April 8, 2014 - Wednesday

Class Work

1. We will finish viewing An Inconvenient Truth. There will be time to discuss the answers to the questions. Please post your answers by Monday. You do not need to write the questions. You do need to number your responses and answer in complete sentences. (40 points)

2. As time permits, we will work on the following:

• "Forgive My Guilt" group activity
• A visit to Jane Goodall's web site: www.janegoodall.org
• What are Ms. Goodall's goals for the planet?
• For what is she known?
• What does she currently do?
• Name some other individuals who have made a difference for the world. What was accomplished? What remains to be done?
• What is Earth Day?
• When did it start?
• What is planned for this year?
• What has been accomplished thus far?
• Game of Thrones and Global Warming? Who knew? http://news.yahoo.com/game-thrones-aiding-global-debate-climate-change-162943898.html;_ylt=AwrTcdGedyVVyFEAe14nnIlQ

3. Homework: Create a "fishbone" of the causes of the problem you have selected to study.  You do NOT have to focus on Global Warming. This is just a sample. Your topic will take the place of the yellow Global Warming strip. (25 points) (Submit a paper copy on Monday.)

Monday, April 6, 2015

Class Work

We will continue watching An Inconvenient Truth. Look for:
1. The answers to the questions. (paper handout)
2. Effective presentation techniques
3. Techniques you did not like.

Homework

Start thinking about a topic related to nature. Your task will eventually be to persuade the class that your topic is worth fighting for. What is worth changing? What is worth saving?

On CANVAS, list your possible topic along with a paragraph that explains why you selected the topic.

April 1, 2015 - Wednesday

Class Work - NO JOKE!

1. Finish the presentations.
2. The quiz will be Monday. Review the rules as taught.
3. Photo time! What is Mother Nature saying! Work with a partner or work alone. In 10 minutes, take 10 pictures of Mother Nature! Return to class.  On the sheet provided, make brief notes about each photo. For each photo, write a caption. Think of the caption as a conversation with Mother Nature. What is the message? (Discussion to follow.) Be sure your name is on the green sheet. Submit the green paper.
4. Begin viewing "An Inconvenient Truth." This is a Nobel Peace Prize winning documentary. Kindly put political views aside and listen to the information and watch how it is presented.

Homework

Read the articles. Note key words, phrases, and points. Do NOT write the summary yet. It is not due until April 8. Instructions will be given on Monday, April 6, 2015.

Read: "Did
1. "Al Gore Warm Up to a Very Hot Topic" by Kevin Crust
http://articles.latimes.com/2006/may/24/entertainment/et-truth24
Be sure to read the entire article. You have to forward to page 2.


2. "Did Al Get the Science Right?" by Katharine Mieszkowski
http://www.salon.com/2006/06/10/truths/


3. "Warning of Calamities and Hoping for a Change by A. O. Scott
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/24/movies/24trut.html?_r=0

Assignment:
A. Write a summary of each article. Be sure to note the items with which you agree and the items with which you disagree.
B. Make a list of three phrases or points from each essay that you found to be powerful and persuasive.

You will submit three summaries and nine key phrases or points.

If you need to review summary writing, click here! http://academics.smcvt.edu/cbauer-ramazani/AEP/EN104/summary.htm

March 30, 2015

Class Work

1. We will begin with the presentations. When your letter is called, it is your turn! As a member of the audience, your job is to learn how to use these words correctly. Take notes!

A.  Fewer/less
B. Number/amount
C. Between/among
D. Each other/ one another
E. all ready/already
F. their/there/they're
G. hear/hear
H. affect/effect
I. compare to/ compare with
J. farther/ further
K. infer/imply
L. passed/past
M. if/weather
N. maybe/may be
O. each other/one another
P. it's/ its
Q. than/then
R. Maybe/may be
S. affect/effect
T. peace/piece
U. vain/vane/vein
V. who/which/that
W. whose/who's
X. your/you're/yore
Y. to/too/two
Z. ware/wear/where

We will take the quiz on Wednesday. Be sure you submit your three questions!

