Hey folks,
I just wanted to thank everyone for a great year. The Excel 10 blog will be taking a hiatus for the 2007-08 school year b/c I am not teaching Excel this upcoming year.
You can always check my other blogs:
Groves U.S. History http://groves-us-history.blogspot.com/
Civil War http://grovescivilwar.blogspot.com/
and the brand new one that begins in December 2007, Honors Philosophy http://grovesphilosophy.blogspot.com/
Thanks.
Geoff Wickersham
"After a hard day's work diggin' up the sod, we're ready for chow."
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Beat Poems - 2007
The following poems were performed at our end-of-the-year party/coffeehouse poetry slam.
Birth, school, work, death,seems pretty dull in short view.
My first 10 was all backstreets still 'nsync for everybody,
growing up you see thats all frazzle dazzle.
Relationships become real, people change, people get new bigger boyfriends and try to get them to beat you up, its all life.
Already, 16, money blurs it all.
It seems its all that matters, all that can get you there, is in green.
But Lupe said that all the money in the world don't make it painless.
And what's with these american role models, seems to me like false idols.
Really, people can vote on fallacy and not leadership, get a grip country.
Does it really take that campus to open our eyes, everybody hurts, wake up, I know Geist won;t.
Right now, you can't tell Kanye nothing, the Middle East we'll never know,
Plagued with bling bling, status symbols, so much fake Holden would be going crazy with these phonies.
Keep reading your tabloid, keep spreading that rumor, keep checking your myspace, keep texting in class.
But what can I say? I am merely in step 2, dreaming, more hating the outlined future.
Josh "Slam Dunk" Sm.
Birth, school, work, death,seems pretty dull in short view.
My first 10 was all backstreets still 'nsync for everybody,
growing up you see thats all frazzle dazzle.
Relationships become real, people change, people get new bigger boyfriends and try to get them to beat you up, its all life.
Already, 16, money blurs it all.
It seems its all that matters, all that can get you there, is in green.
But Lupe said that all the money in the world don't make it painless.
And what's with these american role models, seems to me like false idols.
Really, people can vote on fallacy and not leadership, get a grip country.
Does it really take that campus to open our eyes, everybody hurts, wake up, I know Geist won;t.
Right now, you can't tell Kanye nothing, the Middle East we'll never know,
Plagued with bling bling, status symbols, so much fake Holden would be going crazy with these phonies.
Keep reading your tabloid, keep spreading that rumor, keep checking your myspace, keep texting in class.
But what can I say? I am merely in step 2, dreaming, more hating the outlined future.
Josh "Slam Dunk" Sm.
Power by Henry M.
I said 1, 2, 3
G-Wick, Zimm, and Barry
Going around and teaching
Why do you tell us what to do
Over and over again?
No drugs, no sex,
Turn right, turn left,
You're wrong, I’m right
Too much arguing in the world
That’s why there’s war
I want oil and I want democracy
More like hypocrisy
Which sort of rhymes with equality
Ironic? I think not
Equality is the ultimate
The ultimate power, the ultimate weapon, the ultimate fear
Fear when used correctly is the ultimate power
Power is what we seek and what we need
They say the people hold the power
So why are we in Iraq?
People over there killin’, dyin’, hurtin’, and crying
Why do we cry?
It’s a natural bodily function
Taught to us in biology
What’s the point of school?
I guess to make our brains strong
Strong like bull
Bull___
I hate that smell
Smells in general; are power
They can strike any emotion
Emotions are the weakness
Of man
When your weak your on your knees
Beggin’ please like Clapton
He was on cocaine and his kid died
Losing family is like losing a friend
A friend is a friend no matter what
Does a tree fall if nobody is there under it?
Yes, no, maybe so
So what?
It’s the passive aggressive statement that we all know
We know nothing and want to know something
So why don’t we?
We want to know why
Because knowledge is power.
Power comes in the form of a teacher, a president, a parent, the MAN
Man oh man do I hate people in power
It is used and abused
Like children given to the state or
Like wives beaten down and silenced
Silence can be deafening or so they say
People say a lot of things but don’t stop to listen or smell the roses
Rose-colored glasses make the world look pink and not perfect
Why don’t you just buy some sunglasses and look through those?
Because we would rather be blinded by the sun than by the propaganda that is fed to us
Babies are fed and grown people aren’t
Well, aren’t supposed to
Drunk drivers and crazies and natural freak accidents leave people being fed through a tube
Tubes from a bag with nutrients going into your arm
My arm?
