To all students: This is the e-mail I just sent to my APees. I just want to add to the sophomores--continue reading aloud in class with Othello, and please do not cause the substitute any problems. I assure you I wouldn't be out unless it was absolutely vital.
WEAR RED FOR EDUCATION!!!!
Dear Student,
I just found out that I will have to be absent tomorrow for a continuation of my family's ongoing medical issues. I fervently apologize for any inconvenience, and I will be there in the morning prior to first period if you'd like to drop off your Romanticism projects and show me your artwork. However, you now technically have until Monday to complete the project--I anticipate being back in the classroom Monday, regardless of the outcome tomorrow.
Your Jane Eyre quiz is still tomorrow for chapters 17-22, and once more, I am sorry tor any inconvenience.
Thank you and have a lovely evening,
Ms. Hilley
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Iago's Soliloquy
This is from the 1995 film version, with the incredible actor Kenneth Branagh as Iago. I love how he speaks directly into the camera, and burns himself without flinching.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Notes to Self: AP teacher meeting at 8:45 a.m.; senior teacher meeting at 3:30; enter grades.
Sophys: Post-It Note Quiz! Five questions on Othello before we launch into Act IV and see the chaos Iago and his bruised ego (or machination-seeking id) has caused. New content vocab list, too. Warning: Paper coming up!!! Think about Iago, and defending him. If you can.
APees: I'm in a quandary; I would dearly love to give you the creative assignment related to Chapter 19 but I'm not sure how manyof you are there yet (notwithstanding the Chapters 17-22 quiz you are taking on Thursday, but hey. . .) so I might poll the electorate and see what ya'll think. I would love to see what you could come up with, but I fear plot spoilers so we might just go into the close reading of the text from Chapter 18 today and reinforce understanding of Bronte's use of physiognomy. So many choices, so little time!!!
Reminders: JE quiz Thursday; Romanticism project due Friday.
If you are going to Germany with me this spring break, don't forget our pre-trip meeting next Tuesday night, March 3, in my classroom at 7 p.m. And if you are suddenly in the mood to go, let me know ASAP. We have room, but we would need to get your plane ticket immediately. Let me know!
Sophys: Post-It Note Quiz! Five questions on Othello before we launch into Act IV and see the chaos Iago and his bruised ego (or machination-seeking id) has caused. New content vocab list, too. Warning: Paper coming up!!! Think about Iago, and defending him. If you can.
APees: I'm in a quandary; I would dearly love to give you the creative assignment related to Chapter 19 but I'm not sure how manyof you are there yet (notwithstanding the Chapters 17-22 quiz you are taking on Thursday, but hey. . .) so I might poll the electorate and see what ya'll think. I would love to see what you could come up with, but I fear plot spoilers so we might just go into the close reading of the text from Chapter 18 today and reinforce understanding of Bronte's use of physiognomy. So many choices, so little time!!!
Reminders: JE quiz Thursday; Romanticism project due Friday.
If you are going to Germany with me this spring break, don't forget our pre-trip meeting next Tuesday night, March 3, in my classroom at 7 p.m. And if you are suddenly in the mood to go, let me know ASAP. We have room, but we would need to get your plane ticket immediately. Let me know!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Sophys: Othello, Act III, continued.
APees: For the first part of the period, we will be exploring the timed writing we did on Monday, February 23--the two poems (Auden and Plath) that reflected the work of Breughel the Elder. The poems are disturbing, but then again, so are the paintings:
You can find a larger version on the web, but if you look at the lower right quadrant of the painting, you'll see two white legs incongruously peeking from the sea. That would be Icarus, the ultimate afterthought in the painting. Brueghel did have a sense of humor. This painting is related in the prompt to "Musee des Beaux Arts" by W.H. Auden.
The next painting is even more distirbing, though.
The second poem, "Two Views of a Cadaver Room" by Sylvia Plath, refers to this piece by Brueghel called "Triumph of Death." Again we see a scene with a comparatively minor detail in the lower right quadrant--in this case, two lovers obliviously embracing while carnage erupts around them.
APees: For the first part of the period, we will be exploring the timed writing we did on Monday, February 23--the two poems (Auden and Plath) that reflected the work of Breughel the Elder. The poems are disturbing, but then again, so are the paintings:
You can find a larger version on the web, but if you look at the lower right quadrant of the painting, you'll see two white legs incongruously peeking from the sea. That would be Icarus, the ultimate afterthought in the painting. Brueghel did have a sense of humor. This painting is related in the prompt to "Musee des Beaux Arts" by W.H. Auden.
The next painting is even more distirbing, though.
