What is the most important event of the last 40 years?
Smithsonian Magazine has a list of where they feel we're going and where we've been.
I'm not concerned with your personal life's best (i.e. getting married or having a kid). I want to know about the most imporant event in history, technology, culture, or anything else.
7 paragraphs. Intro / Conclusion / 5 developed reasons why.
This will be done in class on Wednesday (and only in class on Wednesday).
Monday, August 2, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Global Warming Sample Essay
The House of Commons’ Science and Technology Committee recently came to the conclusion that a leading climate research center did not tamper with data to exaggerate evidence that global warming is a threat. The Associated Press (AP) released a report that was featured by FOX and MSNBC on their web sites. Both FOX and MSNBC managed to put their own subtle spins on what was essentially the same report. The FOX News headline reads “Scientists Cleared - - After One-Day Probe,” while MSNBC went with the AP headline reading “’Climategate’ inquiry largely clears scientists.” MSNBC followed its headline with the summation, “British lawmakers say science sound, but want transparency.” FOX’s lead-in line refers to the fact that the investigation was based on “just a single day of testimony.” Each network conveyed a soft message right at the start of its report. MSNBC included a paragraph explaining what was meant by an e-mail “reference to a ‘trick’ that could be used to ‘hide the decline’ of temperatures.” The explanation stated that “hide the decline” was merely scientific shorthand to refer to the discarding of erroneous data, while “trick” was intended to mean simply a “neat way of handing evidence” and not a suggestion of underhanded activity. In MSNBC’s report a statement was included that the controversy would ultimately support global warming science because researchers would be forced to share their information freely, including the comment that “The winner in the end will be climate science itself.” FOX, on the other hand, incorporated several paragraphs highlighting the fact that scientists who are skeptical about global warming theories were upset by the outcome. FOX quoted one such scientist and included a link to his rebuttal of the decision. This scientist specifically argued against the innocence of the terms “hiding the decline” and “trick.” He called the conclusions of the panel “absurd” and stated that the “trick” reference was an intention to trick readers into “receiving a false rhetorical impression” about the climate data. It is clear to see that each of these networks was able to convey the story with its own particular slant. Neither did so in an overt manner, nonetheless they were able to guide the reader's thinking in a certain direction. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36104206 http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/03/31/climate-gate-inquiry-largely-clears-scientists/
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Tom Friedman / World is Flat Answers
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “MIT Milestone Celebration / Keynote Address.” Youtube. January 11, 2008. Web. April 15, 2010. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcE2ufqtzyk.
Friedman, Thomas L. The World is Flat 3.0: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2007. Print.
Response
There are many things that the American tax dollars could finance and there are many different opinions on the subject. 47/56 people think that the money should be put towards new school, schools are what the future generations need to learn and the only way the can learn is if they can go to school. If there are no schools the future generations will not be able to keep the economy running. On the other hand 8/55 people think that the money should be put towards sports stadiums, this number is so small because these stadiums are nice, but they are not necessary for the future growth of the country. 53/57 people think that tax money should be put to National Parks, which is a great idea because there are so many things we can learn from national parks and state owned facilities. National Parks can teach about nature, how we are affecting nature and what we can do to help change our past mistakes. Many people also think that money should be put towards libraries. 50/57 people think that some tax dollars should be put towards libraries because they are allowing people to learn and read, which helps to make people more knowledgeable. Then there are the 48/56 people who don’t think that the tax dollars should go to bailing out failed corporations because these companies did this to themselves why should our tax dollars help them. Companies should be able to manage their money just like any other small business. There are many business owners who are struggling and these corporations need to learn how to spend wisely.
3)Increased use of Predator Drones- 43.9/14.0- Many Americans feel that if we can replace humans with technology, then it would decrease the amount of casualties caused by war. In addition, by increasing the use of Predator Drones, America will have to further its technology which would result in more educated jobs and will greatly advance our use and invention of future technology. 4)Punishing people for texting while driving- 89.1/10.9- People have noticed the danger in using cell phones while driving, and are trying to change their habits. Although Americans always seem to be in a rush, they realize the dangers and new laws in cities have already proved to lower the rate of automobile accidents. 5)Death penalty in cases of murder- 69.6/26.8- This statistic reveals that many Americans feel that if a person takes a life, then they should have their life taken also. If America would install this this as a law, then the jails would be less crowded and our tax dollars would be lower. Also, the Americans would feel safer knowing that the worse people in their societies are no longer able to escape and potenionally seek more harm on them and their enviroment.
Response
A women's right to birth control consisted of results of 96.5/3.5 its obvious that most people were in favor of a women having the right to birth control to protect herself from pregency. Therefore many people agree that in order to prevent pregency and even abortion in a sense is a logical reason for a women to have access to such a contraseptive. Increased individual checks before boarding airplanes had results of 77.2/15.8. This means many indivduals are still very worried about terrorist attacks on planes due to the incidents of 9/11. Punishing people for texting while driving had results of 89.1/10.9. Due to these results it is evident that many people believe text while operating a motorized vehicle is very dangerous to not only the driver but also bystandards aswell. Therefore people find it extremly dangerous to text while driving because of the increased risk of an accident to occur. The U.S. should legalize anyone who is here illegally had results of 3.6/91.1. This means almost all people would be apposed to allowing illegal citizens citizenship because there could be numerous reasons as to why they should or should not have U.S. citizenship. If the country would just allow citizenship to anyone no one is to say who would be living in our country and taking davantage of all we have to offer. Abortion during the third trimester results were 5.4/89.3. Meaning many people would be opposed to the abortion of a fetus that has matured this far, it would almost be like killing an actual baby because of the length the pregency was let go. Also the mother should have been more responsible to have gotten an abortion earlier in her pregnecy it she would have choosen to.
