Over the course of the week...
Read the following articles: Alfie Kohn's famous article "The Case Against Grades" Lit Review of Grading with Some Possible Fixes New York Time's What College Want in an Applicants Relative importance of grades at Harvard NPR Transcript into How Amherst Looks at Its Applicants TED Radio Hour Podcast Segment on Why People Work Hard Quartz' Piece on how Rowland Hall, a School that Moved Away from Grades Complete the following blog posts referring to the readings: Blog Post One: "Look, I'd love kids to attend class "for the intrinsic value," and until then, I'd love them to do it for money. I just want them to do it." - Geoffrey Canada, on paying students in his Promise Academy schools for good attendance and strong performance. Respond to the quote above: what are a typical South student's motivations to earn high marks? What motivations should students have? What feels ethically, intellectually, or morally suspect about paying students for "showing up and doing well?" What feels ethically, intellectually, or morally suspect about internalizing grades as rewards themselves? In what ways do we already have a system that might undercut or overemphasize the supposed value of "a good grade?" Blog Post Two: What is right or wrong with colleges giving "scholastic achievement" or grades a premium weight while considering an application? What blind spots or unintended consequences would a focus on valuing grades above all else engender? What if they ignored grades altogether? What should colleges focus on when trying to see whether a specific applicant is "right for their school"? If you could change one thing about the college application process, what would it be? Reminders! Due for Wednesday, noonish: Turn in your editorial on Yondr Pouches Due for Friday: Be prepared for our debate! Due for Wednesday, March 4: Turn in your editorial on the grading proposal Due for Fri, Mar 13: Turn in your HNZLMN.
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This week, we're working on learning reviewing grammar rules, but - because this is NMC - we're going to put a slight twist on it!
For every class this week, we'll be spending the first 15-20 minutes of class reviewing a few of the 9 grammar and composition skills that are the focus of "a typical sophomore English class". Then, in the remaining time left, you will be working on a 3-5 minute video that explores the question "does grammar matter?". Your video can be whatever you'd like! It could be creative, comedic, interview-based, reflective, argumentative... I want you to bring your own ideas and impulses to this! For example, if I were asked to create a video exploring this question, I might ask several math teachers what they believed about grammar ("of course it totally matters!") and then ask them to correct sentences or define grammatical terms ("what's an absolute phrase?") to catch them in their hypocrisy. I might interview a couple of students who identify as non-binary about their thoughts on the controversy and rules around the use of the "singular they". I might make a collage of all the grammatically incorrect signs, memes, and newsletters that I observe while inter-splicing it with an interview I did with an English teacher about how "grammar is necessary for the proper conveying of information." I might do a "Mr. Baron reacts to grammar memes!" type thing. The opportunities are endless! I just want to see you sincerely tackle this question: does grammar matter? This video will be due on March 3rd, 11:59 pm on Schoology. There will be no extensions - if you must cut a step out, feel free to produce this as a podcast - as we will begin our NPR podcast challenge that first week of March. For this project, please pick your own groups (maximum of 6 individuals to a group) or work by yourself. Please send me an email with the members of your group once you decide (also, send me an email if you are working by yourself). It will be worth 52 points. You'll get a breakdown on these points in class! Let's figure this out - does grammar actually matter in hiring, in work, in comedy, in school, in science, in politics, in identity, in culture, in life? F Block
Due by 3:30pm, Monday Make sure to vote for which speech you believed was the best. Due for Wednesday The first block after we wrap up our speech unit, we're going to celebrate! Come to class with something to share with a peer :) Due for Thursday Complete the "grammar review" worksheet. Be sure to bring this in so that we can see what we know to cover when we return from break! G Block Due by 3:30pm, Monday Make sure to vote for which speech you believed was the best. Due for Wednesday The first block after we wrap up our speech unit, we're going to celebrate! Come to class with something to share with a peer :) Due for Thursday Complete the "grammar review" worksheet. Be sure to bring this in so that we can see what we know to cover when we return from break! At the conclusion of this week, we will be debating the scenario that focuses on a hypothetical proposal to police students' cell phone use. To that end, please complete the following over the course of the week:
Read through these articles:
Complete the following blogposts:
Submit your editorial or op-ed on Turn It In by Wednesday, Feb 26th as well as your debate evaluations. At the conclusion of this week, we will be debating the scenario that focuses on a hypothetical English curriculum that features the work of problematic artists and authors. To that end, please complete the following over the course of the week:
Read the following articles:
It's sophomore speech time!
At the start of each class, we will draw 4-5 names out of a bucket to present their speeches. Then, for every speaker, we will draw 3 more names out of a bucket, and these individuals will have to fill out a form that critique's their peer's speech. These critiques will count for homework grades for you, and my hope is that each student completes 3 of these critiques. The rest of the class will fill out compliment cards for our speakers! So work on perfecting your speeches and have fun! You've been thinking about and working on these items for a while - let's see the fruits of your labor. Make sure to vote on whose speeches should move onto the next round by the night of Monday, the 10th! |
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