You only have to do 12 of the 20 essays in Slouching Towards Bethlehem. You can pick which 12. You still have to do the corresponding dialectical journal entry for the 12 essays you pick. (If you are in Standard English, you may do just 12 as well.)
SPREAD THE FREAKIN' WORD.
Please feel free to leave a comment about how awesome I am.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Second thoughts
So I'm starting to freak out just a little bit that y'all are all going to give up on Slouching Towards Bethlehem and hate me for picking it. I know it's tough and written a long time ago and it seems completely irrelevant to you. So why would I pick it? Well, Joan Didion pioneered the art of the personal essay, and we will be reading a lot of nonfiction this year. When we get together and look closer at her work, I think it will become clear what a sophisticated and gentle writer she is. But for now, I think you're going over all the references you don't understand and cursing my name.
So that said, we'll definitely be talking about it on Friday night. (OPTIONAL!! If you choose to play Rock Band instead, there will be no nagging. Okay, mild nagging, but in good spirits.)
I've spent some time this week re-reading two of the essays, "On Going Home" and the one from which the book gets its name, "Slouching Towards Bethlehem." So I'll probably focus on those two, in case you want to take a look at them beforehand.
Enough of my rambling. See you soon.
So that said, we'll definitely be talking about it on Friday night. (OPTIONAL!! If you choose to play Rock Band instead, there will be no nagging. Okay, mild nagging, but in good spirits.)
I've spent some time this week re-reading two of the essays, "On Going Home" and the one from which the book gets its name, "Slouching Towards Bethlehem." So I'll probably focus on those two, in case you want to take a look at them beforehand.
Enough of my rambling. See you soon.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Late July birthdays
Happy birthday to Cynthia Luna (this past Wednesday), Janeth Perez (Monday), and Kelly Tran (this coming Wednesday)!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
A birthday wish and some info to spread around
Tomorrow is J.J. Salazar's birthday, so be sure to send him some love.
I mentioned it before, but wanted to say it again, Friday, August 1st is an important date. On that day, you'll have your Senior Photos taken -- these are the pictures that go in the yearbook and are used in the graduation program. Yes, I know, that's many months away and you may have a fabulously different hairstyle by May, but this is the way it works. It's been like this for every YES graduating class, and it was even like this back when I was a senior in the dark ages, so you will be okay.
If you are on a summer program or won't be able to make it for whatever reason, there will be make-up sessions at some point. These photos are only with the graduation robes; they don't include fancy set-ups for portraits. You are not obligated to buy them, either.
Also on that day, you will be doing scheduling with Ms. Edwards and the rest of us. That evening will be parent meeting, and afterward, we will have an overnight. You'll need to bring $5 for pizza, drinks for yourself, and a sleeping bag. For those of you who typically bring Rock Band or any other type of entertainment, feel free to do so. Also, that evening, I will be having a brief tutorial on the summer reading assignment, as I've been getting a lot of questions about it and have heard that a quick session would be appreciated. So if you are struggling with Slouching Towards Bethlehem, please come having read at least half a dozen of the pieces so you'll be able to keep up with what I'll be talking about.
We will be leaving on Saturday morning by 9:00 a.m. sharp!
I mentioned it before, but wanted to say it again, Friday, August 1st is an important date. On that day, you'll have your Senior Photos taken -- these are the pictures that go in the yearbook and are used in the graduation program. Yes, I know, that's many months away and you may have a fabulously different hairstyle by May, but this is the way it works. It's been like this for every YES graduating class, and it was even like this back when I was a senior in the dark ages, so you will be okay.
If you are on a summer program or won't be able to make it for whatever reason, there will be make-up sessions at some point. These photos are only with the graduation robes; they don't include fancy set-ups for portraits. You are not obligated to buy them, either.
Also on that day, you will be doing scheduling with Ms. Edwards and the rest of us. That evening will be parent meeting, and afterward, we will have an overnight. You'll need to bring $5 for pizza, drinks for yourself, and a sleeping bag. For those of you who typically bring Rock Band or any other type of entertainment, feel free to do so. Also, that evening, I will be having a brief tutorial on the summer reading assignment, as I've been getting a lot of questions about it and have heard that a quick session would be appreciated. So if you are struggling with Slouching Towards Bethlehem, please come having read at least half a dozen of the pieces so you'll be able to keep up with what I'll be talking about.
We will be leaving on Saturday morning by 9:00 a.m. sharp!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Teach me, children
Why is it on most days, this site gets about two hits, but when I update it, BOOM - there are 25 hits almost immediately?
Is there some way you guys get notified? I gotta know!
Is there some way you guys get notified? I gotta know!
