Tuesday, April 29, 2014 and Thursday, May 1, 2014

Class Work

1. We are fortunate to have three students who are ready to share information with us from their honors' projects.

Give them your full attention.
Turn off all noise on phones.
Close computers.
Feel free to ask questions at the end of the presentations.

2. Exam notes.

• Share your graphic organizer that shows your pattern of organization.
• Share your "audience" description.

Focus on your introduction.
Have at least three clear points as noted in one of the patterns of organization.
Be sure your conclusion is memorable!
Support your wonderful ideas with expert research!

More notes: (You have a graphic organizer for this.)
An art selection or photograph
2. At least two interviews with family, friends, classmates, or others
3. A quotation from literature or music
4. A news link or history link
5. Reference to a play, movie, or television show
6. A graph or chart
7. References to at least two reliable sources of information: articles, books, pamphlets, government reports, magazine or newspaper articles, etc.

Keep track of your sources. You will submit a Working Bibliography AND a Works Cited page.

EXAM NEWS:  Our exam is Tuesday, May 6, 2014, in our regular room. Please have the final copy of your essay ready to submit.

Report to class at 2:00. We have the room until 2:45. That will be plenty of time for your to post the final copy in CANVAS and submit the pre-writing charts and outlines.

You are free to leave once the essay has been submitted.

Your essay must include most of the items noted on the "box" graphic organizer you received in class on Tuesday.

The final copy needs to be in MLA format and include a correctly formatted Works Cited page. In-text citations must be used.

Questions????? If you think of any, contact me at: patriciaeatonaz@yahoo.com.




 Here are the notes from Tuesday.

Possible topics:

• The music of war
• Honoring those who died
• War in art
• War in movies or on stage
• Those left behind
• Preparing for battle
• Survival
• Why We Fight
• Unlikely Heroes
• A personal hero
• The need for heroes
• War at home
• Returning home after war
• Military cemeteries/burial places (Punch Bowl, Arlington, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier etc.)
• Celebrations or parades
• Weapons
• PTSD
• The cost of war
• Your idea . . . this is not an all inclusive list.

You posted this to CANVAS last week.


*****************************************************************************
How do you plan to organize your essay? What pattern will you use?

Consider the possibilities . . .

Some general information:
http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/guide.cfm?guideid=29

Patterns of organization
http://faculty.washington.edu/ezent/impo.htm

or
Instructions and examples:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/  (Select the essay and paragraph level and take a look at the drop-down menu. Sample essays are provided.)

This was the homework:

Determine your pattern of organization. You need to create an outline or graphic organizer. Mind maps are OK as are other graphic organizers. Bring a paper copy to class on Thursday. It is Thursday! We are going to share.

Here are a few exmples:
http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/pdf/persuasion.pdf

http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/pdf/timeorder.pdf

http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/pdf/stepchart_eng.pdf

http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/pdf/sequence.pdf

Others, original or borrowed, are fine. These were samples.

Before you begin your draft, consider your audience.
http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/pdf/planning.pdf

http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/audience/

For homework, write a paragraph or two about your audience and what you hope to teach the members of that audience. Bring a paper copy to class on Thursday. (Sharing)


Repeat of Exam News!
EXAM NEWS:  Our exam is Tuesday, May 6, 2014, in our regular room. Please have the final copy of your essay ready to submit.

Report to class at 2:00. We have the room until 2:45. That will be plenty of time for your to post the final copy in CANVAS and submit the pre-writing charts and outlines.

You are free to leave once the essay has been submitted.

Your essay must the most of the items noted on the "box" graphic organizer you received in class on Tuesday.

The final copy needs to be in MLA format and include a correctly formatted Works Cited page. In-text citations must be used.

Questions????? If you think of any, contact me at: patriciaeatonaz@yahoo.com.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Class Work

Let's look back at Tuesday's post.

Today, groups will share the music! Discuss the items noted.

Class members - keep track of what you learned. (Chart provided.)


This was the homework!

Start thinking about a possible topic for the final essay.

• The music of war
• Honoring those who died
• War in art
• War in movies or on stage
• Those left behind
• Preparing for battle
• Survival
• Why We Fight
• Unlikely Heroes
• A personal hero
• The need for heroes
• War at home
• Returning home after war
• Military cemeteries/burial places (Punch Bowl, Arlington, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier etc.)
• Celebrations or parades
• Weapons
• PTSD
• The cost of war
• Your idea . . . this is not an all inclusive list.

Select a topic. Create a mind-map or brainstorm bulleted list of all that you know about the topic. Decide what you want to say. Post the mind-map or brainstorm bulleted list in CANVAS by Thursday. (25 pts.)

Start conducting research now.

For the paper that will result from this, you will need the following:
1. An art selection or photograph
2. At least two interviews with family, friends, classmates, or others
3. A quotation from literature or music
4. A news link or history link
5. Reference to a play, movie, or television show
6. A graph or chart
7. References to at least two reliable sources of information: articles, books, pamphlets, government reports, magazine or newspaper articles, etc.

Keep track of your sources. You will submit a Working Bibliography AND a Works Cited page.

