23 May

We are continuing to work on our Junior Thesis.

Today we reviewed outlines, and students were supposed to turn completed outlines in.

Attached are notes on outlining.

Monday, 16 May

Today we discussed the kinds of questions to investigate for the Junior Thesis.

Homework: Due Tuesday: What topic will your thesis b on.

Homework: Due Wednesday: A clear thesis statement that answers a question about your topic, and addresses a controversial aspect of the topic.

Wednesday, 11 May

Today in class we reviewed the website http://guest.portaportal.com/dixiechickspps and students received a packet of research material for their thesis.

We practiced reading and analyzing Emma Goldman's speech "What is Patriotism?".

Homework: Read at least one article for Friday.

Tuesday-Wednesday 10-11 May

We went over expectations for the Junior Thesis. These include

Topic: Patriotism and / or Free Speech (including issues raised in Shut Up and Sing).

Thesis Must include research.
Mr. Zartler will provide "links" at the website http://guest.portaportal.com/dixiechickspps as well as handouts that you will have to study on your own.

But to earn an "A" you must do additional research on your own.

Evidence of research is a works cited page in MLA format, direct quotes, and attributed paraphrase evidence.

6-8 pages typed and double spaced.

Your thesis should include some aspect of controversy (e.g. it's not a "report" like one you did in fourth grade on animals).

Friday, 6 May - Monday 9 May

We wrote an in class essay.

The assignment is:

 In an essay of approximately one and half hand written pages explain your point of view on the following question: The Dixie Chicks deserved what happened to them because they acted unpatriotically.

First, analyze the question with them:

You can agree with the premise or not.

You can agree with parts of it such as: “they deserved it” but think it is for a different reason then stated.

You can disagree that they deserved it by agree about patriotism, etc.

Use AT LEAST  two examples from the film, and three is better.

12 April, 2011

Today in class we continued our exploration of Patriotism as a concept.

We considered issues relating to the Civil War (which started one hundred and fifty years ago today) and patriotism.

Students received a note taking worksheet to help ensure accurate note taking for the Junior Thesis.

Monday, 11 April

Today is the beginning of the 4th Quarter!

Today we began the Junior Thesis with some work about Patriotism.

Students also turned in their Crucible papers.

Students turned in two analogies describing their Crucible paper.