No
It won’t happen to me ‘cause it can’t
Teachers stress on us to learn this and that
But you only learn from experience
Experience in what?
Drive for 50 hours to get a license
A license to kill?
Just go to our loved Detroit and buy yourself a .44 Magnum and ask yourself a question
Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?
I don’t know if I do or I don’t
Let's roll the dice
Roll the dice for foreign language finals
Since we aren’t nervous enough for them
Nervousness can make you do stupid things
Stupid things aren’t stupid unless you don’t know why it’s happening
That’s why Vietnam was a stupid thing
That’s why there aren’t any stupid questions
That’s why the answer my friend blowin’ in the wind
Wind is a very peculiar thing
It is all around us and we can feel it
But for some reason we can’t hold onto it
Can I hold on to you?
I need a friend to hold onto and to cry on
I need to feel the wind in my hair that gives me the power
I need to have the power to cry, to live, and to die
People fear death but that’s a mistake
Mistakes are ok to make
They are just more experiences
Mistakes give you more power
Too much power can go to your head
Just like a brain freeze
I need a slurpee from 7/11
That’s about three fourths or 25%
Einstein’s grade in school
They say he was dumb but who really was?
Mr. Atom Bomb
BOOM
Here comes the
BOOM
Here comes the marching band
The music flows through me
The jazz band takes over me
I am consumed by it
Just like a steak to a lion
The king of the jungle
Who is the king of the world? Hitler tried and so did Caesar
Why are they so different?
Personalities is why
Personally I think a lot
About things
About people
About the world
About life
Life is what we do
What we all do
Some live it differently than others
I want money
No I want life
No I want liberty
No I want happiness
Why?
So I can be happy like everybody
Now if I’m happy won’t you just smile?
Smile with me
Now I’m not asking, I’m telling
Just like I’ve been told that I am a teen
And teens don’t have power but we can apparently still change the world
And teens go to school but don’t know a thing
So if you don’t know, now you know
I said 1, 2, 3
G-Wick, Zimm, and Barry
Going around and teaching
Why do you tell us what to do
Over and over again?
No drugs, no sex,
Turn right, turn left,
You're wrong, I’m right
Too much arguing in the world
That’s why there’s war
I want oil and I want democracy
More like hypocrisy
Which sort of rhymes with equality
Ironic? I think not
Equality is the ultimate
The ultimate power, the ultimate weapon, the ultimate fear
Fear when used correctly is the ultimate power
Power is what we seek and what we need
They say the people hold the power
So why are we in Iraq?
People over there killin’, dyin’, hurtin’, and crying
Why do we cry?
It’s a natural bodily function
Taught to us in biology
What’s the point of school?
I guess to make our brains strong
Strong like bull
Bull___
I hate that smell
Smells in general; are power
They can strike any emotion
Emotions are the weakness
Of man
When your weak your on your knees
Beggin’ please like Clapton
He was on cocaine and his kid died
Losing family is like losing a friend
A friend is a friend no matter what
Does a tree fall if nobody is there under it?
Yes, no, maybe so
So what?
It’s the passive aggressive statement that we all know
We know nothing and want to know something
So why don’t we?
We want to know why
Because knowledge is power.
Power comes in the form of a teacher, a president, a parent, the MAN
Man oh man do I hate people in power
It is used and abused
Like children given to the state or
Like wives beaten down and silenced
Silence can be deafening or so they say
People say a lot of things but don’t stop to listen or smell the roses
Rose-colored glasses make the world look pink and not perfect
Why don’t you just buy some sunglasses and look through those?
Because we would rather be blinded by the sun than by the propaganda that is fed to us
Babies are fed and grown people aren’t
Well, aren’t supposed to
Drunk drivers and crazies and natural freak accidents leave people being fed through a tube
Tubes from a bag with nutrients going into your arm
My arm?
No
It won’t happen to me ‘cause it can’t
Teachers stress on us to learn this and that
But you only learn from experience
Experience in what?
Drive for 50 hours to get a license
A license to kill?
Just go to our loved Detroit and buy yourself a .44 Magnum and ask yourself a question
Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?
