This is the tenth grade blog accompanying the website, Step into our classroom by your teacher, Troy White - www.stepintoourclassroom.org. This blog is a resource to help facilitate homework and in-class assignments. I am not alone in blogging, as everyone will be participating in the writing process via your personal blog. Writing is not only an art form, but a means of communication.*If you are having difficulties viewing our numerous embedded Google Docs, you need to update your browser.
Yes, famed director Guillermo del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth, Hell Boy) is scheduled to bring Tolkien's the Hobbit film.
See what Guillermo has to say.
Now, please watch this with an open mind. 1977 is quite a while ago, and audience expectations have definitely changed over the years. Watch, and see how this interpretation is inline with the actual novel.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Due to a recent increase in random rabid feline attacks in Strovolos Park, UN Special Forces presence is on the rise. A crack covert team from the Saskatchewan Forestry Division recently arrived to the island. Local feline insurgents have begun to retaliate and the chipmunks have requested increased firepower.
Movies, films, Holly-Bollywood… what sort of person with a pulse doesn’t like movies? What’s a film you absolutely love, or hate, or perhaps saw last? When one writes a review of a film they are giving their:
Giving a brief account of the film; setting, characters, major themes and without giving too much away (spoiler), they let the reader in on the plot.
You (no please this time) MUST read the following TWO links regarding writing a film revew.
I chose a film, not only because I like it, but because I think a number of you will like it. “The Devil’s Backbone” (2001) is a historical mystery/horror film by Mexican director Guillermo del Toro (you may know him from the “Hell Boy” series and “Pan’s Labyrinth”). Below you will find a review by Neil Smith for the BBC. It’s a decent review and most of what Mr. Smith says is does justice to the film.
The Devil's Backbone (2001) Reviewed by Neil Smith Updated 27 November 2001
On the back of "Cronos" and "Mimic", Guillermo del Toro has emerged as one of the horror genre's most striking new talents. "The Devil's Backbone" (El Espinazo del Diablo) may be more conventional than its forebears, but it's still a superior ghost story/murder mystery which confirms del Toro as a name to watch (his next movie will be "Blade 2"). Set in a school-cum-orphanage at the end of the Spanish Civil War, the movie begins as a childhood rite-of-passage for ten-year-old Carlos (Tielve) before spiralling into a "Shining"-style spook fest. Although the orphanage lies on a remote and dusty plateau far away from the frontline, the threat and dread of war is omnipresent - not least due to the huge unexploded bomb that sits reproachfully in the middle of the courtyard. Carlos' life is hardly made easier by the bullying Jaime (Garcés) and the school's menacing janitor, Jacinto (Noriega). But things get even more threatening when Carlos begins seeing the pale spectre of Santi (Valverde), a fellow orphan who was brutally murdered shortly before his arrival.
Cleverly lacing its chilling melodrama with a political twist - with Jacinto's brooding rage implicitly equated with the fascist oppressor - "The Devil's Backbone" reverses expectations by telling its doom-laden Gothic narrative in broad daylight and baking sunshine. The climax is a little disappointing, and the glowering Noriega is really too handsome to pose much of a threat. Unlike most so-called thrillers, though, this is one "Backbone" that's guaranteed to send a shiver down yours.
In Spanish with English subtitles.
Director: Guillermo del Toro Writer: Guillermo del Toro, Antonio Trashorras, David Muñoz Stars: Eduardo Noriega, Marisa Paredes, Federico Luppi, Íñigo Garcés, Fernando Tielve, Irene Visedo, Junio Valverde
You must include:
-both an image and the trailer to the movie. -credit information including date of release, director, actors - language
Take this scene from The Godfather (Coppola, 1972).
The Godfather, Don Corleone, receives visitors in his office on the day of his daughter’s wedding. Johnny Fontane, the famous singing artist, in a desperate state pleads with Don Corleone to “persuade” certain Hollywood producers to offer him a new record contract.
: 03 Johnny Fontane: Godfather, I don’t know what to do, I don’t know what to do.
Abruptly, standing and shaking Fontane while yelling at him.
Godfather: You can act like a man (slaps him in the face). What’s the matter with you? This is how you’ve turned, he’s been in Hollywood so many years cries like a woman.
:15 Mocking him with heavy sobbing What can I do? What can I do?
Reaching out in a comforting manner :25 Godfather: Come here. You look terrible. I want you to eat. I want you to rest well. In a month from now this Hollywood big-shot is going to give you what you want.
:40 Fontane: Too late, they start shooting in a week.
:45 Godfather: I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse.
Now watch this!
You must create dialogue for this scene from Adhisaya Piravi (1990).
• These characters must have names. • You must supply dialogue for all spoken parts (They are speaking Tamil)• You must describe major physical asides. If your main character is on the verge of taking another man’s manhood with his foot, then you must indicate this. • You must provide a reference to time that coincides with the video running time. • You must also include the video.
If there is another video of comparable time and dialogue usage, run it by me and I am sure it will be fine.
If you would like to kill 32 minutes, watch some more of Adhisaya Piravi. It is soooo bad it’s good.
