RUBRIC FOR ESSAY

Check Blackboard for new announcement.  A copy of the rubric that will be used to correct your final essay has been posted.  Make sure to read it carefully.  This will help you to meet with all the criteria.

Remember that on Tuesday, May 14 I will be giving make up exams and quizzes.  If you have questions about your essay, please feel free to come to class.  Otherwise, you have the day off. 

See you on the day of the final.  Good luck on all your finals!!  Enjoy the summer!!

FINAL EXAM

Our final exam is scheduled for Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 1:30 pm.  On this day you will turn in your final essay including any work done related to the essay (outline, rough drafts, etc.). 

Good luck on all your finals!!

COURSE EVALUATION

We're approaching the end of the semester.  What does this mean?  A lot of work, final exams, and probably a lot of stress!!  The good news is that then summer vacation begins....unless you plan to take summer classes.  =D

I've enjoyed teaching the course.  It's been a challenge and fun at the same time.  Had a few good laughs.  Hope you've learned something.

Now, for our last blog entry....I would like to get some feedback from you.  Your answers will help me improve myself professionally, so please be sincere. Answer the questions that follow:

QUESTIONS

1.  What did you like most about the course?
2.  What didn't you like about the course?
3.  What is your opinion about the textbook?
4.  Was this the first time you had a blog as part of a course?
5.  What do you think about the blog?
6.  Which blog entry did you like the most?
7.  Which blog entry did you NOT like?
8.  What is something you would have liked to do in the class that was not done?
9.  Is there something you would change about the course?
10.  What other comment do you have about the class?

TASK:  Answer the questions.  Please copy the question.  Double space between each response. 

DATE DUE:  May 16, 2013

IMPORTANT NOTICE - EXAM #2

Exam #2 will be given on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013 at 10:00 am (Universal Hour).  This will make up for the class of May 2 when I will be out of town.  If you have any situation, please inform me before April 17.  Class will be in PH-Ext 201 (our classroom).

WHAT IS ART?

When I asked for the class to suggest topics for the blog, one of the topics mentioned a few times was art.  What comes to mind when you think of art?  Paintings?  Sculptures?  Drawings?  Sure, all of them are forms of art, but there is a lot more.  Then there are some forms which people don't agree as a form of art.  I'm talking about graffiti.  Many people see it as a form of vandalism.  What do you think?  What is art for you?

Here's a website that I found once while surfing on the web.  I think the guy is awesome!  Go to the website and click on his works of art.  Some of them have a video to show you how it was done.  Enjoy!

http://philinthecircle.com/shocking.html


Now watch the youtube video.....another form of art.  This was done by a graphic design student (Francisco Quinones).

Task:  Answer the following question.  Make sure to copy the question and then give your answer.  Leave a space between each response.

1.  What is art for you?
2.  Do you consider graffiti a form of art or vandalism?  Explain.
3.  What did you think about the artist Phil? 
4.  Which work(s) of art impressed you the most? Why?
5.  What did you think about the youtube video?
6.  Which transformation(s) did you like the most?  Why?

DATE DUE:  April 16, 2013
 

DID YOU KNOW....?

Today in class we talked about the economy in industrialized and developing countries.  We also made reference to the economy of Puerto Rico.  The sad reality is the image many people have of Puerto Rico is not a very positive one.  We are seen as lazy people being maintained by the the United States.  However, there is the flip side of the coin.  Here is a video to show reality....no politics, just numbers.  What do you think?  (The video is in Spanish.) 

TASK:  Watch the video and then write your reaction to the video.  Did you know this information already?  Was there anything that stood out for you?  (Paragraph: 8-10 sentences).

 DATE DUE:  March 28, 2013

NO CLASS

Class will not meet this coming Thursday, February 21, 2013.  To make up for this class, do the following assignment due Tuesday, February 26.

Chapter 2:

• Part 1 - pp. 47 - 50  Read and do Ex. A, B, C
• Part 2 - pp. 51 - 60  Ex. B (pp. 51-52), Read and do Ex. A (only question #2), B, C

Remember to check the blog weekly.

ALONE ON A HILLTOP

In class we talked about rituals.  People perform rituals in special places at specific times.  Rituals can be found in all cultures. One important ritual is the rites of passage found throughout the world.  A rite of passage marks a transition in a person's life, for example, from childhood to adulthood.

The excerpt by Lame Deer,  Alone on a Hilltop (found on page 29 of your textbook) describes a rite of passage of a Native American.  Reread the excerpt and follow the instructions below.

TASK:  Make a visual representation (drawing, graffiti, painting, collage, video, cartoon, comic strip, etc.) of the reading.  Send a copy of your work to my email (not Blackboard).  Subject of email:  Alone on a Hilltop.

DATE DUE:  March 1, 2013

CHAT BOX

In the suggestions given for the blog, someone mentioned including a chat.  I looked into this and a name is needed for the chat.  I would rather put a name suggested by someone in class, so post your suggestion.

TASK:  Provide a possible name / title for our class chat box.

DATE DUE:  February 7, 2013

THE IMPORTANCE OF GRAMMAR

Just a little English humor...now you know why learning grammar is so important!  LOL!

TASK:  Find an example of an error in grammar, word usage, or spelling in English.  It can be something you saw on the Internet, on a sign, in a book, etc.  It might be something someone said incorrectly.  Indicate where you saw the error.  Explain the error.  How would you correct it?  

Since you cannot post pictures, just write it as a comment.

Example:

"They're shitting on the test."  This was a sentence written by one of my students. BTW....nobody from this class.  =D  The student meant to say "CHEATING".

DATE DUE:  February 21, 2013 

CHANGE OF CLASSROOM

Starting on Tuesday, February 5 class will meet in Ph-Ext 201.

FUNNY OR OFFENSIVE?

There is a video called Rent-A-Rican Commercial on youtube.  Maybe you've seen it, maybe not.  Maybe you've heard people talking about it. Click on the link below to watch the video.  Then let me know what you think about it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSzy4PKJaq0

TASK:  Watch the video. Then post your opinion (6-8 sentences minimum).  Also, reply to at least 2 comments made by 2 of your classmates.

DATE DUE: February 14, 2013

SUGGESTIONS

As stated in the previous entry, I would like you to give some suggestions for the blog.  What topics  would you like to have included in the blog?  What things would you like to do on the blog?

TASK:  Provide at least three topics/things you would like to do in our class blog. Write  you answer in complete sentences.

DATE DUE:  February 7, 2013

WELCOME TO BLOGGING

Hi! Welcome to English 1203 and to blogging. As part of the English class, we will be working on blogs.   This will help you to practice your English in a different, and hopefully, a fun way. Throughout the semester you will be required to comment on  blog entries and/or post your own entries. This will make up 20% of your final grade.


Points will be given for your effort. No points will be deducted for errors. However,you will lose points for incomplete work, late entries or work not done by you. Remember, this is just another way to practice English so do the entry by yourself.

At the end of each blog, a due date will be posted. The value of each blog will vary.  Entries posted later than 3 days will NOT be counted.

Topics will vary and will not necessarily be related to what is being discussed in class.  Suggestions for topics are welcome. So let's start blogging!