All posts by Coey

Dream Speech, Period 6

Dear sophomores,

You’ve been working hard to inspire others to follow you, both as an expert on a specific research topic and as a speechwriter. Your dream speeches are an important contribution to our class, our community, and our world. Your thoughts and ideas can have wide-ranging implications to help ease suffering and usher in a new era of peace and prosperity. All you have to do is imagine!

  1. Review: Make sure that your dream speech is just the way you want it, free from simple spelling and grammar errors, and full of those persuasive rhetorical techniques we have studied.

2. Publish: Click on the ‘leave a comment’ link at the top of this post. Follow the directions for uploading your ‘comment,’ in this case your dream speech. If you want, you can click an option to have your classmates’ comments emailed to you. I recommend this.

3. Read and reply: Once your classmates begin to upload their dream speeches, you can reply. Identify what you like about the speech; look for good examples of rhetorical techniques. Share other questions or ideas you have about the speech. Keep it positive. If you have a concern, you might consider speaking to that person directly rather than leaving a comment. Please comment on AT LEAST TWO of your classmates’ speeches. Also, our goal is to leave comments with each student writer, so everyone feels acknowledged for their ideas and hard work.

Thank you for all of your hard work and risk taking!

Kind Regards,

Mr. Coey

Dream Speech, Period 5

Dear sophomores,

You’ve been working hard to inspire others to follow you, both as an expert on a specific research topic and as a speechwriter. Your dream speeches are an important contribution to our class, our community, and our world. Your thoughts and ideas can have wide-ranging implications to help ease suffering and usher in a new era of peace and prosperity. All you have to do is imagine!

  1. Review: Make sure that your dream speech is just the way you want it, free from simple spelling and grammar errors, and full of those persuasive rhetorical techniques we have studied.

2. Publish: Click on the ‘leave a comment’ link at the top of this post. Follow the directions for uploading your ‘comment,’ in this case your dream speech. If you want, you can click an option to have your classmates’ comments emailed to you. I recommend this.

3. Read and reply: Once your classmates begin to upload their dream speeches, you can reply. Identify what you like about the speech; look for good examples of rhetorical techniques. Share other questions or ideas you have about the speech. Keep it positive. If you have a concern, you might consider speaking to that person directly rather than leaving a comment. Please comment on AT LEAST TWO of your classmates’ speeches. Also, our goal is to leave comments with each student writer, so everyone feels acknowledged for their ideas and hard work.

Thank you for all of your hard work and risk taking!

Kind Regards,

Mr. Coey

Dream Speech, Period 4

Dear sophomores,

You’ve been working hard to inspire others to follow you, both as an expert on a specific research topic and as a speechwriter. Your dream speeches are an important contribution to our class, our community, and our world. Your thoughts and ideas can have wide-ranging implications to help ease suffering and usher in a new era of peace and prosperity. All you have to do is imagine!

  1. Review: Make sure that your dream speech is just the way you want it, free from simple spelling and grammar errors, and full of those persuasive rhetorical techniques we have studied.

2. Publish: Click on the ‘leave a comment’ link at the top of this post. Follow the directions for uploading your ‘comment,’ in this case your dream speech. If you want, you can click an option to have your classmates’ comments emailed to you. I recommend this.

3. Read and reply: Once your classmates begin to upload their dream speeches, you can reply. Identify what you like about the speech; look for good examples of rhetorical techniques. Share other questions or ideas you have about the speech. Keep it positive. If you have a concern, you might consider speaking to that person directly rather than leaving a comment. Please comment on AT LEAST TWO of your classmates’ speeches. Also, our goal is to leave comments with each student writer, so everyone feels acknowledged for their ideas and hard work.

Thank you for all of your hard work and risk taking!

Kind Regards,

Mr. Coey

Summer Reading for Pleasure!

Dear Juniors!

Yes, that’s all of you who just finished your sophomore year! We had a great year together and I want you to get a lot of rest over the summer. Also, it’s very important that you visit your local branch of the public library. As you know, IB learners and knowledgeable thinkers and communicators. One way to stay informed and see other points of view is to READ!

With that goal in mind, I’ve provided several resources to help you make the most of the summer reading for pleasure program.

  1. Visit http://www.saclibrary.org/ The public library has a summer reading program and you can even win cool prizes!
  2. IB Students’ Recommended Reading for Pleasure Book List
  3. IB Teachers’ Summer Reading List

Have a great summer and keep reading!

Mr. Coey

p.s. If you are interested in Camp Titan ’17, our free summer enrichment program at LBHS, there is still space available! Hone your creativity and academic skills in a fun, safe environment with other students who love to think critically about current issues facing our world. We would love to have you join us. Applications are available in the front office. Camp Titan begins Wednesday, June 28.

