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Post-Holiday Hangover and Getting Back in the Swing of Things

Reflections on the Thanksgiving Holiday

In all honesty, it was nice not to think about rhetoric or things related to AP Language and Composition. I started reading the first book in the series Percy Jackson and the Olympians. So far, I really like it, though the pace is kind of fast and there isn't much character development. I'll probably finish the book in the next couple of days. Have any of you read it?

I did not get to as much grading as I had hoped. I was going to take a serious look at your typed Rhetorics, but did not get the chance--I slept in a bed way past its prime, and was laid up for a whole day with neck spasms. Not grading rhetorics has had a serious impact on my plans for the week, which I will get to in the next section.

Getting Back in the Swing of Things

First, I need to remind you that we are on a one week hiatus when it comes to the rhetoric project. I need to think through some things before we move on. Mostly, it has to do with peer-to-peer assessment. It's a good model, but I need to lay down some clearer guidelines for everyone because it's not working like it should. That's my fault and poor leadership. Generally speaking, though, you all are learning how to respond to the rhetoric project better and better each week, so some good things are happening.

For now, we will focus on finishing Sophie's World. This week we will work in groups in class, looking back on the first 22 chapters, while at home, we will keep reading--two chapters at a time (see the calendar). No more trouble slips, but keep annotating.

Please come to class armed with questions as you have been. I promise we will get through this together and you will understand the book!

Sophie's World Reading: Veteran's Day Weekend

Sorry!

So, I completely forgot to assign your reading for the weekend. Of course, there was no reading assigned for Friday because who reads on a Friday night? Well, who reads on a Friday night except the twenty-something girl my wife and I saw at the coffee shop while on our date last night?

For Saturday, Sunday, and Monday you have one chapter of reading a piece. The story line is starting to shift a little and there is a lot of history covered in those three chapters. I would prefer not to overburden you guys with reading and thinking at the same time. So, let's slow our pace for this weekend (click over to the google calendar to see which chapters you should be reading this weekend).

Keep up the good work, ladies and gentlemen. I don't know about you, but I am really enjoying reading the book with you. I have heard some of the most creative ideas about what you think is really going on in the book. If you want, feel free to post some of your theories/predictions in the comment section below.

Have a good weekend.

Starting Sophie's World

Tonight's Homework: 

I completely forgot to mention your homework in class today! Please forgive me.

Tonight, please do the following:

• Read 
• "The Garden of Eden" and 
• "The Top Hat". 
• Annotate: 
• On the right: questions, thoughts, and reactions. 
• On the left: Rhetorical/literary devices and deep thoughts (it is philosophy after all)
• Extra Credit opportunity (10 points)
• Write a trouble slip for each chapter
• Since I have not explained this to you, I do not expect you to do it.
• Here is a link to an explanation right out of the book I got the concept from: Trouble Slips
• Click to the second page and read the explanation of what it IS.
• Don't mind the teacher stuff, that's my job.
• Just write down the page number where you had the trouble, identify the element that is giving you trouble, and ask a clarifying question. That's it!

Frederick Douglass: The final assignment

Over the Weekend (10/27--10/28)

Here is the final installment for reading The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass:

• Read the Appendix and annotate
• Once you have finished reading the book...
• Type your reflection (ALWAYS format in MLA)
• Print it out
• Also print out the NLFD Packet Cover Sheet
• Staple everything together in reverse order from bottom to top (packet, then assignment 8, then 7, then 6 . . . )
• Bring with you to class on Monday and turn in first thing

What do I do for the reflection?

Answer the following questions in thorough detail:

1. Who do you think was Frederick Douglass's intended audience for this piece of writing? Why do you believe that was his intended audience? What evidence do you have to support your answer

2. What was his purpose for writing this book? Why do you believe that was his purpose? Be thorough.

3. Give three specific, real-world connections (historical or current events) to the this book. Thoroughly explain why you made those connections, citing specific examples from Frederick Douglass's book. (The only connection that is exempt is anything having to do with American slavery).

4. Connect this book with three pieces of literature you have read in the past. Thoroughly explain why you made those connections, citing specific examples from Frederick Douglass's book. (the pieces of literature can have been assigned by your past teachers or things you have read on your own).

5. For anyone who reads this book, what is the one lesson he or she NEEDS to learn from it? In other words, you think that it would be a waste to read the book and not learn . . . what? Identify the lesson everyone needs to learn and explain why each person needs to learn it.

In-Class Rhetoric: Situational Irony

What We Did in Class Today

Each class was given an assignment that can be found on a blog post at my ERWC blog.

Also, click on the link to the PowerPoint on Colons to to see it there: SoW: Colons

The assignment is worth 50 points and a scoring guide can be found for it here: Colon Usage Assignment Scoring Guide

If you did not finish the assignment in class, please do so tonight!

Thursday and Friday

Beginning on Thursday, you will work on your in-class Rhetorics for situational irony. In order to be prepared, as a bit of homework, Wednesday evening please read the very short story "The Gift of the Magi."

Definition of situational irony

irony involving a situation in which actions have an effect that is opposite from what was intended, so that the outcome is contrary to what was expected.

Steps to complete your homework for Wednesday night

First, read the story.

Second, print the story out to bring to class: Google Doc Version

• You can re-size it to make printing more economical
• Try to get it down to two pages
• Print two-to-a-page, maybe?

Third, come to class prepared to connect this story with the concept of "situational irony."

Sophie's World

Which Sophie's World?

A couple of students have expressed some concern over what book I'm actually talking about when I utter the title Sophie's World.

Here's what the book looks like:

(The image is also a link to the amazon.com page)

Here is all the info you need about Barnes and Nobel in the area:

Tyler Galleria and South Corona

Remember to pick this up this weekend. Bring to class on Monday!