Grading Update as of May 1: I am revising the way grading will work in this class. Though you can receive no lower than the grade you had on March 13, your grade will not be higher than the March 13th grade without consistent hard work and commitment to completing all assignments. Thus, you will receive a zero for ALL incomplete work. If this means that your grade appears to go down on schoology, please be advised that your final grade will be adjusted so that it is NO LOWER than the grade you earned on March 13th.Yet, though your final grade cannot be lower than that of March 13, it will not necessarily be higher if you do not continue to complete all classwork at a level that demonstrates mastery of the material. Feel free to submit any late work.
CLASS UPDATE Hi all, the new district policy states that no student will receive a final grade of “F” for spring semester. Additionally, no student will receive a final grade lower than the grade they had earned as of March 13. For us, this will mean that all assignments completed by students will essentially be in an effort to raise their grade from the grade they had as of March 13 (or, at lowest, a “D”). Please think of a couple of things before you come to any conclusions about this grading policy: 1.There are skills you are developing through our lessons right now that will be necessary for your next English class. It makes sense that you attempt to continue learning to best prepare yourself for next year and not feel behind. 2.Colleges still do not accept D’s in any course. If you don’t earn a C or higher in this class, you will have to retake the course if you plan to apply to college. (Also, of course, an A in the course is preferable, and attainable, at this point.) 3.Make sure that you focus on the quality of the work you submit in order to demonstrate your mastery of the skill or material. I will still grade the assignments that you turn in—you want the work you submit to help actually raise your grade. 4.You have a unique opportunity to raise your grade! All work is almost like extra credit as your grade cannot be lower than it was on March 13. Take advantage! 5.You all have personal integrity and a drive to learn. Our work together should not just be based on a grade at the end but on the process and what you gain from learning and thinking about academic ideas. Also, we are the teachers you have a relationship with and will be asking for letters of recommendation and such. We want to think the best of you! 6.Consider possible district policy changes or adjustments. Make sure you are always doing your best in all of your classes. 7. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR OUR IB CLASS TO CONSIDER IS THAT ALL THE WORK WE DO THIS SEMESTER WILL BE PART OF WHAT WE DO NEXT SEMESTER, AND, ULTIMATELY, WILL SUBMIT TO IB. All work for this semester is due by the hard deadline of Wednesday, June 10 so I have time to assess and submit grades.
Monday, June 8, 2020 Let's work on reviewing some IOCs and viewing outlines. 1. Please view the two sample IOC texts and outlines, then listen to the IOC audio presentation: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gggygC_Nc5lARiGchL-263_OXWyPxYZK?usp=sharing 2. Please score each IOC according to the rubric in your pink packet. You will need to state the score for each criteria on the rubric and give a short explanation of why it deserves that score. Your work will be evaluated for how close you get to the actual score. Please give this your time and attention--it is crucial in ensuring you write a high scoring essay!! 3. Submit your scoring documents on schoology. Friday, June 5, 2020 Submit your final Year 1 Learner Portfolio. This should be a Folder that has parts for each semester and maybe each text. Please make sure you organize your work that we have done remotely into appropriate folders. Organization is key as is adding all your documents.
Wednesday, June 3, 2020 Continue working on HLE samples scoring. Monday, June 1, 2020 This week we will work on reading and scoring sample HLEs. 1. Please view the three sample essays: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gggygC_Nc5lARiGchL-263_OXWyPxYZK?usp=sharing 2. Please score each essay according to the rubric in your pink packet. You will need to state the score for each criteria on the rubric and give a short explanation of why it deserves that score. Your work will be evaluated for how close you get to the actual score. Please give this your time and attention--it is crucial in ensuring you write a high scoring essay!! 3. Submit your scoring documents on schoology.
Friday, May 29, 2020 Zoom meeting at 1pm: I will review the HLE and IOC plan as well as summer HW and plans for assessment in the fall. Please plan to turn on your video and audio during this meeting!
Friday, May 22, 2020 Submit notes for HLE and IOC with text selections and key global issues and questions for exploration.
Monday, May 18, 2020 We need to begin our work preparing for the HLE and IOC that focuses on Merchant of Venice and global anti-semitism. Based on your reading of all the research documents and your own research, I would like everyone to begin to choose their topics and texts for these two assignments. Please note that this is what we will be working on for the remainder of the semester. Read over your rubrics and assignment descriptions for the HLE and the IOC. This week, choose your texts and your central questions. You can submit these notes on Friday.
Friday, May 15, 2020 1. Read and annotate Act 5 Scene 1 (the end). Write a final response to the play by noting what might interest you for further exploration (especially for your Oral Assessment (IOC) or High Level Essay (HLE).
Wednesday, May 13, 2020 1. Please engage in the seminar on Global Anti-Semitism through time and space.
Monday, May 11, 2020 1. Read the final 5 anti-semitism documents. Please take notes on what stands out to you. We will be discussing all of these documents once we finish reading them. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oK5dEm6VM4qaXGML-wCpYCCQOI7w_NYHDVn3AvaMdS0/edit?usp=sharing
Friday, May 8, 2020 1. Read 5 of the anti-semitism documents. Please take notes on what stands out to you. We will be discussing all of these documents once we finish reading them. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WuoJs6DgkfqV9DuZWvusGYc_sPntX08BViTzTUI3JTA/edit?usp=sharing Wednesday, May 6, 2020 1. Please engage in the discussion about the question I have posed to you. Also, please make sure to ask a question or respond to the discussion (in other words, respond to another person's answer if you are not the first to respond) at least 3 different times. Make sure you use evidence from the text and MLA citation to support your responses.Thanks!
Monday, May 4, 2020 1. Make sure that you read the updated grading policy I posted in red at the top of this page. Spend time this week making up any work you need to.
Friday, May 1, 2020 1. Read and annotate Act 4 Scenes 1 and 2. Write a paragraph about your reaction to this scene. We will further discuss next week.
Wednesday, April 29, 2020 Let's check in--let me know how you are doing. Also, find someone else to respond to, someone you haven't really talked to since we have all been at school. Also, please say YES or NO to meeting as a class via zoom to say hi and talk about the plan for IB next year before the end of this school year.
Monday, April 27, 2020 1. Read 5 of the anti-semitism documents. Please take notes on what stands out to you. We will be discussing all of these documents once we finish reading them. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tazmZpUSeM0tKfoZxn_b3WYEKfwW4AaV35vIjXjrwwQ/edit?usp=sharing
Friday, April 24, 2020 1. Read and annotate Act 3, Scenes 3, 4, and 5 2. After reading Act 3, analyze the way that Shakespeare vilifies Shylock. Specifically, I want you to consider how and why Shakespeare and his audience would justify blaming the victim, if you think that is even what is going on. Make and cite specific references to the text. This should be about a page long.
Wednesday, April 22, 2020 1. Read 5 of the anti-semitism documents. Please take notes on what stands out to you. We will be discussing all of these documents once we finish reading them. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1liH0LOWsfWhtqjcjrVvRXZRM-A7HNSrTkBVdYrMmGwg/edit?usp=sharing
Monday, April 20, 2020 Discussion on Act 3, Scenes 1 and 2 using the questions you wrote last week.
Friday, April 17, 2020 1. Read and annotate Act 3, Scenes 1 and 2 2. Write 5 HL Questions
Wednesday, April 15, 2020 1. Hi all, I read your submissions for this assignment, and, by and large, they missed the mark. Let me explain what I want you to do more clearly: 1. Read ALL of the sources in your works cited page. If a source is not useful to you, please replace it with a better, more useful source. 2. Write a synthesized analysis of how anti-semitism has changed over time in your assigned country. This means from the beginning of recorded history to the present in 2020. Your document should be one-page, single spaced (to make the most of the page), AND EDITED for grammatical errors. Please submit your best writing as I will be grading you for this. Please make sure to cite any information--don't plagiarize!--yet this doesn't necessarily mean you need to quote. Please note: I am increasing the point value of this assignment as well as my expectations. If you are confused, please reach out to me for clarification.
