Period 3, YOU DID IT!!!! Yay!!!!! I am so proud of you and mad props to Lotti whose presentation on Germany was eye-opening and inspirational.
Period 4, you blew my mind. Time. Space. Contact lenses. Lazy geniuses. Ahhhhhhh!
Period 7, newly addicted to geography and woot woot K! It made you sad not to know so you went and learned.
To JJ in period 6, very informative. Need a new pillow? And to period 2, great as always. Really loved the inspirational video from FS. And SO happy you made it to class, CL.
Library Book Sale tomorrow at 9:30 at the San Carlos Library. Great books. Cheap prices.
Off to pack my bags for Germany!!!
xoxo
Friday, February 28, 2014
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Stuff About Stuff
***UPDATE***
I spaced linking the video. Find "The Runners" on youtube. Worth your time. And Anne Lamott is just as awesome in person as she is in her books. :)
Shout out to period 3 for speaking up and out and more. I look forward to more tomorrow. And thanks to all the classes for doing a great job recasting. I've never tasted a "vulgar" apple before. HA!!!
Off to see Anne Lamott!
xoxo
I spaced linking the video. Find "The Runners" on youtube. Worth your time. And Anne Lamott is just as awesome in person as she is in her books. :)
Shout out to period 3 for speaking up and out and more. I look forward to more tomorrow. And thanks to all the classes for doing a great job recasting. I've never tasted a "vulgar" apple before. HA!!!
Off to see Anne Lamott!
xoxo
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
We See What We Want to See
I cannot contain myself. Before I go, I have to share some lines I just read.
"It is a tricky process to make a class full of high schoolers understand that in order to write, you must know. In order to know, you must read. In order to read you must have the desire to be here."
On the other hand, here's this:
"I find it disturbing that we're not asked to do more. I don't know what there is to 'get', but I am getting frustrated. I doubt they would have a class on writing if it wasn't teachable."
Can I please write in all caps NOW?
Two totally different viewpoints and both valid obviously. All of this is a tricky process because I care enough to ask and get annoyed by your answers. First off, AP Language is not a writing class. It is a class on critical thinking. Period. The fact that you are asked to synthesize aforementioned thoughts into written form is a byproduct of the critical thinking. Secondly, the whole point of this course is to create and inspire learners who don't need to be asked to do anything. You should want to do more because you are curious, interested, intrigued. Because you want to better yourself. Workers are asked to do things. Thinkers do them. Mindless robots are asked to do things. What is there to get? Exactly my point. Everything is available to each of you. You just have to go get it instead of lazily expecting things to come to you.
Clear cut instructions follow:
1. Stand up.
2. Walk to a mirror.
3. Look at your face.
4. Ask yourself who is in charge of your life, your learning, your future?
5. Rinse and repeat daily until you get it.
"It is a tricky process to make a class full of high schoolers understand that in order to write, you must know. In order to know, you must read. In order to read you must have the desire to be here."
On the other hand, here's this:
"I find it disturbing that we're not asked to do more. I don't know what there is to 'get', but I am getting frustrated. I doubt they would have a class on writing if it wasn't teachable."
Can I please write in all caps NOW?
Two totally different viewpoints and both valid obviously. All of this is a tricky process because I care enough to ask and get annoyed by your answers. First off, AP Language is not a writing class. It is a class on critical thinking. Period. The fact that you are asked to synthesize aforementioned thoughts into written form is a byproduct of the critical thinking. Secondly, the whole point of this course is to create and inspire learners who don't need to be asked to do anything. You should want to do more because you are curious, interested, intrigued. Because you want to better yourself. Workers are asked to do things. Thinkers do them. Mindless robots are asked to do things. What is there to get? Exactly my point. Everything is available to each of you. You just have to go get it instead of lazily expecting things to come to you.
