Senior Humanities
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Seminar Response- MLA Citations + Writing Time

10/11/2023

 
DUE DATES- ON TIME- HUMANITIES​​​​​​​
  1. Seminar Response FINAL DRAFT. DUE: Friday, 10/13, Start of Class. Google Classroom
  2. Honors Response #1. DUE: Wednesday, 10/18, Start of Class (8:30 AM). Google Classroom.

DUE DATES- ON TIME- SENIOR PROJECT
  1. Interview Question Brainstorm. DUE: Wednesday, 10/18, Start of Class (9:25 AM). Google Classroom.
  2. Revised Research Question + Research Part 2 (Interview Notes + 3 more sources). DUE: Wednesday, 11/1, Start of Class (9:25 AM). Google Classroom.

DUE DATES- LATE (-10%)
  1. Interview Prep Work. LAST DAY TO TURN IN: Wednesday, 10/18, Start of Class (9:25 AM). Google Classroom.
Starter 6
  1. What do you think are the most pressing writing tasks and revisions you need to accomplish today?  Make a prioritized list.
  2. What are your strategies for proofreading/finalizing a paper? List as many as you can think of, then highlight 1-2 that you will do today.

MLA Citations:
Take a gander at the slides and the handout, since that covers most of it.

MLA Tools:
  • Purdue University OWL Writing Lab MLA Citations Guide: A complete guide to all things MLA. If the handout or slides don’t cover it, this will.
  • Z-Bib: A free and open source citation generator to use instead of EasyBib or Citation Engine. You will need to double check any citations this or any other generator makes, so use the OWL guide or handout to do so.
  • OWL Poster: A second cheat sheet created by the Purdue University OWL lab that covers the basics of formatting and preparing an MLA paper.
Apply Your KnowledgeMake a citation for one of the readings that you’ll be using for your seminar reflection writing.
  1. Desmond Ch 1 
  2. Desmond Ch 2
  3. Desmond Ch 3  
  4. Desmond Ch 4
  5. Ganz (The Uses of the Poor)

Formatting Basics
  • Essay
    • One inch margins
    • Legible font between 11 and 13 point size
    • Double spaced
  • Bibliography
    • Separate page with “Works Cited” at the top centered
    • Alphabetized based on last name (or whatever starts the entry)
    • Hanging indent on each new citation
    • Still double spaced

Work Time:
Majority of today’s class will be dedicated to work time.
  1. First priority in this class is your seminar reflection writing that is due tomorrow at the start of class. 
    1. While you’re here you can ask me for help, take advantage of that if you can.
  2. Second priority is the senior thesis work from yesterday.
    1. Interview Questions Brainstorm due next Wednesday, 10/18
    2. Revised Research Question + Research Part 2 due Wednesday, 11/1
  3. Third priority is to do other class work. ​

Week 3 Sr Project- Interviews, Research Questions

10/11/2023

 
DUE DATES- ON TIME- HUMANITIES​​​​​​​
  1. Poverty by America, Chapter 3 read. DUE: Thursday, 10/12, Start of Class. 
  2. Seminar Response FINAL DRAFT. DUE: Friday, 10/13, Start of Class. Google Classroom
  3. Honors Response #1. DUE: Wednesday, 10/18, Start of Class (8:30 AM). Google Classroom.

DUE DATES- ON TIME- SENIOR PROJECT
  1. Interview Question Brainstorm. DUE: Wednesday, 10/18, Start of Class (9:25 AM). Google Classroom.
  2. Revised Research Question + Research Part 2. DUE: Wednesday, 11/1, Start of Class (9:25 AM). Google Classroom.

DUE DATES- LATE (-10%)
  1. Interview Prep Work. LAST DAY TO TURN IN: Wednesday, 10/18, Start of Class (9:25 AM). Google Classroom.
Split between Kyle’s and Lori’s 2nd and 3rd- work time 4th across both rooms

Research Question Workshop
Give this presentation. Then have students write 2-3 refined versions of their research questions. They can use these in conferences with me this week and next. Over the next two weeks I want everyone to conference with Kyle or I about their revised research questions.