Monday, April 13, 2020 1. Read my final comment on your discussion on Act 2 of Merchant of Venice. 2. Can we please have another check-in discussion? I would like you to post thoughts about being in quarantine, how you are doing, how you feel about IB coursework, what you are thinking about, etc. Just let me know what's on your mind.
Friday, April 3 to Sunday, April 12 Spring Break
Wednesday, April 1, 2020 1. Based on your individual research, compose a 1-page, double spaced analysis of how anti-semitism has changed over time in your assigned country. This will be shared with the class. Please make sure to cite any information--don't plagiarize! 2. The Merchant of Venice is a difficult play. Obviously, please read the original text, but, if you need some help understanding the basic trajectory of the plot, try this website: https://www.shmoop.com/merchant-of-venice/translation.html 3. Discussion on Act 2: Like last time, I am going to ask some questions to guide your thinking a little (since we do not get to be together in class). Please engage in the discussion about at least one question of mine. Also, please make sure to ask a question or respond to the discussion (in other words, respond to another person's answer if you are not the first to respond) at least 3 different times. Make sure you use evidence from the text and MLA citation to support your responses.Thanks!
Monday, March 30, 2020 A couple of things: Just to let you know, my "office hours" are Monday-Friday 8:30am-3pm during which time I will be answering email within the hour. If you need to talk about anything at all, don't hesitate to reach out to me. 1. Submit Works Cited Page for your research on Anti-Semitism. 2. Read Play Act 2, Scenes 6-9
Friday, March 27, 2020 1. Make sure you all read my end comments on your discussion for Act 1! 2. Read Play Act 2, Scenes 1-5
Wednesday, March 25, 2020 1. Research: As I said in class, we are going to examine the way that various countries have exhibited anti-semitism throughout history. Essentially, you need to research the way that Jews have been treated as racial, ethnic, and religious others in each country's cultural and social practice. Please provide a MLA Works Cited Page with at least 10 sources that give some insight in Anti-Semitism throughout history in your assigned country. Note: this country may have changed names or borders at different points in history. Iraq: Wai Shuen Germany: Caelan Argentina: Carpenter Brazil: Wai Kwan Poland: Brandon Russia: Carolyn Greece: Jalie United States: Danny Algeria: Aden South Africa: Joseph Ukraine: Jackie Egypt: Jose Turkey: Brian Morocco: Daniel M Tunisia: Daniel P Spain: Andres Syria: Paul Hungary: Mark India: Samsha Malaysia: Donella China: Dahlia
Monday, March 23, 2020 1. Discussion thread on Act 1. I am going to post some questions--please respond to the discussion (in other words, respond to another person's answer if you are not the first to respond) at least once for each question. Make sure to use evidence from the text to support your response. 2. Turn in HLE and IOC work.
Friday, March 20, 2020 1. On this discussion thread, we will discuss our A Fine Balance reading for this week. Please either ask a question or post a response. Make sure you use evidence from the text to support your response. Please make sure to post at least 3 different times on this thread. Thanks! 2. Begin reading the play: Read and annotate Act 1.
