Writing Across Cultures

Link for forum. For much of your life from now on, you will be asked to conduct research. Being an adult, also means you are responsible for yourself and dealing with a myriad of problems that will come your way. Even as an author, it is no longer enough to "make up" all the details. You will have to conduct some level of research to get the answers you need. "Research" means looking for an answer to a question or problem. Different kinds of questions require different kinds of answers, and different kinds of answers require different kinds of research. Knowing what you need is a first step. If the answer you're looking for is a known fact: What's the percentage of teens who attend public schools in America, for example, then you're probably going to have to search the internet or look in books or articles in a library, or consult an expert. If you're seeking reinforcement, then you may have to conduct a study or experiment of some sort, or...

This morning, please read the article given to you. Then we'll get into our reading groups for 10-15 minutes. 2nd period: we will go up to the lab to continue the following: From last class: Each student (not the group but the individual) should post to 3 other questions posed on the forum. You should select ONE from Ms. Haines' class, ONE from Mr. Abel's class, and ONE from Ms. Johnson's MCC class. You may answer SOTA questions as you see fit, but the required posts are for the other schools/groups. Continue your research on your topic. Share your research and findings with your group. 

About half of you have not been reading your chosen non-fiction book regularly. From now on, for each class assign yourself between 20-30 pages (that's 10-15 pages per day) to read. Try to finish the book by the end of next week. There will be a test grade associated with this assignment. Today in class please do the following: 1. If your group has not posted a question on the forum yet, please do so under Cross Talk Week One. Remember to use your subject as your heading and add SOTA to your subject line. The question should be open ended. 2. Each student (not the group but the individual) should post to 3 other questions posed on the forum. You should select ONE from Ms. Haines' class, ONE from Mr. Abel's class, and ONE from Ms. Johnson's MCC class. Do not answer any SOTA questions (other classes will respond to these if they have not already done so). 3. Continue your research on your topic. Share your research and findings with your group. Summarize your art...

Today, I will post a few important reminders about portfolios and give you grade reports for MP1.

Today, please get together in book groups: The Undertaking, The Other Wes Moore, Chew on This . Discuss your progress with the book so far. If you have questions about the book, please ask your group members. Everyone should hand in an index card letting me know what page of the book you are currently on so that I can pace the assignment correctly. Topics to discuss: 1. The writing style 2. The content 3. The use of facts and research After our book group discussion, please move to the lab to continue your research on your group’s chosen topic. Record any websites and materials you research on your MLA citation note page. Surf the web for resources and information concerning your topic. KEEP TRACK OF WHERE YOU FIND INFORMATION. You will be required to complete an MLA formatted works cited page. We recognize five major social institutions that have been evident in some way in every civilization in history: government religion education economics famil...

Please follow these directions step-by-step and very closely. 1. Please go to the following website: http://www.communitycenterforteachingexcellence.org 2. Select the menu at the far-right of the screen: STUDENT FORUM. (This is for you. The rest of the stuff is teacher-ly things. Feel free to browse, but focus on your project…) 3. At the BOTTOM OF THE RIGHT HAND SIDE, is the META: Please click on the LOG-IN button. Your names have already been submitted to MCC for this program. 4. At the WORD PRESS log in screen, please enter your USERNAME and PASSWORD. Your USER NAME is your first name and last initial (bradleyc, for example). Your name is taken from the school roster, so My, Gracie, and Gus need to use their traditional names: Zoe, Edith, Augustus, etc. Your PASSWORD is: pblstudent (all lowercase, no spaces) NOTE: To protect your privacy, you must log in before selecting your class forum. If you click on your class before logging in, the forum page will not be found! ...

Today, please watch and respond to the film The War on Kids. As you view the film, please list key issues that the film attempts to present. How is the material presented to us? Is there a bias? What kinds of research/support are utilized by the filmmakers? As film, how is the film visually compelling or interesting? What kinds of shots, transitions, music, and/or special effects (like animation) are used in the film to underscore key points or arguments? What viewpoints are missing from the film? Why do you think the filmmakers presented their material in the order in which they did? Which interviewees are necessary/unnecessary or thought provoking? Keep track of some of these questions as you watch the film. You will be asked to comment and respond to some of these questions on the forum. HOMEWORK: Please comment on the film. Use some of the questions presented above in your reflection. Use notes and/or research to support your opinions. Post is due by end of class Friday, Oc...

In the library we have reserved 3 books from which you should choose one to read. Chew On This by Eric Schlosser & Charles Wilson Fast food, health, education, diet, etc. The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore Class system, socio-economics, urban violence, boys growing up The Undertaking by Thomas Lynch Death, poetry, funeral homes, loss/grief, and small town America HOMEWORK: Please start reading your chosen book. We will be using it soonish. During 2nd period we will begin screening the film: The War on Kids . Information about the film can be found here. The Student Resistance Handbook can be downloaded here .

