Freshmen: Today we continued Step Four of our Seven Step Essay process, focusing on different conclusion techniques to try. Your homework is to read for 20 minutes tonight and to get ready for the Chapter 3 vocab quiz on Friday. Please bring your copy of They Say I Say to class tomorrow, as well as all your material for your essay.
Sophomores: Today we finished our exercise in close reading via the Break it Down exercise, this time focusing on a short film clip. We also had a brief seminar on Chapters 1-5 of The Power of One. Chapters 6-9 are due next Monday with a seminar prep; Chapter 3 vocab is due Friday.
CNF: Today we finished reading Chapter 5 and will have a seminar on Wednesday.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Friday, September 27, 2013
Friday, September 27
Freshmen: Today we focused on Step Four of our Seven Step Essay process, which in part has to do with crafting leads. Your homework this weekend is to write two different possible leads for your essay. Base your decision on which lead techniques to try on your topic, your thesis, and the information you have gathered about your topic.
The leads should be typed, on separate sheets of paper. Each should have a header which identifies the lead technique you are using. A working title for your essay should be top and center below your header. Each lead should be two to three paragraphs long, with proper format, spelling, punctuation, and so on. These are due Monday. Remember, Chapters 1 and 2 from They Say I Say focus on starting with what others have to say about your topic and summarizing what others have to say about your topic - it's likely either or both techniques will factor into your leads.
You also need to read for 20 minutes and remember Chapter 3 vocabulary is due on Friday.
Sophomores: Today we continued focusing on the thinking skill of observe-induce-thesis. You should be done with Chapters 1-5 from The Power of One for Monday and remember Chapter 3 vocabulary is due on Friday. For Monday's seminar, you also need some sort of seminar prep and ought to have an entry in your triple entry journal.
CNF: Today we read from Chapter 5 in Blink, which we'll finish on Monday.
The leads should be typed, on separate sheets of paper. Each should have a header which identifies the lead technique you are using. A working title for your essay should be top and center below your header. Each lead should be two to three paragraphs long, with proper format, spelling, punctuation, and so on. These are due Monday. Remember, Chapters 1 and 2 from They Say I Say focus on starting with what others have to say about your topic and summarizing what others have to say about your topic - it's likely either or both techniques will factor into your leads.
You also need to read for 20 minutes and remember Chapter 3 vocabulary is due on Friday.
Sophomores: Today we continued focusing on the thinking skill of observe-induce-thesis. You should be done with Chapters 1-5 from The Power of One for Monday and remember Chapter 3 vocabulary is due on Friday. For Monday's seminar, you also need some sort of seminar prep and ought to have an entry in your triple entry journal.
CNF: Today we read from Chapter 5 in Blink, which we'll finish on Monday.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Tuesday, September 24 and Wednesday, September 25
Freshmen: Today we focused on Step Three of our Seven Step Essay Process. By this point you should have a clear thesis statement (the argument you are going to prove about your topic). Read for 20 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday. Also, if you wish to do an extra credit project, you can write a poem about a time an adult did something kind for you, modeled after "The Gift," which we read in class today. You can also do either or both of the activities at the end of Chapter 2 of They Say I Say. Both assignments are due Friday.
Sophomores: Today we focused on a number of close-reading exercises. Please check the reading schedule for The Power of One. You should be done with Chapters 1-5 for next Monday's seminar. You should have some sort of seminar prep for that day, either notes that you take while you read that reflect what you are thinking as you read in the form of notes and questions, or as a page-long reflection that captures what you think about what you read. You should also have a few entries on your Triple Entry Journal and probably have one Echo of the Tao.
CNF: Today we did a number of activities in order to get ready for reading Chapter 5.
Sophomores: Today we focused on a number of close-reading exercises. Please check the reading schedule for The Power of One. You should be done with Chapters 1-5 for next Monday's seminar. You should have some sort of seminar prep for that day, either notes that you take while you read that reflect what you are thinking as you read in the form of notes and questions, or as a page-long reflection that captures what you think about what you read. You should also have a few entries on your Triple Entry Journal and probably have one Echo of the Tao.
CNF: Today we did a number of activities in order to get ready for reading Chapter 5.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Monday, September 23
Freshmen: Today we spent time in the library learning how to use our school resources to conduct research. You should come to class tomorrow with your sources and answers to your questions written on your index cards. Read for 20 minutes tonight, using it to read Chapter 2 from They Say I Say.
Sophomores: Today we began The Power of One. Finish Chapter 1 (or more) for our next class and check the blog for the reading schedule - it's on there.
