Thursday, December 18 and Friday, December 19

Freshmen: Today we shared your Grandparent Projects. Over the break, go to turnitin.com and access your Seven Step Essay. Read all the comments about your essay. Based on the comments, revise (i.e. improve) your essay and print it. Annotate (i.e. write on your essay) your improvements in pen on your essay. This is due January 5.

Sophomores and Honors Sophomores: Today we concluded our reading of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. All - finish up your This I Believe essay; honors students have their honors project essays to work on, too.

CNF: Today we wrapped up our multi-faceted study of crime.

Wednesday, December 17

Freshmen: Today we focused on Of Mice and Men; due tomorrow are your Grandparent Projects. I want to see your evidence of a gift, your interview, and a copy of your essay.

Sophomores and Honors Sophomores: Be to the start of "'A Day in the Life'" for tomorrow's class, as we will finish The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.

CNF: We will finish The Thin Blue Line tomorrow.

Basketball: We are at Kearns at 5:30.

Tuesday, December 16

Note: If you didn't take the Membean quiz yesterday, do so today.

Freshmen: Today we finished up your compare and contrast essays; if you didn't get the chance to print it at school, do so tonight and hand it in tomorrow. Due Wednesday is Of Mice and Men; due Thursday is your Grandparent Project.

Sophomores: Today we focused on the concept of listening as it applies to your class text; read everything up through "The Message" and work on your final This I Believe project.

Honors Sophomores: Today we continued to read The Diving Bell and the Butterfly; read everything through "The Vegetable." I would like your essay on The Diving Bell before Christmas break, if possible. Your This I Believe Project is due January 8, and your final essay on Foster's work is due before the end of the semester.

CNF: Today we continued The Thin Blue Line.

Friday, December 12

Freshmen: Today we wrapped up our in-class compare and contrast pieces. Finish Of Mice and Men and the accompanying guide sheet for Wednesday, and Thursday I will collect your Grandparent Project essays and interviews and want to see proof of your gift.

Sophomores: We continued to read from The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. 

Honors Sophomores: Today we began reading The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Read the chapters through "Bathtime" for Monday. You should be done with Foster's chapters by now and should begin writing your essay. If you would like up to 50 points extra credit, go to http://www.onbeing.org/program/bodys-grace-matthew-sanfords-story/185 and listen to the podcast (click "Play Episode") and write a one to two page reflection on how Sanford and Tippet's conversation about the mind-body connection and the relationship we have with our bodies applies to The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. I would want the piece before Christmas vacation.

CNF: Today we began The Thin Blue Line.

Basketball: We are at Liberty Wells, 400 East 700 South.

Thursday, December 11

Freshmen: Today we continued working on your compare and contrast essays; we also shared your letters to the editor. Due Wednesday is Of Mice and Men, and due Thursday is your Grandparent Project. Continue to work on Membean.

Sophomores: Read the chapters titled "The Dream" and "Voice Offstage" and write your response to the question: Which literary character would you least like to be? Continue to work on Membean.

Honors Sophomores: We finished the film version of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Continue to work on Membean, and read the chapters from Foster's book.

CNF: We concluded Murder on a Sunday Morning, and discussed a few things.

Wednesday, December 10

First: Utah 73-BYU 68.

Second: We won't have a Membean quiz this week; we will have it next week.

Freshmen: Today we continued our study of the compare-contrast technique by beginning an essay which we will continue to work on tomorrow in class. Upcoming due dates to keep in mind: December 11, Letter to the Editor; December 17, Of Mice and Men and the guide sheet due; December 18, Grandparent Project due. Keep reading and studying on Membean.

Sophomores: Today we continued reading The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. We also finished the interview with Matthew Sanford and discussed the notion of the mind-body connection. Read "The Guardian Angel" through "Voice Offstage" tonight for homework and keep working on Membean.

Honors Sophomores: Today we continued viewing The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Please read the chapters from Foster's assigned to this book (I sent those out in an email yesterday). Work on Membean as well.

CNF: Today we continued Murder on a Sunday Morning.

Monday and Tuesday, December 8 and 9

Freshmen: Today we continued our study of compare and contrast. A typed draft of your essay is due on Wednesday. Finish reading Of Mice and Men for Tuesday and work on Membean this week. I will assign a quiz on Wednesday.

Sophomores: Today we listened to an interview from On Being with Matthew Sanford about the mind-body connection. You should read all the chapters through (and including) "The Sausage" in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly for Wednesday; work on Membean this week. I will assign a quiz on Wednesday.

Honors Sophomores: Today we began a film version of our next book, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Get your honors essays done ASAP and start reading the chapters from Foster that go with this book; work on Membean this week. I will assign a quiz on Wednesday.

CNF: We began a film about the judicial process and crime called Murder on a Sunday Morning.

Basketball: Be to Judge by 4:45 today and ready to go at 4:50 for our game against Mountain Crest.

Friday, December 5

Freshmen: Today we continued learning about compare and contrast. Your homework is to complete the first two sections of Of Mice and Men and Membean.

Sophomores: Today we concluded the film version of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and began reading the book. Your homework is to read the following chapters by Monday: "Prologue", "The Wheelchair", "Prayer", and "Bathtime." Finish up your 30 minutes of Membean.

Honors Sophomores: Today we had a seminar on Siddhartha. Complete your honors project essays for early next week.

CNF: Today we had a seminar regarding the two texts we've recently read and the theories of why crime dropped in the 1990s.

Basketball: Great couple of wins; we're at Sunnyside until 5 tonight, at Judge tomorrow from 7:45-10:00 AM.

Tuesday, December 2 and Wednesday, December 3

Freshmen: Today we began Of Mice and Men, getting a little background on the story and discussing some literary concepts that should help you better understand the text. You should finish the first two chapters or sections of the book by next Monday (use your 20 minutes of reading each night for this), and also work on the guide sheet I gave you. Don't forget about Membean, your Grandparent Project, or your Letter to the Editor.

Sophomores: Today we watched a few scenes from The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, in order to better help you understand things from Jean-Dominique Bauby's point of view. We will begin reading the book later this week. Keep working on Membean, and work on your end of the semester project as well.

Honors Sophomores: Today we had a potpourri of activities - discussing ideas, images, and themes evident in The Tao te Ching; discussing how Foster's work applies to Siddhartha; listening to and watching a couple of interviews that deal with AUM; as well as reading two great This I Believe Essays that deal with listening, a crucial component of Siddhartha. Finish the book and your essay for Friday and keep working on Membean and your end of the semester project.

CNF: Today we continued to read from Freakonomics and The Tipping Point, studying theories as to why crime has decreased.

Basketball: We are at Sunnyside until 5:30 on Tuesday, and Wednesday we meet at noon for uniforms, a meeting, and concussion testing. Be back to Judge at 4:30, dressed and ready to go, for our game against Kearns.

Monday, December 1

Freshmen: Today we looked at some Grandparent Project samples and began writing them. Due 12/19 is your essay for a grade, your interview, and proof that you are giving your writing as a gift. Also work on Membean this week, and we will begin Of Mice and Men tomorrow.

Sophomores: Today we began getting ready to read The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. You don't need to star reading it yet, but we will begin it soon. Please do your 30 minutes on Membean this week, as well.

Honors Sophomores: Today we read some from Siddhartha, and talked a bit about some things to do with your next honors project essays. Read the sample I sent you as a guide. Finish everything through and including "By the River" for our next class; finish Foster's work, too, as we will discuss it's application to and appearance in Siddhartha. Don't forget about Membean.

CNF: We viewed the following Ted Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/steven_pinker_on_the_myth_of_violence?language=en
and started reading about the decline in crime in both Freaknomics and Gladwell's The Tipping Point.

Tuesday, November 25

Have a nice Thanksgiving. Let's go, Utes! Utah 31, Colorado 13.

Freshmen: Today we focused on the interview portion of The Grandparent Project. This should be complete for class on Monday. Also, grab a copy of Of Mice and Men for Monday.

Sophomores: Today we read "The Necklace" as we continued to study irony. Get a copy of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly for Monday.

Honors Sophomores: We focused on reading. You should be halfway done with Siddhartha for Monday (completing chapters through and including "Amongst the People"). Also, go to turnitin.com and review the comments for your film essay; if you choose, you can revise and improve based on the comments and hand it in to me for an improved grade by Monday.

CNF: Today we discussed winning the tournament.

Monday, November 24

FYI: No Membean is required this week.

Freshmen: Today we collected and shared your Letters About Literature. We also introduced The Grandparent Project. Come to class on Tuesday with some idea of whom you want to interview and we will start working on interview techniques and questions. Read for 20 minutes tonight as well.

Sophomores: Today we began reading Siddhartha. Read the first two chapters for tomorrow's class.

Honors Sophomores: Today we discussed irony further.

CNF: We concluded Hoop Dreams. If you want to read about what happened to the subjects after the events of the film, a couple of good articles can be found here: http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2012/06/07/what-ever-happened-to-the-stars-of-hoop-dreams/
and http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A27976-2004Jul4.html

Friday, November 21

Freshmen: Today we wrote the first draft of your Letters About Literature essays. You need to bring your final draft on Monday with a completed entry coupon, which can be found (along with contest guidelines) at http://read.gov/documents/entry-guidelines-2014.pdf Read for 20 minutes and work on Membean.

