November 12, 3013

Class Work

What articles did you locate? What topics are of interest to you?

1. Finish viewing An Inconvenient Truth and answer the questions. (
See Thursday's blog for the questions.)
2. Write an in-class review of the documentary.
http://homeworktips.about.com/od/EssaysTypes/a/How-To-Write-A-Film-Review.htm

Homework

Select an issue related to the environment. Clearly define/describe the problem. Be ready to share your information with the class. You need at least one "authority" to agree with you that a problem exists. Be prepared to share your source with the class. You are not posting this; you are sharing this.

Also, find out the causes of your problem. Create a list of causes. There may be many causes, or there may be just a few. Be ready to share those as well along with your sources. (This is a great time to create an annotated bibliography on EasyBib to keep track of your information!)

November 7, 2013

Class Work

Peer Editing Activity

Let's look at one more essay: "The Bounty of the Sea" (handout)



http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/what-the-world-would-look-like-if-all-the-ice-melted-015759322.html  See what might happen to Florida!

See what you might find in your garden! http://news.yahoo.com/a-snake-the-size-of-a-school-bus--it-happened-before--and-could-happen-again-153534343.html

Watching An Inconvenient Truth

An Inconvenient Truth – Questions

After viewing the documentary, answer the following questions.

1.       Why does the film open and close with serene images of nature: lush green leaves and a gently flowing river on a sunny day, followed by Al Gore’s voice-over about this peaceful place? What is the impact on the viewer?

2.       In this film, Gore narrates a moment in 1989 when his six-year-old son dropped his father’s hand, ran into the street, and was severely injured. How does this personal story relate to Gore’s mission?

3.       Much of the film consists of scientific facts and charts. Think back and answer the following:

·         Why do we have global warming?

·         What is the relationship between carbon dioxide and temperature?

·         How does global warming contribute to an increase in the number and severity of storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, and typhoons?

·         How can global warming cause both violent precipitation as well as droughts?

4.       Explain the significance of each of these references from the film:

·         The findings of core drills

·         The thawing of the permafrost, the splitting of the Ward Hunt ice shelf, and the disappearance of the Larson ice shelf

·         The Arctic ice cap disappearing

·         The image of a canary in a coal mine

·         The image of the frog in the cooking pot

5.       Cite three ecological consequences of global warming in the animal and plant communities.

6.       Gore used quotations from several memorable people.  Explain how they apply to the topic of global warming.

·         Mark Twain: “What gets us into trouble is not what we don’t know; it’s what we know that just ain’t so.”

·         Upton Sinclair: “It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.” Consider citing specific ways that this statement is illustrated throughout this film.

·         Stephen Pacala and Robert Socolow in Science magazine: “Humanity already possesses the fundamental scientific, technical, and industrial know-how to solve the carbon and climate problems.”

7.       Explain the significance of the film’s title An Inconvenient Truth.


Homework

Locate two articles on an environmental issue that is important to you. Be ready to identify the problem and the causes. Be able to find the articles in class. Post the URLs in MyCompLab.
Also identify the problem and list the causes. (20 pts.)

 

 

         

November 5, 2013 - Tuesday

Class Work

1. Please write your claim on one of the boards. Remember, for homework you posted your claim(s), reasons, and evidence in Canvas.
2. Reasons answer the question, "Why?"
3. Evidence is the proof that basically finishes a "because" statement.
4. At your table, talk through your outline. As you listen to each other, ask questions.
5. For homework, write your draft. You are to take a strong stand - one side or the other - and convince your readers that reality television is good or that reality television is bad. Bring a paper coy of your draft to class on Thursday and post in MyCompLab. (25 pts.)
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"Notes" from Mother Nature

Take your phone/camera. Either working alone or in pairs, stroll around the campus and take pictures of messages from Mother Nature. Listen in class for the instructions. From your pictures, post your favorite in Canvas and write the "thesis" statement or message from Mother Nature.

(If you are using your phone, you can e-mail the picture to yourself and then post it in Canvas.)

If you are using a stand-alone camera, you will need to do this from home.

Due: Thursday - CANVAS Give me the paper copy of the rest of your notes. (20 pts.)

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" Saving the Songs of the Sea"

This is an in-class reading activity. Listen for the instructions to the Save the Last Word for Me strategy.

• You will be given the article. Read it. Highlight important words, lines, and phrases.
• Now, pick the top three. Write each on a note card.
• On the back of the note card, explain why that word, line, or phrase is important of meaningful to you.

The rest of the directions will follow...

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If time permits, we will also read "The Bounty of the Sea." Questions to follow...

Octber 31, 2013 - Thursday

Class Work


Think about it:

Television is often blamed for having a harmful effect on children.
Do you think this criticism is merited?
In what ways does TV exert a negative influence on children?

In what ways does TV exert a positive influence on youngsters, or does it?  

 Now, substitute "reality television" for TV in the above statement.

• Can the same be said about Reality Television?
• Does it have a harmful effect on children?
• Does it have a harmful effect on adults?
•  Is there anything positive about it for either audience?
• What did your research show? Prove your stance.

"Becoming a Videoholic by Robert Barry (Handout) This essay is also found on the Internet, but it takes a bit of seeking to find! Search in Yahoo by typing in the title and the author. It is the first PDF file. Scroll down once you download as the first page you see is questions only.

