Monday, May 19, 2014

The Metamorphosis Project

The Metamorphosis Informative Group Project

Assignment: Being able to present informative information which is beneficial to a group of people in a clear and professional manner is an essential skill for college and career readiness.

For this project, you will work with a group to create an informative poster or powerpoint that will teach the rest of our class about some aspect of The Metamorphosis not immediately obvious to those who have already read the novel (This project is similar to an Informative Essay, the standards for which are listed on the back of this sheet).

Your group must choose a topic to research and present your findings on that topic in such a way that the class will learn something. Boring, dry, or overly confusing projects are not likely to be informative. One option is to present an analysis of the book using one of the many types of literary criticism. The types are listed here: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/722/1/ (or you can search “OWL Literary Criticism” on Google).

You can also come up with your own topic (you can study bugs, for example or you can do research in psychology on stress in the workplace) but you need to BOTH inform the class about something they do not already know AND prove that you have read the book. Hopefully, your informative project will benefit us in some way (you might provide tips on how we can avoid stress, for example, as one part of your project).

Be sure to see me when you have your topic, so I can approve it.

Your group will present your poster or powerpoint during class on Thursday, May 22nd (Due to time limitations, some groups may need to present on Tuesday, May 22nd, but everyone must be ready to turn in their projects on the 22nd). Posters must be big enough for the class to see from anywhere in the room. Powerpoints must be in .ppt format (not .pptx – although you can create it in .pptx and then convert it to .ppt when you are finished). You may use Presi instead of powerpoint if you wish.

A large part of your grade for this project is how well you present your information to the class. Everyone in your group must come to the front of the room and speak at least once. Your presentation must be professional and rehearsed (think, a business presentation).

Grading:

This project is worth 100 points. The following rubric will be used to grade your project:


A
(18-20 points)
B
(17-16 points)
C
(15-14 points)
D
(13-12 points)
NM
(0 points)
Professional
All group members were professional
All group members were mostly professional
Some issues with professionalism
Mostly unprofessional and/or casual. Laughing, etc.
Unprofessional
Informative/
Interesting
The class really learned something
The class learned something
Some members of the class may have learned something
Only a few members of the class learned anything
No one (or very few students) learned anything new
Topic/Research
The topic was well-chosen with excellent research
The topic was well-chosen with mostly good research
The topic and/or research may have had some issues
The topic and/or research had serious issues
There was little to no research or the topic was incorrect. Wikipedia may have been used
Book
The group clearly read the book and referenced it in a meaningful way
The group read the book and referenced it well with quotes, etc.
The book was referenced, but was perhaps not clearly tied to the topic
The book was referenced in a non-meanigful way and/or the group had little knowledge of it
The book was not referenced and/or poorly referenced. It was clear that one or more members did not read the book.
Speaking
Information was presented clearly with a distict perspective. Ourstanding, practiced speaking skills.
Clear presentation with above average speaking skills.
One or more members may have been too loud/quiet, slow/fast, etc. Presentation may have lacked practice.
Obviously unpracticed by one or more members. Unclear in parts, etc.
Unclear and unprofessional. For example, we may not have been able to hear or understand one or more members.


Standards:

SPEAKING & LISTENING:
Present information, findings, and supporting evidence, conveying a clear and distinct perspective, such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning, alternative or opposing perspectives are addressed, and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and a range of formal and informal tasks.

WRITING:
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.

Introduce a topic; organize complex ideas, concepts, and information so that each new element builds on that which precedes it to create a unified whole; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., figures, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.

Develop the topic thoroughly by selecting the most significant and relevant facts, extended definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples appropriate to the audience's knowledge of the topic.

Use appropriate and varied transitions and syntax to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships among complex ideas and concepts.

Use precise language, domain-specific vocabulary, and techniques such as metaphor, simile, and analogy to manage the complexity of the topic.

Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing.


Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented (e.g., articulating implications or the significance of the topic).

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Finals

The end of the year is almost here! We will not have a final exam, per say, but we do have two major assignments left. A test on The Joy Luck Club (use your study guide and your notes to prepare) and a final group project on The Metamorphosis. Did you remember to read it?? You can read it online here:

The Metamorphosis: Full Text

And see the Sparknotes study guide here:

Sparknotes: The Metamorphosis

I will upload the project assignment sheet after I pass it out in class.

Here is our tentative class schedule for the rest of the year:

Thur. 15: Finish the movie. Go over the Metamorphosis group project assignment. Meet with groups. (Homework = read Chap. 14 of the Joy Luck Club).
Fri. 16: Group assignment on the Joy Luck Club. (Homework = finish reading the Joy Luck Club).