The paper copy of the Graphic Organizer is due Tuesday. There is no space in Canvas. You may recreate the chart in Word if you wish to keep notes there.

Tuesday - April 22, 2014

Activity #1:
We will finish the HERO presentations.

So far we have learned about . . .

Here is a poem about Odysseus. . . home was not as expected.

http://www.famousliteraryworks.com/tennyson_ulysses.htm
Activity #2
War Art

What pictures did you find?
A. Share at your table.
B. Select one person from each table to share with the class. These must be on CANVAS.

Activity #3
We have not yet listened to any music associated with war.

1. Revolutionary War
2. Civil War
3. World War I
4. World War II
5. Korean War
6. Vietnam War
7. Iraq/Afghanistan

Join one of the seven groups.
A. Listen to at least three songs from your era.
B. Locate the lyrics
C. Tell how the lyrics relate to the war and the era. (If you don't know about the war or the era, do a bit of quick research.
D. Prepare to share one song with the class. Share how the lyrics relate to the war and the era. Consider:
 1. Why the song was popular
2. How it was representative of the war
3. Why it fit the time period. (What was going on in the world aside from the war?)
4. Explain why or why not the song would be popular today.

Homework

Start thinking about a possible topic for the final essay.

• The music of war
• Honoring those who died
• War in art
• War in movies or on stage
• Those left behind
• Preparing for battle
• Survival
• Why We Fight
• Unlikely Heroes
• A personal hero
• The need for heroes
• War at home
• Returning home after war
• Military cemeteries/burial places (Punch Bowl, Arlington, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier etc.)
• Celebrations or parades
• Weapons
• PTSD
• The cost of war
• Your idea . . . this is not a finite list.

Select a topic. Create a mind-map or brainstorm bulleted list of all that you know about the topic. Decide what you want to say. Post the mind-map or brainstorm bulleted list in CANVAS by Thursday. (25 pts.)

Start conducting research now.

For the paper that will result from this, you will need the following:
1. An art selection or photograph
2. At least two interviews with family, friends, classmates, or others
3. A quotation from literature or music
4. A news link or history link
5. Reference to a play, movie, or television show
6. A graph or chart
7. References to at least two reliable sources of information: articles, books, pamphlets, government reports, magazine or newspaper articles, etc.

NO CLASS TODAY!

Dear Students,

We will NOT be meeting today. The groups scheduled to present today will present on Tuesday.

I apologize for the late notice. Hopefully, you will be able to use to time to catch up on missing assignments, if any.

If a slot in CANVAS is locked, simply attach the assignment to a comment in CANVAS. Be sure to include the assignment number.

Enjoy the weekend! I will see you on Tuesday.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Eaton

April 15, 2014

This was the task. Presentations will be given today. Time guidelines: 3-8 minutes. Everybody must have a speaking part.

You need to complete the following tasks:

1. Locate visuals of your hero / ancient and modern
2. Find out about any super powers the hero might possess.
3. Who are the relatives and friends of the hero? Identify them. What did these relatives add to the development of the hero?
4. What challenges does the hero face? How did he or she overcome those challenges?
5. Pick one major episode in the life of your character and be ready to tell the story to the class.
6. Look for any movies that are based on the life of your hero. How faithful to the original story is the movie?

Create a PowerPoint ( 10-12 slides) or other visual presentation to use as you share the information with the class. Post in CANVAS.   Everybody in your group needs to speak. 50 PTS - 30 for the visual/20 for the presentation. Show time = Tuesday!

1. Get with your group. You have 10 minutes to finalize last minute items.

• Be sure that everybody has a speaking part.
• Check to see that your presentation is posted to CANVAS .
• All group members' names must be on the first slide.
• Look back at the guidelines and be sure that you included all of the required information.
• Add a Works Cited slide. What were your sources?

2. Take a look at the rubric. All members need to sign the paper.
3. Volunteer to go first! This must move along.

*******************************************************

Do we have heroes today? How would you define the term? We will discuss in class.

Your homework is to define the term "hero." Provide a "story" example from the life of the hero.  (One page - quick-write.) This is to get you to think. It will link to a longer writing activity. Post in CANVAS for Thursday.

ALS)
The space for the War Art posting is now available. I accidently placed it in my 101 class list. You have until Thursday to post.

Homework

Find a piece of art that was created to commemorate something related to war. Post the picture and the answers to the question in CANVAS. This is due Thursday. (50 pts.)

Looking at War Art

• What is the title of the work? How does the title help you to understand the message? What is the message?
• What is the most obvious image in the work. To where is your eye drawn?
• Look at the colors. Are they symbolic? Would the message be different if the colors were different? Explain.
• Study the shading and shadowing. How do these elements impact the overall message?
• Who is the artist? When was the work created?
• Is the artist's message about a specific event in history? Name that event. What was going on in the world when the work was created?
• Is the art universal - speaks to people of all times and in all places, or is it limited to the audience for whom it was created.
• How does the work relate to us in 21st century America?

