My Second Lecture

The second lecture I attended was about the Cognative Learning theory which includes learning through experience and involvement. The speaker, Lia Banks is studying Elementary Education and has recently been involved with teaching the Special Education students. The cognative theory has been used for some time in classrooms, however not with special education students. This form of teaching has greatly helped many.
The cognative theory requires four steps:

1. Attention to be focused on the person giving the demonstrations.
2. Retention to be maintained through repetition or reward.
3. Motor Representation, is using motor skills in someway to become more applied and involved.
4. Motivate is again another step to involve and excite.

I learned that we always need to be ready to answer questions so we can be strong for ourselves

Read The Independent Magazine!

Works Cited

Commander, MC Bat. "Antimatter." Antimatter. By The Aquabats. Thom Wilson, 1999.

Holland, Jeffrey R. "Lds Mormon Videos: Are We Christians?" YouTube. 23 Apr. 2009.

Laini. "Dress Code." YouTube. 23 Apr. 2009.

Extra Extra 1

The first extra credit seminar I attended lasted 30 Minutes. I attended a lecture about homosexuality. Initially I feared that I may have been directed to the wrong classroom. The lecture was focused on Alfred Prufrock, a poet that is thought to be bisexual. The lecture began by describing what it means to be feminine and gay. The lecture continued to explain how Prufrock had several of these attributes. The man giving the lecture was also gay(homosexual). Because of the mans background, he had a good understanding about what to look for as he indicated that Prufrock was a flaming homosexual, and there was no "bi-" about Prufrock.
When Prufrock wrote these poems homosexuality was not acceptable. Most of the evidence of Prufrock's homosexuality was hidden in the work he left behind. To support this claim, examples from Prufrock's peotry and music were examined.

I learned important steps for creating convincing research papers.

-Establish background knowledge
-Discuss Evidence
-Explain the Evidence and background knowledge to create a convincing conclusion

Grahmar Check

Something I was doing horribly wrong, was correctly writing and using ellipsis marks. The ellipsis mark in the first place was written wrong. Instead of typing evenly spaced periods, I was typing three dot's. Instead I have learned that isn't the correct way. It is done by evenly spacing three dots, with spaces between the dots and the letters as well.
It is not necessary to use at the beginning of a quotation, but rather for the middle of quotations to represent words or material that has been omitted from the quote.
Another use is to indicate a pause in quoted speech.

You too can learn more at http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/marks/ellipsis.htm

I definitely do not want to become a waitress . . . or a waiter.

Watch The Waitress Song

Reading "Serving in Florida" I have decided I do not ever desire to work at a restaurant (unless it is somewhere classy). I was grossed out by the first half of the first paragraph. Apparently that was my hell and I am a fat person.
Barbara Ehnrenreich's experiment examined the need for education in order to live comfortably. She was very surprised to find the strenuous difficulties that await in much of the work force. There were many physical struggles, such as the energy needed to go from job to job and perform at a moderate degree. Mentally Barbara's challenges were caused by the pressure of maintaining the job, and finding time and a means for recreation. There was very little time and money for her to enjoy herself. This ethos rhetorik writing was very effective because she commented on details to help bring up real issues and challenges that may otherwise be washed over as a statistic that has little meaning behind the unexperienced audience.
The opening parragraph is an example for strong pathos rhetorik. Because of her experience, she described a scene that is repulsive and emotionaly disheartening. The discription of the kitchen brings feelings of disgust to my mind.
Her description of being a tourist reminds me of an uncommon stage set up for an audience. The fact that she was looking for a working class environment makes me question many things: "What did she expect to find when examining a working class environment? Did she seek out what she found? Could there have been a better working class environment, or are all of them that bad if not worse? Was that the worse working class environment she could find?" All of these questions invalidate much of her research until answered.

