"The Ocean Breathes Salty" Links & Assignment

Here is the video.

Journals #18 & 19 : Analyze the songs and videos, then compare it to the theme of The Life of Pi.  I would conceptualize it first. We will do this in class. All you jazzy singing folk must do on own. Happy Chanukkah!

November 30, 2010: Tis' the Season for In Class (timed) essays

I will be out tomorrow (drat!). Your assignment will be to complete an in-class essay on The Life of Pi. Following this will be a discussion day about the novel. The possible topics for the essay will be posted here. The number of the essay your family is assigned will not be revealed until you get to class tomorrow. You may have the novel and any pertinent notes with you. The essay MUST be turned in at the end of class. This will be preparation for the SAT essay as well as assessment of your reading. Enjoy.

1. This story is basically a story of survival. How are Pi’s survival tactics emotional? How are they physical?


2. Assuming the “other” story Pi tells the Japanese reporters is true, explain the human equivalent of each animal Pi puts on the boat. Why is each animal suitable to its human counterpart. Focus most of the answer on Richard Parker.

3. In my humble opinion, this story is an allegory within an allegory. How is Pi’s belief in Richard Parker the same as his belief in God. How is it different?

While I'm Gone...

Rather than waste your time with a lot of busy work, I am going to allow you to bleed your homework for the weekend into Friday.

By Monday, you must have read The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin found in the text. If you have not read An Interesting Narrative on the Life of Olaudah Equiano, (don't forget Journal #16), then do that as well. You will need knowledge of Ben for Monday. Olaudah is more fodder for our next debates. Otherwise, you may want to make sure your journals are squared away before T-giving (hint, hint)

Class Notes: We will listen to this, discuss and write on W/R

Journal 15 for Period 1

Reaction to this video will provide period 1 with an opportunity to make up for the faulty Peanutes DVD.

Q & A: George Friedman

Q & A: George Friedman

Use this, today's article and any other materials you wish to write Journal #14.

The issues -- explicitly relayed

1. Christopher Columbus is a national hero and deserves to be celebrated with a national holiday.

2. Christopher Columbus is a villian, and his federal holiday should be abolished.

A. Many Native Americans protest every year against the use of racial and derogatory "Indian" icons used by sports teams across the US; Braves, Chiefs, Indians and the Red Skins for example. These names are derogatory and wrong. The US Congress should heed to the pressure of civil rights groups and ban these names.

B. While some Native American groups are opposed to these names, others promote and embrace them. These names are not derogatory but celebratory. Keep the names and keep congress out of it.

1. Debate day is Monday, November 1st. All Sera debate rules shall stand.

2. The Q& A portion will be expanded, as usual, good questions will earn points.

3. Additional research will be mandatory. APA format is suggested (take your best stan format-wise). Some resources for debate #2: OPPOSED to the mascots & FOR them.  

4. Participating families shall be determined through "Circle of Death."

Journal #13...mwahaha (or not)

Some resources: The Salem Witch thing we viewed on Wednesday & IMDB about "The Monsters are due Maple Street."

"like winning a tiger in a raffle"

Maybe this will work...let's keep an eye on her as a class. Problems with Mexican drug lords are a staple of US foreign policy concerns (or lack thereof).

Christopher Columbus: Hero - HUMAN EVENTS

An alternate view on Columbus to accompany your reading.

Christopher Columbus: Hero - HUMAN EVENTS

This week's vocab...Quiz Friday

prodigal: One wasteful or extravagant, especially in the use of money or property.

salacious: Having strong sexual desires.

platitude: A written or spoken statement that is flat, dull, or commonplace.

sumptuous: Rich and costly.

neophyte: Having the character of a beginner.

modicum: A small or token amount.

tortuous: Abounding in irregular bends or turns.

hoodwink: To deceive.

Michael Skube Assignment

Re-Read Michael Skube article...grab it here!

