Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Meet Genevieve!

Meet Genevieve!

            There are lots of “Jens” around, but there are very few Gen’s.  Meet Genevieve Gualtiere This junior at Linworth is as different and special as her name is. 
            The first thing you notice about Gen is her unique sense of style.  She is unafraid to wear bright, bold colors in her hair or on her body.  Additionally, the clothes that adorn her are mostly her own creations.  She loves making new clothing items out of old ones.  For instance, Gen had little love for the Orange Linworth Newt t-shirts that students had the option of buying last year.  Instead, she pulled out the shears, made a few cuts and made a hip new tank.   And, she doesn’t stop with clothing items.  She’s known for making messenger bags from Scottie’s coffee sacks and wallets from used juice containers.  All of her handmade creations can be found at her facebook page, Gen Made This. 
            Her creative inspiration is from her mother, a landscape designer. In addition to thinking creatively, Gen’s mother also planted in her the necessity of being eco friendly.  “I look at nature as a gift from God,” says Gen, and therefore she is steadfast in her desire to recycle and employ sustainability practices.
            She loves Linworth because she uses her free time to get all of her homework completed; Her home time is better spent working on art projects!  Speaking of art, Gen thinks one day she will major in art or fashion design in college.  Beyond that, she dreams of opening a store or becoming a designer.  A closer goal is walkabout; Gen hopes to carry out a mission trip in Italy or perhaps Guatemala.
            Gen’s advice to Linworth is to get started!  “Once you get started, it’s easy.”  Get started doing what?  Knowing Gen, she could be talking about an art project, a sustainable lifestyle, a new haircut, or an entire clothing line!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Yeah, I have 18 kids - - all with different fathers!!!!

I love to talk about my job and my kids to anyone who will listen.  And when I say kids, I mean my students.  

When I was single and really into meeting other singles, I used to tease the hell out of an interested guy by mentioning "my kids."  This usually resulted in a dropped jaw, wide open bug eyes and a "holy &#!%, you have kids!?!" I would then reply, "Yeah, I have like 60 kids, all with different dads."  If he stuck around long enough, he would realize I was talking about my students, we would have a good laugh, and then I would proceed to tell him about how awesome the Linworth kids are, how bright and motivated they are, how we have something cool called Walkabout, blah, blah, blah.  If he stuck around after that, I knew he was a keeper (or really desperate).*

This current events class has been so much fun, and you guys are rocking your blogs!   So, here I go gushing again (about my 18 "Current" kids - get it?) ...

I love Anna G's discussion and video related to our current pastime, Facebook.  Natalie's take on two singing icons (?)  recently named to the TIME 100 list is really funny.  Karissa has excellent insight on everything from procrastination to legislationand Anna L's fashion find is so beautiful, I think it could be from a professional!

Be sure to take a look at your classmates, become followers of one another, and make some comments.  I have posted an updated list that includes Haiden, Mattie, and Hannah who weren't listed before, but have made some really nice entries.  

http://wordsofthellama.blogspot.com/            Anna G
http://nightriderjs.blogspot.com/                     Jerry                       
http://nataliescurrent.blogspot.com/                Natalie
http://ijustwentthere.blogspot.com/                 Amanda
http://horseloversh4.blogspot.com/                  Sara H
http://haxxed477sceb.blogspot.com/                Woody        
http://currently-awesome.blogspot.com/          Hailey
http://currentstuffdoods.blogspot.com/            Amy
http://kmo1259.blogspot.com/                        Kyrie
http://candacenotkansas.blogspot.com/            Candice
http://thethoughtcabinet.blogspot.com/            Naomi
http://nomnomrissa.blogspot.com/                   Karissa
http://counter-society.blogspot.com/                 Anna L
http://haidenspimplikeness.blogspot.com/        Haiden
http://onesideandanother.blogspot.com/          Hannah
http://currentlycrazy.blogspot.com/                 Mattie

*Thanks to Joe for sticking around for the long haul and not even being close to desperate.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Top 100

Time Magazine's May 2, 2011 issue just came out revealing its 100 most influential people in the past year.     Time magazine states, "Time magazine has tallied up the 100 people who have changed our lives in the past year --inspiring, entertaining and challenging us by leaving their mark on the way we communicate, govern and even raise our children.  We wouldn't be the same without them."

