Sci-Fi why?????

We are preparing to embark on a great adventure... at least it is supposed to be a great adventure. Science fiction is no longer for the geeky, thanks so much to the onslaught of television shows like The Event, Heroes, and even Lost.

And so we will begin digging deeper into Sci-Fi by immersing ourselves in Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 which we began reading today. On Monday and Tuesday of next week, we will be performing an active response to media as we watch the movie V for Vendetta. The movie is rated R and a permission slip has gone home to all parents. For those who do not feel comfortable allowing their student to view the movie which does have some strong language and violence rest assured that students will not be docked for not watching the movie and alternate activities will be provided.

As we are moving into one of the busiest times of the year for school and for families, I would like to able to get through this novel before things become so hectic it is impossible to carve out 30 minutes of reading time, so if we could work together as a team to ensure they are "Bradburying" their heads in F451 for about 15 to 30 minutes a night that would give them the opportunity to be past the novel before the Holiday Hectic-ness!

Again, please feel free to always drop by our class to observe or just visit. But beware! We might make you participate in one of our "off the wall" activities!

Don't that chaf your oyster????

Yes, that's how a pearl gets created...a little tiny grain of sand slips into the muscle-y part of an oyster and the oyster gets irritated and starts secreting stuff and rubbing at it and voila, like a million years later - A PEARL! Hopefully it won't take us that long to get our pearl on, so to speak. We started reading today in class - we are reading it aloud because it is traditionally an oral story. John Steinbeck wrote it after hearing the story in the town of La Paz, Mexico while on a trip up and down the coast with a friend.
Today we also started taking active reading notes in the form of Cornell Notes. I provided the prompts and you were to supply the notes from the story. If there were issues with this exercise please come see me immediately as this will be the norm from now on when we read aloud in class.
Tonight's homework might make your head hurt a little, but it is nothing that we have not done over and over again in class. I am simply asking you for your opinions and for some in-depth reading for context, content, and meaning. Emily Dickinson is one of my favorite American poets. Tomorrow we will be reading a Russian poem - I'm even thinking about translating it for you! Just kidding...it's already in English.
Projects were due today. Anything not turned in will automatically receive a 5 point reduction off the top as this is the second deadline extended nearly a week from last Wednesday.
HOMEWORK: Burst poetry analysis of Emily Dickinson's After Great Pain
ETYMOLOGY MOMENT: hol - from the Greek; meaning whole. Example words are holistic, holy, holocaust.

CAP is coming to a head...

The concept assessment projects are due on MONDAY! There are NO EXCEPTIONS! This is a five-day extension so this will include everyone who missed less than 3 days of class!

If you have questions about your project PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL ME OVER THE WEEKEND!

Starting Monday we will be begin reading THE PEARL by John Steinbeck. We will be reading it aloud in class. You will also be reading a book at home each night, chapter by chapter. You will be given the list of books you can chose from to read at home on Monday. You will be responsible for making your choice by Tuesday and beginning Tuesday you will begin writing your own version of Spark Notes/Cliff Notes about the book you are reading. More to come on that!

Enjoy your Homecoming weekend!

Classroom Blitz

After a Full Throttle Thursday you are probably energized... but on a more serious note, we are going to continue with our new theme: We Love Rigor...and to answer your questions it is not the kind of rigor that sets into dead bodies.

We took a noteable break from our Greek and Latin, however Friday will find us in a BLITZKRIEG!!!! 6 activities, 7 minutes per activity - could make for a GREAT day, at least for me!

Project lists will be posted tomorrow evening. I wanted to get to them today but I ran off and left my folder at school and my couch was just so nice and comfy I couldn't bring myself to get up and go back over there.

It's gonna turn into a classroom blitz...

Parody by the Dashboard Lights...

See how that works? The very title of my blog entry today is a parody on the fabulous Meatloaf song from the late 70's. Today we discussed parody as a literary device and its relevance to poetry and how parody can actually HELP us understand poems that we don't understand. Case in point was today's poem: Shall I Compare Thee To A Summer's Day? We read two versions of the poem: Will Shakespeare's version and a parody written by Howard Moss.
The parody actually provided a frame of reference for the poem and helped us delve into the symbolism, metaphor and epitaph of the sonnet.
Want a real-life example of parody? Check out some of Weird Al Yankovic's music at www.youtube.com. You can also see parody in action if you look from some of the skits from Saturday Night Live.

ETYMOLOGY: gram - Greek base meaning "writing or write" examples given in class were telegram, grammar, and diagram.
REMEMBER: Projects progress evals are due tomorrow!

Concept Assessment Projects - Tip #1

If you are doing the vocabulary flash cards, take some time to go through the text and your notes, find your 30 words and jot them down on a piece of paper.
Then, grab a ziploc bag, your paper with your 30 words, a handful of index cards and a sharpie marker. Throw everything in the ziploc bag and throw your ziploc bag in your backpack. Work on writing the words on the front of the cards when you have down time - that is a third of the work done!

