Cultural Voices (Period 6)

Welcome Back! It's going to be a phenomenal semester!

Go For The Gold!

5/25/18: Welcome! Fridays with Nigel!

https://create.kahoot.it/login

5/17/18: Welcome to Class!

Please research Ted Talks about Race OR anything relating to this class at the following link (view two or three):

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=ted+talks+about+race&qpvt=ted+talks+about+race&FORM=VDRE. There will be a few to look through. Then, in your writer's notebooks with today's date, please write down interesting points the speaker made, questions you may have, and comments you want to share. Be sure to include the tilt of your selected Ted Talks.

You may also work on make-up work for this class or any class.

Thank you!

4/19/18 & 4/20/18: Good Afternoon!

Day 3 of the Cycle of Socialization

View and discuss Romo's project and plan for your own project.

Next, look through materials. Begin drafting your projects on scrap paper.

Closing. Wishing you a fantastic day! :)

4/17/ & 4/18: Welcome!

Introduction to the Cycle of Socialization:

MATERIALS:

https://sc.edu/eop/trainings/Cycle_ofSocializationHandout.pdf

https://www.slideshare.net/Floweasy/cycle-of-socialization

4/18/18: Monday: 1. Review College and Career Access Fair 2. Plan for our event in June, T-shirts, and Year Book!

4/12/18 & 4/13/18: Good Afternoon!

Please add any final touches that need to be added to your posters

Present!

Gabi's testimonial

Closing. Wishing you an enjoyable and productive day :)

4/10 & 4/11: Welcome to Class!

Work on posters. Remember, you are teaching the class your terms. What's the best way to do so? How do you learn?

Present posters on Thursday.

Closing. Wishing you a fantastic day! :)

4/9/18: Welcome!

1. Share remaining testimonials 2. Introduce next activity (vocabulary/ posters)

Have a nice day! :)

4/2/18 - 4/6/18: Welcome! :)

• • Monday/ Tuesday: Writing Workshops/ Mini-conferences

  • Wednesday/Thursday: Begin sharing your testimonials if you are ready

  • Friday! Share testimonials (final day)!

  • Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day :)

The School Week of 3/26/18: Welcome to Class!

Writing Workshops continued (testimonials)! Continue with writing conferences (Benny & Romo/ Student interns also)

Drafts are due on Thursday! Please be mindful of time during our writing workshops

Closing. Wishing you a fantastic week!

3/23/18: Good morning and TGIF!

Writing Workshop!

Wishing you a safe and enjoyable weekend! :)

3/22/18: College Prep continued with Mrs. Mackins! Earn another 100%!

*****Note to sub: Please assist Mrs. Mackins. Thank you!

3/21: Welcome!

Continue with our writing workshop for Testimonials!

Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day!

3/20: College Prep with Mrs. Mackins!

EXCELLENT WORK! :) THANK YOU!

3/19: Welcome to class!

Listen to a few more testimonials and discuss "noticings"

Writing workshops! Sign up!

Nice work! :)

3/16/18 & 3/17/18: Welcome!

Final presentations

More on testimonials

Review and discuss our next assignment:

Race- The Power of an Illusion:

http://www.pbs.org/race/000_General/000_00-Home.htm

3/ 15: Welcome to class!

• • Introduction to our next project: Testimonial

  • Listen to examples of testimonials

  • Brainstorming

  • Closing. Have a wonderful day!

3/12 & 3/13: Good Morning!

• Finish your earliest race related memory assignment (both parts)

• Share your work

• Please get caught up on any work that you owe. You can look through all of the agendas below to see what you owe.

• Wishing you a wonderful day! :)

3/9/18: Welcome to Class!

It's S.U. Friday! Please see Tauri for the agenda :)

Wishing you an enjoyable and safe weekend!

3/5/18 to 3/8/18: Welcome!

Essential Question: What are testimonials and how can writing help me in exploring my social identities?

Finish A Class Divided Documentary/ Collect Work

Review and discuss the following link:

https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/uk/

Date: Title: IAT

Response in your notebooks to two tests:

1. Name of test #1 - A. Respond to the process of the test B. Respond to your results.

2. Name if test #2- A. Respond to the process of the test B. Respond to your results.

Earliest Race Related Memory Exercise (this paves the way for testimonials)

Begin testimonials after the above activity. Review and discuss assignment. Begin brainstorming.

Listen to exemplars (student samples) and keep track of "noticings"

Closing. Wishing you an enjoyable and productive day!

2/26/18 & 2/27/18

Welcome Back! It's going to be a wonderful week!

• Review the double entry journal.

• View, discuss, and analyze A Class Divided documentary. Please use the double entry journal to keep track of your thoughts.

• http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/class-divided/

• Double Entry Journal: 1. Review your findings with a partner and then whole group.

• Closing: Wishing you an enjoyable and productive day!

*********************WINTER BREAK!**********************

12/6/18: Good morning!

Where I'm From Presentations!

Wishing you a safe and enjoyable break! Read, write, read, write, relax! :)

12/15/18: Welcome!

• Writer's Workshop! Please finish your poems. You should have a draft and a perfected copy. Please save your work and print.

• Next steps if you are finished:

  • A. Make up work. Please see past agendas below.

  • B. Research Ted Talks about Race at the following link (view two or three): http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=ted+talks+about+race&qpvt=ted+talks+about+race&FORM=VDRE. There will be a few to look through. Then, in your writer's notebooks, please write down interesting points the speaker made, questions you may have, and comments you want to share.

  • C. Write another poem or help your peers who might need help. My student interns and students who have finished have been working extremely well with their peers! Bravo! Thank you for your leadership :)

12/13/18 & 12/14/18: Welcome to Class!!!!

(Please finish surveys as needed after the Where I'm From intro)

1. Introduction to Where I'm From Poetry

2. Please review and discuss the following site and listen to George Ella Lyon's poem:

http://www.georgeellalyon.com/where.html

3. Writing Activity & Materials/Where I'm From...

Please feel free to create your own version of the following templates. Over the past 11 years, many students either start with the templates and then move into their own direction or stay with the template. It depends on YOU. The templates are available to help you get started if you want to use them. Good luck! :)

"Where I'm From" Template And Samples:

First step: Please explore the following sites in preparation for writing your own Where I’m From poem:

1) http://www.ci.maryville.tn.us/mhs/family_history/family_history_004.htm

2) Under construction

3) http://www.carts.org/staff_poem2.html

4) http://www.mrcoia.com/school/pdf/9/where_im_from.pdf (includes helpful tips!)

5) http://www.swva.net/fred1st/wif.htm (includes template!)

6) http://www.ehow.com/how_4615832_write-im-poem.html

7) http://www.facinghistory.org/resources/strategies/%E2%80%9Cwhere-

i%E2%80%99m-from%E2%80%9D-poems

http://www.scholastic.com/content/collateral_resources/pdf/t/Target_I_am_from%20poem.pdf

http://www.georgeellalyon.com/where.html

Mrs. Benedetto's working draft is also an attachment below and she will share her poem tomorrow (see attachments when you scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page). I I

"I am" Template if you need another place to start:

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson391/I-am-poem.pdf

http://smithenglish9.blogspot.com/2007/02/i-am-poem.html

http://kathyescobar.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/i-am-template.pdf

Closing: Who would like to share?

Wishing you a wonderful day :)

2/12/18 Welcome!

Finish sharing identity wheels

Essential questions

Take survey

Closing. Have a wonderful day!

2/8/18: S.U. Friday!

Classroom Guideline/ Create with class

Identity wheels

Closing. Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

2/7/18: Snow day!

2/6/18 Greetings!

• The Four Agreements (see handout)! Review and discuss.

• Watch and discuss Kid President Video “How to Disagree”:

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=kid+president+,+how+to+disagree

In your notebooks, please do the following:

1. Write down the six steps Kid President shares in his clip. Include what you think about those steps and which steps you could see yourself using.

2. Write down anything that you find noteworthy! What does this mean? Please ask if you are not sure.

3. Discuss as a whole group.

Begin creating our classroom guidelines as a whole group.

Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day!

2/5/18 Welcome to class!

Dialogue Activities continued!

Closing: Reflection

Wishing you an enjoyable day!

2/2/18 Good morning and TGIF!

S.U. Friday with Romo and Tauri!!!! Two Ice Breakers and Two Dialogue Activities.

Monday- practice Dialogue with Hot Topics

Closing. Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

2/1/18: College Preparation Activities with Mrs. Mackins!

1/31/18: Welcome to class!

• Pick up where we left off with our Dialogue notes and discussions

• Partner activity: Turn and talk with a partner or small group of three. What are some "hot topics" you would like to practice dialogue with or discuss in class? Please write this in your notebooks with today's date and the title "Hot Topics"

• Include possible pros (positives) and cons (negatives) regarding the topics and write that under your list of ideas

• Review personal boxes bags. Take a vote on who wants to do this activity (the votes showed that we are doing this activity!)

• Closing. Wishing you a fantastic day! :)

1/29/18 to 1/31/18 Good morning and welcome back!

Introduction and information about Cultural Voices (a brief review of the program)

Review curriculum and this website

Review grading policy and classroom expectations (headphones, passes- five minute rule, after school hours, etc.)

Introductions: Introduce yourself to a peer and find out two things you have in common and one difference. Then, you will introduce each other.

Beach ball ice-breaker

Dialogue Notes

Wishing you an enjoyable and productive day :)

12/15/17: Last day for projects. If you haven't started your project, please complete the Ted Talk you've missed. The assignment is on an agenda below.

12/12/17 to 12/14/17: Review MLA style:

MLA Style is a requirement for your research:

• • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp9S1h36jww

• • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSkk9x4lQtE

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV9o2EIYzUo

11/31 to 12/11: Introduce next project: Our HBCU Trip and HBCUs. Class time for projects.

11/30/17 Welcome to class, scholars!

• • Review note taking and "noticings"

  • View, discuss, and analyze Tony Porter's "A Call to Men": https://www.ted.com/talks/tony_porter_a_call_to_men#t-641543

11/29/17 I’ll be back before 12:30!

