Battle of The Blogs

Because of Chase's idea for march madness, we have created a tournament based on brackets. Here are the following URLs for each class:

Period 4: http://challonge.com/tournaments/bracket_generator?ref=Latbs88HIJ
Period 5: http://challonge.com/tournaments/bracket_generator?ref=Oq1K36Czxb
Period 6: http://challonge.com/tournaments/bracket_generator?ref=VLtu31qpZe

[All randomized seed]

The way we could grade, critique, comment, or whatever, everyone could simply download the Tapatalk app and find the forum under the name "Open Source Learning 2014". I say this because personally, none of us don't want to receive negativity for not posting things or having sufficient content. (No Account needed to create in order to make posts on forum).

Hints: Look for consistency, up-to-date assignments, outside course posts, masterpiece/big question, etc. Comment on people's blog if you want to changes/improvements/modifications.

If you agree to this, comment to this post or make posts or comments at the 5PH1NX blog (http://sphinxproject2015.blogspot.com/). If you disagree or want to make suggestions comment anyways, its always great to hear great feedback.

An example for what the contests might look like....

The Top Winners in each class will battle it out. The Final Tournament Winner will gain something special....

kudos: march

Congratulations to the following students on their college admissions and scholarship wins!

If I've missed anyone, or if something wonderful happened for you over the break, please either put it up in class or comment to this post.

Omar Dominguez: UC Irvine, USCB; sponsored by #Musiquality to Yosemite
Noah Hernandez: UCSD
Joey Buelow: Northeastern, Cal Poly SLO, SDSU
Lukas Sheckherd: Naval Academy, Air Force
Melissa Sobczak: UC Riverside, Cal Poly Pomona, Purdue University
Hannah Hurd: UCSD, UCLA
Hikaru Kasai: UCSD, UC Irvine
Courtney: UCSD, UC Santa Cruz, UCLA
Elizabeth Smith: UC Davis, UC Irvine, UCLA, USC (Blech. -Ed.), UC Berkeley
Alec McFarland: UC Santa Cruz, UCSB
Victoria Tonascia: Cal Poly SLO, UC Santa Cruz, UCSD, UCLA, UC Irvine, UCSB, Westmont
Shailynn Joseph: UC Davis, UCSD, SFSU
Danielle Cadena: UCSD, UC Santa Cruz, UCSB, UCLA
Alyssa Oh: Cal Poly Pomona
Laike McFarland: UC Riverside, UC Merced
Naiomi Desai: UCSD, UC Davis, UCLA, UCSB, IC Irvine
Stevie Wisz: UCLA
Ephraim Rodriguez: UCSB, Boston University, NYU, Pepperdine
Marcel Dube: University of Colorado
Bianca Aleman: UC Santa Cruz, Cal Poly SLO
Erica Paculan: Boston University
Eric Montero: Alan Hancock College
Shanaya Stephenson: Pomona College, Carnegie Mellon University
Sean Rebaldo: San Jose State

march madness osl-style

Chase just had a great idea.  He's going to post more about it.  I'm stoked.

march 31

JOURNAL TOPIC: (today's tunes: "Limelight" by Rush)
Think of a popular saying or song inspired by Shakespeare.  Why do the Bard's words continue to have so much influence?

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Poetry and Shakespeare (& check-in with period 4 on poetry schtuff from yesterday)
3. Peer feedback for tomorrow's blog jury

HW:
Bring everything you've done so far up to date and get your peers to love your blog

march 30

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Roses are red
Violets are blue
Why does poetry matter?

AGENDA:
1. Journal/Discussion
2. Prepare your blogs for a jury of your peers tomorrow -- whether you think it's ready or not, get feedback from at least five people during class today and make changes to improve it
3. Multiple choice analysis (*period 4, we'll do this tomorrow)

HW:
1. Select a poem from this list
2. Apply either the TPCASST or Vendler analysis and write up on your blog

vendler grid poetry analysis

Here is an example of a Vendler grid with explanations after the jump.
(Thanks, Ms. Fischer!)

Vendler Grid

Meaning
Antecedent Scenario
Structural Parts
Climax
Other Parts

Skeleton
Content Genre- games
Tone
Agency
Roads Not Taken
Speech Acts
Outer and Inner Structural Forms
Imagination

TPCASST poetry analysis

Here is the TPCASTT
(Thanks, Ms. Fischer!)

