Final Blog 1010: Self Reflection

“The day that you consider that you know everything…you can do anything without any practice, I think you are closing the doors to improvement” (Sadeed, Raz: HISD teacher).

This applies to everyone. I especially want to (& have) learn from my students, schools, & classes, every year (or semester). 

You will likely be my last college students, or at least for a good while. Bittersweet! :(  I have enjoyed hearing/reading your ideas upon modern issues. Hopefully you can see the legitimacy of being literate, researching ongoing worldwide issues, speaking up for issues you believe in, and even self responsibility under time crunches/stressors. 

I would love to keep up with your lives (goals/dreams). I love seeing people make history, show passion for their logical ideas, & build others up! Feel free to find me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or even just email me occasionally. Whatever your dreams are, don't quit! You will fall or fail sometimes, though. 

For this, your final IN CLASS blog A) Tell me what you learned either in this specific class, from me, fellow students, or even a new found understanding you have of yourself after beginning college. B) Discuss new ideas or life goals you may have. (If you want to share something personal [not with the whole class], you may email me at j.d.hanson@hotmail.com; however, you still need to comment on other student's blog posts)!

Remember, it takes integrity & hard-work to TRULY accomplish goals. Anyone can be GIVEN a trust-fund or the easy route with everything; it is what you earn & strive for that mean something. 

Never compare yourself/compete with others; push yourself; no one else can force you to strive, work, & achieve goals in real life, but, luckily you have a choice, everyday! 

I will miss teaching college, but am ready for my next adventure! I hope you're ready for yours. + I'll be your biggest cheerleader, if you need one, & feel like no one believes in you. 

"Killings" blog #3

After tonight's presentation of topics aloud, you should have chosen an interesting topic someone else is researching; I don't expect YOU to research it. You can a tiny bit, if you wish; just say what struck you as interesting about their murderer/case. (1-3 sentences). If you were absent, look at the list & choose another case to look into.

For the 2nd half of In the Bedroom you were supposed to be watching for DETAILS. You should have found something subtle that you noticed they added to the film vs. the short story, or changed. Or, note if you interpreted it differently when you read it vs. how something was adapted for the screen.

Again, I gave the example of last week (1st half's viewing) when the lawyer could not understand their case since he did not have children; therefore, Matt & Ruth focused on the framed images of he & his wife's dogs; try to think of differences (additions/ subtractions) from the 2nd half of the film or details of how something was done on screen vs. or similarly to how you thought it would be done after having read the short story.

Keep researching for your paper!

Obviously, this will still be due 11:59 pm central time Sunday, April 12th & you are to comment on one fellow student's post!

Ms. Hanson

"Killings" Blog #2

A)You should have picked a murderer or a victim from the list of 60 choices I gave you [on D2L] by next Wednesday; I would pick at least two, as NO ONE will be allowed to have the same choice. For this reason, do not do any hard-core research (yet) on the murder case. I will allow much time in class for this, for several class meetings! Save yourself some time. I will ask everyone in class to tell why they picked the two choices. So have something typed out (~2-5 full sentences). DO NOT just say, "Oh I choose...whatever" that day, & think that will suffice.

B)For the blog, you will discuss in 7-10 succinct sentences why (if) your opinion about a character you selected changed during the film adaptation viewing. This is why I said to take notes during the screening. If your opinion did not change, perhaps it further solidified your opinion. Discuss that from the viewing of the first half; either way, do it in 7-10 succinct sentences here on the blog.  If your opinion is TOTALLY the same as when you read the short story, then you should discuss aspects that were added/ subtracted in the film adaptation & how they might have affected your interpretation--since you only had the short story to go on, prior!

C) Then, you will comment on one other student's stance/ chosen character, regarding the 1st half of the film. Both your comment & one for a fellow student's post is due Sunday, April 5th by 11:59 PM.

