Monday, December 10, 2018

Argument Essay Video Links 2018

Argument Essay Video Research: Watching videos about the topic you are researching can help build your background knowledge and support the reading  you will be doing about your topic. You are required to take notes on at least two of the videos you watch, using the graphic organizer given to you. As always, feel free to take notes on more than two. Use the back of your sheet as needed.

Should police wear body cameras?

CNN

Anderson Cooper on CNN

CBS News

Should athletes stand for the national anthem?

The Independent

Poll from CNN

Global News

CBS News

Should Confederate Statues be Removed?

Al Jazeera

USA Today

Atlantic

CBS News

Should Catcalling be Illegal?

City News

USA Today

Catcall Video Goes Viral 



Should People Eat Meat?

BBC

TED

Infographics Show

Should College Athletes Be Paid?

CNN Crossfire

CNN

USA Today

Does Technology Make Us Lonely?

TED

Time

CNN

Should America grant asylum to the people in the migrant caravan?

The Hill

Al Jeezera English

Al Jeezera Mexico Businesses

Fox News 10

CBS News

Should schools teach about climate change?

Education Week

D News

Education Votes

CNN

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Blog Post Commenting

During our commenting periods, remember to:


  • Comment on a minimum of 3 classmates' blogs
  • Be positive (no need for constructive criticism here- we are simply celebrating each other's work!) 
  • Be specific           
                      For example:  "I really like the hook strategy you tried out!"
                                             "The connections you make in your conclusion are really  
                                               thought provoking."
                                              "I agree with your idea in paragraph 2 because..."
                                              "I like the way you expressed your ideas in paragraph 3. 
                                               It makes me think/realize..."
  • Thoughtful dialogue is encouraged! 

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Real World Mentor Texts: Ways to Write About Stories and Reading

Here you will find a list of links about how people write about reading in current publications. Below each one is a one sentence description about how you might use it as a mentor. Browse the articles, choose one you would like to use as a mentor, and try to emulate it's purpose and structure. When you post your own blog, provide a link to your mentor. You are, of course, allowed to find your own mentor--they are all over the place.

The Remarkable Influence of A Wrinkle in Time 

→The Remarkable Influence of... (this can be to you personally, to your group of friends, your class,  your generation, etc.)

Kate DiCamillo: Why Kids Books Should be a Little Sad

→Why Young Adult Books Should Be...

A Winter Walk With Thoreau

→Reflect on a place using an author as a lens

Kylo Ren is the Greatest Star Wars Villain of All Time

→___________ is the greatest villain/hero/etc. of All Time

The Psychology Behind Superhero Origin Stories

→Examine your character through the lens of psychology (may require research)

New Sentences: from Sing Unburied Sing

→Do a close reading of the importance of a single sentence in a story

Taylor Swift's Great Gatsby Fixation 

→Examine the intersection of pop culture and a piece of literature

Book It by Julius Thomas of the Jacksonville Jaguars

→Tell a story from your life as a reader

Well Groomed and Well Read 
by Jarvis Jenkins of the New York Jets

→Tell a story from your life as a reader

15 remarkable books by women that are shaping the way we read and write fiction in the 21st Century

→Curate and explain your own collection of books (it can be a smaller number than 15!)

Why Lisa Simpson Matters

→Why [insert character name] matters

Rereading A Wrinkle In Time After a Childhood Enthralled

→Rereading ___________________

Best Harry Potter Signs at March for Our Lives

→Exploring the cultural impact of a book

Fiction That Made Me A Feminist 

→Fiction that made me_____ (just add a bit more personal description for each book)

Five Mary Oliver Quotes that Could Save Humanity

→Five _______ quotes that could save humanity (or another such goal)

Ten Things Holden Caufield Hates

→Ten Things [insert character name] Hates (or loves, etc.)

Why Nancy Drew is the Ideal Role Model for girls (and boys)

→Why [insert character name] is the ideal role model...

Why Frankenstein is Still Relevant (Almost 200 years after it was published)

→Why [insert older title] is still relevant...

