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{ Monthly Archives } December 2009

Words Read & Melodies Hummed

[because one of my more neurotic routines is that I keep a small notebook with the books I’ve read arranged by date.] Books read in 2009: 91 Comics and graphic novels included in reading total: 12 Books of poetry included in reading total: 5 Books reread included in reading total: 6 Education related books included [...]

The Thank Tank: A Collective Journey – Your Participation is Needed

The Thank Tank has been created! General information, tank location, and (eventually) woven text are available at the Thank Tank’s Home. This post will be an updated area to discuss the game’s mechanics, answer questions, and encourage dialogue related to the game. If you haven’t already, please watch the short instructional video below. Thank Tank [...]

“He’s Balancing A Diamond, On a Blade of Grass” (Dancing 101)

The last few days before break, Peter* – the tenth grade English teacher & senior Homeroom teacher in our SLC – spent time after school engaged in leading dance lessons. His vision: have all of the seniors of the School of Communication and Global Awareness waltz at their prom in five months’ time. Starting small, [...]

Because It’s More Fun When We Do It: Why We’re Going Viral in 2010

I’ve been thinking about the viral videos that stuck with me over the year. They’ve become less of surprised hamsters and klutzy candid camera mishaps and adorable kittens doing crazy things. Instead, the videos I typically find myself drawn into are the videos of pastiche, remix, and co-authorship.* Underground MC, Nyle, for instance took an [...]

Movie Check In: More Like Ava-Jar-Jar, Amirite people?

As problematic as Avatar was, it was still a fun flick. The incredibly clunky script didn’t bother me nearly as much as the score and the font used for the subtitles. In any case, when James Cameron wasn’t busy hitting you over the head with the environmental and colonial no-no themes, there were occasional moments [...]

Tech XChange

The current issue of XChange, published online by UCLA’s Center X is focused around “Media & Techno Literacies.” There are some tremendous resources up there for current teachers as well as plenty of readings to peruse. The “Rethinking MySpace” article I wrote a while ago can be found here along with a brief introduction about [...]

Big D Discourse: “You Can Meet Me Where it Breaks”

I’ve been thinking about surfing. I don’t, by the way. Surf, that is. I shy students away from the word “can’t” but invoke it when it comes to my ability in navigating water where I am unable to touch bottom. But the look in a surfer’s eyes. Brings to mind Freire’s “patient impatience.” One doesn’t [...]

QFTB #5: Two Seconds

- Carlson was a Mexican for like two seconds.

Students Respond to LA Times Column about Manual Arts and MLA Partner Schools

While my teacher email lists were abuzz with the fact that Fremont High School is being reconstituted, the LA Times ran a more positive spin on education reform in the city and it focused on Manual Arts. I asked my students to respond to the article after we discussed it in class. The general consensus [...]

Why I Am Marching on Beaudry Tomorrow: An Open Letter to the Manual Arts Community

The following letter was part of a series of emails sent to the faculty and staff at my school. Though it may be short notice, I’m encouraging anyone else reading this to join me tomorrow (I’ll be the one wearing red!). More info here. Call it naïve optimism, but I didn’t think that my UTLA [...]