English 1010 Fall 2009 Students will write effective topic sentences 8.15.2009 true An effective topic sentence is usually characterized by a transitional phrase, keyword repetition, and a topic identifier. For each student, I will count the number of these devices in the topic sentence of each body paragraph. I will compare these numbers to the total number of body paragraphs. This will generate a result for each student. Individual results will be summed, yielding a total for the class as a whole. 8.15.2009 true 80% of the students will use these devices appropriately in 80% percent of all topic sentences. 8.15.2009 true October 15. 40% of my students use the devices 80% of the time. 20% never use them. I will schedule some review. November 15. The numbers are better, but I am still concerned. 11.15.2009 true By term end, 63% of students use these devices appropriately in 80% percent of all body paragraphs. 12.14.2009 true I've noticed that when students use the devices, most do so consistently and appropriately. The bottom of the class doesn't use them at all, or uses them appropriately but inconsistently. This suggests a negative or indifferent attitude toward the concept rather than poor understanding. 12.14.2009 true I will look for ways to impress upon students the importance of using these devices to write more effective topic sentences. I may also lower my criteria for success until those standards have been exceeded. 12.14.2009 true Spring 2010 Students will write effective topic sentences 1.5.2010 An effective topic sentence is usually characterized by a transitional phrase, keyword repetition, and a topic identifier. For each student, I will count the number of these devices in the topic sentence of each body paragraph. I will compare these numbers to the total number of body paragraphs. This will generate a result for each student. Individual results will be summed, yielding a total for the class as a whole. 1.5.2010 70% of the students will use these devices appropriately in 80% percent of all body paragraphs. 1.5.2010 Students seem to be doing better than last year. I believe that ongoing reinforcement of the concepts, and their importance, is having a positive effect. 3.17.2010 By term end, 72% of students use these devices appropriately in 80% percent of all body paragraphs. 6.5.2010 This semester's target has been reached. Reinforcement has helped. 6.5.2010 I am happy that the students seem to have improved as a result of course changes. We are now so close, that I will raise the criteria back to 80%. Next semester, I will give students more opportunities to look at very poor topic sentences so that they understand the value of these devices. 6.5.2010 Fall 2010 Students will write effective topic sentences 10.25.2010 An effective topic sentence is usually characterized by a transitional phrase, keyword repetition, and a topic identifier. For each student, I will count the number of these devices in the topic sentence of each body paragraph. I will compare these numbers to the total number of body paragraphs. This will generate a result for each student. Individual results will be summed, yielding a total for the class as a whole. 10.25.2010 80% of the students will use these devices appropriately in 80% percent of all topic sentences. 10.25.2010