Sophomores: Today we finished writing and talking about "Ah Bah's Money." Finish up your Membean work.

Honors Sophomores: Today we had our seminar on The Alchemist. If you haven't finished your honors project essay, you have until Tuesday to get it in. Finish up your Membean work as well. We will likely begin Siddhartha next week.

CNF: We continued Hoop Dreams.

Thursday, November 20

Freshmen: Today our focus was on your haibun and on our next writing project. We will participate in the annual Letters About Literature contest. Tonight your homework is to think about their prompt ("How did an author's work change the way you view yourself or your world?") and come to class tomorrow prepared to write in response to the prompt. Read for 20 minutes tonight and work on Membean.

Sophomores: Today we continued our study of irony and read a short story, "Ah Bah's Money." We also did a short peer-review session on your Letters About Literature essay; you need to revise and improve your piece tonight and bring your best copy to class tomorrow to submit to the contest. You also need to print and fill out the entry coupon (especially the parent's signature), and that can be found at http://read.gov/documents/entry-guidelines-2014.pdf. Remember to work on Membean.

Honors Sophomores: Today we studied irony; finish The Alchemist and be prepared to discuss Coehlo's use of irony. Remember to work on Membean.

CNF: We continued studying the "winning the tournament" concept through Hoop Dreams.

Tuesday, November 18 and Wednesday, November 19

Freshmen: Today we focused on a form that fuses narrative essay and haiku called haibun. We wrote a haibun in class, which is essentially a narrative essay that integrates a haiku into it. Work on Membean this week and read for 20 minutes tonight and tomorrow. A typed copy of your haibun is due in class on Thursday. Be sure it has the following elements: Typed, single spaced header that includes your lead and conclusion technique, interesting title below the header and centered, double spaced essay with haiku single spaced and indented.

Sophomores: Today we talked about and worked on an essay for the Letters About Literature contest. You need to bring a typed draft to class on Thursday. Complete your Membean work this week.

Honors Sophomores: Today we studied parables and their ingredients, and examined how the various texts we've read this semester are parables. Conclude The Alchemist for Friday's class, and continue to work on Membean this week.

CNF: Today we began viewing Hoop Dreams.

Monday, November 17

Freshmen: Today we studied some more examples of narrative essays. You need to come to class with some ideas for a possible narrative essay. It may be the list of ideas we generated a few weeks ago will be useful for this, but you want to ensure it is an idea that has some conflict, a resolution, and a setting. Read for 20 minutes and study on Membean this week. Take your quiz on Membean tonight.

Sophomores: Today we had a seminar on The Alchemist. Study for 30 minutes on Membean this week. Take your quiz on Membean tonight.

Honors Sophomores: Today we had a discussion on Foster's work and The Alchemist. Your next honors project essay is due 11/21, when the book is due. Work on Membean this week as well. Take your quiz on Membean tonight.

CNF: Today we finished reading Chapter 3 from Freakonomics.

Friday, November 14

Prediction: Utah 27, Stanford 14.

Freshmen: Today we took a look at a couple of good narrative essays. Read for 20 minutes and finish up with this week's Membean.

Sophomores: The Alchemist and your Triple Entry Journal are due on Monday, and finish up with this week's Membean.

Honor's Sophomores: Finish up Foster's text for Monday's discussion, finish The Alchemist for Friday, and finish up with this week's Membean.

CNF: Today we started Chapter 3 from Freakonomics.

Thursday, November 13

Freshmen: Today we focused on the rhetorical device of narration. We will continue this in the coming class periods. Read for 20 minutes tonight and work on Membean.

Sophomores: Today we continued to focus on irony. Complete The Alchemist by Monday, 11/17. Complete your 30 minutes on Membean as well.

Honors Sophomores: Today we focused a bit on reading and an extra credit assignment. Finish Part I of  The Alchemist for Friday and Foster's reading for Monday. Wrap up your Membean work.

CNF: Today we talked about gettin' rich or dyin' while tryin', sort of. It sounded better in my head.

Basketball: We're at Sunnyside until 5:30 today.

Honors Sophomore and CNF Extra Credit Opportunity

This is for Sophomore Honors or CNF students only: http://read.gov/documents/entry-guidelines-2014.pdf

It's due December 5, and because you are entering as an individual, you have to give your essay with the entry coupon in an unsealed, addressed, stamped envelope. You can earn up to 50 points extra credit.

Tuesday, November 10 and Wednesday, November 11

Freshmen: Today our focus was on haiku. You need to come to class with seven typed haiku that adhere to the parameters we set in class. Read for 20 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday, and complete your 20 minutes on Membean this week.

Sophomores: Today we focused on irony. Complete your 30 minutes on Membean; finish The Alchemist for Monday's class.

Honors Sophomores: Today we began The Alchemist. Part I is due on Friday; the entire book is due 11/21, as is your honors project essay. Finish the reading for Foster for class by 11/17. Complete your 20 minutes of study on Membean this week.

CNF: We concluded our study of information asymmetry.

Monday, November 10

Freshmen: Today we revisited the idea of schema and did an experiment that showed how you access your schema impacts your ability to read a text. Read for 20 minutes tonight and work on Membean this week.

Sophomores: Continue reading. Finish The Alchemist for next Monday; continue your Triple Entry Journal and work on Membean for 30 minutes this week.

Honors Sophomores: We had an excellent seminar on The Power of One; we will start The Alchemist next period. Work on Membean this week.

CNF: Today we continued our study of information asymmetry, using the Who Killed the Electric Car?

Extra Credit Possibilities

If you attend the school musical, or football or volleyball playoffs, and write either a review or sports article, respectively, you can earn up to 25 points extra credit for each thing you write.

Thursday, November 7

Freshmen: Today we concluded our seven step essay process. Your task tonight is to edit and polish your essay according to the parameters we discussed in class and bring a paper copy of your best essay to class on Friday. An electronic copy is still due by Monday 8 AM to www.turnitin.com. Read for 20 minutes and complete your work on Membean this week.

Sophomores: Today we had a seminar on the first half of Part II of The Alchemist. Continue to read; complete your work on Membean this week.

Honors Sophomores: Today we took time to work on either completing The Power of One for Monday's class (including your Echoes entry and Triple Entry Journal) or your essay, which is due to www.turnitin.com by midnight on Friday. Complete your work on Membean this week as well.

CNF: Today we finished part of our study on information asymmetry, and will continue it on Friday. Please finish Chapter 2 from Freakonomics as well.

Tuesday, November 4 and Wednesday, November 5

Freshmen: Today we performed The 10% Solution on your essays. Complete this at home. Bring a finished, revised, 10%ed hard copy of your essay to class on Thursday. Read for 20 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday, and complete 20 minutes of Membean this week.

Sophomores: Today our focus was on parables again and how it applies to our novel. Complete the reading through page 104 in The Alchemist for Thursday's class, and do your 30 minutes of work on Membean this week.

Honors Sophomores: Today our focus was on The 10% Solution, and we began using the technique on your essays in class. Complete this at home, and submit a copy of your essay to turnitin.com by midnight on Friday, November 7. The class ID and password is listed on the blog. Finish The Power of  One and your Echoes and 3EJ for Monday's class.

CNF: Today we continued our study of information asymmetry.

Turnitin.com Login Information 2014-2015

Hi. Go to www.turnitin.com and create your account. Click on create account. Create your user profile. The password for all classes is Judge. Include the capital J. The class ID number for each class is as follows:

Period 1 Honors: 8372241
Period 2 Freshmen: 8372266
Period 5 Freshmen: 8372278
Period 6 Honors: 8372293
Period 8 Sophomores: 8372302

Monday, November 3

Big thanks to those who checked the blog and rendered unto Baird what is Baird's - talk about a 10% Solution! Those people got extra credit for checking the blog, even if they didn't actually bring in any candy...

Freshmen: Today we learned about The 10% Solution. You need to be able to access an electronic copy of your essay here at school the next time we meet, whether this is via your own device or using one of the school's computers in the lab during our next class meeting. We will edit your essays using The 10% Solution in class. Read for 20 minutes Monday and Tuesday night, and take the quiz on Membean tonight.

Sophomores: Today we took a quiz and had a seminar on Part I of The Alchemist. Finish through page 104 for Thursday's class. Take the quiz on Membean tonight and do your 30 minutes this week.

Honors Sophomores: Today we talked about your most recent honors project essays and did a peer-review exercise with your film essays. You need to be able to access an electronic copy of your essay in class the next time we meet. Finish The Power of One for next Monday and take the quiz on Membean tonight.

CNF: Today we read Chapter 2 from Freakonomics, and you should have either notes or a reflection for our next seminar.

Friday, October 31

Utah 28, ASU 24.

Freshmen: Today we took a break from our essay focus and focused on some Halloween poetry, characters, and stories. If you're looking for "The Tell-Tale Heart," you can find it at http://xroads.virginia.edu/~Hyper/POE/telltale.html. Read for 20 minutes, study on Membean, and bring me 10% of your candy haul. Remember, you need to be able to access an electronic copy of your essay from school on Monday.

