Geist Meets World

Lil' Bit 'o Choice

2009-01-21T16:29:00.000-08:00

This is what we need to cover during the rest of the year:

1. Novel (Slaughterhouse Five or One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest)
2. Poetry
3. Creative Writing Unit
4. Senior Scrapbook (your Final)
5. Short Stories

We have five (5) months. (That makes me incredibly sad to write...)

We are lucky enough to pretty flexible with units. Is there anything you want to do? Anything you want to read? Any kinds of projects you would like to complete? Speak now or forever hold your peace.

(...I really am teary-eyed now!...)

Theme Song

2009-01-21T16:26:00.000-08:00

We need a class (as in class period not class of '09) theme song.

1. State your period.
2. Your song nomination.

Thank you.

New Groovy Go-Getter

2009-01-21T16:23:00.000-08:00

Okay, so we are going to start this year out right:

1. Write your class period.
2. Write your nomination for the month of FEBRUARY. (The person you are nominating must be in your class!)

Thank you.

Titus Andronicus

2008-12-23T08:18:00.001-08:00

So, I love Titus Andronicus, and I think it is brilliantly written. Since TA was Shakespeare's most famous play and the one everyone wanted to see performed again and again, I think that is a telling sign of how much people have not changed...

What were your thoughts? Did you like it, love it or hate it? What was your favorite part?

If You Could Go Anywhere...

2008-12-23T08:15:00.000-08:00

Honestly, there are so many places that I would want to go if I had unlimited resources. I would go to Scotland, Ireland, Greece, Turkey, Brazil, Peru, Nova Scotia, and the list goes on and on.

If you could go anywhere, where would you go? Mars? The bottom of the ocean? Your cousin's house? Another country?

Governor Patterson's Proposals

2008-12-23T08:08:00.001-08:00

I know all of you have heard about Gov. Patterson's proposed tax increases/budget cuts. Here is a summary of what he is proposing. And yes, it does affect you!

1. Tax clothes and shoes under $110
2. Tax anything downloaded from the internet (music, movies)
3. Tax sporting events (Bandits, Bills, Sabres)
4. Increase fees for licenses, license plates and registration
5. Tax non-diet drinks
6. Tax haircuts and massages
7. Tax the price for a movie admission
8. Get rid of the current gas tax cap
9. Increase college tuition
10. Tax your life

Okay, number 10 is fake, but what do you think? Do you think this will help NY get out of this downtrodden slump? Do you think this is just going to make people want to move?

Talk about it here, people!

Go Bills! Go Sabres! Go Bandits!

2008-12-23T08:03:00.000-08:00

So, of our Buffalo teams, for whom are you rooting?

Are you still hanging in there, hoping the Bills squeak out another win?

Are you still riding the Sabres bandwagon, praying that they crawl out of this terrible slump?

Are you wishing the Bandits keep their Championship title again this year?

Or, do you favor another team completely?

We Need a Theme Song

2008-10-10T09:59:00.000-07:00

So I was thinking: we need a theme song. For each of my classes (1/2A, 1/2B, 4/7A, 11/12A, 11/12B), I want you to nominate a song that we can listen to as "our own".

The song should represent our class, our beliefs, our togetherness. (...That, and it needs to be school appropriate!!) =)

1. Write your class period and day.
2. Give your suggestions.

Personally, I think "Imagine" by John Lennon would be a good one...

Oh! Oh! Oh! Maybe we should have the Barney song as our theme song! ??

Choose the Geist's Groovy Go-Getter for the Month of October!

2008-10-07T04:10:00.000-07:00

Here is a chance for you to nominate your classmates for the monthly "Geist's Groovy Go-Getter" for the month of October. Think about your classmates. Who deserves this honor? Who comes to class on time and prepared? Who volunteers?

Please nominate a classmate here. Write your class period and the nominee's name.

College Unit: Was It Helpful?

2008-10-07T04:08:00.001-07:00

Let me ask you this: Did you find the College Unit (and Everything Else, too!) helpful?

I want you to talk to me about it a little bit. What would you have done differently? What would you have included or excluded? Do you think you will have use of these types of papers in the future?

(Be honest, but please do not be hurtful!)

Halloween!

2008-10-07T04:01:00.000-07:00

Halloween is my favorite time of year. I love the candy, the costumes, the haunted houses. I want you to tell me: What is your favorite Halloween candy? What is your favorite costume? Do you enjoy haunted houses and scary movies?

