hi all! from time to time i actually write to you all, mostly i lurk and enjoy. i wanted to let all the jmdlers know that i have found a way to get joni's music into my 8th grade english classroom! I set up my class like a record label executives convention and had the students grouped by label. i then played three songs (real song titles/ficticious artist names) and the students have to compose, in groups, a persuasive essay to be presented in class tomorrow about one artist that they would or would not sign to their label. the three songs were: janis' acoustic 'me & bobby mcgee', frank zappa's 'peaches en regalia' and joni's 'big yellow taxi'[the 'friends' remix - i'm trying to be hip ya know]. i am waiting to see how many students choose joni and whether or not any of them will sign her. some students knew the song but said that they have heard it in a different form. i will post the results soon. p.s. to all the folks who attended new england's jonifest: i'm sorry i never got the chance to get there, this is my first year teaching and the dates were conflicting. please "stay in touch". have an awesome day - chris(topher)
