Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Blog 22-Freestyle
Reading through Othello by Shakespeare and watching the movie "O" that is based off of that play, has been very interesting. Even though it is not a real life story, it really is. It is really scary to me that people can sir up trouble so easily. People can be so evil with their words and lies. That alone really has caused murders and crimes. Not that those crimes are ever excusable, but it almost makes the person that committed the crime a victim as well. Words really do hold power, and cause emotion, whether they are true or not. YIKES!
Oopsie! I skipped Blog 7 Freestyle
It is really hard to keep kids reading through the summer. Studies have show that just 5 minutes a day keeps students reading scores from dropping. This sounds like a very simple task, yet feels so hard. When my kids hear the word "summer" they do not think of cracking a book, not even for 5 minutes. We have accomplished some reading this summer but nowhere near an average of 5 minutes a day. How sad!
There are so many distractions during the summer, but I don't think that's a bad thing. I love to see kids outside playing and getting fresh air. Playing sports and having summer trips are also good for them. I think summer break is so good for kids. It's a chance for them to start fresh well rested and ready to give it their all in the Fall.
So, I guess I'm not sure what side of the issue I'm on....hahahah. I must be feeling guilty for not making my kids read more this summer. Well, we still have 20 days until school starts.
There are so many distractions during the summer, but I don't think that's a bad thing. I love to see kids outside playing and getting fresh air. Playing sports and having summer trips are also good for them. I think summer break is so good for kids. It's a chance for them to start fresh well rested and ready to give it their all in the Fall.
So, I guess I'm not sure what side of the issue I'm on....hahahah. I must be feeling guilty for not making my kids read more this summer. Well, we still have 20 days until school starts.
Blog Evidence Collection
Does technology such as texting hinder students learn, especial, reading and spelling?
As a teacher, I have seen an increase of problems due to cell phone use. "No phone allowed in class!" is a very hard rule to enforce as students are very sneaky and can text without even taking the phones out of their pockets. Also, simply placing their phones on vibrate makes a constant distraction that prevents the students from ever really engaging in the class. Another problem I see is that the shortcuts created to make IMing and texting quicker and easier are creating a problem for learning how to spell. GR8, LOL, OMG, and PROBLY, ROFL, may make texting faster by these type of shortcuts prevent students from actually having to sound out words or know proper grammar.
One mother I talked to about the issue says that her son, age 16, didn't even know what she meant when she told him to "look up" a word in the dictionary. He had always used the computer to do spell check and it never even occurred to him that he could look it up in a book.
An article from the New York Times, says that the average teen send a text every two minutes during their 24 hour period. Even through the night. This hits on another very important issue, sleep. If students having been texting all night how in the world will they be ready to engage in their school day.
On the other hand, some parents believe that texting and IMing have given their children a boost in typing and computer skills. I would agree with them there.
It does seem to me that there are most tallies on the "Cons" side than the "Pros." How do we as a nation fix this problem?
As a teacher, I have seen an increase of problems due to cell phone use. "No phone allowed in class!" is a very hard rule to enforce as students are very sneaky and can text without even taking the phones out of their pockets. Also, simply placing their phones on vibrate makes a constant distraction that prevents the students from ever really engaging in the class. Another problem I see is that the shortcuts created to make IMing and texting quicker and easier are creating a problem for learning how to spell. GR8, LOL, OMG, and PROBLY, ROFL, may make texting faster by these type of shortcuts prevent students from actually having to sound out words or know proper grammar.
One mother I talked to about the issue says that her son, age 16, didn't even know what she meant when she told him to "look up" a word in the dictionary. He had always used the computer to do spell check and it never even occurred to him that he could look it up in a book.
An article from the New York Times, says that the average teen send a text every two minutes during their 24 hour period. Even through the night. This hits on another very important issue, sleep. If students having been texting all night how in the world will they be ready to engage in their school day.
On the other hand, some parents believe that texting and IMing have given their children a boost in typing and computer skills. I would agree with them there.
It does seem to me that there are most tallies on the "Cons" side than the "Pros." How do we as a nation fix this problem?
Friday, August 12, 2011
Blog 20-Quote Response to Othello
Othello: She's a liar gone to burning hell!
'Twas I that killed her.
Emilia: O, the more angel she,
And you that blacker devil! (V,ii,133)
These words take place between Othello and Emilia right after Othello kills Desdemona. I feel like there are a lot of importance to these words. First, Othello fully admits to the crime. He is not trying to cover anything up. Then, Emilia is saying how wonderful Desdemona was. The words that really stick with me are "blacker devil". I can't even really say why either, but they really stick in my head. A race issue does seem to be present in this play, but not a reason for murder. Othello killed Desdemona because of festering lies, jealousy and anger. There is no reason to kill someone; he let his emotions get way out of hand. Still, I am thinker of the words "blacker devil". I wonder why?
'Twas I that killed her.
