Team Vista Humanities

Reading Journal - greatness!

2009-01-28T10:20:00.000-08:00

Hello my most-wonderful-intelligent Team Vista students!

This semester, we are going to try a new format for Reading Journals, that I think will help us read actively and will also help us learn how to comment on our reading with more, shall we say, efficiency.

It is called the "Q-Q-C format" [insert ominous music here].

I am going to post a Reading Journal on my own reading today, so you can get a feeling for how it's done.

"But the easy and the simple are not identical. To discover what is really simple and to act upon the discovery is an exceedingly difficult task. After the artificial and complex is once institutionally established and ingrained in custom and routine, it is easier to walk in the paths that have been beaten than it is, after taking a new point of view, to work out what is practically involved in the new point of view."

To me, this means that there is a great division between what we THINK and what we DO. This quotation comes from the book Experience and Education by John Dewey, and it's a super-great little book about rethinking education in America. He is talking about how it's easy to criticize the old way of doing school, but it's hard to actually do school differently.

In my own life, I have found that High Tech High is constantly trying to rethink school, but the experiment of project-based learning is often very frustrating! I totally relate to what Dewey is talking about.

My question is: how do we realize our ideas?! I've been trying to answer this question for years now.

Get your hover board today!

2008-12-02T09:08:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been in a fight with a banana slime monster and needed a quick getaway?
Do you want to be cool and hip like Hannah Montana?

If you answered "yes" to either of these questions, then you need the Hip Hover Board 5000.

It spins, flips, sings, takes pictures and, of course, hovers!

People have been using hover boards for centuries! It's an American tradition!

Buy this board for only $20898 dollars or else!

---

This advertisement features three logical fallacies.
- Appeal to Celebrity: This fallacy says that if a celebrity believes something, then it must be true.
- Appeal to Fear: This fallacy appeals to emotions, and tries to persuade by making you fearful of not agreeing.
- Appeal to Tradition: This fallacy appeals to traditions, and says that since we've been doing something for centuries, it must be the right way to do things.

Oh, snap!

For more awesome logical fallacies, check out this site.

2008-11-17T13:43:00.000-08:00

Your blogs about alternative energy got me really excited! It is so incredibly amazing all the technologies that we are using to come up with a solution to our energy woes (as comically described above).

Some blogs that I particularly enjoyed:
- Caitlin's indictment against wind power
- Itzel's hope for rainbow power
- Danielle's description of a WAVE FARM (woh)
- JD's blurb on banana power

Check 'em out! And leave comment love. :)

Affirmative Case!

2008-11-14T09:11:00.000-08:00

This weekend, you and your debate partner should work on your Affirmative Cases. For your official prep, you need only finish your case outline, type it, and bring your typed draft to class on Monday.

But, since you know what to do to finish your case, you may also research and collect evidence for all your arguments.

I also uploaded the case used during the debate on Wednesday so that you can see a finished Affirmative Case, complete with introduction, conclusion and evidence galore.

Check it out here.

Happy researching!

Living Well. Living Good.

2008-10-28T08:48:00.000-07:00

Today we read two chapters from Maya Angelou's Wouldn't Take Nothing for my Journey Now.

In your own blog, write a response to these two chapters. Here are a couple suggestions of what you could post:

1. A quotation that struck you from the reading, and what you liked about it
2. A "found poem" from the reading with words or phrases that stuck out to you
3. Your own idea of "the good life" and what that looks like to "live well."

After you post your blog, go to Google Reader and read and comment on at least three other entries posted by other members of Team Vista.

Good-bye world.

2008-10-21T16:03:00.000-07:00

As part of our Life & Death Project, we read "Our Town" (1938) by Thorton Wilder. In Act III, Emily goes back to the land of the living and realizes that she never realized anything at all. She has a farewell to the world, and for your writing assignment tonight, you should copy the style of the Emily's monologue. (Need the handout? Click here.)

I enjoyed writing this, because I kept remembering all the things I love about life that I would certainly miss if they were taken away from me. Remembering what you'd miss is a great way to remember to appreciate what you have.

