Friday, October 2, 2009 (All Periods)

Objectives:
After this class, students will be able to:
1.  craft a personal essay.
2.  upgrade vocabulary to describe their personality traits.
3.  write persuasively for a specific purpose and audience.


Agenda:
1. Warm-Up:  Look back to the brainstorm list of 8 words we used to describe ourselves on Wednesday.  Pick your top three.  Write them on a new page in your notebook, leaving about ten lines between each word.  Then list the evidence (5) you have for each word.

Example:    
Generous:
1. I give $$ to bums.
2. I let my friend borrow my clothes.
3. I help my mom with the chores around the house.
4. I volunteer at the nursing home.
4. I always put my shopping cart back where it belongs.

This warm-up will become the basis for your mission statement.  This is a short, positive statement about who you are and who you will become.  Here is Ms. Kingsbury's sample mission statement:

My name is Madelaine Kingsbury, and if you asked me to describe that kind of person that I am, I could tell you, without doubt, that I am a dedicated, compassionate, and fun-loving individual. I am a devoted mother to a charming but hot-headed three year old; despite her challenging behavior, I would do anything for her. I am also devoted to the students that I teach at Overbrook High School; their behavior is challenging sometimes too, but there isn't anything that I wouldn't do to help them be successful. I care for everyone that I know - my family, my friends, my boyfriend, my pets, my students, my coworkers - sometimes to a fault, but I can't be any other way. I show my compassion for others through my humor and light-heartedness. I do whatever I can to make a person smile. Even though I think I am pretty awesome, I would still love to become a better person, more patient and more calm. With the guidance and support of my friends and family, I know I will become the best person that I can be.

You will have 20 minutes to write the rough draft of your mission statement in your notebooks using the personality traits you generated this week and the evidence you generated in class.  While you are writing, you will be called up for a notebook check.

Classwork/Homework (depending on class time):  Students will write the college essay portion of the Senior Project.  They may research the college essay required by their prospective college OR they may choose from the following list of topics:

a. Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
b. Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.
c. Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.
d. Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.
e. A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.

These topics have been taken from the Common College Application Website - you can apply to nearly 400 colleges (including all PA State Colleges) with these essay topics.

No guidelines other than be yourself and write two pages in your notebook.  We will discuss the college essay more on Monday.  Bring your draft to class!

Homework:  Peruse the left-hand side of the class website to learn more about college applications and scholarships.