Today we have the opportunity to participate in a survey prepared by Maricopa Community Colleges.
1. Take a look at the flyer. The goal of the flyer is to help students to do things that will help them be successful in college. As you look at the flyer, underline or put a star by the things that are most helpful to you or the items with which you most agree.
2. Discuss at your table. Did you find the same things useful? What items are you currently doing?
3. Share and discuss with the class.
4. Complete the survey.

Have a nice day! No homework . . . use the time to catch up if you are missing work! Submit as an attachment on CANVAS if a space is closed. Be sure to note the title of the assignment. I am a horrible detective!

We will continue with the "Mother Nature" unit on Wednesday. Keep your eyes and ears open for current information.

Class Work

1. What do you know or think about global warming?
What are the causes?
What are the effects?
Are there any solutions?

Quick video: http://news.yahoo.com/un-2013-extreme-events-due-warming-earth-122616476.html

2. Whale sounds

Just what are those songs?
https://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0SO8yv5ARNVyjQA5SNXNyoA;_ylc=X1MDMjc2NjY3OQRfcgMyBGZyA3lmcC10LTkwMQRncHJpZAN4bnZwZ0xYeFJxU2FMZUtnTlpXQk5BBG5fcnNsdAMwBG5fc3VnZwMxMARvcmlnaW4Dc2VhcmNoLnlhaG9vLmNvbQRwb3MDMARwcXN0cgMEcHFzdHJsAwRxc3RybAMxMgRxdWVyeQN3aGFsZSBzb3VuZHMEdF9zdG1wAzE0MjczMDkwNzg-?p=whale+sounds&fr2=sb-top-search&fr=yfp-t-901&fp=1


https://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0SO8yv5ARNVyjQA5SNXNyoA;_ylc=X1MDMjc2NjY3OQRfcgMyBGZyA3lmcC10LTkwMQRncHJpZAN4bnZwZ0xYeFJxU2FMZUtnTlpXQk5BBG5fcnNsdAMwBG5fc3VnZwMxMARvcmlnaW4Dc2VhcmNoLnlhaG9vLmNvbQRwb3MDMARwcXN0cgMEcHFzdHJsAwRxc3RybAMxMgRxdWVyeQN3aGFsZSBzb3VuZHMEdF9zdG1wAzE0MjczMDkwNzg-?p=whale+sounds&fr2=sb-top-search&fr=yfp-t-901&fp=1

3. What might happen if we don't save those songs!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkbHi2eT5_U

4. "Saving the Songs of the Sea" activity...

• Read the article and highlight or underline important or interesting words, lines, or phrases.
• Now, select three of those.
• Write one of your selected words, lines, or phrases on a notecard.
• Turn the card over and explain why you selected the word, line, or phrase. Explain why it was important.
• Do that for a total of three index cards.

Now:

• One person in your group will read one of the lines.
• Group members will try to guess why the person selected the particular word, line, or phrase.
• The owner of the card will explain why the word, line, or phrase was selected.
• Continue around the circle several times until all have had a chance to share all cards and discuss the article.

Homework
1. Locate three articles that deal with global warming or with issues related to land, sea, or air. Summarize your article in paragraph form. List the URL of the article. 60 points.

2. Read "The Bounty of the Sea". (Handout) Answer questions 1-5 and 1. Post in CANVAS.

3. Finish your presentation and post in CANVAS. We will present on Monday.

Monday - March 23, 2015

Class Work

A. Go outside and find something in nature that you can bring into the room via sketch. Borrow paper if you need it. (7 minutes to find and sketch and return.)
B. Use all of your senses to describe the object.

• What do you see? Include color, shape, and size.)
• What do you hear?
• What do you feel? (touch)
• What do you smell?
• What tastes does it remind you of?

C. What is "spring" in Arizona?
D. Now, what memories do you have of spring-things? Talk first.
  I had hundreds of daffodils blooming in March in my yard in Virginia. Here, not so much.


