Sunday, September 14, 2008
New Post from Rebecca in 11H
English class this year has been great so far, but we all know it's going to be different from the English classes we had last year. We are going to have to learn how to handle more homework. I thought it would be a good idea to have a blog where everyone can write about what techniques they used in order to handle English class last year. This may help give each other new ideas for making homework less of an ordeal.
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22 comments:
I hope this year is easier because we're using more technology and i hope a lot of people take advantage of using the email. - Mrs. Lindell
SPARKNOTES!
just kidding ms. Lindell (=
seriously though, after reading a novel and before a test, sparknotes is great for reviews and analysis.
i agree with dara on the whole sparknotes thing. sparknotes and radesaver are good ways to review novels. i also think that having the blog is a good way for us to compare ideas or ask questions about homework, essays, novels..
-colleen
i think what we are doing in class is more helpful with understanding the novels...like the charts and reviews inclass..last year i felt like we just talked about what we read and really didnt go too indepth( for all of you who had "you-know-who" we just answered those ANNOYING packets of questions that were so repetitive and pointless) i think this year are books seem more interesting.. i dont even know what dara and colleen are talking about...what are these so-called spark notes??? ive never heard of them =)
-Nick P
Ahhhh...the Spark Note question...always a dicey one for me! Here's my take. I really want you to enjoy reading and I think that we make the books interesting through our class discussion. When people use Spark Notes in lieu of reading, they miss so much of the good stuff that goes on in a book. As a supplemental piece, I can see it, although I'd rather you use something more "scholarly".
I guess that just brings up the question of how you study. I feel like if you read through the book with everyone in class and discuss it (and...ask tons of questions about things you don't get)they you really don't need Spark Notes! I just hate seeing kids rely on Spark Notes (or, in my day Cliffs Notes) because they're only relying on someone else's interpretation of a text... I think you all are able to come up with valuable and valid interpretations on your own rather than be influenced by someone else.
Oh... some day we can talk about Wikipedia too....
One think I know I'm doing differently is keeping everything interactive so we're all on the same page together (literally and figuratively). But, that does require that all of you let me know what you're thinking and feeling about stuff that we're doing in class.....
Sorry for the long post!!
Me
I am experienceing how to analyze a reading more indepth then i am used to this year. Sparknotes and all the other book review sites are excellent ways to study and review for a test or quiz, however Mrs. Lindell brings up a good pioint on why not to use them. The charts we have been filling in help bring a better understanding to what we have been reading and are great to use when it comes time for writting an essay.
- Christina
we didnt have english hw last year so i have no special teqniques...im am LOST this year
Wait a minute...you didn't have any homework last year??? You've got to be kidding me!?! RIGHT????
If so, then this must be a real eye-opener for you!
Oh...and thanks to Christina for the support regarding the Spark Notes. I just think you guys are much smarter than you give yourselves credit for!!!
M
we r smart students but sparknotes helps us clarify on things we dont know but i hear where ur coming from Mrs. Lindell if we dont know something or dont understand something we should come into class asking questions.
-Jordan
I think we shouldn't have to use Spark Notes. We should all feel comfortable enough to tell Mrs. Lindell when we need help understanding something. I know Mrs. Lindell will be happy to answer any of our questions. You wont even need Spark Notes if you are reading something last minute because Mrs. Lindell is always checking her email. I can almost guarantee that she will answer your email within an hour or two from when you sent it.
-Rebecca
I forgot to say something else. Mrs. Lindell, I wanted to know if you could let us know your opinion of Wikipedia and whether or not there are times when it's okay to use it because I use it to look up basic information about things. I know you said one day we were going to talk about it. Can we make that day today? :)
-Rebecca
I agree with rebecca and everyone else. We are juniors and there is no real need for us to use sites like those, unless reviewing for a test. And if you are confused about something you could always ask a friend or Mrs.Lindell who always is eager to help. With regards to wikipedia, I think you have to be carefull about what you read because sometimes people who write those make mistakes.
-Marcella
OK...Wikipedia. If you asked me last year I would have said, and I quote "Wikipedia is CRAP". I have decided to update my opinion to include the idea that it's ok to consult it as a preliminary measure - meaning... it should be the first step to help you research. However, it shouldn't be the final word on a topic. My concern, of course, is that there are so many issues with people putting erroneous information up that I worry you'll get "in trouble" for having incorrect information...
As for the question of asking me questions... I say...ask away!! I think some of your questions make me re-think my own assumptions as a reader and writer and so makes me even more thoughtful about what information we discuss in class.
nice vocab ms L! i for one love wikipedia and use it regularly...but this is english why would we need wikipeida...if were doing a research paper wouldnt you use gale or ebsco or a literary search engine?
nick P
ps hope ur not having a heart attack anymore =)
I think I'm a little off topic but i just remebered that last year making elements charts for all the novels really helped me study for a test. In class Ms.Bernaschina made us include characters, setting, themes, symbols, point of view, and conflict in our charts and it helped to reveiw all aspects of the book.
Diana,
That's a great idea. What we can do when we work on our first full length piece is develop a model that works for everyone... I can put it up on the website and you can just download it when you're ready to review...
Any other suggestions from last year??
i agree with rebecca, so far the in class discussions this year have been extremely helpful and i don't feel the need to use sparknotes anymore. the grammar tips that you gave us have also been very helpful and I can already see that my grammar has improved a ton which is a definite plus for the SAT.
Feel better Mrs. Lindell!
-Christie Barbara
okay so I felt the need to reply to all of this.
I don't use spark notes, but I think that they can help if they are needed for things such as studying.
and Wikipedia, I use it often, but I always get information from other sources to complement that as well.
I hope im doing it all right =)
FEEL BETTER MRS. LINDELL!
Nikki Florio
i have no idea what to do for the summer project
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