When i think of the 1980's, i thing of two things, Ronald Regan and Rap music. Though they may not be the only signifigant events of the 1980's, they are to me!!
The 1980's class did a great job explaining Reganomics. We had a good class discussion about the benefits and detriments of his terms in office. Ronald Regan was really a love/hate sorta character. Though he screwed the poor and gave to the rich, by convincing our country into falling for his "trickle down" scam, and putting our country trillions of dollars in debt, who couldn't resist his fiery personality and movie star smile?
The 1980's had a great transition into rap, by having a rap battle about the events of the 1980's. They made a brief, but informative slideshow that really helped me get a general feel for the 80's. Though some groups didnt really take the rap battle seriously (cough, cough, my group!) it was a great activity.
The 80's group did a good job giving a brief cronological timeline of early hip hop, from its roots in disco, to its later social-consious transformation, and its quality digression in the early nineties. Overall the 80's group did a awesome job!
Monday, May 28, 2007
Teaching the 1960's
Teaching isn' easy. It requires a lot of time and preperation. I underestimated the difficulty of teaching a class. I thought i could throw out a discussion question and have the whole class begin to actively debate the topic and live happily ever after. But that wasnt the case. I realized that teenagers dont like school (with the exeption of me, of course). They'd rather be doing something else. That is why you have to do activities that are both engaging and informative. Its like broccoli. No one likes to eat sraight-up boiled broccoli! But if you smother it in cheese and bacon bits, it becomes a whole different story! Even though you compromise some health benefits, the vitamins and the nutrition of the broccoli is still prevalent. Teaching is the same way. If the lesson plan is pure lecture, no one will listen and every one will lose interest. Sometimes, you need to compromise some teaching time with a fun activity that still gets the point across.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
The 1970's
I really had te wrong impression of the seventies. I was always under the impression that the seventies was all about going out to discos and snorting coke. Although that is partially true, the seventies was actually a pretty "full" time, in the sense that a lot of signifigant things happened.
I always had the impression that Nixon was a huge "crook", but i never knew what for. The 1970's group did a good job breifly and effectively explaining the watergate scandal and its effect on american society.
I also enjoyed the fun activites the seventies group had us do. "The Price is Right" was both entertaining and informative. It also was a great segway into the oil crisis. We had a good discussion about the middle east and why we dont like them. It was very helpful in understanding our current situation with iraq and iran. The Electric slide was a great way to end the seventies. Though the "Hustle" wasn't as simple as the Electric slide, everyone had a blast making fools out of themselves!!
I always had the impression that Nixon was a huge "crook", but i never knew what for. The 1970's group did a good job breifly and effectively explaining the watergate scandal and its effect on american society.
I also enjoyed the fun activites the seventies group had us do. "The Price is Right" was both entertaining and informative. It also was a great segway into the oil crisis. We had a good discussion about the middle east and why we dont like them. It was very helpful in understanding our current situation with iraq and iran. The Electric slide was a great way to end the seventies. Though the "Hustle" wasn't as simple as the Electric slide, everyone had a blast making fools out of themselves!!
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
1950's
I felt the 1950's group did a great job recreating the mood and the mindset of the time. i always had the "leave it to beaver" impression of two kids, a stay at home mom, and a pipe-smoking father, but i never knew why, nor did I know what factors created the 1950's that made it unique.
I learned that the media, especially television, became a major influence to the consumer. It was interesting to see how directly blatent the advertising schemes were, as seen in the ford commerical. The commercail basically portrayed the ideal American "white picket fence" family. The wife seemed to be too perfect, wearing a pearl necklace and had her hair fixed just to do the dishes! She said she needed a car to go to PTA meetings and to pick uphow the kids, the stereotypical white suburban housewife. I thought it was interesting the wife was given the old car, while the husband got the new one. If my parents got a new car, im pretty sure my mom would get the new one! It shows how the role of women was still second to men in the 1950's.
