English...WHUT!?!?

2011-02-02T17:12:00.005-05:00

Streetcar named desired - scene 6

Ballet is a classical form of dancing art that had been evolved due to influences of modern techniques and styles. As any other artistically represented work, choreography is an acceptable way to express the feelings and to explain the plot of any story. As it does not use words (not like opera) so: how can we adapt something like a play, which contains constant dialogues, to this form that tries to avoid verbal interrogatives? The answer is the movement. “A streetcar named Desire” is a based on conflicts, internal such as external- between Blanche Du Bois and any other secondary character present. And to underline the relevance of those, the environment is always used- meaning the music. Notes of blues perfectly mix with classic perspectives of machismo evident in the book and also, can be fused with some step techniques that the producer used in this ballet production. http://www.ballet.co.uk/magazines/yr_04/jan04/ar_rev_stuttgart_0104.htm

In Scene 6 the flirting between Blanche and Mitch is clearly evidenced- ….

Mitch: can I-uh- kiss you-goodnight?

Blanche: why do you always ask me if you may?

…

Blanche: I guess you are used to girls that like to be lost. The kind that get lost immediately, on the first date!

Mitch: I like you to be exactly the way that you are, because in all my- experience- I have never known anyone like you.

This actually shows how was the relationship that Mitch was getting into with blanche. Most of this chapter is about the stories that Blanche tell to Mitch about his past and his life, also show how the get more closer at the time and how they feel between each other and know each other too.

by: ana maria ortiz, mikhail konko and laura nederveen

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE A METAPHOR OF AMERICAN SOCIETY

2011-02-02T16:16:00.003-05:00

A streetcar named desire is a master piece from the american writer Tennessee Williams, but more than just a play it is an abstract image from American 4o's society that Tennessee makes through the personalities of his main characters. What is even more interesting about this play is how the writer make an association between characters to make a drama that can be directly linked to United States society of the time.

Through all the second world war united states gain wealthiness, becoming an arrogant and selfish society where the richest people lived by and for an image. Some of the citizens that make part of the highest social level, become so obsessed with showing off and pretending, that when the economical situation wasn't good they couldn't realize their reality.

The relation between Stanley, Stella and Blanche is a perfect example of how Tennessee Williams, make out a metaphor of the american society inside his play. Blanche Dubois represents the american high class society of 4o's decade, that society that lived for an image, prejudices and status. Stanley Kowalski represent the brutal man of the time, full of prejudices and with lack of manners, what can be related to a lower social class and for it its representation inside the play. Finally we find Stella Kowalsky role, she could be the prefect representation of a mixed between Blanche's and Stanley's social level, showing too the role of a submissive woman.

Analysis of scene 10, A street car named desired. By Tennessee Williams.

2011-02-01T22:54:00.004-05:00

Scene ten recreates one of the most important scenes in the sexual tension theme, both blanche and Stanley are bursting rage and anxiety, and this is spoken throughout dialogs and mostly by the stage directions. The last stage direction assembles the discharge of strain desire between these two characters. “She moans. The bottle top falls. She sinks to her knees. He picks to her inert figure and carries het to the bed. The hot trumpet and drums from the four deuces sound loudly.” The author builds these directions with a clear objective, stimulate the reader’s senses. In this case Tennessee Williams establishes an impressive visual description of the situation, nevertheless he just escorts the reader to conclude himself, and he doesn’t reveal the exact fact.

William indicates the ways the characters acts to show how they are, as we can see with Stanley, he show by his acts the macho´s personality that he has, as an example we can se the animal body language. Like a snake, Stanley flicks his tongue at Blanche through his teeth. He corners her in the bedroom, refusing to move out of her way, then “springs” at her, calling her a “tiger” as he captures her. Blanche´s silent resignation as Stanley carries her to the bed indicates the utter defeat of her will.

Also in these seen we can evidence the way Stanley has physical defeat of Blanche, as an example of the way he terrorizes her by shattering her self- delusions.( Pg: 123, Stanley said: Yep. Just me and you, Blanche. Unless you got somebody hid under the bed. What´ve you got on those fine feathers for?) Stanley treats her bad insinuating that he sleeps with a lot of guys and frequently. By other way Blanche´s most visceral experiences are the delusions and repressed memories that make feel Blanche bad.

by: Maria Fernanda T.

Laura Santos.

Laura Rodriguez.

The "Blue Piano" in A Streetcar Named Desire, by Tennesse Williams

2011-02-01T21:48:00.003-05:00

Tennesse Williams uses a very important element in his stage directions: music. The music in the play comes from the "Blue Piano" in the Four Deuces, a bar close to the apartment building in which the Kowalskis live.

The first question one may ask about this "Blue Piano" is "what does it do?"

The author practically gives us the answer in page 3: "It expresses the spirit of the life which goes on here."

