Which one of these should be my new BathroomPass when we get back???

I'm WRESTLING with how to do all this VIRTUAL TEACHING!!!! ayyyyyyyyyyy

           Lookout y'all!!!! Missa Keenan be fallin from the skyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!

#HeyGuysHey.....what'cha doin? Me? I'm just hanging with some nursing dummies at the HussonU..

WOULD YOU PLEASE DO THIS?

Hi all!

commonlit.org is awesome!!! It has lots and lots of great stories, essays, articles, and more

I am asking you to JOIN as a student!!!! It is totally free (#obvi)

please, when you get a chance, go to

www.commonlit.org/en/enroll

This will prompt you to sign up......

You will be asked for a class code. Although I tried to get our code to be "KeenanWearingATuTu,"
common lit was insistent that I use the code:

B79RYL

So enter that, if you would be so kind.

Spread the word!

Let me know if you have any problems!

Thanks

JG

Testing Out Resources....

As practice in keeping your mind sharp, take a look at this and I will tell you the correct answers next time!

Day "sweet 16

Hello everyone. I am reminded of an old episode of SouthPark this morning--one of the dads is hanging out with his friend (the friend happens to be unemployed and HAS BEEN unemployed for years) on a lake, in a boat, fishing, on a Saturday. The dad says to his friend "aren't weekends the BEST?" And the friend replies: "When you're unemployed, weekends are meaningless."

It was funnier on the show...

I am reminded of this because, although I have a job (and so do you....you are a student!), weekends just are NOT the same. I don't know about you, but I love "earning" my weekend: A chance to relax and hang out at home and read and go outside. I don't feel like I've "earned" the weekend...ya know what I mean?

Nevertheless, I hope you got out and did some enjoyable things. In no particular order, I did the following: Bike ride with Maira....track workout with Callum...watched KING OF THE HILL (have you ever seen that show??? it is hilarious)...drank good coffee...fired up the charcoal BBQ and made some chicken and sausage....sat alone in my dark basement, alone, and cried (again......)

SO. Looking for something to do this morning? Your fellow senior, Kaelyn Pondy....I mean Lakey...had been working in guidance with the #RealDealTomMcNeil on putting together resources about available scholarships. Mr McNeil told me this morning that "I've sent the slide show to the students, but once they get an email they see from me, they usually delete it :/ "Haha. If you check your email, you will see that I have put a link that that wonderful slideshow. For some reason, I cannot figure out how to make this site (which IS a Google site, essentially) compatible with GoogleDocs stuff. It is frustrating. So that is why sometimes I will still email you "stuff." But, not to repeat myself again, but check this site for your OFFICIAL headquarters of class....yeay!

Looking for something else to do?? Why not write and post your writing as a "comment" on this blog...and we can have a sort of "on line" discussion about it. What should you write?? How about this??????

     The CoronaVirus has undoubtedly impacted our whole PLANET in some way or another. Many folks talk about the "bad" repercussions of this pandemic: Store closures, layoffs, deaths, illness, economical downfalls, etc. But is there any "silver lining?" In no more than 150 words (twitter used to have a limit of 140 words!!!), explain, describe, or argue the GOOD PARTS of this global pandemic. What are the "hidden gems" you are finding? Has anything improved? Are lives becoming enriched? Etc!!!!

I think even I will do this prompt with you!

FINALLY: DUAL ENROLLMENT PEOPLE: I had a virtual meeting with some teachers and admin this morning....stay tuned for OFFICIAL updates...but what it basically boils down to is that, in order to get the COLLEGE CREDIT for this class, there will be expectations, work, and assignments to finish. Please note: We are giving students the opportunity to "bow out" of the college credit portion of this class....you can continue to be "status quo" and have nothing technically "due" or "graded," until we get back and you can still get the WHS ENGLISH credit for the class. BUT, in order to get the college credit, there will be stuff to do. This is a fantastic time for those of you who are failing--or likely to fail, get a "D," etc--to "bow out" of the college portion and not risk having a bad grade on your official college transcript. Think about it. I will bring this up again....as will Mr Bell....but we are asking students to commit either one way or the other by the end of the week!

For your consideration.....

Just a few ideas if you are pining for something to do......

Here are two cool links....one is for free poetry and one is a great link if you are interested in checking out some cool short stories....I have not read many of them (I've read HILLS LIKE WHITE ELEPHANTS by Hemingway and A PERFECT DAY FOR BANANA FISH by Salinger, for example....but there are some great authors on there....

