Freshmen: Today we self-assessed the paragraphs you wrote about Gang of Four. We continued our method of thinking through observation, induction, and statement of thesis by watching a short film by Mark Osborn titled "More." We then discussed the concept of a five paragraph essay and an outline as two tools (but not the only!) that you might use when writing. My hope is you quickly move beyond this into more sophisticated waters. Your task is to write a five paragraph essay that answers the prompt "What is the message of the film 'More'?" Be sure to provide an interesting title at the top. The essay, typed and double spaced, is due Friday. Also, you must read 20 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday. Be sure to get a copy of The Elements of Style for next week.
Sophomores: Today we focused on your writing, specifically from the summer reading essays, and addressed areas you can improve in. Check out the post marked Reactions for more info. You have an essay assignment, which you can find on the post Spiritual Journey Essay. A typed draft of this essay is due next Monday, 9/15. I have pushed back the Part II due date for Pi - it is due WEDNESDAY, 9/17. We will finish the book together that day.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
September 8
Freshmen: Today we continued working on the thinking process of observe, induce, state thesis. We practiced by doing an exercise called "Gang of Four", which you can find at this address: http://jeffhouse.addr.com/writing/gangoffour.htm. SPOILER ALERT: Do not scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page - it tells you the answer. I want to see what you think and why; the right answer is not importance. We also went over the unit 1 vocab quizzes. Your homework tonight is to read for 20 minutes and to write a typed paragraph short essay that explains who killed Whippersnapper and why. Follow this structure for your paragraph: First sentence is your thesis, the next three to five are supporting details, and wrap up with a concluding sentence.
Sophomores: We talked about other famous Richard Parkers in sailing lore, and also introduced the idea of NPR's "This I Believe" essays. Your homework is to write a one page, typed This I Believe statement from Pi's point of view. Adopt his voice, his diction, his tone, his way of writing, and get inside the character as you figure out exactly what he would write if he were submitting to NPR. Do these four things: write from his point of view; write in the first person and imitate his voice and style; use lists; type it, about a page. This is due Wednesday. Finish Part II from Life of Pi for next Monday; there will be a vocab quiz on chapter 1 on Wednesday.
Sophomores: We talked about other famous Richard Parkers in sailing lore, and also introduced the idea of NPR's "This I Believe" essays. Your homework is to write a one page, typed This I Believe statement from Pi's point of view. Adopt his voice, his diction, his tone, his way of writing, and get inside the character as you figure out exactly what he would write if he were submitting to NPR. Do these four things: write from his point of view; write in the first person and imitate his voice and style; use lists; type it, about a page. This is due Wednesday. Finish Part II from Life of Pi for next Monday; there will be a vocab quiz on chapter 1 on Wednesday.
Friday, September 5, 2008
September 5
Freshmen: We took a vocab quiz on Unit 1. We also self-assessed your paragraphs about The Case of the Happy Baby based on our Six Traits rubric. Your homework this weekend is to read for 20 minutes.
Sophomores: Today we focused on the reading comprehension strategy of visualization, or making movies in the mind. We read Chapter 46 and 47 together from Life of Pi and drew the scene(s) that stuck out most strongly in our minds. You need to finish Chapter 53 for Monday. Get The Power of One ASAP - it is our next class text.
Sophomores: Today we focused on the reading comprehension strategy of visualization, or making movies in the mind. We read Chapter 46 and 47 together from Life of Pi and drew the scene(s) that stuck out most strongly in our minds. You need to finish Chapter 53 for Monday. Get The Power of One ASAP - it is our next class text.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
The Case of the Happy Baby
The Case of the Happy Baby
“John Wilson doesn’t look much like a murderer,” said Sheriff Monahan as a young man emerged from the farmhouse carrying a naked baby boy.
The sheriff stopped the patrol car behind Wilson’s yellow sedan. He drew his pistol, whispered to Dr. Haledjian to wait, and called: “Raise your hands, John!”
Wilson halted, amazed. He sat his infant son carefully on the fender of his car and lifted his hands. “What’s it all about, Sheriff?”
“Murder. We have a witness who says you entered Moose Long’s bar last night after closing. Half an hour later Mrs. Long found Moose strangled to death with a yellow scarf.”