• Step One:Research Ted Talks at the following link: https://www.ted.com/talks in the following three topic areas (one in each area; you may need to search through a few to find one that you find interesting and that is okay! It is part of the process!):

1. Race

2. Activism

3. Education

• Second Step: Respond in your writer's notebooks. Label each Ted Talk by its title. Underneath each Ted Talk title, please discuss what stood out to you in that piece. What did you think and feel about the information that was presented to you? Be specific.

(This did not go as planned as I was late getting back from my training at the PDC.)

11/28/17 Good Afternoon!

• • Presentations!

  • Bravo! Thank you for all of your hard work!

  • Wishing you a productive and positive day :)

11/27/17: Welcome Back!

Last day of class time for projects

Present tomorrow

Closing! :)

Wishing you a wonderful break!

***** Projects! ******

11/6 to 11/8: I'm out sick :(

• • Self-portrait projects. Please use this time wisely (just as you have been) to work on or finish your projects.

  • If you finish, please work on make-up work or help one of your peers. Thank you!

  • Romo will be in tomorrow to help with registering for the college fair. Please make sure that you are here and that I have your field trip forms.

  • Reminder: The marking period ends tomorrow!

Wishing you a productive and enjoyable day!

10/27/17: Field Trip to CFAC!

10/26/17: Introduction to self-portrait project! Work on questions and drafting.

10/23/17 to 10/25/17 Welcome! :)

• Discuss community dialogue opportunity with police officers. Who is interested?

• Collect field trip forms for Friday (we have three so far)

• Continue with Dia De Los Muertos Study and Art Work

• On Wednesday, please complete your self assessment and reflection assignment

• Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day!

10/20/17:

• S.U. Friday with Romo and Tauri!

10/19/17: Good afternoon!

• • Learn about Dia De Los Muertos with Romo! (Day of the Dead)

  • Closing. Have a wonderful day :)

10/17/17 & 10/18/17: Welcome to class!

• • Debrief from yesterday's low risk topics on anchor chart. FANTASTIC work yesterday! We are impressed!!!!

  • Present your findings from Race- The Power of an Illusion

  • Closing. Wishing you a terrific day :)

10/16/17: Good Morning!

• • Hot Topics Activity!

  • Review Guidelines and Take a Vote

  • Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day! :)

10/12/17: Welcome to Class!

Continue with the following activities:

• • • Race- The Power of an Illusion (DUE TODAY):

      • http://www.pbs.org/race/000_General/000_00-Home.htm

• • Begin next activity with a partner if you would like. Use the link above.

  • Try Google Chrome if you have access. You should also try Internet Explorer and Fire Fox if you have issues. The only one you might have an issue with is the matching of pictures to race.

  • Please look through the following list of topics at the following site and select two topics (place your choices with your name on an index card):

    • https://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/02/24/our-100-most-popular-student-questions-for-debate-and-persuasive-writing/

    • Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day!

10/11/17: Good Afternoon!

• Please finish sharing your earliest race related memories

• Review and discuss our next assignment:

  • Race- The Power of an Illusion:

    • http://www.pbs.org/race/000_General/000_00-Home.htm

• Begin next activity with a partner if you would like. Use the link above.

• Try Google Chrome if you have access. You should also try Internet Explorer and Fire Fox if you have issues. The only one you might have an issue with is the matching of pictures to race.

• Closing. Wishing you a fantastic day!

10/10/17: Welcome to class!

• As a group, please organize the index cards with your two lines from Friday to create a complete poem.

• Begin sharing your earliest race related memory work as a whole group.

• Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day!

10/6/17: TGIF!

• • S.U. Friday! Where We Are From Planning and Writing with Tauri

  • If there's time, Race:The Power of an Illusion Activities. Please see the attachment below ---> You need to scroll all the way down to the attachment section and look for "Race: The Power of an Illusion Activities.

  • Have you completed the Ted Talk activities yet?

  • Closing. Wishing you a wonderful three day weekend!

10/3 to 10/5: Welcome to class!

1. Introduction to Earliest Race Related Memory Activity (listen and view examples)

2. Workshop time to write and create your visual. Please work with Benny and/ or our student interns if you need help.

3. Closing. Wishing you a positive and productive day :)

10/2/17: Good Afternoon

• Let's review last Friday's agenda and see where we are today with everything

• Share poems if you haven't done so yet (please)

• Begin Earliest Race Related Memory Activity

• Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day :)

9/29/17: Welcome to class! TGIF! :)

• S.U. Friday! Please turn in your cameras! If you can't turn it in, please communicate with us.

• Share your poems (or at least your favorite lines)

• Poems are due/ draft and perfected copy

• Earliest Race Related Memory Exercise

Wishing you an enjoyable and restful weekend :)

9/28/17: Welcome to class! Excellent work yesterday!

Link to Cool Schools: http://www.localsyr.com/news/local-news/cool-schools-students-learn-about-active-communication-at-johnson-center/818723662

******Please use this time wisely while I'm away.

Research Ted Talks about Race at the below (view three): http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=ted+talks+about+race&qpvt=ted+talks+about+race&FORM=VDRE.

There will be a few videos to look through. Then, in your writer's notebooks, please write down interesting points the speaker made, questions you may have, and comments you want to share about three different Ted Talks. Yes, you may use the headphones.This is a grade.

Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day :)

9/27/17: Good Afternoon!

• Writer's Workshop! Please finish your poems. You should have draft and a perfected copy. Please save your work and print.

• Next steps if you are finished:

  • A. Make up work. Please see past agendas below.

  • B. Research Ted Talks about Race at the following link (view two or three): http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=ted+talks+about+race&qpvt=ted+talks+about+race&FORM=VDRE. There will be a few to look through. Then, in your writer's notebooks, please write down interesting points the speaker made, questions you may have, and comments you want to share.

  • C. Write another poem or help your peers who might need help.

• Closing. Wishing you an enjoyable day!

9/25 and 9/26/17: Writing Activity/Where I'm From...

You may create your own version of the following templates. The templates are to help you get started if you want to use them. Or, you may just jump in and get started. Good luck! :)

"Where I'm From" Template And Samples:

First step: Please explore the following sites in preparation for writing your own Where I’m From poem:

1) http://www.ci.maryville.tn.us/mhs/family_history/family_history_004.htm

2) http://www.georgeellalyon.com/where.html

3) http://www.carts.org/staff_poem2.html

4) http://www.mrcoia.com/school/pdf/9/where_im_from.pdf (includes helpful tips!)

5) http://www.swva.net/fred1st/wif.htm (includes template!)

6) http://www.ehow.com/how_4615832_write-im-poem.html

7) http://www.facinghistory.org/resources/strategies/%E2%80%9Cwhere-

i%E2%80%99m-from%E2%80%9D-poems

http://www.scholastic.com/content/collateral_resources/pdf/t/Target_I_am_from%20poem.pdf

http://www.georgeellalyon.com/where.html

Mrs. Benedetto's sample is also an attachment below (see attachments when you scroll down to the bottom of the page.

"I am" Template if you need another place to start:

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson391/I-am-poem.pdf

http://smithenglish9.blogspot.com/2007/02/i-am-poem.html

http://kathyescobar.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/i-am-template.pdf

Closing: Who would like to share?

9/22/17: TGIF!

• Good Afternoon!

• S.U. Friday with Romo and Tauri!

• Closing. Wishing you a wonderful weekend :)

9/21/17: Welcome to Class!

Check us out on Twitter!

• https://twitter.com/SyracuseSchools/status/910157880891990019/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.syracusecityschools.com%2F

• Identity Wheels

9/19/17 & 9/20/17: Welcome!

• View video, discuss, and respond in writing to the following clip:

http://video.genfb.com/1218027401623645

• Revisit questions from Friday about dialogue

• View second video (same process as first video)

• Closing. Wishing you a marvelous day!

9/18/17: Good Afternoon!

Student Evaluations with Romo!

9/15/17: S.U. Friday!

Activity: What is Dialogue?

Discuss & Review Dialogue versus Debate

Set up Ground Rules and Expectations

Closing. Have a nice weekend! :)

9/14/17: Welcome!

• Finish film, discuss, and reflect in writing.

• http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/class-divided/

• Have a wonderful day :)

9/13/17: Welcome to class!

• Dialogue Practice! Review the steps!

• Finish A Class Divided. Same format as yesterday.

• http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/class-divided/

• Closing: Wishing you a wonderful day! :)

9/12/17: Good afternoon!

• Review the double entry journal.

• View, discuss, and analyze A Class Divided documentary. Please use the double entry journal to keep track of your thoughts.

• http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/class-divided/

• Closing: Wishing you an enjoyable and productive day!

9/11/17: Welcome to class!

• Take Dialogue Notes. Discuss.

Closing: Wishing you a fantastic day! :)

9/8/17: Good Afternoon! It's S.U. Friday!

• Meet Your S.U. Teachers!

• Whole Group Activities/ Community Building

• Closing: Wishing you an enjoyable and safe weekend :)

9/6/17 & 9/7/17 Welcome Back!

• Brief introduction and information about this course

• Materials

• Ice-breaker

  • Review and discuss The Four Agreements

    • Watch and discuss Kid President Video “How to Disagree”:

    • https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=kid+president+,+how+to+disagree

    • In your notebooks, please do the following:

    • 1. Write down the six steps Kid President shares in his clip. Include what you think about those steps and which steps you could see yourself using.

    • 2. Write down anything that you find noteworthy! What does this mean? Please ask if you are not sure.

    • 3. Discuss as a whole group.

• Take Dialogue Notes (notebooks)

• Closing: Wishing you a wonderful day!

6/6/17: Welcome to Class!

*****Please see yesterday's agenda to make sure all of your work is done before starting today's assignment******

• Step One:Research Ted Talks at the following link: https://www.ted.com/talks in the following three topic areas (one in each area; you may need to search through a few to find one that you find interesting and that is okay! It is part of the process!):

1. Race

2. Activism

3. Education

• Second Step: Respond in your writer's notebooks. Label each Ted Talk by its title. Underneath each Ted Talk title, please discuss what stood out to you in that piece. What did you think and feel about the information that was presented to you? Be specific.

