Day 2

What do you think of the novel thus far? How would you classify Oknokwo's chi? How would you describe your own chi?

Have a great break and a great Thanksgiving no matter what the manner of your celebration. Be smart and be safe and I will see you on Tuesday.

Cardmarking 3, Week 1, Day 1

Well, at least this is a short week. Make sure that you have read chapters 1-3 of Things Fall Apart.

For this evening, pick another current event and comment on it. You may not pick the same as you did last week. I thought that people's comments about the current events were great and we will be doing this on a regular basis (once a week). Remember to tell me what you know if the topic, what is going on with the topic, and yoru opinion of the importance of the topic. Also, site your source for your topic. No Site, No points.

Day 29

Here we are at the end of the second cardmarking. Hard to believe that it is happening this fast. I am, overall, pleased with most of the way the class has gone although I would really love to see people put in more of an effort and show what you are truly capable of.

For today, I would like you to discuss your strengths and weaknesses thus far in this class. Also, what are your goals for the next cardmarking both in my class and as a student in general. Give a letter grade goal with ways you plan to make this happen. Lastly, give any constructive feedback as to how the class could be better or my teaching style could help you more. This does not include the comment no more blogging as that will not be happening.

Day 28

Good job for the groups who went today.

For this evening, I would like you to find information on the auto industry bailout plan. You can look at papers or online news source. Explain whether or not you think the government should bailout the auto industry and why. Also, discuss how this is not just an American problem but a global problem as well.

Day 27

First two presentations were pretty good today. Remember that you must be present on your day or you will receive a big 0 as your grade.

For tonight tell me about a social issue that you think is impoprtant in the world and what you think could be done to fix or help the situation.

Day 26

Hope all is well and that groups are prepared to begin presentations tomorrow. I am looking forward to interesting good work. Be ready to begin reading as Monday we will begin Things Fall Apart.

For tonight:

Deepak Chopra:
Giving connects two people, the giver and the receiver, and this connection gives birth to a new sense of belonging.

Week 6, Day 25

Please do not respond to this blog until Monday. As I am at Communication Camp connecting with people it begs me to think about connections in high school. Oddly, I only keep in touch with about 3 or 4 people I was friends with in high school. Honestly, the summer before college I went away to work at a camp, made new friends and many of them went to MSU which is where I was going. I truly wanted a break from most of the people I went to high school with for a variety of reasons. I look back and wonder if that cheapens my high school experience.

With that said, what is your views of friendship in high school? Where do you see you and your group of friends in 3 years? What is the importance of communication in maintaining friendships past high school? Do you think technology makes communication easier for you than it was for me and my friends?

Day 24

Hope to see many of you at the game tomorrow at Warren Fitzgerald. I remind you that in order to get the extra credit you have to find me, say hello and give me a piece of paper with your name on it so I remember who I saw. NO PAPER, NO EXTRA CREDIT!

Monday and Tuesday you will continue to work on your group research projects and papers. I have given far more time than I did last year to work in class therefore, I am expecting greatness. I am also expecting 100% turn in rate. Please do not make me email and call parents because you chose not to do an assignment that is worth 300 points in total.

For tonight, contemplate the importance of you. What value do you think you give to your family, friends, community and greater world at this time? Do you think that you represent who you want to be or are there changes you would like to make before you go off on the next phase of your life (post high school)? Lastly, if you had to write an epitaph (sentence on your tomb stone) what would you want it to say?

Day 23

Tomorrow we will continue to work on the paper and presentation. I forgot to collect the sheet of who is doing what in your group but will do so tomorrow morning. Also, while I am also preparing for Communication Camp and running around I will be in the lab a bit more for any questions.

For tonight:

"If you can solve your problem, then what is the need of worrying? If you cannot solve it, then what is the use of worrying?"
Shantideva

Day 22

Tomorrow you will have time to work on research paper and group project. Make sure that groups have decided who will be doing what for the project and paper. It is unacceptable for one person to do more than one part of the group pieces. If this happens, points will be deducted from the project.

For today:

"Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not; it is the first lesson that ought to be learned; and however early a man's training begins, it is probably the last lesson that he learns thoroughly."
Thomas H. Huxley
English biologist (1825 - 1895)

Day 21

Please remember the following:

Final copies of research paper are due on the day of your presentation. Make sure that, as a group, you decide who is compiling what pieces of the paper.

For today:

Explain a time in your life that you had a fun experience that also ended up being a valuable learning experience.

Week 5, Day 1

I will tell you tomorrow when the final copy of the paper is due. We will be working within our groups tomorrow to begin getting ready for the presentations which I will also tell you when you are going.

For this evening:

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up."
-Pablo Picasso

Day 19

Coming up next week:

More time to work with your group
Quiz on Monday on 3 stories
Get back Rough Draft and work on final copy

Respond to the following:

"Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life."
Confucious

Day 18

Today, we had a vibrant discussion on "Kaffir Boy" and "The Bluest Eyes." OK maybe not vibrant. In fact, I am somewhat disappointed in the lack of participation going on when we have read and are discussing the stories. Alas, I will take care of this problem in the future.

As for today, please respond to the following:

The racism in "The Bluest Eyes" seems to be more subtle than the racism in "Kaffir Boy." In at least 7 sentences, compare/contrast the styles of racism the author uses in both stories. Make sure in this blog you actually have some kind of topic sentence and you must use at least one reference to each of the stories to prove your point.

Day 17

Again, my thanks to those who handed in their rough drafts. I am honestly shocked that I did not have people lined up at my desk after class asking what to do if their rough draft was missing. This is very disheartening to me and I am going to assume your parents when they find out that you may fail due to not completing your work.

Please respond to the following:

“Never neglect the little things. Never skimp on that extra effort, that additional few minutes, that soft word of praise or thanks, that delivery of the very best that you can do. It does not matter what others think, it is of prime importance, however, what you think about you. You can never do your best, which should always be your trademark, if you are cutting corners and shirking responsibilities. You are special. Act it. Never neglect the little things.”

Week 4, Day 1

We have suffered through the longest political campaign ever based on the fact that these people truly started campaining over 2 years ago. Based on the political climate that we live in, and for some you may need to do some reading before writing this blog, what is the most pressing issue the winner of tomorrows election has to deal with? Also, if you could create a law about campaigning would you make changes to our current system and why?


Have a great day off and think fondly of me sitting in meetings all day tomorrow.