From the start, this statement gives us the clue that the music from the Blue Piano will highlight the mood for certain scenes. An example can be observed in Scene 2 when Stanley reveals to Blanche that Stella is having a baby (page 43). At that moment, the music from the Blue Piano rises in volume.

Just like the Blue Piano expresses the spirit of life, the Varsouviana music expresses death. Blanche was dancing the Varsouviana at the moment when she told her husband he "disgusted" her, and then he ran away and shot himself. Throughout the play, when Blanche remembers or tells the story of her dead husband, the Varsouviana can be heard. Curiously, there are moments where the only one that can hear this music is Blanche, like in Scene 9, page 114. Mitch even states that Blanche is "Boxed out of her mind."

Tennesse Williams employs the Blue Piano as part of his stage directions to highlight moments in the play that contain references to life and emotion, as well as death. He also uses music to set the mood for certain scenes, making music in the play a very important motif.

By Juan David Bonilla & Mauricio Castillo

Scene 2

2011-02-01T13:04:00.003-05:00

A Streetcar Named Desire
Scene 2

In scene two we can see a difference from scene one. During the first scene emphasizes the sexual attraction that Stella and Stanley moved to each other despite differences of class, as the second scene shows lack of respect between Stanley and Stella with the arrival of her sister.
Invoking the Napoleonic Code allows Stanley to justify their feelings toward the right of inheritance of Stella. In doing so, demonstrates that it is ignorant of legal excuses, Belle Reve, located in Laurel, Mississippi, outside the jurisdiction of New Orleans. However, the repeated references to Stanley on the Napoleonic Code to highlight the fact that his conflict with Blanche is also a test of strength between sexes

During this scene there can be seen the difference between Stanley's and Blanche's view of money, Blanche comes from a way of living in which she only knows how to spend and Stanley knows how to make things cheaper and win money

Javier Ayala

Jorge Lince

A Streetcar named Desire (Scene 5)

2011-02-01T12:32:00.002-05:00

Scene five shows several devices such as violence, lies , vanity, loneliness and jealousy among others.
Eunice and Steve are the clearer examples of violence as they start a nonsense fight because Steve peeks at a blondie who was passing by the Elysian Fileds. Eunice's jealousy became uncontrolable and struggled with his husband until the police has to be called to stop them. Blanche DuBois exemplifies vividly how lies and loneliness merge in one causing terrible consequences. The novel's protagonist is so vane that she even gets to invent a ficticious rich man to whon she srites letters saying she was staying in Dallas in a millionaire's mile representing the loneliness she felt inside.

A Streetcar Named Desire - Scene 1

2011-02-01T12:17:00.005-05:00

Blanche, hoping to remake her life, looks for Stella’s help; but what she found wasn’t what she was expected, because Stella’s new way of life wasn’t similar to the one she had before. "Blanche: I'm looking for my sister, Stella DuBois. I mean - Mrs. Stanley Kowalski" pg 15. But not only Stella´s life have changed; Stanley was now part of it. This new character had the unique objective of discovering Blanche`s secrets and avoiding her happiness, they are completely incompatible.

Blanche wasn’t very happy because Stella left the house and went to a poor family. However, even though Blanche was mad because of Stella`s decision, she was sorry of what she said to Stella before she left. "Blanche: ... I thought you would never come back to this horrible place" pg 19.

Stanley and Blanche’s way of being is totally different; it is evident when they spoke. Stanley is serious, humble and he doesn’t pay attention to Blanche. Blanche is vain; she always needs attention, mostly from men. So this may be a reason of what Stanley feel disgusted about Blanche’s personality. "Staley: ... How long you have for, Blanche? / Blanche: I-don't know yet. / Stanley: You going to shack up here?" pg. 31

Luis José Espejo Serna
Diego Tavera Concha
Juan Diego Lahidalga
Juan Francisco Luna Lasso

The essence of all beautiful art, all great art, is gratitude.

2010-12-14T14:34:00.005-05:00

Joanna & Jose

I study at Cooper Union…
(Cooper Union: The Great Hall of The Cooper Union has stood for more than a century as a bastion of free speech and a witness to the flow of American History and ideas… in Cooper's famous auditorium that the politics and legislation necessary to build a humane city took shape.)
But I left.
-Jose

It's nice how he try to talk in Spanish. Its funny cuz sometimes we sound like that… talking english.
Jose looks like Luis, you know, all disoriented and stuff, but, he has a lot of talent. Luis got it too, but he doesn’t want us to know.
Jose, congrats, your pieces are very interesting and authentic. I love the skateboard, I can’t imagine someone who has that tenacity.
http://www.myspace.com/sipestar/photos/22177319#%7B%22ImageId%22%3A33541031%7D

Joanna shows us her site. It contains lots of interesting pictures. If you want you can see it here:
http://www.joannanovelli.com/
There’s a lot of interesting stuff.

