Blog Archives

The Black Mamba

1/28/2020

The entire world is mourning. The State of California is broken. I don't need to write what the entire Universe already knows. Like me, people across nations tossed and turned thinking about this heart-wrenching tragedy. Everybody wants to ask the question we shouldn't. Why? Why him? Why them? Why fly? Why not: turn around? stay grounded? Why now? Why ever?

Nevertheless, through this dark cloud, it's more evident now than ever before that Energy is real and powerful. The way the world is mourning together just proves that we are all connected more than we know. Kobe’s calling proves that there is still big love and compassion in the world. Because humanity is still a thing.

The cumulative effort Sunday to concentrate and show respect to the victims, families, friends and even people not involved in the crisis, is a perfect example of how we do have space in our hearts to empathize and care for a stranger. Kobe’s nickname, “Mamba,” stemmed from the Black Mamba, a famous African snake known for its deadly venom, stealth approach, aggressive nature and its fearless reputation, which I'm sure Kobe echoed during his competitive athletic years, and after, with the same venomous power, in the Board room as a competitive businessman and publisher.

The magnitude of the deaths of Kobe Bryant, his daughter and the seven other passengers on that helicopter is unfathomable. Full, bodacious lives cut short by the unthinkable, the unimaginable, the unforgivable. But the world will keep on turning. And as it does, I hope the hearts and compassion of young people, of all people, keep doing the same.

The Next Chapter: Black Mamba Marathon Reading Challenge

When Kobe Bryant was in high school, his English teacher assigned homework that called for students to create a short story and share it with Kindergarteners. The night before, Kobe had an AAU game and forgot to do the assignment. But on the way to the group, he made up a short story about dirty clothes under his bed. According to the parents of those Kindergarteners, the story was powerful, impactful and influenced the 5-year olds to clean their rooms.

Fast forward 20 years. Following an illustrious 20-year career in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers, that homework assignment turned into a full-time job for Kobe Bryant. After his basketball career, Kobe Bryant created a media company that publishes sports fantasy books for youth. He's a firm believer that "the world revolves around storytelling" and that storytelling "serves an important role in our society."

Help keep Kobe Bryant's passion for storytelling alive. Participate in one of the #BrownTeensRead, Black Mamba Reading Challenges.

Black Mamba Classroom
Reading Challenge

Black Mamba Marathon
Reading Challenge

Teachers

On February 5th, World Read Aloud Day, 24 high school English teachers will read one of Kobe Bryant's books to students for 24 minutes as a symbolic gesture to honor Kobe, The Black Mamba, his jersey numbers, and his new legacy in publishing. Participating classes will receive prizes. Click the image to pledge.

Teens

#BrownTeensRead will host a lock-in at a local library and challenge teens to read 24 chapters in 8 hours, nonstop, as a symbolic gesture to honor Kobe, The Black Mamba, his jersey numbers, and his new legacy in publishing. Eight winner will receive prizes. Click the image to pledge.

Show Me the $$!

1/19/2020

If you do not have money to get through college, life can be hard. Once you graduate, you'll hear "war stories" from graduates lamenting about how they did hair, people's homework, cooked food, sold supplies, pimped tennis shoes, did people's laundry, babysat, posted Go Fund Me Campaigns, held book, makeup, clothes and shoes hauls, non-garage sales, holding rent parties...people got pretty inventive.

Then, you hear some talk about the more traditional ways they made money in school such as secured work studies, asked their schools for more money, applied for grants, and private and personal loans, applied for private and corporate scholarships, claimed up to a $2,500 tax credit, asked (begged) their parents, grandparents, other family members for money, etc.

But, what about the college athlete? They don't have time to do all these inventive things to make money. They are constantly on the field, court, ice, in the pool, on the green, etc. There's been a long-time debate that college athletes should be paid to play because their games generate a large revenue for their colleges, and companies like Nike for example, pay "tens of millions to elite college sports programs to be the exclusive sponsor for teams and supplier of their footwear."

And now, the State of California is advocating that college athletes be paid to play (up to $25,000) and paid to use their likenesses on apparel, video games, and other methods of advertising (up to 10% of TV and marketing profits). And even better, college basketball coaches could make at a maximum, $650,000, and college football coaches could make a max of $3 million.

At the point that this debate becomes reality for all college athletes, I'm willing to bet that simply dating an athlete will become among one of the inventive ways that some students stay financially afloat in college! (rolls eyes)

Instructions: Read the commentary above, do a little bit of research about the topic if you need to, think, then answer the following question intelligently, academically and with fidelity:

"To what extent will the professionalization of college sports create intended or unintended consequences related to this professionalism?"

Note: Don't forget break this prompt down if you need to. Change keywords to synonyms you understand until it makes sense to you.

1. INCLUDE: First initial AND last name AND class period.

2. Your reply must be written in complete sentences.

3. You MUST comment on at least TWO other posts from any student.

4. Make sure you reply with fidelity. Provide details about what you think.

5. No identical comments on different posts (i.e., "I agree" or "I disagree" or "I like your story."). Such comments will earn you a zero.

6. To post your reply, click on the word "Comment" in the top right hand corner or bottom left hand corner.

7. To reply to others, click on "Reply" under their responses.

CAUTION!! Do NOT embarrass me, yourself, your class, the English department, the school, your family or your upbringing with tasteless, meaningless comments. This is for a grade.

DISCLAIMER: If you do not respond AND comment on TWO others, you will not receive credit for this assignment. It's all or nothing.

WARNING: If you post even one second past midnight, your comment might appear to be posted, but as soon as it is opened to be graded, it will automatically delete.

Due Friday, January 24, 2020 11:59 p.m. CST

If you would like to submit a topic for discussion, submit it here.

Sacrifice

1/12/2020

Instructions: Analyze the image and write what you believe the artist is trying to reveal through the artwork.

1. INCLUDE: First initial AND last name AND class period.

2. Your reply must be written in complete sentences.

3. You MUST comment on at least TWO other posts from any student.

4. Make sure you reply with fidelity. Provide details about what you think.

5. No identical comments on different posts (i.e., "I agree" or "I disagree" or "I like your story."). Such comments will earn you a zero.

6. To post your reply, click on the word "Comment" in the top right hand corner or bottom left hand corner.

CAUTION!! Do NOT embarrass me, yourself, your class, the English department, the school, your family or your upbringing with tasteless, meaningless comments. This is for a grade.

DISCLAIMER: If you do not respond AND comment on TWO others, you will not receive credit for this assignment. It's all or nothing.

WARNING: If you post even one second past midnight, your comment might appear to be posted, but as soon as it is opened to be graded, it will automatically delete.

Due Friday, January 17, 2020 11:59 p.m. CST

If you would like to submit a topic for discussion, submit it here.

Mixed Ink

Mixed Ink is our class blog, the window into our souls. It was designed to improve students' writing, critical thinking and communication skills by giving them a platform to provide meaningful content based on their interpretation of what they see.

Although the students receive a grade based on a rubric for completing this assignment, they are not graded on complexity of thought. This is a place where students of all levels can freely, confidently and creatively express themselves and their opinions in a nonjudgmental platform. They are required to respond to and critique each other, but degradation, slander, lewdness, etc., will not be tolerated.

Bridge Builders

All subjects are vital to learning, but English is the bridge of communication. So let's build the arch, one word at a time...

Grading Rubric

Learning Objectives

Communicate effectively
Be aware of current events
Write concisely
Boost critical thinking skills
Be accountable
Follow directions
Have a voice about what goes on in the world around you