The text "Framing Class was also very interesting. Diana Kendall does a good job at picking up a big issue and problem that can solve so many other problems. The problem the news framing classes of people. When the media advertises so often items that may be of interest like cars and toys, they become a part of our daily lives. When I see things shown in movies like cars it brings up an interest of fun or satisfaction among other possessions. When the media broadcasts movie stars using these things to have fun, it can drive you to connect fun with that possession.
The principle of unnecessary consumerism is seen in the college setting through students spending money for items they may not need or items which more than satisfy a need. I bought a laptop that is more than what I needed for school, but for entertainment purposes I wanted to have a better product. I was a over consumer for that thing.
Thematic framing can be seen as a way to depict or frame an entire class. This can become more condemning while episodic framing is more of an observation.

Now n' Verb

A Noun is a person place or thing

A Verb is what you do.

In order for nouns and verbs to work together, they must be in agreement. "But words don't talk right?" Well, words communicate in a way that is difficult for me to explain. That is why I have sought the aid of www.esc.edu. They taught me all I needed to know.

Nouns and Verbs are the basic parts of a sentence, the two teammates upon whom all others depend. They need to agree on one major thing:

number
singular (one) or plural (more than one)

For example, the following sentences do not make sense because the nouns and their verbs do not agree in number:

• John and Mary is a couple.
• John are a real estate dealer who make over $67,000.
• Mary are a farmer; she have a little lamb farm and get a good deduction from the government so her family don't get fleeced on their taxes.

But the sentences do make sense when the verbs agree with their nouns in number:

• John and Mary are a couple.
• John is a real estate dealer who makes over $67,000.
• Mary is a farmer; she has a little lamb farm and gets a good deduction from the government, so her family doesn't get fleeced on their taxes.

http://www.esc.edu/esconline/across_esc/writerscomplex.nsf/3cc42a422514347a8525671d0049f395/9e119ab27ad3c6c0852569f10072dff4?OpenDocument

Hot Summer Nights

THE AQUABATS!!!

In Accompaniment With

Nouns and Verbs

Presents

"Hot Summer Nights"

Lyrics:

I saw you there
With your pretty blondish hair
Eating a breakfast burrito
You seemed so neato
So we took the bus down to the pier
Down on the sand
By the metal detector man
We looked across the bay
As the dolphins swam away
We held hands
And just imagined
With tears in my eyes
You had to say goodbye
You had to go
You couldn't tell me why
You said something about you moving to Alaska

I'm gonna miss you
I'm gonna miss you so much
Those hot summer nights
Won't last forever
[x2]

I know you're gone and you can't come home
I'm so alone, but I'll never forget about you

I understand
So I bought a krugerrand
I'll wear you near my heart
We'll never be apart
Now the heavens will smile upon us
With tears in my eyes
You had to say goodbye
You had to go
You couldn't tell me why
You said something about you living on an iceberg

I'm gonna miss you
I'm gonna miss you so much
Those hot summer nights
Won't last forever
[x2]

I know you're gone and you can't come home
I'm so alone, but I'll never forget about you

I'm gonna miss you
I'm gonna miss you so much
Those hot summer nights
Won't last forever
[x2]




NOW, See "Hot Summer Nights" LIVE!

lyrics found at: http://www.plyrics.com/lyrics/aquabats/hotsummernightwontlastforever.html

Grammar Rule 25,364

Omit unnecessary words.

Incorrect example: Omit Words That May Be Considered Unnecessary to the Cause of the Sentence. I came across the web site junketstudies.com and learned about 11 rules of writing that are often broken. Their eleventh rule of writing posted is omit unnecessary words. This rule is very important. I break it often. I broke the rule at the beginning of this post to illustrate what a difference it makes in writing. There are times when we use too many words to describe and explain things. Very often in writing, less is more. As you write, do your best to not use unnecessary words.

Other Examples:

Incorrect -- Correct

I would like to assert that the author should be considered to be a buffoon.

The author is a buffoon.

It would be safe to say that Gregor Samsa is not the only character in Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis to undergo drastic changes.

Gregor Samsa is not the only character in Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis to undergo drastic change.

Before going to the supermarket, we made a list of the groceries we needed in order to make the food that we intended to eat for dinner.

