ebhs humanities

Humanities Mid-Term!

2012-01-25T09:32:00.003-05:00

The Humanities "Mid-Term" is actually the Unit 4 project, and boy is it a doozy! You'll join an enormous group of 15 to create your very own protest, riling the rest of us into a frenzy around your cause.

Things to remember:
- The Mid-Term will take place in the Center section of the Cafeteria NOT F-Hall.
- Sign in when you arrive, Find your group # and table on the sign-in sheet.
- Do not be late! (especially you late-in'ers) You will be wasting valuable prep time.
- Show up! The make-up exam is not a fun, creative exploration. You want to attend the real thing!
- Acoustic instruments are highly encouraged to enhance protest songs.

Schedule:
Jan. 26 - Periods 1 & 12 (starts @ 9:47 - Cafeteria)
Jan. 27 - Periods 2 & 10/11 (starts @ 7:26 - Cafeteria)
Jan. 30 - Periods 3 & 8/9 (starts @ 7:26 - Cafeteria)
Jan. 31 - Periods 4 & 6/7 (starts @ 7:26 - Cafeteria)
Feb. 2 - NOT FUN Make-Up Exam (starts @ 2:20 in F-11)

Mr. Reck's Snowflake Shuffle Mix

2012-01-17T10:11:00.004-05:00

Yes, the Snowflake Shuffle is off, but I present to you a small token of our apologies: Since our guest DJs (sorry, I'm sworn to secrecy) were very gracious and were going to allow me to grace the wheels of steel for about an hour, I went ahead and recorded my set so that you can download it and rock out at your leisure.

My only request: Do Not Listen with Headphones! This is meant to be cranked up to 11 and blasted out of a massive PA, so gather your pals, amplify, and ENJOY!

Click HERE to download "Mr. Reck's Dance Party Part 6: The Snowflake Shuffle".

Tracklist:
Goldfrapp - A&E (Gui Boratto Remix) / Dmitry Fyodorov - 1987 / Bill Eff-Hate You (Prepare To Meet Thy Broom Remix) / T-Pain Lil Wayne - Can't Believe It (Big Nasty Remix) / Aniki - Nut Kickaz (Bass Weazel Remix) / Yuksek- I Like to Play / F----- OFFF - Rave Is King (Discodust Edit) / Edu K - Raver Lovin' (Nadastrom Remix) / NT89 - Youth Attack (Rave Bass Remix) / WZRDZ - Woodland Creatures House Party / N.A.S.A. feat. MIA - Whatchadoin (Villains Remix) / Joe And Will Ask - Claymore / The Juan Maclean - Happy House (Cut Copy Remix) / DIM - Is You (Brodinski Remix) / DIM - Is You (Le Castle Vania Remix) / Le Castle Vania vs. Smashing Pumpkins - Zero Machine / Woodkid - Iron (Gucci Vump Remix) /Adele - Rolling In The Deep (Meridian Remix) / Rihanna - We Found Love (Craig Vanity DIY Acapella) / Superhuman Happiness - Um Cantode Afoxe Parrao Blocodo Ile (Juan McLean Remix) / Zombie Nation - The Mind Of Many (Plastique de Reve rmx) / Cassius - Les Enfants (Gesaffestein Remix) / Two Door Cinema Club - Something Good Can Work (RAC Remix) / Count Jackula - Slowburner (Hemingway's Afterburner Mix) / Patrick Wolf - The City (Richard X Remix) / The Chemical Brothers - Don't Think / Boris with Merzbow - Akuma No Uta

Unit 4 Journey Challenges

2012-01-03T07:00:00.002-05:00

Who Am I Challenge - “Ultimate Cut Day”

Way back in 1986, John Hughes brought us his most astonishing masterpiece. Using a screenplay he wrote in a single week and only $6 million, Hughes directed Ferris Bueller's Day Off. The film's brilliance lies in its most famous catchphrase: "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."Ferris, his girlfriend Sloane, and best friend Cameron embark on a once in a lifetime opportunity - to cherish the Ultimate Cut Day. Or, in the words of Ferris himself, "The question isn't 'what are we going to do,' the question is 'what aren't we going to do?'" For this Who Am I challenge, you will plan your Ultimate Cut Day.

Rules
You have one school day to pull this off, but we will assume your parents are working a 9 - 5 job. That means you have from 7 am to 5 pm to leave, adventure, and return home.

Devise a way to fool your parents and the school that you are where you should be.

You may take two people with you. Who are they? Why them?

Plan a minimum of five things to do. Your plan must be realistic. You do not have enough time to fly to Abu Dhabi and take in an entire film festival. What kinds of things could you do that you never have? Ferris and friends take in the culture of downtown Chicago. Where will you go? (Do not plans things that are either illegal or dangerous!)

Plan modes of transportation to travel to and from any location. Again, be realistic.

What to put in the journal: Use pictures, maps, diagrams, instructions, etc. to illustrate your plot in full. Don't leave any steps out!

