5) The Simpsons: An Uncensored, Unauthorized History
by John Ortved If you're interested in a sometimes repetitive but ultimately informative history of one of the greatest shows in television history, John Ortved's book is hard to beat.
26 February 2010
Book 5 of 2010
I finished this book at home while deaf in one ear.
5) The Simpsons: An Uncensored, Unauthorized History by John Ortved
If you're interested in a sometimes repetitive but ultimately informative history of one of the greatest shows in television history, John Ortved's book is hard to beat.
5) The Simpsons: An Uncensored, Unauthorized History
by John Ortved If you're interested in a sometimes repetitive but ultimately informative history of one of the greatest shows in television history, John Ortved's book is hard to beat.
23 February 2010
My dog passes wind while he sleeps.
Oftentimes, my dog will sleep on our couch. Sometimes he'll rest in the middle, but, especially if the wife is away at work or school, he'll sleep as far away as he possibly can from me while still also sharing the same sofa. Tonight is the exception. And I have to believe, because my dog is a jerk that is being raised (or owned or trained) by a jerk, he's doing it solely because he has gas and wants to guarantee I get a nice whiff. Thanks, Spider-Man.
Frosh
Everyone picked a time period/setting for their scene. A few folks chose some very interesting ones, but nobody picked "caveman" which I've always wanted to see but never have in any of the years that I've done this project. Oh, well...maybe next year.
Bonus Time (10 points): If you were handling this project solo, what's the time period/era/setting that you would pick? Why make that choice? Explain yourself in a minimum of five sentences.
Seniors
The existentialism unit always provides the best discussion of the entire year. It's always neck and neck with the philosophy unit, but one of the big differences is that the latter arrives so soon into the year that people aren't all that comfortable spouting off their opinions just yet. By the time we get to this point, people feel more comfortable and more willing to stand up for what they think. One of the bigger problems for me in having these discussions is that I want and need to hit very key points but each class can have a different way of getting around to these points. For instance, today I really, really enjoyed how fifth period organically made some connections during our discussion in comparing the pre-test to the experience of being in life. So many of the points were so great that I attempted to steer sixth period to some of those same ideas but it felt clunkier, like I was making the points more than the students. I hate when that happens.
Bonus Time (15 points total): Explain your personal definition of existentialism and try to provide your own metaphor as a way to represent it. (For instance, the metaphor I provided today was the pre-test.) Now come up with your own after your definition. Definitions should be three sentences (5 points). Metaphors will take however long you feel is necessary to get your point across (10 points).
All answers need to be in by the end of Wednesday.
Frosh
Everyone picked a time period/setting for their scene. A few folks chose some very interesting ones, but nobody picked "caveman" which I've always wanted to see but never have in any of the years that I've done this project. Oh, well...maybe next year.
Bonus Time (10 points): If you were handling this project solo, what's the time period/era/setting that you would pick? Why make that choice? Explain yourself in a minimum of five sentences.
Seniors
The existentialism unit always provides the best discussion of the entire year. It's always neck and neck with the philosophy unit, but one of the big differences is that the latter arrives so soon into the year that people aren't all that comfortable spouting off their opinions just yet. By the time we get to this point, people feel more comfortable and more willing to stand up for what they think. One of the bigger problems for me in having these discussions is that I want and need to hit very key points but each class can have a different way of getting around to these points. For instance, today I really, really enjoyed how fifth period organically made some connections during our discussion in comparing the pre-test to the experience of being in life. So many of the points were so great that I attempted to steer sixth period to some of those same ideas but it felt clunkier, like I was making the points more than the students. I hate when that happens.
Bonus Time (15 points total): Explain your personal definition of existentialism and try to provide your own metaphor as a way to represent it. (For instance, the metaphor I provided today was the pre-test.) Now come up with your own after your definition. Definitions should be three sentences (5 points). Metaphors will take however long you feel is necessary to get your point across (10 points).
All answers need to be in by the end of Wednesday.
And we're back!
Being sick is never any fun, and it's often more work to arrange for a day I'm not there than it is for me to actually be there doing the work. Unfortunately, for the second time this school year and the third time in a calendar year, my ear has betrayed me. Thankfully, I wasn't out for as long as last time, but the affliction is a bit worse than before. I appreciate your patience with me and my constant need for you to repeat yourself. I know I don't like to do that, and I really hate that I have been forced to ask you to do so. Hopefully, the lack of hearing on my right side will pass soon enough.
Frosh
You were assigned the Act IV group project, where each group is responsible for producing, interpreting and presenting a scene from act IV to the class and individuals will create a product and a half-page paper based on their roles in the group. Everyone needs to act in the presented scene, save directors who will be responsible for the script with stage directions and a full-page paper that explains their choices. This is an exciting project that I always anticipate doing throughout the school year. I'm a big stickler for creativity, and anyone that takes a chance to do something spectacular is rewarded for the effort, even if that chance falls through to some degree. Each day this week, I'll be giving you a different objective to fulfill. Today, for instance, I encouraged everyone to finish reading through their respective scenes and choose a time period for the setting.
