Jay's Bloggin' in the Wind

Jay's SEMESTER READING MVP and SOUNDTRACK Post - Amy Winehouse in "The Love of My Life"

JAY'S SEMESTER READING MVP: Yeah, yeah, we do a lot of WRITING, but we also do a lot of READING. For our Final Exam I ask my students to choose their MVP - Most Valuable Part - of their semester reading: an idea, a scene, a character, a quotation, an event, a description, an author....THEY CHOOSE. I grade them on their ability to make their MVP argument. This is the cool part: There is no right or wrong position in a student’s vote for MVP. There is no concrete definition for “valuable.” It can be the best part. It can be the worst part. Maybe it’s a character the reading could not do without. Maybe it’s an event that changed everything. Maybe it’s an idea no one speaks about in class, but it may be most important to us all. I’m most happy with the diversity of choices my students... Read more →

Jay's GET MEAN Post - Musical Annotations - Supplementary Reseach Practice

Throughout the semester, I do whatever I can to engage students with their research. I mean, if they are not closely reading their articles for meaning, it’s going to be a DRAG for their instructor to read their essays. I tell them this: Annotations will DEEPEN their UNDERSTANDING of each article - I annotate EVERYTHING - I feel if I don't WRITE IT DOWN, I WON'T LEARN ANYTHING. l ask for a closer reading to all their research materials. Together, we will INTERACT with the text. We will ANNOTATE our reading What is an annotation ? A note by way of explanation or comment added to a text or poem. There is no one way to make annotations. They need to decide what is INTERESTING and/or IMPORTANT. Annotating research articles will become an IMPORTANT ACADEMIC SKILL – My students will elevatethemselves from their competition when they can identify and understand... Read more →

Jay's WINNING ANNOTATION BINGO CARD Post - Amy Winehouse

This I believe: Annotations are important. On Canvas, I provide my students with detailed instructions/recommendations for identifying key elements of their reading. I encourage them to explain/analyze their discoveries. How does the information add to their discussion? Here I ask them to transfer their notes to the appropriate boxes on their bingo cards. Five rows. In purple, I created categories. When they can complete a row of annotations, they can yell BINGO! Giving order to my annotations made it easier to develop a meaningful essay. Answering the questions and/or responding to the prompts pushed me to think about Amy on a deeper, more compassionate level. Many of my notes, I simply copied into my essay. Many of my notes motivated me to read more. Below I write about the toxic relationship that Amy endured with her lover Blake Fielder-Civil. At the time Amy was writing songs for Back to Black,... Read more →

A Song of Social Inequality in Sandra Cisneros Story - by Joseph Avila - Semester Reading MVP and Soundtrack - English 1A

Fig 1. Debut Album by Bruce Hornsby and the Range. RCA Records, 1986. A Song of Social Inequality in Cisneros' Story “The Way It Is” by Bruce Hornsby & The Range is the song I used to represent Sandra Cisneros’ short story “Geraldo No Last Name.” Both the song and the story deal with themes of social inequality and how the system disregards people within communities based on race or nationality. Hornsby’s lyrics, “Well, they passed a law in 64 to give to those who ain't got a little more,” references the Civil Rights Act and highlight the constant inequity that continues to affect society. Geraldo’s death in the story reflects how these injustices still affect undocumented immigrants. The line, “That’s just the way it is, some things will never change,” shows how people have to live with the injustices, which mirrors how Marin views Geraldo’s death in the story.... Read more →

Eminem - Rhiana - Their Song "Love the Way You LIe" in T.C.Boyle's "The Love of My Life" - by Lupe Gamboa - Fall Semester Reading MVP and Soundtrack - English 1A

Fig. 1. Eminem and Rhianna "Love the Way You Lie” Music Video. "Just Gonna Stand There and Watch Me Burn” The song "Love the Way you Lie" by Eminem and Rhianna is a song that not only moves but also describes the harmful relationship of Jeremy and China from the story "The Love of My Life." The song perfectly captures the complicated nature of love, showing how it can both bring solace and cause suffering, reflecting the strong connection between the two individuals. In the Verus that Rhianna sings, "Just gonna stand there and watch me burn? "Well, that is all right because I like the way it hurts" summarizes their love's exciting yet devastating nature of the relationship. Jeremy's dedication to China was so strong that he prioritized her pleasure before his own. "Maybe that's what happens when a tornado meets a volcano," the statement reads. perfectly shows the... Read more →

