is there anybody out there?

Hey, other five people who're reading the blog right now: comment in next 30 secs for extra credit (if you're not in the course, comment for the love/lulz).

April 30

JOURNAL TOPIC: [today's tunes: "Rise to Power" by Tom Morello; "Fight the Power" by Public Enemy; "Power to the People" by John Lennon]

Respond to the following quote. You may choose to focus on the theme or the technical elements of the writing. As you write, consider what power you do have, and how you can most effectively exercise it in your own interest.

Power is given only to those who dare to lower themselves and pick it up. Only one thing matters, one thing; to be able to dare! -Fyodor Dostoevsky

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Study groups/writer's conferences

HW:
1. This week your blog is your AP exam study journal. Post 1-2 paragraphs about today's progress, including what you did and what you shared/learned with others.

mtg with roy christopher 5/22

As Nicole already knows from Twitter, we are having a follow-up conversation with Roy Christopher 5/22. It will be interesting to reconnect in light of all you've learned/seen/done this year, and especially on the virtual eve of your leaving HS and beginning a self-directed learning life. We're probably going to do it during 2nd or 3rd period; if you're in 4th or 6th and you'd like to attend please let me know so I can arrange the paperwork.

discipline

The concept is more palatable when you consider: a)you are in charge of it, and b)it's to your benefit. Self-organized study builds willpower. When discipline helps you achieve your goal and claim your due-- a 5 on the AP exam or an "A" on the final, for example--your brain forges connections that reinforce your strengths. Take advantage of all the resources you can: all of those literature reviews that talk about the different books in all those essay prompts, all those sample questions (and more to come) on the Exam Practice & Reference page. Dig deep. Remember this weekend that some of the lessons you're learning to prepare for your AP exams go far beyond high school. This goes not only for your habits of mind but your habits online. Don't forget what you've learned about filter bubbles, passwords and privacy. Some of your colleagues' email accounts and blogs have been compromised this year; remember to change passwords frequently and ignore/delete/mark as Spam any unsolicited or undesired messages. Have a good weekend; I look forward to discussing the Macbeth essays and learning about the progress you're making in exam prep.

about today's substitute

I'm not sure who the substitute will be today, so if it's someone new to our course please show them this post:

Dear Sub(s),
Thank you for covering my classes today-- please allow students in periods 2, 3, 4, & 6 to work independently and use wi-fi/devices.  Thanks again and have a great day,
Dr. Preston

period 6 essay reminder

Hi period 6,
Thanks to those of you who have already emailed the Macbeth essay.  If you haven't already, please email it to me by midnight tonight.
Have a great day,
Dr. Preston

April 27

JOURNAL TOPIC: How did you use your time off this week to your advantage?

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Whatever helps you with the AP exam and demonstrating your mastery of this course's curriculum in general.

HW:
1. Continue your exam study plan and post to your blog about your progress at least once this weekend (extra credit for each additional post).
2. Post 1-3 paragraphs to your blog (title: "A Reflection on Unstructured Learning") in which you explain the theme(s) of the following text.  (We will discuss on Monday.)

From the moment that I decided somewhere deep inside myself that I wanted to try my hand at being a costumed adventurer, to the moment I first stepped out into the night with a mask on my face and the wind on my bare legs, took about three months.  Three months of self-doubt and self-ridicule.  Three months figuring out how the hell I was going to make myself a costume.

The costume was difficult, because I couldn't start designing it until I'd thought of a name.  This stumped me for a couple of weeks, because every name I came up with sounded stupid, and what I really wanted was something with the same sense of drama and excitement as "Hooded Justice."

Eventually, a suitable handle was provided inadvertently by one of the other cops that I worked with down at the station house.  He'd invited me out for a beer after work two or three times only to be turned down because I wanted to spend as much of my evenings working out in the Police Gymnasiums as possible, after which I'd usually go to bed around nine o'clock and sleep through until five the next morning, when I'd get up and put in a couple of hours workout before donning my badge and uniform in readiness for my day job.  After having his offer of beer and relaxation turned down yet again by reason of me wanting to be in bed early, he finally gave up asking and took to calling me "Nite Owl" out of sarcasm until he finally found somebody else to drink with.

"Nite Owl."  I liked it.  Now all I had to come up with was the costume.

-Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons, The Watchmen