Mr. Kefor's Classroom Blog

AP Seniors: The Kite Runner Frontloading

2012-01-26T11:24:00.001-05:00

(due as a comment to this post on syllabus date; worth 2 quiz grades; 0-+ holistic scale)

Part A: Click here to visit the CIA's World Fact Book. Peruse the site and respond to the following questions:

1. What are the top eight agricultural products? What product is #1?

2. What is the life expectancy rate? What is the infant mortality rate? What deeper issues are typically reflected in these statistics?

3. How many kilometers of coastline does Afghanistan possess? How might this number have contributed to the country's history?

4. Identify the transnational issues that Afghanistan faces.

5. Construct a thesis statement that encapsulates the essence of the Afghan nation (both its assets and its challenges).

Part B: Click her to visit The Boston Globe's "The Big Picture: Afghanistan". View each photograph (use your judgement for the objectionable pieces) and read the corresponding footnotes. Choose the most powerful image to prompt a piece of short fiction. Write a descriptive passage that embodies the "show vs. tell" technique.

Part C: Article: "Hazaras: Afghanistan's Outsiders" (9 pages). Produce a thesis statement that encapsulates the author's message and illuminates the deeper meaning of the text.

Part D: Click here to view the Frontline Program: "The Dancing Boys of Afghanistan". Take notes and prepare to participate in a Discussion Facilitation that will include this topic.

Extra Credit: A quiz grade of 100 will be awarded for comprehensive notes for the Frontline Program: "The War Briefing".

The Poetry of Song: Analytical Paragraphs (Friday and Monday)

2012-01-20T09:25:00.000-05:00

On Edline, you will find two documents that are essential for this assignment. The first is a document copy of the “Jigsaw” assignment and lyrics; the second is an “analytical statement rubric”.

1. Begin by revisiting a Jigsaw song of your choice. Paste the lyrics into Word and reread them. Choose an element or device to classify and explore in an analytical paragraph of at least 5 sentences. Every single sentence should fulfill the requirements represented in the rubric.

2. Next, choose three of the poets listed below and copy and paste three poems of your choice (from three different poets) into Word. Utilize your experience in analyzing songs to study and analyze the poem. Refer to the SSRS form if need be, and produce two additional five sentence analyses, again focusing on an element or device to classify and explore.

After proofreading, post your results as a comment here.

Your teacher will randomly select on sentence from each analysis to grade with the rubric. (3 quizzes total). Do your best- these are our last assessments before the end of the course.

Robert Frost

Seamus Heaney

Jane Kenyon

Robert Creeley

Gwendolyn Brooks

Cornelius Eady

Interdisciplinary Arts: Supplement

2012-01-19T07:39:00.002-05:00

Click here to visit Stephen Wiltshire's website. Mr. Wiltshire is an artistic savant who is capable of reproducing incredibly detailed landscapes from memory. 1. On the left, click on "My Videos". Watch at least four of the videos and offer a commentary for each.
2. Visit his "Gallery" and browse through his work. Identify his most impressive drawing and his most impressive painting; offer explanation for each.

1-17 Classwork: Interdisciplinary Arts

2012-01-17T07:59:00.001-05:00

As we conclude our time together, please consider- and respond to- the following prompts. Post and print your results (let's shrink our margins and font to save paper). You may use your writing as notes for the Final Exam next week. Consider pasting the images and prompts into Word to streamline the process.

1. Study the drawing below by Dorian Iten. Before this course, the approach to the rendering of a bust such as this may have been something daunting and esoteric to you. Consider and describe how the artist approached this visual problem from beginning to end. Discuss the 4 essential phases of the formal drawing process, light considerations, and relationship to spherical concepts. (3-5 paragraphs)

2. Below is a painting entitled "Entombment" by Michelangelo Caravaggio. Discuss the composition, along with any underlying compositional "ribbons". Consider and describe how the artist approached this visual problem from beginning to end and his employment of the 4 essential phases of the formal drawing process, light considerations, and relationship to spherical concepts.

3. Finally, reflect on your coursework from this semester. Describe the skill-set you arrived with and how it has or has not progressed. Which drawing problems or tasks did you most benefit from? Which were too basic or redundant? Which might you undertake again? Did you make any visual "breakthroughs"?

POS: Backmasking and Reverse Speech in Song

2011-12-22T08:44:00.002-05:00

Backward messaging in music (commonly known as backmasking) has been a controversy ever since the late 1960s, when messages were found backwards on some Beatles' albums, hinting that Paul McCartney had died. Some of these subliminal messages have been identified as purposeful while some are apparently inadvertent. Some believe that many of these backward messages were in fact examples of "Reverse Speech" in music. Speech reversals occur naturally in all forms of speech, sung or spoken. Explore some of the links and sites regarding this subject and offer your opinion on at least 10 specific examples. Do you buy into the theory of Reverse Speech or is it all a bunch of hogwash?

THE THEORY OF REVERSE SPEECH AND SPEECH COMPLEMENTARITY:

(1) Human speech has two distinctive yet complementary functions and modes. The Overt mode is spoken forwards and is primarily under conscious control. The Covert mode is spoken backward and is not under conscious control. The backward mode of speech occurs simultaneously with the forward mode and is a reversal of the forward speech sounds.

(2) These two modes of speech, forward and backward, are dependent upon each other and form an integral part of human communication. One mode cannot be fully understood without the other mode. In the dynamics of interpersonal communication, both modes of speech combined communicate the total psyche of the person, conscious as well as unconscious.

(3) Covert speech develops before overt speech. Children speak backwards before they do forwards. Then, as forward speech commences, the two modes of speech gradually combine into one, forming an overall bi-level communication process.

List of Backmasked/Reverse Speech Songs

Jeff Milner's Site

Reverse Speech Site

Click here to hear a well known sample of backmasking from Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven". This audio file will play both forward (original context) and backward (backmasking revealed).

Post a reflection that a) discusses your opinion of backmasking and reverse speech, b) assesses the validity of the examples you experienced. I expect direct, specific references to songs, artists and lyrics. Be sure to demonstrate the level of your investigation by being precise and thorough. (3-5 paragraphs)

POS: Plagiarism in Song

2011-12-12T11:19:00.000-05:00

Musical plagiarism is complex, subjective, and a bit confusing. For decades, blues musicians have covered or restructured older songs as homages to past musicians. An artist may borrow lines, make allusions, or sample. Occasionally, artsits take issue with this "borrowing" and sue.

For blog-work this week, research and listen to some examples of musical plagiarism. Identify: 1) the definition of plagiarism 2) at least one example of a truly plagiarized song (paragraph explanation) and 3) at least one example of a coincidental relationship between 2 songs(paragraph explanation). Discuss your findings here.

Some notable instances include (listed as original/supposed plagiarism): Chiffon's "He's So Fine"/George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord"; Tom Petty's "Mary Jane's Last Dance"/The Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Dani California"; Queen's "Under Pressure"/Vanilla Ice's "Ice, Ice Baby" and, most recently, Joe Satriani's "If I Could Fly"/Coldplay's "Viva La Vida". You are not limited to these examples, so feel free to find your own.

AP: Multiple Choice Question and Answer Sets (1984)

2011-12-06T09:10:00.003-05:00

Beowulf and Chaucer: A Dynamic Duo

2011-12-05T08:29:00.002-05:00

You will utilize this post to complete an online unit regarding Beowulf and Chaucer. As you complete your work, be sure to save it as a Word or Google Document. This unit will take some time, so be sure to work incrementally and manage your time well. Some students find it helpful to copy and paste this post onto their document for convenience. You will submit your completed unit (as a comment to this post) no later than midnight on Sunday, December 18. Please be sure to identify which "part" is which. On Monday, December 19, I will print, read, and grade your work. You may post it all at once, or in pieces. You will be graded holistically on the + to - scale for 2 quizzes.

Click here to link to a full-text online translation of Beowulf. I do not expect you to read the entire work, but you must "sample" enough of it to get a feel for Old English and respond to the following:

B1. What is a caesura? Find an example of a caesura from the text and defend your selection (paragraph).
B2. What is kenning? Find 3 examples of kenning and defend your selections (paragraph).
B3. Beowulf is indicative of Old English and is infused with a curious blend of the traditions and values of Anglo-Saxon culture and the rise of Christianity. Do a bit of research regarding the Anglo-Saxons. Quote and discuss passages from the text that represent this unique dynamic. Use MLA format to cite your sources.

