Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Lost My Favorites!
Sorry to say that in July I lost all of my favorites (bookmarks) and have just realized I never attached them to our class blog. Would you be so kind as to leave your blog address here? Thank you!!! :)
Saturday, September 1, 2007
I meant to add the lyrics and lost the vclip! Anyway, goto sanpasec to find another version!
Time of Your Lives
by Green Day
Another turning point;
a fork stuck in the road.
Time grabs you by the wrist;
directs you where to go.
So make the best of this test
and don't ask why.
It's not a question
but a lesson learned in time.
It's something unpredictable
but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
So take the photographs
and still frames in your mind.
Hang it on a shelf
In good health and good time.
Tattoos of memories
and dead skin on trial.
For what it's worth,
it was worth all the while.
It's something unpredictable
but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
(music break)
It's something unpredictable
but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
It's something unpredictable
but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Clarification of the School Week assignment... and a bit more
If two of you do the interview to the group 7th grade scientists, the rest will have to cover School Week (that is, unless you propose something else). This means that no matter what, there will be at least 3 reports on School Week. You need to let the rest know what you'll be doing and with whom. It might not be a bad idea if you all got together and agreed on the assignments you'll take. Because you're 7, somebody will have to work on their own, unless one of you decides to participate in two School Week reports.
Also, I think it would be really nice for you to take LOTS of pics. Remember, you may take as many as you want of the class of 2007. BUT you should also make sure you take enough pics of everyone from the other classes. Remember the school blog will get more hits if people want to get in it to find themselves in it! You could post them in different ways. On the reports, there will be pics that are relevant. We could have another label/section of School Week only. I also saw in other blogs a service that allows you have a slideshow uploaded with the pics you may want to post. If any of you has a cam-corder (filmadora) or can borrow one, you could shoot different scenes, make a pot-purri of scenes or several short ones and upload them to the blog through YouTube. As you can see, the possibilities are endless. I wish you all would take this as a fun assignment and play around with the idea. What you end up posting on the blog will become a nice souvenir, yet another one, of your experience in your last year at school. Every year, students in the graduating class feel the need to leave a mark at the school, so that they're remembered. This could be another way of leaving yours! It's a kind of community service as well (just in case any of you needs more hours for the IB, I can talk to Ms. Alejandra Yanotti about it). And wouldn't it be a cool to have several testimonials, reflections, interviews, short scenes, different kind of moments, documented through the blog?
I hope you like this assignment. Let me know what you think!
Also, I think it would be really nice for you to take LOTS of pics. Remember, you may take as many as you want of the class of 2007. BUT you should also make sure you take enough pics of everyone from the other classes. Remember the school blog will get more hits if people want to get in it to find themselves in it! You could post them in different ways. On the reports, there will be pics that are relevant. We could have another label/section of School Week only. I also saw in other blogs a service that allows you have a slideshow uploaded with the pics you may want to post. If any of you has a cam-corder (filmadora) or can borrow one, you could shoot different scenes, make a pot-purri of scenes or several short ones and upload them to the blog through YouTube. As you can see, the possibilities are endless. I wish you all would take this as a fun assignment and play around with the idea. What you end up posting on the blog will become a nice souvenir, yet another one, of your experience in your last year at school. Every year, students in the graduating class feel the need to leave a mark at the school, so that they're remembered. This could be another way of leaving yours! It's a kind of community service as well (just in case any of you needs more hours for the IB, I can talk to Ms. Alejandra Yanotti about it). And wouldn't it be a cool to have several testimonials, reflections, interviews, short scenes, different kind of moments, documented through the blog?
I hope you like this assignment. Let me know what you think!
Monday, July 23, 2007
Welcome back to exciting work!!!
Winter break is over and now it's time to get back to work! You have two assignments for the next two weeks:
1. Propose at least one article from your blog to publish in the school blog (this is INDIVIDUAL WORK - I think that some of you more than one piece to publish so go ahead and make your proposal for as many as you think you'd like your schoolmates to read),
AND
2. Choose one of the following options, which you can do IN PAIRS:
A. An interview with the group of 7th graders who won an award in a Latin American science fair. For this, you'd need to talk to one of the 7th grade preceptores to help you set up a meeting with the whole group. Find out if you can include the adults that guided them in the project. If it's not possible during the school day this week, you should try to get together at noon, at school.
