03.31 - How Chris McCandless Died

In today's class, we started taking a look at some follow up writing that Jon Krakauer did on Chris McCandless after publishing Into the Wild. We began with this reading by taking a look at some pre-reading questions which people had a chance to respond to and then we used perspectives generated from this activity to discuss McCandless' death and what this says ultimately says about the success of his life.

Working with a partner, people then had time to begin reading this article and taking note of the arguments it presents using the reading questions provided with the processing sheet (see below).
We will continue to work with this tomorrow.

Handouts:
Article: How Chris McCandless Died
Processing Questions: How Chris McCandless Died

Submitted Today:
7th Reading Log (choice of log 10, 11, or 12)

Homework:

Eigth "Into the Wild" reading log (choice of log 10, 11, or 12) - Due Thursday, 04/02
Into the Wild Reading Logs

Revisions:
Fifth and Sixth  Into the Wild Reading Logs (choice of logs 7, 8, or 9) - Due Friday, 3/4
Reading questions for logic models - Due Friday 3/4

03.30 - Logic Model Reflection, Revisions

We started today's class with some reflection on people's progress with their logic model and goal (see reflection sheet below). After everyone had a chance to respond to these questions we discussed the progress people had made and what modifications they had to make to their logic models.

Next, several people helped me to return work and I handed out quarter three grade report sheets. We also went over the following feedback for assignments:

Assignment: Introduction to Logic Models
Suggested Revisions: Some people may need to revisit definitions to better define certain stages of the logic model or clarify differences between stages. Others may need to expand on their thinking for different stages of their example change

Assignment: Reading Logs
Suggested Revisions: Be sure to focus discussions of big ideas in the texts with specific examples and several direct quotes.

Everyone then had the rest of the period to work on revising assignments or to complete their seventh reading log (a choice of logs 10, 11, or 12).

Handouts:
Logic Model - Process Reflection
Returned work submitted last week
Quarter 3 grade reports

Submitted Today:
Logic Model - Process Reflection

Homework:

Seventh "Into the Wild" reading log (choice of log 10, 11, or 12)
 Into the Wild Reading Logs

Revisions:
Fifth and Sixth  Into the Wild Reading Logs (choice of logs 7, 8, or 9) - Due Friday, 3/4
Reading questions for logic models - Due Friday 3/4

03.27 - Logic Models and Change

We used the first half of class today to have people meet with their partners and complete the reading and post-reading activities for the logic model reading since this had proved difficult for people. We then reviewed the reading activity and a group's post-reading responses as a means of defining and understanding logic models.

Next, we started with a project that we will be looking at throughout the week next week which involves engaging in  and evaluating a process of change (see handouts below). At the end of class people shared out the change and activities that they would focus their logic model on. This sheet should be completed for homework and people should begin implementing their logic model.

Handouts:
Reading questions for logic models
Logic Models: Introduction and Explanation
Logic Models: A Taste of Change

Submitted Today:Reading questions for logic models
Revisions: Marijuana Legalization Debate Research and Discussion
Revisions: Into the Wild Reading Logs 1, 2, 3, & 4

Homework:

Complete the Logic Models: A Taste of Change sheet.

Begin following your logic model in creating the change you have identified for yourself.

03.26 - Change Agents and Logic Models

At the beginning of class today, I shared my listening notes from the last class discussion with everyone so they could look at and reflect on their participation in the last class discussion (this was the one focused on how Jon Krakauer subjectively inserts his perspective into McCandless' story). Based on this information, each person came up with a goal for themselves for this discussion.

We then proceeded to discuss how McCandless, Dillard, Goodall, and Treadwell compare to one another as agents of change (discussion prompt below).

Model Listening Notes (Click to Enlarge)

Discussion Rubric (Click to Enlarge)

Discussion Prompt (Click to Enlarge)

After this discussion, I shared my listening notes with students and everyone wrote a follow up discussion in their writer's journal looking at whether or not they had met the goal that they set for themselves.

Next, everyone returned to working with the logic model materials with which we were working yesterday. Partners reconvened to finish their paraphrases regarding the definition, purpose, and steps of the logic model and then began working on the post-reading question. 

