The holidays!!!! Whether you celebrate CHanuukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Festivus whatever...there is a feeling that comes along with it. I am not sure what it is, but somehow the holiday season brings out the best in people, if only for a while. Granted, there are some people who absolutely HATE the holidays, usually because of some type of familial memory they would rather forget, but for the most part, people usually look forward to the holiday season. Why do you think that is?
Do you? Why? What associations do you make with whatever holiday you celebrate? Are there special traditions that you and your family partake in for the December holiday? What about New Year's? Are there traditions that you would want to continue with your own families someday? What is your favorite part of your holiday? And finally....what do you wish for this season? World peace? The end of of childhood hunger? Homes for everyone?
(use your judgement/50pts)
Monday, December 22, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Communication Nation
Writing.
For some of you, the bane of your existence--for others, your reason for living. OK--scratch that, I am feeling very dramatic here, ya know, being close to death and all. Ahem..rewind.
Writing. Some of you hate it, some of you don't.
Blah. Ewwwww. That is horrible. Yeeeeesh, one more time...
Writing. Hateful chore, dreadful stalker lying in wait to destroy your lofty GPA...OR instrument of intellectuality, gateway to the green grass of great grades?
Which is it for you? Why?
This blog, for some of you, is the most public your writing has ever been. When I say public--that is what I mean--all of your peers can log on at any time and read what you've written. In fact, they have to.
Does knowing that you are writing for a public audience ever influence what you say? What about how you write? Do you find yourself being more conscious of your grammar, mechanics, diction etc knowing that any one of your friends (or not-friends) may be reading your thoughts and ideas?
Now, translate that question into everyday conversation. Many of you have different groups of friends; "AP" friends, athletes (not trying to say they are mutually exclusive, but sometimes they are), party friends (no details, please--I may never recover), and maybe neighborhood friends that don't go to Oak. Do you ever find yourself speaking to them differently than you do some of your other friends? How about your family members? If so, why? If not, why not?
Finally, do you think you are judged on how well you speak and write? If you do, by whom? How do you feel about that?
(450 words/65pts)
For some of you, the bane of your existence--for others, your reason for living. OK--scratch that, I am feeling very dramatic here, ya know, being close to death and all. Ahem..rewind.
Writing. Some of you hate it, some of you don't.
Blah. Ewwwww. That is horrible. Yeeeeesh, one more time...
Writing. Hateful chore, dreadful stalker lying in wait to destroy your lofty GPA...OR instrument of intellectuality, gateway to the green grass of great grades?
Which is it for you? Why?
This blog, for some of you, is the most public your writing has ever been. When I say public--that is what I mean--all of your peers can log on at any time and read what you've written. In fact, they have to.
Does knowing that you are writing for a public audience ever influence what you say? What about how you write? Do you find yourself being more conscious of your grammar, mechanics, diction etc knowing that any one of your friends (or not-friends) may be reading your thoughts and ideas?
Now, translate that question into everyday conversation. Many of you have different groups of friends; "AP" friends, athletes (not trying to say they are mutually exclusive, but sometimes they are), party friends (no details, please--I may never recover), and maybe neighborhood friends that don't go to Oak. Do you ever find yourself speaking to them differently than you do some of your other friends? How about your family members? If so, why? If not, why not?
Finally, do you think you are judged on how well you speak and write? If you do, by whom? How do you feel about that?
(450 words/65pts)
Sunday, December 14, 2008
The Show Must Go On...
First, let me just say that having kids who care enough to log onto this blog and tell me they are thinking about me is a gift that all the Xmases in the world can never duplicate. Thank you all.
So, while I am trying my hardest to beat this stupid pneumonia thing (don't worry Fi Fi, it was not your fault), you guys are going to take charge of the situation. I trust you and I know you won't let me down.
The plan for tomorrow is class will go on as scheduled. I sent the lit terms quiz in, and the sub will be distributing them to you to work on. You have as much time as you need, but you MAY NOT walk around the room this time. It's all on you. There are 10 questions, each a bit different then the other. Some questions are examples, some will ask you for straight definitions, some are both.
