Sophomore Honors World Literature Final Exam Review Guide

Hello Sophomores:
As you know, the final exam constitutes 20% of your semester grade. There will be a 66 question objective exam (true false, fill in, multiple choice, etc.). This is worth 40% of your exam grade, or 8% of your semester grade. The exam will cover the following topics: Ideas from How to Read Literature Like a Professor, The Tao te Ching, This I Believe, Joseph Campbell, and creation myths. There will also be questions about The 10% Solution, basic writing conventions and techniques we have covered (such as how to blend a citation), lead and conclusion techniques we've focused on in class, reading comprehension strategies we've learned, and parables.

The other 60% of your exam is an essay exam (or, in other words, 12% of your semester grade). The basics for the essay are as follows: Essay Section: The essay is worth 100 points. In order to earn full credit, your essay must have the following elements:

1. An interesting title.

2. Be legible and be clear of conventions errors.

3. Have a clear thesis.

4. Support that thesis with evidence (e.g. citations) from texts we’ve read.

5. Have blended citations that are conventionally correct.

6. Use a lead and conclusion technique we studied well, and identify those techniques in your header.

You will then be assigned one of the two following essay prompts at random. Prepare for both of them. You are allowed to have one index card no larger than 3x5 with notes on them to help you with the essay. This must be an index card or piece of paper cut to these specifications or you won't be allowed to use it. I suggest notes for one essay prompt on one side and notes for the other essay prompt on the other, as you don't know which essay you will be given.

1. Explain how Taoist principles and ideas are present in several of the novels we read this year.

2. Choose at least three characters (each from a different novel) that we have read about this semester and explain a common belief they all share and how those beliefs manifests themselves in how the characters live their lives.

Thursday, December 17 and Friday, December 18

May the Force be with (the) Utes: Utah will blow out BYU 35-14 and just watch - it will be revealed Luke is actually Kylo Ren and has turned to the dark side after he kills Han Solo. It'll be a sad day for the Baird family when that happens, but that's my prediction.

Freshmen: Today we shared your Grandparent Project essays and chose your Poetry Out Loud poems. You need to start memorizing your poems and need to bring a printed copy of your poem to class every day from now on.

Sophomores: Today we discussed several ideas related to The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. For homework over the break, read the following chapters from How to Read Literature Like a Professor: "Is He Serious?", "A Test Case", and "Envoi." For extra credit, read "Postlude: Who's In Charge?" I am canceling the essay that is due with the readings. Just finish up your This I Believe project.

CNF: Today we finished watching Murder on a Sunday Morning. You can find it on youtube.

Wednesday, December 16

Freshmen: Today we talked about Of Mice and Men. We also read a coming-of-age poem about a loss of innocence titled "The Death of Santa Claus." If you want to type up a poem about a coming of age experience you've had, you can get extra credit. It's due before the break. Finish your Grandparent Project essay for our next class meeting. I need to see some kind of evidence of the gift you are giving that day as well. Also that day I will collect your Poetry Out Loud worksheets.

Sophomores: Tomorrow, you need to have finished reading The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and the readings from How to Read Literature Like a Professor. Your essay is due no later than Friday.

CNF: Today we began watching Murder on a Sunday Morning, which you can see on youtube.

Monday, December 14

Freshmen: Today we continued listening to Billy Collins. This week you should be finishing Of Mice and Men and the guide sheet, as well as your Grand Parent Project. Due to the number of absentees today, your Poetry Out Loud worksheet will be due on Tuesday rather than today. You have a Membean quiz tonight.

Sophomores: Today we worked on reading the rest of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. If you want to bring a device the next two days to class, you can work on your essay or read during the time I provide you to work. The essay is due to me as a paper copy and to Membean no later than Friday this week. Any revisions on your essays for The Alchemist are due the day we return from winter break. You have a Membean quiz tonight.

CNF: Today we finished reading Gladwell and Freakonomics. We will have a seminar on them tomorrow.

Friday, December 11

Freshmen: Today we focused on Billy Collins and the things he does well as a writer of poetry, and more importantly in terms of the upcoming Poetry Out Loud competition, as a performer of poetry. This weekend, you need to read everything through page 84 in Of Mice and Men and complete your Poetry Out Loud introductory worksheet. 

Sophomores: Today we focused on reading as much of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. You need to finish reading the book by Thursday, and complete your essay by the end of next week. The chapters from How to Read Literature Like a Professor I am assigning to this book are "Nice to Eat With You", "He's Blind for a Reason", "It's Never Just Heart...", "...And Rarely Just Illness", "Marked For Greatness", and "Where Have I Seen..."

CNF: We read and will take one more day to finish our reading about crime deterrents.  

Sophomore Honors Extra Credit Opportunity

Hi. Because so much of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is about the mind-body connection, if you want extra credit, listen to the following podcast: http://www.onbeing.org/program/bodys-grace-matthew-sanfords-story/185. Click on "Play Episode." It's about an hour long. The unedited version is much longer - I'd stick with the edited one. Once you've listened to it, write a one page double spaced reaction to it, reflecting on the ideas shared that help you understand The Diving Bell and the Butterfly better. It'd be great to see you integrate some of the ideas into your analytical essay, as well. I'll give up to 50 points, but you have to agree to listen to the entire podcast.

Thursday, December 10

Freshmen: Today we introduced Poetry Out Loud. You need to fill out the form I gave you by Monday. We will choose poems to memorize that day. Keep working on Membean as well.

Sophomores: Today we finished the film version of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. You should start reading the book. It needs to be finished by next Thursday - that works out to 19 pages a night. Tonight, read the chapters "Prologue", "The Wheelchair", "Prayer," and "Bathtime." Keep working on Membean as well.

CNF: Today we continued our study of crime prevention and the various theories of why it has dropped the past two decades.

Tuesday, December 8 and Wednesday, December 9

Freshmen: Today we focused on the lead and conclusion techniques we learned earlier this year. For Thursday's class, you should be through page 60 in Of Mice and Men. Be sure to work on Membean, and don't forget, your letter to the editor is due Thursday.

Sophomores: Today we nearly finished the film version of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. You should be reading the assigned readings from How to Read Literature Like a Professor. Also work on Membean this week.

CNF: Today we got a good start on figuring out why crime has decreased in the past couple of decades in stead of increasing, as expected.

Monday, December 7

Freshmen: Today we focused on a review of the lead and conclusion techniques we learned a few months ago. Continue reading in Of Mice and Men - you should be through page 48 for our next class meeting, and work on the guide sheet you were given as you do so. Work on Membean twice this week for a total of 25 minutes, with a minimum of five minutes on any one given day.

Sophomores: Today we began a film version of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. You should begin reading some of the assigned chapters from How to Read Literature Like a Professor. Work on Membean twice this week for a total of 25 minutes, with a minimum of five minutes on any one given day.

CNF: Today we finished watching Hoop Dreams and had some small group discussions.

Friday, December 4

Freshmen: Today we did a close reading of some of EB White's work in Charlotte's Web. You now should be able to use lists, repetition, and a mix of short and complex sentences as a writer. You are to access your Seven Step Essay on turnitin.com, look at the comments, and revise and improve your essay based on the comments. Once you have revised and improved your piece, print it, and on the printed copy, annotate (i.e. write) why you made the improvements that you did. This is due Monday. Also due Monday is your work on Membean and reading everything through page 36 in Of Mice and Men. Keep working on your Grandparent Project Essay, and don't forget your Letter to the Editor is due next week...

Sophomores: Today we did some prep work prior to reading The Diving Bell and The Butterfly. While you revise your essay on The Power of One and finish working on Membean this weekend, also read some of the chapters from How to Read Literature Like a Professor that correspond to The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. They are: "Nice to Eat With You," "Marked for Greatness," "He's Blind for a Reason" (this one is critical - read it first),  "It's Never Just Heart Disease," "And Rarely Just Illness," and "Now, Where Have I Seen Her Before?"

CNF: Today we continued Hoop Dreams. We'll finish on Monday. You may want to do some research on what happens to William and Arthur post-film.

Thursday, December 3

Freshmen: Today we worked on the skill of visualization. As you read Of Mice and Men, try to visualize, as clearly as you can, what Steinbeck is sending you (remember Stephen King's theory of writing as a form of telepathy). You should read through page 24 tonight. Don't forget about Membean.

Sophomores: Today we wrapped up our reading of The Alchemist. A paper copy of your analytical essay is due tomorrow in class and an electronic copy is due to turnitin.com by midnight on Friday. Those doing a revision of their essay about The Power of One need to hand it in on Monday. Don't forget about Membean.

CNF: We continued to view Hoop Dreams.