Thursday - April 10, 2014

Class Work

1. Peer editing task: You will be editing the war movie reviews assigned to you by CANVAS. I will give you a paper rubric to complete.

The final copy is due Tuesday. Post in MYCOMPLAB.

2. Return to your "hero" groups. If your group decides that another hero might be a better choice, now is the time, the only time, to change.

Here is the task:
We are going to take a few minutes to gather information about eight Greek heroes.

http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/heroes/tp/TopHeroes.htm



This site will give you some generic facts. You will work with a partner or two. (No groups larger than three.)  This site is an introduction to your hero - not the only place you will look.
A. Agree on the hero your group will research.
B. Write your choice on the board. (This is a one-and-done event. If your hero is already selected, adopt a different hero!

This site will give you some generic facts. You will work with a partner or two. (No groups larger than three.)
A. Agree on the hero your group will research.
B. Write your choice on the board. (This is a one-and-done event. If your hero is already selected, adopt a different hero!


C.  You need to complete the following tasks:

1. Locate visuals of your hero / ancient and modern
2. Find out about any super powers the hero might possess.
3. Who are the relatives and friends of the hero? Identify them. What did these relatives add to the development of the hero?
4. What challenges does the hero face? How did he or she overcome those challenges?
5. Pick one major episode in the life of your character and be ready to tell the story to the class.
6. Look for any movies that are based on the life of your hero. How faithful to the original story is the movie?

Create a PowerPoint ( 10-12 slides) or other visual presentation to use as you share the information with the class. Post in CANVAS.   Everybody in your group needs to speak. 50 PTS - 30 for the visual/20 for the presentation. Show time = Tuesday!

Homework

Find a piece of art that was created to commemorate something related to war. Post the picture and the answers to the question in CANVAS. This is due Tuesday. (50 pts.)

Looking at War Art

• What is the title of the work? How does the title help you to understand the message? What is the message?
• What is the most obvious image in the work. To where is your eye drawn?
• Look at the colors. Are they symbolic? Would the message be different if the colors were different? Explain.
• Study the shading and shadowing. How do these elements impact the overall message?
• Who is the artist? When was the work created?
• Is the artist's message about a specific event in history? Name that event. What was going on in the world when the work was created?
• Is the art universal - speaks to people of all times and in all places, or is it limited to the audience for whom it was created.
• How does the work relate to us in 21st century America?

 

Tuesday - April 8, 2014

Today . . .

First things first . . .For some reason, the posting space in MyCompLab did not take hold. Please take a few minutes to post the Definition Essay there now. No matter what it says, it is not late!

For homework, you watched a war movie. Today, get ready to write a review.

See the following links for tips.
http://www.ucls.uchicago.edu/students/projects/1996-97/MovieMetropolis/howto.html (You do NOT need to create a trailer for the movie. Instead, consider creating a story board to focus on the points that will interest the reader later. Limit your story board to eight or fewer scenes. PowerPoint could be great for this. Of course, stick people on paper will do just fine!)

http://www.ehow.com/how_6499755_write-movie-review-template.html (Clear steps for writing the review.)

APA Tips - MLA is much the same. http://www.ehow.com/how_7844477_write-critical-review-movie-apa.html

Here are some sample reviews: http://www.scholastic.com/content/collateral_resources/pdf/r/review_writing/movies/sample_movie_reviews.pdf

Watch this one. Don't be afraid to use your voice in this assignment.
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_hobbit_the_desolation_of_smaug/  (Yes, this movie has war scenes!)

Now it is your turn. Write a movie review of the war movie you watched. Post in CANVAS by Thursday. (50 pts.)


Moving on . . .
We are going to take a few minutes to gather information about eight Greek heroes.

http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/heroes/tp/TopHeroes.htm



This site will give you some generic facts. You will work with a partner or two. (No groups larger than three.)  This site is an introduction to your hero - not the only place you will look.
A. Agree on the hero your group will research.
B. Write your choice on the board. (This is a one-and-done event. If your hero is already selected, adopt a different hero!

This site will give you some generic facts. You will work with a partner or two. (No groups larger than three.)
A. Agree on the hero your group will research.
B. Write your choice on the board. (This is a one-and-done event. If your hero is already selected, adopt a different hero!


C.  You need to complete the following tasks:

1. Locate visuals of your hero / ancient and modern
2. Find out about any super powers the hero might possess.
3. Who are the relatives and friends of the hero?
4. What challenges does the hero face?
5. Pick one major episode in the life of your character and be ready to tell the story to the class.
6. Look for any movies that are based on the life of your hero. How faithful to the original story

Create a PowerPoint ( 10-12 slides) or other visual presentation to use as you share the information with the class. Post in CANVAS.   Everybody in your group needs to speak. 50 PTS - 30 for the visual/20 for the presentation

Thursday, April 3, 2014

This is where we left off on Tuesday:

Homework:  Post only the conclusion in CANVAS by the beginning of class on Thursday. The entire essay is due next Tuesday.
Just for fun . . . This is a classification essay - a cousin of a definition paper. See where you fit!
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/classification.htm


2. What do you carry? Take an inventory of the "things" you brought to class today. ( 3 minutes to list) Discussion to follow.

