Monday - O Pioneers! and return unit 2 essays.
Homework - 1.) Read "Part II: Neighboring Fields" chapters 9-12 of O Pioneers! for tomorrow. As you read, look for the same topics in the journal guide you completed earlier. 2.) If you want to rewrite your unit 2 essay, it's due Tuesday, January 15th. You must do the following: meet with Mr. Lawler, staple your new draft on top of your old draft, and highlight your revisions. If you make substantive revisions, you may earn a 1/2 grade to 1 grade improvement.
Tuesday - Discuss O Pioneers!
Homework - 1.) Read "Part III: Winter Memories" of O Pioneers! for Thursday. As you read, look for the same topics in the journal guide you completed earlier. 2.) If you want to rewrite your unit 2 essay, it's due Tuesday, January 15th. You must do the following: meet with Mr. Lawler, staple your new draft on top of your old draft, and highlight your revisions. If you make substantive revisions, you may earn a 1/2 grade to 1 grade improvement.
Wednesday - "Joy."
Homework - 1.) Read "Part III: Winter Memories" of O Pioneers! for Thursday. As you read, look for the same topics in the journal guide you completed earlier. 2.) If you want to rewrite your unit 2 essay, it's due Tuesday, January 15th. You must do the following: meet with Mr. Lawler, staple your new draft on top of your old draft, and highlight your revisions. If you make substantive revisions, you may earn a 1/2 grade to 1 grade improvement.
Thursday - Discussion of Pioneers!
Homework - 1.) Read "Part IV: The White Mulberry Tree" chapters 1-5 of O Pioneers! for Monday. As you read, look for the same topics in the journal guide you completed earlier. 2.) If you want to rewrite your unit 2 essay, it's due Tuesday, January 15th. You must do the following: meet with Mr. Lawler, staple your new draft on top of your old draft, and highlight your revisions. If you make substantive revisions, you may earn a 1/2 grade to 1 grade improvement.
Friday - "Joy."
Homework - 1.) Read "Part IV: The White Mulberry Tree" chapters 1-5 of O Pioneers! for Monday. As you read, look for the same topics in the journal guide you completed earlier. 2.) If you want to rewrite your unit 2 essay, it's due Tuesday, January 15th. You must do the following: meet with Mr. Lawler, staple your new draft on top of your old draft, and highlight your revisions. If you make substantive revisions, you may earn a 1/2 grade to 1 grade improvement.
NO MORE BLOGGING UNTIL 3RD QUARTER.
Thursday, December 20, 2018
Friday, December 14, 2018
Week of December 17-21
Monday - Discuss "Prologue" from There There and intro to O Pioneers!
Homework - 1.) Read "Part I: The Wild Land" of O Pioneers! for Wednesday and complete the journal entry prompt. 2.) Unit 2 essay final draft due Friday, 12/21.
Tuesday - Work day.
Homework - 1.) Read "Part I: The Wild Land" of O Pioneers! for Wednesday and complete the journal entry prompt. 2.) Unit 2 essay final draft due Friday, 12/21.
Wednesday - Quiz and discussion on reading due today.
Homework - 1.) Read "Part II: Neighboring Fields" chapters 1-3 of O Pioneers! for tomorrow. As you read, look for the same topics in the journal guide you completed for today. 2.) Unit 2 essay final draft due Friday, 12/21.
Thursday - Discussion of Pioneers!
Homework - 1.) Read "Part II: Neighboring Fields" chapters 4-8 of O Pioneers! for tomorrow. As you read, look for the same topics in the journal guide you completed for today. 2.) Unit 2 essay final draft due Friday.
Friday - Discuss and reflect on essays.
Homework - Enjoy time with family!
NO MORE BLOGGING UNTIL 3RD QUARTER. IF YOU WANT TO MEET WITH MR. LAWLER FOR HELP ON YOUR UNIT 2 ESSAY, SET UP AN APPOINTMENT.
Homework - 1.) Read "Part I: The Wild Land" of O Pioneers! for Wednesday and complete the journal entry prompt. 2.) Unit 2 essay final draft due Friday, 12/21.
Tuesday - Work day.
Homework - 1.) Read "Part I: The Wild Land" of O Pioneers! for Wednesday and complete the journal entry prompt. 2.) Unit 2 essay final draft due Friday, 12/21.
Wednesday - Quiz and discussion on reading due today.
Homework - 1.) Read "Part II: Neighboring Fields" chapters 1-3 of O Pioneers! for tomorrow. As you read, look for the same topics in the journal guide you completed for today. 2.) Unit 2 essay final draft due Friday, 12/21.
Thursday - Discussion of Pioneers!
Homework - 1.) Read "Part II: Neighboring Fields" chapters 4-8 of O Pioneers! for tomorrow. As you read, look for the same topics in the journal guide you completed for today. 2.) Unit 2 essay final draft due Friday.
Friday - Discuss and reflect on essays.
Homework - Enjoy time with family!
NO MORE BLOGGING UNTIL 3RD QUARTER. IF YOU WANT TO MEET WITH MR. LAWLER FOR HELP ON YOUR UNIT 2 ESSAY, SET UP AN APPOINTMENT.
Sunday, December 9, 2018
RWE and HDT Would Agree . . .
I'm posting a terrific New York Times editorial from this morning. CLICK HERE to read it. In light of our conversation Friday on Thoreau's Walden -- particularly his comments on discerning what is "real" and true in life -- this article is worth reading. (I'll bring in cookies if I get at least 10 comments.)
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Friday, December 7, 2018
Week of December 10-14
Monday - Essay preparation and Dr. Sherry Turkle TED talk.
Homework - Unit 2 essay first step due tomorrow.
Tuesday - Share essay first step, Aaron Huey (photographer).
Homework - Rough draft of your unit 2 essay due Friday. Print off a hard copy and bring it to class. Do. Not. E. Mail. It. To. Me.
Wednesday - Native American poems.
Homework - Read the non-fiction essay, "Prologue" for class tomorrow and annotate one passage that responds to any of the guiding questions I'll provide when I distribute the packet. Be ready to share in class.
Thursday - Discuss Tommy Orange's "Prologue" and drafting time for rough draft.
Homework - Rough draft of your unit 2 essay due Friday. Print off a hard copy and bring it to class. Do. Not. E. Mail. It. To. Me.
Friday - Peer review rough drafts and intro to O Pioneers!
Homework - Read "Part I: The Wild Land" of O Pioneers! for Tuesday, 12/18, and complete the journal entry prompt. 2.) Unit 2 essay final draft due Thursday, 12/20.
NO MORE BLOGGING UNTIL 3RD QUARTER. IF YOU WANT TO MEET WITH MR. LAWLER FOR HELP ON YOUR UNIT 2 ESSAY, SET UP AN APPOINTMENT.
Homework - Unit 2 essay first step due tomorrow.
Tuesday - Share essay first step, Aaron Huey (photographer).
Homework - Rough draft of your unit 2 essay due Friday. Print off a hard copy and bring it to class. Do. Not. E. Mail. It. To. Me.
Wednesday - Native American poems.
Homework - Read the non-fiction essay, "Prologue" for class tomorrow and annotate one passage that responds to any of the guiding questions I'll provide when I distribute the packet. Be ready to share in class.
Thursday - Discuss Tommy Orange's "Prologue" and drafting time for rough draft.
Homework - Rough draft of your unit 2 essay due Friday. Print off a hard copy and bring it to class. Do. Not. E. Mail. It. To. Me.
Friday - Peer review rough drafts and intro to O Pioneers!
Homework - Read "Part I: The Wild Land" of O Pioneers! for Tuesday, 12/18, and complete the journal entry prompt. 2.) Unit 2 essay final draft due Thursday, 12/20.
NO MORE BLOGGING UNTIL 3RD QUARTER. IF YOU WANT TO MEET WITH MR. LAWLER FOR HELP ON YOUR UNIT 2 ESSAY, SET UP AN APPOINTMENT.
Unit 2 Essay Interview Questions
Feel free to use any of these questions in your interview with an adult:
- "What do you think are the tradeoffs of social media? What do we gain and lose with social media?"
- "Have you followed the recent events of violent episodes preceded by violent language on social media? What's your reaction to these events?" (Mention the Pittsburgh Synagogue shooting, mailed pipe bombs incident, and possibly others . . .)
- "Do you think social media companies bear some responsibility for violence? For toxic, violent language on their platforms? Why/why not?"
- "Should private social media companies censor hate speech or create more avenues to confront hate speech? What do you think?"
Note that the questions above work in an order where they have some "warm-up" questions -- questions that are easy at first and allow the interviewee to just start talking.
Feel free to add any questions you want to, and to conduct the interview in any way that gets your interviewee talking. If YOU are doing most the talking then the interview isn't working!
Finally, be sure to record the interview (audio or tale notes) so if there's a great quote you can come back to it and use it for your essay.
- "What do you think are the tradeoffs of social media? What do we gain and lose with social media?"
- "Have you followed the recent events of violent episodes preceded by violent language on social media? What's your reaction to these events?" (Mention the Pittsburgh Synagogue shooting, mailed pipe bombs incident, and possibly others . . .)
- "Do you think social media companies bear some responsibility for violence? For toxic, violent language on their platforms? Why/why not?"
- "Should private social media companies censor hate speech or create more avenues to confront hate speech? What do you think?"
Note that the questions above work in an order where they have some "warm-up" questions -- questions that are easy at first and allow the interviewee to just start talking.
Feel free to add any questions you want to, and to conduct the interview in any way that gets your interviewee talking. If YOU are doing most the talking then the interview isn't working!
Finally, be sure to record the interview (audio or tale notes) so if there's a great quote you can come back to it and use it for your essay.
Friday, November 30, 2018
Week of December 3-7
Monday - Discuss Emerson paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 7.
Homework - Finish reading Emerson's excerpts from "Self-Reliance" for tomorrow and answer this question (typed and double-spaced) on a sheet of paper and be ready to hand in: "What one sentence from Emerson's essay speaks most to you where you are in your life right now? Why? Quote the sentence and explain why it speaks to you. It might speak to you because it offers good advice, or because it's an idea you agree with, or any other reason."
Tuesday - Discuss the rest of Emerson's "Self-Reliance."
Homework - Read the excerpts from Emerson's "Nature" and "The American Scholar" for Thursday and answer this question (typed and double-spaced) on a sheet of paper and be ready to hand in: "What's one sentence that you found particularly challenging in the reading? Quote it, explain why it challenged you, and give your best interpretation of what the sentence might mean. Don't worry about making your interpretation right -- just try!" Be ready to share in class Thursday.
Wednesday - Reading day.
Homework - Read the excerpts from Emerson's "Nature" and "The American Scholar" for Thursday and answer this question (typed and double-spaced) on a sheet of paper and be ready to hand in: "What's one sentence that you found particularly challenging in the reading? Quote it, explain why it challenged you, and give your best interpretation of what the sentence might mean. Don't worry about making your interpretation right -- just try!" Be ready to share in class Thursday.
Thursday - Discuss "Nature" and "The American Scholar" and intro to Walden.
Homework - Read "Where I Lived and What I Lived For" for tomorrow and answer one of the questions at the end of the piece either from "Questions for Discussion" or "Questions on Rhetoric and Style." The question you choose to answer is up to you. Be ready to share in class tomorrow.
Friday - Discuss "Where I Lived and What I Lived For."
Homework - 1.) Purchase your copy of O Pioneers! from the bookstore for Monday. 2.) Complete the vocab.com list for O Pioneers! for Monday. 3.) Unit 2 essay first step due Tuesday.
NO MORE BLOGGING UNTIL 3RD QUARTER.
Homework - Finish reading Emerson's excerpts from "Self-Reliance" for tomorrow and answer this question (typed and double-spaced) on a sheet of paper and be ready to hand in: "What one sentence from Emerson's essay speaks most to you where you are in your life right now? Why? Quote the sentence and explain why it speaks to you. It might speak to you because it offers good advice, or because it's an idea you agree with, or any other reason."
Tuesday - Discuss the rest of Emerson's "Self-Reliance."
Homework - Read the excerpts from Emerson's "Nature" and "The American Scholar" for Thursday and answer this question (typed and double-spaced) on a sheet of paper and be ready to hand in: "What's one sentence that you found particularly challenging in the reading? Quote it, explain why it challenged you, and give your best interpretation of what the sentence might mean. Don't worry about making your interpretation right -- just try!" Be ready to share in class Thursday.
Wednesday - Reading day.
Homework - Read the excerpts from Emerson's "Nature" and "The American Scholar" for Thursday and answer this question (typed and double-spaced) on a sheet of paper and be ready to hand in: "What's one sentence that you found particularly challenging in the reading? Quote it, explain why it challenged you, and give your best interpretation of what the sentence might mean. Don't worry about making your interpretation right -- just try!" Be ready to share in class Thursday.
Thursday - Discuss "Nature" and "The American Scholar" and intro to Walden.
Homework - Read "Where I Lived and What I Lived For" for tomorrow and answer one of the questions at the end of the piece either from "Questions for Discussion" or "Questions on Rhetoric and Style." The question you choose to answer is up to you. Be ready to share in class tomorrow.
Friday - Discuss "Where I Lived and What I Lived For."
Homework - 1.) Purchase your copy of O Pioneers! from the bookstore for Monday. 2.) Complete the vocab.com list for O Pioneers! for Monday. 3.) Unit 2 essay first step due Tuesday.
NO MORE BLOGGING UNTIL 3RD QUARTER.
Thursday, November 29, 2018
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Witches Among Us . . .
One thing The Crucible teaches us is how common the expression "witch hunt" is in our American vernacular. My guess is you'll hear this expression for the rest of your lives, and my hope is that every time you hear this expression you'll also remember this play and how it encourages us to think about the many layers of meaning in this expression.
When people typically use the phrase "witch hunt" they're suggesting -- similar to the events of The Crucible -- that there's an unjustified prosecution or attack on an individual or group. President Trump is especially fond of this expression. This New York Times editorial tracks the number of times Mr. Trump has used the expression "witch hunt" in his Tweets when describing the Justice Department's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election. By referring to this investigation as a "witch hunt", Mr. Trump is clearly trying to undermine the investigation in the mind of the public.
So here's one of my big questions about this phrase: how do we know if some kind of investigation is legitimate, and how do we know if it's an unfair "witch hunt"? The article you're reading for tomorrow ("Watch What You Say") is an interesting test case because it's not obvious whether or not
Mr. Frisch is being unfairly labeled as a "witch" or if he legitimately should be punished for what he did, and that's where we'll start our conversation on this article.
For tomorrow, comment on this blog post by responding to this question: "Should Mr. Frisch have been fired for his mistake, or is he an unfair victim of a school community being too sensitive in trying to create a safe learning environment?" You may respond to the question above or reply to a classmate's comment.
Monday, November 26, 2018
Week of November 26-30
Monday - Snow day!
Homework - Play in the snow and shovel the driveway.
Tuesday - The Crucible film and intro to Hawthorne stories.
Homework - Read "The Minister's Black Veil" and complete the response in the packet. Be ready to share in class discussion tomorrow.
Wednesday - Discuss "The Minister's Black Veil."
Homework - Read the article, "Watch What You Say" and comment on Mr. Lawler's blog post by the time we start class tomorrow.
Thursday - Discuss "Watch What You Say."
Homework - None.
Friday - Intro to Transcendentalism.
Homework - Read the excerpts from Emerson's "Self-Reliance" (paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7) for Monday. Annotate carefully and complete the "summary of main idea" sections.
Final blog post of the semester is due Friday, December 14th.
Homework - Play in the snow and shovel the driveway.
Tuesday - The Crucible film and intro to Hawthorne stories.
Homework - Read "The Minister's Black Veil" and complete the response in the packet. Be ready to share in class discussion tomorrow.
Wednesday - Discuss "The Minister's Black Veil."
Homework - Read the article, "Watch What You Say" and comment on Mr. Lawler's blog post by the time we start class tomorrow.
Thursday - Discuss "Watch What You Say."
Homework - None.
Friday - Intro to Transcendentalism.
Homework - Read the excerpts from Emerson's "Self-Reliance" (paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7) for Monday. Annotate carefully and complete the "summary of main idea" sections.
Final blog post of the semester is due Friday, December 14th.
Monday, November 19, 2018
Week of November 19-23
Monday - The Crucible discussion -- Act III.
Homework - Finish The Crucible for tomorrow. Complete the reading guide and be ready for a quiz.
Tuesday - The Crucible discussion -- Act IV.
Homework - None!
Wednesday - No class.
Thursday - Happy Thanksgiving!
Friday - No class.
Homework - Finish The Crucible for tomorrow. Complete the reading guide and be ready for a quiz.
Tuesday - The Crucible discussion -- Act IV.
Homework - None!
Wednesday - No class.
Thursday - Happy Thanksgiving!
Friday - No class.
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Week of November 12-16
Monday - The Crucible discussion -- first 1/2 of Act I.
Homework - 1.) Finish Act I in The Crucible for tomorrow. Complete the reading guide and be ready for a quiz. 2.) Final draft of Unit 1 poem due Thursday.
Tuesday - The Crucible Act I discussion.
Homework - 1.) Read Act II in The Crucible for Thursday. Complete the reading guide and be ready for a quiz. 2.) Final draft of Unit 1 poem due Thursday.
Wednesday - The Crucible film.
Homework - 1.) Read Act II in The Crucible for tomorrow. Complete the reading guide and be ready for a quiz. 2.) Final draft of Unit 1 poem due Thursday.
Thursday - The Crucible Act II discussion.
Homework - 1.) Blog post and comment due Friday. 2.) Read Act III in The Crucible for Monday. Complete the reading guide and be ready for a quiz.
Friday - Reading day.
Homework - Read Act III in The Crucible for Monday. Complete the reading guide and be ready for a quiz.
NEXT BLOG POST AND COMMENT DUE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH. MAKE SURE THAT YOUR BLOG POST FOR THIS DATE IS ABOUT A CURRENT EVENTS TOPIC THAT HAS SOME KIND OF CONNECTION TO DISSENT AND/OR FREE SPEECH. THINK OF THE BLOG POST AS RESPONDING TO THIS QUESTION: "WHERE IS DISSENT AND FREE SPEECH BEING DEBATED/DISCUSSED IN AMERICA TODAY?"
Homework - 1.) Finish Act I in The Crucible for tomorrow. Complete the reading guide and be ready for a quiz. 2.) Final draft of Unit 1 poem due Thursday.
Tuesday - The Crucible Act I discussion.
Homework - 1.) Read Act II in The Crucible for Thursday. Complete the reading guide and be ready for a quiz. 2.) Final draft of Unit 1 poem due Thursday.
Wednesday - The Crucible film.
Homework - 1.) Read Act II in The Crucible for tomorrow. Complete the reading guide and be ready for a quiz. 2.) Final draft of Unit 1 poem due Thursday.
Thursday - The Crucible Act II discussion.
Homework - 1.) Blog post and comment due Friday. 2.) Read Act III in The Crucible for Monday. Complete the reading guide and be ready for a quiz.
Friday - Reading day.
Homework - Read Act III in The Crucible for Monday. Complete the reading guide and be ready for a quiz.
NEXT BLOG POST AND COMMENT DUE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH. MAKE SURE THAT YOUR BLOG POST FOR THIS DATE IS ABOUT A CURRENT EVENTS TOPIC THAT HAS SOME KIND OF CONNECTION TO DISSENT AND/OR FREE SPEECH. THINK OF THE BLOG POST AS RESPONDING TO THIS QUESTION: "WHERE IS DISSENT AND FREE SPEECH BEING DEBATED/DISCUSSED IN AMERICA TODAY?"
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
Monday, November 5, 2018
Week of November 5-9
Monday - The Crucible.
Homework - Read pages 3-23 in The Crucible for Monday, November 12. Complete the reading guide and be ready for a quiz.
Tuesday - Meet in the library.
Homework - Read pages 3-23 in The Crucible for Monday, November 12. Complete the reading guide and be ready for a quiz.
Wednesday - Meet in the library.
Homework - Read pages 3-23 in The Crucible for Monday, November 12. Complete the reading guide and be ready for a quiz.
Thursday - No class.
Friday - No class.
NEXT BLOG POST DUE DATE IS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH. MAKE SURE THAT YOUR BLOG POST FOR THIS DATE IS ABOUT A CURRENT EVENTS TOPIC THAT HAS SOME KIND OF CONNECTION TO DISSENT AND/OR FREE SPEECH. THINK OF THE BLOG POST AS RESPONDING TO THIS QUESTION: "WHERE IS DISSENT AND FREE SPEECH BEING DEBATED/DISCUSSED IN AMERICA TODAY?"
Homework - Read pages 3-23 in The Crucible for Monday, November 12. Complete the reading guide and be ready for a quiz.
Tuesday - Meet in the library.
Homework - Read pages 3-23 in The Crucible for Monday, November 12. Complete the reading guide and be ready for a quiz.
Wednesday - Meet in the library.
Homework - Read pages 3-23 in The Crucible for Monday, November 12. Complete the reading guide and be ready for a quiz.
Thursday - No class.
Friday - No class.
NEXT BLOG POST DUE DATE IS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH. MAKE SURE THAT YOUR BLOG POST FOR THIS DATE IS ABOUT A CURRENT EVENTS TOPIC THAT HAS SOME KIND OF CONNECTION TO DISSENT AND/OR FREE SPEECH. THINK OF THE BLOG POST AS RESPONDING TO THIS QUESTION: "WHERE IS DISSENT AND FREE SPEECH BEING DEBATED/DISCUSSED IN AMERICA TODAY?"
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission
CLICK HERE to watch the video. Pay close attention, especially to the "best arguments" for each side.
Be ready to defend which side you think has the best argument in light of our country's protection of free speech. As you'll see in the video, each side has valid concerns, so don't be afraid to defend what you believe is the best argument for this case.
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
"What can I say?" and "What should I say?"
This weekend we saw a tragic event with the mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. It's yet another tragedy involving gun violence, something that our citizens seem to see over, and over, and over again.
While there will be much discussion about gun control in the coming weeks, there's another angle to this story that has many connections to our next unit on dissent. One of the topics we'll be exploring is the role of free speech in America, something that is constitutionally protected for all Americans. One of the questions we'll explore is not simply "what can I say?", but more importantly, "what should I say?" Asking "what can I say?" frequently grounds discussion on free speech in legal terms, but the question "what should I say?" grounds the discussion in an ethical context.
What does speech have to do with the shooting this past weekend? Well, the perpetrator of the crime was known to regularly post hateful, anti-Semitic and racist rants on a social media platform called "GAB." Whether or not he had the right to do so -- and what obligations this platform has towards its users -- is not my main concern in this blog post. What is my main concern is the notion that hateful speech can be a precursor to violence, and that's the kind of speech we need to be wary of. This New York Times editorial focuses on the value of "good speech" and how we need it (especially from our leaders) in times like these.
There's also a connection to our last unit on community. When we speak, or post messages on social media, or share our ideas, I'd recommend that we ask ourselves these questions: "How is my speech making the communities I reside in better? How is my speech not only concerned with my rights, but also the rights of others?"
While there will be much discussion about gun control in the coming weeks, there's another angle to this story that has many connections to our next unit on dissent. One of the topics we'll be exploring is the role of free speech in America, something that is constitutionally protected for all Americans. One of the questions we'll explore is not simply "what can I say?", but more importantly, "what should I say?" Asking "what can I say?" frequently grounds discussion on free speech in legal terms, but the question "what should I say?" grounds the discussion in an ethical context.
What does speech have to do with the shooting this past weekend? Well, the perpetrator of the crime was known to regularly post hateful, anti-Semitic and racist rants on a social media platform called "GAB." Whether or not he had the right to do so -- and what obligations this platform has towards its users -- is not my main concern in this blog post. What is my main concern is the notion that hateful speech can be a precursor to violence, and that's the kind of speech we need to be wary of. This New York Times editorial focuses on the value of "good speech" and how we need it (especially from our leaders) in times like these.
Friday, October 26, 2018
Week of October 29-November 2nd
*PURCHASE YOUR COPY OF THE CRUCIBLE!*
Monday - Unit 2 intro.
Homework - 1.) Read the chapter from Dan Rather on "Dissent" and be ready to share the passage that you believe provides the best explanation of the value of dissent. 2.) Vocabulary.com list for The Crucible is due Monday, November 5th.
Tuesday - Discuss Dan Rather chapter and free speech discussion.
Homework - 1.) Read the opening pages of the article titled, "The Hell You Say" for tomorrow and complete the freewrite prompt. Be ready to share in class discussion. 2.) Vocabulary.com list for The Crucible is due Monday, November 5th.
Wednesday - Discuss "The Hell You Say" and intro to Masterpiece Bakery Supreme Court case.
Homework - 1.) Watch the video on the Masterpiece Bakery Supreme Court case and be ready to defend a side in the case. Have an opinion! Don't be neutral!! 2.) Vocabulary.com list for The Crucible is due Monday, November 5th. 3.) Rough draft of your Unit 1 poem due Monday, November 5th.
Thursday - Masterpiece Bakery debate and intro to The Crucible.
Homework - 1.) Rough draft of your unit 1 poem due Monday, November 5th. 2.) Vocabulary.com list for The Crucible is due Monday, November 5th.
Friday - Intro to The Crucible.
Homework - 1.) Rough draft of your unit 1 poem due Monday, November 5th. 2.) Vocabulary.com list for The Crucible is due Monday, November 5th. 3.) The Crucible reading assignment to be announced . . .
NEXT BLOG POST DUE DATE WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOMETIME NEXT WEEK. NO NEED TO BLOG FOR NOW.
Monday - Unit 2 intro.
Homework - 1.) Read the chapter from Dan Rather on "Dissent" and be ready to share the passage that you believe provides the best explanation of the value of dissent. 2.) Vocabulary.com list for The Crucible is due Monday, November 5th.
Tuesday - Discuss Dan Rather chapter and free speech discussion.
Homework - 1.) Read the opening pages of the article titled, "The Hell You Say" for tomorrow and complete the freewrite prompt. Be ready to share in class discussion. 2.) Vocabulary.com list for The Crucible is due Monday, November 5th.
Wednesday - Discuss "The Hell You Say" and intro to Masterpiece Bakery Supreme Court case.
Homework - 1.) Watch the video on the Masterpiece Bakery Supreme Court case and be ready to defend a side in the case. Have an opinion! Don't be neutral!! 2.) Vocabulary.com list for The Crucible is due Monday, November 5th. 3.) Rough draft of your Unit 1 poem due Monday, November 5th.
Thursday - Masterpiece Bakery debate and intro to The Crucible.
Homework - 1.) Rough draft of your unit 1 poem due Monday, November 5th. 2.) Vocabulary.com list for The Crucible is due Monday, November 5th.
Friday - Intro to The Crucible.
Homework - 1.) Rough draft of your unit 1 poem due Monday, November 5th. 2.) Vocabulary.com list for The Crucible is due Monday, November 5th. 3.) The Crucible reading assignment to be announced . . .
NEXT BLOG POST DUE DATE WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOMETIME NEXT WEEK. NO NEED TO BLOG FOR NOW.
Thursday, October 25, 2018
Link for podcast from "Revisionist History"
CLICK HERE for the link to Malcolm Gladwell's "Carlos Doesn't Remember" episode from his podcast Revisionist History.
Friday, October 19, 2018
Week of October 22-26
Monday - Discuss The Assistant.
Homework - 1.) Read pages 215-232 in The Assistant for tomorrow. Be ready for a quiz. 2.) The Assistant final, short essay is due Wednesday. If you want some help from Mr. Lawler, set up an appointment!
Tuesday - Discuss The Assistant.
Homework - Finish The Assistant for tomorrow. The Assistant final, short essay is also due tomorrow. If you want some help from Mr. Lawler, set up an appointment!
Wednesday - Discuss The Assistant.
Homework - 2nd blog post due Friday. In addition, comment on a classmate's post by this date, too. (Be sure to comment on a different classmate's post.)
Thursday - Podcast from "Revisionist History."
Homework - 2nd blog post due Friday. In addition, comment on a classmate's post by this date, too. (Be sure to comment on a different classmate's post.)
Friday - Discuss podcast, intro to the unit 1 final assessment, and quarter 1 participation reflection.
Homework - Prewriting for Unit 1 final assessment due Monday.
Homework - 1.) Read pages 215-232 in The Assistant for tomorrow. Be ready for a quiz. 2.) The Assistant final, short essay is due Wednesday. If you want some help from Mr. Lawler, set up an appointment!
Tuesday - Discuss The Assistant.
Homework - Finish The Assistant for tomorrow. The Assistant final, short essay is also due tomorrow. If you want some help from Mr. Lawler, set up an appointment!
Wednesday - Discuss The Assistant.
Homework - 2nd blog post due Friday. In addition, comment on a classmate's post by this date, too. (Be sure to comment on a different classmate's post.)
Thursday - Podcast from "Revisionist History."
Homework - 2nd blog post due Friday. In addition, comment on a classmate's post by this date, too. (Be sure to comment on a different classmate's post.)
Friday - Discuss podcast, intro to the unit 1 final assessment, and quarter 1 participation reflection.
Homework - Prewriting for Unit 1 final assessment due Monday.
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
"Red Brands" and "Blue Brands"
Should it matter whether or not you share your boss's politics? This question (and others) are raised in a National Public Radio story from the other day (CLICK HERE to read or listen). In the piece, the reporter describes CEO political activism and how it impacts the workplace. Companies referred to in the piece include: Levi Jeans and Dick's Sporting Goods. In short, the story explores what it's like to be in the workplace where leaders of a company take political positions on different issues.
But what caught my attention most is this quote from Melissa Harris, a marketing agent in Chicago: "I think increasingly you're going to see more 'red brands' and 'blue brands.'" Harris goes on to explain that companies come to her firm asking for "provocative" language for grabbing more consumers' attention. What I find so interesting (maybe even troubling) about this is that branding (clothes, cars, technology, maybe other products) seem to be carrying political brands in addition to their label.
Can anyone out there share an example of a product that seems to be a "red brand" or "blue brand"? Does branding products tied to political parties divide our country even more? Or should we have great respect for CEOs sharing their political views?
But what caught my attention most is this quote from Melissa Harris, a marketing agent in Chicago: "I think increasingly you're going to see more 'red brands' and 'blue brands.'" Harris goes on to explain that companies come to her firm asking for "provocative" language for grabbing more consumers' attention. What I find so interesting (maybe even troubling) about this is that branding (clothes, cars, technology, maybe other products) seem to be carrying political brands in addition to their label.
Can anyone out there share an example of a product that seems to be a "red brand" or "blue brand"? Does branding products tied to political parties divide our country even more? Or should we have great respect for CEOs sharing their political views?
Monday, October 15, 2018
Week of October 15-19
Monday - Discuss The Assistant.
Homework - Read pages 130-168 in The Assistant by Thursday. Be ready for a quiz.
Tuesday - Discuss The Assistant.
Homework - Read pages 130-168 in The Assistant by Thursday. Be ready for a quiz.
Wednesday - Reading day.
Homework - Read pages 130-168 in The Assistant by Thursday. Be ready for a quiz.
Thursday - Discuss pages 130-168.
Homework - Read pages 169-193 in The Assistant by tomorrow. Be ready for a quiz.
Friday - Discuss pages 169-193.
Homework - Read pages 194-214 in The Assistant for Monday. Be ready for a quiz.
YOUR 2ND BLOG POST OF THE FIRST QUARTER IS DUE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26TH. YOU ALSO NEED TO COMMENT ON A DIFFERENT CLASSMATE'S 2ND BLOG POST BY THAT DATE, TOO.
Homework - Read pages 130-168 in The Assistant by Thursday. Be ready for a quiz.
Tuesday - Discuss The Assistant.
Homework - Read pages 130-168 in The Assistant by Thursday. Be ready for a quiz.
Wednesday - Reading day.
Homework - Read pages 130-168 in The Assistant by Thursday. Be ready for a quiz.
Thursday - Discuss pages 130-168.
Homework - Read pages 169-193 in The Assistant by tomorrow. Be ready for a quiz.
Friday - Discuss pages 169-193.
Homework - Read pages 194-214 in The Assistant for Monday. Be ready for a quiz.
YOUR 2ND BLOG POST OF THE FIRST QUARTER IS DUE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26TH. YOU ALSO NEED TO COMMENT ON A DIFFERENT CLASSMATE'S 2ND BLOG POST BY THAT DATE, TOO.
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
Week of October 8-12
Monday - No class.
Homework - Read pages 3-102 in The Assistant by Friday. Be ready for a quiz.
Tuesday - "The Laramie Project."
Homework - Read pages 3-102 in The Assistant by Friday. Be ready for a quiz.
Wednesday - No class.
Homework - Read pages 3-102 in The Assistant by Friday. Be ready for a quiz.
Thursday - Finish "The Laramie Project."
Homework - Read pages 3-102 in The Assistant by tomorrow. Be ready for a quiz.
Friday - Discuss The Assistant.
Homework - Read pages 103-129 in The Assistant for Monday. Be ready for a quiz.
YOUR 2ND BLOG POST OF THE FIRST QUARTER IS DUE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26TH. YOU ALSO NEED TO COMMENT ON A DIFFERENT CLASSMATE'S 2ND BLOG POST BY THAT DATE, TOO.
Homework - Read pages 3-102 in The Assistant by Friday. Be ready for a quiz.
Tuesday - "The Laramie Project."
Homework - Read pages 3-102 in The Assistant by Friday. Be ready for a quiz.
Wednesday - No class.
Homework - Read pages 3-102 in The Assistant by Friday. Be ready for a quiz.
Thursday - Finish "The Laramie Project."
Homework - Read pages 3-102 in The Assistant by tomorrow. Be ready for a quiz.
Friday - Discuss The Assistant.
Homework - Read pages 103-129 in The Assistant for Monday. Be ready for a quiz.
YOUR 2ND BLOG POST OF THE FIRST QUARTER IS DUE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26TH. YOU ALSO NEED TO COMMENT ON A DIFFERENT CLASSMATE'S 2ND BLOG POST BY THAT DATE, TOO.
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Matthew Shepard and "The Laramie Project"
CLICK HERE for some helpful context on this tragic event we'll be exploring in the film we start soon.
Monday, October 1, 2018
Week of October 1-5
Monday - Discuss The Zoo Story.
Homework - 1.) Finish The Zoo Story for tomorrow and follow the reading guide. Be ready to share in class. 2.) Purchase your copy of The Assistant from the bookstore ASAP!
Tuesday - Finish The Zoo Story.
Homework - 1.) Purchase your copy of The Assistant from the bookstore ASAP! 2.) Your first blog post is due Thursday and your first comment on a classmate's blog post is also due Thursday.
Wednesday - "The Laramie Project."
Homework - Your first blog post is due Thursday and your first comment on a classmate's blog post is also due Thursday.
Thursday - "The Laramie Project."
Homework - Read pages 3-102 in The Assistant by Friday, October 12th. Be ready for a quiz.
Friday - No class.
Homework - Read pages 3-102 in The Assistant by Friday, October 12th. Be ready for a quiz.
Homework - 1.) Finish The Zoo Story for tomorrow and follow the reading guide. Be ready to share in class. 2.) Purchase your copy of The Assistant from the bookstore ASAP!
Tuesday - Finish The Zoo Story.
Homework - 1.) Purchase your copy of The Assistant from the bookstore ASAP! 2.) Your first blog post is due Thursday and your first comment on a classmate's blog post is also due Thursday.
Wednesday - "The Laramie Project."
Homework - Your first blog post is due Thursday and your first comment on a classmate's blog post is also due Thursday.
Thursday - "The Laramie Project."
Homework - Read pages 3-102 in The Assistant by Friday, October 12th. Be ready for a quiz.
Friday - No class.
Homework - Read pages 3-102 in The Assistant by Friday, October 12th. Be ready for a quiz.
Friday, September 28, 2018
Monday, September 24, 2018
Week of September 24-28
Monday - Only period 7 meets and we'll discuss chapters 2, 7 and 9 from Frederick Douglass.
Homework - Read the rest of Frederick Douglass' Narrative Life and complete a journal entry for Tuesday. This should be typed and double-spaced.
Tuesday - Discuss the rest of Frederick Douglass.
Homework - For Thursday, comment on one of Lawler's 3 blogs posts. It's up to you which one you comment on. Another option is to respond to one of your classmate's comments on Lawler's blog posts. Your comments should be about a few sentences.
Wednesday - Into to The Zoo Story.
Homework - For Thursday, comment on one of Lawler's 3 blogs posts. It's up to you which one you comment on. Another option is to respond to one of your classmate's comments on Lawler's blog posts. Your comments should be about a few sentences.
Thursday - The Zoo Story.
Homework - 1.) Read to the bottom of page 7 of The Zoo Story for tomorrow and follow the reading guide. Be ready to share in class. 2.) Complete the vocabulary list in vocabulary.com by Monday (this is a list reviewing Frederick Douglass).
Friday - The Zoo Story.
Homework - 1.) Read the next section from The Zoo Story for Monday and follow the reading guide. Be ready to share in class. 2.) Complete the vocabulary list in vocabulary.com by Monday (this is a list reviewing Frederick Douglass).
YOUR FIRST BLOG POST SHOULD BE WRITTEN BY THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4TH. BY THIS DATE YOU SHOULD ALSO COMMENT ON ONE CLASSMATE'S BLOG POST.
Homework - Read the rest of Frederick Douglass' Narrative Life and complete a journal entry for Tuesday. This should be typed and double-spaced.
Tuesday - Discuss the rest of Frederick Douglass.
Homework - For Thursday, comment on one of Lawler's 3 blogs posts. It's up to you which one you comment on. Another option is to respond to one of your classmate's comments on Lawler's blog posts. Your comments should be about a few sentences.
Wednesday - Into to The Zoo Story.
Homework - For Thursday, comment on one of Lawler's 3 blogs posts. It's up to you which one you comment on. Another option is to respond to one of your classmate's comments on Lawler's blog posts. Your comments should be about a few sentences.
Thursday - The Zoo Story.
Homework - 1.) Read to the bottom of page 7 of The Zoo Story for tomorrow and follow the reading guide. Be ready to share in class. 2.) Complete the vocabulary list in vocabulary.com by Monday (this is a list reviewing Frederick Douglass).
Friday - The Zoo Story.
Homework - 1.) Read the next section from The Zoo Story for Monday and follow the reading guide. Be ready to share in class. 2.) Complete the vocabulary list in vocabulary.com by Monday (this is a list reviewing Frederick Douglass).
YOUR FIRST BLOG POST SHOULD BE WRITTEN BY THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4TH. BY THIS DATE YOU SHOULD ALSO COMMENT ON ONE CLASSMATE'S BLOG POST.
Monday, September 17, 2018
Week of September 17-21
Monday - Discuss poems.
Homework - 1.) Your revised summer reading essay is due tomorrow. You are welcome to set up an appointment with Mr. Lawler during a free period and get some feedback. You are also encouraged to go to the Reading/Writing Center and get feedback from a tutor. If you go to the RWC, attach a note to your final draft indicating you met with a tutor. 2.) Have your parents sign the blog permission form and return to Lawler ASAP!
Tuesday - Intro to The Narrative Life of Frederick Douglass (biography, overview, and appeals).
Homework - None.
Wednesday - No school.
Homework - None.
Thursday - Douglass continued.
Homework - Read chapters 2, 7, and 9 from Frederick Douglass' Narrative Life and complete a journal entry for class tomorrow. This should be double-spaced and typed.
Friday - Discuss chapters 2, 7, and 9.
Homework - Read the rest of Frederick Douglass' Narrative Life and complete a journal entry for Tuesday. This should be typed and double-spaced.
YOUR FIRST BLOG POST SHOULD BE WRITTEN BY THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4TH. BY THIS DATE YOU SHOULD ALSO COMMENT ON ONE CLASSMATE'S BLOG POST.
Homework - 1.) Your revised summer reading essay is due tomorrow. You are welcome to set up an appointment with Mr. Lawler during a free period and get some feedback. You are also encouraged to go to the Reading/Writing Center and get feedback from a tutor. If you go to the RWC, attach a note to your final draft indicating you met with a tutor. 2.) Have your parents sign the blog permission form and return to Lawler ASAP!
Tuesday - Intro to The Narrative Life of Frederick Douglass (biography, overview, and appeals).
Homework - None.
Wednesday - No school.
Homework - None.
Thursday - Douglass continued.
Homework - Read chapters 2, 7, and 9 from Frederick Douglass' Narrative Life and complete a journal entry for class tomorrow. This should be double-spaced and typed.
Friday - Discuss chapters 2, 7, and 9.
Homework - Read the rest of Frederick Douglass' Narrative Life and complete a journal entry for Tuesday. This should be typed and double-spaced.
YOUR FIRST BLOG POST SHOULD BE WRITTEN BY THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4TH. BY THIS DATE YOU SHOULD ALSO COMMENT ON ONE CLASSMATE'S BLOG POST.
Friday, September 14, 2018
Senator McCain's Farewell
Several weeks ago our country lost a great citizen when Senator John McCain passed away from brain cancer. Mr. McCain was a veteran, war hero, and eventually became a senator representing Arizona.
Before he died, he drafted a farewell statement (CLICK HERE to read it). McCain was known for his moderate positions on many political issues. He was a man who followed his conscience, even when it meant deviating from his party's positions on any number of topics. In fact, one of his most documented moments was in the 2008 election where he corrected one of his supporters when she made false claims about his opponent (eventual president Barack Obama -- CLICK HERE to watch this moment). Can you imagine a presidential candidate doing something similar today?
As you read his farewell address, where do you see language indicating that he's building figurative "bridges" with his fellow citizens? How does he define what makes America a special place?
Before he died, he drafted a farewell statement (CLICK HERE to read it). McCain was known for his moderate positions on many political issues. He was a man who followed his conscience, even when it meant deviating from his party's positions on any number of topics. In fact, one of his most documented moments was in the 2008 election where he corrected one of his supporters when she made false claims about his opponent (eventual president Barack Obama -- CLICK HERE to watch this moment). Can you imagine a presidential candidate doing something similar today?
As you read his farewell address, where do you see language indicating that he's building figurative "bridges" with his fellow citizens? How does he define what makes America a special place?
Thursday, September 13, 2018
Newsela Link
Newsela is an on-line resource that helps students locate news articles and current events topics. It might be a useful resource for our blogs this year. CLICK HERE in order to join our class account.
Using Newsela is not a requirement for blogging, but it may be useful in helping you locate current events topics for your blog posts.
Using Newsela is not a requirement for blogging, but it may be useful in helping you locate current events topics for your blog posts.
Trolls are Among Us
Social media is commonly seen as something that brings us together: we can FaceTime family members across the country, share details about our daily lives with loved ones, and we can even share a kind comment for a friend who's suffering -- or even raise money for a worthy cause through social media.
But social media has a downside, too, and this is something we've been more aware of as as country since the 2016 election. This New York Times video (CLICK HERE) explores the danger of trusting social media, especially as a news source. Near the end of the video the author explains, "These bad actors are trying to polarize the American public by exploiting existing tensions in our society. The goal: make Americans see each other as enemies."
Is there a better technological example of both a figurative "bridge" and "border" in our country today than social media? Does anyone have any examples of social media that is clearly designed to divide us as Americans? And -- perhaps most importantly -- what are the steps citizens need to take in order to become better readers of social media? How do we determine truth from fiction and right from wrong?
Beware the trolls, my friends . . .
But social media has a downside, too, and this is something we've been more aware of as as country since the 2016 election. This New York Times video (CLICK HERE) explores the danger of trusting social media, especially as a news source. Near the end of the video the author explains, "These bad actors are trying to polarize the American public by exploiting existing tensions in our society. The goal: make Americans see each other as enemies."
Is there a better technological example of both a figurative "bridge" and "border" in our country today than social media? Does anyone have any examples of social media that is clearly designed to divide us as Americans? And -- perhaps most importantly -- what are the steps citizens need to take in order to become better readers of social media? How do we determine truth from fiction and right from wrong?
Beware the trolls, my friends . . .
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Disagreement is OK!
If you're a sports fan you've probably heard plenty about Colin Kaepernick's protest during the National Anthem at NFL games a few seasons ago. In fact, Nike has recently designated him as a spokesperson and this has generated all sorts of reactions -- everything from admiration to people actually destroying their Nike products in protest. (CLICK HERE if you want to check out the commercial.)
The discussion surrounding Mr. Kaepernick's protest against policing practices targeting African-Americans is yet another example of ways in which our country can easily fall into division. But should a difference of opinion on conduct during the National Anthem at a football game generate so much division?
Beto O'Rourke is running for the U.S. Senate in Texas and was asked about his reaction to the Kaepernick situation. Check out his answer by clicking here (scroll down a bit to see him take a question and respond).
What do you think of his response? Is he attempting to build "bridges" here? How so?
The discussion surrounding Mr. Kaepernick's protest against policing practices targeting African-Americans is yet another example of ways in which our country can easily fall into division. But should a difference of opinion on conduct during the National Anthem at a football game generate so much division?
Beto O'Rourke is running for the U.S. Senate in Texas and was asked about his reaction to the Kaepernick situation. Check out his answer by clicking here (scroll down a bit to see him take a question and respond).
What do you think of his response? Is he attempting to build "bridges" here? How so?
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Week of September 10-14
Monday - No school.
Homework - Read the chapter from Dan Rather's What Unites Us for Tuesday, September 11th and locate a passage that helps you think about this question: "Does America seem to be more of an inclusive or exclusive country?" Use evidence from your life and the reading in order to support your answer.
Tuesday - Discuss Dan Rather chapter.
Homework - Your revised summer reading essay is due Tuesday, September 18th. You are welcome to set up an appointment with Mr. Lawler during a free period and get some feedback. You are also encouraged to go to the Reading/Writing Center and get feedback from a tutor. If you go to the RWC, attach a note to your final draft indicating you met with a tutor.
Wednesday - "The Story of an Hour."
Homework - 1.) For Friday, read "Fish Cheeks" by Amy Tan and "Ain't I A Woman?" by Sojourner Truth in the packet of readings for this unit. Answer this question and be ready to share in class: "Which single quote from either one of these readings best illustrates the author's desire to feel included in a larger community? WHY does this quote best illustrate this idea?" 2.) Your revised summer reading essay is due Tuesday, September 18th. You are welcome to set up an appointment with Mr. Lawler during a free period and get some feedback. You are also encouraged to go to the Reading/Writing Center and get feedback from a tutor. If you go to the RWC, attach a note to your final draft indicating you met with a tutor.
Thursday - Meet in lab 377N.
Homework - 1.) For Friday, read "Fish Cheeks" by Amy Tan and "Ain't I A Woman?" by Sojourner Truth in the packet of readings for this unit. Answer this question and be ready to share in class: "Which single quote from either one of these readings best illustrates the author's desire to feel included in a larger community? WHY does this quote best illustrate this idea?" 2.) Your revised summer reading essay is due Tuesday, September 18th. You are welcome to set up an appointment with Mr. Lawler during a free period and get some feedback. You are also encouraged to go to the Reading/Writing Center and get feedback from a tutor. If you go to the RWC, attach a note to your final draft indicating you met with a tutor.
Friday - Discuss packet of readings.
Homework - 1.) For Monday, read the poems in the packet of readings ("Charlie Howard's Descent," "Theme for English B," and "My Native Costume") and answer this question and be ready to share in class: "What one line from any poem best illustrates the pain of not being included in a community?" 2.) Your revised summer reading essay is due Tuesday, September 18th. You are welcome to set up an appointment with Mr. Lawler during a free period and get some feedback. You are also encouraged to go to the Reading/Writing Center and get feedback from a tutor. If you go to the RWC, attach a note to your final draft indicating you met with a tutor.
YOUR FIRST BLOG POST SHOULD BE WRITTEN BY THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4TH. BY THIS DATE YOU SHOULD ALSO COMMENT ON ONE CLASSMATE'S BLOG POST.
Homework - Read the chapter from Dan Rather's What Unites Us for Tuesday, September 11th and locate a passage that helps you think about this question: "Does America seem to be more of an inclusive or exclusive country?" Use evidence from your life and the reading in order to support your answer.
Tuesday - Discuss Dan Rather chapter.
Homework - Your revised summer reading essay is due Tuesday, September 18th. You are welcome to set up an appointment with Mr. Lawler during a free period and get some feedback. You are also encouraged to go to the Reading/Writing Center and get feedback from a tutor. If you go to the RWC, attach a note to your final draft indicating you met with a tutor.
Wednesday - "The Story of an Hour."
Homework - 1.) For Friday, read "Fish Cheeks" by Amy Tan and "Ain't I A Woman?" by Sojourner Truth in the packet of readings for this unit. Answer this question and be ready to share in class: "Which single quote from either one of these readings best illustrates the author's desire to feel included in a larger community? WHY does this quote best illustrate this idea?" 2.) Your revised summer reading essay is due Tuesday, September 18th. You are welcome to set up an appointment with Mr. Lawler during a free period and get some feedback. You are also encouraged to go to the Reading/Writing Center and get feedback from a tutor. If you go to the RWC, attach a note to your final draft indicating you met with a tutor.
Thursday - Meet in lab 377N.
Homework - 1.) For Friday, read "Fish Cheeks" by Amy Tan and "Ain't I A Woman?" by Sojourner Truth in the packet of readings for this unit. Answer this question and be ready to share in class: "Which single quote from either one of these readings best illustrates the author's desire to feel included in a larger community? WHY does this quote best illustrate this idea?" 2.) Your revised summer reading essay is due Tuesday, September 18th. You are welcome to set up an appointment with Mr. Lawler during a free period and get some feedback. You are also encouraged to go to the Reading/Writing Center and get feedback from a tutor. If you go to the RWC, attach a note to your final draft indicating you met with a tutor.
Friday - Discuss packet of readings.
Homework - 1.) For Monday, read the poems in the packet of readings ("Charlie Howard's Descent," "Theme for English B," and "My Native Costume") and answer this question and be ready to share in class: "What one line from any poem best illustrates the pain of not being included in a community?" 2.) Your revised summer reading essay is due Tuesday, September 18th. You are welcome to set up an appointment with Mr. Lawler during a free period and get some feedback. You are also encouraged to go to the Reading/Writing Center and get feedback from a tutor. If you go to the RWC, attach a note to your final draft indicating you met with a tutor.
YOUR FIRST BLOG POST SHOULD BE WRITTEN BY THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4TH. BY THIS DATE YOU SHOULD ALSO COMMENT ON ONE CLASSMATE'S BLOG POST.
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
Week of September 3-7
Monday - No school.
Homework - Bring your copy of The Color of Water Tuesday. Finish reading it (or read it, or review it). Our summer reading assessment will be Wednesday, September 5th (it's an in-class essay and will not be graded. It's a first draft). We'll then have discussion days on Thursday and Friday, September 6th and 7th.
Tuesday - Discuss The Color of Water and art work piece #3.
Homework - Our summer reading assessment will be Wednesday, September 5th (it's an in-class essay and will not be graded. It's a first draft). We'll then have discussion days on Thursday and Friday, September 6th and 7th. Follow the guidelines I gave you in order to prepare for the discussion.
Wednesday - Summer reading assessment. You may handwrite this essay or type it on your iPad and e-mail it to me at the end of the period -- whatever works best for you!
Homework - Prepare for our first discussion of The Color of Water for tomorrow.
Thursday - The Color of Water discussion #1.
Homework - Prepare for our second discussion of The Color of Water for tomorrow.
Friday - The Color of Water discussion #2.
Homework - Read the chapter from Dan Rather's What Unites Us for Tuesday, September 11th and locate a passage that helps you think about this question: "Does America seem to be more of an inclusive or exclusive country?" Use evidence from your life and the reading in order to support your answer.
Homework - Bring your copy of The Color of Water Tuesday. Finish reading it (or read it, or review it). Our summer reading assessment will be Wednesday, September 5th (it's an in-class essay and will not be graded. It's a first draft). We'll then have discussion days on Thursday and Friday, September 6th and 7th.
Tuesday - Discuss The Color of Water and art work piece #3.
Homework - Our summer reading assessment will be Wednesday, September 5th (it's an in-class essay and will not be graded. It's a first draft). We'll then have discussion days on Thursday and Friday, September 6th and 7th. Follow the guidelines I gave you in order to prepare for the discussion.
Wednesday - Summer reading assessment. You may handwrite this essay or type it on your iPad and e-mail it to me at the end of the period -- whatever works best for you!
Homework - Prepare for our first discussion of The Color of Water for tomorrow.
Thursday - The Color of Water discussion #1.
Homework - Prepare for our second discussion of The Color of Water for tomorrow.
Friday - The Color of Water discussion #2.
Homework - Read the chapter from Dan Rather's What Unites Us for Tuesday, September 11th and locate a passage that helps you think about this question: "Does America seem to be more of an inclusive or exclusive country?" Use evidence from your life and the reading in order to support your answer.
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Monday, August 27, 2018
Week of August 27th
Monday - Course introduction.
Homework - None.
Tuesday - "This is America."
Homework - Introductory questions due Thursday, August 30th.
Wednesday - "This is America" continued, and editorial articles.
Homework - Introductory questions due Thursday, August 30th.
Thursday - Art work discussion #1.
Homework - Read the editorials and respond to the guiding question (typed and double-spaced). This is due tomorrow -- be ready to share your ideas in class!
Friday - Discuss editorials and art work discussion #2.
Homework - Bring your copy of The Color of Water Tuesday. Finish reading it (or read it, or review it). Our summer reading assessment will be Wednesday, September 5th (it's an in-class essay). We'll then have discussion days on Thursday and Friday, September 6th and 7th.
Homework - None.
Tuesday - "This is America."
Homework - Introductory questions due Thursday, August 30th.
Wednesday - "This is America" continued, and editorial articles.
Homework - Introductory questions due Thursday, August 30th.
Thursday - Art work discussion #1.
Homework - Read the editorials and respond to the guiding question (typed and double-spaced). This is due tomorrow -- be ready to share your ideas in class!
Friday - Discuss editorials and art work discussion #2.
Homework - Bring your copy of The Color of Water Tuesday. Finish reading it (or read it, or review it). Our summer reading assessment will be Wednesday, September 5th (it's an in-class essay). We'll then have discussion days on Thursday and Friday, September 6th and 7th.
Opening Questions
I'll use this blog to post weekly calendars and important documents for our course this year. Make sure you bookmark this site and get in the habit of checking it regularly. If you have a google account you can even designate yourself as a "follower." (Don't worry -- becoming a "follower" doesn't mean you're joining a creepy cult. It just means that you've designated this blog as a site you regularly visit.)
1. What is a figurative "bridge" in your life? By figurative "bridge" I mean something that connects you to others and makes you feel like you're part of a group or community. Identify the "bridge" and explain how it's a figurative bridge for you.
2. What is a figurative "border" in your life? By figurative "border" I mean something that separates you to others and makes you feel like you're separate from another group. Identify the "border" and explain how it's a figurative border for you.
4. What are some benefits of having literal borders in the United States? Consider "borders" as state line, country lines, or other things/institutions that clearly separate people or things.
5. What are some drawbacks of having literal borders in the United States? Consider "borders" as state line, country lines, or other things/institutions that clearly separate people or things.
6. What are some figurative "bridges" that unite Americans? These might be institutions, policies, or something else that unites all Americans as one people.
7. If there’s one thing that Lawler needs to know about you as a person – one thing that would help him be a better teacher for you – what would that be?
For Thursday, August 30th, answer the reflection
questions below. Your responses should
be typed and double-spaced and printed off.
1. What is a figurative "bridge" in your life? By figurative "bridge" I mean something that connects you to others and makes you feel like you're part of a group or community. Identify the "bridge" and explain how it's a figurative bridge for you.
2. What is a figurative "border" in your life? By figurative "border" I mean something that separates you to others and makes you feel like you're separate from another group. Identify the "border" and explain how it's a figurative border for you.
3. Briefly describe a time you were able to bridge a gap between
yourself and another person who seemed very separate from you. How did
you do it? How was a figurative "bridge" built?
4. What are some benefits of having literal borders in the United States? Consider "borders" as state line, country lines, or other things/institutions that clearly separate people or things.
5. What are some drawbacks of having literal borders in the United States? Consider "borders" as state line, country lines, or other things/institutions that clearly separate people or things.
6. What are some figurative "bridges" that unite Americans? These might be institutions, policies, or something else that unites all Americans as one people.
7. If there’s one thing that Lawler needs to know about you as a person – one thing that would help him be a better teacher for you – what would that be?
Be ready to share your thoughts on these questions in class on
Thursday, August 30th. I expect to hear from everyone! (Note: we won’t be sharing responses to #7.)
Monday, August 20, 2018
Welcome to American Bridges and Borders!
Let’s
start with a quick quiz: how many of you know what the motto of the United
States is? . . . . . . . If any of you correctly said e pluribus unum then you’re the big winner (I’ll bring you in a
cookie as a prize). Next quiz question:
how many of you can translate e pluribus
unum? . . .
. . . . If
you said it’s Latin for “out of many, one,” then you’re definitely going to a
“good college,” will drive a fancy car some day, vacation in exotic locales,
and – in general – are set for life (you also get a second cookie).
Why are we talking about Latin, of all things, the first day of the school year in an English class? Well, it’s because unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last 2 years (or holed up in your parent’s basement playing “Fortnite”), you’ve no doubt heard about how divided we are as a country right now. Writers from all across the political spectrum seem to be latching onto the theory that now – 2018 – is as divided as we’ve ever been as a country, and many are arguing that the polarization will only get worse. If there’s ever been a time to test the motto that we are, in fact, “one country out of many” then this is the time to test that theory. But is it true that we’re living in a divided country right now? Aren’t there shared values that we can agree upon as Americans?
In order to explore the last two questions above we’ll take a thematic approach to our work this year. Rather than calling this course “313” (or the equally lame “323” second semester), we’ll call this course “American Bridges and Borders,” and our guiding questions for the year will be: “What are the literal and figurative bridges that unite us as Americans? What the literal and figurative borders that divide us as Americans?”
The description above might sound more like a social studies or political science course description, but the English classroom is the perfect place to explore these questions because the study of literature is the study of different voices and stories, and it’s in the study of voices and stories that we’ll explore the questions of what unites us and divides us as Americans. In addition to literature, we’ll study current events and look for common threads across these events and the literature we’re studying. There may be no more important time in our country’s history than today to become a better reader, writer, thinker, speaker and listener. These are the core skills of an English class, and it’s my hope that you’ll also see that these are the core skills for being a thoughtful participant in our democracy. Have fun exploring America’s “Bridges” and “Borders” this year!
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