So Much to Say...

First off, today's TED Talk.  Could you please?  Rewatch it, take notes, and LEARN from her.  My goodness.  She is what beauty is.

Secondly, interested in attending a TEDx Talk at SDSU on Saturday 10/11, 8;30am-6:00pm with a $10 charge for lunch???  Make sure to sign up in my classroom.  The sign up sheet is pasted on the back of the classroom door.  I need to get an interest list to Mrs. Hedges ASAP.

Make sure you check yesterday's blog post for access to the NYT article by David Brooks.  You'll need it in class tomorrow.  And, yes, I could have relinked it here.  But you're capable, right?

And, as a final plug for the credibility of the precis, check out the image below.

Received this yesterday in the middle of period 6.  I'm not making this stuff up.  See y'all tomorrow.  xoxo

Rhetorical Precis Notes

Below is the format for the precis:

1.  Name of author, [optional: a phrase describing author], genre and title of work (date in parentheses) (additional publishing information in parentheses or note); a rhetorically accurate verb (such as "assert," "argue," "suggest," 'imply," 'claim," etc.); and a THAT clause containing the major assertion (thesis statement) of the work.

2.  An explanation of HOW the author develops and/or supports the thesis, usually in chronological order.

3.  A statement of the author's apparent purpose followed by an "in order to" phrase.

4.  A description of the intended audience and/or the relationship the author establishes with the audience.

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Dave Barry example:

In "The Ugly Truth About Beauty" (1998), Dave Barry argues that "...women generally do not think of their looks in the same way that men do" (4).  Barry illuminates this discrepancy by juxtaposing men's perceptions of their looks with women's, by contrasting female role models with male role models, and by comparing men's interests with women's.  He exaggerates and stereotypes these differences in order to prevent women from so eagerly accepting society's expectations of them; in fact, Barry claims that men who want women to "look like Cindy Crawford" are "idiots" (10).  Barry ostensibly addresses men in this essay because he opens and closes the essay directly addressing men and offering to give them advice in a mockingly conspiratorial fashion; however, by using humor to poke fun at both men and women's perceptions of themselves, Barry makes his essay palatable to both genders and hopes to convince women to stop obsessively "thinking they need to look like Barbie" (8).

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Your own example is due on Wednesday in class.  Show up with your work or not at all!!!!!
AND, make sure you read (and print if you can) THIS article.  You'll need it for Wednesday's class.

xoxo

Rhetorical Precis

So this weekend, have a look at the notes we were going to go over on Thursday in class.  Be ready to use and discuss in class on Monday.  :)

Have a great weekend and thanks for your cooperation with the sub(s).  xoxo

My Boyfriend Gave a TED Talk

Good ol' Benjamin Zander!  This is seriously one of my all time favorites.  Check it out again before Thursday and make sure you take notes galore.  This one is full of quotable quotes and good takeaways.

Tomorrow, your mind will be BLOWN away by the quality of writing we're going to read.  After school, dare I say, you will want to run to the bookstore and buy a copy of this author's work.

Thursday we're NOT having multiple choice, but we're reading to feed our brains.  I'll explain that better tomorrow in class.  And Friday it's Round III SAS.

xoxo

p.s. - thanks to the fabulous MD who introduced me to Tiny Buddha.  That's a great site so check it out if you're so inclined.

p.p.s. - Z, if you still read this, stretchmarks.

TED Talk Tomorrow

The TED Talk we're watching tomorrow is probably my all-time favorite.  We'll see how you take it.
Also, I altered the weekly schedule.  Wednesday you'll be working with rhetorical devices in a stellar piece of writing.  It's going to blow your mind.  I cannot wait.  So Thursday we'll play with multiple choice or maybe I'll make you write.  Dunno.

See y'all tomorrow.

xoxo

Rhetorical Devices

Tools.

Toolbox.

Use the tools.

Don't be a tool.

Book recommendations:  On Writing (Stephen King), Unbroken, Seabiscuit  (Laura Hillenbrand).

READ.

R
  E
    A
      D.

Daer.
DAER.

Dare to read.

xoxo

Shades of Meaning

Connotation and denotation are fundamental in writing and in this class.  Make sure you "get" the concepts.  Monday 9/22 you will have to present your own Shade of Meaning project.  Remember to pick a neutral word and go from there.  Delivery matters.

See me with questions.

Tomorrow we will attack rhetorical devices and start building a bridge.  And Friday is Stuff about Stuff Round II.  Bring it.

xoxo

TED Talk Tuesday - Our Standard

So, just like Multiple Choice scoring day is a thing, so is TED Talk Tuesday.  The expectations are below.

Make sure you rewatch Brene Brown's The Power of Vulnerability.

1.  View TED Talk as a class.
2.  No notes, just watching.
3.  Small group or class discussion.  We'll chat about impressions, thoughts, questions, hmms...
4.  Writing debrief/reflection based on a prompt I'll give you in class.  We'll usually write for 10-15 minutes, and the work will be turned in.
5.  L.O.* - You SHOULD rewatch the TED Talk at least once before class on Thursday.  (As in two days after I first show it to you!).  This is when you take your notes, find juicy quotes, write a summary.  All of this should go into your Stuff about Stuff journals.

xoxo

* Possible timed write on any TED Talk viewed in class given at any time the Thursday after the original viewing.

