This is the structure I want you to use when writing responses to chapters and other readings. Write down the name of the chapter or reading. Then write down each of the 4C's and a one or two sentence response for each of them. Please read through to the very end of this entry to see examples of Good 4 C's Responses (full credit worthy) and Below Standard 4 C's Responses (little or no credit worthy).

The 4 C's are...

Comment

Challenge

Caught-my-eye

Connect

More explanation

Below are definitions and questions to consider when responding to each of the 4 C items.

Comment - This can be a simple comment on the reading, but try to get as specific as possible. What did you think of the material? How did you respond or react?

Challenge - Challenge or question the material. Or, what is challenging or difficult about the material?

Caught-my-eye - What phrases, sections, or ideas particularly caught your eye or captured your attention and why.

Connect - How did you connect to the material? Or does this material connect to other material covered in this course or others? Does it remind you of something else?

Submitting 4C's Assignments

For our face-to-face class, you can simply complete your response and turn it in in class on the due date. I will also create a Canvas assignment spot so that you can submit this work via Canvas if you prefer.

Below is an example to help you see this process in action. This poem reading is not an actual assignment. But read the poem and see how 4 C's responses have been constructed.

The poem: Mother to Son by Langston Hughes

Well, son, I'll tell you:

Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

It's had tacks in it,

And splinters,

and boards torn up,

And places with no carpet on the floor--

Bare.

But all the time

I'se been a-climbin' on

And reachin' landin's,

And turnin' corners,

And sometimes goin' in the dark

Where there ain't been no light.

So boy, don't you turn back.

Don't you set down on the steps

'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.

Don't you fall now--

For I'se still goin', honey,

I'se still climbin',

And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

Example 1 of Good 4 C's Responses (This would earn 4 out of 4 points)

Comment: I definitely like the poem. I like this message from mother to son that her son should persevere even though so many things in life are difficult. If Mom's still working through hardships, her son--younger and fresher--should not be giving up yet.

Challenge: I have two challenging elements for this poem. I get that the author is trying to capture an accent and a sort of slang, but it was difficult to read at first. Also, I don't fully get the "crystal stair" reference. I understand the basic comparison of life to a stair case, but I still don't see how a "crystal stair" particularly is some kind of easy stairway in life.

Caught-my-eye: "It's had tacks in it,/And splinters, and boards torn up," I like these lines. I can picture literally a stair case in bad repair, but I also see the metaphor to life. It rarely goes smoothly; we all have to deal with pain and detours at times.

Connect: I guess the lines I most connected to in this poem are "Don't you set down on the steps/'Cause you finds it's kinder hard." because I want to keep that very idea in mind as I work through this course. When it gets difficult, I can't just sit down and quit; I have to keep working my way through.

Example 2 of Below Standard 4 C's Response--Do not do this and expect full credit! These types of responses do not demonstrate meaningful interaction with the text. Honestly, this would earn just 1 out of 4 points early in the quarter--first couple of weeks, but after that, this kind of response would get 0 out of 4.

Comment: Yeah, I like that poem.

Challenge: Some of the spelling was dumb. I didn't get it.

Caught-my-eye: That part about a mother and a son.

Connect: I hate it when the light goes out over my stairs.