Teacher Evaluation and Final Gatsby Charts

2010-11-26T12:36:00.003-05:00

My favorite students,

How are you? It's been a while since we've been able to have real class. And next week you'll be in Leadership Workshops on Monday and Tuesday. That means we won't have class until next Thursday, December 2.
There are two assignments due on Thursday, December 2, 12:00am:

1. Final Gatsby Charts for Chapters 7-9. There will be a small quiz on information related to the charts. If you do the charts, you can use them for the quiz. If not, vaya con dios!

2. Please post the answers to your English A2 - Teacher Evaluation. Your responses are very important for the progress and improvement of the class. The 3 questions were:

What did I learn in Term 1?
How was my teacher's performance in Term 1?
What do my teacher and I need to do to achieve high grades in next year's English A2 - DP Exams?

Be well and get to work. Remember that blog participation is important for your final grades.
Luis

As All You

2010-11-21T10:55:00.004-05:00

Follow the next link and you'll find a song made for yourselves..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9ndJUCoFJc

More Homework

2010-10-25T08:34:00.003-05:00

A2 Students...I'll be checking your classification charts for The Great Gatsby, chapters 4-6, on Tuesday, November 2, 2010. Please do these individually. I will notice if you copy. Be well.
Luis

Literary Terms

2010-10-21T09:28:00.005-05:00

Students...the following links will take you to the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and to the Orange Unified School District of California's respective thoughts and definitions of literary terms. Please refer to these two sources while working on The Great Gatsby...and beyond!
Luis

From El Dorado...

2010-10-07T11:56:00.005-05:00

Students,

I hope you guys are doing well, enjoying and learning on your Social Studies field trip. Please take advantage of these moments. They might seem boring, but trust me, after you're enrolled in college(in the near future...for MOST of you)high school life will become a simple, affective memory. I write to you from the airport, waiting for my flight to Ft. Lauderdale. I'm happy...
...to inform you that your Written Tasks (WT) will be due on Tuesday, October 19, 2010. We will engage in a peer review grading session with your classmates on that day. For more information on the WT's, pleas check your notes and pg's. 18-20 of your A2 bible. The bibles were sent to your cyberskoolz accounts.
Your Interactive Orals (IO) will be due on Thursday, October 21, 2010. For more information on the requirements and options of the IO, look at your bibles, pg's. 39-40. If you decide to do group work, no problem, just make sure your groups contain a maximum of 3 people. You may videotape your IO's and show them to the class. I will be videotaping the ones that are not handed in as videos.

Please be serious with your work. These will potentially be the samples of your work sent to the I.B. for external assessment. Both must be on the Cultural Option: "Media and Culture: Advertising, Bias and Media Manipulation".

Lastly, please wish me luck, write me a message on the blog. I will be available during recess week to answer questions. You can email me: lramirez@tvs.edu.co. Or you can just leave me a message on the blog. You know what? Please leave me a message on the blog...pray for me...I am flying AIRES!!!!

Luis

...and how does that make you feel?

2010-09-16T10:09:00.002-05:00

The Famous "Emotions Wheel"

Since you all like twilight....

2010-09-14T14:06:00.004-05:00

Congratulations to Juan Diego Lahidalga, Javier Ayala, Jorge Lince, Juan David Bonilla, Luis Espejo, Maurico Castillo, Santiago Vasquez and Ana Maria Ortiz (She wasn't even in school today!!!) for handing in the first drafts of your essay. You should be proud. By the time we finish drafting, you'll have the best essays on the planet. The rest of you should be ashamed of yourselves. After giving it much thought, I won't read any other essays until the 2nd draft deadline. Be well. Now go enjoy your Twilight Cake! hahahahahahahaha

Satan?

2010-09-08T20:58:00.005-05:00

The following article from the popular business magazine 'Fast Company', criticizes WalMart's pricing practices and their effect on consumers and competition. We will read and analyze this article in tomorrow's (Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010) class. Please familiarize yourself with the text, its themes and structure. Be well.

Article: http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/77/walmart.html?page=0%2C0

Write Here!!!

2010-09-07T16:31:00.005-05:00

Seniors,

Please leave your thesis statement as a comment to this post by Wednesday, September 8, 2010, 8:00PM. Thank you.

Luis

Publicity and companies.

2010-09-02T18:42:00.001-05:00

We can see that in the society, there is a very high consumption index in the teenagers and that is affected by what companies make them think, by showing publicity and make the teen waste money in things that they do not need.

“We`ll buy a lot of clothes when we don´t need em” (Kanye West).