Disclaimer!
THIS IS A FICTITIOUS EXPERIMENT AND A MENTAL EXERCISE TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITIES OF FREEDOM. WE ARE NEITHER ENDORSING NOR PROPOSING THAT YOU ACTUALLY CUT SCHOOL, DECEIVE ANYONE, OR MIMIC THE ACTIONS OF FICTIONAL CHARACTERS WHO, WERE THEY REAL, WOULD BE GUILTY OF BREAKING AND ENTERING, IMPERSONATING OTHERS, OR COMMANDEERING OF PARADE FLOATS.

Pay It Forward Challenge – “Breaking Norms HORSE"

# of Players: 2

Location: Anywhere

Breaking Norms HORSE is similar to the basketball game. Here are the rules to the b-ball version:

Basketball HORSE Rules
- Player 1 takes a shot then Player 2 tries to duplicate this same shot. For example, if Player 1 takes a shot from the foul line, Player 2 must take the same shot.
- If Player 2 cannot make the shot, he is given a letter, starting with "H".
- The first player who gets the letters H-O-R-S-E, loses.

How to Play Breaking Norms HORSE:
Instead of challenging your opponent to a basketball shot, you will challenge your opponent to step outside of his/her comfort zone.

Player 1 must perform and succeed in the challenge first before Player 2 makes his/her attempt.

Players should take turns challenging each other until someone gets H-O-R-S-E.

Examples of Challenges:
"I challenge you to wear this pink boa for the entire day."
"I challenge you to watch Kenneth Branagh's 4-hour film version of Hamlet without breaking for anything but food and the bathroom."
"I challenge you to taste this spicy curry dish."
"I challenge you to sing an entire song out loud."
"I challenge you to shop at the Mall while skipping from store to store."

Challenges May Not:
- Be illegal in any way shape or form (or even close).
- Be dangerous or sickening in any way.
- Be performed in school.

What to put in the journal: If you can, document the game as it happens with photography, video, notes, drawings, etc. If you can't document as it happens, find time immediately after a step in the game is complete to document & reflect. How well did you and your partners do? Did you establish some parameters that you couldn't move outside of? What kinds of challenges represented exiting the comfort zone the most?

Wild Card / RAK Challenge

This one is up to you. Humanities is centered around creative social experiences for the many, so for your Wild Card: CREATE, ORGANIZE, GROW AS A HUMAN BEING. We want you to have fun and express yourself. This is your chance to try something new, be adventurous, and get credit for it. (Examples: Ping-Pong Doubles Tournament, Macaroni Beard Adventure, Learn Portuguese.)

Do a Random Act of Kindness. The idea is that by doing something nice for another human being (NOT your family or friends!), we can make the world a better place. Be creative, DO NOT spend anything more than $5, and make a meaningful impact on someone's life.

What to put in your journal: Whether you choose to do a Wild Card or a RAK, document what you did as best as you can. Use photographs, written reflection, video, artistic interpretations, mementos and objects to show us what happened, who was there, how it got organized, and what it meant to you and the others you influenced.

Facebook Forum

Whether it's about Freedom or not, share something cultural with the Humanities world at large. Did you just read a news article that needs to be shared? Find a website you think could use a few more hits? How about a song you can't get out of your head or a video that's making you chuckle. Maybe it's something you made on your own that's ready for an audience. Post at least one thing on the wall for us to enjoy.

DISCLAIMER: ALL SCHOOL RULES APPLY TO THE FORUM. DO NOT POST MATERIAL FEATURING NUDITY, DEROGATORY,ABUSIVE OR OBSCENE LANGUAGE, DRUG/ALCOHOL REFERENCES OR EXCESSIVE VIOLENCE. NOT SURE WHAT'S OKAY AND WHAT'S NOT? E-MAIL US FIRST!

DON'T HAVE FACEBOOK? PLEASE E-MAIL US YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE FORUM. DO NOT E-MAIL US LINKS IF YOU HAVE AN ACCOUNT AND HAVE JUST BEEN TOO COOL TO JOIN THE GROUP.

2011 Color Pride Competition Results!

2011-12-23T14:20:00.005-05:00

Thanks to everybody for showing up and showing their Color Pride today! Congrats to the Emeralds for winning the day! Check the Forum for pictures of all the classes and look to the right for the current year-long Color War Standings! Here are the official scores after four rounds of intense color counting:

Totals for the day:
Sapphire - 4, 753
Ruby - 4, 317
Emerald - 5,396

Per. 2
Sapphire- 1456
Ruby - 1004
Emerald - 1522

Per. 3
Sapphire- 1019
Ruby - 1562
Emerald - 874

Per. 4
Sapphire- 1349
Ruby - 819
Emerald - 941

Per. 12
Sapphire- 929
Ruby - 932
Emerald - 2059
ALL TIME RECORD BREAKERS!!!

Improving Society

2011-12-15T07:00:00.000-05:00

Improving Society Through

Innovation and Generosity

_____________________

Your Goal - Do Good!

As members of a greater society, we are called upon to contribute what and how we can to strengthen communities and improve the quality of life for all. We may do this through our chosen occupations, volunteer work, monetary donations, and extracurricular activities. You will do this...STARTING TODAY!

