april 30

JOURNAL TOPIC:

Recent research suggests that excessive texting and overall phone use may be linked to anxiety, distraction, falling grades, repetitive stress injury and sleep deprivation. What does your experience tell you about this? Be sure to support your answer with specific examples.

***OR***

Why is it that some teachers are more effective than others if they all receive the same training? What makes someone a good teacher?

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness
2. Journal
3. Reflect on yesterday's conversation about teaching & come to agreement/s
4. Last-minute ignite prep
5. Finish yesterday's essay (*due on blog or paper by end of 4th period)

masterpiece academy teaching notes

Here is a summary of the observations you made in class.  Please feel free to comment with any additional feedback.  Thank you for all the great ideas!

EXPECTATIONS

Do:

• Prepare
• Remember to bring whatever you need with you
• Organize
• Talk to us; don't just read off your paper or your slides
• Meet our eyes and share your enthusiasm & passion for your Big Question/idea/skill
• Give us at least one awesome thing to remember
• Be clear
• Be loud enough for us to hear
• Manage your time
• Show your confidence
• Involve your audience 
•  Dress for success
• Practice with visuals so audience members can see them easily
• Stay respectful until the end of the period (no rustling before the bell)

Don't:

• Bore us
• Wait until the last minute/ procrastinate
• Interrupt
• Don't crowd visuals with too many distractions
• Don't hesitate or repeat yourself
• Be shy

LOGISTICS

• Each presentation should be >10 minutes (including Q & A)
•  How are you presenting? 
• Do you need Internet connection or other online tools?
• Are you using PowerPoint or Prezi or Google Slides or ?
• Are you creating a video to show on YouTube, Vimeo, or another platform?
• What do you need?
• Materials
• Support

about today's reading

We just read an article together that makes some important claims about Gen Z (you).  Specifically, it describes how Gen Z shops and what your preferences and habits mean for retailers.  In a thoughtful, well-organized essay, please answer the following two questions: 1) What are the main points in the article? and 2) Based on your own experience, do you agree with the article?  Why/why not?

today's reading

Instead of a short story, today we're going to read some nonfiction.  The full article is HERE.

april 29

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Describe what you did to learn more about your Big Question/ Masterpiece topic over the break.

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness
2. Journal
3. Welcome to the Masterpiece Academy

• Process
• Developing and teaching your topic
• Calendar
• Ignite talks Wednesday

4. Our short stories and our final exam

• About the reading
• Our next story is... ?

welcome to the masterpiece academy

It's time for the inmates to take over the asylum.

Each student will show how s/he has become a master.  Each of you will teach the rest of us:

• How you decided what you're passionate about;
• The value your topic/field/skill has for us;
• How you learned more about the topic/field/skill by:
• Finding resources
• Becoming fluent in the language of the practitioner
• Seeking out a mentor 
• Collaborating and getting feedback from peers/blog followers
• How this has enriched your life and your experience in this course.

Per our conversations in class, your presentation should include:

• Visuals and/or hands-on experiences that bring the audience into your world
• Enough craft so as to convince us you didn't just throw something together for a grade
• Handouts or main points you think we should remember.

Please note that there will be a final essay exam based on the curriculum you create, so be sure-- as both presenter and audience member-- that you are getting the maximum understanding and value from everyone's presentations.

We will discuss general expectations and logistics today in class.

masterpiece sign-ups

Please comment to this post to let us know when you would like to present your Masterpiece.  Please also include how much time you'll need, and whether you need any special arrangements for the room (furniture, equipment, visuals, etc.).  This is first-come/first-served, so if you see that there are already presentations for your first choice date, pick another.  Looking forward to your presentations!

AVAILABLE DATES

May 6 (40 minute period)
May 7
May 8
May 9
May 10

May 13 (40 minute period)
May 14
May 15
Enrique Hernandez (15 minutes)

May 16
Ricardo Lopez (10 minutes)

May 17
Luis Salazar (10 minutes)

May 20 (40 minute period)
Jessica Romero (10 minutes)

May 21
Alidio Mendoza (10 minutes)

May 22
Erandi Figueroa (10 minutes)
Jasmine Gutierrez (10 minutes)
Alondra Guillen (10 minutes)
Yaxeny Toscano (10 minutes)

May 23
Erasmo Escobar (15 minutes/ period 3)
Hector Torralba (10 minutes)
Nayeli Zeferino (15 minutes)
Vanessa Carmona (10 minutes)
Luis Hernandez (10 minutes)

May 24
Juaquin Arce-Ruiz (50 minutes/ all of period 3)

asking for a friend

Please follow this link and vote for "Giraffes" -- I will explain in class. 😃

april 18

JOURNAL TOPIC:
How are you going to keep your momentum going over Spring Break?  What will you do to learn about your Big Question?  How will you remember and use what we've read?

