March 11 - 15: Supreme Court Case Week!

This week, we'll practice reading and interpreting legal documents and language (per the 11th/12th grade standards), and get familiar with landmark cases that affect many areas of American life. These cases make high-quality examples for argument and synthesis essays as well.

NOTE: There won't be a current events quiz this week. The open-note Supreme Court Case quiz on Friday will take its place. Next week, there will be a current events quiz.

MONDAY: Journal warm-up. Wrap up last items in the Gender Unit. Discuss "Professions for Women" and "There is No Unmarked Woman." Current events and national discussions pertaining to transgender people. Last portion of class: begin work on the Supreme Court cases in groups.

Due:
1. Read and annotate "How Science is Helping Us Understand Gender," pages 23-29 from National Geographic. 

2. Write a one-page reflection about the debate covering the questions below. If you were absent, write about your current opinion based on your research about whether or not women should register for the draft.
1. What were the most effective/convincing pieces of evidence?  What types of evidence were presented?

2. Where do you stand on this issue?  List the two best, most logical reasons why you believe the way you do.

3. Did you hear any fallacies during the debate? 

4. What was the tone of the speaker or speakers who made the most persuasive arguments? 

5. What did you do well? What could you have improved? 

Homework: Complete the written portion of your chosen section of the group work for your Supreme Court case and print a hard copy to turn in at the beginning of Friday's class. Be sure to cite your sources.

WEDNESDAY: Journal warm-up. Supreme Court Case Group check-in. Go over the results of the last argument essay. View actual student samples and evaluate them with the scoring guide. 

Due: n/a

Homework: (Same as Monday.) Complete the written portion of your chosen section of the group work for your Supreme Court case and print a hard copy to turn in at the beginning of Friday's class. Be sure to cite your sources.

FRIDAY: Journal warm-up. Supreme Court Case group presentations. No need to dress up, and each person shares their own portion of the group work in under one minute while the class takes notes. Open note quiz immediately following.

Due: The written portion of your chosen section of the group work for your Supreme Court case and print a hard copy to turn in at the beginning of Friday's class. Be sure to cite your sources.

Homework: Carefully read the provided sample synthesis prompt and responses. This is the third (and final) type of essay we'll learn before the AP exam in May, and we'll get started on it next week.

Read the e-mails from TheWeek.com beginning on Sunday. Next week, we'll have a current events quiz on Thursday, March 21 covering the emails from Sunday, March 16 - Wednesday, March 20.