For period 9/10, I would like Hilary and Erik to be the informal "Head Boy" and "Head Girl" (Harry Potter STYLE!). I would like you two to collect the quizzes at the end of the period and put them in a manila folder (there is a box of them on the windowsill). Label the folder: AP LANG Lit Terms Quiz. Also, if you both could take care of taking attendance, that would be fantastic.
For period 12, I would like Jordan and Devon to act as HB and HG. For you guys, just put your period's quizzes in the folder that Hil and Erik leave on my desk. You two will take care of attendance.
On Tuesday (this is getting so depressing) I want you all to bring in your TS/TD analysis for the "How to Say Nothing in 500 Words..". You are to pick a partner and go over what you have. Make any changes or additions and hand in (again to Hil and Erik or Dev and Jordy) at the end of the period. Hil/Erik and Dev/Jordy: please put all the analyses in another manila folder and label it.
Finally--tomorrow I will be posting an actual blog question. You will have until Thursday to respond ( I hope like crazy that I will be back by then).
I will also be checking in on here, so whatever questions, comments, concerns you have, use THIS blog to post. I will keep answering questions and be as active as I can without passing out!
I miss you all so much--this whole being sick thing is not my bag of books, so I really hope I am better soon.
<3
Bunje
So, while I am trying my hardest to beat this stupid pneumonia thing (don't worry Fi Fi, it was not your fault), you guys are going to take charge of the situation. I trust you and I know you won't let me down.
The plan for tomorrow is class will go on as scheduled. I sent the lit terms quiz in, and the sub will be distributing them to you to work on. You have as much time as you need, but you MAY NOT walk around the room this time. It's all on you. There are 10 questions, each a bit different then the other. Some questions are examples, some will ask you for straight definitions, some are both.
For period 9/10, I would like Hilary and Erik to be the informal "Head Boy" and "Head Girl" (Harry Potter STYLE!). I would like you two to collect the quizzes at the end of the period and put them in a manila folder (there is a box of them on the windowsill). Label the folder: AP LANG Lit Terms Quiz. Also, if you both could take care of taking attendance, that would be fantastic.
For period 12, I would like Jordan and Devon to act as HB and HG. For you guys, just put your period's quizzes in the folder that Hil and Erik leave on my desk. You two will take care of attendance.
On Tuesday (this is getting so depressing) I want you all to bring in your TS/TD analysis for the "How to Say Nothing in 500 Words..". You are to pick a partner and go over what you have. Make any changes or additions and hand in (again to Hil and Erik or Dev and Jordy) at the end of the period. Hil/Erik and Dev/Jordy: please put all the analyses in another manila folder and label it.
Finally--tomorrow I will be posting an actual blog question. You will have until Thursday to respond ( I hope like crazy that I will be back by then).
I will also be checking in on here, so whatever questions, comments, concerns you have, use THIS blog to post. I will keep answering questions and be as active as I can without passing out!
I miss you all so much--this whole being sick thing is not my bag of books, so I really hope I am better soon.
<3
Bunje
:-(
OK, so perhaps in hindsight, it was not the best idea to make a flippant comment like, "I think I might be dying so this may be the last class we have together," and then NOT be there on Friday. Sorry sorry sorry--a million times sorry. Still alive, I swear.
But, the thing is, I have pneumonia.
Which, for those of you who know quite well, is not a fabulous thing to have when you have severe asthma as I do. So, the bottom line is, I am pretty sick--but I AM NOT DEAD, IN A COMA OR SUFFERING FROM A BEAR MAULING. And I am definitely NOT staying out for the "recommended" period of time, because I will go nutso without you guys for 2 weeks. But, I will be out for a few more days, until I am positive I am not a contagion threat to any of my babies.
So, the REAL bottom line is--this blog is now our main form of communication for a little while. Those of you who text and Facebook me as a means of keeping in touch are still welcome--even encouraged--to keep doing that--but we are going to use the blog this week as a major source of info on both our parts.
