Freshmen: Today we focused on your letter to the editor assignment. You have the parameters on a write-up I gave you - remember, you can hand it anytime before October 7, but you cannot hand it in after that date. Read for 20 minutes tonight for homework.
Sophomores: Today we began a study of the following questions: What common traits are shared among many of the world's creation stories? And, what do these commonalities reveal about humans as a species? Your homework is to find and print two creation stories, each from a different culture. That is due Monday. Also due Monday are the following: Reading the introduction from the Tao te Ching (there will be a quiz on Monday), and bringing your vocab book Monday for a diagnostic vocab exam.
CNF: Today we finished listening to Wait Wait, and began prep for our game. You need to have a copy of Blink by next block period.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Tuesday, August 24 and Wednesday, August 25
Freshmen: Our primary focus today was learning the requirements for the Prayer and Great Thoughts assignment. See me for a handout and sign up for a day if you were absent. Today we read a poem, "For My Father," by Janice Mirikatini and explored it through questions and connections, particularly relating it to the summer read When the Emperor Was Divine. We then talked about the notion of "found poetry" and created our own found poems using newspapers. Your homework is to sift through one of the two summer reads and write a found poem with it that either represents the narrator's point of view, experience, or change she underwent through the course of the book. A typed copy of the poem (with a great title) is due on Friday. Also, read for 20 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday.
Sophomores: Today we focused primarily on the requirements for our daily prayer assignment using the Tao te Ching; see me if you need a write up or to sign up for a day. We also focused on gathering a writing sample on a reaction to the summer reading. You need to have a copy of Life of Pi by next block period, and you should start bringing your copy of the Tao each day. Please also bring your vocab book this week, and if you can remember, bring your Bible to class tomorrow for a study of world creation stories.
CNF: Today we focused on two topic-driven non-fiction texts, The McGlaughlin Group and Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me. The idea is to get exposed to various forms of non-fiction that deal with current events and issues. Please have a copy of Blink for next week, and this week bring in current newspapers and magazines for an activity we will be doing.
Sophomores: Today we focused primarily on the requirements for our daily prayer assignment using the Tao te Ching; see me if you need a write up or to sign up for a day. We also focused on gathering a writing sample on a reaction to the summer reading. You need to have a copy of Life of Pi by next block period, and you should start bringing your copy of the Tao each day. Please also bring your vocab book this week, and if you can remember, bring your Bible to class tomorrow for a study of world creation stories.
CNF: Today we focused on two topic-driven non-fiction texts, The McGlaughlin Group and Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me. The idea is to get exposed to various forms of non-fiction that deal with current events and issues. Please have a copy of Blink for next week, and this week bring in current newspapers and magazines for an activity we will be doing.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Monday, August 23
Hi. Welcome back. If you post a comment today, you will earn 10 points extra credit. Just put your first name and the period you are in (if there's two of you with the same first name, give me a last initial, too). Check the blog every day to get an update on what we did and what is due.
Freshmen: Today we did a basic introduction to the course. Bring back your signed disclosure statement next period, and have your binder as well. Remember, your homework every night Monday-Thursday, plus one day on the weekend, is to read for 20 minutes and to bring that book to class for our in class reading time - so be sure you read tonight. We will read the books from our class list together, so hold off on those. We looked at our first poem today and briefly discussed it. All and all, it was a good first day and I look forward to working with you all.
Sophomores: Today we did a basic introduction to the course. Bring back your signed disclosure statement next period, and have your binder as well. Also, remember to bring your vocab book this week and your copy of the Tao te Ching to class every day. We also began exploring the central thread of the course, which is how beliefs and philosophies shape shape both ourselves and characters in literature. The first book we will read is Life of Pi, but we will not begin that until next week on the block period day - just be sure you have it before then.
CNF: Today we did a basic introduction to the course, and you will receive a disclosure statement tomorrow. While homework will be a rarity in this class, I would like you to watch some of the news tonight and tomorrow and just have a sense of how it is a "constructed text." Also, bring some current newspapers or news magazines (Time, Newsweek, etc. - NOT Teenybopper Update or the like) to class later this week. The first book we will read is Blink, by Malcolm Gladwell, so be sure to get a copy of it for next week.
