extreme Shepherding ~

2009-03-20T11:35:00.000-07:00

This is so cool!

The Stein Family Farm

2009-03-16T09:50:00.000-07:00

On Saturday my husband Eric and I visited the Stein Family Farm in National City. It is a historical sight and a still-working farm run by volunteers. March is "Farm Days" for the farm and all month the volunteers dress up in outfits from around the turn of the century and give tours and put on exhibitions of life on an American farm in the early 20th century.

There was a troop of Boy Scouts present who were digging up some fresh garden beds and some representatives of an organization representing early American engines that modeled how engines were run during the hay-day of the Stein's farm (there is a video of a couple of them at the end of the photo stream below.) Students - get your volunteer hours up by volunteering at this farm. You can show up any Saturday from 10:00-4:00 and they will assign you something to work on. You do not need to call or contact them in advance!

Next week we'll be visiting the Ocean Beach Farmer's Market in ongoing visits to local sites that encourage and promote sustainable living. Maybe we'll see you there on Wednesday!

Data Blog - Homework Extension

2009-03-13T20:57:00.000-07:00

Hello! Tobi had a great question about the data blog. I have posted it and my response below. Also, I'm extending the deadline for this blog post until Monday evening. Enjoy!

Tobi's question: "I was curious as to how you wanted our data posted. Would you want me to link it to our survey monkey or write out all responses?"

My response: Great question. I purposefully left the directions ambiguous because I wanted to leave room for people to do their own thing (since so many students are doing different types of surveys/interviews.) If you do include a link, please still describe your findings. You can generalize the big findings (you don't have to include every last detail), but make sure you touch on the trends and patterns you find and why you think those are important.

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Take our Surveys!

2009-03-10T09:44:00.000-07:00

My students are currently doing research on why people don't live more sustainably. If you have the time to take one or more of these surveys it would be very helpful to them.

Many thanks!

Thrift Store Survey #1

Solar Energy at Home #1

Conserving Water #1

Recyling #1

Upgrading Home Computers

Thrift Store Survey #2

Why don't you Garden?

Vegetarianism

Thrift Store Survey #3

Recycling #2

Ocean pollution

Path to Freedom - the Urban Homestead

2009-03-06T19:13:00.000-08:00

Our blogs have been featured on the Dervaes family's own blog! The internet really does connect us. Check out your classmates' blogs on their site here: http://urbanhomestead.org/journal/2009/03/06/hgr-goes-to-school/

Setting up our class herb garden was quite an adventure today. I was so impressed with how smoothly everything went. Special thanks to my brother Rich for coming in to help us get it started. I can't wait to start cooking with our basil and cilantro! Here are some photos of what we did today. Enjoy!

Everything's awesome and nobody's happy

2009-03-03T09:13:00.001-08:00

A sweet little commentary that ties into what Annie Leonard was saying in the Story of Stuff about our declining national happiness.

We rock the par-tay that rocks the par-tay

2009-03-03T09:10:00.000-08:00

Oh yeah! Ice Ice Baby!

Songs from today's lesson on Tone in Writing

2009-01-12T13:18:00.000-08:00

This kid is talented:

Song: Hilltop Hoods, Nosebleed Section

And of course there is this fabulous gem:

Song: Soggy Bottom Boys, Man of Constant Sorrow, from O Brother Where Art Thou?

This Semester's Goals

2009-01-06T10:36:00.000-08:00

It's a new year and a new semester. You are halfway done and you'll soon by in 10th grade. I'm already going to miss you guys!

Your homework assignment tonight is to write your own blog post about your goals for this semester. We will be checking in on these goals in the next couple of months to see if you are still on track with them.

The next time we will look at them is at SLCs (Student Led Conferences) on March 11th and 12th. At the end of the semester we will review them again to see if you have met your plans or fallen short, and why. The last time we will look back at them is for your TPOLs (Transitional Presentations of Learning.)

*Please include a photo that represents your goals in some way for this semester. Answer the following questions, and spell check your writing before posting!

1. How are you different now than when you started school in August?

2. What skills do you think are the most important for succeeding in Humanities? Why?

3. One thing I would like to improve on this semester is....I am going to do this by....

4. What are you most curious about? If you could study any topic, what would you study and why?

Please use complete sentences and give detailed, descriptive responses.

This is what Project Based Learning looks like

2009-01-04T20:49:00.000-08:00

Sweet Video Taylor!

What have you done?

