Monday, August 29

Today's Goals

• Re-integrate into the classroom atmosphere and learn a little bit about this course
• Evaluate Krishnamurti's philosophical perspective on education
• Think deeply about the purpose of education and how you want to engage with yours this year

AGENDA

Starter 8.29 (on the back of the Krishnamurti reading):  What kind of student do you want to be this year?  How do you want to engage with your education?  What do you want junior year to be like for you and for our class?

Review "The Function of Education" by Krishnamurti

• Review your annotations and if you didn't already, mark quotes that stand out to you as thought-provoking, interesting, inspiring, or with which you strongly disagree.
• Notes any questions/confusions you have about the reading
• Identify the author's thesis: What does Krishnamurti claim the purpose of education is?
• Be prepared to share your selections and explain what the quotes mean to you and why you chose them.

Discuss

• What did you find to be the thesis?
• What struck you most about this reading?  What questions does it stir in you?  Do you agree with Krishnamurti's perspective on the function of education?  Why or why not?
• What push backs/challenges do you have for the author? With which ideas do you disagree or find problematic?
• Does Animas create an environment where this is possible?
• What has to be true to foster an environment like the one he is talking about?
• What kind of learning environment do we want to have this year?

Small Group Brainstorm

• What are the values and norms we want to uphold in order to create an ideal classroom environment where everyone can learn and work toward being the best version of themselves?
• Norms v. Values Distinction Norms: Socially-accepted codes of conduct set by a community/group/society Values: Beliefs an individual has to guide his/her behavior

Whole group share-out: Let's winnow these into a list of classroom values and norms!

(Can someone scribe on a Google Doc?)

Course Description from Syllabus

Business

(Must have a computer to complete the following tasks. If you do not have one with you, please do the following some time before class tomorrow. If you do not have a computer yet, please see Dusty.)

1. Join my Google Classroom!  I will be communicating with you through this Google App. It can be found on your App gadget by scrolling down to the bottom.

Sign up and join my class with this code:  ioc4yo

(New students:  your email is firstinitial.lastname18@animashighschool.com.  As in j.mccallum18@animashighschool.com.  Password: animas2018)

2. Bookmark my webpage!  

3. Digital Comp Book Set-up

1.  Create a new Google doc and name it:  FirstName LastName Digital Comp Book

2.  Share the document with me at jessica.mccallum@animashighschool.com.  Make sure you give me editing power!

3.  Each entry should be labeled so that it is clear to me which entry goes with which prompt.

4.  Master document on my Resources page to keep up with prompts

5.  You are responsible for all starters and entries, even if you are absent

6.  Feel free to add images, links, and other digital content in your responses!

7.  Chat with me if you prefer to keep your comp book on the Earth instead of in the Cloud.

DUE WEDNESDAY:

• READ SYLLABUS THOROUGHLY AND SHARE WITH PARENT/GUARDIAN...Last page signed by you and your parents.
• Add your parents' names and emails to this Google Form.
• Tell me a little bit about yourself

If you are interested in Honors, please review the Honors syllabus and come to an informational meeting Thursday, September 1.

Thursday, August 25

Big Question:  What is the function of education?  Your own?  For the human race?

Introductions

1. Let's help the new Ospreys feel welcome!

• Name
• Spirit Animal OR Theme Song
• Why did you choose Animas?  

2. Who am I, Jessica, your teacher?  Questions for me?

A note on junior year:  Best year of your life so far?  

"For there is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so."

--Hamlet

THIS IS YOUR EDUCATION!!!  We are going to be doing this together.

Read and annotate "The Function of Education" by Krishnamurti

• Mark quotes that stand out to you as thought-provoking, interesting, inspiring or with which you strongly disagree.
• Try to identify the author's thesis: What does Krishnamurti claim the purpose of education is?
• Be prepared to share your selections and make meaning together.

"The Function of Education":  Spirit Read

1.  Everyone participates at least once.  You can speak more than once.

2.  Read a word, phrase, or sentence.

3.  No commentary or opinions.

4.  When possible, try to connect with what was just read.

5.  Give all voices a chance.

6.  Pauses can be powerful.

7.  Repeating words and phrases is fine.

Write your name on paper and leave it in my classroom. We will return to the ideas contained in this reading on Monday.

Yay camping!

Walt Says...

Have you reckon'd a thousand acres much? have you reckon'd the earth much?

Have you practis'd so long to learn to read?

Have you felt so proud to get at the meaning of poems?

Stop this day and night with me and you shall possess the origin of all poems,
You shall possess the good of the earth and sun, (there are millions of suns left,)
You shall no longer take things at second or third hand, nor look through the eyes of the dead, nor feed on the spectres in books,
You shall not look through my eyes either, nor take things from me,
You shall listen to all sides and filter them from your self. 

