Class began with a prompt built around hail and sleet. After writing and sharing the class worked on the model section that is due today.

The rest of class was devoted to checking the model section that was due today. We checked for the following:
Name/ Date/ Period

Appropriate title for the section

Section has a thesis
Introduction relates to thesis working hypothesis.
Introduction mentions the topic of each body paragraph.

Each paragraph has a topic sentence. Each topic sentence connects via a key word to the section thesis.

We labeled the evidence used in the section, then checked that the appropriate "quote pattern" was used to embed and cite the source of the information.
Introduction of quote, " the quote" (citation).
The introduction was checked to ensure it made clear from whom or where the evidence was borrowed.

The explanation following each piece of evidence was checked to ensure that there was a clear connection (through repetition of key words) to the topic sentence of the paragraph.

Students who had model sections with few edits required turned them in. Students who needed to make substantial edits will turn in todays draft along with a revised draft tomorrow at the field trip.

Ms. Margolis will be guest teacher on Monday and Tuesday after break.

Through 19 March, 2013

Sorry for missing a couple of posts. Here's what you need to know!

First: In school "field trip" a Town Hall discussion of Agriculture Policy with Congressman Earl Blumenauer this Friday, March 22nd from 9:25 until 10:25 in the library.

Next, the last couple of classes have focused on thesis work. This Thursday, students have due a "model section" of their thesis. In order to help with that:
Writer's should have turned in 25 completed notes and had their working hypothesis checked and ok'd by Mr. Zartler.

Class has had lessons about sorting note cards into sections, and sorting the cards for a section into paragraphs. The following diagrams help explain this process.  By adding a note to each stack explaining what the cards in the stack explain, the model section that is due on Thursday is practically written!

See you Thursday, and then again on Friday!

Through 19 March, 2012

Sorry -- looks like I skipped some entries.

Class is working on the thesis.
Writer's should have turned in 25 completed notes and had their working hypothesis checked and ok'd by Mr. Zartler.

Class has had lessons about sorting note cards into sections, and sorting the cards for a section into paragraphs. The following diagrams help explain this process.  By adding a note to each stack explaining what the cards in the stack explain, the model section that is due on Thursday is practically written!

Tuesday, 12 March

The class heard a lecture about the difference between most research (based on others research) and making new knowledge by interpreting data for the first time.

The class worked in groups in order to analyze various primary resources in order to create new analyses and new knowledge.

Groups will have additional time on Thursday to complete their analysis, prepare a presentation, and present to the class.

After these presentations there will be some research time available while Mr. Zartler meets with students to check on the 25 notes and working hypothesis that are due.

Thursday, 7 March

Class was spent in the library doing research using online databases. Mr. Zartler checked that each writer had twenty-five questions to research and a research question.

Tuesday, 5 March

Writers began class writing about what intrigues them about the topic of their thesis research.

Next Mr. Zartler gave everyone present a copy of this important guide to the thesis. This packet includes plenty of helpful instructions, warnings, and major due dates including:

Research Topic 5 March

25 Thesis Questions and 50 Note Cards 7 March

25 Notes & Working Hypothesis 14 March

One Section (“Model” Section) 21 March

Complete Outline 8 April

Rough Drafts Due 15 April

Final Draft 6 May (Miss this date and risk failure!)

After reviewing the instructions, Mr. Zartler gave instruction about developing questions for the thesis.

Writers then submitted their research topics to Mr. Zartler for approval and began developing their main research question and other questions to research.

The class will meet in the library on Thursday, 7 March to begin research using online databases.

All students should have a stack of blank note cards, and twenty-five (25) questions to research at the beginning of class.

Monday, 4 March

Writers received instruction from Ms. Battle on "Efficient; Effective; and Ethical Research Strategies." On Thursday of this week, the class will put these skills into practice conducting research for the thesis using online databases in the library.

Writers were reminded that they will need to submit a research topic for approval on Tuesday, 5 March.