StarterThink back to all of the topics/sources we’ve consumed in this "in search of a sustainable classroom" mini-study:
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| Block 3/4 Group 1: Lydia, Charlie, Amaya, Aidyn Group 2: Lance, Abby, Finn, Eli Group 3: Lucius, Alan, Steven, Corbin, Ari Group 4: Sammy, Owen, Ella, Emma Group 5: Marilyn, Evan, Emery, Cole | Block 5/6 Group 1: Ce, TJ, Janey, Sadie, Joe, Alma Group 2: Henry, Claire, Ryan, Group 3: Andy, Faith, Nyana, Josie Group 4: Amanda, Tanner, Luke |
Starter
Watch this video: Broken Windows Theory
(note...not the most visually stunning video, but a clear and accurate presentation!)
While watching, consider DRAWING the ideas she discusses. After watching, answer these two questions:
(note...not the most visually stunning video, but a clear and accurate presentation!)
While watching, consider DRAWING the ideas she discusses. After watching, answer these two questions:
- What is the Broken Window Theory? What does it say about what influences behavior?
- How could it apply to other contexts...like our classroom?
Agenda
1. Review thesis from yesterday's episode 2 from the Attention, Please podcast.
2. Reminders!!
- Bears Ears Permission Forms due tomorrow!!!!
- Readings/thesis statements due tomorrow
- Interested in Honors? Take the survey asap so I can order books!
3. Technology in classroom seminar prep work time
4. Episode #3 from the "Attention Please" Podcast: How Can We Pay Better Attention To Our Attention?
HOMEWORK REMINDER
By the start of class tomorrow, you should have the following things completed:
- All required articles read
- Optional articles read (1 for non-honors, 4 (one for each topic) for honors)
- Thesis statements written down for all required articles, optional articles, and podcasts
STARTER
| | Watch the TED Talk called "The Power of Vulnerability" by Brene Brown and answer 2 out of 3 of these questions:
Afterwards, Ashley will share her GOALS as an educator in order to demonstrate vulnerability and her efforts to be in the learning zone..... |
AGENDA
- (4 minutes) Review homework/questions on this week's assignment
- (60 minutes) Work time: Tech in classroom reading and annotation time (remember to write down the thesis statement for each article you're reading!)
- Honors-- if you're planning on doing honors, take this survey NOW!
- (15 minutes) Episode #2 of Attention, Please: Has Constant Stimulation Replaced Boredom? (Don't forget to jot down the thesis statement of this podcast......and I'd encourage you to take notes as you listen)
Optional Personal Challenge/Reflection Activities
- Take the Digital Distraction Test: Honest check-in! Share results with self, partner or whole class. Ashley will reveal her fatal tech flaws too!
- Personal Addiction Check-in: Place your phone on your desk, keep track, for 30 minutes, of how often you want to pick it up/look at it. Each time you feel the urge, make a tally mark on a scratch of paper. Pay attention to your focus/distractedness/attention/anxiety during this time as well. Maybe try putting your phone in another classroom for 30 minutes and see if it changes things for you?
Due today
- Please email me your seminar pre-writes
- Please turn in Bears Ears permission forms and $
STARTER
| | STEP 1: Watch this TED Talk entitled "When performing gets in the way of improving" and jot down notes about the speaker's key points about the LEARNING v. PERFORMANCE zones as well as his suggestions for how to maximize performance and improvement. STEP 2: After watching, write about what the implications of this TED Talk are for.... 1. You (how could you apply his ideas to your own life?) 2. Our class culture (how could you apply his ideas to the way our class functions in order to enable more sustainable class practices. Think about the simple definition of sustainability.....) REVIEW: Sustainabililty is the practice of indefinitely maintaining processes of productivity —natural or human made-- without degrading the quality of the resources used. |
AGENDA
SEMINAR on "Habits of Highly Cynical People"
But first, a note about Ashley's grading philosophy on seminars....(I don't grade them)
Seminar Style:
Seminar Questions
Opening Questions
Core Questions
Personal Questions
Intro to Technology in the classroom mini-study
End of class: We'll listen to Episode 1 from the Attention, Please TED Radio hour Podcast: "How is our attention packaged and sold as a commodity?"
