Over the long break, you can do some work to improve your ELA grade. You will be getting back your essays today. Please look through the comments and the rubric. I've also included a focus area sheet that indicates your biggest need for improvement.
Revisions for this essay will be due the Monday we return from break.
Friday, December 19, 2014
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Recording the interviews
Today you will venture forth into the village where the lottery takes place. Some advice...
1. Villager: speak into the recording device to help eliminate background noise.
2. Keep your papers still, or keep them away from the recording device.
3. Elaborating on your responses is highly important---simple "yeses and nos" are not quality responses
4. The best questions will address how the villagers feel about the tradition of the lottery and the ethics of participating in it.
5. Most villagers will be defensive (not necessarily abrasive or aggressive though...)
6. If you complete all planned interviews--delve into other possibilities--hot seat someone else as the same character, choose new characters to interview, (possibly characters not mentioned in the book, like law enforcement, the mayor--but save these "obscure" interviews til the end.)
Any interviews not recorded in class must be done on your own time.
Tomorrow we will report to the computer lab. Please bring your devices with you.
1. Villager: speak into the recording device to help eliminate background noise.
2. Keep your papers still, or keep them away from the recording device.
3. Elaborating on your responses is highly important---simple "yeses and nos" are not quality responses
4. The best questions will address how the villagers feel about the tradition of the lottery and the ethics of participating in it.
5. Most villagers will be defensive (not necessarily abrasive or aggressive though...)
6. If you complete all planned interviews--delve into other possibilities--hot seat someone else as the same character, choose new characters to interview, (possibly characters not mentioned in the book, like law enforcement, the mayor--but save these "obscure" interviews til the end.)
Any interviews not recorded in class must be done on your own time.
Tomorrow we will report to the computer lab. Please bring your devices with you.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
The Interviews
You are going to complete your character interviews today. Remember, you may interview as many of the villagers as you like. You have two options when it comes to interviews:
1. Scripting--the safer, but less authentic approach. You will be able to control the responses the characters give, allowing you to more easily expose the negative qualities of the lottery.
2. Hot Seating- High risk, but high reward. You answer questions, in character, without "scripted responses." This doesn't mean there is no planning involved. Perhaps, before the interview begins, you go over some of the questions together--think of believable and text-accurate responses together.
HOT SEATING IS NOT ACTING. IT IS THINKING IN ROLE.
Remember, the villagers have a different set of values and beliefs than you. Rule of thumb: NO ONE in this village will adamantly (strongly) suggest that the lottery is wrong. You will certainly get the opposite of that (think Old Man Warner), but no one feels strongly enough about ending the lottery to do something about it.
You may: practice hot seating OR begin scripting your interviews.
HW: Each member of the group is responsible for constructing AT LEAST one interview. You may
1. script the interview, questions AND answers on paper.
OR
2. Script questions (6-10) in preparation for a "hot seat" with your group members.
Please bring your work to class tomorrow.
Don't fret if you wanted to hot seat but do not have the resources (a digital recorder like an iPhone) to do it at home. You will be given a chance to do that tomorrow in class.
By Friday, ALL interviews for your podcast must be completed AND RECORDED. Recording MUST be done on a digital device--iPhones are best (voice memo app).
1. Scripting--the safer, but less authentic approach. You will be able to control the responses the characters give, allowing you to more easily expose the negative qualities of the lottery.
2. Hot Seating- High risk, but high reward. You answer questions, in character, without "scripted responses." This doesn't mean there is no planning involved. Perhaps, before the interview begins, you go over some of the questions together--think of believable and text-accurate responses together.
HOT SEATING IS NOT ACTING. IT IS THINKING IN ROLE.
Remember, the villagers have a different set of values and beliefs than you. Rule of thumb: NO ONE in this village will adamantly (strongly) suggest that the lottery is wrong. You will certainly get the opposite of that (think Old Man Warner), but no one feels strongly enough about ending the lottery to do something about it.
You may: practice hot seating OR begin scripting your interviews.
HW: Each member of the group is responsible for constructing AT LEAST one interview. You may
1. script the interview, questions AND answers on paper.
OR
2. Script questions (6-10) in preparation for a "hot seat" with your group members.
Please bring your work to class tomorrow.
Don't fret if you wanted to hot seat but do not have the resources (a digital recorder like an iPhone) to do it at home. You will be given a chance to do that tomorrow in class.
By Friday, ALL interviews for your podcast must be completed AND RECORDED. Recording MUST be done on a digital device--iPhones are best (voice memo app).