How Judy Blume Changed My Life

→How [insert author] changed my life

The Two Books that Saved My Young Life

→Use this title or possibly explore just one title











Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Discovering more about poetry

There is so much to explore in the genre of poetry. We want to give you an opportunity to read poems about topics you care about, to get to know new poets, to see how poetry is alive and well in the world today. The links below help facilitate that opportunity. Explore for a while, and then choose 2 links that you want to focus on. As you read those, fill out the form we passed out to record some of what you are discovering.

Kaveh Akbar is Poetry's Biggest Cheerleader 

Protesting Through Poetry

Who Reads Poetry??

Maya Angelou's Phenomenal Woman as a Comic

Poetry Rx (Poetry Prescriptions/advice letters from The Paris Review)

13 Poems from Milk and Honey that Every Young Woman Needs 

With Spoken Word and Hip Hop a New Generation of Poets Has Taken the Stage

Poetry is for Everyone by Jason Reynolds (co-author of All American Boys) 

Celebrating Women's History Month (poems, articles, podcasts, and blog posts that explore women's history and women's rights from The Poetry Foundation) 

Read and explore more by and about Maya Angelou from The Poetry Foundation

Jay Z Explains Why Rap Should Be Considered Poetry

Read and learn about Gwendolyn Brooks "classic poems from a Chicago poet" from The Poetry Foundation

Read and learn about Langston Hughes "a poet of the people, for the people" from The Poetry Foundation

Read and learn about Sylvia Plath from The Poetry Foundation

Basketball poems

Six Features of Hip Hop Poetry

Poetry and feminism

Poems about spring 

The Anthology of Rap: Lyrics as Poetry

Poems of hope and resilience 

Jason Reynolds writes a poem each day in April for National Poetry month

This.poem.is.amazing. (soil by Irene Mathieu)

Audre Lorde's poem Hanging Fire should be required reading for everyone.

Split this Rock is an incredible poetry database, and you can search by theme, poet identity, award winners, etc. Their goal as a website is to empower poets and call them to a greater roll in public life

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Links to Argument Reading Articles

Click HERE for a list of most of the articles we are using in class. You are welcome to do additional resource, as long as it is from a reputable publication and not, for instance, someone's personal blog where they merely rant about your topic.

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Video Research for Argument Essay

Video Research: Watching videos about the topic you are researching can help build your background knowledge and support the reading  you will be doing about your topic. You are required to take notes on at least two of the videos you watch, using the graphic organizer given to you. You are encouraged to take notes

Should police wear body cameras?

CNN

Anderson Cooper on CNN

CBS News

Should athletes stand for the national anthem?

The Independent

Poll from CNN

Global News

CBS News

Should Confederate Statues be Removed?

Al Jazeera

USA Today

Atlantic

CBS News


Should Catcalling be Illegal?

City News

USA Today

Catcall Video Goes Viral 



Should People Eat Meat?

BBC

TED

Infographics Show

Should College Athletes Be Paid?

CNN Crossfire

CNN

USA Today

Does Technology Make Us Lonely?

TED

Time

CNN

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Commenting on a blog post

The best part of having a blog is that you are writing for a real audience--your work isn't just living in your notebook! After we finish a cycle of annotation rows, synthesis pages, and blog posts, we will take time to read one another'and comment on them.
s posts

To comment, after reading someone's post, scroll to the bottom and look for a link that will either say "no comments" if you are the first or "2 comments" (for example) if you aren't. Click there and add on to the conversation that the writer started. Your comment should be at least two sentences. Be positive and kind--you can:


  • Compliment something the writer did well 
  • Answer any thought provoking questions the writer asks
  •  Add your own insight to what the writer is trying to say to keep the conversation going
  • Ask a question of the writer
This isn't a format for feedback to improve the blog post--save your constructive feedback for conferences that aren't "public." Think about your grammar--please do not use texting language while responding. While you are reading, think about what you can learn this particular writer and apply the next time you write.