But first, a note about Ashley's grading philosophy on seminars....(I don't grade them)
Seminar Style:
- 2 circles with extra chairs in the middle
- We’ll switch every 10-15 minutes
- Feel free to jump into chairs in the middle at any point- for 30 seconds or the whole seminar, it doesn’t matter
- Note-taking is highly encouraged! You'll be able to use these notes for next week's in class essay.
- Credit/no credit (learning zone!). Must speak at least once, and be listening attentively to get credit.
Seminar Questions
Opening Questions
- What is Solnit’s definition of a naïve cynic? What are the two types (see paragraphs 8 and 11), and what characterizes their thinking?
Core Questions
- In paragraph 6, Solnit talks about now naïve cynicism “…flattens out the past and the future, and because it reduces the motivation to participate in public life, public discourse, and even intelligent conversation that distinguishes shades of gray, ambiguities and ambivalences, uncertainties, unknowns, and opportunities.” What does she mean here? How does the attitude of naïve cynicism do this?
- Is there a difference between cynicism and skepticism? What is it?
- In paragraph 7, Solnit offers a number of criticisms of naïve cynicism. What is the most important/cutting critique she offers in this paragraph? Why?
- In paragraph 7, she says, “The openness of hope of dangerous.” What does this mean? Do you agree?
- What point is she trying to make with the OWS example on page 3? How convincing is this example?
- What point is she trying to make with the climate change example on pages 3-5? How convincing is this example?
- In paragraph 20, Solnit says, “Accommodating change and uncertainty requires a looser sense of self…” What does she mean by this?
- To what extent is cynicism useful? Harmful? What is a healthy level of cynicism?
- What motivates/causes this attitude of naïve cynicism?
- What kind of thinking habits do we need to cultivate to move beyond naïve cynicism?
- How does this article help us in our search for creating a more sustainable classroom culture/learning environment?
Personal Questions
- In paragraph 6, Solnit makes a number of points about complexity, uncertainty, and ambiguity. To what extent are you comfortable with complexity and uncertainty? Give a concrete example.
- To what extent are you a naïve cynic? How much of what Solnit describes rings true to you about yourself? Explain.
- What in our lives or society pushes us to adopt this attitude? What are some specific experiences you’ve had that have done this?
- How does this article connect to your education? To your goals this year in Humanities?
- If we acknowledge naïve cynicism, can we remove it from our classroom? Do we want to? How?
Intro to Technology in the classroom mini-study
- Open the above linked document and SAVE a copy!
- Highlight the instructions
- Make a note of the deadline wherever you keep track of your assignments.
- Skim through the readings-- highlight the required ones in RED and look at the descriptions of the optional ones.
- Note: Audio ones have transcripts you can read if you'd prefer to read along.....
- What questions or clarifications do you have about the assignment?
End of class: We'll listen to Episode 1 from the Attention, Please TED Radio hour Podcast: "How is our attention packaged and sold as a commodity?"
- This is part of our "In Search of a Sustainable Classroom" mini-study
- Take notes on this podcast to help you answer our essential question for this unit: What makes for the most sustainable classroom culture and environment? Some questions to consider include......
- In what ways does this podcast argue our attention is a commodity?
- What are the consequences of that?
- What are the implications for your own personal, intellectual well-being?
- What are the implications for our societal well-being?
- What are the implications for our CLASS well-being or for any classroom's well-being?
