STEP IV-The Notes- DUE THURSDAY!

At this point, you are ready to start taking notes on your sources. In the shared data drive (S-Drive), there is a template that you can use during this process. Click on "Mrs. Baker English Class" and "Note-taking Template." This is the format:

I. Article Title, Publication Information & Link if Available


II. Important facts, statistics, quotes found in the article (include page numbers if available):

III. Thoughts During and After Reading the Article

Homework: Notes from each of your four sources are due on Thursday. You should also be considering who you will interview. The interview is a requirement for all students. We will talk about this topic in class on Thursday.

"I Search" Part III- The Search

Today, we begin the search for information. Some of the topics we will cover today & tomorrow will be:

*Helpful Hints for Searching Online
In Google, add "Newsweek, Time, or New York Times" at the end of your topic
*Is Wikipedia a Reputable Source?
http://chronicle.com/wiredcampus/article/1328/wikipedia-founder-discourages-academic-use-of-his-creation
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/learning.now/2007/02/wikipedia_receives_a_citation_1.html
*How can you tell if a website is fraudulent?
http://www.eduscapes.com/tap/topic32.htm
http://www.zapatopi.net/treeoctopus/
http://www.bigredhair.com/boilerplate/index.html
http://www.malepregnancy.com/
*What are some sources recommended by Mrs. Roy?
(InfoTrac, Gale, Opposing Viewpoints, Science Resource Center)

***CLICK BELOW TO ACCESS THE GALE SEARCH FEATURE:

http://infotrac.galegroup.com/galenet/s0143?cause=http%3A%2F%2Ffind.galegroup.com%2Fmenu%2Fcommonmenu.do%3FuserGroupName%3Ds0143%26finalAuth%3Dtrue&cont=&sev=temp&type=session&sserv=no

http://rqst-agent.auto-graphics.com/homepages/customerwide/iConnLogin.asp?cuid=rqst&cusrvr=minerva&lid=&dataid=&class=&barcode=&term=&qmisc=&s=&URLEncode=


You will need to have at least five different sources including the interview. You can use magazines, newspapers, reputable websites, books, encyclopedias, and/or film.

You have the entire class to begin to search for information. Please copy and paste the link for each reputable site into a Word document. Skim the article and write a comment summarizing its usefullness (see below) You may ask permission to print some of the more useful articles.

See below for a suggested format:

1. http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1717283,00.html
This magazine article, "Creating a Cord-Blood Lifeline" was published in the 2/26/08 edition of Time. It discusses several states that are trying to set up public cord blood banks where people would sign up as they would for organ donation. It talks about the advantages of cord blood over bone marrow transplants. The average cost of private banking is discussed. It mentions several medical organizations that encourage public donating over private banking. It is a good overview of the topic & easy to understand.

2. http://www.latimes.com/features/health/medicine/la-cpalsybox7apr07,1,7405944.story
This newspaper article, "Private Banking as Insurance," was published 4/7/08. It highlights the statements given from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggesting the odds of using privately banked blood to treat a child or family member as being very low. One doctor mentioned in the article suggested that parents be able to donate the blood to a public bank, but have it on reserve for their exclusive use for one year. This is a short article, but it would be good to use for quotes from doctors and professional organizations.

3. http://parentsguidecordblood.org/content/usa/banklists/listusa.shtml
This is a website ("Parents Guide to Cord Blood Banks") created by a mother, Dr. Frances Verter, in memory of her daughter Shai. It has also been referenced in other articles that I have come across. This site contains a table that compares the costs of all the cord blood banks. There is also a list of 52 children who have been helped by their own cord blood. Verter states, "I believe the long-term future of this industry will be for cord blood banks to compete and consolidate until only a single business model survives. The surviving type of bank will be for-profit and will be a full-service banking portal which offers parents both options of public donation and/or private storage. The surviving banks will all sell some portion of their donations to research programs. Economists call this business model a "hybrid" bank." The site seems to be extremely comprehensive. It will help me to answer many of my questions.

Homework:
A typed and printed document is due tomorrow that lists at least four of the sources you intend to use and a brief synopsis of each. I will also check this weekend to make sure you have posted your Blog Entries 1 & 2. If it is not there by Sunday evening, you will not get credit.

"I Search" Blog # 2

First...
In class, we will work in groups to practice coming up with narrowed topics for the following:
School Safety
Poverty
Crime
Teen Driving
Smoking

Second...
Using MS Word, you will follow the directions below & then copy, paste & post your questions on the blog. Click on "comment" below.

Part II--What I Want to Find Out
At this point, you will begin to generate questions about our topics. These questions will help guide your reserach. The more passionate your questions are, the more interesting your search will be. Please generate at least 10 questions & one overall, specific question. Take a look at what I've produced for my topic if you need guidance.

