PODCAST!!!

Wikipedia defines Podcast as, “A podcast is a series of audio or video digital-media files which is distributed over the Internet by syndicated download, through Web feeds, to portable media players and personal computer”.

It’s really just an mp3.

You will:
- Find a podcast
- Listen to it
- Write a summary and include the necessary technical information

ALL THIS IS ITEMIZED BY THE EXAMLE BELOW. FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE

“Can I find a podcast that is interesting to me?”

Oh my GOD!!!!

- Heavy Metal Podcast! – In about 15 seconds I found 20 podcast dedicated to the Metal, One even has head-banging licks in GREEK!

- Fashion – “takes an in-depth look at the world of high fashion. We introduce you to the people who are the driving and creative forces behind the shows”

- Football - I found so many. Paul, I listened to one dedicated solely to Arsenal

- Literature - I told you I could find a podcast about Twighlight
Lord of the Rings Radio!!!

- Travel – Lonely Planet?

- Jonas Brothers? Yes, really, the Jonas Brothers

- Gaming – World of Warcraft

- Humor- “Cartalk” radio program with two brother mechanics taking calls from troubled car owners.

- Real Life Stories – “This American Life” the best!

- Personal Interest - “The Working Actor Podcast”


Where to find podcasts?
Itunes – search for podcast at the itunes store, hundreds of thousands
Podcast.com
National Public Radio - www.npr.org/rss/podcast/podcast_directory.php
BBC - www.bbc.co.uk/radio/podcasts/
Podomatic.com
Podfeed.com

The podcast you review must be:

1- Audio (not a video podcast. These are great, but a videopodcast can simply be an mp3 video file. Such as “South Park Video Podcast”, is nothing more than the show.

2. At least 20 minutes in length

3. Conducted in the English language

4. presented in the same format as below; with an image

Title – Music Week

Episode – Chinese Democracy
Date – November 23, 2008
Time – 26:53
Website - http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/shows/music_week/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/podcasts/musicweek/

Description of Episode (from the Podcast producers) – “On this week's Music Week Podcast we celebrate the release of Guns N' Roses 15 years in the making Chinese Democracy. We also get reactions to the return of Top Of The Pops and play Mr. & Mrs. with Travis.”

Why I picked this podcast? (Summary)

I like music and the BBC has really high quality productions. I listen to this programme quite a bit. It often covers musicians and bands I’m a fan off and others I have never heard before and strike my interest. This particular episode seemed interesting as it documents the long awaited release of Guns and Roses album Chinese Democracy. I’m not really a huge G&R fan, but this is too crazy to ignore. This album has been fifteen years in production. It’s “making” is older than some of you. They give a timeline of what’s happened to the once very successful band since their last album and curiously I found out that the band no longer is the “band” as only one original member, Axel Rose, is still present. They also provide a number of interesting on the street interviews with G&R fans. Apparently 15 years wasn’t long enough.

They also have an interesting segment with Travis. I like Travis. Music Week asks the members to quiz one another on certain intimate details that one would expect to know after playing together for ten years.
“What’s his favorite song to play live”?
“What’s his favorite color”?

What a plonker I am! I had never heard their non-singing voices and never knew they were Scottish! Go Miss Kate!

Later they conduct an interview with TV on the Radio , a band I didn’t really know anything about. Obviously I was curious and sought out their music… very cool.

Part three discusses the historical relationship between artist and musicians citing such figures as John Lennon. Music Week interviews a number of famous artist-cum-musicians and dabbles into why they straddled the two disciplines.

“Top of the Pops”! I know this show even from a childhood in this States. The quintessential English music television show, Top of the Pops was fundamental in forming youth culture. BBC has it scheduled for a return of the programme for the annual Christmas schedule. Can’t wait!

As I frequently listen to this programme I can say it is definitely enjoyable. I would suggest to any fan of modern music. When you find a podcast you really like you can subscribe to it. Subscribing will allow itunes to automatically download each week's episode. Easy, informative, and entertaining, podcast keeps you in touch with the rest of the world.

Billy Elliot

WATCH! This is the film we will be viewing this Friday at the Cyprus International Children's Film Festival. We will discuss themes in class prior, so please have at least two in mind when we get together next.

