Tigers and Dancing

Thank you to those of you who led by example and presented in your class.  The presentations ended with a bang today.  Shout out to H and S for their work and to the volunteer dancers.  Very impressed.  (Check out a couple pictures below.)

And a thank you to V for the tiger painting.  I'll honor it always.

Have a great break...SLEEP.  NETFLIX.  FOOD.  Mandatory.

xoxo

It's Raine(ing)

Shout out to you girl.  Everyone, check out awesomeness below.  And if you see your classmate around, give her a shout out. (AND PLEASE READ THE IMPORTANT INFO AFTER THE LAST PICTURE!)

Important Info:

• No SAS tomorrow.  Most classes are finishing presentations.
• Tomorrow is the LAST day to register for AP tests.
• AND, per the office, check out below....

If you are trying to use a “code” (and yes, there’s only one code) to get a free AP exam when you don’t qualify for one, your test will be INVALIDATED.

• You must pay for the test. College Board will be checking every single test to make sure students are on the appropriate fee schedule.

xoxo

For the Love of Learning

I sat in the last of my WASC meetings today, and as I listened to the visiting team discuss the strengths and "areas  of growth" for PLHS, I couldn't help but think about y'all.  Imagine how great this world is going to be when YOU are unleashed from the confines of school!  I just hope you see what I see when I listen and watch presentations.  From horses to torture to superhuman strength, from the universe to lucid dreaming to flying the clear blue skies...I am so thankful to be a part of this.

Typical Conversation:
Student 1:  What do you do in her class anyway?
Student 2:  Uhh...stuff...about...well, stuff.

xoxo

Another Post

I have so much to say...but I'll keep it simple.  To E and to J, just love, love, love.  I think of both of you every single day.  To M for being a kind friend.  To A for being my unofficial daughter who I love like my own.  To all my people who have been visiting lately and hugging me and reminding me that even though my sandcastles erode every day, some of the beauty (and sand) still sticks.  To the obnoxious bus driver who told V she couldn't bring her artwork on the bus, thank you because I now have a gorgeous pastel that I'll cherish forever.  To C for the soap, R for the sass, S for the laughs...just grateful.

(love the cryptic nature of just letters??)

xoxo

Rockin' and Rollin'

I have learned so much in just one day or ALPS/Across the Universe presentations.  Whaaaaat?!  M is a rockstar photographer, T is a rebel with a cause, J breaks laws, T skypes with people in Russia, M blew my 10th dimension mind, N took me on a journey with sound....I could go on.

Thank you for presenting.  I honestly appreciate it.

xoxo

Synthesis Practice

Thanks for your work today.  I know essay writing is not fun (unless you are a nerd like me - DFTBA).  Tomorrow, have your SAS ready to go!  Tomorrow's focus should be on PRESENTATION STYLE AND PERSONALITY.

I am looking forward to presentations next week.  If you signed up, be prepared.  Dress appropriately (to up your credibility) and have something to say.  It's your chance, your opportunity.  See me with questions.

Happy (almost) Friday!
xoxo

STUFF - Just Stuff

Today we analyzed and critically read images of Frederick Douglass.  (Sorry about the lame chart paper - a necessary evil.)

Tomorrow, we will be writing a practice synthesis essay.  Do work AHEAD of time.  Access the prompt here (or directly through College Board Released Exams).  Come to class tomorrow ready to write.  (Can I say again that the more you do BEFORE, the easier it will be LATER!)

And for those of you contemplating college admissions next year, check out Frank Bruni's Op-Ed from The New York Times.  It's a great read and I want to be like the parents who wrote the letter.  I hope you have parents like that too.

SAS on Friday.

xoxo

P.S. - For those who read to the end...

Teen Job Fair

March 21, 10 am - 1pm

Roberts Family Branch Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego, 2230 E. Jewett Street, San Diego, CA 92111

Last year’s Teen Job Fair was such a success, it is back this year! Whether your teen is searching for a job now or for next summer - this is the place to be! Learn about what jobs are available, writing resumes, dressing to meet the prospective employer, interview techniques or meet local business looking to hire!

With scores of employers looking to hire - the fair is simply worth the experience!

