Please read this blog carefully and consider your thoughts and your responses for a bit before answering.
Passion. Courage. Conviction. These words are largely subjective, completely abstract and open to interpretation; therefore, indefinable in traditional senses. I would like you to look them up before you answer this week's blog question. Once you do that, consider the following:
What is it in your own life, this life that you have been given, that you think you would die for? Do the three words play into your answer in any way? If you need a more solid jumping-off point, ask yourself this: given the denotation of the words passion, courage and conviction what is it in your life that can inspire these seemingly esoteric concepts?
What is your passion; what gives you courage; about what do you hold an unshakeable conviction?
Once you answer those questions, go back to the original--what would you die for? Do your answers to the second set of questions fall in line with the first? Do you think there should be things you would die for? Why or why not?
Finally, do you think the natural follow-up to this question should be: What do you live for? I sort of do...so....yeah. Talk about that, too. Are what you'd die for and what you live for the same? Why or why not? What does that tell you? So.....many...questions... better get started. :)
Be true to yourself and answer these questions in the best way you know how.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Sunday, March 30, 2014
The Education Proclamation
Last week, I had a great idea.
It was innovative. It was revolutionary. It was grandiose.
And then it was gone.
Poof...like so much smoke in the ether. I posit that it had something to do with my theory about hats (have I ever told you all about that?), but alas, that matters not in the end. It is still gone. And I am sad.
However, never one to wallow in my own inadequacies or self-perpetuated miseries, I have moved on. Just about a week late.
Which brings me to the blog at hand--which was not the one I planned to have at hand, but such as it is--this is it.
Education is an esoteric concept in many ways. Teachers like to think they have one (most, of course, do), students like to think they're getting one (sometimes) and parents like to think that the academic responsibilites of both teachers and students are being handled by the teachers and students. It's a system that has been in place for many years. And I think that may be part of the problem.
I am not the soothsayer of doom, at least most of the time I'm not, but I am a realist. And the reality of the situation is that our economy is recovering, albeit slowly, and as it becomes much more competitive, so too, do the opportunities that are available.
It's not enough anymore to be the best test-taker, to have the highest GPA and a transcript that boasts all AP classes. Other folks can meet that same criteria. The Princeton Admissions Board will tell you that the essay is an integral component of the decision making process most colleges use. But, that's ONE moment in a series of 12 years of education. Mind-numbing, isn't it?
So, with that in mind, I'd like you to take a look at something.
Below, you will find a link to an article written by Tony Wagner called "Rigor Redefined."
In it, he references many AP classes that he observed and how, in simple terms, he found them woefully inadequate.
I would like you to take this opportunity to tell me what you really thought of this article, specifically about what he mentioned about the skills that CEOs and company execs really look for in their new hires.
Do you feel as though your schooling thus far has prepared you for what these companies appear to be looking for?
Go a step further and consider the job pursuits you in which you hope to engage. What do you want to do? If you left school right now, do you feel as though you would be work-place ready and prepared for what they want? Why or why not?
What about the AP classes Wagner references...do they sound familiar to you? Why?
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/oct08/vol66/num02/Rigor-Redefined.aspx
It was innovative. It was revolutionary. It was grandiose.
And then it was gone.
Poof...like so much smoke in the ether. I posit that it had something to do with my theory about hats (have I ever told you all about that?), but alas, that matters not in the end. It is still gone. And I am sad.
However, never one to wallow in my own inadequacies or self-perpetuated miseries, I have moved on. Just about a week late.
Which brings me to the blog at hand--which was not the one I planned to have at hand, but such as it is--this is it.
Education is an esoteric concept in many ways. Teachers like to think they have one (most, of course, do), students like to think they're getting one (sometimes) and parents like to think that the academic responsibilites of both teachers and students are being handled by the teachers and students. It's a system that has been in place for many years. And I think that may be part of the problem.
I am not the soothsayer of doom, at least most of the time I'm not, but I am a realist. And the reality of the situation is that our economy is recovering, albeit slowly, and as it becomes much more competitive, so too, do the opportunities that are available.
It's not enough anymore to be the best test-taker, to have the highest GPA and a transcript that boasts all AP classes. Other folks can meet that same criteria. The Princeton Admissions Board will tell you that the essay is an integral component of the decision making process most colleges use. But, that's ONE moment in a series of 12 years of education. Mind-numbing, isn't it?
