Thursday, February 28, 2019
Due to circumstances out of my control, both due to the weather and its subsequent schedule changes affecting Friday especially, we will push Vocab 9 to next week. Today/Friday will be dedicated to finishing the final Martian Chronicles test and working on getting makeup assignments finished. We will also discuss Case Study #7 in more depth in relation to the prompt for the essay. I'm not putting a set date on it yet (have you seen the forecast for Monday????) Be ready to start Vocab 9 Monday, but not guaranteeing that's when we take/start it.
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
This NYT article about the latest Nike ad featuring Serena Williams is a great companion resource to our ongoing conversation about perspective and context affecting our perception.
Vocab 9 and Martian Chronicles completion this week.
Vocab 9 and Martian Chronicles completion this week.
Sunday, February 24, 2019
Reminder: I will NOT be available for Wednesday conferences. I added the message to Skyward and it should have gone out, but please relay this message to your parents if they do not check this site. I am happy to make other arrangements.
Grades: Obviously, everything is backed up at this point, so grades are too. Please remember that quarter grades don't really mean anything, as all classes and grades are semester based only. In other words, there is not an average between quarter 3 and 4 in any class, it is all just one big grade from January to May. Numbers will start to fill in, but I will not give "easy to grade" assignments just for the sake of numbers or to "get something in the book" as this would be neither an authentic representation of your performance nor an authentic representation of our goals in class.
Grades: Obviously, everything is backed up at this point, so grades are too. Please remember that quarter grades don't really mean anything, as all classes and grades are semester based only. In other words, there is not an average between quarter 3 and 4 in any class, it is all just one big grade from January to May. Numbers will start to fill in, but I will not give "easy to grade" assignments just for the sake of numbers or to "get something in the book" as this would be neither an authentic representation of your performance nor an authentic representation of our goals in class.
Friday, February 22, 2019
Edward Burtynsky is one of my favorite artists/photographers. His interpretation and use of perspective are a perfect visual accompaniment to close out The Martian Chronicles as we think/talk about how perspective and context impact each other in how we view art of any kind. Click on the link to take a look, create some ideas of "the story" you see.
Thursday, February 21, 2019
Oh, hey there...we have school. Vocab test 9 will be postponed to next week. I haven't seen some of you for over a week, there are still tests to make up, and yeah. We need to regroup. We will spend some time at the beginning of the hour talking about what is hopefully a fairly doable revised schedule, but the rest of the time will be dedicated to getting "caught up" in whatever way that means for you. More details in class as the days play out. Throwback Thursday to last Thursday.
Thursday, February 14, 2019
The Martian Chronicles, part 3 (Usher II - The Million Year Picnic)
As you read the final section of the book, I would ask you to consider the difference between "surviving" on Mars, and "living" on Mars. Essentially, what is the difference between living biologically and "living" in the full sense of the word? What things now motivate the humans on Mars? Are they now "the Martians" and are they different from people on Earth, if there are any left? There are a lot more questions I could ask, but they are almost unlimited, so instead, I would challenge you to ask questions in self reflection that help you form a position on the book and on the overall issue.
This TED talk about life on Mars might help you formulate a framework for this concept.
Remember, next week's schedule is off again. Wednesday is a 7 hour day, Thursday is even block, Friday is odd block. Vocab 9 test will be Thursday and Friday. Case study for all classes will be case #7 "Love Drugs"
As you read the final section of the book, I would ask you to consider the difference between "surviving" on Mars, and "living" on Mars. Essentially, what is the difference between living biologically and "living" in the full sense of the word? What things now motivate the humans on Mars? Are they now "the Martians" and are they different from people on Earth, if there are any left? There are a lot more questions I could ask, but they are almost unlimited, so instead, I would challenge you to ask questions in self reflection that help you form a position on the book and on the overall issue.
This TED talk about life on Mars might help you formulate a framework for this concept.
Remember, next week's schedule is off again. Wednesday is a 7 hour day, Thursday is even block, Friday is odd block. Vocab 9 test will be Thursday and Friday. Case study for all classes will be case #7 "Love Drugs"
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
The Martian Chronicles
Part 3 guiding questions- These will cover Usher II to the end of the book
The focus of this section will be on the concept of "fight" that happens once humans have established their presence on Mars.
April 2005: Usher II
First of all, if you are not familiar with Poe's story "The Fall of the House of Usher," look up a summary, or read it, so the references and the chapter's events make sense.
What is Stendahl trying to create on Mars and why would somebody want something like this?
What has happened on Earth that has prompted Stendahl's seemingly monstrous creation?
Is Stendahl a hero or a villain? Is doing something wrong/illegal to fight against something you feel is wrong, actually wrong?
August 2005: The Old Ones
Who is coming to Mars now and what does Bradbury's way of describing them seem to say about his opinion of what Mars has become?
September 2005: The Martian
Although rare, Martians still do exist. Early in the book, they used their ability to read minds and change into humans to trick people in order to fight them off. What has changed and why?