Tuesday, December 1 and Wednesday, December 2

Freshmen: Today we worked for a little while on your Grandparent Project essay. The rest of this needs to be done on your own; refer to the handout I gave you if you have questions. We also began reading Of Mice and Men. For Thursday's class you should read pages 1-12. As you read, work on the  guide sheet for the book. Work on Membean this week, as well.

Sophomores: Today we focused on the concept of irony. We also spent some time working on your analytical essays about The Alchemist. I hope that time was useful for you. You should be done with The Alchemist and the readings in How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thursday's class, and your essay is due no later than Friday (both paper and turnitin.com copies). Your The Power of One essay revisions are due Monday. Work on Membean this week, as well.

CNF: We continued viewing Hoop Dreams (you know you hear that song in your head right now).

Monday, November 30

Freshmen: Today our focus was on turning your Grandparent Project interview into the beginnings of your Grandparent Project essay. Work on this some at home; we'll have about 20 minutes to work on it during our next class period. Read for 20 minutes, and also bring your class copy of Of Mice and Men to class on the block day, as well. Take the Membean quiz tonight.

Sophomores: Today we talked some about your most recent essays. The revisions are due on Monday, December 7. Finish up The Alchemist and get a start on your essay; we'll work on them some in class in the LC on Tuesday. Take the Membean quiz tonight.

CNF: Today we studied the idea of "winning the tournament" further by viewing the start of Hoop Dreams.

Tuesday, November 24

Freshmen: Today we continued studying compare and contrast, as you wrote about the people you thought about for homework last night. Over the break, read at least four nights and complete your Grand Parent Project interview. You need your questions and answers on Monday.

Sophomores: Today we focused on parables. Follow the reading schedule listed on an earlier post.

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

Monday, November 23

Freshmen: Today we continued studying the technique of compare and contrast by reading Caton's "Grant and Lee: A Study in Contrasts." Come to class tomorrow prepared to write compare and contrast two different people (living or dead, fictional or real).  Read for 20 minutes tonight as well. Be ready to complete your Grand Parent Project interview over the break.

Sophomores: We talked about a couple of different ideas running through The Alchemist. See the reading schedule on the blog.

CNF: Today we finished reading Chapter 3.

Friday, November 20

Even with Booker you, have to keep the faith: Utah 24-UCLA 21.

Freshmen: Today we finished the compare and contrast essays in class. Read for 20 minutes, finish up Membean, and think about two people (living or dead, real or fictional), that you'd like to compare and contrast.

Sophomores: Today we got a good start reading The Alchemist. Check the reading schedule blog and read the assigned chapters from How to Read... as well. Work on Membean.

CNF: Today we started Chapter 3 in Freakonomics.

Thursday, November 19

Freshmen: Today we finished up your first compare and contrast essay. Read for 20 minutes and work on Membean.

Sophomores: Today, we began reading The Alchemist. Please see the reading schedule on the blog. Work on Membean and your next analytical honors project essay.

CNF: Today we started studying the idea of competition, and why a lot of people will compete for a small prize.

Letters About Literature Extra Credit Opportunity

This is a great contest. Go to http://www.read.gov/documents/GUIDELINES-LAL-2015-FINAL.pdf. Follow the directions listed there. Your letter and entry coupon are due to me by Monday, 11/30. Fill out the top and bottom of the entry coupon. Look up the school's address. Under "Library/School" email, write my email jbaird@judgememorial.com. I will mail all the letters with their entry coupons. You must follow their directions exactly to earn full credit, which is up to 50 points extra credit.

The Alchemist Reading Schedule 2015

Hello Sophomore Superstars. Please follow this reading schedule for The Alchemist. Of course, you may read ahead if you wish, and will get several opportunities to read in class.
11/19 - Pages 1-15
11/20 - Pages 15-30 and Foster's "Every Trip is a Quest"
11/21 - Pages 30-45
11/22 - Pages 45-60
11/23 - Pages 60-75 and Foster's "When In Doubt, It's From Shakespeare"
11/24 - Pages 75-90 and Foster's "Or the Bible"
*Probably a good time to start writing your next analytical honors project essay
11/25 - Pages 90-105 and Foster's "If She Comes Up..."
11/26 - It's Thanksgiving, just chill
11/27 - 105-120 and Foster's "Is That a Symbol?"
11/28 - It's my birthday, and Utah vs. Colorado, so again, just chill and cheer on the Utes (35-10, by the way)
11/29 - Pages 120-135 and Foster's "Now, Where Have I Seen Her Before?"
**You should be close to finished with your analytical honors project essay on The Alchemist
11/30 - Pages 135-150 and Foster's "Flights of Fancy"
12/1 - Pages 150-167
***We will spend about 30 minutes during this period in the LC working on your essays
12/2 - Finish up anything that needs finishing
12/3 - Seminar on book and essay due

Tuesday, November 17 and Wednesday, November 18

Freshmen: Today we continued our study of the technique of compare and contrast. We also read Chapter 4 from They Say I Say in order to see three ways to respond. We will continue this on Thursday. Read for 20 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday and work on Membean.

Sophomores: Today we wrapped up our reading of The Power of One and did some revision work on your essays. You are to take the feedback your peers gave you and improve your essay. Due Thursday in class is a paper copy of your essay. Submit the essay to turnitin.com that night as well. You must do both in order to earn credit. Hand in your handout on How to Read Literature Like a Professor, as well. Don't forget about Membean this week.

CNF: Today we finished our study of information asymmetry.

Monday, November 16

Freshmen: Today we shared your narrative essays and discussed our next rhetorical device - compare and contrast. These are both techniques you will probably use in your Grand Parent Project essay. Be sure you are compiling your interview questions - your interview is due in two weeks. Read for 20 minutes tonight and take your Membean quiz. If you want extra credit, read the poem "The Gift" at http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/171752 and write a poem about a gift an adult has given you. It needn't be a physical, tangible object. It is due on Thursday.

Sophomores: Today we discussed The Power of One. You are to revise your essay based on our discussion and bring it to class on Tuesday. Take your Membean quiz tonight.

CNF: Today we continued studying information asymmetry.

Basketball: Today we are at Sunnyside until 5:30.

Thursday, November 12

Freshmen: Today we focused further on narrative essays. I want you thinking about a coming of age moment you've experienced. Read for 20 minutes, work on Membean, and choose your subject and finish your questions for The Grandparent Project.

Sophomores: Today our focus was on reading. For Monday you need to finish reading The Power of One, write a brief reflection on it (half page), finish your Triple Entry Journal, and your honors project essay. Monday we will have a class discussion on the book.

CNF: Today we finished one documentary about information asymmetry, and will continue this subject tomorrow.

Basketball: We are at Sunnyside for practice today until 5:30.

Tuesday, November 10 and Wednesday, November 11

Freshmen: Today we focused on something called The Grandparent Project. Follow the directions on the handout I gave you. The interview is due 11/30. Read for 20 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday and work on Membean.

Sophomores: Finish reading The Power of One for Monday, as well as your 3EJ, your reflection, and your essay.

CNF: Today we continued our film about information asymmetry.

Monday, November 9

Freshmen: Today we began learning about narrative essay. Your homework is to read for 20 minutes tonight and Tuesday, and to work on Membean for 25 minutes over a period of at least two days, for a minimum of 5 minutes on any given day.

Sophomores: Today we talked about various issues that inform The Power of One. Finish reading the book by Monday. Once you finish the book, write a short half-page reflection on the end of the book or the book as a whole. Also due for Monday is all of the readings from How to Read... and your honors project analytical essay. Before or during the essay, take a look at the directions and the two examples I provided on Life of Pi. Work on Membean for 25 minutes over a period of at least two days, for a minimum of 5 minutes on any given day.

CNF: Today we studied a documentary about a subject that is a prime example of information asymmetry.

Thursday, November 5

Okay, it's going to be Utah 17, Washington 14 in a tight one...

Freshmen: Today, we continued our study of Wallace Stevens's "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird." Your task is to write your own "Ways" poem. Choose something ordinary, something others might not see as interesting, and examine it and show it in a number of different ways. You might want to model some of your ways of seeing after Stevens's poem, though you're not limited to his ways of seeing - try to come up with original ways to see your subject. Type up your poem and bring it to class on Monday. Adhere to standard poetic form. One key direction: You must name your subject explicitly in every stanza. Read for 20 minutes twice over the long weekend and work on Membean.

Sophomores: Today we primarily focused on getting ahead in the reading. Read from The Power of One, from How to Read..., and get working on your next analytical essay. Work on Membean.

CNF: We read Chapter 2 today; finish what you didn't do in class as homework and write a short reflection.

