In light of our need for more time to get our work done, please make sure your comment is posted. Then, please read the rest of the Foreword (below, continued after the jump) and summarize on your blog (title: HUXLEY'S FOREWORD TO BNW).
Chronic remorse, as all the moralists are agreed, is a most
undesirable sentiment. If you have behaved badly, repent, make what
amends you can and address yourself to the task of behaving better
next time. On no account brood over your wrong-doing. Rolling in the
muck is not the best way of getting clean.
Art also has its morality, and many of the rules of this morality
are the same as, or at least analogous to, the rules of ordinary
ethics. Remorse, for example, is as undesirable in relation to our
bad art as it
Thursday, February 28, 2019
february 28
JOURNAL TOPIC: [today's tunes: "Break on Through" by The Doors]
(With Huxley's "The Doors of Perception" in mind...)
As Alexander Graham Bell observed, "When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us." What doors are open for you right now? What opportunities do you have to take a positive step in the world that leaves a valuable footprint in this community?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Discussion: where is your tribe?
3. Continue BNW Foreword
POST:
Several well-documented studies have suggested that many people can be aware of a problem-- and fail to act, because they think someone else will respond. In one case, dozens of residents in an apartment building heard a woman being attacked... and no one helped her because they thought someone else would.
What distinguishes the person who acts, when others merely think about it? How can you use this to your advantage as a student and a member of our community? (title: I'M THE PERSON I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR)
(With Huxley's "The Doors of Perception" in mind...)
As Alexander Graham Bell observed, "When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us." What doors are open for you right now? What opportunities do you have to take a positive step in the world that leaves a valuable footprint in this community?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Discussion: where is your tribe?
3. Continue BNW Foreword
POST:
Several well-documented studies have suggested that many people can be aware of a problem-- and fail to act, because they think someone else will respond. In one case, dozens of residents in an apartment building heard a woman being attacked... and no one helped her because they thought someone else would.
What distinguishes the person who acts, when others merely think about it? How can you use this to your advantage as a student and a member of our community? (title: I'M THE PERSON I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR)
brave new curriculum
In case Aldous Huxley's claims sound exaggerated:
http://boingboing.net/2015/02/27/kansas-senate-wants-to-impriso.html
http://boingboing.net/2015/02/27/kansas-senate-wants-to-impriso.html
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
self-evaluation
As we head into the first progress reporting window of the Spring
semester, it's a good time to reflect. Since I only see you for a few
hours each week, and you spend 24/7 with yourself (including that
oh-so-valuable time with your subconscious while you sleep), please
answer the following questions as we begin to assess your performance.
Please write your answers in complete sentences-- you do not need to
copy the questions-- on a piece of paper and turn in ASAP. Please
remember to write your name in the upper right hand corner. Mahalo.
- What do you do best in this course? Where are you strongest, most confident? What can you say you have actually accomplished or learned so far this semester?
- Where do you need improvement? Support? What can you or the teacher do to help you?
- On a scale from 1-10, how much effort are you putting into this course? (*You can separate this out into categories; for example, if you put in a huge effort on your blog, but not so much on the reading or the journals or the lit circles, explain)
- What letter grade do you believe you have earned at this point in the course?
february 27
JOURNAL TOPIC:
Today the focus is on collaboration. As you watch Mike Wallace interview Aldous Huxley, consider how having an audience and expressing ideas out loud help both Wallace and Huxley clarify and expand their ideas. Think about the direction your masterpiece is headed, and ask yourself how talking about your work can refine your thinking and help identify additional skills, talents, & resources to help you? What skills/talents/resources do you have that might help someone else?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Self-evaluation
3. Big Question: it takes a village (*find the others)
Today the focus is on collaboration. As you watch Mike Wallace interview Aldous Huxley, consider how having an audience and expressing ideas out loud help both Wallace and Huxley clarify and expand their ideas. Think about the direction your masterpiece is headed, and ask yourself how talking about your work can refine your thinking and help identify additional skills, talents, & resources to help you? What skills/talents/resources do you have that might help someone else?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Self-evaluation
3. Big Question: it takes a village (*find the others)
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
february 26
JOURNAL TOPIC:
Why do you feel tired so often? Since I assume most people know how to address being tired (sleep, rest, reduce stress, eat better, etc.), what is preventing you from living in a way that sustains your positive energy throughout the day?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2(a). Watch Mike Wallace (of eventual "60 Minutes" fame) interview Aldous Huxley
2(b). In an essay-let (essayito?) of 1-3 paragraphs, please comment to this post and cite 3-5 ideas from the talk to support your validation or refutation of the following claim:
We are living in the Brave New World.
