Freshmen: Today we began an exercise in reading, which we will finish on Thursday. Read for 20 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday.
CNF: Today we got an introduction to the Socratic Seminar method of discussing texts and began reading Gladwell's Blink. The goal is to finish it for a seminar on Friday. You should have two notes for the seminar per section, which makes for 18 notes total, including the introduction and first chapter. Also, for homework, I need you to take a digital photo and email it to me by Wednesday for a class activity. You also need to take the Big 5 Inventory at http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~johnlab/bfi.htm. Write down your results.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Monday, August 29
Freshmen: Today we focused on self-assessment using the Six Traits One-Pager I gave you. Keep this One-Pager in your binder for year-long reference. Your homework is to finish the self-assessment for homework - bring it tomorrow. Also, read for 20 minutes and get a copy of They Say I Say and the vocab book for use next week.
CNF: Today we focused on the notion of decision-making as a gateway to Gladwell's Blink. You need to have a copy of this book on Wednesday for class. Also, please take a digital photo of your bedroom (as is - no cleaning up!) and email it to me for an activity for next week. No names will be revealed. This is due by next week's block period.
CNF: Today we focused on the notion of decision-making as a gateway to Gladwell's Blink. You need to have a copy of this book on Wednesday for class. Also, please take a digital photo of your bedroom (as is - no cleaning up!) and email it to me for an activity for next week. No names will be revealed. This is due by next week's block period.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Friday, August 26
Freshmen: Today we talked about standard format for essays and the letter to the editor assignment. Your homework is to take your summer read essay and type it up into final draft form. A couple of notes about what is expected about standard form: Your paper should be in 12 point font, double spaced consistently throughout (i.e. NO extra spaces between paragraphs), and written in black with a an easy-to-read font (e.g. Times Roman or something like that). Your title should be centered, and should NOT be enlarged, underlined, in quotes, in bold, or italicized. As for the letter to the editor assignment, refer to the guidelines I have posted on the blog in an earlier entry and the handout I gave you today. All students must hand one in on or before October 20; honors students must also hand in one on or before September 29. Other homework this weekend: Read for 20 minutes and get a copy of the vocab book as well as They Say I Say.
CNF: Today we wrapped up our introduction to various non-fiction forms and sources. Have a copy of Blink for Monday.
CNF: Today we wrapped up our introduction to various non-fiction forms and sources. Have a copy of Blink for Monday.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Thursday, August 25
Freshmen: Today we concluded the summer read essays. You need your three ring binder ASAP, and please get a copy of They Say I Say - we will need that book in about two weeks. It's come to my attention that for some reason this is not listed as a first semester book on Follet's website - this should be corrected shortly. In case it isn't, the ISBN for the book is 978-0-393-93361-1. Those taking Honors also need a copy of The Elements of Style by Strunk and White at the same time. Your homework is to read for 20 minutes.
CNF: Today we concluded listening to Radio Lab's "Lost and Found" http://www.radiolab.org/2011/jan/25/. Please get a copy of Blink for Monday.
CNF: Today we concluded listening to Radio Lab's "Lost and Found" http://www.radiolab.org/2011/jan/25/. Please get a copy of Blink for Monday.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Tuesday, August 23 and Wednesday, August 24
Freshmen: Today we introduced our Prayer and Great Thoughts assignment. Everyone should have signed up to do the required number of assignments. Your homework is to work on your essay if you need to (prompts posted below), and to read for 20 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday. Be sure to get a three ring binder, as well.
Summer Read Prompt:
One of our summer reads, Funny In Farsi, deals with a unique American experience. How did reading this book shape how you view other cultures, America, or the current immigration debate? Use specific examples from the text (including page numbers) to support your ideas. Please write in pen and double space. When you are finished, craft a compelling title for your piece.
Honors English Summer Read Prompt:
Two of our summer reads, Funny In Farsi and When the Emperor Was Devine, deal with unique American experiences. How did reading these books shape how you view other cultures, America, history, World War II, or the current immigration debate? Use specific examples from both of the texts (including page numbers) to support your ideas. Please write in pen and double space. When you are finished, craft a compelling title for your piece.
CNF: Today we focused on different forms of non-fiction texts, both visual and auditory. Get a copy of Blink for Monday's class.
Summer Read Prompt:
One of our summer reads, Funny In Farsi, deals with a unique American experience. How did reading this book shape how you view other cultures, America, or the current immigration debate? Use specific examples from the text (including page numbers) to support your ideas. Please write in pen and double space. When you are finished, craft a compelling title for your piece.
