English 9--4/25/2019 (BDF) & 4/26/2019 (ACE)

Jump Off
--Please find your name card and sit in the corresponding desk in the circle.

S. the C.

--Reminder: It is important for you to stay caught up with regard to all of your coursework.  It is in your best interest to check the blog and Schooltool often.  Additionally, if you have an "INC" for a Marking Period, following up with me ASAP would be wise!
--Reminder: Beginning with the end in mind--our ultimate purpose when completing a first-draft "reading" of The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, closely re-reading sections of the play, and connecting the play to our lives:

ROUGH End-of-Unit Assessment Writing Prompt:
Write a multi-paragraph essay in which you argue the extent to which both Romeo and Juliet are impulsive by analyzing their behaviors during similar circumstances.  Then, answer the "so what" question: So what?!  Who cares?!  Why does this matter?!

--agenda/HW

Community Circle -- Confronting the Issues in The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet

--information shared by Miss Mahar and Mrs. Fitzsimmons
--turn and talks/whole-class share-outs via a passing of the ball with regard to the following questions:

• What are some of the warning signs exhibited by Romeo and Juliet in the play?
• If you were another character in the play (e.g., Susan or another "eo/io"), what might you have done?
• What does Shakespeare ultimately seem to be suggesting?

--Transition

• sheets of lined paper passed around the circle

--Paper Toss

• On your sheet of lined paper, jot down a question that you would still like discussed, answered, etc. (about mental health? about suicide? about the play? about the End-of-Course Assignment?).
• Crumple up your sheet of paper and throw it into the middle of the circle.
• Engage in closure by moving clockwise around the circle, picking up papers, reading questions, and continuing to engage in discussion.

--Closure

• closing comments from Miss Mahar and Mrs. Fitzsimmons

Jump Off
--Please look in your binder and find your debate materials from last class block.

Activity (cont.) -- Debate Circle

Step #1: Debate Preparation--Phase One (cont.) (8-10 mins.)

• review what it means to think like a trial lawyer:
• To think like a trial lawyer,...
• know your precise claim and stick to it. (Note: You do not necessarily even need to agree!)
• pore over the evidence and pick out the best pieces to support your claim.
• DO NOT IGNORE THE "LITTLE THINGS"!
• analyze/interpret the evidence so that you can explain with conviction what the evidence "means". (Note: Valuing practicing is important!)
• anticipate the "other side" by poring over their evidence.
• What will they use?
• What will they say it "means"?
• How will you respond?
• What do you think the evidence "means" instead?
• What other "stronger" evidence exists instead?
• acknowledge that you cannot anticipate everything, so expect anything!
• Genuinely listen to the "other side".
• Stay as calm as possible.
• finish initial preparation in partnerships/groups of three

Step #2: Debate Preparation--Phase Two (8-10 mins.)

• larger groups formed (Juliet group and Romeo group)
• share work completed, finish forming your argument/counterargument, and assign spokespeople (three total--consider who worked with which folder[s] initially)

Transition (2-3 mins.)

--Form an inner circle consisting of 8 desks surrounded by a larger outer circle--I'LL DRAW A PICTURE ON THE BOARD IF I NEED TO!

Step #3: The Debate (20-25 mins.)

• purpose of desks explained: 6 desks in the inner circle are for spokespeople to share their views while the 7th desk and the 8th desk in the inner circle are designated for anyone who wants to come in briefly and add information to the debate (advisement for spokespeople, clearer explanations, direct quotations, etc.) after which he or she must go back to his or her desk in the outer circle
• spokespeople move to inner circle desks to prepare for debating about the following question:
• Who is more impulsive throughout Act 4 and Act 5 of The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, Romeo or Juliet?
• begin debating with a spokesperson from Romeo's "camp" (timer at 45 seconds)--I'll moderate, moving from "camp" to "camp" and including the "7th and 8th deskers" whenever appropriate
• during the debate, outer circle members are to be silent until all the spokespeople in the inner circle have been heard (unless, of course, an outer circle member chooses to take the 7th or 8th desk)--taking notes during the debate is highly encouraged! :)
• after the spokespeople in the inner circle have debated the topic, outer circle members can direct questions to individual spokespeople (time permitting)

Transition (2-3 mins.)
--Re-column the desks and pick up a copy of the "Collaboration Reflection/End-of-Unit Essay Ticket-Out-the-Door" sheet

Looking Ahead/Closure (remainder of class)
--After carefully reading the directions on the front page of the Ticket-Out-the-Door, complete the task at hand and place your best work in the black basket on the front table when you finish.

HW Time and/or Read-Aloud Time (time permitting)

HW (Practice/Take-Home Assessment)
before 11:59 PM on Thursday, 5/9 

HW (Class Preparation)

--Continue thinking about and preparing for the End-0f-Unit Essay (especially now that you have the official assignment sheet in your possession and we have engaged in debate aligned with the assignment).
--Read at least 10 pages of your (dystopian?) free reading book between now and next class.  ALWAYS BRING YOUR FREE READING BOOK TO CLASS!  These final two marking periods, I will randomly check for books and include your level of preparation in my reporting via Schooltool.
Miscellaneous
*I AM AVAILABLE AFTER SCHOOL PRETTY MUCH DAILY FROM NOW UNTIL THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR AND AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO WORK WITH INDIVIDUALS ONE-ON-ONE (ESPECIALLY THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE STRUGGLING--BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF AND TAKE INITIATIVE!).*

--Next class block, we will engage in a lesson/Community Circle with Miss Mahar and Mrs. Fitzsimmons to which I am greatly looking forward.
--ACE classes: Enjoy the weekend--you only get so many of 'em! :)