Freshmen: Today we continued teasing out the criteria that makes up an effective essay. Remember that we meet in the library tomorrow, and you need your computer log-in info. Remember to read for 20 minutes tonight and this weekend, and I would also like you to reflect and add 5-7 items to the list we generated this week so that we can talk about it on Monday.
Sophomores: Today we had a seminar on Life of Pi. You need to have The Power of One for class on Monday. Be sure to complete your Echoes assignment, as well as your This I Believe project.
CNF: Today I thought was fascinating: we did a few experiments that parallel experiments we will read about next. It might be good for you to talk to your parents about the factors that influence their grocery shopping decisions.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Tuesday, September 28 and September 29
Freshmen: Today we began a study of what effective essays look like by reading a packet of excellent essays (especially mine - and you know my argument in the essay is spot-on) and identifying what the essay writers are doing that make the essay good. Your homework is to read for 20 minutes tonight.
Sophomores: Today we finished Part III from Life of Pi. Thursday we will conduct a Socratic Seminar on the text, and you need to have the following things finished and with you for the seminar: All the reading (obviously), your seminar prep (that is your 15 questions or comments and the three passages that you really like or find interesting), and your Echoes of the Tao assignment. Bring Life of Pi with you each day the rest of the week, and be sure to have a copy of The Power of One next Monday.
CNF: Today we had an excellent seminar on Chapter 4 from Blink and jammed to Kenna (though he only scored 1.5 on a 4 point scale, poor guy). Bring Coke, Pepsi, and some cups tomorrow for our taste test.
Sophomores: Today we finished Part III from Life of Pi. Thursday we will conduct a Socratic Seminar on the text, and you need to have the following things finished and with you for the seminar: All the reading (obviously), your seminar prep (that is your 15 questions or comments and the three passages that you really like or find interesting), and your Echoes of the Tao assignment. Bring Life of Pi with you each day the rest of the week, and be sure to have a copy of The Power of One next Monday.
CNF: Today we had an excellent seminar on Chapter 4 from Blink and jammed to Kenna (though he only scored 1.5 on a 4 point scale, poor guy). Bring Coke, Pepsi, and some cups tomorrow for our taste test.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Monday, September 27
Freshmen: Today we talked about the elements of good writing, specifically using a Six Traits model. Your task is to assess your essay on More using the Six Traits One Pager as your guide. On the back of your essay, score it for each trait on a 5-1 scale, and provide evidence from the One Pager and from your essay to justify your score. This is due next time we meet. Be sure to read 20 minutes Monday and Tuesday evening as well.
Sophomores: Today we took time to read from Pi as well as review last week's vocab exam. Be sure that Part II is finished by our next class meeting, and by Thursday, you should be done with your seminar prep and your Echoes of the Tao assignment for Life of Pi.
CNF: Finish Chapter 4 from Blink, as well as your seminar prep, for Wednesday.
Sophomores: Today we took time to read from Pi as well as review last week's vocab exam. Be sure that Part II is finished by our next class meeting, and by Thursday, you should be done with your seminar prep and your Echoes of the Tao assignment for Life of Pi.
CNF: Finish Chapter 4 from Blink, as well as your seminar prep, for Wednesday.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Thursday, September 23
Freshmen: Today we addressed the question: What is Writing? Along with the various things you all came up with, I added that "thinking on paper" was a crucial way to view writing, and we read a piece by Stephen King where he defined writing as telepathy. So, practice that tonight by reading for 20 minutes, and remember to complete your essay by Monday. By Monday, you need to have submitted your essay to turnitin.com (see details in an earlier post), and you also need to bring a paper copy with you to class on Monday. Vocab is due tomorrow.
Sophomores: Today we self-assessed the essays you wrote on the experience which shaped you as a way to better learn about your own writing (remember, good writers are good self-assessors), as well as to get a better sense of how the rubric works. Due for Friday is Chapter 2 vocab, and due for the next block period is Part II from Life of Pi.
CNF: Today we talked about thin slicing situations, and how structure actually encourages and allows for spontaneity. Tomorrow and Monday, we will read Chapter 4 from Blink and take notes in preparation for our seminar on Wednesday.
Sophomores: Today we self-assessed the essays you wrote on the experience which shaped you as a way to better learn about your own writing (remember, good writers are good self-assessors), as well as to get a better sense of how the rubric works. Due for Friday is Chapter 2 vocab, and due for the next block period is Part II from Life of Pi.
CNF: Today we talked about thin slicing situations, and how structure actually encourages and allows for spontaneity. Tomorrow and Monday, we will read Chapter 4 from Blink and take notes in preparation for our seminar on Wednesday.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Tuesday, September 21 and Wednesday, September 22
Freshmen: Today we started practicing the process of inductive thinking, which is one of the best ways to approach something as a writer. We did a few activities as a warm up, but the primary thing we did was view Mark Osborne's short film, "More" (which can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9u7WiDBek4). Your task is to finish your observations and inductions and to write an essay that answers the following prompt: What is the message (or theme) of the film "More"?
Sophomores: Today we focused primarily on identifying and imitating Martel's use of two techniques: listing and repetition. Remember your homework: Submit your essay to www.turnitin.com by Thursday, 7:59 AM - and bring a paper copy to class with your name on the back only that day, vocab is due Friday, and Part II from Life of Pi is due next block period.
CNF: Today we had a seminar on Chapter 3 of Blink.
Sophomores: Today we focused primarily on identifying and imitating Martel's use of two techniques: listing and repetition. Remember your homework: Submit your essay to www.turnitin.com by Thursday, 7:59 AM - and bring a paper copy to class with your name on the back only that day, vocab is due Friday, and Part II from Life of Pi is due next block period.
CNF: Today we had a seminar on Chapter 3 of Blink.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Friday, September 17
Freshmen: Today we focused on ten tips for writing poetry and looked at a couple of poems in class. Your homework is to read for 20 minutes this weekend and Monday.
Sophomores: Today we focused on the importance of names again, specifically Richard Parker, and all the strange seafaring incidents involving that name. Remember, chapter 75 is due next block period, and your essay is due next Thursday, vocab next Friday.
CNF: Finish Chapter 3 with 3 notes per section for Wednesday's seminar.
Sophomores: Today we focused on the importance of names again, specifically Richard Parker, and all the strange seafaring incidents involving that name. Remember, chapter 75 is due next block period, and your essay is due next Thursday, vocab next Friday.
CNF: Finish Chapter 3 with 3 notes per section for Wednesday's seminar.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Thursday, September 16
Freshmen: Today we took a look at the poems you wrote and passed some stuff back. Your homework is to read for 20 minutes.
Sophomores: Today we discussed what a bildungsroman is - a story about the events that shape a person's life. We looked at a TIB essay that was a good example of this, and looked at Life of Pi and the events that shaped him. Your task is to write an essay that explores the event or events that shaped who you are today. However, you must also cite from Life of Pi at least three times (word for word, with page numbers), either as a way to support what you are saying, or to simply compare yourself to someone else as a reference point for your reader. But remember: this essay is about you, and the event or events that have shaped who you are today. The smaller and more specific the details the better. Other things to remember about your assignment: Most good essays are 8-19 paragraphs in length; you should have a compelling title that is not a one word label, and your piece should be strong in all of the Six Traits.
You must submit your essay to turnitin.com by 8 AM on Thursday, September 23. There are details about that on this blog - search turnitin.com 2010 to find it.
CNF: Today we discussed the results of the IAT exam, as well as began Chapter 3 from Blink, which we will finish tomorrow in class. If you didn't take the IAT, be sure that you do.
Sophomores: Today we discussed what a bildungsroman is - a story about the events that shape a person's life. We looked at a TIB essay that was a good example of this, and looked at Life of Pi and the events that shaped him. Your task is to write an essay that explores the event or events that shaped who you are today. However, you must also cite from Life of Pi at least three times (word for word, with page numbers), either as a way to support what you are saying, or to simply compare yourself to someone else as a reference point for your reader. But remember: this essay is about you, and the event or events that have shaped who you are today. The smaller and more specific the details the better. Other things to remember about your assignment: Most good essays are 8-19 paragraphs in length; you should have a compelling title that is not a one word label, and your piece should be strong in all of the Six Traits.
You must submit your essay to turnitin.com by 8 AM on Thursday, September 23. There are details about that on this blog - search turnitin.com 2010 to find it.
CNF: Today we discussed the results of the IAT exam, as well as began Chapter 3 from Blink, which we will finish tomorrow in class. If you didn't take the IAT, be sure that you do.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Tuesday, September 14 and Wedneday, September 15
Freshmen: Today we focused on figurative language. Your task is to write a fifth and final poem that uses some form of figurative language that we studied (metaphor, simile, or personification). You should also examine the previous four poems you wrote and implement today's principle if it will improve your poem. You are to come with a final copy of all five of your poems next period. Read for 20 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday night as well.
