If you want to get a jump on the weekend reading, head to Jonathan Lethem's article at Harper's.com. We'll discuss it Monday, pulling from The Pirate's Dilemma and your own experiences in writing/creating art/stealing music/plagiarism.
P.S. Be sure to check out his "Works Cited" at the bottom.
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English classes are interesting. We teachers often push aside works of nonfiction in favor of fiction's many incarnations while asking you to produce short works of nonfiction in response (think essay, book report, research paper...). Think about it: if all that you consume is fiction, what do you predict your writing will look like? Exactly.
Please to not misinterpret me: Fiction is vitally important to our understanding of the world. (Remember our discussions on the magnifying glass, the different lenses, and the fact that most communication is metaphorical.) That said, my goal with this section is to remove the pressure of fictional analysis while focusing on three vital skills: communication, collaboration, and connection. You will communicate your ideas and knowledge; collaborate with your peers; and make connections between what you know, what others know, your books, and the outside world.
Each of you has chosen a work of nonfiction from this list (if you don't have your copy yet, email me now. I'll buy it for you and meet you at Starbucks if I have to.):
These books cover a wide range of topics (group intelligence over singular genius, the impact of complex pop culture, the resilience of non-hierarchical organizations, how ideas/products become popular, and the impact of relationships and the media on young women), but they all share one thing on common: how we are impacted by the world/people around us.
Each day you may be asked to teach the class about what you've read so far. Others who are reading the same work may add to your lecture if they want to. This will be uncomfortable for you at first, but remember, we all want to learn about each of the books, but can't read them all. Use your reading journal or notes to help you keep track of your thoughts if you'd like.
If you are not teaching your book, take notes in your journal. Write down any lightbulb connections you make between the book and yours, any questions you have, or anything you might want to study further. This will allow you to make sure you understand what is being presented and solidify the connections you make between your book and others'.
After a book has been taught, I will ask the other readers of the book about their thoughts on it so far, and any connections they've come across. Before the break, I asked each of you to bring one connection between your book and the outside world to class on Monday. If you've found one, keep looking! We can never make too many connections, and I'll be asking for them often.
We will then open the floor to those who have not read the book but have questions or connections to contribute to the class's understanding.
This is not a series of presentations. This is not a book report. I will not ask you to stand in front of the class. This is a discussion amongst peers about how parts of the world works. The steps above will only be in place for the first few days. After that, we should be in the habit of explaining what we've read, sharing ideas and connections, and building on one another's ideas. The length of this assignment is dependent upon how deep we want to delve into the topics. We begin work on the final project on day one, so please come prepared. What form the final project takes is dependent upon where our discussions take us.
Grades. Because I have to. Best advice: have fun, talk to others about what they're reading, share what you know, make connections beyond the classroom.
If you're keeping track, here's the breakdown:
If you were confused by the RSS feed talk today, check out this older post. I have listed sites that I enjoy, as well as a video about setting up an RSS feed yourself.
I'd add Treehugger and Popmatters to the list.
Remember, comment below, telling me who you are (if it isn't obvious from your name), which web sites you like to visit and anything else you care to share, like good music! If you don't have a site to share, click on a link that has been posted, have a look around, and report back.
Buy journals soon. I'll order About a Boy in a few days.
Amazing first day! Thanks, guys.
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If you read nothing else from this post, read this article from In These Times. Author Mike Levy discusses Kurt Vonnegut's works with a small group of students in China. As a rare insight into how a very different culture views our own, it may be fitting that their lens was crafted by America's most insightful absurdist. In These Times article
Because everyone loves Jackie Chan. NPR story
Fathom this: MSNBC Story
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Just a reminder. Clean up the latest draft, email me a copy and bring one to school tomorrow. We will be presenting them to the class, then working out the logistics of putting this thing together.
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NPR: World Cafe's David Dye interviews Chris Walla about his newest album, Field Manual. Have any of you heard it? NPR: World Cafe Story
This is really amazing. Dan Phillips creates homes using 85% recycled or reused materials, which is incredible in itself, but Phillips works with the working poor to . . . just watch:
via Treehugger Article check out Phillips's website.
Anyone looking to major in geology? Something to think about: NPR Story.
Domingo Martin plays a song using his Moleskine journal as his only instrument. Video at Moleskinerie.com Article.
Interesting commentary on the current election slogans. In These Times Article
Library WII. Gothamist Article
John Marks writes about Stoker's Dracula and how it reminds him of . . . Easter. Just check it out: NPR Story.
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We all get a song stuck in our heads every once in a while, but Robert Krulwich interviews a deaf woman who has had music playing in her head for years. NPR Story
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will be fueled by our creations.
Today we discussed motivations, which led us to Freud's pleasure principle. Here's a clip from the board:
How's the search coming? If you have a video that you'd like to share, post it in the comments section below. Here's one from Gwyn that she posted under the previous header:
The video's from Ted.com are always amazing, and this is no exception. The speaker contends (among many other things) that adults have learned to be frightened of being "wrong." Has anyone seen Meet the Robinsons?
Our discussion tomorrow will be based on the articles and information we bring in. Remember, it is one thing to know something, but quite another to understand and use this understanding to create.
Here are a few more articles from you guys: