Jump Off (3-5 mins.)
--Obtain your Chromebook from the cart in the back of the classroom. After logging in, open up the two-paragraph response that you crafted in Google Docs last class block. Finally, complete the checklist below:
- Make sure that the pronoun "I" is capitalized throughout your writing piece. If it is not, edit accordingly. I will not read a written response from a sophomore if I see this: "i".
- Plan a speech about the life event that you selected last class block. You are expected to share in the circle today for at least 60 seconds. Feel free to jot down key points on your index card or in a Google Doc.
--share the protocol for the first part of today's circle:
- card drawn
- life event shared and timed (five-second countdown given)
- "60-Second Club--Entrance Criteria" slide shared
- 60-Second Club officially joined (or not :'( )
- repeat until everyone has shared
--agenda/HW
Transition (2 mins.)
--form an in-numerical-order-by-age-at-which-life-event-occurred circle out of the desks
Public Speaking Activity -- 60-Second Club: Sharing a Life Event (25-30 mins.)
--speeches delivered via volunteers and/or a drawing of cards as per the protocol
Brain Break -- One to Ten (up to Three) (5-ish mins.)
--head down when out
Discussion Preparation -- The Alchemist up to page 84 (2-3 mins.)
--Please take out your copy of the sheet titled "The Alchemist up to page 84--Discussion Preparation". Next, we will engage in discussion using the protocol below and the rating scale on the back of the sheet with which you are working. Spend the nextfew minutes of class making sure that you are prepared.
Discussion Protocol
- Indicate your readiness (or lack thereof) via your “Ready to Answer/Still Thinking” sign.
- Raise your hand (respectfully) when you wish to be called upon to contribute.
- Attentively listen to contributors.
- The next contributor is selected by the previous contributor and ideally stays on the same discussion “thread”--try to “rope in” as many contributors as possible throughout the discussion.
- There is not a limit placed on total contributions per person today, but each of you must contribute at least once (class participation grade determined via “Discussion Contribution Rating Scale”), and no one can contribute a second time until everyone has contributed once.
- I reserve the right to “jump in” to the conversation where appropriate and randomly select students to speak.
- Notes will be written on the whiteboard by a classmate--you are expected to copy these notes onto your sheet/into your notebook.
--engage in discussion as per the protocol
HW Time (time permitting)
HW (Practice/Take-Home Assessment)
HW (Class Preparation/Take-Home Assessment)
--Read pages 84-104 of The Alchemist. Demonstrate your best skill level in "first-draft" reading, aiming to both basically comprehend the text and respond to the following questions:
- How does Coelho continue portraying his "Four Obstacles" philosophy through his characters?
- Why do the characters that we encounter in the novella say what they say, do what they do, etc.? What are human beings really like?
- What in this section of reading further develops any of the commentary from today's discussion? How so?
Reminder: the nature of a typical “first-draft” reading of a difficult text:
- A gist reading = “survival mode” in order to understand/comprehend the text on a literal level
- Ask the “curious questions”
- Basic comprehension is essential if any deeper understanding is to occur.
- Easier with some sort of defined purpose (therefore, often a purposeful reading)
- Most effective when it is still somewhat active reading (annotate: jot down curious questions, jot down notes related to your defined purpose[s], etc.)
- a "60/40" reading assessment
- a discussion geared around your "first-draft" reading
--Continue thinking about the following questions:
HW (Class Preparation)
Miscellaneous
- Research Unit: What might you argue with regard to your research topic?
- I would like for us to head back over to the library again sometime soon!
- End-of-Course Assignment: What is your "why?"?
--Read at least 10 pages of your free reading book between now and next class block. Your book must be finished by mid-March. ALWAYS BRING YOUR FREE READING BOOK TO CLASS!
- "You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them" (Ray Bradbury, author of Fahrenheit 451).
--Consider working toward achievement of your S.M.A.R.T. Goal. Your deadline is likely approaching!
On the backburner:
On the backburner:
- Library
- print a promising source procured from a database
- back at the classroom, engage in active/purposeful reading as per the same directions given on last AoW
