JOURNAL TOPIC:
When should an argument bring people together? When should it end a relationship?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Vocab
HW:
1. Read for Lit. Analysis #4 (due 3/11)
2. Vocab sentences (due Tuesday 3/1)
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
February 25
JOURNAL TOPIC:
Describe a habit of yours that bugs other people.
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Writing a thesis statement
3. The meaning of "If"-- how to decode a poem
3. The persistence of memory
HW:
1. Read a good book (the weather will be perfect for it!)
2. OPTIONAL ESSAY
In honor of the upcoming CAHSEE (March 8-9), you have the option to complete the following essay and turn it in Monday for teachers to read during our meeting time after the early dismissal. This essay is mandatory for College Prep classes. Although Honors students have already completed assignments that exceed this standard, it is important (and legally compliant) to offer equitable access to academic support, so if you want/need the practice, please respond to the following prompt and bring it with you on Monday.
WRITING TASK
Community curfews for teenagers are controversial. Some people believe that community curfews for teenagers are a good idea. They reduce certain crimes connected to teenagers, such as vandalism and underage drinking, and they also protect teenagers from becoming victims of more serious crimes. Others assert that communities shouldn’t take over the role of parents. In other words, it should be up to individual families to decide upon an appropriate curfew for their teenage children.
What do you think? Write an essay in which you express your opinions about community curfews for teenagers. Taking either position is acceptable as long as you present clear, well-reasoned evidence to support your position. You should anticipate and respond to the arguments of people who would disagree with your opinion.
Describe a habit of yours that bugs other people.
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Writing a thesis statement
3. The meaning of "If"-- how to decode a poem
3. The persistence of memory
HW:
1. Read a good book (the weather will be perfect for it!)
2. OPTIONAL ESSAY
In honor of the upcoming CAHSEE (March 8-9), you have the option to complete the following essay and turn it in Monday for teachers to read during our meeting time after the early dismissal. This essay is mandatory for College Prep classes. Although Honors students have already completed assignments that exceed this standard, it is important (and legally compliant) to offer equitable access to academic support, so if you want/need the practice, please respond to the following prompt and bring it with you on Monday.
WRITING TASK
Community curfews for teenagers are controversial. Some people believe that community curfews for teenagers are a good idea. They reduce certain crimes connected to teenagers, such as vandalism and underage drinking, and they also protect teenagers from becoming victims of more serious crimes. Others assert that communities shouldn’t take over the role of parents. In other words, it should be up to individual families to decide upon an appropriate curfew for their teenage children.
What do you think? Write an essay in which you express your opinions about community curfews for teenagers. Taking either position is acceptable as long as you present clear, well-reasoned evidence to support your position. You should anticipate and respond to the arguments of people who would disagree with your opinion.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
February 24
JOURNAL TOPIC:
Modern science has led to the creation of new breeds (labradoodle, e.g.) and even animals (consider the liger). What hybrid or new species would you create if you could? Why?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Finish "If" and discuss Kipling's intended meaning
3. Last week's essay prompt
4. Discuss "Mind-Gamer" memorization article
HW:
1. Make sure you've got a literature analysis book (#4 due 3/11)
2. Quick-write: What is your impression of standardized testing? Do you think it's helpful? Do you think it should be continued, improved, or abandoned? Why? Come to class Fri. ready to discuss.
Modern science has led to the creation of new breeds (labradoodle, e.g.) and even animals (consider the liger). What hybrid or new species would you create if you could? Why?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Finish "If" and discuss Kipling's intended meaning
3. Last week's essay prompt
4. Discuss "Mind-Gamer" memorization article
HW:
1. Make sure you've got a literature analysis book (#4 due 3/11)
2. Quick-write: What is your impression of standardized testing? Do you think it's helpful? Do you think it should be continued, improved, or abandoned? Why? Come to class Fri. ready to discuss.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
February 23
JOURNAL TOPIC:
Imagine that you've accomplished all you set out to do. What would it take for you to risk it all, lose it, and move on without complaint?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Discuss "If"
3. Analyze weekend essay prompt & thesis statements
4. E.C. opportunity
HW:
1. Read "Secrets of a Mind-Gamer" (if you haven't already) and take active reading notes for discussion Thursday 2/24
Imagine that you've accomplished all you set out to do. What would it take for you to risk it all, lose it, and move on without complaint?
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Discuss "If"
3. Analyze weekend essay prompt & thesis statements
4. E.C. opportunity
HW:
1. Read "Secrets of a Mind-Gamer" (if you haven't already) and take active reading notes for discussion Thursday 2/24
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Secrets of a Mind-Gamer
Friends, Romans, Countrymen:
It's been a while since we memorized anything in class, and some of you struggled with the poem "If." Apart from the neurological and practical benefits we've discussed in class, memorization also causes us to spend time with a text, which changes the way we think about it, so it's worth giving another thought-- especially if you think you can do it better.
Since a strong, flexible mind is the ultimate learning technology, I'm always interested in ways to improve it. This weekend I read an article (see below) that describes a simple technique people just like you and me have used to increase their ability to memorize more information than I would have guessed possible.
Click on the link below to read "Secrets of a Mind-Gamer" and be ready to discuss in class on Wednesday 2/24:
Secrets of a Mind-Gamer
It's been a while since we memorized anything in class, and some of you struggled with the poem "If." Apart from the neurological and practical benefits we've discussed in class, memorization also causes us to spend time with a text, which changes the way we think about it, so it's worth giving another thought-- especially if you think you can do it better.
Since a strong, flexible mind is the ultimate learning technology, I'm always interested in ways to improve it. This weekend I read an article (see below) that describes a simple technique people just like you and me have used to increase their ability to memorize more information than I would have guessed possible.
Click on the link below to read "Secrets of a Mind-Gamer" and be ready to discuss in class on Wednesday 2/24:
Secrets of a Mind-Gamer
February 19
JOURNAL TOPIC:
Describe how you would make a person with no sense of humor smile.
AGENDA:
1. Journal/turn in HW
2. "If"
3. Leftover meetings with guidance techs
4. Begin discussing weekend essay prompts
Describe how you would make a person with no sense of humor smile.
AGENDA:
1. Journal/turn in HW
2. "If"
3. Leftover meetings with guidance techs
4. Begin discussing weekend essay prompts
Friday, February 18, 2011
The Importance of Primary Sources
Ever wonder why the game of telephone works so well, or why your gossip-y friends never get the story quite right, or why some of your textbooks contain incorrect information?
As much as we try, we have a hard time replicating ANYTHING exactly. Check out this video to see what happens when 500 people try and trace a simple line by looking only at the one that came just before and not the original. That seems simple enough, doesn't it?
As much as we try, we have a hard time replicating ANYTHING exactly. Check out this video to see what happens when 500 people try and trace a simple line by looking only at the one that came just before and not the original. That seems simple enough, doesn't it?
A Sequence of Lines Traced by Five Hundred Individuals from clement valla on Vimeo.
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