Don't forget, THEME = a central and dominating idea in a literary work.... The main idea...In addition, the term means a message or moral implicit in any work of art.

The term is from the Greek thema, meaning “proposition,” which was derived from tithenai, meaning “to put.”

Themes in A Taste of Salt - Overcoming poverty and adversity
- Fighting for justice/a good cause

Themes in The Hobbit- Taking risks
- battling one's insecurities

Story Map

Wow! look at this fine example of Story Map planning by Irene. Obviously her drawings are spectacular. One can really understand each segment of her novel by the detail of her illustrations. (Love, despair) They tell half the story and her text the other.

This is the fundamental aspect of the Story Map. It is not a book report, nor is it simply visual, both parts need to tell us the story.

Also, what she has written is excellent. It is:
- Logical
- Informative
- Detailed

When you read it there is a logical transition from scenes and you don't ask yourself, "Wait, why is she crying?"

She also did a tremendous effort with her supplementary information. She has detailed descriptions of her characters, conflict, and theme. Irene is also ready to begin physically working on her project becuase she has ticked all the necessary materials on her checklist.

BEAUTIFUL JOB Irene!

Film Critique

Movies, films, Holly-Bollywood… what sort of person with a pulse doesn’t like movies?
What’s a film you absolutely love, or hate, or perhaps saw last? When one writes a review of a film they are giving their:

Giving a brief account of the film; setting, characters, major themes and without giving too much away (spoiler), they let the reader in on the plot.

You (no please this time) MUST read the following TWO links regarding writing a film revew.

http://www.spiritofbaraka.com/how-to-write-a-movie-review.aspx

http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/englishresource/filmreview.html



“The Devil’s Backbone” (2001) is a historical mystery/horror film by Mexican director Guillermo del Toro (you may know him from the “Hell Boy” series and “Pan’s Labyrinth”). Below you will find a review by Neil Smith for the BBC. It’s a decent review and most of what Mr. Smith says does justice to the film.

The Devil's Backbone (2001)
Reviewed by Neil Smith
Updated 27 November 2001

On the back of "Cronos" and "Mimic", Guillermo del Toro has emerged as one of the horror genre's most striking new talents. "The Devil's Backbone" (El Espinazo del Diablo) may be more conventional than its forebears, but it's still a superior ghost story/murder mystery which confirms del Toro as a name to watch (his next movie will be "Blade 2").
Set in a school-cum-orphanage at the end of the Spanish Civil War, the movie begins as a childhood rite-of-passage for ten-year-old Carlos (Tielve) before spiralling into a "Shining"-style spook fest.
Although the orphanage lies on a remote and dusty plateau far away from the frontline, the threat and dread of war is omnipresent - not least due to the huge unexploded bomb that sits reproachfully in the middle of the courtyard.
Carlos' life is hardly made easier by the bullying Jaime (Garcés) and the school's menacing janitor, Jacinto (Noriega). But things get even more threatening when Carlos begins seeing the pale spectre of Santi (Valverde), a fellow orphan who was brutally murdered shortly before his arrival.

Cleverly lacing its chilling melodrama with a political twist - with Jacinto's brooding rage implicitly equated with the fascist oppressor - "The Devil's Backbone" reverses expectations by telling its doom-laden Gothic narrative in broad daylight and baking sunshine. The climax is a little disappointing, and the glowering Noriega is really too handsome to pose much of a threat. Unlike most so-called thrillers, though, this is one "Backbone" that's guaranteed to send a shiver down yours.

In Spanish with English subtitles.

Director: Guillermo del Toro
Writer: Guillermo del Toro, Antonio Trashorras, David Muñoz
Stars: Eduardo Noriega, Marisa Paredes, Federico Luppi, Íñigo Garcés, Fernando Tielve, Irene Visedo, Junio Valverde



You must include:

-both an image and the trailer to the movie.
-credit information including date of release, director, actors
- language

Please look at the following 9th grade blogs of example of solid student film critiques
Random male student
Random female student

Due to a recent increase in random rabid feline attacks in Strovolos Park, UN Special Forces presence is on the rise. A crack covert team from the Saskatchewan Forestry Division recently arrived to the island. Local feline insurgents have begun to retaliate and the chipmunks have requested increased firepower.