Easy steps to success:

I. Design a community service organization that will benefit a specific population in need.

II. Your group is starting a new and original organization, not supporting an existing one. So, create a working business model that will keep your organization running. Create a way to be seen in the public eye, spread awareness, and encourage others to act while staying afloat.

III. Finally, design a proposal to obtain start-up funds from a philanthropic board. Through your research, evidence and persuasive pitch, convince the board that your chosen cause is one of high importance, and that your solutions will be the most effective in alleviating the challenges and improving the situation of your chosen group
in need.

Our schedule:

Day 1 ~ Introduction & Groups (Dec. 15)

You will be assigned groups for this project. Elect a project manager who will keep the group focused and make sure that all members contribute to the planning, design and creation.

Share any knowledge you have relating to the topics and goals of this project.

Days 2 ~ Research (Dec. 16)

Using guided questions, figure out the specific needs of your assigned

Day 3, 4, 5 ~ Create Organization & Proposal (19, 20, 21)

Project Manager, help to divide tasks:

- Create a working business model

- Create logos, merchandise, advertising

- Illustrate easy to understand evidence of the issue

- Decide on a persuasive technique that will lead to a successful pitch

- Create additional resources like commercials, visual aids, performances, etc.

Day 6 ~ Set Up And Pitch To The Board (Dec. 22)

Heifer International Donation Ark

2011-12-08T11:05:00.003-05:00

UPDATE! We are very proud to announce that the EBHS Humanities Class of 2012 will be donating a "knitter's basket" to a community in need! Thanks to everyone who chipped in to make this year a better one for others.

After your vote, our 2011 - 2012 charitable organization is Heifer International! We hope you can find it in your hearts (or your wallets, purses, change from lunch) to donate between $1 - 3 to help us reach our goal of $1,000! Donations will be accepted on Dec. 9, 12, 13 & 14, and here's what we could provide to a community in need.

$1,000 – Milk Menagerie (Heifer, Two Goats, Water Buffalo)

$850 – Camel (Milk & Transportation)

$500 – Heifer (Milk)

$480 – Knitter’s Basket (Llama, Alpaca, Sheep Angora Rabbit)

$300 – Fish Farming (Sustainable Food)

$250 – Water Buffalo

$150 – Llama

$60 – Trio of Rabbits

$20 - Flock of Chicks

Unit 3 Challenges

2011-11-28T07:14:00.002-05:00

Who Am I Challenge - “Stranger in a Strange Land”

In this challenge, you will become a stranger in a strange land and enter into a social group that you don't have any previous experience with.

Options (please choose the one that you are more comfortable doing):

Choice One: Attend a religious service for a belief system that you are not familiar with or do not follow. Research local religious institutions and plan to attend a time of worship. Make your choice based on interest and curiosity. You are attending this service solely as an observer, not as an active participant.

Choice Two: Spend a week at a cafeteria table other than your own. You cannot previously be friends with anyone sitting at this table. Make your choice of table randomly. Do not make your decision based on any preconceived notions about this table's socio-economic status, religion, gender, ethnicity, or race.

Approach:
Choice One: You should call ahead to the religious institution to be assured that visitors are welcome. Explain your goals and make sure that the institution is okay with them.

Choice Two: These are your peers, so tread lightly. Introduce yourself, explain your goals and make sure that this table is comfortable with your presence. Do not simply sit down and expect strangers to be on board.

What to put in your Journal:

Show us your experience by doing the following -

1. Record either the name and belief of the religious institution and the time of service attended -or- the names of the individuals you sat and interacted with at lunch. (Pictures, Videos, Writing, Drawing, or any kind of creative expression should be used!)

2. List similarities and differences between your belief systems and this group's. How different or similar are they?

3. Use 1 & 2 to reflect on your experience: What was it like to enter into another social group with which you were unfamiliar? What did you take away from meeting new people and hearing new ideas? Did anything you observed influence the way your own belief system works or how you look at the world around you? If so, what was it and what's changed?

Pay It Forward Challenge – “Take Stock of Your STUFF”

"Stuff" (for the purposes of this challenge) is considered material possessions; Things you own. Living creatures and siblings do not apply.

Step One - How much STUFF do you have? Count your possessions (all of them!) and give yourself a "Stuff #"!

Step Two - List your top five pieces of STUFF. What does the importance of these objects say about you? Why did you pick them?

Step Three - How much of all of your STUFF would you be willing to give away, never to be seen again? What items would you never be able to part with, ever?

Step Four - Challenge five friends (non-humanities) to steps 1, 2, & 3. How'd they do?

What to put in the journal: Your numbers, your lists, photos of your stuff, love letters to your favorite items, farewells to that which you are willing to give away, reflection, results, conclusions, updates on how your friends fared, etc. (Pictures, Videos, Writing, Drawing, or any kind of creative expression should be used!)

Wild Card / RAK Challenge

This one is up to you. Humanities is centered around creative social experiences for the many, so for your Wild Card: CREATE, ORGANIZE, GROW AS A HUMAN BEING. We want you to have fun and express yourself. This is your chance to try something new, be adventurous, and get credit for it. (Examples: Monster Truck Rally, Salsa Dancing Dance-Off, Double-Dutch Tournament.)