Oedipus Rex: Group Research Projects

Day 1

  1. Group leaders create a Google Slides file and share it with your group members by using student google accounts. First login to your Google school account. Create a new slide show. Share it with your group member using their SCUSD Google accounts.Username: firstname-lastname@student.scusd.eduPassword: Date of birth in the mm/dd/yyyy format (including slashes)To look up Student Usernames in Infinite Campus

    Student Information > General > Student Account Info > Primary Username

  2. Decide which specific topic within the larger category you will research and present to the class. Your slide show should consist of one slide with information about your topic and one slide that provides a specific concrete detail from Oedipus Rex. So, two slides for each group member.
  3. Conduct research using the Google Advanced Search feature and by limiting the domain to .edu
    https://www.google.com/advanced_search
  4. Research using the Sacramento County Library at
    https://www.saclibrary.org/
  5. Cite sources correctly by using www.easybib.com and follow the instructions for MLA style

TIPS for using APPLE computers:
to copy use COMMAND C
to paste use COMMAND V
Drag images into your slide.

Day 2

  1. Group leaders should share their Google Slide with chris-coey@scusd.edu
  2. Your first slide should look similar to the example I have provided on the “Oedipus Rex: Group Research Projects” handout. You want one image and several bullet points but not long sentences or lengthy prose. Keep your audience engaged with less text!
  3. Your second slide should provide a specific concrete detail from the play as it relates to your topic. You can provide the context for the quote when you present to the class. Be sure you know the WHO? WHEN? WHERE? WHAT? WHY? answers to help you provide the context.
  4. Be sure to contribute to the conclusion slide and the works cited slide so that your group score is a high mark. For the conclusion, be sure to address a) the significance of your topic b) and how this research has shaped your understanding of Greek culture and history.

Day 3

Present to the class in order: Groups A, B, C, D, E

Day 4

Present to the class in order: Groups F, G, H

Day 5

Reflective Writing (What did you learn about Greek culture and history given the research presentations?)

Resources for Oedipus Rex

Greetings Thebans!

Our study of Oedipus Rex is in full swing now, and there are a variety of important resources that will help you develop your understanding of this important Greek play.

Oedipus Vocabulary
Oedipus Rex character list Background_on_Greek_Drama_and_Oedipus_Rex
Delphic Oracle and Gas Vapors
Temple of Delphi
Oedipus sample essay

Thank you for all of your hard work! And I look forward to your research projects next week.

Sincerely,

Mr. Coey

Poetry Cafe, Period 6

Welcome to Cafe Ujima, the best place in town to hear exciting new poets! Today’s featured poets will leave you dazzled, provoked, and inspired. Enjoy the event, and don’t forget that hot beverages are half off. Just ask your server, Isaiah.

  1. Select your best poem, one that you feel comfortable sharing with your classmates. As you type your poem look for opportunities to continue improving your techniques, word choice, or structure.

2. Post your poem in the “comments” section of this post.

3. Respond (reply) to each other by commenting on language (word choice), techniques, structure, or style. Discuss what you like about your classmates’ poems, and try to explain what those choices made you feel, think, or consider. When possible, “refer to the text” as you comment.

4. Please respond to at least two of your classmates. Tricia, Jayana, and Lashae may comment on more than two poems. And reply to those people who comment on your poem!

Poetry Cafe, Period 5

Welcome to Cafe Ujima, the best place in town to hear exciting new poets! Today’s featured poets will leave you dazzled, provoked, and inspired. Enjoy the event, and don’t forget that hot beverages are half off. Just ask your server, Kevin.

1. Select your best poem, one that you feel comfortable sharing with your classmates. As you type your poem look for opportunities to continue improving your techniques, word choice, or structure.
2. Post your poem in the “comments” section of this post.

3. Respond (reply) to each other by commenting on language (word choice), techniques, structure, or style. Discuss what you like about your classmates’ poems, and try to explain what those choices made you feel, think, or consider. When possible, “refer to the text” as you comment.

4. Please respond to at least two of your classmates. Tina, you may comment on more than two poems. And reply to those people who comment on your poem!

Poetry Cafe, Period 2

Welcome to Cafe Ujima, the best place in town to hear exciting new poets! Today’s featured poets will leave you dazzled, provoked, and reflective. Enjoy the event, and don’t forget that hot beverages are half off. Just ask your server.

  1. Select your best poem, one that you feel comfortable sharing with your classmates. As you type your poem look for opportunities to continue improving your techniques, word choice, or structure.

2. Post your poem in the “comments” section of this post.

3. Respond (reply) to each other by commenting on language (word choice), techniques, structure, or style. Discuss what you like about your classmates’ poems, and try to explain what those choices made you feel, think, or consider. When possible, “refer to the text” as you comment.

4. Please respond to at least two of your classmates. And reply to those people who comment on your poem!

Where I’m From Poem

Dear sophomores,

After creating your three stanza poem about where you are from, develop a well-written small essay of 300+ words using our STOPLIFT approach as a guide to your commentary. Below are sample questions to help you write your commentary:

  • What are your poem’s subject, speaker, and situation?
  • Discuss the poem’s tone.
  • Discuss the poem’s organization and progression.
  • Of the images, word choice, figures of speech, allusions, and theme, which do you most appreciate and why?
  • Which sound effects did you include in your poem?
  • What did you hope to convey with your choices? (In order to convey the idea of ….)

Remember to be specific and include examples from your poem in your commentary.

I think your poems are quite extraordinary, and I look forward to more creativity from you!

Kind Regards,

Coey