September 27 – Ken Burns’ National Parks: America’s Best Idea series begins on PBS. It is 6 nights long. Based on what he did with baseball and its history (such as that of Jackie Robinson who you can read about in our hero assignment) and the Civil War, this will be incredible. http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/ I have always said that my intent as a teacher is as much to teach you about what is in the college world as what is in the America that expands around you. The best (non-academic) decision that I ever made while I was a student was to drive across America. Here, I saw places that truly amazed me (multiple times). I hope that you will someday do the same. Hopefully, this series encourages you to do that.
September 29: We will discuss plagiarism and then we will discuss writing style. Plagiarism is when you take material that is not yours and use it as if it was yours while not giving proper credit to the original author. This can cause major problems, and thus, we go into detail with it. Writing style is how you express yourself and use your voice to write efficiently in academic ways.
October 1: Boy, time is flying! We’re already into the 2nd full month of classes. We go over first paragraph rules and then we do the National Parks Outline assignment. Once again, I am the only person that I know that owns this particular video. If you don’t attend class, it will be in the library for in building use only. This assignment must be completed IN CLASS by the following Tuesday to get the points for the assignment.
October 6: We will go over the Making Statistics Say Something PowerPoint. Then, you will have to have the JACKIE ROBINSON article finished by today.
This is the first part of the writing portfolio. You will have notes written on this, and you will have a TYPED first paragraph, and an outline. I will not accept the assignment for points if you have handwritten this (all assignments for in class check MUST BE TYPED SO THAT I KNOW THAT YOU PUT THE EXTRA EFFORT INTO THE ASSIGNMENT AND SO THAT I CAN READ THEM). I will also show you how to cite the article for a works cited page.
October 8: Any first paragraph not gone over in class on Tuesday will be done today. The final essay will be due IN CLASS on Tuesday.
October 13+15 – pick any one of my acceptable heroism articles and do the same for this. We will review that class and the next class. You will have TYPED notes, an outline, a first paragraph, and a works cited entry. The essay is due IN CLASS the following Tuesday. As will happen with any of these double classes, if we finish our paragraph checks early, we will work on grammar.
October 20 - pick any one of my acceptable heroism articles and do the same for this. We will review that class and the next class. You will have TYPED notes, an outline, a first paragraph, and a works cited entry. The essay is due IN CLASS the following Tuesday.
October 22 – The David Sedaris article midterm. As long as you wouldn’t fail, you get the points for passing. While this is not the final determination of passing or failing this class, this is a solid indicator of where you stand. It is given today so that you know where you would be with regards to deciding to withdraw or stay in class. Please note that withdrawing may prevent an F, but it may affect your financial aid. Always see the good folks in Berks 107 before acting on something that could create a bill for you. Always see your teacher before deciding that you can’t do this class anymore. You may be surprised to find that your teacher sees a light at the end of the tunnel!
October 27+29 – Prior to class on the 27th, I will be available for discussions regarding what your grade is so that you can decide whether to stay in class or to take a W. I will advise you honestly, but I won’t tell you what to do. Only you can do that. I will tell you what you can expect based on your progress up until this point. THEN, pick any one of my acceptable heroism articles and do the same for this. We will review that class and the next class. You will have TYPED notes, an outline, a first paragraph, and a works cited entry. The essay is due the following Tuesday IN CLASS.
October 28 – the World Series begins. Chances are that if you follow baseball, you have a pretty good chance that 1 of the teams that gets in will be a home team (Phillies, Red Sox, and / or Yankees). If you’re like me and your team is in the running, you’ll want to watch the games. While games are starting earlier this year, you’ll need to get your work done ahead of time. Derek Jeter, Cole Hamels, and David Ortiz don’t have essays and work due throughout the playoffs; you do. Please, don’t let the events of fall stand in the way of your completing this class.
November 3+5 - pick 1 final acceptable heroism article and do the same for this. We will review that class and the next class. You will have TYPED notes, an outline, a first paragraph, and a works cited entry. The essay is due the following Tuesday IN CLASS.
November 10 – Pick an article that you really liked for a critical summary. While the first 5 essays were the author’s intent, this is your objective interpretation of his / her summary. We will guide you through this process starting today. We will also do the Cornell Method video today. This features the Ken Burns Civil War DVD, which belongs to the library. I will put it on reserve should you need it to complete an assignment that you missed. However, this assignment is due at the end of class (no later than the 12th if you were sick).
ALSO, today, Disney’s Up comes out on DVD. This is by far the best movie of the year. Check it out, but be sure to bring tissues because it will make you cry as well as uplift you with its greater meaning. http://www.amazon.com/Single-Disc-Widescreen-Edward-Asner/dp/B001KVZ6FW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1251049423&sr=8-1
November 12 – We go over your first paragraphs, outlines, and notes (typed of course) for your essay that is due on Tuesday.
November 15 – 12-8 is your first Barnes and Nobles Day. Your essay is due IN CLASS Tuesday. If you don’t turn this in, it must be to me by Monday November 23rd. If you don’t turn it in to me personally by that day, you can no longer pass the class. Please, do not let this happen to you.
November 17 - Library visitation day, which is mandatory by division standards, will happen today. We will discuss the initial requirements for the final essay of this class, which is a research-enhanced critical essay.
November 19 – We begin to discuss MLA. We break it into bite size parts, but we will continue the discussion from Tuesday and give you something to go into vacation with.
December 1+3 – More MLA refreshers and research tips. You get to clear up anything that you’re not sure about.
December 1 - you will need a typed outline, first paragraph, and notes for your 3rd essay. We will go over all of this in between the discussions on MLA.
December 6 – 10-9 is your final Barnes and Nobles Day. Your essay is due Tuesday IN CLASS. If you don’t turn this in, it must be to me IN-CLASS by Thursday December 10th. If you don’t turn it in to me personally by that day, you can no longer pass the class. Please, do not let this happen to you. This is the last day to hand in any journals.
December 8 – This day is an in-class day to ask me questions for the final and / or to work on the Mywritinglab assignment.
December 10 - This is the last day to finish the Mywritinglab assignment. We will talk about COM121 and the future of English for you. We will also do the Longwood Gardens Descriptive Writing Assignment to boost your word use skills. I thank you for working hard and
Your Final Exam is either Tuesday December 15th or Thursday December 17th. It is 1 class only, and by division standards, it is pass or fail. You will have your essay returned to you at this point. Students who can’t pass this class due to their final essay, journals, or Mywritinglab score will be told prior to the start of the exam. Students who do not pass the final will be given a C- if they were passing prior to the exam. Students that were not at the 73% grade prior to the exam will have a D or F for the term. Also, the final is chosen and mandated by the division. Your teacher does not choose this topic.
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