Before going to the supermarket, we made a list of groceries that we needed to prepare dinner.

It's an Academic!!!

That's Right!

WARNING!!! ACADEMIA!

In the document "The Roots of Debate in Education and the Hope of Dialogue", Tannen teaches us about some harmful effects that follow excessive criticism. Excessive criticism does not produce construction, it closes minds to valid knowledge and can destroy the process of critical thinking itself.
Tannen suggests that we move, not past criticism, but move on to accept good valid points established in writing. This will not eliminate criticism, and debate, but rather equalize the negative with posotive. Human feelings are important to consider when analyzing someone, or their work. Tannen's example that supports this is show and tell in elementary. A teacher used show and tell to help students learn about another students presentation, of a lava rock.
Because, Tannen does not entirely dismiss criticism and debate, he then applies the principle he was teaching. He shared thoughts about how criticism when accompanied with positive comments can help a writer more than one or the other.

Italics and Underlining

Italics and Underlining

Italics and underlineing distinguish certain words from others within the text. These methods of grammar mean "THE SAME THING?"! Yes, and it is inappropriate to switch from one style of writing to another. So don't use them in the same document.

Use italics and underling for the following:

Titles
-"The Office" is the best T.V. show on the planet!

Names of Vehicles
-Challenger

Foreign Words or phrases
-If a word or phrase has become so widely used and understood that it has become part of the English language — such as the French "bon voyage" or the abbreviation for the latin et cetera, "etc."

Words as Words
-The word basically is often unnecessary and should be removed. For Emphasis

Words as Reproduced Sounds
-Grrr! went the bear.


Special Thanks to
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/italics.htm

Against School? Yeah man! Yeah!

Against School
By John Taylor Gatto

In the story "Against School"Gatto is the communicator while the reader is the audience. Gatto dilivered his message about why our school system is unnecesary, even detremental. John Gatto used a lot of ethos rhetoric as well as logos and pathos in bringing to life and reality a topic mentioned very little in the educational environment. Gatto let readers understand that he has a lot of knowledge to offer because he has 30 years of experience. He also uses pathos in the form of boredom. Towards the end of his debate, with logos, he logically connects his thoughts.
The first example of retoric is seen in the first sentence. Gatto establishes the fact that he has spent thirty years as a teacher, in the best schools and the worst schools. He also speaks for all the other teachers he has come across in his career, not to mention the students. This is a false appeal to authority as well as inviting others to jump on the bandwagon.
Another logical falicy found in Gatto's writting is used through the rhetoric of pathos. The first emotion Gatto points at, is the lack of emotion. Boredom is used by Gatta to describe school. Because of examples he saw in the school systems, he hastily generalizes that every student and teacher suffered from the symptoms of boredom.
The last step for Gatto to complete the triangle of rhetoric was the use of logos. Even logos was applied through Gattos explanation for the true cause of school. His six functions about the true purpose of school may be true. They also may have been true. The question that begs to be asked is are they still true. Or is false analogy involved?
From reading Gattos story "Against school" there can be seen examples of how rhetoric is used and can be applied in good and bad. From reading "Against School" much is taught. There are questions answered and interests sparked.




I Just Wanna Be Average
Mike Rose
In the story "I Just Wanna Be Average" Rose is the communicator and his message relates to how to cope with our weaknesses as well as others. Logical fallacies can be seen throughout his story. Even in the title, the phrase "I just wanna be average" is an invitation to jump onto the bandwagon. The story increases Rose's invitations.
Rose describes teachers and his life using terms familiar to him and others in his situation, "He ran the dozens like a metric halfback,...". This style of writing invites others with that background to participate and become a part of his invitation (to agree with his message). This invitation can be seen as an invitation to jump on the bandwagon.

"I have a preposition for you."

