Lesson Plan: Logical Fallacy Notes

 

 

 

Epidemic Webquest

Epidemic Mini-Research

A WebQuest for 10th Grade (English Language Arts)

Designed by

Jaimie N. Hatfield
jaimie.hatfield@lrsd.org

     

       

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits

Introduction

You wake to find a portal in your room. You are too curious to walk away, so now you have traveled to a time and place where there is an extreme epidemic. People are dying every where around you.

It is your job to discover what is causing so many to suffer and die. You must first identify the symptoms and the progression of the disease. After that, you must determine the causes of the disease and how the environment/people have been impacted.

Before you succumb to the illness yourself, you wake up to your alarm going off. Whew! I was only a dream. Yet, you are still curious as to how the epidemic was handled. You wonder, “Did they find a cure? Is it preventable? Is it still around today?” You will only find these answers through the magic of research.

(Note: Although the introduction is written in second person, you have to maintain a third person point of view for your research paper as a matter of formality.)

Essential/Guiding Questions: How have epidemics impacted society? Why are they represented in literature?  

 

The Task

• Research your chosen epidemic position;
• Develop a informational text that addresses the epidemic;
• Demonstrate academically appropriate writing and MLA format usage. 

 

The Process

To accomplish the task, what steps should the learners go through? Use the numbered list format in your web editor to automatically number the steps in the procedure. Describing this section well will help other teachers to see how your lesson flows and how they might adapt it for their own use, so the more detail and care you put into this, the better. Remember that this whole document is addressed to the student, however, so describe the steps using the second person.

1.      Preview this video 

2.      Choose one of the discussed epidemics to research.

3.      Find five online sources and email me the links at jaimie.hatfield574@students.lrsd.org

4.      Complete the bubble map for your essay.

5.      Begin your first draft.

6.      Use Purdue's Online Writing Lab (OWL) to assist you in using the proper MLA format.

7.      Use Bower’s Essay Architect to help with the structure of the essay.    

8.      Submit your first draft to jaimie.hatfield574@students.lrsd.org

9.      Upon return of your draft, edit and revise your paper to create your final draft.

 

Evaluation

Research Report : Epidemic Webquest Teacher Name: Ms. Hatfield  Student Name:     ________________________________________

CATEGORY	4 AWESOME SAUCE	3 LOOKING GOOD	2 MET EXPECTATIONS	1 OPPORTUNITY FOR REDO
Graphic Organizer	Graphic organizer or outline has been completed and shows clear, logical relationships between all topics and subtopics.	Graphic organizer or outline has been completed and shows clear, logical relationships between most topics and subtopics.	Graphic organizer or outline has been started and includes some topics and subtopics.	Graphic organizer or outline has not been attempted.
First Draft	Detailed draft is neatly presented and includes all required information.	Draft includes all required information and is legible.	Draft includes most required information and is legible.	Draft is missing required information and is difficult to read.
Mechanics	No grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.	Almost no grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors	A few grammatical spelling, or punctuation errors.	Many grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors.
Paragraph Construction	All paragraphs include introductory sentence, explanations or details, and concluding sentence.	Most paragraphs include introductory sentence, explanations or details, and concluding sentence.	Paragraphs included related information but were typically not constructed well.	Paragraphing structure was not clear and sentences were not typically related within the paragraphs.
Quality of Information	Information clearly relates to the main topic. It includes several supporting details and/or examples.	Information clearly relates to the main topic. It provides 1-2 supporting details and/or examples.	Information clearly relates to the main topic. No details and/or examples are given.	Information has little or nothing to do with the main topic.
Sources	All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented in the MLA format.	All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented, but a few are not in the MLA format.	All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented, but many are not in the MLA format.	Some sources are not accurately documented.

 

Memoir Project: 6 Word Memoirs and The Soundtrack of Your Life

WARNING! THIS BLOG IS NOT COMPLETE!

I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music. Billy Joel

Writing a memoir comes easily for some, but is a struggle for others. One of the hardest things is revealing stories about yourself. However, life is about reflection, exploring, and sharing. The final written piece will not be shared with your classmates because I respect your right to privacy. Your story does not have to be deeply personal, but often times, those are things that we need to process the most.

This project will involve several activities. Some will be in class, but most will be out of class. 

It is highly important that you prioritize your time. 

