Tuesday: 1st and 5th period

Today we began with a spirited correction of a DOL that lasted at least 15 minutes!  Then, we started thinking about "education as a weapon."  We watched the spoken word poem by Denice Frohman (see below--Tuesday's post) and then filled out the "Approaching the Text" questions for the Questioning Texts handout for Text #9.

Tomorrow we will do our first read and brainstorm Text-Specific Questions.

FRIDAY's class

Today we took the Vocabulary Test on Lesson 6 and then students in FIRST and FIFTH period had time to work on finishing their 3 paragraphs on The Pearl. (see the assignment posted in previous posts.  It is also in our shared folder.)

ATTENTION all 1st and 5th period students!  You will need to find an outside reading book of your choice by next FRIDAY.  I am planning a quick trip to the library by Friday--hopefully.  See if you can work in a visit ON YOUR OWN before Friday, so that you give yourself time to chose the right book for you.

3rd period:  We start The Pearl Tuesday!

Here is the post that almost made me lose it today. Thanks for your patience, third period.

Choose from the following text-specific questions and write it at the top of your Analyzing Details chart:

-What details does Duncan give to support his assertion that, "Closing the achievement gap and closing the opportunity gap is the civil rights issue of our generation"?  What does he mean by achievement gap and opportunity gap?

--Duncan describes "a paradox at the heart of America's efforts to bolster international competitiveness."  What is the paradox and what does he argue is the best path for education in the United States?

--At the end of the passage, Duncan states that these "new partnerships must also inspire students to take a bigger and deeper view of their civic obligations..." What does this suggest about how Duncan wants the United States to think about global competitivenss in terms of education?

What details does Duncan use to support the idea that "education is still the key to...reducing poverty?"

What details support why it is so important that the United States have the highest proportion of college graduates by 2020?  (AND?OR "What details support how we will reach the goal of having the highest proportion of college graduates by 2020?")

What details support the claim that "education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world?"

My goal is to have you finish the Analyzing Details chart by the middle of class Tuesday, and then begin to write your Assessment paragraph (using the details to support your answer to one of these questions--that answer will be your claim). 

That Assessment paragraph will be due at the end of class Wednesday.  If you do not finish in class, then it will be homework.  

Thursday's class: The Pearl Topic Sentences and Supporting Details

1. Today in class, we are going to help each other find details to use to support our topic sentence conclusions.

For example,

Kino's journey towards prosperity (wealth) actually robs him of everything important to him.  

Kino's journey is a hero's journey.

START by writing your topic sentences at the top of three sheets of binder paper.

Highlight the key words that demand SHOWING details.

Brainstorm a few places where you might be able to find a quotation or paraphrase to use.

Pass the papers clockwise and, looking very carefully at the highlighted words, suggest a few places where he/she might look for examples or details to use.

2. After you have found key details to use in your paragraph, you will need to pay careful attention to how you will use them to support your topic sentence.

For example,

Kino's journey towards prosperity actually robs him of everything important to him.  In the beginning, a poor native finds himself with a beautiful object; it's a pearl, one that seems of great wealth, yet he becomes an beserk animal out of greed and fear. "greedy fingers went through his clothes, frantic fingers searched him, and the pearl, knocked from his hand" (59). 

Do you see how the above quotation is abruptly stuck into in the paragraph and is a bit confusing?
This writer needs to transition from his topic sentence to the quote.  Here is how you fix it:

Kino's journey towards prosperity actually robs him of everything important to him.  In the beginning, a poor native finds himself with a beautiful object; it's a pearl, one that seems of great wealth, yet he becomes an beserk animal out of greed and fear. After Kino rejects the pearl merchants fraudulent offers for the pearl,"greedy fingers went through his clothes, frantic fingers searched him, and the pearl, knocked from his hand" (59). This quotation shows......


That part before the quotation is called CONTEXT.  Always introduce who is speaking or who is acting or place your quote in the plot arc for your reader.

Don't forget to add COMMENTARY after the quotation.  This is where you tell me what is important about your quotation and what it shows (hopefully your highlighted word in your topic sentence.)

The Pearl: Topic Sentence Samples/Frames

Today we spent most of class reviewing the vocab words for the test Friday (Lesson 6).

Then, in first and fifth period we worked on composing the TOPIC SENTENCES for paragraphs on The Pearl. The first sentence of your paragraph is vital.  If you write a specific and clear sentence, it will help you narrow your focus and find just the right details from the text more easily.

Here are samples/frames for the three questions:

1. Kino's journey is a heartbreaking example of a hero's journey.

OR

Kino's journey breaks him and makes him wiser.

2. This story is important to me because the message I get from it is ______________________.

3. Juana is the most important character because without her, Kino would have very little reason to stay a good, responsible human being with a conscience.  

OR

Coyotito is important because he represents innocence lost in the story.  

Once you have created satisfactory topic sentences, you are ready to find key details from the text to show me the truth of that sentence.  

Tomorrow we will spend some time doing a group detail search to help you.  

Text #9: Arne Duncan

Denice Frohman spoken word poem

Our last text in the Brain Gain unit is a speech given by Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

What does his speech make you see or feel?

Let's try out this guiding question with the above poem performance.

Tuesday's class

Today we corrected the Pearl quiz in periods 1st and 5th.  In 3rd period, we got a head start on the Arne Duncan (Text #9) speech.  Tomorrow is vocabulary games and more speech analysis.

First and Fifth Period:  Here is the link to the Pearl writing assignment.The Pearl: 3 paragraphs
Third Period:  Finish your books!  Read Read Read!