During 1st period, please work to prepare your portfolio. Parent/Teacher conferences are scheduled for tonight starting at 6:30. Progress reports will be handed out in class. Any missing assignments must be turned in by next class (Monday, Oct. 15) for minimal passing credit. Your portfolio (with short reflection) is due by tomorrow at 3:00. I will not necessarily see you on Friday, so please make sure you have everything ready to turn in for a grade, or turn in your work at the end of Thursday's class. During 2nd period, we will be picking up our next novel/memoir/non-fiction, etc. See post above for details. HOMEWORK: Begin reading the book you chose. Portfolios MUST be turned in by 3:00 tomorrow or you are late or missing. I will not SEE you tomorrow. Please hand in portfolios in my in-box or mailbox on the 2nd floor. No email submissions! 

A student film by Angela, Shannon, and Desire.

Today, as we begin our brainstorming on the many problems in American Education, I'd like to present to you an example area of study: Problem in Education, example: Tracking .       The following is from Allyn & Bacon's Social Problems Supersite : Statement: America’s schools serve as "sorting machines" by categorizing students on the basis of their intellectual abilities and test scores.  Go to the following website to read about how tracking in middle schools works against poorer children - http://www.psu.edu/ur/2000/schooltracking.html .    What do the experts say? “Tracking is defined as the process whereby students are divided into categories so that they can be assigned in homogeneous groups to various kinds of classes. Essentially, it results in an academic hierarchy within schools of fast, average, and slow learners.  There are three principal reasons why schools use tracking:  1.) the...

Some general advice about your creative essays. Creative non-fiction should be interesting. It is often called expository writing in that it exposes an idea or position about its subject matter. This requires subjectivity on the part of the author. In other words it should reveal the author's attitude toward its subject. It exposes an aspect of our culture, history, background, or the author's personality that reminds us about our humanity.  It should be written with as much exactness and literary skill as fiction. When you tell a narrative story (even if it's true) the details and careful attention to characterization, setting, and plot are essential. Don't forget to use the writing skills you use when writing fiction and poetry. It's all the same. A big difference between fiction and non-fiction is that creative non-fiction is reflective. By the end of the essay or article the author reflects on the subject and tries to answer how the subject makes us who we ...

After our last two presentations, let's chat about our next unit. This is a special project we will be participating in for the NCCTE program. The project will revolve around what is called Problem Based Learning (PBL) or Inquiry Based (IB) questioning and research techniques. The community discussion will be conducted on a special forum so that students from Monroe High School, Rush-Henrietta and MCC can all participate. The project will create an interactive element to the learning, writing, and research going on in our class, but will also be an kind of bridge between schools and between high school and college preparatory work. The following Rochester-area classes are involved with the project: --> Professor Angelique Johnston, English Department at Monroe Community College   (MCC) Mr. Chuck Abell, English Department, Sperry High School, Rush-Henrietta School District   Mr. Brad Craddock, English/Creative Writing Department, School of the Arts  & ...

The following students/groups will be presenting their presentations. Please remember to turn in your group's MLA works cited page at the end of your presentation. Donyel, Angela, Kaisean Desire, Angela, Shannon As we listen to presentations please take notes in your journal/notebook regarding ideas for poems, plays, stories, etc. Your portfolio is due Oct. 12. Please see the rubric below (September 1 post) for details about grading. Please realize that the rubric is holistic. That is you might have 8 pages of super fine work that might be a higher grade than 15 pages of shoddy and careless work. Drafting/revising and participation in the lab or class is also a consideration. Check the rubric! What is due in your portfolio: 1. Your non-fiction essay 2. Creative work (poetry, fiction, non-fiction, scripts, films, comic strips, etc.) inspired by articles, brainstorming, responses, your own imagination, etc. 3. Your reflective essay on your presentation topic ...

For whom the bell tolls... It's time to give our presentations. Please prepare your presentation today. Use the time in class effectively. What is due Thursday: 1. Your presentation 2. Your MLA works cited page What is due in your portfolio: 1. Your non-fiction essay 2. Creative work (poetry, fiction, non-fiction, scripts, films, comic strips, etc.) inspired by articles, brainstorming, responses, your own imagination, etc. 3. Your reflective essay on your presentation topic 4. Revisions of any of your work. 5. Second or third drafts of your Advanced Poetry works THAT HAVE NOT BEEN REVISED IN MS. PEREZ' CLASS. 6. A short reflection about the work you've put in the portfolio. Your portfolio is due Oct. 12. Please see the rubric below (September 1 post) for details about grading. Please realize that the rubric is holistic. That is you might have 8 pages of super fine work that might be a higher grade than 15 pages of shoddy and careless work. Drafting/revising...