Coach Davis' English IV Blog: January 2015

Friday, January 30, 2015

FRIDAY - 1/30 - RESEARCH IS DUE!

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Thursday - Lab Day 2 - 1/29

RESEARCH (Due Friday - all research must be printed and turned in ... if you are not present on Friday, you will be expected to submit electronically)

When you submit your research to me, make sure it is all stapled or securely paperclipped together and that your name is clearly written on EACH source.

OUTLINE - needs to be finished in a Google Doc and shared with me (Richard.Davis@sfisd.org) by Friday as well

Due Dates to keep in mind ...

Jan 30 - Research and Outline

Feb 6 - Rough Drafts (we will compose our rough drafts in class from 2/2 - 2/6)

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Wednesday - Lab Day

RESEARCH (Due Friday - all research must be printed and turned in ... if you are not present on Friday, you will be expected to submit electronically)

OUTLINE - needs to be finished in a Google Doc and shared with me (Richard.Davis@sfisd.org) by Friday as well

Due Dates to keep in mind ...

Jan 30 - Research and Outline

Feb 6 - Rough Drafts (we will compose our rough drafts in class from 2/2 - 2/6)

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Tuesday 1/27 ... Beginning the outline

Today's Objective:
Students will continue to gather, analyze, paraphrase, etc. relevant information for their research paper. (English IV - Argument Paper Over a Controversial Issue ... College Prep English - Literary Analysis of Poetry). Students will document source information in MLA format and will gather research on both sides of the issue (or, in the case of the college prep class, the literature being compared/contrasted in the analysis). Students will begin creating a working outline for their paper and will share the document electronically.

Today's CWoD is EXTRICATE

In addition to continuing your research, you will need to begin drafting your initial outline - even without having your research complete, you should have enough to begin putting this "blueprint" for your paper together. This is not a final outline at this point - it is a work in progress. However, we will need something in place to begin rough drafting. Create the outline in a Google Doc and be sure to SHARE it with me (Richard.Davis@sfisd.org) to receive credit for your work.

We will meet in one of the library labs the rest of the week - but you will have access to everything on your Google Docs in there (just like you do from ANY device that can access the internet).

The guide for producing your outline is on my assignments page and can also be found here:

English IV (1st-3rd)
Creating Your Outline

College Prep English IV (4th)
Col Prep Outline

**Remember, you need AT LEAST 5 sources and AT LEAST 40 notes for this paper. We have found at least that many in class AND the info on Mary LaCue Booker on p. 256 of Real Writing may serve as an additional source - use the Citation Machine to locate the MLA Citation Info on this book.**

Some of you have already shown me a working outline - and even if it is of a different structure, that's acceptable. The guide is merely that - a guide. There are a lot of ways to accomplish the same thing. Just be sure to follow the correct format for an outline as this will make it easier when you go back to finalize the formal outline before beginning the final draft. Your working outline is due by Friday.

Monday, January 26, 2015

Week 4 begins ...

English IV - Periods 1-3 Only

Issue/Thesis: (State the issue you are researching in a way that reflects your argument and position - e.g. Despite arguments otherwise, standardized testing in public education is a waste of tax dollars and fails to adequately measure student achievement.)

5 Things I've Learned Through My Research: 5 interesting/notable things you've learned from either side of your issue during this process

How Many Sources Have You Found:

How Many Notes Do You Have (TOTAL):

What do you need to do between now and Friday (when this is due)?

College Prep English - 4th Period Only

List 4 Rhetorical Devices where you see connections between "We Real Cool" and "School Rules" ... Briefly, how do they compare and contrast through each device:

Device 1:

Device 2:

Device 3:

Device 4:

Considering what you have found so far, compose an initial thesis statement for your paper (Something along the lines of the following ... In "We Real Cool" and "School Rules," the poets and speakers observe and discuss hard truths about the importance of education - nowhere is this more apparent than in the connections between the theme, tone, and characters of the poems.)