Formal Writing: Michael Skube provides his e-mail on the bottom of his scathing rebuke of today's students. Write a letter to him either agreeing or disagreeing with his thesis (approx. 2 pages). Either way, make sure you back up your claim with specific examples from either your own life, observations you have made or statistics you have researched. Do not spend too much time worrying about how you "cite" your source(s) (this will come later), but please "attribute" it/them (just like the Scarlet Letter project). The best response will be e-mailed to Skube himself! Zoinks! Due Monday, October 18th

Journal Work...all Journals due Friday

Journal #7: Reaction to the multi-media & video viewed in class.

Journal #8: Read about this terrible tragedy out of Rutgers. React to it and the multimedia presented here from Ellen and the Governor. State your specific stance on and possible reactions to cyber-bullying.

Journal #9: React and respond to this Boston Globe article. Do you agree? Disagree? How does the new "social media" world need to adapt or change. Connect and discuss this more negative aspoect of new technology with the one explored in Journal 6 information.

The Falcon Film Files: Journal #6: We Used to Wait Film (Arcade Fire)

The Falcon Film Files: Journal #6: We Used to Wait Film (Arcade Fire)

"Veteran" Spam

If family presentations are half as good this year as they were last year, can I come watch them on monday? I don't have important classes the cohort period. :P

Your friendly neighborhood Mark.

P.S. Spam

Vocab...it's the Right thing to do

I know you're busy with your presentations, but don't ignore vocabulary. Integration is the key. Don't try to cram.

YES! WHO SAID THAT? THANK YOU!

Politics are funny.

Special Note

Some students have been struggling with the video. We will discuss in class.

Step One: Develop your research question due for class on Thursday


1. Ask research questions that will help you highlight the most important aspects (or angles) of your topic.

2. Tonight, do some preliminary research to help get you off the ground. This should center on potential answers to the question.

3. Based on your PRELIMINARY research, you should be able to begin refining a clear, arguable statement that will become your thesis. I will take questions on this process during Thursday's class. The more you do on your own, the more I will be able to help you. Vice-versea. Use today's handout for help.

This is a good resource on citing resources if Hacker ain't cutting it:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/664/01/


THE PAPER:

Step Four: The following outline has been provided to help you conceptualize how to put the paper together:

DUE TUESDAY (largest grade of the year! yes, more than the final)

Intro: Include a personal introduction (1 t- 2 paragraphs) It should be devisive and that explain your connection with the topic in any way you see fit. Should also hook, reader, preview tone & ...

Establish the thesis! (Your answer to the research question).

Background / Exposition: Before going into the key aspects to establish cultural understanding of the refugee's background, you should provide the necessary information to understand your points (1 - 2 paragraphs). This is the who, what, when and where of your topic. Should be attributed and cited.

Support: Each aspect that will promote cultural understanding should be supported with a combination of fact and valid opinion from credible sources and your own experiences (3 - 6 paragraphs). Must contain well attributed and cited sources. Must provide specific and concrete evidence to back your argument. Must contain at least two solid DQs.

Conclusion: As outlined in handouts, should be brief. It is done best when it brings up some type of lingering question or idea (1 paragraph)

Paper should be approx 3 - 6 pages.

• All information taken from sources needs to be cited (not just quotations)
• Use APA style for all formatting (see Hacker or Google for help)
• Use quotations sparingly. Better to summarize information in your own sentences and phrasing. Introduce all quotations with signal phrases
 Each paragraph should have a topic sentence and show unity.
• Each paragraph (except intros and conclusions) will contain at least one citation identifying where you got your information.
• This is your chance to SHINE on the fact that our multiple revisions have not been a total waste.
• Include a formal Works Cited page, following the models I showed in class and the APA style sample in Hacker.

Paraphrasing Help

A paraphrase is...


• your own rendition of essential information and ideas expressed by someone else, presented in a new form.
• one legitimate way (when accompanied by accurate documentation) to borrow from a source.
• a more detailed restatement than a summary, which focuses concisely on a single main idea.

