Descriptive Paragraphs

Students in English IA are working on writing descriptive paragraphs. Their first one was a description of a place, and their second one is about a person. Any guesses as to what the third one will be?

Missing Items

If any of you know where the Cardinals left their bats, please inform team management before Game 6.

Recording Industry

Seniors in Media Studies began perusing the chapter in their text covering the recording industry. This is my favorite chapter in the course since I have a lot of personal experience to share. I hope they find the chapter as informative and interesting as I do.

Field Trip

Art Club went to the Art Institute of Chicago yesterday, and I got to drive! Leaving Chicago in rush hour traffic in a mini bus was a bit challenging. Seeing Van Gogh's self-portrait and Grant Wood's American Gothic in person was a memorable experience. We also had one of the best lunches I've ever experienced at the Wild Berry Pancake cafe'.

To Kill A Mockingbird

We just finished the novel last week and are finishing the movie today in English II. After the movie, we will be starting to work on improving essay writing skills. Of course, the first essay will be focused on To Kill A Mockingbird, either the book or the movie.

Lock It Down!

Come on, Cardinals! Bring your bats to the game tonight and get this thing over with!

Mr. Davis Visit

Mr. Davis took time from his busy schedule to speak to the seniors in Media Studies today. His presentation covered nine hot new careers and what seniors should be doing right now to prepare for college. The session was very informative, and I hope the students follow his sound advice. He plans to do the same presentation with a different group of seniors in Intro to Speech in the near future.

Project

Seniors in Media Studies are beginning a project connected to the Radio and Recording industries. Using an incredible piece of software called Sony Acid Pro, they will compose original songs and then record themselves as DJs introducing their songs. The project is a lot of fun; the software is fun and easy to use, and the students get first hand experience in music production.

Informative Speeches

Seniors in Intro to Speech will be delivering their informative speeches today and tomorrow. I look forward to hearing a lot of interesting information on a wide variety of topics.

Breakfast of Champions

I outdid myself today.

Li'l chocolate donuts
Oreos
Chocolate chip cookies with M&M's
Cream soda
Vanilla coffee with hot chocolate mixed in
20 oz. Coke Classic

Some days require extra sugar and caffeine.

Guest Speaker

Daniel W. from Bavaria utilized Skype to be a guest speaker for Media Studies this morning. The students and I learned about German media in general, Daniel's earlier career in free lance reporting, and his current career as head of communications for a VERY large non-profit Christian Welfare agency. The session was very informative and entertaining. Much thanks to Daniel for taking time from his busy schedule to "travel across the ocean and talk to us."

Coke Zero

What did I ever do without it?

Guest Speaker

Much thanks to Rodi P. from Connecticut for taking the time to speak to Media Studies class via video conference. We had some technical glitches, but we made it through and learned a great deal about the production/graphic design aspects of print media. It's strange how we take certain things for granted, such as fonts, but they can really have a lot of impact on a printed product. I challenge you to pay more attention to such "details" that surround you every day and consider how things would be different if a designer chose a different font. A lot of time, effort, and creativity have gone into the creation of these "details," and we should put more thought into how we use them.

I Like Chocolate

For breakfast, chocolate chip granola bars followed by coffee mixed with hot chocolate. After lunch, two Twix bars for dessert followed by more coffee with hot chocolate. Later tonight, maybe a box of Whoppers malted milk chocolate candy. Do you think I'm hooked?

Updates

Skype is now working, and I'm excited to have guest speakers from Connecticut and Germany talk to the students in Media Studies. Also, on an unrelated note, Cards beat the Pirates last night. WooHoo!

Skype

I have a couple of guest speakers lined up for Media Studies next week via Skype. The camera is working, but Skype is being difficult. Hopefully, we can get it ironed out soon.

It has been settled . . .

The Pirates beat the Reds last night and settled the Wild Card debate. Now, Pittsburgh travels to St. Louis for a good, old-fashioned baseball beatdown! Go Cards!

To Kill a Mockingbird

Students in English II are progressing through Tom Robinson's trial. The level of disbelief and disgust at the verdict is very high. How could the members of the jury return such a verdict of hearing the blatantly false testimony of the Ewells? How could Tom, with his useless left arm, have even committed the crime?