Happy Everything

I wish you all a beautiful, healthful, happy break.

Stay safe and make good choices.

And read East of Eden.

xoxo

Some Thoughts

Everyone is entitled to their opinion.  This is a fundamental truth in my world but that doesn't mean I have to agree with them.  That some students made light of today's presentation is beyond sad.  Choosing to drink is a personal choice - of that I am sure - but when you get into a car and drive, that is the MOST SELFISH act.  That you would think you matter more than someone else.

I am not perfect by any means and I have made some very stupid choices in my life, but I can say with my whole heart, that every moment is a series of choices.  Make good ones.

For those I won't see, Happy Spring Break.  And for periods 2, 4 and 6 I will see you for class tomorrow.

xoxo

Wednesday Warriors or Worriers

What an interesting day...if you were absent, see a classmate or me for notes.  Block schedule tomorrow and Friday.

TH - 1,3,7
FRI - 2,4,6

Bring a book (East of Eden) to class.  Also, we'll be doing a bit of writing as well.

xoxo

TED Talk Tuesday

Thanks for watching Amy Cuddy.  Here's the link so you can watch it again and do some Prom Dress Notes.

Tomorrow, come to class prepared with your reading/annotations of Letter from Birmingham Jail. The text is posted on Sunday's blog entry.

Off to get the Things 1 and 2.

xoxo

But It's Monday!

Hope today made sense!  This next 6 weeks is essentially the last of it all...so your semester grade will 80% be determined before heading into the TED Talk final.  Major grades for the next six weeks: East of Eden, writing, writing writing, Prom Dress & Sweatpants Notes and Create Something 2.0.

For Wednesday's expectations, see yesterday's post.  Tomorrow, the TED Talk and a little magic with sentences.

Block schedule this Th (1,3,7) and Friday (2, 4, 6).

xoxo

Academic Moves that Matter

If I do nothing else for you as a teacher, I hope that I am able to make each of you better writers.  My goal is that you will attend your first college English, Philosophy, Psychology, etc. class and be able to not only hang with your peers but surpass them with your ability to critically think and write.  In order to do that, though, I need your help.  You simply MUST do your part since I am only one person up against the machine that is your educational experience.  What I am asking you to do isn't for a grade, or for a test, or for some mindless packet.  It's for YOU.  It's for your wallet.  It's for your future promotions, presentations, and pitches.

That being said, here's the heavy lifting for the week.

Tomorrow's lesson will center around your Synthesis essays from last Thursday as well as the text The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing - They Say I Say by Gerald Graff, Cathy Birkenstein and Russel Durst.  Read this excerpt, annotate it and attempt to understand what we're going to do for the next month. I will expect this done by Wednesday (though if you come to class already having read it, YES!).  If you don't make the time to complete this task by Wednesday, it is truly and sincerely your loss.

(Some of you lucky enough to have the means might also consider reading the whole book as an investment for senior year, college and beyond.)

In addition, I would like you to read and annotate Martin Luther King's Letter from a Birmingham Jail by Wednesday.  We will be discussing King's "academic moves" and then applying our newfound knowledge to a different text for practice.

Since I'm not one to give homework or big projects over breaks (if you haven't read East of Eden yet, well...that was mentioned in September.  That's your bad.)  we will be doing a lot this week.

Enjoy your Sunday.  It's a beautiful day.

xoxo

One More Essay for Period 6...

I am almost done with 4/5 classes.  Period 7 essays will have to go home with me because I have a dinner date and a Coffee House Show to see.  Thank you to all who presented today.  The projects were quite fun.  

Monday, we will continue work with our writing so be ready.  I know it'll be Monday but you can do it.

Have a safe and happy weekend, and please, no emails about grades.  It's JUST A PROGRESS REPORT.

xoxo