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Learning and Engagement

You are expected to come to class every day prepared, with the required materials, and with your homework completed.  Your daily work grade will be determined by various activities and assignments, including but not limited to in-class writing assignments, peer review of drafts, group discussions, and presentations.  Daily work cannot be made up.  There will be a daily warm-up at the beginning of each class unless instructed otherwise.  You will turn in warm-up's in a Blackboard Discussion forum but I also recommend that you keep a copy.  Outside of the classroom there will be readings, reading responses, reflections, and “My Story” writings. Last, but not least, this section also consists of attendance, class participation, drafting, and peer review.

Warm Ups

Each class period there will be a set of warm-up questions and/or a prompt to which students will respond in approximately 10 to15 minutes. Students should read the warm-up questions and begin writing and responding to the warm-up as soon as class begins. These will be on a running document for warm ups. Students should take it upon themselves to ask questions and for assistance with warm ups as needed. Warm-ups are designed to help students reflect and engage with homework, readings, concepts and ideas discussed in class, and to prepare students for classroom engagement. Warm-ups are quick, low-stakes writing assignments, which give the students an opportunity to demonstrate their learning and/or engagement with concepts and materials from class. Lastly, students should use their prior knowledge and the course materials to support their warm-ups.

Group/Class Discussions

We will be participating in group and class discussions on any readings we have for homework. Usually, I will assign groups to discuss a section or chapter. The group will discuss and then we will discuss as a class. There are typically four roles in group discussions: scribe, 2 researchers, and support/speaker. However, I will call on anyone and everyone. I will walk around and evaluate who is doing work and who isn't. Then when we transition to class discussion, the speaker can speak for the group but I will be calling on anyone in the class. 

Peer Review

We will be peer reviewing each others work many times in this course. These sessions count as process work. You are required to give thoughtful and constructive feedback to your peers. You must address the peer review questions or prompt that I assign in order to receive full credit for assignment. 

Introductory Letter

You will work on an introductory letter throughout this semester. You will have two versions, one for the midterm portfolio and one for the final portfolio, with many drafts leading up to each. This is basically a letter about yourself by letting your fellow classmates and I understand you a little better. Also, it will help you reflect on yourself throughout the semester. How did you begin this semester and how did you change? When wondering how much to write ask yourself what you want to share about yourself and your goals with the class, and what you feel others should know about you. Be sure to make this letter your own! Be creative about the format and design.

Here are the following questions to respond to:

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  1. Your name and preferred first name

  2. What does the theme: "Courage, Conviction, and Composition" mean to you? What is an example of having the courage and/or conviction to enact change? Use examples from your own experiences.

  3. Your "hometown"? What makes you define this location as your hometown? 

  4. A "selfie" or image/picture that represents you: What do you think others think or know about you based on that visual representation?

  5. "I was born in . . . . I first remember . . . . etc." (the stereotypical launch of a personal narrative)

  6. How would your family describe you? How would your friends describe you?

  7. What would we learn about you from the internet and various social media sites?

  8. Talents and / or hobbies?

  9. Your major and why you chose it?

  10. Explain your understanding of what writing and research are, and explain your past experiences and relationship with writing and research (positive, negative etc.).

  11. Long-term goals: 6 years (August 2024); 12 years (August 2030);

  12. Academic subjects that you consider your strengths

  13. Academic subjects you know you will have to work at and why

  14. Your current weekly schedule, explained: in addition to classes, work schedule, other commitments, what are identified study times, relax times?

  15. What are three goals you have for this semester?

  16. Personal life goals?

  17. What expectations do you have for yourself?

  18. Educational goals?

  19. Career goals -> why?

  20. Where would you like to move/live?

  21. Extra curricular activities?

  22. What are your study habits?

  23. What is your learning style?

  24. Volunteer experiences?

  25. What kinds of technology do you have / use / want / wear (or not)?

  26. How would you describe your techno-literacy?

  27. Ask yourself, how will I define myself as a learner, future employee, future citizen?

    1. How do I want to be known? How many different ways do I want to be known?

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