Seniors
Monday saw everyone receive the final Macbeth paragraph assignment, and we discussed the different interpretations of the play, specifically those made by Roman Polanski in his film version. I'm looking to do one last Macbeth assignment, but I'm unsure of just what that will be yet or if it will even happen. Regardless, tomorrow we start off on existentialism, which means more talking about your own interpretation of the world and reality. This will be fun, and sometimes confusing.
Frosh
You were assigned the Act IV group project, where each group is responsible for producing, interpreting and presenting a scene from act IV to the class and individuals will create a product and a half-page paper based on their roles in the group. Everyone needs to act in the presented scene, save directors who will be responsible for the script with stage directions and a full-page paper that explains their choices. This is an exciting project that I always anticipate doing throughout the school year. I'm a big stickler for creativity, and anyone that takes a chance to do something spectacular is rewarded for the effort, even if that chance falls through to some degree. Each day this week, I'll be giving you a different objective to fulfill. Today, for instance, I encouraged everyone to finish reading through their respective scenes and choose a time period for the setting.
Seniors
Monday saw everyone receive the final Macbeth paragraph assignment, and we discussed the different interpretations of the play, specifically those made by Roman Polanski in his film version. I'm looking to do one last Macbeth assignment, but I'm unsure of just what that will be yet or if it will even happen. Regardless, tomorrow we start off on existentialism, which means more talking about your own interpretation of the world and reality. This will be fun, and sometimes confusing.
19 February 2010
Book 4 of 2010
This was completed while I was home sick with two ear infections in the same ear. Ear infections are brutal.
4) The Strain
by Guillermo Del Toro & Chuck Hogan
If the testament to a trilogy is how much the part one makes a person anxious to read the next installment, then The Strain fails big time.
4) The Strain
by Guillermo Del Toro & Chuck HoganIf the testament to a trilogy is how much the part one makes a person anxious to read the next installment, then The Strain fails big time.
17 February 2010
Senior Files
Here are the two files since it appears that Teacherweb, the service I pay for out of my own pocket, is down at a time when I actually need it to work and have students using it. It's inconvenient more so than it is ironic. Thankfully, Google Docs comes to the rescue.
Macbeth Paragraph file
Outside Reading Update file
I'll probably have another blog up later tonight, Macbeth Paragraphs permitting.
Macbeth Paragraph file
Outside Reading Update file
I'll probably have another blog up later tonight, Macbeth Paragraphs permitting.
10 February 2010
Book 3 of 2010
This was completed on February 10, during my prep period.
![Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal [LAMB] [Paperback]](http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B002VLPD4E&tag=asmrtath-20)
3) Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore
Lamb, like the title suggests, is the story of Jesus's life, the whole thing, as told by his best friend, Biff. Obviously, this is a fictional tale and those easily offended by the idea that Jesus may have laughed at fart jokes with his buddy as a young man would do well to tread no further.
3) Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore
Lamb, like the title suggests, is the story of Jesus's life, the whole thing, as told by his best friend, Biff. Obviously, this is a fictional tale and those easily offended by the idea that Jesus may have laughed at fart jokes with his buddy as a young man would do well to tread no further.
07 February 2010
On Metaphors and Due Dates
Frosh
The balcony scene provides plenty of opportunities to identify metaphors and other comparisons. It also sets the ground for the rest of the play, since Romeo proposes marriage. We also were introduced to the Friar, whose hasty decision to help the two young lovebirds ends poorly for everyone involved. If you're looking for someone to blame, he's the guy.
Seniors
Now Macbeth is not only a jerk, but an insane jerk. This is what happens when a body doesn't sleep. Considering the new visions he has, Macbeth finds himself at a crossroads. Ask yourself if what the witches show Macbeth are actually visions. Do any of them actually portend future events? Depending on your answer, what does that tell us about the witches?
Keep in mind the following dates:
Finally, if you plan to earn the bonus points associated with annotating your own copy of The Stranger, then you should make sure to have it in hand by March 1. This is a preliminary date, but more than likely, we'll be working with Albert Camus' novel by then.
The balcony scene provides plenty of opportunities to identify metaphors and other comparisons. It also sets the ground for the rest of the play, since Romeo proposes marriage. We also were introduced to the Friar, whose hasty decision to help the two young lovebirds ends poorly for everyone involved. If you're looking for someone to blame, he's the guy.
Seniors
Now Macbeth is not only a jerk, but an insane jerk. This is what happens when a body doesn't sleep. Considering the new visions he has, Macbeth finds himself at a crossroads. Ask yourself if what the witches show Macbeth are actually visions. Do any of them actually portend future events? Depending on your answer, what does that tell us about the witches?
