February 28, 2005 Monday

Now you know: When two words are combined to form a single word (e.g., motor + hotel = motel, breakfast + lunch = brunch, spoon + fork = spork), the new word is called a "portmanteau."

Speech: Speeches begin tomorrow. Today, finish getting your outline ready, practice, and go over comments from last speech.


Sophomores: Finish "logy" worksheets. Turn in packet by end of day today. Finish Section 4 and save under Section 3. Go to www.easybib.com and make Section 5, which is the Works Cited page. When you are finished with easybib.com, hit the "save" button on their site and copy the number. Then, hit the "print" button (which does not pring on paper-just your screen as a Word document). Copy and paste it under Section 4 on the next blank page and save as Section 5. You're done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tomorrow, we will make sure everything is correct, highlight your sources, and put everything together. Hopefully, we will get them turned in today. If time runs short, it will be Weds.

Freshmen: "Logy" worksheets due today. Turn in packet. We will discuss them. Then, we will circle our sources in Section 3 to make sure you used them all. The rest of the hour, you will correct Sections 1 and 2 as well as correct errors in your thank you letter to prepare to send them.

February 25, 2005 Friday

Now you know: Los Angeles's ful name is "El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina do los Angeles"

Speech: We will draw names for the order of speeches which begin next Tuesday, March 1st.

Sophomores: Check your . In your bellringer for today, label it number 73 and tell me how many you missed. Then, begin the "logy" worksheet, due Monday. Continue working on Section 4. When it is finished, go to www.easybib.com and begin your Works Cited page. Remember to use only those you mentioned in Section 3!!!!!!! If you have to save and return to the page, copy the number it gives you. IF not, you have to start all over.


Freshmen: Check your . In your bellringer for today, label it number 73 and tell me how many you missed. Then, begin the "logy" worksheet, due Monday. Continue submitting your Section 3 to Criterion and fixing errors. You may, if you wish, have one more person peer edit. When you are confident that you have no plagiarism, and that your citations are correct, you are ready to turn in the hardest part, Section 3. It is due by the end of the day, in the following order:
TOP = Final copy of outline (if you changed anything in your paper, change the outline to match)
Final draft of Section 3
All rough drafts (of Section 3 AND outlines)
Peer edit sheets

February 24, 2005 Thursday

Now you know: The word "set" has ore definitions than any other word in the English language.

Speech: Today we will discuss your visual aids, spending most of the time talking about Power Point. We will draw for speech order Friday. Speeches will begin Monday.

Sophomores: We will begin substituting a study of Greek and Latin root words in place of bellringers for the next few weeks. At the beginning of class each day, you will be given a worksheet to complete. You will spend about 5-10 minutes on it, and whatever is not finished then becomes homework to go over the next day in class FOR A GRADE. Today, you will learn "ject." Finish editing Sections 1 and 2. Send your corrected thank you letter and show me proof it was sent (either I stamp it and mail it, or you get the person's signature, or you send me a carbon copy if it was emailed). Begin Section 4. It is due by the end of the day tomorrow.

Freshmen: We will begin substituting a study of Greek and Latin root words in place of bellringers for the next few weeks. At the beginning of class each day, you will be given a worksheet to complete. You will spend about 5-10 minutes on it, and whatever is not finished then becomes homework to go over the next day in class FOR A GRADE. Today, you will learn "ject." You should receive your Section 3, edited, back from your assigned peer editor. Fix errors. Reprint and get a new edit sheet and then have someone of your choice peer edit. Again, fix mistakes. KEEP ALL OLD DRAFTS!!! Last, submit to Criterion Online to have it edited by the computer. Fix any errors it finds. Final drafts are due Friday by the end of the day in the following order:

TOP: Final draft of outline (fix your old outline if there were errors or if you changed anything in your Section 3)
Final draft of Section 3
ALL old drafts (Section 3 and outlines)
Peer edit sheets

February 23, 2005 Wednesday

Now you know: Samuel Clemens aka Mark Twain was born on a day in 1835 when Haley's Comet came into view. When he died in 1910, Haley's Comet came into view again.

Speech: Continue working on outlines. Tomorrow and Friday we will work on visual aids. Speeches will begin early next week.


Sophomores: Bellringer 72. (Should it not work, you will do it on paper, the old-fashioned way.) The worst part is finally over! Section 3 has been handed in. Today, you will get back your Section 2 papers and will have time to correct errors from the first two sections. As well, I will give you a worksheet to fill out, which will soon become Section 4.


