Thursday, April 30, 2020
Progress report grades
Hi Everyone,
Yesterday after our Zoom meeting my home internet connection failed. During that time, the grading window for the progress report grades closed. I’m not sure whether your progress report will contain the grades I sent to school today, so if you have any questions about where you stand please email dpreston.learning@gmail.com.
Best,
Dr. Preston
april 30 w online meeting #29
for our MOM: [Ask yourself a simple question: "How did every single moment in my life so far bring me to this one?" Then close your eyes, give yourself a minute or two, and consider whatever comes up.]
JOURNAL TOPIC:
This moment -- right now -- is the newest, most modern, up-to-date, cutting-edge moment of your life. How did everything else lead up to this? Does it represent everything you want it to? If not, what will you do to improve the next moment?
-OR-
You can use your journal simply to write about life and your experiences in these unusual, challenging times.
AGENDA:
1. MOM
2. Journal
3. Our meeting
A NOTE ABOUT OUR MEETINGS:
A few days ago, my Mom called in the middle of one of our meetings. I decided to answer the call and introduce her to everyone. Yesterday and today, we had grandparents join us. I LOVE THIS. Learning together is much more fun -- and effective -- so if anyone in your family wants to join in, please invite them.
POST:
Please make sure to post your Fahrenheit 451 essay by 5:00 P.M. tomorrow (Friday, May 1)
JOURNAL TOPIC:
This moment -- right now -- is the newest, most modern, up-to-date, cutting-edge moment of your life. How did everything else lead up to this? Does it represent everything you want it to? If not, what will you do to improve the next moment?
-OR-
You can use your journal simply to write about life and your experiences in these unusual, challenging times.
AGENDA:
1. MOM
2. Journal
3. Our meeting
A NOTE ABOUT OUR MEETINGS:
A few days ago, my Mom called in the middle of one of our meetings. I decided to answer the call and introduce her to everyone. Yesterday and today, we had grandparents join us. I LOVE THIS. Learning together is much more fun -- and effective -- so if anyone in your family wants to join in, please invite them.
POST:
Please make sure to post your Fahrenheit 451 essay by 5:00 P.M. tomorrow (Friday, May 1)
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
april 29 w online meeting #28
for our MOM: [Stare at your feet. Seriously. That's it. Let your mind wander. Choose to follow it, or let it go. It will probably come back.]
JOURNAL TOPIC:
Whatever you are dealing with today, remember this: today is not being done to you. It's your day. You have the power of free will. What choices are you making today, and how are they meeting your needs?
-OR-
You can use your journal simply to write about life and your experiences in these unusual, challenging times.
AGENDA:
1. MOM
2. Journal
3. Our meeting
POST:
In today's meeting, we discussed approaches and guidelines for writing your Fahrenheit 451 essay. So go for it! (title: FAHRENHEIT 451 ESSAY) Please complete your essay and post by Friday, May 1. If you would like line-by-line editing and comments, please copy your essay into a Google doc and share using my gmail address.
JOURNAL TOPIC:
Whatever you are dealing with today, remember this: today is not being done to you. It's your day. You have the power of free will. What choices are you making today, and how are they meeting your needs?
-OR-
You can use your journal simply to write about life and your experiences in these unusual, challenging times.
AGENDA:
1. MOM
2. Journal
3. Our meeting
POST:
In today's meeting, we discussed approaches and guidelines for writing your Fahrenheit 451 essay. So go for it! (title: FAHRENHEIT 451 ESSAY) Please complete your essay and post by Friday, May 1. If you would like line-by-line editing and comments, please copy your essay into a Google doc and share using my gmail address.
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
an opportunity for us
On one hand, I need another project right now like I need a hole in the head.
But sometimes life and circumstance bring us an idea too important to ignore. Something just came up for me. I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner, when I gave the journal option, but it's distracting me from everything else, so I'm posting it to see what you think.
The public doesn't usually get to hear from students. There are exceptions: Malala Yousafzai, Greta Thunberg, and Emma Gonzalez (and her fellow survivors from Parkland) have become well-known, respectively, for their advocacy of important causes. They have proven that the world listens to teenagers when those teenagers have something important to say.
