may 30

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Up to you.

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness

2. Les Mis continued

POST:
On your blog, please compare the experience of reading Les Mis with watching the movie.  You can focus on the differences, the visuals/sound/music/ etc. (title: LES BOOK V LES MOVIE)

[NEW]
What about the characters seem different to you in the movie, when you compare them with the way you imagined them as we read the book? (title: LES CHARACTERS)

photos you don't want to miss

I love these pictures for three reasons:

1. They are beautiful.
2. They teach me about phenomena and a place I knew nothing about. (Look closely: that rock isn't falling, it is sitting on ICE that has been sculpted by the wind.)
3. Now I don't have to go to Siberia to see these things.

You can see the rest HERE.

if you can fix it you can have it

[UPDATE: The speakers have been adopted.  Good luck and enjoy, Kevin!]

For years I relied on my trusty computer speakers for journal soundtracks and audio whenever I taught.

Then yesterday, I started playing a movie.

And they didn't work.

I was sad.

I've tried everything I know how to do, and I can't seem to resuscitate them.  But I don't feel good about adding more plastic to the landfill or the ocean, so before I toss them I thought I'd offer them here.  If you think you can bring them back to life, they're yours.

may 29

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Up to you.

AGENDA:
1. Today we move past the era of silent films.  #LesMis #DoOver

POST:
On your blog, please compare the experience of reading Les Mis with watching the movie.  You can focus on the differences, the visuals/sound/music/ etc. (title: LES BOOK V LES MOVIE)

may 28

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Beginning this week, writing in your journal is up to you.  Writing is something that you can do every day for the rest of your life, depending on what needs it meets for you.  The journals are in the front of the room, where I am keeping them for review/writers' conferences as needed.  Choose your own topics / ideas and have fun!

AGENDA:
***Collect Term Papers***
1. Mindfulness
2. Journal
3. Plan for the week
4. Lit circles/ writers' conferences
5. Les Mis

i'm doing my homework this weekend...are you?

Hi everyone, I hope you're enjoying the three-day weekend!  However you celebrate Memorial Day and time away from school, please remember to finish your term paper and bring the hard copy with you tomorrow.  I will collect papers at the beginning of the period.  REMINDER: due to our tight timeline this week, I have offered consistent reminders and invitations for help.  Late / incomplete papers will not be accepted for review or credit.  See you tomorrow!

If it makes you feel any better, I'm working through the last eight (!) stacks of evaluations...

masterpiece academy honorable mention

Kevin couldn't present this morning but submitted this deck, hopefully he'll present it on Tuesday!

The Importance of Black Holes by dpreston1441 on Scribd

masterpiece academy day 10

Thank you to today's Masterpiece Academy faculty!  This has been a wonderful two weeks for learning from each other, and we certainly ended on a high note.

Joselin asked a Big Question that basically runs through every topic we can imagine:

Brayan gave us some insight (literally!) into the experience of being man's (and woman's) best friend:

Jovanny talked about the off-the-field importance of sports:

Lastly, Giovanny reminded us how important it is to use our phones wisely (instead of just letting them use us!)

self-assessment questions for the semester

If you weren't in class today, please take a moment to reflect on these and answer (either in a private email to me at dpreston.learning@gmail.com or on paper -- if you choose paper, please bring to class with you on Tuesday). 

If you were in class, please feel free to continue your reflection and let me know if your answers change at all over the weekend.

Given all of the learning experiences we've shared together in this course:

1. What do you look back on with pride?
2. What do you look forward to with hope?
3. How are you doing on your paper?  What will you do this weekend to succeed?
4. What letter grade are you aiming for on the paper?  What grade will you earn on the semester report card?

may 24

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Describe something you learned in the Masterpiece Academy this week.  What made this memorable?  Was it the content, or something the presenter did, or ...?

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness
2. Self-assessment & intention/prediction
3. Masterpiece Academy

• Joselin Valencia (10 minutes)
• Jovanny Garcia (10 minutes)
• Brayan Soriano (10 minutes) 

4. Journal/turn in

masterpiece academy day 9

Thanks to today's faculty!

Maria taught us about sleep paralysis.





Sam focused on the reasons we're sleep deprived.



Cristian & Tatiana

were both MIA today -- I hope they're OK -- so Alexis stepped in and taught us about agriculture.

may 23

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Imagine that it's late at night.  You hear an unfamiliar sound.  What's your first reaction?  What information do you need?  What will you do?

