Week 10 (CHC)

Two months and two weeks of being together--an anniversary!  As we start this week, I'd like for us to look back a little and take note of what has happened and how we have changed as a result of sharing a classroom together.  For me, I take note of the continued energy I see and experience.

Weaving Meditation

Every semester has a certain character or flavor.  This is my 19th year teaching this class.  Each term presents itself as this tremendous gift and surprise.  I have to say, however, that sometimes by the time Week 10 comes around, I feel tired and ready for a change.  Not so for 2012-1.  I'm still feeling the thrill of the start of the term and the joy of being in your midst.  Thank you for bringing your whole selves to this learning endeavor; it's made a difference for me.

Take time in your notebooks to reflect on what it has meant for you to be in this class.  Who have you met that has made the experience a sweeter one?  What have you learned about yourself?  What have you strengthened in terms of your writing?  How's your confidence?

Last week I mentioned that I would be available early this week for writing conferences.  It does not look like this is going to happen as I'm still dealing with not feeling 100%.  I do, however, want to help be a sounding board for your essays, so we will take the first couple of days of the week, up to the time the essays are due to hear from anyone who may want to ask a question regarding  structure, content, voice, style, or grammar.  I invite you to come to class and read a passage from your essay or read your whole paper if you like.  Together we can serve as a good audience for your work, giving you feedback to help you write the best possible essay.

Due Dates and Process

I will start collecting Essay 2 on Wednesday 10/31 for classes that meet MW; 11/1 for classes that meet TR, and 11/2 for classes that meet MWF.  Essays will need to be turned in through Turnitin before they are submitted in hard copy form in class.   When you bring your essay to class on the due date, make sure that you attach a copy of this rubric to the document, that your name not appear anywhere in the essay, that you include the time and day your class meets.    

Everything should be stapled before walking in to class.

• For those of you who went to the Writing Center, make sure to include the draft that was worked with your packet.
• For those of you who participated in the Google Hangout, please complete this form to receive your 35 extra-credit points.

CHC
We meet again this Wed. to continue our group projects. As we discussed in class, the issues we've been discussing with respect to interaction with the students have led us to look more carefully at the school's dress code. As in any school, the dress code is meant to encourage a professional and comfortable environment while discouraging distractions and inappropriate behavior. As you can see, we haven't exactly adhered to all the rules. Please take a look and make sure you're adhering to the dress code. Also, what do you think about the concept of dress codes, whether at CHC or schools in general. Is this a good idea?

Also look at this letter from John Franklin Stephens, who has Down Syndrome and has competed in the Special Olympics, to Ann Coulter, the political pundit who called President Obama a "retard" in a tweet. The letter is part of an article and discussion that explores some of the deeper issues about language and social exclusion that this episode brought forward. 

Photo Walk Group Essay
Two weeks ago I introduced the photo walk assignment.  By now you should have a theme you want to document on campus.  If you don't have one, get together as soon as possible with your group to come up with one.  I would suggest themes that allow us to see the campus from a different angle, one that we may not take time to notice.  Anything can work, as long as you can manage to get 12 good pictures that help us see any aspect of our school from a fresh perspective.  

The way you collect your photographs is up to you.  I strongly suggest you do an inventory of the the cameras you have available.  Camera phones work just fine.  On the web side of things, I would encourage everyone that has a smartphone to use Instagram, a free app for Iphones and Android devices.  Using Instagram and  a unique hashtag # for your group will allow group members to easily share the photographs with one another.  You can find many of the pictures taken there under #stillsmallvoicewalk.  

Once you have taken a good number of pictures (many more than 12), the next step for the group will be to determine which ones to use to create a photographic essay that captures a dominant impression.  Pay attention to this requirement as it calls for a strong thematic goal before you even start your walk around campus.   (If you are not sure what you are looking for as you take pictures, it will be a lot harder to come up with a strong dominant impression for the final document later on.)

Each group member should create a Storify account.  Take time to learn how to use this service.  It is easy to use but will need a little bit of prep time to get comfortable.  I will show you in class how to use it.  Once everyone has access to Storify and has a username, have one person create the page for the photo walk in Storify and then go to the settings area of the application and give each group member editor status.  This will allow everyone to access to the page.  You now will be ready to put your text and pictures together in a way that will be very easy for you to share.  Try this at home this week so that when I demonstrate it in class,  you are already familiar with the process. 

Extra Credit on November 17

On November 17 the two IF Clubs at MDC will host Shanty 2012.  This is a service-learning event that will take place at the InterAmerican Campus of Miami Dade College.  It will provide everyone who participates an opportunity to learn more about service projects in our community and also abroad.  The event has a two fold purpose: (1) to raise awareness of the interconnectedness of all human beings and all life and (2) to raise funds for four little kids in Nicaragua.  There is a 100-point extra-credit possibility for the project.  If you plan on participating, you will need to let me know by no later than Friday of this week in order to get you prepared.