Sophomores and Honors Sophomores: See yesterday's post.

CNF: Today we had a seminar on the topic of cheating.

Thursday, October 30

Freshmen: Today we focused on Step Six of our essay process - Clarify and Tighten the Information. This is the revision stage, and what we focused on more than anything else is this: The surest way to improve your writing immediately is to read your work out loud to yourself. This will help you catch awkward phrases, missing words, and unclear phrasing more than any other technique. You need to revise your essay and be able to access an electronic copy here at school. Read for 20 minutes and work on Membean as well.

Sophomores: Today we took some time to read The Alchemist and focus on the Tao te Ching as a work of literature. Part I, 1 Echo, and 2 3EJ entries are due Monday, along with Membean.

Honors Sophomores: Today we talked a bit about Arthurian Legend and how it relates to The Power of One and got some reading done.

CNF: Today we concluded The Armstrong Lie. 

Tuesday, October 28 and Wednesday, October 29

Freshmen: Today we finished reading Chapters 2 and 3 from They Say I Say. If you did not finish these chapters, do so as a part of your 20 minutes of reading homework Tuesday and Wednesday. We also finished our lesson on citing sources, covering how to do both an in-text and a blocked citation. Chapter 3 from They Say I Say provides you with some excellent templates you can use as a writer for accomplishing this task. Most importantly, we moved on to Step Five of our Seven Step Essay Process, which is drafting and developing your information into a coherent essay. A typed draft is due in class on Thursday.

These are the requirements for your essay. It should:
1. Be typed.
2. Have a single-spaced header that includes your name and lead and conclusion techniques.
3. Have an interesting title that is centered at the top and no different in format from the rest of the text.
4. Have a solid lead that fits one of the techniques we studied in class.
5. Have a clear thesis.
6. Support that thesis thoroughly with evidence from your research.
7. Have at least two correctly-done citations, one blocked and one in-text. A good writer will have several citations.
8. End well, using one of the conclusion techniques we studied in class.
9. Have depth (remember, I did not specify a length requirement, but most good essays are somewhere between 8-19 paragraphs in length).

Along with reading and writing, remember to do 20 minutes on Membean this week.

Sophomores: Today we began The Alchemist. I will post the reading schedule on the blog.

Honors Sophomores: Today we talked about a number of issues pertaining to The Power of One, ranging from justice to a person's integrity. You also have the option of writing a poem for up to 25 points extra credit in response to the painting found here: http://selfhatinghipster.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/both-members-of-this-club1.jpg. The poem should be typed and should be in response to the painting of the black and white boxers. Read, read, read - you need to finish the book soon. Your film essay is due on Monday, 11/3.

CNF: We continued our study of cheating...

Monday, October 27

Freshmen: Today we talked about ordering the information you have collected. Finish this. Order your information in such a way that it flows logically from your lead toward your conclusion and proves your thesis. We also read Chapter 1 from They Say I Say. If you didn't finish, please do so as a part of your 20 minutes tonight. You also have 20 minutes on Membean this week.

Sophomores: Today we read a short story, "Cranes." We will begin The Alchemist Wednesday. You also have 30 minutes on Membean this week.

Honors Sophomores: Today we had a seminar on many issues related to The Power of One. Read, read, read this week. Due next Monday is Chapter 22, as is your essay for the film assignment we began. You also have 20 minutes on Membean this week.

CNF: Today we continued studying the notion of cheating.

Thursday, October 23

Freshmen: Today we concluded our lesson on conclusions. Complete your Membean work for this week and read 20 minutes twice over the weekend.

Sophomores: Today we finished up working on Chopin's "The Story of an Hour" and did some reflection work on your recently-completed essays. Complete your Membean work for this week.

Honors Sophomores: Today we did some review of blending citations into your writing. Keep up with the reading, complete your honors project essays if you haven't already, and complete your Membean work for this week.

CNF: Today we concluded our documentary, and you should be finished with Chapter 1 from Freakonomics.

Tuesday, October 21 and Wednesday, October 22

Freshmen: Today we covered a variety of lead and conclusion techniques to use when writing an essay as a part of our fourth step (Playing With Leads and Plans) in our Seven Step essay process. Your homework tonight is to write two different leads for your essay. Here are the requirements: They should be typed on separate sheets of paper; the technique you're using should be listed in your header; they should be two to three paragraphs long (since your lead is approximately the first 20% of your essay). When choosing the lead techniques to experiment with, consider your thesis, your topic, and the best style for your essay. Read for 20 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday, and complete your Membean homework by Friday morning. Lastly, if you want to do an extra credit assignment, you can write a creative response poem in response to a photograph. We used the poem found at http://www.hanksville.org/voyage/poems/NavajoSchool.html as our model. The poem and the photograph are due on Thursday for up to 25 points extra credit.

Sophomores: Today we spent time focusing on the concept of character and reading a short story. Complete your Membean homework by Friday morning.

Honors Sophomores: Today our focus was on blending quotes and using citations from a text to support your ideas. Read, read, read, work on your essays, and complete your Membean homework by Friday morning.

CNF: Today we began a documentary on cheating and steroids.

Monday, October 20

Freshmen: Today we did Step Three of our Seven Step Essay Process, Focus the Data, which entailed reviewing all the information that we have collected. We then crafted a thesis statement (the central argument of our essay) based on what the information tells us (contrast this with most people's typical process: they decide what they think and then find information to back it up; we want to develop thinkers who do the opposite and base their arguments on facts). So, for Tuesday's class, you should have a clear, concise thesis statement that will shape the rest of your essay. Read for 20 minutes, spend 20 minutes on Membean this week prior to Friday morning, and take the quiz on Membean tonight.

Sophomores: Today we did a checklist of sorts for your analytical essay on Life of Pi as well as a peer review. Your final draft is due on Wednesday. We will start The Alchemist next week. Spend 30 minutes on Membean this week prior to Friday morning, and take the quiz on Membean tonight.  Your Echoes of the Tao assignment is due on Thursday and should have three entries for Life of Pi.

Honors Sophomores: Today we took a quiz and had a short seminar on The Power of One. Many of you are behind on the reading - catch up. You can hand in your honors essay this week or next depending on which quarter you want the grade to go on. Your film essay is still due 11/3. Read, read, read, spend 20 minutes on Membean this week prior to Friday morning, and take the quiz on Membean tonight. Your Echoes of the Tao assignment is due on Thursday and should have three entries for Life of Pi and two for The Power of One.

CNF: Today we began Chapter 1 of Freakonomics; you should finish the chapter this week and have notes or a reflection for our seminar.

Tuesday, October 13 and Wednesday, October 14

I almost forgot: Utah 31, OSU 24.

Freshmen: Today we continued the second step of our Seven Step Essay as we continued to gather information. The expectation for you is that you come to class on Monday an expert on your chosen subject - your surveys should be quantified, your interviews completed, and your index cards filled out. As stated in class, if you can't answer a question, move on. If you come across important information that you hadn't anticipated asking a question about, write it as a main idea on one side of your index cards with the supporting details on the other side. You should read for 20 minutes each night of the break, and this research counts for that time if you choose. Also remember to study on Membean for 20 minutes this week; there will be a quiz on Monday.

Sophomores: Today we focused on conclusion techniques as well as blending quotes and citing sources into your writing. Your task is to take your best lead, support your thesis with evidence from the text, and write your essay over the break. It is due on Monday. Also remember to study on Membean for 30 minutes this week; there will be a quiz on Monday.

Honors Sophomores: Today we focused on various lead and conclusion techniques for you to use henceforth in your essays. Read, read, read, and work on your essays. Also remember to study on Membean for 20 minutes this week; there will be a quiz on Monday.

CNF: Today we had a fascinating discussion on the data from our survey on cheating. Thanks for your good thoughts.

Monday, October 13

Freshmen: Today we learned about various resources we can access for research. Your job is to come to class on Tuesday with two sources printed or otherwise accessible so you can read it in class and begin the process of filling out your index cards for Question Based Research. Read for 20 minutes; work on Membean for 20 minutes this week.

Sophomores: Today we learned about various lead techniques to use when crafting an essay. Your job tonight is to write two potential leads for your essay on Life of Pi. These leads should be on separate sheets of paper and have correct headers. Include a title if you have a good idea for one at this point. Study on Membean for 30 minutes this week.

Honors Sophomores: Today we focused on reading and talked about some flexibility with your next essay on Foster's and The Power of One. If you choose, you can hand in your essay on the 20th and get credit for first quarter; or, you can hand it in on the 27th and get credit for it for second quarter. Keep reading; keep working on your film project (now due on 11/3) and study on Membean for 20 minutes this week.

CNF: Today we viewed a documentary on the corruption in Sumo - sorry to shatter those long-held beliefs in its purity.

Friday, October 10

Freshmen: Today we talked about the second step of our seven step research process, which is gathering information. We talked about what kinds of information to collect, and what forms that information may take. You are required to have three sources: a non-internet source, an internet source, and either a survey or interview with someone affect by your topic. You are required to come to class Monday with either the name of your interview subject and 10 questions, as well as when this interview will take place, or with enough copies of your 10-question survey to distribute to everyone in the class. Monday we will go to the library to continue with information-gathering. Read for 20 minutes and work on Membean.