Honors English Summer Read Prompt:
Two of our summer reads, Funny In Farsi and When the Emperor Was Devine, deal with unique American experiences. How did reading these books shape how you view other cultures, America, history, World War II, or the current immigration debate? Use specific examples from both of the texts (including page numbers) to support your ideas. Please write in pen and double space. When you are finished, craft a compelling title for your piece.
CNF: Today we focused on different forms of non-fiction texts, both visual and auditory. Get a copy of Blink for Monday's class.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Monday, August 22
Hi. Welcome back to school. I hope you had a great summer and I am looking forward to a great year with you.
Freshmen: Today we went over the basic expectations of the course. Your homework tonight is to read for 20 minutes. Bring the book you are reading from to class every day. This book should be something that is not one of our summer reads or one of the books that we will read together as a class. Once you finish reading this book, read something else - you should always have a book to read. If you do have copies of the summer reading books (either Funny in Farsi or When the Emperor was Divine), bring them to our next class meeting because we will do an assessment and writing sample. Finally, be sure to post to the blog today for 10 points, and bring a box of tissues for 10 points extra credit. Also - if you don't already have our class vocab book, get one, as we will begin working from it soon.
CNF: Thank you so much for taking the class. Today we simply got an introduction to the course and the primary theme - ways of knowing things - was also introduced. Get a copy of Malcolm Gladwell's Blink for next Monday's class.
Freshmen: Today we went over the basic expectations of the course. Your homework tonight is to read for 20 minutes. Bring the book you are reading from to class every day. This book should be something that is not one of our summer reads or one of the books that we will read together as a class. Once you finish reading this book, read something else - you should always have a book to read. If you do have copies of the summer reading books (either Funny in Farsi or When the Emperor was Divine), bring them to our next class meeting because we will do an assessment and writing sample. Finally, be sure to post to the blog today for 10 points, and bring a box of tissues for 10 points extra credit. Also - if you don't already have our class vocab book, get one, as we will begin working from it soon.
CNF: Thank you so much for taking the class. Today we simply got an introduction to the course and the primary theme - ways of knowing things - was also introduced. Get a copy of Malcolm Gladwell's Blink for next Monday's class.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Freshmen English Vocabulary Schedule 2011-2012
Each vocabulary chapter is due on the date listed. You should bring your book to class on that date (no late work accepted) to get credit for doing your homework; we will have a quiz that day as well. You will earn either 50 points full credit (all book work complete and correct), 25 points half credit (some or most work complete, or mostly accurate), or no credit (little to no work done, or very poorly done). Quizzes are typically 25 or 50 points.
Chapter and Date Due:
Chapter 1 due 9/9
Chapter 2 due 9/23
Chapter 3 due 10/10
Chapter 4 due 10/27
Chapter 5 due 11/11
Chapter 6 due 12/9
Chapter 7 due 1/6
Comprehensive exam on chapters 1-7 will occur on the date of your semester final.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Bring your vocab book with you to class on Friday, September 2 for an important exercise.
Chapter and Date Due:
Chapter 1 due 9/9
Chapter 2 due 9/23
Chapter 3 due 10/10
Chapter 4 due 10/27
Chapter 5 due 11/11
Chapter 6 due 12/9
Chapter 7 due 1/6
Comprehensive exam on chapters 1-7 will occur on the date of your semester final.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Bring your vocab book with you to class on Friday, September 2 for an important exercise.
Letter to the Editor Criteria: Freshmen English 2011-2012
As you know from the handout I gave you, you need to write a letter to the editor of The Salt Lake Tribune every quarter. Honors students must write two letters each quarter. In order to get full credit, you must adhere to the following criteria. If any elements are missing, you will only earn up to half credit. In order to earn up to full credit you must do the following:
1. Meet The Trib's requirements (see their website).
2. Include a phone number on your letter where The Trib can reach you.
3. Place your letter in a stamped, addressed, and unsealed envelope.
4. Submit a letter that is typed and in good condition.
And remember, if you get published, you get 25 points extra credit. If you are letter of the week, you get 50 points extra. It's your job to watch the paper and inform me when this happens. Best of luck.
1. Meet The Trib's requirements (see their website).
2. Include a phone number on your letter where The Trib can reach you.
3. Place your letter in a stamped, addressed, and unsealed envelope.
4. Submit a letter that is typed and in good condition.
And remember, if you get published, you get 25 points extra credit. If you are letter of the week, you get 50 points extra. It's your job to watch the paper and inform me when this happens. Best of luck.
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