this dude actually thinks trump is in a twitter war with mlk

Sometimes I think of education as enlightenment, a way to strengthen our minds and consider information that will help us live our lives more successfully.

Sometimes I think of education as skills training, a way to build the habits of mind and talents for doing things that will create value in the marketplace and society.

Today, on a day when I am working with high school American Literature students to analyze the ethos, pathos, and logos that made Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. one of the most effective and important orators in history, I am thinking of education as a war against idiocy.  I had to read THIS ITEM twice before it really sunk in that it's not a joke-- some people are this poorly informed.  You are now officially in the game of a lifetime; you have to get smarter than this and level up, or we're going to lose our civilization to morons.  This guy may be out to lunch, but he still has the right to buy guns.  Scarier still, he has the right to vote.

"Empathize," I tell myself, "Be nice.  Maybe he got dropped on his head when he was a baby.  Maybe he was home schooled-- and expelled.  Maybe he just likes to feel the breeze on his scalp and he's not really a Skinhead.  Maybe he hadn't yet washed that Oakley T-shirt and the off-gassing from the production chemicals made him woozy.  Maybe he just froze in front of the camera.  Maybe he just needs better information from a well-informed, caring mentor.  Don't judge him, help him."

I don't know, man... I just don't know.  I'll keep working on it.  Wow.  Wowee wow wow.

january 16

JOURNAL TOPIC: [today's tunes: "Pride (In the Name of Love)" by U2]

Listen to this speech.  Then write about it.  Be sure to analyze ethos, pathos, logos.  Do your best.  We will discuss as soon as you're done.


AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. MLK: Ethos, Pathos, Logos
3. Misery, hope, and ways of writing about both
4. Genre at the beginning of the 20th century: naturalism, realism, and modernism

HW:
1. Post your notes and observations/reflections from today's class to your blog (title: NOTES FROM TODAY'S LECTURE)

"i have a dream"

Watch it. LEARN it.  Comment to this post with any reactions, observations, or questions that will help you better understand it.  Be ready to discuss it on Tuesday.

january 12

JOURNAL TOPIC: (today's tunes: "They Can't Take That Away From Me" by Charlie Parker)

Since Pablo mentioned yesterday that he loves saxophone music, today's tunes is one of the all-time greats.  For your journal, consider the following: What can't anyone take away from you?

Also:

How did we shift the culture in class yesterday?  (If you need a refresher on culture, have a look at the Wikipedia entry.)  What will we need to do to make the spirit of expression/decision/collaboration --> creativity last?  How does this relate to Paul Simon's work?

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Socratic seminar (continued)

HW:
In a post entitled "I, SOCRATES" explain how what we did in class these past two days helped you learn and become more creative.  (And congratulate yourself, because once you write it, it's American Literature. :)

january 11

JOURNAL TOPIC: (today's tunes: "Graceland" by Paul Simon; "Boy in the Bubble" by Paul Simon; "Homeless" by Paul Simon)

(These questions will also form the basis for our Socratic Seminar.)

1. Based on what you learned yesterday & last night, is it fair to say these songs were "by" Paul Simon? Why/why not?
2. Explain how Simon created something new by going back to the roots of a musical genre.
3. Can we describe music as literature?  Why/not?

 AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Big Questions & Masterpiece Academy
3. Socratic Seminar

HW:
1. Create a post for your blog entitled, "MUSIC AS LITERATURE"
2. In that post, publish your notes from today's Socratic Seminar and use what you learned from your colleagues to answer these questions: Can we consider music to be literature? What is the difference between a novel, a poem, a rap, a song, an opera, and a symphony?

january 10

JOURNAL TOPIC: (today's tunes: "Let the Day Begin" by The Call; "Where Do I Begin?" by Jill Sobule; "Begin the Begin" by R.E.M.)

Describe a thought or a feeling that you'd forgotten over break and experienced again when you walked back into this room.  Now, remember that this is a new beginning, so here is the important question: How will you re/create the thoughts/feelings you WANT to have in this room this semester?

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Reboot
3. Introduction to spring semester:

• Review technical elements of literature we covered last semester
• Prepare for the final in June (!)
• Take your Big Question to the next level: Masterpiece Academy starts late April
• Win the Internet
• Speak like a pro
• Create like a genius

HW:

Research Paul Simon's album Graceland (starting with this) and come to class Thursday prepared to discuss whether this qualifies as American Literature.  To do this properly, you will have to do some research and/or review your notes in order to define American Literature and make your case.

if emerson wrote in 2018

... he would probably write something like this.  Read it, post a comment, and share with a friend.

Taming the Mammoth: Why You Should Stop Caring What Other People Think