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness
2. Masterpiece Academy

• Maria Escudero (10 minutes)
• Samantha Gonzalez (10 minutes)
• Cristian Marcial (10 minutes)
• Tatiana Valencia (10 minutes)

3. Journal
4. Work on term paper (if time)

SPRING FINALS SCHEDULE

masterpiece academy day 8

Thank you to our faculty!

Danny started us off with a topic that got his attention (amazing what surfing the internet can lead us to learn):




Continuing the Animal Planet theme, Marcos helped us understand why dogs get aggressive. (If we know this much about dogs, it stands to reason that we can better understand people and live more peacefully with each other.)



Alexis (*delayed)

Jocelyn Vega talked to us about Deja Vu (which gave me a funny feeling, like somehow I've seen this Masterpiece before...)

may 22

JOURNAL TOPIC:
*Choose your own topic.*

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness
2. Masterpiece Academy

• Danny Ambriz (15 minutes)
• Marcos Castaneyra (10 minutes)
• Alexis Cedeno (10 minutes)
• Jocelyn Vega (10 minutes)

3. Journal

masterpiece academy day 7

Great learning opportunities today!

First, Celeste helped us understand the incredibly difficult-- and sometimes helpful, sometimes dangerous-- world of drugs:




Next, Areli introduced us to the issues and opportunities involved with veganism and vegetarianism:

Big Question Areli by on Scribd

Big Question Areli by dpreston1441 on Scribd

Then Efrain turned our attention to an issue of concern on every school campus in these challenging times:




And finally, Brandi invited us to think about the biggest question of all (don't miss the video!)

may 21

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Have you ever had a conversation where you thought of the PERFECT thing to say-- after the conversation was over?  Describe the conversation.  Why didn't you think to speak your mind in the moment?  What happened afterward that led you to the idea?

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness
2. Masterpiece Academy

• Celeste Bretado (10 minutes)
• Areli Garcia (10 minutes)
• Brandi Torres-Cruz (10 minutes)
• Efrain Gutierrez (10 minutes)

3. Journal

masterpiece academy day 6

Thanks to Jacob for teaching us about Traumatic Brain Injuries (also known as concussions).




Pablo enlightened me about the history of gaming -- and reminded me how important it is to share our passions and interests with each other.

what are you waiting for?

Your paper is due one week from tomorrow.  That means that you should bring the hard copy and turn it in at the beginning of class on Tuesday, May 28.)

You can review the assignment

HERE

may 20

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Who would win in a fight between your two favorite famous people?  Describe/explain.

-OR-
Choose your own topic.

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness

2. Masterpiece Academy

• Jacob Estrada (10 minutes)
• Pablo Jimenez (15 minutes)
• Kevin Fuerte (10 minutes) 

3. Journal

masterpiece academy day 5

What a great day for learning!

Alondra taught us about the meaning of art:

Big Q by dpreston1441 on Scribd

Angel taught us about drowning. (I feel a need to take a deep breath!)


Then Kate introduced us to a perspective on art (I loved seeing two different artists on the same day!) that was based in part on her cousin's legacy:

presi#2-1 by dpreston1441 on Scribd

Angel ...


And lastly, Joaquin gave us a taste of why some online games last for years. (Someday I hope he gives his audience the whole meal.)

may 17

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Describe something you wish you had time to do.

AGENDA:
1. Masterpiece Academy

• Alondra Rodriguez (10 minutes)
• Kate Castaneyra (10 minutes)
• Angel Martinez (10 minutes)
• Joaquin Ramirez (10 minutes) 

2. Journal (please turn in today)

masterpiece academy day 4

Thank you Destiny for helping us build self-confidence!

Thanks also to Carina for introducing us to the possibility of life on other planets. (Sometimes I wonder if there are sentient beings somewhere else, and they've already found us/Earth, and said something like, "Ugh-- let's wait until they get ready for company and THEN we'll introduce ourselves...")

may 16

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Mistakes.  We all make them.  And sometimes they are our best teachers.  So why is it that sometimes we are so afraid to make a mistake?  And why is it that, sometimes, even/especially when older people tries to give us the wisdom of their experiences, do we give our inner dumbass all the power and *choose* to make the same mistakes that every generation before us already made and learned from?