Facebook Forum

During Diversity, we noticed huge numbers of you waiting until the night before to post on the Forum. This is silly, because no one visiting the Forum is going to wade through dozens of posts that arrive in a last-minute onslaught. To give the Forum a more gradual flow of information, here is a handy guide for when to post.

The 2011 Humanities Holiday Gift Guide

2011-11-24T22:00:00.003-05:00

Oh the perplexities of finding that certain something for that special someone. But fear not, Humans! The 2011 Humanities Holiday Gift Guide is here, helping the stumped become expert present providers.

Artwork

Andy Warhol iPhone cover by Incase

Incase debuted these bad boys with the iPhone 4, but they also fit the 4s. There are five snazzy designs created from the prints of Andy Warhol that will make you the talk of the town when you pick up a call.
$40 from Incase

Jewelry from Plastique

Plastique's inventive designs (check out the De Stijl necklace, Golden Ratio earrings and Brooklyn Bridge ring above) are stylish and clean and will have people asking where they can get them.
Most designs under $27 at Plastique

Hip-Hop Roosters & Pop Star Pigs by Ms. Murphy

If you love our own Ms. Murphy, music and farm animals, this one's for you. For a mere Andrew Jackson, you can be the proud owner of either an existing or custom-made foul-mouthed fowl or bubblegum baloney. Whatever the lyrics, the juxtaposition of your favorite phrase with these fun farm critters will make a delightful gift.
$20 at KellyisAwesome

Books

Lego Ideas Book

Lego User Groups have proliferated over the last two decades. As adults nostalgic for their childhood building blocks have come of age into dedicated and creative artists, Legos have become a sculptural tool to create just about anything and everything. This officially sanctioned book is a pleasure for anyone who loves the satisfying click of two Legos joining. Divided into themes, prepare to be inspired to create your own new pirate ships, towns, and monsters, without any instructions in sight.
$14 From Amazon

Indie Rock Coloring Book

The Yellow Bird Project's Indie Rock Coloring Book is a fun way to spend an afternoon with your favorite hipster buddies. Featuring a variety of coloring pages, games, and time-occupiers, this companion volume to Yellow Bird Project's Indie Rock Poster Book will put a smile on your face whether you're crayola-ing Jenny Lewis's face or smirking at Devendra Banhart's beard.
$10 from Amazon

Arthur Stacy and the Gallery of the People

The closest thing possible to being inside Mr. Reck's brain is to read the book it took him three years to put down on paper. Currently in its second edition, Arthur Stacy tells the story of a young painter's surreal experience in his afterlife and is sure to entrance you this holiday season.
$14 paperback and $10 Kindle eBook from Amazon

TV & Movies

Community: The Complete Second Season

With NBC forcing a hiatus on TV's best comedy in the midst of its third season, it might be a good time to revisit what is one of the best seasons of any comedy ever to grace television. Don't worry if you missed the first season of Community, you'll be too busy falling out of your chair as the study group pilots the KFC space shuttle simulator, Abed becomes Jesus, the hunt begins for Professor Professorson, everyone becomes Claymated, and the best game of D&D to ever take place is played, all leading to the climactic Western Star Wars Paintball finale!
$24 on Amazon

Midnight in Paris

Woody Allen's newest (and most successful) film is a romantic journey through time and a wistful rumination on the nature of art and nostalgia. Owen Wilson plays the engaged writer magically transported back to evenings spent with Hemingway and the Fitzgeralds. A sumptuous and funny story that will have you and yours in stitches and yearning for a rainy night (you'll see).
$18 on Amazon

Jim Henson's Muppets

As Jason Segal resuscitates the aging Muppet gang, it's time to reassess the classic origins of this storied franchise. Three seasons of the impeccable Muppet Show are now available on DVD. As the family friendly analog to SNL, the Muppet Show is an ever-indulging series of gags and one-liners, songs and sketches that became increasingly complex and sincere as the show went on. The show was so successful that it launched three memorable films: The Muppet Movie, The Great Muppet Caper and Muppets Take Manhattan. Henson's success with the Muppets and Sesame Street also allowed him to experiment on his own pet projects like Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. Even later Muppet flicks like Christmas Carol and Treasure Island are witty and fun. Any of these make for lovely viewing and may have you rethinking your sock drawer's potential.

Health & Beauty

Lip Balm Making Kit from Kiss Naturals

For the chapstick-lip-balm-obsessed, behold Kiss Naturals' make-your-own kit! The perfect way to spend some quality times with your pals, and keep those smackers protected from our state's cold, dry, winter weather.