TPCASTT:  Poem Analysis Method:   title, paraphrase, connotation, diction,  attitude, tone, shift(s), title revisited and  theme
Title of poem means
Paraphrase parts of the Poem
Connotation of some of the words – changing literal meaning to implied or associated values
Attitude What is the attitude of the author, characters or yourself?
Shift At first we think or feel one way – then there is a shift:  identify the shifts and explain them
Title revisited Any new insights on meaning or significance of title?
Theme

March 27

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Old fashion boy v. girls debate on the topic: Do we need laws to correct for the difference in compensation between men and women?  (Catch the opposing side using bad logic and win!)

AGENDA:

1. Journal
2. The Great(ish) Debate
3. AP test preparation: multiple choice 

4. Go over story read yesterday-last line interpretation

5. #3 lit anal due March 31st 

HW:
1. Open the "AP Exam Practice & Reference" tab and get to work

designing your life

Welcome to Stanford's most popular class:

A different type of dash cam video

The last dash cam video of the teens driving distracted reminded me of this that I found earlier in the semester. It's a little less shocking and a lot more entertaining. If you have some time this weekend to watch another viral YouTube video, or if we have some extra time in class, this might be worth four minutes of it.
Also, if it has not been your day (and in the wise words of T. Swizzle) I encourage you to just shake it off :)

teenage driver dashcam video

While writing and thinking about mindfulness this morning, I ran across this video that shows what happens when people aren't mindful.  (Thanks, boingboing!)  Let's be mindful out there.

march 26

JOURNAL TOPIC:
What did you do greatly yesterday?  If you missed the opportunity, please explain why.  How can you read/write with more intention and mindfulness?

AGENDA:
1. Journal/discussion
2. A close reading of the first paragraph of Saki's "Tobermory"
3. Group work and extended reading

HW:
Finish the story and explain the last line in terms of theme and tone.  Please post your thoughts to your course blog (suggested title: TOBERMORY EXPLAINED).

march 25

Today we're finishing Jiro, and the theme of the day is this:

What in your life can you improve by thinking like Jiro?  What activities can you approach more mindfully, with more care, to achieve more valuable results that speak to others and reinforce your sense of who you are?

If co-authors have suggestions, please hack this post.  Mahalo.

March 24

[Great job, Naiomi! I've added a couple ideas. DP]

JOURNAL TOPIC:

Why is it that adaptations of literary works never seem to satisfy us? Discussion might include books made into movies or poetry converted into songs. What is about the concept of adaptations that either excite us or evoke a long groan out of the reading fans?

Alternate: what were your most powerful first impressions/takeaways from Jiro yesterday?  Mine were his opening thoughts, which he spoke directly into the camera:  Once you decide on your occupation you must immerse yourself in your work. You have to love your work. Never complain about your job.  You must dedicate your life to mastering your skill.  That's the secret of success, and is the key to being regarded honorably.

AGENDA:
1) Journal ( I would prefer if it is oral because we seem to be more efficient and excited about it!)
2) Motivation and passion in "making sushi" - Continue to know Jiro

HW:
1) Post about the progression of masterpiece and find and describe your passion. April 21st we will have a conference with Howard Rheingold and the Digital Media & Learning/ MacArthur Foundation community.
2) Visit blogs and find the "best" ones (Not necessarily in terms of keeping up on school work, but something that gives insight into their personality).

march 23

JOURNAL TOPIC: (today's tunes: "Right Now" by Van Halen & "Until the End" by Breaking Benjamin-- or, depending on my nostalgia for Rocky & your tolerance for cheese, "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor)

What is it that drives you?  Striving toward something good that you feel within yourself?  Achieving a socially recognized goal or reward?  The fear of failure?  Something else?

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Mise en place
3. Meet Jiro

I watched the movie Chef several times.  There was something about it that spoke to me, a message about working with discipline, passion and a vision of quality that brings out our best.  This approach to craft drives successful people in all walks of life.  Whether you are a designer or an insurance agent, you will discover that craft not only improves performance, it provides a sense of fulfillment.  Outward symptoms of success often follow; they are also overshadowed by the singular sense of real achievement.

This is why I want you to meet Jiro.

Last week Anaya turned our shared space into the Open Source Learning Cafe-- a powerful metaphor.

