Process
Our first exploration is to look at what is expected of you in a critical reading course...
Week One - Aug 22-28
Exploring...the textbook.
Week 2: Aug 29-Sep 4
View PowerPoint for Ch. 1
Meet your organization.
Visit and talk to the head of the organization where you will be giving service hours and make arrangements to set up your schedule for this semester. Send the info to me, please. (Email is fine.)
Create a tab in your website to log your activities.
Create a tab in your website to log your activities.
Week 3 - Sep 6-Sep 11 Happy Labor Day!
Click on PowerPoint Ch. 2.
Week 4 - Sep 12-18
Click on PowerPoint Ch. 3.
Begin analyzing media! Let's start with cartoons.
A masterful cartoonist uses inference to send the message behind the obvious. Find a cartoon which reflects your issue. Analyze it. Post your findings to the Reading Cafe. Analyze a classmate's analysis and respond to his or her work for additional points.
Next, statistics gives us data and surveys of what others believe:
You'll begin to analyze and learn how to create your own poll. Consider the following steps:
- Create a survey to be given at the organization where you are serving. What questions could you ask? Before giving the survey, please send the questions to me. Consider:
- What would be the population?
- How many people do you need to provide the best possible conclusion to your findings?
- Read about surveys from "Asking the Right Questions," M. Neil Browne, Ch. 9, 9th ed. Go to "Authors Answer Student Questions."
Week 5 - Sep 19-25
Click on PowerPoint Ch. 4.
Time to do your poll.
With the information you have received as well as put together, create your poll and administer it to your targeted population.
Create a photo album about your organization. I used animoto.com for this one which was created this summer during Reading091.
Week 6 - Sep 26-Oct 2
Click on PowerPoint Ch. 5.
Explain the simile of these two funnels by using Ch. 5 and reasoning skills.
Post your response in the Reading Cafe for others to puruse. Comments on what others have written for extra points.
Let's do some more analysis of media: Photographs
Why is it important to read "About the Author" at the bottom of the site? Find a photograph on your issue. Analyze it. Share it in the Reading Cafe.
Week 7 - Oct 3-9
Click on PowerPoint Ch. 6.
Back to media and cartoons:
Find another cartoon which reflects your issue. Analyze it. Post your cartoon and findings at the Reading Cafe.
Week 8 - Oct 10-16
Click on PowerPoint Ch. 7.
Back to media: Analyzing more cartoons.
Find another cartoon on your issue. Analyze it. Share with your classmates at the Reading Cafe for points.
Don't go on until you've taken Test #2.
Go to WebCT and click on Assessments. Carefully read and take the test which covers Chapters 1-7. The questions are very similar to the ones you've taken for these chapters. Good luck!
You have until Sunday, at midnight, to take the test.
You have until Sunday, at midnight, to take the test.
Week 9 - Oct 17-23
Click on the PowerPoint for Ch. 8.
Now, for your class exploration.
What about college retention? Is it a concern for you? Or, what could be? From the Service Learning Project HOPE, discuss and send me the supporting idea which you will explore.
As you have done for the assignments on your personal issue for the past several weeks, what information can you find with a message regarding school retention? One concern stressed at MCC is the concern of unexpected pregnancy. MCC has joined other national organizations to pursue ways to help young mothers. How difficult is it to stay in school once on your own? Or, perhaps still at home? Or, a returning student who now has a steady income with responsibilities but wants to improve possibilities in the future?
What will you need to include in this presentation?
1. Title slide
2. Introduction to what your analysis is on a slide or two
3. Slides with various media which you've analyzed since the beginning of the semester. (See previous assignments and the textbook for ideas.)
4. Conclusion as to your analysis (not just your opinion)--based on the reasons given in the analyses you have done.
5. Bibliography slide
Research is essential for this investigation. Insert documentation regarding the facts you find. Your opinion is not worth much without support through research.
As you have done for the assignments on your personal issue for the past several weeks, what information can you find with a message regarding school retention? One concern stressed at MCC is the concern of unexpected pregnancy. MCC has joined other national organizations to pursue ways to help young mothers. How difficult is it to stay in school once on your own? Or, perhaps still at home? Or, a returning student who now has a steady income with responsibilities but wants to improve possibilities in the future?
What will you need to include in this presentation?
1. Title slide
2. Introduction to what your analysis is on a slide or two
3. Slides with various media which you've analyzed since the beginning of the semester. (See previous assignments and the textbook for ideas.)
4. Conclusion as to your analysis (not just your opinion)--based on the reasons given in the analyses you have done.
5. Bibliography slide
Research is essential for this investigation. Insert documentation regarding the facts you find. Your opinion is not worth much without support through research.
Your exploration should include:
1. Introduction of those in your group.
2. Introduction to your exploration.
3. "My Story" reflecting the supporting details of the issue (main idea).
4. Media in all its forms: cartoon, statistics, photographs, public advertisements, editorial, famous speech, etc.
5. Conclusions based on analysis of findings from media explored.
6. Bibliography
**You may create your project as a PowerPoint presentation, pamphlets, .doc, or any other format.**
2. Introduction to your exploration.
3. "My Story" reflecting the supporting details of the issue (main idea).
4. Media in all its forms: cartoon, statistics, photographs, public advertisements, editorial, famous speech, etc.
5. Conclusions based on analysis of findings from media explored.
6. Bibliography
**You may create your project as a PowerPoint presentation, pamphlets, .doc, or any other format.**
Maintain a log of your activities.
Week 10 - Oct 24-30
Click on the PowerPoint for Ch. 9. (This chapter is quite long with answers to all exercises being included. Study carefully.)