Ms. Hanson

"Killings" Blog #1

After you complete the last 5-10 pages of the short story "Killings" (we began in class tonight), you will choose a murderer or a victim; you can relate to them or you can adamantly disagree with their stance/ motives. I printed these short stories for everyone present in class; however, I have also attached the PDF of it on D2L's News-feed. 

Be able to discuss it one way or the other; use at least one quote to back up your argument, thus far. You will ONLY choose ONE stance concerning the "Killings" short story [murderer vs. victim] for your final paper; however, I want you to be comfortable choosing either one, in case when you get the murder case list, you want to choose another perspective than you originally selected. 

Then, you will comment on one other student's stance/ chosen character. 

Both your comment & one for a fellow student's post is due Sunday by 11:59 PM. 

Ms. Hanson 

#faceyourfears

Blogging About Acts III & IV + Essay #2/ Weather Issues...DUE Sunday, March 7th by 11:59 PM

I am totally aware how ridiculous it is the class has been canceled 3 times & next week we will not meet (W-March 11th) due to Spring Break.

Therefore, we MUST all get caught up; luckily, you all already did your first paper & project; I just never got to GET THEM in hard-copy.

Next, I tried to "lecture" online through YouTube, but I know some people still have questions (understandably).

Your 2nd essay's rough draft WILL be due for work-shopping (FULL ROUGH DRAFT- WITH COMPLETED RESEARCH) the W after SB, March 18th, STILL--sticking with the course calendar.

For the purposes of THIS blog, you will...

1. Discuss Acts III/ IV of The Crucible & THEN transition with how it or Miller's allegorical telling of it has affected your choice of a modern day witch-hunting topic...
2. Discuss the topic BRIEFLY (2-5 sentences) you are considering or doing your paper on. You must stick with this; don't get further behind on research.
3. I expect  you to be working on your slogan/ sign & chant to accompany, which is NOT due until the FINAL DRAFT of essay #2 (March 25th).  
4. You should have gotten a call/ email, or text from me regarding getting totally caught up or will be later today; I expect everyone to have taken the 2 quizzes & blogged upon Acts I/II of The Crucible + MLA materials assigned BEFORE beginning this blog/ assignment. You will have an opportunity to ask questions when we correspond. 

--Ms. Hanson 

Blogging About MLA Formatting, Acts I & II + Chapter 10 St. Martin's Analyzing Stories...Due 3/2/15' @ 1 PM

Last week when class was canceled for the snow day, I did not want to overwhelm anyone with further assignments beyond completing your first paper & getting it turned in entirely; however, now we MUST move forward.

In the first YouTube video (posted earlier), I introduced you to The Crucible information for Acts I/II,  & what you needed to know before attempting that quiz in D2L.

In the 2nd YouTube video, here [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T5eNmUsnD4&feature=youtu.be] I am discussing MLA formatting, which will be required for your final two papers this semester.

The final (3rd video) will be about analyzing literature in your research paper;  I posted it to D2L; you have begun reading The Crucible and should complete that first quiz before you attempt to begin anything further (D2L 2nd paper/presentation assignment); I don't want you getting further behind. That reading should have been DONE before now (since you would have quizzed on it 6-9 pm 2-25-15, normally).

Your 2nd paper Assignment sheet, topic options, and sample speech outline, along with the MLA formatting PPT,  are all attached on D2L's Newsfeed.

For this blog, you will discuss first

A) Your thoughts regarding Acts I/II of The Crucible after having watched my YouTube Video regarding it, as well as the three YouTube videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maO-fGhAOmE ;  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_A4X_Q0XJ4 ; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHzsQgbQdAc (discussing the Red Scare allegorical connection Miller was alluding to in his play).

B) You should also read Chapter 10 in your St. Martin's textbook, regarding Analyzing Stories.

C)Lastly, I would like you to list any concerns or comments you might have about MLA formatting & expectations you might not be 100% sure upon after having watched my video & reviewing the PPT (attached to D2L).

Again, I apologize profusely for your having to do so much work at home; however, we are extremely behind now after the weather caused us to cancel two Wednesdays in a row.