Tuesday, November 3 and Wednesday, November 4

Freshmen: Today we shared and collected your paper copies of your essay. You should submit it to www.turnitin.com by midnight on Wednesday. Read for 20 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday, and work on Membean for 25 minutes over two separate nights this week. If you had a problem with the Membean quiz, I will issue a make-up exam for you. We also studied Wallace Stevens's "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird," and will continue this exercise on Thursday.

Sophomores: Today we focused primarily on Doc and Geel Piet and the wisdom they often share with Peekay. Read everything through and including Chapter 21 for Monday's class and keep working on Membean. If you had a problem with the quiz, I will issue you a make-up. Keep reading Foster and get started on your next analytical essay.

CNF: Today we wrapped up our study of cheating and began a focus on information asymmetry.

Monday, November 2

Freshmen: Today we worked on Step Seven of our Seven Step Essay Process: Editing, Polishing, and Publishing. Edit your essay tonight for standard punctuation, spelling, and capitalization. Polish it for standard form. Create a bibliography or works cited page at www.easybib.com and print it and attach it to your final essay. Bring your essay into class next period. You have two weeks to submit your essay to a potential publisher. Look for publications that accept student submissions, or ones that focus on the topic you wrote about. Read for 20 minutes Monday and Tuesday. Take your Membean quiz tonight and work on it this week for 25 minutes.

Sophomores: Today we spent a lot of time talking about The Power of One. Read Chapters 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 this week. Tonight, read pages 349-365. Continue reading from Foster and write your next essay. Take your Membean quiz tonight and work on it this week for 25 minutes.

CNF: Today we wrapped up our study of texts about cheating, and will discuss them next period.

Thursday, October 29

It'll be Utah 45, OSU 14 on Halloween. If you go trick or treating, the teacher tax is 10%, so bring it in.

Freshmen: Today we focused on Step Six of our Seven Step Essay Process: Revision. Today we learned about the importance of reading your work aloud with a pen in your hand as you focus on ideas, organization, sentence structure, word choice, and voice. Revise and improve your essay for Monday's class and bring a copy to class with you then. Finish up Membean and read twice for 20 minutes over the long weekend.

Sophomores: Today we focused on Taoism in what we're reading and the images and ideas we see in the Tao te Ching. Submit your 10%ed film essay to turnitin.com by midnight Friday. Finish reading Chapters 14, 15, and 16 for Monday's class. Finish up with Membean and keep working on your triple entry journal.

CNF: We continued with our documentary; we'll finish it on Monday.

Freshmen Second Quarter Prayer and Great Thoughts Assignment Explanation

Your Prayer and Great Thoughts assignment will stay the same for the second quarter aside from the following two changes:
1. Rather than type up your entire talk like an essay, you should simply have a outline of your talk. This will free you up to speak more to the class and have better eye contact. You will need to practice your talk multiple times in order to speak in a coherent fashion. Place your outline on the back of your great thought.
2. This quarter, your great thought must come from a work of fiction. I want you thinking about things you have read that have meant something to you and revealed something about life and how to live it. This could be something a character said, or something from the narration, but it does need to be from a book that was meaningful in some way. Like before, talk about the principle the great thought encapsulates.

Tuesday, October 27 and Wednesday, October 28

Freshmen: Today we focused on doing the 10% Solution on your essays. Finish this for homework and bring a typed copy of your essay in to class on Thursday. This should have your original word count, goal word count, and final word count in your header. Read for 20 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday and complete your 20 minutes of Membean. If you choose, you can write a poem similar to Sherman Alexi's "At Navajo Monument Valley Tribal School" where you write a poem in response to a photograph. Bring the photograph and poem to class Thursday for credit.

Sophomores: Today we focused on doing the 10% Solution on your essays. Finish this for homework by Thursday, and you will receive more information then. The essay should have your original word count, goal word count, and final word count in your header. Read chapters 14, 15, and 16 by Monday, and complete your 20 minutes of Membean. I will also collect your Echoes of the Tao assignment as well as your Ideas, Themes, and Images of the Tao sheet.

CNF: Today we continued studying cheating via a documentary.

Monday, October 26

Freshmen: Today we learned about Ken Rand's 10% Solution and how you can use it to become a better reviser and first draft writer. Be sure you can access an electronic copy of your essay during our next block period. Read Chapters 14, 15, and 16 for next Monday and take your Membean quiz tonight.

Sophomores: Today we learned about Ken Rand's 10% Solution and how you can use it to become a better reviser and first draft writer. Be sure you can access an electronic copy of your essay during our next block period. Read 20 minutes tonight and Tuesday, and take your Membean quiz tonight.

CNF: Today we finished reading Chapter 1 from Freakonomics. 

Friday, October 23

Get ready... Utah 31, USC 17.

Freshmen: Today we finished writing the first draft of your essay in class. Type up your essay at home this weekend and bring a paper copy to class on Monday; you also need to be able to access an electronic copy from school in some way next week - either via Google docs, a jump drive, or something similar. Read for 20 minutes and work on Membean as needed.

Sophomores: Today we finished practicing our inductive thinking and thesis formation method and building background knowledge about mid-1900 South Africa by finishing Cry, the Beloved Country. Finish your essay and Chapters 11, 12, and 13 from The Power of One for Monday, as well as any remaining Membean time.

CNF: We began reading Chapter 1 from Freakonomics today.

Thursday, October 22

Freshmen: Today we continued to write the first draft of your essay in class. We will conclude this tomorrow in class. Keep working on Membean, read for 20 minutes, and gather any more information you may need to prove your thesis.

Sophomores: Today we continued working at reading film via our inductive thinking method. Due for Monday from The Power of One are Chapters 11, 12, and 13. Keep working on Membean as well as your film essay.

CNF: Today we continued to study cheating and viewed a short documentary about corruption in sumo.

Seven Step Essay Requirements

The rubric and requirements for your Seven Step Essay is going to look something like this:
Your essay should...
1. Have a clear thesis.
2. Prove the thesis with evidence.
3. Have an interesting title.
4. Correctly use the lead technique stated in the header.
5. Use the summary technique for several of your sources covered in They Say I Say. 
6. Cite sources at least twice, using at least one in-text and at least one blocked citation, using the techniques covered in class lessons and They Say I Say.
7. Follow standard format: double spaced, correct header, look nice.
8. Use standard capitalization, spelling, and punctuation.
9. Correctly use the conclusion technique stated in the header.
10. Use the 10% Solution well.

Tuesday, October 20 or Wednesday, October 21

Freshmen: Today we focused on organizing your information using Question Based Research Strategy, and on Step Five of our Seven Step Essay process, which is drafting the essay. We began writing a first draft of the essay in class, and along the way learned how to do both in-text and blocked citations. You need to have at least one of each of these in your essay, and some of the information that we read in Chapter 3 from They Say I Say will help you with this. We will continue writing your essays in class on Thursday. Read for 20 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday and work on Membean.

Sophomores: Today we began building up your background information about South Africa and continued with our method of inductive analysis by viewing Cry, the Beloved Country. Read Chapters 11, 12, and 13 from The Power of One, due for Monday, and work on Membean.

CNF: Today we finished talking about what the data on our survey about cheating reveals and also viewed a Ted Talk about morality.

Extra Credit Opportunity

Congratulations on checking the blog - you find out about exciting extra credit opportunities that other students might not know about.

If you attend the play, or the Haunted Learning Commons, and write a half page, typed review, you can earn extra credit. It is due next Monday.

Monday, October 19

Freshmen: Today we had our final seminar on Speak. I would like you to read Chapter 2 from They Say I Say tonight. It focuses on how to summarize sources well, something you'll need to do in your upcoming essay. Bring They Say I  Say to class on the block day as well, and find yourself a new book to read for your Weekly Reading assignment. Bring all of your essay material to class on the block day. Work for 20 minutes on Membean this week.

Sophomores: Today we learned a little bit about boxing. Read Chapters 11, 12, and 13 from The Power of One by next Monday. I won't have you do reflections for individual chapters this time. Keep working on Foster's text, your analytical essay, and your film essay. Work for 20 minutes on Membean this week.

CNF: Today we tried some Freakonomics-style thinking as we broke down the data from our survey about cheating.

Tuesday, October 13 and Wednesday, October 14

This weekend, it'll be Utah 34, ASU 31.

Freshmen: Today we talked about the Second and Third Marking Periods from Speak. You should finish the book for Monday's class, and write a short reflection on the Fourth Marking Period. We also focused further on Step 4, specifically creating a plan and ordering the information for your essay as you envision your essay. Next week we will work on writing the essay, so if you need any more information, now is the time to find it.

