Mr. Moshé’s Critically Thinking . . . Are You?

The year most commonly known as 2007 is here.

So I ask:

• What do you want of it?
• What are you willing to make happen for yourself?
• Gonna set some goals?
• Are you considering others?

I’d like you to consider this:

1. Check out the website for The Center for Nonviolent Communication.
2. Return here and post some thoughts on what you find there.
3. You will get extra credit for a substantial post.

A substantial post is

• one that allows us to really understand what you’re thinking.
• it shows us how you came to your understanding.
• it might cause a reaction in someone.
• it is thought provoking.

The Time Machine Unit

Comments and Suggestions
By posting here, you will be helping me refine the process you’ve been through for future generations.

What did you think?

. . . of the book: coment here and take the Yahoo Poll.
. . . of the assignments: coment here and take the Yahoo Poll.
. . . of the group work: coment here and take the Yahoo Poll.

Comments you can post here may deal with these categories or querries. No matter what you suggest, check your motives…don’t waste our time with fluff:

• Classroom Activities
  • What would you like to have seen happen?
    • Guest Speaker? Who? Why? How would it be connected to the book?
    • Read Aloud – Reader’s Theater Style or not
    • Art in the classroom
    • Music in the classroom
• Field Trip Opportunities
  •  Where do you want to go? Why? How would going there connect tot he novel?
• Technology Use
  • What technology? How would it be used? Any ideas? eh?
    • Laptops 
    • LCD Projector
    • Promethean Board
    • Image Scanner
    • Overhead Projector
    • DVD
    • TV
    • Cell Phones? Huh? yes. Cell Phones. Any ideas?
    • iPod
    • Cameras - SnapShot and/or Video
    • PodCasts
    • Internet Websites? Which? Why?
    • Email
    • Blogs

Here are some possible questions for your feedback:

• What did you like or dislike about the project?

• What did you not like about the project?

• If you didn’t post often – why not?

• What did you think of the questions each week?

• Did you prefer one big question (like the one for Week4) or would you rather have choice from multiple questions (like we did in Weeks 1 through 3)?

• Would you have liked interaction (or more interaction) with the author?

• Did you like the additional links to learn more about some of the characters in the novel?

• Would you do a project like this again? Why or why not?

—-I am practicing attaching files. You may also use this blog to let me know if files are attaching properly. Thanks!!

THE FINAL DISCUSSION IN TIME

If your class has not finished reading The Time Machine in class, then your homework is as follows:

• Finish reading the book online (or use the book you borrowed from me and never returned, grrrrr!)

Now you can bring closure to this amazing literature experience. Accomplish this:

1. Answer the following questions on your own paper. (DUE MONDAY WHEN YOU WALK IN)
2. Post one of these answers to THIS blog, and respond to other’s answers. (DUE BY TUESDAY 12:00AM)
3. Go to a website that sells the book, and post a review of the book. BEFORE YOU SUBMIT THE REVIEW, PRINT A COPY OF THE REVIEW YOU WILL SUBMIT TO THE WEBSITE. (DUE WEDNESDAY WHEN YOU WALK IN)

Chapter X

1. What does the Time Traveller conclude about mankind’s intellectual advancements? Use details and information from the chapter to support your answer.
   

Chapter XI

1. Why does the Time Traveller decide to visit the end of the Earth? Use details and information from the chapter to support your answer.
   

Chapter XII

1. Why do you think that Wells doesn’t tell you what happened to the Time Traveller in the end?

Ultimately – This is what it’s all about.

PICK ONE OF THESE TO ANSWER

1. What, if anything, can we learn from the novel and apply today?
2. Why did Wells write the book?
3. The Time Traveller concludes that humans developed into Eloi and Morlocks because they sought to do what was easy; they had most of their needs met; their conflicts were eliminated. Why is the elimination of conflict and need negative?
4. How does the Time Traveller feel about the idea expressed in the following nursery rhyme? Refer to Chapter 12 for help.

Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream.

Merrily, merrily, merrily merrily; life is but a dream.

The Time Machine Discussion Series

The Socratic Discussion of Chapters 1-6

The classroom will be set up in a large (sort of) circle.

As you enter the classroom, you will need to present your Ticket In.

Your Ticket In should have on it:

• 1 Discussion Question
• 1 Complete & Thorough Answer
• 1 Graphic Representation (Extra Credit)

If you do not have your Ticket In, you will get credit for being in class. You will not get full class participation credit, though. Your job will be to:

• Sit in the middle of the circle.
• Tally when students are on task.
• Tally when students are off task.

You may use/bring:

• Chapter Summary Assignments
• All Discussion Questions
• Literary Devices Definitions & Examples
• The Time Machine Book

—————- THE RULES —————-

THis is about discussion, not debate. It’s about conversation, about dialogue.

1. You are responsible for the discussion.
2. Students must speak to other students; not to the teacher.
3. One person speaks at a time.
4. Use active listening skills through eye contact, nodding, etc.
5. Provide feedback or responses.
6. Allow each speaker enough time to begin and finish her/his complete thoughts.
7. Be courteous and respectful; no put-downs or verbal bullying.
8. Refer to the text whenever possible; give examples.
9. Criticize the idea, not the individual.
10. Discuss ideas, not individual’s opinions.
11. Ask for clarification when needed, but be specific about what you want to know.
12. Speak freely; There is no need to raise hands to get into the discussion.
13. Stick to the topic being discussed.
14. Do not have side conversations.
15. Be willing to change your opinion based on what you hear.

—————- THE RUBRIC —————-

Suggested Participation Rubric

• Excellent – 40 POINTS
  
  • Follows seminar rules; Provides insight on a variety of issues; Exhibits an understanding of the text; Respects the ideas of others. CONTRIBUTES 3 TIMES.
• Good – 30 POINTS
  • Exhibits same behaviors as “excellent,” but does not comment as frequently. CONTRIBUTES 2 TIMES.
• O.K. – 20 POINTS
  • Attempts to follow seminar rules; Shares one or two comments; Respects the ideas of others. CONTRIBUTES 1 TIME.
• Poor – 10 POINTS
  • Does not speak; Does not follow seminar rules. NO TICKET. DOES NOT CONTRIBUTE.

The assignment you have received should take you through to next Monday.

The entire assignment can be found on the following page

http://moshej.edublogs.org/critical-thinking-tools-of-the-trade/novel-discussion-questions-language-issues/