This is the homestretch! Time to finish up those essays and turn them in! I am available all week if you need some extra help.
For our last class, we will turn in our final essays and discuss what we've learned this year--you can give me feedback on how I can improve! Plus, we will have pizza and Dr. Hazell will come in and play guitar for us. Those of you thinking of college, prepare a couple questions for him. This will be Dr. Hazell's first experience in a homeschool classroom, so let's help him to feel welcome. You are all very bright and articulate. I think he will be impressed!
Great work this year!
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Thursday, May 4, 2017
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Class,
Last week we started analyzing Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and I think we can all agree that this text, while it certainly falls into the criteria of science fiction, could also easily be placed into philosophy. There are some very controversial statements made. We have spent the good part of the year learning to analyze the rhetoric and arguments of those around us so that we can respond. Our author certainly has some arguments. We noted he makes disparaging comments about religion, capitalism, eating meat, and even has a hopeless view of the human race. However, this text is written in a very humorous tone. What does such a tone do for these controversial topics? Does humor cause one to dismiss the weight of the argument? Should it? Not all of our attacks will come wrapped up in anger or a polished debate. Often humor is a great tool to both criticize and disarm. Why do you think that is?
I asked you to look very closely at the comments he is making for this week. Find an argument that is made in this week's reading. Bring it in and let's discuss it. How does this make you feel? What is your response? Is there validity to the argument? Is it logical? Emotional? Is there any credibility? Rhetoric makes great politicians and lawyers, but remember--it is everywhere. We are given messages through art, news, advertisements, and music just as much as the political debates. We must become absolutely aware of them, how they are effective, and how we should respond. Our first step is to dismantle the tools they are using, the implications of what is being said, and whether their argument is sound.
I know this last section is fairly controversial. Some of these debates are heavy. They ask us to defend our faith, our government, our art, and our way of life. Good writing responds to arguments with clarity, thoughtfulness, evidence, logic and ( I hope I've stressed this enough) kindness.
Last week we started analyzing Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and I think we can all agree that this text, while it certainly falls into the criteria of science fiction, could also easily be placed into philosophy. There are some very controversial statements made. We have spent the good part of the year learning to analyze the rhetoric and arguments of those around us so that we can respond. Our author certainly has some arguments. We noted he makes disparaging comments about religion, capitalism, eating meat, and even has a hopeless view of the human race. However, this text is written in a very humorous tone. What does such a tone do for these controversial topics? Does humor cause one to dismiss the weight of the argument? Should it? Not all of our attacks will come wrapped up in anger or a polished debate. Often humor is a great tool to both criticize and disarm. Why do you think that is?
I asked you to look very closely at the comments he is making for this week. Find an argument that is made in this week's reading. Bring it in and let's discuss it. How does this make you feel? What is your response? Is there validity to the argument? Is it logical? Emotional? Is there any credibility? Rhetoric makes great politicians and lawyers, but remember--it is everywhere. We are given messages through art, news, advertisements, and music just as much as the political debates. We must become absolutely aware of them, how they are effective, and how we should respond. Our first step is to dismantle the tools they are using, the implications of what is being said, and whether their argument is sound.
I know this last section is fairly controversial. Some of these debates are heavy. They ask us to defend our faith, our government, our art, and our way of life. Good writing responds to arguments with clarity, thoughtfulness, evidence, logic and ( I hope I've stressed this enough) kindness.
Thursday, April 27, 2017
May 2nd
Hi Class,
We have finished our SAT prep for the year and we are down to our final three classes. Our focus in May will be literary analysis, which will be helpful for those moving on to college, those preparing for the American literature course, and those developing critical thinking skills. Most of our traditional writing will focus on finishing up the research papers, which are due May 16th. We may have some short writings in class, but these will be more reflective in nature. Since we are finished with our vocabulary and other essays, spend some time really reading our text. Dig deep. I'd like you to read at least 1/3 to 1/2 of this text, or listen to it on Audible. (This will be the way I will enjoy this text!)
Also, as we work on our analysis, remember that music lyrics are wonderful tools for practice. Bring in the name and artist of a song that is meaningful to you, one that you think is really deep, or one that confuses you. We will work on explicating (breaking it down for interpretation).
Dr. Hazell has confirmed that he will be there for our May 16th class, around 11 am. He will bring in his guitar and sing for us, which is a real treat. He's pretty darn talented. He can play you some old country songs or Nirvana and Pearl Jam. :) And he can talk to you about his college classes at CTC or the high school class this fall in European History. I will have my son, Ryan, bring in some pizzas for us and we can just enjoy that last day. You have worked so hard this year! I promise you, you have read more, written more, and learned more than most kids in a traditional classroom, and we only meet once a week! I love to look back at your early essays and compare them to the ones you are writing now. Be proud. You have all made great strides!
Also, our next class is the first week of the month, so the last tuition payment is due.
If you have any questions, let me know!
