I am not sure if you noticed this or not, but there is a lack of strong, intelligent women in F451. Mildred is an idiot; Mrs. Bowles and Mrs. Phelps are morons; Mrs. Hudson sets herself on fire (risking the impression that one would think she is crazy); and Clarisse -the only real hope for women in the novel- is killed off.
This got me to thinking. The novel takes place in the year 2400, waaaay in the future. Shouldn't we have worked all this iniquity out already? Shouldn't there be equality between men and women? Why does it have to be that the most intelligent characters (Faber and Beatty) are men? Why do the idiots have to be women or killed off in the first fourth of the book?
How do you think the story would change if Faber was a woman? Montag? Beatty?
(Gentlemen: you had better be careful here...)
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
What do you want for Christmas?
Another easy post for you. What do you want for Christmas?
(I've asked Santa for a Mac Notebook, a vacuum, a vegetable steamer and Futurama. Oh, and I want a compost bin.)
(I've asked Santa for a Mac Notebook, a vacuum, a vegetable steamer and Futurama. Oh, and I want a compost bin.)
"THIS IS SO BORING."
Ah, yes. Those dreaded words spoken by students to their teacher that has just put her heart and soul into a lesson only to have it shot down as "being boring."
You all know that I have been out due to a series of seminars. I have to tell you that I have found them fascinating. It is all about creating an environment that fosters learning and -get this- having the students do the thinking. Ironic, I know, since school is supposed to be a place where you are thinking. Anyway, I had an epiphany when I became a student during these conferences: It is really hard to be a student. There are so many things that are required from you these days that I can see how it can be overwhelming. I know teachers have your best interests in mind, but it may not always translate that way to you. (I.e. Your English teachers trying to find literature that appeals to you so you will not be bored.)
Yeah, yeah. I know you are all thinking, "Duh, Geist. Welcome to our world. It is hard being a student." But I am being serious. I can see why some of you hate school and (gasp!) find it boring. I honestly think that you are not being challenged enough and because of this, you are settling for the status quo. I have some ideas on what I would like to do to change this so that each of you is psyched to come to school, but I want to throw it out to you:
If you could run our English class any way you wanted, how would you do so? What kinds of novels would you do? Would everyone do the same novel at the same time like a traditional classroom? What kinds of activities would you do? Would you want to do video projects?
I respect your opinions and know that we do not have to be traditional. I shouldn't even have to say this, but I do ask that you take this seriously. Please do not respond with, "Nothing. Let's just sit here until June." I am really interested in your opinions!
You all know that I have been out due to a series of seminars. I have to tell you that I have found them fascinating. It is all about creating an environment that fosters learning and -get this- having the students do the thinking. Ironic, I know, since school is supposed to be a place where you are thinking. Anyway, I had an epiphany when I became a student during these conferences: It is really hard to be a student. There are so many things that are required from you these days that I can see how it can be overwhelming. I know teachers have your best interests in mind, but it may not always translate that way to you. (I.e. Your English teachers trying to find literature that appeals to you so you will not be bored.)
Yeah, yeah. I know you are all thinking, "Duh, Geist. Welcome to our world. It is hard being a student." But I am being serious. I can see why some of you hate school and (gasp!) find it boring. I honestly think that you are not being challenged enough and because of this, you are settling for the status quo. I have some ideas on what I would like to do to change this so that each of you is psyched to come to school, but I want to throw it out to you:
If you could run our English class any way you wanted, how would you do so? What kinds of novels would you do? Would everyone do the same novel at the same time like a traditional classroom? What kinds of activities would you do? Would you want to do video projects?
I respect your opinions and know that we do not have to be traditional. I shouldn't even have to say this, but I do ask that you take this seriously. Please do not respond with, "Nothing. Let's just sit here until June." I am really interested in your opinions!
"me Fail english? thats' Unpossible!"
I know. I cannot take credit for that wonderful, wonderful quote by the ever-hysterical Ralph Wiggum.
Now, I am not talking about failing in English in general (though some of you better get your act together ;) ), but I am curious to know what you are worried about in life. You are Seniors now and about to step into the "real world" --and not the MTV show. (Ha ha.) Are you nervous about college? working? the military? Perhaps your classmates and I can help you and give any needed advice/support/help!
Now, I am not talking about failing in English in general (though some of you better get your act together ;) ), but I am curious to know what you are worried about in life. You are Seniors now and about to step into the "real world" --and not the MTV show. (Ha ha.) Are you nervous about college? working? the military? Perhaps your classmates and I can help you and give any needed advice/support/help!
A DUPLICATE GEIST?!
I do not know if you have ever done this, but one day I was just surfing the web and I decided to see what our ambiguous Big Brother had on me on the internet. (I am not one of those tinfoil-wearing, disguise-my-identity, hide-in-the-woods, over-the-top people who tries to avoid the government, but I was sincerely curious as to what kind of information was on the web about me.)
Well, I went to Google and typed in "Andrea Geist" (thinking the search would yield the infamous "Did you mean..."). Wouldn't you know it, there is another Andrea Geist out there!!! A love for the written word must come with the name, but she is apparently a romance writer and has her own website, http://www.andreageist.com/ . ("Sparkle This" is her blog title.) Not only that, but apparently there is another Andrea Geist who is a member of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association and is in charge of the software for the machines. Unbelievable!
At the news of this, I actually went through a myriad of emotions simultaneously. My complete and utter shock at there being another me quickly dissipated into ever-so-slight anger and a pinch of annoyance, but then turned into a bit of disappointment: "NO WAY! I'M NOT ORIGINAL!"
What I want you to do first is tell me how you would feel if you weren't "an only." (Am I over-reacting? I know I tend to do that.) Then I want you to Google your name and see if you have any doubles...
Well, I went to Google and typed in "Andrea Geist" (thinking the search would yield the infamous "Did you mean..."). Wouldn't you know it, there is another Andrea Geist out there!!! A love for the written word must come with the name, but she is apparently a romance writer and has her own website, http://www.andreageist.com/ . ("Sparkle This" is her blog title.) Not only that, but apparently there is another Andrea Geist who is a member of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association and is in charge of the software for the machines. Unbelievable!
At the news of this, I actually went through a myriad of emotions simultaneously. My complete and utter shock at there being another me quickly dissipated into ever-so-slight anger and a pinch of annoyance, but then turned into a bit of disappointment: "NO WAY! I'M NOT ORIGINAL!"
What I want you to do first is tell me how you would feel if you weren't "an only." (Am I over-reacting? I know I tend to do that.) Then I want you to Google your name and see if you have any doubles...
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