November 30, 2007
The election of any president is vital to the future of any country and the world. We are currently seeing several upcoming presidential elections. The first one is in Venezuela. The election there is scheduled for this Sunday, Dec. 2. Hugo Chavez is doing everything in his power to create his own view of how Venezuela should be run. He is avoiding anything having to do with democracy. The other upcoming presidential election will soon take place in less than one year. This one will take place in the United States on Tuesday, November 4, 2008. The results of any election affects those living in that country. Therefore, it is imperative that you become aware of what each candidate stands for and that you take part in the elections. Remember, it will affect you, your children, your grandchildren….
You can be asking yourself, “What can I do?” To begin, you can start by looking at what each candidate stands for on certain issues. This is where your assignment begins. You are to look at two candidates. One candidate is to represent the Democratic Party and the other the Republican Party. Conduct some research on the position each candidate takes on immigration and make a list (like the one in Chapter 10 in Essential Reading Skillls) identifying how their ideas on immigration are similar and different. Afterwards, write a paragraph focusing on the comparison and contrast pattern of organization.
Once you complete your essay, on the bottom of your paper, write down which candidate you would vote for based on his/her stance on immigration.
November 5, 2007
As you know, there is a lab component to this class. It is important that you not only complete the assignments on time, but that you thoroughly understand the skills being covered. The completion of the lab assignments is vital to the success of this class. The following is a timeline in which myreadinglab assignments are to be completed by:
Nov. 9 – Purpose and Tone
Nov. 12 – Inference
Nov. 16 – Critical Thinking
Nov. 19 – Reading Textbooks
Nov. 26 – Graphics and Visuals
Nov. 30 – Memorization & Concentration
Dec. 3 – Test-Taking
Dec. 7 – Combined Skills
Dec. 10 – Diagnostic Post-Test
You may want to review and make sure that the skills Active Reading, Vocabulary, Main Idea, Supporting Details, & Patterns of Organization have been completed and mastered at 70% or better.
October 17, 2007
The purpose of this study guide is to provide a directed review of the material covered in Chapters 5 & 6 in Essential Reading Skills. For this study guide, I have decided to create questions rather than just fill in the blanks. By now, you should know how I feel about questions. Questions to me are a way to motivate learning and spark curiosity. Along with your answers, please provide the page number in which you found the information for each question. Enjoy! Click here to view the study guide.
September 27, 2007
Starting Wednesday, October 3, we will begin Reading Circles. In these circles, we will be meeting in groups of five for a 25-minute session. Two groups will meet each Wednesday. We will be meeting like this for the next three Wednesdays. Those whose groups will not be attending the Reading Circle for that week, will post their assignment due for that Wednesday on Facebook no later than 9am.
The following is the schedule for upcoming Reading Circles:
–Wednesday, October 3 — Groups 1 & 2 meet from 8:00 – 8:50am
Group 1 —
Nayvi
William
Paul
Michael
Jose DaCosta
Group 2 —
Humberto
Rodolfo
Ernesto
Daniela
Cristy
–Wednesday, October 10–Groups 3 & 4 meet from 8:00 – 8:50am
Group 3 —
Janella
Martha
Alberto
Alessandra
Bryan
Group 4 —
Gabrielle M.
Alexandra
Asiel
Eduardo
Amanda R.
–Wednesday, October 17 — Groups 5 & 6 meet from 8:00 – 8:50am
Group 5 —
Fabio
Gabriela
Elysha
Jose S.
Maria
Group 6 —
Noel
Shengjia
Jiovanna
Amanda A.
Monica
September 25, 2007
It is so nice to be reminded of mistakes we do, especially if it is done in a tender way. As I opened up my email this morning, I had a student gently remind me of an error that I made in our calendar for tomorrow’s assignment. The student’s tone was not harsh or critical. It was more of confusion.
Therefore, to clarify any confusion related to tomorrow’s assignment, refer to the revised calendar. Please complete was is now posted for assignments due Wed,. 9/26. Thanks.
September 25, 2007
Group #1 – words due 9/28 & 9/30
Nayvi
William
Paul
Michael
Jose DaCosta
Group #2 -words due 10/5 & 10/7
Humberto
Rodolfo
Ernesto
Daniela
Cristy
Group #3 – words due 10/19 &10/21
Janella
Martha
Alberto
Alessandra
Bryan
Group #4 – words due 10/26 & 10/28
Gabrielle M.
Alexandra
Asiel
Eduardo
Amanda R.
Group #5 – words due 11/2 & 11/4
Fabio
Gabriela
Elysha
Jose S.
Maria
Group #6 – words due 11/16 & 11/18
Noel
Shengjia
Jiovanna
Amanda A.
Monica
September 23, 2007
Some of this week’s words are taken from Persepolis and others are words related to the book.
1. migrate – People migrate for many different reasons. These reasons can be classified as either economic, social, political or environmental.
2. emigrate – After the Nazis came to power in Germany, many scientists emigrated (that is, left Germany).
3. immigrate – The promise of prosperity in the United States encouraged many people to immigrate (that is, move to the United States).
4. deport – The Bush administration is ramping up its ability to detain and deport illegal immigrants caught trying to enter the country.
5. immigration – A tribute to his spirit, Juan Gomez never allowed his immigration status deter his success.
6. democracy – “Together we will try to march towards democracy.” -pg.40
7. revolution – “After the revolution, I realized tht you could be mistaken.” -pg.49
8. hinder – We must find ways to work out immigration laws so they benefit rather than hinder people getting an education
9. dissent – The reporter said nothing, and shook her head in dissent.
10.assent – Democratic Sentator Dodd of Connecticut gave his assent to file a private bill on the Colombian-born students’ behalf which will allow them to be able to stay in the United States at least through 2009.
Continue working on your study cards. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to keep up with the weekly word list and study cards. Your work will pay off greatly!
September 14, 2007
The Federation of the Imagination Beach BBQ
Crandon Beach, Key Biscayne – Park Lot 4 (parking lot 4 is located on what is known in Crandon Beach as South Beach)
9am-2pm?, Saturday, September 15
It’s the start of the semester and we’re warming up to the new rhythm of the term. On Saturday, September 15, the Federation (a group of like-minded MDC professors, administrators, and students) would like to honor the social and fun aspect of our work together by celebrating and having a community barbecue in Key Biscayne’s Crandon Park (Lot #4). To make this happen, we will need for everyone to bring something and to bring everything. This could be messy, much like eating a ripe delicious mango, but here it goes.
Please use the following page to let us know if you are coming and what you are bringing. Note that we will need for people to bring charcoal, lighter fluid, utensils, formerly living animals to cook, veggie burgers or other veggie options for those who don’t eat formerly living animals, bread, chips, drinks (no alcohol please), cups, ice, napkins, utensils, and any and all other accouterments (music, volleyballs, etc.) for an end of summer beginning of fall bbq.
Here’s the site: http://123.writeboard.com/013adff3b88093f6e .
The password is the word mango.
Please use the writeboard site to let us know if you are coming and what you are bringing. Do not reply to this e-mail with that information.
If you can’t find us, please call my cell (786)991-2269.
September 10, 2007
An anticipation guide is a way to prepare readers for a particular reading assignment in which students will be asked to write their responses to specific questions. The purpose for this activity is to provide students with an opportunity to enhance their understanding of the themes in the novel.
We will use these questions to stimulate our discussions on Facebook as well as create possibilities for integrating reading and writing activities for Persepolis.