• Third and Last Step: Share what you learned from one of your videos with the whole group on Thursday.

Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day :)

6/5/17: Good Afternoon! :) Please e-mail Romo at Diromo@syr.edu and let her know if you are attending our event this Friday!!!!

Important Announcements!:

• Where are you with your service projects? Your hours must be completed by this Friday, June 9th; the written response is due this Friday as well! Remember, your reflection should be typed, double spaced and in 12 font.

• If you need a service learning placement, you may help with set up at the museum this week (two tomorrow).

• Last week (the whole week) we analyzed, discussed and took notes on Precious Knowledge. I will be grading your notes.

• Today: Spent time setting up your service learning projects and work on any make up work that you owe. Did you turn in your testimonial? That is a MUST!

• Closing. Wishing you a fantastic and productive day! :)

6/2/17: Welcome to class and TGIF!

• Finish the documentary and continue the work we have started

• Whole Group: Share concluding thoughts and feelings regarding the end of the documentary

• Create possible research questions for Monday to learn of any possible backlash or progress made since the Ethnic Studies classes were eliminated

• Closing. Wishing you a wonderful weekend :)

5/30 to 6/1: Good Afternoon and Welcome to June!

• View, analyze, discuss, and take notes on the documentary Precious Knowledge

• Service projects are due on June 9th! Congratulations, Daja for a job well done! We are proud of you!

• Testimonials: Please stay after school or work with me during my planning if you need to finish!

• Closing. Wishing you a positive and productive day! :)

5/26/17: Welcome to class and TGIF! :)

• Testimonials are due and a few people still need to share.

• Work on your service projects if you have completed your testimonial .

• Closing. Wishing you a positive and productive weekend! :)

5/22 to 5/25: Good afternoon!

• Daja, Kiana,Olivia, and Parrish are now working on their final service projects.

• Everyone else is finishing her or his testimonial. Final drafts are due no later than this Friday. Everyone also needs to share by this Friday.

• Whole group: Listen to more testimonials and respond dialogically as we have been doing every time someone shares. Nice job with this process!

• Closing. Wishing you an enjoyable and productive day :)

5/16 to 5/19: Welcome to class and TGIF!

• Testimonials Continued/ Writing Workshop Style

• Thank you to everyone who has shared their work with us thus far and worked on their testimonials all week! We applaud you!

• Wishing you an enjoyable weekend :)

5/15/17: Welcome to class! :)

• We would like to thank everyone for fully utilizing their time during our writing workshops! Nicely done! :) Keep writing!

• Testimonials Continued (Day 7 since introduction)

• Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day!

5/12/17: Good Afternoon!

• Testimonials/ Writing Workshop (Day 6)

• Closing. Wishing you a productive and positive weekend :)

5/11/17: Welcome! :)

• Testimonials/ Writing Workshop (Day 5)

• Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day!

5/9/17 & 5/10/17: Welcome to class!

• Testimonials Continued (Day 3 & 4)

• Writing Workshop Begins!

• Closing. Wishing you a terrific day!

5/8/17: Good Afternoon!

• Quick Write! Which assignments have we completed so far that could help you write your testimonials?

• Day Two of Testimonial Practice! Please see the assignment sheet.

• Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day! :)

5/5/17: Welcome to class and TGIF!

Testimonials!

• Debrief and make connections to our social identities, such as race and another social identity that connects to your educational experience

• Romo will share her testimonial (her experience with other identities)

• Review the official assignment

• Closing. Wishing you a positive day and a productive weekend! :)

5/2/17 to 5/4/17: Good afternoon!

• Plan B: Whole group activity per Mr. Dittman.

• Thursday or Friday: Testimonials or work to prepare us for this piece.

• Thank you for being flexible!

• Closing. Wishing you a productive and positive day!

***** Thank you for your authentic feedback yesterday! :)

5/1/17: Welcome to class!

• Please see the agenda below from last week. Have you completed each assignment? Please come up with a plan if you need to get caught up with your work ASAP.

• Independent work. I'll circulate the room and conference as needed.

• Closing. Have a wonderful day! :)

4/26/ 17 to 4/28/17: Welcome to class!

• Finish viewing and discussing My Family in relation to the Cycle of Socialization. Please work on your assignment sheet as well.

• Race: The Power of an Illusion work needs to be completed today ( please see past agendas below as needed). Your team will share key information with the whole group about your findings.

• Tuesday: Introduction to testimonials!

• Closing. Wishing you a positive and productive day :)

4/25/17: S.U. Tuesday!

• Welcome to class! Check in. How is everyone? How was break?

• Continue viewing and analyzing My Family in relation to the Cycle of Socialization. Please work on your assignment sheet as well.

4/24/17: Welcome back!

• Field trip reflections still need to be completed. Please and thank you! :)

• See Race: The Power of an Illusion activities below (previous agenda). That work needs to be completed as well.

• I also need projects! If I did not get your project yet, you have an incomplete on your report card.

• Share: Olivia in the news! Thank you to Megan and Kiana as well for their participation in the LOVE project! :)

• Closing. Wishing you a stellar day!

4/13/ 17 & 4/14/17: Welcome!

• Reflect and debrief from field trip. Please see assignment.

• Continue with the following activities that we started on Monday:

Race- The Power of an Illusion:

http://www.pbs.org/race/000_General/000_00-Home.htm

Topics and Groups:

• A. Everyone will do Human Diversity and Sorting People individually

• Groups B-E:

B. What is Race? (Sabrina and Daja)

C. 1950-1972 Race Timeline (Megan and Ziona)

D. 1974-2000 Timeline (Kellz and Saimone)

E. Where Race Lives (Kiana)

F. Me, My Race, and I (Olivia and Parrish)

Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day! :)

4/12/17: Field trip! If you happen to be class, please look below at our previous agendas for missed work. If you do not owe anything, you may work on classwork for another teacher.

4/11/17: Welcome to class! :)

• S.U. Tuesday!

• Final presentations!

• Movie (connects to the Cycle of Socialization)

• Closing. Wishing you a fantastic day!

4/10: Welcome to class!

• Reflection

• Introduce our next activity and select topics. Listen closely as there are several steps.

  • • Race- The Power of an Illusion:

    • http://www.pbs.org/race/000_General/000_00-Home.htm

• Closing. Wishing you an enjoyable day! Get outside and get some of fresh air today :)

A special thank you to everyone for being excellent audience members during Olivia's presentation yesterday!

4/7/17: Final Day of Presentations!

4/5/17 & 4/6/17: Welcome to class!

• Presentations! Thank you, Olivia for going first!

• PLEASE remember to listen and pay close attention to each and every presenter. Practice empathy. You will have a chance to 1. Share what you learned from her or his presentation 2. Share what you liked about their project 3. Ask a question about their project 4. Make a personal connection (last)

• Closing. Have a fantastic day :)

4/3/17 & 4/4/17: Good afternoon! :)

• Self Portrait Workshop Days. Please use your time wisely.

• Reminder: Projects are due tomorrow and Thursday!

• Closing. Wishing you a productive and positive day!

3/30/17 & 3/31/17: Welcome to class!

• Vocabulary Poster Presentations/ Go for the Gold!

• Work on your projects. they are due next Tuesday and Wednesday.

• Ticket out the door: Please go to Padlet!

• Remember to be academically and socially appropriate on Padlet! Thank you!

• Wishing you a productive and enjoyable weekend :)

3/29/17: Excellent work yesterday! Thank you!

• Add finishing touches to your posters and plan your presentation (five- eight minutes)

• Present your work as a group or partnership. Remember, you are teaching your classmates your randomly selected vocabulary term

• Work on your self-portrait projects (draft first!)

• Closing: Please go to Padlet by clicking -> -> Padlet.

• Next, leave a comment with your name or initials for credit (this could include something you learned in class today, a question, something you are still wondering, and/ or a productive comment about your work or your classmates' work today)

• Wishing you a wonderful day :)

3/28/17: Good afternoon!

• S.U. Tuesday! Introduction to self-portrait projects.

• Finish posters. Please remember to include a clear and concise definition for your term.

• Present posters if there is time.

• Closing. Wishing you a productive and enjoyable day.

3/27/17: Welcome to class! :)

Vocabulary activity: Make posters and teach the class your term or terms. I'll let you know who you are working with today. I also have some samples to share from previous semesters.

Review Padlet

Closing

3/24/17: TGIF!

• Welcome to class!

• Share your work from yesterday's class as a whole group. We will not force you to participate due to the personal nature of the assignment. I do ask in advance, however, that everyone be patient with the the process of sharing and allow everyone's voice to be heard. Everyone will get a chance to participate. Remember to LISTEN first and ask questions or make connections at appropriate times. THANK YOU :)

• Closing. Wishing you an enjoyable weekend :)

3/23/17: Good Afternoon!

• Begin earliest race related memory activity. We reviewed it yesterday at the end of class and I reviewed my example.

• Introduction to your end of the marking period self-portrait project!

• Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day!

3/22/17: Welcome to class! Nice work yesterday on our field trip! Thank you!

Part I:

Today you will complete a Reflect and Connect writing response in your writer's note books (you may type if you would like instead) based upon yesterday's experience at CFAC.

1. What piece of art work did you like the most and why?

2. Something you learned and something you are still wondering.

3. Which piece of art was relevant to you? Make a connection to your life.

4. What ideas/plans did you get for your self-portrait? Please draw, scribble, list, and/or bubble a draft of what you are thinking.

Share out with the whole group when everyone is done.

Part II:

Next, think about your earliest race related memory. What is it and how could you show us on paper? If there is enough time, we will begin the next steps.

Closing. Wishing you an enjoyable rest of your day! :)

3/21/17:

• Field Trip to Community Folk Art Center (CFAC for short)!

• Debrief and reflection/ connection assignment tomorrow.

3/20: Good Afternoon!

• Group discussion on last Thursday and Friday's activities with the IAT (see the agenda below for details if needed).

• Quiz on the Cycle of Socialization.