Sophomores: Today we focused on two reading skills with the intent of increasing both your speed as well as your comprehension as a reader: visualization and eye fixations. The idea is to increase your visualizations and decrease your eye fixations. Due for next block period is everything through chapter 75.
CNF: We had a seminar on Chapter 2 from Blink. Your homework is to go to implicit.harvard.edu and take the race IAT as well as one other IAT. Please be sure you do this.
Sophomores: Today we focused on two reading skills with the intent of increasing both your speed as well as your comprehension as a reader: visualization and eye fixations. The idea is to increase your visualizations and decrease your eye fixations. Due for next block period is everything through chapter 75.
CNF: We had a seminar on Chapter 2 from Blink. Your homework is to go to implicit.harvard.edu and take the race IAT as well as one other IAT. Please be sure you do this.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Monday, September 13
Freshmen: Today we talked about using effective repetition, as opposed to ineffective redundancies, fluff, and clutter. Your task is to review your previous three free verse poems, use repetition if it will improve your piece, and craft a fourth poem that intentionally uses effective repetition, due next period. Read 20 minutes per night tonight, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Sophomores: Today we began Part II from Life of Pi. While you will get 10 minutes at the start of the next period to read, you need to pace out your reading so that you are done with Chapter 45 by the end of those 10 minutes.
CNF: Today we read Chapter 2 from Blink and took three notes per section in preparation for our seminar on Wednesday. Good work.
Sophomores: Today we began Part II from Life of Pi. While you will get 10 minutes at the start of the next period to read, you need to pace out your reading so that you are done with Chapter 45 by the end of those 10 minutes.
CNF: Today we read Chapter 2 from Blink and took three notes per section in preparation for our seminar on Wednesday. Good work.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Revsied Life of Pi Reading Schedule 2010
9/13 - Part I due. We will read the start of Part II together this day.
9/14 or 9/15 (block day) - Chapter 45 due.
9/21 or 9/22 (block day) - Chapter 75 due.
9/28 or 9/29 (block day) - Part II due - we will listen to Part III in class this day.
9/30 - Seminar on Life of Pi.
10/1 - We will begin The Power of One this day.
9/14 or 9/15 (block day) - Chapter 45 due.
9/21 or 9/22 (block day) - Chapter 75 due.
9/28 or 9/29 (block day) - Part II due - we will listen to Part III in class this day.
9/30 - Seminar on Life of Pi.
10/1 - We will begin The Power of One this day.
Friday, September 10
Freshmen: See yesterday's post...
Sophomores: Today we focused on expectations for writing in light of a Six Traits model, using your summer read essays as our example. We also took the Chapter 1 vocab exam and looked at another This I Believe essay. Remember, Part I from Life of Pi needs to be read by Monday.
CNF: We did some prep stuff for Chapter 2 from Blink (like a scrambled sentence test), and read. We will take the period on Monday to finish the chapter in preparation for Wednesday's seminar.
Sophomores: Today we focused on expectations for writing in light of a Six Traits model, using your summer read essays as our example. We also took the Chapter 1 vocab exam and looked at another This I Believe essay. Remember, Part I from Life of Pi needs to be read by Monday.
CNF: We did some prep stuff for Chapter 2 from Blink (like a scrambled sentence test), and read. We will take the period on Monday to finish the chapter in preparation for Wednesday's seminar.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Thursday, September 9
Freshmen: We will do the same thing today and tomorrow, since you all will only make one class due to your retreat. We took a vocab exam on Chapter 1, and revisited the ideas we discussed yesterday about format and cutting in poetry. Remember, single space within stanzas (double space between), punctuate and capitalize as you would prose, use a hard left margin, etc. - and remember, when you can't find another word to cut, your poem is probably done. Revisit your previous three poems for these principles, revising as necessary for Monday. Read for 20 minutes Thursday and the weekend.
Sophomores: Today we focused on emerging themes in the Tao and began a semester long assignment: Echoes of the Tao. This will be collected at the end of each quarter. Chapter 1 vocab is due tomorrow, and Part I from Life of Pi is due on Monday.
CNF: Today we thin sliced couples and individuals, based off interviews and bedrooms. We also got a good primer on facial expressions.
Sophomores: Today we focused on emerging themes in the Tao and began a semester long assignment: Echoes of the Tao. This will be collected at the end of each quarter. Chapter 1 vocab is due tomorrow, and Part I from Life of Pi is due on Monday.
