Monday, November 7, 2011

Rap Poetry

This week we read poetry by the Africa-American poets Langston Hughes and Dr. Maya Angelo.  Poetry can also be found in music.  Lyrics (the words of a song) are poetry combined with music.  Rap music is a form of modern poetry. Many rap artists have been inspired by the same life challenges that Langston Hughes and Dr. Angelo write about in their poems.  In the following activity you will compare the poems we read in class with two classic rap songs....
Assignment:
1.       View the following videos and reflect on the theme and messages of the poems
a.       Poem: Mother to Son by: Langston Hughes
                                                               i.      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xNJoUIhB9E&feature=related

b.      Poem: Still I Rise by: Dr. Maya Angelou
                                                               i.      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j5w6IgJbTE

                                                              ii.      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP1t61XvF-g&feature=related

2.       View the following rap videos and reflect on the theme and messages of the lyrics
a.       Keep Ya Head Up by: TuPac
                                                               i.      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V0cfqqRYSs&feature=related

                                                              ii.      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfXwmDGJAB8&feature=related

b.      Momma Said Knock You Out by: L L Cool J.
                                                               i.      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbW3AmaVPgk

                                                              ii.      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vimZj8HW0Kg&ob=av2e

3.       Choose one poem and one rap song to compare. 
4.       In an open-ended paragraph explain the reason for your choice.  Also, write about the similarities and differences of between the poem and rap song you choose.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Books…the original movies!!

Daphne du Maurier was the original creator of the suspenseful story The Birds.  In The Birds Daphne Du Maurier uses descriptive scenes that create mystery and suspense for the reader.  Many writers and movie directors have used Daphne du Maurier’s writings as inspiration to create their own suspenseful stories and movies.
Assignment:
·        Watch the following youtube videos from two different movies that were inspired by story The Birds.
·        For each youtube video write a paragraph comparing how the movie is similar to the story The Birds in creating suspense for the audience.

1st YouTube Video = Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds movie:
·         Write a paragraph comparing The Birds movie with the The Birds story.  How are they similar in creating suspense?  Provide examples.

2nd YouTube Video = M. Night Shyamalan’s Signs movie:
·         Write a paragraph comparing the Sings movie with the The Birds story.  How are they similar in creating suspense?  Provide examples.

If you want to know more about the original story The Birds…click here:
http://www.enotes.com/birds

Monday, September 26, 2011

News Media


Sensational News Media is the type of news that we should not take seriously.  It is crated for entertainment.  Serious News is the news we need to pay attention too, the news that is important to society. 

Check out the list of news sites bellow.  Which sites are sensational news?  Which are serious news?  Can you see the difference? 
 
·         www.cnn.com 

·         www.msnbc.com

·         www.bbc.co.uk

·         www.nytimes.com

·         www.cbsnews.com

·         www.abc.net.au

·         http://www.people.com/people/

·         www.newsweek.com


Monday, July 11, 2011

What did you do this summer?

The last day of school already passed and the most asked question was “What will you do this summer?” A similar question will be asked in September “What did you do this summer?”  The top three answers I get from my students are:

  1. Nothing, summer is boring.
  2. Work.
  3. I went back to my country.
Is great if we could all travel to another country, but many of us will not.  Don’t worry; there are still many things you can do to have a fun and interesting summer without spending much.  NO MORE EXCUSES FOR A BORING SUMMER…The following is a list of ideas to make your own summer adventure without spending much and/or going too far!
                     
  1. GOOGLE FOR ACTIVITIES: Find out what summer activities are going on in your town.  Google “What to do in West Orange NJ” for example and you will get a list of activities. 
    1. Free or Cheap things to do in West Orange: http://attractions.uptake.com/new_jersey/west_orange/cheap_vacations/807893724.html
  2. FREE INFORMATION @ YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY: Libraries are not just for reading books, librarians are full of information.  Also, many libraries have free events such as concerts, art shows, movies, and much more.  Just visit your library and ask a librarian for a list of summer activities in your area.
  3. VISIT YOUR LOCAL PARK: Many local parks are full of summer activities from free concerts, art shows, movies under the stars and more or go for a picnic, start a soccer game, read a book under a tree, watch the clouds on a summer day, relax…if you don’t know what parks are near by use Google map, type in your address and look for green space or you can Google for parks near your street.
  4. GO TO A FESTIVAL: Summer time is full of festivals ask a librarian or Google summer festivals in your area.  I find that Libraries know more about what is happening locally than Google, so I recommend starting at your Library for a list of local festivals.

If you want to travel and spend a little cash…

  1. TAKE A TRAIN or BUS RIDE
Use NJ Transit (trains or buses) to visit some great places by going on to www.njtransi.com and searching for your destination:
CLOSE TO HOME:
·        Newark Museum - http://www.newarkmuseum.org/
·        Liberty State Park in Jersey City - http://www.libertystatepark.org/
·        Liberty Science Center in Jersey City - http://www.lsc.org/
                  New York City:
·        The Metropolitan Museum of Art - http://www.metmuseum.org/
·        The American Museum of National History - http://www.amnh.org/
·        Free Things to do in NYC –
              JERSEY SHORE (New Jersey Beaches):
·        Sandy Hook – Beach and a great Light House - http://www.nps.gov/gate/planyourvisit/shumasstransit.htm
·        Point Pleasant / Beach, Rides, and a great Aquarium - http://www.jenkinsons.com/
·        Ocean Groove / Travel Back to the Victorian Era - http://www.oceangrovenj.com/html/photos.html
AMUSEMENT:

6. IF YOU CAN TRAVEL BY CAR
I recommend the following places for a great day trip or weekend:

·        Delaware Water Gap and Pocono Mountains / hiking, river attractions, nature and more: http://www.nps.gov/dewa/index.htm
o       Great Bakery @ Delaware Water Gap: http://www.villagefarmer.com/www.villagefarmer.com/Welcome.html
·        Storm King / nature and art together (bring a picnic): http://www.stormking.org/
·        Round Valley State Park / great lake for swimming and having a picnic: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/round.html
·        Dorney Park and Wild Water Kingdom: http://www.dorneypark.com/ 
·        Wildwood NJ / beach, rides, and the board walk: http://www.wildwoodsnj.com/

Many attractions (movies, museums, restaurants, even stores) give student discount, just show your student ID and ask if they give a discount; it does not hurt to ask if it will get you a lower price!!!

I hope this inspires you to have your own summer adventure…no more excuses...be prepared because once school starts someone will ask… “What did you do this summer?”