Paraphrasing is a valuable skill because...

• it is better than quoting information from an undistinguished passage.
• it helps you control the temptation to quote too much.
• the mental process required for successful paraphrasing helps you to grasp the full meaning of the original.

6 Steps to Effective Paraphrasing

1. Reread the original passage until you understand its full meaning.

2. Set the original aside, and write your paraphrase on a note card.

3. Jot down a few words below your paraphrase to remind you later how you envision using this material. At the top of the note card, write a key word or phrase to indicate the subject of your paraphrase.

4. Check your rendition with the original to make sure that your version accurately expresses all the essential information in a new form.

5. Use quotation marks to identify any unique term or phraseology you have borrowed exactly from the source.

6. Record the source (including the page) on your note card so that you can credit it easily if you decide to incorporate the material into your paper

Balance of the Course

Monday: Introductions & Begin Research Tips/Tactics (HW: Read Research Section of Hacker Book p. 317. Journal #4: see handout)

Wednesday: Research lecture and activity

Thursday: Finish any lectures, Paper Q&A,
Monday: Last Day of Class - Journals Due - Research Paper 1st drafts due

Papers will due electronically by midnight on Wednesday, August 18th!

Note to ACCC Students

Due to a glitch on the blog and the ACCC computer system, the discussed homework assignments for this weekend will be postponed. Just come in ready to work on Monday.

Having An Argument

ACCC Class #8: July 28, 2010

DUE MONDAY, August 2nd

WRITE: Essay #3 to a hostile audience. Before beginning consider some words of wisdom by reading the following excerpt in pink(coutesy of The Writing Process by Steven D. Krause, with edits and modifications by yours truly)

Whenever you are trying to develop a clearer understanding of your writing, think about the kinds of audiences who may disagree with you. Think about the opposites and alternatives to your working thesis because these are what a hostile audience might think.


Sometimes, potential readers are hostile to a particular working thesis because of ideals, values, or affiliations they hold that are at odds with the point being advocated by the working thesis. For example, people who identify themselves as being “pro-choice” on the issue of abortion would certainly be hostile to an argument for laws that restrict access to abortion; people who identify themselves as being “pro-life” on the issue of abortion would certainly be hostile to an argument for laws that provide access to abortion.


At other times, audiences are hostile to an argument because of more crass and transparent reasons. For example, the pharmaceutical industry disagrees with the premise of the working thesis “Drug companies should not be allowed to advertise prescription drugs on TV” because they stand to lose billions of dollars in lost sales. Advertising companies and television broadcasters would also be against this working thesis because they too would lose money. You can probably easily imagine some potential hostile audience members who have similarly selfish reasons to oppose your point of view.


Of course, some audiences will oppose your working thesis based on a different interpretation of the evidence and research. This sort of difference of opinion is probably most common with research projects that are focused on more abstract and less definitive subjects. A reader might disagree with a thesis like “The Great Gatsby’s depiction of the connection between material goods and the American dream is still relevant today” based on differences about how the book depicts “the American dream,” or about whether or not the novel is still relevant, and so forth.


But there are also different opinions about evidence for topics that you might think would have potentially more concrete “right” and “wrong” interpretations. Different researchers and scholars can look at the same evidence about a subject like conservation of fisheries and arrive at very different conclusions. Some might believe that the evidence indicates that conservation is not necessary and would not be effective, while other researchers and scholars might believe the completely opposite position.


Regardless of the reasons why your audience might be hostile to the argument you are making with your working thesis, it is helpful to try to imagine your audience as clearly as you can. What sort of people are they? What other interests or biases might they have? Are there other political or social factors that you think are influencing their point of view? If you want to persuade at least some members of this hostile audience that your point of view and your interpretation of the research is correct, you need to know as much about your hostile audience as you possibly can. Of course, you’ll never be able to know everything about your hostile audience, and you certainly won’t be able to persuade all of them about your point. But the more you know, the better chance you have of convincing at least some of them.