It's time to become a chef.

learning conversations

Today Imanie proposed a verbal journal via table conversation .  My first reaction was to ask whether there would be a written version.  She said no.  And she was absolutely right.  As students read her agenda on the screen, Elizabeth commented, "This is great! I always write these great ideas in my journal and we never get to talk about them!"

I learned a lot by listening to students exchange ideas about generational differences in the experience of childhood, why girls have it harder than boys, the movie Insurgent, online dating, and pickles.  Watching everyone practice the art of conversation was inspiring.  There were constructive disagreements, moments of profound realization, and some extreme belly laughs (if you're a chair, please watch out for Annie).  Most importantly, everyone learned.

Since we don't have journals to remember the day by, and the conversations turned out so well, please comment here with recollections from your table and let's continue the dialogue here.  Have a great weekend!

march 20

(*Please Note: I posted this as a matter of routine, before I saw that Imanie had already posted an agenda for the day-- thanks Imanie!  I'll reserve the tunes/topic for another day.  The HW does still apply. DP)

JOURNAL TOPIC: [today's tunes: "One Day" by Matisyahu; "Today" by Smashing Pumpkins; "Fly Me to the Moon" by Frank Sinatra]

People talk a lot about "someday."  What if it's today?  What can you do right now-- in this very moment and for the rest of the hour-- to achieve your goals, realize your dreams, calm your mind, surpass expectations, and change the world?

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. MGOTM: vision-->field-->project-->expert-->mentor-->network-->success
3. Finish Writers' Conferences


HW:
1. Read this article on mentors
2. What does the expert (profile) you identified have to teach you?  What questions can you ask to select your mentor and begin the process? (post under title: SEEKING MENTOR)
3. Brave New World essay due Monday (on paper or on your blog -- for written comments please use paper or print a copy and bring with you)

March 20

Tunes: courtesy of Judith: Sugar- Maroon 5

Journal:

Today we will be doing an oral journal within the groups you are seated in. Hopefully your table is split on the question, but if everyone in your group agrees (or even if they don't), reach out to groups around you.  *Don't forget to turn in your journals to the box*

Topic: (you have options) 

1. It's harder to be one gender over the other. 

2. People make a conscious decision to be good everyday. 

3. If no one was capable of holding in or filtering their own thoughts, how would the world be different? 

4. Make your own. 

Agenda:

1. Talk about your masterpiece and probably make a blog post about it. 

2. Essay consultations. 

3. Dr.Preston will probably assign the Huxley essay to be due on Monday

Start a conversation...

To encourage masterpiece conversations Erica and I think that these conversations take offs can help... How it works is by choosing one of the take offs and conversing with the take off.

I am great at...
I am happiest when...
I am passionate about...
The thing that energizes me most is...
The type of people I work with the best are...
When I enter a room full of people, I usually feel...
I like to be with people when...
I get angry when...
I want people to know that I...
When I think about the future, I see myself...

who better to share fundraising advice...

...than our collaborators in England, who have raised nearly $8000 in the last month?  Thank you Laura & Jess!

who better to share college insights with the class of 2015...

..than the Class of 2012?  Thanks Will & Amanda!

march 19

JOURNAL TOPIC: (Today's tunes are a video.)



What is it about tests?  They can motivate us and help us prove our knowledge and skills, or they can fill us with anxiety and seem pointless or even insulting.  However we feel about tests per se, ultimately practitioners of every sort are rightly expected to be able to demonstrate what they've learned.   What sort of "test" do you need to pass to prove your worthiness in your Masterpiece field? How have others in the field proven themselves?

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Design your test/s

HW:
Lit Analysis #3 due March 31

Blogs and Projects

                It is no mystery that a lot of us do not take our education seriously. We know it and Dr. Preston knows it.  It is sad because our education gives us a lot of opportunity for us to succeed at what we want to succeed at.  But it is only there for who wants to take it.  I think all of us want each other to succeed but when we see someone else not try we find it easy to follow.  Today in class we agreed that we need to solve this problem so that we can finish high school with the idea that we actually accomplished something in this world.  This class gives us the opportunity to do this.  All we have to do is hold each other accountable and take it.

                So, we have agreed on a two-step program to accomplish this.

1)      April 1^st all blogs will be looked over and judged on QUALITY by other students.  It is okay if you are missing some things or if they are way past due date, just as long as it looks like QUALITY effort was put into it from NOW until April 1st.  Things relating to your masterpiece will count towards this QUALITY judgement.