• Small group activity, then whole group activity with whiteboards.

• Closing. Wishing you a productive and enjoyable day!

3/16 & 3/17: Welcome Back!

**** We will reschedule our trip. Stay tuned for information.

• Take the IAT online (we talked about this with our notes last class).

• Here is the link: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html

• Please reflect and respond in your notebooks with today's date. What was the process like for you in taking the IAT? Which tests did you select? What did you think about your results? Explain.

• Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day!

*****Snow Days: 3/14 & 3/15

3/10/17 & 3/13: Welcome!

• Vocabulary (see notes from Power Point)

3/7/17 to 3/9/17: Welcome to class!

S.U. Tuesday!

Introduce the Cycle of Socialization (Romo & Della)

Closing. Wishing you a fantastic day :)

3/6/17: Good afternoon!

Discuss social and personal identities

Complete identity wheels/ share out

Please do not forget that tomorrow is S.U. Tuesday!

Wishing you a productive and enjoyable day :)

Welcome to class! TGIF!

3/3/17: Finish movie/ pause, discuss,and reflect

*****Reminder: I need your typed and printed poems ASAP!

Wishing you a productive and enjoyable weekend :)

3/2/16: I am home sick :( Enjoy your movie, Freedom Writers:)

Welcome!

3/1/17: A Class Divided (23:50 to 53:05): Continue to watch, discuss, and take notes. You will have two pages of notes- one for each day. We watched the first half on Monday. Please see the agenda below for 2/27 if you missed.

Wishing you a productive day :)

Welcome to class!

2/28/17: S.U. Tuesday! Share your Where I'm From poems!

Wishing you an enjoyable day :)

Welcome Back!

View A Class Divided (we watched up to 23:50)

Link to film: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/class-divided/

Take notes and discuss

Closing. Wishing you an enjoyable first day back! :)

2/17: Welcome!

• Create Dialogue Versus Debate Skits

• Finish your poems if needed (to be presented on February 28th)

Wishing you a wonderful break! :)

2/15 & 2/16: Welcome!

• Make sure that everyone has the dialogue versus debate hand out.

• Also, students who did not do the activity yesterday need to make it up by Friday. We will talk.

• Where I'm From background information, my example, and the templates.

• Writing Workshop!

• Closing. Wishing you a wonderful and productive day!

***** There are two attachments for the Where I'm From poem below in the attachment section (scroll all the way down). Here is a link with more information and resources as well: http://www.swva.net/fred1st/wif.htm

2/14/17: Welcome to class! It is S.U. Tuesday with Della & Romo!

• Review and Discuss Dialogue Versus Debate

• Create skits and then give one another feedback

• Review Guidelines

Closing. Wishing you an enjoyable day :)

2/10/17: SNOW DAY! Enjoy!

2/9/17 Welcome to class!

• Quick Write

• Review classroom expectations through a gallery walk (It's Okay to Be... It's Not Okay to Be... and I Wish My Teacher Knew...)

• Afterwards, please add your own post it or post-its as we go. Then review and discuss as a whole group.

• Make up day (Kid President & Dialogue Notes). While students make up work, everyone else will research the topics they referred to in their quick write with a partner.

Closing. Wishing all of you a wonderful day!

2/8/17: Half Day! I do not see this class today. Enjoy your time off.

2/7/17 Welcome!

S.U. Tuesday!

Ice-breaker with Della & Romo!

Survey

Closing. Wishing you a fantastic day! 2/8: Half day

2/6/17: Welcome back!

• Check in. How is everyone? Review last week briefly.

• Dialogue notes in writer's notebooks (see Power Point)

• Practice dialogue with a partner (also on Power Point)

• ******Reminder: Tomorrow is S.U. Tuesday! Please do not miss!

Closing. Wishing you a fantastic day! :)

2/3/17: Welcome to class! Reminder about Lit arts today after school

·

· Watch and discuss Kid President Video “How to Disagree”:

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=kid+president+,+how+to+disagree

In your notebooks, please do the following:

1. Write down the six steps Kid President shares in his clip. Include what you think about those steps and which steps you could see yourself using.

2. Write down anything that you find noteworthy! What does this mean? Please ask if you are not sure.

3. Discuss as a whole group.

Closing. Wishing all of you an enjoyable and productive weekend :)

Welcome to Cultural Voices! 1/31/17 & 2/3/17

Agenda:

· Please take a folder and a notebook. Then, place your name on both. We will use these items regularly

· Course information and history; meet your team of teachers (Tuesday)

· Two ice-breakers with Romo & Dellareese (Tuesday)

· Review grading policy and our classroom website

· Survey (next Tuesday)

• More ice breakers (favorite quote and beach ball)

Quick Write (in your new notebooks):

1. Why did you sign up for Cultural Voices? What do you hope to gain from taking this class?

2. What do you think of what is happening in our country right now in regards to politics in general?

3. Share with whole group (at least four to five volunteers please)

Closing. Wishing all of you a wonderful day :)

Fall Semester 2016

Welcome to Class! :)

1/9 - 1/11: View Precious Knowledge Documentary

• Discuss

• Take notes during the documentary on the following:

1. Identify the conflict/problem

2. What actions are they taking to address the problem

3. Questions you have

4. Anything important or noteworthy

5. Dialogue. Where do you see this being used in the documentary?

1/12 - 1/13: Research regarding Precious Knowledge (online)

Welcome!

1/3 - 1/6- Cycle of Socialization Project Presentation

Institutions:

School

Workplace

Media

Laws

Church

Sports

Welcome to class!

The Week of 12/12 - 12/23: Continue with the Cycle of Socialization

12/14 & 12/15: Good Afternoon!

Introduction to the Cycle of Socialization with Dellareese & Romo

Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day :)

12/12 & 12/13: Welcome!

Turn in typed and perfected copies of your testimonial on Monday.

Present testimonials!

Discussion and question session after each presentation

Closing/ Wishing you a wonderful day!

12/6/16: Welcome to class!

Review yesterday's agenda.

Testimonial Due date: Typed and perfected by 12/12/16 (that is next Monday).

Begin typing your testimonial today. Please remember to save your work!

If you are done with everything, please review the agenda from 11/4. Have you completed this assignment yet? If not, please do so.

Closing. Wishing you a fantastic and productive day :)

12/5/ 16: Welcome Back! S.U. Monday!

Check in!

Dellareese will share her testimonial.

Writing workshop continued. Here are some ideas that may help you as you work through your drafting process:

• Chronologically (think time frame and what happened first. second, third, etc.)

• Specific examples/ moments in time that took place at institutions/ places (school, the mall, church, the playground, a family member's home, your home)

• Who was involved? Friends? Leaders? Family?

• Are there anecdotes? (short stories about an important or interesting event or occurrence).

• Remember, your piece is about YOU and your journey! regarding your racial identity and one other social identity .This could be a situation that involves empowerment, enlightenment, a struggle, or maybe an "I do not know entirely but I'm thinking... based upon..."

Closing/ wishing you a productive and enjoyable day :) Remember to write, write, write, and then write some more!

Due date: Typed and perfected by 12/12/16

11/30 & 12/1/16: Good afternoon! Nice work yesterday!

Today is a writing workshop day. You will spend time drafting your testimonials. Remember, writing is a messy process! Dive in!

Think about all of your notes and the activities you have completed leading up to this assignment. How will they be helpful to you?

Conferencing. I will work with each and every student today one and one to see where you are heading with your writing.

Closing. Wishing you a wonderful day :)

11/29/16: Welcome!

A. Listen to three testimonials. As you listen, you will write down the following on post it notes for each testimonial:

1. What do you notice? What stands out? Why?

2. What new ideas to you have about your testimonial? Please give me an example.

3. Write down any questions you have. I may or may not be able to answer but it could lead to a rich conversation.

4. Identity. Do you see the layers of identity in each piece? Where? Which identities?

B. Share your "noticings" from above with a partner. Then, we will discuss as a whole group

C. Do you have any questions about this assignment before we begin drafting?

D. Time to brainstorm and draft. Start taking notes on your charts or in your writer's notebooks. Don't worry- this is not a race! We have time to write!

Closing. Wishing you a productive and enjoyable day! :)

11/28/16: Welcome back! Today is S.U. Monday!

• Checking in

• Review agenda from 11/17 and pick up where we left off with activities

• Listen to examples of testimonials/ discuss

• Closing

• Wishing you a wonderful first week back! :)

*******Friendly reminder: You must be here every Monday to earn credit for your time with your teachers from S.U.

Lit Arts is this Friday! Hope to see you! :)

11/21/16: Welcome back! :)

Make up day!

Letters and Vocabulary

Closing/ Wishing you a joyous five day break!

11/18/16: TGIF! Welcome to class!

Current Events and a letter writing activity:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EDARXxT82BgA18PSLMn8zixOT7Kr1Q7JC4h7KxgNgWI/edit?usp=sharing

OR

http://bit.ly/2fbkhl6

Closing. Wishing you a wonderful and safe weekend! :)

11/17/16: Welcome!

• Introduction to your next big project: Testimonials!

• Review Testimonial Requirements (see packet)

• Review activities that we have completed in class that would be helpful in writing your testimonials

• Review short assignment: 1. Listen to the poem "Theme for English B" and two sections from The House on Mango Street. 2. Complete the assignment based on those pieces and how they relate to identity (please see handout)

• Discuss due date for Testimonials

Closing/ Wishing you an awesome day! :)

11/16/16: Welcome to class!

• Finish final presentations (vocabulary posters)

• Quick Write In Notebooks:

1. What are your goals for the new marking period in Cultural Voices (please give examples of how you will achieve your goals)

2. Topics or activities you would like to explore over the next ten weeks.

3. What have you taken away from the first ten weeks on Cultural Voices?

• Discuss your quick writes as a whole group

Closing/ Wishing you a safe and productive rest of the day :)

11/14/16: Welcome back!

We hope you had an enjoyable three day weekend!

• Monday check in!

• Add finishing touches to your posters as needed.

