Introduction

Every other Thursday (or so), starting next week, you will meet in small groups during 1st period. The purpose of these groups is to focus on specific questions related to the reading. In order to direct your conversations, early each week questions will be posted on this blog (sometimes these questions will direct you to specific sections of the reading). One member of your group will write a response to these questions that will be posted to the blog. This responsibility should rotate through the group. This post must be completed no later than 9:00 pm on Wednesday night. Before class on Thursday, group members are required to read all of the blog posts but to focus on the blog post for their group. Thursday meetings will discuss the written response and the group's answers to the questions posed.

Blog posts should (unless the question SPECIFICALLY directs you not to) attempt to form an argument and clearly defend that position.

Come to class on Thursday discussion days with a printed copy of your group's blog post. Be sure to note your comments and questions in writing on this printed copy BEFORE CLASS TIME. This way, your group will have a built up store of comments and questions to get discussion started. This will (or should) eliminate dead time and allow the 45 minute class session to be as productive and focused as possible.

Remember, Jamie and Elise will read posts and travel around to discussion groups, primarily in a listening capacity. The post writer each week will be responsible for LEADING the group in discussion that day.

This blog will be public. The address will be shared with your parents, other teachers, and any other interested community members. Prior to your Oral Defense, the address for the blog will be sent to all panelists.