*If I have spoken to you about narrowing your topic, try to focus your questions to look at an aspect of your topic, then you will not feel overwhelmed in your search and will be more likely to find answers.

"I Search": Blog #1

Directions: Click on "comment" below to leave a comment following the guidelines below.

I. My Topic: List your overall topic here.

II. What I Already Know: Please write one or two paragraphs, discussing what knowledge, experience, or background you already have about your topic, BEFORE having done any research on it.

I have included my post as a comment. I have also included a link to an excellent site with some good examples. It is a good idea to use MS WORD to complete this section, save your work, and then copy and paste it onto the blog.

Sample from Gallaudet University: http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/writing/formatsheet.html

Final Exam Schedule

Exam Schedule:

Wednesday, 6/11
Period 1
Honors Option: 7:45-9:45
All Students: 8:15-9:45

Thursday, 6/12
Period 3
Honors Option: 7:45-9:45
All Students: 8:15-9:45

Friday, 6/13
Period 5
Honors Option: 7:45-9:45
All Students: 8:15-9:45

Monday 6/16:
Period 7:
Honors Option: 7:45-9:45
All Students: 8:15-9:45
Period 8
Honors Option: 10:00-12:00
All Students: 10:30-12:00

I-Search Papers: Step One

Today we wil begin to go over the requirements for our I-Search Paper. Your most important goal today is to find a topic that you truly want to investigate that is interesting to a general audience, informative, and lends itself to research. I will take you through my process of finding several topics and then you will begin to generate your own topic ideas. Tomorrow in class, we will begin w/ a sharing of our topics in small groups. We will also post on our class blog the answers to the following questions: What is my topic? & Why am I interested in this topic? So, it is important to enter class with a topic tomorrow!

The Research Paper: A Historical Perspective

This NCTE article, by Moulton & Holmes, provides a brief history of how the research paper was adapted from a German model and how it has evolved since the 1870's. It also gives an overview of more current methods. It would probably be of interest to teachers as opposed to high school students.

Fahrenheit 451- Essay- Due Tuesday 2/12
The character Montag changes throughout the course of Ray Bradbury's novel, Fahrenheit 451. In a well-developed essay, analyze how Montag changes in the novel. Who was Montag at the beginning of the novel? How did his beliefs and actions change by the end? Be sure to discuss the ways in which other main and subordinate characters influenced his transformation.

As you write, remember your essay will be scored based on how well you:
*develop a multi-paragraph response to the assigned topic that clearly communicates your thesis to the audience.
*support your thesis with meaningful examples and references from the text, carefully citing any direct quotes.
*organize your essay in a clear and logical manner, including an introduction, body, and conclusion.
*use well-structured sentences and language that are appropriate for your audience.
*edit your work to conform to the conventions of standard American English.

Blogging 96-110 Fahrenheit 451

Using your homework notes from last week (3-2-1), participate in a conversation with your classmates regarding your 3-Important Details, 2- Questions, and 1-Connection. Use this time to further your understanding of this section. Refer to one another's posts and to direct quotes from the novel. You may want to discuss:
*Montag's reaction toward Ms. Phelps
*Faber's advice to Montag
*How Montag changes in this section/ his indecsion
*What significance the allusions have on page 107
*Your reaction to the ending of Part II.

Homework: Read 113-123
Complete questions 1-4

Fahrenheit Quote PPoint- 1/31/08

Today’s Assignment

*Choose an important quote from pages 1-95.
*Develop a collage of images that depicts the quote. Images can be literal, symbolic, or both.
*Write a thorough explanation of the significance of the quote. (4-6 sentences) If possible, discuss how the quote relates to a major theme, how it shows an internal/external conflict, how it shows a character change/ epiphany, etc...
Speaker & Spoken To…
*Use 2-4 slides
*Complete by the end of class & be ready to present on Friday.

Homework:
Read 96-110:
3-Intersting Details
2-Questions
1-Connection
Possible Quiz on Part II- tomorrow!

Ray Bradbury's Website

Interesting information about the author of Fahrenheit 451. Video clips of the author are available.

1st Amendment-Link

Review what the First Amendement states about Freedom of Speech.

Censorship in Schools

An interesting editorial from USA Today regarding school censorship of student publications.

Dialectical Notes

I had trouble pasting the sample onto the blog. Basically, you are citing quotes that you found interesting or important on the left side of your paper, and then you put your thoughts, questions and ideas on the right hand side. For Wednesday, you are to read to page 32 and complete 1 1/2-2 pages of dialectical notes.

