Library Research Starting Tomorrow

Class will begin with the Librarian (I can't remember her married name) and I going over some research tips. After that, you will be off and running.

For the written portion of your proposal, I am requiring you to use ten (that's 10) resources. You will need to either paraphrase or quote these ten sources at least one time each. Four of them must come from the articles provided in the ERWC text, six must come from your research in the library.

For each of these 10 sources, a summary is required. I will go over this with later on this week, so for the purposes of tomorrow, simply start looking for good (and I mean GOOD) articles to support your position.

We are in the library Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday this week.

49ers, Baby!

Here We Come!

Writing Today, Sub Tomorrow

Today in Class

Earlier, many of you wrote an in class essay about the scofflaw. For those of you who missed out today, I'll have you make it up on Thursday. You can never escape the timed-write (even if you have someone break your writing hand, as was suggested by a couple of sadistic students in my fourth period).

Class Tomorrow

Bring your ERWC texts with you to class. Here's a rundown of what you will do:

• Read the article "Many Kids Called Unfit for Adult Trial" by Greg Krikorian
• Annotate: 
• Circle the thesis statement and 
• Underline all evidence that supports the thesis
• Write in the margins
• On the right
• Questions
• Comments
• Reactions
• On the left
• Identify the Introduction
• Identify each section of the body of the essay
• Split into sections
• Give the subject of each section
• Identify the conclusion

The sub will have a handout for a rhetorical precis template. It's slightly different from the one we've used in the past, but it's more helpful. Don't write your precis in the template; use it as a template. Save it for the following three articles in this module.

After you have read closely, annotated with marginalia, and written the precis, please staple and turn in to the basket.

This will probably take you all period, so be prepared. I'll see you on Thursday, when I will collect your outside reading assignment. Take care!

School Sucking the Life out of You?

Blood Drive Day

Today we had the blood drive and many of you missed part, or all, of class.

Here is a run down of what we did:

• Review MLA format
• Look at different introductions to similar type essays as our prompt.
• Begin writing the introduction
• Receiving a stamp toward the end of class for completing your introduction.

The Essay

I want to take this opportunity to remind you that this is not supposed to be your typical high school essay. I don't want to see formulaic writing that you learned in previous classes. Those formulas fit a certain purpose at the time you learned them, but I want you to move more toward authentic writing.

Also, please keep in mind that this is your first draft, and as a rule, your first draft is supposed to be bad. And I mean terrible. Don't be afraid to make mistakes.

My Example from Class

     When it comes to teacher, everyone's an expert. The reason? Everybody's had one. Former students just know who's good, bad, OK, and any other adjective you can think of (and some you probably shouldn't). Everybody has been a student; therefore, everyone is an expert. Maybe that's why politicians think they can just make up any old law for education and think it will work.

     But I digress. The point is, everyone thinks they know everything there is to know about teachers. And I use to be one of those self-proclaimed experts--prejudiced, bias, and totally ignorant. Maybe that's a bit harsh, but it's true. It wasn't until I became a teacher that the veil was lifted and I saw clearly what teachers really are. Actually, even eight years in, I'm still surprised by what I learn about fellow colleagues. It turns out that not even I'm an expert, but I have learned some interesting things.

"About Men" Quote Styles Assignment

In Class Today

Here's a link to what we did: "About Men" Quote Styles Assignment

What I Passed Out

Here's the "Language, Gender, and Culture" Packet Cover Sheet I passed out: Document. I changed it here, detailing all the items associated with the assignment.

Remember that your packet is due Thursday and so are essay re-writes!

Kingston and Ehrlich Text

Tough Week

I really wanted to stay up on the blog this week, but I just couldn't do it. I am exhausted by my life right now. I'll be fine. I feel this way at the beginning of November every year. October is such a long month.

Here's what we did on Wednesday and Thursday: Questions for the Kingston text.

Here's what we did today (Friday): Questions for the Ehrlich text.

Please rest during this long weekend, unless you have an essay to work on. Then be diligent. You have my email address if you need to get a hold of me about anything.

Take care!

Monday 5 November 2012

Remember, Remember the Fifth of November

Happy Guy Fawkes Day! Please don't attempt to blow up parliament.

Here's what we did in class today: Tannen Text Questions

Also, I passed out the next outside reading. Please ask me about it if you were not in class.

No Fishbowl for You

If you have no idea why I'm mentioning a fishbowl right now, it's obvious you were not in class on Friday.

We had a heated discussion about the differences of men and women.

Since you weren't here, then below is your alternative assignment for the not participating in the fishbowl discussion.

Fishbowl Alternative:

Directions:

• Read the following article: Being a Man
• Write a rhetorical precis: Link to Google Document

The assignment is worth 50 points!