Sophomores: Today we focused on Peekay's evolving beliefs, Foster's theories regarding politics and literature, and what truths about life are contained in The Power of One. Read Chapters 9 and 10 for Monday. Also due Monday are your revisions of the essay about Life of Pi. If you are doing a revision, be sure to do the following things: Bring in your original essay, bring in your new essay, and on your new essay, annotate your changes and revisions (that is, make notes on the page about what you changed in your essay). So, for the next several weeks, you should focus on your revision, then your film essay, then your essay about The Power of One.

CNF: Due to the juniors and seniors being gone, we put off starting Freakonomics, and did some other activities instead. We will start full-bore with Freakonomics on Monday.

Monday, October 12

Freshmen: Today our focus was on "Starting With What Others Say" from Chapter One of They Say I Say. The idea was to look at the lead you've written and integrate their advice into it as you revise and improve it. Complete The Second and Third Marking Periods from Speak for our next class, complete with a reflection for each of the two sections. Take tonight's Membean quiz.

Sophomores: Today we focused on some feedback pertaining to your first analytical honors project essays. If you requested comments, you have until next Monday to complete your revision. Read Chapters 9 and 10 from The Power of One for next Monday's class; continue reading from Foster's book and work on both upcoming essays. Take tonight's Membean quiz.

CNF: Today we got an introduction to Freakonomics and some of the key ideas they will focus on. We read the Introduction and the Explanatory Note.

Friday, October 9

Utah 35, Cal 24. If you attend the music concert Friday and write a short review, you can earn extra credit. This is good for all classes.

Freshmen: Today our focus was on different conclusion techniques to try. You don't need to write your conclusion yet, but I want you thinking ahead to which type of conclusion might best fit with the lead you've written and your subject matter. All research should be completed by Monday. Due for the next block period is the Second and Third Marking Periods from Speak. Write a short reflection for each of those sections immediately upon completing it. Conclude your Membean work for the week.

Sophomores: Today we concluded our Break It Down Exercise, where we worked on reading various mediums and various texts using observation and analysis, inductions and synthesis, and thesis formation. You were given a long-term compare and contrast essay film project. Finish everything through and including Chapter 8 in The Power of One, and write a short reflection immediately upon finishing each chapter. Conclude your Membean work for the week.

CNF: Today we concluded our work with Blink. We will start Freakonomics on Monday.

Thursday, October 8

Freshmen: Today we moved on to Step Four in our Seven Step Essay Process, which involves write your lead and creating a plan for your essay. Today our focus was on various lead techniques to try, and your homework tonight is to type up two different leads, using a different lead technique we learned in class today for each one. Identify the technique you are using in your header. Your lead should clearly include your thesis. Print each lead on a separate sheet of paper, and identify the lead technique in your header and place your name on the back. Continue working on Membean and continue reading Speak. Write a reflection once you finish the Second Marking Period and the Third Marking Period.

Sophomores: Today we continued with our observation and analysis, induction and synthesis, and thesis formation exercise. Continue reading The Power of One (Chapters 5, 6, 7, and 8 are due Monday, with short reflections) and keep working on Membean.

CNF: Today we wrote an essay in class that focused on the degree to which Gladwell successfully accomplished the three tasks he set out to accomplish in Blink. We will start Freakonomics soon.

Chapters to read from How to Read Like a Professor for The Power of One

Hi. Read these chapters from Foster's for The Power of One:
-Hansledee and Greteldum
-Geography Matters
-Nice to Eat With You
-... More Than It's Gonna Hurt You
-It's All Political
-Now, Where Have I Seen Her Before?
-Don't Read With Your Eyes
-Is That a Symbol?
-Never Stand Next to the Hero (extra credit)
Space these out between readings of The Power of One.

Tuesday, October 5 and Wednesday, October 6

Freshmen: Today our focus was on Step 3 of our Seven Step Essay Process: Focus the Data. Your job was to finish up your research, look at all the information revealed by your interviews and surveys, as well as what's on your index cards, and based on the information, craft a solid thesis statement that you can then use your information to prove. Remember, a thesis statement is a defensible argument or claim about your topic. It should be short, clear, and concise, and cannot begin with the word "how." Due to some other concerns, we are moving the due date for the letter to the editor back a week. Continue reading Speak. After finishing the Second Marking Period, write a short reflection; do the same thing for the Third Marking Period. This is due by the next block day.

Sophomores: Today we focused on making observations and analyzing, synthesizing and making inductions, and forming thesis statements when reading art and photography. We will continue with this with music and film on Thursday. This week you should be reading Chapters 5, 6, 7, and 8 from The Power of One and working on Membean.

CNF: Today we finished reading Blink and had a few seminar discussions.

Monday, October 5

Freshmen: Today we focused on Speak and had a discussion about the text and some important literary concepts, such as conflict, setting, and theme. Read the Second and Third Marking Periods for next week's block day. Write a half-page reaction for each Marking Period, once you finish reading it. Work on Membean for 20 minutes this week, working at least two different days. Due for next period is your completed interview, or, if you're conducting a survey, enough copies of the survey for the entire class to take. You should have some of your index cards filled out, and you should bring your cards and your sources to class next period.

Sophomores: Today we focused on Hoppie. You should read Chapters 5, 6, 7, and 8 this week (due Monday), and work on Membean twice for a total of 20 minutes. After finishing each chapter, write a short reflection or response. It doesn't need to be more than a short paragraph long, but should be done after reading each chapter.

CNF: Today we continued reading the end of Blink.

Friday, October 2

Let's hope Cal wins so that next week game with the Utes is really huge...

Freshmen: Today we met in the library and learned how to access some of the many resources you can use to find sources for your essay topic. You need to come to class on Tuesday with your sources so you can read through them and begin placing information onto your index cards. Due for Monday is the First Marking Period for Speak and your five questions, connections, or comments.

Sophomores: Today we took a quiz and had a discussion about the first four chapters of The Power of One. Finish Chapter 5 for Monday.

CNF: Today we continued finishing up Blink.

Thursday, October 1

Freshmen: Today our focus was on Step Two of our Seven Step Essay Process - Collect Information. We talked about how information can be found many places (websites, interviews, surveys, newspapers, magazines, articles, your own experiences and ideas, and so on), and the forms that information takes (statistics, facts, ideas, quotes, anecdotes, and the like). Tomorrow we will meet in the library and learn how to find information about our topic, and you will print and bring these sources to class next block day. By the block day you need to do the following: Have two sources (one from the internet, another being a non-internet print source), and conduct an interview or administer a survey. You can administer the survey during class on the block day if you wish. Keep reading from Speak and work on Membean as well.

Sophomores: Today we focused on the belief system the main character from The Power of One currently ascribes to. You should finish Chapters 1-4 for Friday's class; work on your reactions to each chapter, Echoes, your 3EJ, and Membean.

CNF: Today we wrapped up some discussion about Chapter 5 and began Chapter 6.

Tuesday, September 29 and Wednesday, September 30

Freshmen: Today we focused on a couple of things. We began reading Speak. You should finish the First Marking Period for Monday's class and have five notes - either questions or comments - written down for class that day. We also began the first step in our seven step essay process, which we're calling defining the problem, or in other words, selecting your topic. You drew on the list of ideas from yesterday's activity to help you with this, and took the first step in Question Based Research Strategy. For this, you're going to need to have a total of ten questions, each on a different index card, by Thursday's class. These are questions that you genuinely want and need to answer about your topic. You do not need answers to these questions, yet - getting those answers will be the focus of Thursday and Friday's classes. Keep working on Membean, too.

Sophomores: Today we focused on a This I Believe essay, your own analytical essays, Foster's chapter on violence, and something called a Triple Entry Journal. Read Chapters 1-4 in The Power of One for Friday's class, writing a short reflection after you finish each chapter. Work on you Echoes of the Tao and Triple Entry Journal, as well as Membean.

CNF: Today we finished Chapter 5 and discussed it.

Monday, September 28

Freshmen: Today we did an activity designed to help you come up with ideas for essay topics for the rest of the year, a sort of savings account, into which you make deposits now so you can withdraw ideas from it later on. I asked you to consider the following questions and to have a dozen solid ideas, at a minimum, as a result:  

What problem would I like to see solved?

What situation do I think needs correcting?   

What issue do I think needs explaining?

What phenomenon would I like to explore?   

What’s something I would like to learn more about?

What choice, decision, or personal preference of mine needs to be understood by others? 

What area of my expertise needs sharing? 

What subject is close and familiar to me that needs to be viewed and considered from a distance? 

What do I know a lot about that would be interesting to others?

What point of view needs my powers of persuasion?

What interesting stories can I tell?

 What interesting experiences have I had that I can share with others? 

Your list of answers is due next block; read for 20 minutes Monday and Tuesday night and bring Speak to class with you on the block; there is a Membean quiz to do tonight and you have your normal work on it this week. 