*The companies are using publicity that makes them appear in a higher class than other companies, for example “Pepsi” used publicity that criticizes “Coca- Cola” ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Gh61DRCT8A&hd=1 )

We can see that Pepsi is trying to make the teenagers consume Pepsi and not Coke.

*Other example could be “Televentas”, that wants to show that their products are very cheap and are better that the OTHER companies. They want to sell an idea that what they publicity shows is the best, using black and white images to show that the other products are very old, so the people decide to buy in “Televentas”.

2010-08-31T20:09:00.002-05:00

“If I could be like that
I would give anything
Just to live one day
In those shoes”

Such has been the influence of media in our lives that we must deal with everyday personality twists.

Fashion and major corporations plays such an important role in our daily actions that we`re constantly pursuing their ultimate releases to buy them in order to fit into certain social groups.

There`s a clear example in Kanye West`s song “All falls down” which states

“We`ll buy a lot of colthes when we don`t really need ‘em.”

People become so obsessed with their artists that they forget to be themselves and try to imitate them. However, not only fans try to act as their favourite celebrities, but also among them, performers sometimes emulate characteristic actions of others in order for fans to follow them.

Corporate Believer

2010-08-26T20:44:00.002-05:00

What is Rushkoff talking about???

Pre-Writing Assignment (Lang. B)

2010-05-20T18:04:00.002-05:00

Class,

How are you? Please respond to this blog post by Sunday, May 23, 8:00PM, where in 5 to 8 sentences you tell the class WHICH type of text (Monologue, Speech or Manifesto) you have chosen to answer the MYP Question: "Are you a puppet or a master?". You must also tell bloggers WHY you have chosen your respective type of text. Unsatisfactory responses will be revised and rewritten until they receive my approval. Please follow instructions. Be well. See you guys on Monday.

Luis

Free At Last Pt. 2

2010-05-20T10:33:00.001-05:00

Dr. King Part 1

2010-05-20T10:32:00.001-05:00

speech .....

2010-05-20T09:14:00.002-05:00

Step 2: Say It

After you've written your speech, it's time to practice saying it before you record it for Scholastic.com. There are two main tips to help you get ready.

1. Say It Out Loud
2. Mark Up Your Script

Say It Out Loud
You can't just mumble to yourself! You must practice reading your speech like you're really talking to a group. Why?

First you'll find out how long it is. Remember, one minute is the maximum.
Second, when you read out loud you hear problems that your eyes didn't notice, like sentences that are way too long and seem to go on forever like this sentence does so that I can make a point about sentences that are too long.
(Whew! Can you say that sentence without taking a breath or stumbling?)
Third, when you read out loud you'll hear accidental tongue-twisters. For example, these sentences are easy to read to yourself. But try to say them out loud! (You'll hear what we mean!)
The President pleasantly prepared to pack his putter for the trip.
Sarah sold her seashells slowly Saturday.

Mark Up Your Script
What script? Your speech! It's a good idea to think of anything you write to read aloud as a script. So when your speech is finished, get a pencil and mark it up. That means actually making marks on the speech to help you remember how you want to sound when you record your words aloud.

Professional announcers, newscasters, and actors do this all the time. And so do people giving speeches. You can underline words that you want to emphasize by saying them louder or with more energy. And you can mark places where you want to pause for dramatic effect, or where you need to take a breath. There are no special marks to use. Just make up your own. Maybe put a "P" where you want to pause.

Here's an example of a marked-up script. The words are from a speech by President John F. Kennedy. Can you tell how it was meant to be said?

Eagle Fly Free

2010-05-05T08:36:00.004-05:00

Today we talked in class about fate, self-determinations, introspection and human race in general related with Sophocle´s pla "Oedipus Rex".
How can the lyrics of this song be related to Sophocle´s book?
How about life in general?

Tragic Hero (Lang. B)

2010-04-16T10:59:00.002-05:00

Students please follow this Ohio University link on Aristotle's Tragic Terms. For Monday, please write three paragraphs of informal writing where you identify Oedipus in the stages of 'peripetia', 'anagnorsis' and 'pathos'. Please quote the play directly in your paragraphs. Be well.

Sing it Kingston!!! (Lang. B)

2010-04-07T08:25:00.001-05:00

Puppet Time (Lang. B)

2010-04-05T14:20:00.001-05:00

Great Author. (Lang. B)

2010-03-11T18:02:00.004-05:00

You know who was this author?
He was born on Jan. 1, 1919 in Manhattan, lived in seclusion in the small town of Cornish. N.H. for more than half a century. He was not photographed for decades.

