Great Books by genre and by grade
Great_Books_List_by_Alpha_&_Grade

This book offers today’s young Catholic 200 clear and insightful answers to questions about the Catholic faith. It captures the attention of teens by directly addressing their concerns, misconceptions, and challenges. The revised edition adds over 500 Bible and 800 Catechism references, and has the Imprimatur. Author: Matthew Pinto

Too many young Catholics experience their faith as Mark Hart did: They rarely miss Mass even if they don’t understand it; they have a Bible even if they never read it; they go to confession even if they aren’t particularly repentant. Is that your experience of Catholicism? Is yours a faith of Thou Shalt Nots? If so, forget about a dreary life of mindless obedience to rules you don’t understand. It’s time to enter into the transforming light of your Creator who invites you to live from the still center of his undying love. The author’s humorous and hard-hitting reflections drive home the point that God isn’t calling the reader to be a good person— someone who merely obeys the rules—but a new person in Jesus Christ.

Nice compact book with easy short questions on basically everything! It’s a book that you dip in and out of. It’s also good as a help-mate to prepare talks as it has some good ways of explaining things.

Synopsis
Do you ever wish for short, simple answers to what the Catholic Church teaches and why we claim it as truth? Let 100 Things Every Catholic Teen Should Know help. You won’t get long, boring answers that confuse; you will get quick, straight answers that enlighten, rooted in 100% Catholic truth.

Authors Mark Hart and Todd Lemieux have an undeniably unique way to make the most controversial and complicated Church teachings entertaining and effortless to follow. 100 Things Every Catholic Teen Should Know not only reminds readers how great it is to be Catholic, but reveals how much fun it can be as well. So, prepare for an overview of Catholicism that is sure to leave you smarter, more joyful and a whole lot more confident.

• Kawano – not so Frequently Asked Questions

To be updated …

• WikiBooks: LaTeX

To be updated …

• Dive Into Python

To be updated …

Thought might be relevant for some of our projects.  The post is on capsule living, they give a few examples including the one below by Arakawa.

The original post is on darkroastedblend.com

An underground skyscraper designed to address the issue of earthquakes in japan, published in a newspaper in 1931. Read the text at modernmechanix.com

The Culture of Life. 8 Documentaries (30 mins each): origins of bioethics, abortion today, artificial procreation, stem cells, aids prevention, euthanasia and legality, palliative care, bioethics and communication.
 
Cutting through the Spin on Stem Cells and Cloning. Very good explanation on stem cells and cloning. The july course seems to have had technical problems with this DVD but its’ actually fine.
 
(NEW) Aids, Condoms and the Catholic Church. 48 minutes. An very interesting documentary. Produced by Rome Reports.
 
(NEW) John Paul the Great. A Pope who made History. 60 minutes. Runs through his life with historical context. Good footage. Produced by Rome Reports.
 
(NEW) The Year of the Priests. 28 minutes. Runs through different aspects of the year of the priest and priesthood: the inauguration, the essence of the priesthood,  interviews with different priests on their vocation (incl. Julian Herranz).
 
(NEW) Pius XII and the Holocaust. 50 minutes. Good footage and interesting information.
 
John Paul II. 50 minutes. Produced by the History Channel.
 
Benedict XVI, the Adventure of Truth. 54 minutes. Very nice and gives a good insight into the Pope’s life.
 
The Catholic Priest Today. 20 minutes. Makes a quick impact, dynamic, entirelly image based (very little doctrinal explanations, etc.). Promotion of vocations.
 
Fatima. Altar of the World. 50 minutes. A relatively old documentary (2003).

I have received online access to all material for Discourse Analysis (key theoretical, philosophical, and methodological debates), the Open University’s post-graduate course in the Social Sciences programme. It’s a 16 week course at 30 credit points and will be my second last course towards the MA degree, with 3 assignments to be submitted electronically and an exam in April 2010. All material has been provided right at the start of the course in PDFs. Below the links to the study material on Amazon (look inside feature) and material from previous years which vary only in terms of dates from the current presentation.

• Wetherell, M., Taylor, S. and Yates, S.J. (eds) (2001) Discourse Theory and
  Practice: A Reader. London: Sage in association with The Open University.
  Discourse Theory (Reader) on Amazon (search inside)
  This reader contains a collection of articles by Stuart Hall, Erving Goffman, Nikolas Rose et al.
• Wetherell, M., Taylor, S. and Yates, S.J. (eds) (2001) Discourse as Data: A Guide for Analysis, London: Sage in association with The Open University.
  Discourse Data (Workbook) on Amazon (search inside)
• Study Guide (PDF, opens in new window) which outlines the learning outcomes and the teaching strategy
• Study Calendar of 2007, PDF opens in new window.