November 2005: The Luggage Store
What "happens" to people when they don't feel connected to something, even if they once were?
November 2005: The Off Season
Who is Sam Parkhill and what is he trying to do on Mars?
There have been ominous moments of foreshadowing about what fate Earth is headed toward throughout the book. What event finally takes place and what is implied about why it happened?
Why is Sam's wife so dismissive/skeptical about the hotdog stand he wants to open on Mars?
What does the hotdog stand represent symbolically, and how does it contrast the Martian "gift" to Sam?
November 2005: The Watchers
Why is the luggage "gone from the shelves" and what does it tell us about the people on Mars?
December 2005: The Silent Towns
This chapter is one of the best examples of irony in the entire book. Every aspect of it is ironic, and this will be the primary focus. Irony is the only thing you really need to look for in this chapter from a critical standpoint. Irony. I-R-O-N-Y.
April 2026: The Long Years
What has Hathaway done, and why?
Overall, what has life on Mars turned into and how is it different from what was hoped for when people first started traveling here? In other words, what problem could humans not escape?
August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains
What cycle is beginning, or continuing and reaching a new level, in this chapter?
Despite a promise of near immortality due to AI and automation, what is nature proving, or technology disproving, in this chapter?
October 2026: The Million Year Picnic
Who are the Martians?
What is Bradbury's final point based on this "discovery?"
Part 3 guiding questions- These will cover Usher II to the end of the book
The focus of this section will be on the concept of "fight" that happens once humans have established their presence on Mars.
April 2005: Usher II
First of all, if you are not familiar with Poe's story "The Fall of the House of Usher," look up a summary, or read it, so the references and the chapter's events make sense.
What is Stendahl trying to create on Mars and why would somebody want something like this?
What has happened on Earth that has prompted Stendahl's seemingly monstrous creation?
Is Stendahl a hero or a villain? Is doing something wrong/illegal to fight against something you feel is wrong, actually wrong?
August 2005: The Old Ones
Who is coming to Mars now and what does Bradbury's way of describing them seem to say about his opinion of what Mars has become?
September 2005: The Martian
Although rare, Martians still do exist. Early in the book, they used their ability to read minds and change into humans to trick people in order to fight them off. What has changed and why?
November 2005: The Luggage Store
What "happens" to people when they don't feel connected to something, even if they once were?
November 2005: The Off Season
Who is Sam Parkhill and what is he trying to do on Mars?
There have been ominous moments of foreshadowing about what fate Earth is headed toward throughout the book. What event finally takes place and what is implied about why it happened?
Why is Sam's wife so dismissive/skeptical about the hotdog stand he wants to open on Mars?
What does the hotdog stand represent symbolically, and how does it contrast the Martian "gift" to Sam?
November 2005: The Watchers
Why is the luggage "gone from the shelves" and what does it tell us about the people on Mars?
December 2005: The Silent Towns
This chapter is one of the best examples of irony in the entire book. Every aspect of it is ironic, and this will be the primary focus. Irony is the only thing you really need to look for in this chapter from a critical standpoint. Irony. I-R-O-N-Y.
April 2026: The Long Years
What has Hathaway done, and why?
Overall, what has life on Mars turned into and how is it different from what was hoped for when people first started traveling here? In other words, what problem could humans not escape?
August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains
What cycle is beginning, or continuing and reaching a new level, in this chapter?
Despite a promise of near immortality due to AI and automation, what is nature proving, or technology disproving, in this chapter?
October 2026: The Million Year Picnic
Who are the Martians?
What is Bradbury's final point based on this "discovery?"
Sunday, February 10, 2019
Tomorrow's bell schedule can be found below. The rest of the week is the same schedule as always. This means that Thursday block classes will get tomorrow to start their Martian Chronicles 1&2 test, and Tuesday will serve as our Friday/Day 2 for the test. We will NOT have Vocab 9 this week. Honors classes, we will reschedule our next library trip for group work, hopefully for later this week's block days. This is what I got for now, but as we have found out recently, things can change so pay attention to the blog and in class.
Hour 2 7:40–9:15 (95 minutes)
Seminar 9:20-10:55 (95 minutes)
Hour 4 11:00–1:00 (95 minutes + 30 minute lunch)
1st Lunch - 10:55-11:25 ~ Class - 11:25-1:00
2nd Lunch - 11:45-12:15 ~ Class - 11:00-11:45 / 12:15-1:00
3rd Lunch - 12:35-1:05 ~ Class - 11:00-12:35
Hour 6 1:05–2:40 (95 minutes)
Hour 2 7:40–9:15 (95 minutes)
Seminar 9:20-10:55 (95 minutes)
Hour 4 11:00–1:00 (95 minutes + 30 minute lunch)
1st Lunch - 10:55-11:25 ~ Class - 11:25-1:00
2nd Lunch - 11:45-12:15 ~ Class - 11:00-11:45 / 12:15-1:00
3rd Lunch - 12:35-1:05 ~ Class - 11:00-12:35
Hour 6 1:05–2:40 (95 minutes)
Monday, February 4, 2019
Non Honors: you will take the Martian Chronicles test 1&2 on Thurs/Friday of this week. You will have most of today and tomorrow to get caught up on reading. On Thursday we will have vocab as usual, then you will be able to start the test. You will have as much time as you need Thursday and Friday to read and complete.