Before the interview:
Part of your preparation is: a) read the press releases about this event, which you can find in La Gaceta and maybe the other Tucuman newspapers -the school has some of these... so ask around!; b) prepare a set of questions for the interview.
During the interview:
Record the interview with a walkman or tape recorder.
Take pictures. The recording and the pics will prove to be crucial when you write the article.
Once you start the interview, you may add more questions, and pursue a line of questioning that came up while talking to them.
After the interview:
Go over the details and the focus/emphasis you want to give your article. Discuss this with your partner. Then it's time to write your first draft which you will email me on the first Monday after the end of school week.
B. School Week
Choose an area, such as cultural events, evening events, sports, etc. Take pics of the event, talk to the people who attended or participated, take notes of important, interesting, outstanding information that others may be interested in reading about. Though apparently easy, this task is more challenging because you need to find the interesting angle of anything that may be going on in your event. Remember it should be worth reading it!
Both of your assignments are due Monday August 6. If you turn in either of them late, you will lose a point (10% of your grade) for every 24-hour period of your delay. You should email them to me as a Word document attachment.
I'm open to questions, comments or to clarify any aspect of the work. Also, I'm open to suggestions or alternatives! I'm looking forward to reading your reports!!! :)
1. Propose at least one article from your blog to publish in the school blog (this is INDIVIDUAL WORK - I think that some of you more than one piece to publish so go ahead and make your proposal for as many as you think you'd like your schoolmates to read),
AND
2. Choose one of the following options, which you can do IN PAIRS:
A. An interview with the group of 7th graders who won an award in a Latin American science fair. For this, you'd need to talk to one of the 7th grade preceptores to help you set up a meeting with the whole group. Find out if you can include the adults that guided them in the project. If it's not possible during the school day this week, you should try to get together at noon, at school.
Before the interview:
Part of your preparation is: a) read the press releases about this event, which you can find in La Gaceta and maybe the other Tucuman newspapers -the school has some of these... so ask around!; b) prepare a set of questions for the interview.
During the interview:
Record the interview with a walkman or tape recorder.
Take pictures. The recording and the pics will prove to be crucial when you write the article.
Once you start the interview, you may add more questions, and pursue a line of questioning that came up while talking to them.
After the interview:
Go over the details and the focus/emphasis you want to give your article. Discuss this with your partner. Then it's time to write your first draft which you will email me on the first Monday after the end of school week.
B. School Week
Choose an area, such as cultural events, evening events, sports, etc. Take pics of the event, talk to the people who attended or participated, take notes of important, interesting, outstanding information that others may be interested in reading about. Though apparently easy, this task is more challenging because you need to find the interesting angle of anything that may be going on in your event. Remember it should be worth reading it!
Both of your assignments are due Monday August 6. If you turn in either of them late, you will lose a point (10% of your grade) for every 24-hour period of your delay. You should email them to me as a Word document attachment.
I'm open to questions, comments or to clarify any aspect of the work. Also, I'm open to suggestions or alternatives! I'm looking forward to reading your reports!!! :)
Monday, June 25, 2007
Term Test Texts
I emailed you all the texts on PDF format. Let me know if you had trouble opening it! AND I've just found the way to turn the texts into a Word Doc and am emailing them on this format that you all will be able to open for sure! Best luck tomorrow!
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Stem Cell Research in the news
In today's New York Times, there's an article and an editorial about this issue. I especially recommend the editorial. It's a good follow-up to the radio program we listened to in class. Click on the title to go to the editorial!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
We'll produce news!
As discussed yesterday, here are the brief notes you sent me of our brainstorming session on Tuesday. I wanted to mention the idea of having an editor per class, i.e. one for each level, 7th through 2nd Polimodal. They would be collecting texts and keeping the journalist's eye on the news! Besides, anyone from school would be welcome.
Another idea: a cell-phone picture contest: "Life at San Patricio" i.e. snapshots of moments in our school that portray who we are on a daily basis. Let's talk to owners or Parents Association or authorities or ANYONE who can provide the awards for the winners. Hey, let me know what you think of this! (leave comments!)
Also, YOU, the editors-in-chief and top journalists, need to start carrying your digital cameras and getting snapshots for the school blog.