Good-bye world...good-bye gentle sunrises and glorious sunsets. Good-bye Mom, Dad, Caitie and Jas... Good-bye blue & green room, and red curtains, and artwork still unfinished. Good-bye students - I barely knew you. Good-bye mismatched socks, and holy shoes, and cowboy boots. Good-bye freeways, and free-drives, and singing out loud with all of my heart. And coffee, and blueberry muffins, and tea, and toast with jam. Good-bye green grass, green trees, blue sky, and whimsical cloud creatures. Good-bye ocean, mountains, lakes, rivers. And sea shells, and sand on my feet, and wind in my hair, and sun on my face.

Oh, stupid planet. You were so much more than I knew. I wish I had opened my eyes to notice.

I look forward to reading all of your good-byes! I hope you love the rest of your day - all that is left of it, anyway.

-k

Gone! Musical ideas for our next project?

2008-09-17T09:30:00.000-07:00

Bonjour mes étudiants!

As you are all slaving away finishing your Perspective Blocks, I am looking ahead to the next project -- the Life & Death Project. It's gonna be sweet & I'm very excited.

Since we all love music so incredibly much, I wonder if you can think of any songs that revolve around the idea of life & death?

Yazmin's song she presented in class a couple weeks ago is one of the songs that first comes to mind: "Gone, like yesterday is gone. Like history is gone. The world keeps spinning on. We're going going gone."

Any others?

Now I'm hooked too...

2008-09-16T09:23:00.000-07:00

Bianca gave me Twilight a couple weeks ago and I finally sat down to read it. It's actually all I did last night! Honestly, I was skeptical about the craze over this book. A human falling in love with a vampire? But it caught my interest and now I'm falling in love with vampires too.

I also completely understand how sometimes you guys can't put away your books when we're trying to work on other assignments in class. It's a hard book to put down! I'm excited to read it later. Thanks for the recommendation, guys.

Interviews - Mmm mmm good.

2008-09-08T16:16:00.000-07:00

"The greatest compliment that was ever paid me was when someone asked me what I thought, and attended to my answer."
- Henry David Thoreau

For your perspective block, you need to interview someone about their views on immigration! This is an incredible opportunity to really communicate with someone, and hear what they have to say! They will appreciate you taking the time to listen to their story - trust me!

Remember, you can interview anyone you want, including someone you don't know. The only rule is that the interview must be spoken and not written.

If you want to review the interview notes and questions we went over in class, click here to download them (PDF): Interview Notes & Questions by K. Flewelling, the Stud Muffins and the Flying Pigs.

Your interview notes are due Friday at the beginning of class.

Musical Perspectives

2008-09-03T16:06:00.000-07:00

Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent. ~Victor Hugo

Humanities is the story of human existence, and some stories cannot be said with only words. In the Perspective Project, we are exploring the variety of perspectives within Team Vista -- and there are many. This Friday, we will share our perspectives with music.

On Friday, come to class prepared with:

1) Your favorite song

(you may bring 1 minute of music -- this can be a medley of songs, if you prefer, but it may only be 1 minute!!)

2) A written speech about your favorite song

For your speech, please tell us what it is about this song that you like. You may tell us anything about the song, its artists, what you love about it, how it makes you feel, what it tells us about you, or anything else that you think is important. I warn you, one minute will probably feel like a long time! So make sure to really think about your speech and what you will say. You might even want to time it to be sure it is the right time.

I am so looking forward to a wonderful day of music! I am also excited to share my favorite song with you (still deciding between two... so Friday will be a surprise to even me!)

Much love.
Kay

Ready, Set, Go!

2008-08-27T10:48:00.000-07:00

We will use our blogs to share our ideas with each other and the world. Welcome to the magical world of Internet blogging. I hope you have fun!

Perspective Writing

2008-04-14T11:44:00.001-07:00

Imagine that you are a Haitian -- you live in the poorest country on the planet, and the rising cost of food in your country is leaving you and your family with hunger pains every day. What would you do for food?

Write a journal entry about your day, and what you would do for food.

If you want to further inform yourself about the situation in Haiti, check out these articles from BBC News Online:

Food riots turn deadly in Haiti
Hungry mob attacks Haiti palace
View from Haiti: Aid Worker

Operation Yum: The Project

2008-04-14T11:40:00.000-07:00

Photographer Orphan Tsolak took this picture of a global salad. Its ingredients come from three continents! Lettuce from France, Tomatoes from Holland, Cucumber from Spain, Chilies (peppers) from Zambia, Spring onions from Mexico, Cheese (feta) from Greece, and carrots from Britain.

For this project, we will answer the essential question:

How does food tell stories about the world?