Interview Guidelines:
  1. Interview choices--  Who do you want to interview?  Contact all 3, because you never know!!!
  2. Interview contacts- Call or write the email!  HAVE LORI PROOFREAD BEFORE YOU SEND!
    1. Polite salutation
    2. Who you are
    3. Brief explanation of project (topic, research question, project), and what you hope to gain from the interview
    4. What you would like, how long it will take, topic of interview
    5. How they can reach you 
    6. Your deadline/timeframe (needs to be completed by Tuesday, 10/31)
  3. Interview questions
    1. Major themes
    2. Follow up questions

Interview Question Guide
Let's review this document, and brainstorm some interview questions.

Research, Phase 2
See this document for where to put your research question revisions, interview notes, and further research.

To Do During 4th Period:
  1. Revise research question
  2. Sign up for a conference with Kyle or Lori
  3. Write interview questions
  4. Contact people for interviews via email or phone
  5. Start Research Part 2

Setting Up Quotes, Chapter 3

10/10/2023

 
DUE DATES- ON TIME​​​​​​​
  1. Interview Prep Work. DUE: Wednesday, 10/11, Start of Class (9:25 AM). Google Classroom.
  2. Poverty by America, Chapter 3 read. DUE: Thursday, 10/12, Start of Class. 
  3. Seminar Response FINAL DRAFT. DUE: Friday, 10/13, Start of Class. Google Classroom

DUE DATES- LATE (-10%)
  1. Idea Fishing Part 2. LAST DAY TO TURN IN: Wednesday, 10/11, Start of Class (9:25 AM). Google Classroom.
 Announcements
  1. HONORS- Meet in my room tomorrow during 1st period.  Have ALL the reading for Week 1 completed!
  2. Make sure you have the interview pre-work done before Senior Project Time tomorrow!

Starter 5 + Reading Chapter 3 (30 min)
  1. Read chapter 3 of Poverty, by America. Annotate as makes sense for you.  NO MUSIC OR HEADPHONES during this time.
  2. Choose a passage or sentence that strikes you for some reason.  Type it into your starter with the page and paragraph number. 
  3. Then, write a short paragraph in response to that quote.  If you are stuck about what to write, try following this sequence of questions (hint, this will help you analysis):
    1. What is the quote saying? Translate it in your own words.
    2. Why is this quote significant or important?
    3. How does this quote connect to other things you have read or learned so far?  Be specific, and explore the connections and what they mean.

Setting Up Quotes (20 min)
  1. Present examples
  2. Have one student give a piece of evidence they plan to use- everyone sets it up and follows it, put it on the board.
  3. Students set up their own evidence from their seminar response- show it to Lori or Grayson as a ticket into writing time (will also get points for this!)

Writing Time! 
Spend the rest of class writing your seminar response.  You will have more time to write and revise on Thursday, but the bulk of your draft should be written today.  Remember:
  1. Choose a question from the list of questions on the Seminar Response assignment
  2. Flip the question for your thesis, topic sentences should fall out of the thesis
  3. Use at least one piece of textual evidence per body paragraph
  4. Set up and follow up all your quotes.

Chapter 2 Discussion + Seminar Writing

10/5/2023

 
DUE DATES- ON TIME​​​​​​​
  1. Poverty Seminar Written Response ROUGH DRAFT. DUE: Tuesday, 10/10, Start of Class. Google Classroom.
  2. Interview Prep Work. DUE: Wednesday, 10/11, Start of Class (9:25 AM). Google Classroom.

DUE DATES- LATE (-10%)
  1. Idea Fishing Part 2. LAST DAY TO TURN IN: Wednesday, 10/11, Start of Class (9:25 AM). Google Classroom.
Starter 4 (Grayson)
  • Do you agree or disagree with the statement that “the American welfare state is a leaky bucket” (8)? 
    • Why or why not? 
    • Use at least one example from the text. 
    • How does this connect back to previous readings?
  • Split the class in half, agree and disagree
    • Have them talk amongst themselves and come up with their most compelling argument
    • Have one or two share out from each group

Framing: The chapter makes three main arguments about why poverty hasn’t changed in decades. This quote comes from one of those arguments but applies to all and to all other readings. By making students take a side and argue this point will require them to critically analyze the meaning behind the metaphor. 