The poetry one is awesome.....I don't often get to teach poetry to my seniors, since we never have time....but I LOVE poetry/song lyrics and would love to discuss some of these!!!

Another thing you could do, as well, is catch up on the show FULLER HOUSE and discuss how Ramona looks just like Taylor Rodriguez and Steve looks like Jackson Reynolds' dadddddddddd

Take care!

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/

https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/30-the-best-short-stories-you-can-read-for-free.html

MARCH SOMETHING, 2020

Good morning folks. The faculty has been running around like a bunch of little squirrels trying to adapt to this "new method" of school. It is definitely weird--I DO NOT enjoy working exclusively from a computer....A couple of quick hits you should pay attention to!!!!

*FAILURES: During this "quarantine time," it is important to remember that no work is being "turned in" or "graded." It is all enrichment, discussion, and a focus on independent learning. And I want to help you in any way I can! So, to be clear, NO NEW GRADING until we get back to "regular" school. HOWEVER, if you were failing in InfiniteCampus as of Friday March 13--when all this craziness happened--you DEFINITELY CAN STILL MAKE STUFF UP! For example, if you didn't get a composition to me, you can definitely email or share it with me...and I will not penalize you, even!!! #Whatagreataudience! Obviously, I do not have access to all "test copies" and things (since I am not in school)....but if I have it saved on my computer, I can get them to you. Or we can find a "make up" alternate assignment I will definitely be looking through IC in the coming days, and I will try to reach failing students individually....but, IF YOU ARE FAILING, TRY TO GET IN TOUCH WITH ME!!! It will streamline things. If there are any questions, let me know!

*DUAL ENROLLMENT STUDENTS: This is for you. Stay tuned. Although Winslow High School is not doing any "new work" or grading, Thomas, KVCC, etc have indicated that, if students are still interested in getting the COLLEGE CREDIT, they will need to do some work. The details of this are being ironed out by the administration, the colleges, etc. BUT STAY TUNED!!! I MAY (and this is subject to change, so this is not definite) assign the final novel I was going to do with you anyway: TRESPASSER by Paul Doiron. If I go with this, there are copies of the novel at the school that Mr Bell or someone will have for you if you choose to stop by and get one. That is just ONE EXAMPLE of something we may do. As always, if we do a novel, there are copies for you at the school, but this may be a PRIME TIME to consider buying your own copy....you will love the book anyway, and you will wanna keep it anyway, so.....:/ #whatagreataudienceagain! STAY TUNED!

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO BE ACTUALLY DOING RIGHT NOW??????

1. Living your best life the best way you know how during the crappy situaishhhhhhh. Read for pleasure. Continue observing and thinking. Watch documentaries. Play board games. BE AN INDEPENDENT LEARNER!!! Consider doing some of the assignments, writing prompts, readings I offer. Remember, it is all for enrichment.

2. WRITE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP LETTERS....and have me look at them if you would like...this WILL all end and you WILL go to college and you WILL take me out for DairyQueen this summer to talk about it!!! Haha. So get some free money!

3. READ THIS WEB SITE DAILY!!! NOW MORE THAN EVER!!!!!! ***Note***I am going to try to do MOST of my work/discussion/teaching from this site. This is my HEADQUARTERS.  However, SOMETIMES I may share things with you over email too! So check that. I will let you know. Although I love EMAILING you folks on an individual basis (and keep it up, cuz I have heard from a lot of you!!!) I prefer to reach ALL OF YOU on this web site.

4. I am still toying around with GoogleMeets and video stuff like that.....but, considering how awkward I am in REAL LIFE, can you imagine a #VIRTUALGOLDSMITH???? My jokes just won't come across the same. IDK GUYYYYY. We will see. For now, just check this site

5. FINALLY, I may ask you to create a (FREE) account for a web site called COMMON LIT. It has A TON of great essays and articles I may suggest. More about that later!

6. Stay in touch! Teaching from a computer/over the Internet is NOT in my "DNA." You know that I am a social, interactive, #manofthepeople and NOTHING takes the place of physically being there with my students. But, EMAIL ME and we can chat! We can even set up some "independent" stuff for you....I can suggest a book I think you will love (that I have read too) and we can talk about it!!!!

7. SORRY....one more thing: Please try out "commenting" on this blog....it is very much the same as GoogleClassroom....you click on COMMENTS at the end of this post, and, you will automatically be able to sign in (or you are probably already signed in anyway) with your gmail for school. Please try it out. Don't be scared. The water is fine. We all love you. You look fantastic today. Take a chance. Comment. Hahaha. But for realz tho....these sorts of "threads" will be much more seamless than email if you choose to partake in a discussion forum

I know I have droned on a lot, but I want everyone to feel VERY COMFORTABLE with what is going on right now. I try to give you as much info as I can give. Seniors, have a fantastic weekend!!!!!!!

