Tuesday - April 1, 2014 - No Joke!

1. This was the homework from last Thursday: - What did you discover?

 Locate two articles that relate to "global warming." Is it real? Is there proof? Is is a hoax? Is there proof? 

• Summarize each article.
• Include a sentence or two where you share your opinion on the topic.
• Credit your source in MLA style.
• Post in CANVAS (20 pts.)

What did you learn? What do you believe at this point in time? What do you know?

2. What is Mother Nature saying to us? What are we telling Mother nature?

• For this activity, you may work with a partner or two - no more - or you may work alone.
• You need camera  or excellent sketching ability for this activity. (One per group is fine.)
• Go outside. Take five pictures of "things" that illustrate a message from Mother Nature to us (humans).
• Take five pictures of "things" that illustrate a message from us (humans) to Mother Nature.
• Return to class. Complete the chart. If you are working with a group, only one chart is needed. Be sure that ALL names- first and last- appear on the chart.

Pick one picture from Mother Nature and one picture from humanity. Post those two pictures in CANVAS along with those two captions. You will be sharing with the class. 

Look for the IN CLASS space to post. 

3. "Saving the Songs of the Sea"/Save the Last Word for Me ( in-class activity) Listen for the instructions.

Homework

 Look for a cause that relates to Mother Nature. There are foundations everywhere!

You could save the:

• whales
• polar bears
• rain forests
• Chesapeake Bay
• snakes
• tree frogs
• turtles
• coral reefs
• etc.

Pick a cause to study.

1. Find a web site devoted saving ______________________. Study the web site. 
2. What did you learn?
3. What do you believe?
4. What persuasive techniques were used? (Remember the advertising techniques we studied earlier in the course.)
5. According to the site, how can you help?
6. What is the cost in time, resources, and money?
7. Would you support this cause? Explain.

Post in CANVAS by 8:30 on Thursday, April 3, 2014

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Class Work

1. Let's share the conclusions. First, let's create a "listen for" list. What are the qualities of a powerful conclusion?

2. Great Grammar Exercises - Groups will present the information. The "test" questions are on the sheet. Write on the sheet.

Homework

A. Post the final copy of your Then/Now Technology essay in MyCompLab by Tuesday. (100 pts.)

B. Locate two articles that relate to "global warming." Is it real? Is there proof? Is is a hoax? Is there proof? 

• Summarize each article.
• Include a sentence or two where you share your opinion on the topic.
• Credit your source in MLA style.
• Post in CANVAS (20 pts.)

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Class Work

First: get out the paper copy of your comparison/contrast essay. Swap with someone else who has a paper!

A. In yellow, highlight Topic A
B. In purple, highlight Topic B
C. In blue, highlight point #1
D. In green, highlight point #2
E. In pink or red, highlight point # 3
F. Can you tell which topic is preferred by the author? State it at the bottom of the essay.

When finished, the paper should look like one of the patterns of organization:

• Topic/Topic

OR

• Point by Point

Look at your returned paper. If the colors paint a crazy rainbow instead of a predictable pattern, you need to organize.

Writing the conclusion:  In your conclusion, look to the future. What do you predict? What do you want to happen?

Your final essay is due next Tuesday. We will go over the conclusions on Thursday. Post the conclusion only in CANVAS for use in a class activity on Thursday. 25 pts.

Group posters: Each table will be assigned one of the topics listed below. Check the links. Work through the exercises to be sure that you understand. Get ready to explain the rules/guidelines to the class.

On the poster:
1. Explain the rule(s).
2. Provide sample sentences that exemplify the rules.
3. Get creative . . . draw illustrations to help the class understand.
4. Create three "test" sentences. The class will need to pass your test! Give me a copy of your sentences so that I can create a "test sheet" for the class. 

