Friday, February 4th

Hello my students,

Week four is over, we've turned the calendar, and now we're into the last winter month (spring arrives on March 21st). I'm sure you are all somewhat tired, yet happy that the weeks are speeding by and that you are accomplishing so much.

This last week we had the last three novel presentations, there was a public lecture presentation, we spent time at the library, learning how to access the database, and we learned about "mapping", a new note-taking technique. We worked on paraphrasing, citing, referencing, you wrote an integrated summary, and you got books and articles for your paper. We started a new unit on animal experimentation, some of you wrote the introduction to your paper, some of you experienced your first snowstorm, and many of you celebrated the New Year. I wish all of you very good luck in this Year of the Rabbit!

What a busy week!

Here are some reminders:

Animal Experimentation: read articles 2, 3, 4, and 5 - write the main ideas of the paragraphs in the margin, and this will help you discuss the articles on Monday. Remember to highlight or underline any information that you think could be used in an argument either for or against animal experimentation.

Research paper: continue moving ahead. Two people have recently changed their topics, and that's good. It's only by looking for information that you will learn that another approach is more interesting, or another topic is easier to research. It's O.K. to start with one idea but end up with a very different one, only it can't all happen in week 7.

Blogging: discuss the novel project. What phases did you enjoy / learn the most from? Explain. Remember, the project was divided into three phases:
      * reading / class discussions with your group
      * written review
      * oral presentations (your own and your classmates)

Don't forget to comment on at least 3 of your classmate's blogs.
You all worked hard and did well. Continue this way.

I will give you your novel project marks on Monday.

Next week, we will continue with Animal Experimentation. Once we complete the readings and the videos, we will have a debate and then do an essay writing. We'll also start the Intelligence unit, which leads to an integrated summary. Of course we will continue working on our research project, finding more information, reading, and notetaking.

Have a good weekend, rest up, and arrive happy and healthy on Monday morning. Next Friday is Museum Friday, and I know the Science Museum will be more interesting than the Museum of Contemporary Art. It can't be less.

Teresa