Research Topics

If I have lost confidence in myself, I have the universe against me.
                                                                                        -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

1.  NOTE:  Please complete your first book review in GOODREADS by Wed, Oct 3rd.  Refer to the link provided for the book review rubric.

2.  Annotation and reflection of Article of the Week #4 due today.

3.  Assignment on the Overture to The Crucible due (assigned yesterday).

5.  RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS must be completed today -- you, as expert, will present to an assigned group on Monday.  Remember to have 3 questions prepared to turn in.   The person responsible for organizing the power point presentation must share it with the other group members in Google Docs. 
Before we begin, let's try this Mozilla Firefox update:

http://www.sandi.net/cms/lib/CA01001235/Centricity/domain/95/i21_job_aids/software_updates/SoftwareUpdates_RunAdvertisedPrograms.pdf
 

Research Topics

Maturity begins to grow when you can sense your concern for others outweighing your concern for yourself.
                                                                                                             -- John MacNaughton


1.  Book Review -- By Wed, Oct 3rd of next week, you will have written a book review on GOODREADS for your first  book. Refer to the book review rubric in the blog posting for Sept 25. Your second book will be chosen from a list of books that I provide: Annotated Book List.   Please start making a decision from this list.

2.  NOTE:  If you have not checked out The Crucible, do so by tomorrow.

3.  TODAY:  You have been assigned a research topic and you and others with the same topic will research and prepare a presentation as follows:

1.  With your group collaborate on a 3-5 minute presentation consisting of 8-10 slides about your assigned topic (working in Google Docs).  SHARE a presentation with each other so that you all contribute to what you find.  WORK QUICKLY.

2.  Divide the topic among the group and delegate responsibility for the creating of different slides.  Consider history(origins), definitions, examples, important facts, impact on society, future significance, important individuals, etc.  These are ideas to help you focus.

3.  Incorporate images (and cite) related to your  topic to make your presentation interesting to your audience.

4.  Create three multiple choice questions that someone would be able to answer after listening to your presentation.  Your group will turn in these questions to me.

5.  EACH person in your group will be presenting this to another group of students.

GOODREADS

People often say that this or that person has not yet found him or herself.  But the self is not something that one finds..  It is something one creates.         -- Thomas Szasz

1.  Textbook window to check out The Crucible 
  
2.  Upon returning from checking out The Crucible please get your assigned netbook and read the directions  below.  

3.  Goodreads Review -- Today we will learn how to write a book review on GOODREADS.COM.  First, please look at the rubric for the review that you will write --  Book Review Rubric


4.  Go to www.goodreads.com.  Sign in using Google account -- username and password.  Once on the HOME page of goodreads, CLICK on FRIENDS.  Then GO TO "search friends by name" and type in my email address (abaltrushes@gmail.com).  Back on the HOME page type the title of your book in the search box.  Rate your book.  Once you do that, you will see an option appear to REVIEW the book.  Click on REVIEW.  Begin writing your review.  

5.  Research topics and groups before we begin reading The Crucible.  Tomorrow we will devote all of class time to getting this done.  The topics are as follows:
                                   
          1. Communism in the 1950's
          2. Cold War Period (focus on 1950's)
          3. Rise and Effects of McCarthyism
          4. Mass Hysteria
          5. Arthur Miller
          6. Puritan New England
          7. Salem Witch Trials

GEAR UP Presentation

1.  GEAR UP Presentation today

2.  For this week:       * Book review rubric
                                 * Article of the week
                                 * Background research topics for The Crucible 

3.  OPEN HOUSE THURSDAY

"Story of An Hour"

I was brought up to believe that how I saw myself was more important than how others saw me.
                                                                                                      -- Anwar el Sadat 


GOOD MORNING!

1.  Monday of the next week: GEAR UP Presentation

2.  Independent Reading -- Next week I will show you how to write a book review on Goodreads.com

3.  "Story of An Hour"  -- You have completed the assignment which includes an analysis of structure and language AND an explanation of IRONY and THEME.  Be ready to share your responses with the class. Be ready to come up with a partner to share your analysis.
 

"Story of An Hour"

It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.  
                                                                                                 -- Ralph Waldo Emerson



GOOD MORNING!

1.  INDEPENDENT READING -- Next week I will show you how we will be writing our book reviews on goodreads.com

2.  "The Story of An Hour" -- In class today with a partner complete the assignment on the story that you read in class yesterday.  After you complete the handout on analysis of structure and language, (1) explain the irony of the story's end and  (2) the story's theme.  Write in the space that immediately follows the story.  

3.  Period 3 will be attending the presentation today, so I would like to wait until tomorrow to discuss this story.  

4.  I would like to take the opportunity today to discuss with each of you your chosen topics for the EXPERT PROJECT.
                 

"The Sadness of Conformity"

                       Let the world know you as you are, not as you think you should be.
                                                                                                                       -- Fanny Brice

 
GOOD MORNING!

1.  INDEPENDENT READING -- Let's begin at the bell.

2.  Expert Project Topics  -- Please indicate your topic on the form that I will pass around the class.

3.  Article:  Review of "The Sadness of Conformity."   You have annotated the article by asking questions of the text.  You have also written a summary of the article and personal reaction.  Please make sure that you complete All PARTS OF AN ASSIGNMENT.

