Homework: Thursday, August 28

All Classes:

Read the article, "Skills Employers Wish College Grads Had," and explain the main points the author makes in each of the four sections of the article. This can be done on a sheet of notebook paper. Due tomorrow, Friday, August 29.

Find a copy of the article HERE

Famous Quote Homework: Perseverance

Our study of literature for this semester evolves around the theme of perseverance. In doing so, our studies will take place around three essential questions:
1. What is perseverance?
2. How does one persevere? In other words, what qualities might a person need in order to persevere?
3. Does the ability to persevere always ensure a happy ending?

As a way to understand the meaning of perseverance, the students have been assigned the task of finding a quote regarding perseverance, or a quality of perseverance (bravery, tenacity, stamina, endurance, moxie, determination, etc.). They will then create a single document that contains the following:

1. quote: must be from a person (living or deceased), and not from a fictional character, or a line from a song or poem.

2. the student's interpretation of the quote

3. The name of the person who coined the quote

4. The person's date of birth/death (if applicable)

5. A piece of information about the person (this piece of information must come from a reliable online source)

6. The person's picture

The students must also complete a CRAAP worksheet, determining the level of reliability of the online information they have gathered about the person.

Printing: the students can either use their Chrome Books, or home computer. If using their Chrome Book they can either save the document to a flash drive and print it out in the school library, or they can connect their Chrome Book to their home printer and print from there.  SEE INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETE ASSIGNMENT DETAILS!!!

Date Assigned: Tuesday, August 26th
Due Date: Friday, August 29th

Find a copy of an example document HERE

Find a copy of the instructions/rubric HERE

Find a copy of the CRAAP worksheet HERE

Homework: Tuesday, August 26

All Classes: See post for Famous Quote homework: due Friday

Periods 2, 3, and 4 Homework: due tomorrow

1.  Answer Question #1 on attached homework assignment using the Pro Football Hall of Fame website.

2. Answer another question that you selected. You MUST complete a CRAAP worksheet for the website that you use to answer the question.

Find a copy of the homework HERE

Find a copy of the CRAAP worksheet HERE

Unit One: Research and Presentations

It used to be that when inquiring minds wanted to know the answer to a burning question, they would take their curiosity to the local library and skim through a selection of books to find the answers. It was a fairly safe bet that those answers printed within those musky pages could be deemed as reliable. Today, all a student has to do is type that burning question into Google or Yahoo and scroll through the hundreds of selections. It's also a fairly safe bet that the site they choose to find their answer is unreliable.

In today's world, where information is just a click away, it's important for students to understand that anyone can build a website and post information on the internet. The savvy researcher can often spot a fake/hoax web site, but many students fail to take the time to move beyond the first three sites that pop up on their screen. Most often those sites include Wikipedia, Answers.Yahoo, or Ask.com

Yes, these sites can offer a starting point for information, but they should never be used for academic research. Our first unit is designed to take students through the steps of finding and using reliable sites, as well as how to paraphrase information to avoid plagiarism. Lastly, the students will practice presenting their information to the class. Presenting in front of peers is often difficult for many students, and they will have several occasions throughout the year to practice and hone their presentation skills.

According to a recently published article in Fox Business, titled, "The Skills Employers Wish College Grads Had," many employers feel that "recent college students and grads don't make eye contact, don't carry themselves well, and don't speak with authority, which can be a little disheartening to the interviewer" (Vasal). These are skills that we want every student to begin to master so that by the time they reach high school, college, and beyond, they will will have the courage and the know-how to present themselves and their work confidently and accurately.

Homework: Monday, August 25

All Classes:

Respond in your writing journal to the following questions (if you did not finish in class today):
1. What is perseverance? Define it in your own words.
2. What qualities does one need in order to persevere?
3. Does the ability to persevere always ensure (guarantee) a happy ending?

Complete the perseverance handout (if you did not finish in class)