A Learning Experience

We're continuing our focus on education this week--reading and talking and writing about what it is and what it ought to be.  In the process, we'll be developing the tools to construct strong arguments that present rational, well-supported positions on the topic.  Next week is the end of the first quarter (already!) and conference time with parents, so be sure to keep up on assignments.  I'll try to do the same.



MONDAY, 10/29 Focus: Reading Instructional Text (11-12.RI.1,2,3,5)
Let Teenagers Try Adulthood
• read
• respond:  write your position

TUESDAY, 10/30  Focus: Reading Instructional Text (11-12.RI.1,2,3,5)
The Liberal Arts in an Age of Info Glut
• read
• respond:  questions after reading

WEDNESDAY, 10/31 Focus: Recognizing Elements of Argumentation
I Know Why the Caged Bird Cannot Read
• finish poster presentations:  elements of argument
Read Best in Class for Friday

THURSDAY, 11/1 Focus: Recognizing Fallacy in Argument
Logical Fallacies
• overview
• recognition practice

FRIDAY, 11/2 Focus: Reading Key Ideas and Details (11-12.RI.4-5)
Best in Class
• discussion
• taking a position:  Letter to Dr. DeWittie due Wednesday, 11/7
 

Everything's an Argument

This week, we'll start addressing the elements of argumentation, learning how to make a valid, effective argument, and how to recognize an  argument fallacy.  The focus will be on something we're all pretty familiar with:  Education.  Plenty of arguments are being made these days about how and why and what students are learning.  Who decides what should be learned when?  How do we know it's been learned?  Some readin' and writin', but no 'rithmetic here.  Stay tuned. 

MONDAY, 10/22 Focus: Evaluating Writing
AP Prompt #1
• God scores
• You score
• I score
I Know Why the Caged Bird Cannot Read: For Wednesday

TUESDAY, 10/23 Focus: Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (11-12.RI.6-7)
Style Sheet #2
TED talk:  Ken Robinson on schools and creativity
• response
• discussion

WEDNESDAY, 10/24 Focus: Analyzing Craft and Structure (11-12.RI.6-7)
I Know Why the Caged Bird
• reading check
• discussion:  agree/disagree/qualify
Superman and Me:  For Friday

THURSDAY, 10/25 Focus: Recognizing Fallacy in Argument
Logical Fallacies
• explanation
• practice

FRIDAY, 10/26 Focus: Analyzing Craft and Structure (11-12.RI.6-7)
Superman and Me
• response/questions
• identifying the argument

So we beat on . . .

Well.  Looks like we've made it to the end of our Gatsby gig.  This week we'll finish our symposia (including, in most classes, a discussion on Waiting for the Barbarians), write a final analysis, and move on.  Your Someplace essays are eligible for rewrites now.  Please follow submission instructions given in the previous post.  And we'll look at the results of our first AP Prompt.  It's Weird Wednesday Week here at Summit, so dress accordingly.

MONDAY, 10/15:  Focus: Reading Literary Text (11-12.RL.1-7)
The Great Gatsby and Waiting for the Barbarians
• symposia

TUESDAY, 10/16:  Focus: Reading Literary Text (11-12.RL.1-7)
Novel:  Literary Analysis
• final on Gatsby or Barbarians

WEDNESDAY, 10/17:  Weird
• a.m.--college fair in Redmond
• p.m.--online survey: technology
Letter from Birmingham Jail
•print and read and mark for FRIDAY

THURSDAY10/18: Focus: Evaluating Writing
AP Prompt #1
• God scores
• Group scoring
• McCormick scores/essays returned

FRIDAY10/19: Focus: Rhetorical Analysis (11-12.RI.1,2,3; W.1,4)
Letter from Birmingham Jail
• Reading response
• Discussion:  WHAT --> HOW

Ain't We Got Fun?

A month into the school year, and we're already at Milepost #1:  progress reports.  While your first major essay grade will be included in that calculation, don't forget you can revise your essay for reconsideration until the end of the actual grading period.  To resubmit, please change the document title to Period#, last name, "Someplace"2.  Then, within the document, highlight your heading and make a comment box in which you tell me 3 things:  What you changed from the original; why you made the change; what you think of the new version.  Meanwhile, we'll be finishing our novels this week, and having final discussions and assessments.  Ain't we got fun!?

MONDAY, 10/8 Focus: Reading Instructional Text (11-12.RI.1,2,3,5)
It's Not Me, It's You
• Read
• Respond: complete sentences
• Finish Barbarians by Tuesday; Gatsby by Wednesday

TUESDAY, 10/9 Focus: Rhetorical Analysis (11-12.RI.1,2,3; W.1,4)
AP Prompt #1: Rhetorical Analysis (Gatsby group)
(Barbarians final discussion; symposium prep)

WEDNESDAY, 10/10 Focus: Reading Literary Text (11-12.RL.1-7)
Gatsby
• final discussion
• essential questions: symposium prep

THURSDAY, 10/11 Focus: Reading Literary Text (11-12.RL.1-7)
• Barbarians: AP Prompt #1: Rhetorical Analysis
• Gatsby: symposium
• Novel final:  DUE MONDAY, 10/15

FRIDAY, 10/12 Focus: Evaluating Writing
AP Prompt #1
• college board exemplars:  group scoring
• essays returned: scores & feedback