For The Canterbury Tales,

CA: Click here to access the text. Read The Prologue and the Introduction in their entirety. Chaucer will introduce you to each of his pilgrims; choose 3 of them. Discuss how Chaucer characterizes them: their class, appearance, character, etc. (3 paragraphs).
CB: Click here to check out a dope rap version of The Prologue. Describe the attire of the MC's to verify your visit.
CD: Click here to hear an audio recording of The Prologue in Middle English. Describe the narrator's voice and your impressions regarding how pronunciation, accent and emphasis help you decode the passage.
CE: Click here to access the Pardoner's Tale. Read his tale (lines 375-682).Write a 3-5 paragraph essay in response to the following prompt: How is the Pardoner's Tale, in relation to the Pardoner's persona and role, painfully ironic? How does this irony conflict or complement the irony within the Tale itself? How might you characterize Chaucer's tone as echoed through his juxtaposition of the Pardoner's story and personality? What might we conclude about Chaucer's attitude toward religion and morality?
Part G: Click here to access a link to Hieronymous Bosch's painting "The Garden of Earthly Delights". Synthesis prompt: Bosch is a Dutch painter who lived and worked shortly after the publication of the Tales. You will be able to zoom in a bit. Examine the triptych and respond to the following questions in paragraph form. 1. What scenes are being depicted in each panel? 2. Create a conversation (RAFT style) between Chaucer and the Pardoner as they discuss the image (particularly the right panel).

2011-11-28T21:39:00.002-05:00

Photorealism Demonstration: Mr. Kefor

AP Students: Reflection of Analysis

2011-11-28T17:05:00.000-05:00

As a comment here, post a paragraph that discusses the peer review of your Petry Analysis. Reflect on the commendations and criticisms and offer some insight into how you might take your next written analysis to another level.

Interdisciplinary Arts: Tuesday's Classwork

2011-11-22T08:05:00.001-05:00

1. Be sure that your proposal draft is published below. If it isn't, post it now.
2. Offer constructive feedback to peer proposals via comments addressed to specific students/proposals.
3. Review your feedback.
4. Make any necessary changes to your proposal; re-post it, and transfer file onto a Word document.
5. Re-format your proposal with narrow margins and a compact structure (let's try to save paper). Below your proposal, create: 1. daily checklist (items, tools, materials, and resources you must have every day to meet the proposed requirements). 2. a list of instructional requests (what information/assistance you seek from Mr. Kefor). 3. an enumerated checklist for the final product.

You are responsible for having the proposal in class on a daily basis. Don't be a turkey. Mr. Kefor will be checking for it. Print 2 or 3 copies.

Interdisciplinary Proposals

2011-11-17T15:55:00.001-05:00

Please post here.

AP: Multiple Choice Single Question Breakdown

2011-11-14T19:12:00.000-05:00

Interdisciplinary Arts: Monday 11-14

2011-11-14T08:50:00.001-05:00

1. Please peruse the artist sites below and offer some specific commentary on the work of each.
2. Please read the Proposal guidelines linked below.
3. Please revisit the substitute assignment (posted below) and complete by Friday.

Sadie Valeri
Edward Minoff
Juliette Aristides

Key Components of the Proposal (University of Pittsburgh)
Proposal Map

"The Street" Analyses

2011-11-08T15:34:00.001-05:00

Seniors: please post your analysis here.

Little Green

2011-11-04T13:03:00.000-04:00

Post your "Little Green" Song Analysis here.

2011-10-31T19:45:00.001-04:00

E: Reflection 3

2011-10-27T07:42:00.001-04:00

In-class Reflection 3: Select four of Pablo Picasso's quotes and a) connect each to your learning b) connect each to cast c) connect each to sibyl.

Action is the foundational key to all success.

All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.

Art is a lie that makes us realize truth.

Bad artists copy. Good artists steal.

Computers are useless. They can only give you answers.

Every act of creation is first an act of destruction.

Everything is a miracle. It is a miracle that one does not dissolve in one's bath like a lump of sugar.

He can who thinks he can, and he can't who thinks he can't. This is an inexorable, indisputable law.

I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.

I don't believe in accidents. There are only encounters in history. There are no accidents.

Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.

Others have seen what is and asked why. I have seen what could be and asked why not.

Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.

Painting is a blind man's profession. He paints not what he sees, but what he feels, what he tells himself about what he has seen.

Painting is just another way of keeping a diary.

The people who make art their business are mostly impostors.

To finish a work? To finish a picture? What nonsense! To finish it means to be through with it, to kill it, to rid it of its soul, to give it its final blow the coup de gras for the painter as well as for the picture.

We don't grow older, we grow riper.

Who sees the human face correctly: the photographer, the mirror, or the painter?

You have to have an idea of what you are going to do, but it should be a vague idea.

If only we could pull out our brain and use only our eyes.

It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.

My mother said to me, "If you are a soldier, you will become a general. If you are a monk, you will become the Pope." Instead, I was a painter, and became Picasso.

POS: Tuesday

2011-10-24T19:16:00.000-04:00

Read all of my directions before asking for assistance. Submit your work (as a comment) here.

PART TWO: Below you will find a list of some of the more noteworthy legends and myths of modern music history. For Part One of this assignment, you should research and summarize each incident in a well-developed paragraph. (6 paragraphs total).

Myth/Legend #4: Bob Dylan goes electric

Myth/Legend #5: Research on your own and choose your favorite

Myth/Legend #6: The mythology presented in the Sgt. Pepper cover (click here). Identify and summarize the notariety of 3 individuals whom you recognize and 3 individuals of whom you are ignorant.

Make sure that your sources are legitimate. Remember- any information that you gain from any source is not yours. You must cite your sources using MLA format. Use the links on this blog to assist in your citations. Keep in mind that the 30 other students in your class will uncover much of the same information, so in order to separate yourself from the pack you must focus on authoritative sources, excellent writing, detail, and proper citations.

For MLA documentation assistance, click here.

Interdisciplinary Arts: Tuesday

2011-10-24T19:13:00.000-04:00

Part 1: By the end of the period, produce a response (as a comment here) that includes a discussion of the various art and artists you peruse today (the 3 linked below).

Check out Julian Beever and Kurt Wenner, two artists whose choice of media includes sidewalk chalk.

Julian Beever

Kurt Wenner

It would be difficult to find a more impressive modern sculptor than Kris Kuksi. Click here.

Part 2: Virtual Scavenger Hunt: Find the answers to at least 5 of the following questions.

1. How many windows are in Andrew Wyeth's "Master Bedroom"? What medium does Wyeth use?
2. Identify the figure depicted in a boat in Michelangelo's "Last Judgement".
3. What pachyderm is distorted in the background of Salvador Dali's "One Second Before Awakening from a Dream Caused by the Flight of a Bee Around a Pomegranate"?
4. What time is it in Vincent van Gogh's "Night Cafe"?
5. Monet and Manet are both Impressionists and have similarities beyond their names. Compare and contrast these two artists.
6.. Who is Camille Claudel? Examine her "L'Age Mur" and identify the 3 figures depicted.
7. Identify the works stolen during the infamous Gardner Museum heist. Identify and describe your favorite piece.
8. Summarize the "legend" behind the man with the top hat in Eugene Delacroix's most famous painting.
9. What is David Mach's "Gorilla" made of?
10. Describe your favorite Ron Mueck sculpture.
11. Paul Rahilly is one of my former professors. a) What breed of dog is depicted in his "Girl in a Paper Dress"? b) In which of his paintings does one find a chili pepper? c) a brioche?

POS: Monday

2011-10-22T16:43:00.000-04:00

Read all of my directions carefully. Submit your work (as a comment) here.

PART ONE: Below you will find a list of some of the more noteworthy legends and myths of modern music history. For Part One of this assignment, you should research and summarize each incident in a well-developed paragraph. (3 paragraphs total).

Myth/Legend #1: Robert Johnson sells his soul to the devil

Myth/Legend #2: Ozzy Osbourne's taste for doves and bats

Myth/Legend #3: The mythology surrounding the Abbey Road cover

Make sure that your sources are legitimate. Remember- any information that you gain from any source is not yours. You must cite your sources using MLA format. Use the links on the lower left of this blog to assist in your citations. Keep in mind that the 26 other students in your class will uncover much of the same information, so in order to separate yourself from the pack you must focus on authoritative sources, excellent writing, detail, and proper citations.

For MLA documentation assistance, click here.

Interdisciplinary Arts: Photorealistic Files

2011-10-11T14:37:00.000-04:00

Click here to access your file.

Interdisciplinary Arts: Cast Drawing

2011-10-01T18:50:00.000-04:00

The Poetry of Song: Blog of the Week Voting

2011-10-01T18:20:00.001-04:00

Offer your vote as a comment here.

The Poetry of Song: Reflections of Popular Culture in Music

2011-10-01T18:13:00.005-04:00

"As the music is, so are the people of the country."

Turkish Proverb

Type your response to the following prompt as a Word document and be sure to proofread and edit before you paste and post. You will be assessed using the Short Essay Response Rubric.

Check either Billboard or Rolling Stone for the current list of America's top 50 songs. Choose at least 3 songs; avoid any songs you are very familiar with. Listen/study the lyrics to the selected songs.

