Conspiracy Blog Discussions

In the spirit of continuing experimentation, let's try something completely different. Choose any one of the three suggested topics and contribute a post by bedtime on Monday.

The old criteria still apply: proper mechanics count, aim for quality over quantity (between 200-250 still feels about right), be concrete with your evidence (you might not have quotations but you can still be specific), and unless you're the first to write, reference at least one other colleague. Feel free to (respectfully!) disagree, as this can lead to some of the most interesting discussions, and of course feel free to check out more than one of the threads. All questions have multiple parts to help keep the discussion rolling; you don't need to answer every part (please don't!) and it's okay with me if the thread winds up digressing a little.

As always, do not post any identifying information; first names or initials only, please.

Select your topic to see the prompt and comments: click here to write about euphemism, or click here to write about the dynamics of the meeting, or click here to write about the artistic direction of the film.

Also remember to finish those literature circle books with five more notes for class on Monday. Have a great weekend!

Note: If you didn't see a majority of the film, keep reading. I'd like to ask those of you who didn't see enough of the movie to write a final post for one of the threads, summarizing the discussion that took place. We can talk details on Monday since you'll need an extra day to write after the conversation has closed.

Class Calendar: February 23rd to March 2nd

Note: It is always the case that calendars may be subject to change, but I should warn you that it's especially the case the week following a vacation, as I do my best to plan ahead and predict the future.

Monday, February 23rd (F)
• Due: First half of literature circle books with ten “meaty” sticky or dialectic notes.
• Class: Literature circle discussions: sticky pass and sharing powerful language.

Tuesday, February 24th (S)
• Due: Keep reading those books!
• Class: Wrapping up obedience and conformity with Conspiracy.

Wednesday, February 25th (U)
• Class does not meet.

Thursday, February 26th (M)
• Due: Keep reading those books!
• Class: Wrapping up obedience and conformity with Conspiracy.

Friday, February 27th (T)
• Due: Read to selected point in literature circle books with five more notes; identify, read, and bring to share an article relating to your book.
• Class: Literature circle discussions and introduction to new unit.

Monday, March 2nd (W)
• Due: Finish literature circle books and notes (you should have at least 20 notes in total); blog post on Conspiracy (TBA).
• Class: Literature circle discussions.

Ordinary Men: Chapter Assignments

Please check your chapter assignments for the next homework assignment in Ordinary Men:

• Ch. 9 & 10: Leah, Pat, Hannah, Julia, Conor, Matt
• Ch. 11& 12: Eva, Avetis, Carolyn, Nell, Alex T.
• Ch. 13& 14: Christina, Alex L., Amanda, Paul, Deirdre
• Ch. 15& 16: Max, Stephanie, Desal, Jocelyn, Jon, Britt

See me with any questions!

Children in the Ghetto

Today we will be examining a website created by Yad Vashem to teach children about what life was like in the ghetto. Spend the period exploring the site. Towards the end of the period, contribute your thoughts to the blog in a well-developed paragraph. I'll pose a thought to get us started:

How can we or should we teach children about difficult topics? To what extent should they be told the truth, and to what extent should they be protected from it? Consider this website as well as "The Legend of the Lodz Ghetto" and consider making references to specific artifacts.

As always, do not sign the blog with your full name; initials or first name only, please!

Click here to enter the Yad Vashem site.

Class Calendar: February 2nd to February 23rd

Monday, February 2nd (T)
• Due: Start reading Ordinary Men (see deadlines below and plan accordingly).
• Class: Wrap up introduction to Ordinary Men; “The Legend of the Lodz Ghetto.”

Tuesday, February 3rd (W)
• Due: Continue reading Ordinary Men.
• Class: Exploring ghetto life online.

Wednesday, February 4th (H)
• Due: Read Ch. 1-8 in Ordinary Men with special focus on Ch. 7-8; complete written response (a page, preferably typed, is appropriate). Prompt: “How did some men evade participation and what were the consequences? In what ways did the men rationalize their participation – and equally telling, what reasons did they not use (or use rarely) to justify their actions? Did Browning’s findings surprise you, or reinforce what you already knew? Reflect on the significance of your responses.”
• Class: Discussion of the reading.

Thursday, February 5th (F)
• Due: Read assigned chapters (TBA) in Ordinary Men for “jigsaw.”
• Class: Peer teaching of assigned chapters; introduction to Milgram experiment.

Friday, February 6th (S)
• Due: Read Ch. 18 in Ordinary Men.
• Class: Discussion of Browning’s thesis; wrap up Milgram experiment.

Monday, February 9th (U)
• Class does not meet.

Tuesday, February 10th (M)
• Due: Read assigned article and write a one page, typed reaction paper, briefly summarizing and responding to the article (do you agree or disagree, why or why not?).
• Class: Town hall style discussion of Goldhagen v. Browning debate. Selection of literature circle books.

Wednesday, February 11th (T)
• Due: Read Act I and II in The Visit.
• Class: Discussion of the reading; predictions.

Thursday, February 12th (W)
• Due: Read Act III in The Visit.
• Class: Socratic seminar on The Visit.

Friday, February 13th (H)
• Due: Bring books to class to sign in; start reading literature circle selection.
• Class: Wrap up The Visit, author’s postscript.

Monday, February 23rd (F)
• Due: First half of literature circle book with ten sticky notes or dialectic journal entries.
• Class: Literature circle groups will meet.