1. September 14-18, 2015

2. 14 September 2015 Quickwrite: Some think that too many people are absorbed in their cell phones and miss out on real life connections and relationships, while others argue that cell phones help enhance real life connections and relationships. Do you believe that cell phones help or hinder real life connections/relationships? Explain your reasoning. Essential Questions: What is the Declaration of Independence? What is its importance in American Literature? What is its importance in American Culture?

3. Today’s Task  Read Pages 111-115  Define any words you do not know (Minimum of 5).  Answer the following questions in COMPLETE sentences:  What rights do people have?  How may people secure these rights?  What rights has the King violated and how?  What will the colonies now do?  Answer questions 1A, 1B, and 4 on page 115.

4. Closing  Why is The Declaration of Independence important in American history? Turn In  Definitions  Questions from board  Questions from book  5 Topics (2 nd Block)

5. 15 September 2015 Quickwrite: What is something you believe should be legal or illegal? Why do you believe this thing should be legal/illegal? How would it help the American people to have this thing be legal/illegal? Essential Questions: What is the importance of The Declaration of Independence? Why is it important to know what The Declaration of Independence says? How is it relevant to America today?

6. Review of The Age of Reason OR Rationalism  Reason is the ability to think in an ordered, logical manner enabled people to discover both scientific and spiritual truth.  Less focus on hell or life after death – more concern with creating a better life on earth.  Rationalists believed people were able to perfect themselves —through good works and self effort.

7. Reason Thrived On…  Freedom of speech  Freedom from arbitrary rules  Freedom to experiment  Freedom to question existing laws and institutions

8. The Age of Reason in the United States differed from previous Rationalism movements in Europe namely because American citizens could test new ideas as they created a new society. Think: What was the goal of The Declaration of Independence? What was the reasoning behind the Declaration?

9. Now, with that in mind… 1. What rights do people have? 2. How may people secure these rights? 3. What rights has the King violated and how? 4. What will the colonies now do?  The period in which this document was written is often referred to as the Age of Reason because of the emphasis on logic and discipline at the time. What elements of Jefferson’s Declaration reflect a faith in reason?

10. Your Task…  Read & Annotate the article (a minimum of 4 annotations PER page)  Create an outline of the reading (summarizing each paragraph with 1-3 sentences).  Discuss with your group and write your answers on YOUR OWN paper: 1. Do you agree or disagree with the article’s stance that American Government is corrupted? Why or why not? Provide examples. 2. What is a government supposed to do for its citizens? Do you feel the American Government does what it should for Americans? Why or why not? 3. When does a government qualify as being labeled corrupted? At what point should people draw the line on government power? Or should the government always have absolute power? 4. What do you believe we, as those living in America, should do about potential Government corruption?

11. Closing  Do you believe there is a threat to American Freedom? Why/Why not? Turn In  Annotated Article  Article Outline  Discussion Questions

12. 16 September 2015 Quickwrite: When something you are trying to do is difficult, what do you try to do? Do you attempt to keep trying, give up, or something else? What do you recommend people do when something is just “too hard” to do? Essential Questions: What can I do to help improve my writing skills? What are some activities I can do in my every day life to help strengthen my writing? Why is it important to be able to compose a written work?

13. Practice Essay  Put away all cell phones, tablets, etc. The only things you may have out are paper and a pencil/pen.  If you have a cell phone/tablet/device out, I will take it until the end of class.  You will choose 1 of 4 prompts provided to you.  You will be given 50-60 minutes to respond to your chosen prompt.  If you finish early, you may bring me the essay and begin working on any missing work you have.

14. Right Now…  You will use the rest of class time to complete your assignment from yesterday. If you have already finished the assignment, you may work on any missing work you have.  Turn this assignment in at the tray. If you finish early, work on any missing assignments you have.

15. Turn In  Annotated Article, Article Outline, Discussion Questions.  Practice Essay

16. 17 September 2015  Quickwrite: What was the most difficult part about writing yesterday’s essay? What did you struggle with the most? What did you struggle with the least?  Essential Questions: What are the literary periods of Unit 1? Why are these literary periods important to American Literature? How do these literary periods reflect the time periods that they are in?

17. Today…  We will be reviewing unit 1, but in the form of jeopardy!  We are going to be using the first four rows, so make sure they are filled up all the way. If we end up having to make another row, we’ll deal with that when it comes.  The person in the back will WALK quickly towards the front— if they run, they are out.  Whoever makes it to the front first will get to choose the question for their team. The team will have 20 seconds to come to a consensus on what the answer is. If time is called and there is no answer, the other rows will have a chance to steal.

18. 18 September 2015  No Quickwrite today  You will work on any missing work you have.  If you do not have missing work, you will complete the weekly challenge for extra credit.  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DTLFW3C