1st Semester Learning Portfolio

IMPORTANT NOTE ON CHANGE IN PORTFOLIO POST: This response is to be placed in your own blog, as a reply to your initial comment on your portfolio.

Post a short reflection about your portfolio on your own blog. This reflection can be the "conclusion" to your portfolio, with an invitation to your parents/guardians to reply. Their reply must include responses to following questions. You may copy paste the questions into your blog if you like.

1. What piece of writing did you like best in my portfolio and why? 
2. What did you like about my portfolio and sharing and what would you like to see me improve on?
3. Which of the writing traits (ideas, organization, voice, word choice) do you feel was most successful for me?
4. Which of the traits of writing would you like me to improve on in the coming semester?

Be sure to let your parents/guardians know that this post serves two purposes

• It is an opportunity for them to comment on your learning and 
• It is part of my assessment of your attainment of General Learning Outcome #5, "Effective Communicator." Your sharing of the portfolio should enable your parents/guardians to reflect and respond to the four questions above.

WELCOME BACK!

First Post of 2013-2014: Blog Revision

Welcome back to the "blogosphere" everyone!
The following is your first blog assignment for the school year. Please note the two due dates and adhere to them. We'll be making a lot of use of the blogs this year and you want to give yourself a running start toward success!

1. Check out the class blog http://mohs-2016.blogspot.com/
2. Click on the links under "Exemplars" and notice the catchy blog titles, header graphics (with writer's photo), and organization of archived posts.
3. Update your blog with an original header graphic that includes your pic and a catchy, meaningful title.
4. Archive material from last year, using the label system.

First blog post: Describe your revision process: what changes did you make and how does the new header show your skill in graphic design? How did you organize your blog archive?
DUE: 8/13

Second blog post: Comment on two of your classmates' blog revisions.
DUE: 8/19

In-depth character response

With your research partner, continue from the discussion(s) we held in class about our readings so far. Be sure that both partners contribute to your post and that it is beyond the general agreements we have made about our research and characters early on and also in the discussions we have held throughout the reading of the "Of Mice and Men."

1. Between George, Lennie and Curley, choose one character. Do a in-depth character analysis, this may be a continuation from the chosen character during our in-class discussion. Remember, I DO NOT want "he is smart. Curley is short." Explain how his physical appearance affects his character, or how Lennie's lack of intelligence affects others. (At least two paragraphs with in-text examples). 

• Although George seems to have a lot of resentment toward Lennie for their past mishaps, you can tell that it is in George's caring nature that he wants to continue their friendship. George always seems to back-up Lennie's lack of intelligence as he claims, "He ain't no cuckoo. He's dumb as hell, but he ain't crazy, An' I ain't so bright neither," (Steinback 39). As George protects his friend in confrontations and also in questionable moments as he states that Lennie has, "no more harm in him than a kid," it proves that George has a very kind and humble heart, always respecting Lennie for who he really is inside (Steinback 43).

"Of Mice and Men" vocabulary exercise

• With your partner, select two words that you feel are both new to you.
• Submit the word within its context.
• Submit your own definition of the word after looking it up.
• Use the word in your own sentence and submit. 

Example:

"From outside came the clang of horseshoes on the playing peg and the shouts of men, playing, encouraging, jeering."

Jeering- to shout or mock in a demeaning manner

The crowd was very rude as they were yelling and jeering the talent show contestants off the stage.

Submit both vocabulary words with all three criteria to this blog. Due Wed 2/1.