NOW: Write the letter depicted in the following scenario:

Harry Heet is the president of Forthright Enterprises. You all work in Jacksonville, Florida, where the mean temperature in the summer is 92 degrees Fahrenheit daily and the humidity is 90% or more for 89 of the 90 days of summer. Mr. Smith, a Vice President of the company, doesn't seem to mind the heat or humidity; in fact, he seems to thrive on it. Right now, his business in advertising antiperspirants, soap, and other grooming products is at a low ebb; profits are down, and contracts difficult to come by. His place of business has no air conditioning, but is instead cooled by electric fans of the overhead and desk type, and by keeping the windows open at night. You decide as a work force that you just can't stand the lack of air conditioning any more and you decide to formally propose internally to Mr. Smith that he install central air conditioning to the two-story building in which you work.

ACCC Clas #7: July 26, 2010

READ: Clouse Chapter 2 (more like scan, you will not be tested on this chapter)

Due Wednesday, July 28: Read the rebuttal to the first two articles (handout). Instead of evaluating quality, this time react and take a stand on this argument from your own perspective. Label this journal #3.

DUE Thursday, July 29: Read Michael Skube article...grab it here!


Formal Writing #2: Michael Skube provides his e-mail on the bottom of his scathing rebuke of today's college student. Write a letter to him either agreeing or disagreeing with his thesis. Either way, make sure you back up your claim with specific examples from either your own life, observations you have made or statistics you have researched. Do not spend too much time worrying about how you "cite" your source(s) (this will come later), but please "attribute" it/them. The best response will be e-mailed to Skube himself! Zoinks!

ACCC Class #6: July 24, 2010

READ: Chapter 2 of Patterns

STUDY: The Parallelism section of Hacker (I smell a quizzie poo).

WRITE: 1. Optional re-write of Essay 1

2. Journal #2 in which you write one page "evaluating the quality" of the article I handed out in class. You may answer one or all of the questions from the power point. But your response need only be one page. Remember that journals need not be typed (yet).

Bonus: Are the red lines in the photo parallel?

ACCC Class #5, July 21, 2010

In-Class Quiz on "What's Wrong with Writing"

Each should be completed using 2 - 3 full sentences.

1. What is the main idea of the article in two to three complete sentences.

2. In a short paragraph, illustrate three of the provided reasons why student proficiency in writing has fallen off in recent years.

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Read the provided article from the Current-Gazette newspaper from here in Atlantic County. Apply the tenets of "evaluating quality" to analyzing the article. POSTPONED TILL MONDAY

STUDY: Active Reading Test on Thursday

ACCC Class #4 Assignments: July 19, 2010

READ: If not done already, please read AND annotate "How to Mark a Book." It's in the inside of the Clouse book.

For use with Thoreau Unit (Disregard ACCC)

Class #3 Assignments, Thursday, July 15, 2010.

1. Edit Essay #1. Do not forget to attach the original. For eacxh discipline asteriked...please provide the page number and a brief (1- 3 sentence) explanation of how ot fix it in your paper.

2. In Hacker, peruse Usage Guide p. 123 - 137

3. Journal #1: Remember the rules. Find an advertisement you particularly like. May be print or video. Evaluate it based on the criteria outlined on page 30 of the Clouse book. It doesn't matter if you answer just one or all five questions in the context of your one page.

ACCC Class #2, July 14, 2010

Welcome to your family! Hope you like them, because like your real family, you're stuck with them!

Read Lewis Beale's article handed to you in class today: What's Wrong with Writing? You will be quizzed on its contents.

ACC Class #1, July 12, 2010

READ: Patterns with a Purpose Chapter 1 due by class on Thursday

WRITE: 1. Post my blog in your favorites. If you can, it would be awesome of you to sign-up for a g-mail account and register with Blogspot...this way you can communicate with me through the comments section. If you do, leave a comment on this post.

