New Group Trial

A TEST RUN AT CREATING A GROUP FOR VOICE THREAD.

Click on this link below to be added to my Voice Thread 1st Period group.
I'm hoping this will work and allow us to have all of our projects together in one spot.

https://voicethread.com/groups/subscribe/84695/2ffcfad79/

Creating Your Voice Thread

Good Morning!
1. Print your essay if you haven't done so already. You definitely need a hard copy of the essay for recording.
2. Log on to www.voicethread.com and click "create". This will create a new project - please give it a title.
3. You will need at least 5 pictures for this presentation, one per paragraph of your essay, but please feel free to do more. You will just record different parts over each photo.
4. You can upload your pictures in different ways:
- Copy and paste the URL of a "full sized image" from google images.
- Upload a photo from your desktop
- Upload a photo from other media sources.
5. At this point, the primary thing we need to accomplish today is to creat the slides for the presentation. When it comes time for recording, I will have separate instructions for you.

Happy Voice Threading!!!

My Voice Thread

https://voicethread.com/share/3822503/

Check this out - hope it works!
A few notes:
1. The first recording I did was with my cell phone. You have THREE MINUTES of cell time to record a message. Once you start recording you automatically lose one minute. I recorded a message of roughly 20 seconds, but it still "charged" me one minute. Use your minutes wisely!
2. During that recording I purposely on prepared about 15 seconds of material. You can DEFINITELY tell when I don't know what I'm saying.
3. During the other slides, you can hear differences in volume and clarity. Put the mic too far away and it's too quiet. Put it too close, and you can hear every breath and "P" sound you make.
4. Notice the different comments you can make - Mrs. Duell called one in, she recorded one, and she sent a text as the third.

Enjoy!

VOICE THREAD FRIDAY!!!

Morning!
Several jobs today:
1. Set up your voice thread account. Mrs. Duell will be here to help us with that.
2. Type up your outline as a google doc and share it with me.
3. Last 10 minutes of class or so, we'll be watching the voice thread I created yesterday.
4. If you finish typing your essay outline, you can start looking for photos for your voice thread.

BY MONDAY YOU MUST HAVE YOUR OUTLINE FINISHED SO WE CAN START RECORDING IF NEED BE. YOU WILL NEED A HARD COPY (PAPER) TO READ WHILE RECORDING.

DATABASE PASSWORDS

ABC CLIO
username: rivbrook
password: twp208

CQ Researcher
username: rbhs208
password: library (it might be riverside, so try that if library doesn't work)

NEWSBANKS ACCESS WORLD NEWS:
username: rbhs
password: rbhs

TEEN HEALTH AND WELLNESS
username: rbhsteen
password: health

WORLDBOOK ONLINE
username: rbhs208
password: rbhs208

BIG 6 Update

FOR MONDAY:
1. Please have ALL 4 ARTICLES printed and ready in class.

2. TWO of the articles should be highlighted and annotated in class - you will receive points for this.

3. In class on Monday, I will check in your progress while you finish highlighting and annotating the other two articles.

ON WEDNESDAY of next week we will begin our work on the presentation - you will have 3 days in the lab next week to work on the presentation, which I will get to you on Monday.

BIG 6 TOPICS

Please post your Big 6 topic as a comment below. Along with your general topic, please describe your topic:
- Why is this such an important issue to the world?
- Why is this such an important issue to you?
You have until the end of class Wednesday to make your post.

Happy Researching!

Grading Rubric

Intro - 15 points - (5 points for thesis, 10 points for other elements)
Conclusion - 10 points (2 points each sentence)
Topic Sentences - 15 points (5 points each T.S. - 2 for transition, 3 for clarity/purpose)
Analysis/Persuasion - 20 points (Your overall analysis and presentation of the topic)
Support - 15 points (Effectiveness of your quotes, correctly cited)
Grammar - 20 points (2 points off for every mistake, 5 points off for a tense shift)

CONCLUSION AND EDITING

CONCLUSION, 5 sentences:
1. Restate complete thesis statement with support
2. Summarize support 1
3. Summarize support 2
4. Summarize support 3
5. Respond to attention getter: Definition - say how it fits your character, quote - say why the quote fits, rhetorical question - "answer it"

If and when you finish today, please share your paper with at least two classmates and peer edit. Look for spelling/grammar, tense shifts, clarity, etc.

The final draft is "due" Monday, so please be sure that you have your paper finished and shared with me by the start of class on Monday morning.

Over the weekend, please be considering the topic you'd like to consider for your Big 6 Research Project, which we will be starting first thing Monday morning. Make sure it is an issue you can actually research. For help, go to the RB library website and find the "research" section. Under "current issues" you can find lists of topic under CQ Researcher and ABC Clio.

ARGUMENTATIVE PARAGRAPH

ARGUMENTATIVE PARAGRAPH

 

This will be paragraph #5 in your essay!

 

1. Topic Sentence – mention that others will have an opinion opposite to yours:
1. Despite all of this evidence that “X” changes, some may claim that he has not truly evolved in the book. This is because…(Here, find a way your character is still the same.
2. State the Fact – Say that this is not true.
1. However, this is not true because…(Give your reason why that is false)
3. Quote – Pick a quote that shows why the other person is false
4. Spend two sentences explaining how your quote proves your point.