So, with that in mind, I'd like you to take a look at something.
Below, you will find a link to an article written by Tony Wagner called "Rigor Redefined."
In it, he references many AP classes that he observed and how, in simple terms, he found them woefully inadequate.
I would like you to take this opportunity to tell me what you really thought of this article, specifically about what he mentioned about the skills that CEOs and company execs really look for in their new hires.
Do you feel as though your schooling thus far has prepared you for what these companies appear to be looking for?
Go a step further and consider the job pursuits you in which you hope to engage. What do you want to do? If you left school right now, do you feel as though you would be work-place ready and prepared for what they want? Why or why not?
What about the AP classes Wagner references...do they sound familiar to you? Why?
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/oct08/vol66/num02/Rigor-Redefined.aspx
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Some Levity to Combat a Rough Few Weeks
OK--let's face it. There are times when digging down deep to exhume your deepest musings or just pondering the intricacies of your own DIVERGENT (yes, I am really excited) thinking is simply too much for a week that will, no doubt, seem surreal due to (pick one...) stress, athletics, prom probs, Calc, boys, girls, pets...
In other words, sometimes we just need a break.
In the spirit of that, let's try for one of those Facebook-type survey thingamabobs. They are easy, breezy beautiful-type questions--the ones that are simply meant to have you think about..well...YOU. But, not in that deep, dark mystery-solving way we usually do
The trick is, you will have to copy and paste the entire thing into a word doc, and then change your answers to reflect your individual responses. Then paste it back into the posting dialogue box.
Read a few of your classmates and find some things about them--and possibly yourself--that you may otherwise not have known. The list below contain my answers in their entirety.
The Rule of Four
A) Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. bartender/waitress
2. adjunct English professor
3. director of admin. finance
4. English teacher
B) Four movies I would watch over and over (in no particular order):
1. All HPs
2. The Fugitive
3. POC natcurally
4. 50 First Dates
C) Four places I have lived:
1. Cali
2. Utah
3. Lacey
4. Philly
D) Four TV shows that I watch:
1. Modern Family
2. The Middle
3. Criminal Minds
4. House of Cards (All Hail NETFLIX!)
E) Four Interesting Places I've been:
1. Ireland
2. Thailand
3. Belize
4. Japan
F) Four people who email me (pretty regularly)
1. college board
2. Mrs. Finn
3. former Oak grads
4. Spammers
G) Four of my favorite foods:
1. Filet mignon topped with crab meat and asparagus and drizzled with hollandaise sauce...OMGGGGGG
2. bruschetta
3. spinach dip
4. grilled cheese and tomato
H) Four places I'd rather be than freezing my butt off in sunny, south JRZ:
1. Tuscany, Italia
2. San Diego,CA
3. Bora Bora
4. digging my toes in the sand of our own OC Beach while eating a slice of Manco's...
Four things I am looking forward to this year:
1. my AP babies getting 4s and 5s.
2. my seniors graduating
3. Summer, specifically see #4 above :)
4. former APers getting into the colleges of their dreams
Favorite quote (as it pertains to irony at its finest):
"In the beginning the universe was created. This made a lot of people
angry and has widely been considered as a bad move."
"The Book" - Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
In other words, sometimes we just need a break.
In the spirit of that, let's try for one of those Facebook-type survey thingamabobs. They are easy, breezy beautiful-type questions--the ones that are simply meant to have you think about..well...YOU. But, not in that deep, dark mystery-solving way we usually do
The trick is, you will have to copy and paste the entire thing into a word doc, and then change your answers to reflect your individual responses. Then paste it back into the posting dialogue box.
Read a few of your classmates and find some things about them--and possibly yourself--that you may otherwise not have known. The list below contain my answers in their entirety.