Let me propose we start the blog right away. And when we come back from break, we make the official announcement with advertising campaign and sponsors, etc. etc. I know that some, if not ALL, of you have some great material ready for publication. I need to hear from you, your response, your proposals, your ideas/initiatives, etc. I'll be looking forward to it!
NOTES:
We could post:
- Interviews
- Research Projects (like the one we are doing at school for garbage treatment).
- Reviews on Books, Movies, events, etc.
- Polls
- Maps (including transportation to certain places).
- Literature, creative writing pieces
- News:
- Global
- Tucumán – Yerba Buena
- School:
- School week (Sports, Choreographies, etc)
- School trips
- Ceremonies
- Calendar
- School life
Friday, June 8, 2007
We're news!
Check out the article that Luciana Poliche wrote about our use of blogs! She was here last Wednesday and today she published her report on www.quorumtuc.com.ar, a news website from Tucuman. She also has a blog, muchachademanosfrias.blogspot.com. Click HERE and/or HERE to go to the article! Thank you, Luciana!
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
'The Picnic in Jammu' by Zulfikar Ghose
Uncle Ayub swung me round and round
till the horizon became a rail
banked high upon the Himalayas.
The trees signalled me past. I whistled,
shut my eyes through tunnels of the air.
The family laughed, watching me puff
out my muscles, healthily aggressive.
This was late summer, before the snows
come to Kashmir, this was picnic time.
Then, uncoupling me from the sky,
he plunged me into the river, himself
a bough with me dangling at its end.
I went purple as a plum. He reared
back and lowered the branch of his arm
to grandma who swallowed me with a kiss.
Laughter peeled away my goosepimples.
This was late summer, before the snows
come to Kashmir, this was picnic time.
After we'd eaten, he aimed grapes
at my mouth. I flung at him the shells of
pomegranates and ran off. He tracked
me down the river-bank. We battled,
melon-rind and apple-core our arms.
'You two!' grandma cried. 'Stop fighting, you'll
tire yourselves to death!' We didn't listen.
This was late summer, before the snows
come to Kashmir and end children's games.
What's your impression of the poem? What do you find interesting in it? What's noteworthy? What's the tone of the poem? How is it similar or different from the extract we read in class?
Your assignment:
a) Post a comment with your analysis of any aspect or personal reaction to the poem. You may answer any of the questions above or any one your classmates have posted.
c) End your comment with a question for your classmates to keep the discussion going. You may or may not have the answer for it!
You may post a comment as many times as you'd like. You are required to participate with at least one comment, but since this discussion is intended to help you gain further insight in preparation to write your essay, you may want to keep the discussion going.
till the horizon became a rail
banked high upon the Himalayas.
The trees signalled me past. I whistled,
shut my eyes through tunnels of the air.
The family laughed, watching me puff
out my muscles, healthily aggressive.
This was late summer, before the snows
come to Kashmir, this was picnic time.
Then, uncoupling me from the sky,
he plunged me into the river, himself
a bough with me dangling at its end.
I went purple as a plum. He reared
back and lowered the branch of his arm
to grandma who swallowed me with a kiss.
Laughter peeled away my goosepimples.
This was late summer, before the snows
come to Kashmir, this was picnic time.
After we'd eaten, he aimed grapes
at my mouth. I flung at him the shells of
pomegranates and ran off. He tracked
me down the river-bank. We battled,
melon-rind and apple-core our arms.
'You two!' grandma cried. 'Stop fighting, you'll
tire yourselves to death!' We didn't listen.
This was late summer, before the snows
come to Kashmir and end children's games.
What's your impression of the poem? What do you find interesting in it? What's noteworthy? What's the tone of the poem? How is it similar or different from the extract we read in class?
Your assignment:
a) Post a comment with your analysis of any aspect or personal reaction to the poem. You may answer any of the questions above or any one your classmates have posted.
c) End your comment with a question for your classmates to keep the discussion going. You may or may not have the answer for it!
You may post a comment as many times as you'd like. You are required to participate with at least one comment, but since this discussion is intended to help you gain further insight in preparation to write your essay, you may want to keep the discussion going.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
To do while I'm away...
