Calling all Parents...

Parents,

As you know, your student will be participating in a live video conference with Daniel Pink, author of A Whole New Mind, this Thursday, February 28th, from about 8:30 am until 10:15 am. In addition to the videoconference, we are going to attempt to stream some audio and video out to those of you who might be interested. We will be using Ustream, and our “channel” is available at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ahsawnm . In addition, you’ll be able to watch some of the students live blog the discussion using CoverItLive at http://thefischbowl.blogspot.com/2008/02/ustreaming-and-live-blogging-daniel.html. Both of those should hopefully become active at approximately 8:30 am on Thursday.

Our primarily goal is to simply get the video conference and discussion with Mr. Pink to work. If the Ustream and/or CoverItLive don’t work, we’ll briefly troubleshoot those but then let it go and simply focus on the rest. We want the students to focus on this incredible opportunity to discuss the book with the author, so if our attempts to provide some live feeds out to you don’t work we’ll be disappointed, but that’s not our primary purpose – we know you’ll understand.

Mike Hasley needs our help...

Hi,

For those students who I might have met last week during my observations, I just wanted to thank you for letting me ask you questions and allowing me to respond with you during the live blogging. You’re all doing some great stuff in your English classes. I wanted to ask you a question because it comes up a lot these days, and the question is, “What does ‘the real world’ mean to you?”

So if you could go to the link below and respond to the question directly on my blog, it would be very helpful. I’m also asking students at my school in Virginia to see if students from different states have the same perspective.

http://henricowarriors.org/hasley/?p=421

Again, thank you,

Mike Hasley

Instructional Technology Resource Teacher

Help?

I know that everybody is doing this... but I really need any help I can get on my WRP, I am trying to get some last minute quotes put in this week, so if you want to take the time to answer my questions that would be swell!
Okayy,
1. Do you feel as if Hollywood sets unhealthy and unattainable body standards for teenagers? If so, why?
2. Do advertisements for things such as diet pills or weight loss plans, or even television shows, affect you? How do they make you feel about the product or yourself?

and lastly...

3. How does High School affect your image of yourself? Are there different standards here then in the outside world?

if you took the time to do this...
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
and if you didn't, well I guess thats okay too.

Color Poll

Hi everyone!
I was wondering if you could answer this second survey for my WRP.
I need the data now that I have the thoughts.
Please take both the first and second polls.
Thanks alot!
~Caitlin
http://snappoll.com/poll/254555.php
http://snappoll.com/poll/254557.php

In Regards to the PLJ's...

I was trying to finish my last three PLJ's when I saw Ms. Smith's check list. I have everything except the reflection and reaction to "Daniel Pink's question about the role of the senses in changing education." Anybody know what this is? If so, if you could give me the link or copy his question that'd be great! Thanks

Daniel Pink Questions

Hey everyone, I wasn't sure where we were told to put our Questions, so I made this Blog. Have A great weekend!

Reflections or Continued Conversation on Meaning

Hi. I thought someone at least might want to blog again, so I decided to put this up. The only real subject is the fishbowl. Anyways, have fun.

Parker

AWNM: Meaning Period 5

Fishbowl with Live Blogging
February 22, 2008
12:14-1:12 pm

Judy O’Connell:Judy writes, speaks, and consults on school technology and library issues. She is an educator and information professional. Currently, Judy is the Head of Library and Information Services at St. Joseph’s College in Hunters Hill in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Scott Murphy:
Scott is Superintendent of Littleton Public Schools.

Christian Long:
Christian is a high school English teacher and coach working at a college-prep, preK-12, independent school in Ft. Worth, TX. In addition to working in schools as a teacher and coach for over ten years (prior to his return in the fall of 07), he spent several years working with architects/planners, educational and technology leaders, policy makers, and communities to design and build schools from pre-K through the university level. This work took place throughout the United States and around the world.

Lucy Gray:
Lucy Gray is the Lead Technology Coach at the Center for Urban School Improvement at the University of Chicago. In her current role, she is responsible for the development of a technology professional development program on three University of Chicago Charter School campuses. Lucy also supports technology integration efforts at the North Kenwood/Oakland Charter School. She is also an Apple Distinguished Educator.

Andy Kerr:
Andy is the Representative for House District 26 in the Colorado Legislature.

AWNM: Meaning Period 2

Fishbowl with Live Blogging
February 22, 2008
8:25-9:24 am

Julie Lindsay:
Julie is the head of Information Technology at Qatar Academy in Doha.

Will Richardson:
Will is “Learner in Chief” at Connective Learning and the author of the recently released Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms published by Corwin Press. His blog Weblogg-ed.com is dedicated to discussions and reflections on the use of Weblogs, wikis, RSS, audiocasts and other Read/Write Web related technologies in the K-12 realm, technologies that are transforming classrooms around the world. He is a national advisory board member of the George Lucas Foundation. Will lives in New Jersey.

Stephanie Sandifer:
Stephanie describes herself as “an educator with a background in visual art and design.” She is currently employed at a Houston, Texas area high school in an administrative position focused on school improvement, and her personal interest areas related to that include: school size and structure, leadership (including distributed and teacher-leadership), technology integration, experiential learning, and the elimination (or radical revision) of No Child Left Behind.

Kristin Hokanson:
Kristin is a blogger who also happens to be a Classrooms for the Future Coach as well as Teachnology Leader. She is working in King of Prussia, PA where she is committing her time and efforts to creating a constructivist learning experience for her students.

Questions for my Wikified Research Paper

Hey for my paper I am writing about Empathy and its importance in schools. Here are a few questions I need answered for my paper. For each question you can leave a text, audio, or video response.

One Question for Daniel Pink

Think of one really fabulous question you want to ask Daniel Pink. Make sure to check that you haven't repeated somebody else's question.

HannahL This is for You (and anybody else who wants to answer)

Hannah, I tried sending you an email, but it returned it to me saying it was an invalid email, so I'll just put it on the blog. If you don't mind answering the questions.

Other people are welcome to comment as well. You can only do one question if you want, or all of them...whatever floats your boat.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. Do you learn better when you learn your own way, or when the teacher gives you the information and you memorize it?

2. Do you like free learning environments? (obviously) Why / why not?

3. Would you rather the teacher let you take your own initiative with learning and just back off, or keep you under their wing. What's wrong with the teacher taking you under her/his wing so to speak?

4. Have you begun to question teacher's more often then when you were younger?

If you play online games could you answer a question? -for WRP

As many of you know I'm researching the postivie effects of video games. I would love a quote from someone about why you enjoy playing Online Video Games (ex, World of Warcraft, Ragnarok, Halo, etc) If you could also talk about the social aspect of these games that would be great. Thanks a bunch

Songs and Acronyms

Hey guys. I just need to know how many of you have ever made an acronym or song to remember facts for a test or quiz and what was the benefit for you?
-Mac

Good cause or not??

Hey guys,
This is yet another survey, except you could call it something else because that word is getting kind of old. I will call it a questionare.
Here is the question.
If you had to choose between buying something that supported a cause and something that didnot which would you choose?
Have you ever been faced with this choice?? Explain which product it was and if you supported it.

Also:
Do you remember facts better when you are just given them quickly and then have a test the day after or do you remember them more when the teacher gives you time to read it, maybe even in a story, and then you take a test on it a while later. Like we did with macbeth and the parts where we read it and acted it out versus just be handed a list of facts to memorize?