Writing Tips and practice:
Gender Neutral Writing: "Their" used as a singular pronoun . . . it's OK, and it has been used that way for centuries! 
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/unbiased.htm

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/pronouns.htm
 #5

http://www.crossmyt.com/hc/linghebr/austheir.html


Sticking with one point of view by using the correct pronoun
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/pronouns.htm

Consider who/whom! Also consider that/which/who.
http://www.grammar-monster.com/lessons/who_whom.htm
Practice: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/which_quiz.htm

Let's practice: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/cgi-shl/quiz.pl/who_quiz.htm


Tone - The comparison/contrast essay will be written in a formal tone.
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/tone.htm


Being objective also helps with tone:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/subject_object.htm


Avoiding run-on sentences
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/runons.htm

Thursday - March 20, 2014

Class Work

When last we met, we had taken a look at the two ways to organize a comparison/contrast essay. Let's practice.

How to write a comparison/contrast essay:

Two __________________________. (Whole Class Activity)
Two  _________________________. (Table activity)

Determine if you will use the  point-by-point or item-by item method of organization.

Topics:
Two sports teams
Two types of cars
Two restaurants
Two hamburgers or pizzas
Two types of sandwiches
Two types of dessert
Two vacation spots
Two classes
Two hobbies
Two pets
Etc.

Select one of the organizational charts and fill it in with the information from your table's topic.
Post on the board when you are done.

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/comparison.htm  (View examples)
See the topic/topic example about hazelnuts.
Also look at the Shopping in America essay.

Have an opinion about the topics. Share that opinion in your writing. Which do you prefer in technology - then or now!



http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/comparing-and-contrasting/ (Great instructions)

http://eslbee.com/writing_comparison_contrast_essays.htm ( Simple and clear short examples)

This was your homework from Tuesday. Please take out or call up your charts now.
Look back at your Past/Present/Future chart and decide how you will organize to compare the use of technology past/present. Prepare your chart for homework. Bring in a paper copy on Thursday. 30 Points

This is your homework:
Homework:

Write the draft of the comparison/contrast essay.
Introduction:  Be sure to introduce both topics and note the three points you intend to address in the essay. 
Body: Use one of the two patterns of organization. Do not mix and match! Be sure to address all points in the same order for each topic if you are using the topic vs. topic pattern.

If you are using the point by point method, be sure to address each topic in order. (See notes.)

For the conclusion, look into the future. What is your best guess. Feel free to use information from the presentations.

Post in CANVAS. ( 50 pts.) Bring a PAPER copy to class on Tuesday. 

**************************
We will save this for Tuesday . . . Writing Tips and practice:
Gender Neutral Writing: "Their" used as a singular pronoun . . . it's OK, and it has been used that way for centuries! 
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/unbiased.htm

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/pronouns.htm
 #5

http://www.crossmyt.com/hc/linghebr/austheir.html


Sticking with one point of view by using the correct pronoun
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/pronouns.htm

Consider who/whom! Also consider that/which/who.
http://www.grammar-monster.com/lessons/who_whom.htm
Practice: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/which_quiz.htm

Let's practice: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/cgi-shl/quiz.pl/who_quiz.htm


Tone - The comparison/contrast essay will be written in a formal tone.
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/tone.htm


Being objective also helps with tone:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/subject_object.htm


Avoiding run-on sentences
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/runons.htm

 

Tuesday - March 18

This was the homework. Please get your charts ready to share.

Homework:  Getting ready to write . . .

5. Use your topic as a spring-board. We will be writing a comparison/contrast essay. You will compare life before your gadget existed and compare it to life as it exists now or compare what life is like now as compared to what life might be like in the future. Over the break, dream a bit. Create a Past/Present/Future chart and jot down notes. This is a brainstorm on paper. Feel free to talk to others and quote them in your brainstorm. Bring the paper copy of the chart to class when we return.

In addition, locate three articles. One should address your "topic" as it was in the past. One should address your "topic" as it currently exists. The third should address your topic as it might be in the future. (Note: you should have a past and present article at your fingertips. You consulted sources for the timeline. Feel free to use those two sources.) Summarize each article and note the source with a URL. 
Pause . . .

We will be going outside to walk around and look at the Humannequin Project as part of Women's History Month 2014.

Please complete the activity sheet. You will submit it when we return to class. It is worth 25 points - 5 points per question. Be thoughtful. Respond in complete sentences and form one outstanding paragraph for each bulleted point. (20 minutes to walk around - 10 minutes in class to organize/polish. If you wish to convert the assignment to a Word document, that will be fine. However, hand-written assignments are also grand!

Back to the regularly scheduled activity.

