Today is silent reading day, and except for a few sparse whispers, sniffling noses, and turning pages, everyone is cooperating. Treats tomorrow. This was the best behavior for SSR that I have seen in a long time!
Silence is so important to have on occassion. I know that it can make us uncomfortable, but it helps to be actively thinking and doing in our minds what we too often do with our mouths!
This is just to say
that I appreciate the silence
which you bestowed on me today.
Tomorrow will be another
boisterous and talkative day
and I will appreciate that as well.
But in the meantime,
the lack of noise is golden.
Thank you.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
What I am Reading Now...
Anything that we are reading in class:
To Kill a Mockingbird
Dracula
For my teacherly duties:
Writing without Teachers by Peter Elbow
Blending Genre, Altering Style by Tom Romano
For my own enjoyment:
Nothing at the moment, but I intend to start:
Twilight
and some poetry
Recommendation:
We the Living by Ayn Rand If you think that any socialist ideal is ok (hint, hint Barak Obama), then you should read this fictionalized account of Ayn Rand's own experience in the Socialist Soviet Union. You may find that the society that we live in here in America, as imperfect as it is, it a much better alternative to what Rand presents to us in her novels!
To Kill a Mockingbird
Dracula
For my teacherly duties:
Writing without Teachers by Peter Elbow
Blending Genre, Altering Style by Tom Romano
For my own enjoyment:
Nothing at the moment, but I intend to start:
Twilight
and some poetry
Recommendation:
We the Living by Ayn Rand If you think that any socialist ideal is ok (hint, hint Barak Obama), then you should read this fictionalized account of Ayn Rand's own experience in the Socialist Soviet Union. You may find that the society that we live in here in America, as imperfect as it is, it a much better alternative to what Rand presents to us in her novels!
Back to School
School has been in session for a month now. It seems like we just got started, except for the pile of papers that are already needing my attention.
Literary Analysis--take a piece of fiction or poetry and write about one aspect! Seems tough and contrary to the analysis that we have done in the past, which is analyze a text for about a half-dozen literary elements. The big question to ask is "WHY?". Why does the character do or say that? Is the setting a vital element? The questions are potentially endless. Answer the question based on your own reading of the text, support it with passages from the text and you will have yourself a literary analysis.
Blogging To Kill A Mockingbird--what to say? Read, read, read and then write, write, write. Discuss, argue, suggest, analyze-all on line!
Second drafts--adding the muscle, making it bigger and stronger and more attractive. Remember that bulking up to the point of Mr. Olympus is not the goal. We want our papers cut and toned. We want great detail and depth, good explanations, and interesting story-telling. If you are sore and tired when it is all over--well, no pain, no gain!
Honors English II book reviews--due on October 13! Look for the review writing sheet next Monday, September 29. Pace your reading, use your classtime and Pirate Time wisely!
Literary Analysis--take a piece of fiction or poetry and write about one aspect! Seems tough and contrary to the analysis that we have done in the past, which is analyze a text for about a half-dozen literary elements. The big question to ask is "WHY?". Why does the character do or say that? Is the setting a vital element? The questions are potentially endless. Answer the question based on your own reading of the text, support it with passages from the text and you will have yourself a literary analysis.
Blogging To Kill A Mockingbird--what to say? Read, read, read and then write, write, write. Discuss, argue, suggest, analyze-all on line!
Second drafts--adding the muscle, making it bigger and stronger and more attractive. Remember that bulking up to the point of Mr. Olympus is not the goal. We want our papers cut and toned. We want great detail and depth, good explanations, and interesting story-telling. If you are sore and tired when it is all over--well, no pain, no gain!
Honors English II book reviews--due on October 13! Look for the review writing sheet next Monday, September 29. Pace your reading, use your classtime and Pirate Time wisely!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Try not to insult the teacher
It's always interesting when a student challenges a teacher. There are clearly instances when a teacher makes a mistake; consequently, I will be the first to admit when I do so, but there are just some times when a challenge is not worth the trouble. Seriously, do you really want to irritate the teacher? Be realistic. If you have an A, if you are setting the curve for the rest of the class, is it really necessary to fight for the last point, especially when the you are wrong or refuse to see and understand the teacher's POV. There are just some fights that are not worth the trouble. Amen.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
It has occured to me...
