Freshmen: You need to have at least 12 answers to each of our three essential questions from today: What is writing? Why do people writer? and What does good writing look like? You also should have your vocab books and your binders for next period. And remember, read for 20 minutes and bring your book to class each day.
Sophomores: Today we finished the interview with Joseph Campbell and (I hope) shared some of the creation myths you researched. We also took a quiz on the introduction to the Tao te Ching. You need to have Life of Pi for next period. Here is your first essay assignment:
World Literature 2009 Creation Myth Essay
You must write an essay that attempts to answer as fully as you can the two Essential Questions that were posed the first week: What common traits are shared by most creation myths, and what do those commonalities reveal about humanity?
You should use the information from the Joseph Campbell interview “The Message of the Myth” (you can find parts online if you need to review), your own research and observations, information from the two creation myths you researched on your own, as well the Dinka and Judeo Christian stories I shared and the Basari legend and the story from the Hindu Upanishad that Campbell and Moyers read.
Your essay should be typed, have a clear thesis and compelling title, and include citations of some kind, whether from stories you are referencing or experts you are citing – your call. Because good writing is about depth, not length, I never specify a length. What I am looking for is an effort on your part at very good thinking and writing, and it is impossible to show good thinking in a brief amount of space.
This essay is due at the start of class on Friday, September 11. You will hand in your think sheet from the Campbell interview that day.
CNF: Today we focused on decision making and read the introduction to Blink. Be sure to bring it to class from here on out.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Friday, August 28
Freshmen: Today we took a diagnostic vocabulary exam. Please read for 20 minutes this weekend and bring your book to class on Monday. Also get your vocab book ASAP, as we will begin vocab assignments on Monday. Also, be sure to read several letters to the editor and track which 3 are your top favorites.
Sophomores: Today we continued looking at an interview with Joseph Campbell about world mythology and religion. Your homework is to read and print two creation myths from different cultures for Monday and to get a copy of Life of Pi for next week - we will start on block day for sure. Read the introduction to the Tao, as we will have a quiz on Monday. Get your vocab books ASAP as we will begin assignments for vocab on Monday.
CNF: I crushed period 6 in our Wait Wait game... period 3 got by with a slim win. All and all, pretty good thinking on your part. We will begin Blink on Monday, so be sure you get a copy.
Sophomores: Today we continued looking at an interview with Joseph Campbell about world mythology and religion. Your homework is to read and print two creation myths from different cultures for Monday and to get a copy of Life of Pi for next week - we will start on block day for sure. Read the introduction to the Tao, as we will have a quiz on Monday. Get your vocab books ASAP as we will begin assignments for vocab on Monday.
CNF: I crushed period 6 in our Wait Wait game... period 3 got by with a slim win. All and all, pretty good thinking on your part. We will begin Blink on Monday, so be sure you get a copy.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Thursday, August 27
Freshmen: Today we introduced the Letter to the Editor assignment. Your assignment over the next couple of days is to read letters to the editor in the Tribune either in the paper or online, and make note of which 3 are your favorites. You might even post a response to some online. This is due Monday. Your letter to the editor is due anytime to me before Thursday, October 22 - but don't wait until the last minute. We also did a vocabulary assessment - you need your vocab books on Monday. Read for 20 minutes tonight.
Sophomores: Today our essential questions are: What are the common elements of most creation myths? And, What does this reveal about humanity as a species? To answer this we watched part of an interview with Joseph Campbell, and you are to find, read, and print a creation story from two different cultures (this means you find two stories total, right?). The stories are due Friday, and we will conclude the interview then, and from there you will do some writing. You need Life of Pi for Monday. You also must read the introduction for the Tao te Ching for Monday, and we will have a quiz on that day. If you don't have the correct copy, borrow someone's.
CNF: Issue number one: What is your homework? Wrong! Oh - wait, you were correct, it is to prepare for the game we are playing on Friday, and to get a copy of Blink for Monday. Issue number two: What book will we read on Monday? Wrong! I just love doing that.
Today we watched an episode of The MacGlaughlin group, took some notes, debated some things, and in general, had a very intellecutally stimulating time. I hope you're having a good time.
