gdp's Comments

Composition II : L3.2: Thinking about Thinking

Wed, 4 Jul 2012 19:31:02 +0000

Hi, Jessica. Sorry about that. I didn't realize you were hearing impaired. Whenever possible, I will try to include captions, but unfortunately at times they are not readily available. If need be, e-mail me offline and maybe I can find transcripts or something similar that might be of help. :-)

Composition II : L3.3 Peer Review Round #2

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 03:56:27 +0000

No problem. Ask anytime.

Composition II : L3.0: A Whole Class Workshop

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 03:54:46 +0000

It's optional. :-)

Composition II : Action: An Elevator Speech

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 03:52:38 +0000

Yep, Friday. I seem to be calendar-challenged this summer. I'll fix it. Thanks.

Composition II : Service Opportunity #1: FMSC

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 15:45:49 +0000

Took care of it, Bill.

Composition II : Self-Assessment/Personal Action Report 1

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:51:14 +0000

Oops. Typo. The self-assessment is due this Friday at 8am. When in doubt, the official "schedule" (available from the navigation bar) will be the definitive source for due dates. Sorry for the confusion. I fixed the typos.

Composition II : Lesson 0: Getting Started

Sun, 10 Jun 2012 03:22:52 +0000

If you want to, you can always drop a comment on any of the lesson posts like this, or you can go to the conversation center.

writing101.net | msmcguire.com : every kid needs a norwegian cabin

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 03:57:21 +0000

Hi Chris (and Amanda). Sorry I don't have plans. I worked from a book I got from Lowes or HD. It was more of an "inspiration" book with just a few photos and a couple paragraphs of explanation, but no real plans. If I can find the book, I'll send you the title. Otherwise, if you have any questions about the construction, I can share my experience. Just let me know. Best of luck to you with the project. It is pretty sweet. :-)

writing101.net | msmcguire.com : kickin' it at the inhome conference 2012

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:24:57 +0000

Thanks, Jen. This was by far Aidan's favorite too. We're glad we could share it with you too.

writing101.net | msmcguire.com : a real world few students wanted

Fri, 2 Dec 2011 02:29:55 +0000

Hello, anonymous commenter. Care to elaborate? I would very much like to understand better the reality you speak of.

writing101.net | msmcguire.com : stone soup, homemade bread, and apple cider

Sun, 16 Oct 2011 16:34:59 +0000

Hi Anna, Thanks for your comment. Yes, the stories all come from the Junior Great Books series. Aidan really likes it, and that soup was so yummy. You should give it a try--make some stone soup with your friends :-)

http://writing101.net/thisiknow/ : this i know

Wed, 2 Feb 2011 22:20:59 +0000

Sarah, this is a courageous essay. Thanks for sharing it.

writing101.net | msmcguire.com : earth scouts: saving soles, saving lives

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 04:47:51 +0000

As always, thank you for you kind words and constant support.

writing101.net | msmcguire.com : on reading deschooling society by ivan illich

Mon, 3 Jan 2011 17:53:40 +0000

Thank you, Winslow, I will definitely check out these other sources.

writing101.net | msmcguire.com : grading contracts, gastropods, and the occasional breakthrough

Mon, 6 Dec 2010 21:06:45 +0000

Thanks, Heather. It's nice to hear from you. I hope you are well, too. Happy holidays.

writing101.net | msmcguire.com : grading contracts, gastropods, and the occasional breakthrough

Sat, 4 Dec 2010 17:15:30 +0000

Hey, Jason. No problem. Let me know if you give something like this a try. Maybe we can compare notes. (There are others in the department at MV doing similar things too.) Happy holidays!

writing101.net | msmcguire.com : hunger in our own backyard

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 05:27:26 +0000

Thank you for your always kind words. We learn compassion from our family. I've learned from you.

writing101.net | msmcguire.com : a lot of cunt, ass, and napalm

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 02:52:29 +0000

Andrés, thank you for your comment. I very much appreciate it and never thought my post would reach across borders or be read in a class. Thanks for passing it on. Do you teach? Where? At what level? I'm curious because I teach at a College in Chicago, IL.

writing101.net | msmcguire.com : a lot of cunt, ass, and napalm

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 02:18:18 +0000

Yes, the world is those things, I agree. But I also believe that--if I may borrow the words of Ghandi--we must be the change we seek. Perhaps in some areas of life I'm guilty of "sheltering," but I really don't think so. We talk to our son about violence and aggression. He understands as much as any 7-year-old (probably more) that there is war, violence, and injustice in our world. But the thing is he remains sensitive to these matters. My argument is that ongoing, casual, and romanticized exposure to violence through media and through play systematically desensitizes children to the point where the real horrors of our world no longer phase them. One might say this prepares them for the world, but I would argue it only prepares them for a world where such things will continue to be tolerated.

writing101.net | msmcguire.com : unschooling: the short answer

Mon, 9 Aug 2010 02:38:10 +0000

Scott, thanks for your comment. I think you've distorted the first point on Tara's list when you suggest that it puts children at risk for sexual predators. The point reads: "Seeing no division between child and adult, regardless of ability or experience. All should be treated with the same equal respect and consideration." The idea is that children and adults should be treated with equal respect, should be listened to, and given due consideration. If anything, such treatment of children empowers them, making them less malleable and susceptible to the perceived authority of a potential predator. Regarding your point/question on "no boundaries," yes, I believe children should be "free to do whatever [they] so desire[s]" as long as such pursuits do not infringe upon the rights of others. Your example is an extreme one. My child would not want to take off to Mexico and party with college kids. Now if he expressed a real desire to go to Mexico, we would work as a family to find a way to make that happen. We would give his sincere desire due consideration, just as we would an adult member of our family. What we're talking about here really isn't that radical; it's open, honest, mindful, and respectful parenting. Certainly, we offer guidance to our child as he grows and matures, but we do our very best not to stifle him or coerce him in that process. We also trust the decisions he makes for himself with regard to his interests and own desire to learn; we honor those decisions and support him. He's his own person, and we respect that fully. As far as being a college professor, I don't see it as entirely the same thing as a compulsory schooling experience because the young adults in my college classroom come there of their own accord. They have chosen to be there, and can just as well choose not to be there. Even so, I have in recent years felt some conflict with the "natural learning" lifestyle I am living with my family and the work I do in the college classroom. As a result, I have made some adjustments to what I do. I've written a little bit about this. Check it out here: http://writing101.net/2799 Again, thanks for your comments. Cheers.