Another video that left an impression on me was the video on "family ediquete" (for lack of a better term!) I was supprised to see the degreee of gender inequality still prevalent during the 1950's. For example, the wife had the obligation to her husband to make him happy after a long day of work, even if it meant putting on a facade. If I had to describe my impression of the fifties in one word, it would be PROPAGANDA, whether it be political or social.
(I MISSED THE OTHER CLASSES)
I learned that the media, especially television, became a major influence to the consumer. It was interesting to see how directly blatent the advertising schemes were, as seen in the ford commerical. The commercail basically portrayed the ideal American "white picket fence" family. The wife seemed to be too perfect, wearing a pearl necklace and had her hair fixed just to do the dishes! She said she needed a car to go to PTA meetings and to pick uphow the kids, the stereotypical white suburban housewife. I thought it was interesting the wife was given the old car, while the husband got the new one. If my parents got a new car, im pretty sure my mom would get the new one! It shows how the role of women was still second to men in the 1950's.
Another video that left an impression on me was the video on "family ediquete" (for lack of a better term!) I was supprised to see the degreee of gender inequality still prevalent during the 1950's. For example, the wife had the obligation to her husband to make him happy after a long day of work, even if it meant putting on a facade. If I had to describe my impression of the fifties in one word, it would be PROPAGANDA, whether it be political or social.
(I MISSED THE OTHER CLASSES)
Thursday, April 26, 2007
1940's
War is an inevitable factor through out history. I don’t think there has been a single second of human existence when there wasn’t at least one warring country. If war is such a bad thing, why hasn’t humankind come to the consensus that war is unnecessary? Is war necessary?
In an idealistic society, everyone would sit down and talk out their issues. However, we all know that this will never happen. Personally, I do not think war is necessary. I feel that there are better ways to solve problems than killing one another. However, war is inevitable. There will always be someone who will try to start a fight. I feel that it would take a catastrophic event for the world to realize that war is unnecessary, an event so catastrophic that it’ll be too late for compromise.
Currently,
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
The 1930's
1. Honestly, I didnt learn many things that were salient regarding the 1930's. We learned about the Great Depression and how and why it happened. It was a result of several factors, such as a decline in trade, a lopsided concentration of power, and the infamous stock market crash of October 29, 1929, also known as "black tuesday". I learned that over a quarter of the American people were unemployed and the people who lived comfortably were the SUPER rich, who never shared any of their money with anyone. This was represented in the activity, where we were told that if we al wrote our first name, we'd all get two bonus points. But if three people wrote their full name, they'd get ten points. In our class, two people wrote their full names, meaning they both got ten points, while everyone else received nothing.
We also learned about the Dust Bowl, where there was a massive drought in the southwest. Almost all of the farmers in the area lost their crops. Many of them migrated west to California, were they had no choice but to compromise for hard labor for little pay. Many people also migrated North, where there were job opportunities.
We learned that people relied on sports and family to escape from the depression of the Great Depression, because that was all many people had. People looked up to sports icons, such as Seabiscuit, who represented the "little guy." Seabiscuit was the smallest, scrawniest horse on the track, yet he worked hard and became victorious, living out the American Dream.
The 1930's was a test for the American people and we succeeded triumphantly.
We also learned about the Dust Bowl, where there was a massive drought in the southwest. Almost all of the farmers in the area lost their crops. Many of them migrated west to California, were they had no choice but to compromise for hard labor for little pay. Many people also migrated North, where there were job opportunities.
We learned that people relied on sports and family to escape from the depression of the Great Depression, because that was all many people had. People looked up to sports icons, such as Seabiscuit, who represented the "little guy." Seabiscuit was the smallest, scrawniest horse on the track, yet he worked hard and became victorious, living out the American Dream.
