thank you

As often as I say it, I feel like I don't say it often enough:

Thank You.

Thank you for your effort, your insight, your willingness to risk and make mistakes and change your mind;

Thank you for your trust, for your sense of humor, for your curiosity;

Thank you for your time, for your attention, and

Most of all

Thank you for taking this learning trip with me this year.

It's been a feast of ideas.

I hope you feel like it was time well-spent.

Wishing you the best this summer and always,

Dr. Preston

no one said have a good summer like thoreau

june 5

JOURNAL TOPIC:
It's your journal.  Please take it with you.  Write in it as often as you like.  Start a new one.  And welcome to the beginning of the rest of your writing life.

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness
2. A moment for the secret sauce of awesome
3. A fully catered learning experience
4. Connection & reflection
5. Adjournment

godzilla sighting in la

smhs policy regarding electronic devices

Given today's incident in class, I think it's important for all of us to remember the school and district policy regarding phones and electronic devices.  The following is from p.58 of the district handbook (which you can read HERE if you haven't already).

june 3

JOURNAL TOPIC:
[Psych.]

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness
2. Finals plan/ sign-ups
3. Any unfinished business (?)
4. Finish Les Mis

POST:
Whatever you want me to read on your blog before I enter semester grades. (title: THIS IS IT FOR NOW)

les mis at the pantages theater

I planned on taking a couple pictures for you at the performance.  My own family forbid it, and they were right-- apart from not wanting to be embarrassed by the guy breaking the rules with the camera, they wanted me to be present with them and the performance, instead of being distracted by a device.  So here are some professional photos from the performance (and one of us outside the theater).

If you ever have the chance, whether or not it's already on your bucket list, I recommend you find a live performance you think you'd like.  It's one thing to read a book, or see a movie-- but it's truly powerful and moving to be in the presence of real people who are acting and singing their hearts out on stage.

And finally, yesterday I was reminded that sometimes direct experience is often the fastest path to curiosity.  Imagine my surprise when I walked through the kitchen to find my favorite fourth grader reading the book I still have bookmarked from where we left off...  The play sparked her interest!  We wound up talking about the characters, the story, and good and evil for the next half hour.

"when tomorrow comes"

What tone did this set?  How did the movie leave you feeling?

may 30

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Up to you.

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness

2. Les Mis continued

POST:
Do you think the characters in Les Mis are driven by reason, passion, or both?  Please explain your answer. (title: LES THINKING & FEELING)

photos you don't want to miss

I love these pictures for three reasons:

1. They are beautiful.
2. They teach me about phenomena and a place I knew nothing about. (Look closely: that rock isn't falling, it is sitting on ICE that has been sculpted by the wind.)
3. Now I don't have to go to Siberia to see these things.

You can see the rest HERE.

may 29

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Up to you.

AGENDA:
1. Wanna watch a movie?  I've got an idea...

if you can fix it you can have it

[UPDATE: The speakers have been adopted.  Good luck and enjoy, Kevin!]

For years I relied on my trusty computer speakers for journal soundtracks and audio whenever I taught.

Then yesterday, I started playing a movie.

And they didn't work.

I was sad.

I've tried everything I know how to do, and I can't seem to resuscitate them.  But I don't feel good about adding more plastic to the landfill or the ocean, so before I toss them I thought I'd offer them here.  If you think you can bring them back to life, they're yours.

may 28

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Beginning this week, writing in your journal is up to you.  Writing is something that you can do every day for the rest of your life, depending on what needs it meets for you.  The journals are in the front of the room, where I am keeping them for review/writers' conferences as needed.  Choose your own topics / ideas and have fun!

AGENDA:
***Collect Term Papers***
1. Mindfulness
2. Journal
3. Plan for the week
4. Lit circles/ writers' conferences

i'm doing my homework this weekend... are you?

Hi everyone, I hope you're enjoying the three-day weekend!  However you celebrate Memorial Day and time away from school, please remember to finish your term paper and bring the hard copy with you tomorrow.  I will collect papers at the beginning of the period.  REMINDER: due to our tight timeline this week, I have offered consistent reminders and invitations for help.  Late / incomplete papers will not be accepted for review or credit.  See you tomorrow!

If it makes you feel any better, I'm working through the last eight (!) stacks of evaluations...

self-assessment questions

If you weren't in class today, please take a moment to reflect on these and answer (either in a private email to me at dpreston.learning@gmail.com or on paper -- if you choose paper, please bring to class with you on Tuesday).

If you were in class, please feel free to continue your reflection and let me know if your answers change at all over the weekend.

Given all of the learning experiences we've shared together in this course:

1. What do you look back on with pride?
2. What do you look forward to with hope?
3. How are you doing on your paper?  What will you do this weekend to succeed?
4. What letter grade are you aiming for on the paper?  What grade will you earn on the semester report card?

may 24

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Describe something you learned in the Masterpiece Academy this week.  What made this memorable?  Was it the content, or something the presenter did, or ...?

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness
2. Self-assessment & intention/prediction
3. Masterpiece Academy

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

4. Journal/turn in

masterpiece academy day 5

Thanks to today's faculty!

Hector started by relating his research on what it's like to get shot:





Nayeli gave us insight into diseases and how we can avoid them.

Vanessa talked about her reasons for wanting to start and own a business.




Yaxeny ended the session by describing the nail salon she is building.

may 23

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Imagine that it's late at night.  You hear an unfamiliar sound.  What's your first reaction?  What information do you need?  What will you do?

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness
2. Masterpiece Academy

• Erasmo Escobar (15 minutes)
• Hector Torralba (10 minutes)
• Nayeli Zeferino (15 minutes)
• Vanessa Carmona (10 minutes)
• Luis Hernandez (10 minutes)

3. Journal
4. Work on term paper

SPRING FINALS SCHEDULE

masterpiece academy day 4

Thanks to our faculty today!

First, Erandi taught us about the art of makeup:



Alondra helped us understand how we can learn from the oldest and wisest people in our community: