Monthly Archives: December 2009

Last Day Before Holiday

Posted on by

Last day — not much more to say than that. Well, in fact, there is more to say.

First period continued working on the forum and their persuasive argument planning. Second period did basically the same thing. Fourth period finished watching To Kill a Mockingbird.

Fourth period’s compare/contrast essay will be due at the end of the week of our return: students might want to get a head start on it over the break. I’ll be posting information at the courses site regarding this assignment.

Happy holidays!

Mountains1

Christmas in Poland (Photo: G. Scott)

 

Researching, Discussing, and Watching

Posted on by

First and seventh period finished up research today for the persuasive essay. They’ll begin writing them tomorrow.

We also began a new forum, based on bbPress. We’ll be using it occasionally to practice our written electronic communication. I hope to begin using Moodle with these classes after the break.

Second period used Moodle to discuss their persuasive arguments. They also began writing their persuasive essays.

Fourth period watched To Kill a Mockingbird.

Homework
  • First, second, and seventh periods: none.
  • Fourth period: answer the two questions on the forum.

Research and Drafting

Posted on by

The poetry portfolio was due for first, second, and seventh periods today.

First and seventh periods began researching for their persuasive essay assignment. We looked at the project resources and chose one article to read and take notes on. We’ll continue tomorrow on the project.

Second period completed a second day of research. Some began planning their essay; the rest of the class will spend tomorrow planning and completing additional research.

Fourth period finalized the planning of the compare/contrast essay on the Scottsboro boys trial and Tom Robinson’s trial in To Kill a Mockingbird. We’ll begin the essays tomorrow (though they won’t be due until after Christmas break).

Homework

None (unless you’re not caught up).

Notes, Research, and Planning

Posted on by

First and seventh periods completed notes about persuasive techniques. We’ll be applying those techniques next week as we begin our mini-project on persuasive writing.

Second period began researching for the project.

Fourth period looked at issues of organization for compare/contrast essays and began organizing their own essay.

Homework

Library and Consultation

Posted on by

First, second, and seventh periods spent most of the class in the library. It was a fairly successful day: I was able to consult with individual students about their poetry projects.

Fourth period continued research. Some students might need to do additional research as homework.

Homework
  • First, second, and seventh periods: work on poetry portfolio.
  • Fourth period: read materials about transitions.

Persuasion and Research

Posted on by

First and seventh periods presented their persuasive presentations to see who would win the bit of free time at the end of their class on Monday. We also watched a clip of Derren Brown, the absolute master of persuasion.

Second period went over persuasive techniques.

Fourth period began researching the Scottsboro boy’s trial in preparation for a comparison/contrast essay on the trial and To Kill a Mockingbird.

Homework
  • First, second, and seventh periods: continue working on poetry portfolio (due Monday); tomorrow will be a pr0gress check.
  • Fourth period: none (research optional).

Persuasion and Newspaper Articles

Posted on by

First and seventh periods prepared persuasive presentations as part of a two-day anticipatory set for our very short persuasive writing unit. They prepared persuasive arguments in an effort to win a bit of free time at the end of class next week. Second period is one day ahead, having completed the contest today.

Fourth period worked on their Maycomb County News articles.

Homework