Weekly Agenda 11/26-11/30 (I know, I know... it's late)

Weekly Agenda 11/26-11/30

Monday: Honors: We wrapped up the rhetorical device questions on the King speech.
Standard: We read the "I Have a Dream" speech by Dr. King and began answering the rhetorical device questions. We also wrote a reaction paragraph.

You received the Lifeboat Persuasive Essay Project packet.

Tuesday: Honors: We reviewed the answers to the rhetorical device question sheet and marked the text of the speech to highlight rhetorical devices used. 3rd period conducted a Socratic Seminar (good job 3rd period).
Standard: We wrapped up the rhetorical device questions on the King speech.

Wednesday: Honors: We drew a picture to symbolize a rhetorical device from the King speech. You should have labeled the rhetorical device used and written down the actual text your picture is based on.
Standard: We reviewed the answers to the rhetorical device questions and started the picture response.

Thursday: ALL: We will go to the media center to conduct preliminary research for the Lifeboat Project. Your preliminary research pages will be checked on Friday (and I will check to see that the plagiarism pledge and packet have been signed).

We will ALSO go to the media center on Dec. 4 to conduct follow-up research. You MAY research on your own time. Please be sure to check the validity of Internet resources (blogs are good for posting information, but not really a good place to get research information).
Keep in mind the following tips to research accurately:

1. Websites ending in .gov or .edu will most likely have more valid information than a .com or .org.
2. Look for hints of bias toward the subject being discussed on the site. For example, a site called www. summermatters.com is not likely to give fair and balanced information about the benefits of year-round school (don't laugh... it's just an example).
3. Cross check your information with various sites. If you find information on 3-4 different websites... it's likely to be accurate.
4. Wikipedia is a good STARTING place, but it should not be your final (or only) source of information. Double and triple check any information found at Wikipedia with a more reliable source.
5. Be sure to use books.... you know those things with words in them... on paper and such... :p as well as Internet research.
6. If the site looks unprofessional (lots of flashing objects and weird graphic backgrounds), it's probably a "Joe Schmoe" website and you should look for another source of information. Do not use about.com. Ever.
7. Check for a "page last updated" date.
8. FINALLY, http://www.google.com/ is NOT A SOURCE. Ever. It is a search engine, not a source. Don't write down google.com as your source.

Friday: ALL: We will start pre-writing for the lifeboat essays. We will begin by writing practice "leads" on index cards, then you will select the best lead and complete other pre-writing pages in the packet.