Sophomores: Today we focused on the concept of thesis and began the thesis formation stage of our essays.

Honors Sophomores: Today we finished Cry, the Beloved Country, wrote about it, and discussed The Power of One.

CNF: Today we finished the introduction to Freakonomics and viewed a Ted Talk, "Our Buggy Moral Code."

Thursday, October 9

Freshmen: Today our focus was on the first step of our Seven Step Essay Process. Step One is Defining the Problem. You chose a topic based on your list of potential essay topics and framed it as either a question or a statement. Your task is to come up with 12 questions you want to find the answer to regarding your topic. You are to list each one on a separate index card and bring your 12 index cards in to class on Friday. Read for 20 minutes tonight and study on Membean this week.

Sophomores: Today we concluded our Break It Down exercise and began an analytical essay project for Life of Pi. You chose an idea from the novel off a list I provided and began to find passages that deal with that topic. You should have five page numbers of passages that deal with your chosen topic written down for class tomorrow. Study on Membean 30 minutes this week.

Honors Sophomores: Today we continued with Cry, the Beloved Country and our inductive analysis process. We will talk about The Power of One and the film tomorrow. Study on Membean; keep up with your reading from Fosters and The Power of One, and get to work on your film project.

CNF: Today we began Freakonomics.

Tuesday, October 7 and Wednesday, October 8

Freshmen: Today we worked on generating a list of potential essay topics. Read for 20 minutes and work on Membean.

Sophomores: Today we continued our Break It Down exercise. Remember, we are upping the weekly Membean requirement to 30 minutes per week.

Honors Sophomores: We began viewing Cry, the Beloved Country in preparation for the film project you are doing as well as a way to build background knowledge about the setting of The Power of One. Read and work on Membean.

CNF: Today we had our final wrap-up of Blink.

Monday, October 6

Freshmen: Today we reviewed the various rhetorical devices used in Spellbound and wrote an in-class essay that analyzed the film's thesis and the devices used to prove it. Read for 20 minutes; you have a quiz on Membean that you must take tonight. Remember your letter to the editor is due on Thursday.

Sophomores: Today we looked at your 101st Chapters from Life of Pi and began an exercises in reading via observation, analysis, induction, synthesis, and thesis formation. You have a quiz on Membean that you must take tonight.

Honors Sophomores: Today we talked about the film study project we are starting. Keep reading from The Power of One (schedule is on the blog) and from Foster's text (schedule is on the blog also); you have a quiz on Membean that you must take tonight.

CNF: We finished Blink today and will wrap up our study of it tomorrow.

Honors English Novels and Corresponding Chapters from Foster's How to Read Literature Like a Professor

Books we’ll read and the corresponding How to Read… chapters:

Life of Pi 18, 10 and Interlude, 12, 19, 5
The Power of One 8, 19, 2, 11, 13, 5, 25, 12
The Alchemist 1, 6, 7, 18, 12, 15, 5
Siddhartha 10, 5, 21
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly 2, 21, 22, 23, 24, 5
Christmas Break: 26 and 27

Friday, October 3

Harkening back to the past, Phillips will kick a 55 yarder ala Chris Yergensen, and the Utes win 34-31.

Freshmen: Today we had our final seminar on Speak. You should find a new book to read, read for 20 minutes, and study on Membean in preparation for Monday's quiz.

Sophomores: We had our final seminar on Life of Pi. Study on Membean in preparation for Monday's quiz. You are to bring in a typed draft of your 101st Chapter for Life of Pi.

Honors Sophomores: We had a quiz, finished our Break It Down exercise, and discussed the first part of The Power of One. Keep reading, and study on Membean in preparation for Monday's quiz.

CNF: We kept reading, and will work at finishing Blink on Monday.

Tuesday, September 30 and Wednesday, October 1

Freshmen: Today we began a preview and overview of the various rhetorical devices we will use as essay writers by studying how they are used in documentary film. Read for 20 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday - you need to finish Speak Friday's class with five items for the seminar we will hold on Friday. Study on Membean as well.

Sophomores: Today we finished Life of Pi and will do a few things to wrap it up later this week. Study on Membean as well.

Honors Sophomores: Today we began a study of a method of observation and analysis, induction and synthesis, and thesis. Continue to read from The Power of One and finish Chapters 1-5 for Thursday's class (this means read all of Chapter 5). You should have at least one 3EJ entry, and possibly one Echo of the Tao entry as well. Study on Membean.

CNF: Today we did one final wrap up of Chapter 5 and began reading Chapter 6.

Monday, September 29

Freshmen: Today we discussed the middle part of Speak as well as the features of effective essays you discerned last week. Due Friday is completing Speak, along with five notes for seminar. Also, complete your 20 minutes on Membean this week.

Sophomores: Today we focused on getting as much reading done as possible, since you must finish Part II of Life of Pi for Wednesday's class. Also, complete your 20 minutes on Membean this week.

Honors Sophomores: Aside from focusing on a belief statement and some of the recurring ideas we see in the Tao te Ching, we also focused on reading as you need to finish Chapters 1-5 from The Power of One for Thursday's class. Also, complete your 20 minutes on Membean this week.

CNF: Today we completed reading Chapter 5 from Blink and had a seminar.

CNF Extra Credit Opportunity

Go to http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/427/original-recipe and listen at least to Act I about Coke and it's famous secret recipe, and write a one page typed essay about how this information has enhanced your understanding of what Gladwell writes about regarding Coke and Pepsi. Due Monday, September 29 for up to 50 points extra credit.

Friday, September 26

Let's say Utah 42, WSU 21.

Freshmen: See yesterday's post.

Sophomores: Today we had a seminar on Life of Pi. Due for Wednesday is all of Part II; we will read Part III in class together that day. Study from Membean as well.

Honors Sophomores: Today our focus was on The Power of One and your Triple Entry Journal. Study from Membean if you need to.

CNF: We continued Chapter 5 from Blink.

Thursday, September 25

Freshmen: Today, with half of you on retreat, we finished up looking at a packet of effective essays and establishing a criteria for effective essays. We will do the same thing with the other half of the class on Friday. Due for Monday are the Second and Third Marking Periods of Speak with a total of ten notes for seminar; you also need to study from Membean for 20 minutes this week.

Sophomores: Today we continued studying the literary genre of parable, applying the criteria we established yesterday to Life of Pi. Due for Friday is everything through Chapter 90 with six notes for seminar. You also need to study from Membean for 20 minutes this week.

Honors Sophomores: Today we began The Power of One. Please refer to the reading schedule posted on the blog. You also need to study from Membean for 20 minutes this week.

CNF: Today we did one last activity to prepare for Chapter 5 and began reading it.

The Power of One Reading Schedule 2014-2015

The Power of One Reading Schedule 2014-2015

September 25: Begin The Power of One.

October 2: Chapter 5 due with seminar prep; 83 pages = approximately 14 pages a day.

October 9: Chapter 9 due with seminar prep; 78 pages = approximately 12 pages a day.

October 20: Chapter 13 due with seminar prep; 116 pages = approximately 12 pages a day.

October 20: Honors essay 2 due.

October 27: Chapter 18 due with seminar prep; 104 pages = approximately 15 pages a day.

November 3: Chapter 22 due with seminar prep; 71 pages = approximately 11 pages a day.

November 6: Book due with seminar prep; 58 pages = approximately 20 pages a day.

Sophomore English Extra Credit Opportunity

If you attend the play, for which information can be found here: http://www.redbuttegarden.org/theatre-and-film and write a one-to-two page review of it, you can earn 50 points extra credit toward your first quarter grade. Hand in your ticket along with your essay on Monday, September 29. The shows are either the 27th or 28th, and will give you a nice background on Greek tragedy for the second semester when we read Sophocles.

Tuesday, September 23 and Wednesday, September 24

Freshmen: Today our main focus was on establishing a criteria for effective essays. We continued to read the packet of essays I provided and took notes on their strengths. Your homework is reading and vocabulary; you need to study for 20 minutes on Membean this week and you need to finish reading the Second and Third Marking Periods for Monday's seminar; you should have five notes per Marking Period as well.

Sophomores: Today our focus was on parables. Chapter 90 is due for Friday's seminar with six notes. Study on Membean as well.

Honors Sophomores: Today our focus was on how to write an effective analytical essay; based on this lesson, the comments I provided, as well as the model I gave you, revise your essay and bring it in on Thursday. We will begin The Power of One on Thursday.

CNF: Today we concluded our prep for Chapter 5 and will begin it tomorrow.

Monday, September 22

Freshmen: Today we began a focus on establishing a criteria for effective essays. Your homework tonight is to take the vocabulary quiz on Membean. You have to take the quiz tonight to get credit for it. You also should finish the Second and Third Marking Periods of Speak for the 29th and have five notes for each of the two Marking Periods.

Sophomores: Today we focused on the concept of story as essential to Life of Pi. Your homework tonight is to take the vocabulary quiz on Membean. You have to take the quiz tonight to get credit for it. Finish Chapter 90, with six notes for seminar, for Friday's class.