Banda MS's "La Casita" in Sandra Cisneros's Short Story "Geraldo No Last Name" - by Karime Gonzalez - Semester Reading MVP and Soundtrack - English 1A

I Left Everything… After reading "Geraldo no last name" a song that comes to mind would be "La Casita" by Banda Ms. I think it demonstrates the great sacrifices people make to immigrate just to be "no ones" here, with no family or friends. We sacrifice our lives in search of a better life just for us to get consumed by the people here and the money to not get to know anyone. Immigrants day to day sacrifice themselves in hopes of a better life, just like “La Casita” mentions, they hope to god to one day come back (as the song mentions “un dia volvere si dios me presta vida” ) Just for the possibility to end up like Geraldo, dead and forgotten. Hearing this song made me think of the way they talk about Geraldo in the story, like he was a no one, and no one knew... Read more →

Miley Cyrus's "The Climb" in the Sandra Cisneros Essay "Only Daughter" - by Izela Garcia - Semester Reading MVP and Soundtrack - English 1A

"Only Daughter" by Sandra Cisneros, this autobiographical essay, really resonated with me because it delves into Cisneros' experiences as the only daughter in a Mexican-American family with six sons. The most valuable part (MVP) of this reading is when Cisneros' father finally reads one of her stories and acknowledges her talent. This moment is significant as it represents her lifelong struggle for his approval and recognition. For the song that best represents this MVP, I think "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus fits perfectly. This pop song is about perseverance, overcoming obstacles, and achieving one's dreams despite the challenges faced along the way. Song Analysis: "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus is a powerful anthem about resilience and determination. The song's lyrics emphasize the importance of continuing to push forward despite difficulties and setbacks. For example, the chorus states: "There's always gonna be another mountain I'm always gonna wanna make it move... Read more →

"Judge Judy" in Charles Bukowski's "The Most Beautiful Woman in Town" - by Angel Barraza - Semester Reading MVP and Soundtrack - English 1A

For the story, "The Most Beautiful Woman In Town" I chose Tyler the Creator song “Judge Judy.” This song talks about how he met a woman and how they hit it off and later on and how she passed away unexpectedly. In the story, Cass is seen as the most beautiful woman in town, and how many men always stare at her and want to be with her. But because she seems crazy many people only see her as a sex machine. In the song “Judge Judy” Tyler sings about how he doesn’t care about how she acts in front of him and what she had done in her past “'Cause I don't judge, Judy (yeah, yeah, yeah) (What's your fetish and what are you into?) No, I don't judge, Judy." This correlates to my narrative since Charles doesn’t see Cass as a crazy person like everyone else but sees... Read more →

Desire for Intimacy in T.C. Boyle's "The Love of My Life" - by Ataliah Espinoza - Semester Reading MVP and Soundtrack - English 1A

Young Love “Only In My Dreams” by The Marias captures the intensity of young, toxic love portrayed in T.C Boyle's “The Love Of My Life.” China and Jeremy were young lovers who were certain they would be together for the rest of their lives. When they weren't with each other, they were thinking about each other. This dramatically changed when China unexpectedly became pregnant. Jermey distanced himself because the flame he had once felt for China had diminished. All he could picture is what they had done to their baby. Whereas China wanted Jeremy regardless of what had happened to them. “Only in my dreams” is about a deep longing for that one person's affection. For a love that only exists in dreams, something intense and eternal. This song expresses China's desire for Jeremy. The beginning lyrics “baby stay with me” and “you're everything I need to bare this fear”... Read more →

Radiohead's "In Rainbows" in Charles Bukowski's Short Story "The Most Beautiful Woman in Town" - by Sophia Lemus - Semester Reading MVP an Soundtrack - English 1A

Fig. 1. Radiohead's "In Rainbows" Album Cover. Cass's Beauty “All I need” by Radiohead has an emphasis on the theme of love and infatuation. The reading “The Most Beautiful Woman in Town” by Charles Bukowski also includes these themes since the story is told from the perspective of a man that is deeply infatuated with a woman named Cass. In the chorus it says, “You are all I need... You're all I need", this indicates the severity of an individuals longing to be with another individual. It expresses the exact way that the man feels towards Cass in "The Most Beatiful Woman in Town." The singer Thom Yorke bares his soul and explores love in its many forms; he takes us through a journey of heartbreak, newfound joy, and spirituality in his bands albums and songs. In Charles' text it is stated multiple times that he considers Cass the most... Read more →