Read more about the 100 and let me know what you think.    What does influence mean to you?  How do you measure influence?  Pick two of these 100 and discuss their contribution and if you think they are worthy of being on a "most influential list."  Is there anyone missing?  Add your thoughts in an additional blog post!

Do you live on a farm? No, but I certainly eat like I do!

I love to read Columbus Underground.  Started in 2001 as a resource to share all of the great things happening in Columbus,  it is the best local forum for people to share ideas and get information.  I am continually updated about new restaurants, concerts, and other events taking place in our great city (now you know how I am so hip and happening).

Even though Columbus is the 15 largest city in the country, people still have a perception that Ohio is mostly made of farms and cows!  When I tell people outside of Ohio where I'm from, I seriously have been asked, "Do you live on a farm?"  People have no clue how much we have going on here.  I love this city and it's clear Columbus Underground does, too.  And with warm weather on its way (let's hope, I am SO SICK OF THIS RAIN), there will surely be something you will enjoy.  Check it out!

And speaking of farms...It's Farmer's Market Time!  While I am happy there's more to Ohio than farms, I am very thankful that we have plenty!  I love fresh produce and vegetables and am so happy about how many Farmer's Markets are springing up around the city.  CU has highlighted ALL of the local ones here, but I have highlighted a few that may be close to you.  Enjoy!



Clintonville Farmers’ Market, N. High St. at Orchard Lane, Saturdays 9am to 12pm, April 30 - October 29. An outdoor, producer-only market now in its’ 9th year. New this year is the market’s approval to be an EBT/SNAP (USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–formerly food stamps) site. Both EBT cards and debit cards will be accepted at the market tent for $1 EBT and $5 Debit tokens. Also new this year is the Clintonville Farmers’ Market Friends of the Market and the Clintonville Farmers’ Market Kids Garden Club programs. Both programs offer the community ways to participate directly in the market’s mission. Special events include the Spring Sprout Market on April 30th to kick off the season and the Harvest Market on November 19th. Like them on Facebook. Follow on Twitter.


Olde Worthington Summer Farmers Market, downtown Worthington at the corner of Rt. 161 and High Street,Every Saturday 9am-noon, May 7 through October 29. Established in 1987, over 70 vendors offer you the best of everything. Opens with Plant Fest, a celebration of Spring now in it’s 9th year. Like them on Facebook.http://www.columbusunderground.com/its-farmers-market-time

Sunday, April 17, 2011

The Trees are Turning Beautiful (and I am a lucky girl)

Who doesn't love Spring?

Getting Stuff
When I was a little girl, the beginning of Spring was super exciting for me because my birthday is the first day of Spring.  And birthdays to a little girl, of course, mean presents, parties and cake.  And I had some good ones.  One year the most beautiful Wizard of Oz Cake.  In third grade, a Punk Rock Party( Punk dress required). In fifth grade a new bike.  In seventh, a surprise party.  I was a lucky girl.

Getting Away
When I got a little older, every Spring  I kissed the dampness of Ohio in late March and early April goodbye and headed topless (settle down, I'm talking about a convertible, here) to warmer climates.  I celebrated 17 in the Cayman Islands, 18 in Daytona Beach, and 22 in Key West.  Seriously, from the time I was 15 until I was about 23, I went away every Spring Break.  And I guess, only one of those years I was actually in a convertible (Shuler's candy apple red Cavalier), but, nonetheless, I was a lucky girl.

Getting It
Now, I still love spring but I roll my eyes at the notion of parties or presents.  And Vacation?  Maybe next year.  Now, Birthday wishes come on facebook.  Now, Spring is going for a run while the Hub takes the Girl to the Park.  Spring is one Walkabout done and another just beginning.  It's cleaning off the grill and serving up some brats and burgers.  Spring is yard work and cleaning and planting a garden.  Sounds like work, I know.  But. I. Love. Every. Second.  I am a lucky girl.