2009-01-02T18:39:00.000-08:00

It's the New Year! I've done all the things that are in BOLD, I wonder what else I'll achieve this year? Do this on your blog too. Let's see how many things we've all done.

*The picture to the right is one I took in France in the city of Fecamp. It corresponds with #34 below.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty (I've seen it!)
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gold panned

27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Gone without food or water for 24 hours or longer
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris (I've seen it many, many times)
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Stayed up for 24 hours with NO sleep at all
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching (I've seen whales from my own sailboat)
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Changed a light bulb
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican (I will in February!)
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Mowed the lawn
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

TOTAL:68! How many have you done?

Go Sailing

2008-12-08T21:12:00.000-08:00

Here are some photos of a race I was in this weekend. It's called the Ancient Mariners Race, and is for old wooden sailboats. We came in dead last. LOL.

We had a great time, which is what racing old wooden sailboats is all about!

Time Travelers - Intrepid Builders

2008-12-08T20:11:00.000-08:00

I think we've learned a lot over the past week, we, being the teachers and students in this class... and it's only Monday! We'll be experts by Friday!

Let's see, we've learned that you have to build things that can actually fit out the door of your classroom, oh and we've learned that most groups can use the same size rope, and that you really can share a lot of wood, if you plan accordingly. We've also learned that our new art teacher, Josh Krause, is awesome. He has already helped us so much.

Here are some pictures from Monday. Enjoy!

Things I'm Grateful For ~ My Wedding

2008-11-23T21:01:00.000-08:00

Looking at the photos of this past weekend I feel so lucky, and so blessed. I have incredible friends and amazing family, and now Eric is my family too.

We had perfect weather, including an almost full moon. The Beach House was overlooking the ocean. The night was so clear that we could see the brilliant glow of the Los Angeles wild fires 26 miles across the sea. We didn't even need a sweater. It was Indian summer weather.

We did everything you're supposed to do at a wedding. We danced to our song. We cut the most incredible cake that my sister spent seven hours making, and my brothers worked collaboratively on with her to decorate. We drank champagne. I threw my bouquet. The dinner was flawless and delicious. We had toasts from our friends and family that cut right to the heart of who we are. I spoke with my grandmother (Meme), who flew out from Arizona. I laughed with my mom and my dad and his wife Grace. Our guests showered us in confetti and as we were announced husband and wife we played 'We are the Champions,' and we really felt like we were.

As I look back at the pictures of last weekend I can’t help but of think of all of the things I’m grateful for: my new husband, my beautiful brothers and sisters, my parents and my long-standing and loyal friends, my job and my awesome students.

Things are good!

Teacher seeks pupil, must have an earnest desire to save the world. Apply in person.

2008-11-01T22:02:00.000-07:00

This unit's challenge assignment revolves around the book Ishmael, by Daniel Quinn. If you want to take this challenge, let me know so that we can discuss what I want you to do with the book.

Seriously, read Ishmael.

The Secret Life of Bees: Challenge Assignment

2008-10-21T20:59:00.000-07:00

If you get a chance to go see the Secret Life of Bees you can take me up on this Challenge Assignment.

Challenge: Watch the movie the Secret Life of Bees and post an essay on your blog that compares and contrasts the movie and the novel.

Make sure to address three similarities between the book and the movie and three differences (that's a total of six points). Also, share what you truly enjoyed about the movie versus the book, and vice versa.

Spell check. Include a photo in your blog post. All the standard requirements for an essay apply.

This assignment is due by Wednesday, November 5th at 5:00pm.

Why I Ask you to Watch what you Say

2008-10-17T21:18:00.001-07:00

Election 2008

2008-10-16T07:56:00.000-07:00

In four years many of you will be able to vote for the next President of the United States of America. Will it be a man? A woman? An African American? A Jew? A Mormon? A Native American? If there is one thing this current presidential race has shown us, it is that the possibilities of who can be president are no longer to limited to white, male, protestants.

Your assignment:

Create a blog post about the 2008 Presidential Election. You have creative freedom as to what this post is about. Your requirements are the following:

- You must write at least three paragraphs. You must spell check.

- Link to a current news article in your post. Like this. Your link can be from any current news article about the election, but it must pertain to your post in some way.

- This can be an opinion piece or a factual piece, but you must provide back up for your opinions and facts. So show us where you found your information. (This will probably require more links!)

- Include a photo connected to the election. If it is not clear how it is directly connected, please explain it.

- Comment on four of your classmates' blogs. You must comment on people's blogs whose names do not start with the same first letter as your own name. For example, I could not comment on Christian's or Carli's blogs, because my name starts with a C, like theirs.