If you need help on determining what rhetorical devices you want to examine (or if you need to again review what rhetorical devices are) consult the information in the Literary Analysis Packet (click here)

If you have finished your self-report and have finished your research, spend the balance of the time on something beneficial to you - go to the "Games" section of the blog ... choose one of the SAT Prep games available there ... and have a little fun while you enrich your brain.

SAT Prep Games

Friday, January 23, 2015

It's Friday .... (Jan 23)

And you have research and a CWoD ... so you do have stuff to do.

CWoD - cursory

Continue your research - be sure that you visit with me about any problems or concerns you may be having. We will be continuing progress check 1 as well for those who were out yesterday (or who didn't have a chance to check in with me on progress).

Remember, research is due NEXT Friday ... we will be in the computer labs Wednesday-Friday to get it wrapped up, printed, and turned in. Monday and Tuesday, we will likely be working on other parts of this process in class, though, so make sure you are using the available time wisely ... do not wait until next week to do what you should be doing today.

4th Period
Literary Analysis Research Packet

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Progress Check 1

Your CWoD today is belligerent ... be sure that each day we are getting the word, the dictionary definition(s), a paraphrased definition of the word, 2 familiar synonyms, and an original sentence using the word correctly in context. Keep building that college level vocabulary!

Today is Progress Check 1 for your research paper - when I call you, you'll come meet with me and bring your Chromebook and/or work. We are looking for 2-3 sources that are at least partially developed into notes and paraphrases at this point and you MUST have MLA citation info on all sources.

Review the layered requirements for the research element to this paper - DUE JANUARY 30 whether you are in attendance at school that day or not,.

The balance of the period is yours to continue researching - we are running low on class days for this, so make sure that you use your time wisely. We will check progress again on MONDAY, January 26.

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Wednesday 1/21 - Guest Speaker from Lamar University ... Cancelled

After you knock out your CWoD (ambivalent), put your Chromebook back in the cart and plug it in to charge - some of us are struggling to get that part (plugging them back in) accomplished. If that continues, those responsible are going to have their Chromebook usage suspended.

Also found some food/candy wrappers on my floor yesterday - any further issues with that and there will be NO FOOD OR DRINK of any kind allowed in this room. Be an adult and clean up your mess.

Our guest speaker had a family emergency today and will have to reschedule. So, we get the day to get back to researching. Spend your time productively working on that.

English IV - Argument Paper (1st-3rd)
LAYERED RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS

A Layer (6-7 sources MINIMUM)

60 notes/quotes/paraphrases minimum *(30+ supporting your view/25+ opposing)

B Layer (5 sources MINIMUM)

50 notes/quotes/paraphrases minimum *(25+ supporting your view/20+ opposing)

C Layer (3-4 sources MINIMUM)

40 notes/quotes/paraphrases minimum *(20+ supporting your view/15+ opposing)

College Prep English (4th)

Literary Analysis Paper (5 sources MINIMUM)

45-50 notes/quotes/paraphrases minimum (research will have to focus primarily on "We Real Cool" and on the two authors Gwendolyn Brooks and Mary LaCue Booker - very difficult to find reseources on "School Rules")

Remember, tomorrow, we will have the first progress check. You should have a minimum of 2-3 sources at this point and notes to go with them (roughly 8-9 per source). We will discuss the grading rubric for the research element tomorrow as well.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Time to get back at this research thing ...

Today's Objective:
Students will continue to gather, analyze, paraphrase, etc. relevant information for their research paper. (English IV - Argument Paper Over a Controversial Issue ... College Prep English - Literary Analysis of Poetry). Students will document source information in MLA format and will gather research on both sides of the issue (or, in the case of the college prep class, the literature being compared/contrasted in the analysis).