The second poem, "Two Views of a Cadaver Room" by Sylvia Plath, refers to this piece by Brueghel called "Triumph of Death." Again we see a scene with a comparatively minor detail in the lower right quadrant--in this case, two lovers obliviously embracing while carnage erupts around them.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Quick Announcements:
1. I will be unable to stay after school tomorrow for application help or tutoring due to a family medical issue. See me if you need anything during regular school hours and we'll work something out.
2. Don't forget Pasta for Pennies this week. . .and Change for Education! I suggested bringing 26 cents--a penny to annoy the government, and a quarter for cancer research. Of course, if you can find more, bring more. I will be bringing my entire piggy bank.
3. For those who are observant, Lent begins on Wednesday, February 25 and goes through April 11. Have you thought about what you'd like to give up for Lent? (If you do not celebrate Lent, but are curious about Lenten practices, there are a wealth of resources available online that can explain the custom. Typically one is to give up something important for the forty days, to symbolize self-sacrifice and increase thoughtfulness. The worst challenge I ever had was the year I gave up caffeine and cursing. I lasted three days before a student brought me a Diet Cok and demanded I drink it.)
Curriculum:
Sophys: Elements of Style quiz, after a quick review; Othello, Act III.
APees: Awesome timed writing in preparation for AP exam; the topic is insightful, but really creepy. You'll laugh; you'll cry; it's better than Cats. Actually, it's not, but I love the topic. Creepy and discomfiting, and all about the College Board's desire to make you life-long learners and thinkers.
1. I will be unable to stay after school tomorrow for application help or tutoring due to a family medical issue. See me if you need anything during regular school hours and we'll work something out.
2. Don't forget Pasta for Pennies this week. . .and Change for Education! I suggested bringing 26 cents--a penny to annoy the government, and a quarter for cancer research. Of course, if you can find more, bring more. I will be bringing my entire piggy bank.
3. For those who are observant, Lent begins on Wednesday, February 25 and goes through April 11. Have you thought about what you'd like to give up for Lent? (If you do not celebrate Lent, but are curious about Lenten practices, there are a wealth of resources available online that can explain the custom. Typically one is to give up something important for the forty days, to symbolize self-sacrifice and increase thoughtfulness. The worst challenge I ever had was the year I gave up caffeine and cursing. I lasted three days before a student brought me a Diet Cok and demanded I drink it.)
Curriculum:
Sophys: Elements of Style quiz, after a quick review; Othello, Act III.
APees: Awesome timed writing in preparation for AP exam; the topic is insightful, but really creepy. You'll laugh; you'll cry; it's better than Cats. Actually, it's not, but I love the topic. Creepy and discomfiting, and all about the College Board's desire to make you life-long learners and thinkers.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Eric K. wants everyone to know that today is Hoodie Hoo Day. At exactly noon, which is near the end of third period, you are to yell HOODIE HOO to scare away winter. Ironically, tomorrow Florida will be experiencing yet another brief Arctic blast, and temperatures will drop into the 30s or 40s. Good times.
Sophys: Othello, and grammar fun.
APees: Jane Eyre quiz, chapters 11-16, and multiple choiceness. Creativity coming soon! Don't forget that the Romanticism Project is now due next Friday instead of earlier in the week!!!
Sophys: Othello, and grammar fun.
APees: Jane Eyre quiz, chapters 11-16, and multiple choiceness. Creativity coming soon! Don't forget that the Romanticism Project is now due next Friday instead of earlier in the week!!!
Open Letter: Progress Reports and Budget Woes
Open Letter to All Students:
Progress reports go home tomorrow; some of the grades are very low in my AP classes due to low quiz scores on Jane Eyre. I want you to keep the following in mind: You have a major grade next week with the Romanticism project, and another 40-point writing assignment next week, too, both of which can serve as "buffers" for your overall average. You also have two more reading quizzes to help you bring up your grade. For some of you--you haven't been reading. For some of you--you don't recall details very well. Fortunately, the last round of quizzes was higher.
For all of you: I will be MORE than glad to give each of you a weekly update on your grades; as many of you know, the past few weeks have been crazy with registration and what-not, and thus some of the grades weren't updated as frequently as I would have liked. Rest assured that there are many, many grade opportunities pending and the progress report may not accurately reflect your overall performance in this class.
Today in class, we went over some of the budget shortfalls facing our state. The entire district is mobilizing, and all districts in Florida are seeking help from the Florida legislature. There is a 5 billion dollar shortfall in the state for education, and a 102 million dollar shortfall for OCPS alone. Some of the suggested cuts being studied by the district include, but are not limited to:
*Eliminating freshman and some junior varsity sports teams
*Reducing the number of guidance counselors
*Cutting teachers with annual contracts (typically, teachers with 1-4 years experience, or media specialists, or speech therapists)
*An across-the-board pay cut of 5%
*Closing 16-24 elementary schools
*Keeping the "flip"
*Eliminating social workers and SAFE coordinators
For those of you who are seniors, please be aware that you are not immune to the latest woeful rounds. College tuition may well hike up next year; recent figures indicated that a tuition increase of 11-14% is possible.