Fahrenheit 451 Scavenger Hunt

PRESENTATIONS ARE FRIDAY!!!
Research the following and present in Powerpoint format. Include website URL's to cite information. Keep it interesting! Include pictures and backgrounds.
Beware of novel spoilers!
1. Discover the meaning of the title.
2. Find out historical examples of book burning.
3. Find out current examples of book censorship.
4. Find out author background. (Ray Bradbury)
5. What does the author say about many people's interpretation that the novel is about censorship?
6. Find some reputable data about televsion viewing and Internet usage (hours) vs. book reading in the U.S.
7. If time allows, find any other interesting facts about the author, novel, themes, and/ or related issues.

Mango Street Page 74-93

1. Compare yourself with something found in nature as Esperanza does with "Four Skinny Trees."
2. What emotions do you feel for Mamacita? Why do you feel the color pink is used throughout this vignette?
3. Reflect on Rafaela being "locked up" because her husband is afraid Rafaela will run away since she is too beautiful to look at.
4. Have you ever felt like Sally? Have you ever wished your "feet would one day keep walking" and take you away from your surroundings?

A Separate Peace Essay - Due Monday, November 19th (Have a printed copy ready upon arrival to class!)
Introduction
John Knowles’ novel A Separate Peace is the story of Gene Forrester who struggles to come to grips with the guilt over his role in a traumatic event from his childhood. The novel, told as a flashback from the perspective of an adult Gene, looks back at his friendship with a private school classmate and Gene’s destructive feelings of jealousy, fear, and anger.
Assignment:
Write a 3-5 page literary analysis that explores in depth a theme from the novel. (See honors option assignment below)
Structure:
You might want to think of a five-paragraph structure, but feel free to expand on that if you need to adequately explore your topic.
Intro:

Include a “hook”, background information, and a thesis statement. It should clearly lay out what you are going to argue.
Body:

Provide analysis and supporting evidence. Mention several key events or moments from the novel. Include at least three carefully chosen quotes (honors option students need to include at least six quotes.) to help capture larger ideas from the novel. Blend them in with your own writing. Be sure to relate each body paragraph to your overall point/thesis.
Conclusion:

Wrap up your argument and provide final thoughts or ideas related to your main idea.
Reminders:

This is a literary essay so there should be no uses of “I” or “you.” Include a title that captures interest.
Requirements:
Your essay should have the following things:
*A clear argument of opinion and purpose expressed in a thesis statement and introduction
*Numerous accurate supporting details and events from the novel that directly backs up your opinions

*The required number of properly cited quotes from the novel
*Accurate and insightful analysis of the novel
*Generally correct grammar and mechanics.

A Separate Peace Essential Questions

*Use may wish to use these to help develop your thesis statement.

What causes jealousy between friends?

What factors seem to be a threat to friendship?

Is war a necessary evil?

Is sin inevitable?

Is redemption possible?

How should we deal with guilt?

Does competition bring out the best or worst in people?

Is the loss of innocence inevitable?

What does the author’s attitude toward war seem to be?

What does the author’s attitude toward human nature seem to be?

How do the effects of war on this generation compare to the effects on the boys in the novel?

Do we need to accept the reality of evil in the human heart & world to survive?

A Separate Peace Theme Paper-Honors

Theme in Literature

A theme is the main message a reader can learn about life or human nature from a literary piece. Compare and contrast a theme from A Separate Peace and The Kite Runner. In a well-organized essay, describe this theme. Use textual examples from the stories to support your ideas and explain how they support the theme.

As you write, remember your essay will be scored based on how well you:

 develop a multi-paragraph response to the assigned topic that clearly communicates your thesis to the audience.
 support your thesis with meaningful examples and references from the text, carefully citing any direct quotes.
 organize your essay in a clear and logical manner, including an introduction, body, and conclusion.
 use well-structured sentences and language that are appropriate for your audience.
 edit your work to conform to the conventions of standard American English.

A Separate Peace Theme Paper- Non-Honors

Theme in Literature

A theme is the main message a reader can learn about life or human nature from a literary piece. From A Separate Peace, identify a theme that the reader may learn from the story. In a well-organized essay, describe this theme. Use textual examples from the story to support your ideas and explain how they support the theme.

As you write, remember your essay will be scored based on how well you:

 develop a multi-paragraph response to the assigned topic that clearly communicates your thesis to the audience.
 support your thesis with meaningful examples and references from the text, carefully citing any direct quotes.
 organize your essay in a clear and logical manner, including an introduction, body, and conclusion.
 use well-structured sentences and language that are appropriate for your audience.
 edit your work to conform to the conventions of standard American English.

Use any of the tools available to you, such as the Checklist, Spellchecker, or Graphic Organizer