Reading Homework:

Read "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien
http://www.tarleton.edu/Faculty/sword/The%20Things%20They%20Carried.pdf

Keep track of the characters and list the "things" each carried. Bring the lists to class on Thursday.

Class Work

1.Face the front board. We are going to share conclusions and give responses, praise, and suggestions. Yes, everybody is expected to read! Be sure your conclusion is posted in Canvas. Volunteers first - then everybody else if all of the volunteers have read. Your conclusion will be shown on the screen! You will read it to us. There is nothing quite as nice as the sound of an author reading his or her writing!

2. Reminder: the entire essay is due on Tuesday, April 8, 2014. Post the final in MyCompLab! (100 pts.)

3. On Tuesday, we made an "inventory" of the things carried to class. Today, at your table, list all of the apps on your phones! Who at your table "carries" the most apps? Who carries the least? What apps are the same? What apps differ? Is there an app that is unique to you? This probably tells us more that the physical things you bring to class.

4. Let's discuss the short story.
"The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien http://www.tarleton.edu/Faculty/sword/The%20Things%20They%20Carried.pdf

Take out your charts. Who carried what? Why?
What were the challenges? Did the things they carried make any difference.
1. Join your assigned group. Compare lists and write a master list on the board. Be prepared to discuss the questions/answers with the class.
2. What does this story say about war? What does it say about the Vietnam war? Does this compare to the "current" war?

Go to YouTube and look for official trailers of war movies.
*******************************************************************


******************************************************************************

Prepare for the homework:

War movie trailers:
Hurt Locker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GxSDZc8etg
Saving Private Ryan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwhP5b4tD6g
Pearl Harbor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGwI-392jfE
Green Berets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xhfSWEbbhM
Great Escape: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkwmIDx9RwQ
War of the Worlds 1953: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_fSawuo2Rg
War of the Worlds 2005: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msxe3yJPfyY

Suggestions?

Homework: Watch a "war" movie this weekend.  ( Brainstorm possibilities) We will write a review of the movie in class on Tuesday. You need to know the following:
A. Title
B. Copyright date
C. Director
D. Actors
E. Names of characters
F. Information about the musical score
G. Plot in four sentences or fewer
H. Setting (Time and place)
I. Awards nominated for and/or won
J. Other interesting information

Post the notes in CANVAS so that you have them with you when you come to class. (30 pts)



*****************************************

Preview of coming attractions . . We will work on this on Tuesday.
We are going to take a few minutes to gather information about eight Greek heroes.

http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/heroes/tp/TopHeroes.htm

This site will give you some generic facts. You will work with a partner or two. (No groups larger than three.)  This site is an introduction to your hero - not the only place you will look.
A. Agree on the hero your group will research.
B. Write your choice on the board. (This is a one-and-done event. If your hero is already selected, adopt a different hero!

This site will give you some generic facts. You will work with a partner or two. (No groups larger than three.)
A. Agree on the hero your group will research.
B. Write your choice on the board. (This is a one-and-done event. If your hero is already selected, adopt a different hero!


C.  You need to complete the following tasks:

1. Locate visuals of your hero / ancient and modern
2. Find out about any super powers the hero might possess.
3. Who are the relatives and friends of the hero?
4. What challenges does the hero face?
5. Pick one major episode in the life of your character and be ready to tell the story to the class.
6. Look for any movies that are based on the life of your hero. How faithful to the original story

Create a PowerPoint ( 10-12 slides) or other visual presentation to use as you share the information with the class. Post in CANVAS.   Everybody in your group needs to speak. 50 PTS - 30 for the visual/20 for the presentation
We are going to take a few minutes to gather information about eight Greek heroes.

April 1, 2014 - No Joke!

Class Work

1. Peer Editing Activity: CANVAS has assigned two classmates to review your essay. You have two essays assigned to you. Go to CANVAS to find your assigned essays to review.

You will need a rubric. (Handout)

2. Let's talk conclusions:

DO NOT:

• Summarize the essay.
• Use "in conclusion," "to conclude," "in summary," or other similar phrases. Also avoid the "I think, I feel, and I believe" phrases.
• Apologize
• Redefine the word
• Stating the thesis AGAIN.
• Overly sentimental statements.
• Random "stuff" that hardly relates to the essay.

Consider instead:

•  include a quotation from your research.
• use a sentence with one-syllable words (This creates drama!)
• describe a scenario where your word is in action!
• show the reader useful implications for your definition. Now that they know what you know, what do you want the readers to do with the information?
• share how the term applies to the greater scheme of things.
• Remember, the conclusion is your last chance to have the last word!

(Handout . . . follow along)



Homework:  Post only the conclusion in CANVAS by the beginning of class on Thursday. The entire essay is due next Tuesday.

Just for fun . . . This is a classification essay - a cousin of a definition paper. See where you fit!
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/classification.htm


2. What do you carry? Take an inventory of the "things" you brought to class today. ( 3 minutes to list) Discussion to follow.