Mr Goldsmith

PS: If you are in yearbook with ElChappelle, MEET YOUR DAMN DEADLINES YOU GUYSSSSSSSSS. Yearbooks are going to take on a NEW SPECIALNESS this year.....

xxoo

Testing something: Part 2

Again...you can ignore this....

file:///Users/teacher/Downloads/The%20New%20Painkiller%20Epidemic,%20commonlit%20(1).pdf

Day 1,484,641

Hey Goldsmith's Class!!!!

Here is your song of the day! I wrote this song in college because, as I was getting ready to become a teacher, I began thinking of teachers and school experiences that I LOVED when I was a kid....the song is a mish-mash of all kinds of random inside jokes (just like me, basically). I really do have a friend named Torey Terrasi....we really did get a week of school off during Hurricane Gloria...and I really did WORK MY BUTT off to win the math games we played, because Mrs Spagna's candy drawer was littttttttttttttttttttttt, yo!

I know some of you have written to me about how you are keeping a sort of "journal" during these tough and unsettling times...maybe someday you can take some of these observations and details and turn them into your OWN song (??)

Or, maybe we can all contribute to writing our very own MR GOLDSMITH'S CLASS #CoronaSong about what everyone did during their quarantine...ooh....I like that idea actually.....I would totally buy it on Youtunes.com/fancy.....

Anyway, enjoy, and I am only an email away if you need anything!!!

JG

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt1z-Thup18

Day 4

Hi all. So let's talk about poetry....in particular, let's talk about SONGWRITING! So here's something new: I'm gonna share a video I just recorded yesterday...it is a song I wrote called "Kite. I have had the melody in my head for a while...usually, I get a cool melody....let it marinate in my messed up brain...and then start writing lyrics.....lots of times, I dont even know WHAT I am writing about until it is done....I get a certain "feeling" or "vibe" and just go with it. I challenge you to do the same thing: Write with the little editor in your head turned OFF. See what happens. Sometimes you will be left with garbage....and sometimes not.

Anyway, I wanted to post a link to my song--my wife recorded it yesterday afternoon. A funny thing happened during the recording: Normally, I have this "effect" on my keyboard that allows the notes to "echo" a bit more....but halfway through the song, that effect stopped working for some reason. I had tech issues...haha. But I just kept going. I figured, "eh...who cares." I fee like the song sort of "changed character" because of it...it become more rhythmical and it became something that needed percussion (hence my foot banging to the beat). What do you think of the song? No.....I don't mean "did you like it?" "did you hate it?" Although, feel free to tell me that....haha. BUT, consider the following:

* What images or thoughts came to mind as you listened?
* Do you think it is a happy song? Why or why not?
* What metaphors or symbolism do you see in the lyrics?
* What do you think the song is about?
* Does it put you in any sort of mood?
* Will you give me 31 dollars please?
* Is the "speaker" in the song showing any "conflict" with something??

Here are the lyrics! Then I will post the video link at the bottom!!

**********

KITE

Fire inside. Keeping me up when I'm trying to sleep
Fear aside. Do you remember what you said to me?
Raised on love. Raised on the limits of patience you've shown
Little more than when you say how I've changed since you've grown

I sat a long....I sat a long long long time....
I sat alone.....I sat a long long long time....

Days gone by. When I told you I loved you I didn't lie.
It knows no bounds; layer the years like thin paper, I'll bleed through
I can't help thinking I'm missing you-it's totally real
Gently forth-I'll continue against space and time hopelessly....

Chorus

Days gone by-gulped up by thunderstorms plaguing with fright
Definitely let's talk the way that we used to at night
Empty space curving horizon is all I can see
A laughter race; I'm hoping to reach you with this melody

I sat a long...I sat a long long long time
We played the day like two children with a kite
"Windy," I say; I put my strings out to fly
Strings out to fly......

All in time. When I told you I love you I didnt lie.

Jared Goldsmith 
March, 2020


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLWJyiTZW9M

Day 3

.......and all is well.....

Who are some of your favorite authors for "pleasure" reading? I was in a conversation with my friends (YES, I have friend(s)!!! Be quiet!!) about who your GO TO author would be--meaning that you can ALWAYS count on a good book being written by them. I have three.

