Friday, September 29

English 12A: Today we read Chapter 12 from How to Read Literature Like a Professor and discussed symbols and symbolism. You can find that chapter here: https://mseffie.com/assignments/professor/How%20to%20Read%20Literature%20like%20a%20Professor%202nd.pdf

We also worked more on your college application essays. Continue to work on those at home. Due for Monday is everything through and including Chapter 91 in Life of Pi.

CNF: Today we continued to focus on Chapter 6 in Blink and will conclude it on Monday.

Thursday, September 28

English 12A: Today we reviewed the various conclusion techniques we have studied. Your homework is to complete everything through Chapter 91 (through page 256). Keep working on your college essay if you have time.

CNF: Today we began reading Chapter 6, the Conclusion, the Acknowledgement, and the Notes in Blink. We will continue this tomorrow.

CNF Extra Credit Project

This doesn't have much to do with what we're reading and studying in class, but one of the best nonfiction books I have read in the last year is titled Woolly. One of the best nonfiction radio programs out there is called RadioWest. These two excellent nonfiction texts come together in an interview the radio host does with the author of the book I mentioned. For 25 points extra credit, listen to the radio program and write a short reaction to it (1 page, typed, double-spaced). For 50 points extra credit, read the book as well.

English 12A "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" and Life of Pi Extra Credit Project

For 100 points extra credit, read or listen to Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner." This can be found online, both in PDF and audio form. Compare and contrast this poem with Life of Pi. How are the tales similar in terms of conflict, symbol, plot, and theme? How are the different? Your essay should use textual evidence from both texts to prove your thesis. This project is due October 15 on paper.

Wednesday, September 26

English 12A: Today we talked about six different conclusion techniques to try when writing. You can find the powerpoint from today's lesson under Modules in our Canvas page. It is titled "Introduction and Conclusion Techniques to Try." We will take or finish a quiz on the material on Thursday. Right now, I want you thinking about which of the six techniques you want to use in your college application essay. You should also read through Chapter 87 in Life of Pi (page 237) for Thursday's class.

CNF: Today we did several activities in preparation for reading Chapter 6 from Blink, including listening to Springsteen's "41 Shots," watching Carlin's "Baseball and Football," and the Ted Talk "How to Spot a Liar."

Tuesday, September 26

English 12A: Today we did a quick review of the seven introduction techniques we have learned and worked some more on your college application essays. You should be done with Chapter 78 (page 217) in Life of Pi for Wednesday's class. If you have time, work some more on your college application essay.

CNF: Today we finished reading Chapter 5 in Blink and had some small and large group discussions on the material. We will prepare for and start reading Chapter 6 and the Conclusion tomorrow and should be ready to begin Freakonomics sometime next week.

Thursday, September 21

First, the Utes will get the W in Arizona in celebration of my son's (not to mention Frodo and Bilbo's) birthday this weekend by a score of 35-21.

English 12A: Today we finished our study of various introduction techniques, took a quiz about them, and started our college application essay assignment. You should first choose one of the college application essay prompts from the paper I gave you. Then, based on the prompt you have chosen, what you learned about the various introduction techniques, and your own particular skills as a writer, choose an introduction technique to use in this essay and begin writing the introduction. I want the introduction (first one-to-three paragraphs) done for Monday's class. We will focus on the body of the essay on Monday next week. You should read through Chapter 67 (including Chapter 67) in Life of Pi for Monday. That's page 198.

CNF: Today we did some more preparatory work for Chapter 5 in Blink. We watched a Ted Talk Gladwell gave on spaghetti sauce and discussed, among other things, peaches, ice cream, chairs, and the singer Kenna. We will begin reading Chapter 5 on Monday.

Tuesday, September 19

English 12A: Today, in periods 1 and 2, our focus was on a close reading of a passage by EB White. On Canvas, there is a Charlotte's Web Imitative Assignment that you should complete and submit via Canvas tonight. Everyone should be through Chapter 53 in Life of Pi for Wednesday's class.

CNF: Today we had a small-group and large-group seminar on the contents of Chapter 4.