4.  "The Story of An Hour"  -- Read the story on your own and then discuss with a partner.  With your partner, complete the handout on analysis of structure and language.  In addition (on the back of the handout) discuss the story's theme.  What is this story's message?  Be prepared to share your analysis with the class.

"The Sadness of Conformity"

                 Be a first rate version of your self, not a second rate version of someone else.
                                                                                                          -- Judy Garland 



1.    INDEPENDENT READING -- Begin at the bell.

2.    Article --  "The Sadness of Conformity"
                        You summarized the article and wrote about your personal reaction.
                        Today -- group discussion using your questions. 

3.  NOTE:  Tomorrow you will inform me of your chosen topic for the EXPERT PROJECT.  (See Sept. 12th for the link to the rubric).

"The Sadness of Conformity"

                                               To thine own-self be true;
                                               And it must follow, as the night the day,
                                               Thou cans't not then be false to any man.
                                                                                                        -- Hamlet. Act I. Sc. 3

GOOD MORNING!   I hope you had a great weekend!

1.  Note:  Remember, you should have a topic for your EXPERT PROJECT by Wednesday.  The key is to select a topic that you will really enjoy researching.

2.  INDEPENDENT READING

3.  Unit 1 --  Today we are beginning a nine-week unit which will focus on the theme of FEAR AND CONFORMITY.  The central work of literature which expresses this theme and which we will be reading is The Crucible.  Before we begin, we will read two texts which connect to the theme.

 4.  Article --"The Sadness of Conformity" 
      Assignment:  Annotate by asking questions of the text
                                      Discuss the questions in small groups.
                                      Homework:  Write a summary of the article and your personal reaction to
                                                           the article.

EAP Writing

    You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try.
                                                                                                                  -- Beverly Sills



1.  Annotation and reflection of article #2 is due  -- "Turn Off the Phone (and the Tension").

2.  EAP writing today (Early Assessment Program).    When you have completed the response, please take out your independent reading book.

3.  NOTE:  You are thinking about a topic for the EXPERT PROJECT.  By Wednesday of next week, you will have chosen a topic.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

Expert Project

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter

 and those who matter don't mind.   --Dr. Seuss

  

Good morning!  

1.  Reminder:  Article #2 assignment is due tomorrow (annotation and reflection).

                       EAP writing tomorrow (Early Assessment Program)

2.  Independent Reading -- Let me see that everyone has a book today.  10 mins. for reading.

3.  Expert Project -- I would like you to choose a topic by next Wednesday for your Expert Project.  Today we will brainstorm for your ideas on topics.  In a group of four (and we we also decide on groups today), discuss ideas for possible topics.  Record 5 ideas to share with the class. 

Expert Project

                                 Many men go fishing all of their lives
                        without knowing that it is not fish they are after.               
                                                                                             -- Thoreau

Good morning!

Thank you for writing letters to me and sharing something about yourself.  I will very much enjoy reading them!

1.  Today you have brought to class your self-selected book.  I will check with each of you.  You also will have a little bit of time for reading while the netbooks fire up.  Please bring your book to class each day.

2.  NOTE:  EAP Writing Friday

3. I  have mentioned a few times in the past few days a project that I would be introducing.  Well . . .  here it is, and I believe that it is going to be a rewarding research project.   Please go to my blog ((Baltrushes.blogspot.com) and click expert project.  .


QUESTIONS TO DISCUSS:           How does a person become an expert
                                                   What is the criteria for being an expert?
                                                  
The following TED video might give us some ideas about what it means to be an expert.  What can we observe about this talk?  Write down some of your observations.  What is Elizabeth Gilbert talking about?  What is her knowledge?   What is her attitude toward her topic?   Is she an effective speaker?

Your Elusive Genius

Expert Project

Today is the 11th anniversary of 9/11.
   
Good morning.   Today grade level assemblies are scheduled.  Juniors go 3rd period.  The following is for period 2 today.

 1.  Yesterday you began composing a letter addressed to me to share with me on Google docs.  Most of you had a gmail account already -- Great!   If you did not finish the letter, I am going to ask you to finish it today and share it with me on Google docs.

2.  Also due tomorrow is your self-selected book for independent reading.  Please bring to class.

3.  Today please work on the article of the week which is due Friday -- "Turn off the Phone(and the Tension)."

4.   Tomorrow I am going to introduce a project that we will be completing this year -- an expert project. 
      Please click on the link to see the document. 

Sharing a Google document

Good morning.  Hope you had a good weekend!

Please take out your annotated article that you completed for homework and your reflection on the article. Before turning in your assignment, we will take a few moments to discuss the reading.  Be prepared to share your reflection.

Friday I spoke of the requirement of reading two books for each grading period.  One may be self-selected and the other will be from a list that I provide for you.  I asked you Friday to start looking for one that you select.  Today I am asking you to have that selected book by Wednesday of this week. 

Today we will get the netbooks out and create a Google account if you do not have one.  Once you have created your account (if that be the case), you will share a document with me. The writing assignment is as follows:
              Write a letter to me (Dear Ms. Baltrushes) and tell me what you would like me to know about you as a student in my class.    Once you are done SHARE your letter with me (abaltrushes@gmail.com).

For tomorrow I am going to introduce a project that we will be completing this year -- an expert project. 
You will access this document by going to my blog:
                                                                             
                                                       Baltrushes.blogspot.com