2. Complete questionnaire on seperate piece of paper.

3. Choose one of the questions posed below. Write me one full page answer. Keep in mind that this is your “coming out party” as a writer for this course. Present your best work. Show me what you are capable of mechanically. Show me how creative you can be! And remember Costal’s Crazy Ceys #1. Should be typed with specifications reviewed in syllabus. Labeled as Formal Essay #1.

 Questions for Formal Essay #1:

A. Explain what you would like people to have learned from you.

B. Write a piece explaining some unrealistic expectations others (or you) have placed on you (or could have placed on you), OR explain how you have done the same to someone else.

C. Write about something you "know to be true," but do not face.

D. Explain the chararteristics you would most want to inherit from your parents, OR explain the characteristics you would least like to inherit from them.

E. In an ideal world, explain what you would most like to devote your life to doing.

I took it to the Streets

A few months ago, I was shocked and appalled by this newspaper column. This weekend, in homage to you guys writing your research papers, I wrote this response. Write well this weekend, my friends.

Worth Watching

The Falcon Film Files: Very Interesting...and shocking...worth a watch, especially in reference to our work with Spike Jonze

Wow.

How's This For Transcendentalism ?

The Bridge from this American Life. Please listen to the first two accounts (the guy from Chicago and the guy from China). And please consider how these men reflect and embody the tenets of Thoreau.

Transcendentalism & Pearl Jam

Appeals on TV

Here.

President Obama Commencement Address & White House Correspondents Dinner

Police investigate desecration of gravestones in Egg Harbor City - pressofAtlanticCity.com

Police investigate desecration of gravestones in Egg Harbor City - pressofAtlanticCity.com

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Empty tables at Stockton teacher job fair show it's not a good year to be looking for work - pressofAtlanticCity.com

Empty tables at Stockton teacher job fair show it's not a good year to be looking for work - pressofAtlanticCity.com

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Help?

People have been screaming for an unbiased view of part of the State issue. To do that, both the NJEA and the Governor need to be out of the equation. I thought that the Star Ledger did a decent job.

Ledger Live: Pension envy

A Really Good Insight into Why the Governor is being Unfair

Here.

More Student Reaction to Budget Crisis

Cliffside Park Students Speak Up

This REALLY bothers me. Feels like extorion.

Costal Out Again Tuesday

I will be out again Tuesday....again, first priority will be to read The Chocolate War. Due to my absences, the due date for the novel will be moved up to after break.

In our ever expanding survey of satire and irony, watch one of the freshest, most interesting examples I have seen in quite some time. This comes from the Ted Conference, the same gathering that brought us "Green the Ghetto." Listen to Stew's (a great NYC performing artist who is definitely work checking out if you liked this) "Black Men Ski" one time straight through, then pick apart particular "arguments" made throughout the song, analyze the irony and give your overall impression as Journal #47.

The next video is a double whammy because it is satire from the godfathers of the genre: Monty Python! It is also fitting as we delve into the nuances of argument creation when I get back. What is the saite of the sketch? Explain it the best way you can. Then, critique it and provide another example of similar satire you have observed lately if you fall short on insight. This should be labeled Journal #48.

Journal #46: Ichabod and Sleepy Hollow

Journal #46: Now that you are better acquainted with Mr. Irving's belief system and intended thematic purpose, consider Legend...Hollow with new eyes. Focus on the characters, what might they symbolize in terms of Irving's assessments of the infant nation and its European motherland.

Be prepared for Legend...Hollow discussion when I return. STAY TUNED to blog if I am absent again! You will be responsible for all assignments posted here.   

I'm Gonna Eat Your Boo-jet

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Stepping up to the plate

Alright, so i think we all understood the underlying challenge to all of us to stand up and do something. Well, I am taking the first step. I have created a Facebook group were we can converse, "meet," and scheme. Please join it if you have any passion at all for this issue. Here's the link (if it doesn't work, search "doing something for oak, gami, and the creek"):
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=108147225876354&ref=ts

Full Txt - Legend of Sleepy Hollow

I realize I did not have enough Sleepy Hollows for the masses, so I found a full text online version here.

