Dave Cicoletti shares his vision for 10th and 11th Grade English and Communications for 2010-2011.

1. To educate means. . . mid-15c., from L. educatus, pp. of educare "bring up, rear, educate," which is related to educere "bring out," from ex- "out" + ducere "to lead" (see duke). Meaning "provide schooling" is first attested 1588 in Shakespeare. “This is going to be on the test…”

2. English/Communications is. . . Developing a format/etiquette for class discussions/debates/presentations/bathroom behavior Immersion journalism/nonfiction projects (native plants field guide, bike shop, trail building, elders documentary) writing effectively or more effectively on the pulse of current events (cross-referencing news sources) Everythingfrom classics to comics (language artistry, cultural studies, how archetypes/themes play out in real life) any or all subjects a student is drawn towards. A creative outlet: poetry, fiction, story, essay composition, blogging, networking, texting, gossiping. The “Bass Guitar” of all other subjects

3. Teaching English throughExploringAmericanMusic

4. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn “All modern American literature derives from one book by Mqrk Twain called Huckleberry Finn.”—Ernest Hemingway

5. Richard Wright’s Black Boy and Native Son Beale Street, Memphis, Tennessee

6. Huddie Ledbetter, aka: “Leadbelly” http://www.folkstreams.net/film,122 Influenced blues, folk, R&B, and Rock

7. Mckinley Morganfield, “Muddy Waters” Directly influenced: Chuck Berry The Rolling Stones, Jimmy Hendrix Cream/Clapton Led Zepplin The Allman Brothers ACDC http://www.folkstreams.net/film,109

8. The Rolling Stones

9. Early American Fiddle Tunes

10. Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass German Bass Hawaiian dobro British Fiddle Italian Mandolin African Banjo Spanish Guitar

11. O Brother Where Art Thou? Follows plotline of Homer’s Odyssey

12. The Grapes of Wrath John Steinbeck Okie Camp, Visalia, CA Woody Guthrie

13. The Great Gatsby

14. The Middle Passage Europe U.S.A Caribbean West Africa Cuba South America http://www.folkstreams.net/film,123

15. Music of The Princess and the Frog

16. Ernest Hemingway

17. Black Betty Lead belly Ram Jam

18. Indigenous Oral/Musical Traditions “Native Americans perform stories through song, music and dance, and the historical facts thus propagated are an integral part of Native American beliefs. Epic legends and stories about culture heroes are a part of tribal music traditions, and these tales are often an iconic part of local culture.”—D. Brown

19. Input Web Sources Novels Short Stories Current Events Articles Documentaries Magazines Music Videos CD’s, Photos Essays Lyrics Guest Performers Clips and Feature length Movies

20. Output Video: music/documentary/impressionistic/lyrical/photography Writing: articles, interviews, essays (compare/contrast, persuasive, personal narrative, expository, technical) explore and analyze lyrics for literary elements Performance: music, oral presentation, etc. Class projects where creative work/information is compiled onto a web “special edition,” evening performance or bound book.(ORIGINS)

21. Possible Specific Assignments Compare and Contrast the Rock n’ Roll styles and personalities of the 50s with those of the 70s Study the lyrics of the three of your favorite songs. Find at least two examples of figurative language. Discuss the universal themes in the songs. Play them for the the class and discuss your findings. Interview a local musician or a local music fan. Askhim/her8 questions about their influences, favorite bands, musicians and music styles. Create a keynote or Yodio about this interview and present to the class. Write a 3-page personal narrative about a time when you or someone you know really had the blues. Write a blues song about this using call and response format typical in American blues; perform it or get your friends to do it for you. Go to a concert and write up a review of the performance. Take pictures and post to the Round-up site for editorial review. How To Build a Guitar Keynote presentation. Pick a modern song of your choice and trace itsorigins and influences. What does the song reveal about American culture?