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!