11/21/13
In Class:
Journal-- What are you most looking forward to over Thanksgiving Break? Set at least 2 academic goals and at least 2 personal/mental health/relaxation goals.
Discussed the use of people as research sources, anticipating potential Thanksgiving reunions, family time, etc.
Students worked independently on weekly topical research papers.
Exit ticket: What is the craziest thing you've done in the last two months?
Homework:
Catch up on any missing assignments or papers.
Begin writing weekly topical research paper #5.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
November 19th, 2013
11/19/13
In Class:
Field trip to Boulder Public Library.
Learned to use print and electronic research resources through BPL.
Each student registered for a library card for Internet and direct access to BPL sources.
Homework:
Work on weekly topical research essay #4!
In Class:
Field trip to Boulder Public Library.
Learned to use print and electronic research resources through BPL.
Each student registered for a library card for Internet and direct access to BPL sources.
Homework:
Work on weekly topical research essay #4!
Thursday, November 14, 2013
November 14th, 2013
11/14/13
In Class:
Journal-- Describe, in detail, the person who taught you a) how to tie your shoes, or b) how to ride a bike.
Mini-lesson on integrating quotes:
"We are always getting ready to live and never living." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
-> Introduce quote "direct quote" (Authorlastname pagenumber).
* Unfortunately, our nervous living habits result in our "never living" (Emerson).
-> "Direct quote" concluding words (Authorlastname pagenumber).
* "We are always getting ready to live and never living" our lives to the fullest potential (Emerson).
-> "Direct quote," interrupting words, "more direct quote" (Authorlastname pagenumber).
* "We are always getting ready to live," constantly looking forward to what will come next, "and never living" (Emerson).
-> Paraphrasing (condensing and rephrasing an idea or sentiment)
* Most people struggle to live in the moment (Emerson).
[see page 92 of MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th ed.]
Students worked independently on their third research paper.
Journals collected.
Exit ticket: Who is one person you can always rely on?
Homework:
Finish any outstanding work.
In Class:
Journal-- Describe, in detail, the person who taught you a) how to tie your shoes, or b) how to ride a bike.
Mini-lesson on integrating quotes:
"We are always getting ready to live and never living." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
-> Introduce quote "direct quote" (Authorlastname pagenumber).
* Unfortunately, our nervous living habits result in our "never living" (Emerson).
-> "Direct quote" concluding words (Authorlastname pagenumber).
* "We are always getting ready to live and never living" our lives to the fullest potential (Emerson).
-> "Direct quote," interrupting words, "more direct quote" (Authorlastname pagenumber).
* "We are always getting ready to live," constantly looking forward to what will come next, "and never living" (Emerson).
-> Paraphrasing (condensing and rephrasing an idea or sentiment)
* Most people struggle to live in the moment (Emerson).
[see page 92 of MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th ed.]
Students worked independently on their third research paper.
Journals collected.
Exit ticket: Who is one person you can always rely on?
Homework:
Finish any outstanding work.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
November 12th, 2013
11/12/13
In Class:
Journal-- Describe one place that you consider "home" using as much detail as possible.
Mini-lesson on organizational techniques for essay-writing.
Students worked independently on their next weekly topical research paper.
Exit ticket: Name one new non-academic thing you've learned in the last two weeks.
Homework:
Work on your next research paper.
Catch up on any missing work.
In Class:
Journal-- Describe one place that you consider "home" using as much detail as possible.
Mini-lesson on organizational techniques for essay-writing.
Students worked independently on their next weekly topical research paper.
Exit ticket: Name one new non-academic thing you've learned in the last two weeks.
Homework:
Work on your next research paper.
Catch up on any missing work.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
November 7th, 2013
11/7/13
In Class:
Journal-- Picture your bedroom/living space and take an inventory of the objects, posters, etc. What do each of these say about your identity, personality, and passions?
Mini-lesson on key research methods: Boolean operators in search engines, external links and references on Wikipedia, and IPL.
Students used the remainder of class to finish their second weekly research paper.
Exit ticket: What percentage of your second paper have you finished?
Homework:
Begin brainstorming for your next paper.
