february 21

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Sometimes ideas from class stick with us and sometimes they don't. Describe an idea that you learned in class that has stuck with you longer than you expected. Why does it stick out in your memory? Was it presented in a memorable way, or is it particularly meaningful or valuable?

AGENDA:

1. Journal

2. Catch up and reflect: make sure your notes on Chapters 1-7 are up-to-date and posted on your blog

3. We will read Chapter 8 on Monday, you are free to read ahead if you like

POST:

1. What do you think is the central message-- the theme-- of the book so far?  (title: WHAT GATSBY SAYS TO ME) 

2. What ideas have we read about or discussed that you think are worth writing about?  Write a couple sentences about the ideas from the book that you consider most interesting, or important, or worth thinking about further.  Then, write 1-3 questions that we might be able to use as prompts for an essay next week. (title: GATSBY PROMPTS FURTHER THINKING)

what a great way to start the day!

february 20

JOURNAL TOPIC:
Describe a practice that's good for you -- working out, eating vegan, sleeping 8 hours a night, flossing every day -- that you don't do.  Why don't you do something that you KNOW is good for you?  Logically, this seems absurd, but we all develop habits and life practices that need improvement.  What will it take for you to take better care of yourself?

-OR-

Gatsby seems to think that money will influence Daisy, bring back the past, change the future, and get him what he wants.  This seems to parallel what some people think about money in 2020; some appear to believe that it will attract lovers, create happiness, grant powers, solve problems, and change the world.  Others will look at this paragraph as nothing more than a nice pile of words.  What do you think?

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Evaluate progress: Gatsby Chapter 6
3. Gatsby Chapter 7

Post:
Gatsby notes and thoughts on Chapter 6 (title: GATSBY NOTES AND THOUGHTS: CHAPTER 7)
*You may want to include a perspective on the fact that, between Gatsby and the news, it seems impossible to get away from everyone talking about money all the time.  Is this reasonable or healthy?  What effect does it have on us?  For example, isn't there a better reason to learn than just getting a diploma/degree/job?

february 19

JOURNAL TOPIC:
How far away from you (or how different a life from yours) does a person have to live in order for you to consider him/her a "foreigner"?  Are you inclined to welcome "foreigners" -- whether they be from a different country, city, or even just another social clique on campus-- or are you inclined to favor people whose experience is more similar to yours?

**If you finish before the rest of us: a) refine your journal entries for the week; b) look up "Trimalchio"; c) work on your blog.

AGENDA:
1.  Journal
2. Gatsby Chapter 6

*You may read individually or with partner/s at your table

**Since I'm not in class today (oh, the cruel irony of talking about health yesterday!) here are some guiding questions to help you as you read:

• Yesterday I mentioned the foreshadowing of seeing a picture of Dan Cody.  Who is he?  What is the REAL story of Jay Gatz?  How do alcohol and money figure into that story, and what does Gatz/Gatsby learn/take away as a result?
• Describe the conversation between Gatsby, Tom, and Mr. & Mrs. Sloane. Do these people like each other or enjoy each other's company?  Why are they hanging out with each other?
• Describe Tom and Daisy's experience at Gatsby's party. 
• Gatsby thinks that he can recreate the moments and the love that he and Daisy shared in Louisville.  He thinks that money will influence Daisy and get him what he wants.  Based on what you know about Daisy-- and what you know about life-- what do you think?

I plan on being back tomorrow, so we will review and complete Chapter 6 together.  Please get as far as you can so that you know what we're talking about.  

POST:
Chapter 6 Notes (title: GATSBY NOTES AND THOUGHTS: CHAPTER 6)

february 18

[for your MOM: Think of all the amazing things your body does in a day.  The little things: tying your shoes, making sure you keep the nutrients from your food and getting rid of the rest... Have you thanked your body recently?  Maybe now would be a good time.]

JOURNAL TOPIC:
The human body is such an amazing design.  Evolution.  Wow.   Whether you believe that Mother Nature, or God, or selective adaptation from primordial ooze is responsible, it's quite a system, and yet it's also oddly imperfect.  Why do we have such weird quirks?  Why is pain necessary?  Or fever?  Or phlegm?  Why couldn't we just have a red light or buzzer that goes off and says "Er, hey, you should probably get some rest"?

AGENDA:
[MOM]
1. Journal
2. Gatsby Chapter 5

POST:
Chapter 5 notes and reflections (title: NOTES AND THOUGHTS ON GATSBY CHAPTER 5) 

february 14

[for your MOM: How much love can you feel in sixty seconds?] 

JOURNAL TOPIC: [today's tunes: "My Funny Valentine" by Gerry Mulligan & Chet Baker; "California Love" by 2Pac]

Love is intangible. It doesn't exist as a physical "thing" in the world that we can observe or experience with our senses.  How do you know it exists?

How will the love you feel and express today be remembered tomorrow (by you or anyone else)?

Lastly, if you really love someone, why do you need companies to tell you to buy stuff in order to show the way you feel? (And, if someone really loves you, what do they care if you buy a crappy stuffed animal or overpriced flowers today, as opposed to, I don't know, October 9?)

Pro Tip: If you really love someone, show them every day.  Buy them flowers this February 29 ("My heart LEAPS for you!")  Not only will you surprise and delight the person you love 365 days a year-- "OMG you're so sweet, you were thinking about me even without a pop up ad?" -- but you'll also be a role model for those poor suckers who paid 3x the price for roses this week.

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Wrap up quizzes and blog posts for the week
3. Bad language and our culture
4. Gatsby plan (time permitting)

COMMENT: To the "sticks and stones" post on the course blog.  Read (at least skim) the article and share your thoughts and feelings.

POST:
1. Think back on this week and reflect: How can you show what you learn about what we read?  (title: HOW YOU KNOW WHAT I KNOW)

didn't i just talk about this yesterday?

Less than 24 hours after I mentioned the idea in class that something like this could happen, I read about it actually happening on the CNN website:

"NBA superstar Lebron James gives 4 years of college tuition to the 193 students in the first class of his 'I Promise' school."  Watch the video below.