Research Topic Presentation

Good Morning!

"A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he 

thinks, he becomes.  -- Mahatma Gandhi 

 Today we will have the groups teach us what they learned about their topic.  Be attentive and take notes -- there will be a quiz that follows.

NOTE:  I put a sample book review under "Important Links."  You should be writing the review for your first book on Goodreads. Book reviews are due by October 11th.  Please return the book that you signed out from this class and cross your name off the sign out sheet. Remember, one of the books must be from the recommended list to receive credit.

NOTE:  We will be checking out The Crucible on Monday.  Please have your ID.

HOMEWORK:  Using the our text for this class (The Language of Literature) which you were instructed to bring home, please complete the handout assignment which indicates the pages you are to read.

 

Research Assignment

Good morning

Please get your assigned netbook when you arrive to class.  Today your group will complete the research assignment and be ready to present to the class tomorrow.  Be sure to share your presentation with me today: abaltrushes@gmail.com

Name your document Period ___   Topic     e.g. Period 4 McCarthyism

The order of presentations tomorrow will be:

1.  Communism in the 1950's

2.  Cold War Period 

3.  Rise and Effects of McCarthyism

4.  Mass Hysteria

5.  Arthur Miller

6.  Puritan New England

7.  Salem Witch Trials

HOMEWORK: Independent reading

Research Assignment

Good Morning!

Please get your assigned netbooks when you arrive to class.  

Today, we will continue doing research on topics in preparation for our reading of The Crucible.  Each group will present their topic to the class.  This will take place on Friday.  It will be a brief presentation of 8 - 10 slides.  Be sure to include an image.  The class will take notes on each presentation.  A multiple choice quiz will follow.  Be sure to share your completed slide presentation with me.  Include group members' names.  

NOTE: Name file "Period ___ Group Research"

 

Research Assignment

Good Morning!

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

Please get your assigned netbook when you arrive to class. While your netbook is powering up, please read your independent reading book. 

1.  "The Story of An Hour" -- just a few more words about this story.  I will collect your completed work.

2.  This week we will do a little bit of research on topics that will prepare us for reading The Crucible.  Please click on the following link for the topics and guidelines for this assignment:

Topics for McCarthyism, Puritanism, & The Salem Witch Trials

You will be assigned one of the seven topics.  The assigning of the topics will be random.  Groups of 5 will work together on their assigned topic.  Presentations will be on Friday, so use your time wisely in completing this mini-research assignment.

"The Story of An Hour"

Good morning!  I hope that you had a really nice weekend!

           

"Be a first rate version of yourself, not a second rate version 
 of someone else."   -- Judy Garland
                                                     

  Let's begin with some independent reading.  The library is open today for book checkout which means that ALL students have no excuse for not having a book after today. Wednesday, I will commence my official book check for credit.

* Next Monday we will be checking out the paperback edition of The Crucible.  This week we will read two texts that deal with the theme of conformity (the unit's theme), and we will do some background research in preparation of reading The Crucible.  Tomorrow you will be assigned a topic, and you will work with other students in preparing a presentation. 

* For homework over the weekend you were to write a RESEARCH QUESTION for the Expert Project.  I am going to ask you to turn the question in at this time.

* "The Story of An Hour"  --   Quietly read this  story and complete the following questions on the back:

1. What structural and stylistic techniques does Kate Chopin use?

2. What are two symbols that appear in this story?

3. Explain the irony at the end of the story.

4. Explain the theme of this story.  What is this story really about?

 

English Journal

Good Morning!

When you arrive to class, please get your assigned netbook.  While it is powering up, please read quietly in your independent reading book.  NOTE:  Time is passing quickly and before we know it the first six week grading period will be here and you have two books that you will be reviewing on Goodreads.  

1.  Today I want to make sure everyone is where they should be with sharing the English Journal with me.  In several instances I had to rename your document.  It should be "Period ___ English Journal."  Open your English Journal and in a large font (and centered on the page) type the words: 

English Journal   

Please provide a date for each assignment that you add and begin at the TOP of the document.  Please follow my directions for that!   I would like you to put your letter of introduction in the journal -- I'm sure you won't mind doing that!   Period 3 please also write a brief response to our reading of "Superman and Me."  ALSO, please make sure that you have checked "Can Edit" for your English Journal that you shared with me.  If you have not filled out the "Student Data Form" under "Important Links," please do so today.

With any time left over, please do some research on your tentative EXPERT PROJECT topic.  

HOMEWORK:  Make a commitment to a topic for the Expert Project and write a RESEARCH QUESTION. 

Expert Project

Good Morning!

1. Let's begin class with some reading in our independent reading books.  My hope is that you have selected a book that you are finding engaging and on which you will enjoy writing a book review.

2.   Yesterday I showed you a video on a TED talk with Elizabeth Gilbert who spoke about the concept of creativity and the faults of how we conceive it today.  She made it her business (out of personal necessity as a writer) to learn more about the concept of creativity through the ages -- she, in fact, made herself somewhat of an expert on the topic.  The goal of the EXPERT PROJECT assignment is to do that for you.  A necessary ingredient is for you to select a topic that you feel passionately or at least strongly about and to formulate a RESEARCH QUESTION to focus your research.

NOTE:  Expert Project Rubric under "Important Links"

Before we discuss writing a research question, please share the topics that you brainstormed for homework.

How to Write a Research Question

Research Questions:

 I’m interested in the environment.

How is global warming affecting polar bears?

How is global warming affecting endangered species?

Homework:  Continue thinking about a topic for your expert project.  By Monday of next week I would like you to have made a commitment to a topic and to have formulated a research question.