2)      Co-operative group projects that build interdependence and accountability between each other…  Bridgit will have more on this.

there's a first time for everything

Notice anything unusual about the Spring Cleaning post?  Everyone who was in class yesterday is now a co-author of the course blog.  Thanks for the post, Anaya!

SPRING CLEANING

Hey every1, It's time for a change. It's time to take advantage of the possibilities and potential around us.  I made some changes already in the classroom. If anybody has anything to make their dining experience more comfortable please bring it in. Let's get comfortable in our surroundings so we can surround our learning with comfortability. 
- Anaya

march 17/18

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Compare the social rituals and traditions of St. Patrick's Day and the CAHSEE.

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Construct your essay
3. Masterpiece Consultations
4. Seniors: Have you really had to go to THAT much school this semester???

march 16

JOURNAL TOPIC:
When you tell a story about something that happened to someone who wasn't there, what literary techniques do you use?

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Write the first 1-2 paragraphs of your Brave New World Essay and show it to 1-3 people.  Ask them to comment on whether your opening is compelling and whether you have a clear thesis statement that addresses the prompt and provides enough structure for your supporting arguments and textual illustrations.
3. Masterpiece Consultations

nesper saved my life

So, this morning I made my daughter breakfast, got her dressed, got her to school on time, returned texts/emails/Skypes (until my phone quit on Skype), went back home to get my wallet-- and #%^!!-- halfway down the 101 I realized I forgot my lunch.

I've never been so hungry in the middle of class.

Mr. Nesper to the rescue.  Thanks Aaron!

march 13

JOURNAL TOPIC:

Consider the following two quotes:

A squirrel dying in front of your house may be more relevant to your interests right now than people dying in Africa.

-Mark Zuckerberg

All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.

-George Orwell

How much does John's death matter? How much does Lenina's death matter?  How much does the Savage's death matter?  How much does a death in the Third World matter?  How much does the death of a friend/loved one/classmate matter?  Objectively, do any of them really matter more than any of the others?

ALTERNATE JOURNAL TOPIC:

If the above is too heavy for a Friday, consider this quote:

Just cause you got the monkey off your back doesn't mean the circus has left town.

-George Carlin

What does he mean?  Why is this message so much more effective as a metaphor than if he just would've come out and given us some personal improvement counsel?

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Textual support & group/independent work
3. Masterpiece Consultations

HW:
Think. Read. Get some sun.

brave new (old) prompt

march 12

JOURNAL TOPIC: (today's tunes: "Resignation Superman" by Big Head Todd & The Monsters; "Working Class Hero" by John Lennon; "My Hero" by Foo Fighters)

Write a vignette featuring a sock puppet-as-hero.  (Whether s/he's a traditional hero, a tragic hero, an anti-hero, or your kind of hero is up to you.)

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Heroes (revisited)
3. So, now you have a big idea for your essay; what next? (yesterday's prompt convo cont'd.)
4. Masterpiece Consultations & group work

HW:
1. Complete a pre-write for the essay prompt and bring to class tomorrow

ucsb study suggests mindful meditation boosts test scores

(Originally posted here two years ago, two days after the study was published.)

"Mindfulness meditation, the ancient and flourishing practice that increases awareness of random thoughts and redirects attention to the present moment, has been used to manage stress, depression and even chronic pain. But can it improve test scores?"

The answer, according to this recent UC Santa Barbara study, is yes.  If you are interested in learning more please email or comment to this post.

masterpiece prep

In order to make the most efficient use of the next Masterpiece Consultation, please consider the following questions and make a list of anything else you don't want to forget.  Looking forward to the conversations!

1. What is your intended outcome?  Who will benefit besides you?
2. How will present your process, findings, and/or results?  How will your method of presenting create value for your audience/community?
3. How much of a plan do you currently have, and how much do you need?  What "next steps" or routines are you currently engaged with, and what do we need to create so that you feel like you're making the sort of progress that will enable you to end your high school career with a smashing success?
4. If you're not already monitoring your own performance, what systems/structures do you need so that you can sustain your momentum and achieve your goals without someone else nagging you?
5. The "Masterpiece Academy" will begin on May 11 (the week after the AP exam).  Please let me know if you need help creating a workflow calendar that will get you where you want to go by then.

brave new themes

Here is a list of your ideas for the theme of Brave New World:

• Imperfection is the basis for humanity.
• Warning: Don't ignore your inward feelings, lest our society turn into the World State.
• Make conscious decisions and don't let society dull your ability to do so.
• We always have choices in life; in the Brave New World, the choice (and the consequences) are perfection and truth.
• {The limit, as efficiency approaches infinity, of humanity} = mechanized society 
• Don't sacrifice your individuality in pursuit of societal acceptance
• We can't obtain perfection without the loss of our humanity
• Those who don't conform are the only ones who can see conformists not making choices
• The true human condition isn't artificial
• The dangers of attempting perfection with the influence of progressive science in society
• Conformity isn't worth the loss of humanity and individuality
• The use of technology through society is detrimental
• What is the role of opinion vs. the role of conformity in society?
• The search for identity can be lost in the need for acceptance
• It's easier to be part of society and part of their label than to be an individual and be considered an outcast
• The concentration on perfectionism can lead to anti-progressive aspects within the human race
• Too much progression and technological advancement can lead to man turning off his humanity in favor of reaching perfection and social utopia
• The need for individuality will always outweigh the need for social conformity
• The human condition is to take the easy way out leading stable lives of unconsciousness instead of dealing with its ups and downs
• Years of conditioning has led society to create people like good on an assembly line

march 11

JOURNAL TOPIC: (Today's tunes: "Question" by Moody Blues; "Who Are You?" by The Who)

According to awesome-filled genius donut Neil deGrasse Tyson:

No one is dumb who is curious. The people who don't ask questions remain clueless throughout their lives.

What are the most important questions on your mind?  

AGENDA:

1. Journal

2. AP exam: emphasis on questions; schedule test prep

3. Begin Masterpiece Consultations Round 2 (FINALLY!!!) and MGOTM

HW: 

1. Select an AP-worthy essay prompt for BNW.  Explain how studying the question gives you insight into the exam, and write an introduction/thesis to post on your course blog (title: ASK ME NO QUESTION, I'LL WRITE YOU A THESIS)

masterpiece consultations: round 1 notes

Here are my notes from the first round of Masterpiece Consultations.  Some of your topics have evolved, so please take a moment to review your piece and make sure I got it right.  Please also take a moment to skim everyone else's topics/needs/wants and comment to this post with questions, suggestions, resources, and introductions.  Together, we are smarter than any one of us!  Mahalo.

Jacob

• topic:  guitar/music (& possible link to nature-- maybe through Joey's project, or the Yosemite trip and Laura/her students?)
• needs: inspiration, collaborators
• wants: to express and evoke timeless feelings through music

Marcel

• topics: 
• 1) researching qi
• 2) sleep paralysis & astral projection
• needs: research design & data as appropriate
• wants: 
• 1) to model a positive alternative to being a disenfranchised cynic
• 2) to invent an alternative to "choosing the best of the worst" life plans (college, family, working in a cubicle)

 Kurt

• topic: gap year journey to Africa
• needs: books/articles on Africa, introductions to people in Africa, media/fundraising advice, time
• wants: to "put God on trial" by testing/investigating the world in an attempt to satisfy my own curiosity about the way things are

Jared

• topic: biomechanical engineering
• needs: research, case studies, mentors/advisors
• wants: to help people without limbs

Cameron

• topics: 
• 1) starvation
• 2) neurology of sleep
• needs: access to food banks, distribution, articles/research
• wants: to feed the world

Shenaya

• topic: neurology of racism
• needs: resources, neurologists
• wants: to learn about racism

Jayce

• topic: 
• 1) time travel & the butterfly effect
• 2) family medicine
• needs: study parameters, opening question
• wants: to make connections with people

Gianni

• topic: "a different story" -- alternate narrative structure
• needs: research into writing and story
• wants: to design something new

Bianca

• topic: music and children
• needs: to develop "wood drum activity" for kindergartners; materials; budget/fundraising
• wants: to share inspiration through music

Anaya

• topic: documentary on people pursuing their passions
• needs: access to subjects, filmmakers, resources; budget
• wants: to tell inspirational stories we don't get via mainstream media

Bailey

• topic: art of the year
• needs: a way to curate
• wants: to accomplish something that I can see all the way through

Lilly

• topic: immortality/ learning from ancient civilizations and people
• needs: contact at Getty; people to go; resources on Ancient Greece & Rome
• wants: "for people to understand where I'm coming from and realize it's OK to stop and look back, and to take our history more seriously"

