Final Exam Project and a Few More Things

In case you lose your copy, here is the final exam project option.

Also, here is the reading guide and quiz bombing forgiveness program.

Some of you have a zero for the Hearth and the Salamander take home assessment. You can find another here. 

The Sieve and the Sand Ending

Step One: Two question open book quiz on yesterday's reading.
Step Two: Today, I'd like you to finish the Sieve and the Sand and record your thoughts in the double entry journal I've provided.

We will spend Monday talking about this section so make sure you have your double entry journal completed.

Tomorrow is SSR, so bring your independent novel.

Fahrenheit 451 Prezi

Here's what we've discussed so far. Tonight you are to read up to page 80 in the book.  Content Removed.

So, you think you might want to write an ISearch Paper instead?

If you do, here are two links that might help you.

I've prepared this handout to help you along the way and to explain what this assignment entails.

I've also found this chapter of this textbook online. It's a great resource and contains sample papers, directions, and a whole host of other stuff.

Lastly, here is another example of the I-Search Paper. It was written collaboratively by John Nazzarett and Drew Wiatrowski.

Research Paper

Your Task:  Write a 5-7 page research paper in which you develop a thesis that is the answer to your research question, using outside sources and documenting them according to MLA rules. 

Now that you’ve developed your research questions (essential question and supporting questions), it is time to get down to the research.  Your job over the next four weeks is to research your questions using multiple sources.  After you’ve created your answer you must form a thesis and then develop your argument throughout the paper.   

We’ll be using Noodletools as our organizer for this paper.  You will be using the notecard function to gather your information, the outline function to structure your paper, and the bibliography function to assemble your Works Cited page.  Your paper will be composed using Google Docs and then printed by the due date.

You may request that I read and provide feedback at any time during the research process.   

Due Date: Friday, April 29th

This Week in Corner Ink

Wednesday Checklist

By the beginning of class Wednesday, make sure you hand in:

• your 1.5 - two page paper proposal (printed and double spaced with Google Docs) (Total Package = 200 points)
• Introduction of topic (25 points)
• Explanation of importance of topic (25 points)
• Essential questions and support questions (25 points)
• Short response to two articles (50 points)
• Correct in text citations (25 points)
• Works Cited (25 points)
• Also, make sure you have shared your proposal project in Noodlebib with my dropbox. I will check that you have completed two notecards (25 points).  

This points will be applied to the Writing Piece category of my gradebook, so it is very important that you get everything in ship shape.  

Lastly, you have two and a half weeks left in the third quarter stretch run.  Make sure you review the reading requirements for this stretch. Decide what you want to shoot for, make up a plan, and go for it.  

Wednesday is SSR.

Mr. Malley's Research Proposal

Running is great exercise.  The half marathon is a thirteen mile race.  The younger brother of the full marathon, it was most likely created as a stepping stone for those who lack the endurance to run the 26 mile race.  Each year marathons and half marathons are run by people in every city.  

Two summers ago I downloaded a program called Couch to 5K for my iPhone.  It touted itself as a program to help couch potatoes develop the endurance to run 5k, or 3.1 miles.  This program starts people off running for 90 seconds and then walking for 90 seconds.  It escalates until people can run the 3 miles without walking. I started the program and quit within two weeks.  Last January I began to run again, this time on a treadmill at my local YMCA.  This time I kept with it and eventually worked my way up to be able to run three miles without stopping.  I dropped fifty five pounds in the process.  

As I have successfully completed 5k and 8k races, I feel like it is now time to push myself towards the next challenge; the half marathon.  So, this May I will enter the Nissan Challenge Buffalo Half Marathon.  I’ve never run more than six miles so I know this will be a major challenge.  As such, I know that I need to do significant research if I am to be successful.

The essential question I will be trying to answer is how can I best prepare myself to run a 13 mile race.  I need to find a good plan to build myself up to that level.  I also need to know how to train the rest of my body to be successful, which will include a strength building regimen.  I need to determine how people build up the mental endurance.  Lastly, I want to know how people stay hydrated and any other tricks I need to know to help me run the half marathon.

In my preliminary research I’ve found a few interesting sources thus far.  Hal Higdon, a well respected marathon guru, has put out a guide to help people prepare for this race.  The article has a week by week program as well as a breakdown of things prospective runners should consider such as pace, rest, and cross-training.  What’s more, he offers some encouraging words, explaining “assuming no major problems, most healthy people can train themselves to complete a 13.1-mile race” (“Training for your First Half”).

Another article reinforced my belief that I have to train for this race, explaining that “The days of just “gutting it out” are long gone” (“How to Train”).  Apparently, I can’t just walk up to the line and tough it out.  This site has tons of links to helpful articles that I plan to investigate during my research.  

Rules for Writing Workshop

I want to remind folks about my expectations for behavior writing workshop.

1. It is to be quiet during writing workshop.  If you talk, you are driving out the thoughts of everyone else.  If you have to give a quick hand to the person sitting next to you, whisper.  
2. On that note, do not shout my name for help.  It is disruptive.  Daily you will grab a red cup.  If you need help, flip it upside down.  If you've figured it out, flip it right side up.