If you are working on a poster, draw a rough sketch of what you want and then go from there. Start a design file with words, letters or pictures that you want to use on your poster. That way when you have time to put it together all your elements will be in one place. Also, think about your statements, themes and sentences and when you come up with an idea, jot it down. Trying to sit down and force yourself to be creative can be taxing and quite honestly, nearly impossible.

Don't forget: Project progress evals are due Thursday, it's a good idea to have at least a couple of the projects started.

Classwork days are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with all projects due at the end of the hour on Wednesday.

ETYMOLOGY (does not have anything to do with bugs, FYI): "mult" - meaning "many" words that exemplify this word include: multitude, multiply, multicultural and multitask

Miniver Cheevy

Here is where I read the poems for my little learning warriors...groovy ups and outs by Mr. B.

Miniver Cheevy

Here is where I read the poems for my little learning warriors...groovy ups and outs by Mr. B.

Journaling is for the bird...

September 7. Homework - Journal entry
Think about the story, A White Heron. In the story the tall pine that Sylvia climbs to find the heron is one of the most important symbols in the story. For this assignment, let’s agree that the pine tree symbolizes Sylvia’s passage into maturity – she climbs the tree a child, makes a decision once she can see clearly, and comes down the tree one step closer to being an adult. With that in mind, write five to six complete sentences describing an event that is the same as that Sylvia experienced. Specifically answer the following questions: What was important to you before the event? Provide some details of the event. What was important to you after the event? How did it change you? If you have to pick an object/color/place to symbolize that event, what would it be?

Journals should be brought to class on September 8. Individuals may be asked if they are comfortable sharing their entries.

Homework Wednesday Sept. 1

Similes make me smile. Metaphors fill me with mirth...I doubt my students are feeling those same things at this point.

Today's homework, should you choose to accept it, and if you don't then tomorrow we dine, is a worksheet on figurative language.

We use figurative language all the time without even realizing it. Ever said you'd die for a hot, melty buttery cinammon roll? That's figurative language because if you would literally DIE for a cinnamon roll then what would be the point of getting a cinammon roll... you might as well give it to your friendly, neighborhood English teacher!

So figurative language, using similes is a lot like making comparisons using metaphors. The BIG difference is that they contain a comparative word such as LIKE or AS...a word that prepares you for the SIMILarities (subtle hint) of the two objects.

Let your little imaginations run wild... use your descriptive words, try to think of it as writing the next super-groovy slang language... And if that doesn't work I will wring the words out of you (figuratively, of course) the next day!

As always, feel free to call with questions or concerns!

Prepare yourselves for tomorrow, the HERON has landed!

Homework for Tuesday, August 31

It was a mad scene in class today as we all took on our Mad Lit word list...some classes got to read some of their stories out loud and let's just say they are completely proving my point...which is to come (a bit of FORESHADOWING!) Today's assignment is as follows:

Write the following sentence:

I am a __________________________________. (fill in the blank)
Then you are to write 4 sentences describing what kind of _______________________ you are. For example if you are a dancer you would do the following:
I am a dancer.
I am a strong dancer.
I am a skilled dancer.
You should write 4 adjective sentences...remember that adjectives help describe how or what we are.

Then you will write the following sentence, the most simple action sentence ever:

I _________________________.(fill in the blank with a verb)
Then you are to write 4 sentences describing how you ____________________.
I dance.
I dance beautifully.
I dance passionately.
You should write 4 adverb sentences...remember that adverbs help describe how we do the things we do.

Tomorrow in class we will finish up the Mad Lit stories and begin delving deeper into symbolism, metaphor, figurative language and context as we prepare to begin reading our first short story of the year: A WHITE HERON.

Breaking My Word...

On the first weekend of the school year I am breaking my cardinal rule of no homework on the weekend. I assure you I plan on returning to my initial promise but this assignment had to go out so that we can stay on track with the learning schedule.
I am so EXCITED and THRILLED with the participation of the students in the discussion we had today about symbolism. It can be kind of a challenge to get everyone on the same page, but everyone really seemed to understand it. We used concrete examples such as the fact that when we see a bald, bland little woman in a dress on a sign we know that there is a women's restroom nearby. There's never been confusion that perhaps that is a sign marking the giving away of free girls...but how do we know that? None of us could remember who told us and none of us knew who told our parents so they could tell us. There were so many good thoughts and ideas brought up in class - they all really seem to get it.

Now that we understand symbolism in everyday life, we will begin to funnel it down to literature. Monday we will look at metaphors (think Batman and why he is a Bat)and comparisons and contrasting along with context and inference and how all those work together to help us figure out the symbolism.

Homework: Exercise 2 on the symbolism worksheet. It may be done on a separate piece of paper or on the sheet with the exercise. DON'T FORGET SUPPLIES FROM THE SUPPLY LIST ON MONDAY!

Have a stupendous weekend!

First Day of School

What an awesome and exuberant bunch of students I have this year! Very exciting! Despite not being able to figure out the bell schedule, forgetting to take attendance and at one point slamming my skirt in the car door it has been, thus far, a red letter day! And we've got an assembly coming up in about an hour and a half. Assemblies are always fun...so here is the info on first day assignments:

World Lit I - none
Journalism - none
Publications - bring in one page from a magazine that you feel is expression of your personal style and the style of the student body our yearbook will be representing.

