Blade Runner: Anatomy of a Classic

This is for the IB Film crew and (by extension) for the IB English 3 students. The site explains the movie more than the novel, but the coverage of the tension between the director and the author over the meaning of the author's novel is pretty interesting. If you're struggling over meaning, and you have that feeling like you're drinking from the fire hose, then this site is for you.

Click here.

Enjoy.

Donors Choose Link

http://www.donorschoose.org/woodrowmcghee    

Howdy, true believers. Above is the link to my Donors Choose page where, thanks to the generous offer made by the Morgridge Family Foundation, we're already half way toward receiving some cool new gear that the film program badly needs.

However, it's one of those challenge grant things like on NPR, meaning that their offer expires if folks don't donate in time. So please donate. And spread the word, and get them to donate. I would be much obliged, and I further solemnly promise and swear I will make sure that all donors get mentioned in the film credits and at the film festival next spring.

Thank you!

AP English and IB Film: Free "Selma" Tickets

Dallas business and community leaders have generously donated 11,500 tickets for seventh through 12^th grade Dallas ISD students to view the movie “Selma” at no charge.

Students must show a current student ID or report card at the box office of the theaters listed below for free admission while tickets last.

 

Participating theaters are as follows:

AMC Northpark

AMC Firewheel

Cinemark 14

Cinemark Webb Chapel

City Cinemas Angelika

Studio Movie Grill (NW Hwy)

 

The Extra Credit Assignment

 

As if the opportunity to see an Oscar-nominated film for FREE wasn't enough, here is a further opportunity to get extra credit for doing so.

 

Write a one-page, typed, reflective essay wherein you establish your take on the film as a whole. Be sure to cite specific reasons (i.e.direct reference to the film itself) to justify your reaction. You may comment upon:

• the cinematic quality of the film (direction, acting, style, etc)
• the historical quality of the film (plot, veracity, anachronisms, etc)
• the film's effect on you personally (how you grew as a human being as a direct result of watching this film)

Due date: before we leave for Spring Break 2015.

IB Film: 10 Coolest Tracking Shots

We were talking about this the other day. Here is a very compelling list of the coolest tracking shots in film history. The link is to

If we expand the definition of film to include made for television movies, then I would HIGHLY recommend adding the six minute continuous long take from HBO's "True Detective." The scene actually goes over walls.

(For some reason, YouTube will not let me embed the video, so here is the link: http://youtu.be/s_HuFuKiq8U.)

Congrats to the Woodrow Debate Team!

Congratulations to Woodrow Debate for sweeping UIL District!
Gabriel Jankovsky and Mac Murchison received 1st Place
and Kadrian Oliver and Roberto Hairston came in 2nd Place at district.
Both teams will be going to STATE! Way to go guys!

W00t!

Registering for AP Exams (AP and IB Students)

(From the email that was sent to all Woodrow students...)

 

This is a reminder that AP registration has begun at Woodrow Wilson High School. Please make sure that you son/daughter is registered by the deadline date.  

 

Below is important need to know information regarding Advanced Placement (AP) that was emailed in December:

 

1. All students will be responsible for registering for their AP exams online.  Registration will be open as of Monday, December 8, 2014 & will end March 6, 2015 at 10:00pm.

 

2. Website for AP registration:

 

     www.TotalRegistration.net/AP/441835

 

3. Students that registered last year:

 

1. Student can use their same login information from last year to register for AP exams this year. If a student does not remember their login information, once at the registration site please click the tab that says “forgot password” and directions will be sent to the email used last year when registering.
2. New students registering will need to create a new account.
3. Students and parents will receive an email shortly after this email from the total registration website that will give you the email address that was used last year.

 

4. Students who are taking Pre-AP courses do not need to register for AP exams.

 

5. Fees for registration:

 

1. Enrolled in AP Class: $0.00
2. IB, Retakes and non AP students: Free/Reduced Lunch - $0.00, Non Free/Reduced Lunch-$0.00
3. Late Exam Ordering – $45.00 for all students; Free/Reduced included so please encourage students to register by March 6, 2015.

 

6. SPED or 504 students with Accommodations:

 

1. Being in the SPED or 504 program at Woodrow does not automatically allow students to have accommodations on the AP exams. Students must register with College Board SSD program to receive accommodations. The last day to submit is by Friday, February 20, 2015. The College Board must receive your request for accommodations and supporting documentation (if needed) by Feb. 20. (This date is seven weeks before the ordering deadline for AP Exams because it takes approximately seven weeks from the receipt of all necessary documentation for the College Board to determine your eligibility for accommodations. If requests are submitted after this date, there is no guarantee that accommodations will be approved and appropriate exam materials will be shipped in time for the test.)
2. Student/parents can register by contacting Mrs. Odeski who is the SSD coordinator for our campus. 
3. Attached is the parent consent form for SSD that can be brought to Mrs. Odeski in the counseling office. If your student has previously registered with SSD for PSAT or SAT testing, they do not need to resubmit.
4. Attached is the AP exam dates and Late Testing dates.

 

Any further questions or concerns please feel free to contact Mrs. Demetrich Herford, Mrs. Tamara Whitfield, AP Manager/Coordinator, tambrown@dallasisd.org or Mrs. Chiquita Prudhomme, Assistant Principal – AP, CP1591@dallasisd.org .

AP/IB: HoD Character Mandala Project

This mandala project is due Wednesday, February 4, 2015.

 Mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning center and circle. It conveys the notion that any center is tied to its circumference and any circumference is always determined by its center. Together they represent wholeness. The character mandala project represents the student's analysis of the whole character in The Heart of Darkness.

After choosing your character, consider what traits that character displays and what happens to him/her in the story. Using the color symbolism chart, color the mandala according to the characteristics you have determined about your character. Whichever traits/characteristics are the most important or most evident should be represented by the corresponding colors from the chart and be dominant on the mandala. Any character you choose should have at least three characteristics and/or traits, and those colors should be evident on your mandala. Under the mandala, write the name of your character. On a separate page, type one paragraph about your character by first introducing him/her, followed by an explanation of what each color represents, the significance of their placement, and textual evidence and personal commentary for support of each characteristic you displayed. Conclude your paragraph with a theme statement of the selection. Be prepared to present your finished product to the class. Yes, you will have to read your paragraph.

The completed project should meet these criteria:

1. a choice of characteristics appropriate to the character showing careful, close reading,
2. a pattern of colors that are pleasing to the eye (or meaningfully harsh) and represent the characteristics the colors symbolize,
3. effective paragraph organization, sentence fluency, word choice, and attention to conventions,
4. and appropriate evidence correctly notated.