Monday, February 12, 2007

Assignment for February 13-15,2007

Assignments for Tuesday – Thursday, February 13-15, 2007
Dennis Guikema, English, Ralph J Bunche High School


Tuesday, February 13, 2007:
Quickwrite:
Write a persuasive paragraph about why poetry should or should not be taught in high school. Use powerful language, examples and details to support your opinion. Email your response to dguikema@yahoo.com. The subject of your email should be “2/13 quickwrite”

“Introduction to Poetry” reading:
1.) Go to www.loc.gov/poetry/180
2.) Click on “list of all 180 poems”
3.) Click on the first poem “Introduction to Poetry” by Billy Collins
4.) Read the poem quietly then have a volunteer (or more than one) read the poem aloud to class.)

“Introduction to Poetry” response:
1.) Email your answers to the following questions to dguikema@yahoo.com (the subject of your email should be “2/13 Intro to Poetry responses)
a.) What line(s) stand out the most in this poem?
b.) Why?
c.) What do you think the poet is trying to say? What do you believe is happening in this poem? (Give examples from the poem to support your answer.)

2.) In the same email, I want you to write an “emulation poem”, that is a poem in which you copy the style of this poem by Billy Collins. Although you are copying his style, you can write about any thing you like.

Extra credit: (To get extra credit you must finish the assignments above.)
1.) Go back to www.loc.gov/poetry/180 and click on “list of all 180 poems”
2.) Choose any other poem and follow steps 1 & 2 in the “response” instructions above. Email me your response and new emulation poem with the email subject “2/13 extra credit.)

Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Students who were in my 2nd period last semester will be going with Mr. Douglas to see the film “Arna’s Children”.

Other students will be in PE with Ms. Hamer and other Bunche staff.


Thursday, February 15, 2007
Quickwrite:
If you were to write a poem with a message, what would the message be? Why choose that message? Email your response to dguikema@yahoo.com. The subject of your email should be “2/15 quickwrite”. (If you would rather write this as a poem, you may.)

“Idea Generator”
Go to http://youthspeaks.org/ideagenerator/
Write a poem beginning with that line and email it to me at dguikema@yahoo.com
• If you don’t like the prompt click “New Idea”
• Extra credit if you post this poem to your blog. (Tell me this in your email.)

Read other students’ “Describing a Place” essays:
1.) Go to http://bunchehigh.blogspot.com Scroll down to the “My Place Essays” entry.
2.) Click on the name of each person listed, read his/her essay, and leave feedback (both compliments and constructive critique) by clicking on “comments”. (Make sure you are signed on to “blogger” when you leave these comments.

My Place Essays

Here are the blog addresses to the "Describing a Place" essays by students in Dennis Guikema's first and second period English classes at Ralph J. Bunche High School.

Bryant
Asianna
Jose
Taneya
Hakim
Roshawna
Jaimee
Omari
Sean
Paul
Tobias
Danyell
Shawn
Andrea
Juan

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Persuasive Letter Assignment

Persuasive Letter Assignment
Dennis L. Guikema, English, Ralph J. Bunche High School


Objective: You will write a persuasive letter urging a voter to choose a candidate or position on a proposition or measure.

Background: November elections are coming soon! There are 13 state propositions, three Oakland measures, and over a dozen state and local candidate elections, from California governor to Oakland city council. Although most students at Bunche are not old enough to vote, you still have the ability to influence voting adults on issues that are important to you. In this assignment you will seek to persuade an adult to vote for a person or position that you feel strongly about.

Standards: California English Language Arts Standards
Writing 1.0, 1.1-1.9 (Writing Strategies)
Writing 2.4 Write persuasive compositions:
• Structure ideas and arguments in a sustained and logical fashion.
• Use specific rhetorical devices to support assertions (e.g., appeal to logic through reasoning; appeal to emotion or ethical belief; relate a personal anecdote, case study, or analogy).
• Clarify and defend positions with precise and relevant evidence, including facts, expert opinions, quotations, and expressions of commonly accepted beliefs and logical reasoning.
• Address readers' concerns, counterclaims, biases, and expectations.

