Mr. Dean,
On several occasions at the GLPS camp, you have made fun of my height and mocked me. For example, last week, on Friday, in front of Class 21, you pretended I was a GLPS student - elementary school student.
I was very embarrassed and the students teased me after class. I cried in my dorm room that night.
I need you to apologize to me in front of Class 21 and explain that you shouldn't have teased me. Your apology should include the point that no one controls their height, so teasing someone about it is like teasing someone about their skin color.
If you don't apologize by the end of this week, I shall have to complain to Mr. Ganse.
I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Lieju
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This apology should be 3 paragraphs long.
I don't think I am a monster. My students don't think they are monsters. Separately, we both think the other is a monster. Communicating by blog feels safer than being trapped together in a room!
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
Best Blogs of Week one!
Class 21
Forever with Big Bang (apparently not an astronomy blog) There are currently three short but well-written blog posts there.
Class 22
Monnie the Joker
She knows me so well: "He seems like he eats chocolate every day like me."
Big Bang is VIP Don't mess with this student: she knows three martial arts!
Class 23
Gleek out Warble on This student a big fan of Glee.
Creativities Boom This student knows my secrets!
Class 24
Writing Holic This student wishes she could be Bella, I think.
Mad Panda Actually a simple blog, but with good writing.
Forever with Big Bang (apparently not an astronomy blog) There are currently three short but well-written blog posts there.
Class 22
Monnie the Joker
She knows me so well: "He seems like he eats chocolate every day like me."
Big Bang is VIP Don't mess with this student: she knows three martial arts!
Class 23
Gleek out Warble on This student a big fan of Glee.
Creativities Boom This student knows my secrets!
Class 24
Writing Holic This student wishes she could be Bella, I think.
Mad Panda Actually a simple blog, but with good writing.
How to complain
"Everyone complains about the weather but no one ever does anything about it." Twain
Students complain about teachers, teachers complain about students, students complain about dormmates... but usually, they don't do so very well.
"Those darn students, never complaining properly. They make me so mad. I wish they would..." - now I'm doing it.
How do you complain effectively?
There are two key points and I will describe the first one in some depth. First, remove as much emotion as possible. Second, complain but try not to attach blame.
To remove emotion and complain effectively, it helps to follow a formula.
Describe the background to the problem. Be specific.
If you are complaining about a product, mention what the product is, including model; where and when you bought it; and any other details. Did the salesperson describe the product in a certain way? Mention it here.
Describe the problem and effect.
If the product was described as waterproof but leaked water, here is where you mention that. Also, did it cost you money, time, friends?
Offer an acceptable solution.
Do you want a new product? Your money back? A public apology?
Warning (optional).
You probably can't threaten a teacher.
Closing
A formal ending to a letter. Choose one of these:
"I look forward to your response."
"I look forward to hearing from you this week."
-------
Another way to complain is to use "I_____" statements. Instead of the other person being to blame, you are offering to take the blame yourself.
When you ______, I feel ______ because _______.
I feel ______ when you _____ because _______.
Students complain about teachers, teachers complain about students, students complain about dormmates... but usually, they don't do so very well.
"Those darn students, never complaining properly. They make me so mad. I wish they would..." - now I'm doing it.
How do you complain effectively?
There are two key points and I will describe the first one in some depth. First, remove as much emotion as possible. Second, complain but try not to attach blame.
To remove emotion and complain effectively, it helps to follow a formula.
Describe the background to the problem. Be specific.
If you are complaining about a product, mention what the product is, including model; where and when you bought it; and any other details. Did the salesperson describe the product in a certain way? Mention it here.
Describe the problem and effect.
If the product was described as waterproof but leaked water, here is where you mention that. Also, did it cost you money, time, friends?
Offer an acceptable solution.
Do you want a new product? Your money back? A public apology?
Warning (optional).
You probably can't threaten a teacher.
Closing
A formal ending to a letter. Choose one of these:
"I look forward to your response."
"I look forward to hearing from you this week."
-------
Another way to complain is to use "I_____" statements. Instead of the other person being to blame, you are offering to take the blame yourself.
When you ______, I feel ______ because _______.
I feel ______ when you _____ because _______.
“When you spend money on items I think we don’t need,
I feel nervous,
because we don’t have much money to spend.”
I feel nervous,
because we don’t have much money to spend.”
Monday, 2 January 2012
color coded paragraphs
The paragraph format in most essays is similar. There should be introduction, a few ideas with examples, then a conclusion.
To help with this format, color coded sentences in paragraphs are a good idea.
Green will be used for topic or introduction sentences.
Yellow for individual reasons or details.
Red for examples or more depth.
Green can be used at the end to conclude the paragraph.
Mr Dean defined creativity and what the concept means. First he explained that creativity is production, not reproduction. When a person first makes something, that is a creative act. Copying that thing may show artistic skill but is not creative. Then he described what he knew about creativity. It is fun but also hard work. This is similar to many sports. Soccer is fun but tiring. One cannot be lazy and creative. Finally, he said creativity is real and can be researched. It is not magic. Researchers know how to encourage and discourage creativity and even how to measure it. Creativity is production, fun and understandable. It is not reproduction, easy or magic.
For more information, see this PDF file.
To help with this format, color coded sentences in paragraphs are a good idea.
Green will be used for topic or introduction sentences.
Yellow for individual reasons or details.
Red for examples or more depth.
Green can be used at the end to conclude the paragraph.
Mr Dean's Creativity Lecture
Mr Dean defined creativity and what the concept means. First he explained that creativity is production, not reproduction. When a person first makes something, that is a creative act. Copying that thing may show artistic skill but is not creative. Then he described what he knew about creativity. It is fun but also hard work. This is similar to many sports. Soccer is fun but tiring. One cannot be lazy and creative. Finally, he said creativity is real and can be researched. It is not magic. Researchers know how to encourage and discourage creativity and even how to measure it. Creativity is production, fun and understandable. It is not reproduction, easy or magic.
For more information, see this PDF file.
Sunday, 1 January 2012
A Winter Tradition
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I like this video. I only feel a shudder when I see the man's skates get stuck in the hole.
Saturday, 31 December 2011
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