There is also a specimen exam paper delivered online but not made accessible to the public by the Open University, further a number of exam papers from previous years available on the OUSA Online Store for purchase. Moreover, preparation notes, a guide for submitting electronic assignments (time of submission will change in December from 12am to 12noon) and the assignment booklet itself.

Further required readings:

• Fairclough, N. and Wodak, R. (1997) ‘Critical discourse analysis’ in van Dijk, Teun A. (ed.) Discourse as Social Interaction, vol. 2, London/Thousand Oaks/New Delhi: Sage, pp. 258–84.
• Locke, A. and Edwards, D. (2003) ‘Bill and Monica: memory, emotion and normativity in Clinton’s Grand Jury testimony’, British Journal of Social Psychology, vol. 42, part 2, pp. 239–56.
• Pomerantz, A. and Fehr, B.J. (1997) ‘Conversation analysis: an approach to the study of social action as sense making practices’ in van Dijk, Teun A. (ed.) Discourse as Social Interaction,vol.2, London/Thousand Oaks/New Delhi: Sage Publications, pp. 64–91.
• Potter, J. (2005) ‘Making psychology relevant’, Discourse and Society, vol. 16, no. 5, pp. 739–47.
• van Dijk, Teun A. (1992) ‘Discourse and the denial of racism’, Discourse and Society, vol. 3, no.1, pp. 87–118



]]> http://catherineishino.wordpress.com/2009/11/26/hbo-channel-info/ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 18:33:49 +0000 Catherine Ishino http://catherineishino.wordpress.com/2009/11/26/hbo-channel-info/

HBO Channel Info

]]> http://pythonians.wordpress.com/2009/11/26/barcode-housing/ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:41:55 +0000 chenkianwee http://pythonians.wordpress.com/2009/11/26/barcode-housing/

http://www.barcodehousing.net/english.html

]]> http://ticklefight.wordpress.com/2009/11/25/you-are-very-welcome/ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:52:53 +0000 ticklefight http://ticklefight.wordpress.com/2009/11/25/you-are-very-welcome/
]]> http://jonhoo.wordpress.com/2009/11/25/my-web/ Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:40:56 +0000 Jon Gjengset http://jonhoo.wordpress.com/2009/11/25/my-web/ http://jonhoo.wordpress.com/2009/11/25/speedy-the-new-http/ Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:50:06 +0000 Jon Gjengset http://jonhoo.wordpress.com/2009/11/25/speedy-the-new-http/ http://dougwilliamsrealty.wordpress.com/2009/11/25/choosing-a-buildercontractor/ Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:40:39 +0000 Doug Williams http://dougwilliamsrealty.wordpress.com/2009/11/25/choosing-a-buildercontractor/

Whether you’re building a home, just bought a home and doing major renovations, purchased a business and doing the necessary remodelling or just decided to upgrade your home (and perhaps use the Home Renovation Tax Credit!), they have a common element: you need to deal with a contractor and trades people.

If you are building a home and using a Real Estate Agent, I would strongly suggest you hire a Real Estate Agent who is experienced in the building process. Filling out paperwork is one thing but understanding what can go wrong is very important. The same would apply to the Lawyer that you use, make sure that they have lots of experience in dealing with new home construction. Believe me, these two together will save you tremendous grief down the road.

One of the biggest problems I have seen over the years is communication. What you want and what the contractor thinks you want can be two different things. Be very explicit and simple, even to the type and color of door knobs. Oh yes, I almost forgot – EVERYTHING is to be written down, signed, initialed, dated and everyone given a copy. For people who are just doing renovations, be sure to have a lawyer look at it. If you have problems down the road, he/she will be representing you so why not let them be part of the process from the beginning.

A good builder/contactor will not require you to sign anything until you are both on the same page. For example: what you want for flooring, what you want in the ensuite, the various paint colors of the rooms or how your kitchen will look like. Most contractors today will give you an allowance for lighting, flooring and the kitchen. Go to the place where they will buy these items from and see what you are getting. It is very important to not sign anything until you do. Make sure the amounts will satisfy what you were expecting – both in quality and quantity. Remember that show homes are nice to visit but most cases, it is full of upgrades and not what you will get in the home that you just purchased.