Sophomores: Today we began The Power of One. Read Chapter One tonight, and for every chapter you read, I want you to write a short reflection (one paragraph). This should be reflective in nature, not a summary, and done when you finish each chapter, not days later. Your essay is due tomorrow, and there is a Membean quiz to do tonight and you have your normal work on it this week.  

CNF: Today we began reading Chapter 5 and will conclude it on Wednesday. 

Friday, September 28

Let Josh Ballard know - it's going to be Utah 31, Oregon 28.

Freshmen: Today we wrapped up our immersion in essays and will begin an essay project next week. Please have the book They Say I Say available for when we need it (say, in your locker or backpack), and you need a copy of Speak for the block day next week. This weekend, read and keep working on Membean.

Sophomores: Today we did a revision exercise with your first analytical essays for the Honors Project. Revise them according to the feedback you got and use my model as a guide if need be. You will need a copy of The Power of One for Monday. Finish up any Membean work.

CNF:Today we had our annual taste-test challenge, and the results are pretty much what you will read about next week in Blink - 70% of you said you preferred Coke, but in the taste test the vast majority of you preferred Pepsi. I wonder what that means...

Thursday, September 24

Freshmen: Today we continued our introductory study of effective essays and some of the important features they have. Read for 20 minutes tonight and work on Membean.

Sophomores: Today we had a seminar on Parts II and III of Life of Pi. Finish up your essays and bring them to class on Friday. Work on Membean if needed.

CNF: Today we focused on first impressions and the impact context has on how we experience and perceive things.

Tuesday, September 22 and Wednesday, September 23

Happy birthday to Frodo and Bilbo Baggins, and especially to my son, John.

Freshmen: Today we began a study of the features of effective essays. We will conclude our study of these features or traits on Thursday. Please read for 20 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday, and work on Membean this week as well.

Sophomores: Today we finished (or nearly did) Part III from Life of Pi. Finish whatever we didn't at home before Thursday, as well as your notes. Bring your notes to class on Thursday. Work on Membean this week, and remember, your essay is due on Friday.

CNF: Today we finished up Chapter 4 in Blink and go ready for Chapter 5.

Friday, September 18

Prediction: Utah 35, Fresno State 7.

Freshmen: See yesterday's post.

Sophomores: Today we focused on some of the rhetorical or stylistic devices Martel employs, namely that of listing, repetition, inversion of ideas and words, and sentence structure variation. Read everything through Chapter 90 this weekend in Life of Pi, finish up any reading in Foster, get a start on your essay, and keep working on Membean.

CNF: Today we started Chapter 4 in Blink. 

Thursday, September 17

Freshmen: Today we wrapped up our discussion on what writing is and focused on why people write. You can write a poem in response to Nye's "How to Paint a Donkey" for extra credit. It should adhere to the principles of free verse poetry we've studied this year and is due on Monday. Read for 20 minutes tonight and this weekend, and continue on Membean.

Sophomores: Today our focus was on how to execute a blended citation. Read Chapters 77-82 (pages 211-225) from Pi, continue reading from Foster, work on Membean, and start working on your essays.

CNF: Today we talked about spontaneity, structure, and information.

Tuesday, September 15 and Wednesday, September 16

Freshmen: Today our focus was on reviewing the principles of free verse poetry we have covered and assessing how well you adhered to these principles. Read for 20 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday, and work on Membean this week.

Sophomores: Today our focus was on different lead and conclusion techniques that you should use this year. Continue to read from Foster and Pi, and start writing the essays that are due on September 25. You should read pages 189-211 in Pi (Chapters 63-76). Work on Membean as well.

CNF: Today we focused on what we learned from Chapter 3 in Blink; we also wrote about who the "true you" is - the person reflected in your unconscious biases and decisions, or the person reflected by your stated beliefs and conscious actions.

Monday, September 14

Freshmen: Today our focus was on the difference between effective and ineffective repetition in free verse poetry. Your task is to revise your previous four poems for this principle, and compose a fifth and final free verse poem about a first hand experience that adheres to all eight poetic principles we have studied. You will hand these in next period. Read for 20 minutes tonight and Tuesday, work on Membean this week, and take your first Membean quiz Monday night. It has to be taken Monday to get credit for it.

Sophomores: Today we focused on the Tao te Ching from two different angles. The first was by looking at recurrent images, ideas, themes, and figures in the Tao te Ching, which we will come back to at various points this semester. The second was looking for echoes of the Tao te Ching in the various novels we are reading this semester. By the time we are done with Life of Pi, you should have three entries in your Echoes of the Tao assignment. Both will be collected at the end of the quarter.

CNF: Today we finished reading Chapter Three in Blink and will have a seminar on Wednesday.

Utah 34-USU 13. Travis Wilson is going to throw for a career-high in yardage tonight, and then again next week.

Freshmen: Today we focused on the importance of cutting fluff, clutter, and redundancies in your poetry. This weekend, you need to craft a fourth original poem, revise them based on today's principle, and bring them in on Monday. Read for 20 minutes and finish up Membean.

Sophomores: Today we looked at some of your favorite This I Believe essays. This weekend, read everything through and including Chapter 60 in Life of Pi. Continue to read from Foster's book, and finish up Membean.

CNF: Today we discussed the outcomes and implications of your Implicit Association Tests and began reading Chapter 3 in Blink.

Thursday, September 10

Freshmen: Today we had an orientation to the library. Your homework is Membean, reading for 20 minutes, and revising your three current poems for the principles of free verse we have studied so far.

Sophomores: Today our focus was on visualization. Your homework is to read everything through (and including) Chapter 51 in Life of Pi. 

CNF: Today we took some Implicit Association Tests through Harvard's Project Implicit. I encourage you to try some more of these tonight.  

Freshmen: Today we focused on the concept of literal and figurative language. Please revise your poems and add any figurative language (metaphor, simile, or personification) that will improve your piece. Read for 20 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday night and work on Membean twice this week.

Sophomores: Today we focused on Part I from Life of Pi; please finish everything through Chapter 45 for Thursday's class and work on Membean this week; keep reading in Foster, as well.

CNF: Today we did some prep work for, and read, Chapter 2 from Blink and discussed it.

Friday, September 4

Freshmen: Today our focus was on formatting free verse poems. In general, spell, capitalize, and punctuate according to standard English usage rules. Do not center your poem - use a hard left margin and a ragged right margin. Single space within stanzas and double space between them. Do not enlarge or bold the font of your titles. Most importantly, break your lines and organize your stanzas purposefully, paying attention to the white space, format, and sound of your poem. Your homework is to revise your two current poems according to this principle, and craft a new one based on a first hand experience that adheres to the five princes we've covered. Read for 20 minutes twice over the long weekend, and conclude your work on Membean by midnight Sunday.

Sophomores: Today we focused on the notion of personal belief and explored the website www.thisibelieve.org. Your homework is to finish up the week's work on Membean, finish Part I from Life of Pi for Tuesday, conclude your notes on Part I for Tuesday, and by September 11 complete your This I Believe work sheet.

CNF: Today we continued practicing thin slicing.

Thursday, September 3

Let's go, Utes! It will be Utah 31, Michigan 10.

Freshmen: Today we focused on how to conclude a poem, emphasizing techniques like ending with a powerful image or linking back to your beginning. Revise your two current poems for this principle, and bring your best copy to class on Friday. Work on Membean and read for 20 minutes tonight.

Sophomores: Today our focus was on how to take notes while you read and what the notes should reflect. We want your notes to capture or reflect what you were thinking about while you read the text. These thoughts may come in the form of comments or questions. For those who struggle formulating questions, I provided a guide for forming questions that will help you articulate your thoughts. For Part I of Life of Pi, you should have a total of 12 notes. Tonight read pages 47-63, which is Chapters 16-21. Keep working on Membean.

CNF: Today we tried our hand at thin slicing a few couples, as well as our classroom. We will focus on what a person's bedroom reveals about themselves and your Big Five Inventory tomorrow.

Tuesday, September 1 and Wednesday, September 2

Freshmen: Today our focus was on how to begin a free verse poem. You are to revise your first poem based on this principle, and write a second free verse poem that adheres to the first three principles we covered. Write about an experience you have had, and focus on including concrete details such as places, people, and things. Both poems are due on Thursday. We also focused on some important things to remember when writing an email to a teacher, boss, or other adult, and your should send me a short email that displays understanding of these ideas. Your email can be about something in class or just some information about yourself. Read for 20 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday, and keep working on Membean, as well.

Sophomores: Today our focus was on exploring a few of the major ideas running through Life of Pi, namely, survival, God, zoos, Truth, religion, suffering, and names. Your homework is to read Chapters 5-15 (pages 20-46 in the trade edition) for Thursday's class, and you might want to read some more from Foster today, too, as we read "Now, Where Have I Seen Her Before?" Keep working on Membean, as well.

