Day 2 Critical Theory

Do Now: How are fairy/folk tales similar to/different from their Disney-fied adaptations?

Today's Learning Target:

I will be able to distinguish among different critical lenses and describe the key questions they ask about a text.
I will know that I have hit the learning target when...
-I can name at least four critical lenses and discuss their different approaches to a text.
-I can apply questions associated with a particular critical lens to a familiar text.

Agenda:

1. Critical Theory
2. Viewing and Notes
3. Exit Ticket: Share one example of how you applied your critical lens to Snow White with a neighbor.

HW: Continue working on TP1 (the rough draft is due Friday, 2 October)

Coming up...
-college essay work

Day 1 Critical Theory

Do Now: What would Karl Marx, Sigmund Freud, and Germaine Greer have to say about The Lion King?

Today's Learning Target:

I will be able to distinguish among different critical lenses and describe the key questions they ask about a text.
I will know that I have hit the learning target when...
-I can name at least four critical lenses and discuss their different approaches to a text.
-I can apply questions associated with a particular critical lens to a familiar text.

Agenda:

1. Introduction to Critical Theory
2. Reading and Notes
3. Application
4. Exit Ticket: A critical theory that I find intriguing is... 

HW: Continue working on TP1. Bring a draft of your argument to Monday's class.

Coming up...

-introduction to critical theory
-drafting Thesis Paper 1
-college essay work

Day 10

Do Now: Look over the list below. Does your novel do any of these things? Explain.

• expose society's flaws
• critique humanity's weaknesses
• explore and uncover mysteries of the human heart
• challenge preconceived notions or assumptions
• bring out the extraordinary from the ordinary
• suggest what's worth fighting for

Today's Learning Target:

I will be able to recall the key elements of a method-to-meaning thesis statement and begin to draft one.
I will know that I have hit the learning target when...
-I can describe three important aspects of a method-to-meaning thesis statement.
-I can list possible literary devices, big ideas, and tensions to explore from my first primary source.
-I can make one distinction between those pesky criteria for a strong thesis: the "so what?" and the "why/how" inference.

Agenda:

1. Thesis Paper 1
2. Group Work
3. Drafting method-to-meaning arguments
4. Beginning Conferences
5. Exit Ticket: One exciting idea I have for TP1 is...

HW: Continue working on TP1.

Coming up...

-introduction to critical theory
-drafting Thesis Paper 1
-college essay work

Day 9

"Though this be madness, yet there is method in't."

Do Now: Please share with a neighbor one of the topics from your PS1 journal entries that you might explore further.

Today's Learning Target:

I will be able to recall the key elements of a method-to-meaning thesis statement and begin to draft one.
I will know that I have hit the learning target when...
-I can describe three important aspects of a method-to-meaning thesis statement.
-I can list possible literary devices, big ideas, and tensions to explore from my first primary source.

Agenda:

1. Thesis Paper 1
2. Method-to-meaning review and sample
3. Drafting method-to-meaning arguments
4. Exit Ticket: One question or concern I have about crafting my argument about PS1 is...

HW: No homework due Thursday.

Coming up...

-introduction to critical theory
-drafting Thesis Paper 1
-college essay work

Day 8

Do Now: Share an intriguing or confusing idea from Kaplan's essay with your group.

Today's Learning Target:

I will be able to contribute to a student-led discussion that challenges my understanding of O'Brien's fiction or Kaplan's essay.
I will know that I have hit the learning target when...
-I can explain one different perspective I gained about either the story or essay.
-I can describe one way that my peers helped me better understand the story or essay.

Agenda:

1. Socratic Seminar
2. Reflection
3. Exit Ticket: What is a compelling question/idea that you're still thinking about?

HW: Look over your PS1 journal entries and make an informal list of two or three possible topics you could explore further.

Coming up...

-introduction to critical theory
-drafting Thesis Paper 1
-college essay work

Day 7

Do Now: Please read the opening pages of Joan Didion's essay "The White Album." Discuss the struggle she describes in reconciling reality with a narrative.

Today's Learning Target:

I will be able to discuss how perceptions are shaped by experiences and apply my ideas to "Speaking of Courage" (and, possibly, a thesis book).
I will know that I have hit the learning target when...
-I can make connections between O'Brien's "Speaking of Courage" and Rosler's "Cleaning the Drapes."
-I can describe how media shape perceptions and influence understandings of issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Agenda:

1. "Speaking of Courage" questions
2. Martha Rosler's "Cleaning the Drapes"
3. Discussion
4. Exit Ticket: What connections can you make between the ideas we discussed today and one of your thesis books?

HW: Reread "How to Tell a True War Story" and read Steven Kaplan's essay (the link is here) on The Things They Carried. Using the guidelines from the handout, prepare your three Socratic Seminar questions.

Coming up...

-"How to Tell a True War Story" Socratic seminar
-story-truth assignment
-introduction to critical theory

Day 6

Agenda:

1. Picture Day!
2. Close Reading Writing Sample

HW: Please review "Speaking of Courage" and respond to the first three questions on the handout.

“Speaking of Courage” Questions

1. How does Norman Bowker describe the war?  How does he describe his hometown?

2. How and why is Norman Bowker struggling to readjust to life in his hometown?  Do you think his struggling is warranted?

3. How does Norman’s perspective on the war differ from the perspective of people in his hometown? Does this difference help or hinder communication? Why?

Coming up...

-"Speaking of Courage" art comparison
-"How to Tell a True War Story" Socratic seminar
-story-truth assignment
-introduction to critical theory