Whatever your project is, be sure to get quotes from other contactors. But make sure that you are comparing apples to apples. Often I hear that was not included or I thought you meant this. Do your homework. I tell people go to open houses and take pictures of the kitchen you want or that living room – it is also better to show your contractor a visual and include in the contract.

I tell people to talk with people who the builder/contractor has done work for. Calling references is not always the best way to do this. If you left a job because you had a dispute, are you going to ask that person for a reference? Get your lawyer to inquire from other colleagues. Check with your local New Home Warranty or whoever the builder uses and see if they have many complaints. But the best is snooping around and finding people they did work for. Don’t be genetic with your questions either. Don’t just ask if they a good builder. Ask if they finish on time (and if they were compensated if it was not finished on time), when they wanted changes if the contractor was cooperative, did they come back to fix items, were the allowances (monies) enough to get flooring and kitchen cabinets, did they clean up after they were finished and would they use them again?

Be sure that whoever you hire has insurance on their workers as well if insurance for home damage if they cause it, WCB coverage and that all the sub-contractors have insurance and also have WCB coverage. Be sure you ask to see these policies and be sure you check to see whether they are up to date.

I believe in the underground economy but when you try doing this with new home construction or renovations, remember there is no paper trail meaning it is very difficult to take the company or people to court. Also, if you want to claim the home renovation tax credit, you need to keep your receipts incase you get assessed by Canada Revenue Agency.

After you choose your builder/contractor the most next important item is the contract. Be sure it is very detailed. What they are going to do, the time frame, whether they compensate you if the work is not completed on time, what work you are getting done and the exact items to be installed – have a schedule of all the materials being used and allowances granted, a guarantee and what that guarantee entails and length of time you have to collect the guarantee. When you are building, the law provides that there is a builder’s holdback lien (talk with your lawyer about this). As well as if all the work is not completed, be sure you hold enough monies back not only for the item(s) but also to have it installed.

A Real Estate Agent and Lawyer with lots of experience in New Home Construction can go a long way in making your project or new home a pleasant time.

]]> http://ticklefight.wordpress.com/2009/11/24/group-girly-crush-alert/ Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:26:32 +0000 ticklefight http://ticklefight.wordpress.com/2009/11/24/group-girly-crush-alert/

The girls of Death Proof.  So fly.











]]> http://ticklefight.wordpress.com/2009/11/24/right-now-2/ Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:01:29 +0000 ticklefight http://ticklefight.wordpress.com/2009/11/24/right-now-2/

This is the first of a new line of re-tart-ed posts that will allow you, the voyeur, to peep a moment of my g-l-a-m-o-r-o-u-s life and feel what it is like to reside in my head.  WELCOME TO HELL.  Just kidding!  It is usually fun in there.  Having said thaaaat . . . at this moment . . .

Style I am unabashedly trying to mimic/steal:

Bardot in Contempt.



What is spinning on my super fancy turntable that I know nothing about:

My newest record, purchased at Aquarius Records solely based on my pervy eyes liking the cover.  Not bad at all.  This method totally works, by the way.  But you must have a sense for awesomeness; only requirement.

Jonesin’ – “Hi, We’re Jonesin”



Crazy bishes that I can’t stop stalking on the internet:

Dita Von Teese (she is armenian and from michigan and is a natural blonde!)



You guessed it, Brigitte Bardot.  She is supposedly guilty of “inciting racial hatred” on multiple occasions, but I’m wondering if she is just super French, old, and one of those animal lovers who hates people (which isn’t that despicable, in my book – wha?  wha?).  But who knows.



Library book that I am really into and am therefore sooo pissed that I forgot today:



Packed with so much good information, it makes you feel really smart and powerful.  Alas, the website is an eyesore.  Waaaah, I want my book.

How I feel:

Simultaneously happy and sad, beautiful and fugly, content and ill.

Okay, that’s about it for now.

Oh, look!  A soy gelato root beer float from St. Francis Fountain!

[creeping away, slowly, backwards from ticklefight now . . . ]



]]> http://permut.wordpress.com/2009/11/24/standards-in-publishing/ Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:47:50 +0000 jimi adams http://permut.wordpress.com/2009/11/24/standards-in-publishing/

In the comments on a previous post, dadakim raises a pertinent question about publishing practices that hasn’t (yet?) been adopted in sociology (other than by SMR*, as far as i know). I re-raise it here in case you missed it because i’d be interested in reader reactions to the idea.

But the motivation for this post was actually an unrelated publishing issue has been bugging me for a while. Why is it that news articles that mention scientific research don’t have to detail their sources? This is one practice i’ve never understood. I get elated when i see articles that actually go ahead and source the original materials, which is sad, since i think it should be SOP.