Biography

Who is someone you would really like to meet? (Or, someone you would have liked to have met if the are deceased). We are going to answer this question and provide a biographical piece about this person. Your essay needs to be:

- 400 words mimimum
- In your own words (see Plagiarism below)
- Have proper APA citation (see example)
- An image, and even a video if you like

See example below-

Robert Nesta Marley was born the 6th of Feburary, 1945 in the parish of St. Ann, Jamaica. He was born to Cedella Booker Marley and Captain Norval Marley. Cedella Marley, a black Jamaican was a mere eighteen years old when she married Norval, a much older white English Jamaicain Marine officer. Norval, due to his military obligations, was present very little during his son’s early years. The relationship between his parents never flourished, and Captian Marley died of a heart attack when his son was ten.

Like many rural Jamacains Cedella Marley moved to the capital Kingston in search of a better life and job opportunities. Bob subsequently had a difficult childhood growing up in some of the toughest neighborhoods of the city. Here he made two life-changing friends in Neville Livingston and Peter MacIntosh. Together the three young men developed a passion for music and began to dabble into singing and playing. Later they sought the guidance of fabled singer-song writer Joe Higgs. The three formed their first band, the Teenagers. Another fellow musician important to Marley in his budding musical career was the young singer Rita Anderson. Marley took a fancy for her and in 1966 the couple married. Rita became an integral part of the band as an ever-present backup singer.

The band later changed their name to the Wailers. Their first full-length album, Catch a Fire, was released in 1973. The following year they followed this up with Burnin. The band broke up in 1974. Marley’s childhood friends and band mates went on to have extremely successful careers of their own.

Although the original members of the band were no longer with Bob, he replaced them with some of he most talented artist on the island and dubbed the new lineup “Bob Marley and the Wailers”. Over the next six years Bob Marley and the Wailers would make reggae an international household name. Bob’s good looks, charisma, and abnormally gifted musical ability would make him an unofficial ambassador not only for the music, but also for Jamaica itself.

In 1977 Bob Marley was diagnosed with cancer. After a number of traditional and experimental treatment attempts, Marley succumbed to his illness May 11, 1981. Reggae and the world of music will be forever indebt to his great contributions.
Rita and Bob had a large musical family. Their children, obtaining their talents from both parents, went on to become notarized musicians themselves. Accompanied by four of his siblings, Marley’s eldest son Ziggy, formed the group, Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. The band has carried on their father’s musical legacy having produced many albums and winning awards, including a number of Grammies.




This is how this should look if you have obtained your information from a website (Wikipedia).

Bob Marley (2006). Wikipedia. Retrieved October 1, 2008. www.wikepedia.com/bobmarley

From a Book:
Crowher, Mikchael. (1986) Catch a Fire, The Life and Legend of Bob Marley. New York:
Island Books Publishing Co.

According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, to "plagiarize" means
1. to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own
2. to use (another's production) without crediting the source
3. to commit literary theft
4. to present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source.

In “other” words, you must put the information you receive form others in YOUR own words.

Anticipation Guide Response- Taste of Salt

Respond (small paragraph) to each of the following statements
- Politics and political problems are a subject for adults to deal with
- All stories can have a happy ending if those involved work towards it.
- Literacy (being able to read) is a form of freedom.
- Civilizations without a written language cannot document history

Photos

Here are the photos:

- Ms. Dora
- Ms. Mariana
- Mr. T
– Mr. Sims
– Ms. Kate
- ME!

“The Private Lives of Teachers”

Summer has just ended. It seems like every year you have to write some sort of paper explaining, “My Summer Vacation”. Why are teachers always so interested in this facet of your life? (Perhaps they have no real lives and wish to live vicariously through your glamorous holidays).

Pick one of your teachers and have a little fun.
1. First, please listen to the following student produced podcast from Youth Radio entitled, “The Private Lives of Teachers”.
Click on “Listen Now”.
2. Second, ask their permission to use their name and their photo.We will “borrow” the images from the school’s faculty photo page. Explain what the project is about. They love education, they can’t possibly say no!
3. Create a creative scenario for your teacher. What sort of seasonal mayhem did they get up to?

• 400 word minimum
• Logical paragraph structure
• See rubric (This what I use to give YOU a GRADE)

"Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe

“Tell-Tale Heart”

We will be reading this classic short story in class and many of you have either already downloaded the audio version and some even downloaded it onto your iPod. COOL!

