Agenda- August 20, 2013

1. Agenda- August 20, 2013 Freshmen: -Attendance -Intro to ACE/ World Changers Activity -TAKE PICTURES -The Mission Statement Juniors: -Attendance -My Territories -The Mission Statement

2. We are Star Stuff • “An extraterrestrial visitor examining the differences among human societies would find those differences trivial compared to the similarities. • Our lives, our past and our future are tied to the sun, the moon and the stars…We humans have seen the atoms which constitute all of nature and the forces that sculpted this work…and we, who embody the local eyes and ears and thoughts and feelings of the cosmos, have begun to wonder about our origins… • Star stuff contemplating the stars, organized collections of ten billion billionbillion atoms, contemplating the evolution of nature, tracing that long path by which it arrived at consciousness here on the planet earth… • Our loyalties are to the species and to the planet. Our obligation to survive and flourish is owed not just to ourselves but also to that cosmos ancient and vast from which we spring.We are one species. We are star stuff harvesting star light.” • - Carl Sagan

3. Accept everything about yourself--I mean everything, You are you and that is the beginning and the end--no apologies, no regrets. • --Clark Moustakas You are a writer… And you have something unique to offer.

4. You are You. Do not compromise that. • The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.” Coco Chanel • To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” Ralph Waldo Emerson • Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.” Mark Twain • I have never listened to anyone who criticized my taste in space travel, sideshows or gorillas. When this occurs, I pack up my dinosaurs and leave the room.” Ray Bradbury, Zen in the Art of Writing • I think the reward for conformity is that everyone likes you except yourself.” Rita Mae Brown • I’m not in this world to live up to your expectations and you’re not in this world to live up to mine.” Bruce Lee • “You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.” Friedrich Nietzsche • “Remember to always be yourself. Unless you suck.” Joss Whedon

5. My Territories My TOPICS- things that interest you, things you would like to write about My GENRES- types of writing you are interested in, or would like to try My AUDIENCES- the people you intend to write for

6. MY TOPICS • -my students- what they do and what it means • My dog, Luna, who is the best friend I’ve ever had • My parents, who they are, who they were, who they will become with age • Disneyland- my happy place • Adolescent girls and their relationships and dreams • Grown-up romantic relationships • The environment • Zombies • Video Games • Mexico • Geologic Disasters • American History- especially the grit • Conspiracy theories • UFOS • Dinosaurs • Mental and emotional illnesses • Shakespeare • Gandhi, and others who practice what they preach • animals Your topics should be anything and everything you are interested in! Write down at least 20.

7. Genres are different types and styles of writing that you want to try, or will have to write for your career. Write down at least 10. My Genres Memoirs Book Reviews Poetry Letters/emails Short Stories Young Adult Fiction True Narratives Fantasy Horror Comedy Graphic novel Lesson plans Notes home to your parents (my personal favorite…NOT)

8. My Audiences • Myself • My BFF • My students (and their parents) • My colleagues • Disney lovers • My dog • Animal activists • Young women/girls • Teenagers • Children of divorced parents • Elected officials • My community • People who feel sad and hopeless Audiences are who you want to write to and for. Who could benefit from what you have to offer? Who needs to hear your message? Who will you be writing for in your career? Write down at least 10.

9. Next... Well, now you have a variety of choices when it comes to writing in my class. Next time I give you time to free-write, and you can’t think of anything, choose a topic, audience, and genre, and GO! Use this list throughout the year to help you think of ideas for papers, books, discussions, projects, etc.

10. Mission Statement Activity Group Activity

11. What is a mission statement? • This will be a statement that reflects why we are all here and what our goals will be. • This mission should be something we can all agree to– something we all want to work towards. • This mission will keep us focused throughout the year so we can meet our goal!

12. Education • Paraphrase the following, and cite: (Last name), before the period! • 1. “Education, then, beyond all other devices of human origin, is the great equalizer of the conditions of man.” Horace Mann • 2. “Every student can learn, just not on the same day, or the same way.” George Evans • 3. “Next in importance to freedom and justice is popular education, without which neither freedom nor justice can be permanently maintained.” –James A. Garfield • 4. “Do not train children to learning by force and harshness, but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each”- Plato • 5. “Children have to be educated, but they have also to be left to educate themselves.” –Ernest Dimnet • 6. “The whole purpose of learning is to turn mirrors into windows.” –Sydney Harris

13. Education • Which of the following do you most agree with? • 1. “Education, then, beyond all other devices of human origin, is the great equalizer of the conditions of man.” Horace Mann • 2. “Every student can learn, just not on the same day, or the same way.” George Evans • 3. “Next in importance to freedom and justice is popular education, without which neither freedom nor justice can be permanently maintained.” –James A. Garfield • 4. “Do not train children to learning by force and harshness, but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each”- Plato • 5. “Children have to be educated, but they have also to be left to educate themselves.” –Ernest Dimnet • 6. “The whole purpose of learning is to turn mirrors into windows.” –Sydney Harris

14. Who Are We? • What should we call ourselves? • What do we all have in common? What brings us together? • Think of a name that unites the class.

15. Why Are We Here? • What are we here to do? • What do we need to accomplish during our time here? • What should we be able to do by the time we leave?

16. What Do We Need To Do To Make That Happen? • What do we need to do well together to reach our goal? • What is it going to require of the students? What will it require of the teacher?