Monday, December 15, 2014
Getting into groups
"This American Life" podcast model.
What do you notice about the way this story is told?
Review: What is the point of this podcast ---what are you trying to reveal to your listeners
Take out your interview questions
Groups: 3-4 people.
Brainstorm 3-4 reasons on what makes the lottery wrong. Try to get beyond just the physical violence of it. Write these down.
Next--3-4 reasons why the lottery continues. Write these down.
The point of your podcast is to show how all those reasons DO NOT justify the continuation of the lottery.
Which questions will allow the best starting point. Take those out and STAR the ones that seem to be the strongest.
What do you notice about the way this story is told?
Review: What is the point of this podcast ---what are you trying to reveal to your listeners
Take out your interview questions
Groups: 3-4 people.
Brainstorm 3-4 reasons on what makes the lottery wrong. Try to get beyond just the physical violence of it. Write these down.
Next--3-4 reasons why the lottery continues. Write these down.
The point of your podcast is to show how all those reasons DO NOT justify the continuation of the lottery.
Which questions will allow the best starting point. Take those out and STAR the ones that seem to be the strongest.
Friday, December 12, 2014
Preparing to Investigate
Imagine you are journalists investigating the village from Shirley Jackson's short story, "The Lottery."
Before you review your notes (the actual story) on this curious case, I want you to brainstorm some questions that are already on your mind. (In journal)
1. The questions you ask and the answers you get depend on the person you ask. Who are some people of interest for interviews. Remember, you are looking for different perspectives, so just don't focus on a particular type of person.
2. What are some burning questions you have for the villagers?
The 5Ws of journalism: who, what, when, where, and why.
Who: The villagers
Where: (give the village a fictional name)
When: Present day
What: The tradition of the lottery
Why: It is dangerous (not just physically!), and needs to be stopped.
As the producer of your Podcast, I've polled our listeners and these are the questions they want answered most:
1.What reasons do the villagers give for continuing this tradition?
2. Do all villagers feel the same about the lottery?
3. Other than physical harm, are there other negative effects that the lottery poses? Are the villagers aware of these effects?
To get to the bottom of this, you must ask the right questions to the right people, maybe even push some buttons, but I trust that we will be able to air a satisfyingly thorough podcast for our audience!
With those leading questions in mind, reread "The Lottery." Mark up your story--underline strange moments, characters of interest, ah-ha! moments, ANYTHING that needs further investigation. Before we pay for your trip to visit this village, you need to be prepared--have a starting point.
Task: Your goal is to write 20 questions that will blow this case wide open! Please do this on a separate sheet of paper. You will hand this in. I, your producer, will put a red X next to the questions that are off-topic or unnecessary.
Before you review your notes (the actual story) on this curious case, I want you to brainstorm some questions that are already on your mind. (In journal)
1. The questions you ask and the answers you get depend on the person you ask. Who are some people of interest for interviews. Remember, you are looking for different perspectives, so just don't focus on a particular type of person.
2. What are some burning questions you have for the villagers?
The 5Ws of journalism: who, what, when, where, and why.
Who: The villagers
Where: (give the village a fictional name)
When: Present day
What: The tradition of the lottery
Why: It is dangerous (not just physically!), and needs to be stopped.
As the producer of your Podcast, I've polled our listeners and these are the questions they want answered most:
1.What reasons do the villagers give for continuing this tradition?
2. Do all villagers feel the same about the lottery?
3. Other than physical harm, are there other negative effects that the lottery poses? Are the villagers aware of these effects?
To get to the bottom of this, you must ask the right questions to the right people, maybe even push some buttons, but I trust that we will be able to air a satisfyingly thorough podcast for our audience!
With those leading questions in mind, reread "The Lottery." Mark up your story--underline strange moments, characters of interest, ah-ha! moments, ANYTHING that needs further investigation. Before we pay for your trip to visit this village, you need to be prepared--have a starting point.
Task: Your goal is to write 20 questions that will blow this case wide open! Please do this on a separate sheet of paper. You will hand this in. I, your producer, will put a red X next to the questions that are off-topic or unnecessary.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Figurative Versus Literal
Literal: words, actions, or objects that are understood as factual, truthful, or exact.
Figurative: words, objects, or actions that are meant to represent something other than their literal meaning.
Think about the word "heart". What is the literal understanding?
What could be a figurative or metaphorical understanding
The phrase white house?
Edmodo poll
If you answered that the lottery should be taken as a literal event, than prove that it exists.