Reading Homework:

Read "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien
http://www.tarleton.edu/Faculty/sword/The%20Things%20They%20Carried.pdf

Keep track of the characters and list the "things" each carried. Bring the lists to class on Thursday.

March 27, 2014 - Thursday

Class Work

1. On a post-it note, write the term you plan to define. Place it on the board. (Place to be noted.) Before you post, look to see if anyone else selected your topic. Place your post by that person's post-it.

2. Gather with other "like" terms. Share your paper charts. Share sources/sites.

3. Now, ask three people who are not in your group to define your term and to give you an example of what it is. Take notes - get the correct spelling of the names.

How to write a definition essay -

Simple directions: http://www.collegeessaytips.org/college-essay-tips/how-to-write-a-definition-essay/

More complete directions with a sample: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/definition.htm

Let's look at this sample together. (paper handout provided)

On-line sample - this one is short and sweet. Note the organization.
http://www.scholaradvisor.com/essay-examples/definition-essay-example/

This one is on the same topic of "success," but elaboration helps to make a strong point.

*************************************************************************

Getting ready for the next topic. What things did you carry to class today? Make a list. What do the things that you carry say about you?

*************************************************************************
Homework

Write the draft of your definition essay. Decide how you will organize, then follow your plan. You could start just about anyplace on the chart!

In your essay, include a reference from In the Time of the Butterflies, information about a "wall," and at least one quotation from someone in the class. In addition, include information as needed from the other boxes on your chart.

Remember, the introduction must capture the attention of the readers and introduce the term.
Pay attention to your introduction.

Post in CANVAS. (50 pts.)

March 25, 2014 - Tuesday

Class Work
Let's finish the movie . . .

A. Catching up . . .
1. What do you know about the General?
2. Whose picture was framed and on the wall in the home of the Mirabel sisters?
3. Who is Leo? To what "party" did he belong?
4. Who tried to kill the General?
5. Why did the General invite the Mirabel family to the state ball?
6. Why does the General hate the people from Haiti?
7. What other problems exist in the Dominican Republic?


We pick up at the home of the Mirabel family.

Following the movie, there will be a brief discussion.

B. This was Thursday's homework.

Think of three possible topics to use as the focus of a definition essay.
Possibilities:

• Revolution
• Walls
• Violence
• Freedom
• Unity
• Separation
• etc...

For each topic, write three sentences for each topic and share your personal thoughts. How does each topic relate to you?

(Three topics
Three sentences per topic.)
(24 pts.) Post in Canvas. this is due Tuesday.

What additional topics did you consider?

For homework, fill in the "definition paper" chart. (Handout)  Bring it to class on Thursday. Hand written notes are fine. If you prefer, simply create a table in WORD and carry on!

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Class Work

This was Tuesday's homework.
Conduct some research.
1. Who were the Mirabal sisters?
2. Write a paragraph about General Rafael Trujillo.
3. Describe what life was like in the Dominican Republic in the 1950s.
4. Create an MLA Works Cited page.
 What do you know about the Mirabal sisters? At your table, agree on the 5 most important facts. Write on Post-its and post on the wall.
What do you know about General Trujillo and his rule? At your table, list the 5 most important facts. Write on Post-its and post on the wall.

Let the show begin . . . We will be watching In The Time of the Butterflies. Remember, you are keeping track of the events and people that unite and those that divide.

Homework

Think of three possible topics to use as the focus of a definition essay.
Possibilities:

• Revolution
• Walls
• Violence
• Freedom
• Unity
• Separation
• etc...

For each topic, write three sentences for each topic and share your personal thoughts. How does each topic relate to you?

(Three topics
Three sentences per topic.)
(24 pts.) Post in Canvas. this is due Tuesday.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Class Work

Today we are going to participate in the Humannequin Project in celebration of Women's History Month 2014.

• You will be given a handout to use to take notes. (20 minutes)
• Upon returning to class, you will complete a QuickWrite. Post in Canvas. (25 pts) Select one of the topics that made an impact on you. Write a one-page paper and discuss. Be sure that your paper shows how you agree or disagree with the visuals on display.
• A brief discussion period will follow.

We have been discussing walls and barriers. Today we will continue on that journey.
Over the holiday you read several articles and responded to each. (See last Thursday's blog.)

Which article did you like the best? The least?

Take a few minutes to discuss at your table. Look back at the questions and reference your responses as you discuss.

************************************

We are going to begin watching In the Time of the Butterflies. The movie is based on a true story about the Mirabal sisters. In the movie, you will see situations where people are brought together and other occasions where they are torn apart. Take notes. Take a page and divide it in two: Things that separate vs. Things that unite.

Homework:

Conduct some research.
1. Who were the Mirabal sisters?
2. Write a paragraph about General Rafael Trujillo
3. Describe what life was like in the Dominican Republic in the 1950s.
4. Create an MLA Works Cited page.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Class Work

Share your personal experience of being "walled in" by a physical barrier.

Questions to consider:

• Was the location given/described?
• Were there other people involved? Were they introduced?
• Was there any conversation? Could more be added to enhance the "story?"
• Was there a resolution to the situation?

