Fishbowl #2: Fahrenheit 451, pages 1-21 ("into the rain")

We can do better than we did on our fishbowl comments today.  Here are some things I hope to see:

1.  Effective proofreading of our work.  See that button on the far right of your toolbar marked "abc" followed by a check mark.

2.  Consistent participation throughout discussion's duration.  It is unacceptable to be inactive for 15 minutes of a 30 minute discussion.

3.  Well-supported and defended thinking.  Explain why you think what you do, referring back to particular plot points or passages to support your ideas.

Happy posting!  Here's to a better second round!
                                                                                                                                                                   

Fishbowl #1: "Harrison Bergeron"

I look forward to seeing your insightful comments about the short story "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut on our class blog today.  As you engage in outer circle discussion, keep in mind a couple ground rules:

• This is a formal written discussion.  Use correct capitalization, punctuation, grammar and tone.
• Participate in discussion throughout its duration.  I'm not looking for a certain number of comments, but rather consistent participation from the first few minutes through the last.

Happy posting!

Was it worth it?

Using the prompts on your sacrifice handout to guide you (those prompts are also listed on our class website if you need an extra reference), capture your "sacrificial experience" in a well-developed paragraph.

Be sure your response is completed prior to class on Tuesday, February 19th when we'll be discussing this assignment.

Last Long Way fishbowl

Big improvement on our last outer circle discussion!  It was great to see an abundance (like that vocab. use?) of comments from a variety of people.  Good work using  the threaded comments to organize the discussion.

Here are a few things I would like us to work on in our last outer circle discussion:

1.  Avoid question constructions that begin "do" or "does" and result in yes or no response.
2.  Remember, this is a formal writing assignment.  Capitalize, punctuate, etc.
3.  Do not link a Texans' picture to your profile; only Broncos' pictures are acceptable.
4.  Explain why you think what you do, i.e. "I think X because..."

Happy posting!

Fishbowl #3: Long Way Gone chapters 11-14

Happy fishbowl day!  Some great level 2, text-based, critical thinking questions yesterday, class.  Keep up the good work!  Good job using the threaded comments option to respond directly to one another's responses.  A few things to keep in mind for today's discussion:

1.  Aim for 5 thoughtful posts throughout discussion if you're using the blog to capture your thinking.
2.  Proofread your responses.
3.  Avoiding leading "do" and "does" question constructions that lead to "yes" or "no" responses.
4.  Provide the background that inspires your thinking, contextualizing your question in a sentence or two.

Long Way Gone: Fishbowl #2

Afternoon!  A few thoughts for today's fishbowl...

I was disappointed by the tone of some of your posts.  Remember that not only are your comments attached to your name, they are also attached to my name and to Arapahoe High School.  This is not a place for aggressive language, and it's certainly not a place for cuss words.  Consider your tone; if people aren't responding to your comments, that reflects on you and should cause you to pause to consider how you might proceed differently so people want to engage in discussion with you.

Because some of you weren't very involved in discussion today, you will lose the opportunity to participate in discussion via the blog.  If this opportunity is important to you, please keep up your end of the bargain.

Happy blogging!

A Long Way Gone: Fishbowl #1

Hey guys!  Excited for a great, post-Thanksgiving discussion of A Long Way Gone.  A few pointers based on observations from our last outer circle discussion:

1. Though I don't give a minimum number of times one has to post to earn credit for discussion, one is insufficient.  Aim for around 5 thoughtful, well-proofread responses.  Most importantly, contribute throughout the discussion's duration.  A few of you are on my radar from our last fishbowl; if your posts (or lack thereof) seem to indicate you've been off task today, you will lose the privilege of blogging and will spend Wednesday's discussion hand-writing your response to the discussion.

2.  Provide the background that inspires your questions.
     Example:  I was saddened by the fact that Sohrab, Soraya, and Amir hadn't cultivated a stronger bond by    the story's end.  Why did Hosseini leave the book on this kind of somber note?
     Non-example:  Why did the book end how it did?

3.  Avoid questions that can only be answered with "yes" and "no".  Often these constructions begin with the words "do" or "does".

4.  In some of your cases, your lack of proofreading hindered my ability and, thereby, I assume your classmates' ability to understand your questions and responses.  Proofread your work. This is a formal writing assignment.

5.  Use the threaded discussion comments to reply to one another's comments and questions directly.

Happy posting!