A preposition is used to link nouns, phrases and pronouns to other words in a sentence. The word the preposition is introducing is that

prepositions object. When a preposition is used, it often indicates the relationship it's object has to the rest of the paragraph.
Example:
"What have I ever done to make you treat me so disrespectfully? If you'd come to me in friendship, then this scum that ruined your daughter would be suffering this very day. And if by chance an honest man like yourself should make enemies, then they would become my enemies. And then they would fear you. " - Don Carleone

Here are the rules: (compliments of GrammarBook.com @ http://www.grammarbook.com/grammar/probPrep.asp)

Rule 1. You may end a sentence with a preposition. Just do not use extra prepositions when the meaning is clear without them.
Examples:
Correct: That is something I cannot agree with.
That is something with which I cannot agree.
Correct: How many of you can I count on?
Correct: Where did he go?
Incorrect: Where did he go to?

Rule 2. Use on with expressions that indicate the time of an occurrence.
Examples: He was born on December 23.
We will arrive on the fourth.

Rule 3. 0f should never be used in place of have.
Correct: I should have done it.
Incorrect: I should of done it.

Rule 4. Between refers to two. Among is used for three or more.
Examples: Divide the candy between the two of you.
Divide the candy among the three of you.

Rule 5.
The word like, when used to show comparison, is a preposition, meaning that it should be followed by an object of the preposition but not by a subject and verb. Use the connectors (also called conjunctions) as or as if when following a comparison with a subject and verb.
Examples: You look so much like your mother.
Mother is the object of the preposition like.
You look as if you are angry.
As if is connecting two pairs of subjects and verbs.

So there you have it.

"This is the business we chose."

An's 'n A's

The difference between a vs. an, is critical in sounding good. Have learned the rules for when to use an, and when to use a. I have never had a problem with it. To me the principle just makes sense, yet I a would like to be more familiar with the rules. I was glad when I had to look no further than my mom, (classic 'eh), who now teaches 4th and 5th grade.
The rule is rather simple. If a word starting with a vowel follows the article A then it is necessary to tag the letter N at the end. That is it! Simple, and easy to remember. So now there shall be no excuses for mistakes. Right?

My Idiot Nation

Michael Moore, effectively, uses others research to base his opinions. He has some very good incites about what the actual problems are, with our education system. He critically analyzed what has been done for the education system, and what really needs to be done. Overall Moore uses books, statistics and writes what his interpretations are. Because of his method of writing, he is very convincing. Moore appears to address his writing to eighty million, when in reality he addresses two-hundred (million).
Michael Moore writes and narrates through out the thinking process. He initiates thoughts about statistics or extreme events that prove a point he wants to make. He used statistics to illustrate his point about being surrounded by idiots. When talking about the intelligence of America, Moore shared statistics about literacy rates, and time spent reading books vs. watching television.
Another technique used by Moore is stereotyping. In one instance Moore, used several examples of ambassadors from different time frames, who knew little about the countries they would soon be working with. Moore then uses these experiences to passively criticize and invalidate opinions from those persons or parties.
After building his foundation, Moore continues by moving on to educational issues. Having won an audience, he addresses issues and introduces solutions. Because Moore has shown invalidation of another opinion, his opinions appear to be more correct. This is seen throughout "Idiot Nation". When talking about teachers, Moore chooses a quote given by Chester Finn about teachers. Moore shares his own contrasting thoughts, which become more revolutionary.
Through these techniques and others Moore appears to bring new, convincing, ideas and solutions. Moore even leads the thoughts of the reader through casual speach. By seeking to meet the reader in agreement, Moore keeps the reader guessing, however at times, the reader can guess too much.

My colons are hurting!

I feel I have used colons often recently, and would like to know I am using them correctly. I learned from "Wikipdedia" and found four major uses for colons. Besides digestion, colons can be used for the following sentences:

• syntactical-deductive: introduces the logical consequence, or effect, of a fact stated before

There was only one possible explanation: the train had never arrived.

• syntactical-descriptive: introduces a description—in particular, makes explicit the elements of a set

I have three sisters: Catherine, Sarah and Mary.

• appositive: introduces a sentence with the role of apposition with respect to the previous one

Parker could not fist properly: he was drunk.