Day 1: 6 Word Memoir

This in-class activity was inspired by supposed Hemingway's challenge to write a six word story. The story was, "For Sale: Baby Shoes. Never Worn."

To better help understand the process, we watched  "Tips for Writing a 6 Word Memoir" while pausing to complete each activity. There are some really interesting videos, books, and websites dedicated to The 6 Word Memoir that I strongly recommend. The concept is easy, but can be challenging; plus, they are often intriguing because so little is said.

Day 2: The Soundtrack of My Life inspired by Littunes

Step One: 

• List eight major events that have happened in your life.

1. Meeting My Childhood Best Friend

2. Sisters' Birth

3. Group Home

4. Son's Birth

5. College Graduation

6. Divorce

7. Grandma's Death

8. Remarrying 

Step Two: 

• Choose a song that represents each event. 
• The lyrics must match the theme/emotion of the event and MUST BE ACADEMICALLY APPROPRIATE (edit them if you have to do so). You can use www.songfacts.com to help you search for songs by subject. 
• A brief explanation of each connection will need to be provided with samples of the lyrics or video clips. 

1. Meeting My Childhood Best Friend

"Count on Me" by Whitney Houston and CeCe Winans

I met my best friend when I was 9 years old and we are as close as ever 25 years later. Angie and I have been with each other through the unimaginable, both good and bad. Time has never changed our relationship and never will. 

2. Sisters' Birth

"I Hope You Dance" by Leeann Womack

At the time of my first sister's birth, I wasn't exactly thrilled. I always loved her, but I had been an only child for 10 years. Of course, she and my other sisters have been a source of unconditional love and pride for me. When I reflect on my dreams for them, this is the song that sings from my heart. 

3. Group Homes

"Desperately Wanting" by Better than Ezra 

It is no secret that I was a wayward and deviant teen who put herself in dangerous situations. Having to spend time in group homes was traumatic; upon reflection, those places probably saved my life and kept me safe enough from my wreckless behavior that I was able to eventually achieve my dreams of becoming a mother, a teacher, and a wife. "Desperately Wanting" by Better than Ezra still transports me to that time and those places, despite the fact that my attitude towards the reason for my placements has changed as an adult. 

4. Son's Birth

"Godspeed" by The Dixie Chics

"Godspeed" by The Dixie Chics is my song for my son. He came into the world and I was forever changed. The love a mother has for her child is like no other. Godspeed is meant to wish someone a prosperous journy and all I want for my rugged and creative little boy is to find his happiness in the world. I have been singing this to him 

5. College Graduation

"Survivor" by Destiny's Child

There were many people that did not believe that I would be able to overcome the obstacles that I faced (and sometimes created) during my teen years and early twenties. It took me A LONG TIME to finish college, but I was determined to become a teacher. I knew that I was going to make, even when other's didn't think that I could. I sang this song in my head while I walked across stage to get my diploma. Truth Bomb - Haters last your whole life, so let their negativity push you to greatness and leave them in the dust. 

6. Divorce

"Ex-Factor" by Lauryn Hill

No one gets married with the plans of getting divorced one day. Most divorces aren't because of lack of love, but rather other prideful and stressful adult junk that just can't get worked out. Divorce hit me really hard and I would spend a lot of time listening to Lauryn Hill's entire album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. 

This is an example of how a song may not represent the entire situation, but the tone and emotions with a few key lines can be tied to a moment to create a musical memoir. 

On a positive note, my ex and I both found the loves of our lives and are happy beyond belief with our spouses. Still, this song reminds me of the pain and confusion that comes with a failing marriage.

7. The Passing of My Grandmothers 

"The Old Rugged Cross" by Brad Paisley 

and 

"When I Get Where I'm Going" by Brad Paisley feating Dolly Parton

My Grandma Hammond passed away on January 4, 1997. She had been sick on some level most of my life, but it still felt sudden. She spoiled us grandkids perfectly rotten and we had a very special bond because I was the only girl for a long time. She would take my cousin Shane and me to the zoo and then to the grocery store; she wanted to see my Papaw and we wanted a chocolate bar. I seemed to have inherited her flair for the dramatic and gift of gab. This is old hymn is her song because it was her favorite. 

My Grandma Ann passed away on January 2, 2011. Unlike my maternal grandmother, my Grandma Ann was always working and was highly independent. She was the rock of my life. It was nine weeks between her diagnosis of stage 4 cancer and her death. I was not prepared to lose my most trustest confidant and my biggest fan. I still have her number in my phone and still forget that I can't just call her to get advice, to gossip, to get a recipe, a pep talk, a butt-chewing, or gardening advice.