AGENDA:
1. Masterpiece Academy Day 4

• Destiny Franco (10 minutes)
• Adrian Marcial (10 minutes)
• Carina Alonso (10 minutes) 

2. Journal

masterpiece academy day 3

Denisse started us off with a powerful lesson in entrepreneurship-- lots of good ideas (like whatever was on that poster) wind up in the garbage.  Thankfully, she then helped us understand what helps entrepreneurs succeed.  It takes business savvy, discipline, and above all a powerful commitment that comes from a positive sense of self.  This is especially important for women.  (Thanks for the book recommendation!)

Then Wilkison started an interesting conversation about how Earth began.

Masterpiece by dpreston1441 on Scribd

masterpiece academy day 2

Thanks Leo for the information on food cravings! (I know better, but just typing this is making me hungry.)

may 15

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Describe something that you've learned so far in the Masterpiece Academy that either: a) impressed you, b) challenged something you thought you knew, c) surprised you by teaching you something new about the topic or the speaker, and/or d) gave you an idea that can help you in your life.

AGENDA:
1. Masterpiece Academy Day 3

• Wilkison Martinez (10 minutes)
• Tatiana Valencia (10 minutes)
• Denisse Rivera (15 minutes) 

2. Journal

may 14

JOURNAL TOPIC:
What are you looking forward to about the Masterpiece Academy?  Does thinking about it make you excited?  Nervous?  Something else?

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness
2. Journal
3. Masterpiece Academy Day 2

• Leo Diaz (10 minutes)
  Angel Mata (10 minutes)
  Jocelyn Vega (10 minutes)

4. Notes/evaluations
5. MGOM (if time)

masterpiece academy day 1

Diana shared ways people can people can have different perspectives on the same issues/situations-- really helpful for understanding conflict and politics!

Diana p2 English by dpreston1441 on Scribd

Thamara gave a presentation about dreaming.  She said that nightmares happen because of stress, so maybe we should give ourselves some moments of mindfulness so that we can relax more before we fall asleep...

may 13

JOURNAL TOPIC:
This morning I saw a story about a suspenseful basketball game.  What impressed me most wasn't the game winning shot-- it was the reaction of the fans.  Why do people get so excited and spend so much energy rooting for athletes they don't really know and hardly ever meet?

-OR-

Choose your own topic.

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness
2. Journal
3. Thamara presentation
4. Evaluating the Masterpiece Academy
5. Les Mis

masterpiece academy final question

When the last presentation has been given, this is the question I will ask you to write on for your final reflection.  Please start a post or notes that will help you remember what's important.
______________________________________________________________________________

For the next few weeks the Masterpiece Academy will be your showcase.  As you reflect on this experience, and your overall experience in this course throughout the year, please address the following questions in a traditional MLA-style essay.  Then post about it to your blog in any medium (music, pictures, video, animation, [?]) that brings your thesis to life.  (You may embed the original paper if you can't think of a better way to communicate.)

Please Note: Everything on the traditional paper assignment counts.  Please proofread and/or ask a friend or relative to help with organization, flow, and mechanics (capitalization, punctuation, spelling, grammar, MLA style, e.g.)


Masterpiece Academy Question

Montaigne ended his essay "Of The Education of Children" this way:

To return to my subject, there is nothing like alluring the appetite and affections; otherwise you make nothing but so many asses laden with books; by dint of the lash, you give them their pocketful of learning to keep; whereas, to do well you should not only lodge it with them, but make them espouse it. (1580)

The word espouse originally meant "to marry" and took on connotations like "embrace," "love," and "advocate."  Have you espoused learning?  Explain your growth in this course via a narrative that portrays you as the dynamic protagonist in your own Bildungsroman.  Please include the following elements.

ELEMENT 1: You have been treated as colleagues and you have been given a great deal of choice in this course; this represents a high level of trust.  Did you and the others deserve it?  Earn it?  Honor it? 

ELEMENT 2: Fiction has been called "the lie that tells the truth."  Which works, authors, or characters did you read this year that rang true enough to make you feel like they described parts of you and/or your journey? (Please mention at least three.  It makes them sad when we forget them.)

ELEMENT 3: Have you re/connected with a passion that drives you?  If so, how will you continue your learning?  If not, how will you proceed?

ELEMENT 4: [Something about literature or this course that made you laugh out loud.]

ELEMENT 5: [A unifying theme that runs through a minimum of five (5) presentations; a quality of the content, or the speakers, or their communication techniques that strikes you as something important that we have in common.]  Please illustrate/support your point with specific examples from the presentations.

