Great Class Today!

We had a gross grammar lesson (Let's go eat Grandpa), a gross story (Ewww- A long, iron-grey hair!), a cool video (thanks James, see below) and a cool model project (thanks Michael and Hope). We expect everybody to do their best to produce a project that is as good as the ones we saw today!

For next time, bring your books and your projects to present!

Here is James' video for those who want to see it again!

Of Mice And Men

Today we began the novella Of Mice and Men. We started with a discussion about Great Gatsby and the American Dream, and then we transitioned into a discussion of Of Mice and Men. One of the things we were interested in is how did the American Dream change between the Jazz Age and the Great Depression?

Of Mice and Men Takes place during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. If you would like to know more about these, check out the videos below. They will give you an idea about what it was like to live in America in the 1930's.

Be prepared next time to discuss Lennie and George and what we learned about them in chapter one.

Here are some videos to look at:

How Stuff Works Dust Bowl Video

Encyclomedia Dust Bowl Video

Poor Gatsby

Well, that's the end of it. I guess it doesn't pay to obsess about girls like Daisy. 

Today we learned about mistakes one can make when drawing comparisons. We also watched the end of The Great Gatsby. After that, we did an activity about secret societies and the rules that accompany them. 

I enjoyed our discussion about what teachers do/say/wear. I guess it is true that every group that exists has its own customs and rules. If you are an outsider, you need to practice to learn those rules. Gatsby, for example, studied elocution to try to fit in with the wealthy. One question we might consider is how hard is it to move into a different social class in this country?

Next time, we are going to start looking at a different novel from the early 1900's. That novel is called Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. I think you will enjoy this novel. We will read it together in class. 

Good job on the "quiz" guys:) Now go enjoy the beautiful weather!

Like A Rollin' Stone

Yea! Mrs. Trice is back! Apparently, a brush with a gall stone isn't enough to keep our intrepid teacher away:) We are all glad that everything is okay!

Today, we covered comparisons in our grammar lesson. I think the big two ides to remember there are 1) use the comparative to compare two things and the superlative to compare more than two things and 2) don't confuse less and fewer. Less is used to compare things that cannot be counted (water, anger, imagination) and fewer is used to compare things that can be counted (crayons, tears, ideas).

Don't forget that if you haven't already, you need to turn in your reflective essays. We are taking off 10% per day that your assignment is late.

On the Gatsby front, we nearly finished the movie (we have about 20 minutes left). You all predicted (I think) that George Wilson was going to blame Tom Buchannon for Myrtle's death. Are you correct? We'll find out on Monday!!!

I'm still interested in the question of whether Daisy and Gatsby share a true love? What do you think? Also, why do you think that Fitzgerald suddenly had Nick realize it was his birthday after Tom and Gatsby got in that argument. What is the significance of that?

February 4th

Well, today was a half day. Sadly, Mrs. Trice was not with us today. She is not feeling well, so hopefully, if we think nice thoughts about her, she will be back soon! In the meantime, you still have me as your fearless leader.

I was really impressed today with how much you all remembered about the movie so far. Isn't it great that we have the projector now? It makes watching and paying attention a lot easier:) Now if we could just get a popcorn machine. MMMMMMMM. Popcorn.

For those of you who missed today, we finally met Jay Gatsby and learned a little bit about him. Here are some things I noticed:

1. Gatsby throws parties that he doesn't attend.
2. The people at Gatsby's parties don't really know anything about him.
3. Gatsby seems to have some mysterious sources of income.
4. Gatsby has known Daisy for 8 years. It seems like he really sweats her.
5. Tom (Daisy's husband) is violent.
6. Myrtle (Tom's girlfriend) seems unhappy. So does Tom. So does Daisy. So does Gatsby. Hmmmm. I think that's a pattern:)
7. The light on Daisy's dock represents all the things Gatsby wants, but can't reach.
8. The Billboard with the glasses represents the "eyes of God" looking down on the action.
9. Jordan seems like she is an instigator.
10. Daisy said she hopes her daughter will grow up to be a beautiful fool. 

Anyway, that's what stood out to me. See you next time!

Yesterday!

It sure was good to be back to school, wasn't it? I really missed hanging out with you all. Mrs. Trice did, too!

Yesterday, we had a grammar review over Pronoun Reference Problems. After that, we completed an Anticipation Guide over The Great Gatsby. Finally, we began watching the movie.

Michael was right to point out that Tom Buchannon is a racist. We are intended to find him to be an unlikable character. He is also overbearing, cheating on his wife, and thoughtless.

We also discovered that Daisy (Tom's wife) is empty-headed, superficial and self-centered. What do you think the author (F. Scott Fitzgerald) is saying about people with money?

We didn't talk about the symbols of the green light on Daisy's dock or the billboard in the ashlands. Remind me to talk about that next time.

Reminder: Your "How It Feels to be _______________ Me" essay is due tomorrow (Wednesday 2/4).

Have a great day!

In case you missed it...

Here is the Obama inauguration video...

How it feels to be American me...

Today we had the counselors visit to enroll students for next year. It was a little confusing to have students moving in and out, but we got by. We read the story "How It Feels to be Colored Me" by Zora Neale Hurston. If you missed class, you will want to read that story in your Literature text. 