***STAY AWARE OF DUE DATES - REMEMBER THAT IF YOU ARE ABSENT ON A DUE DATE, YOU ARE STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR SUBMITTING ON THAT DATE ELECTRONICALLY***

Research is due on January 30.

Rough Drafts are due on February 6.

After finishing with your College Word of the Day (histrionic), we will continue working on research for our persuasive research paper. If you need to refresh yourself after the long weekend on any of the requirements/information, you can find that info on previous days' blogs with the links we used.

Wednesday 1/14

Thursday 1/15

1st - 3rd - English IV
By the end of the day today, you should have 2-3 sources that you have located, analyzed, and prepared your notes/paraphrases for in your Google Docs (or on your own paper). Again, be SURE to use a separate doc (or sheet(s) of paper) for EACH source. We will have a progress check on Thursday and you will need to show me your progress.

4th - College Prep English
Determining valid websites:

Read over the following information ... https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/588/02

Then open and review the following websites ...

http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/a_f/brooks/werealcool.htm

http://www.shmoop.com/we-real-cool/

http://edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plan/impact-poems-line-breaks-enjambment-and-gwendolyn-brooks-we-real-cool#sect-thelesson

http://easylitnotes.blogspot.com/2012/01/analysis-of-gwendolyn-brooks-we-real.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_Real_Cool

Continue working with the resources for "We Real Cool" we located using the library database. In addition, you may consider what we found to be acceptable sources from those above (if any) and can use the Citation Machine (MLA) to create your source citation information.

ALL CLASSES
We will have a guest speaker from Lamar University in class tomorrow - so make the most of your time today. Again, 2-3 sources with notes/quotes/paraphrases by Thursday to make sure we are on track to producing an A level paper.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Thursday - Time to put your phones up and get to work!

Once you are finished with your CWoD, let's get rolling with our research.

1st - 3rd
Remember to start with the sites we discussed yesterday. Part of your research is to figure out QUICKLY if the requirements for sources and information are compatible with your current topic choice. Remember - you MUST have sources that provide information on BOTH points of view

SFHS Library (Focus on the GALE and EBSCO Databases ... especially on the GALE "Opposing Viewpoints in Context database as it is completely composed on pro/con argumentative sources ... in other words, it might be your best friend through this process)

ProCon.org (Separate website, but like "Opposing Viewpoints" is centers entirely on providing BOTH sides of an argument ... but it limited to 52 topics ... MLA source info may be somewhat more challenging to find)

Which brings us to ... the Citation Machine (in MLA Format) which will walk you through and assist you in building MLA source citations for ANY sources that don't provide that information ready to go for you.

As you research, be sure that you are taking notes on ALL valid sources you look at. Even if they don't end up being cited in your paper, it's important to document all source material along the way. Additionally, whether you are building your source info in Google Docs OR writing it by hand, make sure you are following the general structure from the "Replacing Notecards" document:

Source information in MLA format at the top of the page
Notes quoted directly from the source w/ a paraphrase in your words for EACH quoted note
Be sure to begin a new Google Doc or page for EACH SOURCE
Everything you turn in will be on paper - either handwritten or printed when we are in the computer labs from 1/28-1/30

Replacing Notecards

Layered Requirements

Research Paper Timeline/Due Dates (rev. 1/15/15)

4th
You need to continue gathering information on the more established of our poems. The website on yesterday's blog gives some overview of the poem and rhetorical devices in play ... but websites can be tricky and we want to also look for something that is academically reliable.

Through our library, we have access to most of the GALE databases - including the Literature Resource Center (which sounds like it would be JUST what we are looking for as we work on an Literary Analysis paper). You can access it through the school website ... library ... GALE Databases ... etc.

For time's sake this time ... just click here: GALE Literature Resource Center

The best search terms are usually either the name of the work - in this case "We Real Cool" or the poet's name (Gwendolyn Brooks).

You might also specify the genre - (poem) to ensure you get what you're looking for.