Sophomores: Today our essential questions are: What are the common elements of most creation myths? And, What does this reveal about humanity as a species? To answer this we watched part of an interview with Joseph Campbell, and you are to find, read, and print a creation story from two different cultures (this means you find two stories total, right?). The stories are due Friday, and we will conclude the interview then, and from there you will do some writing. You need Life of Pi for Monday. You also must read the introduction for the Tao te Ching for Monday, and we will have a quiz on that day. If you don't have the correct copy, borrow someone's.
CNF: Issue number one: What is your homework? Wrong! Oh - wait, you were correct, it is to prepare for the game we are playing on Friday, and to get a copy of Blink for Monday. Issue number two: What book will we read on Monday? Wrong! I just love doing that.
Today we watched an episode of The MacGlaughlin group, took some notes, debated some things, and in general, had a very intellecutally stimulating time. I hope you're having a good time.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Tuesday, August 25 and Wednesday, August 26
Freshmen: Today we introduced the Prayer and Great Thoughts assignment and wrote an essay in class about our summer reads. Your homework is to read for 20 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday and to make sure you have a binder for Thursday.
Sophomores: Today we introduced our class prayer assignment and wrote an essay in class on the summer read. We also took a diagnostic vocabulary exam. Your homework is to get the Tao te Ching (the one translated by Feng and English) for Thursday and Life of Pi for Monday. Be sure you also have a binder for Thursday for class.
CNF: Today we introduced the class prayer assignment and focused on the week's news - what stories are highlighted, why, and how. We also listened to Wait Wait Don't Tell Me and began a group assigment for a game on Thursday. Your homework is to finish your questions for the game on Thursday and to have a copy of Blink for Monday.
Sophomores: Today we introduced our class prayer assignment and wrote an essay in class on the summer read. We also took a diagnostic vocabulary exam. Your homework is to get the Tao te Ching (the one translated by Feng and English) for Thursday and Life of Pi for Monday. Be sure you also have a binder for Thursday for class.
CNF: Today we introduced the class prayer assignment and focused on the week's news - what stories are highlighted, why, and how. We also listened to Wait Wait Don't Tell Me and began a group assigment for a game on Thursday. Your homework is to finish your questions for the game on Thursday and to have a copy of Blink for Monday.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Monday, August 24
Freshmen: Today we introduced the basic expectations of the course. Your homework is to read for 20 minutes from a book of your choosing, and to bring that book to class next period. You should also go over the disclosure statement with your parents, sign it, and return it next period. Also, bring your summer read books next period so you can use them on your first essay exam, and get a copy of the vocab book.
Sophomores: Today we introduced the basic expectations of the course and started a brief personal belief statement. You should also go over the disclosure statement with your parents, sign it, and return it next period. Also, bring your summer read books next period so you can use them on your first essay exam. If you do not have a copy of The Tao te Ching, get one for this week and get a copy of Life of Pi and the vocab book for next week.
Compelling Non-Fiction: Thank you once again for choosing to be a part of this course - I am very excited about what we will learn and do. Today we introduced the basic expectations of the course. For homework, you need to watch the firs ten minutes of a news broadcast and log what stories they lead with and why. Start to gather up newspapers dating back to last Saturday (8/22) for a game we will play. You should also go over the disclosure statement with your parents, sign it, and return it next period. Lastly, get a copy of Blink - we will begin it next Monday.
Sophomores: Today we introduced the basic expectations of the course and started a brief personal belief statement. You should also go over the disclosure statement with your parents, sign it, and return it next period. Also, bring your summer read books next period so you can use them on your first essay exam. If you do not have a copy of The Tao te Ching, get one for this week and get a copy of Life of Pi and the vocab book for next week.
Compelling Non-Fiction: Thank you once again for choosing to be a part of this course - I am very excited about what we will learn and do. Today we introduced the basic expectations of the course. For homework, you need to watch the firs ten minutes of a news broadcast and log what stories they lead with and why. Start to gather up newspapers dating back to last Saturday (8/22) for a game we will play. You should also go over the disclosure statement with your parents, sign it, and return it next period. Lastly, get a copy of Blink - we will begin it next Monday.
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