Small Group Discussion Questions: (Grayson)
You get to choose your groups for now. If this discussion goes well, that will be the norm. If this goes poorly we will choose your discussion groups.

In your table groups, we need one person dedicated to being a notetaker, timekeeper, and a sharer. If there’s an extra they get to be a notetaker too. Spend 3 minutes on each question in discussion (keep this in check timekeeper). The sharer will be prepared to share your group’s consensus for two questions (including the a’s and b’s). Question 7 will be for the whole class. 
 
  1. What are the three main arguments Desmond makes about why poverty hasn’t changed?
    1. Which argument made in the text for why the poverty line hasn’t wavered in decades do you find most compelling? Why?
  2. How are the three causes for poverty argued in this chapter interrelated? 
  3. How has government spending affected the poverty rate? 
    1. Use an example from the text to support your argument.
    2. How is this different in the USA vs other countries?
  4. How would you describe the relationship between immigrants and the poverty line?
    1. Use an example from the text to support your argument.
    2. How is this different in the USA vs other countries?
  5. What is the link between marriage and the prison system? 
    1. Use an example from the text to support your argument.
    2. How is this different in the USA vs other countries?
  6. How does this chapter relate to the other readings you’ve done?
    1. Find three examples of their interrelationships.
  7. What questions does this chapter raise about the nature of poverty in America?
    1. Come up with 3 questions.

Seminar Response Writing
Choose any of the seminar questions listed below, and write a 500-750 word response to the question.  
  1. Make sure to quote and use evidence from at least one of the texts in each body paragraph.  
  2. You should have, at the very least, an introduction (with a thesis statement in it), and 2 body paragraphs of argumentation.  You are NOT required to write a conclusion for this, though you can if you want!  
  3. This should be organized in formal academic paragraphs, and proofread before you turn it in to me. 
  4. The rubric I will be grading these on is here: 12th Writing Rubric

HONORS:  You have 500-1000  words. 
  1. You are required to use both of the main texts for evidence.
  2. You should be using more than one piece of evidence in each paragraph.
  3. You should write an introduction, body paragraphs (at least two), and a conclusion.
  4. The rubric you are graded on is here: 12th Honors Rubric

Essay Questions:
  1. Why does poverty exist in America?  
  2. What is a theme or connection that you can draw between the two main texts- Poverty, by America and “The Uses of The Poverty: The Poor Pay All”?
  3. Desmond defines poverty as “a tight knot of social problems,” breaking with conventional definitions that focus only on low incomes. What are the implications of this view for how we view and deal with poverty? 
  4. “America’s poverty is not for lack of resources. We lack something else.” What do we, as a country, and as a citizenry, lack in this context?  Think beyond the duh perspective…don’t just say empathy, get more concrete.
  5. Of the different functions Gans argues the poor play, which seem most important to you?  Why?
  6. Gans divides the functions the poor play into two categories- economic functions (1-4) and social functions (5-13).  Which of these categories do you think is more important?  Why?

​Writing Rubric
Read through the rubric.  
  1. STAR skills that you feel super confident about
  2. CHECK MARK next to skills that you need a brief review, but not a long review
  3. CIRCLE things that you feel unprepared for

Google Form- Writing Instruction Priorities
Fill out the google form linked above to help me prioritize our review.

Flipping the Question → Thesis
Everyone complete this as we walk through this, and you should end up with a solid thesis statement. Use this to structure your analytical response (you will have time tomorrow to keep working on this).


Your Task- Outline and Write a Rough Draft
By TUESDAY when you come back, you should have an outline completed.  On Tuesday we will review a writing skill or two, and then your final draft will be due on FRIDAY at the start of class. USE THE WRITING RESOURCES on my DP!