Response
With the world entering a new type of globalization, many people will be caught off guard. The work force industry will change and the world will see less factory jobs and more creative jobs. Instead of competing for a job in the local town, Americans will be forced to compete for jobs against the rest of the world, such as China, Japan and Great Britain. Although these Americans will have to cope with these changes over time, many of them will not be able to obtain these newly creative jobs due to the lack of education, technology, and ambition. Studies have shown that there is a developing gap between the education of U.S. students and those of China and India. The biggest cause of this gap is the lack of leadership and tough love in America. Many parents today do not want to force a career path on their kids, although at the same time they do not want to push them to become better than the average student, which results in the children not being able to handle the rapid change of job titles throughout the world. They simply lack the knowledge and ambition that China and India are teaching their students to become the new creative thinker of tomorrow. If the United States wants to fix this growing problem, they must install influential leaders that will push students to a new academic standard which will result in an overall higher education. This will allow future children to be better than the rest of the world and allow them to become the leaders of tomorrow. The second biggest problem that the U.S. residents face in the changing world is the lack of technology that the rest of the world has. In today’s world, Japan and China lead in the technology race, and are continuously developing new and affective measures to aid the average person. Because of the lack of technology in the United States, many citizens do not understand how to use the “simple stuff” such as computers and cell phones. This failure of understanding technology causes many people to not realize how important technology is to their everyday lives and results in the slower development of new ideas within the country. If the American population wants to solve this problem, they must first strive to improve the internet system within the country and then continuously educate and train its residents on the ever changing technology. This will allow them to eventually catch up in the technology race and soon lead the world in its new globalized state. Lastly, many Americans simply lack the ambition to become better and are satisfied with having an average, mediocre lifestyle. Although their competitive edge is strong, they are competing for the lower end jobs instead of inventing new ones and setting higher standards. Americans often view these jobs as being impossible to reach and are simply dreams that they could only wish to fulfill. If the United States ever decides to overcome this obstacle, they must teach the new generation to strive for their dreams and to never give up. An average life is no longer acceptable in today’s world and that the only way to survive is to be the best, not only within their country, but in the entire world. Overall it is clear to see that the United States faces many problems in the way its citizens view life, and if they ever want to achieve victory, they must start to teach the new generation of students how to successfully accomplish their dreams. If they fail to do this, the U.S. will slowly continue to slide down the totem pole and become the weakest link in the chain. In the end, it is possible to solve these problems; however they must start today and continue striving for success.
Friedman, Thomas L. The World is Flat 3.0: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2007. Print.
Response
There are many things that the American tax dollars could finance and there are many different opinions on the subject. 47/56 people think that the money should be put towards new school, schools are what the future generations need to learn and the only way the can learn is if they can go to school. If there are no schools the future generations will not be able to keep the economy running. On the other hand 8/55 people think that the money should be put towards sports stadiums, this number is so small because these stadiums are nice, but they are not necessary for the future growth of the country. 53/57 people think that tax money should be put to National Parks, which is a great idea because there are so many things we can learn from national parks and state owned facilities. National Parks can teach about nature, how we are affecting nature and what we can do to help change our past mistakes. Many people also think that money should be put towards libraries. 50/57 people think that some tax dollars should be put towards libraries because they are allowing people to learn and read, which helps to make people more knowledgeable. Then there are the 48/56 people who don’t think that the tax dollars should go to bailing out failed corporations because these companies did this to themselves why should our tax dollars help them. Companies should be able to manage their money just like any other small business. There are many business owners who are struggling and these corporations need to learn how to spend wisely.
3)Increased use of Predator Drones- 43.9/14.0- Many Americans feel that if we can replace humans with technology, then it would decrease the amount of casualties caused by war. In addition, by increasing the use of Predator Drones, America will have to further its technology which would result in more educated jobs and will greatly advance our use and invention of future technology. 4)Punishing people for texting while driving- 89.1/10.9- People have noticed the danger in using cell phones while driving, and are trying to change their habits. Although Americans always seem to be in a rush, they realize the dangers and new laws in cities have already proved to lower the rate of automobile accidents. 5)Death penalty in cases of murder- 69.6/26.8- This statistic reveals that many Americans feel that if a person takes a life, then they should have their life taken also. If America would install this this as a law, then the jails would be less crowded and our tax dollars would be lower. Also, the Americans would feel safer knowing that the worse people in their societies are no longer able to escape and potenionally seek more harm on them and their enviroment.
Response
A women's right to birth control consisted of results of 96.5/3.5 its obvious that most people were in favor of a women having the right to birth control to protect herself from pregency. Therefore many people agree that in order to prevent pregency and even abortion in a sense is a logical reason for a women to have access to such a contraseptive. Increased individual checks before boarding airplanes had results of 77.2/15.8. This means many indivduals are still very worried about terrorist attacks on planes due to the incidents of 9/11. Punishing people for texting while driving had results of 89.1/10.9. Due to these results it is evident that many people believe text while operating a motorized vehicle is very dangerous to not only the driver but also bystandards aswell. Therefore people find it extremly dangerous to text while driving because of the increased risk of an accident to occur. The U.S. should legalize anyone who is here illegally had results of 3.6/91.1. This means almost all people would be apposed to allowing illegal citizens citizenship because there could be numerous reasons as to why they should or should not have U.S. citizenship. If the country would just allow citizenship to anyone no one is to say who would be living in our country and taking davantage of all we have to offer. Abortion during the third trimester results were 5.4/89.3. Meaning many people would be opposed to the abortion of a fetus that has matured this far, it would almost be like killing an actual baby because of the length the pregency was let go. Also the mother should have been more responsible to have gotten an abortion earlier in her pregnecy it she would have choosen to.
Response
With the world entering a new type of globalization, many people will be caught off guard. The work force industry will change and the world will see less factory jobs and more creative jobs. Instead of competing for a job in the local town, Americans will be forced to compete for jobs against the rest of the world, such as China, Japan and Great Britain. Although these Americans will have to cope with these changes over time, many of them will not be able to obtain these newly creative jobs due to the lack of education, technology, and ambition. Studies have shown that there is a developing gap between the education of U.S. students and those of China and India. The biggest cause of this gap is the lack of leadership and tough love in America. Many parents today do not want to force a career path on their kids, although at the same time they do not want to push them to become better than the average student, which results in the children not being able to handle the rapid change of job titles throughout the world. They simply lack the knowledge and ambition that China and India are teaching their students to become the new creative thinker of tomorrow. If the United States wants to fix this growing problem, they must install influential leaders that will push students to a new academic standard which will result in an overall higher education. This will allow future children to be better than the rest of the world and allow them to become the leaders of tomorrow. The second biggest problem that the U.S. residents face in the changing world is the lack of technology that the rest of the world has. In today’s world, Japan and China lead in the technology race, and are continuously developing new and affective measures to aid the average person. Because of the lack of technology in the United States, many citizens do not understand how to use the “simple stuff” such as computers and cell phones. This failure of understanding technology causes many people to not realize how important technology is to their everyday lives and results in the slower development of new ideas within the country. If the American population wants to solve this problem, they must first strive to improve the internet system within the country and then continuously educate and train its residents on the ever changing technology. This will allow them to eventually catch up in the technology race and soon lead the world in its new globalized state. Lastly, many Americans simply lack the ambition to become better and are satisfied with having an average, mediocre lifestyle. Although their competitive edge is strong, they are competing for the lower end jobs instead of inventing new ones and setting higher standards. Americans often view these jobs as being impossible to reach and are simply dreams that they could only wish to fulfill. If the United States ever decides to overcome this obstacle, they must teach the new generation to strive for their dreams and to never give up. An average life is no longer acceptable in today’s world and that the only way to survive is to be the best, not only within their country, but in the entire world. Overall it is clear to see that the United States faces many problems in the way its citizens view life, and if they ever want to achieve victory, they must start to teach the new generation of students how to successfully accomplish their dreams. If they fail to do this, the U.S. will slowly continue to slide down the totem pole and become the weakest link in the chain. In the end, it is possible to solve these problems; however they must start today and continue striving for success.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Week 6-8 Schedule
July 19-20 – Tom Friedman Assignment on the World is Flat and introduction to making statistics mean something. This is due on Wednesday. We will make every attempt to do as much of this in class as possible, but you are responsible for the overflow time.
July 21 – More Making statistics mean something and inferences. Begin the Global Warming Assignment, which is due on July 26.
July 22 – Global Warming Assignment on conservative and liberal bias in the media. This is due on Thursday. Final questions on APA. We will make every attempt to do as much of this in class as possible, but you are responsible for the overflow time.
July 26 - Collect your essays as soon as class begins. If it’s not in today, you have until Monday the 2nd to turn it in at the beginning of class or you will not pass this class. When we are done, we will go straight into the Aron Ralston peer review assignment. You will have to complete this at home for Tuesday, which is when we will go over this. You will also need heroes to compare for tomorrow as well.
July 27 – Begin MLA discussion. Approve topics
July 28 – Continue MLA discussion and making statistics mean something. For tomorrow, you will turn in a first paragraph, outline, and 2 website printouts. I will look over these while you are doing group Internet research and give them back to you.
July 29 – Group Internet research day on 9/11 after we redo the pushups grammar test to prepare you for the Grammar Test on Tuesday.
August 2 – Little Big War in class assignment. We will work in groups. If you come ready to play, you get the attendance points. If not…
August 3 – The Grammar Test is today. This won’t take the whole class. After this, it’s the final day to discuss MLA and help you one on one with your essays, which must be in tomorrow to get to the final exam.
August 4 – Your MLA essay must be in by today. If it isn’t, you will not pass this class. You will not need to take the final if that is the situation that you are in since the final is only pass or fail. For those people that are prepared, you will take the final exam that leaves you finished with COM121. Since you have worked hard, you get to enjoy the rest of your summer without any more papers or anything like that to worry about.
July 21 – More Making statistics mean something and inferences. Begin the Global Warming Assignment, which is due on July 26.
July 22 – Global Warming Assignment on conservative and liberal bias in the media. This is due on Thursday. Final questions on APA. We will make every attempt to do as much of this in class as possible, but you are responsible for the overflow time.
July 26 - Collect your essays as soon as class begins. If it’s not in today, you have until Monday the 2nd to turn it in at the beginning of class or you will not pass this class. When we are done, we will go straight into the Aron Ralston peer review assignment. You will have to complete this at home for Tuesday, which is when we will go over this. You will also need heroes to compare for tomorrow as well.
July 27 – Begin MLA discussion. Approve topics
July 28 – Continue MLA discussion and making statistics mean something. For tomorrow, you will turn in a first paragraph, outline, and 2 website printouts. I will look over these while you are doing group Internet research and give them back to you.
July 29 – Group Internet research day on 9/11 after we redo the pushups grammar test to prepare you for the Grammar Test on Tuesday.
August 2 – Little Big War in class assignment. We will work in groups. If you come ready to play, you get the attendance points. If not…
August 3 – The Grammar Test is today. This won’t take the whole class. After this, it’s the final day to discuss MLA and help you one on one with your essays, which must be in tomorrow to get to the final exam.
August 4 – Your MLA essay must be in by today. If it isn’t, you will not pass this class. You will not need to take the final if that is the situation that you are in since the final is only pass or fail. For those people that are prepared, you will take the final exam that leaves you finished with COM121. Since you have worked hard, you get to enjoy the rest of your summer without any more papers or anything like that to worry about.
Monday, July 12, 2010
You have an article. You need to read chapters 5+6.If you don't have it or you can't read it, then you have several options.
1) Go on Angel in the 7 articles section of materials and get the word file.
2) Go to Borders or Barnes and Nobles and read chapters 5+6. You don't have to buy it; you can just sit there and read it.
2) Go to Borders or Barnes and Nobles and read chapters 5+6. You don't have to buy it; you can just sit there and read it.
When you're done, you will take ONE 3x5 NOTECARD MAX on the information that you will need to do an article critique on the author's reason for writing this article. You are not writing a biography, but you will need details. As I said in class, one sentence sums up the whole article.
Directions are located on the how to do article critiques ppt. (last 3 slides),which is also in the 7 articles section.
You will have 1 class to do this. It must be done in class on Monday.
Question? Contact me ASAP.
Homework for Monday:
1) midterm
3) journals
4) Stephen Hawking essay is due
5) any redo papers that you need to do and that you have gotten permission to do (no permission, no redo - REALLY).
and for Tuesday...
6) the Anne Frank quiz on Angel. This was originally due Monday, but it is now pushed back until Tuesday.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Week 4+5 Schedule
July 5 – If you come to class, then you’ll be alone. It’s our Fourth of July holiday. If you don’t want to do extended picnics, vacations, and fireworks, then you can work ahead on my assignments. One way or another, your essay is in at the beginning of class on Tuesday.
July 6 – Collect your essays as soon as class begins. If it’s not in today, you have until Monday the 12th to turn it in at the beginning of class or you will not pass this class. When we are done, we will do the in class Longwood Gardens Creative Assignment. I will collect this at the end of the class. You are assigned to begin to look over the APA material for tomorrow. You need to have a topic that is persuasive and that fits with my essay writing requirements for tomorrow.
July 7-12 – Research, Persuasion, APA, and all things essay writing with citations will be discussed for 3 days. I do APA before MLA because that’s what you need most in your classes. This is my attempt to be proactive for your other summer classes. If you need MLA guidelines for papers prior to us doing that, just ask. I need you to have a typed first paragraph, 2 printed out websites (not just the URLS), and a typed outline (handwritten is the same as not done – you can e-mail this to me) for the beginning of class on the 14th. For the 12th, we will do the in-class group discussion for the grizzly bear. If you’re not prepared, you’re marked absent.
July 13 – Pat Tillman Midterms will be given for the first 45 minutes. When this is over, I will call you each into the room 1 on 1 to discuss your essay with you. I will then let you know where you stand with regards to passing or failing the class. This allows you to choose to take a W in the class or fight for the A that I know that you’re capable of. In the end, it’s your choice. I just provide the objective facts of where your grade is at the given moment and why.
July 14 - We will assist you with your essays in class. Any time left will be devoted to your friend grammar. Isn’t that how it always is?!!
July 15 – Grammar the 7-headed monster from the netherworld is back, but don’t worry since you will completely slay him. Questions on your persuasive essay, which is due a week from Monday (I’ve given you an extra week; however, there are 2 big assignments in class, so don’t get behind since all of the next week’s stuff leads perfectly into researching MLA style).
July 6 – Collect your essays as soon as class begins. If it’s not in today, you have until Monday the 12th to turn it in at the beginning of class or you will not pass this class. When we are done, we will do the in class Longwood Gardens Creative Assignment. I will collect this at the end of the class. You are assigned to begin to look over the APA material for tomorrow. You need to have a topic that is persuasive and that fits with my essay writing requirements for tomorrow.
July 7-12 – Research, Persuasion, APA, and all things essay writing with citations will be discussed for 3 days. I do APA before MLA because that’s what you need most in your classes. This is my attempt to be proactive for your other summer classes. If you need MLA guidelines for papers prior to us doing that, just ask. I need you to have a typed first paragraph, 2 printed out websites (not just the URLS), and a typed outline (handwritten is the same as not done – you can e-mail this to me) for the beginning of class on the 14th. For the 12th, we will do the in-class group discussion for the grizzly bear. If you’re not prepared, you’re marked absent.
July 13 – Pat Tillman Midterms will be given for the first 45 minutes. When this is over, I will call you each into the room 1 on 1 to discuss your essay with you. I will then let you know where you stand with regards to passing or failing the class. This allows you to choose to take a W in the class or fight for the A that I know that you’re capable of. In the end, it’s your choice. I just provide the objective facts of where your grade is at the given moment and why.
July 14 - We will assist you with your essays in class. Any time left will be devoted to your friend grammar. Isn’t that how it always is?!!
July 15 – Grammar the 7-headed monster from the netherworld is back, but don’t worry since you will completely slay him. Questions on your persuasive essay, which is due a week from Monday (I’ve given you an extra week; however, there are 2 big assignments in class, so don’t get behind since all of the next week’s stuff leads perfectly into researching MLA style).
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Week 2+3 Schedule
June 21+22 – Begin grammar. Discuss the Karate Kid handout. Discuss the Grammar Terms PPT. Begin to discuss What’s Wrong With this Sentence PPT.
June 23+24 – Introduction to essay writing and concepts associated with The Blindside essay. All info will be gone over and everything will be set up (to include The Blindside journals that will go with the essay).
June 28 – Discuss prewriting. Do the in class outline assignment with National Parks of the Colorado Plateau video. This is worth 50 points, so you will need to be here. This is due by your Wednesday at the start of class. In addition, you need to work on the outline of your essay at this point. Outline sheets are available online as well.
June 29 – Continue grammar. I’m going to say this a lot. This is because grammar is everything to your ability to write well.
June 30 – Collect National Parks Outline Assignments. Go over good essay (Shoes) and bad essay (Judging Individuals by Their Music). Discuss final issues to be concerned with for the first essay due on Monday. All essays must be turned in on Monday to redo if you get less than a 90. If you do not turn in during our class on Monday (all excuses are equal), then you will not get a redo. If you do not turn this essay in by the following Monday, you cannot pass the class as the rules for my class specify doing all 3 essays at a minimum to pass the class. You will be advised to drop the class or face failure at a D minimum (most likely an F). Students will also be assigned to create a topic for their research essay, which will be due (typed) on Monday with a brief summary of what they hope to prove in research as opposed to just telling me straight up (report). For example, a biography of Lincoln is not acceptable, but a paper explaining how his leadership contributed to the North’s success in the Civil War would be acceptable.
July 1 – Final questions for the Blindside Essay, which is due on Tuesday. We will discuss the Cornell Method, and then, we will do the Civil War Assignment. You will do all of this in class.
June 23+24 – Introduction to essay writing and concepts associated with The Blindside essay. All info will be gone over and everything will be set up (to include The Blindside journals that will go with the essay).
June 28 – Discuss prewriting. Do the in class outline assignment with National Parks of the Colorado Plateau video. This is worth 50 points, so you will need to be here. This is due by your Wednesday at the start of class. In addition, you need to work on the outline of your essay at this point. Outline sheets are available online as well.
June 29 – Continue grammar. I’m going to say this a lot. This is because grammar is everything to your ability to write well.
June 30 – Collect National Parks Outline Assignments. Go over good essay (Shoes) and bad essay (Judging Individuals by Their Music). Discuss final issues to be concerned with for the first essay due on Monday. All essays must be turned in on Monday to redo if you get less than a 90. If you do not turn in during our class on Monday (all excuses are equal), then you will not get a redo. If you do not turn this essay in by the following Monday, you cannot pass the class as the rules for my class specify doing all 3 essays at a minimum to pass the class. You will be advised to drop the class or face failure at a D minimum (most likely an F). Students will also be assigned to create a topic for their research essay, which will be due (typed) on Monday with a brief summary of what they hope to prove in research as opposed to just telling me straight up (report). For example, a biography of Lincoln is not acceptable, but a paper explaining how his leadership contributed to the North’s success in the Civil War would be acceptable.
July 1 – Final questions for the Blindside Essay, which is due on Tuesday. We will discuss the Cornell Method, and then, we will do the Civil War Assignment. You will do all of this in class.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Week 1 Schedule
Week 1 of class – I meet you! We go over the Bad Letter handouts and I explain to you why you need to do well in English (If I can’t tell you this, then the class has no foundation). I tell you to access Angel Online so that you can see the Can You Pass My Class handout with all assignments and rationales on it, the philosophy of education paper (optional), the RACC rules for students (as does every other teacher that you have), and the journals paper (not optional). You will read through the entire journals handout (not optional). I explain to you the syllabus and you will read the To My Students letter (you will sign off on having read this), the Plagiarism explanations, and the Sid Stocker Memorial Assignment Book Page (to be honest, everything you need to prepare yourself for the first week stretch is listed on there). Here you get the link and handout to get into the Angel site for access to my class. Since this class was MARKED AS WEB-ENHANCED, YOU MUST BE ABLE TO GET INTO THIS VERY IMPORTANT INTERNET LOCATION. Not having a computer is not an excuse. If it is, you may want to switch to a class that isn’t web-enhanced since you pay a technology fee to the school, AND you are now accountable to being able to access the vast quantity of items that I have created for this class. If there be any issue, you can use RACC’s computers if necessary (they’re not just for Facebook). I also tell you that you should get a USB drive to store all of my attachments on (trees don’t have to die for ALL of the handouts that I give to you (and I give you a lot of handouts and PowerPoints to help improve your chances of success)). We go over the introduction to this class Power Point (also available on Angel, which I’m reiterating you must visit). From there, you must send me an e-mail (the only one that you’ll ever send from the Angel site) to prove that you were there and read the RACC Rules for Students), and you will watch the introduction to my class video. I also assign you to go online and see the class website (www.onlymypride.blogspot.com) and then you send me something from the first entry so that I know that you know where the website is and so that I know what your RACC e-mail is (by your final class of the week – no personal e-mails – just RACC e-mail via SCHOOL POLICY).
I give you the assignment to read Death of an Innocent and take notes for an in-class quiz on Wednesday. (http://outside.away.com/outside/features/1993/1993_into_the_wild_1.html ) On Wednesday, you take the Death of an Innocent quiz. If you aren’t prepared, you lose your first points because I don’t do makeup tests for any reason EVER (since there are extra points built into the system). If you are prepared, you can inflate your grade since I have bonus points on this test. I’m just saying that you might want to read. On Thursday, we go over the Death of an Innocent quiz and watch a bonus features video from the movie. This allows me to see that we’re all on the same page when it comes to knowing how to answer questions on the “COLLEGE LEVEL.”
For the 2nd class of the week, you go online and print out the Right Word handout and the Issues in Your Paper handout. By the end of the week, we will go over this. I CONTINUE TO STRESS the idea of completing your journals early. If you do them, you get full credit. If you procrastinate, you may lose out on “free points” or you will find yourself bogged down when essays are due. I warn you that while you are very smart and capable, equally smart and capable students have failed this class because they procrastinated doing their journals (and other assignments).
We discuss the concept of journals as a whole. We discuss appropriate college writing.
We take a grammar test so that I can see what you know and to see how you improve by the end of the semester. While it does not count towards your final grade, it can be worth points to you if you are the high grade in the room. Otherwise, it is solely for my “learning” purposes regarding what I teach you and to see how much you improve by first unit’s end. Thus, I can focus on teaching you things that are important to your learning (that’s what it’s all about).
That more than covers everything that we will have time for. What we don’t do, we will continue with next week.
For next week, I tell you to go online and start looking over the Karate Kid Method of Learning Grammar handout since we begin grammar next week. You will have the choice to print this out and bring it to class or to take your own notes. It’s up to you. I suggest printing it out since I know what makes people pass and fail this class.
If you feel like you have extra time (you probably won’t since the summer term is rushed), you can always look at stuff like the Image Handout and 15 Rules for Class and Life if you want to figure yourself out and learn how to be better at school and life. They’re not required, but they’re there to help you (if not now, then maybe later).
ASAP, I want you to take the opinion quiz on Survey Monkey Dot Com. Your name is not attached to it, so don’t worry about being “connected” to your opinions. We will use the data from this at a later date. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VMFLLNX This may take a while. Give yourself some time to make it happen (30 minutes).
I give you the assignment to read Death of an Innocent and take notes for an in-class quiz on Wednesday. (http://outside.away.com/outside/features/1993/1993_into_the_wild_1.html ) On Wednesday, you take the Death of an Innocent quiz. If you aren’t prepared, you lose your first points because I don’t do makeup tests for any reason EVER (since there are extra points built into the system). If you are prepared, you can inflate your grade since I have bonus points on this test. I’m just saying that you might want to read. On Thursday, we go over the Death of an Innocent quiz and watch a bonus features video from the movie. This allows me to see that we’re all on the same page when it comes to knowing how to answer questions on the “COLLEGE LEVEL.”