Project Description: In this project, we will explore the history of the world through the foods of the world. You will work on a team of three to take a close examination of one country and its culture – particularly when it comes to food! Your team will guide the class in a discussion and exploration of the culture of your country, and will create one food dish to share with the class. We will also look at the political science of food, and how and why some people have it and some people don’t.

Literature: Guns, Germs & Steel by Jared Diamond (select chapters), country-specific literature (Library books are a requirement!!)

Skills Taught & Emphasized
- Lesson planning
- Speaking and presentation
- Cooperation
- Geography knowledge and map-making
- Research
- Cooking

Things You Can Expect:
- Map quizzes
- Country quizzes
- Group work
- Refinement
- Food
- Short reading assignments
- Opinion blogs and commenting

Final Products:
- Teacher Days
- Exhibition at Festival del Sol (April 22) (Food + Visual about Your Country)
- Team Alpha Passport (Your team will create one page)

CALENDAR of EVENTS

Week 1: Food & the World
Intro to Project & What is the significance of food?

Week 2-3: Research Countries (Spring Break)
Write 2 Annotated Bibliographies* on books about your country

Week 4: Awareness & Preparation
Global inequalities awareness and understanding, lesson planning

Week 5: Lesson Plans & Story Telling
Lesson plans & passport pages

Week 6: Food & the World
Teaching Days continue

Week 7: Present & Reflect
Festival Del Sol – April 22
Test (April 24) & Project Reflections

Outside Thinking this weekend

2008-03-01T09:59:00.000-08:00

Team Alpha story time was incredibly enjoyable for me yesterday. Your creative ideas and stories are fabulous, entertaining and awesome. I hope you all keep on working through your ideas this weekend.

As preparation for our presentation and display of our photographs and stories on Thursday, this weekend please:

1. Refine your first draft of your story (type this please!!)

2. Write your artist's statement -- this is your opportunity to talk about the photograph that you chose. Write about one paragraph. We will display this by your photograph.

Additionally, please finish the reading in Tom Swift -- there will be a quiz on chapters 16-25 on Monday.

Contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Best,

Kay

Human & Nature

2008-02-25T16:20:00.000-08:00

Someone in d30fresh suggested that we try to take a picture of the interaction between humans and nature, and when I was walking along the streets of North Park this weekend, I saw this plainly:

I like these photographs because of the angle that I took them. I got down on the ground and shot the pictures close up, so that the flowers become the only subject of the photograph. I think that's how flowers were meant to be seen.

Did anyone else take pictures of the Human/Nature interaction?

Reading & Writing & Seeing, Oh Yes.

2008-02-15T08:20:00.000-08:00

Hello students!

You have an exciting array of activities to keep you entertained over the long weekend ahead of us!

First of all, it is time to begin reading our book for this project. It is called Tom Swift & His Amazing Wizard Camera and it is available online. If you want more information about the book, check out this helpful website.

Secondly, please complete your fourth media analysis journal on a photograph of your choice.

Finally, be sure to come prepared with at least 5-10 photographs from our photo shoot at Balboa Park. Please email them to yourself, and definitely get them off of your camera if you have not already done this at school! I look forward to seeing your masterpieces.

all the best!
kay

Mulan: Movie Review

2008-01-29T14:38:00.000-08:00

Your Outside Thinking has two parts -- First, read this article about the movie that we discussed in class:
Mulan through the Looking Glass.

Second, write a movie review about Mulan. Try answering the following questions:

1) What did you see?
Talk about the values that you saw in Mulan (or that we talked about in class).

2) Who sent this message?
Try to imagine who created Mulan – where did those values come from?

3) Is the movie true or false? (Or maybe a little bit of both.)
Talk about Mulan as it reflects the Real China. Do you think that it tells the truth? Why or why not? (Challenge: Try to connect to the Analects of Confucius that we read in class!)

Please post your review to your blog by Wednesday afternoon.

Best,

Kay

Seven Questions for your Media Analysis

2008-01-26T18:13:00.000-08:00

Your first official Media Analysis journal is due on Monday! For this assignment, you must select an advertisement in a magazine, and answer the seven analysis questions about it. Remember, first, describe (what do you see?) and then interpret (what does it mean?).

