AGENDA 11/23

COMPUTER LAB: Work on research proposals and pass out source guidelines
Research proposal directions
Sample research proposal

Introduce two good websites to begin your research:
The New York Times Topics page - look here for your topic--you'll find a wealth of resources!
Link to the Samohi Library page to access the SIRS and ProQuest databases - you'll need your login and password

Search for independent reading book:
Santa Monica Public Library
Los Angeles Public Library
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

HW: Read ahead in The Scarlet Letter and check Turnitin.com's calendar page for your assigned discussion day. For your assigned discussion day, prepare questions, comments, quotations to discuss, connections to other texts or current events--anything to spark an interesting discussion. Research proposal and independent reading book are due tomorrow! Vocabulary quiz on Monday.

AGENDA 11/22

Timed Essay: Synthesis 2.0

HW: Write research proposal--due Wednesday. Get full-length independent reading book for approval on Wednesday. Check Turnitin.com's calendar tab and look at 11/22--click on the "Class Notes" to see your assigned discussion day for The Scarlet Letter. Prepare questions, comments, quotations, and connections to discuss for your assigned chapters.

AGENDA 11/19

Practice synthesis prompt: Daylight Saving Time
Read sample student essays
Read introductory paragraph that Pust wrote
Read sample body paragraphs we crafted in class
The Scarlet Letter reading and discussion leader assignments: calendar posted on Turnitin.com. Log in and go to "calendar," then click on the "class notes" for Monday, 11/22 to get the rest of the reading schedule and confirm your discussion leader date.

Research proposal directions

Sample research proposal

HW: Prepare for Monday's synthesis prompt. Read ahead in The Scarlet Letter and prepare for your discussion day. Write your research proposal for Wednesday--we'll be in the computer lab on Tuesday.

AGENDA 11/17

Review topics for rhetorical historical papers
Introduce assignment sheet for rhetorical historical papers
Sample research proposal

Introduce synthesis prompt and source packet: Daylight Saving Time
Create a possible thesis for the DST prompt and circle three sources you might use to support that thesis

HW: Read chapters 8, 9, and 10 of The Scarlet Letter.
Write down two quotations (from any of the three chapters) that are worth discussing, and write a reaction/short response for each. Your response may be a comment, question, connection, or other exploration of the text.

Revise business letter--final copy, color-marked rough draft, and proof of submission due Friday.

AGENDA 11/16

Finish self-revision for business letters - optional proofreading time tomorrow
Meet in groups to discuss mini-research activity, then submit paragraphs/citations in group piles
Discuss chapters 6 and 7 of The Scarlet Letter

HW: Revise letter - final copy, color-marked rough draft, and proof of submission due Friday (optional proofreading tomorrow)
Read and be prepared to discuss chapters 8-10 of The Scarlet Letter for Thursday - focus on instances of irony
Vocabulary quiz on Friday over words from The Scarlet Letter (with a few extra credit words from A Long Way Gone)

AGENDA 11/15

The Scarlet Letter Vocabulary warm-up #1
Highlight and revise persuasive business letters to company directors

Checklist for The Bluest Eye letter
Introduce tonight's The Scarlet Letter Further Study (mini-research) directions and links
Discuss chapters 6 and 7 of The Scarlet Letter
Introduce rhetorical historical paper & independent reading requirement (if time permits)

HW: Research topic (art, philosophy, literary criticism, or sociology) using the links provided to enhance our study of The Scarlet Letter. Write a citation in MLA format for any website(s) you use; craft a paragraph of no more than 200 words to explain your findings, and be ready to present them tomorrow. Begin searching for an independent reading book. Books/topics need to be approved before next Tuesday, 11/23. Revise business letter; final drafts due Friday. You may either cc me on the final email, or print a copy of the final letter for me. If you are mailing the letter, I can provide you with an envelope in class on Friday--please print two copies of the letter (one for me, one for the company). If you are using a form to email the company, you may either take a screen shot or forward me a confirmation that you sent it.

AGENDA 11/10

PPT: Making Letters Memorable (Style Strategies)

.pdf of PowerPoint slides (printer-friendly version)

Brief introduction to fall historical research paper--you can begin reserving topics by email @ 3:15pm today!

Discuss chapters 4 and 5 of The Scarlet Letter

Read chapter 6 of The Scarlet Letter in class if time permits

HW: Read chapters 6 and 7 of The Scarlet Letter. Identify and analyze two places (one from each chapter) where Hawthorne reveals his attitude towards the Puritans. Typed working draft of letter to company due Monday. Think about topic for fall research paper--reservations can begin @ 3:15pm today