1. Hmmm, I love all Halloween candy; I cannot narrow it down to one! However, if I had to choose, I would pick Twix. And Reese's PB Cups. And Baby Ruth.

2. I would have to say I have always wanted to dress up like Rainbow Brite (a toy of the 80s) but I could never find the right costume. Oooh, I also always wanted to dress up as Batgirl (even before the movie craze.) However, the most creative costume I ever saw was when a person superglued probably around a thousand smarties to his pants: SMARTIE PANTS!

3. I love, love, love haunted houses. I scream like a baby and believe me--if we were together and zombies were chasing us, I am tripping you. =) Regarding the scary movies, I do not like them so much. Either they are campy or gross. Very rarely do horror movies scare; mostly they just "gross out".

Choose Our Next Play!

2008-10-07T03:59:00.001-07:00

Since we are going to be starting Shakespeare, I am giving you -yes, YOU- the option of choosing our next play. (Awesome, right?) I want you to search online for a short synopsis of the following plays: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, Titus Andronicus and Othello.

Then, what I would like you to do is in post your class period and your preference. (Oh, and please do not forget to mention why you want to do this play!)

If You Could Meet Any Person NOT ALIVE, Who Would That Be?

2008-10-07T03:55:00.001-07:00

Obviously, for those of you who know me, if I were able to talk to any one deceased person, I would choose the one and only Mr. William Shakespeare. I think the man is brilliant, humorous and witty. (LOVE him!)

If you were able to talk to one person not currently walking the world known as Earth, to whom would you speak? What would you ask this person? (If I met my one and only, I would ask him to marry me.)

Questions

2008-06-09T04:53:00.000-07:00

1. What did you like about English this year?
2. What would you change?
3. What was your favorite (or at least tolerable) unit? (Short stories, the college unit, F451, Kite Runner, Lord of the Flies, I-Search Paper)
4. Which did you absolutely loathe?
5. What kind of literature would you have liked to have read?
6. What kinds of activities?

Advice for Underclassmen:

2008-06-09T04:52:00.000-07:00

Given that you will be leaving us soon (nooooo!) what advice would you give to incoming "Freshmeat"? Next year's Sophomores and Juniors? What about next year's Seniors? Reflect on what you would tell them and what you wish you would have done differently (or not!).

Say Something Nice About Your Classmates...

2008-06-09T04:50:00.000-07:00

We have SIX days left of school before you go off and do your own thing. Take the time to say something nice to your classmate because who knows when you will see them again after you graduate.

Blogging

2008-04-10T07:49:00.000-07:00

We have been blogging now for quite a few months. I would like to know your thoughts on it. I have enjoyed it (mostly). I like reading your opinions and I think that having the guise of a screen name allows you to post your ideas without being singled out by your friends and classmates.

How do you feel about the blogs? Do you like them? Are you going to do them in the future (i.e. create your own blogs)? Did you like the posts? Did you like the idea of "guest posting"?

I am currently thinking about what I want to keep next year and this is one opinion I would really like to hear.

Women's Rights

2008-04-10T07:46:00.000-07:00

All I have to say is:

WOMEN ROCK!

Too many times "The Man" keeps us down.

Ladies, do you agree?

Gentlemen, do you?

What Advice Do You Have for the Juniors?

2008-04-10T07:39:00.000-07:00

The time has come for you to pass the torch to the Juniors.

What advice do you have for them? What would you tell them to do? Give them advice!

Vacation Plans

2008-04-10T07:27:00.000-07:00

Okay, so this break I am going to be wasting my days sleeping in, gardening, cleaning my house and --unfortunately-- exercizing. (Yay, fun.)

What are you guys going to do? (Oh, and if you tell me you are going away to some exotic place, I don't want to hear it!!---Okay, I am just kidding!)

OH!!! I will probably go frisbee golfing if any of you want to join me at Chesnutt Ridge Park...

Yay, Frisbee Golf!!

Smoking in Public

2008-04-10T06:58:00.000-07:00

I have grown up during a time when the laws for smoking in public places have changed. At first, everyone was allowed to smoke in restaurants and bars. Then restaurants became conscious of people's dislike for smoking so they created designated seating areas where their smoking patrons could sit away from their non-smoking counterparts. Then legislation changed and absolutely nowhere in a publicly owned building could one smoke--bars, restaurants, break rooms.

I have mixed feelings. I mean, if a person goes to a bar and grille, it is sort of expected that people will smoke there. However, having experienced the non-smoking public places, I really like leaving and not smelling like smoke.

What do you think? Should people smoke wherever and whenever they want?

G-Town Showdown!