Clear cut instructions follow:
1. Stand up.
2. Walk to a mirror.
3. Look at your face.
4. Ask yourself who is in charge of your life, your learning, your future?
5. Rinse and repeat daily until you get it.
Recasting
We will work with recasting tomorrow in class. Come prepared to work with your groups. For period 7, your questions are below since it was requested that they be posted online. See y'all tomorrow. xoxo
1. The apple tasted gross.
2. Great Britain is a lovely place.
3. She didn't know any better.
4. Cars are fast.
5. I woke up this morning.
1. The apple tasted gross.
2. Great Britain is a lovely place.
3. She didn't know any better.
4. Cars are fast.
5. I woke up this morning.
Monday, February 24, 2014
30 Days
Optional brain exercise - every single day for the next 30 days, wake up and write for an hour. See what happens. (Don't check out Kirk's blog for more information and inspiration.) Also, we'll be writing for 15 minutes everyday for our brains so be prepared for that - mentally and emotionally.
Awesome Mr. Hensler wrote on that aforementioned don't-check-it-out blog the following:
"Pride is like a shield. It is thick and nearly impenetrable. Our pride protects us. Most people will find it satisfactory enough to call themselves proud, accepting it as part of who they are. Other people will question their pride and try to understand where it came from. Why did they grow this armor?"
"But there comes a point when we are no longer benefiting ourselves by sitting on the sidelines and criticizing everything that is wrong with the world. As if it is some manifestation of a state of superior intelligence to point out the obvious shortcomings of our existence. It's a dead end road. We are in the world, this is our world."
"So what is it that really holds us back from putting our work (ourselves) out there?...It's fear that holds them back...".
"As human beings, we are survivors. We will do whatever it takes to stay alive. But there seems to be a sense of complacency that has plagued our culture. Our basic needs are met so we spend the rest of our time suffering. We're not sure what the hell we're supposed to be doing with all of our free time that we would have normally spent chasing down wild buffalo, picking berries, or scrubbing our loin clothes against rocks in the river."
"Speak up people; the world needs to hear what you have to say."
KIRK HENSLER
I agree with everything except the last part - the world does need to hear what you have to say as long as it's something worth saying.
xoxo
#WriteYourselfAlive
p.s. - Those of you who signed up for the PLNU symposium, it is THIS THURSDAY!
p.p.s. - Check out Andrea Gibson on 3/25 in North Pork. See her blog for details. DYING!!!!!! I wrote North Pork! I meant North PARK.
Awesome Mr. Hensler wrote on that aforementioned don't-check-it-out blog the following:
"Pride is like a shield. It is thick and nearly impenetrable. Our pride protects us. Most people will find it satisfactory enough to call themselves proud, accepting it as part of who they are. Other people will question their pride and try to understand where it came from. Why did they grow this armor?"
"But there comes a point when we are no longer benefiting ourselves by sitting on the sidelines and criticizing everything that is wrong with the world. As if it is some manifestation of a state of superior intelligence to point out the obvious shortcomings of our existence. It's a dead end road. We are in the world, this is our world."
"So what is it that really holds us back from putting our work (ourselves) out there?...It's fear that holds them back...".
"As human beings, we are survivors. We will do whatever it takes to stay alive. But there seems to be a sense of complacency that has plagued our culture. Our basic needs are met so we spend the rest of our time suffering. We're not sure what the hell we're supposed to be doing with all of our free time that we would have normally spent chasing down wild buffalo, picking berries, or scrubbing our loin clothes against rocks in the river."
"Speak up people; the world needs to hear what you have to say."
KIRK HENSLER
I agree with everything except the last part - the world does need to hear what you have to say as long as it's something worth saying.
xoxo
#WriteYourselfAlive
p.s. - Those of you who signed up for the PLNU symposium, it is THIS THURSDAY!
p.p.s. - Check out Andrea Gibson on 3/25 in North Pork. See her blog for details. DYING!!!!!! I wrote North Pork! I meant North PARK.
Friday, February 21, 2014
It Is An Honor & A Privilege...
...to teach, that is. But to those of you not showing up to class in the truest sense of the word, come on. Decide who you want to be and go be it. Period.
For this weekend, feed your brain. Reading is really the only way to become a better writer. No shortcuts. Just hard work. So, bring in an example (1 paragraph typed, copied, or printed) of a really solid, nice, good, quality piece of writing. It can be from a book you've read, an article you enjoyed, etc. No wrong answer, just "Bless Your Heart" passes.