"The Catcher in the Rye", his most famous book, caused a sensation when it was published.With its very first sentence, the book, Which came out in 1951, introduced a brand-new voice in American writing, and it quickly became a cult book, a rite of passage for the brainy and disaffected. "Nine Stories," published in 1953, made him a darling of the critics as well, for the way it dismantled the traditional architecture of the short story and replaced it with one In which a story could turn on a tiny shift of mood or tone .
This author is J. D. Salinger, the private Obsessively author who captured the hearts of several generations with his pitch-perfect knowledge of adolescence and his ear for the vernacular, died last Jan. 28.
This is unfortunate, but it's past, however we should read with pleasure his most famous book, "The Catcher in the Rye". This has made us transcend, has made us see a new culture, and in addition was made by the best English-language author ever existed, in my view.
J. D. Salinger, rest in peace.

http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/s/j_d_salinger/index.html

More??...YES!! (Lang. B)

2010-02-25T17:33:00.004-05:00

Kiddies...the 3rd draft of the essay is due on Thursday, March 4. The following link http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ , plus your class notes, and a model I have sent through cyberskoolz will help you accomodate your essays to APA standards and format. Approach me for help, if needed. Be well....lucho

Evaluator Viewpoints (Lang. B)

2010-02-25T17:27:00.002-05:00

Groups...thank you for the presentations today. They were substantially better than the first time around. Your fellow classmates that reviewed your presentations, have given you grades, moderated by me...and will post a general comment about your performances today. Thank you!...lucho

Reading Logs/Register and Diction/Mood and Tone (Lang. B)

2010-02-22T09:45:00.003-05:00

Class...how are you? Part of analyzing and criticizing literature is knowing and understanding literary terminology. For Wednesday, February 24, please find three online sources (an online encyclopedia, writing and literary specialists) to define and speculate on register, diction, mood, and tone. We will be having a discussion on these topics, possibly a quiz. You should also have Reading Log #5 completed. For Catcher: Ch's 17-21...For Mean Streets: Ch's 20-24 'Harlem'. Get your work done and be well...Lucho

2010-02-04T21:16:00.004-05:00

Hello guys as you know the group has been through some deals ........ i got into a very deep reflection and i felt horrible, i saw a picture and felt very bad, the way that we are so lucky having the love of our parents, having the opportunity to study, having a place to pass the night without feeling cold, the chance to have something to eat..... i want you to reflect and tell me how do you feel after doing this...

NEW POINT OF VIEW

2010-01-29T17:23:00.002-05:00

Hello! I think the question: Why evil exist in man?, focuses much on a special topic, but I think we all would like to vent, so to speak, for a question a little more open about the novel. For example, I'm reading The Catcher in the Rye, and on those days I was thinking of one in particular, this is it.
If any of us had a chance to change their lives for a day with some character in the novel, what would it be? Why?

respond according to your novel.

Obsession for Identity

2010-01-27T16:20:00.005-05:00

As we read "Down These Mean Streets" and Catcher in the Rye" we notice that the whole story is about finding a group to belong and/or social acceptance. In some cases they need to sacrifice certain things in life in order to actually make part of something. It even happens that some of these sacrifices are unconscious, like getting into a fight just to help a friend in need, without asking anything in return.

Why do they do this?

Is it a common pattern in mankind?

What kind of sacrifices do we do to belong somewhere?

Virginity (DP)

2010-01-15T15:04:00.002-05:00

Is it too simplistic to say that Esther (from "The Bell Jar") goes crazy because of her awkward sexual encounters? Why does her loss of virginity seem to stabilize her? Or is her affair with Irwin, just a piece of the puzzle? I hate to be so basic, but I really feel that it's sex, not her relationship with mom, or pressure from lofty social expectations that slap her with insanity. Who's with me? Who's not?

Thesis Statements (Lang. B)

2010-01-15T10:38:00.002-05:00

Please post your new and improved thesis statements...Thank you.

Who is this guy trying to be? (Lang. B)

2010-01-14T12:12:00.003-05:00

What do you guys think about Sam's acting abilities? Does he switch from narrative to dialogue with fluidity? What are your favorite parts of the dramatization? Which accent/intonation/slang is most appealing? Why?

Suicide (DP)

2009-12-03T12:05:00.006-05:00

Insanity and madness directly affect our protagonist, Esther, in The Bell Jar. Check out this page on suicide: http://www.suicide.org/suicide-causes.html . Is suicide ever a justifiable option? Is there a way out of committing suicide?

Sexuality (DP)

2009-11-11T10:32:00.002-05:00

How can The Bell Jar (specifically chapters 6-10)help increase one’s awareness of sexuality?

Best. Video. Ever. (DP and Lang. B)

2009-10-29T11:24:00.001-05:00

Happy Halloween...enjoy!!!

"Handlebars" - Flobots (Lang. B)

2009-10-29T11:06:00.002-05:00

What do you think about the video guys?

