Mr. Spivy's Class: May 2017

Friday, May 19, 2017

End of Year Spoken Word

16, 200 minutes. 16, 200 minutes.

That’s how many minutes we have shared in this room. Together.

Minutes where we became a little more than just teacher and students.

Minutes where classmate really meant co-survivors of this insane place.

Minutes of “Okay, mujeres” and “We need to have a come to Jesus talk”

Minutes of “Don’t touch him” and “If I have to tell you one more time!”

So many empty threats and suppressed laughs.

Minutes where you became my kids and I became Spivy, Spivvy, hey you

Minutes that I don’t regret.

16, 200 minutes crammed packed with new thoughts and learning.

An orphaned street kid that reminded us that societal expectations can only shackle us if we let them.

An abused boy who taught us that heroes can come in all shapes.

A group of teens that may have opened our eyes to more of life’s lessons and realities than those who we call friends

You battled hard with one another for your fictitious presidential candidates and at the end of the day could still talk to each other like humans—if only our leaders could do the same.

You wrote some pretty terrible essays as you struggled to express your universe of ideas.

You learned that poetry is so much more than rhyming words and all present alliteration.

You saw the atrocities of the world as those who simply wanted to live life and love God were massacred because it offended someone.

You faced sharks, your fear of public speaking, and a teacher who isn’t sure when he is being sarcastic or not anymore.

You struggled with who you are, what you believed, and where you fit in this mosaic of life.

16, 201 minutes.

Soon, you will no longer spend your day with me, and I won’t be here to teach you any more lessons.

Here are my last:

Embrace your chance at a new identity next year.

Surround yourself with the good of the world and not with the trash. Those who hang out with trash end up smelling like broken dreams, angry words, and bitter hearts. You are better than that.

Care for others long before they care for you.

Be the person who stops to pick someone else up and if she can’t get up, sit down with her until she is ready.

Remember that “I” and “seen,” don’t go together, but "I think," "I can," and "I will" can change your whole life.

Guard your opportunities. Guard your words. Guard your reputation. Guard your innocence. Each is fragile and once broken, it can never be fixed again.

Protect one another from the jerks of the world, who are only looking to expand their collection of conquests.

Comfort those with a broken heart and let not “I told you so” beat “I’m here for you” in the race to your mouth.

Use your words wisely and your anger even more prudently.

Treat others better than what you think you deserve to be treated and treat yourself like you are a gift to this world.

Because this is what I know:

I know that you are important to me, even if I call you names and question your intelligence on a regular basis.

I know that I have spent 16, 202 minutes praying for you, and whether you believe there is anyone up there listening to me ceaselessly praying or not, I know that my God cherishes you.

I know that you struggle. I know that “middle school problems” can be realer than any problem that I will ever face.
I know that some of you are searching for a love in places that will never have it and for some—that place is called home.

I know that some of you have built up walls so thick that when love is expressed, you laugh aloud and weep inside.

I know that some of you don’t feel like you’re enough. Smart enough. Pretty enough. Talented enough. Accepted enough. Loved enough. Fill in the blank enough.

And I know that as long as I am on this earth, you will have someone in your corner. You will be loved. You will be cared for. You will be enough.

And now after these 16,203 minutes, here are some words that you have heard at least 180 times:

Do good things because there are enough people in the world who are unwilling to do so.

Feed the hungry. Welcome the lonely. Better the world. Love others.

Make me proud.

I will be proud when you transcend the expectations that society places on you.

Run back to me with news that will make me swell with pride.

And above all else, in times of darkness, do not be another person who complains about how dark it is.

Walk over and turn on the lights.

16, 204 minutes.

Monday, May 15, 2017

Poetry Project Menu

Directions: Below are options for your poetry project. You will be required to create at least one original poem and at least one analysis of a piece of published poetry. Options of varying difficulties will be worth different amounts of points. Total, you will complete at least 80 points worth of work. Anything over 80 points can be converted to bonus points (at Mr. Spivy’s discretion). Read the directions of each option before making your selections.

Poetry Analysis: Must have at least one from this section.

#1. Lyric Analysis: Complete an analysis chart on a popular song of your choosing. You will need to attach the lyrics to the song to your completed analysis chart. This song should be appropriate. Remember the three-tier process of determining if something is appropriate (if Ms. Mewshaw, your grandma, and Jesus approve…).

20 pts.

#2. Poem Analysis: Complete an analysis chart on a classic poem (Shakespeare, Poe, Longfellow, Keats, Whitman, Dickinson, Frost, Eliot, Hemingway, Angelou are all permissible poets). If you find a poem that is written by a poet not listed, Mr. Spivy must approve it. Googling and/or google-imaging a poem will probably not cut it. Attach a copy of the poem to a completed analysis chart.

30 pts.

Poetry Creation: Must have at least one from this section. At least one of your poems must be about an aspect of yourself—this is part of your identity project.