• Presentation of your vocabulary posters/ teach us! :)

• Discuss testimonial projects (see hand out)

Closing! Wishing you an awesome day! :) P.S. Tomorrow is a half day!

11/10: TGIF!

Make up day! More posters need to be completed from the 7th and 9th! Nice work so far!

Wishing you a wonderful and safe three day weekend! :)

November 9th: Current Events/ View two clips. Then, respond in writer's notebooks.

November 7th & 9th (no school on Tuesday):

Welcome to class! :)

Terminology Poster Working groups

• • Race and Ethnicity (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azPl3vKbtGc)

  • Privilege (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD5f8GuNuGQ)

  • Gender and Sex (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ago78PhUofI)

  • Sexual Orientation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vlx9iZ9g_9I)

  • Microaggressions (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDd3bzA7450)

Student Presentations on Thursday or Friday (at the latest).

Closing/ Have a wonderful day!

11/4/16: Welcome to class!

1. A. Look up activism and social justice online. Write down definitions for both. B. Google "youth activism" and/ or "youth activism projects" C. View short videos.

In your notebooks please respond to the following:

Please include the names of each piece you read or watched for B. and C.

1. What did you find out? 2. What are your thoughts about activism? 3. What issues did you find most interesting? 4. What issue or issues would you consider standing up for? Explain. Discuss.

Resources for today's class:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSdtRVVV4eM

This is a Dakota access pipeline video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hnd439v45Q

This is a local BLM protest

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSYBXwKq990

There's one of a separate BLM protest in Syracuse that happened the same day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCNkW2kNcjw

This explains the 1968 Black Power Salute at the Olympics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nENwyywMbOo

And this final one is Take Back the Night at Syracuse University which is a thing they do every year to fight against sexual assault.

Welcome to class!

Agenda for 10/31 to 11/3:

Continue with project and celebration preparation - please see handout and review the specific steps for each day.

The school week of 10/24/ Welcome to class!

Monday 1. Earliest Race Related Memory and Visual (share out)

2. Romo! / Day of the Dead Introduction and Video (clip)

Tuesday:

1. Finish sharing Earliest Race Related Memories (whole group)

2. Work on Day of the Dead Materials/

View informational clip

https://youtu.be/LVltJThmgRQ

Wednesday/Thursday: Work on Day of the Dead Materials/ Review Information (whole group)

Friday: 1. Finish any work that needs t be complete by Monday. 2. View The Book of Love with a double entry journal

Closing/ wishing you a lovely day every day of the week!

The School Week of 10/17: Welcome to class!

Monday: S.U. Monday with Romo and Dellareese! Present your cultural chests!

Tuesday ,Wednesday,Thursday:

1. If you were absent, you need to present your cultural chest.

2. Race: The Power of an Illusion Activity: http://www.pbs.org/race/000_General/000_00-Home.htm

• Please look through the site and select FOUR activities.

• After each activity you complete, you will write a reflection based upon your thoughts/ opinions, questions, and feelings about the piece in your writer's notebooks. Please label each activity and respond in that space. This will take a class and a half. For example:

Sorting People

This activity really made me think about.... I wonder if.... I felt as though... (aim for at least four complete sentences.

Friday! TGIF! Earliest Race Related Memory exercise (see smart board).

Closing/ Wishing you a wonderful, safe, and productive day!

The school week of 10/11: Welcome!

10/11: View and discuss the first section of A Class Divided Documentary and complete part of a double entry journal (at least two responses and reactions). Link to documentary: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/class-divided/

*****Change of plans on 10/12: 1. Attend a presentation with local activist, the O.G. Against Violence, Mr. Ryan. 2. Quick write based upon the presentation with class discussion to follow.

10/13: View and discuss the second part of the documentary and complete more of the the double entry journal (at least two responses and reactions).

10/14: TGIF!

Current Events Friday! View, write, discuss!

Please view video clip, complete response sheet, discuss as a group.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84U1Qkv-wjE

Closing/ Wishing you a wonderful day!

10/7/16: Welcome to class! TGIF! :)

1. Finish your Cultural Chests (if needed)

2. Current Events Link to Explore (with response sheet):

Icebreaker- check-in (go around what did you do this past weekend)

I am From Poetry Presentations

Share

One recap- One Question

Debrief Activity: Feel feel to share/Feel Free to Listen

Questions for classmates

Introduction to Cultural Chest Activity

Wishing you a terrific day!

9/23/16: Welcome! Thank you for a wonderful writing workshop this week!

Warm Up: Share your poems

Current Events Friday!

Closing/ Wishing you a fantastic, safe, and productive weekend :)

09/21 & 9/22: Welcome to class! Phenomenal work yesterday with your poems!

"If you want to change the world, pick up your pen and write." Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

• Writing Workshop, Days 2 & 3!

• Keep writing and revising... What part of your poem do you love? What part could be touched up or re-worded a bit?

• Share your work with a partner and one of your teachers

• Please type your poem in a word document (Microsoft Word), save and print to printer 115

Closing/ Wishing you a phenomenal day. Keep writing!

9/20/16: Welcome to class!

Writer's Workshop! Write your own Where I'm from Poem!

Name activity --> Poem

"Where I'm From" Introduction:

http://www.georgeellalyon.com/where.html

Template:

******You may create your own version of the following template. The templates are available to help you get started.

http://www.scholastic.com/content/collateral_resources/pdf/t/Target_I_am_from%20poem.pdf

Examples:

A. http://www.swva.net/fred1st/wif.htm

B. https://images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt=A0LEVjCWL.FXAbYAyHYPxQt.;_ylu=X3oDMTByMDgyYjJiBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMyBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzYw--?p=Where+I%27m+From+Template&fr=yhs-adk-adk_sbnt&hspart=adk&hsimp=yhs-adk_sbnt

Who would like to share her or his favorite line?

Closing/ Wishing you a fantastic and productive day! :)

9/19/16: Welcome back!

S.U. day with Romo and Dellareese!

• Icebreakers!

• Where I'm From Poems (introduction)

• Closing

• Wishing you a terrific day! :)

9/16/16: Welcome! TGIF!

Current Events Friday!

Word of the Day: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lenient

• Whole group activity with clip and article

• Individual activity (review lists we created on posters with your initials last week)

Current Events Link to Explore:

http://www.studentnewsdaily.com/

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/

http://www.nytimes.com/?action=click&contentCollection=U.S.&region=TopBar&module=HomePage-Title&pgtype=article

http://tweentribune.com/category/teen/

http://www.syracuse.com/news/

http://www.cnn.com/studentnews/

http://www.eduplace.com/ss/current/

Closing/ Thank you for your participation this week!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend! :)

9/14/16: Welcome to class!

• Review and complete activity from yesterday (article)

• Create skits (Dialogue Vs. Debate)

• Closing

• Wishing you a fantastic day!

9/13/16: Welcome to class!

• Awesome job yesterday! :) :) :)

• Review vocabulary for the article we will read today

• Read and discuss an article from the New York Times: "Campuses Cautiously Train Freshmen Against Subtle Insults."

• Closing

• Wishing you a wonderful day! :)

September 12: Welcome back! :)

• Meet the rest of our Cultural Voices Team, Romo & Dallareese!

• Icebreaker

• Dialogue

• Closing/ Have an wonderful day!

September 9th: Welcome to class! Current Events Friday!

1. DIN: In your notebooks, please discuss what it was like yesterday to learn about and practice dialogue (two to three sentences). Then, I will ask you to share out.

Next...

2. What topics interest you in regards to Current Events? Discuss as a whole group/ place on poster with your initials.

3. Review and Discuss the Who, What, Where, Why, When Worksheet.

4. View and video and apply what we've viewed to the 5 W worksheet as a whole group. Discuss and Collect. Link to video: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-preseason/0ap3000000691102/Colin-Kaepernick-refuses-to-stand-for-National-Anthem

5. Use this topic to practice dialogue! Look back to your notes!

******Closing/ Wishing you a wonderful and safe weekend! Thank you for your participation! :)

September 7th and 8th/ Welcome to class!

• Fill out and review important paperwork (pink emergency cards, goal setting, and student contracts)

• What do you know about Cultural Voices? Discuss. Then, I'll share more information about our course.

• An example of topics we explore and discuss using dialogue: View and discuss the following segment of "What Would You do?" about stereotypes: https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt=A0LEVjsHR9BXOmcAKnsPxQt.;_ylu=X3oDMTByMjB0aG5zBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzYw--?p=What+Would+You+Do%3F+Race&fr=yhs-adk-adk_sbnt&hspart=adk&hsimp=yhs-adk_sbnt#id=7&vid=c319fd4a8cf58742b2e3b3886136b4c4&action=view

• Closing/Please clean up your work space and push in your chairs before leaving. Thank you!

• Dialogue notes and practice!

Have a nice day!

End of 2015/2016 school year

Welcome to Your Cultural Voices Homework and Announcements Page!

6/13/16:

Welcome to your last day of class! <3 It's bittersweet :( We are proud of you and we are going to miss you! It has been a pleasure :)

Read and discuss the following together: http://cnycentral.com/news/local/vigil-for-orlando-victims-to-be-held-at-syracuse-city-hall-monday-night

I leave each and every one of you with the following...

• More love, less hate, and more respect and compassion for other human beings, their race, cultural, ethnicity, and their personal choices.

• Use your dialogue! It will open doors for you in life and teach you about yourself and other people who may be different from you.

• "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

• Your greatness is not what you have, it's what you give. ~ Anonymous

• "Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth."

~ Muhammad Ali

6/9/16: Welcome to class! :)

1. Afua will share her testimonial with a question and answer session to follow

2. Final course evaluation

3. Reviewing of important dates and assignments for our June 17th celebration!

4. Closing/ Wishing each and every one of you a wonderful day!

********Lit Arts! Who will stay with Romo and Romone today to help with the mural? We've had a fabulous turn out this week with students putting in extra time! An enormous THANK YOU to everyone who has stayed! And a very special thank you to Romo and Romone! :)You are both AWESOME! ********

6/2/16:

Johnson Center Students In The News! Check us out! http://www.syracusecityschools.com/districtpage.cfm?pageid=6545

REMINDER! Please RSVP to the June 17th celebration!