We will use them in class on Monday along with your recasted introductions. I will pour through them this glorious weekend.
Be brave today.
xoxo
For this weekend, feed your brain. Reading is really the only way to become a better writer. No shortcuts. Just hard work. So, bring in an example (1 paragraph typed, copied, or printed) of a really solid, nice, good, quality piece of writing. It can be from a book you've read, an article you enjoyed, etc. No wrong answer, just "Bless Your Heart" passes.
We will use them in class on Monday along with your recasted introductions. I will pour through them this glorious weekend.
Be brave today.
xoxo
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Practice Your Intros
Here's the prompt for tomorrow. So read it. Analyze it. Write an introduction that we'll play with tomorrow.
In the following excerpt from Antigone, by the classic Greek playwright Sophocles, the wise Teiresias observes
Think: all men make mistakes,
But a good man yields when he
Knows his course is wrong,
And repairs the evil: The only
Crime is pride.
Take some time to think about the implications of the quotation. Then write a carefully reasoned essay that explores the validity of the assertion, using examples from your reading, observation, or experience to develop a position.
xoxo
In the following excerpt from Antigone, by the classic Greek playwright Sophocles, the wise Teiresias observes
Think: all men make mistakes,
But a good man yields when he
Knows his course is wrong,
And repairs the evil: The only
Crime is pride.
Take some time to think about the implications of the quotation. Then write a carefully reasoned essay that explores the validity of the assertion, using examples from your reading, observation, or experience to develop a position.
xoxo
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Happy Love Day
Hope y'all have a great weekend! I'll be reading and eating chocolate. Thanks, Valentines.
Xoxo
Xoxo
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Dark Chocolate
Essays due typed, size 12 font, Times New Roman, double-spaced, stapled. We will highlight and write reflections in class tomorrow. Also have some stuff about stuff to share for stuff about stuff.
I'm stuck on paragraph 3. Uggh.
I like dark chocolate, Valentine! Just saying.
I love Sherlock.
xoxo
I'm stuck on paragraph 3. Uggh.
I like dark chocolate, Valentine! Just saying.
I love Sherlock.
xoxo
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Introductions
So you're working and writing and using your brains. That's exciting. Work on your body paragraphs and keep in mind that I'll be looking for the following in your final/glossed pieces:
1. Highlighted thesis
2. Appeals (logical, ethical, emotional)
3. Main concession
4. Rhetorical question
5. Periodic sentence
6. Parallel structure
8. 2 other rhetorical devices (metaphor, simile, hyperbole, analogy, allusion, antithesis, etc.)
9. Special effort to create effect with diction (at least 2 examples of words or phrases)
On Thursday we will also write a brief reflection that we'll attach to the back of the paper.
Remember to do all that boring stuff - Times New Roman, size 12, double-spaced, stapled.
Benedict Cumberbatch!!!
xoxo
1. Highlighted thesis
2. Appeals (logical, ethical, emotional)
3. Main concession
4. Rhetorical question
5. Periodic sentence
6. Parallel structure
8. 2 other rhetorical devices (metaphor, simile, hyperbole, analogy, allusion, antithesis, etc.)
9. Special effort to create effect with diction (at least 2 examples of words or phrases)
On Thursday we will also write a brief reflection that we'll attach to the back of the paper.
Remember to do all that boring stuff - Times New Roman, size 12, double-spaced, stapled.
Benedict Cumberbatch!!!
xoxo
Monday, February 10, 2014
Sherlock
Be a student of the world, right? So get off this blog and go feed your brain! Go write your introduction. Recast your essay from Friday. Watch Sherlock and get addicted to quality writing. Read a book, search for something that piques your interest. Be curious. BE CURIOUS!
xoxo
xoxo
Friday, February 7, 2014
Delicious Quotes
"There is no matter what children should learn first, any more than what leg you should put into your breeches first. Sir, you may stand disputing which is best to put in first, but in the meantime your backside is bare. Sir, while you stand considering which of two things you should teach your child first, another boy has learn't 'em both."