CNF: Today we had a discussion on Chapter 4 from Blink.
Sophomores: Today we began The Power of One. Finish Chapter 1 (or more) for our next class and check the blog for the reading schedule - it's on there.
CNF: Today we had a discussion on Chapter 4 from Blink.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Friday, September 20
Okay, my prediction didn't go so well last week, but this one has to count for two years' worth. That being said, there's only one score to go with: Utah 34, BYU 31. And, I think USU gets USC 31-17.
Sophomores: Today we took a vocab exam and talked about evidence of Taoism in Life of Pi. Finish up your Echoes of the Tao assignment if you haven't already.
Freshmen: See yesterday's post.
CNF: Today we finished reading Chapter 4 from Blink. If you're not done, finish it this weekend. We will have a seminar on Monday.
Sophomores: Today we took a vocab exam and talked about evidence of Taoism in Life of Pi. Finish up your Echoes of the Tao assignment if you haven't already.
Freshmen: See yesterday's post.
CNF: Today we finished reading Chapter 4 from Blink. If you're not done, finish it this weekend. We will have a seminar on Monday.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
The Power of One Reading Schedule 2013-2014
The Power of One Reading Schedule 2013-2014
Here is your schedule for The Power of One. Please be sure to make time to read each night. When a set of chapters are due, that means all the chapters listed should be read for that due date. When we have a seminar, you need to have either a set of notes, consisting of a dozen items, that record your thoughts as you read in question and comment form (e.g. you write them as you go, not at the end), or a one page reaction or reflection that you write after having completed that chunk of chapters.
9/23 - Begin The Power of One.
9/30 - Chapters 1-5 due (83 pages - about 12 pages per night). Seminar on this date.
10/7 - Chapters 6-9 due (75 pages - about 11 pages per night). Seminar on this date.
10/14 - Chapters 10-12 due (94 pages - about 14 pages per night). Seminar on this date.
10/22 or 10/23 (Block Day) - Chapters 13-17 due (123 pages - about 16 pages per night). Seminar on this date.
10/29 or 10/30 (Block Day) - Chapters 18-22 due (83 pages - about 12 per night). Seminar on this date.
11/4 - The Power of One due (58 pages - about 10 pages per night); final seminar on this date.
The next period we will begin The Alchemist.
Here is your schedule for The Power of One. Please be sure to make time to read each night. When a set of chapters are due, that means all the chapters listed should be read for that due date. When we have a seminar, you need to have either a set of notes, consisting of a dozen items, that record your thoughts as you read in question and comment form (e.g. you write them as you go, not at the end), or a one page reaction or reflection that you write after having completed that chunk of chapters.
9/23 - Begin The Power of One.
9/30 - Chapters 1-5 due (83 pages - about 12 pages per night). Seminar on this date.
10/7 - Chapters 6-9 due (75 pages - about 11 pages per night). Seminar on this date.
10/14 - Chapters 10-12 due (94 pages - about 14 pages per night). Seminar on this date.
10/22 or 10/23 (Block Day) - Chapters 13-17 due (123 pages - about 16 pages per night). Seminar on this date.
10/29 or 10/30 (Block Day) - Chapters 18-22 due (83 pages - about 12 per night). Seminar on this date.
11/4 - The Power of One due (58 pages - about 10 pages per night); final seminar on this date.
The next period we will begin The Alchemist.
Thursday, September 19
Freshmen: Today, half of you were gone on retreat. This is what we did today, and will do tomorrow with the rest of the class: We took the vocab exam on Chapter 2 and focused more on Step Two of our Seven Step Essay Process. You are supposed to be doing Step Two as homework all this week - that is, gathering information about whatever topic you have chosen to write about. Information can take many forms, including but not limited to numbers (stats, percentages, etc.), facts, stories, examples, and quotes. Be looking for these forms of information as you gather your research. Your research is supposed to take three forms: the internet, a non-internet print source, and an interview with someone about your topic or a survey of several people about your topic. You need to record the information you find about your topic on index cards and you need to bring your index cards as well as your sources to class next block period. Read for 20 minutes tonight and the weekend, and that can be from your book or from your sources.
Sophomores: Today we wrote a little bit in reaction to Life of Pi and conducted our final seminar discussion about the book. We will take a vocab exam on Chapter 2 tomorrow; you should also be finishing up your Echoes of the Tao assignment for Life of Pi if it is not yet complete.
CNF: Today we began reading Chapter 4 from Blink. We will continue tomorrow.