Honors Sophomores: Today we discussed Parts II and III of Life of Pi. Your homework tonight is to take the vocabulary quiz on Membean. You have to take the quiz tonight to get credit for it. We will begin The Power of One tomorrow.

CNF: Today we did some things to prepare for reading Chapter 5 from Blink and will continue this tomorrow.

Extra Credit Opportunity

Hi. You may be interested in http://www.jfklibrary.org/Education/Profile-in-Courage-Essay-Contest.aspx?utm_source=Inbox+Issue+-+2014-09-16&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Inbox#.VByMu-q-YDM.email.

You can earn up to 50 points extra credit. The last day I will take it is the day before we go on Christmas break. You have to follow all the directions to earn any credit. You can hand it in early. If you hand it in during the first quarter, your extra credit will go toward that quarter; from November on, it goes on second quarter.

Thursday, September 18 and Friday, September 19

Utah 35, Michigan 21. I'm 2/2, so let's hope that continues...

Freshmen: Today we did a number of things. First and foremost, we talked about email etiquette. You are to send me, or another teacher, an email that shows you understand the five elements of email etiquette we discussed: Have a salutation; frame any request politely; use standard spelling, capitalization, and punctuation; adopt a formal tone of voice; and, have a clear and kind closing. We then discussed the impact of one's schema on reading, and then had a seminar regarding the First Marking Period of Speak. You should complete the Second and Third Marking Period of Speak by Monday, September 29; you should have five notes for each of the Marking Periods, for a total of 10. Complete your 20 minutes of vocabulary study on Membean this weekend as well.

Sophomores: Today our focus was on the concept of symbol. We had a seminar on the material up through Chapter 60 of Life of Pi. Finish everything through Chapter 90 for next Friday with half-a-dozen notes for the seminar on that date. Complete your 20 minutes of vocabulary study on Membean this weekend as well.

Honors Sophomores: Today we completed Part III from Life of Pi. We will have a seminar on it on Monday and begin The Power of One next week as well.

CNF: Today we had several interesting discussions on some of the topics from Chapter 4 of Blink. Nice work today.

Extra Credit Opportunity

See http://schools.utah.gov/equity/Martin-LutherKing-Jr--Contest.aspx or
http://www.schools.utah.gov/equity/Martin-Luther-King-Jr--Contest.aspx
for more details. I am offering up to 50 points extra credit for the essay; it must be turned in to me by Wednesday, October 15, in an addressed, stamped, unsealed envelope for credit.

Wednesday, September 17

Freshmen: Today we focused on all the various activities, behaviors, changes, and steps that writing entails. Due for Thursday is your imitation of Langston Hughes's "Theme for English B" (see yesterday's post for instructions) as well as the First Marking Period from Speak and the five notes for the seminar.

Sophomores: Today we focused on the rhetorical device of listing found in Life of Pi. You need to be finished with Chapter 60 and have half-a-dozen items for seminar for Friday's class.

Sophomore Honors: Today we focused on the importance of names, specifically that of Richard Parker and the ship Tsimstum.

CNF: Today we read Chapter 4 from Blink.

Tuesday, September 16

Freshmen: Today we talked about the notion of a Socratic Seminar and how to prepare for one. You need to finish the First Marking Period from Speak for Thursday's class and come prepared with five items for the seminar - observations, ideas, or questions. Use the question stems I provided to help you frame your thinking. We also read Langston Hughes's poem "Theme for English B" which can be found at http://www.eecs.harvard.edu/~keith/poems/English_B.html. You are to follow his instructor's directions: Go home and write a page tonight and let that page come out of you, then it will be true. Write a creative response - a work of poetry inspired by another poem - by writing a "Theme for English 9". Imitate Hughes's poem in terms of style, form, and content, but also use the principles of free verse we have studied so far this year. As always, read for 20 minutes and be sure to study vocab on Membean.

Sophomores: Today we wrote a short essay, applying the literary concepts of conflict, plot, and theme that we studied yesterday. The prompt was: Describe some conflicts you see emerging in the plot of Life of Pi and explain what theme you see emerging through these conflicts. Due for the block period at the end of the week is Chapter 60 from Life of Pi and half-a-dozen notes for seminar. Study vocab on Membean.

Honors Sophomores: Today our focus was on the rhetorical device of listing that Martel employs in Life of Pi. Due at the end of the week is Part II of Life of Pi and a dozen items for the seminar. Study vocab on Membean.

CNF: Today we began Chapter 4 from Blink.

Monday, September 15

Freshmen: Today we began reading Speak and discussed some literary terms and concepts to know. You should read from Speak for your at-home and in-class reading; finish the First Marking Period for Thursday. Also, enroll in Membean, information listed below.

Sophomores: Today our focus was on Life of Pi and getting registered for Membean. You should finish everything through Chapter 60 for September 18 and have at least half-a-dozen items (questions, comments, observations, ideas) written down for the seminar on that day. Enroll in Membean tonight.

Sophomore Honors: Today our focus was on getting registered for Membean and a few This I Believe essays that tie in with Life of Pi. Finish Part II for the end of the week and have a dozen items for the seminar. We will read Part III together in class on the block day this week. Enroll in Membean.

CNF: Today our focus was on whether or not structure helps or hinders spontenaity, particularly in high-stress situations. We will begin Chapter 4 tomorrow.

Membean Information

Hi. Go to http://www.membean.com/enroll. Enter the class code, which is listed below:
Period 1 Sophomore Honors: J3EQDYE
Period 2 Freshmen: J3EQA69
Period 5 Freshmen: J3EQA3K
Period 6 Sophomore Honores: J3EQCVX
Period 8 Sophomores: J3EQCNK

After enrolling in the class, please do the calibration exercise tonight.

Beginning this week, you can plan on studying for 20 minutes each week and having a quiz approximately every two weeks. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions.

Friday, September 12

Freshmen: Today we shared your poems. Your homework is to read for 20 minutes.

Sophomores: Today we looked at some of the essays you liked from This I Believe. Due for 9/18 is Chapter 60 from Life of Pi along with six notes for the seminar.

Honors Sophomores: Today we looked at some of the essays you liked from This I Believe. Due for 9/18 is Part II from Life of Pi along with a dozen notes for the seminar. Monday is the last day to hand in your essay that analyzes Life of Pi according to Foster's text.

CNF: Today we had a seminar on Chapter 3 from Blink.

Thursday, September 11

Freshmen: Today our focus was on the concept of effective repetition in poetry; we differentiated this from clutter and redundancy. Tonight, revise your current four poems for this principle, using effective repetition in places where it will strengthen your piece; craft a fifth, final poem that uses repetition effectively and adheres to the previous seven principles we have studied. You will hand in all five poems tomorrow in class. Read for 20 minutes, and bring in your Membean money if you haven't as yet.

Sophomores: Please see the revised reading schedule posted below. Due tomorrow are your personal narrative essays as well as your This I Believe worksheets.

Sophomore Honors: Today we had a discussion on which of Foster's ideas are evident in Life of Pi. If your essay isn't done, get it in soon; you should finish Part II from Life of Pi by the end of next week. Due tomorrow is your Membean money as well as your This I Believe worksheets.

CNF: Today we began reading Chapter 3 from Blink; when you finish reading, rather than having a page of notes, you should have a page long reflection that is a reaction to what you have just read.

Period 8 Sophomore English Revised Life of Pi Reading Schedule

September 19 Chapter 60 due; six notes due.

September 26 Chapter 90 due; six notes due.

October 1 Part II due; six notes due. We will listen to Part III in class.

We will have our final seminar on Life of Pi on October 2.

Tuesday, September 9 and Wednesday, September 10

Freshmen: Today our focus was on figurative language, specifically metaphor, simile, and personification. Your task is to revise your previous three poems for this concept, and craft a fourth poem that adheres to all the principles we have studied so far. Also, please read for 20 minutes tonight and Wednesday, and bring in your money for Membean.

Sophomores: Today we focused on writing a personal narrative essay about a journey you have taken, either internally or externally. You are to take your rough draft home, revise it, and bring it to class as a typed, finished draft on Friday. Also due Friday is your This I Believe worksheet. Due Thursday is everything through (and including) chapter 45 in Life of Pi. Please bring in your money for Membean if you haven't yet.

Sophomore Honors: Today we focused on writing a personal narrative essay about a journey you have taken, either internally or externally. We turned in the rough draft of this essay. Due Thursday are the chapters from How to Read Literature Like a Professor and the accompanying essay. Due Friday is your This I Believe worksheet, and you should finish Part II of Life of Pi for 9/19. Please bring in your money for Membean if you haven't yet.

CNF: Today we took an Implicit Association Test in preparation for reading Chapter 2 from Blink. Please go to https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/iatdetails.html and take one of the other IAT's and record the results.

Friday, September 5

Freshmen: Today we had our annual library orientation. Please read for 20 minutes and revise your three poems for the six principles of free verse we have studied so far.

Sophomores: Today we had a seminar on Part I of Life of Pi. We will begin Part I together on Monday. If you are not to that point already please get there.

Honors Sophomores: Today we had a seminar on Part I of Life of Pi. We will begin Part I together on Monday. If you are not to that point already please get there. Continue to read from How to Read Like a Professor in preparation for your essay that's due next week.