I don’t know if I do or I don’t
Let's roll the dice
Roll the dice for foreign language finals
Since we aren’t nervous enough for them
Nervousness can make you do stupid things
Stupid things aren’t stupid unless you don’t know why it’s happening
That’s why Vietnam was a stupid thing
That’s why there aren’t any stupid questions
That’s why the answer my friend blowin’ in the wind
Wind is a very peculiar thing
It is all around us and we can feel it
But for some reason we can’t hold onto it
Can I hold on to you?
I need a friend to hold onto and to cry on
I need to feel the wind in my hair that gives me the power
I need to have the power to cry, to live, and to die
People fear death but that’s a mistake
Mistakes are ok to make
They are just more experiences
Mistakes give you more power
Too much power can go to your head
Just like a brain freeze
I need a slurpee from 7/11
That’s about three fourths or 25%
Einstein’s grade in school
They say he was dumb but who really was?
Mr. Atom Bomb
BOOM
Here comes the
BOOM
Here comes the marching band
The music flows through me
The jazz band takes over me
I am consumed by it
Just like a steak to a lion
The king of the jungle
Who is the king of the world? Hitler tried and so did Caesar
Why are they so different?
Personalities is why
Personally I think a lot
About things
About people
About the world
About life
Life is what we do
What we all do
Some live it differently than others
I want money
No I want life
No I want liberty
No I want happiness
Why?
So I can be happy like everybody
Now if I’m happy won’t you just smile?
Smile with me
Now I’m not asking, I’m telling
Just like I’ve been told that I am a teen
And teens don’t have power but we can apparently still change the world
And teens go to school but don’t know a thing
So if you don’t know, now you know
Editor's Note: More to be added soon.
Friday, June 01, 2007
The End is Near!
As the end of Excel and school is nearing and we are talking about Beat poetry and finals, I have two questions for you:
1. Do you like the rebellious lifestyle of the Beats? Why or why not?
2. As finals are almost upon us, what have you done to deal with the stress of studying and preparing? Do you study a little every night or none at all? Or cram it all in the night before?
Andrew S.
1. Do you like the rebellious lifestyle of the Beats? Why or why not?
2. As finals are almost upon us, what have you done to deal with the stress of studying and preparing? Do you study a little every night or none at all? Or cram it all in the night before?
Andrew S.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Beat Poetry links
Great introductory website to the Beat Writers. http://www.rooknet.com/beatpage/index.html
The literary landmark, City Lights Bookstore: http://www.citylights.com/
The literary landmark, City Lights Bookstore: http://www.citylights.com/
Sunday, May 20, 2007
It's time to reach out and help someone
The Virginia Tech tragedy really disturbed me especially after hearing that nobody expected it. It’s really hard to understand the point of view of someone depressed enough to take so many lives. It seems scary that despite his actions, nobody even suspected any rash action from the shooter. As hard as it is to think about, no one does anything thinking that they’re a bad person. The shooter probably views himself as a sort of martyr. It is unfortunate that there are so many people in the world are lonely and feel ostracized enough to lash out so radically. We should all make a grander effort to reach out to people who appear lonely and depressed. It sounds corny but a little friendliness and compassion can make a difference.-Mickey
Editor's Note: This is a Buddhist symbol for compassion.
Wrapping up the Bees!
I thought that Sue Monk Kidd added a lot of different critical issues into this book, like Civil Rights and also religion. She also brought in the fact of mother/daughter relationships and others.
Could she have done without the side stories and worked around the issue or were all the issues necessary??? What else would you have added/ how would you have changed the novel if it was yours??
What was your opinion about the book, good/bad what parts did you like and dislike???Michael L.
Editor's Note: Here's Sue Monk Kidd's personal website address, starting with a link to the page that has her musings/reflections on the book. If you've wanted to ask her some questions, you might find them answered here. http://www.suemonkkidd.com/reflections.asp?t=b&i=18
Her second fiction book, A Mermaid's Chair, has been made into a movie for Lifetime. And, as many of you have heard, Dakota Fanning is being slated to star as Lily in the 2009 release of the Bees movie version.
Savage Inequalities
Over the past several weeks in Ms. Zimmerman’s elective, we have been learning and looking at different types of protests. In our last elective we had to read an excerpt from the book Savage Inequalities: The Savage Inequalities of Public Education in New York by Jonathon Kozol. We then had a long discussion about how the wealthier children in the nicer schools are not aware of how fortunate they are, and how it takes them sometimes until they reach high school to see the large gap between the rich and poor. Although it’s strange that on the other side of town there is a child that knew his/her life was nothing compared to the rich. They are brought up looking at children who are spoiled causing them to think about the things they don’t have in life.