Consider the subject matter, content and point of view of today's top songs and identify lines which contain poetic merit. What do these songs, as a whole, say about our modern American culture? In particular, what do these songs say about your generation as the greatest consumers of music media? How are gender roles represented in popular music? How is success measured?

POS: Presentation Framework for Monday

2011-06-15T11:15:00.001-04:00

Create a Word document and respond to the following questions. Your responses should serve as your "note card" for your blog presentation on Monday.

1. What is your theme-genre? How did you arrive at this decision? What inspired you?

2. Describe your research, work time, and progression in terms of sources, artists, subject matter, and logistics.

3. Describe how your writing has evolved or progressed over the semester. What writing tools or habits, learned in this course, will you carry forth in your academic career? How might writing about music aid you in other areas of written expression?*

4. Describe the experience of focusing on one (theme-genre) project for a period of 5 months. How can this long-term experience translate to other aspects of your life?

5. How would you describe your knowledge of music world before this course? What artists or songs have impacted you?

6. Which piece of writing do you identify as being your strongest? Why? What elements of this successful piece might transfer to your future writing? Paste an excerpt from this piece to read to the class.

7. Which piece of writing do you identify as being your weakest? Why? how might you change your approach to enhance your future writing?

8. Did you like the experience of using a blog to store and present your work? Or would you prefer another method of presentation?

WAVI: Guidelines for Final Concept-folio Presentation

2011-06-15T10:27:00.000-04:00

Create a Word document and respond to the following questions. Your responses should serve as your "note card" for your blog presentation on Friday or Monday.

1. What is your concept? How did you arrive at this concept? What inspired you?

2. Describe your research, work time, and progression in terms of sources, artists, subject matter, and logistics.

3. Describe how your writing has evolved or progressed over the semester. What writing tools or habits, learned in this course, will you carry forth in your academic career? How might writing about art aid you in other areas of written expression?*

4. Describe the experience of focusing on one concept/one project for a period of 5 months. How can this long-term experience translate to other aspects of your life?

5. How would you describe your knowledge of the art world before this course? What artists or images have impacted you?

6. Which piece of writing do you identify as being your strongest? Why? What elements of this successful piece might transfer to your future writing? Paste an excerpt from this piece to read to the class.

7. Which piece of writing do you identify as being your weakest? Why? how might you change your approach to enhance your future writing?

8. Did you like the experience of using a blog to store and present your work? Or would you prefer another method of presentation?

POS: Classwork for 6-14-11

2011-06-14T08:13:00.018-04:00

1. While YouTube is available, I'd like you to view Ken Robinson's lecture. It has little to do with music, but it has everything to do with education. He makes some intruiguing points, but please understand that his opinions are his own- I am not endorsing his claims, just acknowledging them. Click here. Robinson claims that our educational system is structured upon an antiquated approach. Describe this approach and propose some realistic changes to NHS that would accommodate his thinking.

2. Backmasking and Reverse Speech in Music: Backward messaging in music (commonly known as backmasking) has been a controversy ever since the late 1960s, when messages were found backwards on some Beatles' albums, hinting that Paul McCartney had died. Some of these subliminal messages have been identified as purposeful while some are apparently inadvertent. Some believe that many of these backward messages were in fact examples of "Reverse Speech" in music. Speech reversals occur naturally in all forms of speech, sung or spoken. Explore some of the links and sites regarding this subject and offer your opinion on at least 10 specific examples. Do you buy into the theory of Reverse Speech or is it all a bunch of hogwash?

THE THEORY OF REVERSE SPEECH AND SPEECH COMPLEMENTARITY.

(1) Human speech has two distinctive yet complementary functions and modes. The Overt mode is spoken forwards and is primarily under conscious control. The Covert mode is spoken backward and is not under conscious control. The backward mode of speech occurs simultaneously with the forward mode and is a reversal of the forward speech sounds.

(2) These two modes of speech, forward and backward, are dependent upon each other and form an integral part of human communication. One mode cannot be fully understood without the other mode. In the dynamics of interpersonal communication, both modes of speech combined communicate the total psyche of the person, conscious as well as unconscious.

(3) Covert speech develops before overt speech. Children speak backwards before they do forwards. Then, as forward speech commences, the two modes of speech gradually combine into one, forming an overall bi-level communication process.

List of Backmasked/Reverse Speech Songs

Jeff Milner's Site

Reverse Speech Site

Homemade YouTube Segments

Click here to here a well known sample of backmasking from Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven". This audio file will play both forward (original context) and backward (backmasking revealed).

Ken Robinson

2011-06-13T08:47:00.005-04:00

Click here to view Ken Robinson's lecture.

Reflection:

1. Robinson claims that our educational system is structured upon an antiquated approach. Describe this approach and propose some realistic changes to NHS that would accommodate his thinking.

2. What do you think about divergent thinking and yesterday's "paper clip" experiment? What does Robinson suggest happens to young people as they move through the system?

3. Click here to view an explanation of higher order thinking questions. Develop one strong Analysis, Synthesis, or Evaluation question to serve our discussion.

WAVI: Hot Topics

2011-06-01T12:44:00.002-04:00

Please post the names of your group members and claim your topic here. First posted, first served.

WAVI: "Images in the Media" Reflection

2011-05-20T12:12:00.001-04:00

Post and refect upon your findings from Thursday.

Seniors: Final Course Reflection

2011-05-19T09:43:00.002-04:00

Please take the time to consider and respond to the following reflective questions.

1. English-wise, what has been the most beneficial, constructive assignment, process or text of the year? Explain.

2. English-wise, what has been the least beneficial, assignment, process or text of the year? Explain.

3. As an Honors student, do you feel the level of rigor in this course has met your expectations? Compare and/or contrast the rigor with your experiences in other classes (Level One, Honors, AP, etc.).

4. After viewing the note-taking revisions, identify at least one modification or addition that you see as imperative and justify your selection.

5. If you could preserve one text from the English I-IV curriculum for the next decade, which would you select? Why?

6. This year, most of our time was spent analyzing and evaluating pieces of literature; far less time was spent on vocabulary and grammar; do you feel this ratio is appropriate at your level, or should the ratio be adjusted? Explain.

7. For college-bound students: describe the level of confidence with which you will approach “English 101” and the skills you feel you will employ to succeed at the college level.

WAVI: Classwork 5-17

2011-05-17T13:28:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, we looked at some of the most important pieces of art ever to grace our lovely planet. Use your computer to enhance your existing notes. For each image we viewed, you should have noted the artist, title, and country of origin. Using your computer, refine your notes by adding dates, anecdotes, or descriptive detail to aid you in tomorrow's writing. Remember- you can use your notes on the test, so set yourself up for success.

Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni
Leonardo da Vinci
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio
Rembrandt van Rijn
Diego Velazquez
Claude Monet
Edgar Degas
Pablo Picasso
Salvador Dali
Jackson Pollock

To Kill a Mockingbird: Building Background

2011-05-16T15:52:00.000-04:00

Complete the following tasks/answer the following questions. Use your critical thinking skills to determine the best routes and resources.The traditional forms of web perusal may not work here.

1. Truman Capote said "Everything she wrote about it is absolutely true". What is the "it"?

2. What does Lee think of the film adaptation of Mockingbird? Use a quote in your answer.

3. Finish Lee's statement: "Now, 75 years later in an abundant society where people have laptops, cell phones, iPods and minds like empty rooms, I still..."

4. Identify Lee's 3 favorite authors and name a title from each.

5. Lee is a recluse but for several years she has quietly attended the awards ceremony for a particular contest. Describe this contest.

6. How are the Scottsboro Trials relevant to the novel?

7. Though Lee always declines interviews, she does write each refusal individually. When asked why she did not simply send out a stock response to the media's pleas, she responded that such a letter would simply say...

8. Click here. Listen to the audio. Who was the statewide essay winner? Who potrayed Scout in a school play and developed a repoire with Lee?

9. List and quote 5 parallels between Harper Lee's real life and her novel.

10. Lee's character Dill is based upon Truman Capote. Capote returned the favor by basing what character (from what story) on Lee?

11. Click here and explore the page. a) What were the results of the "doll tests" and what do they tell us about race in the mid 20th century? b) Using your knowledge of history, discuss why Truman's Executive Order is egregiously late in the context of America's history.

12. Click here and enter the image gallery. Choose 2 images and discuss their subject matter and context. Do not copy and paste.

G Block: 5-5

2011-05-05T08:29:00.000-04:00

Hi, class. Please visit and peruse the following sites and answer the corresponding questions as a comment here (due by 1:57).

Check out artist/photographer Chris Jordan. Click here to enter his website. Explore his work under the "artworks" option. Be sure to zoom in on his images to understand how they're constructed. Also, be sure to read the descriptions below each image. Many of his pieces look simple on the surface until you see how they're constructed.

Part A: Why do you think that Jordan spends his time depicting the images he chooses to depict? What might be his "thesis statement"?

