Making a Case

Perhaps no topic of our time has caused so much controversy, and so much continuing debate, as the issue of evolution.  Since the publication of Darwin's seminal work, On the Origin of Species, in 1859, politicians, school board members, your grandmother, ministers, and maniacs of all stripes have weighed in--knowledgeably and not so knowledgeably--on the rightness or wrongness of this important theory.  Clearly, Darwin ruffled some feathers, and I'm not talking about finches.  This week, we'll focus on just one small section--the conclusion--of this argument, considering how it was written and for whom, and whether it is still relevant today, after over 150 years of scientific development.

MONDAY, 10/29 Focus: Reading Instructional Text (11-12.RI.1,2,3,5)
On the Origin of Species
• read
• respond:  questions

TUESDAY, 10/30 Focus: Reading Instructional Text (11-12.RI.1,2,3,5)
On the Origin of Species
• poster: elements of argument

WEDNESDAY, 10/31 Focus: Reading Instructional Text (11-12.RI.1,2,3,5)
On the Origin of Species
• posters presented
• discussion:  relevance, usefulness

THURSDAY, 11/1 Focus: Reading Instructional Text (11-12.RI.1,2,3,5)
Evolution and Our Inner Conflict
• read
• respond: discussion

FRIDAY, 11/2 Focus: Identifying Fallacies in Argumentation
Logical Fallacies in Argumentation
• overview
• recognition practice

So We Beat On . . .

We'll finish our party with Jay Gatsby this week, and move back into some more contemporary nonfiction reading, analysis, and argument.  The final for Gatsby will be in two parts--a seminar and a written analysis.  Speaking of analysis, we'll also take a look at the results of our first AP rhetorical analysis prompt.  Ain't we got fun?

MONDAY, 10/22 Focus: Reading Literary Text (11-12.RL.1-7)
The Great Gatsby
• seminar topics assigned
• seminar preparation

TUESDAY, 10/23 Focus: Reading Literary Text (11-12.RL.1-7)
The Great Gatsby
• seminars

WEDNESDAY, 10/24 Focus: Reading Literary Text (11-12.RL.1-7)
The Great Gatsby
• seminars
• essay final directions

THURSDAY, 10/25 Focus: Evaluating Writing
AP Prompt #1
• God scores
• You score
• I score

FRIDAY, 10/26 Focus:  Reading Informational Text (11-12.RI.1-4)
Origin of Species
• reading for a purpose
• read for MONDAY
Gatsby final essay DUE

"Can't repeat the past?--Why of course you can!"

Mo Gatsby, mo fun.  This week we'll finish reading The Great Gatsby, go to a college fair, write our first AP Prompt response, and have hecka fun.  Revisions of your first research essay will be accepted starting on Friday, 10/19.  To resubmit, title your document (not your essay) with your period number, last name, and SA2.  This will help me with record-keeping.  Also, please paste your (fixed) works cited page to your essay, if it's not there already.  Shalom!

MONDAY, 10/15  Focus: Reading Literary Text (11-12.RL.1,2,3)
The Great Gatsby
• Reading check 4-6
• Discussion
• Finish novel by FRIDAY

TUESDAY, 10/16 Focus: Rhetorical Analysis Writing (11-12.RI.1,2,3; W.1,4)
AP Prompt, Rhetorical Analysis
• The scoring norms
• Examples and discussion

WEDNESDAY, 10/17 Focus: Weirdness
• a.m. college fair
• p.m. technology survey

THURSDAY, 10/18 Focus: Rhetorical Analysis Writing (11-12.RI.1,2,3; W.1,4)
• AP Prompt #1:  Rhetorical Analysis

FRIDAY, 10/19 Focus: Literary Analysis (11-12.RL.1,2,3)
The Great Gatsby
• Reading check 7-9
• Final discussion

Well.  First essay in, first novel started, first progress report due:  looks like this is really happening.  This week we'll continue to focus on analysis--literary and rhetorical--tackling our first practice AP prompt and examining the beautiful prose of The Great Gatsby (and Huckleberry Finn).  These are the first steps to expertise in critical thinking and reading.  Hang on tight; it's gonna be an exciting ride!

MONDAY, 10/8 Focus: Reading Instructional Text (11-12.RI.1,2,3,5)
It's Not Me, It's You
• Read
• Respond: complete sentences
• Finish Chapters 1 & 2 of Gatsby for Tomorrow

TUESDAY, 10/9 Focus: Reading Literary Text (11-12.RL.1,2,3)
The Great Gatsby
• Essential questions
• Design elements in literary text
• Read THRU Chapter 3 by THURSDAY

WEDNESDAY, 10/10 Focus: Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (11-12.RL.9)
The World of Gatsby
• Social/political milieu
• Science/psychology developments

THURSDAY, 10/11 Focus: Reading Literary Text (11-12.1,2,3)
The Great Gatsby
• Reading check, 1-3
• Discussion/questions
• Read THRU 6 by MONDAY

FRIDAY, 10/12 Focus: Rhetorical Analysis Writing (11-12.RI.1,2,3; W.1,4)
AP Prompt #1: Rhetorical Analysis