My guess is that you might be referring to similar injustices in the world, but this supports more of a figurative interpretation of the lottery than not a literal one.
Figurative: words, objects, or actions that are meant to represent something other than their literal meaning.
Think about the word "heart". What is the literal understanding?
What could be a figurative or metaphorical understanding
The phrase white house?
Edmodo poll
If you answered that the lottery should be taken as a literal event, than prove that it exists.
My guess is that you might be referring to similar injustices in the world, but this supports more of a figurative interpretation of the lottery than not a literal one.
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
HW: Post on Edmodo by Friday
Author Shirley Jackson begins her story with peaceful, calming, and even playful images. What point do you think the author was trying to make by ending the story in absolute chaos and horror? Be sure to explain yourself clearly and thoroughly.
Topics to consider: hypocrisy, appearance versus reality, peer pressure.
IN CLASS
Journal: Why do you think we did this activity?
Why did you throw "stones" at your fellow classmate? If there was pressure, describe it. If it was fun, describe why?
HW- Tuesday
HW: Please read "The Lottery," By Shirley Jackson (1948)
Expect a reading check. Every class but 7-1 has this due for tomorrow. (check Edmodo if you aren't sure what Section # you are)
Expect a reading check. Every class but 7-1 has this due for tomorrow. (check Edmodo if you aren't sure what Section # you are)
Monday, December 8, 2014
Ground Rules For Edmodo
Edmodo is going to allow for informal and playful conversations between classmates. That being said, this is an academic tool and as such, has academic goals. Do not mistake this site as a center for irrelevant and silly comments. You have Instagram, Twitter, etc. for those. When you post on Edmodo, you post thoughts and ideas that are relevant to the task at hand. The same professionalism, respect, and sensitivity that you display in the classroom must also be exercised here.
Here's the deal: For the rest of this quarter, I will be playing the role of "Watch Dog" when it comes to your Edmodo posts. This means exactly what you think it means: I will be moderating all posts and replies that come in. This is not because I don't trust you. This is because the line between humorous and disrespectful isn't always clear. Therefore, to establish a respectful tone early on, I will be approving (or disapproving) your posts. At the beginning of the third quarter, comments will go unfiltered, and it will stay that way unless, for some reason, posts demonstrate a lack of self-control.
And remember: while being completely random might not be offensive to anyone in particular, it still shows disrespect for class learning goals and expectations.
By all means, have fun with the way you discuss topics or even other classmates' ideas, but be aware of the line between humorous and disrespectful.
-Mr. B.
Here's the deal: For the rest of this quarter, I will be playing the role of "Watch Dog" when it comes to your Edmodo posts. This means exactly what you think it means: I will be moderating all posts and replies that come in. This is not because I don't trust you. This is because the line between humorous and disrespectful isn't always clear. Therefore, to establish a respectful tone early on, I will be approving (or disapproving) your posts. At the beginning of the third quarter, comments will go unfiltered, and it will stay that way unless, for some reason, posts demonstrate a lack of self-control.
And remember: while being completely random might not be offensive to anyone in particular, it still shows disrespect for class learning goals and expectations.
By all means, have fun with the way you discuss topics or even other classmates' ideas, but be aware of the line between humorous and disrespectful.
-Mr. B.
Using Edmodo
One of the larger concepts we've been discussing this year is informal versus formal voice in writing or speaking. Informal voice sounds more relaxed, conversational, and even friendly. Formal is more professional sounding, using standard English grammar, and sounding more objective and logical, than biased and emotional. Check out the blog post below. Do I, the author, have an informal voice or a formal voice throughout?
Hello students! I'm excited to announce that we will be using
Edmodo, an interactive, social-media like website that will allow us to take
our discussions BEYOND the classroom.
Okay, okay. I know what you're thinking:
"Great. More homework." or "Awesome. Just another way
school can take time away from activities we actually enjoy doing." But
hear me out!
First, don't think of this as more work.
Instead, think of this as the same amount work, but done differently or,
actually, shared differently. I often
resent the fact that I can't hear all of your ideas from HW journal entries. It's
just not practical in a 40 minute class period to hear what EVERYBODY has to
say.
Secondly, being conversational and even
playful in your writing goes a LONG way in becoming a stronger communicator
(and therefore thinker, listener, reader, speaker, and of course, WRITER).