A bunch of good stuff
So I got a minute behind on wishing people happy birthday. Yesterday was Robert Martinez's, and this coming Wednesday is Nancy Guevara's. Robert, sorry for the belatedness, and Nancy, I hope that the good folks at Marathon treat you right on your special day. I'm also pretty sure that Johana Balderas's birthday has been recently, but I am working of an 06-07 roster, so I just am not sure. Happy birthday everyday, Johana! (I only have you one pic of you, and you wouldn't want me to put up this particular one - you weren't ready for the camera.)
More student sightings this past week, and I'm getting pumped to see the rest of you soon! Today, Victor Esparza and Kevin Bravo joined the sixth-grade team. Both Kevin and Jessica Trejo were rocking the senior purple, and Crystal got a new tattoo that's purple. She proudly showed that off to me. Today, in Edwards's office, while acting like idiots as usual, I came up with a good senior motto. At least I think it's good, but I'm a million years old.
PURPLE REIGN.
What do you think? I'm thinking a big PURPLE sign in one of my windows and a big REIGN sign in the other. Aw yeah. But you don't have to listen to Queen Dork if you don't wanna.
Important Save-the-Date info
On Friday, August 1, you guys will need to be up at school for senior photos, orientation, and scheduling stuff. A small but important focus group of seniors informed me that it would be cool to have our first Overnight that night, so plan to spend the evening in the gym, playing basketball, rock band, raving...all that good jazz. Spread the word. You should also be getting a letter from Hudley about all of it, if you haven't already.
I want to say a big public thank you to Mikhail Abad for bringing me a lurvly hand-stitched wall-hanging from El Salvador. It's of grapes (wrathful ones, perhaps) and is just so very thoughtful. I can't wait to put it up on the walls once the little kids are out of summer session.
Give a holler, children, I miss you!
More student sightings this past week, and I'm getting pumped to see the rest of you soon! Today, Victor Esparza and Kevin Bravo joined the sixth-grade team. Both Kevin and Jessica Trejo were rocking the senior purple, and Crystal got a new tattoo that's purple. She proudly showed that off to me. Today, in Edwards's office, while acting like idiots as usual, I came up with a good senior motto. At least I think it's good, but I'm a million years old.
PURPLE REIGN.
What do you think? I'm thinking a big PURPLE sign in one of my windows and a big REIGN sign in the other. Aw yeah. But you don't have to listen to Queen Dork if you don't wanna.
Important Save-the-Date info
On Friday, August 1, you guys will need to be up at school for senior photos, orientation, and scheduling stuff. A small but important focus group of seniors informed me that it would be cool to have our first Overnight that night, so plan to spend the evening in the gym, playing basketball, rock band, raving...all that good jazz. Spread the word. You should also be getting a letter from Hudley about all of it, if you haven't already.
I want to say a big public thank you to Mikhail Abad for bringing me a lurvly hand-stitched wall-hanging from El Salvador. It's of grapes (wrathful ones, perhaps) and is just so very thoughtful. I can't wait to put it up on the walls once the little kids are out of summer session.
Give a holler, children, I miss you!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Student sightings!
I am positively giddy because I've gotten to see some Class of '09ers the past couple days. Mikhail, Anna, Katherine, and Laura are all working as teacher's assistants during summer school, so I got to sit through three hours of inservice meetings with them yesterday morning. I tried to behave, being a role model and all, but it was hard. Laura and I may have passed a few notes.
Anthony, Jacob, and Albert came by in the afternoon when they got off work at Marathon Oil, and today, Francisco was up at school buying his summer reading books. (Get reading, all of you! I will kick you out of class if you aren't prepared!)
I start teaching the seventh-graders tomorrow.
Miss you guys. Come visit.
Anthony, Jacob, and Albert came by in the afternoon when they got off work at Marathon Oil, and today, Francisco was up at school buying his summer reading books. (Get reading, all of you! I will kick you out of class if you aren't prepared!)
I start teaching the seventh-graders tomorrow.
Miss you guys. Come visit.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
The Garden of Wrath
These pictures were taken on Saturday, June 28th. As you can see, we are having some serious success with the okra, squash, and tomatoes. Although I don't have a picture, the little chile plant is starting to bud as well.
The only bad news is the back bed has been overtaken by weeds, and the herbs and beans haven't made it (last picture). Other than that, I'd say it's looking pretty impressive!
The only bad news is the back bed has been overtaken by weeds, and the herbs and beans haven't made it (last picture). Other than that, I'd say it's looking pretty impressive!
Silly birthday boy
Kevin Bravo celebrates his birthday today, and I'm sure it will be in style. I am just happy for an excuse to post this ridiculous picture.
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