Part B: This is an online scavenger hunt. Use you reasoning and search skills to answer the following questions:

1. How many windows are in Andrew Wyeth's "Master Bedroom"? What medium does Wyeth use?

2. Identify the figure depicted in a boat in Michelangelo's "Last Judgement".

3. What pachyderm is distorted in the background of Salvador Dali's "One Second Before Awakening from a Dream Caused by the Flight of a Bee Around a Pomegranate"?

4. What time is it in Vincent van Gogh's "Night Cafe"?

5. Monet and Manet are both Impressionists and have similarities beyond their names. Compare and contrast these two artists.

6.. Who is Camille Claudel? Examine her "L'Age Mur" and identify the 3 figures depicted.

7. Identify the works stolen during the infamous Gardner Museum heist. Identify and describe your favorite piece.

8. Summarize the "legend" behind the man with the top hat in Eugene Delacroix's most famous painting.

9. What is David Mach's "Gorilla" made of?

10. Describe your favorite Ron Mueck sculpture.

11. Paul Rahilly is one of my former professors. a) What breed of dog is depicted in his "Girl in a Paper Dress"? b) In which of his paintings does one find a chili pepper? c) a brioche?

Part C: Autostereograms are algorithmic images which allow people to see three-dimensional images by focusing on two-dimensional patterns. In the 90's stereograms, or "magic eye" images were popularized. I was surprised by the fact that very few students knew of them. Maybe I'm getting old.

If you're curious, click on the links below. Choose a fixed point in the center of the image and stare, allowing your eyes to relax or "blur". Eventually, you will see a three dimensional image appear. Be patient- it may take a while, and some people are simply unable to see them.

Penguins

Horse

The Poetry of Song: Album Review Scavenger Hunt

2011-05-03T14:50:00.002-04:00

Visit the 2 links below and read the album reviews. Then, find one of your own and answer the questions that follow.

1. Fleet Foxes (great band, by the way)

2. Paul Simon

3. Find one of your choice.

As evidence of your perusal, post a comment response to the following questions:

1. List every adjective from the Fleet Foxes review.

2. For the review of your choice, select a passage to paste here and describe the literary qualities that make it exemplary.

3. Students tend to have difficulty integrating fluid quotations into their own writing. Copy and paste at least 3 excerpts from the 3 reviews that incorporate quoted song lyrics. After each sentence, create a grammatical map of the sentence structure. Example: David Fricke writes, "I wonder if I'll see/Any faces above me/Or just cracks in the ceiling," Pecknold sings in "Montezuma," imagining his deathbed.= Quote+Subject+Predicate+Preposition+Song Title+Participial Phrase. No, you can't use this one.

4. Copy and paste Will Hermes' thesis statement here. Which of his sentences encapsulates his most profound analysis of the album? Where did you find it?

5. What type of bird is that? Why did Mr. Kefor put that picture on this post?

WAVI: Dialogue Poems for 5-3

2011-05-03T10:58:00.001-04:00

Hi y'all. Yesterday, we went over dialogue poems. Today, I am asking you to select a concept-related image to post to your blog. Below the image, construct a dialogue poem derived from the image.

Remember that good poetry uses figurative language and devices to communicate ideas. Be sure to infuse your poem with substance, and don't you dare post a first draft. See you tomorrow. I'm watching you.

POS: Blog of the Week

2011-04-26T11:43:00.002-04:00

Please post your vote here.

G Block: Classwork for 4-15-11

2011-04-15T09:35:00.002-04:00

Today, you will use the COW to complete a 3-2-1 reflection. Please read the directions carefully. This is due at 1:57. Have a restful April break.

Push your cow to the limit. It can do more than you think.

3: Search the Internet to find 3 pieces of fine art that relate to your concept. Avoid searching via your concept name; the results of this search will be severely limited. Instead, search via artists you admire or through museum websites. Add each image to the sidebar of your blog, citing each with title, artist and date. To do this, click on "Add New Page Element"; "Add Picture".

2: Find 2 concept-related images that contain a "dynamic" or "ribbon-based" compositions (like the ones I showed you during the "Composition" slide lecture). Post them to your blog and write a succinct paragraph identifying the compositional elements that exist beneath the surface.

1: Visit your classmates' blogs. Select one that is deserving of the "blog of the week" award. This blog should be completely up-to-date and aesthetically pleasing. Vote for the best as a comment to this post- be sure to sign your post, and- no- you cannot vote for yourself. The winning blog will receive an extra-credit quiz grade of 100.

Kris Kuksi

2011-04-11T11:26:00.000-04:00

It would be difficult to find a more impressive modern sculptor. Click here.

POS: Fiction Activator

2011-04-06T08:15:00.001-04:00

You will be provided with a random fiction-writing prompt. With the exception of indefinite articles, prepositions and pronouns, all of the words in the prompt are off-limits. Begin with a word-storm and develop a passage based upon the prompt that "shows" the reader the content without "telling" too much. Post it here before you begin the "Plagiarism in Song" assignment.

POS: Plagiarism in Song

2011-04-06T08:09:00.003-04:00

For blog-work this week, research and listen to some examples of musical plagiarism. Identify: 1) the definition of plagiarism 2) at least one example of a truly plagiarized song and 3) at least one example of a coincidental relationship between 2 songs. Discuss your findings here. Some notable instances include (listed as original/supposed plagiarism): Chiffon's "He's So Fine"/George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord"; Tom Petty's "Mary Jane's Last Dance"/The Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Dani California"; Queen's "Under Pressure"/Vanilla Ice's "Ice, Ice Baby" and, most recently, Joe Satriani's "If I Could Fly"/Coldplay's "Viva La Vida".

WAVI: Peer Feedback for Critique #2 and Metacognitive Reflections

2011-03-25T12:23:00.001-04:00

Within the comments to this post you will find some feedback for your critique draft. Read the feedback and correct any mistakes that may have been identified. For Tuesday, write a one paragraph reflection regarding your strengths and weaknesses as a writer. Offer some solutions to address your weaknesses. Look at the first critiques of your peers and identify some qualities that you admire and hope to emulate.

1. You will receive an anonymous peer critique. Read it carefully. Read it again.
2. Begin a document and title its heading after the name of the image, so its owner may locate it over the weekend.
3. Offer at least 3 specific, carefully articulated suggestions. What does the critique lack? What changes need to be made? It is unlikely that the paper you receive is a "100". Give your peers some direction that will help them get the grade they want.
4. Offer at least 3 specific, carefully articulated commendations. What has the writer done well?
5. Post your comment.
6. Repeat the process for 2 other critiques.

WAVI: Leo Tolstoy's "What is Art?"

2011-03-17T07:35:00.000-04:00

A formal response (3 paragraphs minimum) to the following prompt is due (via comment to this blog post) by 2:00 3-18-2011. Identify and evaluate Tolstoy's attitude toward the arts. Is his point of view valid? Reasonable? Flawed? Does he offer substantive support for his view? Don't forget to include your thesis as well as direct quotations from the excerpt.

English I A: Short Essays (Student Choice)

2011-03-15T07:41:00.003-04:00

Choose either A. your Glass Castle graphic organizer/thesis or B. your thesis regarding the controversy over musicians performing for the Qaddafi clan. Use your thesis as a springboard for a short essay (3 paragraph minimum) to develop and complete. Please post them here.

WAVI: Self-Portraits

2011-03-14T10:09:00.001-04:00

Search the internet for self-portraits by the following artists: Rembrandt van Rijn, Vincent Van Gogh, Susanna Coffey, Lucian Freud, Kathe Kollwitz, Paul Gauguin, Gregory Gillespie, Pablo Picasso, Paul Cezanne, Susanna Coffey, Brett Gamache (a friend of mine).

Create a Word document.

1. For each artist, record the title, year of completion, and country of origin.

2. Identify three comparable (composition, color, mood, etc.) self-portraits from the list. Construct a paragraph which identifies the parallels between these 3 works.

3. Identify the strongest self-portrait. In a paragraph, explain the elements which make it stand out; use your vocabulary words.

4. Typically, self-portraits are not lucrative efforts for living artists. Why might an artist choose to focus on self-portraits? What may drive an artist, like Rembrandt, to devote so much time and effort towards depicting himself? Explain in paragraph form.

5. Proofread and post your document here.

POS: Legend and Myth in Music

2011-03-11T08:41:00.003-05:00

Read all of my directions before asking for assistance. Submit your work (as a comment) here.

PART ONE: Below you will find a list of some of the more noteworthy legends and myths of modern music history. For Part One of this assignment, you should research and summarize each incident in a well-developed paragraph. (6 paragraphs total).

