Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2009/11/02/
This cartoon reminds me of, well, you guys. You have so much energy and determination to go your own way, but at the same time that kind of freedom can be a terrifying.
I remember reading this particular comic strip during my first year of college. It is quite a story:
I had driven the 1200 miles to California in my semi-dilapidated 1966 mustang. It had broken down during the trip and I wasn't sure if it would start again now that it had made it to my destination. . My brother, who had driven with me, had just gotten on a plane back to Colorado and I had given him the last five dollars of our travel money. I was standing in front of my dorm (broke, tired and hungry) with both more freedom and more despair than I'd ever known in my life. Lugging my old suitcase up the walk I came to a check-in station. With some trepidation I approached the RA and said, "Excuse me, could you please..." But before I could finish the sentence the young man, whom I'd never seen before, looked up and said, "Hi, Eric! Welcome to Stanford. You'll be in Cedro 308."
It was a comfort to be known by name. And that night when I read this comic, I couldn't help but echoing Calvin and Hobbes's sentiment. I didn't yell it, but perhaps under my breath, I, too, whispered, "Mom!"
Welcome to our classroom.
Nearly all materials necessary for study are available at all times via the web.
Please check this site and your respective course site as your primary source for current assignments and make-up work.
Classwork Calendars:
Hey! Want to help out. I'm currently accepting applications for calendar updaters. I'll give you the equivalent of a free homework pass if you take proper notes and get the assignments correct. This is a great way to make sure you are paying attention in class and get a little extra grade boost.
Requirement: Good attendance.
| Check it out!
For fans of poetry, Hollander's book has been the standard for a great many years. Its most compelling feature is that it makes prosody real instead of academic. We will work on some parts of this book in class, but if you'd like to preview it for yourself, just search google books for it.
Rotation Nation:
I can never quite remember the block schedule; so here's a reminder:
Day 1: A1,B1,E1,F1,G1
Day 2: B2, C1, D1,G2, F2,
Day 3: A2, C2, D2, F3, E2,
Day 4: B3, A3, D3, E3, G3
Day 5: A4, B4, C3, G4, F4
Day 6: B5, C4, D4, F5, E4
Day 7: A5,C5,D5, G5, E5,
| News, Musings and Miscellany:
As we begin to discuss writing, and as we continue to discuss active reading, please remember: Every piece of written language has both an audience and a rhetorical goal.
What do you suppose that means?
Social Networking comes to education. Do you ever wonder what it would be like to combine education with facebook or twitter? Give it a shot with Ning. Parents who wish to access our Ning account should contact me via email for a parent invitation. Students: Remember that this gated sites is being read by teachers, administrators, and parents. Use it properly. |
Writing Resources:
Interrogating Texts: Six Reading Habits to devlop in your First year at Harvard--or anywhere else =)
Jack Lynch on Getting an A on English Papers : A good all-around resource.
OWL MLA Help at Purdue University : Helpful in formatting papers.
Elements of Style, Professor Strunk : The best guide to mechanics. It is a classic.
University of North Carolina Writing Center : The differences between High School and College Writing.
Harvard University Writing Center Resources : This is how they tutor writing at Harvard. It might work for us.
How to write Analytical Paragraphs : Even Community Colleges have much to teach.