Thursday 2/24/11

IN CLASS:
Today all classes got the full hour to work on their constructive speech with their partner. We were in class today, and tomorrow we will be in the lab to continue working and typing. Here is the timeline for the next two weeks:

• Friday, Feb 25: Class in the lab to type constructive speech
• Monday, Feb 28: Constructive Speech Due in class
• Tuesday, March 1: Begin debates in class
• Wednesday, March 2: Vocab 27 is due, continue debates
• Thursday, March 3: Late Start, continue debates
• Friday, March 4: Vocab Quiz 27, continue debates

ASSIGNMENT:
Constructive Speech due Monday, February 28

Wednesday 2/23/11

IN CLASS:
Today all classes watched an example debate so they can get a sense of how a debate will run. During the debate, students took notes on the points being presented so they get a sense of the pacing of the debate and attention required to take good, clear notes during their own debate. Following a brief discussion of what they saw, students had some time to begin working on their Constructive Speech with their partner. Students will be given class tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday in order to convert their essays into speeches and prepare for the debate. Completed speeches are due on Monday, February 28th, and debates will begin Tuesday, March 1st in class.

*For students who were not in class, I will show the debate one more time after school on Friday. I will also have the lab open Friday afternoon for students who need to work on their speeches or finish up essays.

ASSIGNMENT:
Constructive speech due on Monday, February 28th

Tuesday 2/22/11

Sorry for the hiatus I've taken over the last couple of weeks. I have no excuse. I apologize. And I'm back. Rather than try to recreate the wheel and retrace our steps for the last couple of weeks, I'm going to start off running again today. Here we go.

IN CLASS:
All classes today went over the basic structure of the debates that will take place in class starting next week. First we went over terms:

• Construction Speech--The speech that present and builds up your argument. This starts off the debate.
• Rebuttal--This is the speech that "tears down" what the other team built up. In the rebuttal, you will respond to what the other team has said.
• Affirmative Side--This is the side of the debate that argues FOR A CHANGE to the status quo (how things are now)
• Negative Side--This side argues AGAINST change to the status quo. They want to maintain how things are.

Next we went over how the debate will be structured. There will be three "rounds" in each debate where each team will have the chance to speak and/or respond to the opposite side. During each speech by the opposing team, your team should be taking notes in order to use for your rebuttal.

1. Affirmative Constructive Speech (2-4 minutes)
2. Negative Constructive Speech (2-4 minutes)
3. 1st Affirmative Rebuttal (about 2 minutes, responds to Neg. Const. Speech)
4. 1st Negative Rebuttal (about 2 minutes, responds to Aff. Const. Speech)
5. 2nd Affirmative Rebuttal (about 2 minutes, responds to 1st Neg. Rebuttal)
6. 2nd Negative Rebuttal (about 2 minutes, responds to 1st Aff. Rebuttal)

At the end of class, students were given a reflection page to look back at and respond to the essay writing process. Additionally, students got a checklist of all the things they should have included in their essay. Next we went to the lab so any student who needed to print an essay or bibliography could take care of that. ALL STUDENTS WERE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT AN ESSAY WHETHER IT WAS DONE OR NOT. Incomplete essays should be completed and resubmitted as soon as possible.

ASSIGNMENT:
none, unless you are not done with your essay and then your homework is to FINISH!

Monday, January 31-Friday, February 4

This week in class, students worked on the early stages of the research process in the computer lab. Additional work is noted below:

Monday, January 31--All students should have completed a first citation and printed off their first notecard.

Tuesday, February 1--Work on research, note taking, etc.

Wednesday, February 2--Vocab Lesson 25 is due

Thursday, February 3--Turn in 3 points worksheet

Friday, February 4--Take vocab quiz 25 (online)

Link to Vocab Quizzes

Click here to take vocab quiz 25