Information > teensuccess@mwrsw.com, (858) 431-6382

TED Talk Tuesday

TED Talk today.  That's all I got.  Frederick D info and images tomorrow.

xoxo

The Week

There's pneumonia at my house - the littlest little came down with it Saturday so my fingers and toes are crossed that we're almost out of the woods.  On the off chance that life continues to happen, I'm posting an overview of the week so there are no excuses for not getting the work done whether or not I am here.

Today we are literally reading a graphic guide to writing.  It's called Understanding Rhetoric and I think any of you truly headed for college might consider grabbing a copy or checking one out of the library.  Many colleges use it as their freshmen year textbook.

Tomorrow, we will be watching a TED Talk.  I'll post it early if I won't be at school.

Wednesday you are to bring in notes of anything and everything you've researched about Frederick Douglass including images of his book cover photographs (specifically 1845 and 1855).  We will have a class discussion on what you see and what you think it says.

Thursday there will be writing.  Check out the prompt here and do as much pre-work as you are motivated to do.  If the link isn't working, simply google AP Language Released Exams and check out Question 1 Synthesis from last year 2014.   We will spend class time on Thursday responding to the prompt.  NO COPIES WILL BE MADE in an effort to save trees so do some prep work!

Friday is SAS.

And next week are class presentations.  IF YOU DID NOT SIGN UP TO PRESENT, your project (including all research, notes, work, final products, etc.) is due in class on Monday!

WASC visitors will be on campus next Monday - Wednesday so make sure you know "The Pointer Way".

• Critical Thinking
• Effective Communicators
• Responsible Self-Directed Learners and Workers
• Involved Citizens

I actually like them as they are the pillars of what we are trying to do in class.

Sorry for the long post but see me with questions and hopefully I will be here all week to answer them because that means everyone in my precious family is healthy and happy.

p.s. - HERE is that radio show about the private schools and public schools.

xoxo

Survey Day

A huge thanks to you.  I appreciate you taking the CA survey administered in class.  I dislike losing class time but maybe your answers will help somebody somewhere someday.

Tomorrow, have a HIGH QUALITY SAS.  Show that you are actively choosing out of desire and not fear.  After all, one life to live and all...

Happy Almost Friday!
xoxo

p.s. - LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to you, Z.  You are a ray of sunshine.

A Wealth of Words

Lesson today on vocabulary.  Sorry if you missed it.  You can access the article I based my lesson on here and read the whole thing if you're so inclined.  

Sign ups will be posted by 7am tomorrow.  Sorry for the change.

xoxo

TED Talk

****UPDATE:  Sick kiddo. Sign ups posted TH NOT tomorrow!

TED Talk here.

Tomorrow...words.  Just words.

xoxo

p.s. - sign-ups posted tomorrow at 7am!!!

Across the Universe/ALPS - Part II

You wrote today in class about your ALPS projects.  If you were absent, below is the general outline of the ONE PAGE piece of writing we did.

I.  Research/Interest Focus:  what are you learning about?  what is guiding you?  desire or fear?
II.  Research Done Already - what have you researched thus far? sources? websites? books?  notes?
III.  Findings (thus far) - be specific about what you have discovered
IV.  Presentation/Final Product - what can I look forward to?

Sign Up Sheets will be outside my classroom door by 7am on Wednesday morning.  Sign up for a presentation slot!

xoxo

Multiple Choice Manana

MC tomorrow.  Superb SAS next week - I'm already anticipating it.  Have a great evening!

xoxo

Ghost Ships

Hope you're digesting today's lesson. Thanks for being present.

SAS tomorrow. FYI. And period 7 binders due tomorrow. Before period 1 please!!

Xoxo

TED Talk Tuesday

Cheryl.

Strayed.

Boom.  Radical sincerity.

Ghost ships tomorrow...

xoxo

The Purpose of Poetry

After reading Kennedy's 1963 speech at the Frost Library dedication, you are being asked to write your own "The Purpose of..." piece.

- at least 1 page
- can have a visual aspect
- strong thesis
- utilizes anaphora like in the Kennedy speech ("I look forward to...")
- place in Class Notes section of your binder by Friday

xoxo