"This is how many lunches I had today!"

Journal #44: Read the two articles concerning our district and fierce cut-backs. Then, please also read the discussion forums and comments for each article. This is where the meat of the arguments, and the fodder for your reaction live!

Journal #45: Also please follow this link to a NY Times article about the House's passing of the Health Care Reform bill. Read up. Do additional research if you wish. Also please check out the additional information, comments and forums on the website.

Size of state school-aid cuts stuns superintendents; districts look at programs, sports - pressofAtlanticCity.com

Size of state school-aid cuts stuns superintendents; districts look at programs, sports - pressofAtlanticCity.com

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Greater Egg Harbor school budget would cut 43 positions - pressofAtlanticCity.com

Greater Egg Harbor school budget would cut 43 positions - pressofAtlanticCity.com

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Extra Credit For First Correct Commenter

What are the only two professional sports teams with literary references for nicknames? Explain them.

Charles Simic: “Preachers Warn”: newyorker.com

Charles Simic: “Preachers Warn”: newyorker.com

Journal #41: Swiss Gun Control

Journal #41: Do you agree or disagree with the basic thesis of this video? Why or why not? Do you think a similar philosopjy/practice would work in the US?

Do you think you could use a big white feather for anything? like a knighting ceremony was my idea. i will bring it tommorow.

New Law Would Ban Marriages Between People Who Don't Love Each Other

Costal's Rhet & Comp @ Stockton College -- Spring 2010: Big News About American Offensive in Pakistan

http://costalwriting.blogspot.com/2010/02/big-news-about-american-offensive-in.html

Journal # 37: Warm-Up for Tuesday, 2/16

Write a journal that begins with the following:

Note from Ed on the passing of Howard Zinn

Note from Ed on the passing of Howard Zinn

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The Oakcrest Film Institute: 34 Days to Go: Precariously Precious/Mo'Nique = Oscar

The Oakcrest Film Institute: 34 Days to Go: Precariously Precious/Mo'Nique = Oscar

Youth Republicans Club: Open

Check it out here! The Youth Republicans Club (as discussed in period 6/7 Costal) is now open.

I am going to win the bet Costal!

Chelsea Minuer's article on Haiti

Here.

For Friday: Prep for "State of the Union" The Game

Rewatch the President's address. Grab it here. Take some time to look up some policies, statistics or ideas you may be unfamiliar with or intrigued by. Snoop around the 'net or in periodicals for some information that backs or disputes the President. Write what you learn as Journal #35.

Costal's Rhet & Comp @ Stockton College -- Spring 2010: An open letter to people who fear the book will die

http://costalwriting.blogspot.com/2010/01/open-letter-to-people-who-fear-book.html

Costal's Rhet & Comp @ Stockton College -- Spring 2010: A sad day for words and truth

http://costalwriting.blogspot.com/2010/01/sad-day-for-words-and-truth.html

The Oakcrest Film Institute: Help Haiti's Hunger

Check this out, written by Sarah Wilson from my Film Institute!

The Oakcrest Film Institute: Help Haiti's Hunger

Article: Week of 1/25/10

This NY Times article should be read and a reaction should be written as Journal #34

Chalkdust Torture: Lyrics from Answers.com

Chalkdust Torture: Lyrics from Answers.com

Midterm Review

Things to Study in detail for recitation of information:

Costal's Keys to Writing & Active Reading Notes

Review for sake of discussing larger themes and ideas:

Life of Pi, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin & the articles by David Rohde about his captivity (still linked to this blog)

Proficiency in the following concepts will be necessary for success on the midterm:

Costal's Keys to Writing, Active Reading & Annotations, Effective Introductions & Conclusions, SAT sentence error section.and general awesomeness!

Awesomeness

This is a post from my Film blog, but a must see for anyone who enjoys awesomeness!