Myth/Legend #1: Robert Johnson sells his soul to the devil

Myth/Legend #2: Ozzy Osbourne's taste for doves and bats

Myth/Legend #3: The mythology surrounding the Abbey Road cover

Myth/Legend #4: Bob Dylan goes electric

Myth/Legend #5: Research on your own and choose your favorite

Myth/Legend #6: The mythology presented in the Sgt. Pepper cover (click here). Identify and summarize the notariety of 3 individuals whom you recognize and 3 individuals of whom you are ignorant.

Make sure that your sources are legitimate. Remember- any information that you gain from any source is not yours. You must cite your sources using MLA format. Use the links on this blog to assist in your citations. Keep in mind that the 30 other students in your class will uncover much of the same information, so in order to separate yourself from the pack you must focus on authoritative sources, excellent writing, detail, and proper citations.

For MLA documentation assistance, click here.

PART TWO: Use 3 different Website Evaluation Guides (linked below) to validate 3 of the web pages cited in your work above. Complete and print these guides and turn them in.

Schrock's Evaluation

University of Maryland Evaluation

University of California at Berkeley Evaluation

The Glass Castle: Thesis-Write

2011-03-01T09:41:00.000-05:00

Construct a thesis that identifies the literary devices employed by Walls in the first 125 pages of The Glass Castle. Be sure to add adjectives to the devices you identify.

Model: In the first 125 pages of The Glass Castle, Walls (verb) (adjective + device) in order to (identify and articulate the deeper intent/meaning/impact/power of the effect of its inclusion).

Seniors: Research Topics

2011-02-16T08:54:00.002-05:00

Please post them here by the end of vacation.

WAVI: Stephen Wiltshire

2011-02-11T12:19:00.003-05:00

POS: Reflections of Popular Culture in Music

2011-02-11T11:21:00.001-05:00

"As the music is, so are the people of the country." Turkish Proverb

Type your response to the following prompt as a Word document and be sure to proofread and edit before you paste and post. You will be assessed using the Short Essay Response Rubric.

Check either Billboard or Rolling Stone for the current list of America's top 50 songs. Choose at least 3 songs; avoid any songs you are very familiar with. Listen/study the lyrics to the selected songs.

Consider the subject matter, content and point of view of today's top songs and identify lines which contain poetic merit. What do these songs, as a whole, say about our modern American culture? In particular, what do these songs say about your generation as the greatest consumers of music media? How are gender roles represented in popular music? How is success measured?

Orwellian Connections

2011-02-09T15:23:00.001-05:00

Part A: To supplement our reading of 1984, we have discussed the qualities of both utopian and dystopian societies. Visit the two links below. Make sure to view the video segment regarding Denmark. Post your responses here. What utopian qualities are found in Dubai? How about Denmark? Are they realistic? Close to actual utopias? Explain.

The World: Dubai

Denmark: The Happiest Place on Earth

Part B: Click here. View the document. Construct a thesis statement connecting the content of this article to 1984.

Part C: Click the links below to explore the images of North Korea on "The Big Picture". Peruse the photographs and read all of the captions. After viewing each image on all of the links, choose 3 that you feel echo 1984. Construct 3 separate theses that identify and articulate between image and text.

Recent Scenes from North Korea
Peering Into North Korea
A North Korean Anniversary and Debut
Tension in the Koreas

My Pet Peeves

2011-02-09T14:47:00.001-05:00

In no particular order:

1. Alex Trebek: Alex Trebek, the host of Jeopardy, is super-annoying to me. I love the show, and my wife and I enjoy playing along. Alex, on the other hand, possesses a subtle type of pompousness that just gets me fired up. He has all of the answers on the screen in front of him, so why must he correct the contestants as if his intelligence is so impressive? Each evening, it is inevitable that he says something that aggravates me, but I tolerate his presumptuousness for the sake of the game.

2. Experts: By experts, I am referring to individuals who have a highly-specific, even esoteric knowledge of a particular field who, for whatever reason, assume that everyone else on the earth has the same particular knowledge. In other words, I don't want a mechanic to speak to me as if I should be completely aware of every facet of my truck's engine. I don't expect him to be able to produce a thesis statement evaluating the parallels between Orwell's vision of a dystopic society and the modern politics of North Korea under Kim Jong Il. The world doesn't revolve around you (or me), and if I, along with others, had a pre-existing knowledge of engine mechanics, you would be unemployed.

3. Phil Simms: He's the former Giants quarterback who works as a game analyst/announcer for the NFL on NBC. He just plain old bothers me. What bothers me even more is the fact that I cannot articulate exactly why he bothers me; he just does.

4. Parking Near Me: Don't park near me. I park, in most cases, as far away from other cars as possible, yet often I return from a place of business to find a vehicle parked uncomfortably close to my truck in some subconscious attempt to make my vehicle feel less isolated. There are hundreds of free spots; why is there a need to bump doors? Go away.

5. Snobs: When I worked in catering, I learned a lot about how people treat individuals when they are functioning in a position of "service". When I would "serve" people, they seemed to adopt an attitude of not only social- but intellectual- superiority. They spoke to me as if I were an idiot, assuming that my choice of employment must be a direct result of a lackluster intellect. Now, I put special effort into treating people who "serve" me not as servants but as human beings who should not be categorized by their occupation, no matter how menial.

6. "Hon": I don't like it when women call me "hon", especially when they are younger than I am. My mother, grandmother, and wife, along with elderly women, are allowed to call me "hon".

7. Sports Regurgitators: A sports regurgitator is someone who: a) is a devotee of Sportcenter and talk radio and b) regurgitates or otherwise recycles sports-related ideas and opinions of others in an attempt to pass them off as their own.

8. People Who Don't Pull Forward at Drive-Thru's: Congratulations, you've placed your order! But you're job is not done. There are seven people behind you, all of whom have not placed theirs, so creep on forward to allow others to do so.

9. "Could Care Less": It is I "couldn't care less". "Could care less" implies the existence of a level of care; "couldn't care less" implies a level of care so minuscule it is impossible to care less. So, "could care less"= I care. I try not to be an English snob (this would violate PP #5), but this one is so widespread it tends to bother me.

10. Strangers at My Door: I chose my dog, a Bullmastiff, because I feel an animal should contribute to the family in some way. I feel like dogs should earn their kibble. Bullmastiffs were originally bred to pursue and attack poachers in rural England. They still don't bark much, because barking would give humans an opportunity to escape and take the fun out of actually catching someone. So, essentially, their function is to protect their home from intruders. Ramona is gentle and goofy with her family and loved ones but she is suspicious of strangers. If the Comcast guy comes to fix the table, Mona makes it abundantly clear, via body language alone, that he is not allowed to give as much as a dirty look to anyone in the house. I live in a fairly large development, the type of neighborhood perfect for Halloween and ideal for door-to-door solicitation. My dog makes strangers very uncomfortable, and they seem to question why I would keep such a beast. The irony is that, in their discomfort, is their answer. Maybe I'm a hobbit.

What are some of your Pet Peeves?

ENS: 2-8

2011-02-08T08:37:00.003-05:00

1. Click here. Complete a poem. Print it. Make it good- you will share it with your fellow ENS members on Friday.
2. Click here. Take the test. Have fun.
3. Click here. Check out today's best photography.

POS: Theme-Genre Brainstorm

2011-02-08T08:31:00.000-05:00

Here is where you will participate in our online discussion by posting 3 potential theme-genre concepts and commenting on at least 10 peer theme-genre concepts. This assignment will be graded. Make sure to direct your comments with names and to sign all of your comments with your first name and last initial. Try to provide your peers with some direction; suggest names of bands or artists they may want to consider.

WAVI: Concept Brainstorm

2011-02-08T08:25:00.000-05:00

"Innocent Eye Test" by Mark Tansey

Choosing a concept for your semester-long Concept-folio can be challenging. Let's use this post to declare "working concepts", or initial ideas. Post your possible concepts and offer an explanation for your focus. After you post your concept and offer an explanation, be sure to view your classmates' concepts. Offer commendations or criticism and don't be shy. After all, wouldn't you rather reformulate your concept now as opposed to in April? And remember- your concept should transcend disciplines.

The bottom line is: choose a concept that interests YOU. If you do, you won't even notice that you are working; if you don't, it will be a long semester.

6 Degrees of Wikipedia

2011-01-02T12:09:00.004-05:00

Educators have mixed feelings about Wikipedia. Despite its dubious validity as a scholarly source, it is now the most popular encyclopedia on Earth.

Neapolitan Mastiff

For this exercise, we will use Wikipedia to explore interdisciplinary connections, a practice that many students find challenging. The idea is that you will make connections between 2 seemingly unrelated things. Think of the world as a giant spider web upon which every branch of study is linked. The more creatively you think, the more streamlined your connections will be.

No Caption Required

For this exercise, begin on the Wikipedia page of "Thing 1". From there, you are allowed only 6 mouse-clicks (clicking on Wikipedia's blue, embedded links) to arrive at the Wikipedia page for "Thing 2". I have tested each connection and they are all possible to complete in 6 degrees; in fact, many are possible in less. To submit an answer, use this format: Cheese (culinary arts); bleu cheese (culinary arts); Gorgonzola (culinary arts); Italy (geography); soccer (sports). The terms in parentheses represent the discipline through which your thinking is linked. Complete as many as you can.