ELEMENT 6: Evaluate whether you completed the hero's journey.  Are you a hero?  To what extent did you respond to the call of adventure?  Did you find a mentor, conquer a challenge, and return enlightened?

ELEMENT 7: For old time's sake, sneak in a literary technique.  Don't make a big deal out of it.  I'll know it's there.

may 10

JOURNAL TOPIC:
In Les Mis, Jean Valjean follows many rules-- and he also breaks many rules (mostly for reasons that we think are noble).  The artist Pablo Picasso once said, "Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them as an artist."  Which rules in life do you think are important to follow, and which rules do you think are OK-- necessary, even-- to break?

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness
2. Journal
*MASTERPIECE ACADEMY 

• Your Final / How to Prepare
• Today's Presenters
• Diana
• Thamara

3. Les Mis pp. 549-554
4. MGOM
5. Writers' conferences

may 9

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Describe a time you took responsibility for something-- a project, an action, a conversation.  How did the experience make you feel?

-OR-

Choose your own topic

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness
2. Journal
3. MGOM/ Lit Circles
4. Writers' conferences

POST:
Which two pieces (besides last weekend's essay) did you select for your conference?  Why are you proud of these?  (title: MY BEST WRITING/ first sentences: "I have a writer's conference coming up with Dr. Preston, and I am excited to go over [...] and [...].  I chose these two pieces for specific reasons.")

may 8

JOURNAL TOPIC:

Agree or disagree with the following quote:

I have always had this view about the modern education system: we pay attention to brain development, but the development of warmheartedness we take for granted. -Dalai Lama

--OR--

Choose your own topic.

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. MGOM
3. Individual writing / planning conferences 
4. Les Mis pp.543-549

may 7

JOURNAL TOPIC:
How's your masterpiece progressing?  Are you satisfied?  What do you still have left to do?

-OR-

Choose your own topic.

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness
2. Journal
3. Masterpiece Calendar
4. How we learn and how we teach: modalities, emotions, memories, and strategies/tools
5. Les Mis (if time)

POST:
Which learning modalities are most effective for your Masterpiece Topic? How will you address these in your presentation?  (title: MONKEY SEE/HEAR/DO)

may 6

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Describe something you really care about.  What is it about this person/place/thing that matters to you?  How would your life be different if it didn't exist?

-OR-

Choose your own topic.

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness
2. Journal
3. How to prepare for your writer's conference
4. Lit circles/ independent work and reading
5. Masterpiece sign-ups

may 3

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Think back on your last writer's conference.  Do you remember what you wanted to improve in your writing?  Think about it now: are you focused on the introduction, your thesis statement, your organization, your mechanics (spelling, punctuation, capitalization, grammar), or something else?  Today, as you write this, are you excited about showing more skill in an area that once frustrated you?

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness
2. Journal: discussion
3. Weekend essay
4. Independent work / optional writers' conferences

POST:
In a thoughtful, well-organized, well-written essay, please respond to the following prompt:

Is Jean Valjean a static or dynamic character?  Please provide (a minimum of) three examples to support your thesis.

Please post this essay to your blog (title: ESSAY DU JEAN VALJEAN) no later than 11:59 A.M. PDT on Sunday, May 5.  -Mahalo

may 2

JOURNAL TOPIC:
How do you feel about your ignite talk now that it's over?  Are you happy?  Relieved?  Looking forward to learning more?  Thinking you could have done something better if you could do it over again?  Please explain.

-OR-

Choose your own topic.

AGENDA:
1. Mindfulness
2. Journal
3. Ignite talk leftovers
4. Les Mis: we plan, we read

POST:
Describe at least two big ideas you've gotten from reading this novel. (title: LES THEMES)

ignite talks

Carina: Is there life somewhere else besides Earth?  Over the break I read that NASA is doing research on this and they have found different planets and stars where this may be possible.

Danny:  What is a mink?  I was online when I saw an item about minks killing muskrats.  But then I learned all sorts of other things about minks that made me think differently.  People judge minks unfairly for being vicious just like Javert judges Jean Valjean in Les Mis.

Celeste: Why are prices so high for prescription medications?  This is something people need.  One drug went from $4/month to $600/month.  People's lives depend on this.  And why does the government sell some drugs that are just like the ones people get on the street from drug dealers.  I plan to ask families more about this.

Kate: Why is art important?  My early research is that people art to express their feelings and share that with others.  Art isn't just drawing, it includes other media like sculpture and music.  Some people think art is good or bad, others just use it to decorate their homes and appreciate beauty.  I'd like to learn more about why anyone would think art is bad.