- Complete by Sunday at 5:00pm.

Two Blog Posts: Pictures and My Hero

2008-10-10T07:55:00.000-07:00

This weekend create two blog posts:

1. In the first post a photo or headshot of someone that you really like. (That statement is ambiguous on purpose.) Explain why you like the photo and what you think it says about the person. Keep the photo school appropriate. Think about this in relation to the hero project. Spell check.

2 In the second blog, introduce us to your hero. Write the 'blurb' about them that you want to put under their small, side photo in our hero book. Keep the word count to between 45-50 words. (A challenge I know!) Post the side photo of them that you plan to use. If you need to use the school scanner on Monday, you can. Spell check.

Have these blogs finished by Monday when you get to school (unless you need the scanner for the photo in the second blog post.)

There Goes My Hero!

2008-10-09T21:26:00.000-07:00

Last week I proposed that we use this as our theme song for the Hero Project. After reviewing these Foo Fighter lyrics, I'm not so sure.

Halo anyone?

There's just something about the, "he's ordinary" in the lyrics that resonates with me. After all, our heroes are ordinary. They're our friends and family.

Too alarming now to talk about
Take your pictures down and shake it out
Truth or consequence, say it aloud
Use that evidence, race it around

There goes my hero
Watch him as he goes
There goes my hero
He’s ordinary

Don’t the best of them bleed it out
While the rest of them peter out
Truth or consequence, say it aloud
Use that evidence, race it around

There goes my hero
Watch him as he goes
There goes my hero
He’s ordinary

Kudos my hero leaving all the best
You know my hero, the one that’s on

There goes my hero
Watch him as he goes
There goes my hero
He’s ordinary

Literary Devices of the Week: Alliteration, Assonance, and Consonance

2008-09-30T11:24:00.000-07:00

- Write a blog that describes what you did last weekend (or this weekend coming up) using as much alliteration as you can (at least five examples).

- Try to employ assonance and consonance, but focus on alliteration.

- Write at least two paragraphs. Use complete sentences. Spell check.

- Include a photo that is related to your weekend (taken by you or found online.)

- Due Sunday by 5:00pm

The Joker's Message

2008-09-29T19:59:00.000-07:00

Today the stock market lost the most it has ever lost, ever, including during the Depression. The Joker has a message about this bailout plan:

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

I do my homework too! LDW: Metaphors, Similes and Clichés

2008-09-25T21:03:00.000-07:00

Behold the mullet, capping my skull like an orange on a toothpick. Sideburns like the ragged teeth of a jack-o-lantern. Is it a boy? Is it a girl? Only the purple pants give it away, as the little Charlotte works, as busy as a bee. Oh how I miss the third grade. Back before I cared about boys...and obviously my looks.

Enter Charlotte five years later, dressed to the nines for 9th grade homecoming. I have all the promise and eagerness of youth in that smile. My hair is a thick, luxurious blanket, woven with golden threads, long before it went red, and my slightly clenched hands give away my trepidation; I'm a nervous debutante at her first public event, wondering if she'll be welcomed by the 'in' crowd. 9th grade was a jump off a diving board, straight into life's adventure...and my hair was soooo much cooler.

(For an example of a class blog doing the same thing, check out Taylor's here or Christian's here.)

Yoga Class Pics!

2008-09-25T14:21:00.000-07:00

Our Hero Theme Song! Oh yes!

2008-09-24T21:21:00.000-07:00

And the awesome lyrics!

Literary Device of the Week: Similes, Metaphors and Clichés

2008-09-24T16:46:00.000-07:00

Write a blog that describes yourself with at least 3 (three) of the cheesiest similes, metaphors and clichés you can think of.

Then, in the next paragraph describe yourself creatively using at least 3 (three) similes and metaphors (any combination is fine.) Do not use clichés in this paragraph!

- Include one cheesy photo of yourself

- Include one photo of yourself that you really like

- For an example of a class blog, check out Taylor's here or Christian's here.

* Due by Sunday at 5:00pm

Challenge Assignment! The Epic!

2008-09-24T16:41:00.000-07:00

Write your own Epic!

*This assignment is not required*

Feel free to use your brainstorming about a modern epic as a jumping off point.

- Include at least 3 (three) characteristics of an epic, woven into your story.

- Make it at least two pages long.

- Spell check!

- Post your epic (with a picture) to your blog by next Wednesday, October 1st.