"Vulnerability is the core of joy, creativity, belonging, and love." ~ Brene Brown

I'd say 85%...

...of you brought it. Good. Very good. Rest up, stay cool and I'll see y'all Monday.
Xoxo

Multiple Choice Mania - Round 1

You're currently getting your feet wet with the practice multiple choice.  I wonder how you're doing and if you're mind is at work.  Tomorrow we will experience our first Stuff About Stuff for the year.  So be ready...I might let you volunteer or just call on people...

Thought I'd leave you with this.

"You must truly believe in yourself.  You must end the 'I'll give this a try' mindset and switch to an 'I'm going to succeed' belief." ~ Craig Ballantyne

xoxo

Aristotle is My Man

So, the 5 canons.  We did that.  Isn't it glorious???  I mean, really?  Aristotle.  The 5 canons - the foundation for all things rhetoric.  Memorize them or else I'll be sad.

Tomorrow, your first toe dip into AP Lang multiple choice.  Just a snippet...not for a grade, but consider it a warm-up (with a race coming soon).

Friday, first Stuff About Stuff.  Be.  Ready.

xoxo

Need Coffee

I have a dream in my heart. Thought I'd share. Good job today. Just consider the possibilities. I'll see y'all tomorrow.

Ps - I love Post It notes.

Monday Monday

I didn't sleep well at all last night.  My poor little kinder kid had nosebleeds due to the dry heat (Heat that I kinda am not loving).  So alas, if I am a bit "off", it's probably because 1.) I'm tired, 2.) my class AC is broken, and/or 3.) I'm worried about my kiddo.  But life must go on...In fact, as Vonnegut would say," So it goes."

Period 3:  (actually all of you), Stuff about Stuff Journals need to be acquired.  Presentations Friday.  And Period 3, please have your letters to me if they weren't already handed in.

Everyone:  The 9 Rhetors presentation/L.O. needs to be ready tomorrow.  Use the examples I showed in class as a baseline but create your own original ones.  We'll present on a volunteer basis as usual.

The weekly calendar looks like this:
Monday - rhetorical triangle
Tuesday - 9 Rhetors Presentations
Wed - the 5 canons and the appeals (sounds like an indy band)
Th- Practice (I stress practice) Multiple Choice to give you a feel for what you're in for
Fri - Stuff about Stuff presentations, Round 1

And check out/read if you are so inclined, Cynthia's blog.  And devour The Tao of Pooh.

xoxo

It's Official

A love affair.
Just read your letters. Oh.  My.

Although it seems cryptic, best coffee shops for those on the hunt?  In my estimation, Dark Horse on Adams, Lestat's on Adams and Filter on University in Hillcrest. Ooh and Rebecca's in South Park for the iced Vietnamese. They only take cash though.

It's 7:12. My dishes are done.  I'm pretty done too.

Xoxo

Stuff About Stuff

Find your end all be all Stuff about Stuff journal for the year.  It's imperative.

Enjoy your weekend and be ready to roll on Monday!

xoxo

p.s. - Period 3, I'll explain Monday so don't worry about journals, okay??

Musings

I love being able to see you...like really see you.  So thanks for presenting today.  Mad shout outs to period 4 Hunger Games style race to present.  Every single one of you rocked it.

Some tidbits:
-Read (or reread) the Feb. 26, 2014 post in my archives for a flavor of what I expect.
-Book recommendations:  Middlesex, The Opposite of Loneliness, The Bell Jar, The Sirens of Titan, The Things They Carried, and Blink.  Such great books - food for your brains.
- Period 3, meet me in the Big Gym tomorrow for the grade level assembly.

And remember, as you get settled into our class and our routines:  "Comparison is the thief of joy."

xoxo

To Zac

I love you too.

And new APES (AP English Students), I am beyond grateful already.

See y'all tomorrow.

Xoxo

Official Writing

So I'm posting this early so as not to forget...The first L.O. is due tomorrow so here goes...

1.  Hand write a minimum 1 page (not crumpled) piece that responds to the title "What I ABSOLUTELY Know For Sure".

2.  Synthesize that piece into a 6 word memoir that encapsulates your philosophy/belief.

Be prepared to present the 6 word memoir in class tomorrow and Friday.

Announcements:
- I just ate a homemade pumpkin muffin.  Life is good.
- Textbook check out is tomorrow at the beginning of class.  So come to class, check in, then be ready to head to the library for all your books.  Make sure you have your id cards and schedules.
- Friday is the PLHS grade level assembly.  PERIOD 3, you will meet me in the Big Gym.  Check in so I won't mark you absent.
- I am already so grateful to be your teacher.

xoxo

Welcome

Ready for your first L.O. (homework/assignment in the traditional sense)?  Leave a comment (I moderate them so don't freak if you don't see it posted) and prove that you have visited your new best friend - also known as this blog.  Historically, I use this as a virtual meeting place - L.O.s, announcements, extra opportunities.  So be a frequent visitor.  See y'all tomorrow.

xoxo