#1. Traditional Poem: Write an original poem in a traditional form (limerick, sonnet, cinquains, acrostic, blank verse, or free verse). Your poems can be on any appropriate topic. You must identify the type of poem at the top of the paper beside the title of your poem. Follow the specific rules of each form (you may research this online). Each poem should have at least one analogy (metaphor/simile) and one example of figurative language/literary device (alliteration, onomatopoeia, rhyme, allusion, or hyperbole). The poem does not need to be typed, but it must be legible. Note: two cinquains are necessary to receive full credit. Blank verse, free verse, and acrostic poems must be at least ten lines long.

30 pts

#2. Spoken Word: Perform an original spoken word poem. This poem should rely heavily on rhythm and imagery. There should be several examples of alliteration and rhyme as well as at least two examples of onomatopoeia, allusion, or hyperbole. Model your spoken word off of the ones that we listened to in class. It should be interesting to listen to; it should be presented with confidence. It does not have to be memorized, but it should be practiced ad nauseam before your performance. You will be graded not only on the content of your poem, but also your performance of the poem. You will be required to turn in the text of your spoken word poem the day of the performance. Suggestion: find spoken word poems on YouTube and use them as examples of what to do. This is, not however, an invitation to plagiarize someone else’s work.

50 pts.

Artistic Response:

#1. Visual Art: Read a classic poem (see the list of acceptable poets in #2 of analysis). After reading the poem, draw or paint a picture that represents the poem. You could create a visual representation of the imagery in the poem or create something completely original that somehow reflects the mood or theme of the poem. Your artwork should be on professional paper (printer paper at minimum) that is no smaller than a regular sheet of paper. Part of the grading for this will be based on artistic ability, so if you are not an artist, this is not the option for you. You will also need to write a paragraph explaining how your artwork relates to the poem. Also, attach a copy of the poem to the artwork and explanatory paragraph.

30 pts.

#2. Short Story: Find and read a narrative poem (a poem that tells a story). After reading the poem, transform it from a poem to a short story. This short story should include dialogue, plot elements, setting, and characters. It should be at least five hundred words. You can take some liberties with the creative details, but you cannot completely change the story. Conversely, you cannot copy and paste sections of the poem into your story—all of it must be original writing. The story does not have to be typed, but it must be legible. The story must be at least 300 words. Attach a copy of the original poem to the short story.

30 pts.

If you think of another artistic response to poetry you would like to do, speak with Mr. Spivy to figure out the specific details.

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Math Enrichment-Instructions

Good afternoon! If you are not in my math class, continue scrolling until you find the correct post for your class.

No bell-ringer today.

You will be working on IXL today. Instead of doing 8th grade level skills, I want you to try doing Algebra I level work. I know that you have no covered this, yet, but the program will show you how to do the problems. Do not be lazy.

REMEMBER! I can access IXL at any time and see how much work you did. If you think I am not going to check, then you are mistaken my friend.

No games. No music. Understood? Great! Have a great hour in here.

STEM-Instructions

Good morning! If you are not in my STEM class, continue scrolling until your find the post for your class.

No bell-ringer today.

For today's activity, you are going to complete the WebQuest on chemical elements found here.
This is individual work. No need to work with a partner. Make sure to put all of your work on your own sheet of paper.

ELA-Bell-ringer and Instructions

Good morning/afternoon. If you are not in any of my English classes, quit reading this post and find the post that is for your class.

Bell-ringer: Write the quote and answer the questions that follow.

"My favorite things in life don't cost money. It's really clear that the most precious resource we have is time."--Steve Jobs

1. Think about what your favorite things in life are--do they cost money?
2. How do you spend your time? Is it wisely?

Instructions:

One of the largest parts of poetry is figurative language. Follow the directions below to show that you understand different types of figurative language. This work should be on your own sheet of paper.

1. Define metaphor.
2. Write down three examples from literature of metaphors. Write down where this metaphor is located, too. (For instance, in To Kill a Mockingbird or The Great Gatsby).
3. Create two original metaphors.
4. Define simile.
5. Write down three examples from literature of similes. Write down where this simile is located, too. (For instance, in To Kill a Mockingbird or The Great Gatsby).
6. Create two original similes.
7. Define personification.
8. Write down three examples of personification from literature. Write down where each personification is located, too.
9. Create two original personifications.

Once you have completed that, begin working on your poetry project. If you have not been here all week and do not know what the poetry project is, then ask a friend to explain it to you and start coming to school.

Analysis charts are located on the front desk if you need them. If there are none left by the end of the day, then use the one from yesterday and copy down the important parts onto your own sheet of paper. Be resourceful.

Bell-ringer and Poems

Bell-ringer:

Click on the link below. Read all of Bill Gates's "Rules for Students." Write down at least two of them and then write a paragraph explaining why these two are important.

Rules for Students

Poems

Poem #1

Poem #2

Poem #3