CNF: Today we read from Chapter 2 from Blink.

And the most important thing: Utah 35, Fresno State 24.

Thursday, September 4

Freshmen: Today we talked about the importance of cutting clutter and redundancies when revising a poem. You want your poems to be lean, clean, and tight. Revise your three current poems for this principle, and bring them to class on Monday. On Friday, we are meeting in the library. Please read for 20 minutes tonight and on the weekend. Also, bring your ten dollars for the new vocabulary program in the form of a check made out to Judge Memorial.

Sophomores: Today we focused on an extension of our discussion from yesterday, that being the notion of personal belief and elements of Taoism being present in the novels we read. We read a few essays from This I Believe and began a small project called Echoes of the Tao. Your homework is to complete Part I from Life of Pi, as well as your seminar prep. Due for next Friday is the worksheet that tracks the five essays you read on thisibelieve.org. Also, bring your ten dollars for the new vocabulary program in the form of a check made out to Judge Memorial.

Honors Sophomores: Today we focused on an extension of our discussion from yesterday, that being the notion of personal belief and elements of Taoism being present in the novels we read. We read a few essays from This I Believe and began a small project called Echoes of the Tao. Your homework is to complete Part I from Life of Pi, as well as your seminar prep. Due for next Thursday are the chapters from Fosters that are paired with our novel and your analytical essay. Due for next Friday is the worksheet that tracks the five essays you read on thisibelieve.org. Also, bring your ten dollars for the new vocabulary program in the form of a check made out to Judge Memorial.

CNF: Today we did a few activities to preview Chapter 2 from Blink and began reading that chapter.

Life of Pi Reading Schedule 2014-2015

Hi. Here is our schedule for Life of Pi. Please keep up with the schedule. Honors students, remember that you need to read the assigned chapters from Foster's book concurrently.

Friday, 9/5 - Part I Due. Please have 12 notes for the seminar on this date.

Thursday, 9/11 - Honors Essay 1 due.

Thursday, 9/18 (period) or Friday, 9/19 (periods 6 and 8) - Part II due. We will listen to Part III this date.

Monday, 9/22 - Final seminar. Please have 12 notes for the seminar on this date (includes both Part II and Part III - you don't need a dozen notes each, but rather total for the two parts).

Friday, August 29

Freshmen: Today our focus was on conclusions and how to craft them in free verse poetry. Please revise your previous two poems for this principle, and then craft a third original poem that adheres to the four principles of free verse that we've covered. Please also read twice over the long weekend for 20 minutes.

Sophomores: Today we had a quiz and discussed one method of interacting with the text in preparation for our first seminar. Please have a dozen notes for Part I of Life of Pi. These notes should reflect what you were thinking about as you read Part I, and may take the form of either statements (observations or ideas) or questions that you would like to discuss. Please note the page number that coincides with where you had that thought, the passage that inspired it. See the reading schedule for Life of Pi that I have posted as well.

Sophomore Honors: Today we had a quiz and discussed one method of interacting with the text in preparation for our first seminar. Please have a dozen notes for Part I of Life of Pi. These notes should reflect what you were thinking about as you read Part I, and may take the form of either statements (observations or ideas) or questions that you would like to discuss. Please note the page number that coincides with where you had that thought, the passage that inspired it. See the reading schedule for Life of Pi that I have posted as well. Remember, your first essay on Foster's text is due on 9/11, so you should be reading the assigned chapters from his book as well.

CNF: Today we had a seminar on the Introduction and Chapter 1 from Blink. This weekend, please go to http://www.outofservice.com/bigfive/ and take the Big Five Personality Test referenced in Chapter 1. Write down the results. If you would like, please have someone (friend, parent, sibling) take the quiz as well, answering for you rather than for themselves. Then compare how you see yourself compares with how they see you.

Thursday, August 28

Prediction: Utah 49, ISU 10. Mark it down.

Freshmen: Today our focus was on the question, How should a free verse poem begin? We focused on beginning in the midst of things, beginning in the middle. Revise your first poem for this principle, if necessary, and craft an original poem based on the three principles we have covered so far. Your poem should be typed and focus on a different first-hand experience than your first poem.

Sophomores: Today we began Life of Pi. Read everything through Chapter 6 (this means finish Chapter 6 as well as the chapters that come before it) for Friday.

Honors Sophomores: Today we began Life of Pi. Read everything through Chapter 6 (this means finish Chapter 6 as well as the chapters that come before it) for Friday. You should also begin reading from Foster's book; your first essay for the Honors project is due on September 11.

CNF: Today we finished reading the Introduction and Chapter 1 from Blink. If you didn't do this in class, please do so for homework tonight. You should have a dozen notes, as well. These notes can take the form of questions or comments, and should act as a transcript of what you were thinking about as you read the text.

Tuesday, August 26 and Wednesday, August 27

Freshmen: Today we focused on our first two principles of free verse poetry, that being the importance of using I and avoiding participles. Your task tonight is to write a free verse poem about a personal experience that adheres to the principles we covered today. Additionally, the poem should be typed, and I suggested you write as small as possible - choose an ordinary experience, and find what's profound in it. Write about an experience that takes place over a very short period of time. Include lots of specific details (objects, descriptions, etc.). Your poem is due Thursday. Please read for 20 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday.

Sophomores: Today our focus was on getting an introduction to the Tao te Ching. We will begin Life of Pi on Thursday.

Sophomore Honors: Today our focus was on creation myths, their commonalities, and what those commonalities reveal about humanity. Please post a comment on today's post in response to the following prompt: What common elements do we see in various creation myths, and what do these commonalities reveal about humanity? Your response should be a couple of paragraphs long; please sign it with your first name and English period.

CNF: Today we began reading the introduction and first chapter from Blink. We hope to finish these two sections it by Friday or Monday.

Monday, August 25

Freshmen: Today we began a study of free verse poetry. Your homework is to read for 20 minutes; be sure to bring your book to school on Sunday.

Sophomores: Today our focus was on the creation myths you brought to class today. Please post a response to the following prompt, and in your response, please address what another student has said. Your response should be a paragraph or so, and at the end, please sign your name and period. Prompt: Creation myths from a number of diverse cultures share the same elements. What do these common elements, and the fact that many creation myths have similar elements, reveal about the human race? We will begin Life of Pi on Thursday.

Sophomore Honors: Today our focus was on an introduction to The Tao te Ching. You should finish reading that introduction for our next class period. Bring your creation myths as well. We will begin Life of Pi on Thursday, so you may want to start reading a chapter from Foster's text that correspond to it before we begin.

CNF: Today we focused on decision-making and biases associated with various decision-making processes.

Thursday, August 21 and Friday, August 22

Freshmen: Today our focus was on public speaking, and the behaviors effective public speakers engage in. This was preparation for our Prayer and Great Thoughts Talk assignment. You've all signed up for a day, but you don't need to wait until right before it's due - prepare early. Please go to Ted.com, watch a Talk, and post a comment in response to this prompt: What effective technique did the speaker of the talk use, and why is this technique so important?

Sophomores: Today our focus was on some of the literary ideas of Joseph Campbell as it relates to mythology and myths. Using the think sheet you used during the interview, please respond with a paragraph or two in answer to the following prompt: Summarize some of Campbell's most important ideas about myths and mythology. Bring the creation myths you found to class on Monday.

Honors Sophomores: Today our focus was on some of the literary ideas of Joseph Campbell as it relates to mythology and myths. Using the think sheet you used during the interview, please respond with a paragraph or two in answer to the following prompt: Summarize some of Campbell's most important ideas about myths and mythology. Bring the creation myths you found to class on Monday. Honors students, finis the two assigned chapters from Foster.

CNF: Today we focused on a few different forms of non-fiction. Unfortunately, we were not able to finish the episode of Radiolab that we were listening to, so if you are interested in finishing it, you can find it at http://www.radiolab.org/story/110206-finding-emilie/

We will begin Blink on Monday. If you have your own copy, great; if not, I have extras.

Wednesday, August 20

Freshmen: Today our focus was on introducing the Letter to the Editor assignment. It is due on or before October 9. Your homework is to read for 20 minutes tonight.

Sophomores: Today our focus was on creation myths and the common traits they share. You were assigned a particular culture, and your job is to find a creation myth from that culture, read it, and print it so you can bring it to class. Please post a comment on today's blog post in response to the following question: What common elements are found in these creation myths, and what do these commonalties reveal about humanity? Please put your first name, last initial, and period at the bottom of your comment.

Sophomore Honors: Today our focus was on creation myths and the common traits they share. You were assigned a particular culture, and your job is to find a creation myth from that culture, read it, and print it so you can bring it to class. Please post a comment on today's blog post in response to the following question: What common elements are found in these creation myths, and what do these commonalties reveal about humanity? Please put your first name, last initial, and period at the bottom of your comment.

We also covered this semester's honors project. Due for Monday are the chapters from How to Read Literature Like a Professor titled "Introduction" and "Interlude: One Story."