If you lost the handout, these are the seven questions:

1. What do I see?

Record your observations – Write down everything you about the visuals of the media -- lighting, camera angles, how the pictures are edited together. Describe any people-- what do they look like? what are they doing? wearing? Focus only on what is actually in the media, not your interpretation of what you see.

2. Who created this message?

You may not know exactly who created the message, but take your best guess. See if you can identify the author of the message from a close look at the media. Remember that everything you see in the media was created by someone.

3. What creative techniques are used to attract my attention?

The way that the media is put together is very intentional. Try to see if you can identify the mood or the story that the media is trying to create. What is the emotional appeal? What is the persuasive appeal?

4. How might different people understand this message differently than me?

No two people see an image the same way. Each audience member brings to each media encounter a unique set of life experiences (age, gender, education, cultural upbringing, etc.) which, when applied to the text – or combined with the text – create unique interpretations. Imagine you were someone else – how would that change the way you understand the message?

5. What values, lifestyles or points of view are represented, or omitted, in this message?

In looking at the content of a media message, it is important to understand that there are no value-free media and never will be. All media carry subtle messages about who and what is important. Try to analyze your media for values and points of view.

6. Why is this message being sent?

Try to look at the motive or purpose of a media message – and whether or how a message may have been influenced by money, ego or ideology. To respond to a message appropriately, we need to be able to see beyond the basic content motives of informing, persuading or entertaining.

7. Finally, how can I review my insights and summarize my ideas about the message?

Summarize how the media is constructed and how various elements of the construction trigger your own unique response-- which may be very different than how others interpret the text.

If you feel like you could not answer all of the questions, do not worry, just do your best! We will have plenty of opportunities to refine our ideas during this project.

Contact me with questions or concerns.

Best,

Kay

The Media Makers Project

2008-01-23T11:05:00.000-08:00

How does media change the way we see and understand the world?

This photograph is just one moment in time, caught on a camera. But what happened before? And what happened after? And who took the picture? And why?!

These are all questions that we will explore as we learn about the media and how it communicates to us through TV, radio, newspapers and photographs.

The literature that we will read for this project is called Tom Swift and His Wizard Camera: or Thrilling Adventures While Taking Moving Pictures by Victor Appleton and it is an e-book (electronic book). If you think you might have trouble accessing it at home, please email me and we can think together about how to solve your trouble!

In this project, we will create two main products:

1) Media Analysis Journal

You will be responsible to do five close analyses of different kinds of media during this project. For each journal entry, you must both describe and interpret the media. Try your best to answer all seven questions, and remember that we will have time to refine these journal entries before you turn in your journal at the end of the project.

2) Photograph Exhibition

In the second half of this project, you and a partner will work together to create photographic distortions. You will create photographs that do not tell the true story! As part of this component, you will also write an expository essay that exposes the real truth.

Over the next 6 weeks, we will learn about the Media Makers, and we will also learn how to become them.

If you were the supreme ruler of the world, what would you do to change the relationship between Mexico and the United States?

2007-12-14T11:32:00.001-08:00

"I don't know the future. I didn't come here to tell you how this is going to end. I came here to tell you how it's going to begin. I'm going to hang up this phone, and then I'm going to show these people what you don't want them to see. I'm going to show them a world without you. A world without rules and controls, without borders or boundaries. A world where anything is possible. Where we go from there is a choice I leave to you." - The Matrix

During this project, we have looked at the world around us and have identified real problems and have imagined real solutions. Maybe your opinions and perspectives have changed since we begun this project. Maybe you see some things differently than you did at first.

So this is my question, what would you do to change the relationship between Mexico and the United States? If you had the power, what would you do?

What can High Tech High Chula Vista do to benefit the border region?

2007-12-10T15:51:00.000-08:00

Acehnese children chant slogans near Lhokseumawe to protest against military oppression.

Students (you all) have more time, more energy and more passion than almost every single adult. Adults are bogged down with deadlines and traffic lines. But you all can do a lot to change the world... if you want to.

My question this week has to do with what we can do -- What are our skills? What are our passions? What are the problems that you see?

This question is challenging, but I'd like you guys to give this some serious thought. Changing the world is nothing something that you can only do if you are grown-up -- you can start now.

(but how?)

much love
(& all my faith)

kay

Why Debate?

2007-11-29T11:28:00.000-08:00

We are one week shy of our all-day debate tournament! You may be nervous, but do not worry! One week is a lot of time to prepare.

