Elemental Thinking with Air and Fire: Leading the Conversation in Collaboration
During the final three meetings of the seminar, six groups will design and moderate an hour-long conversation on the elements of AIR or FIRE.
Preparation
In October, groups will be assigned and will begin collaboratively assembling readings, listenings, viewings, etc. for all seminar participants to explore in advance of that group’s assigned presentation date.
Once groups are assigned, it is highly recommended that groups quickly assemble to explicitly define the following for their group:
Purpose: What is our governing (set of) (initial) question(s)? Why are collaborative efforts important for the models this seminar is exploring?
Goals: What concrete outcomes does this group intend to accomplish as a team? What level of quality do we expect from each other?
Roles: Who will be responsible for what? (Perhaps think of a film crew and define roles: creative director, writer, actor, editor, technical director, etc.)
Agreements: What do expect from each other? What shared commitments do we want to put in place in order to ensure we function well? How will we share information, meet, and make decisions?
Support: What kind of support (e.g., guidance, resources, information, etc.) do we think we will need from others to succeed in our purpose and objectives?
It is encouraged that a representative from each group contributes a sketch of notes, themes, questions to this Google Doc to indicate each group’s broad plans for focus in their assigned reading, listening, viewing, etc. and guiding questions for conversation during their segment of a seminar meeting in November/December.
We've assembled some critical readings and a handful of ideas of literature the elements of air and fire in these two folders of PDFs: AIR & FIRE. Feel free to browse, skim, and find inspiration for critical perspectives, but know you're welcome to look beyond these collected items. Recommendations for musical works may be found on the Spotify playlists on the Listening Room page.
Written Work
2- to 3-page vision statement that articulates a conceptual framework and what’s at stake for the unit.
Readings/listenings/visuals for the class to prepare
Detailed lesson plan stating (1) methods in play, (2) central questions, (3) conversation prompts, and (4) keywords, (5) and realistic indications of segments of one hour of class time
Following your class lesson, each participant will author a reflection on what you would keep and why, & what you would cut or compost, and why, if you were to teach the lesson again
Due Dates
* all work (except reflection) should be submitted directly to Evan & Marjorie via email
Monday Nov. 3rd, 5pm
Vision statement
Readings/listenings/visuals for the class to prepare
The TUESDAY 5pm before your lesson
Lesson plan
Following your lesson...
Reflection and peer review, due anytime after your class lesson but no later than Monday, December 8, 5pm.