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness
2. Journal
3. Discussion
4. BQ info & preview of life after break


DUE BY THE END OF SPRING BREAK, BY THE NUMBERS:

• A minimum of 25 (total) posts on your blog
• A minimum of 10 followers on your blog
• ONE: fully prepared ignite talk (see post above for details)
• ONE: published post about your ignite talk (see post above for details) 

ignite talks

Traditional speakers at professional conferences talk for an extended period of time, either as a keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, or panelist.

A few years ago a new trend emerged in the world of sharing ideas.  TED and other conferences made shorter talks popular.  These were kind of like the intellectual version of "speed dating."  At one conference where I presented, there was a series of "ignite talks"-- these were designed to be high-energy, exciting introductions to ideas that would get the audience thinking and hungry for more.  They were also required to be no longer than five minutes.  (You can see one I did at the 14:00 mark HERE.

On Cake Wednesday the week after Spring Break (May 1) every single member of our learning community will give an ignite talk.  There will be no passes, no "I forgot"s, no exceptions.

How will we manage this?

Our ignite talks will be no more than one minute long.

"Impossible!" you say.  Nonsense.  You can see links to previous speakers and topics HERE, HERE, and HERE.








Here is what each ignite talk will include:

• Your big question/ masterpiece topic (1-2 sentences)
• One thing you did over the break to explore your question/topic (1 sentence)
• One thing you learned by exploring over the break (1 sentence)
• One connection you see between this course or something we read and your question/topic (1 sentence)
• What you're doing next (1 sentence)

Since we will not have time for audience questions on the day we give our ignite talks, please also create a post for your blog (title: IGNITE TALK) in which you write out these 5-6 sentences and invite commenters to contribute ideas or questions.  If you have any questions or technical challenges please email or comment to this post.

Looking forward to learning from you!

gift of the magi/ quiz 2

Please number your paper 1-10. 

PART I:
For each of the following words, please write the word, a colon, and the definition on the first line.  On the second line, please write a sentence in which you use the word correctly.  You may make nouns plural/singular and conjugate verbs to fit your sentence-- grammar counts.

1. Ornament
2. Intoxication
3. Sentiment
4. Peculiar
5. Scrutiny

PART II:
Please answer each of the following questions in a complete sentence.

1. Why was Della upset at the beginning of the story?
2. What did Della decide to do?  Why was this so unexpected?
3. What two possessions did Della and Jim have that were valuable?
4. What made Della nervous about Jim coming home?
5. Why does the author say that Della and Jim were as wise as the Magi?

april 17

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Imagine your favorite animal.  Imagine your favorite instrument.  Now imagine your favorite animal playing your favorite instrument.  What song does s/he play?  How does it sound?  Is the experience impressive, funny, pathetic, or... ?  Describe in detail.

-OR-

Choose your own.

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness
2. Journal
3. Quiz/ reading questions and vocab from "Magi"
4. Big Question work

MASTERPIECE GOALS:
1. Recruit at least 10 people to follow your blog.  This group should include at least one mentor (i.e., a person you respect for their knowledge, experience, wisdom, perspective, etc.) 

2. Post a paragraph on your blog in which you explain what you're doing.  Describe your topic, what you're learning about it, and what you plan to teach us. 

gift of the magi vocab quiz 1

Please number your paper 1-10.  For each of the following words, please write the word, a colon, and the definition on the first line.  On the second line, please write a sentence in which you use the word correctly.  You may make nouns plural/singular and conjugate verbs to fit your sentence-- grammar counts.

1. Imputation
2. Parsimony
3. Imply
4. Instigate
5. Vestibule
6. Blur
7. Agile
8. Conception
9. Janitor
10. Envy

april 16

JOURNAL TOPIC:
When does it make sense to keep quiet and act like you know what's up (even if you don't), and when does it make sense to ask for information that will help you understand?  Please explain your answer.