We then saw parts of the movie that was filmed in Ohio; it showed how the schools are very different from one another. Some children have to walk outside just to go to the bathroom; other kids by the time they have reached high school have never used a computer, and in one school if they didn’t provide the children with free food they would go without eating (the whole day). Other schools have advanced technology, very expensive chemistry and physics labs, and nice gymnasiums with pools and good work-out programs.
By reading the article, having the discussion or watching parts of the movie, did it have a lasting affect on you? What were you thinking during all of this?
- Have you gone to Birmingham schools your whole life, in which case were you aware of the inequalities? Do you think (educational inequalities) will ever change?
- If you went to another school before coming to Groves, was it a major change for you?
Katie G.
A quote from Savage Inequalities: "Anyone who visits in the schools of East St. Louis, even for a short time, comes away profoundly shaken. These are innocent children, after all. They have done nothing wrong. They have committed no crime. They are too young to have offended us in any way at all. One searches for some way to understand why a society as rich and, frequently, as generous as ours would leave these children in their penury and squalor for so long -- and with so little public indignation. Is this just a strange mistake of history? Is it unusual? Is it an American anomaly?"
We then saw parts of the movie that was filmed in Ohio; it showed how the schools are very different from one another. Some children have to walk outside just to go to the bathroom; other kids by the time they have reached high school have never used a computer, and in one school if they didn’t provide the children with free food they would go without eating (the whole day). Other schools have advanced technology, very expensive chemistry and physics labs, and nice gymnasiums with pools and good work-out programs.
By reading the article, having the discussion or watching parts of the movie, did it have a lasting affect on you? What were you thinking during all of this?
- Have you gone to Birmingham schools your whole life, in which case were you aware of the inequalities? Do you think (educational inequalities) will ever change?
- If you went to another school before coming to Groves, was it a major change for you?
Katie G.
A quote from Savage Inequalities: "Anyone who visits in the schools of East St. Louis, even for a short time, comes away profoundly shaken. These are innocent children, after all. They have done nothing wrong. They have committed no crime. They are too young to have offended us in any way at all. One searches for some way to understand why a society as rich and, frequently, as generous as ours would leave these children in their penury and squalor for so long -- and with so little public indignation. Is this just a strange mistake of history? Is it unusual? Is it an American anomaly?"
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
United States of Disney?
We have been learning about the Media and its affects on the world in Mr. Barry’s elective. I find the thought of Disney one day owning every other company in the world a little bit scary, what about you? It seems that you have to be important and have money to get anywhere in this world. Do you agree and if so why? If you don’t agree, tell why.Another major issue we have talked about is violence in the media. Every time you turn on the television, it’s always about violence. This is not a good thing and it is having many effects on the younger children watching it. Children are becoming less caring about the world's problems and are starting to think violence is acceptable in everyday life. Do you agree or do you have your own opinion? Please explain your thoughts…
Erin.B.
Mike says, "violence? What violence?"
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Weight Problem in America?
Hey Excel-ers!
I was wondering, do you guys think (over) eating is a big issue in America? Do you feel a lot of America is overweight? What are some healthy ways to start a good lifestyle?
I just started Weight Watchers, and it's a really good plan and it's not hard either. There are plans to choose from and you get to eat what you want! It's great!
I think everyone should be happy and healthy at the same time. What do you guys think?
THANKS!
JOSH F. :)
I was wondering, do you guys think (over) eating is a big issue in America? Do you feel a lot of America is overweight? What are some healthy ways to start a good lifestyle?
I just started Weight Watchers, and it's a really good plan and it's not hard either. There are plans to choose from and you get to eat what you want! It's great!
I think everyone should be happy and healthy at the same time. What do you guys think?
THANKS!
JOSH F. :)
Effects of stereotypes?
In Excel, we learned about how men and women are portrayed in the media. Through the videos we saw, we were able to learn that women are made out to be sensual in the ads in order to help sell their products, and that they are usually showing off their bodies, which has a negative effect on children today. In the movie “Tough Guise”, we saw how men are supposed to be tough and gain respect through violence and intimidation, as the media portrays "true" men as strong and buff. 
My question for you is this. What is your view on men and women that are being portrayed in the media, and how do you think we can change the way that men and women are shown in the media? What kind of effect do these stereotypes have on the next generation?
Zach Y.
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