Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Rube Goldberg would have liked 451...

I found this fun video from the band O.K. Go that uses a super elaborate Rube Goldberg machine in their song "This Too Shall Pass."  Rube Goldberg was an engineer and artist that created machines to do mundane tasks.  You have seen his cartoon ideas everywhere including homage pieces like those found in Bugs Bunny cartoons and Wallace and Grommit.  He did them as a response to the encroachment of technology into our everyday lives.  Here's the video, its super fun, the link to the making of the video and a great article about it is at the end.
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OK GO Rube Goldsberg machine and article!

Friday, March 19, 2010

The future of publishing...

I always count it a blessing when people share with me fun or amazing things...this is one such blessing.



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Thursday, March 11, 2010

Budget Crisis!!!

I think I know how this guy feels....



Gigantic Turkey Sub and Arcade Fire seal the deal for me,...more or less...
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Monday, March 8, 2010

Jenna Six EAP Articles (To Kill A Mockingbird)

Here are the slides that go with the articles.  The annotation directions are there if you need them.



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Monday, March 1, 2010

Spring...and poems run willy-nilly everywhere....

Poetry is always approached with a bit of levity for me. I know that I already explained this in class, but I just really feel lead to reiterate this idea. Don't get me wrong, I really do like poetry, but every time a student gives me a stack of "their poems" or a parent tells me at back to school night that their son/daughter is a "poetic genius" I inwardly freak out a little. It's not that I doubt their ability or that I don't believe the sincerity with which a parent will support and love their children, I just feel a bit aloof when it comes to making the inevitable judgement on if their work, usually bound in a special binder or other precious covering, is "good". Their is no worse place to be.
On one hand I feel an artists obligation to take a critical eye over their work, to consider all that I have come to learn about the forms and design, to really give them feedback on whether or not the work is, in fact, "good". If I do that I know that I am going to hurt feelings and alienate people who might really respect my opinion. Its the dilemma that is so frustrating. I want to ask them, sometimes, "Why me and my opinion? Isn't the act of creation enough and powerful that you don't require my approval? You didn't ask me if you could make the poem therefore it doesn't require my approval." And yet, I know how they are feeling. It is the sheer delight of having made a phrase that sinks into your skin, the idea that in spite of everything, my words ring true to my own ears and I identify, like a beacon, momentary truth in a very confusing and crazy world. I guess that secretly, poetry is a personal hurdle for me to leap. Clearly the power of the word is undeniable. After having vented all of that (sorry...) I really want you to know, that your work does not require my "approval" of good, bad, or indifferent. What matters is that you made it, love it, and will continue doing so. Be excited, share them with your friends and family. Represent!...
(I can't guarantee that the rest of my entrees for the Poetry unit will be any less weird, maybe that is good, I'm not really sure, but I will try to keep them both interesting and sincere.)
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Haiku, Tanka, Cinquain Form




Sonnets


French Rondeau/ Villanell/ Prose


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To Kill a Mockingbird...

Here are the Journal Entry slides if you need to help build you Journal.  I will be updating periodically, so keep track of what is going on and check back when you read.

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At what temperature does paper burn??? 451...

Here are the slides for the Journal Entries for those of you that might need a place to start.  I will be adding and revising what we have done here so stay tuned young cadets!