The Boy with the Pink Toes

I'm not sure that we brought this up in class, but apparently, there was a bit of an uproar last week when customers of JCrew received this ad.  As you can see, a mother (Jenna) and her son (Beckett) These are not hired models, but a real employee and her son who are captured for the ad sharing a mani/pedi moment.  Instead of viewing the ad and simply continuing to flip through the catalog find the perfect chartreuse cardigan, some customers expressed outrage suggesting, like Dr. Ketih Albow, that what Jenna is doing will cause deep psychological damage to Beckett, and that Jenna is actually planting the seeds of Beckett's gender identity.  Some even went as far as calling the ad "blatant propaganda celebrating transgendered children."

You know what I think?  Little kids love to paint their finger and toe nails.  Period.  Yes. Even. Little. Boys.  And JCrew caught that in an adorable photo perfect for an ad.  Now, where is that cardigan?

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Some blogs

http://wordsofthellama.blogspot.com/            Anna G
http://nightriderjs.blogspot.com/                     Jerry                       
http://nataliescurrent.blogspot.com/                Natalie
http://ijustwentthere.blogspot.com/                 Amanda
http://horseloversh4.blogspot.com/                  Sara H
http://haxxed477sceb.blogspot.com/                Woody        
http://currently-awesome.blogspot.com/          Hailey
http://currentstuffdoods.blogspot.com/            Amy
http://kmo1259.blogspot.com/                        Kyrie
http://candacenotkansas.blogspot.com/            Candice
http://thethoughtcabinet.blogspot.com/            Naomi
http://nomnomrissa.blogspot.com/                   Karissa
http://counter-society.blogspot.com/                 Anna L
http://haidenspimplikeness.blogspot.com/        Haiden
http://onesideandanother.blogspot.com/          Hannah
http://currentlycrazy.blogspot.com/                 Mattie

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

questioning



Questioning and Critical Thinking

Four Questions to begin:
What is your opinion about this problem?
What is the basis for your opinion?
Is it possible to decide your opinion is correct? If yes, how?  If no, why not?
How is it possible there are differences of opinion?

Task prompts

Step 1: Identify the problem, relevant information, and uncertainties
            Explain why people disagree about _______________________.
            Create a list of information that might be useful in thinking about ____________.
            Consult experts and explore literature or other resources to: create a list of issues related to ____, create a list of different points of view related to _________.
            Identify a range of possible solutions

Step 2: Explore interpretations and connections
            Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of a particular piece of evidence related to             _________.
            Compare and contrast the arguments to two or more solutions to _________.
            Identify and discuss the implications of your own experiences and preferences for how you think about ___________.
            Develop one or more ways to organize information and analyses to help you think more thoroughly about ________.

Step 3: Prioritize alternatives and communicate conclusions
            Prepare and defend a solution to _____.
            Identify which issues you weighed more heavily than other issues in arriving at your conclusion about _____.
            Explain how you would respond to arguments that support other reasonable solutions to _____.
            Explain how designed your memo/presentation to effectively communicate to your audience.
            Describe how you would communicate differently about ______ in different settings.

Step 4: Integrate, monitor, and refine strategies for re-addressing the problem
            Describe the limitations of your proposed solution to _____.
            Describe conditions under which you would reconsider your solution.
            Explain how conditions might change in the future, resulting in a possible change in the most reasonable solution to _____.
            Establish a plan for monitoring the performance of your recommended solution to ­­­­­            _____.

Class Blog Introduction

We've been reading and analyzing current events news articles for weeks now.  At this point, we should be comfortable with information literally streaming to us through Twitter and other means.

You've submitted at least five written pieces about newsworthy events and other items of personal interest to you.  At this point, we will look professional not so professional commentary on current events.  We will look at how writers think critically about current issues. Then, we will begin to write our own thoughts in our own blogs.

Enjoy!

Some things we will be reading today:

Krugman article on Wisconsin

Rachel Maddow

Robert Reich's article