Hikaru

• topic: technology
• needs: sites/online resources; access to computer history museum; contacts at Google, Samsung, Intel, and/or Apple
• wants: constant innovation, and new inspirations/ideas/visions for technologies that will benefit society in the future so as to guide career choices

Erica & Dani

• topic: http://equalityamonghumanity.tumblr.com/
• needs: people to tell their stories; time
• wants: to spread, scale, and sustain this effort over time

Omar

• topic: shifted from micro evolution to music
• needs: collaborators
• wants: to share a positive message and explore the uniting features of sharing music

Courtney

• topic: Special Olympics dance event & soccer game/ July world games
• needs: people, volunteers, money
• wants: to create sustainability for events & insight on how to most effectively present

Miles

• topic: curriculum with a sense of humor
• needs: camera, time, coordinated shooting & production schedule
• wants: to experience connections with people through humor and learning

Alyssa

• topic: fashion
• needs: new blog, models, clothing/sponsoring designers &/or boutiques
• wants: to help people understand and manage their outward appearances

Elizabeth

• topic: happiness project (started with comment on Edgar's blog)
• needs: responsive applicants, money/help with budgeting
• wants: to make people happy 

Suzel

• topic: bringing a cosmopolitan sense of civilization to a small community
• needs: t-shirts, mentors, dance organization
• wants: "to have my dream come true"

Jisu

• topic: music
• needs: lyrics, time
• wants: to explore music

Haley

• topic: architectural design & residential remodel
• needs: introduction to Mark Cabrinha
• wants: to explore how environments make us feel

Matt

• topic: why do so many people not live their dreams?
• needs: introductions to sports agents
• wants: "to be my dream"

Tia

• topic: homelessness
• needs: introductions to homeless people & service providers
• wants: to help the public see this issue through others' eyes

Lupita

• topic: reading by generation
• needs: to talk with librarian in Guadalupe
• wants: to share love through reading

Tyler

• topic: narrative/story design
• needs: to learn about story structure 
• wants: to create a wearable concept album (i.e., something that other people can enjoy through watching, wearing, using, or experiencing-- one of those things that you just have to pay attention to all the way through)

Jeff

• topic: building a game computer
• needs: materials
• wants: to learn through building electronics--"to build myself as I create something tangible in the world"

Taylor

• topic: animal rehabilitation
• needs: contacts in the field
• wants: to learn more about it

Chrystal

• topic: to provide opportunities for teens in Santa Maria
• needs: people, time
• wants: to give young people a greater chance of success

Lukas

• topic: traveling as a rite of passage
• needs: time
• wants: to share love of outdoors by providing skills that aren't found in classes-- how to bring yourself to nature and document what it's like to live in that environment

Chase

• topic: the search for Stoke
• needs: "got a car, surf racks & a board so I'm pretty set"
• wants: to tap into the universal source of Stoke

Laike

• topic: connection between your identity and your interests; how who you are shapes what you care about (and vice versa)
• needs: a plan
• wants: "to connect with true north"

Sean

• topic: love
• needs: people, mentors, stories
• wants: to change my outlook on life

Connor

• topic: golf club business
• needs: introductions to business mentors (such as Doan Winkel)
• wants: "to start on a path I can travel for the rest of my life"

Val

• topic: teaching American history
• needs: to learn a period of American history well enough to teach it; to study greatest teachers
• wants: the experience of teaching a course

Terry

• topic: spreading appreciation of nature
• needs: time to backpack; ways to present
• wants: to change one person's perspective, and to pursue a degree in environmental science

Bridgit

• topic: healthy living through early dance education
• needs: young students, research on mind/body
• wants: to learn and share patterns/habits of living life in a healthy way

 Yun Soo

• topic: orchid business in Korea --> "travel as a means to understanding"
• needs: to meet new people, grow awareness of business and relationships
• wants: "to inform the way I think about the future"

Haley

• topic: Memorial Day Weekend Yosemite trip
• needs: $100 deposit from participants, fundraising plan, & program collaborators
• wants: to share Yosemite with others in a meaningful way

Stephanie

• topic: learning about ourselves & world around us through connections with animals
• needs: 
• wants: to help others be their best selves without being judged

Will

• topic: a world without hate
• needs: resources, people, time
• wants: to get past "the wall" and see people as fellow humans with feelings and desires