$25 from Planet Happy Toys

OPI Glimmer Wonderland

18 (!) mini nail polishes for an affordable price are a slumber party's best friend. This one's a no- brainer.
$48 (worth $81) at Sephora

Yoga Class with Mrs. Deerson

Looking to get in shape both physically and spiritually? It's not a religion, but some describe doing Yoga under the tutelage of Mrs. Deerson as a religious experience. How could it not be? With hand-selected soundtracks, specialized lighting, and a class likely to make you break a sweat, this gift is not to be missed. The best part? Through a community education program, these classes match their excellence with an inexpensive price tag (far less than nearby gyms). Give a subscription to an amigo and then get one for yourself!
7pm Tuesdays/Human Services Bldg/55 Reid Street/South River
Call 732-254-4412 for details/Ask Mrs. Deerson

Games & Toys

Retron 3 Triple System

Did you just inherit a box of old Nintendo, Genesis and SNES games from your weird uncle and don't have the systems to play them? Check out this sweet triple retro game console that lets you play games from all three systems. Once you get hooked, you might never look at flea markets the same way again.
$55 from Amazon

Crayola Crayon Maker

Not a hoax! Not a trick! This little doohickey will actually give you the power to MAKE YOUR OWN CRAYONS. Safe and easy to use, nothing will stop you from creating the crayons of your dreams - tie-dyed and swirly, melty or tri-colored. Once they've properly cooled, you can use them on the Indie Rock Coloring Book.
$30 from Amazon

Make Your Own Monster

Use Donna Wilson's easy to follow directions and bag of pre-sewn felt parts to do just what it says on the box: Make Your Own Monster. Now, what you do with your monster is obviously your business, but I'm gonna go out on a limb and say you're gonna scare some peeps. Just a guess.
$28 from Future Perfect

Music

Rivers Cuomo - Pinkerton Diaries & Alone III

Rivers unveils his diaries from the moment Weezer's Blue Album released to Pinkerton's critical crash. This set also includes the third Alone disc, which, when paired with Alone I & II allows you to reconstruct the mythical "lost" Weezer album, "Songs from the Black Hole". So awesome, and still cheaper than tickets to the Weezer Cruise.
$75 from cinderblock.riverscuomo.com

The Beach Boys - The Smile Sessons

Speaking of "lost" albums, the original Beach Boys have finally agreed to release the recordings that almost formed Brian Wilson's masterpiece, Smile. In the wake of Pet Sounds' Good Vibrations, Wilson began imagining music that was near impossible to record with 1966's studio equipment. And while Wilson recently formed a new band to record a modern version of Smile, this is your first chance to hear the band's attempts in all their glory. There's an insane $140 version of this thing, but you should settle for the 2 disc version, which has less slip-ups.
$34 from Insound

Nirvana - Nevermind 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition

You may not be able to properly understand the impact of Nevermind in 1991. Post-punk had been barreling along since the early 80's, but aside from the major label signings of REM and Sonic Youth, most of America was listening to New Kids on the Block and Michael Jackson. So Kurt Cobain's polished growl marked a shift in the American music consciousness. While Nevermind spawned countless imitators (and, one could argue, is just a product of Melvins-era Northwestern punk), the album holds up after two decades as a masterpiece. Double-down for the four disc/one dvd collection to hear the "Boombox" sessions, the closest you'll ever get to hearing Nirvana rock out live in your basement.
$150 on Amazon

Color Pride Competition 2011

2011-11-22T11:20:00.007-05:00

Last year's record breaking Period 3 Sapphire Team

Official Color Pride Competition Rules & Restrictions

Each Blue, Red, or Green item = 1 pt.
ex. One blue shirt is worth 1 pt. One green action figure is worth 1 pt.

Duplicate items will be given 1 pt. only.
ex. Ten red fingernails are worth 1 pt. One bag of green M&Ms are worth 1 pt.

No Distribution!
ex. Bringing in a pad of blue post-its and sticking one to each person.

You may only use items from your class! Items must be in the room to be counted.
ex. A picture of your green car will not be counted.

You may not use anything that is already in the classroom.
ex. No Ruby points for a fire extinguisher.

You must be able to bring, set up, take down, and take home all items. Leftovers will be discarded.

Underwear (Boxers, Tighty Whities, Underoos, Bras, Panties, Thongs, etc.) DOES NOT COUNT! Please don't ask us to look. Socks are okay.

Emeralds are not allowed to use any kind of Bearwear, including lanyards, varsity jackets, etc.

Sapphires will not be given points for blue jeans, as everyone owns a pair.

We strongly discourage any kind of costume that disguises your identity. Please do not obscure your face. Likewise, we discourage body-painting yourselves a solid color.

ALL SCHOOL RULES APPLY!!!

Target: Intolerance

2011-11-09T12:21:00.002-05:00

Color War Karaoke!

2011-11-03T14:57:00.003-04:00

Congrats to all our Humanities Color Warriors who brought their pipes of gold (and in some cases, their dancing shoes) to today's karaoke battle royale! Here's a breakdown of today's scores, coupled with the existing numbers:

Totals for the Day
(scores adjusted by multiplying by 10)

Sapphire - 2850
Ruby - 2980
Emerald - 2840

Totals per Period

Period 2
S - 740
R - 750
E - 640

Period 3
S - 680
R - 790
E - 680

Period 4
S - 680
R - 710
E - 710

Period 12
S - 750
R - 730
E - 800

Totals for the Year!