After burning your eyes with researching and straining your minds with debating, you may be wondering why we are going to so much trouble to do this project. You may even be wondering, "What does debate have to do with humanities?"

Humanities are about our stories -- and doing debate is way to get better at telling them. Here are, in my opinion, the top 4 reasons why we should debate.

5) It improves critical thinking - or being able to look at ideas for both their strengths and their weaknesses. If ever someone offers you an idea, you need to be able to test it and see if it's a good or bad idea. Some of the things we do are harmful to our lives! But we do not think critically about ideas, or actions. Debate helps you do this.

4) It helps you know how to research -- if ever you have a question about anything, you could either ask someone who knows the answer, or you can find out for yourself. Debate gives you the tools you need to understand how to find out information on your own, so that you can rely on yourself to find answers to your questions. This is knowledge, and knowledge is power.

3) It improves your ability to listen - in life, with whoever you are around (family, friends or classmates), you need to be able to listen when other people talk to you! How many arguments happen simply because we do not understand one another? If you learn to listen well, you will understand people more, and save yourself a lot of trouble!

2) It helps you communicate confidently and effectively -- debate helps you organize your ideas, and in debate, you also practice delivering your ideas to your audience. We work on finding ways to really say what we need to say. Communication opens so many doors! And your words can change the world.

1) Debate is fun! (Right?!)

Do you have other ideas about why people debate? How has this project gone for you? I know it has been a frustrating experience, but I think Team Alpha is going to rock the house next Friday at our tournament! You guys are great!

Ho Ho Ho, Happy Thanksgiving!

2007-11-16T11:14:00.001-08:00

Question to ponder: What if the Native Americans told the Pilgrims that the border was closed, and they could not immigrate? Where would we be then? Technically, the pilgrims were illegal immigrants!

Onto the OT...These assignments are designed to help prepare you for your first debates, which will happen on the Tuesday after we get back from break (November 27). The more work and research you do, the better prepared you will be to win your rounds and argue with style.

1) Write a blog post on the question, Why does the world have borders?

2) Try to finish your book, Breaking Through – we will have two literature circles the week we get back, so it needs to be finished by Friday, November 30

3) Write a Negative brief against your own case, with at least 5 pieces of evidence

4) Refine your Affirmative case – make sure that it is 8 minutes long and try to correct any problems that you have found with it during piranha packs

5) Challenge assignment: Contact an expert about the border (by email or phone).

You can call the government and ask questions about policies, and you can also contact many authors by email. See what connections you can make, and what kind of information you can find. Document this contact and show me after break.

Have a great Thanksgiving, and keep checking the Humanities blog for more information and updates.

Problem - Plan - Better

2007-11-10T18:21:00.000-08:00

As you could see when the debaters came on Wednesday, debate is a valuable tool that will teach you public speaking, critical thinking, notetaking, persuasion and poise. In order to gain these things, you must work hard on creating your affirmative case! Writing an affirmative case is hard work, but it is within your power! As with any assignment, please do the best you can.

Here are some helpful questions that will guide you as you write your affirmative case (due TUESDAY).

1. Do you have a catchy introduction?
2. Do you state the resolution, "Resolved: That the United States should significantly change one or more of its policies towards Mexico"?
3. Do you have definitions of words from the resolution, defined with a dictionary?
4. Do you have at least two harms, or problems with how things are right now? (e.g. smuggling, or illegal immigration)
5. Do you have evidence to prove your harms? (Evidence is expert testimony or research from credible sources. You will need to research to finish your case!)
6. Do you have a plan to solve your harms? Remember that you can do anything you want! You can remove the border, or create a wall. The sky is the limit!
7. Do you list your agent (probably Congress and the President), your enforcement (probably the Border Patrol) and your funding (probably taxes)?
8. Do you have at least two advantages, or good things that happen because of your plan?
9. Do you have a conclusion, that encourages your audience to vote for your case?
10. When read out loud, does your case take 6-8 minutes to read?

You may have noticed that high school is getting harder to manage! We are knee-deep in projects all over the place, and we need to work together to stay on top of our assignments. If you need help, please email me. I would like to be a resource for you!

In addition to your affirmative case, you should also continue to read in your book, Breaking Through and you need to post a blog (approx. 10 minutes) answering the question, "How does the US benefit Mexico and how does Mexico benefit the US?"