1. Paul Doiron. He is from Maine. If......no WHEN we get back to school, we will read the SECOND book in his series, which is called TRESPASSER. His main character is a game warden in MAINE, and they are all murder mystery thrillers. The first book in the series is called THE POACHERS SON,, and it is awesome. Paul Doiron is Maine born and bred and he KNOWS the REAL Maine. check it out guysssssssssss

2. Tess Gerritsen. I think I spelled her name correctly. This amazing woman is ALSO a Mainer. She is a writer, an MD physician, a gardener, AND a classically trained musician. Her books also are usually mystery thrillers and there is a tandem group of women who are the main characters--one is a "coroner" type of doctor who examines the dead....the other is a hard core Boston PD detective....together, they KICK BUTT in combining resources and getting the bad people. If you like science, it is AMAZING to see Dr Isles (the coroner) and her deductive reasoning in figuring out murders, etc. If you are taking bio, chemistry, or physics, this is a book for you!!!

3. Lee Child. Listen. I know a lot of you don't like to read (and therefore you may not be even reading THIS blog!!!). If you get bored with books, then THIS is the author for you. Seriously!!!!! Maybe you have seen the pathetic "Jack Reacher" films--where Tom Cruise tries to become this character?? The books are 67 times better. NON STOP ACTION. Every book follows the same basic formula: Jack Reacher is a retired army Major--who used to be a Military Police Officer--and he lives a very unusual lifestyle. He has zero attachment to anyone or anything. NO family, friends, etc that we are made aware of. He literally hitchhikes around the country with wads and wads of cash. The only things he owns are the clothes he wears. And when they get "dirty," he walks to a store, buys new underwear, socks, shirt, pants, jacket, and throws the old ones away. No attachment. A total loner. So what are the books abooooot (for my Canadian readers), you ask? Fist fighting hordes of jerks, creeps, mobsters, and powertrippy people who think they control the world. He stands for justice and integrity and he will LITERALLY fight anyone. If you love to fight and you hate authority, then this is the book for you!!! LOL. I am reading THE MIDNIGHT LINE right now, and, already, on page 106, he already throat punched, roundhouse kicked, maimed, knocked out, and right hooked dozens of bad men. The plot lines are intense and fast and I think you should give him a try!

Now, obviously, you may not be able to get out and get these books. Or maybe you can. In the future, I will be posting links and web sites where you can read (on line) stories, essays, etc. I'm going to try to post all these entries to FB so others can see (if they want to). I am toying with the ideas of doing some videos......but who knows.

The thing I really miss the most about teaching you guys is getting you laughing and laughing and laughing with all my amazing dinosaur jokes, dad jokes, bad dad jokes, DOUBLE dad jokes, and such and such.....

In the meantime, THIS photo exemplifies what the quarantine is doing to all of us.....amiright???

Much love,

JG

Wow.

So I've awoken to the second day of no school AND to see Tom Brady is gone. What a morning. PLUS, none of my kids caught a leprechaun last night. #BooBooFaces......

Folks, this is an unprecedented time in our WORLD'S history so I hope you are paying attention and learning/observing all you can!!

I hope I will see you soon, but, in the mean time, reach out if you would like to chat, discuss literature (including films and shows), ask for help, etc. I am unsure, myself, how I am going to use this time, but I plan on doing a lot of reading and board/card game playing with my family......okay, I lied....it will most likely be with Lupine, my cat :/

I want to be here for you folks as your teacher. Many of you might benefit from this time by working on some SCHOLARSHIP letters, and if you do, I encourage you to ask for help--I'd love to read what you are working on....and give you some suggestions or help! Use your time wisely!!!!!

Additionally (and this is just an idea at the moment) I am thinking about other opportunities/avenues we might use....I was thinking about suggesting a short story/essay/etc that then we could perhaps discuss on a GoogleDoc.....OR I am trying to set up THIS VERY WEB SITE so it is more easily open to comment threads, etc. I may post things on this blog and then pose some thought questions/points to ponder/etc.

I am just rambling, I know (just like in class!) but I wanted to touch base with you folks and tell you to just breathe, smile, sit, and BE. One of my mom's favorite sayings growing up (besides "when are you moving out?") was "THIS TOO SHALL PASS." Think about that....

FINALLY, seriously consider keeping a journal during this time!!!! Like I said, this is an UNHEARD of time in history, and someday there will be films, Netflix original shows, etc made about it. Observe. Listen. Process. Perceive. Reflect. WRITE about this time. Someday, your grandchildren will sit on your lap, ask for your forty-one dollars, and then inquire about what the "Great Quarantine of 2020" was like.....what will you tell them?

