Summer Reading Performance Task The Fault in Our Stars

What is it? A test that gauges your reading, discussion and writing skills Divided into three tasks 1. Reading, understanding and annotating various sources 2. Discussing sources in a small or large group 3. Writing about sources–connecting them in some way

Why? It is part of new Common Core Standards The purpose of the new standards is to help students become more college ready You will be tested by state in this manner in VERY soon (these types of tests will replace the CST) These tasks will help you become a more critical thinker and problem solver

Timeline Today-Expectations, rubrics, annotation review, discussion preparation Tomorrow-Annotation and discussion practice Monday-Discussion Tuesday- Writing

Grading You will be given a score in each of the three areas (annotation, discussion, and writing) Your score will not affect your grade. As long as you complete this assessment, you will earn completion credit toward your grade. – This test is formative. It is to see what skills you already have. – You will have several other performance tasks like this throughout the school year. Some of these will affect your grade.

Step 1: Annotation

Why Annotate? Makes you a more active reader—forces you to think while reading Helps you understand or ask questions about the text Helps you remember text better You will be asked to annotate every text we read Annotation applies to any source you are being asked to engage with—including pictures, videos, artwork, etc.

Annotation Review 1.Look at the writing prompt. What should you annotate for? 2.Read/view the source, paying special attention when ideas come up that relate to the writing prompt. 3.Highlight or underline anything that is relevant to the topic or strikes you as especially important. In the margin, write why you highlighted/underlined it. This is the most critical step!

Annotation Practice Does the author believe that art/literature or math/science is more important for education? Does the author take a side? What evidence does he/she present? Highlight or underline anything that relates to this question. Be prepared to discuss why you underlined or highlighted something.

After Reading 1. Go back to parts you highlighted/underlined and in margin explain why you thought is was important enough to mark (how does it relate to art vs. science) 2. Write a one sentence statement above the source using this frame: In (title of source) the author shows that (arts/literature or math/science) should play a significant role in education because (one reason the author provides).

In “Why Literature Matters,” the author shows that literature should play a significant role in education because reading helps foster creativity which is an important skill for economic growth.

Annotation Practice Let’s also practice with an image.

Annotating an Image

For homework Read and annotate sources B, D, and H – B. “Sputnik Moment” – D. “Six Critical Skills that Form the Foundation for 21 st century skills” – F. Banksy art

Step 2: Discussion

Socratic Seminar A Socratic Seminar is a type of higher-level dialogue based on the theory of the Greek philosopher, Socrates. The idea behind the Socratic Method is that it is more important to enable students to think for themselves than to merely fill their heads with the “right” answers. Therefore, he regularly engaged his pupils in dialogues by responding to their questions with open-ended questions instead of answers. It is important to remember, though, that a Socratic Seminar is a dialogue and not a debate. In other words, we are not looking for a winner. In a Socratic Seminar, every person in the room not speaking is expected to listen respectfully. Discuss ideas rather than each other’s opinions and feelings.

All participants are expected to… Participate actively: Speak, listen, and draw others into the discussion. Come prepared with questions and possible answers. Ask one or two pre-written questions during the seminar. Answer three or four questions during the seminar. These may be questions asked originally or follow-up questions. Refrain from interrupting. Support their ideas with evidence. Cooperate in a friendly discussion.

Participants may… Participants may NOT…  Ask for clarification if a person’s comment confuses them.  Add to a comment made by another person.  Respectfully voice an opposing viewpoint.  Criticize anyone’s opinions, comments, or beliefs.  Interrupt when someone is speaking.  Respond in a manner that is in any way contemptuous or derogatory.

Discussion Discussion will take place Monday Prepare yourself by reading and annotating the texts and writing your own questions to pose during discussion – We will work on writing questions tomorrow

Step 3: Writing You will write your essay in class on Tuesday. Guidelines for Writing: – The prompt… You will be writing an argumentative essay in which you will support your opinion with information from the sources you have annotated. – Format Your essay should have a beginning, middle, and end. The number and organization of the paragraphs is up to you (it should be logically organized) You will be writing in MLA format

Homework Reminder Read and annotate sources B, D, and H – B. “Sputnik Moment” – D. “Six Critical Skills that Form the Foundation for 21 st century skills” – F. Banksy art