We have finished our SAT prep for the year and we are down to our final three classes. Our focus in May will be literary analysis, which will be helpful for those moving on to college, those preparing for the American literature course, and those developing critical thinking skills. Most of our traditional writing will focus on finishing up the research papers, which are due May 16th. We may have some short writings in class, but these will be more reflective in nature. Since we are finished with our vocabulary and other essays, spend some time really reading our text. Dig deep. I'd like you to read at least 1/3 to 1/2 of this text, or listen to it on Audible. (This will be the way I will enjoy this text!)
Also, as we work on our analysis, remember that music lyrics are wonderful tools for practice. Bring in the name and artist of a song that is meaningful to you, one that you think is really deep, or one that confuses you. We will work on explicating (breaking it down for interpretation).
Dr. Hazell has confirmed that he will be there for our May 16th class, around 11 am. He will bring in his guitar and sing for us, which is a real treat. He's pretty darn talented. He can play you some old country songs or Nirvana and Pearl Jam. :) And he can talk to you about his college classes at CTC or the high school class this fall in European History. I will have my son, Ryan, bring in some pizzas for us and we can just enjoy that last day. You have worked so hard this year! I promise you, you have read more, written more, and learned more than most kids in a traditional classroom, and we only meet once a week! I love to look back at your early essays and compare them to the ones you are writing now. Be proud. You have all made great strides!
Also, our next class is the first week of the month, so the last tuition payment is due.
If you have any questions, let me know!
Monday, April 24, 2017
April 25th
Class today will be more practice for the SAT essay. We will also have our vocabulary quiz unless you have written the words into a short story or paragraph. :)
Just so that you are aware, our last day of class is May 16th. I do have a special treat for you this day. We will have my friend and mentor, Dr. Hazell come in and play guitar and sing the last half hour of class. Those of you interested in his European History class will have an opportunity to meet him. If your parents would like to visit with him or ask questions about that class, he will stay a half hour after class to meet them.
I will have parent conferences the following week. If your parents are interested in coming in, please let me know and we can arrange a time for them to come in. Parents who prefer to meet another time or even have a phone conference are welcome to do that also. I know it can be tough juggling small kids and other homeschooling responsibilities. I'm flexible here.
Just so that you are aware, our last day of class is May 16th. I do have a special treat for you this day. We will have my friend and mentor, Dr. Hazell come in and play guitar and sing the last half hour of class. Those of you interested in his European History class will have an opportunity to meet him. If your parents would like to visit with him or ask questions about that class, he will stay a half hour after class to meet them.
I will have parent conferences the following week. If your parents are interested in coming in, please let me know and we can arrange a time for them to come in. Parents who prefer to meet another time or even have a phone conference are welcome to do that also. I know it can be tough juggling small kids and other homeschooling responsibilities. I'm flexible here.
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
For April 18th
Please continue working on your research papers. Many of you are finishing up this project, but a few of you still have some work to do. No sweat! We still have time! If you have less than six pages, please write three paragraphs this week. Those of you over six pages, write two. If you have finished your writing, begin working on your works cited page. These papers are almost over!
If you would like some feedback on your SAT prompt, bring it to me Tuesday (for those of you that missed class) and I will be happy look it over. Those that took this in class with me last Tuesday will have their feedback this week. I know a few of you are looking at taking the TSI or SAT soon. I will be offering a workshop for six students to come prep for that essay early May. This will be a three-day workshop that will have you writing an essay each day. It will be intense, but hopefully profitable. Your scores can certainly improve! This workshop will be free, but I will have this workshop in Harker Heights, at my home. Jennifer Juliano will also be on hand to provide help with the math portion. If this is something you are interested in, please let me know.
Please continue reading The Hobbit. We will finish this book by the end of the month. Pay attention to the political structures. What do you think Tolkien is saying? Do you see Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey?
If you would like some feedback on your SAT prompt, bring it to me Tuesday (for those of you that missed class) and I will be happy look it over. Those that took this in class with me last Tuesday will have their feedback this week. I know a few of you are looking at taking the TSI or SAT soon. I will be offering a workshop for six students to come prep for that essay early May. This will be a three-day workshop that will have you writing an essay each day. It will be intense, but hopefully profitable. Your scores can certainly improve! This workshop will be free, but I will have this workshop in Harker Heights, at my home. Jennifer Juliano will also be on hand to provide help with the math portion. If this is something you are interested in, please let me know.
Please continue reading The Hobbit. We will finish this book by the end of the month. Pay attention to the political structures. What do you think Tolkien is saying? Do you see Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey?
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
SAT PROMPT
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/pdf/sat-practice-test-3-essay.pdf
Use this link and follow the directions for the SAT essay prompt.
Use this link and follow the directions for the SAT essay prompt.
April 11th- Bad Weather!
Folks,
If you live in flood prone areas, please stay tuned for our assignment to post later today on the blog. Do not drive on unsafe roads! Today's class is optional. I will try to make it in today from Harker Heights, but if I run into flooding, I will turn around. Please be safe!
Kindly,
Heather
If you live in flood prone areas, please stay tuned for our assignment to post later today on the blog. Do not drive on unsafe roads! Today's class is optional. I will try to make it in today from Harker Heights, but if I run into flooding, I will turn around. Please be safe!
Kindly,
Heather
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