Eric

• topic: technology in the modern world
• needs: mentor, coding resources, experience
• wants: to figure out how computers work on the inside in order to determine where our culture is going with them on the outside

Jhaicelle (http://searchingforwomenleaders.tumblr.com)

• topic: femininity in fashion and leadership
• needs: access to people, resources; time
• wants: to create a world in which women feel welcomed, needed, and inspired to assume leadership positions

Antonia

• topic: exploring racism in politics and religion through journalism
• needs: interviews, link to expository comp blog, research
• wants: "to cure biases that make me and the world sick"

Michael

• topic: using our minds to achieve the improbable
• needs: resources, research
• wants: "to learn about something I actually want to learn about"

Henry

• topic: investigating, questioning, and challenging censorship
• needs: to begin
• wants: to ensure that authorities can't arbitrarily restrict what we think, feel & express

Jordan

• topic: in pursuit of Flow
• needs: research
• wants: "to not settle; to reach beyond and give myself something greater to strive for"

Daniel

• topic: seeing "the amazing" through other people's eyes
• needs: 
• wants: to capture meaningful moments in time through photography

Annie

• topic: cookbook for people with Lupus
• needs: access to Photoshop
• wants: to publish

Alex

• topic: baseball
• needs: more knowledge of managerial styles (starting with Don Wilson)
• wants: to continue legacy

Sierra

• topic: fashion
• needs: mentors (met one at a funeral!)
• wants: to create a marketable blog

Hannah

• topic: health clinic & one-week soccer camp
• needs: collaborators (Rushdi? Imanie?)
• wants: share passion with others, especially children

Judith

• topic: science camp
• needs: mentors, resources, time
• wants: to help kids

Shailynn

• topic: career in medicine
• needs: mentors to observe in surgery
• wants: to help people behind the scenes

Naiomi

• topic: music and collaboration
• needs: to continue developing composition and relationships
• wants: to create a song that connects people whether they know each other or not

Victoria

• topic: to become a more effective support system for others
• needs: to learn what others are doing
• wants: "to learn about myself through helping others and being a part of everything"

Taylor

• topic: the psychology of serial killers
• needs: research
• wants: to try and answer the question, "How could someone DO that?"

Ephraim

• topic: neurology/ experiment in Alzheimer's (students to interview patients and self-assess risk)
• needs: existing research, protocols for research on human subjects
• wants: to spread awareness, embark on a search for the cure

Matthew

• topic: synesthesia
• needs: artists; protocols for effective research on the self/mind
• wants: to create research material for other people

Mellany

• topic: seeing the "amazingness" of the world through the eyes of people I've only just met
• needs: camera, time
• wants: to share a perspective on the world through photography

Noah

• topic: ending world suck by re-imagining teens
• needs: connections with teens (introduction to Izamar); game plan
• wants: to go out with a self-directed bang instead of an oppressed whimper

Alec

• topic: raise awareness and reduce stigmas associated with the use of psychedelics
• needs: platform for information-sharing
• wants: to open minds to facts over propaganda

Joey

• topic: go outside --> video
• needs: people to go outside with him
• wants: to create relationships through shared experiences that lead to memories

Aaron

• topic: comm/unity through basketball
• needs: resources, mentors
• wants: to understand my life through basketball

Imanie

• topic: chronicler
• needs: time, opportunity to connect with writers
• wants: to be published

Eric

• topic: human nature (inspired by Woods' "Nullification") & fair government
• needs: milestones, dates; project schedule; classical texts on government
• wants: experience in thinking about this for future application

Melissa

• topic: Who are we behind the facades?
• needs: resources, Elizabeth
• wants: to find the good in other people

Siera

• topic: high school transformation video
• needs: participants/contributors; transformative pics and videos; to "get deep" & research growth and change
• wants: to help everyone end high school in a happy, content, successful way

Stevie

• topic: spread medicine to the Third World
• needs: resources, Albert Schweitzer bio, doctors to interview, time
• wants: to give back to the world by helping people in need become happier and healthier

Ashlyn (thank you! :)

• topic: body image/ video
• needs: resources, online survey, research data on the impact/s of making fun of someone's body
• wants: to help people look more positively at themselves and others

ap exam prep

I'm thinking about the lunchtime sessions and wondering: Which day is the least impacted by club meetings, early outs, etc. etc.?  Let's discuss Wednesday and put dates on the calendar.

march 9/10

As a class, write a test for BRAVE NEW WORLD.  What is important for you to demonstrate you know?  Consult the AP resources on the course blog if you need ideas for content or question structure/style.

