Learning Tasks for Monday, January 27

I can...
-locate information using online resources, including databases.
-select sources for research assignments.
-create citations using proper MLA formatting.

Essential Question
How can library resources help students be successful?

1. Writing into the Day
Consider the following quote:

"Tell me and I forget.  Teach me and I remember.  Involve me and I learn."  -Benjamin Franklin

Thinking of occasions that you have been asked to do something new (at home, work, and/or school), can you personally relate to what Franklin is saying?  How do you learn best?  Write your thoughts for five minutes.  You may also include lists or doodles with your entry.

2.  Online Library Scavenger Hunt

IMAGINARY SCENARIO:  Great news!  Your professor just sent out an email saying to forget about that Essay #2 prompt.  You can write about ANY topic you choose for your second paper.  Although you're not off the hook for writing the paper, this is good news because you now can write about any of your personal interests.  The new assignment requires that you use specifics genres for your sources.  You are required to use a video, article, e-book, and a fourth source in any format of your choice (example:  you can use a video, two articles, and an e-book OR two videos, an article, and an e-book).  As a LEC and Distance Ed student, you have access to plenty of helpful library resources through CCCC.  Let's try them out!

DIRECTIONS:
a.  Select a topic for your paper.  It can be anything you want, but try not to spend more than five minutes brainstorming a topic (remember: this paper is *imaginary*).  Ideas to get you started:  hobbies, careers, random curiosities, current events, etc.
b.  Using CCCC's online databases, locate sources for your paper.  Hint:  you'll need to find *LIBRARY* log-in information. Ahem...  You may find it helpful to create a list of search terms for this.
c.  As you find your sources, create a citation for each source in a Google Doc.  Be sure to use MLA formatting!
d.  Oh no!!! You've run into a road bump during your research.  Where can you go on the library website get help?  Take a screen shot of that webpage and add it to your Google Doc.

e.  Let's say you and the person next to you decide to team up after school to peer review each other's papers.  Where could you go to reserve a room in the library?  Take a screen shot of that webpage and add it to your Google Doc.

f.  Save your Google Doc as "First Name, Library Hunt" and share it with me at jjones@cccc.edu

Conclusions

How will library resources come in handy this semester?  Do any resources seem particularly interesting or useful?

Learning Tasks for Friday, January 24

Writing into the Day:
Respond to the lyrics below. Which would you rather be, a snowflake or a cog in a machine? Start with a short written response, then add poetry, doodles, etc. You have 6 minutes.

"I was raised up believing I was somehow unique / Like a snowflake distinct among snowflakes, unique in each way you can see / And now after some thinking, I'd say I'd rather be / A functioning cog in some great machinery serving something beyond me"

-"Helplessness Blues" by Fleetfoxes

Activity:  Setting Writing Goals

Last week, you identified your strengths and challenges as a writer, and we briefly discussed setting goals to overcome those challenges.  Today, your task is to create a motivational poster featuring 3-5 of your writing goals for the semester.  Your poster will be displayed in the classroom.  Grab markers, colored pencils, and paper and create a masterpiece! :)

Closing Discussion:
How will reaching your writing goals help you beyond English 113?

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!

Learning Tasks for Thursday, January 23

You're done with Essay #1!  HOORAY!!!

Now, it's time to reflect on your work.  Effective writers take time to examine their finished work and think about what worked well... and not so well.  Thinking about this allows us to improve ourselves and write more efficiently in the future.

Write a TPEQEA paragraph for each of the following (using a quote might not be necessary):

a.  What do you like best about your paper?  Why?  Overall, what are its strengths?
b.  What challenges did you have in writing this paper?  How did you overcome them?  What resources were available to you, and how did you use them?
c.  If you had more time, what would you change about the paper?  Why?
d. Think back on the process you used to write this essay.  Briefly describe your process (e.g., how you prepared, what part you wrote first, how you revised, where/when you wrote, etc.).  What worked well?  Not so well?
e.  How does your process with this assignment compare to other writing you've done?  Did you try anything new or different?
f.  Did you overcome any of your writing challenges?  If so, explain.  What writing goal will you accomplish with your next paper?

Learning Tasks for Wednesday, January 22

1.  Writing into the Day:  Write a letter to your future self and tell him/her something that you want to be sure to remember about who you are now.

2.  Get Ready for Speed Dating! <3 <3 <3
(each other's writing, that is)

Directions:
a.  Facing peers will exchange papers.
b.  You will have ten minutes to look over your partner's paper.  Read through the paper once without giving any feedback.  Pay attention to your initial gut reaction.
c.  Read through the paper a second time.  This time, take time to mark any places that are unclear or grab your attention (in a good way!).
d.  Make a short list for your partner:  two things that s/he does well in the paper and two things s/he could improve.
e.  When time is up, switch partners.  Repeat steps above.
f.  Bask in the glory of all the thoughtful feedback your peers have given you.  Revision time!

Writing concepts to keep in mind:
thesis, organization, transitions, introduction, conclusion, diction/vocabulary, punctuation, grammar, tense, person, citations.

3.  Exit Ticket:  Keeping the feedback from your peers in mind, what is your plan for revising your paper?  What will you change or improve before turning in your paper?