8. Remarrying 

"You Are the Best Thing" by Ray Lamontagne

And then.....I met the love of my life and he decided to make me his wife. Although, I did not make it easy and tried my hardest to avoid a relationship with him. I had a ton of excuses, but there was a draw and I felt like I had found my metaphorical home (you know, a place of safety, nurturing, warmth, and all that other sappy stuff). To hear him tell it, he says that I was "the answer to his prayers" and "God's gift" to him. Newlyweds are SOOOOO mushy.

Day 3: PowerPoint 

After compiling your life events and choosing the appropriate songs to create a soundtrack, begin to create a powerpoint presentation (for the purpose of privacy).  

You may include pictures, videos, samples of lyrics if they are appropriate. 

Multimedia Project : The Soundtrack of My Life Teacher Name: Jaimie Hatfield Student Name:     ________________________________________

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Attractiveness	Makes excellent use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. to enhance the presentation.	Makes good use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. to enhance to presentation.	Makes use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. but occasionally these detract from the presentation content.	Use of font, color, graphics, effects etc. but these often distract from the presentaion content.
Requirements	All requirements are met and exceeded. You must have 8 events with brief descriptions and an explained musical connection.	All requirements are met. You must have 8 events with brief descriptions and a musical connection.	One requirement was not completely met. You must have 8 events with brief descriptions and/or a musical connection.	More than one requirement was not completely met.
Mechanics	No misspellings or grammatical errors.	Three or fewer misspellings and/or mechanical errors.	Four misspellings and/or grammatical errors.	More than 4 errors in spelling or grammar.
Content	Covers topic in-depth with details and examples. Subject knowledge is excellent.	Includes essential knowledge about the topic. Subject knowledge appears to be good.	Includes essential information about the topic but there are 1-2 factual errors.	Content is minimal OR there are several factual errors.
Organization	Content is well organized using headings or bulleted lists to group related material.	Uses headings or bulleted lists to organize, but the overall organization of topics appears flawed.	Content is logically organized for the most part.	There was no clear or logical organizational structure, just lots of facts.
Originality	Product shows a large amount of original thought. Ideas are creative and inventive.	Product shows some original thought. Work shows new ideas and insights.	Uses other people\'s ideas (giving them credit), but there is little evidence of original thinking.	Uses other people\'s ideas, but does not give them credit.

Historical Context for Of Mice and Men

I have a deep love for stories that are set during or shortly after The Great Depression. I imagine that it started with my introduction to To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee when I was 14 years old. My 9th grade teacher was one of the worst in our district's history when I had her over 20 years ago.

 However, everything about Lee's novel came alive in my mind and I was forever changed with a deep love of literature. The following year, this intrigue by the effects and cultural attitudes that existed during The Great Depression.

This is one of my favorite pieces of literature to read and to teach for a variety of reasons. It is also one of the only movies that I think is a good representation of the novel.

The in-class assignment is highlighted in yellow. The modified assignment (what you will do if you were absent is highlighted in green). Your homework is located just below the Homework Kitten and in purple text. Have fun!!!

 Historical Context for Of Mice and Men

Goals, Objectives, and Standards:

Goals: Students will seek background and historical knowledge prior to reading a text for a stronger interpretation of the text.

Objective:  Students will locate resources for the purposes of understanding the setting of the novel Of Mice and Men.

C.C.S.S.:

W.9-10.7. Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.

Activities, Tasks, and Methods: 

Do Now:   Quickwrite – Students will create a list of everything that they know about The Great Depression.

Opening: The teacher will introduce the topic of research for each small group with an explanation of expectations for their group presentation.  

Work Period:

Small Groups:  Students will work in groups of 3 to research a specific topic related to the historical context that influenced Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. The topics are:

      a.      A Review of The Great Depression

      b.      The Effects of The Dust Bowl

      c.       The Life of an American Migrant Worker 

Task: The teacher will monitor for academically appropriate discourse between students and the utilization of acceptable resources. The teacher will monitor student pacing for the research of their topic, the development of their visual aid, and their preparation for their group presentation.  The teacher will facilitate the lesson while aiming for a student-led lesson.

