Reasons why our students will benefit from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame "On the Road" programs:

• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has video conferencing about history and significance of rock & roll music
• "On the Road," Distance Learning Program, "on the road: Opening Act"
  
• just finished 3rd full year, connected to 28 states and 4 countries, over 10,000 students!
  
• Overview of course offerings:
• offer classes for grades 3-12
• interactive & interdisciplinary
• explore popular music and its social meanigns while meeting academic content standards
• analyze historical performances, images, and documents
• view behind-the-scenes clips (curatorial, oral, historical)
• engage in question and answer segments
  
• Course Offerings:
• Rock & Roll Reactions: records, radio and the birth of teen culture in 1950's
• how Rock & Roll helped break down racial barriers
  
• Ball of Confusion: music and social change in the 1960's and 1970's
• most popular class, fits in well with variety of classroom settings
• Vietnam War, Civil Rights Movement, counter culture, Women's Rights
• how musicians reflected these concerns in their music
• compare and contrast performances
• Dylan vs. Hendrix versions of "All Along the Watchtower"
• Hip Hop Technology: from turntables to computers
• trace the origins of hip hop, 1973 in the Bronx, NY
• at the end of class students can act as producers creating a hip-hop act live in studio
• Ambassador to the Orchestra: the arranger in rock & roll
• focused more on music, how rock & roll and classicl
  
• Inductee Spotlight: Frank Zappa
• Planet Rock: Global Perspectives on Popular Music
• Inductee Spotlight: The Dors
• Ball of Confusion II
  
• gasgag
  
• influences
• Great Moments in Rock and Roll: popular music through the decades
• how rock & roll connects with society
• show classic moments
• Chuck Barry live performance of "You Can't Catch Me,"
  
• ask students "why is this a great moment in rock & roll history?"
• ask, "how is this breaking down racial barriers?"
  
• during live performances, a rope would separate black and white audience members, but during the performances, the rope would fall and teenagers would just enjoy themselves

SCHEDULING
John Goehrke
jgoehrke@rockhall.org
(216) 515-1202
rock and roll hall of fame distance education

INFO:

• $100
• online access to pre and post connection packets with lesson outlines, supporting materials, and classroom activities
• pre-connection call
• the class!
• offered 9-5 eastern time
  
• at least 3 weeks notice, usually sold out by March
• 30 students per class
• talk to tech coordinator for video conferencing equipment
• polycom, tanbergh
  

I don't know why, but I freaking love these commercials.

"They say a man should always dress for the job he wants.
Then why am I dressed like a pirate in this restaurant?
It's all because some hacker stole my identity,
Now I'm in here every evening serving chowder and iced tea."

I keep looking at my checking account and credit card statements. Part of me impishly hopes that some wacky identity thieves spent all my money and racked up this astronomical debt. Also, I keep getting these letters telling me that my student loans are about to go into repayment. Could it be that an identity thief funded an expensive graduate degree using my identity to take out massive student loans?

Sadly, no. It was me. =(

But really, as far as student loans go, it's not that bad.  Can you really put a price on education?

****************************************************

SIDENOTE:

I was all excited about these commercials, hoping this trio was a real band- a quirky fun band reminscent of Chris & Tad, writing  spunky jingles and wearing cardigan sweaters. But no, it's all lies, lies, lies. Read about it here. 

Apparently, the lead "singer," Eric Violette, is a French actor. According to this demo real, he is also an astronaut, horrible coffee house singer, interpretive-dancer, super violent Chuck Norris fan, and above all, a mediocre lip-syncer. 

Sigh. You think you know someone...

Miami 2008

Steve and I visited Miami and spent time with our long-time friends, the Archer family. We visited Miami Beach and saw a Marlins game. Amie and I took her two sons on a rousing trip to Build-a-Bear. Steve and Diego went fishing and brought home a fish! All in all, it was an excellent trip! 

Even though Amie and I haven't seen each other since our crazy days at BYU, it felt like just yesterday that we were rocking out in Provo.  We promised not to let so many years go by without seeing each other again.

It's not like I'm a huge fan of Sex and the City or anything, but what's up with Kim Cattrall's voice? Why does she talk in that syrupy condescending voice? It's like the voice of a really horrible babysitter or kindergarten teacher. 

Wise Words #5

"Just because you're lactating doesn't mean you're the shiz."

-Briana to Minda

...and a sidenote: the Scarlet Something/Brickle reunion is in just a couple weeks!!! I never thought I'd look forward to going to Wyoming!

It's official!

I'm teaching third grade next year! As a kid, though, I hated third grade. My teacher was frightening, but luckily, she was absent most of the year. She told us that she saved up all of her sick days and was going on a trip to Hawaii. She blatantly favored certain kids, screamed a lot, and was generally very sarcastic and cold. In fact, I can't think of any favorite projects or events from that entire year. I really wanted to please my teacher, but I just remember being stressed out a lot and always being afraid of her. Scary, I know. (Incidentally, CCSD recently named a new school after this lady- further proof that I have no idea what it takes to make it in this school district.) 

Can any of you supplement my memories of third grade with happy fun stories? I'd really like to know what made your third grade year special.

No more children, no more books,
No more parents' dirty looks!

haha... see, it's funny because I'm a teacher, but I'm still singing an irritating song expressing excitement about the end of the school year. haha, see guys, I'm still funny... really...

I won't lie, the thought of sleeping in and leisurely going to the gym at 11am is a real treat. I don't even feel guilty, because I make so little money while working 10-12 hour days for most of the year, and spend thousands of dollars of my own money on school supplies for the kids. And we really only get 9 weeks off... and I'm spending several weeks out of town for work-related conferences anyway, which I have to pay for out of my own pocket with very little reimbursement. So basically, it boils down to the normal time-off that everyone else in a salaried job gets... except I still don't make very much money.

I'm excited for the super busy summer I have planned. No, I'm not jetsetting off to Germany again this year. But I do have several professional conferences planned this summer, as well as a nice spur-of-the-moment trip to Utah. I'm visiting Washington D.C., Lake Tahoe, aaaand San Antonio, Texas. It should be lots of fun.

I've also been substituting at (gasp!) other schools to make a little extra cash. So far, I've taught P.E. and elementary school music. Gotta' love year-round schools!

Steve and I visited Hofbrauhaus and it was super! They had a great band, awesome atmosphere, and excellent German food. We've felt the need to enjoy a meal there ever since Steve found that $100 bill in their parking lot a few months ago.