Think of every dramatic character you've seen in movies or read in books. One of the things that makes them so interesting is the challenging circumstances they are forced to deal with. Right now, that's you. I believe that you have something important to say, and readers around the world want to know how you survive because they need to as well. I will help you edit and refine what you write so that it says exactly what you want it to say in a way that you will be proud to share for years to come. If we get this together, I will self-publish a copy for each author. If I can find a publisher to actually buy the book, every author will be an equal partner -- except me. I'll contribute my share to you, or to nonprofit organizations that help first responders and families in need.
Topics might include:
I have been so impressed with every student who has connected with me since school closed. Some of you have grieved family members, or lost opportunities, or simply been bored out of your minds, but every conversation and email and blog comment has been kind, and graceful, and it's made me proud to be part of this community.
What do you think about this for a title?
SURVIVING WITH CLASS: HIGH SCHOOL LETTERS FROM THE CORONAVIRUS QUARANTINE
Is that cheesy? You tell me. If you have a better idea, we'll use it!
The book will be a collection of student stories, essays, letters, rants, etc. I will help edit, but YOU will be the authors.
If you have a story/thought/feeling you want to share, comment to this post or send an email. If you know someone (like a senior who's missing out on prom/grad night/graduation) who isn't in our class but would like to contribute, send them my way.
*This is one of several options for your final project this semester. I'll share the others in a separate post by Friday, May 1.
But sometimes life and circumstance bring us an idea too important to ignore. Something just came up for me. I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner, when I gave the journal option, but it's distracting me from everything else, so I'm posting it to see what you think.
The public doesn't usually get to hear from students. There are exceptions: Malala Yousafzai, Greta Thunberg, and Emma Gonzalez (and her fellow survivors from Parkland) have become well-known, respectively, for their advocacy of important causes. They have proven that the world listens to teenagers when those teenagers have something important to say.
Think of every dramatic character you've seen in movies or read in books. One of the things that makes them so interesting is the challenging circumstances they are forced to deal with. Right now, that's you. I believe that you have something important to say, and readers around the world want to know how you survive because they need to as well. I will help you edit and refine what you write so that it says exactly what you want it to say in a way that you will be proud to share for years to come. If we get this together, I will self-publish a copy for each author. If I can find a publisher to actually buy the book, every author will be an equal partner -- except me. I'll contribute my share to you, or to nonprofit organizations that help first responders and families in need.
Topics might include:
- Grieving a loved one's illness or death
- Losing freedom
- Taking care of young/old family members
- Home with a difficult family situation
- Working in the fields without adequate protection
- Worrying about finances, college, or life in general
- Feelings of anxiety, depression, rage -- or happiness, relief, safety, or [however you're feeling]
- Perspectives on the government's response
- Visions for the future of education [what will HS look like in the fall and beyond?]
I have been so impressed with every student who has connected with me since school closed. Some of you have grieved family members, or lost opportunities, or simply been bored out of your minds, but every conversation and email and blog comment has been kind, and graceful, and it's made me proud to be part of this community.
What do you think about this for a title?
SURVIVING WITH CLASS: HIGH SCHOOL LETTERS FROM THE CORONAVIRUS QUARANTINE
Is that cheesy? You tell me. If you have a better idea, we'll use it!
The book will be a collection of student stories, essays, letters, rants, etc. I will help edit, but YOU will be the authors.
If you have a story/thought/feeling you want to share, comment to this post or send an email. If you know someone (like a senior who's missing out on prom/grad night/graduation) who isn't in our class but would like to contribute, send them my way.
*This is one of several options for your final project this semester. I'll share the others in a separate post by Friday, May 1.
april 28 w online meeting #27
for our MOM: [Choose a word that feels important to you. Repeat it silently for 60 seconds.]
JOURNAL TOPIC:
If you were going to write a book about life during the Coronavirus Pandemic of 2020, what would you title it? Why?
(***I have a specific reason for asking this question. Stay tuned for a post on this later in the day...)
-OR-
You can use your journal simply to write about life and your experiences in these unusual, challenging times.
AGENDA:
1. MOM
2. Journal
3. Our meeting
HEADS UP:
In today's meeting we talked about the Fahrenheit 451 essay. Tomorrow we will be sharing screens as we create outlines, consider thesis statements, and write introductions.