 Now, write a description, poem, or song lyric about a spring  memory.
Share . . .
Print a paper copy to submit. Hand Written items are fine. Loosen up and have fun.

Let's share.
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And now for grammar news - http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/who-vs-whom-who-gets-it-right/

Things to know before watching this who/whom clip:
Adverbs: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/adverbs.htm
who/whom: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/who-versus-whom?page=all

Now, write three sentences of your own. Use who/whom correctly. Note if who/whom is serving as the subject or as the object.

*******************************************************************************
"Crazy" grammar stuff!

Just as you suspected, English teachers carry mental red pens around with them at all times! Don't make your English teachers crazy! Learn the rules and apply the rules. This will impress your English teachers, your co-workers, and perhaps, your friends!

You will be assigned a "grammar demon" to tame. (Decide if you want to work with a partner or work alone. There are plenty of topics to go around.)
Requirements:
1. Define
2. Give a "what should not be" and a "what should be" example.
3. Figure out a memorable way for your classmates to learn the rule so that it can be applied.
     Suggestions:

• PowerPoint slide (s) (1-3)
• Prezi presentation ( 1-3)
• Video
• Play
• Song
• Poem
• Cartoon
• Big poster
• Feel free to suggest and gain approval for other options.

Submit your presentation on CANVAS by the end of class on Wednesday. You will have half of the class time to complete the work. ( 50 pts for the slides or script/ 50 points for the presentation) Note - a space will not be available until Wednesday.

If you are working with a partner, be sure to swap e-mail addresses so that you can communicate.

4. Provide three "test" sentences. Your classmates need to prove that they understand. Submit the test sentences on CANVAS by the end of class on Wednesday. (30 points) Note - a space will not be available until Wednesday.

Topics:
A. Fewer/less
B. Number/amount
C. Between/among
D. Each other/ one another
E. all ready/already
F. their/there/they're
G. hear/hear
H. affect/effect
I. compare to/ compare with
J. farther/ further
K. infer/imply
L. passed/past
M. if/weather
N. maybe/may be
O. each other/one another
P. it's/ its
Q. than/then
R. Maybe/may be
S. affect/effect
T. peace/piece
U. vain/vane/vein
V. who/which/that
W. whose/who's
X. your/you're/yore
Y. to/too/two
Z. ware/wear/where

March 11, 2015 - Wednesday

Class Work

1. You need a PAPER COPY of your essay for a peer editing activity.

• Find the two others in the room who share your letter. Letters are on the upper right corner of the Peer Editing sheet.
• Listen to the instructions...
• For Reader #3, you may select any partner in the room. Sit by that person and swap papers.

2. Return to your seats. Read the comments from your editors. Now, use the back of the peer editing sheet to write a note to yourself explaining what you will do to revise the essay so that it is perfect for the final draft.

3. Homework:  Revise your essay. Post in CANVAS by Monday, March 23, 2015.

And now, for a little fun with writing. Put on your creativity hats. Loosen up. You will be participating in some writing activities designed to help you free your creative brain.

A.  Go outside and find something in nature that you can bring into the room via sketch. Borrow paper if you need it. (7 minutes to find and sketch and return.)
B. Use all of your senses to describe the object.

• What do you see? Include color, shape, and size.)
• What do you hear?
• What do you feel? (touch)
• What do you smell?
• What tastes does it remind you of?

C. Now, what memories come to mind? Talk first.
For example, if I found a yellow flower, it would remind me daffodils. I had hundreds blooming in March in my yard in Virginia.

Now, write a description, poem, or song lyric about that memory.
Share . . .
Print a paper copy to submit. Hand Written items are fine. Loosen up and have fun.
D.  Giving instruction - you will be given a "puzzle."

• Your task is to take it apart and put it back together.
• Once you have done that, do it again and write the steps to take to put it back together.
• Swap your puzzle and instructions with another in the room.
• See if you can follow the directions and put the puzzle together again.

Happy Spring!