Keep in mind the following dates:
- February 10 - Act III Paragraph due
- February 11 - Polanski Film Permission Slips due
- February 16 - Act IV Paragraph due
- February 18 - Act V Paragraph due; OR Update 3 due
- February 26 - Final Macbeth Paragraph due
Finally, if you plan to earn the bonus points associated with annotating your own copy of The Stranger, then you should make sure to have it in hand by March 1. This is a preliminary date, but more than likely, we'll be working with Albert Camus' novel by then.
02 February 2010
Look out for the soliloquy power up!
Dante's Inferno Studio Thrilled with EA's Marketing Support
Why am I linking to an article about the marketing of a video game? Besides the fact that Dante's Inferno is a classic piece of literature (admittedly, one that I haven't read) which was turned into a new video game (admittedly again, one that I haven't played), but the makers of the game have quite the idea for a new game.
Why am I linking to an article about the marketing of a video game? Besides the fact that Dante's Inferno is a classic piece of literature (admittedly, one that I haven't read) which was turned into a new video game (admittedly again, one that I haven't played), but the makers of the game have quite the idea for a new game.
IG: So is there anything else in your classical studies that you'd like to realize in game form?That's certainly...interesting. Any actual game is several years away, but I think I'd be interested in playing it should it ever be developed. At the very least, I'd feel obligated to play it so as to clear up misconceptions folks might develop about the play.
JK: Macbeth the game is something I've been thinking about for years, but now, I think the emotional quality that games are achieving and the value level of the acting and the sound work makes it possible. The thing is, the unique quality of games is being interactive; it's about action and killing things and pursuing those mechanics is tricky when bringing in classic media; Dante's is more of a violent interpretation of the poem for example. Macbeth would be great, though; there are witches and a supernatural experience along with plenty of intrigue and murder.
01 February 2010
On Other Second Semesters
Currently, I'm sitting in my Educational Psychology class, which, besides my graduate seminar course where the goal is to write a very long paper, is my last actual class before earning my Master's Degree. Class has not actually begun yet as I type this up, so don't think I'm attempting to be a bad student or role model. Instead, I'm trying to catch up on some lost time in the blogging world.
From what I understand, pictures exist of my sumo hockey hijinks from the past weekend, so I'll make those available as soon as I can...if you care. Seriously, though, that was quite a good time.
Frosh
After finally finishing that first scene, we are rolling along. Scenes ii, iii and iv are all short and sweet, each one introducing at least one important or noteworthy character. Paris arrives in scene ii, the nurse and Juliet show up in scene iii, and Mercutio makes his presence known in scene iv. Of those, Juliet is probably most important since her name is in the title, but I have a personal affinity for Mercutio. His motivations are fascinating and always open to multiple interpretations. Also, I hope you start to appreciate the advent of stage directions in future plays and scripts you read while realizing the pros and cons of the absence of them in Shakespeare's work. Understanding how and where characters address one another is tough to figure out at first, but it'll be helpful whenever you check out Shakespeare in the future.
Your ORU #2 is due on Thursday. The Act I Study Guide and Act I Review are both due on Friday. Remember that in order to get full credit, your answers need to be in complete sentences.
Seniors
Macbeth is quite the jerk since becoming king, or maybe it's just his true nature becoming clear. Still, the jerk part is evident what with ordering the assassination of Banquo and all. His wife is even starting to think so.
You also took both the terms re-test and a quiz on Act II. The third paragraph will be due a week from Wednesday. Meanwhile, your second Outside Reading Update will be due Thursday.
From what I understand, pictures exist of my sumo hockey hijinks from the past weekend, so I'll make those available as soon as I can...if you care. Seriously, though, that was quite a good time.
Frosh
After finally finishing that first scene, we are rolling along. Scenes ii, iii and iv are all short and sweet, each one introducing at least one important or noteworthy character. Paris arrives in scene ii, the nurse and Juliet show up in scene iii, and Mercutio makes his presence known in scene iv. Of those, Juliet is probably most important since her name is in the title, but I have a personal affinity for Mercutio. His motivations are fascinating and always open to multiple interpretations. Also, I hope you start to appreciate the advent of stage directions in future plays and scripts you read while realizing the pros and cons of the absence of them in Shakespeare's work. Understanding how and where characters address one another is tough to figure out at first, but it'll be helpful whenever you check out Shakespeare in the future.
Your ORU #2 is due on Thursday. The Act I Study Guide and Act I Review are both due on Friday. Remember that in order to get full credit, your answers need to be in complete sentences.
Seniors
Macbeth is quite the jerk since becoming king, or maybe it's just his true nature becoming clear. Still, the jerk part is evident what with ordering the assassination of Banquo and all. His wife is even starting to think so.
You also took both the terms re-test and a quiz on Act II. The third paragraph will be due a week from Wednesday. Meanwhile, your second Outside Reading Update will be due Thursday.
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