Search Results

From this search alone (on the different tabs ... Literature Criticism, Biographies, etc) there are 45 possible sources listed. From the titles - or from the publication information, you can usually narrow the field a little. Let's choose one and open a Google Doc to begin notetaking ...

Replacing Notecards

The link above takes you to some instructions about how we need to document our work from each source.

The link below includes some of the information about the paper itself, some supplemental information that may come in handy, AND the grading rubric for the final draft itself.

4th Period - Literary Analysis Research Paper

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Moving on to research ...

1st - 3rd
Lots to look at in the short period today - for periods 1-3, the basic information/calendar, layered assignment requirements, and information on replacing notecards.

You can find ALL of those documents here:

Coach Davis' Assignments Page

Once we have gone over that, it is time to begin research. The library website and GALE databases are a great place to start.

SFHS Library

Another good website for our purposes is ProCon.org

As you research, be sure that you are taking notes on ALL valid sources you look at. Even if they don't end up being cited in your paper, it's important to document all source material along the way.

4th
The first part of literary analysis is reading and understanding what you are analyzing. Although these lyrics are relatively short, there is a lot going on in them. Brooks' poem "We Real Cool" will have a LOT of information and analysis available on it. "School Rules" by Mary LaCue Booker ... not so much. So a LOT of our comparison and contrast will come from what we know and research about "We Real Cool" and what we get from our own analysis of "School Rules."

Read "We Real Cool" ... then visit the following website Analysis of "We Real Cool" (Shmoop)

Look through the different sections on the website (Intro, The Poem, Summary, Analysis, Themes) - these are many of the rhetorical devices that will form the heart of our paper and analysis. This will start to help us form our foundation.

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

GAMES (AKA Acceptable ways to fill time in this class)

If you have finished your work for the day and need something worthwhile to fill a few minutes at the end of the period, click on the links below and have at it. Studies show that students who play educational games in their spare time see increases in classroom grades as well as test scores.

ZERO HOUR THREAT GAME

SAT Prep Games - Tyrannosaurus Prep

SAT Games

Sat Prep - Vocabmania

SAT Practice Questions

Assorted Word Games and Brain Games (make sure you choose games that involve words or elements that connect to learning in this class - otherwise you'll be directed to choose something else).

Focusing on a topic

1st through 3rd Periods

Today we need to get focused on what we want to make our argument about and start doing some research on it. In addition to the blog entry for your CWoD, we will have a second entry today providing a tentative outline of your topic. Your tentative outline should provide the following:

Topic: State in BROAD terms what your topic centers on (should be a one or two word answer)

Issue: State, without taking a side, what the issue is that you will be addressing about this topic (this will take 1-3 sentences)

Pros: State 5 possible supports for the PRO side of this issue

Cons: State 5 possible supports for the CON side of this issue

Your Stance: Write a short paragraph explaining YOUR stance on the issue and why you feel that way - what is the basis (emotional or factual) for your argument.

If you need to review the list of possible topics, look back at my entry from yesterday. Remember, that list is from an outside source - it is neither the only options you have nor is there a guarantee that EVERY topic on that list will be a good choice for this assignment. You'll have to discern that as you work and may have to make changes on the fly. What we are doing today, though, should provide you with a solid starting point.

4th Period

Your paper will require you to read the poems "We Real Cool" by Gwendolyn Brooks and "School Rules" by Marie LaCue Booker. You will analyze ways in which the texts use specific rhetorical strategies (or tools) to create an argument. Examples of of rhetorical stratgies include: theme, tone, figurative language, imagery, irony, alliteration, assonance, rhyme, point of view, diction (word choice), etc.

"We Real Cool" by Gwendolyn Brooks

"School Rules" by Mary LaCue Booker (also on pp. 256-257 in the Real Writing textbook.

If you have headphones and want to view some resources on "We Real Cool" you can reach them at the following links:

"We Real Cool" - Video 1

"We Real Cool" - Video 2

And ... if you're bored ... pass your time with the following ...