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness
2. Journal
3. Vocab quiz 1/ "Gift of the Magi"
4. Continue reading
5. Big Question work

april 15

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Today is Tax Day.  Paying taxes means that we made money, and that we provide funding for services like fire departments, police departments, roads, schools, and other public works that we couldn't afford as individuals.  So why do so many people complain about paying taxes?  What is your opinion?

-OR-

Choose your own.

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness
2. Journal
3. "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" OR "The Gift of the Magi"
4. Big Question/Masterpiece work

REMINDERS/POSTS:
Now that you have an idea of your topic, it's time to learn more.  Here are three steps that will help you begin your research this week:

1. Go online and search the key words for your topic 
2. Identify at least 5 credible sources that have useful information
3. Create a post on your blog where you can copy and keep links to these sources

POST:
1. What did you find today?  How did you find it?  (title: MY BIG QUESTION RESEARCH; first sentences: "Some people think research is boring because they have to do it for a class, and it's usually about something that's not interesting.  But today I did research and it was awesome.  Here's how I did it.  _____")

2. Create a post on your blog where you can copy and keep links to these sources.
(title: MASTERPIECE RESOURCES)
You'll need to have this completed post on your blog by tomorrow, so that you easily reference and use the information to create your Masterpiece Academy lesson for us.  More on that tomorrow!

social engineering & your information security

There are many ways to gain access to others' devices and digital information.  Some practices are known to information security experts as "social engineering."  Social engineering, in the context of information security, refers to psychological manipulation of people into performing actions or divulging confidential information. (Source: Wikipedia)

For example: A person may ask to insert a USB into your device, or send an email to download a file to your device.  Performing these tasks can insert malware that can do all sorts of harm.

This sort of thing can even happen to adult professionals in the information business; read THIS ARTICLE for a recent example. (Thanks, BoingBoing!)

april 12

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Imagine your feet could talk.  What would they say?

-OR-

What is your favorite day of the week?  Why?

-OR-

Choose your own topic.


AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness
2. Journal
3. Check-in: completed work for the week
4. Extensions: Big Question research, game planning

POST:
What did you find today?  How did you find it?  (title: MY BIG QUESTION RESEARCH; first sentences: "Some people think research is boring because they have to do it for a class, and it's usually about something that's not interesting.  But today I did research and it was awesome.  Here's how I did it.  _____")

memes, big questions, and how we deal with blindness

This morning I talked with a student about her Big Question topic: Memes.  Just a little while later, I ran across THIS ARTICLE.  I love the way Big Questions make me more aware of so many interesting things to think about!  Moments like this make me remember that we can all improve the way we see the world.

april 11

JOURNAL TOPICS:
It's been really wonderful to hear about your Big Questions this week.  Curiosity and passion are two of the qualities that make us uniquely human-- in fact, for our thinkers who are wondering how Artificial Intelligence will change the world, have a look at THIS.  Then, give the question some thought: What can computers and robots do best, and which jobs/roles in society are best served by humanity?  What human qualities are impossible for a machine to program, imitate, replace, or learn?



-OR-

Choose your own topic.

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness/journal
2. Finish conferences
3. Finish self-assessments
4. Finish independent work for the week and post to your blogs & lit circle docs

POST:
Please write three paragraphs about your Big Question that explain the following ideas:

1. Why are you interested in this topic?
2. What do you hope to learn or be able to do as a result of exploring this topic?
3. Have you ever studied this topic before?  If so, please describe; if not, why not?

For each of your paragraphs, please remember to include a topic sentence and 3-5 sentences with supporting reasons, details, and/or facts.

turning big questions into masterpieces

First: What a great bunch of questions!!  Here are the topics we have so far:

• What causes disease and what can we do about it? (Nayeli)
• What is the most effective way to open and manage a successful nail salon? (Yaxeny)
• What does it feel like to get shot? (Hector)
• What can golf teach us about life? (Alidio)
• What do we really know about sleep? (Luis S.)
• How can I learn, study, and remember ideas more effectively?  Or: Why do narcos pray to Santa Muerte? OR: What is the connection between money and happiness? (Jessica)
• How can playing football and other sports make us better people? (Erasmo)
• How can I start a business? (Vanessa)
• What happens to our consciousness after we die? (Valentin)
• How can I create a sculpture using different metals?  (Joaquin)
• How can I become a preschool teacher?  (Jasmine)
• Am I a drifting racer or a racing drifter? (Enrique)

Now that you have an idea of your topic, it's time to learn more.  Here are three steps that will help you begin your research this week:

1. Go online and search the key words for your topic 
2. Identify at least 5 credible sources that have useful information
3. Create a post on your blog where you can copy and keep links to these sources

You'll need to have this completed post on your blog by Friday, so that you easily reference and use the information to create your Masterpiece Academy lesson for us.  (More on that soon!)

april 10

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Why do you think some people like brain teasers and riddles and puzzles that others find frustrating?