Thank You so much,
Kristina
P.S. You don't even have to leave a lengthy answer, simply a yes to supporting a cause or a no to not and the name of a product you have been faced to decide between for this reason.

A Survey!

Hey Guys!I was wondering if you could answer a couple questions for my WRP:
1. How does color affect your mood in a classroom?
2. Which would you prefer, tables or desks to sit at?
3. If you could change the school, what changes would you make?
4. What things would you want to incorporate into a classroom to make learning enjoyable?5. What other classes would you want to create?
6. Have you ever used clickers to answer questions?
7. Which would you prefer to learn from; textbooks, word documents, or books on CDs?
8. If you could choose a color for a classroom, what color would it be and why?
Thank you for responding to this survey!

Just a Couple Questions...

Hey everyone, I am writing my paper on the affect music has on education and learning. I have a couple quick questions for you all to answer if possible...

1. Do you listen to music while you study?
2. Do you enjoy listening to music during class?
3. Do you think that music affects your ability to remember facts?
4. Do you think that music affects your ability to pay attention?
5. How often do you listen to music? (Per week)

Thanks!

More Questions!

Hey guys! These are a few questions for all of those people who like to draw out there.

1) What do you ask yourself when you are drawing, or do you just start drawing?

2) How do you make a picture effective?

3) Do you just draw or really look at what you're drawing and look at the proportions?

4) Do you sometimes try to get a message across to a viewer?

5) How do you establish the difference between what really matters in the picture and what isn't really necessary?

Thank you!

Further Thoughts on Play

For anyone interested in talking about some topics we did not get to in discussion, here is a post for questions and discussion. I have a few questions to start off with...

• How does coping through humor affect people in a negative way? How about in a positive way?
• If you think about it, how is humor/laughing really good for you? This does not have to be scientific!
• How does a playful relationship between bosses and employees improve the workplace? If it is not taken too far, how could this help our generation become more stable in our careers and be happy with our jobs?

Thanks to all who choose to comment! If any of the adults want to comment as well, of course, we would love to hear your thoughts!

Yup, it's a survey

few quick questions:

1) do/did you play an instrument? If so, which one(s)?
2) what genre of music do you most listen to?
3) are you right or left brained?
4) do you listen to music that matches your current mood, or does your mood change to match the music you hear?
5) do you listen to music when you study? if so, is it for concentration or just to "fill the silence"?
6) have you ever been embarassed of sharing your taste in music with others?

THANKS you can just put one or two word answers, but expand if you want.

Just one more quick survey... Just one!

I'll make this quick and to the point!

Which one of your parents do you get along with better, Mom or Dad?
Do you think this is because one is more empathetic than the other?
Do you think having an empathetic relationship with one, or both of your parents is a good thing?
Just leave a couple sentences (or words) of information.







Thank you for your help!

Field Hands-on Survey

Hi everybody, Stephen here, and I want to here what you have to say.
Please answer the following question.

Do you feel that having hands-on or interactive learning helps you to learn better or not?
Explain why.


Teachers what is your take on interactive learning?

I have a few questions I need you to answer to help me with my paper thanks!

Here are some questions I need you to answer to help me with my paper, if you don't mind! thank you!

1. In terms of design, what would you improve about your school?

2. What do you think would help improve your learning in school?

3. Do you think there is enough student space in your school? What do you like about it or don't like about it?

4. Do you think there the structure of your school enhances your learning? Why or why not? what would you do to improve it?

5. What do you think of the location of our school? Why? If no where would you rather have it located?

6. What is your least favorite thing about the school in terms of design? What is your favorite?

7. What would you want our school to look like if it were re-designed?

8. Do you like where the cafeteria, gym, library, bathroom. and forum are located? If not where would you locate them or what would you do if you could change them? why?

9. What would you change about the design of your classrooms?

10. If you were to paint the walls inside the school what colors would you paint them?

11. How does the design of the school impact your learning? Do you think your learning can be enhanced if it was designed differently? If so how?

Food for thought on empathy

Hey everyone,
I was thinking this weekend on empathy and how it relates to other books we have read this year in english.
As I reflected I remembered that in Macbeth and in Lord of the Flies, the author portayed man as being instinctively savage, something very opposite from empathy. You also see this being portayed through out history in events such as the holocaust. But now, as I read a Whole New Mind, Pink says that, on page 159, "It (empathy) is something we do pretty much spontaniously, an act of instinct rather than the product of deliberation."
It is very contradictory and I was wondering what you guys thought!!
Thanks for your input.

AWNM: Play Period 5

Fishbowl with Live Blogging
February 15, 2008
12:14-1:12 pm

Judy O’Connell:
Judy writes, speaks, and consults on school technology and library issues. She is an educator and information professional. Currently, Judy is the Head of Library and Information Services at St. Joseph’s College in Hunters Hill in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Mike Porter:
Mike is the Assistant Director of Instructional Technology in Littleton Public Schools. He is a former Language Arts teacher and a parent of an LPS student.

Eric Grant:
Eric is a techie, an educator, and a futurist. He holds degrees in Information & Decision Systems and Political Science from Carnegie Mellon, and a Masters in Learning, Design, and Technology from Stanford. Eric's career began in enterprise software, moved to new media, and then drifted into education; he spent the past few years as a researcher and instructional designer at the Stanford Center for Innovations in Learning. His areas of academic interest include learning and working spaces, distributed and co-located collaboration, cross-cultural education, foresight strategy, and just about anything to do with the intersection of humans and technology. Eric lives in the SF Bay Area.

AWNM: Play Period 2

Fishbowl with Live Blogging
February 15, 2008
8:25-9:24 am MST

Dan Maas:
Dan is the Chief Information Officer for Littleton Public Schools as well as a parent of a LPS student.

Cathy Nelson:
Cathy is a teacher librarian from Myrtle Beach, SC. She writes her own personal reflections about technology integration in the classroom at technotuesday.edublogs.org. Her blog is designed to offer helpful hints, tips, and tricks to teachers who are integrating technology in an authentic manner.

Chris Lehmann:
Chris is the Principal of the Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia, PA. Previously he served as a Technology Coordinator/English Teacher/Girls' Basketball Coach/Ultimate Coach at the Beacon School, a fantastic progressive public high school in Manhattan.

Please help guys!

So, I am doing my research project on empathy, and I was wondering if you guys could tell me if you have seen any movies lately that were about 9/11 or the war, and say if it made you feel empathetic towards the soldiers or the people, or if you just felt empathy at all. This does not have to be lengthy, it could simply just be the name of the movie and then a "yes" (empathetic) or "no".
Thank you!!!

React and Reflect on Live Blogging with Pink

Take some time to react and reflect about the live blogging we completed today with Daniel Pink.

AWNM: Empathy Periods 2/5 Combined

Fishbowl Live Blogging

February 7, 2008

8:25-9:24 MST

Daniel H. Pink

Dan is the best selling author of Free Agent Nation and A Whole New Mind. His articles on work, business, and technology appear in many publications including The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, Slate, Fast Company, and Wired, where he is a contributing editor. A popular speaker, he lectures to corporations, associations, and universities around the world on economic transformation and business strategy. Pink lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife, and three children.

P.S. He doesn't like to be called Mr. Pink- it makes him feel old!

AWNM: Symphony Period 5

Fishbowl Live Blogging Participants
12:14-1:12 pm MST

Gary Stager:Gary is an internationally recognized educator and consultant who has spent twenty-five years helping teachers on six continents make sense of their roles in the age of personal computing and schools more constructive places for children.

