Day 2

In the first session we had a nice start, thanks for this. We talked about what you did in semester 1, and how this helps you develop English. We discussed how reading and writing are very important skills, and that reading is especially important. Just because you memorize a kind of writing, does not mean you really have writing skills - you have shown skills at memorizing a genre of writing. We talked about our young brothers and sisters that can read a few things - but still not write. So,although both are very important, we agreed we need to push reading.

We looked at a world map, and came to the conclusion that in 2010 we can use the real world as a interesting source to build our reading skills. We read and reflected on news stories.

Today we will develop 4 overarching goals under the framework of TfU, and will decide if this is a good way to go and why. Lets make clear goals together for 1) the course, 2) yourself, 3) the class, 4) the college.

Write a short reflection on:

Overarching goal 1 (gggggggg) is important because ......
Overarching goal 2 (gggggggg) is important because ......
Overarching goal 3 (gggggggg) is important because ......
Overarching goal 4 (gggggggg) is important because ......

Course goals should be to .........
My goals are to ...................
The class should try to ...........
For the college we might try to ...

Thanks for your time - and for Wednesaday think of a nation you would like to learn about. Find a partner.

Creating Throughlines, Objectives, and Goals

Today is our first class, and we should de a little negotiating. We should talk and discuss what we will do from now to the end of the course. One thing I do know, is that in general, HCT students have difficulty reading. We need to develop this skill, and we need to work hard at it.

First write a little reflection from the post it notes you had. Write you first impression (what you thought at the beginning - post it note 1) and how you felt after (now I think - post it note 2).

Today you will have a newspaper article and will need to reflect on the following questions:

1) What are some new vocabulary or ideas you got from your article?
2) What was the main idea of it?
3) What were three connections you made with other articles?
4) How can newspapers help you a) develop reading and writing skills, and b) be a more critical thinker of the world?

Together we will discuss more about course goals, but save your notes in a file for this class in your H drive.

Steve Pellerine