Enjoy your welcome back break! There is much work to be done and here is a preview:

World Lit I - Crashing symbols: Why Batman is Batman and not Badgerman...
Journalism - We've Got Style...Yes We Do! - Journalism Boot Camp starts in t-1.5 days. GET ON YOUR BOOTS!
Publications - You are the Captain's Log so let's give her all she's got and hope we don't break apart (Trekkies unite)! Yearbook Boot Camp starts in t-1.5 days. I don't know but I've been told, the jpub room is always cold! SOUND OFF!

The Other Side of the Desk

New Teacher Orientation was more rigorous than most of my college classes. Of course that could be because I really CARED about orientation. I can hear the ruffling feathers of my former college profs out there, so calm down and let me explain. There is a HUGE difference in learning because you are ready to learn and learning because someone told you to BE ready to learn. This was just one of the many valuable lessons that whacked me upside the head like a warm iron skillet.
I went straight to college after high school because that is what I was supposed to do. Truth be told, I wanted to pack up my clothes in the trunk of my old Chevy Malibu and take off across the country, writing poetry, taking pictures, working when I needed to pay rent or buy more paper or film. But I was not the rebel then that I am now, and so I went straight to college. And promptly rebelled against education in the only way I knew how to: I ignored my nature.
I knew by the time I was 6 years old that I was supposed to be a teacher. But in my teenage-angst-flannel-grunge philosophy, I rejected it. When you're young and convinced you are out of control of your own life, you tend to get wreckless. I got wreckless with my future; I got angry at my passion; I turned my back on myself.
And I floundered and flopped for about 16 years. From job to job, career to career, paycheck to paycheck. Everything I did circled around becoming a teacher, kind of like a little kid at their own birthday party circles the cake, knowing it is intended for them but still leary at the thought of what their actions may bring.
But here I am, face first in the cake. Past the rebellion, past the floundering and floating, past the circling... here I am and in a week or so I will go back to school and probably feel many of the same emotions: anticipation, nervousness, indifference, and excitement tinged with shock that I would be excited. The only difference is that this time, I'm on the other side of the desk!

How To Use This Blog

Blogging, twittering, texting, status updates...it's all so CONFUSING! At least it is if you were born prior to th 1990's. Young adults today are SO tech savvy and SO quick to catch on and latch on to any new technology. The value of being able to access a class schedule, receive further instruction on an assignment, and find out what went on in a class that you missed (for a really good reason) is immeasurable and is designed to make the learning process easier.

So, what's the point of THIS particular blog? Just think of it as (gulp) your portable Mrs. Williams! Daily posts will address issues that you may have with particular assignments on that day, will challenge you to dig deeper, will contain heads-up info for the next day, and will provide a glimpse into what is going on in our classroom, for those who aren't there on a daily basis. Sometimes, you as a student will receive a classroom assignment requiring that you click on a link I provide, read the information and provide a comment on the link. Exciting learning opportunities ABOUND thanks to all of this wonderful technology.

But the technology, wonderful as it is, can never replace the traditional skills. It's doubtful that Will Shakespeare's sonnets would have been nearly as profound had he written them in text-speak: shal i cmpr d 2 a sumr's day? (Not so prolific, eh?)
Tradition, technology, standard skills, advanced enthusiasm...welcome to my classroom!

Well, HI!

10 questions you MUST answer (at least before the end of the school year!)In all my vast life experience, because I am OLD (pushin' forty hard!) I have had three former employers make me write what they called an "elevator speech". The concept is this: You must know a few things about yourself well enough to be able to introduce yourself and allow another person to get a "feel" for you in the time it takes to go from the first floor to the fifteenth floor in your standard, average corporate-America elevator.
The best place to start is right here, right now, with these 10 questions. I will now answer these questions and ask you to ponder your own answers as we prepare to meet and begin this journey into the wonderful realm of literature, writing, grammar, and reading!

1. What is the most important thing you've ever done?
Admitted I was wrong.

2. Most meaningful, life-changing film you've ever seen?
Finding Nemo...so much understated, cavernous wisdom from those fishies!

3. Name one belief that defines you.
I believe that if you judge a book by its cover you usually miss a great story!

4. Best book you've ever read.
To Kill A Mockingbird

5. Your favorite word. Why?
Homecoming. Because you find them at every stage of your life and they are always amazing, meaningful, and eyeopening. Plus I really like the hard "c" sound that comes after the soft "m" and that precedes another.

6. Your least favorite word. Why?
Depart. It sounds as harsh as it always is.

7. What do you want to be remembered for?
Always being brave enough to at least try.

8. One thing you would never, ever do, for any amount of money.
Sell out my faith, my family, and my self-respect.

9. What is one thing you would do if you knew you would never get caught?
Hack into the CIA computer and find out all the dirty little secrets!

10. If you were a character in a movie, who would you be and why?
Indiana Jones, only I'd spend more time digging and reading and less time wallowing in snake pits and sewer tunnels. I would be Indiana Jones because he gets to travel, gets to teach and never has to worry about what to wear..