Wednesday, March 18, 2020 I WILL SUBMIT GRADES AFTER THIS ASSIGNMENT. REMEMBER, THIS IS ONLY A PROGRESS REPORT. 1. Please read all the Shakespeare Context pages submitted by other groups. Submit on schoology--Answer the following: 1. What insights into Elizabethan society/life have you gained? 2. Predict how this knowledge might help you understand The Merchant of Venice. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TxFulEAa-RROEvPTrngLYXIkyaO9iXvGNPOZOK8gWj8/edit?usp=sharing https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_gtgCRmbn8rHjDuR5VUFy09D4bgvMin06SmsaH-2knE/edit?usp=sharing https://docs.google.com/document/d/1raWbCclxv0uyzB2Tg3a17EBq1AODv6t36eK1tx0sUjk/edit?usp=sharing https://docs.google.com/document/d/1choeQmN5BuVnLvVGS3Y1ewzpJghwfHdhwS-JaOeONHs/edit?usp=sharing https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uIu_Dt3v1ovjt0nqPG_C1az3BbwmMOC1C344RGnDWvk/edit?usp=sharing
Monday, March 16, 2020 I hope you are all doing well and taking this time to sleep a little extra and be healthy. Over the next few weeks, you can expect 1-2 assignments per week to be posted on the weebly and submitted on schoology. All discussions will be assignments on schoology. We will continue reading and discussing A Fine Balance as well as begin our work on The Merchant of Venice. I will provide feedback on your work on schoology. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me about [email protected].
1. Please check in with me on this discussion thread. Let me know how you are doing/feeling about our current COVID-19 situation. Please either post a thought and/or respond to someone else's post.
Friday, March 13, 2020 1. Work on HLE and IOC: Sample IOC stuff? 2. Finish Context for Shakespeare--1-page document of notes on your sections. Please submit in schoology.
Wednesday, February 19, 2020 1. Unit Docs Seminar 2. AFB Seminar
Friday, February 14, 2020 1. Unit Docs Seminar 2. Read for Groups 3, 2, 1 Group 3: Read this first article and take notes on the part where it lists the 4 types of abuses of power: www.financialpost.com/related/topics/Company suffers when leaders abuse power/386746/story.html. Then read the second article: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/07/beatings-killings-gulags-north-korea-rights-abuses-likely-to-be-ignored-at-summit Create questions (preferably) and notes that compare and contrast the examples of abuse of power in the second article and the types of abuse of power in the first Group 2: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cL4pIqBJZT_nXuQeGl2a3aeu123cwgmng7UwQomzYXo/edit?usp=sharing Group 1: Read from page 186 (“Charter given to the Rana of Meywar”) to page 187 (“employment of a British Force”) of the following document, researching any unfamiliar terms/names/etc. https://drive.google.com/file/d/19upHwBzmi9y0lAngk3RWyfLRXOKgvw9C/view?usp=sharing Also read from page 159 (“The UN Declaration begins”) to page 160 (“free, prior, and informed consent”) of the following article, once again familiarizing yourselves with any unfamiliar terminology. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PloOyTqm6ccEOWPN2_OiA0UBiobqmbS2/view?usp=sharing Pre-Seminar Activity: Please take notes on the two articles, keeping in mind the prevalence of the concept of human rights in the colonization of indigenous peoples. Consider the relationship between the two articles in relation to each other. Mention connections between the articles and what you have learned so far about British colonization within India, the British Raj, and the human rights violations present in those situations.
