1. Quick Write – September 12 th & 13 th, 2013 Without really worrying about how well you spell or whether you are making complete sense, write a short letter (8 sentences) to a trusted person about how well you are—or are not— prepared for the next stage of your life.

2. Idea Chunks Under your Quick Write, write down four ideas you had from the articles we’ve read (“Learn to Fail” and “Hidden Intellectualism”). You may use ideas you wrote down during the Stop & Respond activity.

3. “Hidden Intellectualism” Activity # 12 - Thinking Critically In response to Perez's and Graff’s essays write four “idea chunks” that respond to these thoughts. Idea chunks are short pieces of writing, one paragraph long. Idea chunks are not essays; you are primarily making connections between information gathered in the first two articles and aspects of your own experience. Here are some ideas that may help you get started: -Write a summary of the ideas in each writing. -Think about the vocabulary list you made of words describing you. Do the words you chose still best represent key aspects of your identity, values, goals, or abilities? -Which new key words have surfaced or do different words seem more important after reading Pérez and Graff? -What insight have Perez or Graff added to your thoughts about career or school? -Have Perez or Graff caused you to change your thinking about anything?

4. Multiple Texts (Three Articles) Pre-reading Activity #14 – Surveying the Text The class will be reading three essays that address decisions about whether to start working or go to college. You will be assigned a text to read, and use the following questions to survey the text before you read. 1.What kind of information do you think the article will provide? 2.What do you think is the purpose of the article? 3.Who do you think is the intended audience for the article? 4.What do you think the writer wants you to do or believe?

5. Multiple Texts (Three Articles) Reading Activity #15 – Reading for Understanding In your table groups, read and annotate the text you have been assigned, and prepare a report for the class that delivers the following: A brief summary of the text’s argument Important quotes or information the writer provides An explanation of what you think is important about the text Choose one person to be the spokesperson for your table group that will present your findings and another who will take notes on what was discussed.

6. Quick Write 9/18 College isn't the place to go for ideas. -Helen Keller Write the above quote in your own words. Do you agree with this quote? Why or why not?

7. Multiple Texts (Three Articles) Reading Activity #15 – Reading for Understanding Choose a spokesperson to share information about the article that your group annotated last week. Now that you have read, annotated, and discussed the first three articles, as a class we will read an article from an alternate viewpoint. As we read annotate your article and make note of any questions, observations, ideas, comments, stories, or things the text reminds you of. Make at least four annotations per page.

8. Multiple Texts (Four Articles) Postreading Activity #16 – Summarizing and Responding Write one paragraph about whether it is best to go to college right away or move into work. Be prepared to share your decision about whether it is best to go to college or to work.

9. “Web Sites” Prereading Activity #17 With a partner, write down at least six things that can help you determine if a web site is a credible source or not. Be prepared to share and discuss with the class what a credible source is.

10. “Web Sites” & “FAQ Guide” Activity #19 – Reading for Understanding & Collecting Information Read “FAQ Guide,” and write down 10-15 questions you have about the next stage of your life. These questions will be narrowed down and become your FAQ assignment. Now look through “Website Site Resources” with your questions in mind and highlight the sources you could use to effectively answer your questions.

11. “Web Sites” & “FAQ Guide” Postreading Activity #20 – Summarizing Research Findings Taking your list of 10-15 questions, narrow it down to 10 that you are willing to look into further; these will become your FAQs. Next you will research the answers to these questions. Once you have answers, type up the questions and provide simple answers that are accurate, helpful, clear, and concise. Remember, FAQs are resources that help people understand problems and gather information that helps solve problems. Once you have finished writing your FAQs, you will need to bring two copies to class. In our next class, we are going to do a read around or gallery walk in which we read one another’s FAQs.

12. Example FAQs When is the deadline for applying for the CSU? All CSUs have the same application deadline for freshman. For the fall term, the application deadline is March 15, 2012. Go to csumentor.edu for up-to-date information. How much money will I make if I want to be an auto mechanic? In 2011, the average salary for an auto mechanic was $43,050.00, but that was not what new mechanics made. The starting salary was around $23,000 for full-time work. And as far as getting a job is concerned, it looks like the next year will bring about 530 job openings due to growth and about 1,440 replacement jobs.

13. “Web Sites” & “FAQ Guide” Postreading Activity #21 – Reflecting on Your Research Findings – Reading One Another’s Findings We will do a Gallery Walk of your FAQs in class, so you will have the opportunity to read what others have discovered about entering the work world or college. During the Gallery Walk, keep a separate sheet of paper handy to write down any helpful information you find on someone else’s FAQ. Also, write down the name of the writer so you can meet with him or her later to see if he or she has more information you might find useful. You must write down at least 10 facts from other people’s FAQs and talk to at least 4 people.

14. “Web Sites” & “FAQ Guide” Postreading Activity #21 – Reflecting on Your Research Findings – Reading One Another’s Findings Now that you have considered the options for your next stage of life, begin to brainstorm ideas for how you want to represent yourself to that community. Do you want to be in the work force, go to college, or military? What types of people do those communities want? What words could you use in your letter to them that could make you more appealing as a candidate? Write at least 10 bullet points of words or ideas that you will use in your letter. Begin your first draft now if you’d like.

15. Personal Statement Prompt #1 Describe the world you come from – for example, your family, community or school – and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations. Prompt #2 Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?