CNF: Today we focused on some elements of how non-fiction is constructed. I'd like you to view or listen to something that is non-fiction tonight and make a mental note of how the piece is put together. Also, I realize I forgot to post the prompt I had asked you to respond to last night, so I am doing here. Please write a short response, ideally responding to what others have said. Sign your comment with your first name and last initial. Prompt: What kind of decision-making is better, snap decisions or meticulously made decisions? Explain.

Tuesday, August 19

Happy first day! Remember to use this blog to help you track what we do in class and to keep current with the homework.

Freshmen: Today our focus was on an overview of the course. We read the poem printed below. Please reread it, and post a comment on today's entry that answers the following question: Why read this particular poem the first day of school? What does the poem say that makes reading it the first day of school appropriate? Please put your first name, last initial, and the period you have English at the bottom of your response. The rest of your homework is to read for 20 minutes (and bring that book to school tomorrow) and have your parents read and sign the disclosure and return it tomorrow.

Valedictorian

I shall reject

the curve

and fail

with an A.

The table of elements

will not be

memorized by me.

And I will not

regurgitate facts

like an outdated

spreadsheet.

I will remember

what is pertinent,

not for the test,

but for life

and become

the valedictorian

of me.

-Laura Menssen, Brighton High School ‘94

Sophomores: Today our focus was on an overview of the course and an introduction to our quarterly prayer assignment. Check out the website listed on the previous post so that you know where to find each entry of The Tao te Ching. Your homework is to bring your disclosure back to class tomorrow.

Sophomore Honors: Today our focus was on an overview of the course and an introduction to our quarterly prayer assignment. Check out the website listed on the previous post so that you know where to find each entry of The Tao te Ching. Your homework is to bring your disclosure back to class tomorrow. Be sure to bring a copy of Thomas Foster's How to Read Literature Like a Professor to class tomorrow.

CNF: Today we got an introduction and overview of the course and the philosophical concepts that inform the course. Please have your parents review the disclosure and return it tomorrow.

Tao te Ching Link for World Literature Prayer Assignment 2014-2015

Hi. As I said in class, because an extra section of World Literature was added to my course load, we don't have enough copies of The Tao te Ching for everyone to take a copy home. However, there is a website that has each entry from the translation that we use: http://terebess.hu/english/tao/gia.html#Kap01

When you prepare your prayer assignment, go to this website for the text, and feel free to research your entry using other sources as well.

Tuesday, June 3

Happy last day of school - thank you for the good year. All the groups did a great job this year.

Freshmen: We reviewed for the final. Follow the directions on the blog regarding your final exam.

Sophomores: Today we viewed the final interview with Morrie and Ted Koppel and discussed Tuesdays With Morrie. Check the blog to review for the final.

CNF: Today we discussed deontology, utilitarianism, and whether or not the Batman should kill the Joker. Thanks for a great semester. Your final exam prompt is on the blog.

Monday, June 2

Freshmen: Today we had our final presentations. Come prepared to review for the final tomorrow. Be sure you gather the required research for the final exam.

Sophomores: Today we had a seminar about some of the ideas Mitch and Morrie discussed. Finish the book and prepare for the final.

CNF: Today we continued to read from Three Cups of Tea.

Compelling Non-Fiction Second Semester Final Exam

Compelling Non-Fiction Second Semester Final Exam

This semester we studied the notion of what the world would be like without us, as well as what the world can be like with us. With that in mind, your final exam is to write an essay that details what specific, tangible, and measurable thing (or things) you will do in the next calendar year to make the world a better place. In the course of your essay, you should reference some of the things we have read, viewed, and discussed, as well as how the thing we have read, viewed, and discussed have impacted your thinking about this concept of each individual person making the world a better place. Your essay should be double spaced and clear of most conventions errors. The essay should have a clear beginning, middle, and end, and display depth and clarity of thought. Provide a compelling (non-fiction) title at the top when finished. Not included in your grade, but expected from me, is periodic updates from you over the next year as to how your plan is working out. Good luck, and thank you for your time and effort this semester.

Friday, May 31

Freshmen: Today we had a presentation, and will conclude them next week. Be sure you prepare for your final exam.

Sophomores: Today we watched the second interview between Ted Koppel and Morrie; for homework, please read the following: The Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Tuesdays, and The Professor Part II. Please write a 1 page reaction to one of the topics they discuss on a Tuesday. Also, honors students, please finish The Hero With a Thousand Faces. Your final essay is due Tuesday.

CNF: Today we read from Three Cups of Tea; if you can, over the weekend, please read some more.

Thursday, May 29

Freshmen: Today we had more presentations. Be sure to bring your notes to class tomorrow for our finals review session.

Sophomores: Today we read more from Tuesdays With Morrie and conducted a short, small-group seminar. For homework, please read everything through "The Professor" for tomorrow's class.

CNF: Today we finished The Beauty Academy of Kabul and continued to read; read if you can.

Tuesday, May 27 and Wednesday, May 28

Freshmen: Today we had more presentations. Honors students, be sure to finish The Count of Monte Cristo for Thursday's seminar at 7:30.

Sophomores: Today we began Tuesdays With Morrie. Finish everything through "Taking Attendance" for Thursday's class. Remember you have vocab due Friday.

CNF: Today we began The Beauty Academy of Kabul.

Thursday, May 22 and Friday, May 23

Freshmen: Today we had some more presentations and handed in your letters to the editor. Honors students, finish The Count of Monte Cristo by Thursday's seminar.

Sophomores: Today we listened to This American Life's "Act V", which you can find here: http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/218/act-v. If you missed it, please listen to it. Have a copy of Tuesdays With Morrie for Monday.

CNF: Today we continued Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?

Western Traditions Final Exam Review Guide 2014

Hi. Here's what you need to know about your final:

1. It's worth 20% of your semester grade.
2. There is a 44 question objective exam that covers everything we studied this semester, from the four stages of the hero to the monomyth to archetypes to the Hero Catch-Phrase Project. The test is worth 44 points.
3. There is an essay exam based on the Hero Catch-Phrase Project. I have decided to wait to show the prompt until the day of the exam, but know you need to bring your HCPP with you to class in order to pass the essay exam.

Questions? Let me know.

Freshmen English Second Semester 2014 Final Exam Review Guide

Hi there. Here's what you need to know about your final.

1. It is 20% of your semester grade. The other 80% is split between the two quarter grades.

2. There are three parts to the test: a 50 question objective exam worth 50 points, an essay exam worth 100 points, and research you must do for said essay worth 25 points. So, that's four parts, 175 points total. Each part is explained below.

3. The objective exam covers everything we learned this semester, including cause and effect, foils, logic and rhetoric, Ways poems, definition, citations, connotation and denotation, sonnet, creative response, and argument. Use your notes to prepare for this exam.

4. For the essay exam, you must do some outside research prior to the exam, and you will hand this research in with your final. The prompt you will be given is listed below, but you do not know which side of the argument you will be asked to take, so you must prepare for either side.

Argumentative essay: Recently, cell phones in schools have become a hot-button topic, with strong reasons for and against allowing cell phones in schools. Imagine your school is going to ban all cell phones from the campus, even from lockers and backpacks. Anyone caught with one will be immediately suspended, regardless of circumstance. In an essay, argue (FOR or AGAINST) this ban, citing evidence that you have collected. You must cite the evidence correctly, either in blocked or in-text citation form, or using a template from They Say I Say, as you build your case in order to get credit. You also must use one of the lead and conclusion techniques we have studied this year, stating it in your header.

5. Here is what you should do for your research: Find three facts that support the pro-cell phone side of the debate, and find three facts that support the anti-cell phone side of the debate. These facts must come from at least two different sources. Write these facts on a 3x5 card, with the source. Put the pro-cell phone debate facts on one side, and the con on the other. You will turn this cards in; it's worth 25 points

Wednesday, May 21

Freshmen: Today we had more presentations. Honors students, you know what to do. Everyone has a letter to the editor due tomorrow at the latest.

Sophomores: Today we had a seminar on Hamlet. You have an essay assignment on turnitin.com. The instructions are there for you. I will say that if you cannot correctly use citations from a text to support your ideas in this essay, you will not earn credit for it. You need Tuesdays With Morrie next week. Honors students, we have a meeting tomorrow, Thursday.

CNF: Today we continued reading Three Cups of Tea and began Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?

Tuesday, May 20

Freshmen: We had a few more presentations today. Honors students, we moved the honors meeting to Thursday, May 29. The Count of Monte Cristo is due on that date.

Sophomores: Today we focused on Act 5 Scene 1; finish the play for Wednesday's class, as well as your 3EJ.

CNF: We continued reading from Three Cups of Tea.

Monday, May 19

Freshmen: Today we had more presentations. Everyone has a letter to the editor due on Thursday. Honors students, we have a meeting on The Count of Monte Cristo next week. Finish the text for then.

Sophomores: Today we focused on Hamlet's soliloquy in 4.4. Finish the play for Wednesday's class; your 3EJ should be done then as well.

CNF: Today we continued to read from Three Cups of Tea.

Friday, May 16

Freshmen: Today we had a presentation and took a vocab quiz. You have a letter to the editor due next week, and honors students should be pretty close to finishing up The Count of Monte Cristo.