The Rule of Four
A) Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. bartender/waitress
2. adjunct English professor
3. director of admin. finance
4. English teacher
B) Four movies I would watch over and over (in no particular order):
1. All HPs
2. The Fugitive
3. POC natcurally
4. 50 First Dates
C) Four places I have lived:
1. Cali
2. Utah
3. Lacey
4. Philly
D) Four TV shows that I watch:
1. Modern Family
2. The Middle
3. Criminal Minds
4. House of Cards (All Hail NETFLIX!)
E) Four Interesting Places I've been:
1. Ireland
2. Thailand
3. Belize
4. Japan
F) Four people who email me (pretty regularly)
1. college board
2. Mrs. Finn
3. former Oak grads
4. Spammers
G) Four of my favorite foods:
1. Filet mignon topped with crab meat and asparagus and drizzled with hollandaise sauce...OMGGGGGG
2. bruschetta
3. spinach dip
4. grilled cheese and tomato
H) Four places I'd rather be than freezing my butt off in sunny, south JRZ:
1. Tuscany, Italia
2. San Diego,CA
3. Bora Bora
4. digging my toes in the sand of our own OC Beach while eating a slice of Manco's...
Four things I am looking forward to this year:
1. my AP babies getting 4s and 5s.
2. my seniors graduating
3. Summer, specifically see #4 above :)
4. former APers getting into the colleges of their dreams
Favorite quote (as it pertains to irony at its finest):
"In the beginning the universe was created. This made a lot of people
angry and has widely been considered as a bad move."
"The Book" - Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
Monday, March 10, 2014
I Think; Therefore I AM
There is an old proverb that says, basically, if you cannot ask you cannot live.
Well, it sounds deeper and more profound than that but I can't think of the exact wording.
In preparation for your This I Believe presentation, please carefully consider the questions below, and do your best to reflect and answer them as honestly as possible.
1. What am I grateful for?
2. Am I honest?
3. What do I need to change about myself?
4. Do I know what my talents are and do I utilize those talents?
5. When I help someone, do I think, "what's in it for me?"
Again, answer honestly--no one will judge you, especially me. In fact, I will answer them too.
Well, it sounds deeper and more profound than that but I can't think of the exact wording.
In preparation for your This I Believe presentation, please carefully consider the questions below, and do your best to reflect and answer them as honestly as possible.
1. What am I grateful for?
2. Am I honest?
3. What do I need to change about myself?
4. Do I know what my talents are and do I utilize those talents?
5. When I help someone, do I think, "what's in it for me?"
Again, answer honestly--no one will judge you, especially me. In fact, I will answer them too.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
A Loss for Words...and Other Social Awkwardness...
At some point, I fully expect to the school calendar to mimic our internal calendars--because I don't know about you, but today feels like a Monday to me, but it's not--it's Wednesday. Which normally means, this darn thing is due in, like, 10 minutes. But, that would be if it actually WAS Monday today. Which, as we all know, is not the case. Because today is Wednesday. And I am just NOW posting this blog. Because I felt like it was just Monday. But, again, as we have all ascertained, it is not. So, this blog is not due in 10 minutes. More like 12. (Tee heeeeee) Or Sunday. Yeah, maybe Sunday would be better. OK, Sunday it is. This blog is now due on Sunday. Unless today really IS Monday. Then, no dice.
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 just...well, 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 darn 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 (huh? huh? What's that you say?) 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.
According to the GLM, English passed the 1,000,000 threshold on June 10, 2009 at 10:22 am.
SIDEBAR: 1,019,729.6 (January 1, 2013 estimate) I really wish they would update this.
Know what the millionth word was?? "Web 2.0." Which is just one more posit to the idea that popular culture is the crux of societal knowledge as well as the main contributor to the notion that we are a generation of CONSUMERS. But, I digress. How unusual.
Anyway, 1,000,000 is 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 repertoire. 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. Undefinable 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 text.
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 occurrences 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 paraphanalia. 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 acquisition, 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?
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 just...well, 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 darn 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 (huh? huh? What's that you say?) 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.
According to the GLM, English passed the 1,000,000 threshold on June 10, 2009 at 10:22 am.
SIDEBAR: 1,019,729.6 (January 1, 2013 estimate) I really wish they would update this.
Know what the millionth word was?? "Web 2.0." Which is just one more posit to the idea that popular culture is the crux of societal knowledge as well as the main contributor to the notion that we are a generation of CONSUMERS. But, I digress. How unusual.
Anyway, 1,000,000 is 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 repertoire. 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. Undefinable 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 text.
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 occurrences 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 paraphanalia. 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 acquisition, 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?
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
What Have You Done for You, Me (or anyone) Lately?
In Buddhism, HH (which stands for His Holiness),the 14th Dalai Lama once said, "The creatures that inhabit this earth-be they human beings or animals-are here to contribute, each in its own particular way, to the beauty and prosperity of the world."