Sapphire - 6,470
Ruby - 6,550
Emerald - 5,630

Unit 2 Challenges

2011-10-21T09:13:00.002-04:00

Who Am I Challenge - “Make a New Friend”

Through a variety of exercises this Unit, you'll be asked to delineate your own characteristics, traits and personality from others. Knowing you're different makes this challenge all the more difficult: You have three weeks to make a new friend.

The Rules - The person you befriend cannot already be an acquaintance or a friend of a friend or a family friend. In fact, you should not know this person at all. The challenge is to meet and befriend someone completely new! Feel free to rely on existing friends to get "set up", but use your own social skills to achieve the goal.

What to put in the journal: Use Pictures, Videos, Writing, Drawing, or any kind of creative expression to show us who this person is, tell the story of how you befriended this person, and - more importantly - how do you know you are now friends? What does your new friend mean to you? How have you proven your friendship to your new pal? Please share any misadventures you two have experienced in your short time as buddies).

Pay It Forward Challenge – “Don't Be Hatin'!”

In our post-ironic world, it's easier than ever to say all manner of nasty and judgmental things without even thinking. Your second challenge is to refrain from using hateful language, insults, obscenity, racial epithets, or any manner of speech that demeans others. (A few examples: Greeting individuals with senseless cursing, describing things as "gay" or retarded" when there are plenty of great words you could use instead, thinking it's "okay" to drop a racial slur because "you're friends" with a person.)

Once you've overcome your own use of spite, have face-to-face conversations with at least ten people who you believe need to lay off these forms of language with you. Challenge them to take the same pledge of peaceful communication, and follow up with them to see how well they are staying true to the challenge.

What to put in the journal: Use Pictures, Videos, Writing, Drawing, or any kind of creative expression to share with us situations in which you either had trouble with the challenge yourself or where you noticed others using this kind of spiteful language. Who were the ten people you challenged, and how did they do? How long can you pledge to keep up this challenge and to continue challenging your peers to this message of peace?

Wild Card / RAK Challenge

This one is up to you. Humanities is centered around creative social experiences for the many, so for your Wild Card: CREATE, ORGANIZE, GROW AS A HUMAN BEING. We want you to have fun and express yourself. This is your chance to try something new, be adventurous, and get credit for it. (Examples: Load up and Trade iPods with a pal for a week, Learn to play an instrument, Gather the pirates for a good old fashioned treasure hunt.)

Do a Random Act of Kindness. The master of RAKs is Secret Agent L, but more ideas can be found at SSSSH!’s website or UMadeMyDay. The idea is that by doing something nice for another human being, we can make the world a better place. Be creative, DO NOT spend anything more than $5, and make a meaningful impact on someone's life.

Facebook Forum

Whether it's about Diversity or not, share something cultural with the Humanities world at large. Did you just read a news article that needs to be shared? Find a website you think could use a few more hits? How about a song you can't get out of your head or a video that's making you chuckle. Maybe it's something you made on your own that's ready for an audience. Post at least one thing on the wall for us to enjoy.

DON'T HAVE FACEBOOK? PLEASE E-MAIL US YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE FORUM. DO NOT E-MAIL US LINKS IF YOU HAVE AN ACCOUNT AND HAVE JUST BEEN TOO COOL TO JOIN THE GROUP.

Improv Night!

2011-10-17T10:53:00.003-04:00

If you like to laugh yourself silly, join us tomorrow night for the Fall edition of Improv Night. Created by our own Mr. Davis as a madcap way for actors to hone their spontaneity, this performance will feature the fantastically funny foibles of Ms. Buckley, Mr. Novak, Mrs. LoPresti, Mrs. Ryan, Mr. Sislian and me - Mr. Reck!

Improv Night runs from 7 - 8:30pm, Oct. 14th in the EBHS Auditorium. Bring your family & friends for an amazing giggle-fest you'll want to tell your grandchildren about.

Field Trip to the High Line!

2011-10-13T09:17:00.002-04:00

On Nov. 9th, Mrs. Deerson will take a group of Humans to The High Line , a former abandoned elevated rail line in New York City that has been transformed into a outdoor park, cultural hotspot, and artistic center. Along the way, Humans will have a chance to dine at the culinary wonderland known as The Chelsea Market.

Want to go? Here are some simple steps how:

1. Pick a partner from our twelve Humanities classes. No one gets to go alone! This way, every person on the trip has someone to talk to and hang with.
2. Fill out a card in class with your and your partner's name. Hand this to one of the four of us by the end of Wednesday, Oct. 15th.
3. Your names will be entered into a lottery pool from which couples will be selected.
4. If you win the lottery, get a permission slip from us and get it filled out by your schedule of teachers and your parent/guardian (even if you're 18!).
5. Hand the permission slip with your money and you're good to go!

The Beautiful Myth

2011-10-11T10:47:00.002-04:00

Your Goals
~Update and reinterpret one of the following 3 classic myths for a designated audience by
~Performing a 3 minute, one act play using costumes, sets and props

The changes you make can include setting, time period, characterization and plot, but the myth should still be recognizable and retain what you believe to be essential for reaching your demographic.