Friday, February 7, 2020 1. Research 2. Submit Works Cited Page--20 sources
Wednesday, February 5, 2020 1. Seminar 2. Research
Monday, February 3, 2020 1. Unit Docs Seminar
Friday, January 31, 2020 1. Unit Docs Seminar 2. Read Unit Docs for Groups 2, 4, 6 Group 2: Read the article: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/15/opinion/india-elections-dalits.html Here are some questions that we want the class to consider: 1. Write down your thoughts about the oppression against the Dalits in India and how the article has shifted your perspective. 2. How does this article reflect the lives of Dalits in the book? 3. How could the Prevention of Atrocities Against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act and Mr. Modi’s election have been beneficial for Om and his family? 4. What are some common struggles that the Dalits have to face? Group 4: Continue to read texts regarding ethnic and religious minorities in India and compare how each group interacts within India. The next groups to be discussed will be Sikhs and Muslims. (Please also keep notes from previous seminar as there may be a reference to the minorities discussed earlier in the seminar) Sikhs: http://pu.edu.pk/images/journal/history/PDF-FILES/6-%20PC%20Abdul-Majeed_52-1-15.pdf (Only read The 1984 Attack on the Golden Temple and Assassination of Indira Gandhi from Pages 107-109) Muslims: http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Assam,-a-Muslim-forced-to-eat-pork-by-cow-protectors-46723.html Group 6: Think about how gender inequality is seen throughout the HIjra people. Please read this article and make some questions: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/17/style/india-third-gender-hijras-transgender.html
Wednesday, January 29, 2020 1. Seminar 2. Read Unit Docs for Groups 1, 3, 5 Group 1: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IrO80nEyZyG9u5Up3aTXcFcnMWEjMx9xQclwolPEb1E/edit?usp=sharing Group 3: Read and take notes on Andrew Clow and think of questions about the article. https://theconversation.com/colonialism-in-india-was-traumatic-including-for-some-of-the-british-officials-who-ruled-the-raj-77068 Group 5: While you read, take notes, specifically on: 1. the current status of housing conditions in India, as well as 2. how this has developed over time. 3. where do you anticipate it going in the future ? why ?https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RfhyjRi2u6mVSIGnNWvHTMMvVZCC5E650gy4cUJUZY4/edit?usp=sharing Monday, January 27, 2020 1. Unit Docs Seminar Groups 4, 5, 6
Wednesday, January 22, 2020 1. Seminar on AFB 2. Read Unit Docs--Groups 1, 2, 3 (link to the text, framing exercise) Group 1: Instructions: http://cscs.res.in/dataarchive/textfiles/textfile.2008-07-22.5223830939/file Read from Page 24 (Stepping into the Future) to Page 27 (After the Indented Quote: "Maintain Discipline!")Briefly answer each of these questions using your own words, and the document provided: 1. How does India's Prime Minister Indira Gandhi justify the Emergency? 2. What was the public response to the Emergency? 3. What are some of the positive effects of the Emergency provided in the article? 4. What are some of the negative effects of the Emergency provided in the article? Group 2: Read the article and take some notes about what common trends are seen between this article and the one we previously read in class: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/17/world/asia/tell-everyone-we-scalped-you-how-caste-still-rules-in-india.html and watch Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1J4dKnYYIYk Then, write some final thoughts about life in the caste system and how your thinking has shifted. Group 3: Read the article, take some notes, and come up with some questions regarding how this article can relate to the book. www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2017/08/partition-british-game-divide-rule-170808101655163.html
Friday, January 17, 2020 1. Research for India Section 2. Begin to plan the article(s) and the framing for seminar. Email it to me by end of period 3. Submit a digital Works Cited Page due at end of the period with at least 10 articles
Thursday, January 16, 2020 1. Research for India Section
Wednesday, January 15, 2020 1. Research for India Section
Thursday, December 19, 2019 Finals: Create 20 Baskets (non-perishables)
Monday, December 16, 2019 1. Work on Action Project, work on baskets, get details about location, arrival time, reconfirm basket delivery, review items for each basket. 820 S. Burlington Ave. LA, CA 90057 set up between 830-9: Aden, Paul, and Jose attending 930-10 Andres, Masson: arrive by 930 at latest 2. Reflection 1 3. Reflection 2 4. Debrief HLE Friday, December 13, 2019 Christmas Cards and Thank You Other Party Planning and Action Project Work List of Thank You Recipients: Jalie's parents Carpenter's grandma Daniel P's father Caelan's family Masson's mom Marie Mendoza Carolyn's friend Emma Cruz's aunt David's mom Celina (But we need to write her a different message)
Dear so and so, Thank you so much for your generous contribution to the help us serve the needs of the less fortunate this holiday season. Your gifts are greatly appreciated--we could not have done this without you! Best, 2021 IB Class
Dear so and so, Wishing you warm holiday wishes and a happy new year! Best, 2021 IB Class
Wednesday, December 11, 2019 1. Work on Action Project: Make Invite for the party, Work on the party, who is coming to party, work on cards, money--purchasing goods, list of who to thank: Jalie's parents, Carpenter's grandma, Daniel P's father, Caelan's family, Masson's mom, Marie Mendoza, Carolyn's friend, Emma's aunt, David's mom, Celina reconfirm the things to go in baskets, boxes of candy sales, 2. Star Reading Test Monday, December 9, 2019 1. Check in on Action Project 2. Work on HLE
Friday, December 6, 2019 1. STAR Reading Test 2. Work on HLE
Wednesday, December 4, 2019 1. Peer Edit Rough Draft HLE 2. Work on Action Project--connect with Celina, make a final list of things to go in baskets, discuss homeroom results, identify what each individual person will contribute to this project.