The 1930's was a test for the American people and we succeeded triumphantly.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Adversising Analysis
"JUST DO IT;" the ubiquitous nike catch phrase. The phrase, "Just Do It," prior to seeing this ad, always had an athletic connotation to me. However, this advertisement implies a completely different message. "Just Buy It," written in bold, capitol letters, below a pair of sneakers, manipulates the tesosterone-driven "just do it" mantra, in order to sell a product.
I was shocked at the blunt simplicity, but what shocked me the most is this ad was (is) probably extremely effective. This advertisement shows how we are suseptable to media manipulation, even when it is right in front of our face. (I am aware that the last statement is pretty "boneheaded," i meant to do that.)
"Who am I?" by Carl Sandburg
Poem Reflection
WHO AM I?
By: Carl Sandburg
MY head knocks against the stars.
My feet are on the hilltops.
My finger-tips are in the valleys and shores of
universal life.
Down in the sounding foam of primal things I
reach my hands and play with pebbles of
destiny.
I have been to hell and back many times.
I know all about heaven, for I have talked with God.
I dabble in the blood and guts of the terrible.
I know the passionate seizure of beautyAnd the marvelous rebellion of man at all signs
reading "Keep Off."
My name is Truth and I am the most elusive captive
in the universe.
While aimlessly scrolling through an endless laundry list of different poems on the internet, the title of this poem caught my attention. “Who am I” was coincidentally the theme of one of our class sessions as well as the name of this poem by masterful writer, Carl Sandburg.
I assumed the poem was going to explain “Who is Carl Sandburg?” because the title of the poem automatically gave me the impression that the poem was referring to the author, Carl Sandburg. However, my intuition, once again, failed me…
The poem has very similar characteristics of a riddle. The title, “Who am I?” acts as the question. Sandburg uses personification to describe whoever or whatever “I” is (“My head,” “My feet,” “My toes”). His first three lines describe a omnipresent force (“stars,” “hilltops,” “valleys and shores”) that could be either metaphoric or literal. The phrase, “Universal life” caught my eye and made me think, “Why did the author say ‘universal life,’ when life itself already has a universal implication?” This phrase can be interpreted many different ways (aside from being a type of life insurance…); however, this is the way I see it: Carl Sandburg is trying to make a social comment about life. The phrase “Universal life,” is actually a statement by the author that life is universal; every life on earth should be appreciated. The descriptions are contrasted by the author’s use of personification. Sandburg’s use of personification reassured me that the poem is about the author.
Rather than using a “clean” line break, Sandburg uses single words and phrases to signify the end of a stanza (“universal life,” “Destiny”, “Keep Off”) All three lines are very powerful, broad terms that could have many different interpretations, which I feel was Sandburg’s intention. Also, the phrases act as an abrupt syllable change, which catches the reader’s attention.
In the fifth line, the author rhymes “Down” and “sound(ing).” This lightens the mood of the poem and gives it a smooth flow. The phrase, “sounding foam” had me scratching my head… What the heck is sounding foam? I looked up “Sounding” in the dictionary, which Merriam-Webster defines as, “n: measurement of depth especially with a sounding line.” This could be plausible because line 6 mentions “I reach my hands,” which arguably could be a method of sounding. If “sounding” is intended to be an adjective, the phrase “sounding foam,” could be interpreted as an oxymoron, since foam is pretty silent. But what does it mean? “Sounding foam” refers to “primal things.” “Primal” can be interpreted two different ways. The first definition of the word primal, defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is, “first in importance.” If we accept this definition, “Down in the sounding foam of primal things,” could be interpreted as the things in life which we deem as important are really pointless fluff, or “foam.” If we interpret “primal” to mean “original,” lines 5-7 could represent this mystery character’s ability to manipulate life, the ability to, “play with the pebbles of destiny,” which is also an example of alliteration (“play” and “pebbles”), used by the author to lighten the mood of the poem and to give it flow.