ZERO HOUR THREAT GAME

SAT Prep Games - Tyrannosaurus Prep

SAT Games

Sat Prep - Vocabmania

SAT Practice Questions

Assorted Word Games and Brain Games

Monday, January 12, 2015

And Week 2 Begins ...

Good Morning - we are continuing to work on the research process as we move toward beginning our research papers this week. We will discuss and go over the calendar for the papers tomorrow. For today, once you have your CWoD finished, go back to the website we used on Friday and scan over and make notes for Chapter 3 (if you are still working on Chapter 2, finish that first). We will quiz sometime this week over the 2 chapters so make sure you are familiar with them and have that information in your notes.

If information is given about APA and MLA format, remember that in English we will use MLA format. Be cautious to not confuse the two.

Research Writing - General Info

***1st - 3rd Periods***
Once you have finished scanning and taking notes, start giving some thought to what you want to write about. Our paper will be an argumentative research paper - so it must be a topic for which their are valid arguments on both sides of the issue. The list at the website below will give some options and even some background/semi-in-depth information about the topics. You don't HAVE to choose today, but you need to start thinking about it.

Argument Research Writing - Topic Possibilities

This is not a comprehensive list and you may have other ideas - but you will need to make sure (regardless of your choice) that there is a valid, reasonable argument for both sides of the issue you tackle.

***4th Period***
You will be writing a literary analysis research paper - you'll need to review and take notes on the following:

How To Write a Literary Analysis Paper

Conventions of Writing a Literary Analysis Paper

Lit Analysis Paper Tips

What Makes a Good Lit Paper?

Example of a MLA Literary Analysis Paper

Friday, January 9, 2015

It's Friday .......

Sorry I am out this morning - I have an appointment with my doctor that could not be rescheduled.

You college word of the day is on the side board - SMORGASBORD ... And yes, it's a real word. Take care of our 4 steps with that and post the entry on your blog. That gives us 4 CWoDs for the week, so they will be worth 25 pus apiece when graded. Remember there is no partial credit on these so make sure you are completing ALL 4 steps.

IF YOU HAVE ALREADY SENT ME YOUR BLOG INFO, DO NOT SEND IT AGAIN. If I am missing yours, we will discuss it on Monday before I grade this first week of words.

Make sure you have finished with the first part of the webquest - you can find links to it on the blog entries here from yesterday and the day before. Remember, you make submit the final "test" (it's a quiz grade for us) twice. So you have a built in retake opportunity and no one should be settling for less than an A. Be sure that the results are sent to me at: Richard.Davis@sfisd.org

Once you have completed the quiz, spend the rest of the period scanning and making notes over Chapter 2 from the link below. We will have a brief quiz over this info on Monday - it'll be open note. There's a LOT of information here, so scan through the pages and don't waste time making notes over things you already know.

Research Writing - General Info

I will be on campus by 5th period - so if you have any questions, you can email me and I will get back with you ASAP. Have a great Friday.

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Webquest Continued

Grab your Chromebooks and go to work on your College Word of the Day - then once you have that completed on your blog, we will go to work completing the webquest (click on the link below) ...

MLA Format / Research Webquest

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

MLA Format / Research Webquest

Grab your Chromebooks and go to work on your College Word of the Day - then once you have that completed on your blog, it's time to start working on the research process ...

The webquest you'll find here:

MLA Format / Research Webquest

will take you through the basics of MLA format and documentation. You'll need to set up a Google Doc for notetaking and to build your glossary of terms - this will be an easy tool for you to access and review this information as we move forward with this process.

Follow the instructions on the Webquest for each part - make sure to complete all the steps on the second page as well as the first. Work independently on this - it's not overly difficult, but it is information that is going to be crucial for you this year and beyond.

(Make sure you have submitted your blog address to me at Richard.Davis@sfisd.org)