AGENDA 10/22

Grammar practice: Verbs Review
Vocabulary quiz over Ragged Dick words

HW: Finish reading the book for Tuesday's class (no "Thinking While Reading" assignment--just enjoy the ending!) and complete Foils chart for Tuesday.

AGENDA 10/20

Introduce and explain Foils chart
Read chapters 23 and 24 for tomorrow. Complete "Thinking While Reading": Who is Jim Travis and what does he try to do?

HW: Complete Foils chart for Tuesday. Read chapters 23 and 24 for tomorrow. Complete "Thinking While Reading": Who is Jim Travis and what does he try to do? Study for Friday's vocabulary quiz.

AGENDA 10/19

Finish seminar

HW: Read Ch. 21 and 22. For "Thinking while Reading," please answer: Who is Jim Travis and what does he try to do?

AGENDA 10/14

Vocabulary warm-up: Ragged Dick vocab words

Go to computer lab to set up Turnitin.com accounts

HW: Prepare for tomorrow's seminar by reviewing chapters 1-16 of Ragged Dick and the following articles:
"For Young Blacks, Vocational Training or Liberal Arts?"
"Fewer than Half of Black Males Graduate from High School"
and the two "success stories" articles passed out in class.
Prepare for seminar by highlighting quotations, jotting down questions and comments for discussion, and noting connections between the articles and what we've read so far in Ragged Dick.

AGENDA 10/13

Submit Commonplace Books Assignment #1 to bin
Discuss Ch. 12-14 of Ragged Dick in small groups:
Who is Micky Maguire? Why does he dislike Dick? Do you think he is jealous of Dick, or do you think he likes to put other people down for fun, or to make himself feel better? Why do people become bullies? What's really behind it? What makes some people who come from difficult backgrounds turn into bullies, while others from similarly difficult backgrounds, become helpers?

HW: Read Ch. 15 and 16 - Discussion tomorrow!
Complete "Thinking While Reading":
Ch. 15: Focus on verbal irony (sarcasm): Copy down these quotations--
p. 132 - "I was dressed for a party, then...in cold weather."
p. 136 - "My extensive and well-selected library was lost...But I'll buy a paper."
What is Dick being sarcastic about in these two quotations? Why do you think he jokes about this?
Ch. 16 - How does Dick continue to "improve himself"?

AGENDA 10/12

Computer lab T110 - Type up Commonplace Books Assignment #1 and complete Work Cited

HW: Read Ch 12-14 of Ragged Dick and complete "Thinking While Reading":
Ch. 12: How is Dick's character changing--how are his priorities, goals, and actions changing?
Ch. 13-14: Who is Micky Maguire? What do Dick's encounters with Micky Maguire show us about Dick's character?
Commonplace Books Assignment #1 due TOMORROW at beginning of class!

AGENDA 10/11

Discuss chapters 6-11 of Ragged Dick
Quiz over chapters 1-11 of Ragged Dick

HW: Tomorrow we'll meet in Computer lab T110 to type up Commonplace Books Assignment #1 and complete Work Cited - bring your rough drafts!

For Wednesday, read Ch 12-14 of Ragged Dick and complete "Thinking While Reading":
Ch. 12: How is Dick's character changing--how are his priorities, goals, and actions changing?
Ch. 13-14: Who is Micky Maguire? What do Dick's encounters with Micky Maguire show us about Dick's character?
Commonplace Books Assignment #1 due WEDNESDAY at beginning of class!

AGENDA 10/5

Continue to explain Commonplace Books Assignment
Sample Commonplace Books assignment and accompanying article: "School Matters: Giving Parents Access to Teacher Ratings: What's There to Hide?"
Work in small groups on additional practice article: "Students Refuse to Give Up on Dream Act, Despite Latest Setback"

HW: Clip or print out a current event of your own choosing (published in the last 90 days) from a reputable news source (see links at side) and bring to class on Thursday. Write a summary (80-100 words) that includes the author's name and position--bring on Thursday with your article.

Read chapters 10 and 11 of Ragged Dick and write down a memorable quotation AND a discussion question OR comment for each chapter. Be prepared to discuss chapters 8-11 on Thursday.

AGENDA 10/4

Introduce Commonplace Books Assignment
Sample Commonplace Books assignment and accompanying article: "School Matters: Giving Parents Access to Teacher Ratings: What's There to Hide?"
Additional practice article: "Students Refuse to Give Up on Dream Act, Despite Latest Setback"

HW: Clip or print out a current event (published in the last 90 days) from a reputable news source (see links at side) and complete a summary for the commonplace books assignment using the model as a guide. We'll work on the rest of the commonplace books assignment in class on Wednesday (so no extensions). Final draft due on Friday.