English 12A Trimester 1 2017 Disclosure Statement

English 12A Trimester 1 Disclosure Statement

Course Overview: English 12A is a reading and writing intensive course with an emphasis on world literature that is designed to prepare students for reading and writing beyond high school, whether in college or the work force. 12A will focus on world literature that exposes students to a wide range of authors, styles, cultures, time periods, and ideas. Students will improve their ability to write, speak, listen, and perform close reading. Students will also enhance their ability to think creatively and logically as we examine texts, literary theory, language, and writing techniques. The goal of this course is to teach students think critically, write clearly, and read well independently.

We will read the following novels this trimester: Life of Pi, The Alchemist, and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. We will also read from The Tao te Ching each day and read selections from A World of Short Stories, The Elements of Style, They Say I Say, and How to Read Literature Like a Professor. We will also examine poetry on a daily basis.

Necessary Materials: Students should have a three ring binder for this course that they bring every day for notes and assignments. Most of the books we read will be classroom sets students borrow from me and use in class. They should not take these home unless they check with me first. However, students will need to purchase a copy of Life of Pi, as it will be our marked book for this trimester. I will inform students of the cost of the book soon, and they can pay for it in the main office.

Expectations: Students should be on time, prepared, and participate. If a student is absent, he or she should check the class blog at bairdenglish.blogspot.com. Unless specifically directed by the teacher, all cell phones and other electronic devices should be turned off and stored away. Use of a cell phone or other device (including headphones) during class will result in a zero for that day’s participation. Students should be prepared with completed homework at the start of class the day the assignment is due. Late work will result in deduction of 50% credit or more.

Policies: We will adhere to all Brighton High School policies, particularly the plagiarism policy. Plagiarism is a serious academic offense and should never occur in class. The purpose of every writing assignment is for students to improve their writing; therefore, all work needs to be each student’s original work.

Procedures: Students should be in their assigned seats at the start of class and when the bell rings, and should begin their assignment from The Tao te Ching. If a student forgets his or her packet for this, they should complete the assignment on looseleaf paper and transcribe it into the packet at first opportunity. If a student is absent, the day’s reading from the Tao will be listed on the class blog (and in the packet), and students can find a PDF version of the text here: http://www.dankalia.com/more/taoteching.pdf.

Grading: We will adhere to Brighton High’s standard grade scale. Students’ grades, in general, will be determined by the following:

• Tao te Ching bell work: 265 points for the trimester (53 entries at five points per entry)
• Daily participation: 5 points per day (300 points total, with approximately 60 days in the trimester - cell phone use during class results in a zero)
• Major writing assignments: 100 points
• Minor writing assignments: 25-50 points
• Reading assignments: 1 point per page due
• Other assignments, tests, and quizzes (including the final exam) will have point values that vary.

Internet and Media Policy: At various points this year, we may use the internet in class or view film clips to supplement the texts we read in class. Signing the disclosure indicates the student has permission to use the internet for class assignments and view selected film clips, and that the student pledges to use the internet for purposes of completing the given assignment only.

Lastly, this is my second year teaching at Brighton, and my 20th overall. Previously, I taught middle school English and literature at JE Cosgriff for eight years, and then English at Judge Memorial for ten years. I was also on the boys’ basketball staff at Judge for 22 years, and am excited to start my second on the staff here at Brighton. I have a degree in English and a Utah State Teaching License from the University of Utah and a Masters of Teaching degree from Grand Canyon University. I have published work professionally in publications such as Teaching K-8 Magazine, The Salt Lake Tribune, Middle Ground, and The Utah Council of Teachers of English Journal. My wife, Laura (herself a Brighton graduate), and I have three children: John Marshall, Jacob Atticus, and Sarah Astrid, and a dog named Sienna. I’m happy to discuss any issue with you. I am easiest to reach via email at jeffrey.baird@canyonsdistrict.org. Because I teach in the evenings at the Salt Lake Metro Jail twice a week outside of basketball season, and because we have practice after school during the season, I would ask that if have to meet for whatever reason that we schedule the meeting for some time before school.