Debate is hard, but it is worth it! We will be concentrating on this topic for the rest of the semester. Please let me know how I can help you, and I will do my best to guide you through problems.

best of luck.
Kay

Ch-ch-ch-changes (in Mexico-US border policy!)

2007-11-05T16:34:00.000-08:00

Hola mis estudiantes! As announced in class today, we will begin working on our first affirmative cases. Remember that "affirmative" means that you will argue for the resolution, "Resolved: That the United States should significantly change one or more of its policies with Mexico."

An affirmative case is written in a very specific way, but you have complete freedom to choose what you want to write about.

Your affirmative case must outline:
I. Definitions: What words in the resolution are difficult to understand? What words would you like to clarify? Please define at least two words (use a dictionary).
II. Harms: What are the harms of the current system? How do United States policies harm Mexico? Or, how does Mexico abuse United States policies and harm Mexcio? Please list at least two harms.
III. Plan: What steps can we take to fix the problems? Think about how we can solve these problems, too. For example, list mandates (what is your plan of action?), the agent (WHO will be in charge of passing your plan), the enforcer (who will make sure your plan is carried out), and the funding (how we will pay for your plan).
IV. Advantages: What are the good things that come from your plan? Have you solved the harms? Please list at least two advantages.

Affirmative cases take a lot of thought and you will need to do this as outside thinking! Remember that you will be partnered with someone with a similar commitment level to their work, so do a good job on your case outline so I can see how much you want to succeed at this project!

As always, if you have questions, do not hesitate to ask.

Best,
Kay

To solve a problem, you must first identify it.

2007-11-04T12:05:00.000-08:00

This week we will concentrate on finding harms (or problems) with United States policies towards Mexico. Our main question is: How does the United States harm Mexico and how does Mexico harm the United States? On Friday for our FIRST thing, many of you talked about different harms you have noticed in the current system. Several people commented on illegal immigration, smuggling, language barriers and the border wall.

By Monday, you should post your opinion about the problems of the US-Mexican border (200 words). You may need to research in order to develop your opinion. If you are having trouble finding harms, please comment back to me on this post or email me.

Looking ahead to the week, we will be reviewing our ideas about San Diego and Tijuana, the differences between Mexico and the United States, and beginning to develop our first Affirmative cases. On Friday, you will also host our first Literature Circle on the book Breaking Through. Be sure to read pages 1-47 so that you can be prepared to discuss the book with your group. Keep checking this blog for more updates!

See you soon.
Kay

Research Resources

2007-10-31T11:36:00.001-07:00

I have good news and good news.

The first good news is that we will have an opportunity to start researching in class tomorrow! We will research the relationship between Mexico and the United States, in the first preparation for our debates coming up in just a few weeks. This might be something related to the environment, immigration, pollution, economy, culture or business (or anything else you can think of!).

The second good news is that you will be posting one or two research resource(s) (a website or an article) that you found on your blog! Please post the link, and also a short little description of the website or article and what you found helpful about it.

This way, you can connect to your classmates' blogs and use the resources that they found to help you with your research over the weekend.

Please post your resources by Friday so that we can all access them online in class and over the weekend.

peace,
Kay

Borders and Projects and Due-Dates, Oh My!

2007-10-29T22:09:00.000-07:00

Welcome back! I hope everyone stayed safe during the craziness that was Last Week. This week we will launch into our new Border Project full-force & full-speed ahead! We will be asking the question, "What difference does a border make?" and many other questions related to that. For this project, there are three main things to think about.

1. Debate

We will be devising problems and solutions with the current United States policies towards Mexico. This involves research, critical thinking, case writing, and (of course) debating! We will be debating on the following resolution,

Resolved: That the United States should significantly change one or more of its policies with Mexico.

Our first debate rounds will be on November 27 and our tournament will be held all day on Friday, December 7.

2. Reading

We will be reading the book Breaking Through by Francisco Jimenez as a class. This is a true story of a young man who came to the United States illegally when he was only 4-years-old. On November 9, 16, 26 and 28, you will be hosting literature circles for your classmates, so we can discuss this book in class. Reading this book will help us understand the immigrant experience, and further explore the difference that a border can make.