ODDS AND ENDS

• NOTE:  YOU MUST HAVE YOUR DP UPDATED BEFORE YOUR TPOL
• BOOKS:  Turn in today, or bring me a replacement copy before you do your TPOL.
• PLEASE TAKE THE FEEDBACK SURVEY!
• HONORS:  Seminar 7th period

TPOL LETTER OF REC CRITIQUE

(These guidelines can also be found in your prep packet on page 8)

Step 1: Read the draft once without edits

Step 2: Re-read to edit (spelling/grammar/content)

Step 3: On this document, answer the below questions

Step 4:  Share your feedback with the author

Critique Questions

1. Is the letter formatted correctly?
1. Size 12 font, date, To Whom it May Concern:, 4-5 paragraphs, Sincerely, Name

2. Does the letter have an intro, body, conclusion?

3. Does the opening paragraph meet the requirements as described on page 3 of the TPOL prep packet? DOes it have a “thesis” statement that lists the main qualities the recommender is going to highlight?

4. Do the body paragraphs clearly and articulately highlight how the candidate would be an asset to the college to which they are applying?

5. Are there any spelling errors? If so, circle them.

6. Are there specific examples or anecdotes to support claims made about the student’s character and/or academic abilities?

7. Is there anything you think should be cut or added?

MOCK INTERVIEWS

Take turns playing the following roles:

1. Candidate (student)

2. Interviewer (College Admissions officer)

• Spend at least 10 minutes interviewing the candidate.  Ask them questions from the list of interview questions in the TPOL Prep packet.  Feel free to throw some curve balls as long as they are relevant to this interview process.

• After the interview, the interviewer should share his/her observations with the candidate.

• Then rotate roles and repeat.

Observations: Does the candidate...

• Use academic, appropriate language?
• Speak clearly, with appropriate volume and pacing and avoid saying “um” or “like”?
• Seem confident (mindful of eye contact, posture, fidgeting and intonation)?

• Answer questions with in-depth responses and specific examples or anecdotes?
• Seem authentic/genuine/honest?

TO-DO:

1. Please take a moment today to fill out this course evaluation and feedback survey.  My students are my best teachers!  LINK TO SURVEY

2. Continue writing letters and revising resumes.  Put your letter of recommendation on AHS letterhead!

3.  Brainstorm answers and evidence to sample interview questions.

4.  Honors:  Finish book and work on final written analysis.

MOCK INTERVIEWS AND LETTER CRITIQUE TOMORROW!!!

STARTER (on paper)
What are your strengths, talents, and characteristics that you believe belong in a letter of rec?  What anecdotes from your time here could be evidence of these attributes?

NOTE: REQUIRED PEER CRITIQUE FOR TPOL LETTERS OF REC and MOCK INTERVIEWS WILL BE ON THURSDAY.
​
Today
1. How to write a letter of recommendation:  See Pages 4-5 of your packet
Examples:
Hayden Stills
Sam Kuenzel

2. Work time:

• Draft your letter of rec
• Update/refine your resume 
• Brainstorm responses to the interview questions listed in your TPOL guidelines packet.  This may help you brainstorm for your letter of rec

3. Business:  

A FEW OF YOU STILL NEED TO SEND ME YOUR LINKS TO YOUR UPDATED DP!  I ALSO WILL NOT GRADE YOUR PROJECT UNTIL YOU FILL OUT THE GOOGLE SURVEY SELF-ASSESSMENT!

TURN IN MY BOOKS (ELSE BE CHARGED FOR THEM!)

Last push!

Starter:  Share a highlight from Osprey Week with a neighbor.

TPOL LAUNCH

1. TPOL PREP GUIDELINES

• Thursday, May 21: TPOL Rec Letter critiques and mock interviews

2. Respond to Sir Ken Robinson's TED Talk

Bring on the Learning Revolution

3.  Time to work on prep materials

Other TO-DO

1. Self-assess your final project using the rubric and this Google Form.  If you already did this, please get with me during work time to determine your answers, as there was a problem with the survey.  I will not grade your final project until you have completed this step.

2. Complete Project Reflection and DP update if you have not done so already.  Your teachers will be keeping track of your DP completion as a prerequisite to TPOL's.

3.  Check Infinite Campus.  I will not accept any late work after Wednesday at 5 pm.  

4. Honors:  Let's check in during work time today.  

• Seminar Thursday during 7th period
• DP Update and Book Blub Reflection due on Sunday, May 29th

5. Go to Advisory Monday and Wednesday of this week. Tuesday and Thursday is optional office hours/tpol work time. Honors: Seminar on The Bluest Eye

6. Conference with me if you need to!