technology

[Devon C Adams]

Good morning parents & guardians,
As you may know, your student has just finished a book project that was assigned 5 weeks ago. They used online technology tools to complete this successful project, and with any tool things don't always work the way we want them to. We spent a bit of time discussing these tools and brainstorming how to work around certain issues. You should be proud of them; they successfully problem solved and many projects look great. On my end, I made several videos to show them how to use these tools, contacted the developers of the tools when things didn't work, and at times logged in and embedded code for their projects. It was a learning experience for us all. Ask them to see these projects! And of course, with technology and the unknown errors that sometimes emerge, I do take all of that into consideration when assessing these projects.

A couple updates...

Sept 22nd in F208 after school there is a practice PSAT test in F208 at Basha. This is a three hour, free practice test. I highly suggest all of your students take the real PSAT coming up at Basha because your student could earn tens of thousands of dollars for college.

In the next two weeks we are finishing Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. This is a well received, important novel recently made into a wonderful film by Sean Penn. Your student will have an opportunity to watch this movie in class the last week before break as part of a media analysis that will weave its way throughout the year. We have a school appropriate edited version of this film, and I will send home permission slips before hand. There is an alternative assignment, if your child is unable to watch the film.

On October 3rd, Jon Krakauer will be at Dobson High School in the evening to discuss his new book on the odyssey of Pat Tillman, local hero. All proceeds from this event goes to the Pat Tillman Foundation and the $36.00 ticket includes a signed copy of this new book. I will be attending and would love for you and/or your student to join us.

Before fall break I will introduce the research paper for quarter 2, so they can get started over break if they'd like. This paper is collaborative between the English teachers and History teachers.  I will also assign the independent reading book before break as many people travel over break and enjoy reading on planes, in back seats of cars, or sitting home resting.

Following break, we will read Arthur Miller's important allegorical drama THE CRUCIBLE. I obviously have enough copies here for each student but many choose to purchase this play to annotate and enjoy. Miller is an important dramatist of the 20th century who was once married to Marilyn Monroe, and his play on the Salem Witch Trials mirrors the Red Scare of 1950s Hollywood.

Have a great weekend!
Devon Adams

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DCA


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Devon Christopher Adams
Mesa Community College
Basha High School
English Department
devon...@gmail.com
http://www.dcamd.com
http://del.icio.us/nooccar
aol im: devonadams

"Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school"
-Albert Einstein