Lines 8 and 9 mention that this “mystery” thing has “been to hell and back,” and has, “talked with god.” Since this mystery thing is “truth,” (sorry if I ruined the ending for you) lines 8 and 9 represent the ideology of the author, along with the majority of Americans during the early 20th century. Heaven and Hell were simply “truth,” and anyone who defied God’s existence would probably be considered “un-American.”
Line 10, “blood and guts of the terrible” is another example of personification, which gives the line emotion. “Blood” and “dabble” is another example of alliteration, used to lighten the mood of the poem and to give it rhythm.
“Passionate seizure,” similar to “sounding foam,” can be interpreted multiple ways. If you define “seizure” as “the physical manifestations (as convulsions, sensory disturbances, or loss of consciousness) resulting from abnormal electrical discharges in the brain (as in epilepsy)” the phrase “passionate seizure” is nearly oxymoronic, since seizures tend to not be very passionate. Though this interpretation is not very plausible, it is a legitimate literal interpretation. The other interpretation, which seems to be more plausible, is if seizure is defined as: “to possess or to take hold of by force.” “The passionate seizure of beauty” could be interpreted that beauty seizes a person through the burning emotion of passion. True beauty differs from external beauty by one thing; passion.
Lines 12-13 act as a historical comment of the discrimination of Blacks and new immigrants during the early 20th century. The word “signs” can be interpreted both literally and metaphorically. Signs like, “no Irish Need Apply,” were posted in front of businesses, while signs on restaurants stating “whites only,” legally prohibited blacks from restaurants and bathrooms. “All signs,” could also represent the rich industrialists, who wanted to bask in the wealth of their monopolies, discouraging competitors through prejudice and corruption. The phrase “Marvelous Rebellion,” romanticizes the struggle of the working man, similar to his poem, “Chicago.”
Finally, in the end of the poem, we find that the poem it about “Truth,” “The most elusive captive in the universe.” “Elusive captive” is another oxymoron, which seems to be a common theme throughout the poem. I feel that the multiple oxymoron throughout the poem act as a comment about truth, that truth often contradicts a false perception of reality. Who defies truth? Truth can not truly be defined, which is why it is described as an “elusive.” Truth is characterized as being a “captive,” because if a person accepts something as “true,” that thought or perception captures the person and molds the person into an individual, one person among “the valleys and shores of universal life.”
WHO AM I?
By: Carl Sandburg
MY head knocks against the stars.
My feet are on the hilltops.
My finger-tips are in the valleys and shores of
universal life.
Down in the sounding foam of primal things I
reach my hands and play with pebbles of
destiny.
I have been to hell and back many times.
I know all about heaven, for I have talked with God.
I dabble in the blood and guts of the terrible.
I know the passionate seizure of beautyAnd the marvelous rebellion of man at all signs
reading "Keep Off."
My name is Truth and I am the most elusive captive
in the universe.
While aimlessly scrolling through an endless laundry list of different poems on the internet, the title of this poem caught my attention. “Who am I” was coincidentally the theme of one of our class sessions as well as the name of this poem by masterful writer, Carl Sandburg.
I assumed the poem was going to explain “Who is Carl Sandburg?” because the title of the poem automatically gave me the impression that the poem was referring to the author, Carl Sandburg. However, my intuition, once again, failed me…
The poem has very similar characteristics of a riddle. The title, “Who am I?” acts as the question. Sandburg uses personification to describe whoever or whatever “I” is (“My head,” “My feet,” “My toes”). His first three lines describe a omnipresent force (“stars,” “hilltops,” “valleys and shores”) that could be either metaphoric or literal. The phrase, “Universal life” caught my eye and made me think, “Why did the author say ‘universal life,’ when life itself already has a universal implication?” This phrase can be interpreted many different ways (aside from being a type of life insurance…); however, this is the way I see it: Carl Sandburg is trying to make a social comment about life. The phrase “Universal life,” is actually a statement by the author that life is universal; every life on earth should be appreciated. The descriptions are contrasted by the author’s use of personification. Sandburg’s use of personification reassured me that the poem is about the author.