Sophomores: Today we wrote a little bit in reaction to Life of Pi and conducted our final seminar discussion about the book. We will take a vocab exam on Chapter 2 tomorrow; you should also be finishing up your Echoes of the Tao assignment for Life of Pi if it is not yet complete.
CNF: Today we began reading Chapter 4 from Blink. We will continue tomorrow.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Tuesday, September 17 and Wednesday, September 18
Freshmen: Today we covered several things: First, we started with Step One of our Seven Step Essay Process, which we called Defining the Problem. In short, we looked at the list of possible essay topics you generated yesterday and picked one, phrasing the idea as either a statement or a question. We then talked about the second step, Gathering Information, which I want you to do via Question-Based Research Strategy, which we also covered today. This involves considering what questions you and your reader need answered about your topic, listing each question on an index card, and using those cards to guide your research. As you find answers to your question, write brief answers in bullet statement form on the back of the corresponding index card, listing the source as well. Your sources need to consist of three forms: The internet, a non-internet print source, and a survey or interview you conduct. All research is due in class one week from today - bring your cards, your sources, and your survey or interview. Read for 20 minutes each night this week, and this can include reading from your sources as you conduct your research. Vocab is also due this week.
Sophomores: Today we finished Life of Pi. Your essay is due Wednesday, and vocab is due Friday.
CNF: Today we did a bevy of activities in preparation for the next chapter in Blink.
Sophomores: Today we finished Life of Pi. Your essay is due Wednesday, and vocab is due Friday.
CNF: Today we did a bevy of activities in preparation for the next chapter in Blink.
Friday, September 13, 2013
Features of Effective Essays 2013 2014
Features of
Effective Essays (a partial list):
Good essays and
essayists…
|
·
Have
great transitions between paragraphs and ideas
·
Use
quotes.
·
Use
a wide range of vocabulary.
·
Tie
all details back to thesis.
·
Have
an interesting title.
·
Have
a supportable opinion.
·
Provide
examples.
·
Compare
and contrast.
·
Uses
specific details.
·
Arrange
facts so they build upon each other.
·
Are 8-19
paragraphs long.
|
·
Use
life experiences – anecdotes.
·
Use
supporting facts: Statistics, quotes, experiences, numbers.
·
Have
and use opinions.
·
Have
a clear thesis (the “so what?”) and purpose.
·
Have
a clear reason why the reader should care.
·
Balance
paragraph size, yet vary it when appropriate.
·
Wrap
the up the essay in the conclusion, which ties back to the thesis, the lead,
or the title.
|
Friday, September 13
Friday the 13th? I hope that spells doom for the Delta Rabbits. Prediction: Judge, 35, Delta 14. Speaking of predictions, I am 2-0 so far, so take this to the bank: Utah 31, Oregon State 17.
Freshmen: Today we wrapped up our study of the features present in effective essays. You can see our list on another blog entry today. Your homework is the following: Read for 20 minutes this weekend (Chapter 1 from They Say I Say is due Monday, and you can do either or both of Exercises 1 and 2 for extra credit). Bring a dozen blank index cards with you on Tuesday. Chapter 2 vocab is due for you either Thursday or Friday, depending on when you have retreat. We also read the poem by Sherman Alexi "At Navajo Monument Valley Tribal School", which can be found at http://www.hanksville.org/voyage/poems/NavajoSchool.html. If you would like, for extra credit, write a poem about a place, based on a photograph. This could be about a real experience, or one that is imagined. The poem should be typed, and refer to Alexi's poem for an example of how to format it. I would want it by the end of next week, I think.
Sophomores: Today we talked about Richard Parker(s). Your homework is: Part II of Life of Pi due Monday (we will read Part III together on the block day), your essay is due to turnitin.com by 8 AM Wednesday morning, and vocab Chapter 2 is due on Friday.
CNF: We finished reading Chapter 3 in Blink and will discuss it on Monday.
Freshmen: Today we wrapped up our study of the features present in effective essays. You can see our list on another blog entry today. Your homework is the following: Read for 20 minutes this weekend (Chapter 1 from They Say I Say is due Monday, and you can do either or both of Exercises 1 and 2 for extra credit). Bring a dozen blank index cards with you on Tuesday. Chapter 2 vocab is due for you either Thursday or Friday, depending on when you have retreat. We also read the poem by Sherman Alexi "At Navajo Monument Valley Tribal School", which can be found at http://www.hanksville.org/voyage/poems/NavajoSchool.html. If you would like, for extra credit, write a poem about a place, based on a photograph. This could be about a real experience, or one that is imagined. The poem should be typed, and refer to Alexi's poem for an example of how to format it. I would want it by the end of next week, I think.