2008-04-10T06:55:00.000-07:00

What are you looking forward to during the G-Town Showdown? Are any of you performing?

I can't wait for all of the school's bands to play! I am also looking forward to seeing Rattler and the Shakers. They always put on a good show!

What would you like to see next year?

Chap 5 Summary

2008-03-10T07:55:00.001-07:00

Page 77: "On two sides was the beach; behind, the lagoon; in front, the darkness of the island." Symbolic of the evil of man.

ISLAND = MAN

Page 80: Hygiene is breaking down. The boys are starting to go to the bathroom near the fruit. Who's not to tell them?

Page 81: "Can't you see we ought to--ought to die before we let the fire out?" Fire = Savior; No Fire = No Savior = Death

Page 83: "Course there isn't a beast in the forest. How could there be? What would a beast eat?"
"Pig."
"We eat pig."
"Piggy!"
FORESHADOWING

Piggy = Scientific

SIMON GETS IT!! Page 89: "Maybe," he said hesitantly, "maybe there is a beast...What I mean is . . . maybe it's only us." BAM!!!

Chap 5 HUGE break down in rules/laws/society/language

"Graduation Garb" --By Bandits.on.the.Power.Play

2008-03-10T06:36:00.000-07:00

Just recently a group of Native American students went to the board in order to get approval to wear a stolle and an eagle feather that signifies their culture, much like what NHS wears to signify their belonging to the group.

Would you be offended if this were approved? Should everyone wear the same gown? Does it matter? Shouldn't we support diversity? Discuss.

Do We Have Reason to be Arrogant?

2008-03-10T06:19:00.000-07:00

The other day someone made an interesting comment. He stated that we deserve everything because "America kicks @**."

Why do you think other countries do not like or support us? Do you think it is because of this attitude? Do we have reason to believe this? Are we really as great as we say we are?

Granted we have much, much more than most countries, but does that make us spoiled, whining babies who exert our power when someone else disagrees?

Would you want to live anywhere else?

I pose a lot of questions here and I would like to start an intelligent conversation.

He Said What?!

2008-03-05T17:36:00.001-08:00

As I am sitting here debating what the Hades to put on our Blog, my friend Jill is telling me about her day at school. (I really need to get a computer so I can do these at home!)

Jill was doing a math lesson on money. She was showing the kids on the board how to write dollar amounts using decimals. (Remember, she teaches second graders.) One of the students informed her that he had to move from where he was sitting. He told her, "I had to move over." Jill responds with, "Oh, that's fine. As long as you can see."

The kicker response: "Yeah. I couldn't see 'cuz your big, fat booty was in the way!"

(Mind you, Jill is stick thin so it makes it just makes the comment 1000 times more hysterical.)

What is the funniest comment you ever heard someone say to someone else?

BE APPROPRIATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How's Your Novel Going?

2008-03-05T17:34:00.000-08:00

Discuss your novel you are reading in class. Are you liking it? Hating it?

Would you consider this "good literature"? Why or why not? What would make it better?

Senior Trip Thoughts

2008-03-05T17:32:00.000-08:00

So, toward which trip are you leaning? NYC or Florida? What are the benefits to each?

"Pets" --By My Friend Jill

2008-03-05T17:24:00.000-08:00

My friend Andrea put me up to this and I teach second graders so um, have fun with this one.

I have a black pug named Geno. My husband and I spoil him and treat him like he's a human boy. He sleeps in our bed, we take him everywhere, we dress him up for Halloween and we celebrate his birthday. (We put him in a Scooby Doo party hat.)

Is this weird? Are your pets part of your family and what do you do to spoil your pets?

"Amazing Tales" --By BaerBaer

2008-03-05T17:12:00.000-08:00

So I have been reading a series of books, as some of you may have heard: Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer. They're great! The books are of pure brilliance.

What is the last book you read? How amazing was it? Be descriptive.

"Seeing Ahead" --by L's Army

2008-03-04T08:32:00.000-08:00

If you had the choice of knowing what was in the future, would you want to?

Do you think things like fate and destiny are set in stone, or can they be changed?

"Geist for President" --by bees4ever

2008-03-04T08:27:00.000-08:00

In November, the American people will vote for the President of the US --the most powerful man (or woman?!) on earth. Until then all the candidates will have held thousands of speeches, spend millions of $$$ for their campaigns (which amount could probably feed two or three African countries), and fought for every voter.

Who will you vote for? Will you vote at all or do you not care? What do you think about the whole election? In my opinion, it is too much about the person himself (or herself) and not enough about what they want to change (or not change).