“That’s a lie. Why—”
“Look out!” cried Haledjian, as the baby scampered onto the yellow hood. Cooing happily, he attempted to stand. Haledjian just saved him from toppling to the ground.
“That witness is mistaken, Sheriff,” Wilson resumed calmly. “I’ve been in this car since eight o’clock last night driving down from Philadelphia. I just arrived five minutes ago.”
The sheriff looked at his watch. “Then drove the six hundred miles between Philly and here in a little over twelve hours,” he said dubiously.
“Can you prove I didn’t” snapped Wilson.
“Nothing could be easier,” declared Haledjian.
“John Wilson doesn’t look much like a murderer,” said Sheriff Monahan as a young man emerged from the farmhouse carrying a naked baby boy.
The sheriff stopped the patrol car behind Wilson’s yellow sedan. He drew his pistol, whispered to Dr. Haledjian to wait, and called: “Raise your hands, John!”
Wilson halted, amazed. He sat his infant son carefully on the fender of his car and lifted his hands. “What’s it all about, Sheriff?”
“Murder. We have a witness who says you entered Moose Long’s bar last night after closing. Half an hour later Mrs. Long found Moose strangled to death with a yellow scarf.”
“That’s a lie. Why—”
“Look out!” cried Haledjian, as the baby scampered onto the yellow hood. Cooing happily, he attempted to stand. Haledjian just saved him from toppling to the ground.
“That witness is mistaken, Sheriff,” Wilson resumed calmly. “I’ve been in this car since eight o’clock last night driving down from Philadelphia. I just arrived five minutes ago.”
The sheriff looked at his watch. “Then drove the six hundred miles between Philly and here in a little over twelve hours,” he said dubiously.
“Can you prove I didn’t” snapped Wilson.
“Nothing could be easier,” declared Haledjian.
September 4
Freshmen: Today we focused on the thought process of observe, induce, state thesis. Your homework is to write a typed, 1 paragraph response to "The Case of the Happy Baby." Open with your thesis, support it with your observations and inductions, and craft a compelling final sentence. Read for 20 minutes. There will be a vocabulary quiz on Chapter 1 tomorrow.
Sophomores: Today we began Part II from Life of Pi. It is crucial that you finish everything through Chapter 45 for tomorrow. Get The Power of One ASAP. We will have a vocab quiz on Chapter 1 Monday.
Sophomores: Today we began Part II from Life of Pi. It is crucial that you finish everything through Chapter 45 for tomorrow. Get The Power of One ASAP. We will have a vocab quiz on Chapter 1 Monday.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
September 2 and 3
Freshmen: Finish chapter 1 from our vocab book. There will be a quiz on it this week. In class, we began to focus on the concept of a thesis. Read pages 71-77 from Models for Writers. Then answer questions 1-6 on page 77, and do the classroom activity on page 78. Also, be sure to read 20 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday night. You need The Elements of Style for September 17.
Sophomores: Finish through page 27 in your vocab book. Today we built background knowledge to help us understand Life of Pi by sharing the 3 Facts assignment. There will be a quiz on the information presented on Thursday. Finish all of Part I for Thursday - there will be a quiz. There is also an extra credit opportunity. Go to www.thisamericanlife.org. Find the program "Something for Nothing." At least listen to Act III, the "Tao of the Dumpster." (though all of it is interesting). Respond in a one page essay to this prompt: What elements of Taoism (real Taoism) are evident in the subject's life and philosophy? You can get up to 20 points extra credit. It is due Monday.
Sophomores: Finish through page 27 in your vocab book. Today we built background knowledge to help us understand Life of Pi by sharing the 3 Facts assignment. There will be a quiz on the information presented on Thursday. Finish all of Part I for Thursday - there will be a quiz. There is also an extra credit opportunity. Go to www.thisamericanlife.org. Find the program "Something for Nothing." At least listen to Act III, the "Tao of the Dumpster." (though all of it is interesting). Respond in a one page essay to this prompt: What elements of Taoism (real Taoism) are evident in the subject's life and philosophy? You can get up to 20 points extra credit. It is due Monday.
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