Starter
| Watch the RSA Animate called "Drive: The Surprising Truth about what Motivates Us" and do these two things:
After watching, we'll discuss the implications of this video for creating a more sustainable classroom. You're encouraged to take notes! (Let's review "sustainability" too!) | |
Weekly Words of Inspiration
 | “In Africa there is a concept known as 'ubuntu' - the profound sense that we are human only through the humanity of others; that if we are to accomplish anything in this world it will in equal measure be due to the work and achievement of others.” -Nelson Mandela |
Agenda
ABOUT THIS WEEK OF HUM 12: This week, we are going to be studying various topics that relate to our search for creating the most sustainable classroom culture/learning environment. ALL the sources we watch/listen to and read will be fair game for you to pull from for next week's in-class essay, which will help us prepare for our collective grade-level charter.
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: What does it take to create a sustainable class culture and learning environment?
LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Critically-examine various sources that relate to personal and societal well-being in order to determine what conditions you believe are needed to create a high-functioning, and sustainable class culture/learning environment.
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: What does it take to create a sustainable class culture and learning environment?
LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Critically-examine various sources that relate to personal and societal well-being in order to determine what conditions you believe are needed to create a high-functioning, and sustainable class culture/learning environment.
Highly Cynical Coaching (group work)
In groups of 3-4.....(Choose how you want to take notes. I’d recommend each taking handwritten notes so that you are more likely to process and retain the information!)
Seminar Prewrite (individually)
Answer at least two of the questions below, citing evidence (direct quotes) from the article in your responses. Must be typed!
HW: Finish seminar prewrite for tomorrow if you didn’t finish in class.
In groups of 3-4.....(Choose how you want to take notes. I’d recommend each taking handwritten notes so that you are more likely to process and retain the information!)
- Summarize the main point of this article. What, in one sentence, is it saying?
- Go paragraph by paragraph. Pay special attention to paragraphs 3-7, 20, 23
- Summarize main idea
- Answer questions/clarify meaning
- You may want to write a quick summary on your document or a separate piece of paper
- Have your group write two thought-provoking seminar questions on an index card and give them to me.
Seminar Prewrite (individually)
Answer at least two of the questions below, citing evidence (direct quotes) from the article in your responses. Must be typed!
- What is Solnit’s definition of a naïve cynic? What are the two types (see paragraphs 8 and 11), and what characterizes their thinking?
- To what extent are you a naïve cynic? How much of what Solnit describes rings true to you about yourself? Explain.
- In paragraph 6, Solnit makes a number of points about complexity, uncertainty, and ambiguity. To what extent are you comfortable with complexity and uncertainty? Give a concrete example.
- In paragraph 7, Solnit offers a number of criticisms of naïve cynicism. What is the most important/cutting critique she offers in this paragraph? Why?
- In paragraph 20, Solnit says, “Accommodating change and uncertainty requires a looser sense of self…” What does she mean by this?
- To what extent is cynicism useful? Harmful?
- What kind of thinking habits do we need to cultivate to move beyond naïve cynicism?
- How does this article connect to your education? To your goals this year in Humanities?
HW: Finish seminar prewrite for tomorrow if you didn’t finish in class.
Bears Ears Experiential Education Field Trip: Context and Rationale (20 minutes)
Starter (15 min)
Share Stories (15-20 min)
Paseo Style-
Ashley to introduce “In Search of a Sustainable Classroom” mini-project: (10 minutes)
“Choose your institution carefully because it will shape you as much as you shape it”
We will be spending the next two weeks carefully examining topics that will help us answer the question: What makes a sustainable classroom community? We’ll start with a look at the impact of cynicism on individuals and a community.
I will tell my story about my big brother, Ryan and cynicism relates to the “Keep it simple” definition of sustainability: The practice of indefinitely maintaining processes of productivity —natural or human made-- without degrading the quality of the resources used.
"The Habits of Highly Cynical People" (rest of class)
Read and annotate this article—it will be the basis for a Socratic seminar that is connected to our critical thinking goals for the course this year. Make sure to mark:
Homework
1. Finish reading and annotating HoHCP by Monday.
2. Bring your class supplies by Monday.
3. Parents sign Bears Ears experiential education trip permission forms by Friday, August 31st.
Starter (15 min)
- When was a time when you had to lean on a community for support? What kind of support did you need? What made you trust that community? Tell your story!
