Thoughts about last night; quiz grades; keep going!

Hey all:

I thought people raised some really interesting points last night and I liked the intensity of your thoughts and your expressions. You are doing some good work--keep it up!

I have posted your quiz grades online under blackboard. What this tells me is that some people are reading very carefully and doing a great job. Some other grades tell me that you did not even pick up the book. Okay, that's pretty easy. If you did well because you read carefully, keep doing what your doing. If you did poorly because you didn't read, well, start reading (simple, right?). But for those of you who did read and still did poorly, part of the problem might be the way you are reading. You can talk to me about reading strategies but here are a couple key things: My quiz questions deal with significant people (I think Yukimo is important in finding out about Swofford, for example). If you see a name or a chapter dedicated to someone (like Troy), there's a good guess that there will be a question about her/him. I also like significant moments in the text. This is what becomes grey area because how are you supposed to know? Well, if there is technology, I will probably want you to know about it. If there is a question about gender relations, you should know about it (the wall of shame, etc).

So when you read, read with a pen in your hands. Find themes (as I did on the board yesterday) and make connections between moments in the book. It's not easy but it is worth it.

So as you read through the second half of this book, keep struggling through it (for those of you who are having issues with the book) or keep enjoying the ride. But, more importantly, pick up the large issues that we started talking about in class and make your own connections as you read further.

Onward!