Welcome to the LiteraryBeard.org

We're well into another school year here at Coon Rapids High School. At LiteraryBeard.org you'll find many helpful items. I will post classroom related articles and handouts, basic classroom news and updates in case you forget a deadline, links to the school and other places you'll find useful for class. However, if you need to contact me directly, the best way is to simply email my school email address. All my contact info is on the About page.

I am also the Head Speech Coach and Head Knowledge Bowl Coach at Coon Rapids High School.

Speech practices will be beginning in Decemeber and Knowledge Bowl practices are already underway.

Stop by room 350A at Coon Rapids High School anytime or check out the Speech or KB activities pages here on this website to learn more about these extra curricular events.

Mr. Fankhanel

In English class earlier this fall, we were discussing the many reasons for reading and being a well informed citizen. The conversation then shifted to the applicability of school and "real world" one must enter after graduation. While I always try to make everything we do in class learning objective based, I promised my English class some basic figures that proved that by simply being present was earning them a paycheck.

That's right, you are 'paid' to attend my class, in cold hard cash.

Considering the following (based on a 42 year career, using 2000 U.S. Census figures):

• The average lifetime earnings for a student who does not finish high school is $936,000
• The average lifetime earnings for a student who does finish high school is $1,216,000
• Therefore, a high school diploma is worth $280,000 ($1,216,000 minus $936,000)
• Four years of high school (assuming some time off for illness) amounts to 700 days of school.
• Therefore, students are "paid" $280,000 for completing 700 days schooling.
• Therefore, students earn $400 per day.
• Therefore, students earn $100 to attend my class (based on a 4-period day). Students who finish college could earn a lot more than that.

That's just for being present and passing. Now imagine the possibilities if you work hard and apply yourself.

 

 

"Take a few elements of Star Wars, add a touch of 2001, a dash of the Wizard of Oz, a hint ofBlazing Saddles, plus a pinch of public radio. Mix them up with the fertile imagination of a former producer for The Daily Show, and you end up with Michael Rubens' first novel, The Sheriff of Yrnameer." (NPR.org) Michael Rubens writes what seems to be a quite interesting dystopian sci-fi novel inspired by the increased corporate ownership of the world. Listen to Leanne Hansen's brief interview on NPR.org for more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the United States" is a great read. I had the opportunity to hear Zinn speak at my alma mater a few years back and it was a delight. Howard Zinn details our American history by examining the often ignored perspective of historically not in power. This historical telling nurtures the curiosity of those who have been left unsatisfied by the typical 'rich white-man' point-of-view typically depicted by high school textbooks. Zinn reveals the truth you suspected about our American past, and then shows you it was actually much worse. An excellent and important read. I highly recommend it. I also just watched the film, Howard Zinn: You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train, that chronologizes Zinn's life and experiences. Pretty decent as well, but nothing amazing if you're already familiar with his writings.

 

 

 

 

Visiting the land of invented languages - NPR.org Do you appreciate the Star Trek language of Klingon for what it truly is? Did you know that Esperanto, among quite a few other languages were invented in hopes of solving the world's political problems?

New Frontier in Fatty Food: Deep Fried Butter - I had my fair share of fair food. The usual ProntoPups, cheese curds, and even a bite of a deep friend candybar were quite good, but deep fried butter? Now that's temping.

The Underworked American - The Economist - How the youth today are an exception to the American work ethic.

India's Romeo and Juliet - BBC News - An interesting and unfortunate story that demonstrates the continual relevance of Shakespeare's message.

Pharmers Market: The Cost of Producing "Successful" Students - Change.org - A Michael Pollan inspired comparison of the current education system and its faults to that of the agriculture industry.