Friday, March 24, 2017

Spoken Word Poetry

To continue our exploration of poetry, we want to immerse you in some spoken word performances. As you listen, think about how speaking a poem changes the experience for you as a reader/observer. What kinds of things do you notice? What do they leave you thinking about?  How might it change you as a writer? Is there a poem you've written that needs to be spoken out loud?

Over the course of a few days we will watch performances by single spoken word poets and teams of spoken word poets. Consider: What impact do single and multiple voices have in spoken word poetry?

And of course, which of these speaks to you as a human? If you could choose a poet to perform for your graduating class who would it be? If there was one you could listen to every day for inspiration who would it be? How do these poems intersect with our social justice lenses and conversations? How do they connect to each other?

Single Speaker

Friday, March 3, 2017

What to read for book club?!?

For book clubs, we encourage you to read books that will help prepare you to be a high school reader--that means trying to read just above your level, which may be high level young adult fiction or perhaps an adult book. Or, maybe you want to do an author study where you read two books by the same person or a few books about the same topic (for example, The Crossover, The Final Four, and Boy21). We have lots of books in our library or you can peruse the lists below and try to find other titles at the public library, school library, or bookstore.

Remember, it is so important to be reading not just in school, but for two hours at home over the course of the week. Now is the time to build stamina for the reading you will be doing in high school.

If you have other recommendations or links to great lists, please list in the comments!

Young Adult:

 16 of the Most Exciting Books in 2016 by Read Brightly

19 of the Best YA books of 2016 by Buzzfeed

Check out lists Ms. Warren has put together in the past HERE.

Adult Level: 

Realistic Fiction: The Most Dangerous Place on Earth, The History of Love, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close 

Historical Fiction: All the Light We Cannot See, The Secret Life of BeesI Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Sci-Fi/Dystopian: 1984, Fahrenheit 451, Animal Farm


Mystery: The Lovely Bones, Reconstructing Amelia

Adult Level Books for Teens by School Library Journal (this is a blog that features multiple books around a particular topic for each post--a great resource!)



Friday, February 3, 2017

#MakeReadingCozy Challenge!



Remember, reading is a gift! It doesn't have to feel like homework--it is like an escape after school or once all your other work is done. Find a book you love and get lost in it!

Thursday, January 19, 2017

Social Justice Round Table Preparation


One way we will be exploring social justice issues YOU care about is through what we are calling “Social Justice Roundtables.” A “roundtable” is a discussion where people have equal opportunity to voice their idea or perspective. These will happen every TUESDAY for three weeks. Your job is to come prepared to share a social justice issue or topic that you have observed, read about, or experienced in the week. Each Tuesday we will give you a half sheet of paper to prepare you thoughts, which will be used as a conversation starter in class and will be submitted at the end. We will put up some possible resources on our class blog.


The possibilities of things for you to see/read/experience are endless. Watch the news, read newspapers and articles, engage with your family and friends. You may find some interesting videos on TED Talks (choose one that has to do with social justice). Short of the Week has some creative, short documentaries (choose one that has to do with social justice). Use the topics we discuss in class as lenses to view the world around you. If you find other interesting places, please leave them in the comments. 

Monday, November 14, 2016

Links to Argument Essay Research Articles

Should Police Wear Body Cameras? 

Yes

Study Shows Less Violence, Fewer Complaints When Cops Wear Body Cameras by Nick Wing

No

What would New York Police Body Cameras Record? by Joseph Goldstein

Police Officers with Body Cameras are as Likely to Use Force as Those who Don't Have Them by Washington Post

Downside of Police Body Cameras: Your Arrest Hits YouTube by Timothy Williams

Video: Wisconsin Police Support Limiting Access to Body Camera Video

Both


Should Police Wear Body Cameras? by Veronica Majerol (you may need your Scholastic Upfront code)

Why Cameras on Police Officers Won't Save Us by Margaret Talbot

Video: Should Police Wear Body Cameras? Experts Pick Sides

Video: Should Police Wear Body Cameras? A CNN Town Hall

Should College Athletes Be Paid? 