How do people get rid of or "break down" walls? What other situations result in separation? Does the barrier always need to be physical?

Is money a barrier? Could you live in poverty? Could you survive in wealth?

Let's read the following essay by Marcus Mabry who lived in both worlds.
"Living in Two Worlds" by Marcus Mabry
http://www.theprepschoolnegro.org/2010/06/marcus-mabry-the-lawrenceville-school-class-of-85/

Think about a time when you tried to escape one world and exchange it for another. How successful were you? At what cost did you make the change. Perhaps you are still in transition. Describe the journey. (Quick Write - submit on Canvas - 25 pts.)


Homework: Read the following essays. Answer the question(s) following each. Post in Canvas. (75 Pts.)

"Terra Firma - A Journey from Migrant Farm Labor to Neurosurgery" by Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp078105

Write a brief letter encouraging or discouraging someone to come to the United States. You may include details from the essay and/or use experiences of others.

"An Identity Reduced to a Burka" by Semeen Issa and Laila Al-Marayati
http://www.mwlusa.org/topics/dress/burka.html

Question: Remember a time when a clothing code was imposed on you-for school, work, or for a social event within your peer group or family. Describe how you felt about the requirement and whether you rebelled or conformed. Are identities reduced or enhanced by clothing regulations?

"Hidden in Plain Sight" by Zaiba Malik (You will need to read between the ads on this one! The article is two pages long. Be sure to go to page two to finish.
http://articles.latimes.com/2006/oct/25/opinion/oe-malik25

Question: Write a brief narrative of a time when your choice of clothing or an other's choice of clothing drew unintended attention. Be sure to include the emotional as well as situational impact.

Happy Spring! Enjoy the break. There are no classes next week.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Class Work

1. Share the history of your wall with the others at your table.

A. Was your wall a result of or a part of war?
B. Was your wall created for the sake of beauty?
C. Was your wall functional - served a purpose. For instance, was it big enough to keep wild beasts away?
D. Was your wall erected to keep something or someone inside?
E. Was your wall "successful"? What good is a wall anyway?

Let's return to "Mending Wall." (Summarize)
We ran out of time before you had time to create a dialogue between one of the wall menders and a "someone" at home.  Take the next 10 minutes to create a conversation between you and one other person. Either play the role of the neighbor who believes that "good fences make good neighbors," or play the role of the narrator who believes that "something there is that doesn't like a wall."

Have the chosen character have a conversation with someone who was not out helping to mend the wall. Stick to your chosen character's point of view in the conversation. The other participant in the conversation may be either a hostile or a friendly audience. That is, that individual may either disagree or agree with you.

(Share with the class.)

So, do "good fences make good neighbors," or not? That is the topic of our next essay.

Now, let's think bigger. What kinds of walls or fences exist that are not necessarily tangible? (Discuss)



Go for the lyrics or for a poem - here is an example:
A winter's day

In a deep and dark December;
I am alone,
Gazing from my window to the streets below
On a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow.
I am a rock,
I am an island.

I've built walls,
A fortress deep and mighty,
That none may penetrate.
I have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain.
It's laughter and it's loving I disdain.
I am a rock,
I am an island.

Don't talk of love,
But I've heard the words before;
It's sleeping in my memory.
I won't disturb the slumber of feelings that have died.
If I never loved I never would have cried.
I am a rock,
I am an island.

I have my books
And my poetry to protect me;
I am shielded in my armor,
Hiding in my room, safe within my womb.
I touch no one and no one touches me.
I am a rock,
I am an island.

And a rock feels no pain;

by Simon and Garfunkel

As you look at the lyrics, what words and phrases create a "picture" of this personal "wall?"

Here is a chart to use to help you figure out what to include in your essay. Let's talk first. What has your experience been?

Walls/Barriers: Do good fences make good neighbors? Prove it!

Quotations about walls or barriers.
Famous poems or song lyrics about walls or barriers. Are there any famous walls in movies? Name and explain.
Facts about walls, yours specifically.   A.      Time to build B.      Cost both in money and human effort C.      Size D.      Etc. You have much of this on your “wall” report.
How effective is your wall? How effective are walls in general? In short, are they worth the effort? Prove it with facts/statistics.
What is your personal experience with walls/barriers?
Do you recommend walls/barriers either physical or methaphorical? Explain.

Homework:  Conduct more wall research. Complete the chart either on paper or electronically. You can recreate the chart in a Word document if you so desire. Bring it to class on Thursday.

Also, write about a personal experience that included a barrier or wall. This can be a physical or metaphorical wall. One page - just "quick write" and share the story. Due in CANVAS by Thursday. (25 pts.)

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Class Work - Walls continued
A. Watch out for walls! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsyMiTx_CF8 (Thanks to Blake Wahlin!)

B. Take out your wall pictures. Share and discuss. Here are some sample questions.

• Why did you select that wall?
• Why was it built?
• What uses did it serve?
• How old is it?
• How was it made? 
• What materials were used?
• How many people did it take to complete the wall?
• What else do you know about the wall?
• Was the wall a "success?" 