I will post a blog question a bit later, and I will also be posting some instructions for the week--you know how subs are, they are bound to screw us all up if we leave it up to whoever it may be, so I am relying on you guys to take over for me while I'm gone.
I am going to assign two people in each AP class to act as a formal "liaison" that will make any announcements and give some stuff out etc. I am not there, but the main component of our class is YOU and, as you know, you are the most important resource IN ANY CLASS as far as I'm concerned, so I feel confident that we will get past this little bump in the road and be just fine.
I will be back to post some more info later; for now, know that I am ok, I am thinking about you and that I can't wait to be back in 204! Love yas...
But, the thing is, I have pneumonia.
Which, for those of you who know quite well, is not a fabulous thing to have when you have severe asthma as I do. So, the bottom line is, I am pretty sick--but I AM NOT DEAD, IN A COMA OR SUFFERING FROM A BEAR MAULING. And I am definitely NOT staying out for the "recommended" period of time, because I will go nutso without you guys for 2 weeks. But, I will be out for a few more days, until I am positive I am not a contagion threat to any of my babies.
So, the REAL bottom line is--this blog is now our main form of communication for a little while. Those of you who text and Facebook me as a means of keeping in touch are still welcome--even encouraged--to keep doing that--but we are going to use the blog this week as a major source of info on both our parts.
I will post a blog question a bit later, and I will also be posting some instructions for the week--you know how subs are, they are bound to screw us all up if we leave it up to whoever it may be, so I am relying on you guys to take over for me while I'm gone.
I am going to assign two people in each AP class to act as a formal "liaison" that will make any announcements and give some stuff out etc. I am not there, but the main component of our class is YOU and, as you know, you are the most important resource IN ANY CLASS as far as I'm concerned, so I feel confident that we will get past this little bump in the road and be just fine.
I will be back to post some more info later; for now, know that I am ok, I am thinking about you and that I can't wait to be back in 204! Love yas...
Monday, December 1, 2008
This is So cool...and When I say Cool I really Mean...
Let me take you to a place you may have been countless times in your life--I know I have. Your telling someone--your best friend, significant other, parent, teacher or whatever--a story. It's a great story, rife with vivid imagery and catchy dialogue and suspense and all the hallmarks of a great story. And then, you get to the best part, the juiciest detail, the apex of this recount that is going to knock your listener right on his or her butt, and you are trying to describe this one moment...and you can't think of the word to give that moment its due justice. You are literally stumped for a word and you end up going with some lame synonym that pops into your head (probably from Bunje's damn SAT Vocab list) but you know that your story falls flat because that was SO not the word you wanted. Ever happen to you? Why, do you think?
Well, I have a theory. It's in its nascent stages, but a theory nonetheless. I have procured said theory by perusing ( a word that does not mean what many of you think it means, incidentally) The Global Language Monitor. This site is dedicated to tracking trends in language, specifically the English language, and it is chock full of all kinds of fascinating facts about word etymologies, global trends, colloquialisms etc. It's really cool, especially if you're a geek like me (and many of you are--don't even try to front).
Anyway, it was while I was on this site today that my theory began to crystallize about why we, at the worst possible moments, are suddenly at a loss for words.
There are, according to the GLM, "995,112 words in the English Language, plus or minus a handful." The last count was done on September 22, 2007--a fine day indeed, I might add, autumnal equinox, Druid solstice and Bunje's b-day--and as of this moment, the clocks are ticking with a countdown to the 1,000,000th word. A pretty impressive number by any standard, especially when you consider that the French Language has fewer than 100,000 words total. The average human has approximately 14,000 words in his or her repetoire. Shakespeare had 24,000--1,700 of which he made up--floating around his brilliant brain. Man, I love that guy.
So, all this to say..what? Well, even with all of those words zooming through the ether, the bottom line is there is sometimes no word to describe, define, pinpoint or whatever, the "undefinable." That's why we can't finish the story in the scenario I mentioned earlier. Undefineable words usually fall into one of three categories: feelings, abstract concepts and phenomena.