Yes

The Case for Paying College Athletes by Marc Edelman

College Athletes Should Be Compensated: Former UCLA Star by Michelle Fox

March Madness: Is John Oliver Right? Should NCAA Pay College Athletes? By Alexander LaCosse

No

The NCAA Would Be Making a Mistake by Paying Athletes by Andrew Merkle

College Athletes Shouldn't be Paid by Kieran McCauley

Students Are Not Professional Athletes by Horace Mitchell

Extras

Multiple shorter responses for each side in US News and World Reports Debate ClubShould NCAA Athletes Be Paid?

Economists and the Huffington Post Research the Issue: NCAA Schools Can Absolutely Afford to Pay College Athletes

A long, fascinating, advanced look at the issue from The AtlanticThe Shame of College Sports


Does social media make us less social? 

Yes

Social Network and its Effect on Communication by thaiatzickas in Teen Ink 

Disruptions: More Connected, Yet More Alone by Nick Bilton in the New York Times

Teens and Social Media by Rachel Ehmke

No

The Upside of Selfies by Kelly Wallace at CNN 

 How Technology Makes Us Better Social Beings by Megan Gambino in Smithsonion.com

Teens, Technology and Friendships by Amanda Lenhart at Pew Research Center  


Do we need a law against catcalling?
Balanced (language crossed out on copies)


Should We Outlaw Catcalling?  from Daily Dot 


Article explaining what sexual harassment and catcalling are from CNN

Yes:
Catcalls and Street Harassment from The Economist 


No:

Extras
Telling Our Stories to Change the Culture of Harrassment by Tatyana Fazlalizadeh in the New York Times 
Becoming the Symbol of Street Harrassment by Shoshana B. Roberts in the New York Times
Fight Street Harassment with Training, Awareness, and Legal Action When Fitting by Holly Kearl in the New York Times  
Don't Outlaw Catcalling by Conor Friedersdorf in The Atlantic 

Should Athletes Have to Stand for the National Anthem?
Balanced:



An article by Kareem Abudul Jabbar on its positive effects

An article about the continuing conversation from the New York Times

Yes: 

Why We Stand for the Flag by Governor Dempsey

An article about Boomer Esiason's comments that it was wrong

An article covering Trent Dilfer's comments about how it was wrong

An article covering Ruth Bader Ginsberg's comments about how it was wrong 

Extras: 

Ruth Bader Ginsberg's updated opinion  from Business Insider

Should people eat meat? 
Neutral/Overview
Should We Eat Meat? by Karen Weintraub for the Boston Globe

Should Humans Eat Meat? by Vaclov Smil by for Scientific American

No
Huge Reduction in Meat-Eating Essential to Avoid Climate Change by The Guardian

Reasons Why We Shouldn't Slaughter Animals for Food from One Green Planet

Why You Shouldn't Eat Meat by Janeyy, a teen author for Teen Ink

Catching Up With Science: Burying the Humans Need Meat Argument by Ashley Capps in Free From Harm

Yes
Do Happy, Healthy Brains Need Meat? by Drew Ramsey in Psychology Today

Give Thanks for Meat by James Bost in the New York Times

Is There Enough Meat for Everyone by Bill Gates in Gates Notes

Additional Resources for this topic:
Why do We Eat Meat?  An Evolutionary History

Don't Feel Guilty for Eating Meat from Time

A balanced and thoughtful argument on why eating meat is not wrong

Reasons to Eat Meat from Business Insider

The "Ethics" of Meat-Eating" from The Huffington Post

Other considerations: does it matter what kind of animal it is? 
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jun/22/eat-cats-dogs-meat-china

http://www.nbc-2.com/story/25848537/dog-meat-festival-in-china-sparks-outrage#.Vi5jwdKrS72

http://news.discovery.com/animals/iq-tests-suggest-pigs-are-smart-as-dogs-chimps-150611.htm

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/01/19/japan-taiji-cove-dolphin-hunt/4648159/

Should Confederate Statues be Removed? 
The New York Times compiled a list of articles from various sources that address both sides of this issue. Check out those articles HERE

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Video Research for Argument Essays

Spend time watching videos that present various perspectives on your argument topic. Try to be a critical viewer: Is there one side the video wants you to see?  Do they use argument techniques to try to convince you? This will help create context and build schema for your reading research. 