Now, for public advertisements.
Public advertisements will be included in your individual project as well as your group project along with other media presented in your textbook. Find an ad and analyze it. Post to the Reading Cafe for points.
Week 11 - Oct 31-Nov 6
Week 12 - Nov 7-13 -
Thanks to you, veterans, everywhere!
Time to put your individual project together.
Click here for a checklist on elements of argument.
Now, proof is in the pudding. Are you a critical thinker and reader? (See CRE101 competencies.)
WARNING: 1. You must support the facts. If you do not use intext citations, you will lose one whole grade for your project. (See Ch. 1.)
2. You are not giving your opinion but finding others through research who have. Is the inference as seen through media valid and lead to a justified conclusion? Why or why not? According to work you have done this semester, what are your conclusions? Show good examples and prove whether the conclusions you are finding are valid or not. If you can't do this, you lose one whole grade.
WARNING: 1. You must support the facts. If you do not use intext citations, you will lose one whole grade for your project. (See Ch. 1.)
2. You are not giving your opinion but finding others through research who have. Is the inference as seen through media valid and lead to a justified conclusion? Why or why not? According to work you have done this semester, what are your conclusions? Show good examples and prove whether the conclusions you are finding are valid or not. If you can't do this, you lose one whole grade.
#1 Statistics
You might go to the Gallup poll which is a very popular mode of analysis which considers the facts through statistics.
More on Data and Graphs from our textbook...
As we explore now, we will begin by considering data and surveys and how we use gathered information to find reliable information and what information might be left out to misconstrue the real answer. Yes, information is added or not added to convince the reader to believe what is perceived. But, is it reliable? As a student learning to be a critical reader, learn the difference.
Why is it so important to know something about the photographer?
Think about what you wrote for the assignment.
Who is behind the products you buy???
A good reason to know who controls the decisions! Give credit where credit is due. You just have to figure out who to give credit to!???
Language and Its Effects on the Reader
As we leave the visual cues and visual use of media, we are now turning to the use of words. "Good writers choose their words carefully. Most strive to re-create precisely the thoughts and emotions in their heads with words on the printed page." (p. 188) I am still fascinated with the thought that Meme Fox, a children's picture book writer, spent an entire year trying to decide how she would write the first paragraph of one of her beautiful stories. And that, is precisely what masterful writers do. They take time.
Here is a word which is being bantered around in the news, "Carmageddon." Explain its usage. How effective is the use of language to grab the reader? How do these words actually originate???
Now, let's practice identifying the techniques used to cover up the "hidden" message in their writing.
#6 Famous Speeches
How deceptive are famous people and famous speeches? Are they really being honest with us? Can we trust what they are saying? Was Abraham Lincoln really "honest Abe"? Could he believe as he poured out his heart through his rhetoric? How about Pres. Obama? Any difference? How do we know for sure??? Considering what you have learned by analyzing editorials, now let's...
Read: pp. 400-416
Read: pp. 400-416
Directions: Before listening to or viewing these speeches, please review Chs. 6 and 7 on the use of language, author’s purpose, and tone. Study the elements and graph on p. 239. When you are finished, complete the assignments below.
Lou Gehrig's Farewell to Baseball
1. Read the ESPN article or Wikepedia article about Lou Gehrig and the circumstances surrounding the speech that was given for background information to help you with the actual speech.
2. Even though there were many microphones recording his speech, only a few lines of the actual recording still exist today. Watch the tribute to Lou Gehrig on YouTube (Click on his picture here.) to see video of part of the speech and then read the full text of his speech.
3. Copy and paste the speech worksheet into a word document and complete after reading/listening to the speech. Make sure to answer the questions in paragraph form, with complete sentences. Then, submit in the dropbox.
2. Even though there were many microphones recording his speech, only a few lines of the actual recording still exist today. Watch the tribute to Lou Gehrig on YouTube (Click on his picture here.) to see video of part of the speech and then read the full text of his speech.
3. Copy and paste the speech worksheet into a word document and complete after reading/listening to the speech. Make sure to answer the questions in paragraph form, with complete sentences. Then, submit in the dropbox.
Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address
1. Read what the Wikipedia has to say about the circumstances surrounding the occasion of the Gettysburg Address.
2. You may also find more information in this introduction to the famous speech. If you are curious and want to understand better what Lincoln actually said in his speech, go to this page which was created as a resource for teachers to use as they teach literary device to understand the speech. Click here.
3. Listen to and/or read the Gettysburg Address.
4. Copy and paste the speech worksheet into a word document and complete. Make sure to answer the questions in paragraph form, with complete sentences. Submit in the dropbox.
2. You may also find more information in this introduction to the famous speech. If you are curious and want to understand better what Lincoln actually said in his speech, go to this page which was created as a resource for teachers to use as they teach literary device to understand the speech. Click here.
3. Listen to and/or read the Gettysburg Address.
4. Copy and paste the speech worksheet into a word document and complete. Make sure to answer the questions in paragraph form, with complete sentences. Submit in the dropbox.
Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream"
1. Read what Wikipedia has to say about the circumstances surrounding the speech
2. Listen to the speech and/or read the text at this website.
3. You may view the speech at this website.
4. Copy and paste the speech worksheet into a word document and complete. Make sure to answer the questions in paragraph form, with complete sentences. Submit in the dropbox.
2. Listen to the speech and/or read the text at this website.
3. You may view the speech at this website.
4. Copy and paste the speech worksheet into a word document and complete. Make sure to answer the questions in paragraph form, with complete sentences. Submit in the dropbox.
Putting it all together...Now is the time for you to finish your ePortfolio with all your work.