For the post-reading, everyone should use the provided example in the left-hand column to fill in the steps of the logic model for the listed activity (exercising for half an hour each day, using solar power, recycling paper, donating to a food bank, etc.). This work should be finished for homework if it is not completed in class.

Handouts:
Reading questions for logic models
Logic Models: Introduction and Explanation

Submitted Today:
Sixth Into the Wild Reading Log

Homework:

Complete the reading and post-reading work for the logic model sheet and reading handed out in class.

Revisions:

Marijuana Legalization Debate Research and Discussion (due Friday, 3/27)

Into the Wild Reading Logs 1, 2, 3, & 4 (due Friday, 3/27)

03.25 - Intro to Logic Models

In today's class we began to look at logic models. We began class with everyone looking at an example of a logic model in their writing journal and making observations about what a logic model seems to be and what it seems to do based on the example.

Example Logic Model (Click Image to Enlarge)

When everyone had time to write on this we stopped to discuss people's observations. Next, I handed some reading questions to guide our process of familiarization with logic models (see handouts).

Everyone completed the two pre-reading questions which we then discussed as a class. For the challenges that would be faced in making lasting change, people indicated that some challenges could include:

People's attitudes/stubbornness
Wider context/attitudes
Unintended results
Problems in the application
Individual drive/motivation
Maintaining the change
Finding Balance
Maintaining Motivation


Logic models are designed to help groups work through these challenges in various ways.

Everyone then received a reading which introduces and explains logic models. Working with a partner, everyone had the rest of the period to begin reading the chapter and using the reading questions to help them describe in their own words (paraphrase) what a logic model is and the steps that it involves. People did not need to respond to the post-reading questions yet (see below for the distinction).

Reading questions in green, post-reading questions in red (for now).
Click Image to Enlarge

Handouts:
Reading questions for logic models
Logic Models: Introduction and Explanation

Submitted Today:
- - -

Homework:

Complete your sixth reading log for Into the Wild (choosing from prompts 7,8, and 9) for Thursday.

Into the Wild Reading Logs

Revisions:

Marijuana Legalization Debate Research and Discussion (due Friday, 3/27)

Into the Wild Reading Logs 1, 2, 3, & 4 (due Friday, 3/27)

03.24 - Assignment Completion and Revision

I was out sick today so the class was working with a substitute. In class today everyone had time to work on completing or revising assignments as necessary in their work. This could also include reading and completing reading logs for Into the Wild.

Handouts:

- - -

Submitted Today:

- - -

Homework:

Read to page 203 in Into the Wild for Wednesday.
Into the Wild Reading Schedule

Complete your fifth reading log for Into the Wild (choosing from prompts 7,8, and 9) for next Tuesday.

Into the Wild Reading Logs

Revisions:

Marijuana Legalization Debate Research and Discussion (due Friday, 3/27)

Into the Wild Reading Logs 1, 2, 3, & 4 (due Friday, 3/27)

3.23 - Grade Reports, Revision, Course Recommendations

In class today, several people helped to return assessed work and I handed out updated grade report sheets. Everyone had the class period to work on completing or revising assignments and were able to work on current work when those elements were complete.

Today, we were also starting to look at English course recommendations for next year. We reviewed the information in the graphic below. While everyone was working on their revisions and on completing work, I met one-on-one with people to discuss their course recommendation for next year and check in on any questions about assignments or grades from the grade reports and assignments today.

Click Image to Enlarge

At the moment there are some assignments on Google Drive that were submitted last week and that I did not review over the weekend. Those assignments will be reviewed and grades will be updated as soon as possible.

Handouts:

- - -

Submitted Today:

- - -

Homework:

Read to page 203 in Into the Wild for Wednesday.
Into the Wild Reading Schedule

Complete your fifth reading log for Into the Wild (choosing from prompts 7,8, and 9) for next Tuesday.

Into the Wild Reading Logs

Revisions:

Marijuana Legalization Debate Research and Discussion (due Friday, 3/27)

Into the Wild Reading Logs 1, 2, 3, & 4 (due Friday, 3/27)