-OR-

Choose your own topic.

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness/journal
2. Finish "Story of an Hour" questions
3. Self-assessments
4. Conferences
5. Big Question work

everything we do makes an impression

april 9

JOURNAL TOPIC:
It's natural to wonder how things would be different if we were in charge.  If you were teaching this class, what would you do differently?  Why?

-OR-

Choose your own topic.

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness
2. Journal
3. Conferences
4. Independent work: finish "Story of an Hour" questions & post answers; update blog; complete/add to journal; Big Question work

"story of an hour" questions

You can start these anytime you're finished with your blog/journal/makeup/Big Question work and you're ready for your conference (or you've already had it).  Please post your answers on your blog no later than midnight on Thursday (April 11).

1. What is the nature of Mrs. Mallard's "heart trouble," and why would the author mention it in the first paragraph? Is there any way in which this might be considered symbolic or ironic? 

2. The setting of the story is very limited; it is confined largely to a room, a staircase, and a front door. How does this limitation help to express the themes of the story?

3. In what ways is this passage significant? "She could see in the open square before her house the tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life. The delicious breath of rain was in the air. In the street below a peddler was crying his wares. The notes of a distant song which some one was singing reached her faintly, and countless sparrows were twittering in the eaves." What kinds of sensory images does this passage contain, and what senses does it address? What does the vision through the open window mean to her? Where else does she taste, smell, or touch something intangible in the story?

4. What kind of relationships do the Mallards have? Is Brently Mallard unkind to Louise Mallard, or is there some other reason for her saying "free, free, free!" when she hears of his death? How does she feel about him? 

5. Mrs. Mallard closes the door to her room so that her sister Josephine cannot get in, yet she leaves the window open. Why does Chopin make a point of telling the reader this? How might this relate to the idea of being "free" and to the implicit idea that she is somehow imprisoned? Do other words in the story relate to this idea?

6. What does Josephine represent in the story? What does Richards represent? 

7. Mrs. Mallard is described as descending the stairs "like a goddess of Victory." In what ways does she feel herself victorious? 

8. The last line of the story is this: "When the doctors came they said she had died of heart disease-of joy that kills." In what ways is this an ironic statement? What is gained by having the doctors make such a statement rather than putting it in the mouths of Josephine or Richards? 

9. What view of marriage does the story present? The story was published in 1894; does it only represent attitudes toward marriage in the nineteenth century, or could it equally apply to attitudes about marriage today? 

10. If this is, in some sense, a story about a symbolic journey, where does Mrs. Mallard "travel"?

april 8

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Today begins an era of choice.  For the rest of the semester, you may choose to write on the topic I suggest, or you may write about anything else that seems more interesting or important to you.

Think back on what we've read so far.  What characters/scenes/ideas are your favorites?  Why?

-OR-

Choose your own topic.



AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness
2. Journal
3. Read "Story of an Hour"
4. Preparing for the rest of the week

necklace essay

In "The Necklace" we see how the plot of a story, along with techniques like indirect characterization and figurative language, help us understand the theme.

Please describe the theme of "The Necklace" and explain how any three of the following helped you understand it.

• figurative language (similes, metaphors, symbols)
• allusions
• plot
• dialogue

Please be sure to organize your thoughts and proofread for spelling, punctuation, grammar, and capitalization.

april 5

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Describe a time you damaged something and had to repair it.  (This can be an object, or a course grade, or a relationship, or ...?)

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness
2. Journal
3. Return & review yesterday's work
3. Essay exam 

necklalysis

1. Map the plot of "The Necklace."
2. Explain whether the main character is static or dynamic.
3. Find three examples of symbols, allusions, or figurative language in the story.
4. Describe one example of direct characterization and one example of indirect characterization.

april 4

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Today we will analyze "The Necklace" -- that is, we will take it apart and put it back together again in such a way that we can explain the story to anyone, even if they haven't read it.  For starters, if someone were to ask you what the story is about, what would you say?  What is the theme of the story?  How is the theme illustrated by the plot?

