Okay, Ladies and Gents, we've reached the end of the first quarter.  This week, I want you to look back and look forward.  Your post should discuss each of the following:
> a triumph or success from the first quarter
> a failure or disappointment from the first quarter
> something that you are looking forward to in the second quarter (through mid-January)
> a personal goal for the second quarter

Your comments should offer observations, constructive feedback, advice, or even consolation to your classmates.  All posts and comments are due by 11:59 pm on Sunday, October 31, 2010. 

Remember, any make-up or extra-credit posts are due by 11:59 pm on Thursday, October 28, 2010 (the official end of Quarter 1).

This week's topic:  argumentation.  More specifically, what is the function of courtesy in a debate or argument?  I offer the following quote for your consideration:

Politeness... is a demanding discipline; to convince others without recourse to the tricks of the demagogue or bully requires a high level of intelligence, especially when the audience is learned and intelligent.  Courtesy elevates thought to the highest level, especially when the subject is contentious.
                                                           -from Stone's Fall, by Ian Pears


Your response to this quote should show thought and reflection, and may address any combination of the following
- your interpretation of the quote's meaning
- your level of agreement with the beliefs expressed
- examples and illustrations that support or refute the quote
- connections to your own life and/or experiences

Thanks to Ms. Dixie Dellinger for the awesome quote!  Your initial post and comments are due by 11:59 pm on Sunday, October 24, 2010.  Please take the time to post quality responses; review the blog rubric if you need a reminder of how your posts are graded. 

Also, remember that next Friday is the last day of the first quarter.  Any make-up or extra-credit posts must be made by 11:59 pm on October 29, 2010.

This week's discussion is based upon the handout on equity.  As most of you know, I am using the excerpts from that trusty book of meditations during a discussion on gender in my graduate class on Thursday.  As I pondered my own reaction to the readings on teaching boys and teaching girls, I realized that the reactions that I most wanted to hear were yours.  So, what are your thoughts?  Feel free to discuss any or all of the following
* your personal responses to the quotes and lessons
* your thoughts on the observations about teaching boys vs. teaching girls
* reflections on how well the descriptions match up with your experiences
* reflections on how you like to be taught and whether that is in line with the gendered descriptions
* anything else that strikes you or comes to mind

I would love to include some student responses in my discussion on Thursday.  If you are okay with me using your response in class, then please write "(Use)" at the end of your post; if not, then write "(Don't use)".  This will not affect your grade either way.  Posts and comments are due by 11:59 pm on Sunday, October 17, 2010.

NOTE:  If you did not pick up a copy of the Equity handout, you may view it in the "AP Lit Materials" section of teacherweb.

Simple quote response this week.  Interestingly enough, this quote has been attributed to both George Orwell and Oscar Wilde. 

"If you cannot write well, you cannot think well; if you cannot think well, others will do your thinking for you."

In your response, feel free to discuss any combination of the following (or do your own thing):
~ what it means to "write well"
~ what it means to "think well"
~ the relationship between writing and thinking
~ what it means to have others "do your thinking for you"
~ examples or illustrations for any of the above

Your initial post and responses to other posts are due by 11:59 pm on Sunday, October 10, 2010.