The Poetry of Song: Plagiarism in Music

Musical plagiarism is complex, subjective, and a bit confusing. For decades, blues musicians have covered or restructured older songs as homage to past musicians. An artist may borrow lines, make allusions, or sample. Occasionally, artists 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. In the spirit of avoiding plagiarism and associated transgressions, you must cite (MLA format) at least 3 sources for each argument. Citations will also allow you to incorporate periodicals and other resources that may offer some direct evidence to support your claims. On the left side of this blog, you will find some of the many useful citation tools available to you.

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" , Joe Satriani's "If I Could Fly"/Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" and, most recently, Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven"/The Black Keys' "Little Black Submarines". Tyler Robidoux found an interesting one, so feel free to consult him as well. You are not limited to these examples, so feel free to find your own.

The Poetry of Song: Reflections of Popular Culture in Music

"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. 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?

Comic Spirit: Thursday

Good day. I am (probably) down at the middle school right now; I should be back shortly. Today, I have arranged a hodge-podge of comedy-centered tasks for you to complete. This work is due by the end of the period. When I return, I will be calling you up to my desk to check-in, one last time, regarding term 3 grades and any missing assignments.

1. Once again, be sure that your blog is up to date and includes all completed work.

2. Visit at least 10 peer blogs and offer some feedback regarding their strongest work. Copy and paste your comments as #2 here to aid in accounting for them.

Intermission: If you have headphones, proceed to step 3. If you do not, proceed to step 5 and (hopefully) borrow some headphones toward the end of the period. I do not want audio playing out loud; it's too distracting.

3. If you have headphones, view clips from The Colbert Report (a television show and a favorite of Mr. Grasso). Write a concise paragraph analyzing Colbert's brand of comedy. Describe his brand of satire and the persona he uses to achieve it. What other tools or devices does he use to produce this satire? Cite specific examples.

4. Find the "Lazy Sunday" music video from Saturday Night Live. View it and construct a brief paragraph analyzing its satirical effect. Hint: it appears to satirize at least two different entities. What other tools or devices does he use to produce this satire? Cite specific examples.

5. Click here to read a clever and comedic approach to the college entrance essay. Write a thesis statement for it.

6. I'm a visual learner, and so are many of you. We all know that "pictures are worth a thousand words"; let's prove this hypothesis. Click here and peruse the images. Then construct a 1000 word (just kidding; let's aim for 100-word) analysis of what precisely is so awkward and comedic about your favorite snapshot among these images. Can you actually pinpoint and articulate the precise visual elements that contribute to such awkwardness? Don't get too distracted- this website is addictive.

7. Over the course of the next few weeks, we will revisit and steer our journal-writing in the direction of a 5-minute stand-up comedy routine. You may choose to write this routine and submit it for a quiz grade (wimpy, boring) or perform it for a test grade (awesome). Take some time to browse the web for some tips on constructing such a routine. Note the valuable tips and give credit to the sites.

Tuesday: POS Class-work

Hello. I am a bit under the weather today. Don't worry- just like Bob Dylan- when you think I'm out of the game, I return from the ashes with another timeless gem. I hope to be back on stage tomorrow. We'll pick up with the syllabus when I return. For today, I would like you to complete the following tasks as a posted comment here. I've graded your "Monsoon" Analyses- please email me if you submitted your work under the name "illbethereforyou". I can't identify this author.

Mr. Kefor's Virus

1. Yesterday we discussed tone. Pinpoint the tone of each song (the 2 from yesterday) with one word.
2. Identify 3 devices that serve to support the style of tone you have identified for "Rock and Roll Band". For each device, cite at least 3 quotes that represent it.
3. Identify 3 devices that serve to support the style of tone you have identified for "Have a Cigar". For each device, cite at least 3 quotes that represent it.
4. The "cigar" appears in both songs. Is the cigar functioning as a symbol or a motif? Revisit the definitions, make a decision and defend your designation.
5. Click here to visit the Poetry Foundation. Browse the poems and find one that you like. Examine the tone of the poem and the devices used to achieve it. Construct a thesis statement that includes these 3 devices and a recognition of tone (as the introductory phrase).
6. If you have extra time on your hands, "congratulations for being so efficient" or "shame on you for your haphazard approach". Seriously- be sure that your blog contains all of your recent work- we will be sharing our writing and music soon after term 3 concludes.