Sophomores: Today we read the following: http://englishscholar.com/fc2_hamletstarwars.htm and discussed some of your triple entry journals. Keep up with the reading schedule; honors students, we have a meeting on the 21st.

CNF: Today we read from Three Cups of Tea.

Thursday, May 15

Freshmen: Today we had some more Capstone Presentations; you have a vocab exam on Friday.

Sophomores: Today we finished the Bloom articles; we also talked about Polonius and examined his advice for Laertes. I am moving the vocab exam from this Friday to the 30th. You're welcome. Continue to keep up with the reading and your 3EJ.

CNF: Today we got an introduction to Three Cups of Tea, primarily by watching  http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/greg-mortenson/.

Extra Credit Opportunity

Big thanks to Abbi Mancini for this idea. Here is your latest (and probably last) extra credit opportunity of the semester:

Freshmen: Watch the TED Talks by Colin Strokes about what movies teach boys about manhood (http://www.ted.com/talks/colin_stokes_how_movies_teach_manhood) and write a short (1 page, typed, double spaced) reflection. This is not a summary - this is your intellectual response to what the speaker talks about, your ideas, your reaction. This is due Friday, before Abbi's presentation. It is worth 20 points extra credit.

Sophomores: Here are your materials:
-http://www.ted.com/talks/colin_stokes_how_movies_teach_manhood
-http://virtual.clemson.edu/groups/dial/oz/femoztax.html
-Everything we have talked about related to heroes, the hero's journey, and the monomyth, as well as the texts we have read this semester.
Write an essay that analyzes and examines these texts and their ideas. You should state the lead and conclusion technique you are using, have a good title, cite from multiple sources, and have a clear and interesting thesis that you support with numerous citations. An essay that really blows me away will be worth up to 100 points.

CNF: Here are your materials:
-http://www.ted.com/talks/colin_stokes_how_movies_teach_manhood
-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhjsRjC6B8U
-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVI1Xutc_Ws
-Season of Life
Write an essay that analyzes and examines these texts and their ideas. You should have a good title, cite from multiple sources, and have a clear and interesting thesis that you support with numerous citations. An essay that really blows me away will be worth up to 50 points.

Last Opportunity to Submit Capstone Project Essays

Hi. You have until midnight Thursday at midnight to submit; I won't reopen the window again.

Tuesday, May 13 and Wednesday, May 14

Freshmen: Today we had more presentations; Honors students, finish up The Count of Monte Cristo and everyone has a vocab exam on Friday; if you didn't hand in your essay to turnitin, I will reopen the window sometime in the next day or two.

Sophomores: We read some essays by Harold Bloom; keep working on Hamlet.

CNF: We had a seminar on Season of Life and began some work on Three Cups of Tea.

Monday, May 12

Freshmen: Today we had two more presentations. Honors students should continue to work at The Count of Monte Cristo; everyone has a letter to the editor due soon and there is a vocab exam on Friday.

Sophomores: Today we worked more on Hamlet's soliloquy from another character's point of view. You need to type this up and bring it to the next class; you will be graded on how well you capture your character's voice, and how well you address Hamlet's various concerns from your particular character's point of view. You also are to read 3.3 and 3.4. There is a vocab exam on Friday.

CNF: Today we finished up Season of Life and will have a seminar on it on Wednesday; that day we will also begin Three Cups of Tea.

Capstone Project Essay Turnitin.com Second-Chance Submission Window

For those of you who check the blog, I will re-open the window to submit your essays to turnitin.com on Monday; you'll have until midnight to submit your essays, minus some points.

Periods 4 and 8 Sample Hero Stages and The Poisonwood Bible Essay

Rebecca Henkels

May 4, 2014

Period 4

PWB Essay

Walking into the Light

Imagine leaving everything you know behind to move to a foreign continent where you don’t know the language, culture, or people. “The Poisonwood Bible” tells a story of the journey of a mother and her four daughters who move from Bethlehem, Georgia to the small village of Kilanga, Congo in the early 1960s, who had to do exactly that. They learn that everything they thought to be true was wrong, and experienced things that would forever change them. The Price women journey through the four stages of the hero, learning how to deal with change, the truth of womanhood, and how to live with the burden of guilt.

Nathan Price, the controlling husband to Orleanna and the father of the four Price girls, survived World War II, but feels a debt to evangelize as many people as he can. In order to do this he packs up his family and moves them to Kilanga. While Nathan is off trying to baptize the Congolese, the women are left to take care of everything at home. They soon start to notice that everything they do seems to be completely wrong. The Betty Crocker Cake Mix Orleanna bought for birthdays will not cook, and Nathan can’t get a single person to the river to baptize them. Rachel, the self-centered oldest daughter, is appalled at the different way that they dress, and how the days of the week are completely different there. This is their stage of innocence; they are holding one to the life that they lived in America. When Nathan tries to plant a garden to show Congolese people how to live, he refuses to take the advice of the people. His garden’s failure is a sign to the family that they must learn the ways of Congo, not the other way around.

Stage Two, initiation, is where the Price women learn that they must learn how to survive in the Congo. Everything they thought and brought was wrong, as Orleanns says, “A foreign mother and child assuming themselves in charge, suddenly slapped down to nothing by what they saw us to be” (89). This stage is when Orleanna learns that she is not the property of her husband, while Nathan completely blocks out his family and continues to trying to convert the Congolese people without any success. Leah, the tomboy middle daughter, tries to befriend the children, without any luck at first. Ruth May, the youngest Price, befriends most of the children in the village, playing “Mother May?” In this stage the Prices begin to assimilate with the Congolese people.

Stage two not only initiates the Price family into Congolese life, but also the politics of Congo. When Ruth May falls out of a tree and breaks her, she must fly to the city with Nathan to go to the hospital. While Nathan talks with the doctor, Ruth May overhears them argue over politics. The Belgians, who once dictated Congo, were leaving the land, and helping establish a Congolese government. After many warnings, including one from the heads of the mission, Nathan refuses to leave, even though he is putting his family in danger. Orleanna tries to leave with her daughters, but with no resources of her own, she can’t.

Stage three, chaos, begins with Orleanna and Ruth May stuck sick in bed. Rachel, Leah and Adah must learn how to feed the family on their own or face the wrath of their father. In this stage Leah, who once adored her father, is now seeing him in a more clear light, while Adah feels betrayed by her mother for not saving her from the Lion ants. Orleanna soon gets well, but Ruth May has caught malaria and is only a former shell of her. Not to mention that the village chief has asked for Rachel’s hand in marriage, which puts the family in a tricky situation.

Not only is there chaos in the family, but chaos in the town. The new system of voting has caused the village people to turn against the Price family, and themselves. They voted out Jesus Christ in a town election to the dismay of Nathan. Also with the dry season upon them, the village decides it’s time for a hunt, which is a special ritual for them where everyone participates. Leah decides not to take the socially accepted role of the women, but instead to hunt the animals, which is traditionally reserved for the men. This causes utter chaos in the village. Brother versus brother, son versus father, the town is divided.

The tangible division of the town causes the town witchdoctor, Kuvudundu, to place snakes in the houses of those who go against his traditions. The Prices’ family friend Anatole receives one, and well as Nelson, the family’s helper. When the girls go to check on the snake, Ruth May is bitten and tragically dies. For the sisters, the world around them turns surreal. As Rachel says, “We would not wake up from this nightmare to find out it was someone’s real life, and for once that someone wasn’t just a poor unlucky nobody in a shack you could forget about. It was our life, the only one we were going to have. The only Ruth May.”(367) Ruth May’s death is the last straw for Orleanna. After the burial, she gives away all her nonessential items, packs up her daughters and leaves Kilanga carrying only the things she can put on her back.

Stage four of the process of the hero deals with how each Price deals with their guilt. Orleanna carries her guilt like a burden. She can never forgive herself for what happened to her baby, but she chooses to keep on moving with her life, saying,

“To live is to be marked. To live is to change, to acquire the words of a story, and that is the only celebration we mortals really know. In perfect stillness, frankly, I’ve only found sorrow.” (385)

Rachel, the opposite of Orleana, can’t carry her burden. She lives an unfulfilled life full of drinks, parties, and superficial ways to make her seem happy. She knows deep down inside herself that she feels to blame for Ruth May’s death, but she chooses to ignore it. Leah feels not only the guilt of her sister’s death, but the guilt of being a part of the Western culture. She marries Anatole, and stays in the Congo since returning to America feels wrong to her. She tries to right her wrongs and is extremely politically involved. Leah is the mother of four boys, paralleling her own mother. It is there that she truly understand what her mother felt at Ruth May’s death. Adah lives a life of balance. She comforts herself in her new religion of science. She dedicates herself to studying African parasites. She knows that she must move on, but never forget, “The power is in the balance: we are our injuries, as much we are our successes.” (496) Nathan refused to move on with his life. His mind wasn’t stuck on Ruth May, like everyone else, but WW2. He stayed permanently stuck in the past.

The final Price that we see enter stage four is Ruth May. As she narrates the final book she tells her weeping mother that she must forgive herself. She need not place any landmark on her grave; she only needs to keep her in her heart. She tells her mother “Move on. Walk forward into the light,” (543) She must continue to live, because death is what makes life so precious.