How to write a comparison/contrast essay:

Two __________________________. (Whole Class Activity)
Two  _________________________. (Table activity)

Determine if you will use the  point-by-point or item-by item method of organization.

Topics:
Two sports teams
Two types of cars
Two restaurants
Two hamburgers or pizzas
Two types of sandwiches
Two types of dessert
Two vacation spots
Two classes
Two hobbies
Two pets
Etc.

Select one of the organizational charts and fill it in with the information from your table's topic.
Post on the board when you are done.

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/comparison.htm  (View examples)
http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/comparing-and-contrasting/ (Great instructions)

http://eslbee.com/writing_comparison_contrast_essays.htm ( Simple and clear short examples)

Homework:
Look back at your Past/Present/Future chart and decide how you will organize to compare the use of technology past/present. Prepare your chart for homework. Bring in a paper copy on Thursday. 30 Points

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Class Work

1. Presentations / Notes - Take notes on each presentation. Close your computers. Write in pen or ink on paper. Let me know if you need paper.
2. "There Will Come Soft Rains" by Ray Bradbury.

First - make a list of all of the technological wonders available in homes today. You might now own them all, but add the items to your list if you know someone who does own the item. (Ex: 3D Television)

Follow along - https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzbtlcAsIeTnTlNmSnhOV010bHM/edit?pli=1

We will stop along the way. You need to annotate your paper copy and note what items exits today that were just a dream 60 years ago.

http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0SO8zAX5xVTgggABGel87UF;_ylc=X1MDMjE0MjQ3ODk0OARfcgMyBGZyA3NmcC15ZmYyNQRmcjIDc2EtZ3AEZ3ByaWQDBG5fZ3BzAzEwBG9yaWdpbgNzeWMEcG9zAzIEcHFzdHIDBHF1ZXJ5A3RoZXJlIHdpbGwgY29tZSBzb2Z0IHJhaW5zIHJheSBicmFkYnVyeQRzYWMDMQRzYW8DMQ--?p=there%20will%20come%20soft%20rains%20ray%20bradbury&fr=sfp-yff25&fr2=sa-gp


Homework:  Getting ready to write . . .

5. Use your topic as a spring-board. We will be writing a comparison/contrast essay. You will compare life before your gadget existed and compare it to life as it exists now or compare what life is like now as compared to what life might be like in the future. Over the break, dream a bit. Create a Past/Present/Future chart and jot down notes. This is a brainstorm on paper. Feel free to talk to others and quote them in your brainstorm. Bring the paper copy of the chart to class when we return.

In addition, locate three articles. One should address your "topic" as it was in the past. One should address your "topic" as it currently exists. The third should address your topic as it might be in the future. (Note: you should have a past and present article at your fingertips. You consulted sources for the timeline. Feel free to use those two sources.) Summarize each article and note the source with a URL. 
Post in CANVAS. (30 pts.)

There are no classes next week. 

Enjoy your spring break!

• 
• 

Tuesday - March 4, 2014

Class Work

1. Return to your "Technology Time-line" group.
2. You have up to 30 minutes to work on this. Prepare to share the time-line with the class.
Here are the directions:
Conduct research and create a timeline that explains how the use of technology for your topic has changed from 1814-2014. Do not use Wikipedia as your source. Go to WORD and search for timeline templates. Follow the sample and you should end up with a wonderful timeline!  Post the timeline in CANVAS. Be sure that the names of all group members appear on the post. Only one person needs to post. (25 points for creating the time line. 10 points for presenting to the class. Total: 35
3. Be ready to share the time-line. Break the presentation into three parts. Each group member must share a portion of the timeline. Since the visual is posted in CANVAS, you will be able to show it to the class. If you prefer, save the presentation to a jump-drive and use that to call it up to share with the class.
4. As a member of the class, you need to pay attention and take notes on each group's presentation. You will earn up to 25 points for your notes. This will be submitted on paper. No electronic submissions will be accepted. Remember to be courteous to one another. Do not talk or use electronics during the presentations. You will have points deducted if you do so



5. Homework:  Write a one-page personal experience paper and tell of a time when you either had success with your chosen technology or met with failure. Your topic must relate to your time-line topic. (35 pts.)