*See the last paragraph of the guidelines.

]]> http://health.blogs.foxnews.com/2009/11/24/the-role-of-the-guidance-counselor/ Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:56:27 +0000 Jennifer Cerbasi http://health.blogs.foxnews.com/2009/11/24/the-role-of-the-guidance-counselor/

There are key players in your child’s educational experience. The teacher, the principal, and you all have clearly defined roles in your child’s emotional, cognitive, and physical growth. There is, however, an often under-used player in schools across America; someone who is ready and willing to help. Each school has a guidance counselor, an important figure in the school but one that is often overlooked. The guidance counselor has a variety of “hats” to wear and can assist you and your child in many ways.

 

Scheduling
High school guidance counselors often aid in the creation of class schedules. Your child may want to meet with his guidance counselor to discuss his schedule for next year. Although most core classes are pre-determined based on state graduation requirements, your child may have elective classes to choose from and having the guidance counselor discuss his options helps him choose the right one.

School-wide campaigns
Schools have begun adapting specific curriculum or programs targeting bullying, drug or alcohol use, and healthy lifestyles among children. The guidance counselor is often the point person implementing these programs and training other school personnel to respond to situations regarding these issues. Reach out to the counselor for more information or for pointers on how to discuss these important topics with your children. Should your child be affected by any of these issues, you can use the counselor as a mediator or support for your family.

Individual counseling
Guidance counselors are often wearing their “other hats” so don’t forget their area of expertise. Your child may be having a hard time transitioning to a new school, establishing a positive relationship with a new teacher, or navigating a difficult friendship. Each of these situations may warrant a chat with the school counselor. Introduce yourself and your child to the counselor at the beginning of the school year so you have an established relationship.

References
School guidance counselors often have experience beyond the school and a network of professionals to reach out to. If you feel your child needs help beyond the parameters of school, ask for a reference from the guidance counselor. Your child may need to speak with a professional whose experience is in a specific area, such as childhood depression or eating disorders. You may also feel your child may need more extensive counseling that will require time beyond the school day.

These are just some ways the school guidance counselor can help your child. Don’t be afraid to reach out to the counselor and ask for assistance in other areas or ask her to direct you to the appropriate person. With all their roles in school, counselors are exceptional resources for you and your family.

Jennifer Cerbasi teaches at a public school for children on the autism spectrum in New Jersey. As a coordinator of Applied Behavioral Analysis programs in the home, she works with parents to create and implement behavioral plans for their children in an environment that fosters both academic and social growth. In addition to her work both in the classroom and at home, she is also a member of the National Association of Special Education Teachers and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

]]> http://mbmhseminar.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/net-gen-learners-session-bibliography/ Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:58:27 +0000 Bryan http://mbmhseminar.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/net-gen-learners-session-bibliography/

References

Facebook ‘enhances intelligence’ but twitter ‘diminishes it’, claims psychologist – telegraph.Internet on-line. Available from <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/twitter/6147668/Facebook-enhances-intelligence-but-Twitter-diminishes-it-claims-psychologist.html>. [11/20/2009, 2009].

How video games are good for the brain – the boston globe.Internet on-line. Available from <http://www.boston.com/news/health/articles/2009/10/12/how_video_games_are_good_for_the_brain/>. [11/20/2009, 2009].

Survey : The MISO survey.Internet on-line. Available from <http://www.misosurvey.org/category/survey/>. [11/20/2009, 2009].

YouTube – the twitter experiment – UT dallas.Internet on-line. Available from <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WPVWDkF7U8>. [11/20/2009, 2009].

Collins, Allan, and Richard Halverson. 2009. Rethinking education in the age of technology : The digital revolution and schooling in america. New York: Teachers College Press.

Gorlick, Adam. Stanford study: Media multitaskers pay mental price. Stanford Report (Stanford, California) . 2009. August 24, 2009. Database on-line. Available from http://news.stanford.edu/news/2009/august24/multitask-research-study-082409.html, .

Shirky, Clay. 2008. Here comes everybody : The power of organizing without organizations. New York: Penguin Press.

Siemens, George, and Peter Tittenberger. 2009. Handbook of emerging technologies for learning. University of Manitoba. Database on-line. Available from http://techcommittee.wikis.msad52.org/file/view/HETL.pdf, .

Tapscott, Don. 2009. Grown up digital : How the net generation is changing your world. New York: McGraw-Hill.

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