HW:
Please publish your questions as comments to this post.  Test tomorrow (Wednesday).

kudos: february

Congratulations to the following students on their college admissions and scholarship wins!

If I've missed anyone, or if something wonderful happened for you over the break, please either put it up in class or comment to this post.

Alyssa Oh: Admitted to Cal Poly Pomona, CSULB
Jordan Tomooka: Admitted to CSU Fullerton, Cal Poly SLO
Suzy Garcia: Finalist for Dell Scholarship; Admitted to Fresno State, CSULB
Miles Jorgensen: Admitted to CSULB
Naiomi Desai: CSU Fullerton
Alec McFarland: Admitted to CSULB, Cal Poly SLO
Shenaya Stephenson: Admitted to Long Island University, Global (Costa Rica)
Jacob Sussex: Admitted to Cal Poly Pomona, Cal Poly SLO
Marcel Dube: Admitted to University of New Mexico & F.I.T.
Danielle Cadena: Admitted to CSULB
Sean Rebaldo: Admitted to Humboldt State
Courtney Reyburn: Admitted to CSULB, UC Irvine (Honors Program)
Eric Jackson: Admitted to CSULB, UC Riverside
Ephraim Rodriguez: Admitted to CSULB, Cal Poly SLO
Miles Jorgensen: Admitted to CSULB, San Jose State, Northern Arizona University, Embry Riddle
Ashlyn Bishop: Admitted to UC Irvine
Stevie Wisz: Admitted to UC Irvine
Lukas Sheckherd: Admitted to San Jose State, U. of Washington, Jefferson University, CSULB, United States Air Force Academy
Lilly Navarrete: Admitted to Cal Poly SLO
Omar Dominguez: Admitted to Cal Poly SLO
Siera Betts: Admitted to Cal Poly SLO
Mellany Cunningham: Admitted to Sacramento State
Elizabeth Smith: Admitted to Cal Poly SLO

march 5

JOURNAL TOPIC: [today's tunes: "The Ocean" by U2; "Sunday Bloody Sunday" by U2; "Pride (In the Name of Love)" by U2

Writing a song, a book, or a blog is a way of putting our ideas out into the world, of sharing something of ourselves in the hope that it will move others.  Often, new ideas carry the potential of conflict as they represent a departure from the familiar and cause people to question their own assumptions.  Sometimes new ideas--especially those, in a cruel twist of irony, that emphasize freedom, thoughtfulness, or love-- have even cost lives (think Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., John Lennon, Socrates, Jesus Christ, and Crispus Attucks, for example).  Describe a powerful "new idea" that carries personal meaning for you.  This doesn't have to be well-known or modern, although it certainly can be, but it does have to represent a break in artistic, social, scientific, or political tradition that required some sort of sacrifice to achieve deeper understanding.

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Learners Lead (Round 2)

HW:
TBD

is productivity the new happiness?

With today's conversations about soma in mind, this article got my attention.

period 5: what're you gonna do about it?

You can start by commenting to this post with your observations about Brave New World.

looking forward to miles' weird soup riddle

Nothing to add at this time.  Discuss.

march 4

JOURNAL TOPIC:
(This is from Imanie & slightly modified by me.)  Is Huxley a genius thinker, or a genius for writing down what he saw, or a genius for identifying trends and crafting a story around them, or not a genius at all?  What makes his Brave New World compelling (and occasionally repulsive)?

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Learner-led discussion

HW:
1. Finish reading the book if you haven't already.

weasel & woodpecker

Full story here.

march 3

JOURNAL TOPIC:

(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. Discuss Chapter 6 and connections between symbolism & characterization in Huxley's writing
3. Preview of the rest of the novel and the next 1-2 weeks in class

HW:
1. Divide and conquer with your lit circle

march 2: rain delay

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Rain can serve many purposes in literature.  Write a vignette in which rain plays a role.

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Making meaning from the Journal Topic: adding literary techniques to our intuitive storytelling ability

HW:
1. Read & analyze Chapter 6 of Brave New World.  Specifically, focus on how Bernard's character goes all dynamic. Please post your notes to your course blog.
2. Walk between the raindrops.