and I may be wrong...that if a student sees a teacher as fun, kind, or laid-back, he or she may take the class less seriously. Should I be offended by this? I don't know. It is not in my nature to be a hard-nose or to be a stickler for certain behaviors. I'm fine with gum and talking (most of the time). I like to laugh with my class. I prefer discussion over busywork. So should that be an excuse for my students to take their work as a joke? I am more than serious about them doing quality work. I set high standards and have fun while we accomplish those as a class. Ah, well, it is hump day and Friday is approaching, though rather slowly this week. There is a lot to do in the mean time.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
My advice to you:
In Defense of Reading and Writing:
Why you should do your English homework before Algebra
We read and we write in a language that we have spoken all our lives. We have been reading since we were 5 or 6 years old and probably writing longer than that; so why do we need to worry about it as a class? It is like a lot of things in our lives. We take it for granted that it should come easily to us, that it doesn’t have to be a priority in our education, and that because we can do the basics, we are set for life.
But good reading and good writing is a skill that we will use for the rest of our lives. Success in every other area of education and in life stems from this ability to read well and communicate our ideas clearly. So why do we brush off the class? Why is it that math homework takes precedent over reading our book for our book review? Why do we put off writing the review until the last minute, staying up until 2 or 3 o’clock in the morning the night before it is due?
When we read on a daily basis, making it a priority, we do a number of things for ourselves. We increase our vocabulary and our knowledge base. We become more fluent readers. We come to understand new ideas and concepts. We are challenged to think about others and their perspectives, to critically assess others’ opinions and beliefs. This can be done by reading fiction and non-fiction. When we read fiction, we learn to identify conflicts and universal themes that are also present in our real lives. Non-fiction gives us a better understanding of the world around us. These skills are all necessary to be productive citizens. But we must see the value in not just observing our own little world that is so very limited, but in expanding our world through ideas and people and places that do not exist in Branson, Missouri. Reading does that for us.
Reading has allowed me, personally, to see into pre-World War II Japan and into the life of a single mother trying to live on minimum wage, to understand the desperation of a parent whose child is dying or the violent urges of a psychopath. It has allowed me a peek into Hinduism and war torn Afghanistan. I know about Tsarist Russia and Rasputin and Nicholas the II. I know what our world would be like if true equality among men existed or if we gave up our rights for the “good” of our fellow man. These things have all made me a more knowledgeable citizen in a very small world. They have taught me to look at all sides of an issue and make intelligent decisions for myself. Whether it is a novel, short story, newspaper article or biography, I know more and understand more about life on this earth.
This understanding also makes me aware of the need for quality communication. It is through reading that I can decipher the good from the bad. Clear and concise language makes all the difference. Almost every form of effective public communication begins with writing. From speeches to movies, from comic books to novels, every final piece is a result of writing.
Writing is the way we preserve our culture. Without the written word, we would not know anything significant today about the Native American culture or the Anglo-Saxons or the ancient Greeks. While many cultures relied on oral tradition to sustain their ideals, once the age of that culture passed, either the traditions were written down or they were forgotten.
The foundation of English literature is the story of the great Geatish warrior Beowulf. From reading this ancient story, we can clearly glean the ideals of Anglo-Saxon culture. Much like the first ancient authors, we too can preserve our own cultures which are so diverse by writing our own stories, defending our own ideals, and arguing for what we believe. In order to be heard, we must do so in a way that is clear and concise and in a way that makes the reader feel our depth of conviction.
There are two questions we have to ask ourselves when it comes to writing: How do I get comfortable with the task of putting my ideas down on paper; and how do I get to the point in my writing where the reader cares about what I have to say? First question: you have to write on a regular basis, daily if possible. Second question: it is your job as a writer to find a way to make the reader care. Draw the reader in with your description and attention to detail. Offer the reader an opportunity to learn from you. Everyone has something that can be of value to someone else.
Writing to communicate is so important that every effort must be made to get your thoughts and ideas across in a meaningful way. Thus, last minute writing, now matter how well it turns out, is always faulty. No piece of writing is perfect in every way regardless of the recognition it might receive or the grade it might have earned. Ask the Pulitzer Prize winner if they could would they change something about their award-winning piece and they would most likely find many faults in their own writing. It is the nature of writing that requires constant reformulation and reflection. John Hersey, winner of the 1945 Pulitzer Prize for his novel Bell for Adano, has his own theory about writing: "To be a writer is to throw away a great deal, not to be satisfied, to type again, and then again and once more, and over and over." Yes, even the best are never satisfied!