First Impressions (DP)

2009-10-28T08:47:00.003-05:00

What's going on whutters!?!?...After reading the first five chapters of Plath's The Bell Jar, write a minimum of three paragraphs in your notebooks in response to how you feel about her work in general, how she integrates specific devices into the narrative, apparent and underlying themes, interesting quotes, and the importance of this novel in accordance with U.S. history...always ask yourselves, 'What do I think about this novel? This writer? This time period?' Do you feel that the first five chapters spark a certain interest in you? Be well, and have this response/reaction ready for Tuesday, November 3.

MYP UNIT QUESTION

2009-10-21T09:22:00.002-05:00

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning...right now, this moment...as i write...as the sun tries to separate the bonds of cloulds...you're taking the Pruebas SABER, administered by the ICFES...good luck...I'm writing to remind you to bring to class your MYP Unit question for our Noir-Fiction unit...we will have an activity where we choose the best three questions...then eliminate two...the winner will receive a prize...you'll see what it is tomorrow...be well...relax...work on the question a few minutes tonight...peace!!!...LOOOOoooooooo.......

I'm reading (Lang. B)

2009-10-17T08:27:00.007-05:00

Good morning...I just woke up and it seems like the sun will hover over our city all day...so go out and do something!

I'm reading...

...http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sixty_six/ a movie review from a funny british film "Sixty Six" about jewish boy who's bar mitzvah celebration falls on the exact date and time of the 1966 world cup final...of course this game was won by england...their only world cup title...

...http://soccer365.com/english_premiership/story_171009123100.php a football article that mentions hugo rodallega and his international teammates of wigan united in the english premier league...he's doing well out there...

...http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/17/arts/music/17vultures.html?_r=2 and a music review from the new york times...very interesting of a band named 'them crooked vultures' formed by dave grohl (nirvana, foo fighters), john paul jones (led zeppelin), and josh homme (queens of the stone age)...the band hasn't released an album yet, but they've sold out many shows and fans tape the shows, then bootleg (copy and distribute) their videos on youtube and other places!!! amazing...a band of famous and successful artists never makes a studio album, but claims high praise and fame...could they keep it up?

WHAT ARE YOU READING?

Where's Plath? (DP)

2009-10-16T17:55:00.006-05:00

...After your brief introduction to Sylvia Plath, take a look at the following link: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americannovel/timeline/index.html, and place Plath under one, two, or more literary movements. You've been handed a poem and can find many of her works online. Which literary movement best fits Plath's voice? View the descriptions of the literary movements that span the timeline. Which seems like your favorite? If you were a writer (maybe you are), which movement would you write under? Why? Be well.

Memories...(Lang. B)

2009-10-15T11:06:00.004-05:00

Class, it's amazing how the brain works. I still can't remember when I saw this video, but I definitely saw it with my graduation class in '98, or with my freshman college class of '99. Flax, thank you for the video. It's thoughtful and inspiring. I can't believe that I had seen it and forgot about it for 10 years! Kids, cherish your good friends and love your family. What is the purpose of language in this form of communication? We'll talk...Lucho

Final Drafts (DP)

2009-10-07T21:55:00.004-05:00

I never got the chance to sit with Jonah and get the instructions for converting word files into pdf. My little lenovo computer sucks for that process. I went online and tried to download guidelines, plug ins and what have you, to enable me to convert these files. It didn't work!!! I had no clue what to do...didn't want to bother Jonah or another teacher because they are on vacation right now. But I finally figured it out by myself. I'm not on vacation by the way. I'm not sipping lemonade next to a pool by a farm or a ranch like you kids!!! Oh, the envy!!! I'm working at the ciedi school, a workshop for MYP. Anyway, you guys all have the essay in PDF format, in your inboxes. Julian, yes, you got yours too. If you don't have an essay in your inbox...get to work and send me something. I'll even receive a love letter!!! The final version of this essay is due on Tuesday, October 13, 2009. Yes, next Tuesday. The best way to revise is to open your APA format guidelines and A2 bibles, spread these documents out with a printed version of your essay on a round table with a friend or two, and revise each other's work. Be well...Lucho

The Question (Lang. B)

2009-10-07T11:05:00.001-05:00

MYP'ers...October break is a great time to relax, hang with your family and friends, look at sunsets with your girl/boyfriends...but here's loo, ready to demolish all the good times.
Your homework for Tuesday, October 13, 2009 is to have your Unit Questions (the ones that some of your classmates worked on the board) prepared and answered! Now, I don't want you to answer them in a traditional way. Find a new, creative way to answer the question. I won't give you suggestions, so as to not restrain you. Use your imagination. Captivate me and your classmates! Be well...Lucho

loohemian rhapsody (DP & Lang. B)

2009-10-05T21:18:00.001-05:00

Kids...enjoy this masterpiece!!! Tomorrow's post will be instructions for your essay revisions...be well...Loo

Wriggity Written Tasks DUE! (DP)

2009-09-30T09:30:00.003-05:00

Students...the time has come. The day of reckoning. Time to pay the piper. Time to make the doughnuts. Tomorrow, Thursday, October 1, 2009, your written tasks must be handed in by 8:30am. No excuses. Be well. Hopefully you've been working at home, and have got some kind of feeback from myself or one of your classmates. The essay will be due the first day back from October recess, Tuesday, October 13. I'm still trying to figure out how to convert those files to PDF. It'll be done by Friday...Lucho!