Read Stager's review of A Whole New Mind.

Christian Long:
Christian is a high school English teacher and coach working at a college-prep, preK-12, independent school in Ft. Worth, TX. In addition to working in schools as a teacher and coach for over ten years (prior to his return in the fall of 07), he spent several years working with architects/planners, educational and technology leaders, policy makers, and communities to design and build schools from pre-K through the university level. This work took place throughout the United States and around the world.

Judy O’Connell:
Judy writes, speaks, and consults on school technology and library issues. She is an educator and information professional. Currently, Judy is the Head of Library and Information Services at St. Joseph’s College in Hunters Hill in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

AWNM: Symphony Period 2

February 1 Live Blogging Participants
8:25-9:24 am MST

Eric Grant:
Eric is a techie, an educator, and a futurist. He holds degrees in Information & Decision Systems and Political Science from Carnegie Mellon, and a Masters in Learning, Design, and Technology from Stanford. Eric's career began in enterprise software, moved to new media, and then drifted into education; he spent the past few years as a researcher and instructional designer at the Stanford Center for Innovations in Learning. His areas of academic interest include learning and working spaces, distributed and co-located collaboration, cross-cultural education, foresight strategy, and just about anything to do with the intersection of humans and technology. Eric lives in the SF Bay Area.

Renee Howell:
Renee is a parent of a Littleton Public Schools student as well as the Vice President of the LPS School Board.

Tim Stahmer:
Tim is an Instructional Technology Specialist working in the Office of Instructional Technology Integration for an overly-large school district on the Virginia side of Washington DC. He taught middle and high school math as well as computer literacy. For the past 11 years, he has helped teachers, administrators and others at all levels make sense of technology in their classrooms and, of course, repaired a few computers and printers along the way. These days he works mostly with the technology trainers in elementary schools.

Please Take My Lots of Laughs Survey

http://catem.pbwiki.com/Lots-of-Laughs-Survey

Here is my survey about laughter. Please go to the link above to print it out. Thank you!

Now Please Take My Poll!

You need to look at this picture before you go and answer the question.

I know I'm like the fifth person to do this, but I think that it is a great idea to do polls. The link is below. Thanks!

Morgan T.

http://snappoll.com/poll/248574.php

image from: http://www.gaiaonline.com/artarena/index.php?mode=vote&postid=486487

WRP Survey -Lauren Cochran

Hello everyone! I know a lot of people have been making surveys to go with their WRP research but if you could find the time to take mine I would be really grateful.

My survey is on the positive effects that video games can have on the mind and also how video games are greatly helping many careers.

Thank you for taking it and please let me know if you have any problems with it.

http://www.polldaddy.com/survey.aspx?id=a9e8c75c7607b5f8

mATTw's M-U-S-I-C survey

This is a survey that will definitely help me on my paper. Please answer the best that you can, and If you have trouble with it, wait until you get home to vote, or maybe just give me your results that you typed after reading the question - please.... Thank you - there are six questions:

http://snappoll.com/poll/248228.php

http://snappoll.com/poll/248230.php

http://snappoll.com/poll/248231.php

http://snappoll.com/poll/248234.php

http://snappoll.com/poll/248300.php

http://snappoll.com/poll/248472.php

If math/science were a color it would be______ because _______

I am writing my WRP on Math and Science classes and why they need more play and design but first I wanted to know how students feel about the classes now. So could you fill in the blanks for me? Thanks!

If math/science was a color it would be ____ because ______.

Poll for my WRP, please respond!

For my WRP, I am studying the negative effects of video games on those who play them. I would greatly appreciate it if you would take a few minutes to answer the poll questions that I have linked to below. I need the results for my research and every little bit helps! I'm sorry that they are all seperate polls, but each one will only take a second. Thanks!

http://snappoll.com/poll/247930.php

http://snappoll.com/poll/247932.php
http://snappoll.com/poll/247933.php

http://snappoll.com/poll/247937.php

http://snappoll.com/poll/247938.php

AWNM: Story Period 5

January 25th Live Blogging Participants
11:33-12:20 pm* MST
*assembly schedule

Jim Gates:
Former music teacher turned computer teacher in 1983. My blog, Gates' Tipline, won the 2007 Edublogs award for Best Resource Sharing Blog.

Christian Long:
Christian is a high school English teacher and coach working at a college-prep, preK-12, independent school in Ft. Worth, TX. In addition to working in schools as a teacher and coach for over ten years (prior to his return in the fall of 07), he spent several years working with architects/planners, educational and technology leaders, policy makers, and communities to design and build schools from pre-K through the university level. This work took place throughout the United States and around the world.

Dan Maas:
Dan is the Chief Information Officer for Littleton Public Schools as well as a parent of a LPS student.

AWNM: Story Period 2

January 25th Fishbowl Live Blogging Participants
8:14-9:02* am MST
*assembly schedule

Kristin Hokanson:
Kristin is a blogger who also happens to be a Classrooms for the Future Coach as well as Teachnology Leader. She is working in King of Prussia, PA where she is committing her time and efforts to creating a constructivist learning experience for her students.

Renee Howell:
Renee is a parent of a Littleton Public Schools student as well as the Vice President of the LPS School Board.

Please answer this question for my Wikified research paper

Here is my question for you. What is the importance of Empathy in the workplace and in school. Can it increase productivity? Is endorsing empathy in business a plausible future? How does Empathy directly effect you?

Suggestions and Ideas

Hey Guys! Well, this post is here for a reason. I know many of you have ideas and questions about your topic for your WRP. Well, this is where we can communicate. If you have a question about your topic or a comment about somebody else's topic, write it down here! This way, we can all talk about it. Your peers may have some good ideas! =D

Don't forget to also use those subscription sites!

MorganT

Mr. Pink wants to hear from you...

Here is an excerpt from an email I received from Daniel Pink. He wants to know...

i wonder if somewhere in this process you could pose a question to your students. it's one i've been pondering, but my hunch is that your students will have more interesting answers than i could summon myself. the question would be something like this: If you had to create a new school -- or reform your current school -- so that it better develops the six senses, what one or two things would you do?

don't want to throw you off your lesson plan, but i'd love to hear how the young women and men of arapahoe would respond that one. maybe we could talk a little about it during our live blogging or some other venue?

thanks again for your great work.

cheers,
dan

So, either on the class blog, in your Personal Learning Journal, or both, respond thoughtfully to his question. This might be one you continue to come back to time and again reflecting your change of thinking as we discuss, read, and react to one another's thoughts.

Interesting Links

Our famous Mr. Fisch received some links to laughter yoga that Pink references in AWNM. I thought I would share them with you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EGTETc5oFU - laughter yoga video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahhN3Ryw4O4 - laughter yoga video
http://www.laughteryoga.org/ -founder of Laughter Yoga.
Here is his personal blog; maybe you guys want to comment on it? http://www.laughteryoga.org/drkataria/

Also, one of our participants in the blogging last week gave us another resource for you to pursue in your brain research and understanding of your mind. Pursue at your own desire...
http://bfc.positscience.com/brain/brain_mythology.php

Brains assessment:
http://www.sfn.org/index.cfm?pagename=PublicEducationOutreach_NeurosciEduResources

Enjoy!

AWNM: Design reactions

I wanted to share some of the reactions we had regarding our first fishbowl on Daniel Pink's A Whole New Mind: Design. Please read through the thoughtful and well written posts and feel free to comment about your own impressions.

