February 25 - February 29

Monday: Introduce the Response to Non-Fiction Unit

New groups!
In your new groups, choose a topic from the list on the assignment sheet. Ask and answer questions regarding our next major assignment. Remember, this is worth 15% of your grade for the semester.

To download the assignment sheet and the "collegiate" style essay handout, click here.

Journal# 15
"Curiosity has its own reason for existence. The important thing is not to stop questioning."
- Albert Einstein

Tuesday: Pressure Comp #2
E-mail me (mattbrashears@gmail.com) if you need to make this up.

Wednesday: Ms. Doherty to the rescue!
Journal# 16
What is high school supposed to be about? What really goes on? What high should school be about? After discussing these questions, comment on what responsibilities adults bear for changing the system and what things you can do as a student to improve your lot in high school.

Thursday: Introduction to your group's topic
Journal# 17
“If nothing changes, nothing changes; if you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” Comment on how this quote relates to Wednesday’s topic.

Read the texts on your topic. With your group, consider the following:

• What are the authors' arguments?
• What other sides of the issue are there that may be missing?
  
• Think back to the K-W-L charts you made on Monday. What did you learn about your topic? What do you still want to know?
  
• Do you agree or disagree with each author? Why?

Discussion: What is a "text"? Introduce the broader definition of text that includes visual, audio, interactive, and performance "texts".

Homework: find another text on your topic & bring it to class tomorrow (Friday)

Friday: Reading and Discussion of your texts
Creed #5
Create a Catalog of Your Own Qualities that may have helped you become the person you are today and might assist you to become the person you wish to be. Consider:

• capabilities I have shown?

• examples of my creativity?

• instances of my courage?

• an example of my compassion?

• an instance of my resolution/determination?

• gifts or talents I have shown?

• other strengths I possess?

• the source of my energy

• other qualities?

For each of three or more of your qualities on your list, write a paragraph describing
a situation when this quality came out in you. End each paragraph by (or add another
paragraph) commenting on how this quality is significant in your life.

Journals Due