Add a Paragraph to Your Last Post

The diagram above should help you along sentence by sentence as you works towards GED Essay level writing. Respond to my comments on your blog posts twice a week and you'll have a GED style essay soon. Remember that each line labeled support requires a specific example. The outline pictured here is a tad old school, in the style that was more commonly taught thirty years ago. However, follow this format, directly answer the question given, and use precise supporting details, and you'll achieve a great score on the essay!

Share Comments with Each Other!

Tonight:

• Please read my comments regarding your song lyrics interpretations.
• Add an additional paragraph to your original posting that supports the main idea of the lyrics with your own examples from things you've experienced or observed. Be specific and use details.
• By Thursday, add a links section to your blog and list the other blogs from the class there.
• Use the directions Richard handed out to guide you through the process of adding the blog roll.
• Read through the study agreement for the class blog writing project and return to Richard ASAP. As you will note in the information provided, no student names, not even the name of the school, will be used in the findings.

lyrics interpreted

"The Boat Dreams from the Hill" by Jawbreaker 1992

Boat on a hill, never going to sea.
Anchored to a fixer upper's dream.
This boat is beat, never going to be a boat now.
Thirsty, sees the sea from high on ice plant.

He keeps patching it and painting.
Thinking about his pension plan.
But the boat is out to pasture.
Seems it never had a chance.

I wanna be a boat. I wanna learn to swim
Then I'll learn to float. Then begin again.
Boat on a hill, never going to sea.
Anchored to a fixer upper's dream.
This boat is beat, never going to be a boat now.
Thirsty, sees the sea from high on ice plant.

He keeps patching it and painting.
Thinking about his pension plan.
But the boat is out to pasture.
Seems it never had a chance.

I wanna be a boat. I wanna learn to swim
Then I'll learn to float. Then begin again.

Boat remembers the carpenter's sure hand.
Missing fishy flutter on it's rudder.
Sold at an auction, on a dolly ever since.
Sometimes rainy days bring boyish wonder


Boat remembers the carpenter's sure hand.
Missing fishy flutter on it's rudder.
Sold at an auction, on a dolly ever since.
Sometimes rainy days bring boyish wonder

My interpretation:
I think this song is about keeping faith in times of incredible discouragement. The boat (or person) sees its dream from where it's confined, but can't do anything about it. The boat thinks back to better times and the event that sealed its fate (the auction sale). Still,though the situation seems hopeless, like the boat will never return to the ocean, its wonderful memories persist and give meaning to its existence.

Set Up a Blog Tuesday!

Tuesday, October 16:

6:30-7:50 Orientation to class & GED test

8-8:30 Writing blogs orientation:

This portion of this class serves to simultaneoulsy boost your writing and technology skills in order to add to your resume for post GED employment. And of course, you must score at least 2 on the Essay portion of the GED to recieve a diploma. Most FAST TRACKers need PRACTICE to do this.

Enjoy personalizing your blog with images, writing, and different colors and layout styles. Consider showing your blog to potential employers to demonstrate your written communication abilities and your familiarity with computers and the Web.

Each time we meet, a new assignment will be posted to this blog. You should display responses to writing prompts on your own blogs for editing purposes. So get in the habit of checking here for assignments. That way you'll never have to ask "what did I miss?"

GED Connection website

GED Connection online classroom instructions:

Go to: www.pbs.org/literacy

Click begin

Under Registration & Log-In click sign up & get started

Click Begin

Fill in boxes with red stars above them

Click submit

Write down or print your username and password and save in secure place

Click continue

Click submit

Click continue

Click Teacher’s glasses

Select Virginia from drop-down menu

Click list programs

Click bull’s eye for Richmond ACDC GED Fast Track

Click bull’s eye under choose

Click home space

Click GED Connection

Click on any GED subject in right side column to get started

If you have difficulties or questions, email me at nathansonaw@vcu.edu

Syllabus Fall 2007

Syllabus for GED Fast Track October 16-December 18, 2007
(subject to significant change)
Instructor: Adam Nathanson
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30 to 8:30pm, Room 106
Phone: (804) 780-8311
Email: nathansonaw@vcu.edu

Benefits of GED Fast Track:
Higher level of instruction, individualized when necessary
Option to participate in blog study to improve writing skills & employability
Access to videos, computer lab
Membership in online classroom accessible 24-7
Instruction using Official Practice Test
Test taking tips
Free Official GED Test with perfect attendance and sufficient Practice Test scores
Assistance pursuing community college enrollment after passing GED

Expectations:
Students will identify a date to take the Official GED Test within 90 days of start of classes (this can be done privately and informally, or with my consultation, it is your personal goal).
Learners will purchase Casio calculator ($10) and Steck-Vaughn GED textbook ($18).
Students will bring paper, pencil, pen, calculator and textbook to class each night.
All Fast Track students will complete an Official Practice Test before taking Official GED Test.
Students must be present for post testing (date to be announced) to be considered for a free Official GED Test. This test is exactly the same as the one taken during registration, and measures each student’s progress during the nine week period.

Schedule:

Tuesday, October 16: 6:30-7:50 Orientation to class & GED test
8-8:30 writing blogs orientation
Thursday, October 18: 6:30-7:50 Contemporary’s Algebra tips
8-8:30 writing blogs creation

Tuesday, October 23: 6:30-7:50 Practice Test Math (PA), note focus areas
8-8:30 discuss & create essay prompts, post to blogs
Thursday, October 25: 6:30-7:50 Math: Intro to Algebra & Geometry- HOMEWORK from handout on creating equations from McGraw-Hill's Top 50 Math Skills for GED Success
8-8:30 students post blog of song lyrics transcribed into EAE

Tuesday, October 30: 6:30-7:30 Review homework on equations/Algebra/Geometry
7:30-7:50 How to Add a blogroll, 8-8:30 Respond to comments on blog, post

Thursday, November 1: 6:30-7:50 pbs.org livelihood workplace math
8-8:30 writing blogs, post evaluation of own work

Tuesday, November 6: 6:30-7:50 pbs.org working world percentages
8-8:30 writing blogs
Thursday, November 8: 6:30-7:50 Social Studies Practice Tests: cartoons & maps
8-8:30 writing blogs

Tuesday, November 13: 6:30-7:50 car prices from newspaper as percents
8-8:30 writing blogs
Thursday, November 15: 6:30-7:50 Science Practice Test version PA: graphs & charts

Tuesday, November 20: 6:30-7:50 Math answer sheets: coordinate grids, etc.
8-8:30 writing blogs
Thursday, November 22: Thanksgiving NO CLASS

Tuesday, November 27: 6:30-7:50 What to know: GED Geometry
8-8:30 writing blogs
Thursday, November 29: 6:30-7:50 Working world GED Geometry
8-8:30 writing blogs

Tuesday, December 4: TABE post testing (mandatory)
Thursday, December 6: TABE post testing (mandatory)

Tuesday, December 11: 6:30-7:50 JSRCC/GED graduate guest speaker
8-8:30 writing blogs
Thursday, December 13: 6:30-7:50 Teacher evaluations. Sign up for Practice Test
8-8:30 writing blogs

Tuesday, December 18: 6:30-7:50 reserved for review
8-8:30 writing blog

YOU CAN DO THIS. GOOD LUCK!