(*You can also copy/paste this into a post for your blog.)
Why do you feel tired so often? Since I assume most people know how to address being tired (sleep, rest, reduce stress, eat better, etc.), what is preventing you from living in a way that sustains your positive energy throughout the day?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2(a). Watch Mike Wallace (of eventual "60 Minutes" fame) interview Aldous Huxley
2(b). In an essay-let (essayito?) of 1-3 paragraphs, please comment to this post and cite 3-5 ideas from the talk to support your validation or refutation of the following claim:
We are living in the Brave New World.
(*You can also copy/paste this into a post for your blog.)
Monday, February 25, 2019
february 25
JOURNAL TOPIC:
Describe the worst villain you've ever experienced in a story. What made this villain so... VILLAINOUS? Use an example to explain your answer.
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Brave New World: introduction and background
3. Finish Foreword & begin reading chapters 1-2 of Brave New World
4. Read "My High School Hoax" (try the link first; the comments are priceless--if the link doesn't work, you can read the text of "My High School Hoax" after the jump)
5. Then read "Committing to Play for a College, Then Starting 9th Grade" (if link doesn't work, see "Committing..." after the jump)
POST:
In a blog post entitled HAFTA/WANNA explain similarities/differences you see between your life during high school and life after high school. Is there a significant difference? Will people somehow magically transform the day after graduation, or will they take their current habits of mind/word/deed into their next set of daily activities? How do you balance the things you want to do and the things you have to do, and what are your expectations of yourself and the world around you as you move on?
POST:
There was a time when the future seemed like it was guaranteed to be brighter and better than the present. Is it still? How do you see the future? What is your view based on-- your own experience, movies, books, headlines, what adults say...? Do you think it's set in stone or is the future something we can influence by making different choices in the present? Explain. (title: BRAVE NEW WORLD)
Describe the worst villain you've ever experienced in a story. What made this villain so... VILLAINOUS? Use an example to explain your answer.
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Brave New World: introduction and background
3. Finish Foreword & begin reading chapters 1-2 of Brave New World
4. Read "My High School Hoax" (try the link first; the comments are priceless--if the link doesn't work, you can read the text of "My High School Hoax" after the jump)
5. Then read "Committing to Play for a College, Then Starting 9th Grade" (if link doesn't work, see "Committing..." after the jump)
POST:
In a blog post entitled HAFTA/WANNA explain similarities/differences you see between your life during high school and life after high school. Is there a significant difference? Will people somehow magically transform the day after graduation, or will they take their current habits of mind/word/deed into their next set of daily activities? How do you balance the things you want to do and the things you have to do, and what are your expectations of yourself and the world around you as you move on?
POST:
There was a time when the future seemed like it was guaranteed to be brighter and better than the present. Is it still? How do you see the future? What is your view based on-- your own experience, movies, books, headlines, what adults say...? Do you think it's set in stone or is the future something we can influence by making different choices in the present? Explain. (title: BRAVE NEW WORLD)
Friday, February 22, 2019
february 22
JOURNAL TOPIC:
Imagine that you've accomplished all you set out to do. What would it take for you to risk it all, lose it, and move on without complaint? (*Take a moment and let this really sink in before you begin to write.)
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Workday: please make sure your journals and blogs are complete and up-to-date
Imagine that you've accomplished all you set out to do. What would it take for you to risk it all, lose it, and move on without complaint? (*Take a moment and let this really sink in before you begin to write.)
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Workday: please make sure your journals and blogs are complete and up-to-date
Thursday, February 21, 2019
february 21
JOURNAL TOPIC:
What makes something funny? To explain your answer, use an example from real life. Describe a time something happened, or someone told a joke that made you laugh out loud.