Freshmen: Bellringer 72. (Should it not work, you will do it on paper, the old-fashioned way.) I will return your Section 2 papers today. Don't forget to correct any errors from it and Section 1 as soon as you can. We will begin peer editing today, looking for plagiarism and errors in citing sources. Final draft of Section 3 will be due Thursday by the end of the day.

February 22, 2005 Tuesday

Now you know: The dot over the letter "i" is called a "tittle."

Speech: I hope you had a good day off and are healthy and ready to work. We will be putting your information into outline form for the next couple of days.

Sophomores: Continue peer editing, replacing "dead words," submitting online, and correcting errors. Final draft of your paper is due by the end of the day today. Final order is as follows:
TOP: Final, corrected outline that matches your paper
Final draft of Section 3
All old drafts (should show some editing/revision)
Peer edit sheets

Freshmen: Today, we will begin the process of peer editing for plagiarism and for correct internal citations. We will also work on improving word choice.

February 21, 2005 Monday

HAPPY PRESIDENTS DAY!

See you tomorrow. In the meantime, enjoy your day off and get healthy!!!

February 18, 2005 Friday

Did you know: All 50 states are listed across the top if the Lincoln Memorial on the back of the $5 bill?


Speech: Print your sources for your biographical speech. Highlight the different source types.


Sophomores: Finish peer editing for plagiarism and correct MLA citations. Fix errors. If time remains, check hour Section 3 online. Fix mistakes again. You should, at that point, have several drafts: the original one, the one with words "spiced up" so that, as my 2nd grader says, "you don't sound like first graders," and the draft (or drafts) from peer editing and online computer editing. Tuesday, you will have all hour to fix errors, finish getting it edited, print, and turned in.


Freshmen: We will spend about 10 minutes discussing how to incorporate direct quotatons correctly so that they do not "float." We will also do a quick check to see that your citations are correct. You will have the rest of the hour to finish your Section 3. It should be completed and ready to peer edit Tuesday.

February 17, 2005 Thursday

Now you know: The only two days of the year in which there are no professional sports games (MLB, NBA, NHL, or NFL) are the day before and the day after the Major League All-Star Game.

Speech: We have a guest speaker, Tracey Webb from the Rend Lake College theater department, coming in to speak with us today. We will resume research tomorrow.

Sophomores: Rough drafts are due today during class. We will peer edit and fix some errors I am often seeing. Final drafts are due by the end of the day Monday.

Freshmen: Continue working on your drafts of Section 3. Draft due by Friday do that Monday and Tuesday we can check over plagiarism, citations, etc. Final due Tuesday at end of the day.

February 16, 2005 Wednesday

Now you know: Leonardo Da Vinci invented the scissors.


Speech: Continue locating information on your biographical speech. Begin highlighting information according to the info type (statistics, etc.) Tomorrow, we will begin constructing an outline.


Sophomores: Continue typing your Section 3 papers. They are due in draft form tomorrow.


Freshmen: We will work on Section 3 today. Continue typing, attempting to give credit where it's due.

February 15, 2005 Tuesday

Speech: Since the Internet was blocked yesterday (sorry), today we will attempt to narrow down our search and to locate information. Tomorrow, we will work on highlighting information according to the type it is (statistic, testimony, etc.)

Sophomores: Today, we will go through how to avoid plagiarism again and continue typing Section 3, due Thursday in rough draft form at the beginning of the hour. Remember, you have this hour AND computer hour (2 hours a day) so you should, if you use your time wisely and effeciently, have no problem being finished by then. Many of you chose to waste TWO hours yesterday rather than type. Not a wise choice. Turn in your thank you letter today.

Freshmen: Today, we will discuss plagiarism and what it looks like. We will discuss how to give credit to your sources. Turn in your thank you letter. The rest of the hour will be spent typing Section 3.

February 14, 2005

~~HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!~~

Now you know: The first Ford cars had Dodge engines.


Speech: Friday, we did not get a lot accomplished due to the absence of many students gone to the Accounting Challenge. Today, we will continue to research and find proof to back up what we say.


Sophomores: Work on your draft of Section 3. Remember to avoid plagiarism! Use internal citations everytime you state something that is not your original idea!


Freshmen: Work on drafting Section 3. Try to avoid plagiarism. Remember the information we learned about giving credit to your sources!

February 12, 2005 Friday

Now you know: An iguana can stay underwater for 28 minutes.

Speech: Now that you've chosen your topics, you need to be locating information. Remember to be locating the four types of information. You must have at least one of each.