Sophomores: Today we talked about Richard Parker(s). Your homework is: Part II of Life of Pi due Monday (we will read Part III together on the block day), your essay is due to turnitin.com by 8 AM Wednesday morning, and vocab Chapter 2 is due on Friday.
CNF: We finished reading Chapter 3 in Blink and will discuss it on Monday.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Thursday, September 12
Freshmen: Today we wrapped up reading the packet of excellent essays I gave you. Tomorrow we will discuss those things you noticed that made the essays so good. You should read for 20 minutes tonight, and as part of that, should finish reading Chapter 1 from They Say I Say. If you want, you can do Exercise #1 and/or #2 at the end of Chapter 1 for extra credit. It must be typed for credit. Also, because you have retreat next week, the day of the vocabulary test will depend on the day you have retreat. If you're going on retreat on Friday, Chapter 2 vocab is due on Thursday for you and we will take the test that day; if you are going on retreat on Thursday, the test will be on Friday.
Sophomores: Today we focused on a couple of This I Believe essays that tie in thematically with Life of Pi and wrote a practice This I Believe essay from the point of view of Pi Patel. Part II is due this coming Monday; your essay is due next Wednesday; vocab Chapter 2 is due on Friday of next week.
CNF: Today we began reading Chapter 3 from Blink. We're shooting for a seminar on Monday.
Sophomores: Today we focused on a couple of This I Believe essays that tie in thematically with Life of Pi and wrote a practice This I Believe essay from the point of view of Pi Patel. Part II is due this coming Monday; your essay is due next Wednesday; vocab Chapter 2 is due on Friday of next week.
CNF: Today we began reading Chapter 3 from Blink. We're shooting for a seminar on Monday.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Tuesday, September 10 and Wednesday, September 11
Freshmen: Today we continued to articulate what makes an essay effective. Read for 20 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday night; part of this time should be spent reading the Introduction from They Say I Say. Honors students: Your first Letter to the Editor is due on Thursday, September 12.
Sophomores: Today we focused on some stylistic devices Martel employs in Life of Pi, namely his uses of lists, various sentence structures, and his inversion of ideas and language. We also focused bildungsromans, which are novels about the moral and psychological growth of the character during his or her formative years - what we often call a coming-of-age stories. These almost always involve a journey of some sort, be it inward, outward, or both.
Your task is this: Write a personal narrative essay that describes a journey you have undertaken. This narrative should explore both the inner and the outer journey. At least three places in your essay you should cite from Life of Pi. By cite, I mean, choose passages where Martel’s writing perfectly expresses what you want to say, and therefore quote from the text. Feel free to reference Pi’s story as you tell your own if you wish, but it's not necessary - this isn't a compare and contrast essay. Your essay should be in-depth, have a great title, be free of most conventions errors, be double spaced with indented paragraphs, and you should also mimic Martel’s style in multiple places via the use of lists (micro and macro), inversion (of ideas and words), and sentence structure (a variety of long, complex sentences and several short sentences in succession).
The essay is due to turnitin.com by 8 AM on Wednesday, September 18 (login information about turnitin can be found in a post from August at http://bairdenglish.blogspot.com/2013/08/turnitincom-log-in-information-2013-2014.html). Also, finish Part II of Life of Pi for Monday.
Honors students: Your first essay and first batch of readings are due when we meet at 7:30 AM on Wednesday, September 11.
CNF: Today we took an Implicit Association Test via Harvard.
Sophomores: Today we focused on some stylistic devices Martel employs in Life of Pi, namely his uses of lists, various sentence structures, and his inversion of ideas and language. We also focused bildungsromans, which are novels about the moral and psychological growth of the character during his or her formative years - what we often call a coming-of-age stories. These almost always involve a journey of some sort, be it inward, outward, or both.
Your task is this: Write a personal narrative essay that describes a journey you have undertaken. This narrative should explore both the inner and the outer journey. At least three places in your essay you should cite from Life of Pi. By cite, I mean, choose passages where Martel’s writing perfectly expresses what you want to say, and therefore quote from the text. Feel free to reference Pi’s story as you tell your own if you wish, but it's not necessary - this isn't a compare and contrast essay. Your essay should be in-depth, have a great title, be free of most conventions errors, be double spaced with indented paragraphs, and you should also mimic Martel’s style in multiple places via the use of lists (micro and macro), inversion (of ideas and words), and sentence structure (a variety of long, complex sentences and several short sentences in succession).