Rasputin

Thing 1: Neapolitan Mastiff
Thing 2: Hogsmeade

Thing 1: Grigori Rasputin
Thing 2: Penicillin

Thing 1: Hellbender
Thing 2: Kleptomania

Thing 1: Coriolis Effect
Thing 2: Kris Kringle

Thing 1: Geoffrey Chaucer
Thing 2: Chewbacca

Top 10: Winter

2010-12-29T17:38:00.002-05:00

1. After a steaming summer, the cold weather is strangely refreshing.

2. Children and most dogs love snow. Children and dogs make better company and are more fun than most adults.

3. It is socially acceptable- perhaps even encouraged- to overeat and loaf around like a pre-hibernation Grizzly.

4. People's true colors emerge. The holidays (ironically) cause stress and some New Englanders still haven't figured out how to cope with winter weather. Ever try to go grocery shopping the day before a storm? There's a strange sense of urgency. The parking lots are reminiscent of Thunderdome. Despite these strange realities, it is useful to observe how people handle, or fail to handle, stress.

5. Christmas music reminds us of how good non-Christmas music really is.

6. Classic holiday movies remind us of how bad many new films actually are.

7. Snow is but one of Mother Nature's ways of reminding us who's boss.

8. 4-Wheel-Drive vehicles are both utilitarian and fun.

9. Icicles rule (see photo).

10. If you don't like it, remember that it only lasts a few months.

POS: Song Rating System Amendments

2010-12-29T17:04:00.000-05:00

You are now very familiar with the SSRS format that my former students developed. Now it's your turn to suggest modifications that will enhance the system. After we sift through the suggestions and arrive at a new and improved form, we will give it a test run to ensure its quality.

1. The suggestion was made (shout-out to K.M.) to divide the final tally by the number of lines. This would evaluate a song's poetic potency and reduce the amount of impact the length of a song has on its score. Do you like this idea? Why/why not?

2. We have quite a few poetic devices and elements on the form, but there are many more. Find 3 devices (and their definitions) that you feel merit consideration.

3. Identify at least one aspect of the form that should be considered for deletion and defend your reasoning.

4. Consider the layout. Do you have any suggestions to make the form more user-friendly?

Seniors: Metacognitive Assignment

2010-12-29T15:23:00.001-05:00

Metacognition is defined as "cognition about cognition", or "knowing about knowing." It can take many forms; it includes knowledge about when and how to use particular strategies for learning or for problem solving. This assignment gives you an opportunity to step back and reflect on your own strengths and weaknesses as a student during a hectic and formative time in your life. For this assignment, you will share the following products with your classmates and teacher:

1. A personal and academic timeline with three potential "forecasts".
2. A five-year "bucket list".
3. A lifetime "bucket list".
3. The results of your Learning Style Test and your 41-Question Personality Assessment.
4. A set of 4 essential questions.
5. A set of 4 particular learning strengths and interdisciplinary applications.
6. A set of 4 particular learning weaknesses and corresponding improvement plans.
7. A self-addressed stamped envelope containing your bucket lists and a personal letter to yourself.

POS: Poetry Research Assessment

2010-12-10T08:07:00.000-05:00

Please respond to the following questions completely and carefully. You may use your notes for this assessment, but you may not refer to the research itself. Your responses will receive a letter grade based upon the school-wide writing rubric (available on edline).

1. I began my paper with a piece of narrative imagery. Describe this image and how it relates to the research as a whole. (10 points)

2. Produce a bulleted list of 5 of the salient benefits of poetic instruction. (20 points)

3. This paper was not driven by a thesis but by an essential question. If I were to produce a thesis for this paper, what would it look like (write it)? (20 points)

4. I claim that "central to a defense of poetry’s value are several conclusive tenets". Identify the tenets. (20 points)

5. I am planning on continuing my research on this topic. What suggestions would you have for further research? What considerations did I fail to acknowledge that I should revisit or explore? (20 points)

Honors English IV: Flow Short Essay

2010-12-02T12:00:00.002-05:00

Alex Grey

Role: Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Audience: Robert A. Compton (Executive Producer of 2 Million Minutes)

Format: Personal Letter to Mr. Compton

Topic: Interpretation of, and opinions regarding, Mr. Compton's film

This letter must include:

-3 vocabulary words from lessons 1-5.

-2 sentence types from The Wizardry of Sentence Variety (labelled in parentheses).

-a sound thesis statement.

-elements of persuasion.

-employment of Csikszentmihalyi's diction and style.

2010-11-26T19:27:00.002-05:00

Norton Patch

2010-11-24T09:49:00.001-05:00

Norton Patch is a new web site which covers local news.

Check out the article on the girls soccer team by clicking here.

Check out the article on the boys soccer team by clicking here.

Check out the article on the banquet by clicking here.

2010-11-20T12:02:00.004-05:00

Short Essay: English IV

2010-11-15T18:11:00.001-05:00

What does Hosseini gain or lose in creating an unreliable, or- at least- flawed narrator? Does this decision contribute to, or detract from, the delivery of the story? Do Amir's transgressions elicit a response from the reader? If so, how might you characterize it?

Your response must include:

-a sound thesis statement

-explicit support and direct quotations

-3 complex sentence types from the Sentence Wizardry form (available in your binder/on edline department page)

-2 vocabulary words from lists 1-4

Bring your "A Game" because the rubric will bring hers.

POS: Backmasking and Reverse Speech in Music

2010-11-14T13:00:00.000-05:00

Backward messaging in music (commonly known as backmasking) has been a controversy ever since the late 1960s, when messages were found backwards on some Beatles' albums, hinting that Paul McCartney had died. Some of these subliminal messages have been identified as purposeful while some are apparently inadvertent. Some believe that many of these backward messages were in fact examples of "Reverse Speech" in music. Speech reversals occur naturally in all forms of speech, sung or spoken. Explore some of the links and sites regarding this subject and offer your opinion on at least 10 specific examples. Do you buy into the theory of Reverse Speech or is it all a bunch of hogwash?

THE THEORY OF REVERSE SPEECH AND SPEECH COMPLEMENTARITY.

(1) Human speech has two distinctive yet complementary functions and modes. The Overt mode is spoken forwards and is primarily under conscious control. The Covert mode is spoken backward and is not under conscious control. The backward mode of speech occurs simultaneously with the forward mode and is a reversal of the forward speech sounds.

(2) These two modes of speech, forward and backward, are dependent upon each other and form an integral part of human communication. One mode cannot be fully understood without the other mode. In the dynamics of interpersonal communication, both modes of speech combined communicate the total psyche of the person, conscious as well as unconscious.

(3) Covert speech develops before overt speech. Children speak backwards before they do forwards. Then, as forward speech commences, the two modes of speech gradually combine into one, forming an overall bi-level communication process.

List of Backmasked/Reverse Speech Songs

Jeff Milner's Site

Reverse Speech Site

Click here to here a well known sample of backmasking from Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven". This audio file will play both forward (original context) and backward (backmasking revealed).

POS: Legend and Myth in Music

2010-10-20T12:22:00.006-04:00

Seniors: The Kite Runner Frontloading

2010-10-16T13:03:00.088-04:00

Part A (quiz): Click here to visit the CIA's World Fact Book. Peruse the site and respond to the following questions (due as a comment to this post by midnight October 29).

1. What are the top eight agricultural products? What product is #1?

2. What is the life expectancy rate? What is the infant mortality rate? What deeper issues are typically reflected in these statistics?

3. How many kilometers of coastline does Afghanistan possess? How might this number have contributed to the country's history?

4. Identify the transnational issues that Afghanistan faces.

5. Construct a thesis statement that encapsulates the essence of the Afghan nation (both its assets and its challenges).

Part B (quiz): Click her to visit The Boston Globe's "The Big Picture: Afghanistan". View each photograph (use your judgement for the objectionable pieces) and read the corresponding footnotes. Choose the most powerful image to prompt a piece of fiction. Write a descriptive passage that embodies the "show vs. tell" technique we have discussed in class (due as a comment to this post by midnight Halloween).

Part C (quiz): Article: "Hazaras: Afghanistan's Outsiders" (9 pages). Produce a thesis statement that encapsulates the author's message and illuminates the deeper meaning of the text (due as a comment to this post by midnight Halloween).

Part D (quiz): Click here to view the Frontline Program: "The Dancing Boys of Afghanistan". Take notes and prepare for a Discussion Facilitation regarding this topic.

Extra Credit: A quiz grade of 100 will be awarded for comprehensive notes for the Frontline Program: "The War Briefing".