What do you think? (Shouldn't we just all vote for Miss Geist?) ;)

"Obsession" --By stupidgirl2190

2008-03-04T08:24:00.001-08:00

Don't laugh but my obsession is One Tree Hill (a TV show on the CW). I have all four seasons and for three weeks any chance I got I watched them (even though I already saw Season 3 and 4 on TV). Every Tuesday at 9 you'll find me watching Season 5! I am definitely obsessed.

What does it mean to be obsessed? Is it enjoying spending your free time with a certain person or calling them 24/7 until he answers? Is it liking only one type of food and refusing to eat anything but that type?

What do you think? Do you have any obsessions? A person? movie? TV show?

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!

2008-02-13T16:26:00.000-08:00

FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU TO HAVE A WONDERFUL COMMERCIAL HOLIDAY AND KNOW THAT I AM SORRY I COULD NOT WISH YOU THE FINAL "BE SMART! BE SAFE! I DO NOT WANT TO READ ABOUT YOU!" BEFORE BREAK. I GUESS THIS WILL HAVE TO DO.

MAKE SURE YOU RESPOND TO EACH OF THE POSTS THAT ARE LISTED HERE IN QUOTATIONS (""). (THERE ARE ELEVEN.) THEY WERE WRITTEN BY YOUR FELLOW CLASSMATES SO BE SURE TO BE RESPECTFUL, KIND AND THOUGHTFUL. GO INTO DETAIL. START A DIALOGUE.

DO NOT BE INAPPROPRIATE. THE SAME RULES APPLY EVEN THOUGH I AM NOT HOVERING LIKE A HAWK. THIS IS SCHOOL, YOU KNOW...

AND FINALLY...

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE. SEE YOU IN A WEEK!

"Super Powers" By: Nowakowski

2008-02-13T16:20:00.001-08:00

If you had a super power, what would it be? Be creative--no "pity powers" here.

"Is Being a Senior Making You Go Broke?" By McFeely

2008-02-13T16:16:00.000-08:00

Being a Senior is supposed to be fun--the year to enjoy your last chance of being a kid. But with all these costly events and things we have to buy it's making students put in more hours at work. Having to pay for a cap and gown, the Senior Dinner Dance, bus tickets, class rings, yearbook, and a class hoodie, it's using up most of a student's pay check.

Putting in more hours leads to missing school events. What do you do think: Ss being a Senior making you go broke? Tell me what you think!

"Sports" By -[]-[]-<>[]-[]-

2008-02-13T16:12:00.000-08:00

What is your favorite sport? Do you have a favorite team? If you do not enjoy sports, what do you like to do outside of school?

"Almost Time for Graduation" By: Okaykaykay

2008-02-13T05:43:00.000-08:00

So it's less than five months away until we are out of here....forever. I am sure we have all dreamed about that summer where either you can't wait to go have fun and party it up at college, or can't wait to never have to look forward to another "first-day-of-school". Almost all of us have been classmates since kindergarten. We have all gained and lost friends, but in the end we all really have to admit that we'll miss it. As much as we hate the nagging teachers, we are going to wish we had them in college.

So my question to all of you is, what exactly are ya going to miss about all of this? And what can't you wait to get away from?

"Hats" By: Sanitarium

2008-02-13T05:41:00.000-08:00

For every year I have been in this school I have not been able to wear a hat. Why do you think we are not allowed to wear hats? And if you had the chance to wear one, would you?

"What's Praying?" By: Hellblazer

2008-02-13T05:39:00.000-08:00

Why is Religion such a touchy subject in public schools? Is it really a big deal if you're praying or worshipping in a school? Let's hear some feedback, people!

"Dream Job" By Alisha B.

2008-02-13T05:37:00.000-08:00

If I had a dream job, it would be making video games. I would make more video games for girls because there are so many boy games but not many for girls. My business would make money.

What is your dream job? What would your dream job change? Do you think your business would make money or would it fail?

"Are School Lunches Terrible?" By: boyustanktakeabath

2008-02-13T05:33:00.000-08:00

Do you feel that the school lunches suck? There are no chocolate chip cookies or assorted ice cream desserts being sold. Should the school dictate how you and other students eat? How should the school lunches be better improved? Or are you content with the meals that are served?

"This Year's Seniors Being Punished?" By: Doglover

2008-02-13T05:31:00.000-08:00

It is my opinion that it is not fair that we are getting punished for what the class of 2007 did for pranks last year so this year's Seniors have no privliges at all.