Sophomores: Turn in outlines today. Work on Section 3 draft.

Freshmen: Turn in outlines today. Finish and turn in website evaluation forms. We will then discuss plagiarism.

February 10, 2005 Thursday

Now you know:

Speech: Work on locating information on your new speeches. Remember, you need one of each type.

Sophomores: I am going to have a few of you at a time try the bellringer. The rest of the hour, you need to be finishing your outline for Section 3. We will also discuss plagiarism and how to avoid it in Section 3.

Freshmen: I am going to have a few of you at a time try the bellringer. The rest of the hour, you need to be finishing your outline for Section 3. After that, I am going to have each of you evaluate two of your helpful websites from your research (the information should be in your journal).

February 9, 2005 Wednesday

Now you know: Montpelier, Vermont is the only U. S. state capital without a McDonald's.


Speech: We will work on choosing and researching a new topic for our next speech.[


Sophomores and Freshmen:

Hello. I am either grading your Section 2 papers right now or I am at a workshop. I’m sure you miss me! Here are some things you need to know:
A. Treat the sub the same way you would treat me.
B. Do the work you are assigned today.
C. Be sure you have turned in Section 2.
D. You should not be doing anything inappropriate on the computers (like playing games when your work is not finished, playing unapproved games, etc.)
E. Should your name be given to me by the substitute, either for misbehaving or inappropriate use of the computers, you will pay the consequence, whether it be a detention, a lowered participation grade, or loss of computer privileges for a week.
F. Have a good day. After all, you get a break from me!


Now, on to your assignment. Try the bellringer from yesterday. Next, Miss Meadows will give you an outline packet (some of you got them yesterday). Read over requirements on worksheet packet and then begin to fill out your outline. You may modify the outline to match your needs (in other words, you can delete or add Roman Numerals, add or delete letters C, D, etc.). Each Roman Numeral (I, II, III, etc.) should be a paragraph topic. What you’re doing is taking the information you learned from research and breaking it into topics. Each topic is a Roman Numeral. If you finish, you should begin typing their outline. Nothing is due tomorrow, though I should see LOTS of evidence of working on your outline.

February 8, 2005 Tuesday

Now you know: February 865 is the only month in recorded history not to have a full moon!

Speech: Today you will continue to work with your partner finding facts, statistics, etc. It will be due tomorrow morning.

Sophomores: Bellringer 72. It looked like most of you finished yesterday. However, today may get hectic due to group/organizational pictures, so finish editing, correcting mistakes, submitting to Criterion Online, and then turn in your paper by the end of the day. SEE YESTERDAY'S POST FOR THE ORDER TO TURN IN YOUR PAPER. If time remains, begin drafting your outline of information learned.

Freshmen: Bellringer 72. Finish editing, correcting mistakes, and submitting your paper to Criterion Online. Section 2 due at beginning of hour tomorrow. SEE YESTERDAY'S POST FOR THE ORDER TO TURN IN YOUR PAPER. If time begins, begin drafting your outline of information learned.

February 7, 2005 Monday

Now you know: The Boston University Bridge (on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts) is the only place in the world where a boat can sail under a train driving under a car driving under a plane.

Speech: Since Richard intrigued us so yesterday with his information on backward recorded messages, we did not get to discuss your first speeches. We will do so today and then learn how to better find and label statistics, testimony, etc.

Sophomores: Bellringer 71. Today is your last day to get your Section 2 completed. You typed Thurs. and Friday and had time in Mrs. Kelton's class to finish and peer edit once in her room and once in mine. Today, please attempt to finish typing, peer editing, and correcting your errors. Today, I am going to have you submit your writing to an online grading program to let you see your errors and have one more chance at correcting them. Your final is due tomorrow by the end of the day, though there won't be a lot of class time tomorrow to work. The order is as follows:
TOP: Final Draft
Any rough drafts you may have (if not, don't panic)
Your two (or more) peer edit sheets from partners

Freshmen: Bellringer 71. Today, you need to peer edit and submit your Section 2 to Criterion Writing. Tomorrow, we will spend about half the hour finishing the corrections of our errors and getting ready to turn it in. Your final is due tomorrow by the end of the day, though there won't be a lot of class time tomorrow to work. The order is as follows:
TOP: Final Draft
Any rough drafts you may have (if not, don't panic)
Your two (or more) peer edit sheets from partners

February 4, 2005 Friday

Now you know: The Eisenhower interstate system requires that one mile in every five must be straight. These straight sections are usable as airstrips in times of war or other emergencies.