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Big Questions & lateral thinking
POST:
As we've discussed, school is the only place where life is divided into subjects. Everywhere else, everything works together all the time to create our understanding of the world around us. What are the subjects that are included in your Big Question? Please list at least 3-5 and explain how they relate. (title: THE INTERDISCIPLINARITY)
What makes something funny? To explain your answer, use an example from real life. Describe a time something happened, or someone told a joke that made you laugh out loud.
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Big Questions & lateral thinking
POST:
As we've discussed, school is the only place where life is divided into subjects. Everywhere else, everything works together all the time to create our understanding of the world around us. What are the subjects that are included in your Big Question? Please list at least 3-5 and explain how they relate. (title: THE INTERDISCIPLINARITY)
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
february 20
JOURNAL TOPIC:
Sometimes ideas from class stick with us and sometimes they don't. Describe an idea that you learned in class that has stuck with you longer than you expected. Why does it stick out in your memory? Was it presented in a memorable way, or is it particularly meaningful or valuable?
Sometimes ideas from class stick with us and sometimes they don't. Describe an idea that you learned in class that has stuck with you longer than you expected. Why does it stick out in your memory? Was it presented in a memorable way, or is it particularly meaningful or valuable?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. From yesterday's topics: entrepreneurship
3. Big Questions
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
february 19
JOURNAL TOPIC:
Describe a practice that's good for you -- working out, eating vegan, sleeping 8 hours a night, flossing every day -- that you don't do. Why don't you do something that you KNOW is good for you? Logically, this seems absurd, but we all develop habits and life practices that need improvement. What will it take for you to take better care of yourself?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Macbeth essay feedback/debrief
3. So: where to...?
Describe a practice that's good for you -- working out, eating vegan, sleeping 8 hours a night, flossing every day -- that you don't do. Why don't you do something that you KNOW is good for you? Logically, this seems absurd, but we all develop habits and life practices that need improvement. What will it take for you to take better care of yourself?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Macbeth essay feedback/debrief
3. So: where to...?
Friday, February 15, 2019
meet the five year-old who opened a library
Please read the full story HERE and comment below.
february 15
JOURNAL TOPIC:
How far away from you (or how different a life from yours) does a person have to live in order for you to consider him/her a "foreigner"? Are you inclined to welcome "foreigners" -- whether they be from a different country, city, or even just another social clique on campus-- or are you inclined to favor people whose experience is more similar to yours?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Go over requirements for Macbeth essay
3. Time to work on the week's journals, your blogs, and the essay
POST:
Macbeth essay. Due Sunday night.
How far away from you (or how different a life from yours) does a person have to live in order for you to consider him/her a "foreigner"? Are you inclined to welcome "foreigners" -- whether they be from a different country, city, or even just another social clique on campus-- or are you inclined to favor people whose experience is more similar to yours?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Go over requirements for Macbeth essay
3. Time to work on the week's journals, your blogs, and the essay
POST:
Macbeth essay. Due Sunday night.
macbeth essay
Please answer the following prompt in a beautifully written, well-organized, clearly supported essay on your blog.
(title: DECONSTRUCTING MACBETH).
Due by 12:01 A.M. on Monday, February 18.
(Please Note: This means midnight SUNDAY night.)
Thursday, February 14, 2019
february 14
JOURNAL TOPIC:
Actor Patrick Stewart once said, "The only still center of my life is Macbeth. To go back to doing this bloody, crazed, insane mass-murderer is a huge relief after trying to get my cell phone replaced."
Actor Patrick Stewart once said, "The only still center of my life is Macbeth. To go back to doing this bloody, crazed, insane mass-murderer is a huge relief after trying to get my cell phone replaced."
What
is it about extreme characters-- or any fictional characters with whom
we resonate-- that helps us make sense out of our everyday lives? And why is it so friggin' difficult to deal with cell phone companies and other big corporations?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Macbeth wrap-up
POST:
Explain the end of Macbeth. Why do you think Shakespeare chose to conclude the play this way? (title: FINISH HIM)
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
february 13
JOURNAL TOPIC: [today's tunes: "Tomorrow Never Knows" by the Beatles/performed by Phil Collins; "All My Tomorrows" by Frank Sinatra; "Tomorrow" from the musical "Annie"]
Explain how the following soliloquy from Macbeth manages to capture the essential tone(s) of the play-- and your own experience of this last semester of your formal education.
