PACE: Results of Feedback & Discussion About PACE

Today we talked about what's working and not working for folks in PACE.

A lot of ideas got put on the table and I imagine there are others that folks withheld. I'm hoping you feel you can share them with me in a way that feels comfortable for you.  If I don't know there's a problem, there isn't much I can do to help solve it.

Remember that the 25 means this includes some responses from the other day.
These are imperfect numbers, but I think the trends apply.

These are specific items of feedback posted.  We took these items and looked for patterns, trends within them.

We coded our observations; Blue = Students have control over it; Black = Teach has control over it;
Blue/Black = Shared responsibility

And that hero project from last year is still gorgeous.

From here we decided to talk about the blue/black coded items as there were only two.  Consensus in the room seemed to indicate that the teacher could do a better job explaining homework before setting the expectation and students could do a better job asking for clarification and advocating for needs.

We're going to try an added structural component when we meet next -- which will be a while because of PSATs, digital citizenship day and Mr. Ryder's ACTEM conference presentations.  But when we get back at it, we will start with only twenty minutes of teacher time, followed by ten minutes of figuring out what work zones we should have available, and then moving to those zones that most suit our needs.

Class got cut short because there was a fire alarm.  Everyone got out okay.  It was gorgeous out.

Humanities: Cardboard Challenge Building!

AP Lit 3G: College Essay Tips & Dallowinian Discussions & Ideas

We'll start class with a few general suggestions about college essays and what I think helps students write effective, meaningful, powerful and relatively succinct pieces that get the desired results.

We'll take five minutes to check out http://kaizena.com/docs as well and see how that tool can help us.

Then we return to a new Mrs. Dalloway discussion.

Last class focused on plot and then veered into technique and form.   I'd like the class to start with discussing techniques and form Woolf uses, seeking to uncover the how and the why, and then move on to the necessary what and who.  

We will have a new backchannel here for these two days of discussion between the classes.

We would do well to create a list of character types we should be considering now, even having not read The Hours yet.  Five to ten minutes at the end of class should suffice for that.

Homework:

Write: College Essay Submission draft
Due Friday 10/4

Read: The Hours (optional b/c not enough copies to req.; Mr. Ryder cannot count.)
Will be extremely valuable in understanding Mrs. Dalloway and in creating a great Dallowinian Party event.
Due Tuesday 10/8

Start Planning & Thinking: Dallowinian Party - Character
See Materials & Rubric in Google Drive OUT folder.
Updated rubric coming soon
Due Thursday 10/17

Blog
3+ Entries Including the Creative Entry of the Week
Creative Blog: For some writers, a character's attire is little more than an afterthought.   Not so, with our most recent creators.  Both Woolf and Cunningham use clothing and physical appearance to convey meaning in their respective works.

Use Polyvore, or another tool or physical materials, to create a wardrobe collage suitable for a character in either Mrs. Dalloway or The Hours.  You may try to create a historically and textually accurate collection or you may choose instead to select contemporary equivalents.  Explain your selections with regards to conveying meaning, not merely literal interpretations.

Added Challenge:  Use physical wardrobe pieces and photography to do the same.

PACE: Assessing How Our Routines Are Helping & Working Toward Heroes

Today we need to take stock of how well our in-class systems are working.  We need to look at a balance of what we enjoy and feels good, and what helps us best get our work done.

We'll start with a similar survey to the one we used a few classes ago.  (You can find the new one in your e-mail.)  And then we will use the feedback talk about specific courses of action we should take.  

This will lead to time to consult with me, work on graphic organizers, projects, vision statements and more.  It's very important that vision statements are done today so I can plan our next piece of culture building.


After Teacher PACE time, here's what needs to happen before you leave the room today.

Student PACE
1. Work in a group of 1, 2, or 3 people to craft a vision statement about PACE.  Based on the ideas on the shared doc, what do you think PACE should look like this year?  Put your vision on the PACE Vision Thinking doc.

Here's an incomplete example to help your thinking:
PACE is a class where we are productive and use freedom to our advantage.  We pursue our personal interests but also do challenging work.  It's important to us that we have time to do our work in class, and it's important to us that our individual needs are respected.


2.  I Am Hero Project Proposal submitted and a conference with Mr. Ryder.

3. Submit your I Am Hero Graphic Organizer Week #2 by placing it in your Google Drive PACE 2013 IN box.

Homework

I Am Hero Project
I Am Hero Project
Due: Wed, 10/16
I Am Hero Project Proposal
Due: Today, 9/30
I Am Hero Graphic Organizer Week #3
Due: Mon, 10/7

Blog
Q1 Week 2
3+ Posts this week to meet/exceed the standard
Creative Entry Required:

HerosList

Everyone know the best way to get help on your heroic journey is by posting to Craigslist and advertising in Uncle Henry’s.

Create three advertisements based on your book:  One for a helper, one for an amulet, and one for either an obstructor OR a hero (that last one provides a chance to really play around with point of view).  

Quick example:  Help Wanted: MWM, 36, seeks mortal enemy to challenge him at every turn and push him to excel at everything in life, especially teaching career, family time, and general nerding.  Who wouldn’t want to be his nemesis?  He’s balding, moody and weird.  Strike now! dryder@mtbluersd.org

You can visit www.unclehenrys.com or www.craigslist.com to explore the formatting, the categories, the relative length, and the style used.

Student PACE Suggestions:

• Work on your I Am Hero Project
• Bring materials you need to class
• Keep checking the rubric for standards & requirements
• Show Mr. Ryder & Miss Murphy your ideas