Disclosure Signature Page

I have read this disclosure contract, and by signing below, I am accepting the responsibilities that are outlined within it, and agree to abide by it.

Also, by signing this, I am acknowledging that I have permission to use the internet – and understand school policies concerning its use – during class, for an assignment.

I am also pledging that all assignments I submit for a grade for class will be my own original work, and not plagiarized from another source.

Please print student’s name:                                                                                                   

Student Signature:                                                                                                                       

Parent Signature:                                                                                                                          

Monday, September 18

English 12A: Today we focused on the power of names and the motif of death and rebirth in literature. Additionally, we talked about the notion of intertextuality as we looked for some of the big ideas from the Tao te Ching that are evident in Life of Pi. Please read Chapters 51, 52, and 53 in Life of Pi. 

CNF: Today we finished reading Chapter 4 from Blink. Complete your notes for this chapter.

Friday, September 15

English 12A: Today we focused on the reading comprehension strategy of visualizing while reading. This just might be the most important skill you can engage in as a reader. We then focused on visualizing while reading a couple of passages, one from Charlotte's Web, and the other from Life of Pi. Everyone also handed in their essays. Your homework for Monday is to read through (and including) Chapter 50 in Life of Pi, which is page 139.

CNF: Today we began reading Chapter 4 in Blink and will continue it on Monday. Be sure to bring in your soda for the class experiment.

Thursday, September 14

English 12A: Today we read several chapters in Life of Pi and worked on your essays about zoos. Your homework tonight is to finish your essay, print it, and bring it to class tomorrow along with your rubric and annotated articles. You are also to read everything through (and including) Chapter 45 in Life of Pi so that tomorrow we can do an activity with Chapters 46 and 47.

CNF: Today we studied how spontaneity and structure are linked, studying things ranging from chess, to improve comedy, to basketball, to military field operations. And we all felt very sympathetic toward Callie when Crashdown tried to make her draw the fire of some mean old Cylons...

Wednesday, September 13

English 12A: Today we read a great This I Believe essay which you can find here: http://thisibelieve.org/essay/31307/ We then wrote short belief statements from Pi Patel's point of view that represented beliefs of Pi's that were evident in Part I of Life of Pi. We then turned our attention to Part II and read Chapters 37, 38, and 39. Finish these if you haven't already. We then spent some time working on your essays about zoos. Spend another 15-20 minutes working on these tonight.

CNF: Today we conducted two seminar discussions on the contents of Chapter 3 of Blink, both in small and large groups. Tomorrow we will do some preparatory activities for Chapter 4.

Tuesday, September 12

English 12A: Today we had some very interesting Socratic Seminars on Part I of Life of Pi. We also read Chapters 15 and 16 from the Tao te Ching. You can find those chapters here: http://www.dankalia.com/more/taoteching.pdf. We also read Chapter 1 from How to Read Literature Like a Professor. If you were absent, here's a link to a PDF of the text: https://mseffie.com/assignments/professor/How%20to%20Read%20Literature%20like%20a%20Professor%202nd.pdf Read Chapter 1, "Every Trip is a Quest."

Your homework is to work for 10 minutes on your essay about zoos. The goal is to finish that tomorrow.

CNF: Today we read Chapter 3 from Blink and worked on a reflection about the chapter. You were assigned some homework to get a can of Coke or a can of Pepsi for an in-class experiment in a few weeks. That soda is due on Monday, September 18.

How to Read Literature Like a Professor PDF link

Hi. If you're ever absent on a day we read from How to Read, you can find a link to a PDF of the text here: https://mseffie.com/assignments/professor/How%20to%20Read%20Literature%20like%20a%20Professor%202nd.pdf

Monday, September 11

English 12A: Today we read Chapters 13 and 14 in the Tao te Ching and then read a poem by Sonja Sones called "Voices," which memorializes those who died on September 11, 2001. From there we continued to read the articles about zoos and respond to the prompt regarding whether zoos are ethical or not. I am asking you to spend 10 minutes on your essays tonight. If you haven't finished with Part I of Life of Pi, do so by tomorrow, as we will have our first whole-class discussion on it.