~ Samuel Johnson (found in E.D. Hirsch's Cultural Literacy)
"Your naked body should only belong to those who fall in love with your naked soul."
~Charlie Chaplin (compliments of Bryn)
I will read and score your essays this weekend so be ready Monday for feedback. I'm currently reading Hirsch's book mentioned above and he has a list of what literate America should know. Here's a snippet so you can see...
alter ego
Amazon River
Adonis
a capella
byte
buyer's market
bury the hatchet
Skinner, B.F.
staccato
Whig Party
Brigham Young
Zapata
Zen
xoxo
~ Samuel Johnson (found in E.D. Hirsch's Cultural Literacy)
"Your naked body should only belong to those who fall in love with your naked soul."
~Charlie Chaplin (compliments of Bryn)
I will read and score your essays this weekend so be ready Monday for feedback. I'm currently reading Hirsch's book mentioned above and he has a list of what literate America should know. Here's a snippet so you can see...
alter ego
Amazon River
Adonis
a capella
byte
buyer's market
bury the hatchet
Skinner, B.F.
staccato
Whig Party
Brigham Young
Zapata
Zen
xoxo
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Essay Tomorrow
Sorry I was off my game today - a lack of sleep makes me cranky. I'll see you tomorrow. Xoxo
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
On the mend
Aug Pie is doing better so I will hopefully see you tomorrow. I did want to mention an exciting FREE opportunity for anyone interested. Professor Chapman at PLNU has generously offered my lovely interested students free seats at a PLNU Symposium featuring best selling author Jeanette Walls. She wrote The Glass Castle - a memoir of her life. If you are at all interested, please email me and let me know. I'll go over details in class tomorrow. Until then...
Xoxo
Xoxo
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
102 Baby
Aug Pie has a fever.
It's pretty high.
I have to stay home with her. I am so sorry. Having a sub is no substitute, I know.
Posternack will have the multiple choice answers so y'all can check your answers. I trust you won't leave class with them. After checking your tests, respond to the following prompt. It's in bold below. You can keep it and have it ready in class on Thursday. If you finish that early, read your independent books and make a get well card for my two year old.
TEDx Marin speaker, Paul Piff, claims in his 2013 presentation that money makes you mean. Based on your viewing of this TEDx talk defend, challenge or qualify his position. Support your position with credible evidence.
Xoxo
It's pretty high.
I have to stay home with her. I am so sorry. Having a sub is no substitute, I know.
Posternack will have the multiple choice answers so y'all can check your answers. I trust you won't leave class with them. After checking your tests, respond to the following prompt. It's in bold below. You can keep it and have it ready in class on Thursday. If you finish that early, read your independent books and make a get well card for my two year old.
TEDx Marin speaker, Paul Piff, claims in his 2013 presentation that money makes you mean. Based on your viewing of this TEDx talk defend, challenge or qualify his position. Support your position with credible evidence.
Xoxo
Monday, February 3, 2014
Multiple Choice Work and Musings
Tomorrow you will need to create a chart that justifies your mc answers and what type of question was being asked. The following list are common types of MC questions:
- overview
- attitude and tone
- organization
- style
- purpose and main idea
- vocabulary in context
- strategy
- inference and implication
- meaning
- grammar
- footnote
We will review and score your tests on Wednesday.
Mad shout outs to those of you who read the blog and completed your L.O.s I really appreciated period 4's depth - the sunflower slayed me. Most of them did. Sorry again about the pizza thing.
I'll see you lovelies when I see you.
xoxo
p.s. - officially addicted to "Sherlock"
- overview
- attitude and tone
- organization
- style
- purpose and main idea
- vocabulary in context
- strategy
- inference and implication
- meaning
- grammar
- footnote
We will review and score your tests on Wednesday.
Mad shout outs to those of you who read the blog and completed your L.O.s I really appreciated period 4's depth - the sunflower slayed me. Most of them did. Sorry again about the pizza thing.
I'll see you lovelies when I see you.
xoxo
p.s. - officially addicted to "Sherlock"
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