"Out, Out-" Thesis Statements

Comic Spirit: Thursday's Class-work

Take the time to complete the following tasks thoroughly. I will assess your work as 2 quiz grades. All of the work below is due by 9:15. You may help one another quietly and appropriately, but make sure that your work is indeed your work. There should be no duplicates.



1. While you have computers, check to be sure that you have linked all of your classmates. If you are missing a link, ask your peer for his or her url and add it.


2. On Tuesday, you listed 10 devices that Swift utilized in his Modest Proposal. Choose 3 of these devices to use for your formal analysis. For each tool/device, extract at least 3 excerpts from Swift’s essay that clearly exemplify them. Then construct a thesis statement draft that fulfills or exceeds the requirements of my rubric. Post your results as a comment here.


3. Click here. Read this Letter from Dr. King. Pull out 12 quotes: 4 that exemplify ethos; 4 that exemplify pathos; and 4 that exemplify logos. Then construct a thesis statement draft that fulfills or exceeds the requirements of my rubric. Post your results as a comment here.


4. Indicate 3 potential directions (problem; solution) for your own Modest Proposal. For each, discuss possibilities regarding how you might incorporate each argumentative method (ethos, pathos, logos). Post your results as a comment here.


5. Click here. Read the analogies. If you’ve read them before, sorry. Read them again. Identify the 4 you find most humorous. Post your results as a comment here.

If you finish early, check your work. Finishing this assignment early may be indicative of a lackluster performance. If you are simply more efficient than most, turn your attention to the Modest Proposal writing tasks (tests) and get started.

AP Seniors: The Kite Runner Frontloading

(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)

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

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

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

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)

The Poetry of Song: Plagiarism in Song

Musical plagiarism is complex, subjective, and a bit confusing. For decades, blues musicians have covered or restructured older songs as homage to past musicians. An artist may borrow lines, make allusions, or sample. Occasionally, artists 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. In the spirit of avoiding plagiarism and associated transgressions, you must cite (MLA format) at least 3 sources for each argument. Citations will also allow you to incorporate periodicals and other resources that may offer some direct evidence to support your claims. On the left side of this blog, you will find some of the many useful citation tools available to you.

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" , Joe Satriani's "If I Could Fly"/Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" and, most recently, Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven"/The Black Keys' "Little Black Submarines".  Tyler Robidoux found an interesting one, so feel free to consult him as well. You are not limited to these examples, so feel free to find your own.

AP: Multiple Choice Question and Answer Sets (1984)

Photorealism Demonstration: Mr. Kefor

AP Students: Reflection of Analysis

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

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

Please post here.

AP: Multiple Choice Single Question Breakdown

Interdisciplinary Arts: Monday 11-14

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

Seniors: please post your analysis here.

Little Green

Post your "Little Green" Song Analysis here.

E: Reflection 3

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

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

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

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

Click here to access your file.

Interdisciplinary Arts: Cast Drawing

The Poetry of Song: Blog of the Week Voting

Offer your vote as a comment here.

The Poetry of Song: Reflections of Popular Culture in Music

"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

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

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



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

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

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

WAVI: "Images in the Media" Reflection

Post and refect upon your findings from Thursday.

Seniors: Final Course Reflection

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

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

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

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

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

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

Please post your vote here.

G Block: Classwork for 4-15-11

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

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

POS: Fiction Activator

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

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

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?"

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)

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

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

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

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

Please post them here by the end of vacation.

WAVI: Stephen Wiltshire

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.

POS: Reflections of Popular Culture in Music

"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?