• segmental: introduces a direct speech, in combination with quotation marks and dashes. The segmental function was once a common means of indicating an unmarked quotation on the same line. The following example is from Fowler's grammar book, The King’s English:

Benjamin Franklin proclaimed the virtue of frugality: a penny saved is a penny earned.

So..... Check it out at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colon_(punctuation)#Punctuation

Colons Are GooD~

The 1950's - Before My Dad Was Thought Of

Research is a powerful tool for critical thinking. Stephanie Coontz uses a lot of research to support her claims founded in "What We Really Miss About the 1950's".
Research, is essential. In order to create an accurate hypothesis, I must first have knowledge based on a subject. Coontz in her writing, used a lot of statistics, in order to create an image of true characteristics for each decade discussed. Also, through her research, I was able to understand points that otherwise have no application to my interests.
I feel that Coontz purpose is to help inform others about the 1950's and re-evaluate their reasoning for selecting the 1950's as the most ideal time to raise a family. She focuses much of her research towards what families were like. She expounds upon that also with research about why families were that way. Because she presented the fact, about mothers staying home full time to raise kids, along with the World War II background summary, I am able to better understand, why her first fact may be true. She always has her facts together supporting one another, which allows assumptions or perspectives validity. Throughout the story, Coontz brings facts to attention, in a non-argumentative way. Instead of proving specific points, she presents research she found and allows others to be critical thinkers themselves.
I cannot bring up a specific cultural belief, but I recognize that in Coontz's paper, she brings out both good and bad in all her subjects. An example; is when she talks about non-marital pregnancies, in relation to children born to married couples. The negative research, points at non-married pregnancies, while the more positive research is seen as more births to married couples.
What I find to be most interesting about both of these pieces is, their indirect relationship. Both of these story's can be seen as a way to initialize critical thinking. Soto, uses examples to allow readers to begin a critical thinking process. As I read Soto's story, I recognized how the culture of the American family, may differ from reality. Because of the examples of the young boy, I began my own critical thinking process about the reality of the little boy's experience.
With Coontz, I learned the same method, start a thought, and allow others to follow through with critical thinking. Just as Soto used examples to develop the readers thoughts, Coontz used much research to spark the readers thoughts. The effect, is enough support for the reader, to become more accepting of new perspectives.

George Soto

The Story, "Looking for Work" is about a nine year old Mexican boy who is searching for work. He has various obstacles that come with life as a young boy. From reading, "Looking for Work" by Gary Soto, I learned important techniques to include in my writing.
Soto, uses his detailed, yet familiar, description, to allow the reader to visualize, and understand his character. In one example, is Soto's use of personalized terms, such as "Kool-Aid" and the T.V. show "Father Knows Best,". This allows others to make a relationship with Soto's character, should they be familiar with these pop-culture items. However, this form of writing, may also deter other readers who are not so familiar, with these pop-culture descriptions. This method, may become very helpful, but if used excessively, there may be a lack of perspective allotted to other readers. A good mixture of pop-culture terms, and standard vocabulary terms, is necessary.
Through the writing of Soto, I feel he wishes to teach about how parents and children are affected by the falsified visions, shown through media. We see in the story how minor, conflicts are developed because of pop-culture. For example the young boy's need for formal dinners.
At the same time Soto also did not dwell for extended periods of time on the subject of these falsified visions. Because of this I feel there can be much more Soto intends to teach the reader, (which I didn't receive in my read).
I have learned not to over emphasize points that I wish to portray. Soto may have emphasized more about the young boy's confusion about family, instead he used, simple, clear examples.
I agree with Soto in that television is not always an accurate depiction of true culture. Culture is alive! It is what we are a part of. It is what we are. Soto did not make any bold statements challenging the culture of American families, but instead shared examples, teaching me how the portrayal of American families, is not always accurate.

My cama's

I felt that I could use a reminder of when it is and is not appropriate to add commas. The rules for inserting commas can be organized into eleven rules.

