Class Calendar: November 10th to November 26th

Note: Revisions to the printed calendar are highlighted in yellow.

Note: Click here to go directly to our research topic brainstorm. Click here to sneak a peek at Mr. McKnight's class's brainstorm!

Monday, November 10th (H)
• Due: Peer review of “example” one-pagers. Read and carefully annotate “Why Don’t We Complain” by William F. Buckley, Jr. and “Professions for Women” by Virginia Woolf.
• Class: Introduction to logic and argument.

Tuesday, November 11th
• No school today for Veteran’s Day.

Wednesday, November 12th (F)
• Due: Read and annotate “Death and Justice” by Edward I. Koch and “The Death Penalty” by David Bruck in 40 Model Essays for class.

Then, before midnight on Wednesday, send an email to skitsis@arlington.k12.ma.us with two high-quality topics that you are interested in pursuing for your paper. Make it clear which one(s) you are most excited about pursuing (and why!). Format these topics the same way we did for the blog, in the form of a “task” (defend, challenge, qualify) and include at least one potential source per topic.

Be sure that your topics meet the criteria we’ve discussed:

1. It’s interesting to you.
2. The question is debatable.
3. Your argument can be grounded in evidence, not just belief and opinion.
4. Reliable and authoritative print sources exist on this subject. Seek help if you are surprised by a lack of sources.
5. The scope is appropriate for a 10-12 page paper.

If there are a few specific possibilities you are considering within a general topic area, name more than one. You don’t need to know which side you’ll be arguing at this point, since that’s what the research is for. You just need to establish that there’s a discussion worth joining.

• Class: Discussion of essays through our logical lenses.

Thursday, November 13th (S)
• Class does not meet.

Friday, November 14th (U)
• Due: Read the introduction to the argument section and write a one-pager in that mode. Suggested topics are p. 340 #2 or 3; p. 354 #1, 2, or 3, or see the listed topics on p. 367. You are not required to do additional research for this one-pager (if you are personally motivated to do so, I won't stop you!); treat it more like an SAT topic at this stage of the game. Don’t forget to explicitly identify your thesis or statement of purpose!
• Class: Workshop in the Media Center.

Note: While we are in the Media Center this week, there are several tasks to accomplish:

• Investigate sources, electronic and print, for your Annotated Works Cited assignment, due Wednesday, November 19th.
• Expand and revise your selected one-pager (final should be two to three pages), with a paragraph of reflection, due Tuesday, November 18th.
• Peer consultations on one-pagers (be sure you offer your feedback on at least one essay and you receive feedback from at least one peer in return).
• Peer review of “argument” one-pager. I'll provide the guiding questions.
• Conference with Ms. Kitsis on research paper topics, writing concerns, etc.

Monday, November 17th (M)
• Due: Bring a copy of your expanded one-pager if you are planning to peer edit today.
• Class: Workshop in the Media Center.

Tuesday, November 18th (T)
• Due: Expanded and revised one-pager (final should be two to three pages), with a paragraph of reflection on the revision process. Bring back your other one-pagers for inclusion in your writing folder.
• Class: Workshop in the Media Center.

Wednesday, November 19th (W)
• Due: Annotated works cited assignment.
• Class: Lesson: Taking notes from sources and academic honesty.

Thursday, November 20th (H)
• Due: Work on research paper notes.
• Class: Introduction to The Great Gatsby.

Friday, November 21st (F)
• Due: Read Ch. 1 in The Great Gatsby and complete email assignment (to be explained); bring a few completed research note cards to class for a "mini-check." 
• Class: Outlining the research paper. Reactions to Gatsby; the Valley of Ashes.

Monday, November 24th (S)
• Class does not meet.

Tuesday, November 25th (U)
• Due: Note card check in (details to be announced).
• Class: Wrap up Ch. 1 in The Great Gatsby. Note card check in.

Wednesday, November 26th (M)
• Shortened schedule today. I don’t think we get to meet. Have a great Thanksgiving break!

Note: I’m providing an extended calendar to help you plan, but I may need to revise some deadlines according to how things progress in class. You are responsible for any updates announced.