In Class:
Journal-- Picture your bedroom/living space and take an inventory of the objects, posters, etc. What do each of these say about your identity, personality, and passions?
Mini-lesson on key research methods: Boolean operators in search engines, external links and references on Wikipedia, and IPL.
Students used the remainder of class to finish their second weekly research paper.
Exit ticket: What percentage of your second paper have you finished?
Homework:
Begin brainstorming for your next paper.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
November 5th, 2013
11/5/13
In Class:
Journal-- Explain how to fail a class.
"The Wool Sweater Lesson" [Thesis and Organization]
topic: What is the subject or focus of your paper?
position: What is your argument, stance, or point?
thesis: 1-3 sentences which construct your topic and position.
--> If your essay was the human body, the thesis would be the backbone. The rest of the essay can still function and work, but not to its full potential. The thesis provides structure and strength.
One method for creating a strong thesis statement is called the T3 Method. T: State your main topic, position, idea, or argument.
3: Lay out three separate but related dimensions or details that support your ideas.
Example:
Topic: Wool sweaters. -- So what?
Position: Wool sweaters are the best.
3: fuzzy, warm, and super hip.
T3: Wool sweaters are the best because they are fuzzy, warm, and super hip.
Alternatively, you can consider different formats, like Wool sweaters are the best because they make me look good and feel good.
The T3 Method is very useful because it helps construct the organization of your essay from the very first paragraph.
A second method for creating a strong thesis statement is the Occasion/Position Statement. The construction for this statement is:
[Subordinating Conjunction] + topic + , + position.
Example:
Although wool sweaters can be itchy, they are well-worth the trouble.
Students worked independently on their next weekly research paper.
Exit ticket: Write a thesis statement regarding wool sweaters.
Homework:
Work on your next research paper.
In Class:
Journal-- Explain how to fail a class.
"The Wool Sweater Lesson" [Thesis and Organization]
topic: What is the subject or focus of your paper?
position: What is your argument, stance, or point?
thesis: 1-3 sentences which construct your topic and position.
--> If your essay was the human body, the thesis would be the backbone. The rest of the essay can still function and work, but not to its full potential. The thesis provides structure and strength.
One method for creating a strong thesis statement is called the T3 Method. T: State your main topic, position, idea, or argument.
3: Lay out three separate but related dimensions or details that support your ideas.
Example:
Topic: Wool sweaters. -- So what?Position: Wool sweaters are the best.
3: fuzzy, warm, and super hip.
T3: Wool sweaters are the best because they are fuzzy, warm, and super hip.
Alternatively, you can consider different formats, like Wool sweaters are the best because they make me look good and feel good.
The T3 Method is very useful because it helps construct the organization of your essay from the very first paragraph.
A second method for creating a strong thesis statement is the Occasion/Position Statement. The construction for this statement is:
[Subordinating Conjunction] + topic + , + position.
Example:
Although wool sweaters can be itchy, they are well-worth the trouble.
Students worked independently on their next weekly research paper.
Exit ticket: Write a thesis statement regarding wool sweaters.
Homework:
Work on your next research paper.
Monday, November 4, 2013
October 31st, 2013
10/31/13
In Class:
Journal-- How do you define success? What steps can one take to achieve it?
Reviewed the concept of "bias," then read as a class "Evaluating Sources" from A Writer's Research Manual (p. 650-7).
Each student found an article of his or her choice online, then wrote one paragraph evaluating and describing its bias.
With remaining class time, students worked on completing their first weekly research paper.
Exit ticket: What is one question you can ask yourself while evaluating for bias?
Homework:
Catch up on any missing assignments.
Start brainstorming for your next essay.
In Class:
Journal-- How do you define success? What steps can one take to achieve it?
Reviewed the concept of "bias," then read as a class "Evaluating Sources" from A Writer's Research Manual (p. 650-7).
Each student found an article of his or her choice online, then wrote one paragraph evaluating and describing its bias.
With remaining class time, students worked on completing their first weekly research paper.
Exit ticket: What is one question you can ask yourself while evaluating for bias?
Homework:
Catch up on any missing assignments.
Start brainstorming for your next essay.
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