Pictures

The class pictures are finally up at http://picasaweb.google.com/berdwa/ClassesSpring2008.  Update: the pictures have been taken down.  If you want them, email me.

Alas, 2nd period took longer on the final than 1st period and I forgot to take a picture until after they left.  I included a set of pictures we took earlier in the semester, though.  Have a great summer everyone.  Relax, read a good book, sleep in...

Comparison Quandry

Since Ryann has been so actively comparing the two semesters and is constantly raising her blood pressure over it, I decided to take a look at the numbers.  So, I went back and compared the grade book from last semester to this semester.  Here are the numbers:

Semester 1
Papers - 7 (Did 3-4 page Synthesis paper)
Work - 41 w/50 pts possible EC
Timed Writes - 7 w/ 2 full credit and 3 ungraded
Classroom Contributions - 3
Total Graded Assignments: 58
21 students 2 A's and 5 A-'s

Semester 2
Papers - 7 + 1 for notecards (Did 3-4 page research paper)
Work - 38 w/80 pts possible EC
Timed Writes - 8 +1 as an empty AP score holder -- 2 full credit, 3 ungraded
Class Contributions - 3
Total Graded Assignments: 58
38 students; 4 A's and 8 A-'s

Reflections on the numbers:

1st semester did one more assertion journal; 2nd semester did one more timed write.  2nd semester did their assertion journals at home for homework; 1st semester did at least half of theirs in class in timed write style.  The top performing students have been about the same as far as their percentages go.  There is a higher percentage of A's 2nd semester, but also a higher percentage of D's and F's.  The level and amount of work assigned has been roughly the same, though 2nd semester read more narrative due to shifting the focus to American Literature after the test. 

Classess develop and change.  They exist in different circumstances and will be slightly different from year to year.  Fair does not equal the same, though as you can see, these two semesters have been balanced very similarly, in spite of their very different circumstances.

Review Assignment

All right guys, here's a chance to be creative and get points for studying for your final.  It's simple really.  Create a visual representation of the things we learned this year.  We brainstormed them on the board this morning so hopefully you wrote them down.  It can be anything from a video to a poster, a mobile to a PowerPoint.  You'll present these on Tuesday to the class.  You may work in pairs, but if you do so, you must check with me first.  This is primarily an individual assignment.  Only one group checked with me today, so I assume the rest of you are working solo. 

 

Have a great weekend.  Only 5 days left!!!!

Mackenzie, do you want to finally do your memorization on Monday?  If anyone else hasn't gone and wants to fix that, lets go Monday.

Second verse same as the first!

Henry the Eighth I am I am...I got married to the widow next door...

She's been married seven times before and every one was a Henry....

Well folks, I'm out again! This cough just won't go away. Bletch.

1st period, you're doing what second period did yesterday and vice versa. So, you’re reading Good Country People by Flannery O’Connor in the short story packet. Also read the intro on Flannery O’Connor and Southern Gothic lit that comes before the story as well as the piece on Good Country People that comes after it. Then answer the questions at the end of the story. You should do all the reading before answering the questions. Yes you can work in groups. Yes everyone must have their own set of answers. The questions are due tomorrow. ALL of that is fair game for the final.

You may not work on your research papers in the English lab until you finish this assignment.

2nd period, it's your turn in the lab. You are in the LIBRARY lab, not the study hall. There is a Civics final going on in the library while you're there so you will probably not have access to the books. Sorry I’m not there to field questions. Google is your friend for MLA questions. Also don't forget about Easybib.com. Remember with Proquest you have to click the blue button on the left to get to the login screen.

Sorry to be gone again. I will be there tomorrow come hell or high water.

If I don't make it, tell Charlie to eat his veggies....

I've taken a turn for the worse today. This bites!

Anyway, 1st period if you're reading this, it means you're in the lab already. Good. Sorry I'm not there to field questions. Google is your friend for MLA questions.

2nd period, you’re reading Good Country People by Flannery O'Connor in the short story packet. Also read the intro on Flannery O'Connor and Southern Gothic lit that comes before the story as well as the piece on Good Country People that comes after it. Then answer the questions at the end of the story. You should do all the reading before answering the questions. Yes you can work in groups. Yes everyone must have their own set of answers. The questions are due tomorrow. ALL of that is fair game for the final.

You may not work on your research papers in the English lab until you finish this assignment.

Sorry to be gone again. Hopefully I’ll be there tomorrow.

Sicko!

I won’t be at school today (6/2).  I’m really sick with some sort of coughing marathon and conjunctivitis (pink eye).  I’m going to stay home and try to kick this (geez it’s been a fun weekend…).   Anyway, you’re watching the Great Gatsby today.  We can talk about the research paper tomorrow if you have any questions.  Don't forget about Proquest as a nifty source.  Hopefully I’ll be back tomorrow.