For the 2nd class of the week, you go online and print out the Right Word handout and the Issues in Your Paper handout. By the end of the week, we will go over this. I CONTINUE TO STRESS the idea of completing your journals early. If you do them, you get full credit. If you procrastinate, you may lose out on “free points” or you will find yourself bogged down when essays are due. I warn you that while you are very smart and capable, equally smart and capable students have failed this class because they procrastinated doing their journals (and other assignments).
We discuss the concept of journals as a whole. We discuss appropriate college writing.
We take a grammar test so that I can see what you know and to see how you improve by the end of the semester. While it does not count towards your final grade, it can be worth points to you if you are the high grade in the room. Otherwise, it is solely for my “learning” purposes regarding what I teach you and to see how much you improve by first unit’s end. Thus, I can focus on teaching you things that are important to your learning (that’s what it’s all about).
That more than covers everything that we will have time for. What we don’t do, we will continue with next week.
For next week, I tell you to go online and start looking over the Karate Kid Method of Learning Grammar handout since we begin grammar next week. You will have the choice to print this out and bring it to class or to take your own notes. It’s up to you. I suggest printing it out since I know what makes people pass and fail this class.
If you feel like you have extra time (you probably won’t since the summer term is rushed), you can always look at stuff like the Image Handout and 15 Rules for Class and Life if you want to figure yourself out and learn how to be better at school and life. They’re not required, but they’re there to help you (if not now, then maybe later).
ASAP, I want you to take the opinion quiz on Survey Monkey Dot Com. Your name is not attached to it, so don’t worry about being “connected” to your opinions. We will use the data from this at a later date. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VMFLLNX This may take a while. Give yourself some time to make it happen (30 minutes).
Friday, May 14, 2010
Someone who impresses me.
Blindness no barrier to degree for Alvernia University student
Grad school ahead for Luis Fontanez Jr. after graduation from Alvernia University with psychology degree
By Greta Cuyler
Luis M. Fontanez Jr. of Muhlenberg Township will graduate from Alvernia University on Saturday.
Seven years after Luis M. Fontanez Jr. went completely blind, he's set to graduate magna cum laude from Alvernia University on Saturday.
It's been a tough but triumphant road for Luis, 26.
The son of Anna E. and Luis M. Fontanez Sr. of Muhlenberg Township, Luis was 4 years old when he lost vision in his left eye to congenital glaucoma.
And as a junior at Reading High School in the fall of 2000, he was hit in the right eye during an impromptu game of dodgeball.
A few months later he was diagnosed with a detached retina, likely caused by a miniscule tear when the ball hit his eye.
Despite six surgeries over nearly two years, doctors could not save Luis' sight.
"The vision loss was very rapid," Luis said. "Every day I woke up I was able to see less and less. It was as if the lights were being turned out one light bulb at a time."
Luis said he summoned inner strength when he lost his sight completely at age 19.
"I decided there was only one way for a blind, Hispanic man to make his way in life," he said. "And it wasn't sitting in my room feeling sorry for myself. It was going to be going to college and studying and doing something with my life."
Luis earned an associate degree in liberal arts from Reading Area Community College in 2006 and enrolled at Alvernia in 2008.
He earned a nearly straight-A average and will graduate with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a minor in history. Luis plans to attend graduate school and become a school counselor.
Before he lost his sight, Luis earned his high school diploma from Reading High in June 2002.
He got a mobility cane in January 2003, a month after his 19th birthday. Two months after that, he started classes at RACC.
A mobility specialist from the state Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services helped him get a feel for the layout of both the RACC and Alvernia campuses through guided tours, but Luis learned to expertly navigate on his own through trial and error, he said.
With accommodations provided under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Luis says he's been like any other college student.
He learns course material by attending class and tape-recording lectures. He listens to textbooks on compact disc. He uses a laptop computer that reads aloud each letter as he types. Test questions are read to him and he either responds orally or by typing on his laptop.
"Any blind student can be successful here as long as you're willing to work hard enough and have the drive and determination to be a successful college student," Luis said.
Grad school ahead for Luis Fontanez Jr. after graduation from Alvernia University with psychology degree
By Greta Cuyler
Luis M. Fontanez Jr. of Muhlenberg Township will graduate from Alvernia University on Saturday.
Seven years after Luis M. Fontanez Jr. went completely blind, he's set to graduate magna cum laude from Alvernia University on Saturday.
It's been a tough but triumphant road for Luis, 26.
The son of Anna E. and Luis M. Fontanez Sr. of Muhlenberg Township, Luis was 4 years old when he lost vision in his left eye to congenital glaucoma.
And as a junior at Reading High School in the fall of 2000, he was hit in the right eye during an impromptu game of dodgeball.
A few months later he was diagnosed with a detached retina, likely caused by a miniscule tear when the ball hit his eye.
Despite six surgeries over nearly two years, doctors could not save Luis' sight.
"The vision loss was very rapid," Luis said. "Every day I woke up I was able to see less and less. It was as if the lights were being turned out one light bulb at a time."
Luis said he summoned inner strength when he lost his sight completely at age 19.
"I decided there was only one way for a blind, Hispanic man to make his way in life," he said. "And it wasn't sitting in my room feeling sorry for myself. It was going to be going to college and studying and doing something with my life."
Luis earned an associate degree in liberal arts from Reading Area Community College in 2006 and enrolled at Alvernia in 2008.
He earned a nearly straight-A average and will graduate with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a minor in history. Luis plans to attend graduate school and become a school counselor.
Before he lost his sight, Luis earned his high school diploma from Reading High in June 2002.
He got a mobility cane in January 2003, a month after his 19th birthday. Two months after that, he started classes at RACC.
A mobility specialist from the state Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services helped him get a feel for the layout of both the RACC and Alvernia campuses through guided tours, but Luis learned to expertly navigate on his own through trial and error, he said.
With accommodations provided under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Luis says he's been like any other college student.
He learns course material by attending class and tape-recording lectures. He listens to textbooks on compact disc. He uses a laptop computer that reads aloud each letter as he types. Test questions are read to him and he either responds orally or by typing on his laptop.
"Any blind student can be successful here as long as you're willing to work hard enough and have the drive and determination to be a successful college student," Luis said.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Final procedures for the end of class.
