English 12A: Today we began reading Life of Pi. We started by talking about what truth is, and we read a This I Believe essay on the topic by Errol Morris, which you can find here http://thisibelieve.org/essay/28/
We then began the book, reading it together. Periods 1 and 2 should complete Chapters 1-4 for tomorrow; period 3 had less time today due to class meetings and should complete Chapters 1-3 for class tomorrow.
All periods should complete their This I Believe worksheet for next Tuesday's class and their summer reading for next Wednesday.
CNF: Today we focused on how to formulate good questions using question stems and began reading Chapter 1 from Blink as we addressed the question, What is thin slicing? We will complete the chapter on Friday and have a discussion about what we read.
Thursday, August 31, 2017
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Wednesday, August 30
English 12A: Today we talked about one of the two pillars of our class, that of personal belief. It is best understood through NPR's This I Believe project. Today we talked about how this study of personal belief will culminate in our end of the semester project. Your homework is to go to This I Believe's website and fill out the handout I gave you. Read an essay a night for the next five nights and complete the handout, which is due on Tuesday, 9/5; the summer reading assignment is due Wednesday, 9/6.
CNF: Today we talked about whether or not complex things, such as a personality or a relationship, can be understood using something as simple as an algorithm. We completed the pages in your packet about the Big Five Inventory and The Mathematics of Love Ted Talk. Complete these things on your own if you were absent. There is homework associated with the first bit, which is due Friday, along with the emailed photo of your room.
CNF: Today we talked about whether or not complex things, such as a personality or a relationship, can be understood using something as simple as an algorithm. We completed the pages in your packet about the Big Five Inventory and The Mathematics of Love Ted Talk. Complete these things on your own if you were absent. There is homework associated with the first bit, which is due Friday, along with the emailed photo of your room.
Extra Credit Opportunity
If you want to earn extra credit and a chance at $5,000, see this website and turn your essay in to me when finished: http://www.fra.org/fra/Web/Events_and_Programs/7_12th_Grade_Essay_Contest/Web/Content/Essay_Contest.aspx?hkey=707c4b42-2eb8-4992-9d57-31b8bd14c68a
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
Tuesday, August 29
English 12A: Today we read multiple creation myths from around the world, made note of the elements they shared, and then analyzed what these commonalities reveal about humanity through writing a short essay in class. We also read Chapter Two from the Tao te Ching and did our first independent entry in the bell work packet. Remember, your summer reading assignment is due in eight days.
CNF: Today we read the Introduction to Blink and completed the notes associated with this. We also had a short discussion regarding the three tasks Gladwell sets out for the book. Your homework is, for purposes of a class experiment, in order to test a theory that Gladwell writes about, I need you to take a photograph of your room and email it to me at jeffrey.baird@csddocs.org. No one should be in your room when you take the picture, and you shouldn't spruce it up to impress members of the class - take a picture of the room in its most natural state in order for us to conduct our experiment in purest manner possible.
CNF: Today we read the Introduction to Blink and completed the notes associated with this. We also had a short discussion regarding the three tasks Gladwell sets out for the book. Your homework is, for purposes of a class experiment, in order to test a theory that Gladwell writes about, I need you to take a photograph of your room and email it to me at jeffrey.baird@csddocs.org. No one should be in your room when you take the picture, and you shouldn't spruce it up to impress members of the class - take a picture of the room in its most natural state in order for us to conduct our experiment in purest manner possible.
Link to Tao te Ching
If you're ever absent, but need to complete that day's bell work from the Tao te Ching, you can find the text here at http://www.dankalia.com/more/taoteching.pdf
Monday, August 28, 2017
Monday, August 28
English 12A: Today we focused on interpreting the first chapter from the Tao te Ching. After that, we began a study of creation myths from around the world. Finish up your summer reading assignment - the assignment is due on September 6. The test will be that day as well.
CNF: Today we practiced a form of Blink-style thinking by answering the question: Which superpower would you choose, flight or invisibility. We then engaged in Freakonomics-style thinking by examining deeply what this choice reveals about a person.
