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
MR. GOLDSMITH'S ENGLISH CLASS (jgoldsmith@winslowk12.org)
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Thursday, March 19, 2020
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
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
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
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
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
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
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
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
Thursday, March 12, 2020
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!
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!
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
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!
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!
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
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
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