Friday, November 22, 2019 1. Class Action Plan 2. Mention book buying
Wednesday, November 20, 2019 1. Housing Works Speaker at 11 2. GOW Seminar
Monday, November 18, 2019 Work on HLE: Finish intro and start body paragraphs
Friday, November 15, 2019 Work on HLE: Submit pulled quotes and intro
Wednesday, November 13, 2019 1. GOW Seminar 2. Work on HLE: Submit outline for paper by end of the period. Friday, November 8, 2019 1. Quick end of Evicted Seminar and HLE sample discussion 2. Work on HL Essay: Submit topic, body of work, question, and thesis
Wednesday, November 6, 2019 1. Film 2. One Presentation
Monday, November 4, 2019 1. GOW Seminar 2. HL Essay Work: Topics and Samples 3. One Presentation
Friday, November 1, 2019 International Presentations (5-8 mins) Typed MLA Works Cited Page (1 per group)
Wednesday, October 30, 2019 1. Seminar 2. Work on International Presentations
Monday, October 28, 2019 1. GOW Seminar
Friday, October 25, 2019 1. Work on International Presentations
Thursday, October 10, 2019 1. Seminar 2. Work on Action Project Timeline (Due at end of class) 3. Dust Bowl Film: 58:41
Monday, October 7, 2019 1. GOW Seminar and GOW docs 2. Work on revising Proposals and Action Step-by-Step Outline
Friday, October 4, 2019 1. Work on International Presentations--Research and Choose Reading, Assignment Expectations 2. Field Questions about Action Project 3. GOW Seminar
Monday, September 23, 2019 1. Reading Test 2. Unit Assignments
Friday, September 20, 2019 Presentation
Wednesday, September 18, 2019 1. Intro to Unit and Text 2. Work on Group Project
Monday, September 16, 2019 1. Change Seats 2. Bruegel 3. Close reading of Icarus poems Friday, September 13, 2019 1. Lit Device Quiz 2. Work on Group Project
Wednesday, September 11, 2019 1. Overview of Course and Assessment 2. Work on Group Project
Monday, September 9, 2019 1. Guest Lecture
Friday, September 6, 2019 1. Group Project Assignment
Wednesday, September 4, 2019 1. How to read an image 2. The importance of language (review basic literary devices) Diction, colloquialism, connotation, denotation, jargon, vernacular, dramatic irony, verbal irony, situational irony, motif, sarcasm, satire, tone, logos, pathos, ethos. 3. Two different news texts assignment: Choose a news event. Read it from 3 different perspectives (3 articles about same event). Type a document in which you analyze and compare elements of agenda in each text. Use evidence to prove your ideas. Write a paragraph explaining what you know about the event after reading these three perspectives. Include an MLA Works Cited Page. 4. MLA Citation
Wednesday, August 28, 2019 1. Group Work on Summer HW
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 1. Group Work on Summer HW
Monday, August 26, 2019 1. Pictures 2. Seminar on Columbus Article
Friday, August 23, 2019 1. Education of History video 2. Discuss HL Questions
Thursday, August 22, 2019 1. Finish Bible Passages 2. Present
Wednesday, August 21, 2019 1. Get Textbooks 2. Work on Bible Passages 1 and 2
Tuesday, August 20, 2019 1. Syllabus 2. Weebly 3. What is an agenda? 4. Begin Bible Passages