Black-Eyed Peace
During one of the 8th grade classes, I was working on an "extra" page in the book with them. It dealt with vocabulary, and ways to increase it.
One thing I've noticed is that the kids want immediate answers. They don't want to have to search. Call it the microwave or internet culture, but they want it NOW.
So I used the "extra page" at the end of the chapter to show them that if they "put on their thinking caps," they could understand a lot more than they imagine.
There were two charts: one with the suffix -ful and the other with -less. Each was explained, and there were about 8 words in each chart. For example, colour|colourful (sorry, but I have to use the BE spelling here), beauty|beautiful, success|successful.
Each word chosen was a cognate to a French word. colour|couleur, beauty|beauté, success|succès.
One of the pairs was peace|peaceful. In order to make my point, which was that English and French resemble each other in their use of root words and suffixes (and prefixes, and I know it's the same in many languages, but just humor me here, 'kay?), I wrote peace on the board. I even drew a little peace sign, which elicited comments of "Peace and Love" -- in a French accent, oeuf corse. Then I wrote peaceful.
It looked like this: peace ---> peaceful (Shut up. I've only got green markers right now).
Then I wrote paix ---> ...and I wanted them to find a French word using paix and a suffix*.
Jérémy, poor Jérémy who just got an appliance on his lower jaw (and consequently looks like he's chewin' tabacky), blurted out "Black-eyed Peas!"
I burst out laughing.
I mean, really. A French kid, shouting out the name of an American food that's NOT "Aumbeurgeur!" You have to hear it to believe it.
I figured it was the name of some group, and I was right. But then I spent the next ten minutes explaining what a black-eyed pea was, and why I was laughing, and that Peace is not Peas but rather Pacem, and that Peas are Petit Pois but not necessarily. And my students promised to lend me a Black-Eyed Peas CD.
It was fun. Just another step on the way to whirled peas.
*paisible
Don't apologize for using the British spelling. I prefer it, actually.
I'm glad you had some fun today along with the rest of it.
You deserve no less.
Posted by: Allan | February 22, 2005 at 16:11
The kids bust me if I use American spelling when I write on the board. "Mais, Madame, dans le livre c'est marqué..." and I say "Yeah, yeah, fuck off, I'm Amurrican and that's how we spell it." Then I erase the word and add the missing u or change the -er to -re.
Except I don't usually say the "Fuck off" part out loud.
Oh, and thanks, Allan. I do deserve a little fun, methinks.
Posted by: Alison | February 22, 2005 at 16:17
If you've heard the tribal beats of a song called "Hey Momma", hat's the Black Eyed Peas... Oddly enough, their new female singer Sarah Ferguson, Fergie for short (no, not THAT Sarah Ferguson,) was on the show Kids Incorporated with Martika... The pop singer who has a hit song "Toy Soldiers" in 1988... Which was recently used in a rap song by Eminem...
Yes, I know everything. By the way, you're low on petrol and really should pick up some more cheese while you're out...
Posted by: Thomas | February 22, 2005 at 16:32
Woo-hoo, Martika!
Posted by: Alison | February 22, 2005 at 16:55
I'm trying to get used to B.E. spelling of words myself. ;)
Oh, and I think you'll really like the Black Eyed Peace (sic). Cool groove. :lol:
Posted by: newwavegurly | February 22, 2005 at 20:51
Oh, and Thomas... I think I might be able to give you a run for your money in many of the categories in which you "know everything"...
Posted by: newwavegurly | February 22, 2005 at 20:54
Been away a while - good to be back again....
Good to see you still kicking at your job.
Well, not so good, but you know what I mean.
Posted by: Geoffrey | February 23, 2005 at 08:03
Did you also know that Alanis and her twin brother were on the nickelodeon show "you can't do that on television"?
I prefer the BE version myself as well but no one says anything, just about my F's I write them "backwards" according to everyone here, but seriously that is how I was taught when writing cursive and that is just how I do it.
Sounds like it was a fun class, I remember having those back in the day. a few at least. made my school days interesting.
Posted by: angel | February 23, 2005 at 09:49
newwavegirly, did you know that the One Hit Wonder group "Level 42" actually got their name from Douglas Adams' "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" series of books? It's the answer to "Life, the Universe and Everything."
The comical QUESTION of "Life, the Universe and Everything" is, What is nine times five?
Get it, we're all screwed up because we're off by 3... Off by 3!!!
I guess you had to have been rasied on a steady diet of Monty Python movies to get it...