Speech: Richard will give his speech (saved the best for last, right Richard?) today. We will then discuss as a class how you think you did overall for your first speech. We will then discuss ways to better back up what you say using facts, statistics, testimony, and examples.


Sophomores: Bellringer 70. Be sure you turned in your evaluating websites worksheets. Today, work on finishing Section 2 (you are also getting time in Mrs. Kelton's computer class). When you are "finished," have a student in HER class and also a student in MY class peer edit your paper. That means it will be edited at least twice. Then, fix errors. She will have forms for peer editing and I will have some, too.

Freshmen: Bellringer 70. Work on typing Section 2. When you are "finished," have a student peer edit your paper. I have the forms on the desk in my room.

February 3, 2005 Thursday

Now you know: In every episode of Seinfeld, there is a Superman somewhere.

Speeches: We're almost finished! Today should be the last day. Don't forget to watch yourself on video and fill out/turn in the self-eval. with the video.

Sophomores: Bellringer 69. Turn in your three website evaluations, stapled together, today. You have all hour to work on typing Section 2 and fixing Section 1. Remember not to lose your Section 1...it is now a rough draft and should be kept in your classroom portfolio in the drawer.

Freshmen: Bellringer 69. You have all hour to work on typing Section 2 and fixing Section 1. Remember not to lose your Section 1...it is now a rough draft and should be kept in your classroom portfolio in the drawer. Also, be working on evaluating at least three of your websites you visited, preferrably the three best ones. Evaluation worksheets are due by next Tuesday by the end of the day.

February 2, 2005 Wednesday

Now you know: Cat's urine glows under a black light.

Speech: Continue with speeches and self-evaluations.

Sophomores: Bellringer. Today's the day! You should have your interviews conducted, your books read, copied and highlighted, your Internet information printed, etc. We are ready to begin Section 2: The Search. I will be giving you a hefty pack of papers, most of which are samples of good Section 2 papers from last year. There will also be a paper which tells you what is required in Section 2. We will write and type this paper the rest of this week. It will be due Friday by the end of the day. Today, you need to turn in your three website evaluation forms. Staple them ALL together before turning them in.


Freshmen: Bellringer. Today's the day! You should have your interviews conducted, your books read, copied and highlighted, your Internet information printed, etc. We are ready to begin Section 2: The Search. I will be giving you a hefty pack of papers, most of which are samples of good Section 2 papers from last year. There will also be a paper which tells you what is required in Section 2. We will spend quite a bit of time today going over what a good Section 2 looks like, since many Section 1 papers look weak and without much substance. We will write and type this paper the rest of this week. It will be due Monday by the end of the day. Today, you need to turn in your three website evaluation forms. Staple them ALL together before turning them in.

February 1, 2005 Tuesday

Now you know: The average ear of corn has eight hundred kernels arranged in sixteen rows.

Speech: Same as Monday.

Sophomores: Bellringer 67. You should still be working on locating research and matching it to your questions. Copy all final information from books, the Internet, etc. and have it highlighted ASAP. We begin Section 2 tomorrow. PRINT your journals today and KEEP them...you'll need them tomorrow for Section 2. Don't forget (since we didn't get to it yesterday) to highlight information from your interviews like you did with Internet and book information. Here's an ordered list of what to accomplish today:
1. Do the bellringer
2. Update and print journals and keep them for tomorrow
3. Finish printing and highlighting information (books, magazines, interview answers, Internet info, etc.)
4. Copy any needed book or magazine pages
5. Make sure you have useable information from a print source (book, movie, magazine), an interview, and the Internet.
6. Bring it ALL back tomorrow.

Freshmen: Bellringer 67. You should still be working on locating research and matching it to your questions. Copy all final information from books, the Internet, etc. and have it highlighted ASAP. We begin Section 2 tomorrow. PRINT your journals today and KEEP them...you'll need them tomorrow for Section 2. If you didn't take the online writing test yesterday, you MUST do so today if you want credit. Otherwise, it is a zero (unless it's makeup from missed days). Don't forget (since we didn't get to it yesterday) to highlight information from your interviews like you did with Internet and book information. Here's an ordered list of what to accomplish today:
1. Do the bellringer
2. Update and print journals and keep them for tomorrow
3. Finish printing and highlighting information (books, magazines, interview answers, Internet info, etc.)
4. Copy any needed book or magazine pages
5. Make sure you have useable information from a print source (book, movie, magazine), an interview, and the Internet.
6. Bring it ALL back tomorrow.