Shakespeare and Predestination

2010-10-15T07:33:00.001-04:00

As we study William Shakespeare and read Romeo and Juliet in class, consider the following prompt: The concept of predestination is reflected in the work of Shakespeare. The lives of men and women are "mapped out in the stars", and attempts to transcend or disrupt this order, or chain of being, only lead to tragedy. Does belief in predestination exist in some form today? Do we subscribe to a similar or different philosophy? How does predestination relate to, or conflict with, the "American Dream"? How might you categorize the belief systems of our world today? Do you believe that your destiny is mapped out for you, or do you think that you control your own fate? (3-5 paragraphs; due via post and hard copy Thursday, 10-21).

POS: Reflections of Popular Culture in Music

2010-10-07T07:57:00.001-04:00

"As the music is, so are the people of the country." Turkish Proverb

Type your response to the following prompt as a Word document and be sure to proofread and edit before you paste and post. You will be assessed using the Short Essay Response Rubric.

Check either Billboard or Rolling Stone for the current list of America's top 50 songs. Choose at least 3 songs; avoid any songs you are very familiar with. Listen/study the lyrics to the selected songs. Consider the subject matter, content and point of view of today's top songs and identify lines which contain poetic merit. What do these songs, as a whole, say about our modern American culture? In particular, what do these songs say about your generation as the greatest consumers of music media? How are gender roles represented in popular music? How is success measured?

Beowulf

2010-09-30T12:59:00.000-04:00

Click here to link to a full-text online translation of Beowulf.

POS: Theme-Genre Brainstorming

2010-09-14T08:42:00.000-04:00

Here is where you will participate in our online discussion by posting 3 potential theme-genre concepts and commenting on at least 10 peer theme-genre concepts. This homework assignment will be graded on September 18th. Make sure to direct your comments with names and to sign all of your comments with your first name and last initial. And- no, that is not my head in the picture.

POS: 5-25 Classwork

2010-05-25T19:39:00.000-04:00

Please complete the following:

1. Don't talk. The seniors are taking their exams.
2. Check edline to see what you are missing. If you are missing something, complete it.
3. Make sure that all of your work is posted to your blog. You will present your entire blog (as a portfoilio of your coursework) during the last week of school.
4. Finally- as a classwork grade for today, view the photos under The Big Picture. There are many photos under each section- make sure to browse several sections. Choose 3 of your favorite photos to pair with the lyrics of 3 songs. List and explain the pairings as a blog comment here.

To Kill A Mockingbird: Scavenger Hunt

2010-05-10T12:29:00.004-04:00

Complete the following tasks/answer the following questions. Use your critical thinking skills to determine the best routes and resources.

1. Truman Capote said "Everything she wrote about it is absolutely true". What is the "it"?

2. What does Lee think of the film adaptation of Mockingbird? Use a quote in your answer.

3. Finish Lee's statement: "Now, 75 years later in an abundant society where people have laptops, cell phones, iPods and minds like empty rooms, I still..."

4. Identify Lee's 3 favorite authors and name a title from each.

5. Lee is a recluse but for several years she has quietly attended the awards ceremony for a particular contest. Describe this contest.

6. How are the Scottsboro Trials relevant to the novel?

7. Though Lee always declines interviews, she does write each refusal individually. When asked why she did not simply send out a stock response to the media's pleas, she responded that such a letter would simply say...

8. Click here. Listen to the audio. Who was the statewide essay winner? Who potrayed Scout in a school play and developed a repoire with Lee?

9. List and quote 5 parallels between Harper Lee's real life and her novel.

10. Lee's character Dill is based upon Truman Capote. Capote returned the favor by basing what character (from what story) on Lee?

Art I: Exemplary Student Work

2010-05-07T19:25:00.008-04:00

The work below is by Bryanna Dague and Danielle Puopolo. Great stuff, ladies.

POS: Poetry Contest

2010-04-30T07:19:00.002-04:00

The NEED organization is requesting submissions for a "Thank a Teacher" poem to appear on its annual card.

Criteria:
-the subject is to thank teachers (in general) and how they impact your life
-it should be approximately 12 lines of text
-it need not rhyme
-it must include your name, my name and your phone number

POS: Plagiarism in Song

2010-04-16T10:20:00.001-04:00

For blog-work this week, research and listen to some examples of musical plagiarism. Identify: 1) at least one example of a truly plagiarized song and 2) at least one example of a coincidental relationship between 2 songs. Discuss your findings here. Some notable instances include (listed as original/supposed plagiarism): Chiffon's "He's So Fine"/George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord"; Tom Petty's "Mary Jane's Last Dance"/The Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Dani California"; and, most recently, Joe Satriani's "If I Could Fly"/Coldplay's "Viva La Vida".

POS: Legend and Myth in Music

2010-04-09T07:57:00.004-04:00

Read all of my directions before asking for assistance. This will be graded as a TEST over April Break. Submit your work (as a comment) here.

PART ONE: Below you will find a list of some of the more noteworthy legends and myths of modern music history. For Part One of this assignment, you should research and summarize each incident in a well-developed paragraph. (6 paragraphs total).

Myth/Legend #1: Robert Johnson sells his soul to the devil
Myth/Legend #2: Ozzy Osbourne's taste for doves and bats
Myth/Legend #3: The mythology surrounding the Abbey Road cover
Myth/Legend #4: Bob Dylan goes electric
Myth/Legend #5: Research on your own and choose your favorite

Myth/Legend #6: The mythology presented in the Sgt. Pepper cover (click here). Identify and summarize the notariety of 3 individuals whom you recognize and 3 individuals of whom you are ignorant.

Make sure that your sources are legitimate. Remember- any information that you gain from any source is not yours. You must cite your sources using MLA format. Use the links on this blog to assist in your citations. Keep in mind that the 30 other students in your class will uncover much of the same information, so in order to separate yourself from the pack you must focus on authoritative sources, excellent writing, detail, and proper citations.

For MLA documentation assistance, click here.

PART TWO: Use 3 different Website Evaluation Guides (linked below) to validate 3 of the web pages cited in your work above. Complete and print these guides and turn them in before April Break. Your test grade will be posted as a "0" until you do so.

Schrock's Evaluation
University of Maryland Evaluation
University of California at Berkeley Evaluation

G Block Blog Quest

2010-03-26T11:26:00.003-04:00

1. Visit FreeRice.com. Earn 500 grains via "English Vocabulary" and 500 grains via "English Grammar". Show Mr. Kefor your results.

2. Click here to complete an "I Am" Poem. Copy and paste the results as a comment here.

3. Click here. Check out today's best photography. Create and post 2 sentences inspired by 2 different photographs that display your use of a complex sentence type.

4. Click here. Take the test. Have fun.

POS: Tone in Song

2010-03-17T12:51:00.003-04:00

Compare and contrast the tone of Boston's "Rock and Roll Band" with the tone of Pink Floyd's "Have a Cigar". How do the artists' attitudes towards both subject matter and audience correspond and differ? Cite lyrics from the song to support your analysis.

Food For Thought

2010-03-13T19:55:00.006-05:00

I was searching for a particular quote I recalled from Pablo Picasso and was struck by the number of great statements he made. Here are a few of the more memorable ones:

Action is the foundational key to all success.

All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.

Art is a lie that makes us realize truth.

Bad artists copy. Good artists steal.

Computers are useless. They can only give you answers.

Every act of creation is first an act of destruction.

Everything is a miracle. It is a miracle that one does not dissolve in one's bath like a lump of sugar.

He can who thinks he can, and he can't who thinks he can't. This is an inexorable, indisputable law.

I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.

I don't believe in accidents. There are only encounters in history. There are no accidents.

Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.

Others have seen what is and asked why. I have seen what could be and asked why not.

Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.

Painting is a blind man's profession. He paints not what he sees, but what he feels, what he tells himself about what he has seen.

Painting is just another way of keeping a diary.

The people who make art their business are mostly impostors.

To finish a work? To finish a picture? What nonsense! To finish it means to be through with it, to kill it, to rid it of its soul, to give it its final blow the coup de gras for the painter as well as for the picture.

We don't grow older, we grow riper.

Who sees the human face correctly: the photographer, the mirror, or the painter?

You have to have an idea of what you are going to do, but it should be a vague idea.

If only we could pull out our brain and use only our eyes.

It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.

My mother said to me, "If you are a soldier, you will become a general. If you are a monk, you will become the Pope." Instead, I was a painter, and became Picasso.

Freshmen: Personal Reflections

2010-03-05T07:30:00.003-05:00

Due 3-11-10 as a comment posted here:

In class, we created a pie chart illustrating the values we place on activities, relationships, academics, etc. We then created charts representing the amount of time we devote to each category. Reflect on these charts and consider the following: Theoretically, if life were perfect, our charts would appear identical. In other words, our priorities would correspond to the amount of time we devote to them. In reality, this is rarely the case. Consider the disparity between your charts and discuss your observations. What changes could you make in order to manage your time in a fashion that is productive for you?

