Dec. 8th Daily Plan

9th Grade -


We examined another prominent theme in Fahrenheit 451 - the idea of nature vs. nurture, and what effects the current environment might have on us as people.


For those that missed class - the basic question is whether or not people's personal characteristics are based more in nature (genetics) or in nuture (environment, how and where you are brought up). As an example, eye and hair color are genetic. The language that you speak is environment (any infant could grow up to be fluent in a given language if that is what they are taught).


The in-class writing prompt reflects this idea -


Writing Prompt - Nature Vs. Nurture


Are people's worldviews and personalities something that they are born with, or is it influenced by how you are raised?
Does technology have an effect on personality, or does your personality affect how you use technology?

WRITING PROMPT GOAL - QUANTITY. The response to this question has a minimum length of two pages. There is no correct answer; the goal is to get as many ideas down on paper as you can in one sitting.

We also discussed the beginning of Chapter 2 in Fahrenheit 451.

10th Grade -

We discussed (and wrote about) the idea of reputation in society, as it is closely related thematically to several sections of The Crucible. There are several nuances to how people's repuations are perceived by others, and we talked about this as a class. An important concept to know is social capital. The short version - social capital is currency for society; how a good name (reputation) can provide one with more social benefits.


The quick example I gave in class - if I developed an amazing new method for teaching English grammar, I might be able to convince other people to use it. If I developed an amazing new method for teaching English grammar, and had three of the most well-known English teachers in the U.S. endorsing me, I would be gaining from their social capital. People would be more likely to use my method because of the names attached to it.


Writing Prompt - Reputation and social role was an important aspect of Puritan society. Do you think reputation is more or less important today's society? What about in the society of a high school?


WRITING PROMPT GOAL - QUANTITY. The response to this question has a minimum length of two pages. There is no correct answer; the goal is to get as many ideas down on paper as you can in one sitting.


Homework - READ ACT 3. In class tomorrow, we will be holding a "witch trial" which requires that students have enough knowledge of the play to use as evidence.


paz.