Emilia: O, the more angel she,
And you that blacker devil! (V,ii,133)
These words take place between Othello and Emilia right after Othello kills Desdemona. I feel like there are a lot of importance to these words. First, Othello fully admits to the crime. He is not trying to cover anything up. Then, Emilia is saying how wonderful Desdemona was. The words that really stick with me are "blacker devil". I can't even really say why either, but they really stick in my head. A race issue does seem to be present in this play, but not a reason for murder. Othello killed Desdemona because of festering lies, jealousy and anger. There is no reason to kill someone; he let his emotions get way out of hand. Still, I am thinker of the words "blacker devil". I wonder why?
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Blog 19--Freestyle
I chose to do this freestyle blog on a response to the document Film in the week 7 folder. This document was written by Nancy Knowles. I found it to be very eye-opening. I never really thought of a film/movie to be a piece of art before now. But that is truly what it is. A movie feels like real life in the way that it seems to flow seamlessly from one scene to the next. So, sometimes I forget that I'm only watching a movie. One of the parts of this paper that really stuck with me is the fact that scenes aren't shot in order most of the time. I knew this but never really broke down in my head what that means. It means that the actor/actress has to recall their exact feeling back even though there has been a break in time. Their wardrobe, make-up and hair and scene has to be exactly the same as the scene before. When reading through the list of things that go on during the making of a film I realized that there are hundreds of factors the go into every scene.
I think it is easy for me to judge actors and actresses as having an easy job, but I don't really think that is true. I couldn't do what they do. When all things are considered I think they have quite difficult jobs. The making of a film truly is an art form. If you have not read this piece by Knowles, you should.
I think it is easy for me to judge actors and actresses as having an easy job, but I don't really think that is true. I couldn't do what they do. When all things are considered I think they have quite difficult jobs. The making of a film truly is an art form. If you have not read this piece by Knowles, you should.
Blog 18--Quote Response to Othello Acts I and II
"Iago: Though I do hate him as I do hell pains," (Othello, I,i,155)
"hell pains" are the words that grab my soul. Hell pains? Wow! Well, that is an awful deep hate. I think this line lept out at me because it is such a good example of just how deep Iago's hatred is for this man.
The play is hard for me to read because it is almost like reading a different language. However, I can feel that this type of writing is very passionate. I'm not sure if people even spoke like this. Did they? Or if it was just for Shakespearean plays, but people sure don't talk this way anymore. I feel like plays are a dying art. I was in a few play in high school but now a days programs like Art/Drama/Music are the first to get cut out of the budget.
"hell pains" are the words that grab my soul. Hell pains? Wow! Well, that is an awful deep hate. I think this line lept out at me because it is such a good example of just how deep Iago's hatred is for this man.
The play is hard for me to read because it is almost like reading a different language. However, I can feel that this type of writing is very passionate. I'm not sure if people even spoke like this. Did they? Or if it was just for Shakespearean plays, but people sure don't talk this way anymore. I feel like plays are a dying art. I was in a few play in high school but now a days programs like Art/Drama/Music are the first to get cut out of the budget.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Blog 17--Quote Response to Trifles by Susan Glaspell
"County Attorney: Well, Henry, at least we found out that she was not going to quilt it. She was going to--what do you call it; ladies?
Mrs. Hale: We call it-knot it, Mr. Henderson." (Glasplell, 819)
These two lines really stuck in my mind. Can you imagine if you were Mrs. Hale, having the evidence to a murder right there in your pocket? Then, after the men in charge of the investigation talking down to you, keeping your composure and answering such a simple question?
The words she used to answer the question really meant nothing to the men. They were actually mocking the ladies. It's what closing the conversation meant to Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale that really mattered. I think they meant that Mrs. Wright secret was safe with them.
Mrs. Wright had no children. She also was married to a man that didn't really pay much attention to her. She lead a very sad and lonely life. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters understood the situation and wanted the men to have nothing against her. They would not understand how hard she had it. They couldn't have put themselves in her shoes.
Her husband robbed her of the only thing that brought her joy, so she took his life. The ladies understood that. So, by answering that simple question at the end of the play, there was nothing left to find in the house to convict her.
Mrs. Hale: We call it-knot it, Mr. Henderson." (Glasplell, 819)
These two lines really stuck in my mind. Can you imagine if you were Mrs. Hale, having the evidence to a murder right there in your pocket? Then, after the men in charge of the investigation talking down to you, keeping your composure and answering such a simple question?
The words she used to answer the question really meant nothing to the men. They were actually mocking the ladies. It's what closing the conversation meant to Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale that really mattered. I think they meant that Mrs. Wright secret was safe with them.
Mrs. Wright had no children. She also was married to a man that didn't really pay much attention to her. She lead a very sad and lonely life. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters understood the situation and wanted the men to have nothing against her. They would not understand how hard she had it. They couldn't have put themselves in her shoes.
Her husband robbed her of the only thing that brought her joy, so she took his life. The ladies understood that. So, by answering that simple question at the end of the play, there was nothing left to find in the house to convict her.
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