A week of learning

2008-09-21T14:20:00.001-07:00

This week was a lot of fun in class. We learned about the Iliad and what an epic is. We got halfway through the Secret Life of Bees and we brainstormed for our upcoming project.

I love teaching and I love learning. In fact, I consider myself a life-long learner; I try to learn something new everyday. It's especially cool when one of my students teaches me something. This week we studied dialogue rules and several students, including Taylor and Victoria showed me something new about dialogue. Did you know that when a character is quoted and speaks for several paragraphs that you do not close the end quote on each paragraph? You begin each paragraph with an opening quotation mark, but you don't close the marks until the last paragraph. So cool. Read more about this rule here, go down to the paragraph that starts, "If a quotation from one speaker..."

Part of being a life-long learner is having a great sense of curiosity and wonder about the world. When we studied the siege of Troy I told the class that scientists had yet uncovered this ancient city. Kahli took some initiative and researched whether or not there had been any update on those searchings. Sure enough, researchers now believe they've located the ancient city. Read more about it here. Good hunting Kahli!

Lastly, did you know that the daddy long-leg spider is the most poisonous spider in the world? Well at least, that is what I thought. After discussing it with Tobi, she did her own research and discovered that the info above is a myth. And so I learned many things from my students this week, including not to repeat often told stories about scary spiders without researching them first!

Literary Device of the Week: The Epic

2008-09-17T08:02:00.001-07:00

Blog Assignment:

Write a blog about the Epic, our Literary Device of the Week.

In it include:

A definition of an epic in your own words.

List three (3) characteristics of an epic and give examples from the Iliad of each one. Site the line that you start at and quote the examples. You can find a list of characteristics of an epic in your handout from class that lists 19 characteristics of an epic. It's also linked on the calendar on my dp under Wednesday the 17th. You can find it here.

Post any picture that represents an epic to you. Explain the picture and why you chose it.

This posting is due by Sunday, September 21st at 5:00pm.

My class is SO COOL

2008-09-12T11:40:00.001-07:00

I was sick today. I generally try not to come in, but it was just the beginnings of a head cold, with a very sore throat.

I talked to the class by typing out messages on the projector screen. Everyone worked together and no one got too loud.

My heart was bursting with happiness and pride. I seriously love my 9th grade class. They ran their own Socratic seminar. They had intelligent, coherent, important discussions on their own. They were respectful, awesome and friendly toward each other. They were also respectful to me today. Thank you guys. Wow. I love teaching, and I love this class!

Some of the class asked me to post my "conversation" with them on the blog. Here you go. It probably won't make much sense, unless you were there. I started by showing them a picture of me with my younger brother and sister making snowmen with my grandpa.

Class, thanks again for being AWESOME.

(PS - I didn't correct grammar or spelling. Might as well keep it authentic.)

************************************

Here’s a picture of me playing in the snow with my brother and sister. I’m on the left. LOL

Okay, so I’m sick today. My throat is KILLING me. I was going to call in sick, but I didn’t want to leave Mele with 52 kids… on a Friday.

May I continue?

So…we’re going to need to work together today. Here’s the plan. We’re going to do a 5 senses writing after this, cuz WEX takes too much talking out of me.

After that we will read silently (you have a LOT of reading homework for this weekend.)

Yay reading you mean.

Going on

After lunch, we will do the Socratic seminar, which is YOU talking, not me. Sweet, huh?

I’m going ahhhhhh

I’m going to need you to take on roles for the Socratic seminar, but I’ll assign them later, cool?

Does anyone have any questions right now though?

I’ll show you in one sec

Thx

I’m good

Anyone else?

Sure

Any more questions?

Yes Kahli?

What do you think?

Probably 5

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh

Okay, ready to move on? Let’s look at homework

Oh yes, and you should have checked powerschool by now to see if I marked you as a zero for not turning your first draft.

I haven’t had time to grade them all, but I’ll have them done by Monday.

Now, if you could get out a blank piece of paper, AH HEM , that’s my job thank you brendon

Those vignettes being turned in now are late, just fyi

Please get out a piece of paper. Date it and write 5 senses: hearing

Okay, now that you are ready. No clue.

Now that you are ready, I’m going to play a little piece. It’s about 5 minutes. I’m going to turn off the screen, though the light will stay on, so the speakers works. Strange I know.

I want you to listen to what you hear and write about it. You can write as you are listening, so for about five minutes. Any questions?

NO

Yes, even words if you need to, as opposed to complete sentences. Just write!
Happpy birthday dude.