When I say feelings, I mean like, that sensation that washes over you the first warm day after a long, cold winter when you are driving in a car with all the windows down and radio tuned into your favorite song. Or, the feeling you get when you just get your crush's phone number and you're staring at your cell phone, sweating, pacing, wondering if you should start to dial.
Occasionally, mixed in with feelings are some abstract concepts, like the idea of strength, character, courage etc.
And I know we have all experiences some weird phenomena-type occurences that we write off as "coincidence" which is a catch-all word that doesn't really encapsulate the notion that, for example, when someone you know gets pregnant suddenly all you see are pregnant women or maternity stores or baby paraphenalia. Or, when you buy a new car you begin to notice that there are 4 of that same car within a mile of your house.
All of these things and so many more, despite the much-vaunted number the GLM is broadcasting about the English Language, simply do not have a word that really captures the essence of their true meaning.
That is, until this blog.
Your task this week, Langers, is to put a word to those notions, concepts, feelings and/or phenomena. So, first I want you to think of one of those moments--the feelings, concepts or phenomena that you personally have experienced. Then, I would like you to talk about the "synonym" that would closely describe it, even though you know in your heart that synonym doesn't do it justice. Then, in a whimsical fit of language acquistion, I want you to MAKE UP a word that would better describe what you're talking about. Hell, if Mary Poppins can do it, why can't we?
(75pts/450 words)
Well, I have a theory. It's in its nascent stages, but a theory nonetheless. I have procured said theory by perusing ( a word that does not mean what many of you think it means, incidentally) The Global Language Monitor. This site is dedicated to tracking trends in language, specifically the English language, and it is chock full of all kinds of fascinating facts about word etymologies, global trends, colloquialisms etc. It's really cool, especially if you're a geek like me (and many of you are--don't even try to front).
Anyway, it was while I was on this site today that my theory began to crystallize about why we, at the worst possible moments, are suddenly at a loss for words.
There are, according to the GLM, "995,112 words in the English Language, plus or minus a handful." The last count was done on September 22, 2007--a fine day indeed, I might add, autumnal equinox, Druid solstice and Bunje's b-day--and as of this moment, the clocks are ticking with a countdown to the 1,000,000th word. A pretty impressive number by any standard, especially when you consider that the French Language has fewer than 100,000 words total. The average human has approximately 14,000 words in his or her repetoire. Shakespeare had 24,000--1,700 of which he made up--floating around his brilliant brain. Man, I love that guy.
So, all this to say..what? Well, even with all of those words zooming through the ether, the bottom line is there is sometimes no word to describe, define, pinpoint or whatever, the "undefinable." That's why we can't finish the story in the scenario I mentioned earlier. Undefineable words usually fall into one of three categories: feelings, abstract concepts and phenomena.
When I say feelings, I mean like, that sensation that washes over you the first warm day after a long, cold winter when you are driving in a car with all the windows down and radio tuned into your favorite song. Or, the feeling you get when you just get your crush's phone number and you're staring at your cell phone, sweating, pacing, wondering if you should start to dial.
Occasionally, mixed in with feelings are some abstract concepts, like the idea of strength, character, courage etc.
And I know we have all experiences some weird phenomena-type occurences that we write off as "coincidence" which is a catch-all word that doesn't really encapsulate the notion that, for example, when someone you know gets pregnant suddenly all you see are pregnant women or maternity stores or baby paraphenalia. Or, when you buy a new car you begin to notice that there are 4 of that same car within a mile of your house.
All of these things and so many more, despite the much-vaunted number the GLM is broadcasting about the English Language, simply do not have a word that really captures the essence of their true meaning.
That is, until this blog.
Your task this week, Langers, is to put a word to those notions, concepts, feelings and/or phenomena. So, first I want you to think of one of those moments--the feelings, concepts or phenomena that you personally have experienced. Then, I would like you to talk about the "synonym" that would closely describe it, even though you know in your heart that synonym doesn't do it justice. Then, in a whimsical fit of language acquistion, I want you to MAKE UP a word that would better describe what you're talking about. Hell, if Mary Poppins can do it, why can't we?
(75pts/450 words)
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