Wednesday- Senior Project Posters + Interview Prep

10/4/2023

 
DUE DATES- ON TIME​​​​​​​
  1. Idea Fishing Part 2. DUE: Wednesday, 10/4, Start of Class (9:25 AM). Google Classroom.
  2. Interview Prep Work. DUE: Wednesday, 10/11, Start of Class (9:25 AM). Google Classroom.

DUE DATES- LATE (-10%)​
Explore Senior Projects (15 min)
  1. Go to one or more of these class websites and find projects in fields you are most interested in pursuing for your own project. 
  2. Be ready to share out two projects you like and why, as well as one thing this process has made you think of for your own project.
    1. Senior projects 2018  
    2. Senior Project 2019  
    3. Senior Project 2020 
    4. Senior Project 2021 (Check out the FINALISTS tab!)
Share out!

​Poster Expectations (50 min)
Using a piece of butcher paper, you have 1 period to create a poster that includes:
  1. Overview or summary of topic
  2. 2 potential research questions (questions that you are still wondering after you read your resource)
  3. 2 project ideas
  4. 1 opportunity for collaboration with a peer or other local person.
  5. 1 organization that is working on this topic (local, global or national)
  6. A visual image
  7. A reflection, what is your level of excitement about this project? Explain.
  8. Next Steps (at least three)- What do you want to look into further? What would be helpful to further hone and shape your ideas?

Gallery Walk Critique (35 min)
Now is the time to walk around and give feedback to people’s ideas. Using post it notes, leave the following feedback for 5-8 people.
  1. What questions does this inspire in you?
  2. What ideas could you add?
  3. Any community connections or project ideas?
  4. Feedback/concerns/revisions

Interview Pre-Work (last part of class)
  1. Do NOT call or contact anyone yet!  We will set you up for that next week!
  2. For next week, please come in with the following:
    1. A list of 3 people (1 local, 1 reach, 1 other) who might be helpful to talk to you about your thesis topic and/or your project ideas
    2. Contact information for these people- emails, phone numbers
    3. A list of potential questions you might want to ask them (3-5 questions per person)

Poverty Seminar

10/3/2023

 
DUE DATES- ON TIME​​​​​​​
  1. Idea Fishing Part 2. DUE: Wednesday, 10/4, Start of Class (9:25 AM). Google Classroom.

DUE DATES- LATE (-10%)
  1. Revised College Essay + Display Board. LAST DAY TO TURN IN: Wednesday, 10/4, Start of Class (9:25 AM). Google Classroom.
Announcements:
  1. Idea Fishing Part 2- Is due TOMORROW at the start of class!  Make sure you have it done.
  2. Weds Schedule- 
    1. HONORS MEETING 1st period in Lori’s room.
    2. Everyone else- Be here periods 2, 3, 4. We meet in Lori’s for instructions, then will split between rooms.

When you are NOT in Seminar: Work in here, feel free to wear headphones.  NO TALKING.
  1. Read and annotate chapter 2 of Poverty by America.  Due on Thursday.
  2. If you finish with that, work on finishing Idea Fishing Part 2, which is due tomorrow.
  3. Done with both of those things?  Feel free to work on assignments for other classes.

Seminar Questions
Core Questions
  1. Why does poverty exist?
    1. Find a stanza in Fortunate Son that points to this? Made an America? Walking in the Snow?
  2. What connections can we find between the 3 texts (songs, Uses of Poverty, Poverty chapter)?

Textual Questions
  1. Which text makes the more powerful argument?  Why?
  2. Poverty by America
    1. What is the argument of this piece?
    2. What are the effects of poverty on the individuals living in it?
      1. What is the most important or striking piece of evidence or data Desmond uses in this chapter?  What makes it so important? What does it prove?
    3. Desmond defines poverty as “a tight knot of social problems,” breaking with conventional definitions that focus only on low incomes. What are the implications of this view? How would you define poverty?
    4. Desmond defines poverty as a number of things- how are those things connected?
    5. “America’s poverty is not for lack of resources. We lack something else.” What do we, as a country, and as a citizenry, lack in this context?
  3. The Uses of Poverty: The Poor Pay All
    1. This was written in 1971- 50 years ago.  To what extent is it still relevant?  Are there any parts that are less relevant?  Why?
    2. Of the different functions Gans argues the poor play, which seem most important to you?  Why?
    3. Gans divides the functions the poor play into two categories- economic functions (1-4) and social functions (5-13).  Which of these categories do you think is more important?  Why?
    4. To what extent do you agree with this argument that poverty still exists because it is beneficial to society? Explain your reasoning using evidence from any of the texts.

