Preview/Bonus Post: Inequality in the U.S.

After break, we'll be talking about social class, status, and inequality in the United States.

Here is an interesting article from the New York Times about how health care reform relates to inequality in the United States.

As a bonus post (extra credit/make up), describe the essay's argument. How has inequality in the United States changed over the last 50 years? What is the importance of this? How does the article see health care reform affecting this trend?

Free Tutoring Has Begun! *AND* Creative Writing Club

Two exciting announcements:

1) Free API tutoring has begun!

Wednesdays at 8AM: meet outside C415
Wednesdays at 1 PM: C415.
Thursdays at 3:25 PM: C410.

There is also a possibility of Friday tutoring. If you are interested or if you have questions, you can email Nilo at nabermeo@netzero.net

Bring your essay drafts, talking about the readings, or any other course-related concerns.

2) The Creative Writing Club is looking for new members! We'll be meeting every Wednesday this semester from 2-4 in M137. If you're a poet, fiction writer, playwright, or if you just like to scribble and are looking to meet other folks and explore your creative side, come join us. We'll share work, write together, hold events, have exercsions, and whatever else you'd like to do.

You can find their website/blog here.

AND, if you'd like to share some of your work, there will be a student-faculty Read-a-Thon on Thursday, April 8th, from 1-4 PM. Folks will read their creative work of any kind and everyone will get a chance to hear the many talents of LaGuardia's teachers and students. It will be held in the Courtyard and everyone is welcome - if you'd like to read drop me a comment or send me an email.

Blog Post #2: A Paragraph from your Draft

Post one paragraph from your draft onto your blog. Let you readers know if this comes from the beginning, middle, or end of your essay.

Below your paragraph describe at least one thing you think your paragraph does well. Then describe one thing you think could become stronger. Remember they key information to give your reader:

- How do you know?

- Says who?

- So what?

How might you go about doing this? Look for feedback in the comments.

Due on Thursday, March 25th, at 5PM. Remember to check back for feedback!

Homework for March 22/23

As a reminder, if here's what you need to do for Monday or Tuesday's class:

1) If you haven't already, give me the address of your blog and do the first post. You can find the topics below, under "Post 1." Then look at some of your colleague's blogs linked along the side, take a look at their posts and drop them a comment.

2) Read the Introduction and Chapter 3, "Selling in Minnesota," from Barbara Ehrenreich's book Nickel and Dimed. Think about the experiment she sets up for herself and what she finds.

3) Choose your topic for essay #1 and start your brainstorming. You can use your blog or your notes. Ask "what do I think about this topic" and "why do I think it?"

If you'd like to begin the draft of your essay, go for it! You'll bring one in Wed. or Thursday of next week, and your essay to turn in when we come back after break.

Leave any questions in the comments!

Thinking about Work: Post #1

Once you've set up your blog, do you first post. In this post, introduce yourself and talk a little about your history and thoughts about your working life - past, present, and future. Some questions you might answer: What image of work did you have growing up? What has been your experience with work - both paid and unpaid (family responsibilities and so forth)? How do you imagine your future work life? What would you like to learn in our class?

If you prefer, you can talk about the readings or share any other thoughts on work related issues. You can always do any of these things in your weekly post. You can also always ask a question, or post about vocabulary you've come across in the reading.

If you see an article, image, or something else related to the class, drop a link.

IMPORTANT: leave a comment here giving me the title and address of your blog so I can add a link.

Follow Up to Day One: The Minimum Wage

How does the minimum wage in different states compare to the national one? Check out this map from the Labor Department.

Any guesses as to what the Labor Department is and what it does?

Welcome!

Welcome to the Squatting Toad!

This is a blog for ENG 101 for the Spring 2010 semester. Two sections will be using this blog. On this page you'll find links, discussion topics and questions, videos, audio files, and more.

Soon, you'll be setting up your own blogs that will be linked to the main page.

You can also find links to blogs for other classes, past and present - get a sense of where we're going and other classes you might want to take!

Why the Squatting Toad? Do a little research and leave your ideas in the comments.