This will happen Thursday or Friday (depending on when your class meets).
You must show up for your ACTUAL class.
The paper is due at the beginning of your ACTUAL class. You can come to an earlier class, but not a later class. If you want to begin early, you can come at 8am IF YOU CONTACT ME TO ENSURE THAT I WILL BE THERE. If nobody contacts me, I will get there when I get there.
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A FINAL ESSAY WHEN YOU COME TO CLASS FOR THE LAST TIME THIS WEEK, YOU WILL NOT TAKE THE FINAL BECAUSE YOU WILL HAVE FAILED THE CLASS.
Final exam rules:
1) you can have A notecard for David Sedaris and A notecard for 1 (and only 1) of the following persuasive essays:
A) Phoebe Prince's bullying case - persuade me what we should do in punishment to her abusers.
B) The Gulf Coast oil spill - persuade me what we should do to fix the spill and the effects of it.
C) The immigration law in Arizona - is it right or wrong - and if so, how should we enforce it or change it.
D) The Times Square attempted bomber - how should we punish him (civil courts or military tribunals) and is he a terrorist / criminal.
E) Elena Kagan is Obama's pick for Supreme Court Justice. Acceptable or not?
The last 4 can be found extensively at www.cnn.com and www.foxnews.com since they're all ultra current events.
2) the persuasive essay must be done as a 7 paragraph absolute argument.
3) the David Sedaris essay is a standard 5 paragraph essay.
4) you must pass the final to pass the class.
5) if you bring in an essay from home, I will tear it up and you will start fresh.
6) you have Friday + 1 final period to finish 2 essays.
Tu,Th - B001 Tuesday at 8am until 10
MWF9am - 8-10 on Wednesday.
MFW10am - 1030-1230 on Monday.
7) If you're late, you lose the time.
8) If you're sick, you lose the time.
9) You can show up to your final time or a time that is earlier than that, but not 1 that is later than that. For example, if your final is Wednesday, you can come Monday (if you e-mail in advance). You can't come Wednesday for a Monday final.
10) If you're going to do that, you must contact me in advance.
11) Due to the length of time involved with the test, 50 minutes is not enough. If you finish 2 essays in 50 minutes, you are pretty much choosing to hand in whatever, which means that I'm going to be grade uncorrected essays. For this reason, you need to come to the 2 hour final IF ONLY to edit your essays for clarity and grammar (most likely to write 1 entire essay and make corrections). I will give you your final paper back at this session as well. If you are beneath passing, I will let you know so that you do not have to waste time taking the rest of the final (since the final is pass or fail, it can only hurt your % grade - not raise it). When you leave, you will know your grade.
You will need the following.
What your chosen group of people knows and needs to know about your topic (also, who is your chosen group of people).
a sufficient amount of notes - as long as it doesn't look skimpy and as long as your paper is long enough, it's ok.
a typed rough draft that is different than the final paper.
all of your URLs printed out.
the paper has
a title page
an abstract
an outline (typed)
4 pages+ of essay.
a references page.
It is set up in APA
You will have 5 sources bare minimum.
2 Internet or database
1 print
2 whatever.
standard checks to see if everything is there for grammar and APA just like you did with MLA.
Good luck.
There is a sample essay that is almost done (I'm finishing that now).
You must show up for your ACTUAL class.
The paper is due at the beginning of your ACTUAL class. You can come to an earlier class, but not a later class. If you want to begin early, you can come at 8am IF YOU CONTACT ME TO ENSURE THAT I WILL BE THERE. If nobody contacts me, I will get there when I get there.
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A FINAL ESSAY WHEN YOU COME TO CLASS FOR THE LAST TIME THIS WEEK, YOU WILL NOT TAKE THE FINAL BECAUSE YOU WILL HAVE FAILED THE CLASS.
Final exam rules:
1) you can have A notecard for David Sedaris and A notecard for 1 (and only 1) of the following persuasive essays:
A) Phoebe Prince's bullying case - persuade me what we should do in punishment to her abusers.
B) The Gulf Coast oil spill - persuade me what we should do to fix the spill and the effects of it.
C) The immigration law in Arizona - is it right or wrong - and if so, how should we enforce it or change it.
D) The Times Square attempted bomber - how should we punish him (civil courts or military tribunals) and is he a terrorist / criminal.
E) Elena Kagan is Obama's pick for Supreme Court Justice. Acceptable or not?
The last 4 can be found extensively at www.cnn.com and www.foxnews.com since they're all ultra current events.
2) the persuasive essay must be done as a 7 paragraph absolute argument.
3) the David Sedaris essay is a standard 5 paragraph essay.
4) you must pass the final to pass the class.
5) if you bring in an essay from home, I will tear it up and you will start fresh.
6) you have Friday + 1 final period to finish 2 essays.
Tu,Th - B001 Tuesday at 8am until 10
MWF9am - 8-10 on Wednesday.
MFW10am - 1030-1230 on Monday.
7) If you're late, you lose the time.
8) If you're sick, you lose the time.
9) You can show up to your final time or a time that is earlier than that, but not 1 that is later than that. For example, if your final is Wednesday, you can come Monday (if you e-mail in advance). You can't come Wednesday for a Monday final.
10) If you're going to do that, you must contact me in advance.
11) Due to the length of time involved with the test, 50 minutes is not enough. If you finish 2 essays in 50 minutes, you are pretty much choosing to hand in whatever, which means that I'm going to be grade uncorrected essays. For this reason, you need to come to the 2 hour final IF ONLY to edit your essays for clarity and grammar (most likely to write 1 entire essay and make corrections). I will give you your final paper back at this session as well. If you are beneath passing, I will let you know so that you do not have to waste time taking the rest of the final (since the final is pass or fail, it can only hurt your % grade - not raise it). When you leave, you will know your grade.
You will need the following.
What your chosen group of people knows and needs to know about your topic (also, who is your chosen group of people).
a sufficient amount of notes - as long as it doesn't look skimpy and as long as your paper is long enough, it's ok.
a typed rough draft that is different than the final paper.
all of your URLs printed out.
the paper has
a title page
an abstract
an outline (typed)
4 pages+ of essay.
a references page.