CNF: Today we thin sliced couples and individuals, based off interviews and bedrooms. We also got a good primer on facial expressions.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Tuesday, September 7 and Wednesday, September 8
Freshmen: Today we talked about the importance of format in poetry, as well as the importance of cutting. You should review your previous four poems and revise them for these two principles as needed. Remember, your next period there will be a vocab exam - for some on Thursday, others on Friday, depending on your retreat date - and you should read for 20 minutes Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Sophomores: Today we focused on the idea of belief statements and looked at a couple of essays from This I Believe and applied this idea to Pi. We also took a quiz and shared your Three Facts assignments. Finish Part I from Life of Pi for next Monday (see the reading schedule on this blog). Also, you will have a vocab exam on Friday.
CNF: Today we had an excellent seminar on the first chapter of Blink. Tomorrow, we will practice thin slicing.
Sophomores: Today we focused on the idea of belief statements and looked at a couple of essays from This I Believe and applied this idea to Pi. We also took a quiz and shared your Three Facts assignments. Finish Part I from Life of Pi for next Monday (see the reading schedule on this blog). Also, you will have a vocab exam on Friday.
CNF: Today we had an excellent seminar on the first chapter of Blink. Tomorrow, we will practice thin slicing.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Thursday, September 2
Freshmen: Today we focused on how free verse poems ought to begin. Your homework is to read for 20 minutes, and to write a free verse poem that begins "in the midst of things" as we talked about today. If the poem you handed in today does not fit this principle, revise it so that it does.
Sophomores: Today we introduced the notion of a Socratic Seminar. For our seminar on Life of Pi, you need to write down 15 questions or comments, and make note of at least three passages that speak to you in some way. These will be due once the book is due. Also for homework, you are to finish Chapter 8 for Friday.
CNF: Today we began reading Chapter 1 from Blink and preparing for the seminar we will have on Wednesday. We will also have time to read in class on Friday. Your homework, however, is to email me a digital photo of your room. Don't clean it up - take it as it is. Don't worry - no names will be used in the activity we will use this for. Also, please go to http://www.outofservice.com/bigfive/ and take the Big 5 Inventory test mentioned in Chapter 1 and write down or print your results. Then, have a friend or family member take the test answering about you and compare the results.
Sophomores: Today we introduced the notion of a Socratic Seminar. For our seminar on Life of Pi, you need to write down 15 questions or comments, and make note of at least three passages that speak to you in some way. These will be due once the book is due. Also for homework, you are to finish Chapter 8 for Friday.
CNF: Today we began reading Chapter 1 from Blink and preparing for the seminar we will have on Wednesday. We will also have time to read in class on Friday. Your homework, however, is to email me a digital photo of your room. Don't clean it up - take it as it is. Don't worry - no names will be used in the activity we will use this for. Also, please go to http://www.outofservice.com/bigfive/ and take the Big 5 Inventory test mentioned in Chapter 1 and write down or print your results. Then, have a friend or family member take the test answering about you and compare the results.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Vocab Schedule Semester 1 2010
Baird English Freshman and Sophomore Vocab Schedule Semester 1 2010
Do all the exercises for a particular chapter before that chapter is due on your own as homework. On the date the chapter is due, bring your book to class for credit. You will either earn full credit (50 points: work complete and correct), partial credit (25 points: some of the work done or many incorrect), or no credit (0 points: book is missing or hardly any work is complete). You may not hand this work in late. The date the work is due we will also take a quiz, typically worth 25 to 50 points, mirroring the work in the book. You are not required to do the unit reviews or the cumulative reviews, though you can if you wish.
Date and Chapter Due:
9/10 1
9/24 2
10/8 3
10/22 4
11/12 5
12/3 6
12/17 7
First semester exam 1-7 review
Do all the exercises for a particular chapter before that chapter is due on your own as homework. On the date the chapter is due, bring your book to class for credit. You will either earn full credit (50 points: work complete and correct), partial credit (25 points: some of the work done or many incorrect), or no credit (0 points: book is missing or hardly any work is complete). You may not hand this work in late. The date the work is due we will also take a quiz, typically worth 25 to 50 points, mirroring the work in the book. You are not required to do the unit reviews or the cumulative reviews, though you can if you wish.
Date and Chapter Due:
9/10 1
9/24 2
10/8 3
10/22 4
11/12 5
12/3 6
12/17 7
First semester exam 1-7 review
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