Dear TSASIANS,

I think, despite there not being any school, we should still have OYO today. We would still try and meet at CHOCS, if they have power and they are not over packed or we could meet at someone’s house. Perferably one with power. I was hoping today would be the day when we put all of our efforts into recruiting. While it would mainly consist of making posters, if you have any other ideas feel free to bring supplies and we can try it together. I would like to meet at the usual time, so around 3:30. Hopefully some people still have power and they can see this post, if not then I should probably start getting people’s numbers. I’ll start by giving you mine. Alex Prieto (918) 373-4733. Call me if you can make it, and call other people telling them to come. Long live the knitting club.

Sincerely,

Alex Prieto

P.S. If you have any poster making stuff try and bring it.

P.S.S. Hope everyone is having a nice day off.

Just a quick reminder that your (hypo)theses ((That is, a tentative thesis)), journals, and research are due Monday. Because that will be our field day, all classes will be moved to before lunch, so get to school early (I’m there at 7:30) to print anything off. If you are out sick, send me an email with the above information.

Let me know if you have any questions.

I’m not a big fan of playing the numbers game when it comes to your educations. This game draws attention toward the numerical value of assignments ((We’ve discussed the “how many points do I have to score on the final to get an A” game before.)) and away from the stuff you want to know. This is why you cannot do extra work to raise your grade, but are welcome to re-work anything (read: master the material and make an improvement). This is why your practice essays are not in the grade book. This is why your multiple choice tests are not in the grade book. In turning your backs on the (potentially) high-anxiety grading system in favor of one that promotes self-reflection and improvement, you have made great strides in your writing. ((I realize I’m committing my second least-favorite teacher offense by lumping you all together, but this proud moment wouldn’t be happening if you all hadn’t made some progress.)) By taking risks and viewing all of your work as steps toward mastery, even if you falter occasionally, you have become true students. ((L. studere, “to be eager, diligent”))

However, even with that polemic against the current number-centric grading system…

I couldn’t be more excited about those three title numbers. Why, you ask?

The middle column is based on your previously discussed multiple choice scores. The right column is based on your MC scores from today. Whereas before, the 5 would have been out of your average ((I realize I’m committing my second least-favorite teacher offense by lumping you all together, but this proud moment wouldn’t be happening if you all hadn’t made some progress.)) reach, based on the current evidence of your mastery, I’m confident that you will all pass this test with flying colors.

In the past few weeks we have blown through several exams worth of multiple choice questions, learning new vocabulary, reading/skimming skills, and (ugh) test-taking strategies. And it has paid off.

</hypocrisy>

More important, though, you have become engaging writers and skeptical readers. You have the skills to continue learning about arguments, to create your own, and to improve upon those of others. This is a great achievement. I hope you will move forward with these skills and learn with an unceasing eagerness.

Good work, guys.