Please be in touch. I'm an email away. jgoldsmith@aos92.org. Or try commenting on this blog, evennnnnnnnnnnnnnn

All my best!!!!!

Jared Goldsmith

BLACK DAY

COLLEGE PREP

Today we read "The Bet" and answered the questions on the study guide....the study guide will be graded as a test!! Woooo!!!

COLLEGE ENGLISH

1. We took our Greek Root Vocabulary quiz today! Yeay!

2. We went over the MLA citation handout I gave you folks the other day....be sure to get the notes if you missed it...you will NEED this stuff for the rest of the year!

3. We did some "peer assessment" of the quote integration writing you did for today....there was a rubric on the board......

4. WASH YOUR HANDS and BE SAFE

5. We will continue with some more fascinating sentence variety stuff next time!

ORANGE DAY

COLLEGE PREP

Please see black day plan from yesterday....you follow the same plan

COLLEGE ENGLISH

Please remember that YOUR vocab test is FRIDAY....be sure to know THREE other root WORDS in addition to the ones I gave you...you will need to remember them and use them in a sentence

Other than that, please follow black day plan from yesterday regarding the writing assignment, etc!

BLACK DAY!!! FUN!!!!

COLLEGE PREP

Today we had the vocabulary quiz on Greek Root Words......

Afterwards, we began discussing the next story we are going to read....it is called "The Bet" and we will read it next time!


COLLEGE ENGLISH

Reminder that the vocab quiz is on THURSDAY for you folks

Today we looked at some "Quote Integration" strategies and we discussed how to use transitional connectors in effective ways...

You were asked to write the "cribbage" paragraph on the back of the handout...

A writing exercise was assigned, and you were given time in class to work on it....it is due next time....I want you to write an informational piece of writing using at least four quotes. What I wrote on the board was:

Any sort of informational writing!!! I just ask that you use at least FOUR quotes with TRANSITIONAL CONNECTORS!! Some ideas if you don't know what to do?

* Interview someone about their favorite coffee or restaurant...
* Find out information about a WHS teacher or staff member...
* Write about popular trends/hobbies that people have...
* "Introduce" someone to the class by writing about them...

Almost anything will work. Just focus on WHY we are doing this. Citing and quoting correctly is VERY IMPORTANT

HAPPY ORANGE MONDAY

COLLEGE PREP

Please see black day plan.....you are following that....but your quiz will be Wednesday!

COLLEGE ENGLISH

PLease follow black day plan....if you do not have the words, you can find them on this site...just scroll down a few......

Be sure to know the ROOTS and the root WORDS!!! See me if any questions

BLACK DAY

COLLEGE PREP

Hi.

Today we wrote all our vocabulary words in sentences for practice....the test will be on TUESDAY

We went over the story A&P and did notes for it....be sure you have notes because there will be a test of all these stories


COLLEGE ENGLISH

Today I collected your MONTE CRISTO books....please bring it back to me if you have not yet

We did Greek root words and roots....you can find a list of the words and the roots if you scroll down a few posts....it is labeled as the vocabulary words....

ORANGE DAY

COLLEGE PREP

Please follow plan for black day from yesterday!

COLLEGE ENGLISH

Please follow black day plan.....however, read carefully regarding the presentations:

About half the class was missing today due to sickdays, MMTC, etc. We will be moving on next class, and we will not have time for presentations to be, well, presented.....please get me a hard copy of whatever you and your partner have done....share the slides, docs, etc....or pass in something directly....

Please bring your MONTE CRISTO books next class so I can TAKE THEM!!!! YEAY!!!

GREEK ROOTS/VOCAB 1

anthropo

biblio/bibli

crac/crat

derm

gam

gno/kno

hydro

hypno

hypo

logue/logo

miso

phil

soph

ology

WORDS WITH THE ROOTS!

philanthropy

bibliophile

aristocrat

dermatology

polygamy

agnostic

hydroplane

hypnosis

hypodermic, hypothermia

dialogue

misanthrope

biology

sophomore

BLACK DAY

COLLEGE PREP

Today we read the story "A&P" in class....there was a study guide to go along with it...I will collect this next time....we also reviewed some of the vocabulary words--keep reviewing, as the test will be next week!

COLLEGE ENGLISH

We began class with the philosophy presentations....

We finished (or tried to finish) the film...

Please bring your books next time so I can collect them....

We'll be doing vocabulary and literacy (writing + grammar, etc) for the next couple of weeks until we start our "Presenting Information" unit!