Peanut Butter and Jelly Day

Apparently, April 2nd is Peanut Butter and Jelly Day (I think this is celebrated in the United States, only).

Question of the Day:  What is a difficult phone call you have made?  (You will likely be getting a call from your C Block teacher before the end of the week, just to touch base and remind you that we are trying to continue to give you opportunities for learning over the time we are not able to meet face to face.  I don't like using the phone at the best of times -- I think I might have a phobia about it!)

Warm-up:  Try these tongue twisters.  Say each one five times and try to go fast.

Unique New York.
Toy boat, toy boat.
Rubber baby buggy bumpers.
She sells sea shells by the seashore (hard for those of us with sibilant "s" sounds.)
I saw a kitten eating chicken in the kitchen.

(This is a good vocal warm-up.)

Here is some advice for you as a person who is going to try to continue your learning without actual classes for a while:

1.  Have a place where you can work.  If you have a desk, tidy it.  If you work at the dining room table (I do), try to keep your workspace neat.

2.  Try to establish a routine.  It is good if you can get up at around the same time every day.  Get dressed.  Make your bed.  Plan your day's activities.

3.  I find it helpful to make a list.

4.  Get exercise.  It's good to go outside.

5.  Read.

6.  Keep a diary.

Here's something for all of you to do, if you're finished the exercises I gave you on Monday (or even if you're not.)

Watch Charlie Chaplin's "The Gold Rush".  (It is in the public domain, so you don't have to pay and it is available on Youtube.)  Here are some things to keep in mind while you watch:

1.  Is this the first silent movie you've watched?  Does it bother you that they don't talk?  What do they do instead of talking?  Do you think they're overacting?  Is any of it funny?

2.  What can you learn from the movie about the historical gold rush?  Why do you think the little tramp (Charlie's character) has gone to the gold fields?  Are his motives different from the other characters in the movie?

3.  Charlie Chaplin was in charge of every aspect of the production.   He wrote the script.  Do you think the story is believable?  He is known as a wonderful actor.  What do you think of his performance?  Many of the scenes in this movie are classics -- like the dance he does with the buns.  How does he perform the scene (look especially at his facial expressions)?

4.  What qualities do we see in the little tramp?  In Georgia?  In Jack (the ladies' man)?  In Big Jim?  Who do you empathize with most?

5.  After you've watched half the movie, predict how it will turn out.  Were you right?

Enjoy it!