Presentations (Lang. B)

2009-09-28T18:30:00.003-05:00

I have decided to allow you guys to present a second time, being that I was very disappointed with the content and delivery of your presentations. I also think we must work on your communication and listening skills. Before your second presentations, we will take a look at the evaluation criteria for oral presentations. As of this moment, nobody is passing the presentations. Tomorrow we will begin with Areas of Interaction. The other presentations will be for Wednesday. You will not be given time in class to revise and prepare your presentations...sorry this post is not more exciting. What do you think? Fair? Why/Why not?

Nike...Pinilla's Favorite Brand (DP)

2009-09-28T18:21:00.004-05:00

In this video Andy Ansha says, "...when you play in a game of football, it naturally comes out. But when you work on a film set it works totally different. It has to be choreographed and coached out of you." Why then get a real footballer, to show you real football moves, and to make you feel a real football experience? Also, what do you guys think about the influential methods used here? What relationship do these methods have to the Emotions Wheel discussed in class? How effective is the slogan at the end of the commercial? Why?

Is This Your Teacher? (DP & Lang. B)

2009-09-21T16:21:00.002-05:00

Whutters!?!?,

So my cousin sent me this video by email and asked me, "dude is this you?". I responded emphatically, "Hell No!". Since we're not gaining more interest on the blog with Bill Pronzini and the values of independence...I figured I'd drop a video today and allow you to laugh a bit. Please be mature about this! Be well...Lucho!

Hello, (Lang. B)

2009-09-17T17:36:00.002-05:00

My name is Bill Pronzini. What was your favorite part of my story? What was your favorite line? What do you think I could've done differently? Why is this story Hardboiled/Noir?

Written Tasks and Essays (DP)

2009-09-17T17:30:00.002-05:00

DP Whutters!?,

Please get to work...you've got tons to do...and i get back on Sunday night...work on your portfolios, your research, first drafts for the written task from the mass communication part of the A2 bibles...and of course the essays...be well...tomorrow i'll have a post about a song i love!!! please get on the blizog!!! Be well.

Lucho

POCHO (Lang. B)

2009-09-16T23:35:00.002-05:00

Whutters B!?!?

Pocho should've given you the new story "Liar's Dice" by Bill Pronzini. Please read it. We'll talk about all three stories on Monday. Be ready for a vocab. and literary analysis quiz of all 3 stories. Be well.

Yours,

Looocho.

Essays!!! (DP)

2009-09-16T23:30:00.001-05:00

Whutters!?

Your essays are in your inbox. I responded to your previous emails with an attachment. Work on them Thursday, Friday and the weekend. I'll see you on Monday. Comment on the post for public questions. For private, email me.

Yours,

Looocho!

A Life on the Road (DP)

2009-09-10T18:38:00.002-05:00

What do you think about this band? Even if you know something about "The Dead", forget about your preconceptions. Do some research about the band and its fans. Begin with Wikipedia, and find TWO more sources. Trust me, once you begin reading about this band, and watching the youtube videos, you'll notice they deserve lots of attention. Why is the band significant when we talk about finding an alternative path of culture? Does another alternative path exist? And if it does, do the "Deadheads" have it right? Why? Why not? Do your research. There's tons of information about this band online. Please copy your TWO other sources after your comment. I am giving points to people on the blog. Most importantly, you know i'm involved in the discussion. This post will go from Thursday until Saturday. I will post something new on Sunday morning. "...she wore scarlet begonias..."

Rochester, NY (Lang. B)

2009-09-10T17:57:00.003-05:00

What's up guys? Rochester plays an important role in understanding, appreciating and falling in love with "The 9:13" by Martin Naparsteck. This post will serve for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I want you guys to research the history of Rochester, NY. Be careful not to confuse our city with Rochester, MN!!! After you find out about the city's peculiarities, comment on what interests you the most about its politics, society and culture. Who are the famous people from Rochester, NY? Are there any United States national treasures found there? What do people do in the summer? Winter? After reading this post, I know you're all going to Wikipedia! No problem. But you must also use another TWO sources. When you comment, please copy the links to the other TWO sources you have used. Be well. And remember, I am taking note of who's on the blog. The points will be reflected on your final essay. Last week's essay was just a draft. Take your time, read about the city, its impact on the state of New York, on the United States. Read about its past, present and future. The first five comments (well researched) get double points...who can beat Carlos and Dairo to the punch? Good luck!