She should have died hereafter;
There would have been a time for such a word.
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Macbeth Act V
POST:
Describe what you believe to be the main theme/s of Macbeth, and support your ideas with text from the play. (title: GETTING TO THE POINT OF MACBETH; first sentences: "It seems like every great work of literature has at least one main idea that readers take away. In Macbeth, the main idea has to do with ...")
Explain how the following soliloquy from Macbeth manages to capture the essential tone(s) of the play-- and your own experience of this last semester of your formal education.
She should have died hereafter;
There would have been a time for such a word.
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Macbeth Act V
POST:
Describe what you believe to be the main theme/s of Macbeth, and support your ideas with text from the play. (title: GETTING TO THE POINT OF MACBETH; first sentences: "It seems like every great work of literature has at least one main idea that readers take away. In Macbeth, the main idea has to do with ...")
teen journalism
Sometimes the writing of teenagers causes me to reflect on the integrity and passion that adults so often lose to age and the compromise of "maturity." This is one of those moments. Have a look at SINCE PARKLAND and let us know what you think in a comment to this post.
(Thanks, BoingBoing!)
(Thanks, BoingBoing!)
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
february 12
JOURNAL TOPIC: [today's tunes: "Take This Heart of Mine" by Marvin Gaye;
"Take This Job & Shove It" by Johnny Paycheck; "Take This Job &
Shove It" by The Dead Kennedys; "Let It Go" from the movie Frozen]
Macbeth's (and our business/political leaders') actions invite us to consider why we give and take. When is it important to sacrifice for the greater good or an important goal? When should charity begin at home? When can we create a multiple by putting something out into the world?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. MGOTM preview
3. Continue Macbeth
HW:
Know Macbeth. Ask any questions here or elsewhere in the meantime, but seriously-- KNOW Macbeth.
Macbeth's (and our business/political leaders') actions invite us to consider why we give and take. When is it important to sacrifice for the greater good or an important goal? When should charity begin at home? When can we create a multiple by putting something out into the world?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. MGOTM preview
3. Continue Macbeth
HW:
Know Macbeth. Ask any questions here or elsewhere in the meantime, but seriously-- KNOW Macbeth.
Friday, February 8, 2019
february 8
JOURNAL TOPIC: [today's tunes: " King of the Road" by Roger Miller; "King Horse" by Elvis Costello; "King Tut" by Steve Martin]
Based on what we've read so far, what kind of ruler do you think Macbeth will be? Why? Provide at least three textual examples that support/illustrate your main points.
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Act III Macbeth quotes (below)
POST:
Your interpretations of the quotes below. (title: MY THOUGHTS ON SHAKESPEARE'S WORDS)
Based on what we've read so far, what kind of ruler do you think Macbeth will be? Why? Provide at least three textual examples that support/illustrate your main points.
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Act III Macbeth quotes (below)
POST:
Your interpretations of the quotes below. (title: MY THOUGHTS ON SHAKESPEARE'S WORDS)
(Thanks, Mr. Becker!)
1. Banquo
says: Thou hast it now—King, Cawdor, Glamis, all/ As the weird women
promised, and I fear/ Thou played’st most foully, for’t.
· Literal Interpretation:
· Symbolic/Thematic Interpretation:
2. Macbeth
says: They hailed him father to a line of kings./ Upon my head they
placed a fruitless crown/ And put a barren scepter in my grip.
· Literal Interpretation:
· Symbolic/Thematic Interpretation:
3. Lady Macbeth says: Naught’s 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.
· Literal Interpretation:
· Symbolic/Thematic Interpretation:
4. Macbeth
says: Better be with thee,/ Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent
peace,/ Than on the torture of the mind to lie/ In restless ecstasy.
