Weekend of January 21st

Friday, January 21st

Hello my students,

Week 2 is over, and we are all still surviving. You've accomplished many things this week. You wrote an essay on Language Learning, you wrote a summary of a textbook chapter (Evolution), you learned about paraphrasing, and you attended and took notes on Scott's interesting 2-hour lecture. Some of you also attended a public lecture in the Hall building. It has been a big week!

Next week will also be big, but now you know that big is doable, if you take it one step at a time.

Corinna will return your essays on Language Learning, and you'll write a second draft. She'll also continue with the unit on Male - Female Communication Patterns, and you'll write an essay on that topic. She will offer more public lecture possibilities, and enjoy the first presentation.

I'll return your summaries, you'll write a second draft, and we'll finish with the Evolution unit.

This weekend, you'll finish reading your novels, and together we'll work on the book reviews. I'm looking forward to hearing 2 novel presentations on Fridays.

It's time to start thinking of your research papers. Our first library visit, scheduled for Tuesday morning, will include an orientation and an introduction to CLUES, Concordia's library catalog. Of course, it's very important to attend.

So what should you do this weekend?

Of course, finish reading your novel, and write 7 - 10 questions on part 4.  

Start thinking about the topic of your research paper. Sometimes, at university, you will have to research and write a paper on a topic that won't interest you. This time, you have a choice. If you write about something that interests you, you'll do a better job.

Look through the grammar book and choose at least 2 (maybe 3) grammar points that intrigue you and that you want to present to the class.

Your Blog assignment this week is to write an extended definition of "happiness". Next week, we'll begin the unit on Happiness. Check the unit on skyscrapers to be reminded of what an extended definition is. Remember also to comment on at least 3 of your classmates' posts (different people from last week).

You worked hard and well this week. Please continue.
This will be a cold weekend, so be careful to eat well, sleep well, go outside and get fresh air, but dress warmly. Don't fall on the ice, check your treads.

I'll see you all on Monday, well-rested and ready for a busy week.

Teresa

Change in Plans

Tuesday, January 18th,

Hello my students,

There has been a slight change in plans, and I thought you should know. Tomorrow, Corinna was going to start the Happiness unit in the afternoon, but we have a good opportunity to attend a lecture tomorrow, and I don't want you to miss it. You will attend many lectures when you begin your university studies.

Therefore, we will start the unit on Male - Female Communication Patterns tomorrow, and the unit on Happiness will wait until next week.

What do you think? Do men and women use language in the same way? Are they both as apt to say, "What are you thinking about?" Do they mean the same thing if they say "No problem"?

We'll explore these issues, and maybe you'll learn something that will make you a better communicator.

Have a nice evening.

Teresa

Friday, January 14th

Hello my students,

Well, the first week is over, and we all seem to have survived. We've met some old friends and we've met some new friends. We've thought about skyscrapers and language learning, we've experienced winter in Montreal, and we've been introduced to different Canadian novels.

Next week, we'll again look at the reading on language learning, we'll answer some questions on the reading, and we'll write an essay on the question of language learning and how intelligence and motivation affects one's success (p. 63). Of course, we'll continue with the novel project. I'm sure you're reading part 1 now. On Monday morning we'll start the next unit, Evolution, with a short video and a lecture. On Wednesday, Corinna will start the unit on Happiness... so you can think about your happiness and what it is based on. Are you a "my cup is half full" or "my cup is half empty" person?

For this week's blog assignment, I want you to explain how you feel about skyscrapers. You don't have to take the position you defended in the the debate. Maybe, the other side convinced you differently. Maybe, the beauty of Montreal's mountain, and the idea that a building should never rise above it influenced you.

Also, as part of this assignment, I want you to respond to 3 of your classmates' posted blogs.

Have a good weekend and please get good sleep and fresh air.

Teresa

Hello my students. I am so happy that we have our blogs set up. I was scared because as you know, computers and I are not great friends. Please read my post on the weekend. Every Friday night I will write a post, summarizing the last week's work and advising you of the next week's work and activities. I will also remind you of your weekend's homework and ask you to write a blog .
I hope some of you will accompany me to the mountain. The sun is shining. Goodbye. Teresa