Disappointment (DP and Lang. B)

2009-09-09T19:48:00.002-05:00

Any questions?

Are you ready for tomorrow's story? (Lang. B)

2009-09-08T18:37:00.002-05:00

We begin reading a new story tomorrow. How have you liked noir fiction? Has it in any way influenced, negatively or positively, your attitude towards literature? Do you feel this could be a type of literature for you to read for the rest of your days? Why? Be well....

What would you do if...(DP)

2009-09-08T18:22:00.002-05:00

....what would you do if the world's most powerful religion had killed and raped your ancestors; destroyed your religious temples and constructed their own? What if they made you worship their god(s)? What would you do?

What to do? (DP)

2009-09-07T17:55:00.002-05:00

Think of Sam's class today...What is freedom? Do we really have choice? What difference does it make if we do or don't?!?!

Values? (Lang. B)

2009-09-07T17:48:00.003-05:00

Which of these words is the most important to you? How difficult is it to put into practice the concept behind the word you chose? How probable is it that you will put one of these concepts into practice this trimester?

SELF-CONTROL / FRIENDSHIP / UPRIGHT / DISCIPLINE

The Inquiry Cycle (Lang. B)

2009-09-04T16:10:00.005-05:00

How does your group definition, combined with your personal definition, enable your participation in the inquiry cycle? The inquiry cycle could be thought of as a process in which a person is aware, reflects and understands. Take a look at the pictures of the inquiry cycle. Which one better describes the process? Why? Can you find other viable examples of the inquiry cycle? Or have you created your own?

Get To Work (DP)

2009-09-04T16:03:00.003-05:00

You've witnessed my dedication and maturity. It's time for you to show me, to prove to yourselves, your preparedness in the A2...Monday@8am!

Which One Are You!?!? (DP and Lang. B)

2009-09-02T16:51:00.001-05:00

Classic Comics Go NOIR (Lang. B)

2009-09-01T18:07:00.002-05:00

As most of you might know, I'm an avid comic book fan. I love the art, the stories, the symbolism. Two of my favorite charactes, Wolverine and Daredevil have left their stamp, not only in the print editions of the comics, but also as action figures and big-screen movie stars. Wolverine intrigues because of his troubled past, ruthless attitude and awesome abilities. Daredevil is a blind man whose other senses are magnified a thousand-fold, and is capable of astonishing feats...therefore labeled as 'The Man Without Fear'. In recent months, Marvel has published a new series of comic books (daredevil: http://marvel.com/catalog/?id=11425 ; wolverine: http://marvel.com/catalog/?id=11550). They've been extremely successful, favorites among comic book lovers. Do they appeal to you? Why or why not? Do you see them as believable noir protagonists? Why or why not?

Stress or Tranquility (DP)

2009-09-01T18:00:00.005-05:00

Do I have reason to be mad, or am I overreacting?

Climax (Lang. B)

2009-08-31T18:12:00.003-05:00

What is a climax? Can it be defined as the most important part of the story? How about the most exhilirating? The most truthful, or revealing? Is it always clear? Tom Verde's "The Big Dance" has some amazing moments of climax. And it could be argued that there's more than one, if any! What the hell is a climax?

Stuff (DP)

2009-08-31T17:59:00.003-05:00

There's lots of information and tasks bouncing around my head. Recently, my brain has been housing media and culture, repetitive, like a car alarm at 2a.m., the owner's on vacation! MYP is a dream, a nightmare, a realization. Julian's extended essay has arrived to the party and is getting drunk in the corner, a vagabond performing obscene acts for attention! Where do we begin? Where do we end? There's also time to be philosophical. What about you?

The FOX Influence (DP)

2009-08-29T15:19:00.004-05:00

How does this man control what you view on television? Does his media influence your culture? Explain...

What's happened to Sherlock Holmes? Is he now 'Hardboiled'? (Lang. B)

2009-08-29T15:16:00.002-05:00

Which Actor??? (Lang. B)

2009-08-27T18:23:00.000-05:00

If you were directing a movie of "The Big Dance", which of these four actors would you choose for the role of Bancroft? Why? Who is your chosen actor?

West and Whitman in the same breath....(DP)

2009-08-27T18:05:00.000-05:00

What does Kanye West have to do with the following quote by Walt Whitman?:

"Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself, I am large, I contain multitudes."
from: "Song of Myself"

Why is West worthy of being a centerpiece for Media and Culture?

Be well!

Welcome

2009-08-26T20:28:00.000-05:00

This is the first, of hopefully many, posts on this blog. Let's make it an integral part of communicating at The Victoria School. Feel free to leave a welcome post...