CNF: Today we finished Chapter 1 from Blink and had our first class seminar on the book.

Monday, August 31

Freshmen: Today we talked about participles, how they can weaken your writing, how to recognize them, and how to revise them. Take a good look at your first poem and revise it for participles, or anything else you may feel the need to improve, and bring your revised poem to class next period. Read for 20 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday, and keep working on Membean.

Sophomores: Today we began reading Life of Pi, and we spent a lot of time talking about the implication of the author's note and why a writer might include one.  Tonight read Chapter Three and Four, and bring Foster's How to Read to class tomorrow. Don't forget about Membean.

CNF: Today we began reading Chapter 1 of Blink. For homework, I need you to take the Big Five Personality Test found at http://www.outofservice.com/bigfive/. It shouldn't take you too long. Please print your results. Then, please have someone who knows you well - a parent, sibling, or friend - take it as well, but ask them to answer the questions about you rather than themselves. For example, instead of reading #1 as "I see myself as someone who is talkative" they should read it as "I see you as someone who is talkative" and then mark it as appropriate. Print their results. Please bring the results on Thursday.

Friday, August 28

Freshmen: Today we focused on our first principle of free verse poetry, which is the importance of using "I" when writing about a first-person experience. Your homework is to write a free verse poem about a first-person experience you have had. Some advice is to think small - focus on a small experience, something ordinary, and fill the poem with specific places and things. Type it up and bring it to class on Monday. Continue to work on Membean and read for 20 minutes this weekend.

Sophomores: Today we wrote an essay in class in response to the following prompt: What common elements are found among various cultures' creation myths, and what do these commonalities reveal about humanity? You are to revise and type up your essay and bring a paper copy to class on Monday.  Continue to work on Membean.

CNF: Today we read the introduction to Blink. Email me a photo of your room for a class activity by Monday.

Thursday, August 27

Freshmen: Today we started talking about free verse poetry. Your homework is to read for 20 minutes, work on Membean, and respond to the following prompt: How does the teacher in Dead Poet's Society explain and define what poetry is?

Sophomores: Today we focused on the creation myths you collected and the common elements they share. Your homework is to work on Membean and to think about the following question: What common elements are found among various creation myths, and what do those commonalities reveal about humanity?

CNF: Today our focus was on a broad overview of decision-making, and some of the biases we have about the process. Email me a photo of your room for an upcoming class activity.

Tuesday, August 25 and Wednesday, August 26

Freshmen: Today our focus was on public speaking skills and your quarterly Prayer and Great Thoughts talk. Your homework is to read for 20 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday, and to train for 20 minutes on Membean this week. Additionally, go to www.ted.com and view either one Ted Talk that's over 10 minutes long, or two that are under 10. Then post a comment on the blog that answers the following prompt: What Ted Talk did you view, and what effective public speaking skills did the speaker use? Post your comment by midnight on Wednesday and sign it with your first name, last initial, and period.

Sophomores: Today reviewed how to register for Membean and turnitin.com. You need to register for these sites tonight. For the rest of class, we focused further on the notion of creation myths and their common elements by studying an interview between Bill Moyers and Joseph Campbell titled "The Message of the Myth." Please respond to the following prompt on the blog: What do you feel is the most important or interesting idea discussed by Mr. Campbell and Mr. Moyers, and what's your take on that idea? Complete your prompt tonight, and sign it with your first name, last initial, and period. Bring the creation myth you researched to class on Thursday.

CNF: Today our focus was on a different type of nonfiction text and how to discuss a current events topic.

Monday, August 24

Freshmen: Today our focus was on the Letter to the Editor assignment we will do each quarter. Your job is to go to www.sltrib.com, click on the "Opinion" menu, and go to "Letters." Read three of them and then respond to the following prompt here on the blog: What specific things do you notice these writers doing that cause their letters to be chosen for publication? Name a few specific things you notice them doing as writers, and sign in with your first name, last initial, and period. Read for 20 minutes tonight and Tuesday. Begin your weekly 20 minutes of work on Membean, and remember to do it over two different days.

Sophomores: Today our focus was on creation myths. Creation myths seem to be one genre all cultures share. Building off Foster's theory of "one story," we began reading some creation myths and examining the common elements they share. You were then assigned a culture or religion, and your job is to research one of their creation myths. Read it, print it, and bring it to class with you on Thursday.

CNF: Today we focused on radio as a medium for nonfiction, listening to segments of both "This American Life" and "Radio Lab."

Friday, August 21

Freshmen: Today our focus was on signing up for our online vocabulary program, Membean, and our online writing assessment program, www.turnitin.com. You need to go to Membean.com and turnitin.com to do this and enter the correct information. You can find the necessary information on the blog at http://bairdenglish.blogspot.com/2015/08/turnitincom-information-2015.html and http://bairdenglish.blogspot.com/2015/08/membean-information-2015-2016.html. After registering for Membean, you should calibrate to obtain a level. This is due for Monday.

Sophomores: Today we finished reading the introduction to the Tao te Ching and took a quiz. We then talked about the semester-long honors project revolving around Thomas Foster's How to Read Literature Like a Professor. This weekend, you are supposed to read the "Introduction" and "Interlude: One Story." By the way, if you don't have the book, you can find it here: http://hhs.d300.org/sites/hhs.d300.org/files/documents/howtoreadliteraturelikeaprofessor_0.pdf

After you complete the reading from Foster, please respond to the following prompt on the block. Again, click on comment and sign in, and sign your response with first name, last initial, and period. Please read other students' entries and respond to them as is appropriate. Your response is due by midnight on Sunday, August 23. Prompt: Analyze how Foster's theory of "one story" applies to the three summer reading books. Reference specific examples and cite specific passages from the texts that prove your argument.

CNF: Today we focused on the idea of disparities and the questions they elicit, and how to form those questions. We read Barry Lopez's "The Blue Mound People" by way of introduction this technique, as well as an introduction to Socratic Seminar.

Thursday, August 20

Freshmen: Today we focused on Billy Collins's poem "Introduction to Poetry." Your homework is to read for 20 minutes, and if you have a personal device of some sort to bring it to class tomorrow.

Sophomores: Today we focused on Taoism and its tenants by reading the Introduction to the Tao te Ching. You took notes, which you can use on tomorrow's quiz. Please click on "comment" and respond to the following prompt: What is the most interesting or important thing you learned from the reading about Taoism, the Tao te Ching, or Lao Tsu? Feel free to respond to or build upon one another's comments.

Please bring Thomas Foster's How to Read Literature Like a Professor to class tomorrow.

CNF: Today we focused on philosophical considerations regarding the construction of non-fiction texts, as well as some team-building exercises and games.

Wednesday, August 19

Welcome to the new school year, Bulldogs! I will use this blog to communicate to you what we did in class, what he homework is, and when it's due. We will also use it as a space to share ideas about course content.

Freshmen: Today we got a basic introduction to the course and one another. Your homework tonight is to read for 20 minutes from your book (remember to bring it to class tomorrow) and to get your disclosure signed. Bring it to class tomorrow. Also, click on "comment", sign in and respond to the following prompt: Describe something from the summer reading that you found interesting. Your response should be about a paragraph long, and I would like it if you read other freshmen students' responses and addressed their ideas. Please sign your response with first name, last initial, grade in school, and period (e.g. Frank J., freshman, period 2).

Sophomores: Today we got a basic introduction to the course and the notion of belief statements and personal belief. Reflect back on the summer reading and identify a personal belief held by one of the characters. Click on "comment" and respond to the following prompt: Describe a personal belief held by one of the characters from our summer reading. In your response, identify the character and text you are referring to, and feel free to respond to what other students have said, but do not just agree with or paraphrase their ideas - your response should add to our understanding of that character and his or her personal belief. Please sign your response with first name, last initial, grade in school, and period (e.g. Sally M., sophomore, period 8). Also, bring back your signed disclosure tomorrow, and be sure to have a copy of Foster's How to Read Literature Like a Professor for class this week.

CNF: Today we got a basic introduction to the course and the primary theme we will examine this semester. Get your disclosure signed and bring it to class tomorrow.

Turnitin.com Information 2015-2016

Hello, Bulldogs! We will once again be using www.turnitin.com, so you need to register for a section. Do the following:

1. Go to www.turnitin.com. 

2. Click on "Create Account" on the upper right hand side.

3. Go ahead and use your old account if you have one. If not, click on "Student" below "Create Account."

4. The Class ID numbers are as follows:

-Period 1 Sophomores: 10375304

-Period 2 Sophomores: 10375312

-Period 3 Sophomores: 10375327

-Period 4 Freshmen: 10375403

-Period 7 Freshmen: 10375421

5. The password is Judge (with a capital J). 

6. Follow the prompts and you should be all set.

Let me know if there are any issues.