CNF: Today we practiced a form of Blink-style thinking by answering the question: Which superpower would you choose, flight or invisibility. We then engaged in Freakonomics-style thinking by examining deeply what this choice reveals about a person.
Friday, August 25, 2017
Friday, August 25
12A: Today we finished reading the introduction of the Tao te Ching and discussed some of the important ideas to keep in mind as we study the text. Your homework is to complete your essay on the film More. It is due on Monday, on paper, at the start of class. Due Wednesday, September 6 is your summer reading assignment. Upload your response journal to Canvas and be ready for the test that date. If you need info about the summer reading or the response journal, go to this website: http://brightonhighlibrary.weebly.com/english-summer-reading-list.html
CNF: Today we focused more on bias, as well as on tools creators of nonfiction may use persuade, especially ethos, pathos, and logos. We listened to a segment of Radiolab and identified places when these three devices were being used. You can find the program here: http://www.radiolab.org/story/110206-finding-emilie/
CNF: Today we focused more on bias, as well as on tools creators of nonfiction may use persuade, especially ethos, pathos, and logos. We listened to a segment of Radiolab and identified places when these three devices were being used. You can find the program here: http://www.radiolab.org/story/110206-finding-emilie/
Thursday, August 24, 2017
Thursday, August 24
English 12A: Today we began reading the introduction to the Tao te Ching and taking notes on it; we will finish this on Friday morning and take a quiz. We also did a brief peer review of your essays. The final essays are due on Monday, as a paper copy. We discussed some format issues: Single space your header, center your title, double space the body of your essay, and avoid placing extra spaces between your paragraphs.
CNF: Today we began talking about truth, facts, embellishment, and bias in nonfiction texts. We studied the story of Greg Mortenson and the controversy surrounding his book, Three Cups of Tea. We will continue with this study tomorrow.
CNF: Today we began talking about truth, facts, embellishment, and bias in nonfiction texts. We studied the story of Greg Mortenson and the controversy surrounding his book, Three Cups of Tea. We will continue with this study tomorrow.
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
Wednesday, August 25
English 12A: Welcome back, seniors. I hope you have a great senior year. Sorry to start it off with an essay, but we may as well hit the ground running...
Today we first focused on some memories you had of other first days of school, and then discussed why English just might be the most important class you ever take. From there we reviewed the disclosure and plagiarism policy before moving to a quick review of some basic literary concepts (protagonist, setting, plot, conflict, symbol, irony, and theme). From there we watched Mark Osborne's short film, More, and took notes on how those elements were evident in the text. Finally, I asked you to write an essay that answers this prompt: What is the theme of the film More?
I suggest you go to youtube and watch the film a few more times before writing your essay. The guidelines for your essay are as follows: Have an interesting introduction, a clear thesis that answers the prompt, evidence from the text that supports your thesis, and a conclusion that leaves your reader with a clear understanding of your argument. It should be at least five paragraphs, though going above and beyond is highly encouraged. This first draft can be either typed or handwritten. It is due Thursday, along with your disclosure and plagiarism statements.
CNF: Thank you all so much for taking the class. Your homework is to get your disclosure signed and come tomorrow ready to go. I am excited about the class.
Today we first focused on some memories you had of other first days of school, and then discussed why English just might be the most important class you ever take. From there we reviewed the disclosure and plagiarism policy before moving to a quick review of some basic literary concepts (protagonist, setting, plot, conflict, symbol, irony, and theme). From there we watched Mark Osborne's short film, More, and took notes on how those elements were evident in the text. Finally, I asked you to write an essay that answers this prompt: What is the theme of the film More?
I suggest you go to youtube and watch the film a few more times before writing your essay. The guidelines for your essay are as follows: Have an interesting introduction, a clear thesis that answers the prompt, evidence from the text that supports your thesis, and a conclusion that leaves your reader with a clear understanding of your argument. It should be at least five paragraphs, though going above and beyond is highly encouraged. This first draft can be either typed or handwritten. It is due Thursday, along with your disclosure and plagiarism statements.
CNF: Thank you all so much for taking the class. Your homework is to get your disclosure signed and come tomorrow ready to go. I am excited about the class.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)