NO

Wait until after the writing (like WEX)

Ready?
Here we go

Great job everyone!

It was http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-KWL20ux24&feature=related LOL
The picture never changes

Listen to it when you get home with headphones. SCARY. There are a lot of virtual 3-D sounds on Youtube like this. Like in a barbershop. So cool. It sounds like he’s right behind you talking.

I just wanted to let you know that (and you’re not going to like this) on Monday when you come in, first thing, we have a test to take.

:insert groans:

:groans continue:

Okay, it’s not for this class. It’s the PLAN test. At this school we only :Right Anthony:

At this school we only give tests to help with funding, not to test you and your ability. If we had a choice, we would not give these tests. Period. But we needs the monies! LOL OMG OKYTHXBYE ROFL

So…..it’s actually really important that you try to do a good job. Not because we’re going to judge you…but because we need the whole school to do a good job, to help us out.

Yeah, for money dude. This school doesn’t grow money in the back you know.

The 9th and 10th grades are taking it. I don’t know anything about the middle school. I don’t keep up to date on them. Just general reading comprehension and yadda yadda yadda. Maybe math stuff, I don’t know. I know you’ll do fine. Sorry. L

So I’ll only have you for one hour on Monday, and Mele for one hour too.

Cool? Well sorry, but cool anyway.

Okay, moving on.

Any more questions before I sign off?

There will be a minimum day on SLCs.

Student led conferences.Ohh the 29th is my favorite number.

Cheerio

I live on a boat

2008-09-06T11:47:00.000-07:00

A lot of my students keep asking me questions about what it's like to live on a boat. Here are a few musings and pictures:

We moved aboard the end of June 2007, and people continue to ask us, “So, are you still living on that boat?” Yep. And we still have our plan of sailing around the world in 2013. I like living on a boat, in fact, I like it a lot. I love being exposed to fresh air and sunshine everyday, every time you step outside. Living on land, there were days, especially on the weekends, when I wouldn’t leave the house. Now not leaving isn’t an option. Need to use the restroom? Walk up to the main one. Need to do the laundry? I have to go outside the boat at least three times. Forgot something in the storage unit? Up to the main dock I go.

Things that are strange about living on a boat? I don’t have a couch. Also, the refrigerator is still hard to see into, access, and use. It’s just a square box that I have to reach down into to get things out of. The mast is still off, so we can’t sail right now, and the boat looks a bit dowdy on the outside with all of the rigging and what not spread about.

We get to see sea lions all the time; there’s one that comes around so often that we’ve named him “Tubby.” It’s also fun to watch the tides come in and out. You can see in these pictures what it’s like to live on a floating dock and how different the water level is with high tide and low tide.

That’s all for now, but feel free to ask any questions you’d like!

Your Class Blogs!

2008-08-28T08:07:00.000-07:00

Hello Class! I've used one of Bloggers' new Gadgets to post your blogs on my Blog List to the left of the screen. By now you should all have your Google Readers set up and be getting updates anytime we post something new.

Don't forget to comment on your classmate's blogs. If you see someone who doesn't have a comment yet, stop by their page and say hello!

30 Things You Didn't Know About Me

2008-08-26T12:33:00.000-07:00

I was an Alaskan All-star Cheerleader.

I have three brothers and three sisters.

There are about 15-20 words that I consistently mispell (mispell is one of them!)

I've crossed into the Artic Circle.

I've driven a car in Australia (they drive on the wrong side of the road.)

I live on a sailboat.

I saw the house that Anne Frank hid in.

I don't have any birthmarks.

I have abnormally large pupils.

I'm related to Davy Crockett

I have a motorcycle license and love to ride them!

I can speak French and Spanish.

I've never won a snarfing contest.

I have met President Clinton and President Fox of Mexico.

I can't stand to have long fingernails. I clip them all the time!

I play World of Warcraft, and really like it.

I've never been able to apply make-up well.

I don't trust people who don't like chocolate (soy)milk.

I've been a vegetarian for fourteen years.

I'm starting to eat meat again.

I was raised Mormon.

I've read thousands of books.

I have traveled to Australia, Brazil, Nicaragua, Mexico, England, Scotland, France, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and Belgium.

Peonies are my favorite flower.

I'm getting married in two months.

I really wanted Hillary Clinton to win.

In my first journal entry, when I was eight years old, I said I wanted to be a teacher.

I was named after my grandmother and greatgrandmother.

is my favorite number.

Clue was the first movie I watched twice in one sitting.