The School Week of May 23rd: Welcome to class! Everyone has something to do! If you aren't sure, please take a look through all of the agendas for this marking period.

1. Please finish your "Where I'm From" poems from last week in your writer's notebooks. Everything you need to write this poem is on the agenda below from last week. This is a requirement worth 35% of your final grade.

2. Please do not forget that we visited Medgar Evers' grave site at Arlington Memorial National Cemetery. Please view the following documentaries on Medgar Evers to learn more about an American Hero:

https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A2KLqIQmnk1XqyYAa5osnIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTByZWc0dGJtBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDdmlkBHZ0aWQDBGdwb3MDMQ--?p=medgar+evers%2C+youtube&vid=d9209efbb00429d79daa9c2cbc45c8ce&turl=http%3A%2F%2Ftse2.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOVP.Vd7624a6c45a2a516bac334342e6d39f9%26pid%3D15.1%26h%3D200%26w%3D300%26c%3D7%26rs%3D1&rurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D8_HBdrJkmDE&tit=Medgar+Evers+-+Part+1%2C+Civil+Rights+Heroes%2C+Martin+Kent+Documentary&c=0&h=200&w=300&l=393&sigr=11bhrek8k&sigt=123gn5vfc&sigi=1310fi9q4&age=1264248873&fr2=p%3As%2Cv%3Av&fr=yhs-mozilla-001&hsimp=yhs-001&hspart=mozilla&tt=b

AND:

https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A2KLqIQmnk1XqyYAbJosnIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTByZ2N0cmxpBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDdmlkBHZ0aWQDBGdwb3MDMg--?p=medgar+evers%2C+youtube&vid=e5a499611ab18d37bd0405779fcffa54&turl=http%3A%2F%2Ftse1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOVP.V2745953c69ffcbbb1e0eba267facbf36%26pid%3D15.1%26h%3D225%26w%3D300%26c%3D7%26rs%3D1&rurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DEST8rmZRrNk&tit=The+Legacy+Of+Medgar+Evers&c=1&h=225&w=300&l=469&sigr=11bq8tnr3&sigt=10qts3l3i&sigi=131v1odne&age=1232510476&fr2=p%3As%2Cv%3Av&fr=yhs-mozilla-001&hsimp=yhs-001&hspart=mozilla&tt=b

3. After viewing both of the short documentaries, please write a brief reflection in your notebooks. What do you think, feel, and/ or wonder about Medgar Evers' life and tragic death? Explain.

4. 1. Please read and annotate the following article (I have hard copies near your notebooks) : http://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2016/05/25/478097902/my-oriental-father-on-the-words-we-use-to-describe-ourselves 2. Discuss your annotations and thoughts regarding the article with a partner- remember to use your dialogue! 3. We will discuss this when I return. Please write a sentence or two about your thoughts regarding this article in your notebooks so it's fresh in your mind when I get back.

The School Week of May 16th:

Writing Activity/ Please choose one of the following poems to create (you'll end up writing both):

You may create your own version of the following templates. The templates are to help you get started.

"Where I'm From" Template And Samples:

9/10/15 Cultural Chest: Due next Thursday

Using a paper bag or shoe box explore your identity:

On the outside: pictures, images, words, items that depict how you think others see you

On the inside: pictures, images, words, items, that depict how you see yourself.

You may also add some of your favorite items.

9/14/15:

Cultural chests are due on Thursday!

3-10-15

We are officially starting the brainstorming phase of our homemade children's books for our pen pals at Ed Smith!

EXTREMELY Important Reminders:

1. Brainstorming. What will your books be about? What will be interesting and meaningful to third graders? What supplies do you need? How will you begin writing your stories?

2. All books should be free of grammatical errors before you start putting your story line or poems in print. Your visuals should be vibrant and your story lines should be meaningful and authentic.

3. My room is available after school. You may bring snacks and stay late if you need extra time. You may also use my mini-refrigerator. After school time = extra credit :]

4. Continuously ask your self the following questions: 1. Who am I in the group? 2. What does it mean to be a reliable group member? 3. What does it mean to be an amazing and useful group member? 4. How can I push myself to meet these goals? 5. What strengths do I bring to the group and how can I best showcase these stengths?

5. Exchange contact information and scheduling information with your group members ASAP! How will you contact one other if and when needed? When will you be able to meet if and when needed?

6. Our trip is on __________ (TBA); the books must be completed, dry, and ready to be carried to Ed Smith or our meeting place. How will you meet this requirement?

Useful links to explore before you begin creating your books :

http://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-Children%27s-Book

http://www.ehow.com/info_8683906_qualities-good-childrens-literature.html

http://www.examiner.com/article/5-characteristics-of-a-good-children-s-book

http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/en/homework-and-study/english/my-book-club/what-makes-a-good-book-for-young-kids

12/9 Agenda and Homework:

1. Shared race memories and visuals in small groups and then with whole group

2. Shared findings from articles in small groups and then with whole group

HW: Write an introduction for your testimonial! Remember, this is a draft; it doesn't have to be perfect! But, (and but is a powerful word!) you must have something written for tomorrow.

We will see you tomorrow! :)

12/8: Get caught up! The race memory and visual should be done at this point. The articles with annotations are due tomorrow. Have a nice night!

12-5-14:

1. Quick Write: A. For ten to fifteen minutes, please write about your earliest memory regarding race. Be as detailed as possible. B. Create a visual of your memory. This is due on Monday. There are samples of visuals in our classroom.

2. Read and annotate both of the articles that I handed out in class today. Please be prepared to discuss each article in class on Tuesday. You'll also get a grade for your annotations on Tuesday. Here are the articles:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/harry-boyte/democracy-and-the-ranking_b_6244764.html

AND

http://www.msnbc.com/melissa-harris-perry/10-ways-be-martin-luther-king-after-ferguson

3. Lastly, please complete Tiffany's writing activity from our Friday workshop before next Friday, December 12th:

1. What current event and/ or issue is important to you and/or one of your identities right now?

2. What needs to be done about this issue?

3. What would YOU personally like to do about this issue?

We wrote our responses on an index card.

Have a wonderful and safe weekend!

12-1-14:

Welcome back!

Please finish whatever work needs to be finished in order to be prepared for tomorrow's class. See the entry below as I posted it before break.

11/25:

1. Read the testimonial assignment. Come to class prepared to discuss and/ or ask questions about this assignment.

2. Complete the graphic organizer on the back of your testimonial assignment.

3. Finish your poems and highlight, star, underline, OR circle your favorite line to share in class on Monday when we return from break.

Enjoy your break! :)

9/23: Your Cultural Chest is now due tomorrow. Please be prepared and ready to go!!!

HW: CULTURAL CHEST (DUE NEXT TUESDAY!)

You will be using a container (any type of container- be creative!)to explore and share parts of your identity:

On the outside: include pictures, images, words, and/or items that depict how you think others see you.

On the inside: include pictures, images, words, and/ or items that depict (show) how you see yourself.

Due next Tuesday! Good luck! J

9/17:

A. Please go to the following link and complete as many of the activities as possible: http://www.pbs.org/race/000_General/000_00-Home.htm

B. After each activity, reflect upon what you experienced and/or learned. You may type or write your responses. Be sure to label each activity you complete your responses either underneath or next to the title of that particular activity. Basically, what did you think of the activity? Were there any "A- ha" moments? What did you learn?

9/15: Great job today!

1. Today, students practiced their Dialogue Vs. Debate skits. Please be prepared to present tomorrow as we are moving forward with this activity, which is a quiz grade.

2. We also had some quick writes today. If you were absent, please make them up ASAP. I've attached the assignment below in attachments (scroll all the way down). Please respond in your writer's notebook.

3. Be sure to view the Dialogue Power Point that's attached below if you need to do so. Thank you. Lastly, I heard that it went well last Friday! That's fabulous!

9/13/14:

We have been learning about and practicing dialogue in class. Here are the videos we've been using:

Tavis Smiley interviews Tricia Rose:

http://video.pbs.org/video/2365319449/

John Stuart takes on Fox news regarding Michael Brown:

http://colorlines.com/archives/2014/08/jon_stewart.html

Bynes/ Ferguson/Hannity:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/21/sean-hannity-ferguson-patricia-bynes_n_5697405.html

More Videos on the same topic coming soon....

The Centerpieces of Our Class:

• • Dialogue Communication Techniques. NOT debate.

• • Our collaboration with Syracuse University's Intergroup Dialogue Program/Friday Workshops and Beyond.

• • Our collaboration with Mrs. Fiacchi's third grade students at Ed Smith: Mentoring/ pen pals/ creating children's books relating to key themes discussed and valued in our class and beyond.

• • Racial awareness

  • Anti-racism

• Empathy and mutual respect

********************All of these topics are of the utmost importance****************

Please become familiar with the Dialogue Power Point that is attached below if you entered our course later than your peers ASAP. You will be able to get caught up quickly.

2013-2014:

2-11-14: We are officially starting the brainstorming phase of our homemade children's books for our pen pals at Ed Smith!

EXTREMELY Important Reminders:

1. Brainstorming. What will your books be about? What will be interesting and meaningful to third graders? What supplies do you need? How will you begin writing your stories?

2. All books should be free of grammatical errors before you start putting your story line or poems in print. Your visuals should be vibrant and your story lines should be meaningful and authentic.

3. My room is available after school. You may bring snacks and stay late if you need extra time. You may also use my mini-refrigerator. After school time = extra credit :]

4. Continuously ask your self the following questions: 1. Who am I in the group? 2. What does it mean to be a reliable group member? 3. What does it mean to be an amazing and useful group member? 4. How can I push myself to meet these goals? 5. What strengths do I bring to the group and how can I best showcase these stengths?

5. Exchange contact information and scheduling information with your group members ASAP! How will you contact one other if and when needed? When will you be able to meet if and when needed?

6. Our trip is on March __________ (TBA); the books must be completed, dry, and ready to be carried to Ed Smith. How will you meet this requirement?