Darren Draper
http://drapestakes.blogspot.com/2008/01/live-blogging-pink-fisch-style.html

Sean Doherty (Representative Benefield and Solano intern)
http://www.about-denverco.com/modern-heroes-2/

Julie Lindsay
http://123elearning.blogspot.com/2008/01/world-is-fishbowlcome-on-in.html

AWNM: Design Period 2

January 18th Fishbowl Live Blogging Participants:
8:25 am- 9:24 am MST

Dean Shareski:

Dean is a Digital Learning Consultant with the Prairie South School Division in Moose Jaw, SK, Canada. He specializes in the use of technology in the classroom. He holds a Masters of Education in Communications and Technology through the University of Saskatchewan. He is also a sessional lecturer for the University of Regina. He considers himself a digital learning specialist.

Darren Draper:

Darren is a technology Curriculum Specialist for the Jordan School District in Salt Lake City, UT. He is an avid educational technology enthusiast who loves technology, when it works...

Julie Lindsay:

Julie is the head of Information Technology at Qatar Academy in Doha.

AWNM Design: Period 5

January 18th Live Blogging Participants:
12:14 pm- 1:12 pm

Karen Janowski:

Karen is an Assistive & Educational Technology Consultant whose “passion is to remove the obstacles to learning for all students. It is important to make the curriculum accessible to all learners and provide opportunities for struggling learners to demonstrate what they know using principles of universal design.” She lives in Reading, MA.

Tim Stahmer:

Tim is an Instructional Technology Specialist working in the Office of Instructional Technology Integration for an overly-large school district on the Virginia side of Washington DC. He taught middle and high school math as well as computer literacy. For the past 11 years he has helped teachers, administrators and others at all levels make sense of technology in their classrooms and, of course, repaired a few computers and printers along the way. These days he works mostly with the technology trainers in elementary schools.

Sylvia Martinez:

Sylvia is president of Generation YES. She has a varied background in both educational and consumer software and games, with expertise along the way in design and development of online environments that encourage learning and communication. Generation YES is a for-profit company seeking to bridge the gap between students being empowered in their learning and the successful implementation of technology assisting in that endeavor.

Hey Take my survey to so I can see what you think

This survey is about play and what it means to you, take it for me.

http://tylergahmage15.playsurvey.sgizmo.com

JoseD wants you all to respond to this survey...

Please respond to my survey so that I can use it on my personal learning journal and wikified research paper.

http://s-fs607-28931.sgizmo.com

Thanks in advance.

AWNM intro-3 Fishbowl Period 5

AWNM intro-3 Fishbowl Period 2

Winter Break Blog

Hey everyone. I thought you guys might want to talk over the break or something, so I put this up just in case. There's no specific subject, just whatever you feel like talking about. Enjoy!

WE CAN USE THE BLOG, EVERYONE!!!

Just reminding you....

Oops!

Hello everybody. I hope your weekend of studying is going well. I just received an email from Morgan, and I accidently posted the Spark outline incorrectly. I only put about a quater of that outline on. Here is the SPARK outline in its entirity!

SPARK• THE LIGHT BULB MOMENT. • THE ORIGINAL IDEA WHEN IT FIRST STARTS THEIR THINKING.• OCCURS RIGHT AFTER THE DOUBTING MOMENT.• THE BOOK IS A SPARK FOR THE READER.• THE DOMINOE AFFECT OF SPARKS.• ALTHOUGH THE ORIGINAL SPARK MAY NOT APPEAR AS BIG, IT SPARKS THE FIRE OF OTHER SPARKS THAT EVERYBODY SEES.• MACBETHo LADY MACBETHo THE DAGGERo THE WITCHES/PROPHESY• LORD OF THE FLIESo THE FIREo THE PIGSo BREAKING OFFo THE BEAST• THE CHOSENo THE BASEBALL IN THE EYEo DAVID MAKING RUEVEN LISTENo SILENCEo FREUD• FAHRENHEIGHT 451o CLARISSEo FABERo LADY IN THE HOUSEo FIREMANo BEATTYo MILDRED AND SICKNESS
Macbeth
· Lady Macbeth - "Great Glamis, worthy Cawdor, Greater than both, by the all-hail hereafter, thy letters have transported me beyond this ignorant present, and I feel now the future in the instant" - Lady Macbeth to Macbeth (Shakespeare, 34)
· Witches Prophecy – “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Glamis!...All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!... All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” Witches to Macbeth (Shakespeare, 14)
· Dagger – “Is this a dagger I see before me, the handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. I have not thee, and yet I see thee still.” – Macbeth to himself/imaginary dagger (Shakespeare, 50)

LOF
· The Fire – “Jack knelt too and blew gently, so that the smoke drifted away, thickening, and a tiny flame appeared…The flame flapped higher and the boys broke into a cheer” Description of first fire (Golding, 41)
· The Pig – “’Rescue? Yes, of course! All the same, I’d like to catch a pig first—‘ He snatched up his spear and dashed it into the ground. The opaque, mad look came into his eyes again” Jack (Golding, 53)
· The Beast – “’He says the beast came in the dark’” Littleuns/Piggy (Golding, 36)
· Breaking Off – “’We’ll make sure later, but I think it’s uninhabited.’” Ralph (Golding, 30)
· CANDLES! –“’Like candles. Candle bushes. Candle buds.’” (Golding, 30)

Fahrenheit 451
· Clarisse – “’Do you mind if I walk back with you? I’m Clarisse McClellan.’” (Bradbury, 6)
· Beatty – “Beatty stood there looking at him steadily with his eyes, while his mouth opened and began to laugh, very softly” (Bradbury, 28)
· Woman in house – “The woman on the porch reached out with contempt to them all and struck the kitchen match against the railing” (Bradbury, 40)
· Mildred’s illness – “The woman on the bed was no more than a hard stratum of marble they had reached. Go on, anyway, shove the bore down, slush up the emptiness, if such a thing could be brought out in the throb of the suction snake” (Bradbury, 14)
· Firemen – “there was no longer need of firemen for the old purposed. They were given the new job, as custodians of our peace of mind, the focus of out understandable and rightful dread of being inferior: official censors, judges, and executors. That’s you, Montag, and that’s me” (Bradbury, 58-59)
· Faber – “Yes, of course, again he found himself thinking of the green park a year ago. The thought had been with him many times recently but now he remembered how it was that day in the city park when he had seen that old man in the black suit hide something, quickly, in his coat” (Bradbury, 74)

The Chosen
· Baseball in eye – “I was still a little off balance from the pitch, but I managed to bring my glove up in front of my face just as he hit the ball. I saw it coming at me, and there was nothing I could do. It hit the finger section of my glove, deflected off, smashed into the upper rim of the left lens of my glasses, glanced off my forehead, and knocked me down.” (Potok, 29)
· David encouraging Reuven to be friends –“’ You did a foolish thing, Reuven,’ he told me sternly.’ You remember what the Talmud says. If a person comes to apologize for having hurt you, you must listen and forgive him.’” – (Potok, 63)
· Just because it’s cool – “the accident with the baseball has bound him to you” (Potok, 110)
· “’I thought you said your father never talks to you.’ ‘he doesn’t.’” (Potok, 116)
· Freud – “That’s what psychoanalysis is all about. I haven’t read too much about it yet, but it’s a long process. You’ve heard about Freud. He started psychoanalysis. I’m teaching myself German, so I can read him in the original.”


Jordan

Period 5 What Does it take to Challenge the System???

