2013-10-17 Let's go to Europe!

It was a huge surprise to see our special European guest in our CI class tonight. It turned out to be professor, Tim, who came visit us this early year. It's always a joy to welcome our old friends.

I think a lot of you hadn't seen me for a long time since our class started. It was the seventh class of this semester, but it actually was  just my first class. I felt kind of embarrassed and sad that I'd missed so much about our class. However, just like what our teacher, Abbie, always encourages us that being late is better than never!

When I walked into the classroom even later than usual, I was welcomed by the warmth of the classmates, and deeply in my heart, I was totally touched and grateful for the generosity offered by everyone! It seemed that all of you were saying "Welcome home, Jonas." Thanks a million, my teacher, classmates, friends and family!

C.I. class 10/17: Europe‏

Hi everyone in C.I.!  

Thanks for a GREAT class last week!!  I loved it!  Your presentations and comments and participation made me so happy.  

Last class, Jerry gave us a more in depth presentation on the history of the trees that he and many others are trying to save.  Get in touch with Jerry if you'd like to help too!!  Jeff told us about the latest breaking IPCC climate report, which found that "human impact is unequivocal."  Jeff's presentation was perfectly timed, as we all then moved out to the islands that are most endangered by the rising sea levels caused by global warming.  The islanders of Kiribati, Nauru, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, and Palau all gave interesting presentations with cool details about their homes and creative suggestions for how to save their homes. 

Class review for C.I. class 9/26; looking forward to 10/3

Hi again everyone!  

Last class we started off the night with some tales from moon festival, and we learned a round from Australia, "Kookaburra."  We'll try singing it one more time next time!  

Lucas talked about surfing in Oceania, and surprised us all by teaching us all how to "surf without getting wet!!"  He showed us some beautiful wave-shaped rocks in Australia, and explained how they were formed.  But he suggests that we actually don't go "rock-surfing," as it might damage the rock!  

Marian told us an interesting dog-walking joke!  :D  And then shared her impressions of three islands in Oceania:  Hawaii, Guam, and New Zealand.  She told us about sunbathers, aboriginal architecture, and cave stalactites and stalagmites.  She also brought postcards and photos so that we too could see these islands!  

Class review: C.I. class 9/12

Hi everyone in C.I. class!  

Last class on 9/12 was amazing; I was very glad to hear everyone's voices.  

In the beginning of the class, we all had the chance to introduce ourselves to each other.  It was nice to learn more about each of you during our introductions. 

Jeff introduced us to an excellent poem, "The Raven," written by Edgar Allan Poe in 1845.  I was so pleased to hear that C.I.class has inspired Jeff to study such a cool poem, and I think he inspired all of us!  

Jeff kindly shared two links with me that I think you all will enjoy; in the first you can hear the poem "The Raven" read by Christopher Walken, and in the second you can see John Astin (dressed like Edgar Allan Poe!) reciting the poem.  Both are excellent performances, and even if you don't understand every word of the poem, you can get a taste for the exciting rhythm of the poem by listening to it. 

The Raven read by Christopher Walkenhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLSmhpwLdEQ&list=PLaaaPH7IyxEarP1ECzHIdLxnLgTgFK0m6

John Astin Reads the Raven by Edgar Allan Poehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACUxJ6fq2IY&list=PLaaaPH7IyxEarP1ECzHIdLxnLgTgFK0m6&index=2

If you want to read along with the poem as it's being recited, go to the Poetry Foundation here:http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/178713

C.I. class 9/26: Oceania (including Australia)

Hi C.I. classmates!  

I hope you've all had a lovely Moon Festival!

Thanks for a wonderful class last time!  Please see my other email for a class review!

This week on 9/26, we'll still be concentrating on Oceania (including Australia)!  

I hope for more exciting presentations from all of you!  I loved last week's presentations, and I was so happy to hear from all of you!  

As a class on 9/26, we'll discuss the plight of Oceania's "disappearing islands," and if anyone wants to tell us more about what you know about this situation, please feel free to share!    

See:

Endangered Islands

http://eoedu.belspo.be/en/profs/vgt-oceania-sealevel.asp

and/or:

Rising sea level puts island nations like Nauru at risk

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/04/world/asia/nauru-ocean-danger/index.html

More soon! 

Take care everyone, and try to stay dry!!

Sincerely, Abbie 

C.I. class 9/12: Australia and Oceania

Hi Everyone in C.I. class!

I was so happy to see everyone on our first class night last Thursday!  

Last Thursday we practiced "brainstorming," so you'll be able to think up lots of exciting directions and ideas for your presentations.  Starting from any broad theme, you can use brainstorming to find specific ideas for topics you might want to talk about.  

I enjoyed the small groups' introductions of 8 regions of the world: Australia & Oceania, Europe, Antarctica, South America, North America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.  :)  

This semester, we'll take a tour of the earth, concentrating on the various regions in turn.