Closing Questions
  1. Do you think that eliminating poverty would be worth the tradeoffs?  Why/why not?  How would this impact you personally?
  2. What kinds of solutions are needed for this type of complex problem?
  3. What new questions do you have now about poverty in the United States?  If you could research one thing about this issue, what would it be?

The Line: Poverty in America

10/1/2023

 
DUE DATES- ON TIME​​​​​​​
  1. Seminar Pre-Write. DUE: Monday, 10/2, Start of Class. Google Classroom OR Hard Copy
  2. Idea Fishing Part 2. DUE: Wednesday, 10/4, Start of Class (9:25 AM). Google Classroom.

DUE DATES- LATE (-10%)
  1. Revised College Essay + Display Board. LAST DAY TO TURN IN: Wednesday, 10/4, Start of Class (9:25 AM). Google Classroom.
Announcements:
  1. I am sick sick sick, so I am staying home today. I will hopefully be back tomorrow, where we will pick up our Socratic seminar on the two texts we coached on Friday. Your seminar prewrite is still due at the start of class today (turn it in now if you haven’t yet!).
  2. Expectations while I am gone:
    1. Do what Grayson tells you
    2. Stay in the classroom please (no working in the hall or other locations today)
    3. No phones or earbuds/headphones until independent work time in the second half of class

Framing:
  1. This starter is going to show you data about poverty trends in the United States. In the weeks to come, and in your thesis research, you will be looking at many pieces of data and learning how to interpret them- this is our first stab at that.

Starter 3- 7 Key Trends in Poverty Graphs
Each student should choose 2-3 of these charts to focus on- not all of them!
  1. Describe what you see here in terms of data. Summarize the main ideas, and discuss what stands out to you. 
  2. What are some potential explanations for this data?  How do these graphs inter-relate?
  3. What questions does this raise for you?  List at least 3.

Debrief
  1. Have students find someone who looked at one of the same charts they did (you might designate places around the room for them to go for this).
  2. Have them discuss question 2.
  3. Return to whole group- have 5 people share out questions that were raised, or specific insights that stood out to them.

Documentary: The Line: Poverty in America
Students should watch this. After each segment, have them pause and talk through the questions below in their table groups.
  1. Part 1: The New Face of Poverty (ends at 14:17)
    1. What stereotypes do we have about what poverty looks like?  How does this story challenge these stereotypes?
    2. Suburban poverty is outpacing urban poverty.  Why do you think this might be? What are the implications of this trend?
    3. What impact might using government assistance or resources like food banks have on someone who has always seen themselves as “successful?” Explain.
  2. Part 2: The Violence of Poverty (14:17-22:40)
    1. Where are the neighborhoods or communities like this near you?  What are they called? What do you know about them, and how and where have you learned this?
    2. How is violence connected to poverty?  Connect to chapter 1 of Poverty by America.
    3. How is education connected to poverty?
  3. Part 3: The Nature of Poverty (22:40-29:15)
    1. What is the connection between nature and poverty?
    2. What are the lessons we can learn from this story?
  4. Part 4: The Labor of Poverty (29:15-37:30)
    1. What are the major struggles James describes?
  5. Part 5: Drawing the Line (37:30-43:00)
    1. What unites each of the stories in the film?
    2. What needs are shown here?  What solutions are mentioned?
    3. What connections do you see between this film and the two readings we did?  The starter graphs?
    4. What new questions does this raise for you?
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  • Daily Lessons
  • Course Overview
  • Resources
  • Senior Project
    • 2024 Award Finalists
    • 2023 Award Finalists
    • 2019 Award Finalists
    • 2018 Award Finalists
    • Early Senior Theses and TED Talks
  • Honors