Your work for Monday and Tuesday at the Computer Lab is:
1. Write a commentary on the extract that you chose and presented orally last Wednesday. It should be 300words minimum.
2. Search on the net for information about any current issue you might be interested in. It should be a global issue, not just regional. With at least a couple of articles you should write a report on each with the following info:
a) Title, source, and date of publication.
b) List the key words you had to look up in order to fully understand the article.
c) Take note of the main ideas.
d) Write a brief personal reaction/commentary on it.
You should have at least 2 articles and 2 reading reports done by Wednesday.
1. Write a commentary on the extract that you chose and presented orally last Wednesday. It should be 300words minimum.
2. Search on the net for information about any current issue you might be interested in. It should be a global issue, not just regional. With at least a couple of articles you should write a report on each with the following info:
a) Title, source, and date of publication.
b) List the key words you had to look up in order to fully understand the article.
c) Take note of the main ideas.
d) Write a brief personal reaction/commentary on it.
You should have at least 2 articles and 2 reading reports done by Wednesday.
Monday, May 14, 2007
In Memoriam
I walked through the corn field, away from the fence where the sound of the wind caressed the dandelion. With every sudden gust of wind a few more seeds were blown away, invisibly gone to find a new home in rich soil. Only one little seed remained attached; the head, almost empty, stood erect and proud. Another gust and now the last seed gone - the dandelion's mission done, a brittle barren head holds on. I keep walking and think of the same field just a few moons away, covered in countless yellow flowers...
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Almost half way down the road
Sunny Sunday, almost noon, May in the day, San Miguel just calm if only for a little while.
I sit back and let my fingers slide through the warm keys of my laptop. I look back and forward almost absent-minded, almost dozing off. So far, I've survived these intensive weeks, and have only a few more to change pace, place, people and the summer landscape of the New Paltz campus.
I've been trying to find my voice in this blog and have changed it a little. First, the formal, hybrid, fit-all welcome message, then the still formal encouraging voice of SP's teacher. Now, I thought this is my space after all, and whoever wants to hear they may, and move on if not. In the milky-way-like blogsphere, mine deserves the attention of a few. Mostly busy kids to find some help, maybe teachers who care to see the rest.
Right now, just my digression on a quiet sunny Sunday. Shiny but no tennis, I just chill in my little sancto sanctorum. My knee looks fine, but I can't run yet! I've no complaints though, I'm regaining my strength. Every process takes some time, I just need some patience, yeah - Guns n Roses, ring a bell? I'm ok. I hear the voices of my friends last night and the ones away. Their warm names dance swaying their syllables softly in my mind. And the warmth feels good. And I appreciate the gift.
I sit back and let my fingers slide through the warm keys of my laptop. I look back and forward almost absent-minded, almost dozing off. So far, I've survived these intensive weeks, and have only a few more to change pace, place, people and the summer landscape of the New Paltz campus.
I've been trying to find my voice in this blog and have changed it a little. First, the formal, hybrid, fit-all welcome message, then the still formal encouraging voice of SP's teacher. Now, I thought this is my space after all, and whoever wants to hear they may, and move on if not. In the milky-way-like blogsphere, mine deserves the attention of a few. Mostly busy kids to find some help, maybe teachers who care to see the rest.
Right now, just my digression on a quiet sunny Sunday. Shiny but no tennis, I just chill in my little sancto sanctorum. My knee looks fine, but I can't run yet! I've no complaints though, I'm regaining my strength. Every process takes some time, I just need some patience, yeah - Guns n Roses, ring a bell? I'm ok. I hear the voices of my friends last night and the ones away. Their warm names dance swaying their syllables softly in my mind. And the warmth feels good. And I appreciate the gift.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Back to school
Hi! It's been a while since my last entry, but here I am again: back to school and my other duties, struggling to find time for my daily two-hour rehab, and today very happy with the presentation Alina, Cecilia and I made at the UNT course this morning. And guess what was the topic... Yes! The use of blogs in the foreign language classroom. And we shared some of the blogs students have created. And from the feedback we got after it, people really seemed to find it interesting.
The best part of getting back to work was receiving fresh energy from students. It's amazing. Now, it's really time to work!
The best part of getting back to work was receiving fresh energy from students. It's amazing. Now, it's really time to work!