CNF: Today we took multiple Implicit Association Tests and recorded the results and reflected on them in your booklet. If you were absent, go to https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html and take a few of these before class tomorrow.

Extra Credit Opportunity

Go to http://www.npr.org/podcasts/381444899/pri-studio-360 and listen to the Studio 360 episode titled "Back to School." For purposes of the assignment, you only need to listen to the first interview, which comprises the first 15 minutes or so, though if you want to listen to the whole thing, have at it. Then write a 1 page double spaced reaction to the interview that is a reflection and comparison of what Kurt Anderson's high school experience and your own. It's worth 25 points and is due Friday, September 15.

Friday, September 8

First the important thing - the score Saturday night will be Utah 35, BYU 10.

English 12A: Today our focus was on two things: annotating two non-fiction texts in an attempt to answer the question of whether or not it is ethical for humans to maintain zoos, and reading Chapter 3 from They Say I Say as a way of understanding how to integrate citations and textual evidence to support a claim. If you were absent you can read Chapter 3 from They Say I Say here: https://www.iss.k12.nc.us/cms/lib/NC01000579/Centricity/Domain/2741/They%20Say%20I%20Say%20Full%20Text.pdf
Be sure to read Chapter 3, The Art of Quoting, not to be confused with Part III (which is much longer and full of other chapters).

Your homework is to do these two things: 1. Revise your essay on More, using the notes we took in class as well as the sample paper from a fellow senior as your model. There should be five "fixes", and on Monday I am going to want your original as well as your revised copy. 2. Finish Part I from Life of Pi, which takes you through Chapter 36 and page 93.

CNF: Today we had two different discussions on Chapter 2 from Blink (one small group, one large), and did a few other activities that involve thin slicing.

Thursday, September 7

English 12A: Today our focus was on some basic things to do when engaged in academic writing. We looked at a poem, "The Cold Within," and did some analysis of the poem. Your homework is to read everything through Chapter 28 (including 28) in Life of Pi for Friday's class, and to take the notes and model essay about the film More and improve five things in your own essay. Your original essay about More and your revision are due on Monday.

CNF: Today we read Chapter 2 from Blink and took notes on the chapter in preparation for a discussion tomorrow. You should be done with the reading and notes from Chapter 2 for Friday's class.

Wednesday, September 6

English 12A: Today we completed the summer reading tests. You have until midnight to complete the response journals and upload them to Canvas. Read through (and including) Chapter 17 in Life of Pi for Thursday.

CNF: Today we continued practicing thin slicing, and also did some activities to help prepare us for reading Chapter 2 from Blink, which we began near the end of the period. We will finish reading it on Thursday. 

Tuesday, September 5

English 12A: Today our primary focus was on the question "How do speakers and writers use language to persuade?" As a part of that, we studied and reviewed what ethos, pathos, and logos are and looked for evidence of them in the This I Believe essays the students read independently the last week. Your homework is to complete all the summer reading requirements for Wednesday's class (there will be a test this day), and to read through (and including) Chapter 17 in Life of Pi for Thursday's class (this should bring you to page 58.

CNF: Today we practiced thin slicing based on conversations by some couples and our analysis of where a room's occupant would fall on the Big Five Inventory. We will continue this a little bit tomorrow before beginning Chapter 2 in Blink.

Friday, September 1

I forgot to post my prediction for the Utah game, but it didn't really matter. However, I expect the Bengals to win tonight by a score of 35-21.

English 12A: Today we wrote in response to some important ideas that are relevant to Life of Pi. We also read further in the book. Your homework is to read everything through Chapter 8 (this means read all of Chapter 8 as well). The reading is due Tuesday. Also due Tuesday are the five reactions to the This I Believe essays you are reading. Due Wednesday is your summer reading assignment.

CNF: Today we finished reading Chapter 1 from Blink. We then had a Socratic seminar as we discussed the material.