Useful links to explore before you begin creating your books :

http://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-Children%27s-Book

http://www.ehow.com/info_8683906_qualities-good-childrens-literature.html

http://www.examiner.com/article/5-characteristics-of-a-good-children-s-book

http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/en/homework-and-study/english/my-book-club/what-makes-a-good-book-for-young-kids

Happy New Year!

1-14-14 until presentations have been completed:

We have officially started our Children's Literature Unit!!!!

Our first phase of the project is a mini- research group project and presentation. THEN, after your presentations, each group will create a children's book for our third grade friends at Ed Smith using the topics from the presentations.

Here are some resources that will be useful for your research:

Syracuse City School District Library Links:

Databases for this project: http://www1.youseemore.com/scsd/contentpages.asp?loc=50

*********Log in and password for databases: syrsls***********

• Opposing Viewpoints

• EBSCO

• ERIC

• Novelist Plus

• Don't forget about additional Library Links for Kids to look up available children's books! Our librarian Mrs. Page can get books from schools within our district if we do not have them in our library :]

-AND-

• http://scholar.google.com/

• http://www.nytimes.com/most-popular (New York Times)

• http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/category/student-challenge/ (New york Times Learning Network)

• http://www1.youseemore.com/scsd/school.asp?schooltype=hs&branch=04 (SCSD Library Links)

Reminders:

• Always, always, always cite your sources! Did I say ALWAYS? ;)

• Due dates will be announced soon.

• Children's books will follow the research!

More Resources:

• Son of Citation Machine:

• http://citationmachine.net/index2.php?reqstyleid=1&reqsrcid=MLAWebDocument&srcCode=11&more=no&mode=form

  • MLA In Text Citation You Tube Clip:

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK2W7QZN7RQ

    • Purdue OWL: MLA Formatting and Style Guide:

  • http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/

12/12:

What is happening in education locally and in NYS? Take a look...

1. http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2013/12/new_york_state_education_committee_calls_for_common_core_adjustments.html#incart_river_default

2. http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2013/12/syracuse_teacher_to_school_board_teachers_cannot_function_in_dysfunction.html#incart_river_default

3. http://www.syracuse.com/opinion/index.ssf/2013/12/on_school_suspensions_syracuse_has_become_a_city_that_is_in_direct_conflict_with.html#incart_river_default

4. http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2013/12/post_961.html

****What do you think?

Ongoing homework for Unit 2/Structural Inequality:

Look at different commercials, news media, magazines, etc. Identify two examples that you feel best describes how you think these outlets socialize people. How are they partaking in the cycle of socialization? Use your chart as a resource!

11/21/13:

The Doll Study Documents

A. Look over the three documents below independently. Then, work with a partner or group of three to discuss your findings and your reactions to the documents. I would like at least three people to share out with whole group.

B. We will view, analyze, and discuss two clips afterwards.

1.

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/05/13/doll.study.1947.pdf

2.

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/brown/brown-brown.html

3.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=7213714

11/1:

Great job on the pen pal letters! They are coming along nicely. We are almost done!

*******No homework. You have utilized class time wisely!

10/17:

Bravo to all of you who have shared your testimonials! I'm looking forward to hearing the rest of them on Monday. Have a wonderful weekend!

10/7/13:

1. We are working on your testimonials this week in class. Please use our class time wisely for planning and writing. We will collect your testimonials on Tuesday, October 15th after people share their work.

2. We've enjoyed reading your poems! Nice work. Thank you!

3. Thank you for your participation yesterday!

10-2-13 Writing Activity

Please choose one of the following poems to create:

You may create your own version of the following templates. The templates are to help you get started.

"Where I'm From" Template And Samples:

http://www.scholastic.com/content/collateral_resources/pdf/t/Target_I_am_from%20poem.pdf

http://www.georgeellalyon.com/where.html

Mrs. Benedetto's sample is also an attachment below (see attachments when you scroll down to the bottom of the page.

"I am" Template:

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson391/I-am-poem.pdf

http://smithenglish9.blogspot.com/2007/02/i-am-poem.html

http://kathyescobar.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/i-am-template.pdf

9/17/13:

Media Assignment:

9/16/13:

The Power Points we have used and will be using for class are attached below. You need to scroll all the way down to attachments. We've gone over and practiced dialogue with the dialogue Power Point that is attached. Nice job yesterday! If you missed, you can get caught up easily.

9/12/13:

Personal Bags or boxes are due on 9/16 and 9/17. Please contact me if you are unsure of this assignment.

Homework

Today is 9/9/12: The following is due on 9/16

A) Write a thoughtful 1-2 page critical reflection that explores some of your hopes and concerns about participating in Cultural Voices: Spotlighting Justice. Specifically, reflect on the questions below as you draft your responses.

· What interested you in taking this course? Tell us about what interested you about Cultural Voices.

· What are your primary hopes and concerns about what you will learn and discuss in this course focused on

race and ethnicity.

· What have been your previous experiences in talking about race/ethnicity issues with others? How did it make

you feel? Why do you think you felt that way?

· We will share about our own experiences as we dialogue about race and ethnicity. Are you comfortable

sharing personal information with the class? How does participating in dialogue make you feel?

Last Year:

*****5/16: I have attached your check list below for your project. Please scroll all the way down to the bottom of this page. Then, click on the attachment called Cultural Voices Research Project Check List. You now have the rubric and a checklist. Use this information to earn a 100%! Good luck!

Dear Spotlighting Justice Members,

I've attached the Read With Us Syracuse Book List and the link to the surveys below (scroll all the way down). Please have your voices heard about the books that you and other SCSD students will be reading next year and in the future! Lastly, please share this information with your family.****Survey Link:https://sites.google.com/site/readwithussyracuse/feedback-surveys

****I have attached my exemplar slides of in text citations and parenthetical documentation below (scroll all the way down). It's labeled "Research Project, in text citation information".

*******Welcome to your final research project*******

Here are some resources that will be useful for your research project:

Syracuse City School District Library Links:

http://www.syracusecityschools.com/librarylinks/home.html

Databases for this project:

*********Log in and password for databases: syrsls***********

• Opposing Viewpoints

• EBSCO

• Novelist Plus

-AND-

• http://scholar.google.com/

• http://www.nytimes.com/most-popular (New York Times)

• http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/category/student-challenge/ (New york Times Learning Network)

• http://www1.youseemore.com/scsd/school.asp?schooltype=hs&branch=04 (SCSD Library Links)

• http://www.npr.org/

• http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

Reminders:

Always, always, always cite your sources! Did I say ALWAYS? ;) What follows are the resources to do so:

• Son of Citation Machine:

• http://citationmachine.net/index2.php?reqstyleid=1&reqsrcid=MLAWebDocument&srcCode=11&more=no&mode=form

  • MLA In Text Citation You Tube Clip:

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK2W7QZN7RQ

    • Purdue OWL: MLA Formatting and Style Guide:

  • http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/

3-15: Workshop Friday!

3-13: We worked on and discussed the following activity using our dialogue skills:

1. Google "ethnic studies Tuscon" and bring in one article that you found interesting. What about this article strikes you? Do you think it is a fair article? Why or why not.

2. We also continued viewing the documentary, the double entry journal, and students shared using dialogue in small groups first then with the whole group.

3-11 and 3-12: View Precious Knowledge and complete the accompanying activities.

2/28: Please explore the following website. Go to "Learn more" and then choose three activities to read and complete on the right side of the page. Then, after you've completed all three activities, write a reflection. Include the following:

1. Did you learn any new information? Explain.

2. Did anything surprise you? If so, what? Explain.

3. Which activity was the most powerful? Explain.

4. Provide one quote from one activity. Why is this important or noteworthy to you?

http://www.pbs.org/race/001_WhatIsRace/001_00-home.htm

2/26 & 2/27: We've been viewing and discussing the film A Class Divided. Students have completed two viewing guides.

2/25: We are still waiting for some speeches to be turned in so that we can start our contest!

2/12: Continue working on the drafts of your speech. We will collect them this Thursday (end of class- Friday at the latest). You are off to a great start! Keep writing!

2/4/13 to 2/15/13:

1. I've attached our presentation for the speech writing activity that we have started in class. Please go to attachments below to review the assignment (scroll down to the bottom of this page where it says "attachments" and click on the arrow to open the presentation). Thank you and good luck!

2. A rubric will be attached tomorrow.

1/30/13:

10 minute Reflection:

What was it like to participate in your first hot topic?

–Think about the process. What was it like to practice dialogue while talking about a controversial topic?

–What did you think of the content? Was it "meaty" enough? Did the articles help?

–What are you taking away from Hot Topic #1

1/28/13:

To prepare for tomorrow, please do the following:

1. Please do a close reading of the following articles (there are two); be prepared to discuss the article in detail while referring to specific passages, quotes, ideas, etc. from the article. We will also practice our dialogue skills throughout our discussion.

http://www.tolerance.org/magazine/number-40-fall-2011/feature/straight-talk-about-n-word

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/emmett-d-carson/django-n-word_b_2488997.html

***AND***

2. Listen to the following piece on NPR and be prepared to discuss and refer to during our discussion:

http://www.npr.org/2012/06/08/154579994/is-it-ever-appropriate-to-use-the-n-word

Thank you!

1/18/13:

Your books are AMAZING! Our trip was PHENOMENAL! Look to our classroom Facebook page for notes and photos! Bravo!

1/7/13:

Welcome to class!

1. As always, ask yourselves what you want to accomplish today and manage your time around your goals.

2. We need to see your story lines today before you move forward with your books if we haven't seen this yet.

3. What are your next steps? What work will it take to accomplish those next steps?

4. Reflect! What is going well and how do we know? What could go even better? Discuss this with your group. Also, what grade would you give yourself and why? Everyone should do this is writing as well.

5. Create a "to- do" list for next class.

6. After today, we only have eight classes left until the trip! Your books must be ready. Good luck! :]

Happy New Year!