Do you think Senior pranks are harmless? Do they go too far? Should they be allowed? Think about this topic from all sides--administration, students and teachers.

"Normal Routine" By: Nowakowski

2008-02-13T05:28:00.000-08:00

When you get up, what is your normal routine? What do you do if you wake up late? Are you a person that wakes up super early or one that wakes up 5 minutes before school? Explain a little in detail of what you do in the morning.

"What Are Some of Your Favorites?" By Marsean23

2008-02-13T05:26:00.000-08:00

Favorite Movie-
Favorite Song-
Favorite Actor-
Favorite Actress-
Favorite Clothing Store-
Favorite Sport-
Favorite Athlete-
Favorite Subject-
Favorite Teacher-
Favorite Food-
Favorite Drink-
Favorite Restaurant-

RICE ROCKS!

2008-01-28T15:50:00.001-08:00

Go to www.freerice.org and play for 10 minutes. Post here the level you reached.

I LOVE THIS WEBSITE. I'M ADDICTED!

To get back to our blog, just hit the back button on your browser.

WORKING S*CKS

2008-01-28T05:32:00.002-08:00

How do you feel about having to work during high school? Do your grades suffer? Do you feel like you have to do it in order to survive?

Start a discussion.

How was your break?

2008-01-28T05:32:00.001-08:00

What did you do over break? Anything interesting?

Hmmmm

2008-01-28T04:59:00.000-08:00

First, go to wikipedia.org (THIS IS THE ONLY TIME YOU ARE ALLOWED TO GO TO THIS SITE) and search the following novels for a quick revie of what novel you would enjoy reading.

Kite Runner
The Things They Carried
Handmaid's Tale
Haroun and the Sea of Stories
To Kill a Mockingbird
Lord of the Flies

What do you think we should do for the next quarter?

Option One:
Read a novel together. I only have class sets so all reading would be done in class. (Some of you may be excited about this, but keep in mind how boring that would be.)

Option Two:
The class would be broken up into Literature Circles and grouped by novel. You would be reading what you want and would be responsible for conducting your own group discussions.

Tell me which novel you would like to read AND which option you would like to do. BE SPECIFIC AND THOROUGH IN YOUR ANSWER.

Roses are Red--by Saltine

2008-01-18T08:51:00.000-08:00

Make up your own "Roses are Red" poem.

Roses are red
Some diamonds are blue
Blogging is great
And it's good for you

I've Lost My Senses!!

2008-01-18T05:08:00.000-08:00

If you could get rid of one of your five senses, which one would you get rid of?

Sight? Taste? Touch? Smell? Hearing?

I have no idea which one I would give up. I think I would get give up Taste. I love food waaay too much so I think that would be the healthiest option. Hmmm, or maybe Smell. (Have you ever gotten a whiff of something so absolutely terrible that your only reaction is to gag?)

Throwin' It Out There

2008-01-18T05:05:00.000-08:00

I like the idea of having "Guest Post-ers" post on our Blog. (You will notice one already; Kull has posted his thoughts on "Video Game Mania" earlier in the week.)

I want you to consider what you will write about (because all of you will eventually write one). There is no choice in the matter.

Respond if you have questions, comments, concerns.

THE MIDTERM IS OVER!!!

2008-01-18T05:04:00.000-08:00

Now that the Midterm is over, what are your thoughts?

Please be thorough. I do change assignments year to year from the comments students give! (That does not mean you can say, "Make it longer and harder so they have to suffer!") =)

By the way, have a great break. While you are sleeping in, I will be grading essays after essays after essays after...

ENGLISH IS LIKE A(N)...

2008-01-15T12:54:00.001-08:00

...SWEATER VEST because it keeps a person warm and is oh-so-trendy.

Video Game Mania by Kull

2008-01-14T05:14:00.000-08:00

We all play video games no matter how old we are, and at some point we have been a video game player. Whether you play X-box 360, Playstation 3, Nintendo Wii, or PC, it's an addiction that is sometimes hard to overcome.

But video games are a distraction. Kids would rather play Halo 3 or Call of Duty 4 then do their homework. Even some adults will forget about work to go online and tear up. Video games are a fun activity for when there is nothing to do. But if you have piles of homework or paperwork it is not something that you should be doing. Video game designers make video games to be addicting. Just like the tobacco companies. People are trying to break their addictions to cigarettes. Now it is being replaced with video games-- only it's now with the younger generation.

Should we try to break this addiction and get rid of video games or somehow limit the amount of time spent on them?