It all points to the need to work constantly on the two most important life-skills: the ability to read and communicate critically and clearly. So when you set aside your required reading or that 3 page essay until the last minute, when you procrastinate in English class because you had other things to do, remember that the most valuable skills you are gaining in high school are refined and mastered because of what you do in English class. Every other success in every other class stems this.
Why you should do your English homework before Algebra
We read and we write in a language that we have spoken all our lives. We have been reading since we were 5 or 6 years old and probably writing longer than that; so why do we need to worry about it as a class? It is like a lot of things in our lives. We take it for granted that it should come easily to us, that it doesn’t have to be a priority in our education, and that because we can do the basics, we are set for life.
But good reading and good writing is a skill that we will use for the rest of our lives. Success in every other area of education and in life stems from this ability to read well and communicate our ideas clearly. So why do we brush off the class? Why is it that math homework takes precedent over reading our book for our book review? Why do we put off writing the review until the last minute, staying up until 2 or 3 o’clock in the morning the night before it is due?
When we read on a daily basis, making it a priority, we do a number of things for ourselves. We increase our vocabulary and our knowledge base. We become more fluent readers. We come to understand new ideas and concepts. We are challenged to think about others and their perspectives, to critically assess others’ opinions and beliefs. This can be done by reading fiction and non-fiction. When we read fiction, we learn to identify conflicts and universal themes that are also present in our real lives. Non-fiction gives us a better understanding of the world around us. These skills are all necessary to be productive citizens. But we must see the value in not just observing our own little world that is so very limited, but in expanding our world through ideas and people and places that do not exist in Branson, Missouri. Reading does that for us.
Reading has allowed me, personally, to see into pre-World War II Japan and into the life of a single mother trying to live on minimum wage, to understand the desperation of a parent whose child is dying or the violent urges of a psychopath. It has allowed me a peek into Hinduism and war torn Afghanistan. I know about Tsarist Russia and Rasputin and Nicholas the II. I know what our world would be like if true equality among men existed or if we gave up our rights for the “good” of our fellow man. These things have all made me a more knowledgeable citizen in a very small world. They have taught me to look at all sides of an issue and make intelligent decisions for myself. Whether it is a novel, short story, newspaper article or biography, I know more and understand more about life on this earth.
This understanding also makes me aware of the need for quality communication. It is through reading that I can decipher the good from the bad. Clear and concise language makes all the difference. Almost every form of effective public communication begins with writing. From speeches to movies, from comic books to novels, every final piece is a result of writing.
Writing is the way we preserve our culture. Without the written word, we would not know anything significant today about the Native American culture or the Anglo-Saxons or the ancient Greeks. While many cultures relied on oral tradition to sustain their ideals, once the age of that culture passed, either the traditions were written down or they were forgotten.
The foundation of English literature is the story of the great Geatish warrior Beowulf. From reading this ancient story, we can clearly glean the ideals of Anglo-Saxon culture. Much like the first ancient authors, we too can preserve our own cultures which are so diverse by writing our own stories, defending our own ideals, and arguing for what we believe. In order to be heard, we must do so in a way that is clear and concise and in a way that makes the reader feel our depth of conviction.
There are two questions we have to ask ourselves when it comes to writing: How do I get comfortable with the task of putting my ideas down on paper; and how do I get to the point in my writing where the reader cares about what I have to say? First question: you have to write on a regular basis, daily if possible. Second question: it is your job as a writer to find a way to make the reader care. Draw the reader in with your description and attention to detail. Offer the reader an opportunity to learn from you. Everyone has something that can be of value to someone else.
Writing to communicate is so important that every effort must be made to get your thoughts and ideas across in a meaningful way. Thus, last minute writing, now matter how well it turns out, is always faulty. No piece of writing is perfect in every way regardless of the recognition it might receive or the grade it might have earned. Ask the Pulitzer Prize winner if they could would they change something about their award-winning piece and they would most likely find many faults in their own writing. It is the nature of writing that requires constant reformulation and reflection. John Hersey, winner of the 1945 Pulitzer Prize for his novel Bell for Adano, has his own theory about writing: "To be a writer is to throw away a great deal, not to be satisfied, to type again, and then again and once more, and over and over." Yes, even the best are never satisfied!
It all points to the need to work constantly on the two most important life-skills: the ability to read and communicate critically and clearly. So when you set aside your required reading or that 3 page essay until the last minute, when you procrastinate in English class because you had other things to do, remember that the most valuable skills you are gaining in high school are refined and mastered because of what you do in English class. Every other success in every other class stems this.
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