Here are the steps:

Step 1: Find an issue. Due _________

a.) Go to http://smartvoter.org
b.) Enter your street address and zip code (for example “1240 18th St” and “94607”) and click “Find ballot and polling place”
c.) Review your ballot. Follow several of the links.
d.) Choose an election for a candidate, a proposition, or a measure. (for example “Governor” or “Proposition 85” or “Measure N”

Step 2: Take lots of notes! Due _________

a.) Use the http://smartvoter.org site for information. You can also go to http://google.com and type in the name of the candidate, “California Proposition _” or “Oakland Measure _ “.

b.) Take LOTS of notes about your candidate, proposition or measure AND notes about an opposing candidate or position. Remember, any time you use exact words from your source, put those words in quotes (“) and write down the website address. Here are some questions to consider:
For a candidate:
o What is this candidate’s political party, occupation, education, and other background?
o What issues are important to this person and what is his/her stand on these issues? What are his/her priorities?
o What people or organizations endorse this candidate?
o What is this person’s political philosophy?
o Remember to take notes about another candidate too, so you can compare/contrast.
For a proposition or measure:
o What is the exact wording of the proposition or measure?
o What is the fiscal ($) impact of this?
o What does a “yes” and “no” vote on this mean?
o What is the argument for and against?
o Who is endorsing this?
o What other information can you find on other websites?


Step 3: Write your rough draft of your position paper
Due _____

Salutation: Greet your reader. (Dear ______)

¶ 1.) Introduction
• Capture your reader’s attention
• Hint at the importance of this issue
• State your position on the issue of the candidate

¶ 2.) Reason #1 to vote for this candidate/proposition/measure
• Use one of the following rhetorical devises: appeal to logic through reasoning; appeal to emotion or ethical belief; relate a personal anecdote, case study, or analogy

¶ 3.) Reason #2 to vote for this candidate/proposition/measure
• Use one of the following rhetorical devises: appeal to logic through reasoning; appeal to emotion or ethical belief; relate a personal anecdote, case study, or analogy

¶ 4.) Reason #3 to vote for this candidate/proposition/measure
• Use one of the following rhetorical devises: appeal to logic through reasoning; appeal to emotion or ethical belief; relate a personal anecdote, case study, or analogy

¶ 5.) What the opposition says countered by why your arguments are stronger.

¶ 6.) Conclusion
• Restate your position on this candidate/proposition/measure
• Summarize your supporting points
• Urge the person you are writing to get out and vote November 7!

Sign the letter. (Sincerely…)

Step 4: Response and Revision.
Due ____
a.) Have at least one peer read your rough draft and use the grading rubric to give you feedback.
b.) Considering peer feedback and your own reflection, revise your letter.

Step 5: Final Draft. Due _______
a.) Check your paper for any grammar errors and use a dictionary or spell check to eliminate any spelling errors.
b.) Publish your final draft on your blog (extra credit).
c.) Turn in a packet that has papers in the following order:
1.) final draft
2.) response rubrics
3.) rough draft(s)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Persuasive Letter Assignment Grading Rubric
Dennis L. Guikema, English, Ralph J. Bunche

Does this letter begin with a salutation and an introduction that
• captures your reader’s attention
• hints at the importance of this issue
• states your position on the issue of the candidate
5 4 3 2 1 0



Does your first supporting reason use one of the following rhetorical devises well?
• appeal to logic through reasoning;
• appeal to emotion or ethical belief;
• relate a personal anecdote,
• case study, or
• analogy
5 4 3 2 1 0



Does your second supporting reason use one of the following rhetorical devises well?
• appeal to logic through reasoning;
• appeal to emotion or ethical belief;
• relate a personal anecdote,
• case study, or
• analogy
5 4 3 2 1 0



Does your third supporting reason use one of the following rhetorical devises well?
• appeal to logic through reasoning;
• appeal to emotion or ethical belief;
• relate a personal anecdote,
• case study, or
• analogy
5 4 3 2 1 0



Do you have at least a paragraph that considers what the opposition says countered by why your supporting reasons are stronger.
5 4 3 2 1 0



Does you conclusion do the following?
• restate your position on this candidate/proposition/measure
• summarize your supporting points
• urge the person you are writing to get out and vote November 7!
5 4 3 2 1 0



Do you have a peer response rubric attached (and well done):
5 4 3 2 1 0



Did you clarify and defend positions with precise and relevant evidence, including facts, expert opinions, quotations, and expressions of commonly accepted beliefs and logical reasoning?
5 4 3 2 1 0



Did you address readers' concerns, counterclaims, biases, and expectations.
5 4 3 2 1 0



Is the letter free of errors. (Sentence and paragraph structure is excellent. There are no spelling or grammar errors.)
5 4 3 2 1 0



44-50=A 38-43=B 34-37=C 29-33=D 0-28=F

Friday, August 11, 2006

Welcome to the blog!

This is blog is the virtual headquarters for Dennis Guikema’s English class. Welcome!