Please get involved. You are students, and you and your parents are stakeholders in this miasma. An educated society is a free society. I realize that not all public schools are perfect, and not every teacher you've ever had has been awesome. I also realize that the alternative--an uneducated populace--is a scary, scary prospect. Public education is constitutionally mandated by the state of Florida, so it's high time it was funded appropriately.
More information will be forthcoming in the new edition of the school's Smoke Signals. Each school in Florida will feature "EDUCATION CUTS NEVER HEAL" on its marquee. And, for the record, I am fervently hoping that the powers that be can make cuts at higher levels before they hit the classroom, and that extravagances that were common in the past get slashed.
Here are some addresses, if you are interested:
Office of Governor Charlie Crist (R)
State of Florida
The Capitol
400 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
Telephone:
State Representative Randolph Scott (D)
State Representative Eric Eisnaugle (R)
Progress reports go home tomorrow; some of the grades are very low in my AP classes due to low quiz scores on Jane Eyre. I want you to keep the following in mind: You have a major grade next week with the Romanticism project, and another 40-point writing assignment next week, too, both of which can serve as "buffers" for your overall average. You also have two more reading quizzes to help you bring up your grade. For some of you--you haven't been reading. For some of you--you don't recall details very well. Fortunately, the last round of quizzes was higher.
For all of you: I will be MORE than glad to give each of you a weekly update on your grades; as many of you know, the past few weeks have been crazy with registration and what-not, and thus some of the grades weren't updated as frequently as I would have liked. Rest assured that there are many, many grade opportunities pending and the progress report may not accurately reflect your overall performance in this class.
Today in class, we went over some of the budget shortfalls facing our state. The entire district is mobilizing, and all districts in Florida are seeking help from the Florida legislature. There is a 5 billion dollar shortfall in the state for education, and a 102 million dollar shortfall for OCPS alone. Some of the suggested cuts being studied by the district include, but are not limited to:
*Eliminating freshman and some junior varsity sports teams
*Reducing the number of guidance counselors
*Cutting teachers with annual contracts (typically, teachers with 1-4 years experience, or media specialists, or speech therapists)
*An across-the-board pay cut of 5%
*Closing 16-24 elementary schools
*Keeping the "flip"
*Eliminating social workers and SAFE coordinators
For those of you who are seniors, please be aware that you are not immune to the latest woeful rounds. College tuition may well hike up next year; recent figures indicated that a tuition increase of 11-14% is possible.
Please get involved. You are students, and you and your parents are stakeholders in this miasma. An educated society is a free society. I realize that not all public schools are perfect, and not every teacher you've ever had has been awesome. I also realize that the alternative--an uneducated populace--is a scary, scary prospect. Public education is constitutionally mandated by the state of Florida, so it's high time it was funded appropriately.
More information will be forthcoming in the new edition of the school's Smoke Signals. Each school in Florida will feature "EDUCATION CUTS NEVER HEAL" on its marquee. And, for the record, I am fervently hoping that the powers that be can make cuts at higher levels before they hit the classroom, and that extravagances that were common in the past get slashed.
Here are some addresses, if you are interested:
Office of Governor Charlie Crist (R)
State of Florida
The Capitol
400 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
Telephone:
- Citizen Services Hotline: (850) 488-4441
- Executive Office of the Governor Switchboard: (850) 488-7146
[Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time]
Fax: (850) 487-0801
E-mail: Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com
State Senator, District 9 Andy Gardiner (R)
District Office:
1013 East Michigan Street
Orlando, FL 32806
(407) 428-5800
Senate VOIP: 40900
State Representative Geraldine Thompson (D)
| Capitol Office: |
| 316 The Capitol |
| 402 South Monroe Street |
| Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300 |
| Phone: (850) 488-0760 |
| District Office: |
| Suite 204 |
| 511 West South Street |
| Orlando, FL 32805-2761 |
| Phone: (407) 245-1511 |
State Representative Randolph Scott (D)
| Capitol Office: |
| 400 House Office Building |
| 402 South Monroe Street |
| Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300 |
| Phone: (850) 488-0660 |
| District Office: |
| Suite 100 |
| 701 East South Street |
| Orlando, FL 32801-2953 |
| Phone: (407) 893-3084 |
State Representative Eric Eisnaugle (R)
| Capitol Office: |
| 417 House Office Building |
| 402 South Monroe Street |
| Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300 |
| Phone: (850) 488-9770 |
| District Office: |
| Suite 1 |
| 2003 Curry Ford Road |
| Orlando, FL 32806-2419 |
| Phone: (407) 893-3141 |
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