I am not sure where I heard or read that, most likely in a liturgy at Temple or any one of a thousand (hyperbole) books on HH, but I think about that particular notion quite a bit. It goes along the same lines as that age-old query, "Why am I here?" I suppose, but when I think of my contributions to the world and what I can do to be a part of the sum total of beauty and prosperity, only two things ever come to mind.
One, of course, is you. Collectively.
I teach. That's something I can do because in so doing, I am afforded the opportunity to, hopefully, broaden minds and open hearts, which will in turn allow you to do the same things with whomever is lucky enough to come in contact with you as you dance through your time on Earth.
What do you do? What will you do? Do you believe in HH's idea about contribution? Does it make sense but seem impossible? Does it seem like a bunch of nonsense? What has been your greatest contribution so far? Don't say nothing or start wailing, "I'm only a teenager--I haven't done anything yet!" because that is a total cop-out. Think about all the people you have known, both superficially and deeply, and imagine how many more you have impacted in ways you might not even know yet. Maybe it's a friend, a sibling, a stranger on the street. Things that you may not even think twice about doing or saying can have an impact that changes someone's life forever. That's chilling and exhilirating and awe-inspring concept.
So, what do you think will your legacy be? And more importantly, what do you WANT it to be?
I am not sure where I heard or read that, most likely in a liturgy at Temple or any one of a thousand (hyperbole) books on HH, but I think about that particular notion quite a bit. It goes along the same lines as that age-old query, "Why am I here?" I suppose, but when I think of my contributions to the world and what I can do to be a part of the sum total of beauty and prosperity, only two things ever come to mind.
One, of course, is you. Collectively.
I teach. That's something I can do because in so doing, I am afforded the opportunity to, hopefully, broaden minds and open hearts, which will in turn allow you to do the same things with whomever is lucky enough to come in contact with you as you dance through your time on Earth.
What do you do? What will you do? Do you believe in HH's idea about contribution? Does it make sense but seem impossible? Does it seem like a bunch of nonsense? What has been your greatest contribution so far? Don't say nothing or start wailing, "I'm only a teenager--I haven't done anything yet!" because that is a total cop-out. Think about all the people you have known, both superficially and deeply, and imagine how many more you have impacted in ways you might not even know yet. Maybe it's a friend, a sibling, a stranger on the street. Things that you may not even think twice about doing or saying can have an impact that changes someone's life forever. That's chilling and exhilirating and awe-inspring concept.
So, what do you think will your legacy be? And more importantly, what do you WANT it to be?
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Time to take you Lang temp! (Not as gross as it sounds, I promise!)
OK, ladies and gentlemen. You have done it. Well, almost. The mid-point.
The year is now half over--more than half for the AP folks because your year ends sooner than everyone else's.
So, now is the time for some introspective reflection.
What do you know now that you didn't know on September 3?
What kinds of things still give you fits because you can't seem to grasp the concept?
What would you like to focus on moving forward?
What would you like to see more of? Less of? (don't say work; remember who I am. And, I know who you are--so go ahead. I know you're going to!)
Do you feel like your getting the most out of the class?
Is it what you expected? Less? More?
And, most importantly--are you learning?
Take your time, think about your answers and tell me how you feel. I will use your responses as a means to plan out the rest of your year. If there are other things you would like to say, tell me, vent about etc feel free. If you feel you cannot do this in a public forum, you know what to do.
PS--this is still a blog--it's not a worksheet--please don't answer the questions one by one.
The year is now half over--more than half for the AP folks because your year ends sooner than everyone else's.
So, now is the time for some introspective reflection.
What do you know now that you didn't know on September 3?
What kinds of things still give you fits because you can't seem to grasp the concept?
What would you like to focus on moving forward?
What would you like to see more of? Less of? (don't say work; remember who I am. And, I know who you are--so go ahead. I know you're going to!)
Do you feel like your getting the most out of the class?
Is it what you expected? Less? More?
And, most importantly--are you learning?
Take your time, think about your answers and tell me how you feel. I will use your responses as a means to plan out the rest of your year. If there are other things you would like to say, tell me, vent about etc feel free. If you feel you cannot do this in a public forum, you know what to do.
PS--this is still a blog--it's not a worksheet--please don't answer the questions one by one.
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