Also, the original "Happy Days" pilot was boiled down to a vignette on "Love American Style", making it a spin-off... To which it spun off "Lavern and Shirley", "Mork and Mindy" and "Joanie loves Chachi"... The latter being a hit in some South American countries where "Chachi" is slang for penis..
Yes... "Joanie loves penis"...
Posted by: Thomas | February 23, 2005 at 11:28
Hey Thomas, did you know that E.G. (Elizabeth) Daily performed the song "Mind Over Matter" for the soundtrack of the movie "Summer School", but was originally known for her appearance as Lauren, Julie's slutty friend in the movie "Valley Girl"? The next appearance of note was when she played Dotty in "Pee Wee's Big Adventure", was the voice of "Babe" (yes, the pig), and then appeared as Phoebe's ex-singing partner on "Friends".
And yes, the "Happy Days" spin-off line of progression is something I was aware of. I've also talked through a similar progression about "The Mary Tyler Moore Show".
But we really shouldn't jack the comments here at Ali's blog with such things...
Posted by: newwavegurly | February 23, 2005 at 12:56
Jack away.
(Uhhh, that didn't sound right).
Posted by: Alison | February 23, 2005 at 13:17
I love it when you talk dirty.
Posted by: Allan | February 23, 2005 at 14:43
Watch what you say, it is Thomas we're talking about here. *grin*
Posted by: newwavegurly | February 23, 2005 at 17:09
Did you know that E.G. (Elizabeth) Daily was the voice of Tommy Pickles on "Rugrats"?
She was also dating/engaged to Jon-Erik Hexum at the time he died on the set of his show "Cover-Up" during a joke gone awry.
Jon-Erik Hexum was also on the show "Voyagers" with his young costar Meeno Peluce... Meeno's half-sister is Soleil Moon Frye who got her "Punky Brewster" job while visiting the NBC studios with her family.
Connecting Soilel to Melissa Joan Hart via her character "Sabrina the Teenaged Witch", who was alo in "Clarissa Explains it All" which was shown on Nickelodeon with "Rugrats"...
And so it comes full circle...
Posted by: Thomas | February 23, 2005 at 17:19
How (why?) do you know all this stuff? :-)
Posted by: Alison | February 23, 2005 at 17:51
Okay, what's scaring me the most out of all of this is how similarly our brains function, Thomas.
Soleil Moon Frye ALSO did a guest appearance on "Friends" (like E.G. Daily) playing the "punching girl" that Joey dated. Soleil dated Edward Furlong, who played the young John Connor in "Terminator 2" and was in the John Waters movie "Pecker" that co-starred Christina Ricci. Ricci made her first movie appearance in "Mermaids" with Winona Ryder and Cher bringing it full circle back to "Friends"... Winona Ryder ALSO did a guest appearance on "Friends" as the old sorority sister that Rachel shared a kiss with.
Posted by: newwavegurly | February 23, 2005 at 19:20
Please pass me one of those cigarettes you are all smoking?
Posted by: Geoffrey | February 24, 2005 at 04:16
This is just like sitting in a bar with a group of cool dudes. Well, how I imagine it would be. I don't know any real life cool people. All I get here is fishing, dogs and more fishing.
Posted by: Daisy | February 24, 2005 at 08:11
Winnona Ryder was in BeetleJuice with Michael Keaton (and Gina Davis, a olympic quality archer in addition to starring in The Fly with former beau Jeff Goldbloom who was in Independence Day with Judd Hirsch, this is important!). Michael Keaton was in Batman Returns with Danny DeVito who among many, many other things which lead to Kevin Bacon, starred in Taxi with... yep... Judd Hirsh. Taxi also starred "I'll take any role as long as my name is Tony" Tony Danze who was in in "Who's the Boss" with Alissa Milano, who is in the TV show "Charmed" where Finola Hughes guest starred as her dead mother. Finola was on the show "Blossom" with Joey Lawrence. Joey was a guest star on "Differ'nt Strokes" where "Muhammid Ali" also was a guest star. Wil Smith played Muhammid Ali in the movie "Ali". Wil Smith was in Independence day with Judd Hirsch.
Joey Lawrence introduced his first solo album on the Tonight Show (Jay Leno was hosting) the same night Brian Kieth (from "Family Affair") was on, and that could lead to some ugly Sid and Marty Krofft crossovers with "Sigmund and the Sea Monsters" including, but not limited to, "The Far Out Space Nuts" (Alan Hale), "Lidsville" (Charles Nelson Riley), "HR Puffnstuff" ('nuff said) and "The Bugaloos" (Martha Raye).
