Monday, January 14, 2013

Week of Jan 7th - Sorry this is late!


Welcome back from the weekend.  The end of the 2nd quarter has been pushed back a week to January 18th, which is a GOOD thing as it will allow us to have our inter-class debate this week and will give us more time to work towards the final assessment – now next Tuesday, January 15th.

Monday:
1.  Equality Comparison: Based on the Declaration of Independence’s statement of equality, we’ll brainstorm examples of the status of the term equality in 1776 and in 2013. How and why has our concept and practice of equality shifted?
2. Students will get copies of the Declaration of Independence. After a brief overview of the text, we’ll hear a reading by Morgan Freeman and discuss why many historians believe the document was meant to be read aloud.
Tuesday:
1.  We’ll be mapping the 4 sections of the Declaration of Independence in a close read.  What was the purpose of each section and how did each impact the future of a young and fragile Nation?
2. Continuation of debate research for Friday. Students will be reading the 2nd of three persuasive essays written by Colonists at the time of the revolution.  Students will need to find arguments and counterarguments from the essay that might support their debate position.
HW Due Tomorrow: Complete the Declaration notes from today – Summarize each of 4 sections of the Declaration of Independence using the provided organizer.
Wednesday:
1. HW Check and Share – As a whole class we’ll focus on the intended purpose of each section.
2. We’ll be completing debate research for Friday’s debate (See Tuesday for details).
Thursday:
1.  Students will get persuasive short-essay options for next Tuesday’s final essay. They will need to prepare an outline for Monday’s class.  Outline organizers will be available to help students, but are not required.  Tomorrow’s debate will help students fine-tune their essay arguments! 
2. Debate practice in small groups!
HW Due Monday: Essay Outline
Friday:
Inter-class debate! We’ll be taking in Mr. P’s classes in our 3rd debate of the year:  Students will be debating the move of declaring war on and independence from Great Britain. Students will argue from the perspectives of Patriots, Loyalists or Neutralists! The format will differ slightly from our regular Lincoln-Douglas style.