The Myths

Frankenstein
Mad doctor Frankenstein conceived a plan to make a man in his image with the bodies of the dead. After his assistant, Fritz, accidentally installed a defective brain, Frankenstein’s monster came to life and proceeded to terrorize the town. The monster met a small girl who befriended him, but the confused monster killed his new friend. The mad doctor could do nothing as the townspeople drove the monster into an old barn and burned it down.

Narcissus & Echo
Hera punishes Zeus’ young lover, Echo, by only allowing her to repeat the words of others. Narcissus was a handsome young man promised to live a great life if he was never allowed “to know himself”. Echo spies Narcissus as he hunts for stag and falls head over heels, but Narcissus is irritated by Echo’s repetitious conversation and banishes her. Later, Narcissus catches his reflection for the first time in a stream. Having found his ultimate love in his own image, Narcissus is driven mad and eventually kills himself.

Beauty and the Beast
A selfish prince was cursed to the form of an ugly Beast after he turned away a needy sorceress. He could not become handsome again until someone truly loved him. Through chance, a wealthy merchant stumbled onto the Beast’s castle and traded his daughter, Belle, to survive. Belle grew fond of the Beast but longed for home. While Belle was home, the Beast’s curse almost killed him. Belle returned in time to save him with her love. The Beast transformed to his former self and they lived happily ever after.

When
Your group will have three and a half days to create your play.
Performances will begin on Oct. 17th.

With
You will be assigned a group of hard working humans from all three color groups. Your group will perform for our combined three classes.

Why Women?

2011-10-04T14:24:00.002-04:00

Venus of Willendorf (27,000 BCE), Botticelli's Primavera (1500s), Twiggy (1960s)

A question that more than a few of you asked me this Unit regarded our Play-Doh Beauty Pageant: Why only women "contestants"? Evolutionarily speaking, sexual selection (plumage, colors, etc.) works both ways with men attracted to those who can bear their healthiest offspring and women drawn to the healthiest and strongest protectors and providers. Artistically, female representations grossly outnumber their male counterparts. This is mainly due to the predominance of male artists for thousands of years. But even now, with female artists in every gallery, classical male representations are few. A rich history of changing female forms continues today. Unfortunately for men, their visualization has remained relatively unchanged as a utilitarian muscle-bound lunk since the Renaissance. The main reason has been practical: Male students tend to be uncomfortable creating male Play-Doh people, inevitably using their time to sculpt enormous genitalia. Whether this is due to insecurity, homophobia or simple temptation is unclear. What is clear: Lady Play-Doh people tend to make for a successful pageant. Should any of you have a deep need to construct a Play-Doh Dude and pit it against others, you have a great idea for a Wild Card!

Field Trip to the Met!

2011-09-27T11:50:00.005-04:00

On Oct. 19th, Mr. Reck will take a group of 30 Humans to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City to see their incomparable galleries of art, an impressive new exhibition featuring the collection of photographer Alfred Stieglitz, and the final days of Anthony Caro's rooftop sculptures.

Want to go? Here are some simple steps how:

1. Pick a partner from our twelve Humanities classes. No one gets to go alone! This way, every person on the trip has someone to talk to and hang with.
2. Fill out a card in class with your and your partner's name. Hand this to one of the four of usby the end of Monday, Oct. 3rd.
3. Your names will be entered into a lottery pool from which 15 couples will be selected.
4. If you win the lottery, get a permission slip from us and get it filled out by your schedule of teachers and your parent/guardian (even if you're 18!).
5. Hand the permission slip with $10 each for the bus (you'll pay for admission to the museum when we get there), and you're ready to go!

Unit 1 Journey Challenges

2011-09-19T10:30:00.006-04:00

To clarify in case there is any confusion: ALL FOUR challenges are due on Oct. 7th.

Who Am I Challenge - “Who Am I?”

On Wednesday*, you and a partner explored your identities through the Proust Questionnaire. Without repeating your responses, use the interview to help you answer a question that generations of humans have pondered:

“Who Am I?”

What to put in the journal: Your super-creative response, be it written, visual, performance, photographic, sculptural, culinary or anything else you can think of.

*If you missed this, fear not! You can still answer the question without the interview. Want the interview questions? E-mail us!

Pay It Forward Challenge – “You’re Beautiful!”

Step One: Brainstorm a list of ten people you think are beautiful. Not just superficially or physically beautiful, but for anything from their deeds and actions to their heart and soul.

Step Two: Your job now is to have a face-to-face conversation with each of these people to tell them why you think they are beautiful. Once you have had your conversation, challenge each person to tell another ten that they are beautiful, so hundreds and thousands of people get to hear why they are so lovely. (Don't use this exercise to insult or belittle anyone!)

Step Three: Check back in with your ten to see how they did with their list. How far did the experiment go?

What to put in the journal: Tell us about your ten picks, use photos (drawings even) of each person and explain what is beautiful about them. How did the conversations go (awkward? humiliating? easy? fun? romantic?), and then later, how did the follow-up conversations go? If you went somewhere to talk, use mementos to remember the event.