C. Now, take that "magic phone of yours and walk around the campus for 10 minutes. You may work in pairs or you may work individually. Take at least one picture of a wall or barrier that you found interesting in some way. If you don't have a camera on your phone, you may borrow a camera from me.

Post picture in CANVAS and explain why you selected that wall or barrier. See the questions above to help you think of what to say in a paragraph about your selected wall or barrier. Due - TODAY - February 27, 2014! 25 pts.


Partner Activity - "Mending Wall" by Robert Frost (handout)
Link: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15719


Do good fences make good neighbors? (Table discussion.)


Listen for the instructions.

Homework: Going back to the wall you selected for "B," if it is a wall or type of wall with history. Your assignment is to conduct research and discover the "history" of your wall. Check information from at least two sources. Also note if  the wall has changed over time. Explain.
 Was anything surprising? Post your history of the wall in CANVAS along with the sources searched.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Class Work

1. "All's well that ends well!" or so says Shakespeare. How well does your essay end?

• Share at your table
• Nominate someone to share with the class - not the same person who shared last time! Everybody needs to take a turn.
• As a class, we will listen to the conclusions. What made the conclusions effective

 2. Print your essay so that you can look at it with a partner. During this activity, you will be looking for the in-text citations.

•  Underline all in-text citations.
• Look at the Works Cited page. Make sure there is an entry for each piece of borrowed information. Check as you go.
• (A writer may borrow multiple pieces of information from a single source. Only one Works Cited entry needs to be included. However, an in-text citation must be included every time borrowed information is used in the text.)
• Check to be sure that sources that are NOT referenced in the text do NOT appear on the Works Cited page. 
• Check MLA formatting. (See last Thursday's blog for guidelines and sample essays.)

3. HOMEWORK: It is time to post the FINAL draft of your technology paper in MyCompLab. Revise and correct as needed. It is due Thursday.

A. Table Work: Create a mind-map using Walls/Barriers as the center element. Branch out from there. Yes, the colored pens are available! One map per table, please. All names must appear on the map. The person with the birthday closest to today is the "illustrator" of the map.

The person with the birthday farthest from today is the "leader/questioner" who keeps asking, "What else do we know about walls?"  and other questions.
Moving on . . . .

B. Take out your wall pictures. Share and discuss. Here are some sample questions.

• Why did you select that wall?
• Why was it built?
• What uses did it serve?
• How old is it?
• How was it made? 
• What materials were used?
• How many people did it take to complete the wall?
• What else do you know about the wall?
• Was the wall a "success?" 

C. Now, take that "magic phone of yours and walk around the campus for 10 minutes. You may work in pairs or you may work individually. Take at least one picture of a wall or barrier that you found interesting in some way. If you don't have a camera on your phone, you may borrow a camera from me.

Post picture in CANVAS and explain why you selected that wall or barrier. See the questions above to help you think of what to say in a paragraph about your selected wall or barrier. Due - TODAY! 25 pts.


Partner Activity - "Mending Wall" by Robert Frost (handout)
Link: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15719


Homework:  Pick a wall, any wall, and find out how and why the wall or barrier was created. (Not all walls are barriers. Some are memorials.) Post a picture of the wall and your information in CANVAS. Give credit to your sources.) (25 pts.)

Thursday - February 20, 2014

 Class Work
Now that you know what to do to create a great first impression, it is time to get on with the rough draft of the essay. Look back at the instructions. Follow the instructions.
WRITE THE DRAFT! Write all but the conclusion before Thursday.
Note where the in-text citations will go if you do not know how to do them. Otherwise, be sure to include the in-text citations.
Post in MyCompLab. (50 pts.) 

Please get your paper ready for a peer editor to read. You will receive a peer editing sheet. Listen for instructions.

We did not get to do this on Tuesday .

You probably noticed that you could include a quotation from a user of the technological wonder you selected as the focus of your essay. Take the next few minutes to interview at least three other students in our room. First, you need to devise three or four good questions to use as the focus of your interview.
Questions that require either a "yes" or "no" answer do not work well. What can you ask that will elicit extended responses?

Here are some tips: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/559/06/

Take notes. Be sure you have the correct spelling of the names. Add the interview information to your EasyBib collection for this project. www.easybib.com

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We pause now for a few words from your classmates on ways to include in-text citations without going crazy! WORD is your friend. 

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 On to the conclusion...
http://writing2.richmond.edu/writing/wweb/conclude.html

or consider a call to action!
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_call_to_action_in_a_persuasive_essay#slide=1&article=What_is_the_call_to_action_in_a_persuasive_essay


  Here is a sample: http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/page.cfm?pageid=1144

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 Homework: Write the conclusion and add it to the rest of your essay. Revise the body of the essay and add in-text citations. Post in MyCompLab by Tuesday. This is the next-to-the- last-draft. (50 pts) You will have one more opportunity to polish before the final draft is submitted. Work hard now and have little to revise!