Monday, March 26, 2007
Knee News
Well, it's been a little over a week now since I had the operation and... I'm already walking!!! Only a couple of blocks in the morning and a couple in the evening to walk Bulky, but I'm doing it and pretending there's nothing wrong with my knee. Oh! I can't bend it to go up or down stairs - apparently the motion is very different from just walking because it hurts! However, I can't complain as I've practically had NO pain at all! The only challenge is that I have to spend the whole day at home. But I'm working out ways to keep myself busy and entertained. I started rehab last Wednesday, and tomorrow, Monday, I'm supposed to start with some kind of physical exercise. I'm really excited! Days speed by and in no time I'll be back with all of you... Have a great day!
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Thank you!
I wanted to thank all of you who showed me your support at this rather 'uncomfortable' duty I have to face tomorrow. I look forward to keeping in touch with everyone from home!
Friday, March 9, 2007
Funny turn of events!
When I first thought of using a blog, the idea was to allow you to explore a new area of experience for a 21st century, well-grounded education. And on my part, I would be able to reach you in a way that I would not be able to in the classroom. You'd be actually writing in English on your own while we all have a little more access to each other's world. But now, it looks like the use of technology will cover other needs!
This beginning of the year is quite different for me. First week and I got this throat infection, AND, second week, I'm looking at a prospective knee surgery (left inner meniscus!). Which means that, more than a tool for your own improvement, technology will allow me to keep in touch with you, and somehow get a first-hand sense of how you are doing and where you're standing with your academic work. Ms. Adela will sub for me while I'm away, but thanks to technology, I'll be quite involved in the process while I'm regaining my strength back home in bed. We'll use this mainly to communicate with each other more fluidly!
I'll be looking forward to hearing from you and reading your blogs from home as I recover from the operation. Hey, I hope you keep me company as well!
Charlie
This beginning of the year is quite different for me. First week and I got this throat infection, AND, second week, I'm looking at a prospective knee surgery (left inner meniscus!). Which means that, more than a tool for your own improvement, technology will allow me to keep in touch with you, and somehow get a first-hand sense of how you are doing and where you're standing with your academic work. Ms. Adela will sub for me while I'm away, but thanks to technology, I'll be quite involved in the process while I'm regaining my strength back home in bed. We'll use this mainly to communicate with each other more fluidly!
I'll be looking forward to hearing from you and reading your blogs from home as I recover from the operation. Hey, I hope you keep me company as well!
Charlie
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Welcome!
Today I'm very excited. This year has started with several new discoveries. Or rather what I have found is a glimpse into the world of possibilities in different aspects of my life. The one more relevant to you all is related to this chance of adding a new dimension to your experience in language learning. As discussed in class and in our website, one of the expectations for this class is that you write two or three times a week for 30 minutes. Keeping a journal in English will allow you to explore your own ideas, keep a sense of balance in your life, and develop your writing skills throughout the process.
One of the main tenets of developing good writing skills is that you actually do write! We hardly ever devote enough time to this art. By keeping your journal, you will be able to explore your ideas. We do not know what we think until we've written it down. Besides, the fact that you will give yourself the gift of an inward look for a few minutes a couple of times every week will help you unwind and find a sense of balance that will surely have a most positive effect on the rest of your day. Along the way, you will be honing your writing skills, since exploring ideas is what you are expected to do to write a good essay.
I hope you enjoy this activity. I know that it may look like a daunting task right now, but as you start doing it, you will develop a familiarity with the blank page in front of you. It should become your good friend, or a place of solace, or a time of reflection to be with just yourself.
Enjoy the ride!
One of the main tenets of developing good writing skills is that you actually do write! We hardly ever devote enough time to this art. By keeping your journal, you will be able to explore your ideas. We do not know what we think until we've written it down. Besides, the fact that you will give yourself the gift of an inward look for a few minutes a couple of times every week will help you unwind and find a sense of balance that will surely have a most positive effect on the rest of your day. Along the way, you will be honing your writing skills, since exploring ideas is what you are expected to do to write a good essay.
I hope you enjoy this activity. I know that it may look like a daunting task right now, but as you start doing it, you will develop a familiarity with the blank page in front of you. It should become your good friend, or a place of solace, or a time of reflection to be with just yourself.
Enjoy the ride!
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