Wild Card / RAK Challenge

This one is up to you. Humanities is centered around creative social experiences for the many, so for your Wild Card: CREATE, ORGANIZE, GROW AS A HUMAN BEING. We want you to have fun and express yourself. This is your chance to try something new, be adventurous, and get credit for it. (Examples: Try a new cuisine, have a breakdancing tournament in your basement, invite the girls over for a slumber party and have an Audrey Hepburn film marathon.)

Facebook Forum

Whether it's about Self, Beauty, Ego or not, share something cultural with the Humanities world at large. Did you just read a news article that needs to be shared? Find a website you think could use a few more hits? How about a song you can't get out of your head or a video that's making you chuckle. Maybe it's something you made on your own that's ready for an audience. Post at least one thing on the wall for us to enjoy.

DON'T HAVE FACEBOOK? PLEASE E-MAIL US YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE FORUM. DO NOT E-MAIL US LINKS IF YOU HAVE AN ACCOUNT AND HAVE JUST BEEN TOO COOL TO JOIN THE GROUP.

Color War Jeopardy Results

2011-09-16T14:20:00.001-04:00

Congrats to all our Humanities Color Warriors who brought their A-Game to today's trivia battle royale. Hopefully you learned just as much as you already knew! As for points, here's where we stand. Remember that these points will be added to subsequent events as the year progresses.

Totals for the Day
(scores adjusted by dividing by 10)

Sapphire - 3,620
Ruby - 3,570
Emerald - 2,790

Totals per Period
(unadjusted)

Period 2
S - 8500
R - 7900
E - 7400

Period 3
S - 8800
R - 9100
E - 6300

Period 4
S - 8600
R - 7900
E - 9700

Period 12
S - 10300
R - 10800
E - 4500

Units of Study

2011-09-15T14:36:00.000-04:00

Over the course of the year, we will be studying some of the ideas that have inspired generations of humans to wonder, create and philosophize (among other things). Just so you know what to expect; these are the themes we will explore:

1st Semester
Unit 1 - Self, Beauty & Ego
Unit 2 - Diversity
Unit 3 - Society
Unit 4 - Freedom, Rejection & Rebellion

2nd Semester
Unit 5 - Existence, Reality & Daily Life
Unit 6 - Nature & Technology
Unit 7 - Emotion
Unit 8 - Change & the Future

What is Humanities?

2011-06-30T15:16:00.000-04:00

Over the history of mankind, human beings have been fascinated with the world around them. Humanities breaks down this fascination into little digestible bites. Each unit of study follows a theme that has inspired generations of thinkers and creators, and then asks what you think and how you are inspired.

Humanities is broken into three concentrations:

1. Visual Arts - Where we'll focus on the way people have interpreted their world into physical objects like paintings, sculptures, photographs, and drawings.

2. Performing Arts - Where the focus shifts to the way people have been inspired to act, dance, sing, and make music.

3. Sociology - Where the investigation continues into how people interpret their world through human interaction, societal beliefs, philosophy, and culture.

By experiencing three different perspectives, your time with us will be refreshing, varied and fun. We can't tell you exactly what your Humanities experience will be. That's going to be up to you. But our goal is to keep you thinking and creative, just like the human beings we all are.

What is the Journey?

2011-06-30T15:00:00.003-04:00

The Journey consists of a series of challenges you'll get via this website each time we start a new Unit.

Challenges come in several forms:

Who Am I Challenge
These challenges will ask you to delve into your mind, heart and soul to explore just who you really are. This part of the Journey is one of self-exploration and honesty.

Pay It Forward Challenge
These challenges will ask you not only to do good, but to ask others to be better as well. This part of the Journey will help make our corner of the world the best it can be.

Wild Card / RAK Challenge
Wild Card challenges ask you to go on an adventure to widen your world view. RAKs are Random Acts of Kindness, challenges that ask you to go out of your way to do something nice for complete strangers.

Forum
Each unit, we will ask you to contribute to our online Forum by posting links to articles, videos, and culture that you think needs to be shared with our Humanities family.

Most times, we will be asking you to do something, but we'll still need the vital information on how that task went. So, you'll need a journal to record what happened. In return, we'll give you lots of points for the homework part (20%) of your grade!

What kind of Journal should I get, and where should I get it?

Your Journal should be a hardcover, bound book, no smaller than 5" x 8".

There are many places to get wonderful, bound Journals. The closest place to school is Barnes and Noble on Rt. 18. They have a whole section!

Other online retailers:
Borders * Anthro * Poketo * Amazon

Find a Journal you really love, as it's going to be your partner for the whole year. For instance, I (Reck) almost exclusively use Cavallini & Co notebooks. I buy them at either Anthropologie or Pottery Barn (weird, right?). Remember that all kinds of places you'd never expect will have great stuff. Look online, search high and low. But...

DO NOT BUY: A composition book, a wirebound journal, a really tiny book, or anything where the binding is definitely going to fall to pieces.