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness
2. Journal/ review lit terms (analyze, theme, plot)
3. Focus on "The Necklace"
4. (*if there is time) Are we gaming the seniors?

POST:
Write a paragraph in which you help readers understand the theme and plot of "The Necklace" (title: NECKLASYSIS PART I)

the necklace quiz

At the beginning of the story, Mme. Loisel's unhappiness is due to a contrast between (1 point) what she's been promised and what she's recieved. what she once had and what she has now. what she has and what she wants. what she wants and what her husband wants.

What makes Mme. Loisel so happy at the party? (1 point) the opportunity to be among friends. the fact that Mme. Forestier has trusted her with the necklace. the way other people react to her. the fact that she is making her husband proud.

The events of the story suggest that what Mme. Loisel fears most is (1 point) poverty. humiliation. the loss of her beauty. boredom.

At the beginning of the story, Mme. Loisel dreams about being (1 point) independent. loved. famous. rich and stylish.

Why is Mme. Loisel upset at receiving the invitation to a fancy party? (1 point) She knows very few of the people who will be there. She doesn't know how to behave at a fancy party. She doesn't have the appropriate clothes to wear. She thinks her husband will embarrass her at the party.

Mme. Forestier responds to Mme. Loisel's story with (1 point) anger at having been deceived. amusement at the misunderstanding. bored annoyance. sympathy and dismay.

Which is most likely to leave you aghast? (1 point) finding a dead body. running a mile. eating a big meal.

You are most likely to cause vexation in a person who is (1 point) happy. irritable. hypnotized.

What effects do you think the news that the necklace is fake has on Mme. Loisel? Describe an immediate effect and a long-term effect. (2 points)

Note how minor characters (M. Loisel, Mme. Forestier) contrast with Mme. Loisel. Note which character you are using. (2 points)

What flaws in Mme. Loisel's character do you think lead to trouble? Explain your answer. (2 points)

first love in real life

Since we read the story "First Love" I thought THIS might be of interest.  Please comment to this post-- compare and contrast what you read here with the short story we read about first love.  What do these people experience that is similar to the main character, who wrote the story for his friends?  What is different?

april 3

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Please describe and explain your working process in class yesterday.  Did you set goals?  Did you discuss your work and/or collaborate with others?  Did you post to your blog and/or update your lit circle's doc?  Did you finish what you set out to do?  What do you imagine others (students, teachers) would say about your work?  How do you feel about your performance?

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness
2. Journal
3. Check-in on progress
4. "The Necklace"

• Q&A
• Analysis
• Written questions (due at end of period 4)
  

POST:
What do you want to learn and get good at in this course between now and June? (title: ENDGAME) 

april 2

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Think of something that you know with confidence, or something that you know how to do really well.  How can you prove your knowledge to someone who doubts you?

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness (*you're on your own this morning, so the practice is up to you)
2. Journal
3. Today's journal is especially meaningful.  Today I have been asked to proctor an exam.  The exam is being given -- like so many exams these days -- because of a general sense in our culture that it's easier to trust data than people.  Which makes me think of your blogs.  Please work hard on these today so that I can see progress.  If I do, we will pick up tomorrow as usual.  If I don't, we will have an exam on what we've read so far.
4.  Read "The Necklace" and post your notes

POST:
Please post your reading notes (title: THE NECKLACE READING NOTES)

game scoring

1. Please read THIS ARTICLE

2. Please comment to this post with three suggestions for scoring our game.  Support each suggestion with a reason from the article above

april 1

JOURNAL TOPIC: [today's tunes: "(Now & Then There's) A Fool Such As I" by Hank Snow; "Ship of Fools" by Robert Plant]

You have seven minutes to write an epic poem about a unified theory of consciousness and the history of the papacy concentrating especially but not exclusively on its social, political, economic, religious, and philosophical impact on Europe, Asia, America, and Africa. Be brief, concise, and specific. Be ready to recite your poem from memory in any ancient language (except Greek) to the 2000 people who will be waiting expectantly on the field outside our room in eight minutes.

[OR]

Attempt to explain why people like the experience of making/being made a fool at least once a year.

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Recover & complete Friday's work
3. Game scores, test grades, and other forms of "Don't you judge me!"
4. Creating a scoring system for the game