We broke up challenging the system into five big themes:
Fuel, Spark, Accomplice, Plan, Action

Here is the FUEL outline:
Fuel-
Macbeth
Want for Power
Ambition
Lady Macbeth
Lord of the Flies
Human Nature
Savagery
The beast
Stubbornness
Childishness
Power
Fahrenheit 451
Power over himself (to think)
Change of thinking
Childhood memories
Books
The Chosen
Control over his future
The capacity of his mind (Danny)
Books
Here is the PLAN outline:
Macbeth
He does not want to wait and see what his fate will be, he would rather change ità to do this he must create a plan of action
Macbeth’s plan is to kill the king
He is doing this to gain power
Macbeth is not the only one with a plan; the Witches had a plan to tempt him into doing this. They tried to show him his fate to see how he would challenge it. In doing this they accomplished their goal, to create chaos.
Macduff and Malcom had a plan to create an uprising against Macbeth, this was for the own good of the people.

Quotes-

Macbeth’s plan-
“Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle towards my hand? Come, let me clutch thee…” (Act 2.1. 42-43)
“I go, and it is done. The bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell that summons thee to heaven or to hell.” (Act 2.1. 71-73)

Witches plan-
“All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis… All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor… All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter!” (Act 1.2. 52-57)
“I conjure you by that which you profess—Howe'er you come to know it—answer me. Though you untie the winds and let them fight…Even till destruction sicken, answer me to what I ask you.” (Act 4.1. 51-62)

Malcom/Macduff’s Plan
“The time approaches that will with due decision make us know what we shall say we have and what we owe. Thoughts speculative their unsure hopes relate, but certain issue strokes must arbitrate. Towards which, advance the war.” (Act 5.4. 16-21)
The Plan
Fahrenheit 451- Montag had a plan to challenge the government in his society. The first part of his plan was to read and understand books. In order to do this he had to steal books. The second part of his plan was to plant books in all of the firefighters homes so that the government looked corrupt and then a new government had to be formed.

Beatty had a plan to die. His life was unsatisfactory and he was having an internal struggle. His plan was to get Montag to kill him so that he didn’t have to do it himself.

The government had a plan to make sure that no one had to think. Without books, time, and feelings, there is no time to think. If no one can think, then there are no thoughts of rebellion. They carried out by replacing time with constant television and noise.

“But let me tell you my plan-
“If you insist on telling me, I must ask you to leave.”
“But aren’t you interested?”
“Not if you start talking the sort of talk that could get me burnt for my trouble. The only way I could possibly listen to you would be if the fireman system itself could be burnt. Now, if you suggest that we print extra books and arrange to have them hidden in firemen’s houses all over the country, so that the seeds of suspicion would be sown amongst these arsonists, bravo, I’d say!”
“Plant the books, turn in the alarm, and see the firemen’s houses burn, is that what you mean?”
Faber raised his brows and looked at Montag as if he were seeing a new man. “I was joking.”
“If you thought it would be a plan worth trying, I’d have to take your word it would help.”

LOF-# "'We've got to have rules and obey them. After all, we're not savages. We're English, and the English are best at everything.'"
- William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Ch. 2

"He says things like Piggy. He isn't a proper chief.'"
- William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Ch. 8


# "Which is better--to have laws and agree, or to hunt and kill?"
- William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Ch. 11

"Roger advanced... as one wielding a nameless authority."
- William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Chapter 11

Ralph: "This is our island. It’s a good island. Until the grown-ups come to fetch us we’ll have fun."

Ralph, Piggy, Jack had a plan
All the same you need an army, Jack 32
Piggy’s plan was for rescue (fire smoke signal), shelter and some form of govn’t.
Ralph’s plan was to establish a form of organization, him leading, and have some people in charge of shelter, some of food, and some of fire
Jack’s plan was for everyone to hunt and only be concerned about the next few days. He was always hunting and eliminating the competition.
“I said my brother would probably make a fine tzaddik,” Danny said quietly. “It occurred to me recently that if I didn’t take my father’s place I wouldn’t be breaking the dynasty after all. My brother could take over. I had talked myself into believing that of I didn’t take his place I would break the dynasty. I think I had to justify to myself having to become a tzaddik.”
(Potok pg. 201)
In this quote, Danny is talking about his “plan.” His plan that he is talking about is not following in his father’s footsteps and becoming a rabbi. He is thinking that he can let his younger brother take that position and follow his own dreams to become a psychologist. At the end of the book, it tells us that he does go on to follow his dream.


Here is the ACCOMPLICE outline:
Friend -Chosen Aquire a freind quote- "'Reuven, listen to me. The Talmud says that a person should do two things for himself. One is to acquire a teacher. Do you remember the other?' 'Choose a freind'" (74) Had to work together or it wouldn't have challenged the system, their freindship was challenging "'...and I want you to let him be your friend and to let yourself be his freind.'" (110) "'I am happy my Daniel has chosen you as a freind'" (Reb,141) This shows that Reb was the "accomplice" to Danny making him challenge the system David challenging Reuven to challenge the system -Fahrenheit 451 Faber and Clarisse w/o whom he wouldn't have challenged the system Clarisse- "These men have been dead a long time, but I know their words point, one way or another, to Clarisse." (Montag, 72) This showed that Clarisse was the reason why Montag was challenging the system Faber- "'Yes, and look where we're headed. You'll have to travel blind for a while. Here's my arm to hold onto." (Faber, 92) Macbeth 6-9 Lady Macbeth provoked Macbeth's mind to fuel his evil. "Naught had, all's spent, where our desire is got without content. Tis safer to be that which we destroy than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy." (3:2:6-9) "He that's coming must be provided for; and you shall put this night's great business into my dispatch, which shall to all our nights and days to come give solely sovereign sway and masterdom." (1:5:68-73) Lord of the Flies Roger made Jack evil "'The chief and Roger, yes Roger." (Eric, 188) "He met the cheif, or Roger, who carried death in his hands?" (Ralph, 196) "At last he heard a voice-Jack's voice, but hushed. "Are you certain?" The savage adresssed said nothing. Perhaps he made a gesture. Roger spoke. "If you're fooling us-." (192) Piggy helped Ralph become a challenger of Jack by being his good conscience " Nobody knows where we are. Perhaps they knew where we were going to; and perhaps no. But they don't know where we are 'cos we never go there." Piggy "That's what I was going to say," Ralph (35)
Here is the SPARK outline
SEE OOPS! POST FOR THE SPARK OUTLINE IN ITS ENTIRITY
Fire
· Sparks
· The split between Jack and Ralph
· Resentment between Ralph and Jack
· Disagreements between the ones who want to work vs. the ones who want to hunt
· Jack stealing Piggy’s glasses, thus giving him the ability to make fire, which officially makes Jack chief

· Others
· The signal fire seems an unnecessary chore to Jack and others who just want to hunt
· When the signal fire goes out the animosity between Jack and Ralph increases
· Represents the hope of rescue
· “If Jack was chief he'd have all hunting and no fire. We'd be here till we died.” pg 93
Pigs
· Sparks
· The Split Between Jack and Ralph
· The difference between hunting and having fun over working for rescue
· Bloodlust in Jack
· Others
· Jack's way of coping with Ralph
· Jack's excuse for not working on the fire
· “But you can't even build huts-then you go off hunting and let out the fire-” pg 71
Breaking off
l Sparks
l The war between Jack and Ralph
l The kidnapping of the little kids to be in Jack's tribe
l Jack eventually killing Piggy
l Others
l Caused by Jack's humiliation
l He laid the conch with great care in the grass by his feet. The humiliating tears were running from the corner of each eye.
l “I'm not going to play any longer. Not with you.” pg 127
The Beast
l Sparks
l Fear
l Causes the boys to act irrationally
l Causes them to kill Simon in blind fear
l “They talk and scream. The littluns. Even some of the others. As if-”
l “As if it wasn't a good island.” pg 52


Here is the ACTION outline:

Actions

LOF- Jacks killing frenzy, boat shows up, Piggy dying, Ralph first being elected, fire problems, Jack’s cult, using the talking conch

Macbeth- Macbeth’s murders (King, Banquo, MacDuff’s family) MacDuff killing Macbeth

451- Burning lady, meeting Faber, reading poems, telling Mildred secret, took books, running away, planes bombing, public adverts,

Chosen-reading Freud, hanging out with each other, Rueven’s friendship, breaking social norms, finally tells dad, applying for collages ad taking psych. classes, Rueven frees fly.

