Well, it seems this topic won’t go away. Allie and Alexis came up to me on Friday and wanted to add the dress code and what students can and cannot wear on the blog. Well, go for it! Remember, to continue to blog with your audience in mind. No personal attacks. Oh, the angst of a teenager. Have a great weekend.
CarpeDiem!
Okay, it looks like I’m the only one that thinks that same sex classrooms are a great idea. I have to admit that you make some valid points in your blogs for the arguments against single sex classrooms. The most compelling one stated in many of your blogs is the fact that school is more than academic learning, there is also the social learning that goes on. How we learn to interact with others of the opposite sex. I’ll concede that point. I still think, however, that same sex classrooms are a good idea. I also want to clarify something that I said that may have given many of you the wrong idea: If Horse Heaven Hills ever decided to implement same sex classrooms, it would be optional. I also think it’s awesome that Mrs. Burns contributed to our blog on her thoughts on the black lipstick controversy. Keeping the lines of communication open is how we can make progress and, in some cases, instigate change.
Moving along, I want to draw your attention to what’s happening in Darfur. My third and fifth period students just finished reading The Diary Of Anne Frank and can’t believe that the atrocities done to the Jews by Hitler could happen today. Think Again! Righ now. After three years, 400,000 innocent men, women and children have been killed and 2.5 million driven from their homes in Darfur. Sobering statistics, and yet, Darfur is hardly mentioned in the headlines. We will talk more about Darfur in the following weeks. If you want more information about the genocide occuring in Darfur, click on the following links: Darfur . Wikipedia. BBC
Hey, the kick-off for the Under The Mask promotion went well. A BIG thank-you to Ethan and Tanner for showing their commercial during lunch today. They sold 64 copies of Under The Mask . The goal is to sell 100. I don’t how we can go wrong. We have 120 compelling, riveting, humorous narratives and poems. And all for the price of $2.00. Imagine, being entertained for a whole day on $2.00. A movie ticket runs you $6.00 and you’re not even guaranteed if the movie is going to be good. Plus, all the proceeds goes to Second Harvest.Under the Mask is a can’t put down read. I thought it might be cool to have an author signing for each book sold, what do you think? I thought it would be good to discusss another issue that is somewhat controversial: Same sex classrooms. Research has shown that boys’ brains are wired differently than girls’ brains. Boys need a classroom where the activities are fast paced and competitive. Where as the girls flourish in a classroom where they have time to work and reflective. Plus, with separate classrooms, both the boys and girls could concentrate on their school work and not on socializing so much. Sounds like a good idea to me, what do you think?
I can’t believe the response the blog on black lipstick has generated. I have to admit, I’m overwhelmed. I did not expect this. I figured I might get two or three blogs, but to this date there has been close to 30, WOW! And what impresses me the most is that the blogs display a civilized discourse without any name-calling or disparaging remarks. Your blogs are insightful and you articulate your ideas effectively. You raise some interesting and valid points about the wearing of black lipstick. I’m proud of you. It is my hope that this type of discussion can continue, that this blog can be a place where your voice can be expressed and heard. I also want to invite you to post some of your writing, poems, stories, essays to share with us. A special shout-out to Rose and Courtney for helping me manage and navigate the blog. Another blog that is generating some interest in the Freedom Writers book and movie. I haven’t seen the movie, but I hear it’s good. Mrs. Moody and some of her students went to the movie and loved it. The teacher of the Freedom Writers, Erin Gruwell is an inspiration to all teachers and she shows what happens when a teacher cares for her students and believes in them. Nothing can hold them back. Some of my students have been lobbying me to read aloud The Freedom Writers. Okay, I will, at least some of the diary entries of the Freedom writers. A final note, for my classes reading To Kill A Mockingbird, I have a website that is fantastic and will help you with some of the vocabulary found in the book. All you have to do is find it on the blog and begin the adventure. WRITE ON! Mr. Loosveldt
A movie recently came out in theaters called Freedom Writers, based on a true story of a teacher in Long Beach who brought a group of gang/project kids together in an English class. The teacher, one Erin Gruwell, had her students write a journal of their lives, with no restrictions other than that they had to write everyday. There is a book, which contains the diaries of the students that were in that classroom (Room 203), which is aptly named The Diary of Room 203.
The story of Room 203 is similar to that of the book Bronx Masquerade that we read, as well as the narrative-poem project, Under The Mask, that we did in our classroom. Some students have already seen the new movie, and say that it is definitely one everybody should see.
If you have seen this movie, or read the book, or even just want to say something, please post your views here. If there are any spoilers in your post, please warn us with the tag: ”Spoilers” or *Spoilers* in the beginning of your response.
Okay, there seems to be some controversary about freedom to express yourself at H3MS. Is it fair to have a dress code that limits an individaul’s ability to express him/herself? I think there has to be some limits to promote a positive learning environment. After all, school isn’t “Project Runway”. There is a petition circulating asking the administration to change the policy that prohibits students to wear black lipstick. What do you think?? Is H3MS’ dress code too restrictive? Let me hear from you, the bloglines are open. I’ll post some of your comments next week.
Carpa Diem!
My first and second period language arts classes are reading one of the “classics” of American Literature, To Kill a Mockingbird. One of the central themes in TKM is intolerance. Reading TKM can be a challenge; however, our class discussions, journal reflections and chapter discussion questions should help you navigate through the story and understand and appreciate the characters, plot, and symbolism in TKM. In fact your first assignment is to read to page 41 and give a brief character profile of Atticus, Scout, Jem, Dill and Calpurina, and Boo Radely. Share your thoughts and I’ll post them in the coming weeks. I also found a great resource to help students understand the vocabluary in To Kill A Mockingbird. Enjoy! Chapter 8 and 9 has some heavy-duty symbolism. My question to you: What does the snow and Jem attempt to make a snowman symbolize? I’d also like to know your thoughts on how Jem and Scout’s relationship is changing?
With all the good writing going on in room 802, I’d like my students to consider publishing some of their writing. I have a couple of ideas: 1) send me one of your poems or narratives and I’ll post them on my blog; 2) TeenInk is a wonderful publication that has a national following. I know, I know, sharing your writing can be a daunting experience, but the rewards are worth it.
Just wanted to let my students know I’m impressed with the quality of their narratives and poems they wrote for our class anthology Under the Mask . It just illustrates what happens when the writer has an emotional interest vested in the subject: the voice is magnified. I’m inviting my students to post their writing on this blog. Stay tuned.
Welcome to Edublogs.org. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!
Welcome, class to my new blog site! This is an exciting project for me and one I enter with a little trepidation. I want to use this site as a way to facilate two way communication between you and me. My goal is to provide you with timely information on assignments, websites that will provide you with insights on the craft of writing. I also want to use this site to encourage you to post some of your writing and allow your peers to respond to your writing. Let’s get started. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. Carpia Diem