It is set up in APA
You will have 5 sources bare minimum.
2 Internet or database
1 print
2 whatever.
standard checks to see if everything is there for grammar and APA just like you did with MLA.
Good luck.
There is a sample essay that is almost done (I'm finishing that now).
Monday, April 26, 2010
Maxwell Assignment
First, the purpose of this isn’t to depress you, but since disasters are real and you are now familiar with 2 of John Maxwell’s Laws of Leadership, you will have the skills to confer with the President of the United States on what he should do to aid in the situation based on what a good leader should do in the event of tragedy.
Your job will be to look at possible deaths, injuries, and needs of the survivors. You will have 30 minutes to work in your group to contemplate a rationalized persuasive argument. Remember, you are brilliant, but if you’re not sure, you can do an Internet search to figure out what to do.
Your first job is to exchange e-mails and confer on how you will search and brainstorm. When you come in to your next class, you and your partner will both have a full page journal and a discussion web completed. If you both do them, then you get 25 points. If only you come in prepared (one or the other), you get 12 points. However, if you don’t want to work in a group, you must do both parts.
This will help teach you:
1. How to persuade.
2. How to apply leadership knowledge.
3. How to use the Internet for SCHOLARLY research.
4. How to predict possible consequences based on facts.
Your job will be to look at possible deaths, injuries, and needs of the survivors. You will have 30 minutes to work in your group to contemplate a rationalized persuasive argument. Remember, you are brilliant, but if you’re not sure, you can do an Internet search to figure out what to do.
Your first job is to exchange e-mails and confer on how you will search and brainstorm. When you come in to your next class, you and your partner will both have a full page journal and a discussion web completed. If you both do them, then you get 25 points. If only you come in prepared (one or the other), you get 12 points. However, if you don’t want to work in a group, you must do both parts.
This will help teach you:
1. How to persuade.
2. How to apply leadership knowledge.
3. How to use the Internet for SCHOLARLY research.
4. How to predict possible consequences based on facts.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Checklist for Essay 2
STILL NEED A HERO? How about this guy?
1. Do you have all of the pre-writing?
What do you know? What do you want to know (questions)? A sufficient amount of notes (if your paper isn't 4 pages, you don't have a sufficient amount of notes). A TYPED rough draft. Printed URLs (all that you use in your paper).
2. Do you have 6 total sources to include 1 print, 2 Internet, and 1 primary source for each person and heroic trait site? These must MATCH for in text citations and works cited citations.
3. Have you followed the rules from Purdue OWL? If it's on there, I'll let it go. Be careful with changes from the book!
4. Did you make sure you didn't write a bio (instead explaining how the heroic trait is exhibited by an action or event from said person's life)?
5. Is your paper at least 4 pages (not including works cited page)?
6. Did you make sure that there are no quotes over 1 sentence long and if there are quotes, they need to be there in that person's voice?
7. Are you sure that you're paraphrasing in your own words?
8. Did you spell and grammar check?
9. Is there 1 idea fully explained per paragraph? FACT / DETAILS / AND SO... (please don't use those words - vary transition).
10. Transition is your friend. Use it!
11. Does your MLA heading look like my sample essay MLA heading?
12. If you're using the header information, is it in the header and not on the first line of the essay? If you don't know how to do this, don't have a header - just have the heading (your name, my name, class, date THEN a title centered (all double spaced).
13. Are you being extra obsessive with MLA format? That's why I gave you my ppt. Trust me; I just finished a 12+ page paper, and I was overly meticulous and I STILL went back to fix more. This isn't easy - even when you do this for a living.
14. Did you ask the ol' man any questions that you might have (that's what I get paid for)?
Library time Monday 11-2
Time after class in the library on Tuesday 930-11
You should all have the handouts for the rest of the way through. If not, please e-mail and I'll bring them. Otherwise, I'll be filing them away until next semester.
I'll explain all of the Friedman / Internet assignments during class 1 this week. Don't sweat it until then.
Presidential scavenger hunt is due the last day of clas with the final essay, which is your ticket to the final exam.
Have a great weekend.
1. Do you have all of the pre-writing?
What do you know? What do you want to know (questions)? A sufficient amount of notes (if your paper isn't 4 pages, you don't have a sufficient amount of notes). A TYPED rough draft. Printed URLs (all that you use in your paper).
2. Do you have 6 total sources to include 1 print, 2 Internet, and 1 primary source for each person and heroic trait site? These must MATCH for in text citations and works cited citations.
3. Have you followed the rules from Purdue OWL? If it's on there, I'll let it go. Be careful with changes from the book!
4. Did you make sure you didn't write a bio (instead explaining how the heroic trait is exhibited by an action or event from said person's life)?
5. Is your paper at least 4 pages (not including works cited page)?
6. Did you make sure that there are no quotes over 1 sentence long and if there are quotes, they need to be there in that person's voice?
7. Are you sure that you're paraphrasing in your own words?
8. Did you spell and grammar check?
9. Is there 1 idea fully explained per paragraph? FACT / DETAILS / AND SO... (please don't use those words - vary transition).
10. Transition is your friend. Use it!
11. Does your MLA heading look like my sample essay MLA heading?
12. If you're using the header information, is it in the header and not on the first line of the essay? If you don't know how to do this, don't have a header - just have the heading (your name, my name, class, date THEN a title centered (all double spaced).
13. Are you being extra obsessive with MLA format? That's why I gave you my ppt. Trust me; I just finished a 12+ page paper, and I was overly meticulous and I STILL went back to fix more. This isn't easy - even when you do this for a living.
14. Did you ask the ol' man any questions that you might have (that's what I get paid for)?
Library time Monday 11-2
Time after class in the library on Tuesday 930-11
You should all have the handouts for the rest of the way through. If not, please e-mail and I'll bring them. Otherwise, I'll be filing them away until next semester.
I'll explain all of the Friedman / Internet assignments during class 1 this week. Don't sweat it until then.
Presidential scavenger hunt is due the last day of clas with the final essay, which is your ticket to the final exam.
Have a great weekend.
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