We all have labels that seem to attach themselves to us. Some are good and some are bad. Some of my labels include teacher, father, husband, ex-husband, ADHD, 40 year old, singer and Catholic. I'm sure there are others that I wouldn't want to own, but I'm proud of these. They make me who I am. If I wrote about myself, I might title it "How it Feels to be ADHD me." I could tell you some things!

Remember: Next time, we are going to share our poems. If you didn't turn yours in today, make sure you have it next time. Also, your "How it Feels to be __________ Me" essays are due next Wednesday (1/28).

Below are the instructions for the essay:

Reflective writing usually describes how your thoughts, feelings, and personal experiences relate to material taught in class. Who are you?  Using “How It Feels to Be Coloured Me” as a guide, describe what adjective you would use to describe yourself and compose a 2-3 page essay in MLA format with an introduction, body, and conclusion.

 

Helpful Tips:

• DO incorporate your personal feelings into the essay. The purpose of the essay is to find out how your own thoughts and feelings shaped the message you took away from the course material.
• DO use first person. A reflective essay is different than writing a formal or informative essay. Using “I felt”, “I discovered”, “I realized” are all appropriate in a reflective writing.
• DO make the connection between “How It Feels to Be Coloured Me” and your own experience.
• DO structure your essay clearly. There should be a defined introduction with a thesis statement, main body, and conclusion.
• DON’T worry about being wrong. While your reflective essay will be graded, there is no right or wrong answer. The focus will be on the honesty and thought you put into your paper.

Sentence Starters:

I used to be _____________, but now I am __________________ .

I belong _______________; I don’t belong _________________.

I am _______________ (a stereotype or adjective), but _____________.

Grading:

Your essay will be graded on the following categories:

 

* Content - Depth of reflection and original thoughts

* Language use – figurative language and the use of metaphors should be evident

* Organization

* Sentence fluency and word choice

* Mechanics

On a final note, I hope everyone takes a chance to reflect on the inauguration today. If you didn't have a chance to see it, look for it online. We all have a responsibility as citizens to participate in our democracy and in our communities. How will you serve?

Singin' the Blues

Good job today, overall.  Thanks to all of you who read, and a special thanks to Junior for being willing to sing the blues. Langston would have been proud. Now you all can go home and practice your harmonica noises! 

Some of you needed to be poked awake a few times. I'm not sure we could have done much more to entertain you all. If you put your head down in class today, you need to work on being attentive. You missed some amazing blues harp.

Remember that you need to complete your "I Write America" poems for next time! I can't wait to see them all together!

Here are some things to take away from today's class:

1. Langston Hughes is one of America's greatest poets.
2. Hughes wrote during the Harlem Renaissance.
3. Hughes celebrated and explored the subject of being black in America.
4. His statement, "I, too, sing America" is an allusion to Walt Whitman, and the Def Jam poem "Write America" grows out of that same tradition.
5. Mr. Wilhelmus makes funny noises.
6. Mrs. Trice can sing the bluuuuuuues!

Some Entertaining Education

Here are a couple of videos related to the Harlem Renaissance.

Hey Gang!

I wasn't here yesterday, so I thought I would check in. Hopefully, second period got a good start on their "I Write America" poems. 

I was away learning new ways to use technology in the classroom. I'm excited to get all of that going. I managed to get my iWeb page up and running. Unfortunately, I am going to need a little time to get all of the two-minute decades re-loaded because there was a problem. I did manage to get second period's posted, so you can check those out. Just go to my podcast website.

There are lots of things to look at there, so feel free to explore. This is where I will post our "I Write America" poems, too.

I also (finally) got a cable for my projector, so the Grammar Lessons should be easier to read.

I hope you didn't miss me too much :)

Wilhelmus

A Fish out of Water

Mr. W and I were very impressed with your class insights on "A Wagner Matinee". Who else but Mr. W could compare classic literature with Paris Hilton's "A Simple Life"?

Haven't we all felt that classic struggle of two seperate worlds at one point in our life? Although I traded my "Flock of Seagulls" haircut for children and cooking, there are times I still feel the pull of a techno dance beat calling me to bust a move.

Here's a shout out to our new students, Michael and Mark. By the way, Jenny, Michael, Jordan, Mark, and AJ did a great job in discussion today. Way to go!

7th Period - The Phoenix Rises?

What happened? We kill ourselves to deliver an entertaining lesson and you're snoozing on us? Remember...the phoenix always rises from the ashes, and you can too. We have faith in you.

Don't forget: both hero journey worksheets are due on Friday at the beginning of class. We can't wait to read about your journey and the weird and wonderful creatures and challenges you have encountered.

Wasn't that a great story? The performer did a particularly good job of narrating the story. Plus, we got to listen to some cool travelin' music! " I go walkin' after midnight..."

Top Five Lessons from Today:

1. Nominative equals subject, objective equals object
2. There are many stories that are hero journeys.
3. The heroes journey has many stages and common characters, including helpers and tricksters.
4. The hero journey follows a predictable path.
5. Always look for many examples of symbolism throughout the journey. Can you name three examples of symbolism from "A Worn Path"?