Membean Information 2015-2016

Hello, Bulldogs! I know you're pumped, excited, and enthused about vocabulary (note my use of synonyms!), and toward that end we'll be using Membean again this year. Here's what you need to do:
1. Go to www.membean.com.
2. Click on School Student Enroll in the upper right of the screen.
3. Enter the class code. Codes are as follows:
-Period 1 Sophomores: J3EQEMV
-Period 2 Sophomores: J3EQCQX
-Period 3 Sophomores: J3EQC3S
-Period 4 Freshmen: J3EQBC3
-Period 7 Freshmen: J3EQF2H
4. Click "Yes" or "No" depending on whether or not you have an old account or not.
5. If you're new, enter the correct information. If you're returning, follow the screen.
6. Begin training!

Monday, June 1 and Tuesday, June 2

Freshmen: Today we discussed the film More and had a debate on the merits of cell phones in schools in preparation for your final exam. See the study guide on blog and take your final Membean quiz tonight.

Sophomores: Today we did our final entry in the Hero Catch-Phrase Project (see, I knew he was coming back!) and concluded Tuesdays With Morrie. Please read anything we didn't finish in class, see the study guide on blog for your final, and take your final Membean quiz tonight.

Honors Sophomores: Today we did our final entry in the Hero Catch-Phrase Project (see, I knew he was coming back!) and concluded Tuesdays With Morrie. Please read anything we didn't finish in class, see the study guide on blog for your final, and take your final Membean quiz tonight.

CNF: Today we wrapped up the class studying whether or not the Joker is morally responsible for his crimes. Thanks for a great semester. If you can, finish Three Cups of Tea.

Friday, May 29

Freshmen: Today we focused on reviewing for the semester final. Everything you need to know is on the blog. Be sure to complete the research portion of the exam and to bring it with you to class on Tuesday. Please be sure to finish your essay on the film More for Tuesday, as well. Read for 20 minutes twice and keep working on Membean.

Sophomores: Today our focus was on reading. You should be to the start of "The Audiovisual, Part III" for Monday. Finish up Membean if you need to. Your review guide for the final is on the blog.

Honors Sophomores: Today our focus was on reviewing for the semester final (see the blog for details). Please read everything up to the start of "The Audiovisual, Part III" for our next class meeting and finish up Membean.

CNF: Today we finished Waiting for Superman and talked about educational best practices. Keep reading Three Cups of Tea if you can. Your essay prompt for the final is posted on the blog.

Sophomore Honors Western Traditions Second Semester Final Exam 2015 Study Guide

Hello. Here's what you need to know about your final. It comprises 20% of your semester grade and consists of two parts: A 60 question objective exam worth 60 points and an essay exam worth 100 points. However, you must have your Hero Catch-Phrase Project notes for the exam. If you don't have these notes you cannot take the essay exam as it is based on these notes. The prompt will be provided the day of the exam.

The objective exam will focus on the following: Aristotle's three unities and the tragic hero; archetypes; the monomyth; the four stages of the hero; the Hero Catch-Phrase Project. All this should be in your notes and on various handouts we used this year. Please see me if you have any questions.

Thursday, May 28

Freshmen: Today we reviewed some key literary terms and concepts and viewed a short film by Mark Osborne titled More. Your task is to write an argumentative essay where you answer the following prompt: What is the theme of the film More?.You need to use at least three of the rhetorical devices we have studied this year in the body of your essay, a lead and conclusion technique we studied this year. Give your piece a compelling title when you finish. Your essay is due June 2, as is the research for your final exam. Bring both to class June 2. Read tonight for 20 minutes and complete your work this week on Membean.

Sophomores: Today we read from Tuesdays With Morrie and also talked a bit about the semester final. Tonight, please read "The Professor Part II," and the "Seventh...," "Eighth...," and "Ninth..." Tuesdays. Your essay is due tomorrow, and complete your work on Membean.

Honors Sophomores: Today we viewed the second interview Morrie does with Kopple; please read everything through (including) "The Professor." Finish up Uncle Joey's seminal work, your final groovy essay, and any Membean work to finish.

CNF: Today we finished up Waiting for Superman. Some related links: http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/350/human-resources or http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/550/three-miles Read from Three Cups of Tea if you can.

Sophomore Western Traditions Final Exam Study Guide 2015

Hello. Here's what you need to know about your final. It comprises 20% of your semester grade and consists of two parts: A 50 question objective exam worth 50 points and an essay exam worth 100 points. However, you must have your Hero Catch-Phrase Project notes for the exam. If you don't have these notes you cannot take the essay exam as it is based on these notes. The prompt will be provided the day of the exam.

The objective exam will focus on the following: Aristotle's three unities and the tragic hero; archetypes; the monomyth; the four stages of the hero; the Hero Catch-Phrase Project. All this should be in your notes and on various handouts we used this year. Please see me if you have any questions.

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.

Freshmen English 2015 Second Semester Final Exam Study Guide

Hello freshmen. Your second semester final exam will be comprised of three parts and counts for 20% of your final semester grade. 

Part 1 is an objective exam that will cover the following topics: Things covered in The Elements of Style, lead and conclusion techniques, sonnet, haiku, citing sources, various rhetorical devices we have covered this semester, and other things covered in your notes. This will be worth 60 points. 

Part II is an argumentative essay exam worth 100 points. Here is your prompt: "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 in a blended citation, either in blocked or in-text citation form, or using a technique 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. An effective essay will also use provide some context as to why you are entering the conversation as a writer, as they discuss in They Say I Say. Give your piece a compelling title when finished."

As you can see, you will either be assigned to argue for or against the ban, though you won't know which until you arrive for the test. You also have to do some outside research before the exam. You need to find three facts about cell phones that you could use to support the ban, and three facts about cell phones that you could use to argue against the ban. All six of these facts need to be written on a single sheet of paper, and the sources for each fact needs to be cited. Remember the diverse forms examples take - numbers, facts, statistics, anecdotes, quotes, among others. This is Part III of your exam, and is worth 30 points total (5 points per fact).

So, the final exam is worth 190 points total.

Tuesday, May 26 and Wednesday, May 27

Freshmen: Today we wrapped up our study of various rhetorical devices necessary to make a compelling argument. Your homework tonight is to read for 20 minutes and to take the quiz on Membean.

Sophomores: We continued reading Tuesdays With Morrie today. Read "The Professor," "The Fourth Tuesday...," "The Fifth Tuesday...," and "The Sixth Tuesday..." for homework. Don't forget about your essay, and you have a Membean quiz tonight and work on Membean this week.

Honors Sophomores: Today we began reading Tuesdays With Morrie. Please read the sections titled "The Orientation," "The Classroom," and "Taking Attendance" for homework tonight. Continue with Campbell, your essay is due Friday, and you have a Membean quiz tonight and work on Membean this week.

CNF: Today our focus on education continued, but shifted to education in America as we viewed Waiting For Superman. 

Thursday, May 21 and Friday, May 22

Freshmen: Today we concluded our study of various rhetorical devices present in Supersize Me. Work on Membean and keep reading.

Sophomores: Today we began Tuesdays With Morrie. Please read the sections that end "The Audiovisual," and "The Orientation," "The Classroom," and "Taking Attendance" for homework. I would also like you to write one final essay for the class. It is due May 29. There are two prompts to choose from, either: Describe your most important mentor. Or, Describe your hero. Regardless of whichever prompt you choose, your essay must have the following: Use a lead and conclusion technique we studied this year and place it in your header; place a great title top and center; describe your mentor or hero in great detail, focusing especially on telling stories about this person; type the piece.

Honors Sophomores: Today we listened to "Act V" from This American Life. Keep reading JC and finish your last essay.

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

Wednesday, May 20

Freshmen: Today we began a study of how a documentary filmmaker employs all the various rhetorical devices we've studied this year to build an argument in a documentary. Your homework is to work on Membean and to read for 20 minutes.

Sophomores: Today we had our final seminar on Hamlet; we will begin Tuesdays With Morrie on Monday. Finish up your work on Membean.

Honors Sophomores: Today we had our final seminar on Hamlet. Please read the essay at the back of your text titled "Hamlet: A Modern Perspective." Finish up Campbell and begin working on your final essay; we will begin Tuesdays With Morrie on Monday. Finish up your work on Membean.

CNF: Today we began Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden? If you can, continue reading Three Cups of Tea at home.

Tuesday, May 19

Freshmen: Today we continued to focus on the mode of argument. Read for 20 minutes tonight and continue to work on Membean.