 *Modifications (if needed): Individual Work

1. Determine the setting for Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

2. Locate academically appropriate information on the following items:

        a.  An overview of The Great Depression

            b. The Dust Bowl 

            c. American Migrant Workers (specific to the setting of this novel ONLY)

i.Sample Student Thesis Statement: Prior to reading Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, it is important to understand the historical context that influenced the development of the novel,  specifically     the effects of The Great Depression, the consequences of The Dust Bowl, and the life of American migrant workers.

3. Create a 1.5 mini-research paper in correct MLA format with a Works Cited page about the     information gathered.

4. When you are done, email your work (complete or not) through Gaggle.

*ESL/SPED/504 Modifications (if needed):

Students will be assigned a topic from the list below for the purpose of creating a short essay or a PowerPoint:

a. An overview of The Great Depression 

b. The Dust Bowl 

c. American Migrant Workers (specific to the setting of this novel ONLY) 

Closing: Students present their findings to the class using a visual aid.

Assessment, Grouping and Questioning:  

Assessment: Students will be assessed by contribution to the discussion, the creation of their visual aid, and the participation in the presentations as presenters and listeners.

*Modifications (if needed):

Individual Work – Students will submit work to the teacher through Gaggle.

Grouping:  The students will be in a small-group setting for the purpose of peer learning.

*Modifications (if needed):

Individual Work – Students/Classes that produce a higher quality of work through a more focused and individualized environment will be given that opportunity based upon their needs and abilities.

Questioning:  Provide an overview of The Great Depression. Explain the effects of The Dust Bowl on American life after The Great Depression. Examine the life of an American migrant worker during this time in America.

Homework:

Review the treatment of the following people in the 1930s:

·         Women

·         Mentally Ill

·         Physically and/or mentally handicapped

After doing some brief research, submit a research proposal via email explaining:

1.      Your reason for choosing this topic.

2.      Three (3) Resources that you choose to use in your research.

3.      Your prediction for how this knowledge will help prepare you in understanding the novel.

Materials and Resources:

Gaggle

Laptops

Poster Paper

Markers

Modifications:

Preferential seating

Extended time

Modified Lesson

ESL Strategies

·         Extended time

·         Translation Dictionaries

·         Additional Support 

Until Next Time, 

Learn Loudly!!!

Blogging is for the Bats

I love to write. 

I am in no way a novelist or a poet; in fact, my writing is full of grammatical errors like comma splices and pronoun-antecedent agreement problems. I know this about myself. As an English teacher, it is a source of great shame; as an English major, I am content with my extreme love of literature being enough. I am not one for quality rhetoric.

Nonetheless, I like to write and share my ideas.

I have been writing all of my life, aside from traditional academics. I used to create little picture book stories. My second grade teacher was very impressed. I created a story for her called “Ms. June Bug.” She said that I would be an author one day and a part of me always clung to that idea.

My next venture in book making was in third grade when I wrote “Frosty the Ax Murderer”, a tale of a snowman who vowed revenge for the children allowing him to melt away. Needless to say, this deeply disturbed my mother.

This idea is apparently not unique, even though it was to my mom in 1986. 

There was a time in college when I was told that I was a good poet. Upon reflection and maturity, I realized that I am a horrendous poet.  Most teenagers are, in my opinion. I have only known three people who were capable of writing poetry worth reading as teens and young adults: Sarah, Brad, and Neal. Everyone else was/is producing the same trite couplets that all forlorn and angst-ridden teens has written over the decades.

They were really wanna-be Beatniks, which turned into Hipsters. 

I love reading, analyzing, and discussing poetry. It is one of my strengths. Despite my knowledge of the technical aspects of poetry, it is far from my gift. In my early twenties, I realized that the wanna-be beat-niks who gave my poetry any ounce of admiration were actually only trying to advance their access to a (probably not-so-poetic) encounter with me. It never worked.

I had one glimmering moment of success with a short story and it is an idea that I play with to this day. I needed a scholarship and the prompt was so easily manipulated for the audience that within a few hours, I produced a piece that tugged at their heartstrings. It served a purpose and met the needs of the intended audience to get the scholarship. Although the piece had my voice all through it, it was underdeveloped and it was my sad attempt to be the next Flannery O’Connor. They say that you write what you know and what I know is Southern culture and the complexities of crazy, Southern women and the odd dynamics that are shared between them.

Still, I am no writer.

