DAY 03 - CYCLE 01 - SEMESTER 01: 08-28-09

HANDOUTS FROM TODAY:
I gave put a copy of the family tree assignment, completed by hand.  As such, it is not available on the web because I haven't scanned it in yet. 

IN CLASS TODAY:
Today, we spoke a bit more about Bloom's Taxonomy, and investigated what makes an important quote important.

In small groups, we created 3 quote quizzes with 1 good easy quote, 1 good average quote, and 1 good difficult quote, and we determined the defining features of each.

We then quizzed one another and discussed the quotes we chose.

CLASS NOTES:
Click here for a copy of today's notes.

HOMEWORK FOR NEXT CLASS:
Prepare for Tuesday's quote quiz on The Count of Monte Cristo. The quiz may or may not contain quotations used in today's class. Remember, the best way to study is to review the characters and their relationsships, and given what you know, to look for quotes that reveal their essences (or their particular fates) in a clear way.

WHEN YOU FIND GOOD QUOTES, post them here (and the speaker's name) as a comment to this blog post. Collectively, we can build a great study guide!

DAY 02 - CYCLE 01 - SEMESTER 01: 08-27-09

HANDOUTS FROM TODAY:
Journal #2: Creating a Family Tree for Count of Monte Cristo

IN CLASS TODAY:
Opening prompt: What complex thing do you know, and how did you come to know it?

A neat little thing about cutting a slot in an index card and reading a passage through that slot, line by line, to cut out visual distraction that slows down reading speed and makes concentration harder (at least, for visual learners).

Discussion of article "Is Google Making Us Stoopid?" focusing on how the nature of reading has changed, and how the reality we live in (a technologically advanced one) actually kind of thwarts our efforts toward mastery.

Collection of journal responses.

Overview of "Bloom's Taxonomy" and why it matters to the sophomore curriculum/you.

Distribution of Family Tree journal. If you have questions, you should contact me right away.

CLASS NOTES:

Click here for a copy of today's notes. Again, I added a lot which is meant to be really helpful to you, so take a look!


HOMEWORK FOR NEXT CLASS:

1. Complete the Family Tree Diagramming assignment passed out in class today. Your homework will be checked during class. You should be thorough in naming characters and indicating the nature of relationships on the connecting lines. Trees that simply list character names will be considered incomplete. Your tree may be drawn out by hand (this will actually be easier). Need the characters? (some are minor, but you should be able to figure them out.)

• Marquis and Marquise Saint Meron
• Renee Meron Villefort
• Monsieur Gerard de Villefort
• Valentine Villefort
• Monsieur Noitier
• Madame Heloise Villefort
• Edoard
• Baron Franz D’Epany
• Monsieur Morrel
• Maximilien Morrel
• Julie Morrel
• Abbe Faria
• Edmond Dantes
• Sinbad the Sailor
• Abbe Busoni
• Lord Wilmore
• Jacopo
• Luigi Vampa
• Haydee
• Ali Pasha
• Caderousse
• Albert de Morcerf
• Mercedes
• Fernand Mondego
• Count de Morcerf
• Louise
• Eugenie
• Madame Danglars
• Baron Danglars
• Lucien Debray

1. Join the class wikispace by clicking here and following the instructions at the top of the page (you'll need to click on the PDF icon to download the instructions).

DAY 01 - CYCLE 01 - SEMESTER 01: 08-26-09

HANDOUTS FROM TODAY:
Course overview
UNIT #1 overview: The activities and assessments for the first cycle of the semester.
Homework article: "Is Google Making Us Stoopid?"

IN CLASS TODAY:
Introduction to the course/completion of notecards

Distribution of course/unit overviews

Discussion based on three questions:
1. What is language?
2. Why do we tell stories?
3. What are the stories we tell?

Distribution of homework article.

CLASS NOTES:
Click here for a copy of today's notes. I have added to them, touching on points that we did not solidify in our short discussion. Please be sure to look at these!

HOMEWORK FOR NEXT CLASS:

1. Read & annotate the article “Is Google Making Us Stoopid?” and write an answer to the question at the end of the article (Journal #1). You'll note that questions and definitions are provided on the right hand side of the article to help guide your understanding. Your journal entry should be typewritten, at least 7-10 thoughtful sentences in length, and ready to be turned in at the beginning of class. Your full name should appear in the upper left hand corner.
2. Send me an email at szarwell@usmk12.org from an email account that you check frequently, and put your full name as the subject line. The body of the message may be empty.
3. Bring your Sentence "Diagramming Step by Step" workbook with you to class tomorrow. It's the spiral bound one that looks like the kind of reader booklets you get in a history class.