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Sample MLA style essay. Make your essay look like this!
http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/resdoc5e/RES5e_ch08_s1-0014.html
or
www.dianahacker.com/pdfs/hacker-Daly-MLA.pdf



Preview of coming attractions . . .Walls, walls, walls . . . start thinking about walls. Bring a picture of a famous or not-so-famous wall to class on Tuesday or be able to locate the picture when you arrive on Tuesday.

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February 18, 2014 - Tuesday

Class Work

Just for fun . . . https://www.yahoo.com/tech/how-to-get-hacked-5-exciting-steps-77015513634.html

How secure is your life? How secure do you want it to be? Does it bother you that there are cameras watching you? Does it bother you that you can be tracked by the use of your phone or your credit cards? Are you safe when you are "visible?"


1.  Share your anecdote with the others at your table. As a group, select one reader to share with the entire class. Feel free to nominate extra readers!
Was there a point to your story?

2. By now, you should feel ready to write your essay.
Here are the instructions once again:

Technology – Friend or Foe?

For this essay, you are writing to convince the opposition of the merits or dangers of technology or controversial medical advances.  For this essay, you must pick a side. Think of this essay as a debate on paper. You must know what the opposition thinks, but you do not support that point of view.

I. Introduction –
a. Identify the specific technology you will be discussing – cell phone, computer, automobile, dishwasher, microwave, GPS, etc. Or you may discuss a specific medical advance such as stem cell research or cloning.  

b. Capture the attention of the audience in the normal way with startling statistics, an interesting anecdote, a quotation from an expert, lines from a song or poem, a thought provoking question, etc. In short, make sure that what you say makes the reader want to know more.
c. In addition, state your thesis – make your point of view clear!
II. The body of the paper will do several things –
a. Convince the readers that they either need or do not need the technology.
b. Provide a brief history of the specific technology you plan to discuss. What was life like before its invention? When was it invented? How has it evolved? What is its story?
c. Provide clear evidence to support your point of view. You must have proof from
1) At least two experts.
2) A current news source such as a newspaper or magazine
article or news cast.
3) An interview with at least one user if you select the technology option.
4) A personal anecdote if you select the technology option or have personal experience with the medical option.

5) Lines from literature – poem, short story, or novel. We read “The Veldt” and “There Will Come Soft Rains.”

6) Strong statistics from an expert source.
The body of the paper will be several paragraphs in length.
III. Conclusion –
Wrap it up for the readers. Leave them with a call to action to either give up or get the gadget you selected or to support or fight against the medical advance you selected. Be sure they know why they need or do not need one. Consider:
a. Convenience
b. Cost
c. Safety
d. Environmental impact

e. Ethical concerns

Here are some tips for writing strong first sentences:

http://itdc.lbcc.edu/oer/esl/esl33xal/presentations/introductoryparagraphs/introductoryparagraphs-notes.html

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/intros.htm

Here are some sample first lines. Which ones do you like?

A. These are from college admission exams. Stanford published 22 opening lines of essays they liked, the writers of which were offered a place in the graduating class of 2012. Here are eight of those 22, chosen for their variety and uniqueness:

1. On a hot Hollywood evening, I sat on a bike, sweltering in a winter coat and furry boots.
2. While traveling through the daily path of life, have you ever stumbled upon a hidden pocket of the universe?
3. Cancer tried to defeat me, and it failed.
4. Flying over enemy territory, I took in Beirut’s beautiful skyline and wondered if under different circumstances I would have hopped on a bus and come here for my vacation. Instead, I saw the city from the window of a helicopter, in military uniform, my face camouflaged, on my way to a special operation deep behind enemy lines.
5. I change my name each time I place an order at Starbucks.
6. I was paralyzed from the waist down. I would try to move my leg or even shift an ankle but I never got a response. This was the first time thoughts of death ever crossed my mind.
7. As an Indian-American, I am forever bound to the hyphen.
8. Unlike many mathematicians, I live in an irrational world; I feel that my life is defined by a certain amount of irrationalities that bloom too frequently, such as my brief foray in front of 400 people without my pants.

B. There are suggestions for first lines to just about anything! http://writersrelief.com/blog/2009/06/how-to-write-a-good-first-line-for-books-novels-short-stories-essays-and-articles/

C. Just in case you want to think some more . . . http://www.alphastudent.com/start-an-essay-opening-sentence/
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We did not get to do this on Friday.

You probably noticed that you could include a quotation from a user of the technological wonder you selected as the focus of your essay. Take the next few minutes to interview at least three other students in our room. First, you need to devise three or four good questions to use as the focus of your interview.
Questions that require either a "yes" or "no" answer do not work well. What can you ask that will elicit extended responses?

Here are some tips: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/559/06/

Take notes. Be sure you have the correct spelling of the names. Add the interview information to your EasyBib collection for this project. www.easybib.com



Now that you know what to do to create a great first impression, it is time to get on with the rough draft of the essay. Look back at the instructions. Follow the instructions.
WRITE THE DRAFT! Write all but the conclusion before Thursday.
Note where the in-text citations will go if you do not know how to do them. Otherwise, be sure to include the in-text citations.
Post in MyCompLab. (50 pts.)

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