· Literal Interpretation:
· Symbolic/Thematic Interpretation:
5. Macbeth says: I am in blood/ Stepped so far that, should I wade no more,/ Returning were as tedious as go o’er.
· Literal Interpretation:
· Symbolic/Thematic Interpretation:
Thursday, February 7, 2019
february 7
JOURNAL TOPIC: [today's tunes: "Macbeth-Sinfonia" by Verdi; "Tiny Daggers" by INXS]
Macbeth sees a vision of a dagger and is moved to speak and act accordingly. Hamlet imagined the "bare bodkin" in his most famous soliloquy-- and was also moved to speak and act. Compare these two moments: how does Shakespeare's characterization and writing technique create dramatic tension and move the plot? Why do these characters see visions in their mind, then use words to express what they think & feel about what they see, and then become motivated to act? What effects does Shakespeare's technique create? And why the images of weaponry? In other words: What...is...the...[groan]...POINT?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Macbeth: Act II continued
POST:
your reading notes from today (title: MACBETH ACT II NOTES)
Macbeth sees a vision of a dagger and is moved to speak and act accordingly. Hamlet imagined the "bare bodkin" in his most famous soliloquy-- and was also moved to speak and act. Compare these two moments: how does Shakespeare's characterization and writing technique create dramatic tension and move the plot? Why do these characters see visions in their mind, then use words to express what they think & feel about what they see, and then become motivated to act? What effects does Shakespeare's technique create? And why the images of weaponry? In other words: What...is...the...[groan]...POINT?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Macbeth: Act II continued
POST:
your reading notes from today (title: MACBETH ACT II NOTES)
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
february 6
JOURNAL TOPIC:
For the last week or so we've been reading Macbeth. Do you think Macbeth's course of action is a matter of conscious decision-making, or supernatural intervention, or a desire to please his wife (or just get her off his back)? For that matter, what in your life do you think you have the power to decide? How do you make decisions?
Think about THIS DECISION and ask yourself-- why do people do what they do?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Decisions: discussion
3. *DRILL*
POST:
Explain how you make important decisions (title: DECISIONS, DECISIONS)
For the last week or so we've been reading Macbeth. Do you think Macbeth's course of action is a matter of conscious decision-making, or supernatural intervention, or a desire to please his wife (or just get her off his back)? For that matter, what in your life do you think you have the power to decide? How do you make decisions?
Think about THIS DECISION and ask yourself-- why do people do what they do?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Decisions: discussion
3. *DRILL*
POST:
Explain how you make important decisions (title: DECISIONS, DECISIONS)
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
february 5
JOURNAL TOPIC:
Write about whatever's on your mind.
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Continue reading Macbeth (as far as you can)
POST:
Reading notes (title: MACBETH NOTES)
Write about whatever's on your mind.
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Continue reading Macbeth (as far as you can)
POST:
Reading notes (title: MACBETH NOTES)
Sunday, February 3, 2019
february 4
JOURNAL TOPIC:
Did it occur to you to read this weekend? Why do you think this sort of idea comes naturally to some people, and not to others? What will you have to do in order to support this habit?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Macbeth
POST:
Have you ever done something that made you feel guilty? Describe the experience. (title: PACK YOUR BAGS, WE'RE GOING ON A GUILT TRIP)
Did it occur to you to read this weekend? Why do you think this sort of idea comes naturally to some people, and not to others? What will you have to do in order to support this habit?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Macbeth
POST:
Have you ever done something that made you feel guilty? Describe the experience. (title: PACK YOUR BAGS, WE'RE GOING ON A GUILT TRIP)
Friday, February 1, 2019
february 1
JOURNAL TOPIC:
When we left off reading together, Lady Macbeth was persuading Macbeth to kill the king. How did she do it? People persuade each other in all sorts of ways. Describe a time that someone persuaded/manipulated/bullied/cajoled/seduced*/pressured/guilted/[?] into doing something that you initially thought was a bad idea?
[*Be mindful about what you share, your audience is a mandated reporter.]
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Check-in: where are we?
3. Macbeth
POST:
What is so persuasive about persuasion? How is it that some people seem to manage to get their way? How did you come to believe what you believe? (title: I'M SOLD)
When we left off reading together, Lady Macbeth was persuading Macbeth to kill the king. How did she do it? People persuade each other in all sorts of ways. Describe a time that someone persuaded/manipulated/bullied/cajoled/seduced*/pressured/guilted/[?] into doing something that you initially thought was a bad idea?
[*Be mindful about what you share, your audience is a mandated reporter.]
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Check-in: where are we?
3. Macbeth
POST:
What is so persuasive about persuasion? How is it that some people seem to manage to get their way? How did you come to believe what you believe? (title: I'M SOLD)
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