Honors: you will take the Martian Chronicles test 1&2 on Block/Friday. We will start it on the block day after vocab, but you will have time on Friday as well. We will meet in the library tomorrow (Tuesday 2/5) to kick off the art replication project.
Guiding Questions through Test #2
June 2001: and the Moon Be Still as Bright
Now that we know what has happened to the Martians, why is Spender still so worried about protecting Martian culture?
Spender knows he is not a Martian. Why then does he proclaim that he is "the last Martian?"
Why doesn't Spender kill all of the men?
Why does Spender "allow" himself to be killed?
August 2001: The Settlers
Why do people come to Mars?
December 2001: The Green Morning
Wow, what an uplifting and inspirational chapter, right? (I'm serious about answering this question)
Is this a good or bad thing, or does it depend on your point of view? Address both sides.
What does this chapter have in common with Rocket Summer, the first chapter in the book?
February 2002: The Locusts
Why is this chapter called "The Locusts?" What is the significance of this, both from a literary and a historical/natural perspective?
What significance does the impact/imagery of the diction used in this chapter hold?
August 2002: Night Meeting
What are some possible explanations for this chapter? (There is no right answer)
How does Bradbury's ambiguous approach to time, specifically the notion of past, present, and future, contribute to the overall presence of real life concerns in this book?
Why do you think the word "Time" is capitalized? How does this small stylistic element change the gravity of its use as a tangible thing?
October 2002: The Shore
What is "the problem" with who is coming to Mars and why they are there?
Thoughts on the last line?
February 2003: Interim
The Oz comparison?
April 2003: The Musicians
What are the boys doing?
Once again we have "firemen" in a Bradbury work. What does he seem to use this analogy for? What do "firemen" do in Bradbury's world?
June 2003: Way in the Middle of the Air
Why is a racist white man so angry about black people leaving?
Explain the satirical nature of Teece's character, and why it's alarming that he may not be that much of an exaggeration.
When Silly shouts to Teece "What you goin' to do nights, now?" what is he referring to? What satirical commentary about racism in America is Bradbury clearly mocking?
2004-2005: The Naming of Names
What era(s) or element(s) of American history do the sophisticates represent?
Who "...pushes back" and why? What is happening on Mars?
Honors: you will take the Martian Chronicles test 1&2 on Block/Friday. We will start it on the block day after vocab, but you will have time on Friday as well. We will meet in the library tomorrow (Tuesday 2/5) to kick off the art replication project.
Guiding Questions through Test #2
June 2001: and the Moon Be Still as Bright
Now that we know what has happened to the Martians, why is Spender still so worried about protecting Martian culture?
Spender knows he is not a Martian. Why then does he proclaim that he is "the last Martian?"
Why doesn't Spender kill all of the men?
Why does Spender "allow" himself to be killed?
August 2001: The Settlers
Why do people come to Mars?
December 2001: The Green Morning
Wow, what an uplifting and inspirational chapter, right? (I'm serious about answering this question)
Is this a good or bad thing, or does it depend on your point of view? Address both sides.
What does this chapter have in common with Rocket Summer, the first chapter in the book?
February 2002: The Locusts
Why is this chapter called "The Locusts?" What is the significance of this, both from a literary and a historical/natural perspective?
What significance does the impact/imagery of the diction used in this chapter hold?
August 2002: Night Meeting
What are some possible explanations for this chapter? (There is no right answer)
How does Bradbury's ambiguous approach to time, specifically the notion of past, present, and future, contribute to the overall presence of real life concerns in this book?
Why do you think the word "Time" is capitalized? How does this small stylistic element change the gravity of its use as a tangible thing?
October 2002: The Shore
What is "the problem" with who is coming to Mars and why they are there?
Thoughts on the last line?
February 2003: Interim
The Oz comparison?
April 2003: The Musicians
What are the boys doing?
Once again we have "firemen" in a Bradbury work. What does he seem to use this analogy for? What do "firemen" do in Bradbury's world?
June 2003: Way in the Middle of the Air
Why is a racist white man so angry about black people leaving?
Explain the satirical nature of Teece's character, and why it's alarming that he may not be that much of an exaggeration.
When Silly shouts to Teece "What you goin' to do nights, now?" what is he referring to? What satirical commentary about racism in America is Bradbury clearly mocking?
2004-2005: The Naming of Names
What era(s) or element(s) of American history do the sophisticates represent?
Who "...pushes back" and why? What is happening on Mars?
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