Kull

Top 5

2008-01-08T05:02:00.000-08:00

Here are my lists of Top 5:
MOVIES
1. Lord of the Rings Trilogy
2. Beetlejuice
3. Labyrinth
4. Boondock Saints
5. Shrek

BANDS
1. Beatles of course!!
2. Our Lady Peace
3. Modest Mouse/The White Stripes
4. LCD Soundsystem
5. Feist

FOODS
1. Pizza
2. Mashed potatos and meatloaf
3. Piragi
4. Ambrosia
5. Orange Jello

NOVELS
1. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
2. Anything by Shakespeare or Hemingway
3. Harry Potter series by JK Rowling
4. Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud
5. Tomcat in Love by Tim O'Brien

COLORS
1. Black
2. Sage Green
3. Cappaccino
4. Caribbean water blue
5. black

WORST MOVIES**
1. The Notebook
2. Encino Man
3. Gramma's Boy
4. Anchor Man
5. Eragon
**Here is no less than 12 hours of my life I will NEVER get back.

Respond/comment against my Top 5, make your own list, you know, whatever. Just comment.

I am trying to come up with a list of what I say the most...

Movie Madness

2008-01-08T04:51:00.001-08:00

Recently I have seen a slew of movies. Before P.S. I Love You came out, my friend got some free tickets to see the film before it was released to the public. (Sneak Previews are great because if the movie is terrible, the show was free anyway.) She sobbed through the entire movie while I was trying not to drown in the ocean of sappy clichés. (For those of you that are going to go see it, watch out for the flashback scene where they first meet. It's hysterical and yet poorly edited.)

I saw Sweeney Todd and being a huge Tim Burton fan, this movie was great. It is a musical (and yes, Johnny Depp does sing--quite well, actually) so do not get up and walk out because it was not what you thought it was. I really enjoyed it.

I do not know why I was dragged to see the sequel to National Treasure, but I was. The only redeeming factor in the entire movie is Nicholas Cage's quirky (and ever-so-adorable) sidekick, Reilly.

Your post should be a bit on the longer side. What movies have you seen lately that you would recommend? What movie(s) are your favorite? What movies have you seen and hated?

Interesting Thought

2008-01-08T04:49:00.000-08:00

When is it okay to give up? Is it ever okay? Talk to me.

I expect some rather good discussion here.

ATTENTION: JAKE THE SNAKE, BAERBEAR, SALTINE, SPELL CHECK MASTER, DOUBLE T and GOD

2008-01-07T11:33:00.000-08:00

I suggest you get a "move on" and start reading your novels. I am a bit nervous for you all, as the project is worth 20% of your grade and is due the 16th of January.

I WILL BE CALLING HOME IF THEY ARE NOT TURNED IN!!!!!!!!!!

How's Your Novel Going?

2008-01-03T15:10:00.000-08:00

Give the name of your book.

Talk a little bit about what is going on in the novel.

Would you recommend it?

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

This old writer is dying. She is a recluse and refuses to tell reporters anything truthful about her life. (So far she has a running total of no less than 19 birth stories--all conflicting.) She employs the owner (another observer rather than participator in life) of a book store to stay with her in her house in the English countryside where she begins the tale of her life.

I would absolutely recommend it. It is riveting. I know I am not doing it justice with this little blurb here, but in all honesty, I hate going to sleep because I want to read it all night!

If You Were a Food, What Would You Be?

2008-01-03T15:08:00.000-08:00

I would be ambrosia--a gift from the gods. (Kidding, kidding.)

If you were a food, what food would you be?

"Where, Oh Where, Can He Be?"

2008-01-03T14:59:00.000-08:00

Honestly, if a bum from off the streets of Munich asked me to marry him and live there, I would. If a poor haberdasher asked me to move to Pittsburgh and help him sell his goods, I would. (Now that I think about it, those are two very opposite places.)

My dream home in Munich or Pittsburgh would be fully solar-funtional, it would be 100% natural (electricity? overrated), I would have my own garden complete with organic vegetables (as my neighbors would provide the free-range cattle and poultry), and I would not own a vehicle.

Where would you live? Describe your dream home and what it would consist of.

Discussion For-ummmm...

2008-01-03T14:52:00.000-08:00

A few classes ago someone mentioned the idea of having "Discussion Days," where we put topics into an "Ask It Basket," pull out an idea and talk about it. The topics could range from someone having problems with friends to something more broad like the upcoming presidential campaign to a controversial topic such as capital punishment.