JOURNAL TOPIC:
If you were going to write a book about life during the Coronavirus Pandemic of 2020, what would you title it? Why?
(***I have a specific reason for asking this question. Stay tuned for a post on this later in the day...)
-OR-
You can use your journal simply to write about life and your experiences in these unusual, challenging times.
AGENDA:
1. MOM
2. Journal
3. Our meeting
HEADS UP:
In today's meeting we talked about the Fahrenheit 451 essay. Tomorrow we will be sharing screens as we create outlines, consider thesis statements, and write introductions.
fahrenheit 451 essay
If you've been joining our online meetings or watching the recordings
on the course blog, you know that there are a few awesome diehards --
people that I will truly remember for the rest of my life -- who show up
every day and contribute their thinking to the course.
Yesterday, I asked them what they thought would make a good essay prompt. They basically went all Guy Montag on me and said they don't want to write essays the way they've been told all their lives. Instead, they suggested that I give you a menu of themes from the book, and techniques that Ray Bradbury uses to convey those themes, and turn you loose.
In today's meeting (coming up in about 5 minutes), I will explain the menu, answer questions, and demonstrate an approach to writing the essay live. Please join us! If you can't, please watch the recording later. As always, if you have any questions, please comment to this post or send me an email.
Hope you're all doing well. Here's the buffet:
THEMES
Self-determination
Materialism/ capitalism
Happiness/ peace of mind
Independence
Personal connection/ intimacy
Technology
Dystopian society
(*Note: censorship isn't on here. If you still think that's the main theme of the book, catch up with us!)
TECHNIQUES
Characterization
Figurative language
Dialogue
Extended metaphor (hands, for example)
Narrative voice
Plot development
Yesterday, I asked them what they thought would make a good essay prompt. They basically went all Guy Montag on me and said they don't want to write essays the way they've been told all their lives. Instead, they suggested that I give you a menu of themes from the book, and techniques that Ray Bradbury uses to convey those themes, and turn you loose.
In today's meeting (coming up in about 5 minutes), I will explain the menu, answer questions, and demonstrate an approach to writing the essay live. Please join us! If you can't, please watch the recording later. As always, if you have any questions, please comment to this post or send me an email.
Hope you're all doing well. Here's the buffet:
THEMES
Self-determination
Materialism/ capitalism
Happiness/ peace of mind
Independence
Personal connection/ intimacy
Technology
Dystopian society
(*Note: censorship isn't on here. If you still think that's the main theme of the book, catch up with us!)
TECHNIQUES
Characterization
Figurative language
Dialogue
Extended metaphor (hands, for example)
Narrative voice
Plot development
Monday, April 27, 2020
april 27 w online meeting #26
for our MOM: [Close your eyes. Bring your hands together so that your fingers interlock. Notice which index finger is on top. Feel your hands give each other a hug. Now, take your hands apart. Wiggle your fingers, stretch them out into space, and try to make your hands forget that they ever met each other. After a few seconds -- your eyes should still be shut -- bring your hands back together, and interlock your fingers, but with the OPPOSITE index finger on top. Was this easy for you to do? Does it feel weird? Reflect on the idea that habits -- familiar ways of doing things -- is this easy, and this hard, to do.]
JOURNAL TOPIC:
Do you crack your knuckles? I started in the sixth grade. It's a weird habit. Why does anyone do this?
-OR-
You can use your journal simply to write about life and your experiences in these unusual, challenging times.
AGENDA:
1. MOM
2. Journal
3. Our meeting
HEADS UP:
In today's meeting we talked about the Fahrenheit 451 essay. Tomorrow morning I'll post the prompt, and it will be due by noon next Monday (May 4).
JOURNAL TOPIC:
Do you crack your knuckles? I started in the sixth grade. It's a weird habit. Why does anyone do this?
-OR-
You can use your journal simply to write about life and your experiences in these unusual, challenging times.
AGENDA:
1. MOM
2. Journal
3. Our meeting
HEADS UP:
In today's meeting we talked about the Fahrenheit 451 essay. Tomorrow morning I'll post the prompt, and it will be due by noon next Monday (May 4).
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