february 7

JOURNAL TOPIC: [today's tunes: "We Are Young" by Fun; "Psychedelic Sally" by Lionel Hampton, from the album "Fun"]

Describe a time when you got so interested in a school assignment that you forgot it was for credit.  If you haven't had this experience, describe a time when you got so "into" what you were doing that you lost track of time.  If you haven't had that experience either, think back on your childhood and describe the last awesomely creative thing you did that was so cool it still puts a smile on your face.


AGENDA:
1. Journal
2.  "Request for Response"
3. MGOTM: vocabulary audits, blog audits, writing your LAUNCH post, planning for next week
4. 1-1 mtgs

HW:
1. Post your LAUNCH [Your Launch is the formal, polished version of the thinking you've been doing for the last 2 weeks.  Recipe: start with your answers to those six questions; stir in the feedback you've gotten in class and on your blog; cook until the idea is complete enough for you to commit to; check in with peers and/or Preston if you need to; write.]
2. Study your vocabulary
3. Bring your resource total to 12 (find one more and/or catch up) and post [RESOURCES: 1], in which you explain where you looked, what you found (please list the resources and summarize the ideas you got out of them), and where your research suggests you look next.

request for response: powerful commentary on the death of philip seymour hoffman

Introducing a new feature of the course:

Request for Response

Every once in a while I will share an essay that is, IMHO, well-written and thought-provoking.  I will ask you to comment with an observation on each of those perspectives.  Both are designed for you to demonstrate your abilities in the core skill areas associated with Expository Composition.  Offering your views on the writing and reasoning will show your ability to analyze a nonfiction text.  Responding to strong perspectives with articulate, well-organized arguments will show your critical thinking skills and your ability to collaborate through dis/agreement.  The way you write about both topics will show your ability to communicate effectively.

The reason I am calling this feature "Request for Response" instead of making it mandatory is that you are all working independently now, which makes you seem more like colleagues.  And when I want a colleague to do something I ask.  Nicely.  Please share your thoughts.  I look forward to reading them. 

Please Note: The texts do contain some mature subject matter.  The first is an article by Russell Brand in The Guardian discussing the death of Philip Seymour Hoffman and drug policy.  The link is after the jump; clicking "Read More" indicates you've previewed the topic and want to read the text.

february 6

JOURNAL TOPIC: [today's tunes: "Man in the Mirror" by Michael Jackson {axed by request in favor of "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes}; "Deep Dark Truthful Mirror" by Elvis Costello; "Mirror in the Bathroom" by The English Beat]

As of this moment, how does your blog reflect who you are and how you think?  How can you make it a more accurate portrayal?

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. MGOTM: resources, vocabulary, blog audits
3. 1-1 mtgs

HW:
1. Find a/nother resource and publish your first vocab list to your blog (MY VOCABULARY #1)-- NOTE: the words are your choice, the process is old-school: words, definitions, sentences/remixes.

kansas teen uses 3-D printer to make hand for boy

Read the story here.  Then think of something amazing to do today.

february 5

JOURNAL TOPICS: [today's tunes: "You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You" by Frank Sinatra; "Zip A Dee Doo Dah" by Rosemary Clooney]

Why do we get such a cheap thrill when we get a text or an email?  Why do people feel "phantom vibrations" even when their phones aren't on?  Why do you give a crap about what anyone else thinks of you?  Why does it matter how many likes/followers/comments show up online?

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Building your personal learning networks
3. MGOTM (= table conversations + 1/1 mtgs)

HW:
1. Resource
2. Make your (network list), check it twice, & bring to class tomorrow (Thursday)

february 4

JOURNAL TOPIC: ["Today" by Smashing Pumpkins; "Days Like This" by Van Morrison]

Today is February 4.  Charles Lindbergh's birthday (and my childhood friend Adam's), and probably the anniversary of a bunch of other stuff.  Why do we attach importance to dates?  Why not celebrate Valentine's Day or any other observation of love & kindness today?  Why does the Super Bowl have to be on a Sunday?  Is this indicative of ritual and routine, culture/belonging, or does it matter?

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Welcome to the launchpad

HW:
1. Draft your LAUNCH: [YOUR TITLE HERE]

• What am I passionate about?  What do I want to do?
• How can I use the tools from last semester (and the Internet in general)?
• What will I need to do in order to "feel the awesomeness with no regrets" by June?
• What will impress/convince others (both in my life and in my field)?
• How will I move beyond 'What If' and take this from idea --> reality?
• Who will be the peers, public, and experts in my personal learning network?

2. Find a resource/vocabulary

february 3

JOURNAL TOPIC: (today's tunes: "Monday Night Football" ("Superstar" A.K.A. "Heavy Action") by Johnny Pearson; "ABC's Wide World of Sports" by Jack Shaindlin & Irving Robbins; "TV Party" by Black Flag)

Yesterday Americans celebrated an unofficial national holiday by eating 30 million pounds of snacks and sitting around the house.  Why?  What is it about the Superb Owl that everyone finds so compelling?  Do we watch because everyone else is, or because we all did it last year, or because...?  Choose an author who wrote about the (dystopian or utopian) future and imagine how s/he would answer the question.

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Vocabulary quiz

HW:
1. Find one resource in your masterpiece field; read it, take notes (including vocabulary words), & bring to class tomorrow (Tuesday, 2.4)