Welcome to class today!

Welcome to class today!  I am happy to see all of you!
Unfortunately, I have almost no voice today, and cannot speak well above a whisper... so, this will be an interesting class period!  In the absence of my voice, we are going to do the following:

1.  Take some time to study vocabulary words, by creating a list of examples of these words "in action" in our readings of the past unit.  This can be done independently or in small groups--20 minutes for this activity.  You will look for examples of each word applied to or found within:
Eudora Welty's "Listening to Words"
Frederick Douglass' "Learning to Read and Write"
Malcolm X's "Learning to Read"
David Brown's "The Importance of Words" and other essays on writing
"Word Power for Babies" from Reader's Digest

2.  Read our final two pieces for this unit:
 "Superman and Me" by Sherman Alexie (respond to the two questions at the end with paragraph responses, supported with direct references to Alexie's piece)
"We Can't Teach Students to Love Reading" by Alan Jacobs (respond with your agreement or refusal of at least two of his claims, supporting your ideas with reference to his piece and/or your own experiences in the subject)

For homework, complete the readings above and contemplate memoir project paper 1: what I learned from this memoir.  The planning for this paper should be completed for Thursday and will be checked and reviewed at that time.  Drafting time will be provided for a portion of the class period on Thurs.

Weekend work

This weekend, please work on finishing your memoir book and studying vocabulary words.  To help you study some of the vocabulary words, I have put together this document for you, compiled from segments of different sites that may also be of use to you.  Please use, if you would like, to help clarify word meanings and examples from literature.
Have a good weekend!

The Importance of Words

Read "The Importance of Words" and one other selected essay from the "writing about writing" section of David L. Brown's blog.
1.  While reading, record claims and main ideas that Brown is bringing across to his audience.
2.  At the end of each essay, record what new things you learned about him as a writer from this essay.
3.  At the conclusion of both your readings, write about at least two ideas given in EACH article (4 ideas total) that connected to you personally and/or made you think about the topic on a deeper level.

Next, read "Word Power for Babies" from Reader's Digest 11/2014
1.  While reading, note ideas of strong interest or importance to you.
2.  At the end of reading, write about at least two claims made in this article that further teach us about the significance of language in human development.


Then, dive in and do a "data swim," looking for more info. on these topics.  Explore all the great ways that words, language, and communication have shaped our world!  Create a short keynote with images and words describing what you have learned that is exciting and interesting about the role of language in the world today!