September 1

JOURNAL TOPIC: ["Twenty Questions" by The Beastie Boys; "Philosophers Stone" by Van Morrison]
Reflect for a moment on your study of Beowulf. Summarize the knowledge you have acquired, describe your thought process and experience of gathering information, and list any questions you have.

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Beowulf mastery exchange: characterization, literary elements, themes
3. Post questions for homework

HW:
1. Study for vocab quiz tomorrow
2. Read "The Beginnings of English" in textbook (p.12); fair game for quiz questions
3. Research answers to the questions we raised in class & comment with answers (for extra credit)
4. Resumes due tomorrow (BTW, does anyone know how to insert accent marks in blogger? It's a little embarrassing to keep typing REH-zu-may as ree-ZOOM.)

Sample Scholarship Application

Here is an application for a local scholarship (Thank you, Elks Lodge!)-- use it to frame the objective in your resume. We'll talk more in class about searching and applying for scholarships. Remember: you can't win if you don't play! (Also remember to ignore such logic when it comes from the lottery, casinos, and others who charge up front and offer lousy odds.)

elks lodge scholarship app

August 31

JOURNAL TOPIC: [today's tunes: "Weirdo" & "Something Else" by Miles Davis]
Culture is organized to exclude; that is, social order requires determining what is "outside" the realm of the human, or the real, or the legal, or the acceptable. Monsters, miracles, and anti-social human tendencies fall into these categories. How does the social order depicted in Beowulf do this? What is the attitude/tone toward that which is "outside" of culture/social order? How does it control the forces that threaten social stability within the hall?

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Group discussions on Beowulf essay topics: literary elements, characterization, themes (with thanks to M. Siekmeier of http://arapahoe.littletonpublicschools.net)

HW: Continue working on your resume (word to the wise-- don't procrastinate, and don't rush through it like an average school assignment...)

August 30

JOURNAL TOPIC: [today's tunes: "With Her Head Tucked Underneath Her Arm" by Cyril Smith; "The Old Sow Song" by Cyril Smith w/ Rudy Vallee; "I Won't Go Huntin' With You Jake (But I'll Go Chasin' Women)" by Stuart Hamblen]

Today's journal topic & tunes are in honor of my grandfather, who passed away August 21. (The picture below is from our last visit on August 5.) He loved music and telling/writing stories about the events and people in his life. Write a story about a special family member or friend that brings that person a little closer in your memory, and enjoy listening to some tunes that Grandpa sang to put a smile on more than a few faces.

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Smile for the camera: school pics
3. Resume feedback/clarification/revision
4. Begin discussing Beowulf with partner/group to ensure complete comprehension notes

HW: Work on your resume

resume template

Here is an ancient, shoddy copy of a resume template. If you miss the class discussion about it make sure to check with a friend-- or post your questions here-- so that yours doesn't wind up looking like it's from a 1973 film strip.

***UPDATE*** Please Note: Your resume will ultimately tailored to the opportunity you're using it for, so keep in mind that you will tweak it accordingly for each scholarship and job application. I don't want to confuse anyone, so please remember that our current priority is higher education scholarship applications. Begin with the senior resume worksheet and structure (which you can see here) for your primary outline. I gave today's information on the functional resume in order to: 1)Discuss mechanics, and 2)Provide ways of making the resume a more specific, personal reflection of your accomplishments. If at this point you're not sure which formatting elements to use, wait until tomorrow when I return your first effort and discuss it with you personally.


sample resume -

August 29

JOURNAL TOPIC: [today's tunes: "Early Morning Wake Up Call" by The Hives; "Early in the Morning" by Ray Charles]

Today is the first "early out" on our calendar. Some say this is a bad idea, given all the demands on our already-crowded learning time. Others say this is a good idea, given that they'd rather be anywhere else in the universe besides school. What is your opinion of early outs? What will you do with the extra time?

AGENDA:
1. Journal/collect Beowulf HW
2. Vocabulary/have you recited "Laughing Heart"?
3. Notes on resume

HW:
1. Revise/resubmit resume Friday, September 2
2. Blogger search function feedback (optional)

Vocabulary: Fall List #3

accolade
acerbity
attrition
bromide
chauvinist
chronic
expound
factionalism
immaculate
imprecation
ineluctable
mercurial
palliate
protocol
resplendent
stigmatize
sub rosa
vainglory
vestige
volition