In "Becoming a Videoholic," student Robert Barry writes about the subtle addiction to using the VCR. His essay is an informational process analysis. What is his purpose in writing about this topic? Does he reveal this purpose to his reader explicitly or implicitly?

Using Transitions:

Look for transitions in the essay. Underline or highlight them.

http://www.studygs.net/wrtstr6.htm

 

 
Using Evidence to Convince

Before you can convince others, you must know what they already feel about the topic.

1. Are these television addicts, casual viewers, or folks who only read books?
2. How old are they?
3. Are they professionals, students, or struggling folks?
4. Are they likely to agree or disagree with you?
5. What are their likes and dislikes?

Knowing the answers to these questions will help you develop reasons why they should believe and agree with you.

Now, look at your research. What seems to be the best proof that Reality Television in general or a specific reality show, such as Duck Dynasty, has a positive OR negative impact on that audience; therefore, it should be embraced or avoided.

You must take a stand! You should not write this paper and support both sides.

• What counts as evidence?
• What kind of evidence is best?
• How much evidence is enough?

This will be a "brief " or outline of your paper. Basically this is using the Claim/Reasons/Evidence chart we used in the past.

Look at the chart on the board.

Work on it now. Post in MyCompLab. (Due Tuesday)

Take a stand - state your claim.
Provide three reasons.
Provide two pieces of evidence for each reason. List the sources you will use.

You may begin your rough draft once you post your "brief".

Class Work

A,  Discussion about the reality of reality shows. What did you watch? What did you discover?
What ratings would you give these shows? Why do we watch? Should we?
B.  Conduct research. (5 minutes each question ...finish at home if necessary) We will share after each round of research.
(Group by show or type of show to conduct the research.)

1. What is the definition of reality TV?
2. What is the history of reality television shows? When did they start?
3. Who watches?
4. How many watch?
5. How many reality shows are on television today? You might consider breaking it down by station. (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, TBS, History, Travel, Food Network, Disney, etc.)
6. Are there any dangers associated with these shows? Find evidence.
7. Are there any plus factors associated with these shows? Find the proof.
8. How real are the people in the shows?
9. What "fame" or "infamy" comes to those who star?
10. How do these shows compare to dramas and comedies that air?
11. How much money is generated by these shows?
12. What toys, gizmos and gadgets are now available because of the show? How much money is being generated by the sales, or are they selling? (SHOW ME THE MONEY!)
13. Who sponsors these shows? What does this tell you about the viewers?
14. Have there been any negative or positive incidents reported in the news that could be related to these shows?
15. Ask at least three others what they think of your show. Be sure to record their exact words. Get the correct spelling of each name.
16. What other questions should be answered? Some will come to mind as you conduct research.

Pick ONE type of reality show or one reality show to use for your research. This may be the one you watched for homework. Or, you may change shows.
C. Keep track of your sources in EasyBib if you wish. Print an MLA style bibliography. www.easybib.com
D. Take notes in WORD. Post your notes and your working bibliography in CANVAS. Your notes and working bibliography are due on Thursday.


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Homework

1. Enhance your research. Fill in the gaps. Be ready to begin writing on Thursday.

October 24, 2013 - Thursday

Class Work

1. Peer Editing Activity . . . You need to have your essay available for viewing in a Word document. Have it showing on the screen or have a paper copy. Take a few moments to get ready.

Homework: Write the final draft of the definition paper. Post in MyCompLab. (100 points)

2. What do you think about Reality TV? Do you watch any of these popular shows:

• Duck Dynasty
• Real Housewives of ___________________
• Honey Boo Boo
• Pawn Stars
• Gator Boys
• Alligator Hunters
• Ice Road Truckers
• Storage Wars
• American Pickers
• Etc. (Let's add to the list!)

What makes these shows so popular?

3. Let's play the doubting/believing game! You will need paper and pen or the laptops . . . your choice. Listen for the rules.



Read the article from TV Guide and see if their points are points you would make.
http://omg.yahoo.com/news/why-reality-tv-good-us-220500198.html



Also, read "When Reality TV Gets Too Real"
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/08/business/media/08reality.html?pagewanted=all

Homework

1. Watch one "reality" TV show.
Create a Plus/Minus chart.
On the plus side, note what was real.
On the minus side, note what was staged.

In addition, write a paragraph or two and try to convince your readers to watch or not watch the show.

Post in Canvas. (15 points)

October 22, 2013 - Tuesday

Class Work

1. Sharing art . . . at your table, share the art slide you located. Select one person from each table who will share their work with the class.

 2. How is your research coming along? Have you filled in all of the spaces on your graphic organizer? What questions do you still have?

 3. Let's look at some samples:

• First, let's define what it means to be someone from Arizona. Take a look at the chart - how would you fill in the spaces?
• "What is a Yankee?"

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/definition.htm

• "A Few of My Favorite Things" (handout)
• "Break it to Them Gently" (handout)
• "The Notebook" (handout)
• "Quiet Heroes" (handout)

As we study these essays, look for the categories in the graphic organizer. How did the author define the topic?

• Dictionary Definition?
• Historical Information
• Literary/Media link?
• Personal definition/example?
• News about the word?
• Definitions of others?
• Famous quotations?

It is time to get started. Here is an outline that should help you:

http://www.northland.cc.mn.us/owl/Doing%20the%20definition%20essay.htm

For homework: Read one more sample essay that is included in the link above.

Write your draft. Post it in MyCompLab. (25 pts.)