Rule 1. "Separate elements into series". this may include an action that took place, Example: "He fired three more rounds, dropped his magazine, inserted a new magazine, and released the slide...." (slide, referring to the portion of the pistol which cycles rounds through the chamber.)
Rule 2. 'Use a comma... to connect, two, independent clauses.' Example: "The magazine was loaded, but the gun was not."
Rule 3. 'Use a comma to set off introductory elements....' Example: "Preparing to go shooting, I reviewed my rifles owner manual."
Rule 4. 'Use a comma to set off parenthetical elements....' parenthetical elements references elements not requisite for the meaning of it's sentence. Example: "His Heckler & Koch, USP .45, shot very well!"
Rule 5. 'Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives.' Example: "He owns a black, synthetic, metal, rifle."
Rule 6. 'Use a comma to set off quoted elements', or designate a quote. Example: "Look at me, I'm a winner!", The Aquabats said, "Don't you agree? I'm a winner!"
Rule 7. 'Use commas to set off phrases that express contrast' Example: "I'm a winner, not a loser."
Rule 8. 'Use a comma to avoid confusion.' Example: (from the web sight, because I could not think of one :( "For most the year is already finished" vs. "For most, the year is already" finished.
Rule 9. 'Never use only one comma between a subject and its verb.' Example: "My super powerful 870 express is my favorite gun to shoot." There is no need to insert a comma between express and is.
Rule 10. 'Typographical Reasons' Use commas to format. Example: "St. George, UT" or "December 1st, 1987"
Rule 11. 'Use commas with caution' Do not overuse comma's. Rather stick to the rules that apply.
I have learned many rules about using commas. I learned that every time I pause, for instance, I do not need to insert a comma. I hope these notes help you develop better writing skills. Also check the web sight I 'quoted' throughout this post, for additional help.

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/commas.htm



"I have spent most of the day putting in a comma and the rest of the day taking it out."

— Oscar Wilde

My Comics!

Citations 4 The Lack Thereof

I have a lot of questions, about citing other works. Now I have learned there are even more answers.
From the web sight, of Duke University Libraries I have found a full list of different styles for citing works, from various resources (Books, Magazines, Journals...Etc). I chose to exemplify a web page citation. The following is an excerpt from instructions on how to blog.

How To Blog: A Beginner's Blog Publishing Guide

How to blog is something that a lot of us old hands take for granted, but for the beginner it can seem like a daunting tangle of questions and issues to be resolved. In this guide, I have gathered all of the essential resources you'll need to get started. Here's how:

My Works Cited is in the Chicago format as follows:

Michael Pick
How To Blog: A Beginner's Blog Publishing Guide - Robin Good's Latest News:
3 spaces [Wednesday, January 14, 2009 10:03:20 PM; cited January 14 2009 3 spaces Available from
3 spaces http://www.masternewmedia.org/independent_publishing/blogging-how-to-blog/guide-to-publishing-first-blog-20071104.htm.htm

(Sorry, I am having trouble formatting, see Duke University Libraries for a good example)

Things that are important to remember are:

• The Author (if listed)
• The Title
• The Name of the Producer or Company (of the web page)
• The Last Modified Date w/ The Citation Date
  
• The web page address (full address)
  

I now, have an excellent resource for instructions to cite works I use in my research. (Duke University Libraries!)

My Opinion's Count?

The term citizen is used to describe an inhabitant of a location, (or more often,) a nation. An American citizen, therefore can be someone from the American continent, or the country America (The United States of America). I never heard of someone describe them self as a citizen, without having any application to government. I, therefore, have no cause to assume otherwise, unless further communication expounds another perspective.
Applying this text will complicate, the validity of my opinions. This text will complicate my opinions, because critical thinking is careful analysis, and judgment. In order to apply careful analysis and judgment, I will have to obtain multiple perspectives through study. I will have to study more carefully and that complicates things. Also according to the text it may be necessary to question, the perspective I have already obtained.
As I become a critical thinker, I will learn to obtain different perspectives, and create conclusions based upon multiple variables.