Action: Point when the character actually challenges the system and it’s too late to turn back. Last thing you talk about thing they do to challenge the system, simple things, spark fuels first action which fuels the final result. Action is climax.

Quotes

LOF
“Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood! Do him in!” (Golding, p 152,) (by the hunters)

“Jack planned his new face. He made one cheek and one eye socket white, then he rubbed red over the other half of his face and slashed a black bar of charcoal across from right ear to left jaw.” (Golding, p. 63)

“ You let the fire go out”
This repetition made Jack uneasy

“Jack held up the head and jammed the soft throat down on the pointed end of the stick which pierced through the mouth… “This head is for the beast. It is a gift.” (by Jack)

Macbeth
“O Banquo, Banquo, our royal master’s murdered!” (Shakespeare, 67) (by Macduff)

“He [Macbeth] has killed me mother. Run away, I pray you!” (Shakespeare, 135) (by the son of Macduff)

“I go, and it is done. The bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell that summons thee to heaven, or to hell.” (Shakespeare, 51)

451
“The woman on the porch reached out with contempt to them all and struck the kitchen match against the railing” (Bradbury, p. 40)
(The scene in which the old woman is about to kill herself for her books)

“I’m antisocial they say.” … “Social to me means talking to you about things like this or talking about how strange the world is.” (Bradbury, p. 29) (by Faber)

“Montag’s hand closed like a mouth crushed the book with wild devotion, with an insanity of mindlessness to his chest.”(37, Bradbury) (Description of Montag’s action)

The Chosen
“What does he want to read in German?” he asked me.
“He wants to read Freud.”(Potok, p. 158) (David and Rueven talking about Danny’s reading Freud)

“When will you tell him? Because I will be out of town that day.”
“No,” he said quietly,” I am going to need you around that day.” (p. 201) ( Danny and Rueven)

POST ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE, AND I WILL TRY MY BEST TO ANSWER THEM! GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

Smith Hour 5 :)

Okay today we just worked on our Challenge The System Posters and turned in our Chosen books but we finally got the question for our in class essay final. The question is:

What does it take to challenge the system?

Remember:
-You need to begin with a clear intro paragraph which includes a strong, clear argumentative thesis statement.
-Use at least 3 points of comparison with at least 2 different examples from the text to support your point.
-Make sure to use at least 3 of the 4 texts we have studied this semester.
-Finally, make sure to end with a strong conclusion paragraph.
-Double space! Proof read! Turn in your best quality work.
-Your essay must be finished and printed out before the end of final time.


Ms. Smith's Tips for Success:
-Take the first 5 minutes to create outline. Can be as simple or complex as you want.
-Just write. Take your time. Don't stop just go.
-Try to get the essay done in the first 55 minutes, so you have plenty of time to proof read and edit your essay.
-Check, check, and double check your essay.
-You can't bring an outline in, but you can think the outline through mentally so you know what you are going to say.
-Start going as soon as you get to class- no need to wait for the bell.

Ms. Smith should be available 1st and 3rd on Tuesday.



By the way, someone from the Mideastern area has agreed to blog with us. fThey are from Qatar. We GoogleEarth-ed the country. Pretty neato sweeto. Stephen thinks it looks pretty barren. Kristina thinks he is the "Sandman" since he lives in the desert.

Kristina watched the blog with Daniel Pink last night and she said that he was a pretty cool kid.

Jordan is posting our outlines of our posters on the blog so all the information should be on Blogger this weekend if you need it. If you have any questions, post them on that blog and they should get answered.


Good luck on your finals everyone :)

Period Five Scribe 12/13/07

Hello everybody. This is my second time scribing, because I accidentally deleted my other scribe. Today is the thirteenth of December, and for those of you who weren't in class today (Alex) our homework was to scribe(which I am doing right now for the second time), to figure out what you are getting Ms. Smith for Christmas, and to have the first 62 pages of A Whole New Mind read by the end of break. We also had an opportunity to blog with Daniel Pink tonight about two hours ago.
We started off the day by talking about the different people we might blog with about A Whole New Mind and Ms. Smith hopes that we get some guy, who I can't remember his name. I think it sounds like Gregor Mendel the guy from biology who discovered cells. Anyway, she thinks that our class is the only one who can handle all his oppostion to the book A Whole New Mind because HOUR 5 IS THE BEST HOUR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After our discussion, we split up into our groups to help us prepare for our CHALLENGING THE SYSTEM final. We split up into our five groups that represent the five steps to challenge the system... the FUEL, the SPARK, the ACCOMPLICE, the PLAN, and the ACTION and worked on our posters. Tomorrow, we will collaborate all five posters so that we all get A's on our final essay. Until tomorrow when we meet again, but until then keep on learning although the bell has already rang. :)

Accomplice outline

Friend
-Chosen
Aquire a freind quote-
"'Reuven, listen to me. The Talmud says that a person should do two things for
himself. One is to acquire a teacher. Do you remember the other?' 'Choose a
freind'" (74)

Had to work together or it wouldn't have challenged the system, their freindship
was challenging
"'...and I want you to let him be your friend and to let yourself be his
freind.'" (110)

"'I am happy my Daniel has chosen you as a freind'" (Reb,141)
This shows that Reb was the "accomplice" to Danny making him challenge the
system

David challenging Reuven to challenge the system
-Fahrenheit 451
Faber and Clarisse w/o whom he wouldn't have challenged the system
Clarisse- "These men have been dead a long time, but I know their words point,
one way or another, to Clarisse." (Montag, 72)
This showed that Clarisse was the reason why Montag was challenging the system

Faber- "'Yes, and look where we're headed. You'll have to travel blind for a
while. Here's my arm to hold onto." (Faber, 92)

Macbeth 6-9
Lady Macbeth provoked Macbeth's mind to fuel his evil.
"Naught had, all's spent, where our desire is got without content. Tis safer to
be that which we destroy than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy." (3:2:6-9)

"He that's coming must be provided for; and you shall put this night's great
business into my dispatch, which shall to all our nights and days to come give
solely sovereign sway and masterdom." (1:5:68-73)

Lord of the Flies
Roger made Jack evil
"'The chief and Roger, yes Roger." (Eric, 188)
"He met the cheif, or Roger, who carried death in his hands?" (Ralph, 196)
"At last he heard a voice-Jack's voice, but hushed. "Are you certain?" The
savage adresssed said nothing. Perhaps he made a gesture. Roger spoke. "If
you're fooling us-." (192)

Piggy helped Ralph become a challenger of Jack by being his good conscience
" Nobody knows where we are. Perhaps they knew where we were going to; and
perhaps no. But they don't know where we are 'cos we never go there."
Piggy "That's what I was going to say," Ralph (35)

5th Period Spark Group

To all my group members out there:

As you all have probably figured out by now, I am at home sick. I am, however, going to try to blog for as long as possible today so that we can communicate and share our group's information. Please post all of your information here so that we can all access it.