The essay is due to turnitin.com by 8 AM on Wednesday, September 18 (login information about turnitin can be found in a post from August at http://bairdenglish.blogspot.com/2013/08/turnitincom-log-in-information-2013-2014.html). Also, finish Part II of Life of Pi for Monday.
Honors students: Your first essay and first batch of readings are due when we meet at 7:30 AM on Wednesday, September 11.
CNF: Today we took an Implicit Association Test via Harvard.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Monday, September 9
Freshmen: Today we began an in-depth study of essays, teasing out a criteria for effective essays. This will continue tomorrow. Read for 20 minutes tonight and bring They Say I Say to class on Tuesday; be working on the next vocabulary assignment as well.
Sophomores: Today we discussed Life of Pi and looked at a few more This I Believe essays. Check the reading schedule - you have some reading due on the block day as well as a seminar prep, be it questions and comments or a page long reaction. Honors students, we meet on Wednesday morning, as well.
CNF: Today we had a seminar on Chapter 2 from Blink.
Sophomores: Today we discussed Life of Pi and looked at a few more This I Believe essays. Check the reading schedule - you have some reading due on the block day as well as a seminar prep, be it questions and comments or a page long reaction. Honors students, we meet on Wednesday morning, as well.
CNF: Today we had a seminar on Chapter 2 from Blink.
Friday, September 6, 2013
Friday, September 6
Well, it's tough to get pumped up for this weekend's game, so let's go, Utes (no caps or exclamation point). The score should be something like 49-13.
Freshmen: Today we took a vocab exam and talked about eye fixations. Your homework is to read for 20 minutes, to bring the book They Say I Say to class Monday, and a photograph of a place to class on Friday.
Sophomores: Today we took a vocab exam and looked at some of your favorite essays from This I Believe. You should be done with Chapter 62 by the block day, and done with Part II by Monday, 9/16. You should have either a dozen notes for seminar or a page long reaction/reflection.
CNF: Today we read Chapter 2 from Blink.
Freshmen: Today we took a vocab exam and talked about eye fixations. Your homework is to read for 20 minutes, to bring the book They Say I Say to class Monday, and a photograph of a place to class on Friday.
Sophomores: Today we took a vocab exam and looked at some of your favorite essays from This I Believe. You should be done with Chapter 62 by the block day, and done with Part II by Monday, 9/16. You should have either a dozen notes for seminar or a page long reaction/reflection.
CNF: Today we read Chapter 2 from Blink.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Thursday, September 5
Freshmen: Today we concluded our discussion on what writing is. Your homework tonight is to read for 20 minutes; vocabulary Chapter 1 is due Friday.
Sophomores: Today we focused on visualization. Keep reading. Vocabulary Chapter 1 is due Friday, as is your This I Believe worksheet.
CNF: Today we did an exercise in priming as well as the discrepancy between what our conscious mind and our subconscious mind is drawn to.
Sophomores: Today we focused on visualization. Keep reading. Vocabulary Chapter 1 is due Friday, as is your This I Believe worksheet.
CNF: Today we did an exercise in priming as well as the discrepancy between what our conscious mind and our subconscious mind is drawn to.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Tuesday, September 3 or Wednesday, September 4
Freshmen: Today we began focusing on just exactly what writing is, and all the various activities it entails. We will continue this on Thursday. Your homework is to read for 20 minutes twice - once tonight, once tomorrow, and remember Chapter 1 vocabulary is due on Friday. We will have a quiz.
Sophomores: Today we had a seminar on Part I of Life of Pi. For homework, you need to read Chapters 37-45 before Thursday's class (this means finishing Chapter 45 - the activity will center on Chapter 46 and 47). Chapter 1 vocabulary is due on Friday. We will have a quiz. Please also have your This I Believe worksheet done.
CNF: Today we put into practice those things we learned by reading Chapter 1 from Blink; in essence, we practiced thin slicing.
Sophomores: Today we had a seminar on Part I of Life of Pi. For homework, you need to read Chapters 37-45 before Thursday's class (this means finishing Chapter 45 - the activity will center on Chapter 46 and 47). Chapter 1 vocabulary is due on Friday. We will have a quiz. Please also have your This I Believe worksheet done.
CNF: Today we put into practice those things we learned by reading Chapter 1 from Blink; in essence, we practiced thin slicing.
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