Quiz Notes...See ASAP: Final Policy Change...

Good afternoon everyone! Thanks for the feedback from all & for the most part complying with the contract to get pre-discussion access.

Last week obviously messed us up due to the weather; and, last night was odd, in that we ran over slightly (even just covering Poe). I had intended to end by 5:30 and give everyone 30 mins (until 6) b/c staying over 15 mins would not have been long to dedicate extra, even with another class right after or familial/work obligations; however, then we ran over and everyone seemed to want to rush out. 

It seemed, other than the last two texts, that most had read the Poe information; plus, more are complying with my "contract," so it should work itself out. My goal was to give 30 mins, since you all have only had ~15 mins prior at the beginning of classes. That would give 15 mins extra & avoid people attempting to look up answers, even after class discussions. 

I only did it that way giving 24 hours + (over the weekend) to be fair, since many could not get to the library to copy book pages or use the internet (during the weather days/ campus closures). Some students can be so dishonest; however, we will have to stay in the lab in future to take quizzes; I will already be giving extra time; I just feel it is too chaotic opening it up THAT much to 24 hours, when you all already get pre-class discussions & extra time now to take them. The class is supposed to be 1.5 hours (to equate to a 3 hour credit); the school cuts it short 15 mins arbitrarily, so I will just take that back. Posting this to the blog as well, so everyone is completely aware. 

Ask questions IMMEDIATELY if you are unsure of the new quiz policy. We will have to stay on top of it for our time/ discussion (1 hour) to give you all the 30 mins to take quizzes in lab for the remainder of the semester. 

ALSO, I will be grading/ posting your quizzes this weekend; during the week since these are late classes, with tutoring, teaching, & lesson planning I do not have time & last week's was odd due to weather. 

--Ms. Hanson 

Contract Reminders!!! See, & Tag Me: Acknowledge...

Grayson reminded me last night during our quiz in the lab (after the pre-discussion) that some students were absent the night of the contract discussion/signing. 

However, being ABSENT does NOT exempt anyone from it; I post to D2L's Newsfeed, here on the blog, & go out of my way to make you aware of anything possibly missed.

It is YOUR responsibility though to email me and clarify or inquire about anything posted you might not understand. 

I posted a SPECIFIC blog/ Newfeed on D2L regarding the contract (2-12-15). When I share this post, I will tag everyone's name that was absent; you are to IMMEDIATELY tag me & respond, acknowledging. 

I don't do "fine print," contracts. Here it is below. You MUST sign & comply or pre-discussion prior to quizzes will CEASE. If you see someone NOT reply by Thursday, encourage them to, CLASS! #inthistogether

Ms. Hanson 

___________________________________________________________________________

I STUDENT'S NAME  will not be late (4:30 PM!) If I am absent, I will email (or contact instructor by another method ) PRIOR to class-time with reason. I will read all texts prior to class! Even if I did not understand this (the readings), it does not exempt me from readings. I will participate in discussions, blog, & reply to fellow students by deadlines given. 

Student Signature!

Midterm Assignment!

I gave a paper copy of this midterm paper if you were in the lab; however, I wanted to attach it here (below) as well, in case anyone left early, was absent, or prefers a digital one (word file on D2L). 

REMEMBER to ask questions!!! We will have midterm workshop days. Stay strong. Push through. Not long until Spring Break!!! 

--Ms. Hanson 

____________________________________________________________

ENGL 2130 Midterm Essay (Minimum 6 FULL pages- Maximum 8 FULL pages).

Any of the texts we will have covered/ been quizzed upon &/or discussed on the blog (from the course calendar) are open topics for your midterm analysis paper.

You must PERSONALLY analyze them; put your voice/ opinions (obviously then, 1^st person is acceptable; just try not to overuse).

MLA formatting required (no cover sheet!); we will review PowerPoint for a refresher for those that haven’t had in 1010/1020 in awhile or just NEED a brush up.

Must have quotations correctly incorporated: OCM.

2 sources (Norton —must be one). Other, your other “text!”

I want NO random analysis from some website, blog, book. I want what you think/thought & reflected upon (perhaps more after our discussions/ quizzes/blogs).

Further, you will compare &/or contrast this chosen work/ author to a text, song, work of literature, politics, article [journal/newspaper/magazine], etc…

I want this to be very personal, yet concise—while thoroughly analyzing the text(s).

Literature can be in many different forms. The point of this is show how many things can be influenced by former “old,” perhaps not even classically recognized American literature works.

Happy researching. Ask ANY questions ASAP! Do not procrastinate.

Final Draft due March 17^th. 

Quiz #8 +

We took this quiz (only on Poe) after our discussion in the lab; I am going to try this method & see if with extra time at the end - 6 pm & further (1 hour allowed total) if everyone feels even more confident. Not as rushed...since class cuts off 15 mins early both days, as it is.  

I also allowed people to choose an hour to take it within the next 24 (if they had a class at 6 pm or work); but, if you were absent, you need to email me IMMEDIATELY (if you haven't already). I timed these exactly as everyone requested. It seems to have a minute or two delay; maybe D2L is on some server that is barely off time wise. Keep refreshing; let me know if it doesn't work after that. 

Ensure you review the play, Plath poetry, & short story on the calendar for quiz #9 on Thursday. 

Night!

Ms. Hanson 

YouTube-Audio!

I highly suggest for LONG / LATE nights of cramming for these literature (vs. history/ bio type) quizzes/ midterms, that everyone use some sort of audio. Don't BUY. There are so many free ones: YouTube/ Librovox! 

Some do have weird, monotone voices, but some make all the reading fun/ or bearable at least for those that hate it ;) 

Ms. Hanson 

Bonus Follow-Up!

I mentioned the two bonus opportunities this weekend! 

• NOTE--if you do the UNPLUG event with the library this week: "Each qualified reading session (15 minutes or longer) enters the participant into the Prize Drawings to be held on Monday, March 2nd.  ALL Students, Staff, and Faculty are invited to participate!"
• The 2nd event is TOMORROW (11 am-2 pm)>>>

Reading works by people from ALL walks of life is so pertinent to a well-rounded & open minded society! Join the Diversity Club Tuesday (11 am-2pm) at Motlow State Community College's Smyrna Center' s Student Success Center Tuesday February 24th (TOMORROW) to learn about phenomenal black writers! I'll be reading poetry by our previous (2012-14) U.S. Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey & discussing why her work matters to ME! Who is your favorite black author?!?! Speak up below on the blog!‪#‎BlackLivesMatter‬ ‪#‎participate‬ ‪#‎ReadtoSucceed‬‪#‎whyjustduringblackhistorymonth‬ ? 

Deadlines! See ASAP...

ENSURE you look at News-feeds & blog updates; I've tried to post updates all week/weekend due to our weather issues last week; however, look at the prior posts! ! One thing is due by midnight (TONIGHT : 11:59 PM)>>Blog & one tomorrow afternoon (1 PM)>>quiz [Tu/Th makeup] a. 

Some have been emailing, texting, etc...to ask. See blogs, news-feed, or email me ANY questions you have! But, do NOT procrastinate! Also, be sure to get your readings done for Tuesday; you should have ALREADY been done with the readings from last week (especially since I didn't officially tell you about class cancelling until Thursday morning)! 

--Ms. Hanson