Tuesday: A Debrief

Class Agenda

1. Vocabulary Test on Lesson 13

2. What were the most difficult counterarguments you had to address yesterday?

                    Why the word matters: http://goo.gl/rCyQ0P

                        Franz Kafka has part of the rebuttal: http://goo.gl/x4L3yf

3. RESEARCH PAPER:  Checking in.  Are you ready to form a thesis?  What categories do you see emerging?  Where do you need to do more research?

Tomorrow, you should be ready to submit your first draft of your thesis, with a rough outline, highlighting the main sections of your paper and who will be responsible for what.

Monday: Socratic Seminar Groups on Huck Finn

Learning Target:  to use a civilized and academic discussion to gain insight on a text/controversial issue.

1. Submit this form in the first 5 minutes: http://goo.gl/v5tDB7

2. Get into groups based on your numbers.

3. You have 20 minutes to share your thoughts on this topic.  Please use your notes and the materials and the novel to present your point of view to your group members.  Give everyone equal time, but be sure to keep the conversation dynamic and focused.  (Once you start a lively discussion, you shouldn't need to worry about time, but try to bring any members into the discussion that don't seem to be talking.)

4. (10-15 minutes) Then, staying where you are, fill out this form individually: http://goo.gl/bJcuOv  Make sure you MAKE A COPY and PUT IT IN YOUR ENGLISH FOLDER--as long as the folder is shared with me!  (otherwise, you will need to share it with me directly.)

5. (last 10 minutes) Share strong persuasive arguments from today's class.

Synthesis prompt for Huck Finn: PREP FOR NEXT MONDAY the 28th!!!

Here is the prompt for the Socratic Seminar a week from today on Huckleberry Finn: http://goo.gl/WA46zq

This week:  after you have finished reading the novel, read the prompt and the attached articles carefully (you might want to print it out for easy annotation--let me know if you will need a copy).

On Monday, we will expect you to come to class with

a. a position on the topic, written out ahead of time
b. arguments/evidence from the strongest sources, clearly cited so you can reference them easily in discussion
c. arguments from sources that you plan to QUESTION or REFUTE during the discussion

We will talk more about this on Thursday or Friday, depending on the test schedule day I see you.

Thursday: Using Infotrac and Noodle tools

Research Project:  Day Two with the Librarian

Today students browsed through Infotrac Newsstand, another database like Opposing Viewpoints in the Napa County Library database site.  Remember you will need to use or create an ecard on that site in order to access these ESSENTIAL databases!  

Important tip:  When you search a database, you must use AND  /OR/ NOT (unlike in google) to help narrow your search.  Also, use the column on the left in Infotrac to help narrow your search down to a manageable number.  

Students emailed an article from Infotrac to themselves and then used that to create a notecard on noodletools.  They began by first creating a citation on the BIBLIOGRAPHY page.  THEN they created a notecard LINKED to that citation.  

I also activated the sign up sheet below at the end of each period, so students could sign up for a topic and present a draft of their focusing question.  

NEXT DEADLINE:  Monday April 28th, I must see evidence of notecards on noodletools.  I'd say a good number would be at least 5-10 a person! 

Huck Finn update

Also, Monday, April 28th we will be having our Socratic "Synthesis" discussion on Huck Finn.  I will give you the synthesis prompt on Wednesday of next week so you can prepare adequately, as well as finish the book!  

Vocabulary check-in

Vocabulary test on Lesson 13 will be Thurs and Fri of next week, depending on testing schedule and where your period lands.  Here is a link to the flashcards WITH SYNONYMS AND ANTONYMS AND GREEK ROOTS: http://goo.gl/kWsNff

Friday: "We had the sky up there"

Today we will be discussing chapters 12-22 of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Here is the link to the handout for today if you are absent.

Agenda
1. quiz: plot points (10 minutes)
2. handout: practice close reading and thematic application (10-15 minutes)
3. Socratic Discussion on theme (3o minutes)

Finish the book for class on Friday, April 25th

Here is a link to an excellent documentary on the Huck Finn controversy in recent history: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySw-lVKgHQw  There are six parts.  I am not sure if there will be time to view this in class, but I would like you to try to watch as much of it as you can before the 25th.  I think you will find it compelling.

FRIDAY: Synthesis/Huck Finn chapters 1-11

Friday's Agenda

1. Vocab Test: Lesson 11  (10 minutes)

2. Debrief: Sample Papers and thesis statements from yesterday (10 minutes)

2nd period: http://goo.gl/SCYThM  Results: http://goo.gl/ePpNn2

6th period: http://goo.gl/x3FI5W     Results: http://goo.gl/jrsMHE

3. Huck Finn, notes on the controversy:  http://goo.gl/jrktzn

4. Quiz on chapters 1-11 (10 min)

4. Pass out study questions and assign themes for next chunk of reading:  April 4 Chapters 12-22 (5 minutes)

5. Back to the beginning: Watch Study Sync video/discuss both prompts:  http://goo.gl/a5RNZy  (15 minutes)