Posted by: Thomas | February 24, 2005 at 18:51
I-yi-yi.
Posted by: Allan | February 24, 2005 at 19:38
Finola Hughes was also on "General Hospital" which was the starting point for a number of actors/actresses including (but not limited to): Meg Ryan, John Stamos, Ricky Martin (yes, "Livin' La Vida Loca"), Rick Springfield, and Demi Moore. Demi Moore, as we all know, is the former Mrs. Bruce Willis, but is currently in a relationship with Ashton Kutcher of "That 70's Show". "That 70's Show" also stars Topher Grace, who appeared in "Mona Lisa Smile" with Julia Roberts. Julia Roberts was in "Ocean's Eleven" with Brad Pitt and Brad Pitt was in "Fight Club" with Edward Norton. Edward Norton played Smoochy in the hilarious movie "Death To Smoochy" which included, among other actors, Danny DeVito. Danny DeVito, besides playing Louis DePalma on "Taxi" and being married to Rhea Perlman of "Cheers", also appeared in the movie "Get Shorty" with John Travolta. As we all know, John Travolta has been in many things, including the sequel to "Saturday Night Fever", "Staying Alive" which also starred... Finola Hughes.
Posted by: newwavegurly | February 25, 2005 at 11:33
I-yi-yi.
Posted by: Allan | February 25, 2005 at 11:48
Oh. My. God.
[applause]
Posted by: Alison | February 25, 2005 at 12:14
In "Staying Alive", Finola starred with Cynthia Rhodes, who was in "Dirty Dancing" with Jennifer Grey. Jennifer was in "Red Dawn" with Lea Thomson (and C. Thomas Howell, I may get back to him in a little bit.) and Lea was in "Back to the Future" with Christopher Lloyd. Christopher Llyod was on "Taxi" where we have the pre-established links to Judd Hirsh and Finola...
John Stamos was in "Full House" with the Olsen twins, who had a direct to VHS series called the Adventures of Mary-Kate and Ashley. One of them, The Adventures of Mary-Kate & Ashley: The Case of the Logical i Ranch, had an assistant by the name of Lynn Crowell, my sister. My sister was in a local Junior Achievement TV show called "Beyond Our Control" that also starred Daniel Waters, who wrote the screenplay for "Batman Returns" (Starring Danny DeVito - Back to Hirch and Hughes) and "Heathers" starring Winonna Ryder. You've already established Winonna above.
Posted by: Thomas | February 25, 2005 at 13:36
"Beyond Our Control" also starred David Simkins, who co wrote "Adventures in Babysitting" with Chris Columbus (Home Alone, etc.) He also wrote an episode of "Charmed", the series where Finola plays the witches' dead mother.
Posted by: Thomas | February 25, 2005 at 13:40
Okay, you're starting to frighten me now.
Posted by: Allan | February 25, 2005 at 13:43
My sister also worked at Skywalker Ranch and was personal assistant to Diana Ross. Elton John insisted my sister call him "Reg" (Reginald Dwight being his real name) and Larry McMurtrie of "Lonesome Dove" fame has my sister at his house for dinner to discuss what she thought of his books as she was/is an avid reader. My sister also lived in New York where she worked for The Shooting Gallery which made movies like "Slingblade" (Billy Bob Thornton) and "The 24 Hour Woman" (Rosie Perez).
I personally had my first beer at age 15 on the set of MTV's Spring Break at Daytona Beach after it was poured from a keg and handed to me by a drunken Pauly Shore. In the MTV archival footage, I can barely be seen as the guy in the parachute missed the swimming pool he was supposed to land in.
