Controlling Idea

I think my controlling idea is to see if this class is trying to implement green education in a way that encourages students to be active or involved in the environment.

Concerns and Pre-Writing

I am concerned that theme or controlling argument for this assignment is not clear enough yet. I am analyzing an AP Environmental Science class at Paschal, but I haven't met the teacher or the students yet and have no idea how I am going to structure this paper.

My second concern is that I have read the description for this assignment over 5 times and I am still unsure of what I am supposed to be doing. Am I supposed to be analyzing the sources or the topic?

Source 1:
Textbook- "Living in the Environment". I chose this because it will be a huge tell to how the class is thematically structured. The book obviously is concentrated on environmental science and I noticed that it covers a lot of information that I learned in my environmental science class here last semester.

Source 2:
Class Syllabi- I haven't had a chance to look at it yet because of other circumstances, but this will also give a good idea as to what is the hope for the class as far as goals, and expectations.

Source 3:
"The Planet Earth" and "The Blue Planet" videos are apparently used in the class as supplemental work and to visually illustrate certain points to the class.

Source 4:
Interviews with Mr. Brinker and his class will demonstrate first hand knowledge of the goals for the class in and what is actually being done besides what is expressed on paper/

Paschal AP Environmental Science Class

I finally narrowed down my topic to studying the Paschal High School AP Environmental Science class taught by a TCU alumni, Mr. Andrew Brinker. The research website were of no use to me because this topic would not be covered in mainstream media. My primary sources for studying this course is to use the syllabus for the class, their textbook "Living the Environment", some of the videos used in the class, "Planet Blue", "Planet Earth", and "Renewal Energy" and interviews with students and Mr. Brinker. My research experience has been pretty up and down and unexpected. The teacher is in Michigan for his father's surgery so I have to communicate with him via email and the extra textbooks which I was hoping to look at more fully have been taken by the FWISD (thanks alot).

My specific sources will serve to explain and showcase how the school and Mr. Brinker specifically, are choosing to educate students about the environment. The syllabi will give a direct mission statement for what is will be expected for the class. These materials will help explain from which viewpoint the school and teacher support in respect to environmental science.

I will say that I am nervous because this topic and approach is unconventional and I hope this project won't fall out from under me. I do plan to visit this classroom throughout the course of this assignment to get a better understanding of what is going on.

New Topic for Research Analysis Paper

I have chosen to spend the next 5 weeks researching what schools are doing in order to educate students on green issues. I may target elementary schools, but I might change it to TCU in order to make my research more feasible. I chose this topic for several reasons. Since I began at TCU, my first sociology professor really opened my eyes to serious environmental issues like pollution, food scarcity, deforestation, water quality, and the list goes on and on. Being more conscientious of consumption is very important and in my Religion and Environmental Ethics class we discussed ideas that have an impact on these kinds of issues. Education, I feel is fundamental to learning how to change an inappropriate lifestyle.

In all honesty, I want to see how important these issues are to the Fort Worth or universtiy school system. I am very much aware that the intensity of environmental education depends on which region of the world it is being taught. So, my expectations are not that high for either sector I choose to investigate, but I hope to be pleasantly surprised.

Latest Author's Note

This is my final draft and I am very happy that I can say that. After visiting the Writing Center and having it checked for mechanical errors and typos, I feel good about the paper I am about to email to you. My satisfaction stems from the fact that I really can't think of anything else to add to the paper, and also that a professional checked my paper, so I feel pretty good. I am a bit worried about the requirement for using the senses to describe. I described my location (Central Market) to the best of my ability, but applying the sensory factor here I don't think works very well here.

I also wanted to remind you that my annotated notes are not on my blog because for some reason the computer in the classroom would not receive anything from my flash drive so Marian and Mason read my notes on the computer and I commented on Mason and Marian's notes (Marian had a hard copy). I will also attach the peer revisions of my paper to you, but either Mark Brown or Matt Palombo did not save his commented version like you had wanted, but I wanted to let you know so that he gets credit and you know who reviewed my paper.