Being conversational, however, implies an audience. Private journal entries
kind of take away the element of audience, at least temporarily (think about
it: journal entries are awesome for developing ideas and thoughts without fear
of judgment, and by polishing some of the rough edges in your thinking, it
becomes easier for you to share your thoughts with others). So, obviously, we'll
still journal in class, but why do more of the same at home?! Publicly posting
your ideas and interpretations in a light, conversational way, will help you
see the positive implications that informal writing has for communication, the
basis of any ELA class.
Lastly, I cannot promise that you'll love
Edmodo or even come to realize its benefits. And I’m okay with that. I’ve come to
terms with the notion that not all forms of expression are loved or even
appreciated by students. But I do hope,
like any work you do, you put a full, earnest effort into your posts on Edmodo.
If you do, I can promise that I will
be able to recognize and value your ideas in a way that was not previously
possible.
The main thing I want you to come away with is that using this
technology is not just a classroom gimmick or a way for me to appear connected
or in touch with the young crowd. When it’s all said and done, this is about
you. This is about helping you form a relationship to thinking creatively,
critically, seriously, and even humorously. Most importantly, I want you to
form this relationship to your mind in a way that is on your own terms. I feel
like a public forum that is designed especially for your thoughts and opinions
is a big step in that direction.
Friday, December 5, 2014
IREEC response
Today you will write an IREEC response to this question: Does the author of "Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen" intend to reveal
1. the dangers of following traditions blindly
or
2. that traditions with moral intentions can result in true happiness?
Please begin with the topic sentence provided and be sure to use IREEC format for the whole response.
Consider this due by the end of class. Please save your work to your computer. Do NOT print it out.
I will be experimenting with possible online discussion forums. If things do not work out, we'll print it out on Monday.
Report to the lab on Monday for Class.
-Mr. B
This class is magic. Sing it!
1. the dangers of following traditions blindly
or
2. that traditions with moral intentions can result in true happiness?
Please begin with the topic sentence provided and be sure to use IREEC format for the whole response.
Consider this due by the end of class. Please save your work to your computer. Do NOT print it out.
I will be experimenting with possible online discussion forums. If things do not work out, we'll print it out on Monday.
Report to the lab on Monday for Class.
-Mr. B
This class is magic. Sing it!
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Topic Sentences for Handout
Choose the topic sentence that goes along with the message/point of the story you have chosen.
Topic Sentence: Although the ironic ending in O. Henry's "Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen" represents the characters as foolish, their tradition still allows them to do good for one another.
OR
Topic Sentence: Although the characters in O. Henry's "Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen" act in a way that is selfless, the ironic ending ultimately reveals this tradition as hollow and meaningless.
Be sure to write the one that fits in the appropriate box on the handout (the box underneath the "point" you've selected.)
This is your HW, Due Friday. Do not ask me for the blog post on Friday.
Topic Sentence: Although the ironic ending in O. Henry's "Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen" represents the characters as foolish, their tradition still allows them to do good for one another.
OR
Topic Sentence: Although the characters in O. Henry's "Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen" act in a way that is selfless, the ironic ending ultimately reveals this tradition as hollow and meaningless.
Be sure to write the one that fits in the appropriate box on the handout (the box underneath the "point" you've selected.)
This is your HW, Due Friday. Do not ask me for the blog post on Friday.
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Two Thanksgiving Day Gentleman Essential Questions
Is the story a mockery of Thanksgiving and traditions or does it, in someway, celebrate the spirit of this American tradition?
Journal: Imagine that this is where the story ends. Does this impact the way we view the tradition between Stuffy Pete and the old man? Do the consequences of this tradition matter when it comes to judging it? Why or not.
ACTIVITY: Linking text with what the information it reveals to the reader.
How does the author use irony to convey his point?
HW: In your journal, provide a detailed response to this question:
Is the story a mockery of Thanksgiving and traditions or does it, in someway, celebrate the spirit of this American tradition? Include details from the story to support your response.
Journal: Imagine that this is where the story ends. Does this impact the way we view the tradition between Stuffy Pete and the old man? Do the consequences of this tradition matter when it comes to judging it? Why or not.
ACTIVITY: Linking text with what the information it reveals to the reader.
How does the author use irony to convey his point?
HW: In your journal, provide a detailed response to this question:
Is the story a mockery of Thanksgiving and traditions or does it, in someway, celebrate the spirit of this American tradition? Include details from the story to support your response.
Monday, December 1, 2014
Happy Thanksgiving...again...
REVIEW of IRONY
Pass the plate activity
Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen Part 1
Part 2
Intentions versus Deeds
NO HW
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