I found two interesting versions on the internet which might help build up our background information prior to reading.

View the following films of or dealing with the “Tell-Tale Heart”

Obviously the first one is an accurate depiction of Poe’s work as it incorporates a reading of the actual text.

Which media clip do you prefer, why? Which one would best help a reader to understand the actual story? (150 word min)







Here's the text.

Music is a fundamental element of all cultures. What music best coincides with your personal culture? What function does music play in your life?

As a person matures, so does their taste in music. Being a near-adult, what music is especially appealing to you?


Which came first, the chicken or the egg? In this case the answer is obvious, nonetheless videos have become an integral component of musical expression, at times superceding the music itself. “The song is O.K., but I really like the video”

Tell us about a band. If you must remark on your favorite, by all means do so, but I think it would be more advantageous for all if you share with us some musical insight privy to a few, and not the masses.

This is piece of writing is both expository (telling facts) and opinionated (why you like this band/song/video).

- Write a piece telling us information about your band. If you are not sure about background information on one of your favorite bands, then what a wonderful opportunity to investigate.

- where is the artist or band from? What type of music is this? Perhaps include a discography (listing the albums with dates released) or potentially awards obtained.

- Include a video please see the link on imbedding video into your blog.

- Explain why you particularly like this group.

Read my band pick to see one of my favorites and to get a good idea on what we expect from your writing.

Los Amigos Invisibles, translated as The Invisible Friends, is a Venezuelan pop band. They came into light upon the release of their first album, A Typical and Autoctonal Venezuelan Dance Band, in 1995. They were subsequently catapulted into international acclaim upon being signed by Luaka Bop, the independent label of famed musician David Byrne.

With Luaka Bop they released a total of three albums, including The Venezuelan Zinga Son, Vol. 1 which was nominated for a Grammy for
best alternative Latin album. Los Amigos Invisibles have relocated to the States and since released independently Super Pop Venezuela. in 2006.

Los Amigos Invisibles is a highly original band due to its unique mix of R&B, funk and Latin rhythms. They effortlessly combine multiple themed tracks on a single album. From house, merengue, and tropical dance grooves, Los Amigos dwell into numerous musical styles always with a danceable beat and a great sense of humor.

Playa Azul (Blue Beach) is not my favorite song my Los Amigos, but I do find the video to be very compelling. Music should evoke certain images to the listener. The song is full of imagery of tropical beaches and paradise like weather. The video most ironically presents the band in a dark, cold winter world, far from any beach. Having my own preconceived notions regarding this song, I obviously was most taken back with the video. The members of the band seem to be authentically suffering from a miserable New York winter’s day. Also, anyone being a fan of Los Amigos Invisibles would know that prior to releasing this album had relocated to New York. One can’t help but wonder if the video is not truly representative of the band’s suffering in their new home, far from the blue beaches of Venezuela.

First Assignment
You need to register an account to obtain your own blog (see the following post for [simple] instructions).2. Your blog needs a title. Since your blog is a written extension of yourself, your title must be reflective of you, what you are like, you personality, spirit, etc.I teach. Hey, it's not all that I do, but it's obviously an important element of my life. My website, stepintoourclassroom.org has kept me slumped over a computer for countless hours. So, Step Into Our Classroom is an significant title for me. Stay away from using just your name (That was your parents’ creativity, not yours!).3. You need to edit your profile: Photo.4. You need to pick a template.5. Most importantly- once your blog is active and running I need you to copyand paste the link (i.e. http://stepintoourclassroom.blogspot.com/ ) into an email and send it to me; stepintoourclassroom@gmail.com .
This is your first daily grade.
RUBRICRegister/Blog Posted/ - 50 ptsTitle -20Photo -20Template -10/100pts totalGood LUCK!

Uniquely Me

What is unique about you? How are you different from others? Is there a certain item, theme, or even belief that you would chose to represent yourself?On your blog, make a post detailing this uniqueness. This writing (we like to call it an opportunity of expression) will be accompanied by no prompts, as we truly want this uniqueness of your essence to come forth naturally.*Include an image with this posting… refer to the rubric for writing guidelines.Cheers!