1. Starter: Gratitude, Roses, and Appreciations
2. All that remains....
Project Submission Guidelines:
1. Submit an annotated version of your project where you have used the bullet points of the rubric to demonstrate how your project meets the standards (or doesn’t). For video projects, this “annotation” can be done on your script and/or by giving a detailed run-down of where in your video you have met the rubric standards. See Sage's poem example for these types of annotations. 2. Include a copy of the rubric scored on parts A-D. What grade do you deserve on this project?Seminar Reflection and Synthesis 1984
CHOOSE TWO OF THE FOLLOWING TO RESPOND TO IN TEA PARAGRAPHS:
REACTION TO DISCUSSION: React to something that was discussed in the seminar. Was there anything that enlightened you? Something you particularly disagree with? How did your thinking about the book change as a result of this seminar?
REACTION TO BOOK: Write a robust TEA paragraph that answers one of the following questions. Use details and specifics from the novel to elaborate on your answer.
Seminar Essential Questions:
How does a single group gain total power in society? Why do people submit to authoritarianism?
What are the reasons why people might not submit to authoritarian power? Is rebellion worth it? What drives Winston’s rebellion? Why do think Orwell ends the novel the way that he does?
What is the purpose of Newspeak? What is the relationship between language and power, both in Orwell’s Oceania AND in the political world we are living in?
Is a government capable of distorting and/or reshaping objective reality (and history) in the minds of its people? Or is our free will too strong for such blind obedience?
Is 1984 an actual possibility in human life? In American life?
Could the technologies of today make Big Brother possible? How? What would have to happen?
Which dystopian novel do you think contains more plausibility and/or relevancy to our society and culture, 1984 or Brave New World (or maybe The Hunger Games)? Why?
EXTEND YOUR THINKING: Read The 14 Defining Characteristics Of Fascism and/or “The Danger of American Fascism.” Explore which tendencies you could see getting out of hand in our own society. Choose several characteristics from these readings that you see as having the potential to corrupt our democracy and explain how that might happen in America.
TO-DO
Keep working on your project drafts!
Construct the bibliography for your project. Here are guidelines.
HONORS: 1984 seminar on Thursday during class time.
Starter 12.7: Write a focusing question that illuminates what you are struggling with that your peers may be able to give you suggestions or feedback about.
Project Tune Protocol
Starter: Write a focusing question that illuminates what you are struggling with that your peers may be able to give you suggestions or feedback about.
Go to your assigned Google Meet
Take turns sharing your work or the contents of your project proposal with your peers.
Explain the rhetorical situation (THINK: triangle).
Who is the audience?
What is the message?
How are you establishing credibility to speak on your topic?
Share your focusing question (from the starter). Let your group know where you are stuck and what you might not have figured out yet.
Peers ask questions and give feedback or suggestions. Essentially, have an organic, supportive conversation around the project that helps move each other forward. Address the focusing question as a group. Offer ideas to get each other unstuck!
If you are in a group that has something else to debrief or talk about (ie. a joint interview or a potential collaboration), use this opportunity to do so!
TO-DO
Keep working on your project drafts!
HONORS: 1984 seminar on Thursday during class time. Tomorrow, we will have a brief check in in small groups about it.
Change of Plans!
HEAR YE! I am making an executive call to save the project tune for Monday and extend the draft deadline through the weekend. I want to open up more time for conferences tomorrow and give you guys more time to get your projects in order before you share them. And since you all have me together on Monday, it also allows me to mix the critique groups across pods so we can mingle with people we haven't interfaced with in awhile. Note the changed deadline on the assignment is now December 7th before class.
TODAY
Starter 12.3: Articulate the actual thesis of your project. (See Google Classroom)
HINT: This might be in your project proposal under message.
Examples:
Alma’s Op-ed: “If we can flush out institutional racism and the terrible tendrils of America’s past through criminal justice reform and conversations about race, we will move towards eliminating the issue that caused the protests in the NFL. And then, Kaepernick and his fellow players will have a reason to stand.”
Acacia’s Satire: “I have faith that America will keep leading the world but in order to do so, we need to keep evolving. Sustainable energy is the way of the future. As a country, I think it’s time we realize that renewable energy is not only good for the economy and our planet, but it’s also good for the American people.”
Marlon Bundo: “Because it doesn’t matter if you love a girl bunny or a boy bunny, or eat your sandwich backward or forward. Stink bugs are temporary. Love is Forever.”
TO-DO
Home stretch!
Starter: How are you feeling about your project right now? Where are you with everything and what are your next steps?
Today’s Goal: Integrate back into the project and make a plan to move forward!
What’s Left….
Refinements to your essays?
Extensions are up.
POL’s: More coming soon….
DUE DATES
Draft Friday, December 4th for critique/tune
Project due next Friday, December 11th
Reflection and DP updates due Sunday, December 13th
HONORS: Keep reading! Seminar Thursday, December 10th
To-Do:
FIRST, if you have not done so already, turn in your research notes and project proposals. TODAY!!! If you research notes still lack sources that you intend to interview, that is okay. You can add them later.
THEN, begin to execute the project proposal!
Need my help? Sign up for a conference! Need my feedback on your work? Sign up for a conference and let’s look at it! PROJECT CONFERENCE SIGN-UP
Starter: Let's discuss together. Let's talk about the rhetorical strategy contained in a children's narrative!
Who has heard of A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo?
