APELC Class Notes
Objective: APELCers completed a synthesis essay.
As the objective states so you did, juniors and seniors. Today’s essay was a practice essay and you’ll complete two more next class followed my a multiple-choice practice at the end of the week. We’ll complete the worldview presentations the week after this and talk over some final details for the APELC exam on May 12.
I’d mentioned LIFE’s 100 Photographs That Changed the World to students I’ve been conferring with over timed-writing 8. I think that rather than being a limitation to learning, photographs can be an invitation to learning, as I discussed with Ariel during her conference, so I’d encourage you to explore more of nation and world through their photographic histories. Here’re some portals:
- Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Online Catalog
- The Library of Congress American Memory Home (photos and other media)
- Library of Congress’ Historic Photos (Flickr pilot project)
- Shorpy Historic Photo Archive
The Big Picture at The Boston Globe and The Frame at The Sacramento Bee are two excellent photo blogs that document current events around the world with large, bold images.
REMINDER. Kevin, Kate, and Priscilla, I’d like to borrow your original timed-writing 7 drafts for tomorrow (Tuesday), if I could. Thanks. You’re CDO’s greatest treasures.
English 9 Class Notes
Objective: Freshmen contextualized America during the Great Depression.
Freshmens, we watched most of Riding the Rails, an American Experience documentary about teens who left their homes to live and travel as nomads on America’s railroad trains during the Great Depression. We began when I asked you to consider what you’d have to give up if you were to leave home at your ages now. Your answers included friends, comfort, indulgences, security, and more, and you compared your own lives to those of the teen hobos you experienced as you watched the film.
You had time to begin reading Of Mice and Men, the story of two friends and Depression-era migrant workers in northern California, for the last twenty or so minutes of class. We’ll finish the film Friday and begin our examination of the novel. The film engendered thoughts of a favorite, romantic song about, the City of New Orleans, by folkie Steve Goodman. I tried to find a video with Goodman singing his signature song and couldn’t, but I found a version by Johnny Cash that’s pretty tasty:
See you next class, kids.
Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It
Natalie, our Irish step dancer in fourth, sent this photo of her and accepting an award for the slip jig some years ago. (She’s fourth in from the right.) She’s still in form if her demonstration in class last Friday is any indicator.
If you have a picture to share and your parent or guardian indicated permission on your Affirmation at the beginning of the year, send it to me and I’ll post it (if it’s appropriate).
Going Rogue
Fourth period’s Emily was inspired by our recent talk about John McCain’s 2008 running-mate and her supporters: She’s going rogue.
If you have a picture to share and your parent or guardian indicated permission on your Affirmation at the beginning of the year, send it to me and I’ll post it (if it’s appropriate).