Journal #1--For Sophs and Seniors--Summer Reading

What kind of guy waits until Labor Day to finish his summer reading?

In truth, this is a photo of summer "re-reading."

Let's put your summer thoughts away for now because you're officially back to school, and work, as verified by your first trip (at least this year) to Schoolsville, where the sun is always shining, no matter what the weather is like in Rehoboth or Ocean City.

Here's your first journal writing prompt:

In addition to a couple of "possible" upcoming "check" quizzes on summer reading, please answer these questions for BOTH of your summer reading books and turn in with your writing journal at the end of the marking period.

1. Did you like reading this book? Why? Did you not like it? Why not? Be specific. You can't say it was boooooooooring. Criticize characters, plot, writing style, language, etc. , you know, some of the elements of fiction that we'll be studying this year. Of course, if you liked it, point out the parts of the book that you enjoyed.

2. If you were teaching this book to a high school class, on what elements of the book would you focus? For instance, would you delve into the historical background of Gatsby or the religious nature of Siddhartha? Might you explain the importance of the title of A Raisin in the Sun as it relates to the drama?

Do not answer these questions on the blog. However, as you can see by the post's title, this is your first JOURNAL assignment for the first quarter. You will hand in these responses at the end of the quarter. Remember to write about both of your summer readings. Minimum of 200 words for each.

How to Post Comments at Schoolsville

Here are some simple directions on how you should post comments at Schoolsville:

1. Go to the bottom of the blog post and click on the underscored words that indicate the number of comments (to the left of the mail envelope).
2. Type your comment (or copy and paste your comments from a Word document) in the box that reads "Leave your comment."
3. Choose an identity by clicking the circle that reads "Name/URL." When you do, a box will open in which you'll leave your initials followed by a space which will be followed by your section color. For instance I might leave the name "JF blue"(John Fiorelli, blue class) if I were a student in the blue section.
4. If you have the same initials as someone else in your section, then write out your full first name as in "johnf blue."
5. Then click the box to "publish your comment." Your comment will not be immediately posted, but a message at the top of the page should say that "your comment has been saved." I moderate the comments, meaning that I'll check them for their appropriateness before I post them.

NOTE 1:it's always good practice to compose your comments in a Word document that you can edit (before you copy and paste into the comment box) and then save your responses for printing at the end of the marking period.

NOTE 2: unless instructed differently, comments should run a minimum of 25 blog lines or 200 words.

NOTE 3: sometimes, you'll be given a blog post specifically for your section color, so you must post your comments there, still indicating your initials and section color.

For Sophs and Seniors--Schoolsville 2010

So what goes on at Schoolsville?

Suffice to say that many former students have been heard to proclaim loudly that "Schoolsville is coolsville." Students have met together on weekends to have "Schoolsville Parties." Rumor has it that a Facebook page exists (unauthorized, of course, since I don't use Facebook) where Schoolsville groupies meet.

Seriously, it's the place where I'll post your "journal assignments." You must respond throughout the marking period as you are instructed "on the blog" at Schoolsville, but you MUST also turn in a printed copy of all of these journal assignments toward the end of each quarter for a major "grade." For each assignment, I strongly recommend that you type your response in a Word document and then copy and paste it into the blog response box. This keeps you organized and it protects you better in case your computer or the blog site crashes.

Also at Schoolsville, I will often give periodic extra credit assignments. I don't believe in providing extra credit to bail you out after you're drowning in a sea of poor grades. Instead, I like to reward those of you who do extra work in advance of major tests and assignments.

I will sometimes post class lessons that need additional review or instruction. In preparing for major tests, be sure to study your notes that you took in class and the additional notes that I may have provided on Studywiz or Schoolsville.

Does this all sound boring? I don't think so, and you won't, either, when you find yourself periodically checking in here to see if I'm "quizzing the chandelier" or "reprimanding the air."

You have to read Schoolsville (the poem) to understand that reference. Follow this link to read the Billy Collins's poem, Schoolsville, the imaginary Poetry-town created by a retired teacher who finds it impossible to retire. Could be me in about 11 years (and counting).

Billy Collins is a former poet laureate of the United States. Once a title of great distinction (in countries like Great Britain), these days, a poet laureate is a poet officially appointed by a government to promote the genre of poetry. The poet laureate might be called upon to compose poems for state occasions and other government events.

Collins's poetry is on the humorous side. His fans call it realistic, clever, and accessible; his critics call it lightweight and shallow. Since I've chosen one of his poems, I think you can guess on which side I stand.

Read on.