For Your Interest

I compiled a few highlights from your research paper self-reflections to share with next year's group (and maybe my American literature kiddos this spring!). In case you're curious to see what some of your classmates had to say, click here. Although I couldn't fit everything, you all had some really helpful advice!

People out on Thursday and/or Friday of this week, keep reading for make up work (group work reflection, MLK video clips, and revised calendar all follow!!).

Literature Circle Reflection

Note: We will complete this assessment in class on Thursday. If you are out of class, please email me your thoughts. See too the video clips below.

1. Comment on how your group worked together. Was the division of labor fair? Briefly describe your contribution. Is there anything else I should know about the group dynamic?

2. Do you feel you came to a better understanding of the novel as a result of this project? Would you recommend using this project in future classes? Is there anything you would change?

Thank you for your feedback! I can't tell you how much I enjoyed all of your "trailers" today!!

March on Washington

Note: This assignment is for students who were absent from class on Thursday!

While you were out, we discussed the “Prologue” chapter to the reading. What surprised you in reading this introduction? What are your own associations for the Civil Rights Movement? We also watched the following three clips in class, which you should make up at home with an internet connection.

Please shoot me a very brief email just to let me know that you were able to access the clips. Include a couple of short “takeaways” from the viewing (a question or connection, something you learned or that surprised you, etc).

The Eyes on the Prize videos are a great resource for American history research or just general interest, by the way – you can get whole episodes at the public library.

Caution: The PBS links don't seem totally stable. If you are taken to the main page of the episode, just click on the "Video" tab. If you are taken to the main page of the series, follow the links to the "Project 'C'" and "March on Washington" episodes -- you can go by episode or you can follow the links to the Video Index. But hopefully it'll take you where you need to go! Ugh!

Video #1: Project “C” in Birmingham
Click here to access the show’s video page and watch the short clip of Bull Connor(1:44m).

Video #2: The March on Washington
Click here to access the show’s video page; watch the first clip about getting ready for the March (3:08m).

Video #3: “I Have a Dream”
Click here to go to the American Rhetoric page on the speech popularly known as “I Have a Dream.” Scroll down to find the video version. Try to make the time to watch the entire speech; King’s oratory style is something you do not want to miss (17:02m).

Note: If you can't get the video from American Rhetoric (I could at school yesterday, but can't today ... argh) then just do a quick search on YouTube, or listen to the audio that is available.

Week of January 14th

Monday, Jan. 14th
• Snow Day!

Tuesday, Jan. 15th (H)
• Due: Be wrapping up work on literature circle projects.
• Class: Final research presentations.

Wednesday, Jan. 16th (F)
• Due: Literature circle projects. Let me know if you need special technology to present.
• Class: Presentation of trailers; viewing and discussion of projects.

Thursday, Jan. 17th (S)
• Due: Read “Prologue” from The Dream.
• Class: Historical context; Eyes on the Prize excerpt; viewing of speech. If you are out please see blog post (coming soon) for videos to watch.

Friday, Jan. 18th (U)
• Due: Reread and annotate the MLK speech in preparation for SOAPSTone analysis.
• Class: Log research papers; semester reflection. Work on SOAPSTone analysis.

Monday, Jan. 21st
• No school today.

Tuesday, Jan. 22nd (M)
• Class does not meet.

Wednesday, Jan. 23rd (T)
• Due: Finish SOAPSTone analysis. Read assigned chapter of The Dream. Identify and be prepared to discuss the most important and illuminating ideas from your chapter.
• Class: Presentation on rhetoric: canons, schemes, and tropes. Focused rhetorical analysis of MLK speech in small groups.

Schedule Change

We will finish our last three research presentations on Monday, which means the literature circle projects will be moved to Tuesday (seems to have been a popular decision!). If we have extra time on Monday I will donate it to the groups to touch base ... but I can't guarantee there will be much or any time to spare.

The literature circle projects will be included on third term grades. Please bring me your books/sticky notes/journals on Tuesday to be collected.

Thanks!

Week of January 7th

Note: The Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University has a great explanation of the basic business letter here.

Monday, Jan. 7th (S)
• Due: Read and annotate second half of literature circle novel with 10 more sticky notes or dialectic journal entries.
• Class: Second literature circle discussion. Explanation of group project.

Tuesday, Jan. 8th (U)
• Due: Begin work on research paper letter, group project.
• Class: Group work on literature circle projects.

Wednesday, Jan. 9th (M)
• Class drops today. I’ll be thinking of you!

Thursday, Jan. 10th (T)
• Due: Be prepared for research presentation if you’ll be going today.
• Class: Research paper presentations.

Friday, Jan. 11th (W)
• Due: Research paper letter. Be prepared for presentation if you’ll be going today.
• Class: Research paper presentations.

Monday, Jan. 14th (H)
• Due: Literature circle projects.
• Class: Presentation of literature circle projects.

Presentations in Order

Just a reminder! This is the order we signed up (or were signed up) for research presentations:

• Henrietta
  
• Aaron
  
• Galen
  
• Daniel
  
• Dan
  
• Tim
  
• Alice
  
• Jeremy
  
• Emily
  
• Susannah
  
• Ben
  
• Michelle
  
• Eliza
  
• Jule
  
• Mary
  
• Stephanie
  
• Zoe
  
• Alisha

Looking forward to hearing about your projects!