 

EXAMPLE:

 

            Despite all the evidence that Roland changes, some may claim that he has not truly evolved over the course of the novel. This is primarily because Roland is still a manipulative person. However, this is not entirely true. Roland thinks, “I’m not so manipulative and stuff” (658). Clearly, Roland manipulation is one of the key characteristics of Roland. Here, Roland is contemplating his own role as a manipulator in the Graveyard. Thus, Roland has changed in that way as well.

Successful student samples - Unwind Essay

A REALLY NICE INTRO PARAGRAPH:
This issue of pro-life versus pro-choice is made prominent in Neal Shusterman’s Unwind as three teens fight to save themselves from their inevitable fate. Lev, in particular, undergoes many changes as he wonders about his path and the role he is meant to play in the world. First, Lev changes himself in the way he struggles with his feelings about his tithing. Also, Lev changes Connor by changing Connors view of tithes. Finally, Lev changes the Happy Jack Harvest Camp by refusing to comply with their ideas and morals. Therefore, Lev changes his views on tithing, Connor, and the Happy Jack Harvest Camp.
A BODY PARAGRAPH SAMPLE THAT LOOKS PRETTY SOLID:

First, Connor changes his old ways of being a rebellious teen into being a leader. When Connor is uprooted from his everyday life of being with his girlfriend Ariana or getting into fights, Connor realizes that it is time to grow up into something bigger than himself. Connor realizes that, “Holding his temper in that bathroom was perhaps the hardest thing Connor had ever had to do” (153). Instead of being someone who does not think and just goes with his emotions, Connor is learning that his previous ways of coping with problems are not beneficial and it is time to think. Connor also changes himself when the riot begins in the Graveyard and he is thrown into the position of being the person that everyone is going to respond and listen to. He stands up and listens to Hayden and he controls the group. Finally, Connor controls his temper when he is being led to the Chop Shop. He does not fight back or yell, Connor decides that he is going to die as Connor Lassiter, not just an Unwind. Clearly, this shows that instead of being a rage-filled teenager who has no authority, Connor is going to change himself into someone who can lead and be respected by people.

A PRETTY GOOD INTRO THAT JUST NEEDS AN ATTENTION GETTER:
Neil Shusterman’s Unwind shows three character’s endeavours on their journey to being unwound. Connor changes from being rebellious to being a leader. First, Connor changes himself by improving his self-control. Also, Connor changes the other unwinds in the Graveyard by becoming a leader when no one else does. Finally, Connor changes society by being the “Akron AWOL”and giving others hope for getting out alive. Therefore, Connor changes his own power of leadership, the children in the Graveyard , and society as a whole.

Monday, November 12

Change...
Through Part 4 in Unwind, which character do you think has undergone the most change? What are the underlying causes for these changes? Please use DIRECT CITATIONS to support your claims in a full paragraph.

As always, please respond to two other posts...
Happy Veteran's Day!!!

Monday, November 5

Good morning!
UNWIND DISCUSSION
Please post the discussion question you wrote for Unwind, as well as your response. As always, comment on two other posts.
We will be using questions that you have posted to fuel tomorrow's discussion of the novel.

Happy Monday Blogging!!!

MONDAY, October 29

Free Post!
Today, you will make your second "free post" about something that matters to YOU. It can be about anything school appropriate, but please make a thoughtful consideration about what it is that is so important to you that you feel the need to post it - a world issue, an issue at RB, your family, etc.

As always, read and comment on two other posts...

HAPPY MONDAY!

Memories...

Over the weekend you read "The Makings of Our Earliest Memories" by Perri Klass...Today you will make two posts:
1. How did you react to the ideas in the article regarding early memory formation? Did you agree? Disagree?
2. What are the earliest memories YOU have?

Per usual, please write a paragraph or so about each, and then comment on two other posts.
HAPPY MONDAY

PERSUASIVE PRESENTATIONS

GOOD MORNING!
Today we're going to finish our presentations. A few things:
Conclusion slide:

• Re-state your thesis - this will be the entire thesis statement as a complete sentence
• 3 bullet points - one for each of your supporting concepts in 2-3 word short clips
• Respond to your attention-getter - If you used a definition, how did it fit? If you used a rhetorical question, 'answer it', etc. This is a big part of bringing your conclusion to a nice finish.

THE SLIDES
If you finish early, add some pictures/videos/articles to your slides. Something to make your presentation "pop" a little bit and not simply be a collection of words.

NOTES
Please make sure you have your speaker notes updated and ready to go. You will be penalized if you are reading to us off the screen. Be prepared to deliver a SPEECH to the class - make eye contact, be enthusiastic, be well-rehearsed.

I'll be monitoring progress throughout the class, so feel free to ask any questions you may have.

WE PRESENT TOMORROW!

PERSUASIVE PRESENTATION TIMELINE

Tuesday, October 9 - In lab, create presentation
Wednesday, October 10 - In lab, complete presentation
Thursday, October 11 - Lab? Begin? Will check progress on Wednesday to determine if lab is needed.
Friday, October 12 - Begin presentations!!!