Summer has just ended. It seems like every year you have to write some sort of paper explaining, “My Summer Vacation”. Why are teachers always so interested in this facet of your life? (Perhaps they have no real lives and wish to live vicariously through your glamorous holidays). Pick one of your teachers and have a little fun.
1. First, please listen to the following student produced podcast from Youth Radio entitled, “The Private Lives of Teachers”. Click on “Listen Now”.
2. Second, ask their permission to use their name and their photo. We will “borrow” the images from the school’s faculty photo page. Explain what the project is about. They love education, they can’t possibly say no!
3. Create a creative scenario for your teacher. What sort of seasonal mayhem did they get up to?
• 400 word minimum • Logical paragraph structure • See rubric (This what I use to give YOU a GRADE)
Please open the following link and do one of the following options:
1- Download the short story “An Adventure in the Upper Sea” and pass it on to your iPod (and listen to the story)
2- Listen to the story immediately online.
Music is a fundamental element of all cultures. What music best coincides with your personal culture? What function does music play in your life?
As a person matures, so does their taste in music. Being a near-adult, what music is especially appealing to you?
Which came first, the chicken or the egg? In this case the answer is obvious, nonetheless videos have become an integral component of musical expression, at times superceding the music itself. “The song is O.K., but I really like the video”
Tell us about a band. If you must remark on your favorite, by all means do so, but I think it would be more advantageous for all if you share with us some musical insight privy to a few, and not the masses.
This is piece of writing is both expository (telling facts) and opinionated (why you like this band/song/video).
- Write a piece telling us information about your band. If you are not sure about background information on one of your favorite bands, then what a wonderful opportunity to investigate.
- where is the artist or band from? What type of music is this? Perhaps include a discography (listing the albums with dates released) or potentially awards obtained.
- Include a video please see the link on imbedding video into your blog.
- Explain why you particularly like this group.
Read my band pick to see one of my favorites and to get a good idea on what we expect from your writing.
Los Amigos Invisibles, translated as The Invisible Friends, is a Venezuelan pop band. They came into light upon the release of their first album, A Typical and Autoctonal Venezuelan Dance Band, in 1995. They were subsequently catapulted into international acclaim upon being signed by Luaka Bop, the independent label of famed musician David Byrne.
With Luaka Bop they released a total of three albums, including The Venezuelan Zinga Son, Vol. 1 which was nominated for a Grammy for best alternative Latin album. Los Amigos Invisibles have relocated to the States and since released independently Super Pop Venezuela. in 2006.
Los Amigos Invisibles is a highly original band due to its unique mix of R&B, funk and Latin rhythms. They effortlessly combine multiple themed tracks on a single album. From house, merengue, and tropical dance grooves, Los Amigos dwell into numerous musical styles always with a danceable beat and a great sense of humor.
Playa Azul (Blue Beach) is not my favorite song my Los Amigos, but I do find the video to be very compelling. Music should evoke certain images to the listener. The song is full of imagery of tropical beaches and paradise like weather. The video most ironically presents the band in a dark, cold winter world, far from any beach. Having my own preconceived notions regarding this song, I obviously was most taken back with the video. The members of the band seem to be authentically suffering from a miserable New York winter’s day. Also, anyone being a fan of Los Amigos Invisibles would know that prior to releasing this album had relocated to New York. One can’t help but wonder if the video is not truly representative of the band’s suffering in their new home, far from the blue beaches of Venezuela.
You need to register an account to obtain your own blog (see the following post for [simple] instructions).2. Your blog needs a title. Since your blog is a written extension of yourself, your title must be reflective of you, what you are like, you personality, spirit, etc.I teach. Hey, it's not all that I do, but it's obviously an important element of my life. My website, stepintoourclassroom.org has kept me slumped over a computer for countless hours. So, Step Into Our Classroom is an significant title for me. Stay away from using just your name (That was your parents’ creativity, not yours!).3. You need to edit your profile: Photo.4. You need to pick a template.5. Most importantly- once your blog is active and running I need you to copyand paste the link (i.e. http://stepintoourclassroom.blogspot.com/ ) into an email and send it to me; stepintoourclassroom@gmail.com .
This is your first daily grade.
RUBRIC Register/Blog Posted/ - 50 pts Title -20 Photo -20 Template -10 /100pts total Good LUCK!
What is unique about you? How are you different from others? Is there a certain item, theme, or even belief that you would chose to represent yourself?On your blog, make a post detailing this uniqueness. This writing (we like to call it an opportunity of expression) will be accompanied by no prompts, as we truly want this uniqueness of your essence to come forth naturally.*Include an image with this posting… refer to the rubric for writing guidelines.Cheers!
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Yes, famed director Guillermo del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth, Hell Boy) is scheduled to bring Tolkien's the Hobbit film.
Due to a recent increase in random rabid feline attacks in Strovolos Park, UN Special Forces presence is on the rise. A crack covert team from the Saskatchewan Forestry Division recently arrived to the island. Local feline insurgents have begun to 
retaliate and the chipmunks have requested increased firepower.