First, answer me this: Would you be interested in discussion? (Mind you, we would have to be respectful, understanding and supportive of others' opinions. You may not agree with his or her stance, but there will be no disrespect.)

Second, riddle me this: What kinds of topics would you like to discuss?

Happy New Year 2008!!!

2008-01-03T14:50:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, Seniors!

I guess I fall into the category of "I make resolutions and then never follow through with them." I will be gung-ho about starting off the new year in a great way and then January 2nd rolls around and I am asking, "What's the special at Burger King?" (Not really, but you get the point.)

Do you have any resolutions for the New Year? Do you follow through with them? And why is it, that it is so easy to "fall off the wagon"?

Nominate a Fellow Student

2007-12-03T05:20:00.000-08:00

It is December. I know I slacked (a lot) on the Geist's Groovy G-Getters in November so I need to pick up my end and get in gear.

Nominate a student in your class and tell me why he or she is worthy of the honor!

A Feminist Perspective on F451

2007-11-30T04:03:00.001-08:00

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...)

What do you want for Christmas?

2007-11-29T18:17:00.000-08:00

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.)

"THIS IS SO BORING."

2007-11-29T17:59:00.000-08:00

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!

"me Fail english? thats' Unpossible!"

2007-11-29T17:47:00.000-08:00

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!

A DUPLICATE GEIST?!

2007-11-29T17:24:00.000-08:00

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...

To All the Seniors of Gowanda High School

2007-10-30T08:03:00.000-07:00

Should you be surfing the different blogs and come across this little doozy, I just want to say thanks. Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. Thanks for being a part of my class--not that you had a choice. Thanks for not getting annoyed at the list of things I am thanking you for.

In all honesty, I really want to tell all you Seniors how proud I am of you. I know I do not get a chance to talk to many of you outside of class, but I want you to know not to give up! You are one-fourth of the way through your last year of high school!

For those of you that have not experienced senioritis yet, it is scientifically proven you will develop a case after Christmas vacation. Do not let it manifest itself into a condition that is not curable. Stick with it!

Anyhow, I wish all of you the best. The Class of '08 ROCKS!!

2007-10-30T06:32:00.001-07:00

BE APPROPRIATE. YOU FORGET I HAVE ALL OF YOUR INFORMATION!!!!

QUOTE CRAZY!

2007-10-30T05:21:00.000-07:00

"If they give you lined paper, write the other way." Juan Ramon Jimenez

Aside from (maybe) wasting paper,what the heck does this quote mean? How do you think it applies to your life? (Does it apply to your life?)

Holidays

2007-10-28T14:01:00.000-07:00

I will give you an easy post. Very little thinking involved.

What is your favorite holiday? Why?

(If you are curious, mine is Halloween. It is techinically not a holiday, but for the purposes of this blog, consider it one.)

Operation: Loner

2007-10-28T13:34:00.000-07:00

So you all know me and my -sometimes- obssessive nature regarding the environment. (Like that? My "nature" and the "environment"? Nevermind.) I believe we should live symbiotically with Nature as she will win, eventually. Instead of being wasteful, we should lessen our impact and take care of the world in which we live. Okay, you have heard this all before. I will get to my point.

Often there are times when many of you disagree with me and think, "Why bother? Our kids can clean up our mess." (That hurts me to even write that.) Well, I feel alone but I still adamantly stand behind what I belive in.

My question to you is: Think about a time when you did not agree with your friends. Did you decide to go with the majority or stick to your guns? What was the topic? Do you think a majority of people would rather just "go with the flow" or be like a salmon and "swim upstream"? Why?

Are You Happy?

2007-10-28T13:30:00.000-07:00

What does it mean to be happy? Are you happy?

Are there different kinds of happiness? Do possessions make us more or less happy?

Give a definition of what you think happiness is and talk about it.

WHAT THE *%&^!!

2007-10-28T13:06:00.000-07:00

Censorship. Now there is an idea that has sparked much controversy over the years.

Think: Janet Jackson, Superbowl, "wardrobe malfunction"

Think: "Family Guy" and "South Park"

Think: 50 Cent's new album

How do you feel about censorship? Are we Americans -ironically- too conservative in our views of what should or should not be censored? When and where should we have censorship?

NO MORE BOOKS---FOREVER!

2007-10-20T22:42:00.000-07:00

Catchy title, huh?

Now that I have your attention, let me start by asking you what kind of relationship you have with reading material. (I will qualify "reading material" as anything that you read: magazines, newspapers, comics, novels, cereal boxes--anything in print.) Do you have a love/hate relationship? Do you have a weekend fling? Do tell.

