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.
Monday, August 31, 2015
Friday, August 28, 2015
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.
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, 2015
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.
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, 2015
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.
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, 2015
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."
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, 2015
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.
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, 2015
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.
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, 2015
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.
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.
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
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!
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!
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