In-Class Listening from 2/27

Today we listened to two really powerful StoryCorp stories from veterans.

The first was from Captain Drew Pham, speaking with his wife Amy about his deployment to Afghanistan in 2011.

The second was from Michael Crowe. In this short clip he describes looking at photos of soldiers from Vietnam.

For each of these stories I asked

• What word or phrase stood out to you?
• What connections can you make with the stories we've read in this unit?

We also watched this beautiful StoryCorp animated video called "The Nature of War:"

Essay Revision Materials

This week we are continuing our work on essays. You are all at different places in the revision process. Some of you need to "get back to basics" and begin again (don't fret, we've all been there!). Others need to reorganize what you have and find new or better pieces of evidence. Some have just minor grammatical issues to correct. My goal is that all of you improve your writing with this essay so everyone must turn in a revision.


Here are some materials for reference:

Guide to complete sentences & capitalization

Reminders for Essay Organization

Guide to my edits

Passive Voice: Go through THIS slideshow

Essay Powerpoint (Citing Sources)

In case you missed class today, HERE are the slides I covered about citing your sources.

Be sure, in your essay, to cite page numbers with every quotations. I would also like a Bibliography or Works Cited page. Use www.easybib.com!

IF we have a "cold-day" tomorrow, plan to email me your complete draft by the end of the day Friday.

Essay Due Dates (Reminder)

Just a reminder that a complete draft of your essay is due FRIDAY the 13th! This is worth 55 points. We have been working on these all week in class. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Essay Writing Guides

HERE is the powerpoint about crafting a thesis & organizing your paper

HERE is the powerpoint about analyzing quotations for body paragraphs

Weekend Homework (DUE MONDAY, FEB. 9th)

Hi all! Today we started reading a fantastic short story by Phil Klay, "After Action Report." This story comes from his National Book Award winning collection Redeployment.

THIS WEEKEND:

1. Finish "After Action Report"
2. Complete the essay prewriting sheet & begin gathering your "evidence" that relates to your chosen essay theme.

Don't panic! We are going to work through the essay step-by-step next week. See you then!

Homework due February 6

Reminder: If you had to rewrite you "American Dream" mini-essay, those rewrites are DUE TOMORROW.

You all received an extension on the "God Bless America" & discrimination in the military paper. It is now also, DUE TOMORROW (FRIDAY):

1. Read the short story "God Bless America"
2. Read THIS article about discrimination in the military
3. Respond to the prompt below

In a well-written 1-page response, answer the following:

President Truman desegregated the military in 1948 by executive action, but in “God Bless America,” Joe serves in a segregated unit headed for Korea (around 1951). Clearly, the military was slow to end discriminatory practices. What evidence do you see in both the short story and the article that confirm this? Use direct quotations in your discussion. Why, do you think, did minorities continue to serve?

Updated Unit Calendar

Hello again -- due to the snow day I have updated our unit calendar. You can find it HERE. I have made major changes so please discard your old calendars.

Snow Day Tomorrow & Homework Reminder!

Hi all and Happy Snow Day! Usually I would expect you to have the homework for Monday ready for class on Tuesday, but I never gave you those readings, so never mind! You get a snow-day without English homework (hooray)!

Hint, hint -- I would make really sure you have read The Things They Carried chapters 1, 9 & 17 by Tuesday. There could be a reading quiz in your future!!