PERSUASIVE TOPICS

This is the list of topics you have chosen to present for BNW:
https://docs.google.com/a/rbhs208.net/document/d/1h4qwci9ZHvt2OD5pf0v6_p1oha8u707A7Dp-miwAsBE/edit

Monday, October 1

Happy October!

Today you will create a post of your choice relating to Chapter 16 in the book. It can be about anything related to the text - John's rebellion, Helmholtz's change of heart, the evolution of World Estate as Mustapha Mond explains, etc.

Feel free to explore new options with your posts - try an article, video, literary criticism, etc. As always, please read and respond to two other posts when you have finished.

At the end of this week, I will be entering "completion" grades for your blogs up to this point, so over the course of this week, please make sure your blog is up to date with your posts and responses.

Enjoy!

Family, Class, and Culture

Over the weekend, you read an article from the NY Times regarding the state of the nuclear family. Today, please comment on the article - did you agree/disagree with it? What were your reactions? How does it relate to BNW?  Etc?
Please read and comment on two other posts in the class.

If and when you finish today, please feel free to update more of your own personal posts/thoughts on your blog. As always...

Happy Blerging!

Monday, September 17 - YOUR blog

Morning!

Today is a chance for you to take ownership of your blog and its contents. You will make a post of any kind that relates to something that is important to you. It can be a social issue, personal issue, or something related to the text.

I'm giving you a little freedom here, so please remember to keep this within the realm of "school blogging".

Make your post and explain why this subject is so important to you. Please feel free to post an article, video, etc. Then, read two other posts and comment on them.

Happy Blogging!!!

Monday, September 10

Morning!
Chapter 7 is LOADED with much to talk about as we are introduced to "John the Savage". He is a central character in this novel as we move forward. So here's the question:
In your opinion, what is the most essential part of John's character that will move the novel forward:
A) The religious symbols which seem to surround John and the people of Malpais
B) John's relationship to his mother, Linda, a former citizen of World Estate
C) John's life as an "outsider" of Malpais
D) John's seemingly random education, a result primarily of reading Shakespeare and The Bible
E) Bernard's potential relationship with John the Savage as the person who has "found" John.

Choose ONE of these topics to respond to in at LEAST one paragraph of 5-7 sentences (and that's really a minimum). Think carefully about your response!

THEN, find two other posts that people have made and respond to theirs. Try to find people who have chosen to write responses different from yours. Please find new blogs to respond to so that you are not always commenting on the same student's blog.

Happy Blogging!

Monday, September 4

Good morning!
Today, you should read TWO more posts on a blog you are following. You will then comment 1 paragraph on your reactions to the article.
This should give you THREE articles/links you have read and commented on.
(*Note - please go to new blogs that you are following - if you notice someone hasn't had a comment yet, be the first! Don't stick to the same 3 blogs every time)

ENJOY!

YOUR FIRST POST

Morning everyone!
Today, your job is to create your first post as I have done below. Let me take you through the first things to make sure everyone is caught up:
1. Please be sure you are following your classmates. I will also be in the process of following each of you, so this may take a little time today.
2. Find an article off the internet regarding either GENETIC MANIPULATIONS or CLASSIC CONDITIONING of some kind and post it on your blog like this:

http://www.ivanpavlov.com/

3. Read your own article and underneath your link, please write roughly a paragraph of WHY you posted this link or article, as well as how you think it applies to the novel.Your article should be more along the lines of something thought-provoking instead of simple information like I posted. FIND SOMETHING THAT HAS SOME OPINION AND TEETH TO IT!
4. Read ONE other post that someone made on their blog and comment on it. Again, this should be about a paragraph.

A FEW NOTES:
1. Please remember your RADCAB ideas when posting - pick reliable, academic sites that are appropriate for what we are studying.
2. Please make sure that you are posting SINCERE, ACADEMIC comments to the article that you read. This is not the time to be silly or funny, but rather to offer some insight as to your thoughts on your classmate's post.

YOU SHOULD HAVE POSTED YOUR ARTICLE AND COMMENTED ON ONE OTHER STUDENT'S ARTICLE BY THIS FRIDAY!!!

HAPPY BLOGGING!

FOLLOWING EVERYONE!

Morning everybody!
Today, your job is to:
1. Finish as much of the general layout of your blog.
2. Follow my blog if you have not already done so.
3. RESPOND TO THIS POST BY COPYING AND PASTING A LINK TO YOUR BLOG SO I CAN FOLLOW YOU!
4. Once everyone's blogs are posted here, start following every other blog in the class. By the end of this, you should be following everyone in the class, and they should all be following you!

HAPPY BLERGING!

HARRISON BERGERON

What do you see as the message being Kurt Vonnegut's "Harrison Bergeron", and how does it relate to our discussion of a Utopian society?

First Post - The Maiden Voyage

Hi guys! Welcome to the blog - if you got this far, you did the right thing. Assignment #1 - Please respond to this post by saying hello, and showing that you are now following my blerg. I will give you 10 points for doing this. Awesome?! Totes.
Mr. T. Diggity.edu