UPDATE - Socratic Seminar

After some discussion with the other English teachers, I've decided to reduce the number of articles required for the Socratic seminar:
P.1 - 4 articles are required
P.2 - 5 articles are required (you had a lot of extra time)  

***You can do additional articles for extra credit.

Students Hold Georgia School's First Racially Integrated Prom

It's a different world in Georgia and the deep South... Check out this article HERE about a Georgia school's first DESEGREGATED prom! If you have headphones, you can watch the video too.

Socratic Seminar

Hi Guys,
Next Friday (5/03) our class will be participating in a Socratic seminar. In a Socratic seminar, issues and questions are discussed in an open, yet civilized way. Students will be encourage to share their opinions and to provide evidence in support of that opinion. Opinions are expected to be educated, informed and well-reasoned. As you might expect, student participation is critical to the success of a Socratic seminar. Students will prepare for the seminar by reading a series of articles and taking notes on those article.

Grading
1) Participation (30 points): Students will be graded on their participation in the Socratic seminar. I will not only the consider the number of comments made during the seminar but the quality of those comments. Quality is more important that quantity. EVERY STUDENT IS EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE!

2) Notes/Preparation (70 points): Students are expected to read and take notes on at least six articles in preparation for the seminar. In addition, we will watching two films and taking notes on those films. I will collect all notes, for both the articles and the films, immediately AFTER the seminar.

Topic for the Socratic Seminar
Being that we spent a significant amount of time reading Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream," speech, the topic for the Socratic seminar will be equality in America today. Possible discussion questions might include:

1. How does equality/inequality exist in America today and why?
2. How far have we come from the 1960’s in achieving equality in America? Have we come far enough?
3. Have we finally achieved the American Dream of equality for all as expressed in the Constitution, Declaration of Independence and by MLK in his "I Have a Dream Speech"? Where do we fall short as a country and why?
4. Is inequality an inherent element in human societies?
5. What are the remaining barriers to equality in America, if any?
6. What groups experience unequal treatment in America today, if any?
7. How do we encourage further acceptance and equality? Is this something that we should prioritize?

Students should prepare to discuss these questions by reading and taking notes on at least SIX of the following articles.

Articles
 A Challenge to the Voting Rights Act
Ending Affirmative Action
Freedom Fighters
Interracial Dating
The New Face of America
Scenes from the Border
The Equal Rights Amendment (Women's Rights)
The Marriage Debate
Women in the U.S. Today
Income Inequality in America

All articles can also be found in the "View Only" folder on Google Drive.


  

Keep Calm and Carry On

Hi Guys,
I am out today due to some child care issues - I'm sure you're all devastated : ) I will be back tomorrow. Please continue with the webquest assignment from yesterday. Remember, the assignment is to read and analyze one speech, however you may do another for extra credit. Whatever you do not finish in class will need to be completed at home. I will collect ALL assignments (regular and extra credit) tomorrow at the beginning of class.
**While it's fun to watch video, remember to actually READ the text of the speech as well!**

Please be on your very best behavior!!! 

Happy Tuesday,
Ms. D

PS. See yesterday's post for webquest links and instructions.

Webquest

Hey Guys,
Please visit the following website, Great American Speeches, to begin your webquest. Since we've already read and analyzed the "I Have a Dream" speech by Martin Luther King, please choose from one of the other three options. You are required to read and analyze one speech for this assignment, however, you may analyze one additional speech for extra credit.

Happy Questing!

PS. The George W. Bush speech can be viewed HERE. It starts at about 27 min.
PPS. The Obama speech can be viewed HERE.

Welcome Back!

Hi Everyone,
Welcome back from Spring break! Hope you had a great vacation : ) Just a couple of things...

1. Your 4th Book Review is due tomorrow. Please write your review and share it with me on Google Drive. If this is your first one - the directions for the assignment and a sample book review can be viewed HERE.
2. Please bring your orange English workbook to class tomorrow.
3. If your were absent the week before Spring break, you need to view the power point on Persuasive Techniques. I have placed it in the "View Only" folder on Google Drive. You can also access it HERE.

 Have a great day!!!