11/25 – timeline

Here is a timeline of when I would like for you to turn assignments in the rest of the semester:

annotated bibliography: I would like it asap but no later than Tues. Dec 2nd

rough draft of research paper: I would like it asap but no later than Wed. Dec 3rd

any revisions of papers that you owe me: asap and no later than Dec 9

revision of research paper: asap and no later than Dec 10

portfolio: We will discuss this tomorrow. This must be turned into me, either in person or at my office, by Monday Dec 15th.

Portfolio consists of:

1) cover letter – this is a letter you write to me discussing the semester; I will show you an example soon

2) one completed essay with all revisions and notes

3) the in-class essay we did last week, which I will give back to you tomorrow

4) the research paper

Parts two and three are pretty much already done. The cover letter is informal and not really graded, but is a required part of the portfolio. And the research paper is what you’re working on right now.

So it’s not too bad.

11.21 – it’s too cold

It was freezing in our classroom today.

Anyway, so today you all wrote your in-class essays. The main reason I have you to do this is just to practice for your final and for your academic future, wherein you’ll have to do in-class essays more often.

I haven’t read through your essays yet, but I will do so this weekend. Tuesday we will be doing revisions, and talking about your sources. Attached is a helpful guide for you to use when evaluating sources.

annotated-bib

On Wednesday, you will need to bring in an annotated bibliography. We’ll discuss this on Tuesday, but the guide also explains what needs to be in the annotated bib. Ok see you. Hope you all have a nice weekend.

11/19 questions

Today we did one of my favorite activities for stimulating ideas about a topic… I love how you are all able to push each other forward just by asking simple questions.  I hope the exercise was helpful to each of you.

So, your next step, as I mentioned in class today, is to really dig in to the actual research.  Your next assignment will be to write an annotated bibliography.  Please have at least four sources on your topic by Tuesday, Nov 25.  I will work with you in class to evaluate your sources and work on doing annotations, which are basically summaries of the sources with a sentence or two on how it will be used in your essay.  I will show give you an example on Friday, and your bibliographies will be due on Wednesday November 26.

Finally, as you also know, we are having an inclass essay exam on Friday.  I have posted the article and the questions.  You need to print those out and bring them to class with you.

I’d also like for each of you to post (on this blog) some of your thoughts and comments about the article.

11/18 – Friday’s assignment, updated information

Please print this out and review it.  We will be writing an in-class essay on Friday, during class. You must be in class on Friday in order to write this essay.  If you cannot be in class, or are going to be late, you must inform me ahead of time.

Ok now that that’s out of the way… The attachment is a piece of writing by Peggy McIntosh.  We can discuss it briefly tomorrow, and you are free to discuss the essay and the essay prompts amongst each other.  Friday, you will be allowed to use your notes and a dictionary. No computers.
This is in order for you to practice the conditions of the final exam.

The final exam, by the way, is held on December 12th. I’m  not sure of the time, but I believe it is midday.  All other classes are cancelled on the 12th, in order that you can take the English final.
daily-effects-of-white-privilege

Ok, so read through the attachment, and see you tomorrow.

11/14, 11/18 – conferences, conferences!

Well, I always get fooled by conferences.  I think they are going to be a bit of a break for me and for you guys.  But then I remember that individual conferences are much more emotionally and intellectually involved, in some ways, than the large group setting.

I love getting to work with each of you individually.  In fact, it’s one of my favorite things, and it’s really rewarding to see each of you growing as writers. Sometimes, though, I don’t always know how to further assist you help you develop, challenge you, comfort you, reassure you, etc.  I don’t always know what each of you needs to keep growing, and I feel like I get a glimpse of that with each individual meeting, but in the large groups you sometimes get lost.

Anyway, I just wanted to tell you all that I enjoyed the individual time and I hope it was helpful.  AND l wanted to let you know that I am always available for one-on-one conferences–all you need to do is ask.

L