Marcos: Do babies cry in the womb?  I learned that they don't because they are growing in fluid.  I plan on doing more research.

Alexis: (absent)

Leo:  What happens after we die?  After you take your last breath there are 4-6 minutes when you still have enough oxygen in your brain to revive you.  I am doing more research on this.

Maria: What happens after we die?  We still have cells that are living.  We need to learn more about the dying process.  I started my research and I look forward to learning more.

Jacob: Have you ever been excited about a new addition to your family but then tragedy strikes?  What causes miscarriage? 

Destiny: Why do people treat others differently based on race?  Some people act like they're better or superior.  One connection in Les Mis is how higher class people abuse lower class people.  I plan to go to the library to do more research.

Kevin: What can we know about the universe?  This is a huge topic and I did some research online over the break.  One thing I explored is that recently we finally got our first picture of a black hole in outer space.  Next I am going to find out what people are learning so I can too.

Areli: How would people survive if they don't have meat to eat?  I researched and found that people would save money and get less fat and heart disease.  One connection to this course is that sometimes what you need is different than what you want.  I want to talk to people who have decided to become vegan or vegetarian.

Jovanny: Are sports important in our everyday lives?  It turns out only 23% of Americans get enough exercise.  I tested myself -- when I skip workouts I don't feel as good as when I run.  I think everyone should stay active.  It is a proven fact that people who exercise live longer.

Samantha: How do emotions work in the brain?  Many people have good times and rough times, and I want to know more about how we respond.  I did some research on emotions and the brains, and how our feelings influence our actions.  Jean Valjean's emotions led him to make sure Cosette is safe, for example.  I want to do more research to find out how our brains and bodies influence our emotions.

Efrain: Why do school shootings happen?  They happen when people are depressed or have suicidal thoughts.  Recently a man shot 10 people at a HS in Texas, and at an elementary school a man shot children and killed his mother. 

Pablo: (absent)

Celmon: (absent)

Cristian: (absent)

Adrian: Where did ocean water come from?  About 3.9B years ago meteorites and asteroids crashed into the Earth.

Wilkison: How did life begin on Earth?  Is there life anywhere else in the universe?  I learned about Stephen Hawking, and that maybe Earth was created by a "Big Bang" or explosion from a supernova.  I plan to keep researching to see what other opinions people have.

Angel: Will robots replace us and take our jobs?  During the break I learned how China replaced many workers with robots.  Companies are looking to save money and using robots and computers doesn't take as much money-- they also make less mistakes and they don't get sick or mistakes.

Jesus: [TBD]

Giovanny: I wonder if phones distract or help people.  Over the break I made a list of the pros and cons.  I started learning that they sometimes help us get more organized and stay productive.  That connects to this class because of the way we can use our phones.

Angela: (absent)

Thamara: Why do people dream?  

Diana: My topic is how people see the world so differently.  Over the break I talked to people from different backgrounds.  My next step is to see if I can find someone who has gone through something difficult to see what they've learned.  One connection to the course -- Les Mis, actually-- is that people who have been in jail (like Jean Valjean) see the world differently.

Joaquin: [TBD]

Denisse:  My big question is how to start a company.  Over the break I learned that it's hard for women to start businesses but it's inspiring because there are some very successful women in business.  I plan to start a blog that leads to a business.  I want to be successful so I can start scholarships and help others be successful too.

Alondra: The symptoms of heart disease can be pressure, pain, or tightness in the chest. I plan to do more research on this topic and share what I learn.

Brayan: How do scientists know that dogs mix up colors and are colorblind?  I read research studies over the break to learn more about this.  Dogs get tested like students.  I plan to

Brandi: What is life?  I researched that there is different thinking on this; some people say we should explore new things and make it exciting.  Others say that we should endure it because it's hard.  I say we should use our life to figure it out.

Joselin: (absent)

Tatiana: Is there an afterlife? 

Jocelyn: Why does deja vu occur?  Why do we sometimes get the feeling that we've experienced something before?

Linda: (absent)

may 1

JOURNAL TOPIC: (at the end of the period)

Write about your favorite ignite talk.  What was it (about the speaker's ethos/pathos/logos or the topic itself) that made the talk fun, or interesting, or memorable?

AGENDA:
1. Ignite Talks
2. Journal

*Remember to update your blog :)