Should police wear body cameras? 

CNN: Should police wear body cameras? 

Today: Should police officers wear body cameras? 

CNN Town Hall: The pros and cons of police body cameras

MS News Now: The pros and cons of police body cameras

Should college athletes be paid? 

A neutral 4 minute video overview from CNNShould the NCAA pay college players?

A debate from CNN: Should college athletes be paid?

CNBC Article and Video: College Athletes should be paid

NCAA president: Why college athletes should not be paid

Article + Video from the Huffington PostObama Calls on NCAA to Rethink the Way it Protects and Punishes Athletes

Does social media make us less social? 

The Economist asks: Is facebook really making us lonely?

Common Sense video covering different perspectives of social media by teens

The Case Foundation video called The Power of Social Media

CNN: Teens on Social Media--"like and FOMO" anxiety

"I forgot my phone" video

International Business Times asks if Facebook is making us more lonely 

Ready to really think? Sherry Turkle (author of one side of the Upfront debate article) asks if we are connected, but alone in a 20 minute TED talk and The Innovation of Loneliness: an animated video that quotes Sherry Turkle and other researchers


Online resources from hollaback, a movement to end street harassment

Should people eat meat? 

A video attempting to DISPROVE the claim that humans are NOT designed to eat meat


Renowned philosopher Peter Singer on the ethics of eating meat

The Ethicist's editor, Ariel Kaminer, discusses the NY Times essay contest on the ethics of meat-eating on The Brian Lehrer show on NPR


Should athletes have to stand for the national anthem?

Colin Kaepernick explains why he won't stand for the national anthem 


Athletes follow Kaepernick's example, covered by Inside Edition

Virginia Tech coach brings veterans to teach team respect for the national anthem, covered by Today

A short video and an article about the history of athletes protesting the national anthem from Sports Illustrated

An article with a short video about San Francisco 49ers fans burning their Kaepernick jerseys, covered by The Daily Mail 

Monday, October 31, 2016

How to Customize Your Blog

We want your blog to be a space that represents who you are—you are welcome to change the backgrounds and colors. Please follow the following guidelines:

a.     Please type in readable colors (no pink or yellow)
b.     Please type in readable fonts (avoid ones that are cursive or all caps, especially.)
c.      Avoid backgrounds that make the content of your blog hard to read
d.     Do not add any kind of sound gadgets to your blog.

1. When you are signed in and looking at your blog, click on “design” at the top right corner.

·      You can change the overview view to anything EXCEPT dynamic views
·      Once you click on the view you want to try out, if you like how it looks click on “Apply to Blog” to save the changes. You can also click on “customize” to make additional changes.
·      After clicking “customize”, the designer will pop up at the top and you can click on “background” on the left to experiment with background images and color themes. Do not adjust the other options. Click on “Apply to blog” to save the changes.

2. To make other changes, click again on “design” at the upper right corner. This will take you to what is called the “Dashboard” of your blog. There is a list on the left side of the dashboard.

·      Overview: will show you basic stats

·      Posts: will show you all drafts and published posts—you can access unfinished work here!

·      Stats: will show you statistics

·      Layout: you can update gadgets like your finished book list, blog roll, link list, etc. (These are also accessible from your blog’s homepage. If you are signed in, a tool icon will appear beneath each gadget, which you can click on to make changes.) Find your classmates’ blogs from our class blog, then copy and paste their URL to add them to your blog roll.

·      Template: this is where you can change the background—just remember, no dynamic views. (This is the same as #1 above)