Shawn Mendez’s “Handwritten” in the Short Story "Geraldo No Last Name" - Johana Leon - Semester Reading MVP and Soundtrack - English 1A

Fig 1. Shawn Mendez’s “Handwritten” album cover Fell In Love With a Stranger The short story, “Geraldo No Last Name” is very mysterious. It's a story where you have to assume the missing pieces. The short story doesn't specify how Marin felt but I'm sure she liked Geraldo. In the song, "I don't even know your name" by Shawn Mendez - it talks about falling in love with a stranger. Geraldo was basically a stranger to Marin since they had just met that night. If it weren't for the hit and run, Marin and Geraldo would've continued talking. I believe this because she stayed at the hospital until 3AM. Why would she do that if she didn't like him? She probably already saw him as a friend and liked his vibe. This tragedy will definitely stay in Marin's memory for the rest of her life. In the song it says... Read more →

Jimmy Eat World's "The Middle" in Sandra Cisneros's Essay "Only Daughter" by Teagan Ross - Semester Reading MVP and Soundtrack- English 1A

I chose the song “The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World to represent Sandra from the story, “Only Daughter.” This song is about not being accepted, or being the one who doesn’t fit in. I thought this song would go well with Sandra and her story, “Only Daughter” because she spent a lot of her time alone. Including spending her time alone, she was the outcast of her family, meaning they constantly left her out or never saw eye-to-eye with Sandra. Lonely Success My MVP is Sandra Cisneros in the story “Only Daughter.” Sandra is the only daughter in a working-class, Mexican family with six sons. She is extremely outnumbered. As Sandra grew up, she often found herself spending time by herself because her brothers thought it was beneath them to play with a girl. Though Sandra was forced to be alone, she found the loneliness to be great for writing.... Read more →

Alicia Keyes' "If I Ain't Got You" in Charles Bukowski's Short Story "The Most Beautiful Woman in Town" - by Janeen Ramirez - Semester Reading MVP and Soundtrack - English 1A

If I Ain't Got you Alicia Keys’ Grammy nominated song “If I Ain’t Got You”discusses the greatest tragedy we could imagine, the loss of a loved one. She paints a picture that greatly expresses the true depth of her feelings while navigating such a tremendous loss. The song opens with melodic keys being followed by a very beautiful harmony in order to create a somber yet melancholic approach. The emotions provoked while listening, take me back to the story “The Most Beautiful Woman in Town” written by Charles Bukowski. The loss experienced in Keys’ song closely relates to the loss experienced at the end of the tale. As the narrator hears word of the tragedy, it's as if a bus had struck him. Dumbfounded, the narrator tries to piece himself together in order to carry on. Slipping Away “The Most Beautiful Woman in Town”, by Bukowski introduces the character Cass.... Read more →

Alec Benjamin's "If I Killed Someone for You" in the Novel Paradise Travel by Evelyn Suarez - Semester Reading MVP and Soundtrack - English 1A

Toxic Manipulation For my soundtrack MVP project, I’m going to focus on Paradise Travel by Jorge Franco. This book explores themes of loss, immigrant struggles, toxicity and manipulation within a romantic relationship and perseverance in the face of extreme difficulty. For the purpose of this project I will focus on Marlon’s immigrant struggles and his perseverance as well as him changing himself to please Reina who was toxic and manipulative, only for her in the end to not appreciate it. In the beginning of the book Marlon falls in love with Reina, the girl who all his friends wanted. Reina is completely obsessed with leaving Colombia by any means that she views as necessary and Marlon who is helplessly in love and infatuated with her finds himself helping her even though he’s not nearly as interested in leaving Colombia as she is. In order to even start the journey to... Read more →

Lana Del Rey's "Ultraviolence" in the short story "The Love of My Life" - by Sophia Schmid - Semester Reading MVP and Soundtrack - English 1A

Fig. 1 Lana Del Rey singer and write of "Ultraviolence" Blinded by Love I chose the song "Ultraviolence" by Lana Del Rey to represent the relationship between Jeremy and China in the story The Love of My Life by T.C. Boyle. In the song Ultraviolence Lana sings about how being in a relationship can cause so much pain, but you stay for the love and the feelings it brings. Lana sings, "Heaven is on earth, I will do anything for you, babe." Jeremy and China had the kind of love that makes you do anything for that person. He would've done anything and everything to make sure China got what she wanted, and he did. They made each other feel like it was "heaven on earth". The feeling they had when they were together was indescribable, and Jeremy always made it clear he would do anything for China. In the... Read more →