What if I told you that all -I repeat ALL- written word was now illegal. (Please control your initial ecstatic excitement.) In place of all written word is a descriptive picture. To read is to be punished. To be caught in possession of reading material is to be punished. To be caught with a sideways glance at reading material is to be punished. (Are you getting a visual?)

Think about it. How would you feel? What would an ordinary day be like?

Blog or "Blah-g"?

2007-01-29T05:31:00.000-08:00

I am that person between a rock and a hard place.

As an educator, I find myself asking the question, how does blogging help my students? If I make my students journal on the web, is this getting away from the reliability of pen and paper? That tangible evidence that is an extension of one’s mind? Shouldn’t we be teaching how to write before throwing them into the ocean of blogging to sink or swim? It is like giving someone a chisel and a block of marble and saying, “make David” without giving the necessary clay first. Students need the basics. (And let’s be honest: students will naturally use shorter language when typing in an informal setting such as blogging, foregoing all taught grammar and sentence structure. What message does that send?)

As an educator, I find myself loving the idea that the world is at my fingertips through a small plastic machine. I can connect to an individual living in Siberia from a click of a mouse. I can read about shark attacks or sewing techniques. People can respond to my posts, expanding and tightening the connection between people. Isn’t that what blogging is supposed to do? Connect us to each other? I read the blogs of others and am fascinated at different perspectives. I am that selfish person; I take what others write, absorb it and make it a part of me.

Blogging is absolutely selfish—and I love it.

Burning Issues

2006-12-18T13:50:00.000-08:00

In light of recent events, these issues interest me:

~Men will soon be able to carry a child full-term and give birth via Cesarean section.

~The world is going to end on December 12, 2012. (So say the Mayans.)

~Carol Channing is going to live forever. (That is, of course, only if the world does not end in 6 years.)

~Shakespeare is actually alive and living with Elvis in Borneo. (Hey, they had to go somewhere where they still use the English measurement system.)

Finally...

~Cryogenics is an intriguing field. Unfortunately, if human organs are frozen at extreme temperatures and thawed, they turn to mush.

MUMRA vs. SKELETOR

2006-10-31T10:11:00.000-08:00

Should these individuals ever meet, who would win in a man-on-man battle? Why?

What if Lord Voldemort was thrown into the fray? Now what?

What do YOU find interesting?

2006-10-31T08:54:00.000-08:00

Has school become a stagnant cess pool where slop is constantly stirred about? Are students the byproduct of this system? Where is the thinking? Perhaps it is time to change. I am sure there will be a surge of reluctance and dagger-eyes thrown in my general direction. What do you mean I have to be responsible for my own learning? We need to move beyond this fill-me-in-I-am-an-empty-receptacle-that-needs-to-be-filled-by-the-teacher pedagogy of thinking. Teachers should not be the bottomless pit of flowing knowledge filling your cavernous brain. The wave of the future is changing! Let's ride that wave!

I hear the following complaints: "This is boring." "Why do we have to do this?" "Can't we do something we want to do?"

Here is your opportunity. Tell me what YOU find interesting. Find an article or a topic and talk about it. I am interested in what you find interesting.

MIDTERM EXTRAVAGANZA

2006-10-31T07:02:00.000-08:00

It is that time of year again. No, I am not talking about the fluffy white stuff falling haphazardly from the cumulus clouds overhead. I am talking about Midterms. Instead of giving an exam ("what a snooze"), I am asking you to read a novel from...dun dun dun...THE BANNED BOOK LIST.

What I am asking you to do with this post is:

Go to the following website: http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bbwlinks/100mostfrequently.htm
Pick a novel. (At this point you may be saying, "Of my own choosing?!" YES! Indubitably yes! By now you are probabley sick of reading what I want to read. Take this chance to read what you want to read.)
Every twenty or thirty pages, I want you to post your reaction to your chosen novel. (Here are a couple prompts: Do you feel this novel should be considered a "banned book?" What are some examples of situations, language, etc. where it is apparent the novel causes discomfort? Are people overreacting to its content?)
Respond to others' posts. Ask your classmates questions about his or her novel. Do you see any connections to your novel and your peers' novels? Start discussions!

Posting counts as. . percent of your Midterm grade. The "Creative Cat" portion will count as the other. . percent.

Good luck and have fun!

What novels are appropriate to teach in 9th grade?

2006-10-30T12:19:00.000-08:00

I am always looking for new novels to teach to both my Regents classes and my Honors class. Any suggestions?