English 9 Class Notes
Objective: Freshmen wrote expository-analytical paragraphs.
Freshmen, you began to apply the writing formula we’ve worked on the last few classes to your reading with a paragraph about the Brother in “The Scarlet Ibis”. Your topic sentences ran something like this “The character Brother in James Hurst’s short story ‘The Scarlet Ibis’ is selfish and cruel to his disadvantaged sibling Doodle”. That’s thorough and detailed and appropriate for what I expect you to be able to produce, a far cry from what you wrote for me that first day school.
Complete your work for Wednesday. The updated template is under “Class Materials”.
See you in a couple days.
APELC Class Notes
Objectives: APELCers responded to their peers’ persuasion drafts.
Juniors and seniors, you did as the objective states. Remember that your essay need not follow the classical formula and need not advocate some earth-shattering social, political, or cultural change. It may take combine aspects of narration, description, classification, example, et cetera (look to the varied texts we’ve read this semester for inspiration), and your position may be one in which you argue the value of something (eg., a special relationship), or persuade your audience of the necessity of something (eg., respect for a tradition), or convince me of the definition of something (eg., the nature of an emotion). I know you’ve already completed your first drafts, but I also know some of you are frustrated over your topic, so see me about shifting your focus if you want and we’ll see what we can do to make it a reality for your second draft reviews.
Here’re two links to the concepts I mentioned in class today: the Wikipedia entry on Transhumanism, and from The New Statesman an essay on the myth of progress. And here’s the video for “Must Be Santa” from Bob Dylan’s new album Christmas in the Heart (which I heartily recommend):
(Again, no holiday or worldview endorsement here, since Dylan grew up Jewish, was publicly secular and sang songs full of existential even nihilistic angst, converted to Christianity, has since participated in Chabad-Lubavitch ceremony, and reflects some pantheistic notions in his music today. Just have fun and process it.)
Thanks to all of you who participated in the Sign Language Club’s collection of items for our service members. You have homework. See you next class.
English 9 Class Notes
Objectives: Freshmen 1) wrote expository-analytical paragraphs, and 2) read independently.
Freshmen, we didn’t do anything terribly hard today in practicing paragraphs again, this time about our favorite holidays. The real challenge this time was making sure you had enough words in sentences 2, 3, and 4, to make your ideas clear and engaging.
As I said in class before we dismissal today, I’m grateful this holiday to be working with each and every one of you this year, thankful that we have the opportunity to interact with and learn from each other, and appreciative that we grow together as we explore ideas in literature and express new ones in compositions.
Have a great holiday, and remember that CDO’s Sign Language Club is collecting the following items for our service members abroad. The last day to donate is Monday, November 30:
- White socks (with no markings)
- Light blankets and character-themed sheets
- Energy drinks, beef jerky
- Snacks like cookies, chips, and candy in sturdy packages
- Hand sanitizer, moist hand wipes, medical gloves
- Sports magazines and Frisbees
- Flash drives
- Letters (none of your own personal information)
- NO PORK OR PRODUCTS AND NO COFFEE
See you next week.
APELC Class Notes
Second and fourth period, same as yesterday in first and third. Check their notes for objectives and details.
As revision conferences commence Monday, all APELCers need to remember that they must have the following when we meet:
- Their essays highlighted (even they’re unsure of some of your highlights),
- Their own timed-writing prompts (annotated) and rubrics,
- Their own copies of “How to Prepare for a Revision Conference” and answers to the questions in 4 or 5 in the form of notes and ideas.
I will not confer with students who are missing any of these and those students will lose their slots and opportunity to revise their essays. And, again, do not be late to our conference.
Be thankful as you go into the holiday weekend, kids, and maybe think over the questions engendered by our discussion of Ascher, Quindlen, and the some of the photos I shared including the one below from “Universal Children’s Day”, and those from the article “Hong Kong Citizens Are Living in Cages”. The most important were, I think, “Do we share a common humanity?” and “How do we learn compassion?”
Finally, keep in mind that Monday, November 30, is the last day to donate any of the following items CDO’s Sign Language Club is collecting for our service members abroad:
- White socks (with no markings)
- Light blankets and character-themed sheets
- Energy drinks, beef jerky
- Snacks like cookies, chips, and candy in sturdy packages
- Hand sanitizer, moist hand wipes, medical gloves
- Sports magazines and Frisbees
- Flash drives
- Letters (none of your own personal information)
- NO PORK OR PRODUCTS AND NO COFFEE
Have a fantastic holiday.
ANOTHER VISIT AND MORE VINDICATION. Another 2009 CDO grad, former APELCer, and athletic and academic superstar visited fourth period today. Kala Stepter, who was a junior in my second period APELC class my first year here and is now a freshman at Standford, shared some of her thoughts about success in APELC and her life at university. And she commended this class as important in her preparation for higher education and classes she’s enrolled in now such as “Morality and Truth” and “Rhetoric in American Culture”. Neat classes.
Thanks Kala. All the best to you.
APELC Class Notes
Objectives: APECLers will process two essays.
First and third APELCers, you were returned and we reviewed your recent timed-writings over the Postman excerpt today and you had time to review your answers to the Ascher text from last class and prepare answers to the Quindlen text, the former’s partner piece.
I shared with a story that was relevant to your timed-writing, “Facebook friend turns into Big Brother” from the LaCrosse Tribune, and I offered you an article, “Hong Kong Citizens Are Living in Cages…Literally” from Weird Asia News, and a photo essay, “Universal Children’s Day” from All Eyes, to think about in conjunction with Ascher, Quindlen, and Eighner.
Finally, I wanted to show the following video in class of fans of Sarah Palin being interviewed while waiting in line to meet the former Alaska Governor and Vice-Presidential candidate and have her sign copies of her book. We ran out of time in first and I was able to show only a little in third, though, so here’s the entire text:
Remember, I don’t offer this as an expression of my personal political values, but as an object lesson of the dangers of naked, uninformed thinking. Also keep in mind the design considerations of the editors who put this text together: It’s probable that those who were able to answer the interviewer’s questions cogently were left out of the final cut. But it is a kick, and to be fair, this type of poor, unwarranted evaluation exists on both sides of the political divide. Thus we see, I think, the “orgy porgy” Postman bemoaned. So, whatever your issue, I beg you to understand why and know how to defend what you believe.
Again, don’t forget that Monday, November 30, is the last day to donate any of the following items CDO’s Sign Language Club is collecting for our service members abroad:
- White socks (with no markings)
- Light blankets and character-themed sheets
- Energy drinks, beef jerky
- Snacks like cookies, chips, and candy in sturdy packages
- Hand sanitizer, moist hand wipes, medical gloves
- Sports magazines and Frisbees
- Flash drives
- Letters (none of your own personal information)
- NO PORK OR PRODUCTS AND NO COFFEE
Have a great holiday, kids.
ANOTHER VISIT. It was nice to see 2009 CDO graduate, former APELCer, and current freshman at Colorado State University, Emily Dutson in third period for a visit today. She shared her experiences and thoughts for success in APELC and college, and again, I love to hear that what we do helps students later. More confirmation that what we’re on the right track in APELC. Groovy!
Thanks Emily, and continued success to you.
English 9 Class Notes
Objective: Freshmen wrote expository-analytical paragraphs.
Freshmen, we continued paragraph practice today and we reviewed the following information that you’ll come to know very well as we go over it again and again and again:
- Topic sentence = subject + argument (informed opinion)
Chunk = 1 sentence of evidence (CD) + 2 sentences of explanation (CM)
And basic structure of a paragraph:
- Sentence 1 (TS): XXX
Sentence 2 (CD): For example, XXX
Sentence 3 (CM): This shows/demonstrates/means XXX
Sentence 4 (CM): This is because/further shows/further demonstrates/also means XXX
Sentence 5 (CS): As a result XXX
Here’s the example I shared with you in class:
- Sentence 1 (TS): Tucson is a fantastic place to live.
Sentence 2 (CD): For example, although the summers are warm, it’s mild for the rest of the year, and there are many opportunities to have fun with festivities like Tucson Meet Yourself and the Fiesta de los Vaqueros and outdoor spots such as the Saguaro National Monument and the Catalina Mountain National Park to enjoy.
Sentence 3 (CM): This shows that the Old Pueblo is pleasant and has variety for those people who are active and adventurous.
Sentence 4 (CM): This is because the city is home to generous people who are willing to share their diverse talents and heritages to make Tucson the ideal place to live in the United States.
Sentence 5 (CS): Of all the places I’ve lived or experienced through my travels, there is none that compares with Tucson’s homely Southwestern livability.
And this is what it looks like all put together.
Tucson is a fantastic place to live. For example, although the summers are warm, it’s mild for the rest of the year, and there are many opportunities to have fun with festivities like Tucson Meet Yourself and the Fiesta de los Vaqueros and outdoor areas like the Saguaro National Monument and the Catalina mountains to enjoy. This shows that the Old Pueblo is pleasant and has variety for those people who are active and adventurous. This is because the city is home to generous people who are willing to share their diverse talents and heritages to make Tucson the ideal place to live in the United States. Of all the places I’ve lived or experienced through my travels, there is none that compares with Tucson’s homely Southwestern livability.
Keep in mind that the key to your commentary in sentences 3 and 4 is that they contain interpretive, analytical, and evaluative words.
Remember that CDO’s Sign Language Club is collecting the following items for our service members abroad. The last day to donate is Monday, November 30:
- White socks (with no markings)
- Light blankets and character-themed sheets
- Energy drinks, beef jerky
- Snacks like cookies, chips, and candy in sturdy packages
- Hand sanitizer, moist hand wipes, medical gloves
- Sports magazines and Frisbees
- Flash drives
- Letters (none of your own personal information)
- NO PORK OR PRODUCTS AND NO COFFEE
See you next class.
APELC Class Notes
Objective: APELCers processed an essay.
Juniors and seniors we began our discussion of Ascher today by discussing the definition of the word “home” and we eventually arrived at the metaphors “Home is a state”. We’ll complete our discussion of the piece and its companion text next class.
The image I showed you in class (below) is from the photo essay “Homeless Russian Kids”.
Others you might examine are this older piece from TIME Asia, “Notes from the Undergound”, and photos by Amelia Merrick, “Train Hopping America”.
Come tomorrow afternoon to pick-up your work and sign-up for a revision conference, and let me remind you that CDO’s Sign Language Club is collecting the following items for our service members abroad. The last day to donate is Monday, November 30:
- White socks (with no markings)
- Light blankets and character-themed sheets
- Energy drinks, beef jerky
- Snacks like cookies, chips, and candy in sturdy packages
- Hand sanitizer, moist hand wipes, medical gloves
- Sports magazines and Frisbees
- Flash drives
- Letters (none of your own personal information)
- NO PORK OR PRODUCTS AND NO COFFEE
See you next class.
VINDICATION. It was nice to have 2009 CDO graduate, former APELCer, and current Ithaca College freshman Jen Wendel in first for a visit today. Jen’s advice to junior and senior APELCers now? Think carefully and critically as the APELC ethos I’ve tried to foster at CDO most mimics her experience at college: no easy answers handed to you as you frustratingly analyze and evaluate ideas to try to arrive (with guidance) to your own conclusions. I’ve heard this confirmation from many other past APELCers about their college-class experience, too. Love it.
Thanks Jen, and best to you.
English 9 Class Notes
Objectives: Freshmen 1) identified and explained character and types, plot and foreshadowing, irony, setting, imagery, tone and point of view, and symbol, and 2) wrote an expository-analytical paragraph.
Period 6, we went over your reading of “The Scarlet Ibis” during which we touched variously on the concepts listed in the first objective. Then, finally, we moved to paragraphing, something that’s been a long time coming. I introduced you to a rigid writing process that we’ll practice and practice and practice again.
Look forward to more practice on Monday and Wednesday, but have a great weekend until then. Oh, and don’t forget to bring the following items CDO’s Sign Language Club is collecting for our armed service personnel abroad. The last day to donate is Monday, November 30:
- White socks (with no markings)
- Light blankets and character-themed sheets
- Energy drinks, beef jerky
- Snacks like cookies, chips, and candy in sturdy packages
- Hand sanitizer, moist hand wipes, medical gloves
- Sports magazines and Frisbees
- Flash drives
- Letters (none of your own personal information)
- NO PORK OR PRODUCTS AND NO COFFEE
See you Monday, kids
APELC Class Notes
Hello second and fourth period APELCers, again, we did the same as your odd counterparts did yesterday. Please check their notes for objectives and notes.
Many of you asked after the Large Hadron Collider I listed during our brainstorming for your persuasion pieces. You can find out more about the experiment at CERN’s LHC site, but here’s an animation that shows just how it works:
The machine and its operators have experienced several setbacks since it went online last year, and even before its safety was was being challenged.
Here again is the list of items CDO’s Sign Language Club is requesting we donate to service members abroad. The last day to donate is Monday, November 30:
- White socks (with no markings)
- Light blankets and character-themed sheets
- Energy drinks, beef jerky
- Snacks like cookies, chips, and candy in sturdy packages
- Hand sanitizer, moist hand wipes, medical gloves
- Sports magazines and Frisbees
- Flash drives
- Letters (none of your own personal information)
- NO PORK OR PRODUCTS AND NO COFFEE
Have a great weekend, and make good decisions tomorrow night at formal.
APELC Class Notes
Objectives: APECLers 1) processed an argument, and 2) practiced invention.
Period 1 and 3 APELCers, you began processing the Will piece. Here’re the links I promised to post differentiating Paleoconservatism (the type represented by Buckley and Will) and Neoconservatism (the type represented by George Bush, Dick Cheney, and many of the conservative Republicans in Congress today). We finished the day writing stories about your persuasion topics.
Here’s the piece from Tuesday’s NewsHour detailing the problem of food insecurity I mentioned in class: “USDA: 1 in 7 U.S. Households Struggle for Food”. And you might also listen to NPR’s report on the same study: “Broader Strategy Urged To Combat Hunger In US”. I recall Trevor’s mention in first period of a family he knew that was able to survive on a part-time, minimum wage. This was in response to the discussion of choices we make about how to live and what to buy with what we earn, so you might also listen to the BBC World Service Documentary series “A Dollar A Day”, about how people all over the world live on what we spend on a 14 ounce bottle of soda.
And, lest I forget, here’s the list of items CDO’s Sign Language Club is collecting for our military personnel. It’d be really cool if you could bring just two of the following to put in our box by Monday, November 30:
- White socks (with no markings)
- Light blankets and character-themed sheets
- Energy drinks, beef jerky
- Snacks like cookies, chips, and candy in sturdy packages
- Hand sanitizer, moist hand wipes, medical gloves
- Sports magazines and Frisbees
- Flash drives
- Letters (none of your own personal information)
- NO PORK OR PRODUCTS AND NO COFFEE
Check your class page for homework, and I will see you on Monday.
English 9 Class Notes
Objectives: Freshmen 1) identified and explained character and types, plot and foreshadowing, irony, setting, imagery, tone and point of view, and symbol, and 2) read independently.
Freshmen, you continued to work individually today on “The Scarlet Ibis”, attending several questions as you did. I stated that Doodle is a wiener; most of you were surprised, and the issue of worth of human life came up. That made me think of the slavery that exists still today and you didn’t believe me when I told you that there are more slaves in the world today than ever in human history, so here’re the links to the resources which verify my claim:
- “Slavery” at Wikipedia,
- the “Contemporary Slavery” subsection of the same article, and
- Free the Slaves.
Follow these, look into them.
Almost forgot: Here’s the list of items being collected by CDO’s Sign Language Club this winter for our armed services personnel. You don’t get credit for participation, but it’d be neat if each freshman could bring in just two of the following by Monday, November 30:
- White socks (with no markings)
- Light blankets and character-themed sheets
- Energy drinks, beef jerky
- Snacks like cookies, chips, and candy in sturdy packages
- Hand sanitizer, moist hand wipes, medical gloves
- Sports magazines and Frisbees
- Flash drives
- Letters (none of your own personal information)
- NO PORK OR PRODUCTS AND NO COFFEE
See you Friday.
APELC Class Notes
APELCers, we did the same as your peers yesterday; please check their notes for objectives and details. There is no homework (except the extra-credit).
As I explained I would, I’m reposting the list of items requested by our armed services personnel CDO’s Sign Language Club is serving this winter. You’re obviously not obligated, and participation isn’t for credit, but it’d be neat if each APELCer could bring in just two of the following by Monday, November 30:
- White socks (with no markings)
- Light blankets and character-themed sheets
- Energy drinks, beef jerky
- Snacks like cookies, chips, and candy in sturdy packages
- Hand sanitizer, moist hand wipes, medical gloves
- Sports magazines and Frisbees
- Flash drives
- Letters (none of your own personal information)
- NO PORK OR PRODUCTS AND NO COFFEE
If you’re feeling more generous as the “giving holidays” approach (Should giving just be restricted particular seasons?), you also might try these services: Any Soldier and Treat Any Soldier.
AMUSING. I mentioned the following video in second period and said I’d post it. Understand that it’s not an endorsement or criticism of the Tea Party protests of the past ten months or my own subversive commentary on immigration or tax policy or race, but rather an example of a carefully crafted piece of text delivered to an uncritical audience. (To really understand the story and follow along with the speech, read the original article “Teabaggers punk’d by anti-racists who get them to cheer rant against European-American immigrants”.
I hope, at least, if you’re not informed on the political turmoil of 2009, this might inspire you to become so. To be balanced, here’re links to a few of the more prominent blogs that cater to left and right audiences, the liberal Daily Kos and Crooks and Liars, and the conservative Town Hall and News Busters. Examine them when you have the time, maybe process them holistically as single texts.
APELC Class Notes
Objectives: APECLers 1) framed a excerpt from an extended argument, and 2) processed an argument.
First and third juniors and seniors, we framed the Postman text from yesterday’s timed-writing and examined Bill Buckley’s argument critical of Americans’ complacency.
Here’s the cover of the Roger Waters album I mentioned in class. The message isn’t subtle.
Be prepared to begin brainstorming your persuasion topics next class, and remember to think of our service members overseas and bring in any of the following if you’d like:
- White socks (with no markings)
- Light blankets and character-themed sheets
- Energy drinks, beef jerky
- Snacks like cookies, chips, and candy in sturdy packages
- Hand sanitizer, moist hand wipes, medical gloves
- Sports magazines and Frisbees
- Flash drives
- Letters (none of your own personal information)
- NO PORK OR PRODUCTS AND NO COFFEE
There is no homework (except the extra-credit). See you soon.
English 9 Class Notes
Freshmen, in my absence you began a new short story, “The Scarlet Ibis”, about a mean brother and a little wiener named Doodle. We’ll read together on Wednesday and commence some writing.
I’m always posting images for my APELCers, but don’t do as often for you kids. So here’s a striking image of a scarlet ibis (from here).
See you Wednesday.
APELC Class Notes
APELCers, in my absence today you completed timed-writing 4, another argument piece. While first and second period were doing writing, I was driving to Phoenix for my boy’s post-op follow-up with his doctor I was eating a Carl’s Jr. Breakfast Burger (pictured below), except mine had mayonnaise instead of ketchup (which is an aberration) and jalapenos. Dig it.
(While third and fourth were writing, we were enjoying clam chowder at the Tempe Bison Witches on Mill and University; here’s a review of the Tucson shop from the Weekly)
Please attend your readings for next class.
English 9 Class Notes
Objectives: Freshmen 1) identified and explained character and types, plot and foreshadowing, irony, setting, imagery, tone and point of view, and 2) read independently.
Freshmen, I quizzed you over “The Necklace” after a brief discussion of what you’d do with the money Madame Loisel lacked and your work work was handed back and we went over, again, what you need to do to make the grade. You worked on your text analyses of the short story and I handed out your progress reports.
Have a great weekend, and I’ll see you on Wednesday.
APELC Class Notes
Second and fourth APELCers, we did exactly as your peers did yesterday. The video engenders great discussion every year, and it connects well with many components of our class. Check their notes for objectives and details.
Say, while I was away over break and in Phoenix, I was able to catch up on a bunch of podcasts I regularly download but often lack the time I need or concentration l require to listen to, and I wanted to share them because I thought they were relevant or fascinating or both. I’ll begin with a recent piece from the Online NewsHour (by far one of the best news and issue programs on the air) about one of our authors: “Poet Sherman Alexie Talks ‘Faces’ and ‘War Dances’”.
The BBC World Service Documentary Archive published several multi-part series on the Yiddish language, the worldwide economic crash (essential if you really want to know what happened and how things got so bad all over), and the history of MI6, Britain’s secret service.
I’ve got a long backlog of programs from BBC Radio 4’s In Our Time with Melvyn Bragg, but I recently listened to episodes on “The School of Athens” (an excellent analysis and evaluation of an art text in its context), “Logical Positivism”, “Akhenaten”, and “Vitalism”.
Another favorite is Alan Saunders’ The Philosopher’s Zone; programs that I caught-up on and that were relevant to class were “The Happiness Machine”, “Forging Ahead: The Philosophy of Authenticity, Fakes and Forgers”, and “In Search of Civilisation”.
And finally, I re-listened to Austin Dacey on The Secular Conscience from Point of Inquiry, a “free thought” affair for skeptics and secular humanists.
Podcasts are great to listen to in the car and even at the gym. I’ll post links to those you might find interesting as I continue to go through I’ve got saved in my liberry.
Have a good weekend.
APELC Class Notes
Objectives: APELCers will 1) processed an argument, and 2) processed a film.
First and third juniors and seniors, we discussed the rest of the questions pertaining to the Ericsson piece, and I was curious, as we ambiguously closed the text, although the author seems to want us to reduce our amount of lying, call the act cancerous and moral garbage, she admits that it’s impossible for us not to lie, at least as she’s classified the different ways we do. Third period’s Marissa suggested that without lying we’d not to think critically, an astute observation, I think, that perhaps informed your viewing of The Persuaders. Many of you appeared disturbed by the impact the likes of Clotaire Rapaille and Frank Luntz had in business and politics; their approach does require some critical thinking to analyze and evaluate. I’m interested in seeing how you continue to apply the material and ideas you pick up in APELC to authentic media you encounter “out there”.
Dig Dr. Rapaille’s website (a pretty sad piece of text considering he’s got the bread to make an impression) and more on archetypes and archetypal psychology.
Here’s more on Frank Luntz (a particularly disturbing character for a couple of you) at his website, The Word Doctors. (Notice the first endorsement that appears in the word balloon on the home page.) Luntz’s entry at SourceWatch is revealing and critical.
Questions to think about: As a consumer, are you in control? Are purveyors of goods and services giving us want we want, or selling us what they want us to think we need? Can the persuaders be trusted to package information and deliver us what we need to know?
I’m working steadily on all of your papers, and hope to get them all back to you next week. Thanks for your patience, kids.
APELC Class Notes
Periods 1 and 3, we began to discuss Ericsson today and to watch The Persuaders. As we watched the film several I noted several words and ideas that I think are worth highlighting as we consider the interaction between speaker and text and audience:
- Transcendence, soul, spirit
- Style, substance
- Meaning system, brand experience
- Cult brand, head, heart
- Emotional branding, people branding
- Relationships, emptiness, yearning
- Mystery, sensuality, intimacy
- “Loyalty beyond reason”
We’ll finish discussing the Ericsson piece and the film text next class. Until then, pay attention to what you’re being sold.
And be yourselves.
English 9 Class Notes
Objectives: Freshmen will 1) identified and explained character and types, plot and foreshadowing, irony, setting, imagery, tone and point of view, and 2) read independently.
Freshmen, we finished “The Necklace” today and we discussed your answers to the guided-reading questions. Because I miscalculated the end of the period today (I was thinking we were on a Friday schedule), I cut the discussion short so you could have sometime reading independently. We’ll pick it up on Friday.
You have homework to attend. Maybe I’ll see you in tutoring?