TO-DO TODAY:
Rogerian Argument from the Washington Post Opinion section: Seven governors: Americans need to stay home this Thanksgiving
Discuss:
Starter 11.19 (in GC): Review the "Five Elements of Rogerian Argumentations." Identify 2-3 ways that the opinion piece employs a Rogerian style, using language from the "five elements" to explain your answer. If you like, make a copy of the op-ed document and annotate your connections in the margin.
TO-DO TODAY:
HONORS Check-in: Stick around to chat and clear up confusion about 1984 seminar.
Model Project: Acacia's (script)
Starter (Write it into Google Classroom!)
AHS junior
Starter: Does anyone need to talk about their feelings? Questions we are having?
From the project description:
Rogerian argumentation urges the cultivation of multiple perspectives based on nuanced thinking. It identifies common goals and shared values while acknowledging opposing views in a non-confrontational way.
It is focused on mutually-beneficial compromise, not merely on winning the argument.
You will craft an argument that seeks to communicate your perspective to your audience, while establishing common ground and/or offering a spirit-of-compromise solution and/or with an audience that might disagree with you. The idea here is to demonstrate our learning about the complexity of political issues, while staying true to our own political identities and expressing ourselves with rhetorical artistry.
REFRESHER: PROJECT OVERVIEW
Part 1 Personal Connection Narrative: Sunday, November 15
Part 2 Research Notes AND Project Proposal done by Friday, November 20
Part 3 Rogerian Argument Project Draft for Critique: Thursday, December 3 (start of class)
Part 3/4 Final to Jessica and “audience” (SEE RUBRIC): Thursday, December 10 (by midnight)
Part 5 Project Reflection and DP update: Sunday, December 13
TODAY’s TO-DO:
OPTIONAL Peer critique of Personal Connection Essay. This form can also be used as a self-critique if you prefer not to do it with your peers. This can be done today or tomorrow depending on where you are in your process. If you don’t have a partner or group and would like my assistance in finding a critique group, please email me today!
RESEARCH TIME!!!
At this point, you should be getting into the research! Here is the template for research notes. I am okay if you document your research in a different format, but these are good guidelines for things to look for in your sources. You should have a minimum of 4 sources that support or resonate with your bias, and a minimum of 4 sources that challenge or oppose your bias. The empathy interviews count toward these sources!
The thesis statements on both sides of the issue ARE NOT OPTIONAL. No matter the format of your research notes, please write these statements!
NOTE on EMPATHY INTERVIEWS: Given our unusual pandemic circumstances, you will not be penalized if you are unable to find an empathy interview. Because of the nature of Rogerian rhetoric, the interviews are highly recommended to help you better understand where the “other” side is coming from. Please do your best to find someone to interview. Thanksgiving might give you an opportunity if you have family members with differing political beliefs.
Anyone who wants to use Thanksgiving break to finish their research has an automatic extension on the research notes: PLEASE COMMUNICATE ABOUT THIS!
Starter: Questions? Thoughts? Jokes? Free Advice?
Announcements:
Some tips on writing your personal essay:
Please scroll down to yesterday's post and continue to work through the To-DO list!
Starter Questions:
TODAY's TO-DO
Dear students: Sad to miss you all today, but I stayed home with my runny-nose baby:) Be industrious and move yourself forward! Use your time wisely to work on your projects!
WORK TIME TO-DO LIST:
1. IN GOOGLE CLASSROOM:
Review the prompts of the assignment.
Read Jessica’s essay. (Please note: I do not expect yours to be this long! I just have a lot to say on my topic…)
Look at the rubric and answer the “critique” questions. (How did I do?)
2. If you did not do so yesterday, please answer the PROJECT TOPIC SURVEY.
3. Draft your Personal Connection Essay.
4. CONFERENCE? If you did not conference with me yesterday, reach out for a Google Meet! I am going to keep my Classroom Meet link open on my computer. When you are ready for a conference, tuck yourself away in your secondary classroom (Ashley’s, Tina’s, or Jenny’s) and MEET with me:) I will also be setting up conferences on Monday and Tuesday if we don’t connect today.
5. Please take the Student Feedback Survey and let Animas know how things are going!
Starter: Temperature check Election 2020. What are you observing about this moment in your nation’s history? Do we need to debrief further? What questions?
If you haven't revised your Self-Assessment grade, please do that first! (See Google Classroom)
Other Missing Work?
PROJECT WORK!
1. Choose a topic. If you still don't know, scroll down to Monday/Tuesday posts for ideas.
2. Once you have decided on a topic, complete the survey on Google Classroom.
3. Work on your Personal Connection Essay. Read the examples. Tomorrow, I will share mine.
4. Conferences with Jessica! Everyone must conference with me today or tomorrow!
Starter: What questions do we have about the project?
Prebrief the history we are living today: What questions do you have about the election today? What is confusing you?
Do you understand the Electoral College?
Curious about learning more? Here is an interesting podcast about the history of the EC and where it stands now.
TO-DO today!
Self-assessment of Classwork and Intellectual Presence: Update your previous grade!
See Google Classroom for the assignment.
Project Work:
Brainstorm topic (scroll down to yesterday’s post for links to help you brainstorm different political topics)
NOTE: You DO NOT have to choose a topic from the linked lists. There are a plethora of other topics that could count for your project work here. It can be something beyond the scope of American politics even. The parameter is that is must be debatable; there needs to be “other” sides to consider. Please reach out if you are playing with an idea and you wonder if would work for our project!
Once you have a topic, brainstorm Personal Connection Essay
Please read the model essays on the rubric doc to get a sense of what we are looking for here.
There is no research required for this phase! Just personal reflection!
HONORS: Stick around for a few! Let’s talk about the final Honors work….