I eventually found my best form of creating when I became a teacher. I took great pride in myself for writing some of the best lesson plans out there. Maybe I am simply full of a false bravado in this department, but I own it for now.  

I have to give all the credit for this ability to the influence of my professors (Dr. Y, Dr. V, and Dr. L) and my 1^st year mentor because they all challenged me to go with “thinking outside of the box” while meeting the requirements that are set for educators. It could be that I came in at a time when many people in my profession were suffering from burn-out and had resorted to not “recreating the wheel” by utilizing online-resources. Some call that “working smarter and not harder.” I don’t have an opinion on it, either way. I wanted to create lesson plans that were true to my identity as a teacher and that I felt would be most effective for my students. I could find great ideas in other resources and through collaboration, but I still had to create what was me and was good for my students.

Yet, with the impending threat of a state-takeover and the ever-present, profiting-making corporate educational programs in our nation’s public schools, my ability to write an amazing and innovative lesson has been trampled and degraded because it did not fit the format of the corporations that is infiltrating schools across this country. I have been tied down to becoming a “YES” woman and have had all creativity stripped from me, as deviating one bit is taken as an act of insubordination instead of an act of trying to reach my particular set of students. There seemed to be no value in the success that I was producing in the classroom, or so I felt in that time and space. I, with my very vocal determination to do what is best for students, became a sitting duck that was quickly used as an “example.” With each defense that I provided, each attempt to not be bullied or wrongly accused, each attempt to keep the instruction true to the needs of the students, I became more and more of a target. I had not mastered handling these situations with grace and professionalism. I resigned myself to what I viewed as submission, but may make me a stronger educator.

I have spent my entire summer reconciling myself to the fact that I am not to be a “trailblazer” in education, but rather a “puppet.” Does this mean that I will give my students less? Absolutely not. I will continue to walk into my classroom everyday and teach each child as much as a I can with what I am told to do. I do this for me and my students – no one else. It does mean that I, like so many teachers across this country, have to face the fact that we are now merely a part of the political and corporate game that has become education.

I was very close to leaving the field, yet this was not fathomable to me. Teaching has been my dream profession since I was very young. God calls me to teach. In fact, I feel called to teach at a school that many people locally judge rather unfairly and harshly, despite the fact that we have a great amount of wonderful students who achieve great things in life and a large amount of staff with the heart and knowledge that surpasses most. I teach every child that walks through my door with all that I have because that is what every student deserves. That is the level that I choose to challenge myself to achieve every day.

Per usual, I digress.

                   

I wanted an outlet for my thoughts and opinions. I would get into these social media rants and debates. I have opinions that I want to share and discuss. The limited character space on social media makes it difficult to express it all and the unchecked emotions that come from an immediate type and click often detract from the validity of any point that is being made.

A secondary draw to blogging is that I like to talk about a wide-range of things: Pinterest fails, the crazy situations that I get into, life as a reformed hooligan, being a mom, a wife, an ex-wife, and so forth. It isn’t that I think the world cares, but, like with teaching, it is worth the work to reach just one person.

I very stupidly believed that blogging would come easily to me. I type exceptionally fast and I run my mouth constantly (hence, the title of my page).

Yet, it didn't. 

I went stale right out of the gate. I continued to make lists of things that I wanted to discuss, but did not find the time or momentum to put it down on paper.

I have two friends that are actual authors (Check them out because they are both amazingly gifted people Celia Anderson and Brad Carter). They are very different writers, but both are passionate about what they create and dedicate themselves to their craft. In fact, they have had that drive since high school.

I have lacked the dedication to even write my little rants and raves about life. Anyone who is invested in a venture professionally or personally has to create a certain amount of time and effort for their projects and goals. I spent the first half of summer moping over the last school year. After reflecting about what I needed to do to remain a teacher (which felt like a ritualistic sacrifice akin to a scene of out Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom), I began working on improving my outlook on my personal and professional life. I had to cut out a lot of negativity with myself, my environment, and my associates.

I am still more misanthropic than Polly-Anna, so don’t let any positive spin confuse you.

Yet, being able to have dreams and to survive suffering the bumps and bruises of recognizing my shortcomings, being shoved into metaphorical boxes, and learning that my spur-of-the-moment efforts are not going to cut it in life is freeing.

Being transparent and raw, is not good for the ego, but it does seem to soothe the soul and provide hope that I can still be me without all of the battles that I either create or in which I willingly engage.

Until next time,

LIVE LOUDLY!!!