Mon. 19: Meet in the C126 computer lab. We will work on our group projects. (Homework = study for the Joy Luck Club test, work on Metamorphosis group project).
Tue. 20: Review for the test on the Joy Luck Club. Meet in groups. (Homework = study for the Joy Luck Club test, work on Metamorphosis group project. Bring the Joy Luck Club and the Metamorphosis to return to the book room tomorrow).
Wed. 21: Joy Luck Club test. Meet in groups. Bookroom: Return The Joy Luck Club and The Metamorphosis (you can still read it online).
Thur. 22: Begin group project presentations.
Fri. 23: No class (period 1 & 4 finals).

Mon. 26: No School (holiday).
Tue. 27: Finals per. 2 & 5. Finish project presentations. Class picture. We will go over your final grade for this class.
Wed. 28: No class (per. 3 & 6 final).
Thur. 29: Senior Picnic.
Fri. 30: Last Day of School/Graduation!!

Monday, April 28, 2014

The Joy Luck Club!

Tomorrow we will go to the book room to pick up our last novel - The Joy Luck Club! Here is a copy of the study guide/questions that I will pass out in class:

Joy Luck Guide


Friday, April 25, 2014

In the Time of the Butterflies Essay Revision

Please type/revise your In the Time of the Butterflies essay. It is due on Monday, April 28. Here is the prompt:

Write an essay in support of OR against this claim:

When people are fighting for what is right, they can and should disregard the law.

Use at least one example from Julia Alvarez's novel In the Time of the Butterflies to support the claim and at least one example from your studies, another book you have read, something you saw on TV, someone you read about in history class, etc. (Please do not confess to a crime).

Monday, April 14, 2014

Benchmark Revision

Your benchmark essay revision is due at the BEGINNING of class on Wednesday, April 16th. You can turn it in at the end of the class on the 15th however.

Your essay must be TYPED using MLA format (see below). You CANNOT ask me on Wednesday to print your essay for you or email your essay to me. You CAN print your essay on Monday or Tuesday in the computer lab or in the library at lunch or after school.

We will be in the computer lab Monday and Tuesday so you can revise and type your essay. The following information will help you with your essay:

Here is the prompt and the article:


And here is the rubric:


Here is a previous post on this blog about MLA format:



Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Things Fall Apart: Tradition and Change

One of the key themes of Things Fall Apart is the idea of tradition vs. change. Sometimes change is a good thing and sometimes it is not. There are many traditions we value and want to hold onto and pass on to our children and there are others that become lost.

For this assignment, you and a few group members (your groups cannot be smaller than two or larger than five) will read and answer questions about a modern day example of this theme in order to relate it to our reading of the novel.

FIRST:
Choose your group and sit together. You can each work on your own computer or you can share one.

SECOND:
Go to the Sparknotes.com page for Things Fall Apart and read their description of this theme and how it relates to the novel.

Sparknotes: Themes in Things Fall Apart

THIRD:
In your group, think of a modern-day issue that has recently been in the news that has something to do with tradition, change, resistance to change, etc. For example, here is an article about the worst men's grooming trends of all time. Trends come and go, so that is about change! (Do not choose this topic, that was an example).

FOURTH:
Using a REPUTABLE news source, find an article about your issue. Try these sites:

CNN
BBC
USA TODAY
The Wall Street Journal

FIFTH:
Read the article.

SIXTH:
Using ONE of your online email accounts, sign in and open a blank email. Type all of your names in the subject line. Then, in the body of the email, put a link to the article and then answer the following questions. You do not have to include the questions - just be sure to number your answers.

QUESTIONS:
1. What is the title of the article? Who wrote it?
2. What website did you get it from?
3. What is the issue? How is it about change, tradition, resistance to change, etc.?
4. Briefly summarize the article.
5. Does the article take a side on the issue of tradition vs. change or not? Explain. (For example, is it trying to get us the change something?)
6. Where do YOU stand on the issue? Do you agree or disagree with the article? Include evidence (such as a quote) from the article to support your answer.

SEVENTH:
Cite your article as you would in an MLA Works Cited page. Include this at the bottom of your email. For tips on how to do this, visit the Owl at Purdue website:

The OWL at Purdue: MLA Works Cited (Scroll down to "An Article in a Web Magazine")

Here is a sample:



EIGHTH:
Send the email to:

naylor_lori@ausd.us

You are done!

If you finish early, please sign out and turn off your computer(s). You may then do work from another class or read. Please be sure to collect all your belongings and push in your chair before you leave.

This assignment is DUE TODAY!

Example:


Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Things Fall Apart Chap. 1-6 Review

This is the group worksheet we are going to use tomorrow to review and discuss Chapters 1-6 of Things Fall Apart. You might want to think about or begin working on the summary section tonight.

TFA Chap. 1-6 Review WS