SCRIBE PER.2 SMTIH DEC. 12th -JAVON

Today in class we set up groups to help make CTS posters for the review for our FINAL EXAM.
-We assigned a leader to help guide us through this process and we picked our four topics for the final.
The final is an essay on CTS and it is comparisons of CTS throughout the 4 books we have read this semester: F451, Macbeth, LOF, and THE CHOSEN.
- We established our four topics in class today- DESIRE TO CHANGE, NEED OF A SYSTEM TO CHALLENGE A SYSTEM/ TYPE OF SYSTEM, AN ACCOMPLICE OR AN OUTSIDE FORCE, AND SACRIFICES MADE TO CHALLENGE THE SYSTEM.
-FOR THE POSTERS we are going to compare and contrast each topic above amongst the books, we are going to find quotes to help support our reasoning, and establish the main ideas of each in each book
-We are going to have a CREATIVE representation of our thoughts of CTS to help us visually review for our in class essay for the final on Monday, and Tuesday of next week.

Hey Period 2 Sacrifice Group

Hey we need as many ideas as you all can come up with the element of sacrifice for challenging the system. All the work we have accomplished so far will be posted as a comment to this post. Any ideas would be great
Thanks!!

PERIOD 5 CHALLENGING THE SYSTEM!!

Hey Guys! If we have any questions or comments about the projects we would like to discuss, post it here. Also, each group will receive a 6ft long piece of white paper to put their web/display of information on tomorrow at the beginning of class. Have fun!

Daniel Pink is available at EdTech tonight at 5

Daniel Pink at Ed Tech

Event: EdTechConnect featuring Daniel Pink

Date and Time: Wednesday, December 12, 2007 7:00 pm

Eastern Standard Time (GMT -05:00, New York) Change time zone

Program: EdTechConnect

Duration: 1 hour

Description: Daniel Pink, bestselling author of A WHOLE NEW MIND, will describe how three powerful economic forces are putting a premium on right-brain abilities in the workforce. He'll describe the six artistic, empathic abilities that now matter most -- and discuss how educators are beginning to surface and sharpen those abilities in students.

Do You Have What It Takes to Challenge the System?

Well, Macbeth, Jack, Montag, and Danny sure did.
Here is a full proof method to challenging the system.
1. The very first thing you need to challenge the system is fuel to power your fire. For Macbeth it was ambition, Jack a need for power, Montag a yearning for knowledge, and Danny a lifetime of silence.
2. The next thing you need is a spark. For Macbeth it was a prophecy, Jack a caught pig, Montag a new found friend, and Danny a Freud filled book.
3. Then, an accomplice or two comes in handy. Whether it is Lady Macbeth, Roger, Faber, or Rueven, a support system always helps you through the tough times.
4. At this time a plan needs to be made. For some it was a murder, a carefully placed speech, a rebellion against the government, or a college path not laid out by his father, but what will it be for you?
5. Finally it has to be played out. No matter whom you are actions speech the strongest. Even the best plans in the world don’t matter if they are never put into action.

Time for Period Five Scribe

Hey Smith’s Period Five:
Today we started our CTS review for the FINAL! We get to have charge of our own learning. Remember this is the last week to et something for Smith for Christmas. We are etting ready to write an essay for our final on Fareinheit 451, LOF, Macbeth and The Chosen. The question was what does it take to Challenge the System??? WE got into big groups and then split up to come up with the best answer. So good luck!!!

Per. 2 Challenge the systems ideas

here is the place to put your ideas about challenging the system

Period 5 Scribe for the Day of December 11, 2007

Class started off today with chatter while Ms. Smith collected her materials. She then said hello to our class, and while we replied, she was talking to someone in the hall. We discussed the rest of the week, during which she will give us time to sit and think about our finals. Our final will be an essay without notes or any materials. It will be on challenging the system within the four books we read this semester: Macbeth, Lord of the Flies, Fahrenheit 451, and the Chosen. Our thinking time later this week will be used to think about the essay and create posters with notes that will be hung around the classroom during finals.

After discussing homework (to think about the essay), we broke up into two groups, formerly known as the double fish bowl. We then discussed our quotes from The Chosen and the rest of the book. Our group had an interesting discussion on the effects and morality of raising Danny in silence, and we somehow got to discussing about every parent being allowed to raise their child exactly the way they want.

Scribe Per.2 of 12/11/07

Well, Here goes.

Today in class was the first time Mrs. Smith got an Intergetic "Hello Mrs. Smith" from the whole class, and we didn't have to repeat it.
After saying hello, we circled up and disscussed Book three, and then the book in general.
Here are some selected topics we disscussed:

-Differance between "suffering now-enjoy later" VS try to enjoy and avoid suffering at all costs.
-Will Danny raise his kid in silence?
-Difference between Reb's way to find answers (no talking) VS phsycologists way of finding answers (talk it out)
-Will Danny and Reuven Still Remain freinds after their paths split?
-Importance of eyes

When we were discussing, Molly mentioned that Reuven seemed like a player since he had a date every weekend, which I got a kick out of. What would we do if we didn't have Molly?


THOUGHT TO PONDER:

If this is classic art

And this is modern art

What is the world coming to?

INTERESTING FACT O' THE DAY: Both Pheobe's step-dad and one of Mrs. Smith's parents are phsycologists.

Now For The Sad Part...

The plauge of finals has finally reached English class

That's right, tonight's HW is to create an outline of the big Ideas for challenging the system.

Include ideas from all texts (LOTF, 451, Macbeth, The Chosen) in this web

Scibe'in Rachel Sabey

So Today class started without the normal Hi Mrs. Smith, it was devistating but we got through thanks to Mark and Molly. (Mark said he thought Molly was crazy and Smith asked him if he just realized that...Molly than was questioned and she came to the conclusion that she wasn't sure if she was crazy or not. Oh and for thr Record Molly I dont think you are crazy!!!)We went through our schedule and Home work. We breifly discussed chapters 15-17 intending not to give away much due to our scored discussion tomorrow. Than we read allowed Chapter 18 (the last in the Chosen!!!) and looked for a quote we thought best describes the ideas of the book to you. Then we came up with a few Questions for tomorrows disscusion. Our Homework was to Finish the book, scribe (which I'm doing) and never forget Smith and what your going to get her for Christmas. Remember she likes Banana Republic known by Mrs. Smith as the Banana. Well Class today was just that simple . So ya see ya tommrow!!! Sleep well( thats probably acward but being the Clueless person I am Sweet Dreams)

Period Two Scibe!! December Seventh!

Hey guys!!

The class started out as usual, but with a little more enthusiasm than normal because it was friday!, with Ms. Smith saying hello and the class having to repeat it twice because it takes a while to work up all that excitement.

