A guide on Scholar Cards, how it works and why it works.

The purpose: to help students develop a repository of knowledge that they can draw upon to answer questions and write stellar essays, especially in timed circumstances such as the AP test. It helps students understand a complex text through using not only their own summarization but also analyzing the text at hand. Scholar Cards require that students select and memorize meaningful quotes from the text they read. These quotations should be selected because the student feels they reflect some of the most important ideas in the text.

Each Note card contains:  Side One Student Name / Due Date / Block Title / Author Effective Quote / Citation (pg)  Side Two (2 / 3 sentences for each) Context: The ‘before & after’. What does the quote mean – in context. Analysis: Examine the language. Why did the author use this quote and how was it effective? Thematic Meaning: What is the broad application of this quote for all of society / humanity outside and beyond this particular work? Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave -Frederick Douglass “Mistress, in teaching me the alphabet, had given me the inch, and no precaution could prevent me from taking the ell.” “That cheerful eye, under the influence of slavery, soon became red with rage; that voice, made all of sweet accord, changed to one of harsh and horrid discord; and that angelic face gave place to that of a demon.” -When he was denied education, he was unaware of what he lacked. But once he begun to learn and use his mind to it’s full potential, his determination to learn was stronger than any oppression from his master. Once the mind has sampled literacy and education, it desires it most of all. - Slavery is the most cruel of practices; it poisons the kindest of persons with cruelty. Where there is slavery, there is both ignorance and injustice.

 Students should feel confident about their knowledge of each scholar card they create.  Students will be assigned scholar cards for independent reading assignments, many essays, and will use scholar cards when creating writing prompts for essay writing.  Some longer reading assignments will require Scholar Packs (these are multiple scholar cards bound by a rubber band). Note: When assigned Scholar Packs – number each card numerically.

 Recite material out loud.  Sing it.  Read (aloud) in context.  Write it.  Assume different roles while reciting material aloud.  Read it before you sleep.  Use it – in your writing (essays, blogs, summaries, discussions, etc)  Type/write material in big letters and post it in the shower so you can read or recite it in a relaxed state.  Make the beginning letter of each argument/quote/note the first letter of each word in the title.  Ask someone to quiz you.

Name Date Block 2 Civil Disobedience -Henry David Thoreau “Government is best which governs least or not at all.” (citation – page, chapter, paragraph) Context: HDT is writing about societies duty to keep our government in line. He argues that citizens must respond civilly to any action the government takes that infringe upon our freedoms. The best kind of government is one which exercises the least amount of control and intervenes only when necessary. Analysis: There is a level of cynicism in this quote. The best government does not exist. In his eyes – no government is best. Government must be contained. Thematic Meaning: Only one person is needed to initiate change in a corrupt society.

Name Date Block 2 The Allegory of the Cave -Plato “Will they rule who are truly rich, not in silver and gold, but in virtue and wisdom, which are the true blessings of life.” (citation – page, chapter, paragraph) Context: Plato uses an allegory of a man who has been living in a cave to represent citizens who have been brainwashed by the propaganda of their society and government. Analysis: He compares extrinsic wealth/ success with intrinsic morality and virtues. Virtues and character and truth are the silver and gold we are all truly seeking – and what we admire. Thematic Meaning: Real wealth – the wealth that matters to humanity is the wealth we possess in virtue and character.

Name Date Block 2 Letter from Birmingham Jail -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” (citation – page, chapter, paragraph) Context: Dr. MLKjr. Is writing to those who put him in prison and to his supporters. He is attempting to show his persecutors the error of racism and segregation while encouraging his supporters to rebel peacefully – civilly Analysis: He uses parallelism in his sentence structure and using the words: anywhere and everywhere. Injustice anywhere represents a particular instance of injustice – but MLK is saying that all injustice affects everyone. Thematic Meaning: It is a person’s responsibility to disobey unjust laws for they are not true laws.