Sophomores: Today we finished reading 5.2. For homework, in the back of your book, is an essay titled "Hamlet: A Modern Perspective." Please read it tonight and work on Membean. Your Triple Entry Journal is due tomorrow.

Honors Sophomores: Today we talked about the various archetypes that fit Hamet and what that reveals about him as a character. Tonight, please read Act V and work on Membean. Due tomorrow is your bookmark and your Triple Entry Journal.

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

Monday, May 18

Freshmen: Today we started an overview of the final rhetorical device we'll study this year - argument. Read for 20 minutes, work on Membean, and take the Membean quiz tonight.

Sophomores: Today we focused on 5.1. Finish reading it at home. You have a Membean quiz tonight and should work on it this week.

Honors Sophomores: Today we focused on the various archetypes that fit Hamlet. Take the Membean quiz tonight and keep up with the reading 4.6 and 4.7.

CNF: We continued reading Three Cups of Tea.

Friday, May 15

Freshmen: Today we began work on an essay that uses division and classification as its primary mode. Your homework this weekend is to type it up and bring it in to class on Monday. Your essay must have the following components: Be typed, identify in your header and use a lead and conclusion technique that we've studied in class well, use the technique of division and classification well, be free of most conventions errors, and have an interesting title. Complete your work on Membean and read for 20 minutes this weekend.

Sophomores: Today we finished up the essays by Bloom. Finish all of Acts I-IV if you haven't already. Complete your work on Membean, as well.

Honors Sophomores: Today we shared your excellent soliloquies, and finished Bloom's excellent essays. Read 4.3, 4.4, and 4.5.122-245 this weekend. Complete your work on Membean and if your essay is not done, well....

CNF: Today we continued to read Three Cups of Tea. If you can read over the weekend, that would be great.

Thursday, May 14

Freshmen: Today we continued our focus on the technique of division and classification. Read for 20 minutes tonight and don't forget about Membean. Remember your letters to the editor are due in a week.

Sophomores: Today we read some essays by Harold Bloom. If you're not done with all of Acts I-IV, finish them, please, and continue to work on Membean.

Honors Sophomores: Today we concluded the essays by Harold Bloom and worked a little more on your soliloquies. A typed version of your soliloquy is due Friday. Read 4.1 and 4.2 for homework tonight, keep reading from Campbell, and get your essays done ASAP. Don't forget about Membean.

CNF: Today we read from Three Cups of Tea.

Tuesday, May 12 and Wednesday, May 13

Freshmen: Today our focus was on Division and Classification, as well as on the punctuation mark that helps us do that - the comma. Read for 20 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday, and keep working on Membean. If you submitted a definition essay to turnitin.com, you are required to go back, access the comments, and revise it based on the comments. This is due Thursday.

Sophomores: We focused on a story called "Act V" from This American Life before we read Act V from Hamlet.

Honors Sophomores: Today we worked on your revised soliloquies and also read some essays about Hamlet by Harold Bloom. Read 3.3 and 3.4 for Thursday's class.

CNF: Today we talked about a variety of things, ranging from our culture's definition of femininity to the obligations of creators of non-fiction, and began reading Three Cups of Tea.

Monday, May 11

Freshmen: Today we began a focus of division and classification. Speaking of which, remember to finish your creative response poems, each in a different motif in response to whatever artwork you have chosen. Bring it to class on the block day this week and work on Membean. Read for 20 minutes.

Sophomores: Today our focus was on 4.5 and Hamlet and the archetype that best fits him. Read 4.6 for homework and work on Membean.

Honors Sophomores: "Focus on Hamlet's famous soliloquy today we did." Thank you, Yoda. He's right, and your task is to rewrite his soliloquy from the point of view of another character. This character could be a stock character (e.g. a cowboy, or gangsta rapper, or valley girl) or a particular one (e.g. Hazel, or Homer Simpson, or, in my case, Yoda or Elmo). Regardless, your reboot of the soliloquy must do two things: 1. Address the universal concerns Hamlet meditates on, and, 2. Address these universal concerns through the particular lens of your character. Obviously, Yoda thinks about these issues in a slightly different way than Hamlet does, and I tried to reflect that in my work. You'll have some time in class on Friday, and these are due Monday. Also, work on Membean and

CNF: Today we had a seminar regarding Season of Life and Undefeated. 

Friday, May 8

Freshmen: Today we continued our focus on creative response. You were assigned one of the motifs we studied this week and asked to write a poem in that motif in response Picasso's Guernica, which can be found at http://www.pablopicasso.org/guernica.jsp. This is due on Monday.

You were also asked to choose a work of art that you would like to write a creative response to. You need to write two poems, each in a different motif. Identify the motif you are using in your header. These poems are due Tuesday, along with a photo of the art you are responding to. If you want to create a project that can be displayed in the classroom, like on a poster board, you can earn some extra credit. Read for 20 minutes and complete Membean.

Sophomores: Today we focused on figuring out which archetype best fits Hamlet - fittingly, almost any archetype applies to him. Your homework over the weekend is to read 4.3 and 4.4 and have at least three entries in your 3EJ done.

Honors Sophomores: Today we focused on Act I from Hamlet, specifically the character of Polonius and the advice he provides Laertes in 1.3. Read 1.4 and 1.5 for homework, work on Membean, and get going on your next essay in response to Campbell's book.

CNF: Today we finished Season of Life; if you're not done, finish it this weekend, and we'll discuss it on Monday.

Thursday, May 7

Freshmen: Today we continued to focus on the idea of creative response. Read for 20 minutes and work on Membean.

Sophomores: We continued to focus on the monomyth. Tonight, go to http://www.aaps.k12.mi.us/huron.english/files/howtoreadliteraturelikeaprofessor_ft.pdf and read the section titled Interlude: One Story, and also read 4.1 and 4.2. Work on Membean.

Honors Sophomores: We continued to focus on the monomyth. Work on Membean and finish Act I (1.4 and 1.5) for class tomorrow.

CNF: Today we finished Undefeated and finished reading Season of Life. 

Tuesday, May 5 and Wednesday, May 6

Freshmen: Today we continued studying creative response, focusing on poetry written in response to 20th century American art. Think about some art you are familiar with and like over the next couple of days, read for 20 minutes tonight and Wednesday, and work on Membean.

Sophomores: Today we focused on Joseph Campbell's Monomyth, and will continue it tomorrow. Continue to read from Hamlet and work on Membean.

Honors Sophomores: See above.

CNF: We concluded the film Undefeated. 

Monday, May 4

Yes, I know, it's Star Wars Day. Of course I know that...

Freshmen: Today our focus was on Creative Response. You are to write a creative response to Langston Hughes's poem "Mother to Son." There are several things to consider here: How does the son feel about the mother's advice? What's his level of education? What's his age? Do you want to intersperse his response with his mother's advice, ala Cat Stevens's "Father and Son"? Adhere to standard format. Read for 20 minutes and take your Membean quiz.

Sophomores: Today we shared the soliloquies you wrote. Your homework is to read 3.3 and take your Membean quiz.

Honors Sophomores: Today we concluded the film version of Hamlet. Your job is to read Act 1, Scene 1 (1.1) and take your Membean quiz.

CNF: Today we began watching Undefeated.

Yoda and Elmo Sample Soliloquies

Okay, 8th period, you asked for it, you got it:

Be, or be not? That, the question is.
Suffering, a natural part of life is,
Yet, to transform oneself into the Force, may

for some, too scary a proposition be.

Know we not what dreams may come to us

while in the sleep of the Force we be.
For others, the dark side they choose,
their suffering giving way to despair, anger, and hatred.
Unable to cope are they with corrupt Chancellors,
Sith Lords, and Jedi whose vows they break.
Some might even his quietus make with a bare lightsaber.
But a Jedi embraces suffering,
Using the force for knowledge and defense,
Never for attack.

Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hatred,

hatred leads to suffering,

and thinking too much action does prevent.

-- Soft, now you, the fair Chewbacca...

good relations with the Wookies, I have.

Elmo is confused.
Elmo doesn’t know what’s better:
To take the hard parts of Elmo’s World
Or just to kill Elmo…
What do you think, Mr. Noodle?
Mr. Noodle – if I die, you must tell my story.
But back to Elmo’s soliloquy:
To die, to sleep… If Elmo sleeps
He won’t have any more troubles, Baby.
But what happens when Elmo sleeps?
That’s the hard question Elmo can’t answer,
For who would deal with
Oscar the Grouch, or Zoe never returning Elmo’s love
But for fear of what happens when Elmo goes
To the great Sesame Street in the Sky

from which no one ever returns,

not even Mr. Hooper…
I wonder if Elmo will see Mr. Hooper again?
All this thinking makes Elmo tired.
I think I will just take a nap instead.