I believe this is everything so... Enjoy!

Kanika Nevers

Workshop Feedback on draft 1

To be honest, I did not believe that my first draft would result in pretty positive comments. As I have said in my first blog, I am not generally confident in my work as a writer, but the feedback has boosted my confidence, for a short while, with this assignment. I was initially worried that my thesis would not be clear, but this did not happen. On the other hand, the flow of my description and my ability to convey the actual flow of Central Market needs work, which I knew. My group members did not make mention of this, but I KNOW I need help with punctuation.
I plan to arrange the layout of Central Market in way that can be easily understood by readers who have never visited CM and allow those who have shopped there to remember certain parts of the store and take notice of things they had not seen before. I was also given the suggestion of elaborating on the history of CM so I will do that as well, along with adding more of my observations that I omitted. I had a great serendipitous experience with these 2 women I met and I want to find a way to incorporate that.

Author's Note for Public Analysis

This is my first draft of my public analysis of Central Market. As of now, I know this draft is certainly ROUGH. Each paragraph needs significant work, but I need help on the flow and organization of my work. I really have 2 main arguments, but I am not sure if that is apparent. I have a lot more examples to add in, but I just wanted to get the main outline out and get that out of the way for now. What I am asking everyone who reads this analysis is PLEASE HELP ME WITH PUNCTUATION. This has forever been my Achilles' heal and I need help, BAD! Please add any comments, but of course be kind. ;)

Central Market's Meaning to Fort Worth

I think Central Market adds a unique flavor to Fort Worth, first by its architectural structure with the large, chocolate, barn doors that frame the entrances. On my last visit, I noticed that they sold homemade TCU Horned Frog purple soap. Although Texas is most known for "Everything is bigger and better in Texas" attitude, and Fort Worth as "Cow Town", environmentalism, eco-friendliness, eating healthy and 'normal' sized portions, I believe Central Market provides people who care for these issues with a place to find them. CM's original intention was not this when it began in Austin in '92, but rather to give food lovers a limitless choice of quality grocery items and make grocery shopping a joy rather than a chore.

Arguments in Fact and Definition in My Public Space

My space of interest in Central Market and the price argument can go a long way in this situation, but one that I found is an overarching theme in Central Market is the products sold there. From the flowers they sell, to the soap you can buy everything there is in some way related to health consciousness or a more "upity" type of product that you definitely wouldn't find in Wal-Mart. They are arguing that these products are worth so much that H-E-B can make a store completely focused on health food and consciousness and expect people to come, buy, and embrace this type of lifestyle. It's a great argument they make and God knows many people including myself fall for it.

Central Market is the Coolest Place on Earth- I am making it official!

So I did it........ I went to Central Market TWICE and didn't buy anything. Besides completing the observation portion of the paper, that was a huge feat that I accomplished. People that shop there know what I am talking about :)
As I suspected, the crowds on Friday night (I decided to switch Thursday to Friday because I wanted to ensure I would get a parking spot when I came back to campus) were so much smaller and relaxing than today's (Sunday) crowd. The parking lot on Friday was nearly empty at 7pm. I was initially wrong in my assumption that I would find a lot of young singles there looking for food to cook for a date. Instead, what I found were many families and older married couples shopping. The atmosphere was so relaxing and the Central Market employees were so much more apparent and helpful (because you could actually find them). On one occasion, an employee asked me if I needed help picking out some wine. I find this hilarious because in no way, shape or form do I look old enough to buy wine- I've actually been mistaken for a 10yr old one time. On both visits, and future ones I expect too, that from the workers to the customers will continue to be genuinely friendly and polite. Which certainly adds to the greatness of this store.

This is what I will say for now because I don't want to give too much away, but strongly encourage everyone, even if you have been before, to go to Central Market and just people watch or better yet introduce yourself to strangers and you will be presently surprised. I did and it was one of the best serendipitous moments I've ever had.

Thanks for reading :)