Rather than using a “clean” line break, Sandburg uses single words and phrases to signify the end of a stanza (“universal life,” “Destiny”, “Keep Off”) All three lines are very powerful, broad terms that could have many different interpretations, which I feel was Sandburg’s intention. Also, the phrases act as an abrupt syllable change, which catches the reader’s attention.
In the fifth line, the author rhymes “Down” and “sound(ing).” This lightens the mood of the poem and gives it a smooth flow. The phrase, “sounding foam” had me scratching my head… What the heck is sounding foam? I looked up “Sounding” in the dictionary, which Merriam-Webster defines as, “n: measurement of depth especially with a sounding line.” This could be plausible because line 6 mentions “I reach my hands,” which arguably could be a method of sounding. If “sounding” is intended to be an adjective, the phrase “sounding foam,” could be interpreted as an oxymoron, since foam is pretty silent. But what does it mean? “Sounding foam” refers to “primal things.” “Primal” can be interpreted two different ways. The first definition of the word primal, defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is, “first in importance.” If we accept this definition, “Down in the sounding foam of primal things,” could be interpreted as the things in life which we deem as important are really pointless fluff, or “foam.” If we interpret “primal” to mean “original,” lines 5-7 could represent this mystery character’s ability to manipulate life, the ability to, “play with the pebbles of destiny,” which is also an example of alliteration (“play” and “pebbles”), used by the author to lighten the mood of the poem and to give it flow.
Lines 8 and 9 mention that this “mystery” thing has “been to hell and back,” and has, “talked with god.” Since this mystery thing is “truth,” (sorry if I ruined the ending for you) lines 8 and 9 represent the ideology of the author, along with the majority of Americans during the early 20th century. Heaven and Hell were simply “truth,” and anyone who defied God’s existence would probably be considered “un-American.”
Line 10, “blood and guts of the terrible” is another example of personification, which gives the line emotion. “Blood” and “dabble” is another example of alliteration, used to lighten the mood of the poem and to give it rhythm.
“Passionate seizure,” similar to “sounding foam,” can be interpreted multiple ways. If you define “seizure” as “the physical manifestations (as convulsions, sensory disturbances, or loss of consciousness) resulting from abnormal electrical discharges in the brain (as in epilepsy)” the phrase “passionate seizure” is nearly oxymoronic, since seizures tend to not be very passionate. Though this interpretation is not very plausible, it is a legitimate literal interpretation. The other interpretation, which seems to be more plausible, is if seizure is defined as: “to possess or to take hold of by force.” “The passionate seizure of beauty” could be interpreted that beauty seizes a person through the burning emotion of passion. True beauty differs from external beauty by one thing; passion.
Lines 12-13 act as a historical comment of the discrimination of Blacks and new immigrants during the early 20th century. The word “signs” can be interpreted both literally and metaphorically. Signs like, “no Irish Need Apply,” were posted in front of businesses, while signs on restaurants stating “whites only,” legally prohibited blacks from restaurants and bathrooms. “All signs,” could also represent the rich industrialists, who wanted to bask in the wealth of their monopolies, discouraging competitors through prejudice and corruption. The phrase “Marvelous Rebellion,” romanticizes the struggle of the working man, similar to his poem, “Chicago.”
Finally, in the end of the poem, we find that the poem it about “Truth,” “The most elusive captive in the universe.” “Elusive captive” is another oxymoron, which seems to be a common theme throughout the poem. I feel that the multiple oxymoron throughout the poem act as a comment about truth, that truth often contradicts a false perception of reality. Who defies truth? Truth can not truly be defined, which is why it is described as an “elusive.” Truth is characterized as being a “captive,” because if a person accepts something as “true,” that thought or perception captures the person and molds the person into an individual, one person among “the valleys and shores of universal life.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)