Posted by Scott Kemp on 3 May 2010
Hello All!
Last Thursday a computer glitch apparently made it very difficult for you to work on your questioning assignment as it didn't show up. Consequently, neither did your article of the week. With that said, they are now up and active in the assignments section of this website.
On top of it all, you watched a great film, Road to Perdition. The film translates well for many of the themes that will reveal themselves in A Long Way Gone. We will debrief the film in class today. We will also be doing lots of reading in class.
Posted by Scott Kemp on 31 Mar 2010
Somewhere along the line March up and disappeared.
Tonight is the last class of March, the first half of the course has flown right by. That is why this serves as a little reminder that Mid-Term Exams are on Thursday, a week today! Tonight we will go over what will be on them. We will also be in the computer lab working on Article of the Week #6. We will also get a chance to finish watching and talk about "The Illusionist".
For the second hand we will again delve into the dysfunctional world of Stella and Stanley in Streetcar Named Desire. Tonight we will talk about the role language plays in defining us as people. Accents, diction, slang, drawl, it matters or does it? We will also create our next oral presentation assignment together, let's try it.
Cheers,
Kemp
Posted by Scott Kemp on 25 Mar 2010
Are we ready to learn?
Today is a fun day filled with Streetcar Named Desire reading and discussion; Article of the Week #5 and of course, some assignment work. I will be handing back some more marks and everyone will hopefully be happy. Today isn't anything out of the ordinary.
I want you to think about this quote:
"If you have a teacher (of any sort) that you cannot please, that you cannot learn from, that is unwilling to take you where you need to go because he is defending the status quo and demonstrates your failure on whatever report card he chooses to use, you could consider yourself a failure. Or you could remind yourself...
1. Grades are an illusion.
2. Your passion and insight are reality.
3. Your work is worth more than mere congruence to an answer key.
4. Persistence in the face of a skeptical authority figure is a powerful ability.
5. Fitting in is a short-term strategy, standing out pays off in the long run.
6. If you care enough about the work to be criticized, you've learned enough for today."
--Seth Godin
Posted by Scott Kemp on 25 Mar 2010
Are we ready to learn?
Today is a fun day filled with Streetcar Named Desire reading and discussion; Article of the Week #5 and of course, some assignment work. I will be handing back some more marks and everyone will hopefully be happy. Today isn't anything out of the ordinary.
I want you to think about this quote:
"If you have a teacher (of any sort) that you cannot please, that you cannot learn from, that is unwilling to take you where you need to go because he is defending the status quo and demonstrates your failure on whatever report card he chooses to use, you could consider yourself a failure. Or you could remind yourself...
1. Grades are an illusion.
2. Your passion and insight are reality.
3. Your work is worth more than mere congruence to an answer key.
4. Persistence in the face of a skeptical authority figure is a powerful ability.
5. Fitting in is a short-term strategy, standing out pays off in the long run.
6. If you care enough about the work to be criticized, you've learned enough for today."
--Seth Godin
Posted by Scott Kemp on 22 Mar 2010
Phew,
March Break is finally over. I apologize that I wasn't around last week and yes, you had to take an entire week off of learning in this wonderful class. Well, luckily that went by quickly.
We've got a bunch to do today, namely formal persuasive paragraphs. You did the informal ones last class, which I've marked and will be returning. You've presented a formal debate (which we've got one left tonight). So you are ready to wrap up our unit on persuasion.
After the hop we will be starting our look at Streetcar Named Desire by talking about relationships. We will explore the differences that relationships present.
It is going to be a great class, so buckle up and let 'er rip.
Cheers,
Kemp
Posted by Scott Kemp on 11 Mar 2010
Hello Again!
This is, of course, our last night before March Break. We have many things on tap, namely, finish watching This Film is Not Yet Rated , finish the last few commercial oral presentations and Article of the Week #4.
We will also be talking about the proper construction of a series of persuasive paragraphs and then of course, writing them, which will be due on our return from March Break. I know, I know, boo hoo. This is not a formal essay, this is a piece of informal persuasion. Very similar to an argument with a friend, but this time, you'll actually win it!
Next week, since you've got it off, will give many people a chance to relax and take a breather before we dive into A Streetcar Named Desire and all the ensuing work related to it.
Always remember that if you need help or have questions, concerns or complaints, you can always message me from this site.
Here we go...
Cheers,
Kemp
Posted by Scott Kemp on 8 Mar 2010
Alright!
We have talked, learned, practiced and admired the fine art of persuasion for the last few classes and finally tonight is the night. We will be participating in our formal debates tonight.
In the second half of the class we will be watching a great documentary film called, "This Film is Not Yet Rated" and we will see persuasion at its peak.
Cheers,
Kemp
Posted by Scott Kemp on 25 Feb 2010
Good Evening!
I know coming off of an evening with a HUGE Team Canada win over the Russians, four medals including a gold / silver placing in women's two-man bobsled, and our greatest Olympian Clara Hughes' final skate and bronze medal, everyone must be excited for class. Forget about the fact you are missing Team Canada's Women's Hockey Team play against the Americans for gold. We are going to have a GREAT time.
Tonight we are looking at how persuasion can sometimes be dangerous and how we can be wary of when persuasion becomes propaganda. That is in the first half. We'll also be in the computer lab for our Article of the Week. This week, we look at a persuasive piece that hopefully you can reflect on personally.
The second half of the evening will be looking at the documentary as persuasion and it starts with a thesis, follows logically and interestingly with support and further argumentation. In the documentary we are watching, you'll have to be cognizant of what appeals the filmmaker is using and when he flirts with the techniques of propaganda. Not to mention, it will hopefully have you looking at some of your shopping habits differently.
Buckle up, the Olympics are over by next class, so tonight we are racing for Gold.
Cheers,
Kemp
Posted by Scott Kemp on 22 Feb 2010
Alright. Let the snow fly!
Here we are in the midst of the first real snow fall of the winter and it is already February 22nd. We are also in the midst of the second night of Night School. I know everyone was crossing their fingers that there would be night school, well lucky for us, there sure is.
Today we begin our first unit on persuasion. Often, in schools, persuasion is looked at in one main way, THE ESSAY. The dreaded, often tear stained, manipulations of language and ideas are often essential to academia. Now, that said, I don't think we need to write an essay, but I'm up for it if you are. Instead, we are going to look at all the ways we are manipulated, persuaded and cajoled into thinking and doing certain things. We are also going to look at the ways we can manipulate, persuade and cajole others to think and act like we want them to. This unit will boast persuasive writing, but also persuasive speaking, ah yeah, oral presentations.
You'll find a boat load of files loaded up and more to come. It's going to be fun. Trust me!
Cheers,
Kemp
Posted by Scott Kemp on 18 Feb 2010
Hello and Welcome to Night School
Starting tonight, you will join me on a journey of reading, writing, thinking and learning. The journey will be tough, frustrating, and unpleasant at times, but it will also be fun, funny, and totally worthwhile.
Whether you are here for your last credit of high school or your first credit in Grade 12, please understand that this course is more than just a credit. This is a real opportunity to come together and join a community of people in a shared experience.
If at any point, you are struggling, have questions, or need help, please let me know that's what I'm here for.
And without further ado, let's rock n' roll!
Cheers,
Kemp