POS: Literature Quiz

2010-03-03T11:16:00.006-05:00

1. Describe Levitin's argument linking a love of music to evoulutionary theory. What claim does he make? How does he support this claim? Cite excerpts to support your response.

2. Describe Oliver Sack's anecdote regarding Tony Cicoria. What does his story suggest about music and the brain? Cite excerpts to support your response.

3. Accoring to Sacks, is the iconic profile of the "blind musician" substantiated or unsubstantiated ? Explain.

4. How has Radiohead's rogue release of In Rainbows changed the music industry? What might this represent to producers and consumers of music?

POS: Reflections of Popular Culture in Music

2010-03-03T10:16:00.002-05:00

"As the music is, so are the people of the country."
-Turkish Proverb

Type your response to the following prompt as a Word document and be sure to proofread and edit before you paste and post. You will be assessed using the Short Essay Response Rubric.

Check either Billboard or Rolling Stone for the current list of America's top 50 songs. Choose at least 3 songs; avoid any songs you are very familiar with. Listen/study the lyrics to the selected songs. Consider the subject matter, content and point of view of today's top songs and identify lines which contain poetic merit. What do these songs, as a whole, say about our modern American culture? In particular, what do these songs say about your generation as the greatest consumers of music media? How are gender roles represented in popular music? How is success measured?

Freshmen: Co-oper-write Research

2010-02-26T09:27:00.008-05:00

Google Search Cheat Sheet

The MLA Machine

MLA Information

You must complete a hard copy of one of the website evaluations below for EVERY piece of online information you use:
Schrock's Evaluation
University of Maryland Evaluation
University of California at Berkeley Evaluation

Lost Generation Film

2010-02-16T21:12:00.000-05:00

Click here.

2010-02-03T10:22:00.001-05:00

Here is where you will participate in our online discussion by posing 3 potential theme-genre concepts and commenting on at least 10 peer theme-genre concepts. This homework assignment will be graded over February vacation. Make sure to direct your comments with names and to sign all of your comments with your first name and last initial. And- no, that is not my head in the photograph.

2010-01-26T13:11:00.001-05:00

Click here.

POS: Final Blog Quest

2010-01-25T09:47:00.006-05:00

A. View the clips below and respond in a brief paragraph.

CBS News: Musical Savants

CBS News: Musical Savants 2

CBS News: Musical Savants 3

B. 6 Degrees of Wikipedia:

1. Neil Young - crustacea
2. Taylor Swift - Cheeze Whiz
3. Lil' Wayne - United States Secretary of State
4. Bob Dylan - Buffalo Wings

C. Any leftover time should be devoted to Quizlet review for the Final Exam.

Electric Newt Squad: Stephen Wiltshire

2010-01-15T10:34:00.001-05:00

Click here to visit Stephen Wiltshire's website. Mr. Wiltshire is an artistic savant who is capable of reproducing incredibly detailed landscapes from memory.

1. On the left, click on "My Videos". Watch at least four of the videos and offer a commentary for each.

2. Visit his "Gallery" and browse through his work. Identify his most impressive drawing and his most impressive painting; offer explanation for each.

Lord of the Flies: English I

2010-01-14T21:48:00.001-05:00

Open Response Essay: Lord of the Flies is set during the mid 2oth century. If a group of young men were put in the same situation today, how might they fare? Does our modern culture better equip us for such scenarios, or would we be at a disadvantage? Explain.

This essay is due on Friday, January 22.

POS: The Last Waltz

2010-01-10T11:19:00.002-05:00

You will complete a final song analysis, along with a corresponding song rating system form, for submission as a part of your final exam. Your analysis must also be posted to your blog. The catch? The song you select must be from your theme-genre and score at least 120 points (remember the 50 point baseline).

G Block: 1-8-10

2010-01-08T11:40:00.004-05:00

1. Click here to view the freshman college planning guide. Read the suggestions and identify which steps you need to take before the year is over. Respond here.

2. Click here to complete the time management tool. How do you spend your time? Use the results to figure out where you might have some extra time. Consider how you might improve your schedule. Respond here.

3. Vocabulary 1-6 Quizlet.

POS: Wheel of Fortune

2009-12-21T13:37:00.004-05:00

1. You will spin the Wheel of Fortune. You will be assigned to, and provided with an album containing a significant amount of poetic content, courtesy of Mr. Kefor. You're welcome.

2. We will have the C.O.W.s. Use the web to research the background information of the band/artist and album. Provide a paragraph, in your own language, which discusses the context of the album. Cite your sources.

3. Find the lyrics to one song from the album. Post them here and offer initial observations on any apparent poetic devices.

4. Paragraph Response: What is, in your opinion, the best album of all time? Why? What themes are addressed? What makes the album timeless?

Post your responses to tasks/questions 2-3 as a comment here. Due at 9:10.

Enjoy Your Snow Day

2009-12-20T20:52:00.003-05:00

Lifelong Learners

2009-12-12T11:16:00.007-05:00

As part of the Friends of Rachel journal assignment, I will be posting some of my thoughts here.

When people meet for the first time, they tend to exchange the most predictable of pleasantries. Inevitably, the go-to question becomes "So, what do you do?". It's a strange thing, to ask someone what they do. We do a lot. We're conditioned to come up with the appropriate response. "I'm a teacher", I'll reply, and, like a trained monkey, I'll counter with "How about you?" We tend to define ourselves with labels. One of the most important decisions a student can make is to transcend labels, categories, restrictions and limitations. Be a lifelong learner. Open yourself up to whatever excites you and makes you a more complex person.

I'll give you an example. I built a deck on the back of my house. I have no experience with construction but I was willing to learn. My father in-law guided me through the process; it was refreshing to be a student again. Besides the occasional minor injury or setback, I finished it. Now, I plan on building Declan and Mackennah a custom treehouse with all the bells and whistles. I can now apply the knowledge I gained from the deck to a variety of projects.

I draw almost every day. Art is also a fine example of a perpetual path of study. It's tailor made for the lifelong learner. Artists are rarely satisfied with their work. When other people look at my paintings, they often point out the things they like. When I look at my own paintings, my eyes are drawn immediately to the flaws. Every approach, every stroke, every hue, every decision accumulates over time and the artist progresses. The creative search is never-ending, which is at once disheartening and invigorating. Michelangelo Buonoratti said “If people knew how hard I had to work to gain my mastery, it wouldn't seem wonderful at all.” I think talent is a rare phenomenon; we use the word “talent” too liberally.

It is important to remember that almost every man-made item in our lives began as a conceptual drawing at the hands of an artist. Your shirt began as a design, so did your car. The logo of your favorite sports team is the work of an artist. Art, particularly drawing and painting, can elicit what psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi (quite a name, eh?) labels as “flow”, or: the mental state of operation in which the person is fully immersed in what he or she is doing, characterized by a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and success in the process of the activity. Athletes sometimes refer to the flow state as “the zone”. It doesn’t necessarily happen every day, but when I am immersed in a painting or drawing, all of my senses are channeled toward the activity; I have no awareness of the passage of time. Sometimes, after working on a drawing or painting for hours and driving home, I have to stop my car and focus or I might float off into the forest. Studies have revealed that people who consistently experience flow are happier. Assembly line workers even develop subconscious systems of flow through which they turn mundane tasks into mental games or rhythms.

To quote Michelangelo again, “A man paints with his brains and not with his hands.” Artists do not have magical hands. They see “better” than non-artists. When I look at someone’s face, I notice how the light source hits the planes of the head. I notice that most often the contrast begins to pronounce itself at the point at which the frontal plate meets the parietal and temporal bones. This is important to the artist because exaggerating the form shadow which results from this physicality is essential to the depiction of the human head in space. When I drive to and from work, I enjoy the views from the highway. I scan the woods and sky and find endless sources of beauty- the misty, cracked, ochre earth of winter; the fleeting electric reds of the sunrise; the walls of spindly trees lined up like giant frozen hairs on the scalp of the earth. Without my interest in painting, I don’t think I would appreciate the world around me as consistently or vigorously. I thank art for making my daily commute, which could consume up to 7,000 hours of my life, more enjoyable.

Figure out which activities put you in the flow state, and surround your life with these activities.

Quizlet: English I Vocabulary 1-5

2009-11-20T08:49:00.001-05:00

Lesson 4 Quiz

Review: Lessons 1-5

POS: Plagiarism in Song

2009-11-06T08:27:00.001-05:00

POS: Metallica and Allusions to Literature

2009-11-01T15:51:00.002-05:00

Visit the link below to read about the novel Johnny Got His Gun and its influence on Metallica's song "One".

Wikipedia: Johnny Got His Gun

Open a web page with the lyrics to "One".

Then, view the music video for the song here:

"One" Video

Develop a paragraph response (as a comment here) by Friday. Examine the parallels between the novel and the song.