We have officially started creating our homemade children's books for our pen pals at Ed Smith! Although we are in the initial brainstorming phases, today was a productive day! Thank you :]

EXTREMELY Important Reminders:

1. We have 11 school days after today to complete our books. How will you manage your time each class period in order to meet this deadline?

2. All books should be free of grammatical errors before you start putting your story line or poems in print. your visuals should be vibrant and your story lines should be meaningful and authentic.

3. My room is available after school. You may bring snacks and stay late if you need extra time. You may also use my mini-refrigerator. After school time = extra credit :]

4. Continuously ask your self the following questions: 1. Who am I in the group? 2. What does it mean to be a reliable group member? 3. What does it mean to be an amazing and useful group member? 4. How can I push myself to meet these goals? 5. What strengths do I bring to the group and how can I best showcase these stengths?

5. Exchange contact information and scheduling information with your group members ASAP! How will you contact one other if and when needed? When will you be able to meet if and when needed?

6. Our trip is on January 18th; the books must be completed, dry, and ready to be carried to Ed Smith. How will you meet this requirement?

12/14/12 *******Your pen pal letters are due immediately!!!!!!!! Nice work thus far. Let's send them to Ed smith ASAP!

12/10 - 12/14

This week: 1. Continue working on your projects.

2. Look to your essential questions and notes.

3. Set goals for yourselves. Ask yourselves "What do we want to accomplish today?" and "How will we accomplish our goals?".

12/3/12 to 12/15/12 (ongoing classwork and homework for December):

We have officially started our Children's Literature Unit!!!!

Our first phase of the project is a mini- research group project and presentation. THEN, after your presentations, each group will create a children's book for our third grade friends at Ed Smith using the topics from the presentations.

Here are some resources that will be useful for your research:

Syracuse City School District Library Links:

http://www.syracusecityschools.com/librarylinks/home.html

Databases for this project:

*********Log in and password for databases: syrsls***********

• Opposing Viewpoints

• EBSCO

• Novelist Plus

• Don't forget about Library Links for Kids to look up available children's books! Our librarian Mrs. Page can get books from schools within our district if we do not have them in our library :]

-AND-

• http://scholar.google.com/

• http://www.nytimes.com/most-popular (New York Times)

• http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/category/student-challenge/ (New york Times Learning Network)

• http://www1.youseemore.com/scsd/school.asp?schooltype=hs&branch=04 (SCSD Library Links)

Reminders:

• Always, always, always cite your sources! Did I say ALWAYS? ;)

• Presentations will take place on the 17th, 18th, or 19th. We will get more concrete next week.

• Children's books will follow the research!

***********ATTENTION period students in Hiba's group**********************

Hiba would like to remind you of the following: Please complete the doodle link I created to decide upon the date you would would like to hold your discussion panel. Thank you.

10/29:

Period 10 needs to study for midterm tomorrow, 10/30. The rest of our notes are listed below.

Midterm Notes for Period 10:

• Social Group:

A group or category that society puts you into.

• Norm or social norm:

What is considered normal. For example, think back to the "Nice White Lady" video. Norms are invisible beliefs that everyone shares. They are not necessarily based on fact. Norms get attached to social identity. Some norms are positive to social identities. For example, women developing mentally and emotionally faster than men; men are better at math and science than women. An old "norm" is when women stayed home and men went to work.

• Social Construct:

A social construct is a classification. It's built on characteristics of social identity based on norms. For example, The misconception that students in urban schools are dangerous ("Nice White Lady" video). It's basically what society says you are based on your social identities. Some are visible where others are not visible.

• Race:

A visual way to categorize people. Social grouping by authority.

• Ethnicity:

Where a person descended from, background, tradition, your culture, etc. Not always visual. Think of the 3 F's: The food, the fun, and the festivities associated with that ethnicity.

• Testimonial:

Orally sharing your life story (shorter than a biography).

10/26

Current Events Friday!

Resources:

grio.com

theroot.com

huffingtonpost.com

msn.com, especially the "Latino" section

NYtimes.com

pbs.org, specifically Frontline or News Hour

Topics you may want to look up:

Stop and Frisk

Education Reform, especially in Florida

The following is what you will do after you've spent your time reading and researching on Current Events Friday: Turn in a written or typed summary of your findings (include your sources) and reflect/ react upon them in 1 to 1.5 pages.

Sample:

Title of Article _____________________

Source and Author ____________________________

Notes (key points/ brief summary)___________________________________________ (this will be more than one line)

Reflection/ Reaction__________________________________ (this will be more than one line)

10/26:

Reflections:

Please write a thoughtful one page reflection for each of the following topics:

1. Reflect on the writing of your testimonial, sharing your testimonial, and hearing

your peers' testimonials. What was all of this like for you?

2. Reflect on the workshops you attended last Friday. What workshop did you

attend? What did you experience and/or learn? What were the highlights? Is there

anything that you are wondering or like to add?

*You will have two separate reflections

10/3- 10/16:

We have been working diligently on written testimonials in regards to your racial/ ethnic background and one other social identity of your choice. The assignment is attached below. We will share them in class on 10/18.

**** There will be a midterm exam based on all that we've covered thus far in class before we move onto our next unit. Wendy and I will hold a review session the day before the exam.

10/2/12 How did October get here already?

Syracuse Mom objects to "cowboys and Native Americans" game at her son's elementary school

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2012/09/syracuse_mom_objects_to_cowboy.html

"We're a Culture, Not a Costume"

http://www.culturalaffairsla.com/2011/10/were-a-culture-not-a-costume/

10/1/12

Feedback: Thought provoking with your media assignment! Thank you!

Important Notice: You have not been given reflection # 3 as of yet. You will be writing in class this week.

•Media Assignment for Tuesday, 9/25/12:

–Each student must bring in an example from the media (newspaper, magazine, website, movie, song, music video, commercial, Facebook thread, etc) that reflects or represents people or someone who share a social identity that is important to you. We will discuss these images, stereotypes, and our emotional, or affective response, during the next session. Start wondering: What does it mean for the media to represent me like this? How does it make me feel? What do I like about it? What would I change?

Brandon, thanks for reminding me to post this!

9/17/12, Reflection # 2:

All reflections are due the following Monday.

In last week's class you developed your own "I am" or "I Am From" poem. You also shared that poem in front of your classmates and contributed to make a class poem. Reflecting on this in-class assignment and process, please write a 1.5-2 page reflection responding to the following questions:

• How did it feel to write your "I Am" or "I Am From" poem? What did you realize was very important to you, something you really wanted others to know in order to understand you? Did you write about anything that surprised you? What did you learn about yourself through writing the poem?

• How did it feel to share your poem in front of the class? What did you like about this experience? How did it feel to listen to and to learn more about your fellow classmates? If you did not share your poem, what held you back? How do you plan to develop the willingness to share with the class in the future?

• Did you like contributing to the class poem? How did it make you feel? What did you learn from the class poem? What did you like most about it?

• You have been in the course now for two weeks. What do you like about it? What are you contributing to the course? What are things you think you can do better? What are things you think your classmates need to work in order for the classroom environment to support our learning and our dialogue?

• Lastly, what is one topic that you are hoping to cover in class (you may include more than one topic)? Please explain why you would like to cover this particular topic.

*** I've also attached a copy of this reflection to print with the attachments below (scroll all the way down to the bottom of this page.)

9/13/12 & 9/14:

Period 2 and 10:

Cultural Chest

Using a paper bag or shoe box explore your identity:

On the outside: pictures, images, words, items that depict how you think others see you

On the inside: pictures, images, words, items, that depict how you see yourself.

Due date for period 10: 9/14

Due date for period 2: 9/17

9/10/12 Homework:

1) Finish your poems if you need to do so. Block 10 should be done and Block 2 will finish tomorrow.

2) Make sure that you have turned in your first writing assignment (look below). This is the first assignment in your reflection journal/ writer's notebook.

3) Please ask questions if you feel that you've gotten behind or if you've missed something. Thank you! We are off to a fabulous start!

Homework

Today 9/6/12: The following is due on Monday, 9/10

A) Write a thoughtful 1-2 page critical reflection that explores some of your hopes and concerns about participating in Cultural Voices: Spotlighting Justice. Specifically, reflect on the questions below as you draft your responses.

· What interested you in taking this course? Tell us about what interested you about Cultural Voices.

· What are your primary hopes and concerns about what you will learn and discuss in this course focused on

race and ethnicity.

· What have been your previous experiences in talking about race/ethnicity issues with others? How did it make

you feel? Why do you think you felt that way?

· We will share about our own experiences as we dialogue about race and ethnicity. Are you comfortable

sharing personal information with the class? How does participating in dialogue make you feel?

B) Please get a writer's notebook.

9/7/12:

In class activity:

Writing Activity

Please choose one of the following poems to create:

You may create your own version of the following templates. The templates are to help you get started.

"Where I'm From" Template And Samples:

http://www.scholastic.com/content/collateral_resources/pdf/t/Target_I_am_from%20poem.pdf

http://www.georgeellalyon.com/where.html

Mrs. Benedetto's sample is also an attachment below (see attachments when you scroll down to the bottom of the page.

"I am" Template:

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson391/I-am-poem.pdf

http://smithenglish9.blogspot.com/2007/02/i-am-poem.html

http://kathyescobar.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/i-am-template.pdf

Please view the link below and research the topic Polling for justice (Google will suffice!) to get a clearer understanding of the activities that we will be doing in our new Spotlighting Justice Course. This will be an exciting learning experience! You will also have the opportunity to become involved in your community, earn extra credit, present your work at Syracuse University, and be part of a modern educational experience that will last a life time. Please visit our new blog at the following link: https://awnastas.expressions.syr.edu/

Polling for Justice:

http://vimeo.com/22363812

Wendy Nastasi's e-mail: awnastas@syr.edu

Wendy is from the Cultural Foundations Program at Syracuse University and is one of the founders of Spotlighting Justice. Mrs. Benedetto and Ms. Nastasi have been collaborating for two years. Students who were in the club last year all know Wendy very well!

Link to Sample Digital Stories:

http://www.storycenter.org/stories/index.php?cat=4