Instructions for: Animal Dreams Discussion Reflection #1

Please write 300 words reflecting on what you got out of today's discussion.  If you find yourself struggling to find things to say, I would suggest putting more into the discussions (both speaking and listening).  Write informally.  Talk about interesting ideas.  Thing of this (and subsequent) blog posts as pre-writing for a paper.

Example: I really like what "Bob" said about people transforming into animals.  I hadn't noticed it, but I'm going to look for it from now on.  Maybe it means that everyone is actually an animal - like what Loyd said about Jack's dreams.  Hey, that's a connection.

The assignment is really about processing the ideas from the discussion.  As the quote in the room says, "Reading without reflecting is like eating without digesting" (Edmund Burke).

Due by 11:59 PM Wednesday Night.

Blog Assignment: Wrap-up of Education Presentions and Intro of Animal Dreams

Please reflect on what you learned through this project. Please write informally and in as loose a structure as you are comfortable doing. 500 words required. Consider some of the questions below (or ignore them all and come up with your own topics).

PRESENTATIONS
What content was interesting?
What presentations were effective and why?
What makes a good presentation?
What makes a presentation persuasive?
What makes a good learning environment?
What makes a good teacher?
What makes a good student?
What works well in our classroom?
What needs to be improved in our classroom?
What questions do you have about grading/results?


ANIMAL DREAMS
What questions do you have about the book/unit?
What are your initial thoughts about the content of the book and/or the structure and methodology of the unit?
What do you expect of the book?

Random thoughts

Hi folks,

I really appreciate all your responses to the "sucks... rocks" assignment. It has given me lots of food for thought and lots of ideas in how to make 2nd semester a better experience for you than 1st.

In no particular order, I have gotten the following from your blog entries:

Papers MUST be graded and returned earlier. That will be accomplished or my name isn't Fred Nai-Chung Cheng (trust me, it is).

Most people (though not all) like book discussions. I am thinking up ways to make them more focused and in-depth.

Most people want more structure to the writing assignments, which includes built-in deadlines and grading rubrics. These ideas make sense. Even though I was strongly CS in high school, I think I've gotten more random in my old age. Grading rubrics and schedules feel restrictive to me, but I hear this message loud and clear: they help you. If I am going to ask you to try to go outside your comfort zones, I should be willing to do the same.

You have waaay too much homework. I hear that. I did not have hours and hours of homework every night when I was in high school (back in the late 20th century). I remember having math homework almost daily and reading for English and social studies classes. I sometimes practiced for band (trombone) and usually crammed for science tests. I can't remember what else I took - isn't that sad? Oh yeah, Children's theater and creative writing. Some homework for those, but not a lot. Anyhow, I will try very hard to have mostly classwork. You should know right now that I can't ALWAYS give work time on assignments, so you will likely have some homework. Also, reading will probably still be assigned as homework - though I have some ideas on that, as well. Also, giving you class time requires that you be ON TASK when I give it. Even a couple students who squander this time will ruin it for everybody. Eh, maybe not. Maybe I'll just put them at the loser table and see how that works.

Most of you are very good writers. Many of your papers have not been well written. That tells me something. There has to be a way to transfer your natural ability to express yourselves into your essays. That's one of my big goals for semester two. Essay writing doesn't have to be strenuous or brain-wracking. A first draft should be as easy as writing a blog. Now if blog writing is not easy for you, then it might not be your cup of tea...

Finally, I like the idea of having a dialogue via the blogs. My kids used to do these reader response journals in elementary school where they would write thoughts about what they're reading, and their teachers would write back. I would like to try blogging regularly on various topics - from the literature we read to more open-ended stuff, and maybe even creative stuff like poetry. I can do an overall response like this entry.

Anyway, I'm going to go back and read more "sucks... rocks" entries, and I'll probably touch base with some more random thoughts. Almost all of you are awesome students. And those of you who aren't know who you are. (Just kidding)

Mr. Cheng's Learning Styles

We did this activity in my 10th grade Humanities class, and I've remembered it to this day. That's how much of an impact it had on me. I have always enjoyed learning about myself, my personality, how I think. This may have changed in the ensuing 25 years, but back then, I was +35 in 3 areas: CS, AS, and AR. I was very little in the CR domain. What that told me was that I was fairly well-rounded and worked well in a process. It also told me that I had an expressive, creative side. I liked that. I didn't want to be a logical type, maybe because it fit the Asian stereotype. In fact, I was disappointed to learn that I was strong CS. Anyhow, for your assignment, write a reflection on your learning style - even if you already knew it. Discuss, as I have, what it means to you, and what you might be able to do with this information. Specifically, how can you apply this knowledge to your education and learning?

Due at 11:59pm.