Posted by: Thomas | February 25, 2005 at 13:48
C. Thomas Howell was in the movie "Soul Man" with Rae Dawn Chong (who he eventually married... and divorced), Arye Gross, and James Earl Jones. As all of us know, James Earl Jones is the voice of Darth Vader from "Star Wars" (and sequels) which were made by George Lucas, who owns Skywalker Ranch. Lucas was also one of the writers and producers of "Raiders Of The Lost Ark" which starred Harrison Ford, who played Han Solo in the "Star Wars" trilogy as well as starred in "Clear And Present Danger" and "Patriot Games" in which James Earl Jones had supporting roles in. Also in each of those movies was Thora Birch, playing Harrison's daughter. She was one of the two female leads in "Ghost World", Scarlett Johannsen was her co-star, but also appearing in that movie was Steve Buscemi. He has appeared in many films (including Quentin Tarantino's first film, "Reservoir Dogs") and had a stint this past season on "The Sopranos" (which stars James Gandolfini, who was also in the previously mentioned "Get Shorty"). One of the films Buscemi has appeared in is "Con Air" with John Malkovich, John Cusack, and Nicholas Cage. Now aside from Malkovich and Cusack having appeared in "Con Air" with one another, they also were both in "Being John Malkovich" which was written by Charlie Kaufman who also wrote the movie "Adaptation" that Nicholas Cage starred in. Nicholas Cage was in the movie "Leaving Las Vegas" with Elisabeth Shue (sister of Andrew Shue, Billy from "Melrose Place") who was the star of... Chris Columbus's "Adventures In Babysitting".
Posted by: newwavegurly | February 25, 2005 at 18:31
Oh, and Cynthia Rhodes, besides appearing in "Staying Alive" and "Dirty Dancing" is also Mrs. Richard Marx. She was also in the movie "Flashdance" with Jennifer Beals and Michael Nouri. Jennifer Beals, appeared in "Runaway Jury" with John Cusack (previously mentioned). John Cusack was in the movie "One Crazy Summer" with the previously mentioned Demi Moore as well.
Posted by: newwavegurly | February 25, 2005 at 18:36
I loved Ghost World.
And Alison, thank you for providing us with this nifty message forum.
Posted by: Allan | February 25, 2005 at 20:29
It's been my pleasure.
Posted by: Alison | February 26, 2005 at 01:24
Well color me disappointed... I've been left hanging.
Posted by: newwavegurly | March 01, 2005 at 21:14
Here's a quick one: Sylvester Stallone was in a soft core film called "Party at Kitty and Stud's". The film also had an uncredited Janet Banzet in it. Similarly, Janet was uncredited again in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (the good 1961 version with Audrey Hepburn so feel free to go on that tangent linking "Sly" to the silver screen greats of yesteryear. Just remember I am that gatemaster, bwah-ha-ha). In "Breakfast at Tiffany's" was a young George Peppard, who may be best remembered for his role as "Hannibal" on NBC's "The A Team". His TV costar, Mr. T, went on to movies such as "DC Cab" and "Rocky III". Rocky, of course, played by Sylvester Stallone.
Dirk Benedict was on "The A Team" as the character "Face". Previously he was "Starbuck" Battlestar Galactica co-starring with "Adama" played by Lorne Green. Lorne was on "Bonanza" with Tim Matheson. Tim played "Otter" in Animal House, which starred Steven Furst as "Flounder". Steven was in "St. Elsewhere" with Ed Begley Jr. who guest starred as a Bill Gates-esque villain on a time travel episode of "Star Trek: Voyager." This series also had, as a guest star, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson who played an alien gladiator. Dwayne was in the WWE and wrestled against Hulk Hogan, who had also starred in "Rocky III" with Sylvester Stallone.
Another "The A Team" cast member was Dwight Schultz, who went on to play Reginald Barclay on "Star Trek: The Next Generation." He repised his role in "Star Trek: Voyager" and we all know how that leads back to "Sly".
Posted by: Thomas | March 02, 2005 at 10:46
no se de que se trata,pero bueno,yo digo que es una mierda
Posted by: mariela | March 23, 2005 at 14:26
That's nice, Mariela. You got here because you were looking for Black Eyed Peas, didn't you?
So you're a little peeved, because you don't know what I wrote about, and so you call my blog entry "shit."
That's really nice. I'd welcome you to my blog, but since you'll obviously never come and read this shit again, there's no point.
Posted by: Alison | March 23, 2005 at 14:58
Я думаю что ЭТО группа просто лучшие ребята!!!!!! потомучто они выпускают всё новые и новые песни особенно их солистка Ferge её песни это хиты но моя любимая это --- Fergelicios______ вообщем она мой кумир недавно она со своей группой приезжали в Москву там на сцене она устроила настоящее шоу, но я так и не поняла почему она там заплакакалаю. Мне нравиться их творчество и я бы хотела пожелать им всего самого наилучшего потомучто без них нам точнее мне было бы совсем скучно!!!!!! Дерзайте ребята вперед!!!!!!!
Posted by: aiger | March 07, 2007 at 01:54