But then Ms. Smith needed to go have a meeting over video computer thingy, and we were all pretty bummed we couldn't join, but as Smith said we wouldn't get anything done, which is probably very true. So we had a sub teacher for most of the class. First, we had to blog a thurough reflection of this semester and tell how our learning has changed this year and how technology has effected it. Hopefully one day our blogs with make a difference and more classes will get to use laptops!! After, we got to spend the period reading "The Chosen" and that put an end to our friday english class. Our only homework is to read chapters 15-17 for Monday and what are you getting Ms. Smith for Christmas?

and to spice things up, I'll tell you all one of my favorite jokes!!
so what do you call a fish with no eyes??

a fshhhhhh!! hahaha

see you all in class!!
~Nicole

Period 5 Scribage December 10

What's up my peeps? It's period 5 English December 10.

"Hello everybody."

"Hello Mrs. Smith!!"

HOMEWORK:

-Read Chapter 18

-Pick one quote that embodies the entire book and prepare to defend your point.

-Create questions for discussion tomorrow.

-React to semester reflections and pod casts

Today we are going to briefly discuss 15-17.

Hannah points out that the only way to learn Torah is in silence. When Rueven had nothing, that was the time he made the discovery on the hard Talmud text.

Leslie is confused about the dialogue about silence and how it can be heard.

Dawnielle says that the first silence was between Danny and his Dad- Silence tests relationship-but doesn't work. The second silence was a test of Danny and Rueven's relationships. Parker says that WWI veterans (artillery men) couldn't stand the silence.

Christina said that silence tests yourself. Rueven's father urged Rueven to hear the silence.

Becky says that silence is a detrimental part of being a tzaddik. In silence, one cannot mask one's feelings.

Hannah says that when there is a snow storm, she walks outside and listens to the eerie silence. I've done that too! It's so amazing. She says that you can examine your feelings that you normally couldn't have time to do.

Keke says that she found that the book debates the good and bad of silence. The two characters clash in this way. She thinks that you can only fell-not hear-silence.

Stephen says that silence is good and bad. He was at Cub Scouts and he can feel God in the silence.

Whitney says that she can learn much more about a person when they are silent and that you can analyze those feelings.

Becky says that you can turn toward the happy things when talking, but in silence, you look around and see what is really happening-sometimes good, sometimes bad.

Mellisa is wondering why David is so upset about the silence.

Smith: Is is disappointment or no understanding.

Mac remembers the way a seashell sounds-traps you.

Christina says that through silence that you can gain truthfulness. She also says that the silence reminds her of monks.

Ryan says that the other day he was in an argument and how there is a moment of silence when you stare at each other.

Hannah says that in 451 there was always a distraction,

Leslie says that she noticed that Potok likes to show dialogue without quotations and unconventional dialogue. He constantly breaks the pattern.

Mellisa thinks it was odd for Reb to break the silence between Danny and Rueven.

Whitney says that it could also be because Reb needs to see Rueven.

Stephen says that it is like blind fury. He also thinks of a quote-knowledge speaks, knowledge listens-by Jimmy Hendrix. Great connection!

Morgan T says that Rueven was caught in selfishness when he refused to see Reb, but he needed to be a buffer.

Then we read- one group composes of people like Ryan and Mac who want to read aloud and a group of myself and the majority of the class who want to read silently.

I was just thinking- everybody always has an interesting picture or link on the blog. This morning I was greatly depressed that it was Monday, so I tried to cheer myself up with a video- and I found the funniest thing I think I've ever seen. It's called human tetris, and it is huge in Japan. It's always funny watching a bunch of idiots getting knocked into a pool of an ominous yellow liquid.

Enjoy!-http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=1366142

Well, we have reached the end of our day in period 5 as we are all reading Chapter 18 of The Chosen. I need to get reading! Happy holidays everybody!

Jordan Hall signing off from Period 5, back to you in the newsroom, Jim!

Oh My Goodness Its the period 5 Scribe!!! 12/7/07

Class started off with the usual "Hello Ms. Smith" which I notice is always said in complete unison...Choral Responses as they call them ^_^.

After that we talked with Ms. Smith about her trip to The Denver Tech Center and how she felt...*dramatic pause*....inferior to the other teachers there. Apparently, the food there wasn't very good though. We talked a bit about Mr. Booth, the fischbowl, and how so many people in the past thought computers would never be used in schools...haha isn't it ironic?

Next Ms. Smith explained the task for the day which was to post a thoughtful and thorough response to the reality check blog question. Our answers may affect the lives of many students here at AHS because technology in learning is at stake. Ms. Smith and many other teachers want technology to be a larger part in student life and so they and many students (like myself) think there should be way more then just 3 laptop classes....wouldn't it be sweet if our comments actually made a difference in school?

This is clearly not education as usual people!!!

After the explanation we were set free to work and once we finished we were allowed to begin the homework assignment which was to read chapters 15-17 of The Chosen.

Reflections Period 5

What changes have you seen this semester in regards to your education? What role did technology play in that change? What role did the constructivist philosophy play in that change? (constructivist-students becoming producers of information, students in charge of their own learning)

Make sure to include specific examples and expand on each other's ideas.

Reflections period 2

What changes have you seen this semester in regards to your education? What role did technology play in that change? What role did the constructivist philosophy play in that change? (constructivist-students becoming producers of information, students in charge of their own learning)

Make sure to include specific examples and expand on each other's ideas.

PERIOD 2!! "scribin it up"

First of all I would like to express my sadness. I was very sad that Mrs. Smith wasn't in class today. I'm sure everyone enjoyed the sub though. He is a wise man. Of course class started with Molly saying something odd and everyone bursting out in confused laughter. Then the laughter ended with Molly and Mark exchanging puzzled glances. After that daily occurance we were off to the races. We got into small groups and "discussed the book". It was good to get an understanding on things. As a class we were surprisingly quiet in the large group discussion. Nicole and Molly had there little discussion across the class room and we went on reading individually. The reading was pleasing(in a sarcastic voice) as usual. Class seemed to end abruptly. I can say that today was a Good Day! (except for Mrs.Smith missing out)

Ashley for Period 5

Hello fellow classmates, this is Ashley F. My blogger is silly so I have to use Maddie's. We didn't get to meet all together for too long today, so i'll tell you a little about what happened from my observations.

Come back Ms. Smith!! Good choice of sub today though, he knows what he's talking about. Many people became annoyed by the length of the chapter today. The chapter was about Zionism. During the small group discussion, the class was very gender segregated. We have got to get over our fear of cooties! Well anyways, we thought that Danny is a very anti-social kid, and his dad took away his only friend.

During the discussion we also found that Maddie is OCD. Yay Maddie. Alex really wowed us today.... and what about Cate, she drives really well, she even ran into a tree. Maddison has some craker jacks. Ron from Harry Potter wasnt played by the right person---Maddie disagreed. Nunca, means NEVER!!!! Maddie is plum out of ideas.Though every one is tainting the scribing experience, this is what they wanted me to say.------Maddie likes pananas. Let's get serious.

Symbol of the "eye" became a basis for much conversation. The simple writting of the story was broken into this paragraph about the meaning of man.

Some feel that Reb Saunders will never change his ways. Why is Reb Saunders SO agaisnt Zionism? Cate stated that people need a balance of religion and reality in life. Morgan said, in the large group, that the simple story makes you have to become a part of the story. Dawnielle made a remark about the last line of chapter 13, where Reuven remembers that day they met, and how you must think about the series of events after that. Over all, good day of conversation.


Home Work: Read Chapter 14 and What are You Getting Ms. Smith for Christmas? (or should I say Hannukkah????) :)

-Ashley