3. Change Now Projects

As students, you have more time, more energy, and more passion than most of the adults in the United States. You can make a difference now! As we devise policies for the whole United States, we should also keep in mind the question, "What can HTHCV do to benefit the border region now?" We will be asking this question at the end of our project (Dec 10-20). While we research problems, let's not also forget to think about ways we as a class or as individuals can be change-makers today. These will be individual or group projects -- designed, proposed and created by you. It's open-ended. What kind of changes do you want to make?

We have no time to lose, so I have scheduled out a lot of Outside Thinking assignments to help keep us on track. Remember that Outside Thinking is designed to help you think about our humanities class outside of school, and that you will only receive the benefits of Outside Thinking if you do your thinking outside of class. I don't mean to beat a dead horse, or be too repetitive, but it is critical that you work to stay on top of assignments and be prepared! Like I said, we have no time to lose!

Here are some dates you probably want to know and write in your planners (note: These are the dates that your OT is DUE -- which means you need to DO your OT on the day BEFORE it is due):

Breaking Through

All-Day Debate Tournament

Please make reference to this post if you are ever wondering "if something's due." You can always make blog posts late, though! We will use our blogs to keep one another informed, to share our opinions and to keep track of our findings. So let's get in the habit, and keep checking your Team Alphas Humanities blog for more updates and amazing-ly clever blog titles!
much love,
Miss K

City burning.

2007-10-22T14:34:00.000-07:00

Today, with fires raging all over the county, the sky looks different and the air smells and tastes of ash. My eyes are burning as I write this.

In my head, I keep thinking, "Places affecting people. Places affecting people." The places where we live affect the stories that we have. Your history is one part you (your personality, your self and family) and one part your place, your environment.

Today our histories all revolve around this event -- Wildfires blaze across California -- because school is cancelled. Maybe your family has been evacuated. Maybe you were forced to choose some of your things to pack, just in case your family has to leave. My sister is upstairs right now backing up her digital photography "just in case."

How are you affected by the fires? Are you safe? Feel free to comment back (especially Michael and Angela, because I think you both live close to the Harris Fire) -- I'd like to hear from you.

Take care & be safe.
Miss K

p.s. We do not have school tomorrow (Tuesday) -- keep checking the HTHCV website for further updates.

Why are things different when you cross the U.S.-Mexico border?

2007-10-19T11:23:00.000-07:00

Our new border projects focuses on the question, "What difference does a border make?" and every week, you will be asked to give a short (200-300 word) respond to one of our essential questions. As you answer these questions, remember that there is no right or wrong answer. This is a chance to explore your current ideas, and express your current opinions.

Many of us have had the experience of crossing an international border. In class, some of you pointed out that when you cross the U.S-Mexico border, it even smells different. But why is that? As you answer this week's question ("Why are things different when you cross the U.S.-Mexico border"), think first, "What is different when you cross the border?" and think second, "Why is that true?"

Think especially about the culture -- remembering that "culture" is a "way we do things." It includes things like the food we eat, the language we speak, and the ways we look and dress. Are any of these things different? Why do you think so?

If you run out of things that are different when you cross the border, can you think of some things that are the same?

Check out these two links for more information that might jumpstart slow-starting ideas:

Discovering Mexico at National Geographic
The Border, by PBS

If you are wondering how long 200 words is, this post is exactly 270 words.
Have a terrifically awesome weekend! Don't forget to read the newspaper for our FIRST thing on Monday.

especially,
Miss K

p.s. If you have questions, feel free to comment on this post, or email me!

Words Make Ideas, and Ideas Can Change the World

2007-10-17T11:21:00.000-07:00

Bonjour mes estudiantes! We have a vocabulary test tomorrow and it will be on the following 8 words (or the 5 words that you chose to define as part of your Space and Place Project).

1. anomaly
2. exasperation
3. plethora
4. tangible
5. behoove
6. imperative
7. megalomania
8. zealous

As part of our "making changes," we will start building our vocabulary on a regular basis and having quizzes every week. Words are power! If you ever feel like you have trouble making ideas (and I know sometimes you do), then start putting more words in your minds. Words help up make ideas! (And ideas can change the world!)

Humanities Are Stories

2007-10-14T17:41:00.000-07:00

For this project and here on out, we will do most of our writing on our blogs. Keep this blog bookmarked, and check it daily for Outside Thinking assignments. And you'll find many helpful links and resources that will be sure to make your life better. Whenever you have questions or comments, do not hesitate to email me or post a reply. I am here to help!

I look forward to reading and writing with you!