Friday's Class

Today you should have turned in your yellow score sheets from the assessment test you took at the Writing Center.  This is worth 50 points.  You'll get all of the points if you complete it on time and zero points if you have not completed it by class today.  You cannot proceed in the class without completing this test.  Let me know if you have questions about this.

I also collected the reaction essays about the Basics for Success workshop that we attended on Monday.

I introduced the extra credit opportunities that are listed in the previous post.  READ THEM!

Lecture on chapter two--reading and how it helps your writing.

Become an active reader.  Write WHILE you read.  Keep a pen in your hand and a notebook at your side and jot down thoughts, reactions, questions, words that may need clarifying etc.  You can also write in your books; you own them!  Use the margins; highlight; if a certain paragraph elicits a strong response in you, make a big exclamation point next to it.  KEEP YOURSELF ENGAGED.

Pre-reading AND pre-writing.  Before you start reading, skim through the pages you will read. Pay attention to headings and margin material.  Prepare yourself for what you are about to read.  Consider pre-writing everything you already know about the topic before you start.  What questions do you have?  What do you hope the material will cover?

When you are finished, complete a post-read. Look through your notes, flip back through the pages one last time for a final skim.

On a somewhat unrelated note, I have seen firsthand that people who read regularly are better writers.  It doesn't have to be academic material, but find something to read DAILY.  If you say you don't like reading, you haven't been reading the right things.
What interests you? fitness? finance? travel? cars? music? Have you thought about taking a trip or trying a new hobby?  FIND SOMETHING WRITTEN about something that interests you and start reading it. Perhaps you may benefit from setting a reading goal.  Pick up a magazine or book or find a website with articles that you can commit to reading every day.

As you read, start to pay attention to punctuation, how sentences are written, arranged, begin/end.  You will eventually begin to model what you see done correctly-- I PROMISE.

We did a freewrite at the end of class for 10 points.

HOMEWORK: Read chapter 2

Extra Credit Opportunities

There are some great events taking place on campus this semester!  You may attend any of the following events and turn in a typed 200 word reaction at the following class period for a possible 25 points of extra credit.

Things you should include on your reaction are the following: the name of the event, the date you attended, and the location.  This does NOT count toward your 200 words.  Your reaction should be specific and complete.  Do not assume that you will receive the full 25 points when you turn it in.  I will score it like any other paper.

REMEMBER, THE REACTION IS TO BE TURNED IN AT THE NEXT CLASS PERIOD AFTER THE EVENT YOU ATTEND!  Example: If you attend an event on Monday, you must turn in your reaction on Wednesday. 

NO EXCEPTIONS.

Career Pathways is offering events this semester to help students explore careers.

     Career Pathways, a program for career preparation and workforce development at Johnson County Community College, is planning several events this semester to encourage students to examine careers and undertake a plan of study that will lead to the career of their choice.

•        Health Careers Fair, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18, RC 101. More than 25 representatives from the medical community seeking future employees will be on hand. This is geared for JCCC students as well as students from local high schools.

•        JCCC’s Career and Tech Expo, 11 a.m.-12:45 p.m., Saturday, April 30, Carlsen Center lobby. Representatives from more than 50 career and technical preparation programs at JCCC will be available to share information with parents and students on programs ranging from automotive technology to veterinary technology. The wide array of new and exciting options for 21st-century career information such as job outlook, potential salaries, as well as training and educational requirements will be available.

     For more information, contact Minnie Adams, director, Career Pathways and Cooperative Programs, madams52@jccc.edu  at ext. 4710.

There are also three more options that you have through Career Services.  All of the following events will take place at the Campus Center in COM 319.  Pizza or a snack will be provided.

10 Most Wanted Careers

What careers will be in demand in the next 5 years?  What level of education do jobs require? What salary can you expect?

Thursday 2/17 2-3pm (There is a limit of 10 people for this one, so get there early! Unfortunately, you cannot sign up in advance--I checked.)

Tapping Into Your Interests

Choosing a career path or major can be confusing and overwhelming.  One way to help narrow the choices is to find the right fit between your interests and the environment of a particular career path.

Wednesday 2/16 1-2pm

or

Thursday 2/17 1-2pm 

Deciding on a Major?

This session will be an informal discussion about choosing majors and how this process is different from choosing a career.

Thursday 2/24 1-2pm

 

Wednesday 2/9

Remember that today's class will be meeting at The Writing Center in LIB 308.  You will be given a tour of the area and take the assessment test at this time.

Unfortunately, my daughter is sick and I will be unable to attend.  Proceed as scheduled!!  This will not affect class today!

Upon completion of your test, you will be given a yellow score sheet.  This should be turned in to me on Friday in order for you to receive the 50 points for attending the tour and taking the test.  If you are unable to attend during class today, you MUST do this before class on Friday or you will not be able to proceed.  I will explain more on Friday.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Freezing Monday

Today our class attended the Basics For Success workshop in COM 319.  The Academic Achievement Center is an excellent resource on campus, located in LIB 227.

There was some useful information given on time management and organization that I, even as the teacher, benefited from.

Remember that your 200 word typed reaction is due this Friday.

Don't forget that Wednesday's class will take place at The Writing Center in LIB 308.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Friday's Class

Welcome back!  Is anyone getting tired of this weather?

Lecture on editing/proofreading, page 19.

Talked about peer review, what it is, why it's useful, etc.

Peer review is simply having a peer (fellow student) review/read your writing.  This is commonly done in writing classes in the rough draft stage of production.  Often when we are very familiar with a piece, we can miss or overlook errors or areas that might be confusing or need clarification.  If we are struggling with the introduction or conclusion, a peer may be able to offer some fresh insight.
Both the writer and the reviewer benefit from this process.  It's always good to receive feedback on our writing.  This helps us improve and communicate more clearly.  When you critically review someone's work, it helps you develop your own revision skills.  Maybe you will see a strategy that you haven't tried before.  Perhaps you will see something that you want to steer clear of doing in your own writing.

We are not simply looking for what's "wrong" in a piece of work, but also what is done well!  We all have strengths and weaknesses; learning to identify them will help us to become more successful.

We traded papers with someone and did a basic peer review session.

I collected the productivity papers and working documents.

Read page 19 for more details on editing/proofreading.

** Monday 2/7 we will be attending the Basics for Success workshop during class.  Please meet at COM 319 instead of ATB 132; I will be there waiting for you.  DUE FRIDAY: Type a 200 word reaction.  This was previously an extra credit option, but will now be required.  Let me know if you have any questions.** 

Also looking ahead: on Wednesday 2/9 we will be having our visit to The Writing Center (LIB 308) during class.  

CAMPUS CLOSED

I hope you're all safe and warm today.

In case you haven't heard, campus is closed again today.  Hopefully I'll see you all on Friday.

We'll be working with and collecting your 200 word piece about productivity and your ideal workspace.

Campus Is Closed

Just in case you live in a cave and are coming here for your news: CAMPUS IS CLOSED TODAY (Tuesday 2/1).  I know we don't meet, but thought you might be using your time wisely today to get some school work accomplished.

Check here again tomorrow for weather-related announcements.  I'm guessing campus will be closed again, but in the event that it IS open, I will likely cancel class anyway.  This is not an official notice saying so, so double check tomorrow.

IF we don't meet tomorrow, I'll see you Friday in ATB 132.  Our visit to the Writing Center will need to be rescheduled. 

Also, the Basics for Success workshop that was to take place Monday was rescheduled for THIS Monday at 2:00.  I'll talk more about this on Friday, but we'll be attending this as a class.  I believe it will be a great event from which we will learn a lot!

Be safe and warm!