Freshmen: Today we did a basic introduction to the course. Bring back your signed disclosure statement next period, and have your binder as well. Remember, your homework every night Monday-Thursday, plus one day on the weekend, is to read for 20 minutes and to bring that book to class for our in class reading time - so be sure you read tonight. We will read the books from our class list together, so hold off on those. We looked at our first poem today and briefly discussed it. All and all, it was a good first day and I look forward to working with you all.
Sophomores: Today we did a basic introduction to the course. Bring back your signed disclosure statement next period, and have your binder as well. Also, remember to bring your vocab book this week and your copy of the Tao te Ching to class every day. We also began exploring the central thread of the course, which is how beliefs and philosophies shape shape both ourselves and characters in literature. The first book we will read is Life of Pi, but we will not begin that until next week on the block period day - just be sure you have it before then.
CNF: Today we did a basic introduction to the course, and you will receive a disclosure statement tomorrow. While homework will be a rarity in this class, I would like you to watch some of the news tonight and tomorrow and just have a sense of how it is a "constructed text." Also, bring some current newspapers or news magazines (Time, Newsweek, etc. - NOT Teenybopper Update or the like) to class later this week. The first book we will read is Blink, by Malcolm Gladwell, so be sure to get a copy of it for next week.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Final Post 2010
I would like to thank all of you for a great school year - the freshmen Capstone Projects were great, I really enjoyed the people and conversations in Compelling Non-Fiction, and the hard work and great personalities of the sophomores really made the year special. Thanks again and have a great, safe summer.
-Mr. Baird
-Mr. Baird
Friday, June 4, 2010
Friday, June 4
Freshmen: Today we focused on parody. Remember to prepare for your final - search earlier posts if you need reminders as to what is on the final exam.
Sophomores: Today we concluded sharing your hero projects. Remember to prepare for your final - search earlier posts if you need reminders as to what is on the final exam. You can donate your books to the class for extra credit toward the final exam if you wish.
CNF: Thanks for a great semester and year. Check out the essay prompt and put some plans together. You can donate your books to the class for extra credit toward the final exam if you wish.
Sophomores: Today we concluded sharing your hero projects. Remember to prepare for your final - search earlier posts if you need reminders as to what is on the final exam. You can donate your books to the class for extra credit toward the final exam if you wish.
CNF: Thanks for a great semester and year. Check out the essay prompt and put some plans together. You can donate your books to the class for extra credit toward the final exam if you wish.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Thursday, June 3
Freshmen: Today we did a little vocab review and finished 12th Night. It is crucial you check out the review post on this blog for your final exam.
Sophs: Today we did a little vocab review and also heard some of your hero projects - they were extremely impressive. Finish Tuesdays With Morrie, and it is crucial you check out the review post on this blog for your final exam.
CNF: Again, read an interesting chapter and had a good discussion... and for the record, Batman IS better than Superman.
Sophs: Today we did a little vocab review and also heard some of your hero projects - they were extremely impressive. Finish Tuesdays With Morrie, and it is crucial you check out the review post on this blog for your final exam.
CNF: Again, read an interesting chapter and had a good discussion... and for the record, Batman IS better than Superman.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Tuesday, June 1 and Wednesday, June 2
Freshmen: Today we concluded the capstone presentations - they were very well done. You also received your written work back. If there is any one particular piece that you would like to earn a better grade on, you have until Friday to revise that piece. What you will need to hand in on Friday is the following: Your revised piece, a paragraph explaining what you revised and why, your original piece, and the original rubric. Also, remember to bring your vocab book to class the next few days so that we can review for the final in class.
Sophomores: Today we discussed the topics broached in the 10th, 11th, and 12th Tuesdays. For next period, you need your end of the semester project, and don't forget to prep for the final exam. Finish Tuesdays With Morrie for Friday. Also, remember to bring your vocab book to class the next few days so that we can review for the final in class.
CNF: We continued to read and discuss sections from Batman and Philosophy, and also talked about the final exam.
Sophomores: Today we discussed the topics broached in the 10th, 11th, and 12th Tuesdays. For next period, you need your end of the semester project, and don't forget to prep for the final exam. Finish Tuesdays With Morrie for Friday. Also, remember to bring your vocab book to class the next few days so that we can review for the final in class.
CNF: We continued to read and discuss sections from Batman and Philosophy, and also talked about the final exam.
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