- When was a time that you were a part of a dysfunctional community, or when your community let you down? What happened? Tell this story.
Share Stories (15-20 min)
Paseo Style-
- 2 minutes to tell story
- 1 minute to ask a question
Ashley to introduce “In Search of a Sustainable Classroom” mini-project: (10 minutes)
“Choose your institution carefully because it will shape you as much as you shape it”
We will be spending the next two weeks carefully examining topics that will help us answer the question: What makes a sustainable classroom community? We’ll start with a look at the impact of cynicism on individuals and a community.
I will tell my story about my big brother, Ryan and cynicism relates to the “Keep it simple” definition of sustainability: The practice of indefinitely maintaining processes of productivity —natural or human made-- without degrading the quality of the resources used.
"The Habits of Highly Cynical People" (rest of class)
Read and annotate this article—it will be the basis for a Socratic seminar that is connected to our critical thinking goals for the course this year. Make sure to mark:
- Places where you are confused
- Important or beautiful sentences/ideas
- Vocab (look it up!)
- Questions you have
- HINT…you’re probably going to want to look up a definition of cynicism!
Homework
1. Finish reading and annotating HoHCP by Monday.
2. Bring your class supplies by Monday.
3. Parents sign Bears Ears experiential education trip permission forms by Friday, August 31st.
Starter (15 minutes)
Keep a starter notebook. Keep the first half of it for starters, and the second half for class notes. Always put the date above each starter.
Here is today's starter prompt:
“It's not only moving that creates new starting points. Sometimes all it takes is a subtle shift in perspective, an opening of the mind, an intentional pause and reset, or a new route to start to see new options and new possibilities.” -Kristin Armstrong
Welcome to Humanities 12: Syllabus and Course Overview (30 min)
Personal Core Values (20-45 minutes)
Intro to Sustainability Project Lecture + Notes (30 minutes)
Homework: Get all your class supplies by Monday! You can find those in the syllabus.
Keep a starter notebook. Keep the first half of it for starters, and the second half for class notes. Always put the date above each starter.
Here is today's starter prompt:
“It's not only moving that creates new starting points. Sometimes all it takes is a subtle shift in perspective, an opening of the mind, an intentional pause and reset, or a new route to start to see new options and new possibilities.” -Kristin Armstrong
- Think about the above quote and write about how open you feel like you are right now, at the start of your senior year to new possibilities and learning?
- What is one thing you think you need to shift your perspective on, or open to, or reset, in order to have a more inspired and productive senior year?
Welcome to Humanities 12: Syllabus and Course Overview (30 min)
- Here is the link to my powerpoint lecture welcoming you to class and reviewing key elements of the syllabus and year ahead.
- I'll go through this lecture and also provide you time to read my syllabus and ask questions .
- You can find my syllabus under the "About the Course" tab on my DP.
Personal Core Values (20-45 minutes)
- Follow directions on handout
- Share one of our core values (what is it, where does it come from)
- In your small group, share your values, talk about where they come from, why you have them
- As a group, discuss:
- Which of your values is MOST DIFFICULT to live in a consistent way?
- Which of your values do think is most used/present in school? Why?
- Which of your values do you think is most used/present in your life outside of school? Why?
- TRANSITION: Project is built on values- going to be returning to your core values many times this semester!
- EXTENSION 1: Create a quick poster of your values with a motto/slogan based on your values, symbol, the value, and a brief (1-2 sentence) explanation of what that value means to YOU, and why it is important. Hang ‘em up!
- EXTENSION 2: Take this online quiz. Are the core values identified here different? Do any of them speak to you more than the ones you initially developed? Why?
Intro to Sustainability Project Lecture + Notes (30 minutes)
- Please take notes as I introduce this semester's main project.
- You can find the link to the lecture here.
Homework: Get all your class supplies by Monday! You can find those in the syllabus.
Ashley Carruth
Humanities teacher at Animas High School
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