*All assignments are due by the beginning of class on the due date in hard copy or emailed to me at MaryannU@school-one.org*

Due Thursday, 9/5/19:

• Read the short story "The Boy Without a Flag" by Abraham Rodriguez Jr., write a 1-2 page informal response paper, and be prepared to discuss it in class on Thursday.  For the response paper, quotes or things you find interesting or thought-provoking about the story. Discuss ideas you agree or disagree with and why. Also explore your own feelings and ideas about the flag, pledge of allegiance, patriotism, and protest in society. 

Due Tuesday 9/10:

• Read the introduction to The Elements of Journalism. Write a 1-2 page informal response paper summarizing and exploring the author's ideas of what journalism is and should be, as well as how it's changing. Explore quotes and concepts you find interesting and discuss what you agree/disagree with and why. Also consider this text was published in 2014. Do you think anything regarding the role of journalists and how they're viewed since then? Give examples. Be prepared to discuss this in class on Tuesday. 

Due Wednesday 9/11:

• Read a news article or watch a news segment on any topic from any source that you find interesting. Write a brief (1-2 paragraph) summary. Include the title, source, and date. Be prepared to share it with the class. 

Due Monday 9/16:

• Read the two profiles of Greta Thunberg and write responses to the questions at the end of the document.

Due Tuesday 9/18:

• Peer Profile Assignment Step 1: Interview Questions

In class Thursday 9/19:

• Peer interviews. Be prepared!

Due Monday 9/23:

• Peer Profile Assignment Step 3: Write profile.

Due Wednesday 9/25:

• Fill out 3 Decoding the News Worksheets (front & back) about the weekend climate strikes/protests and/or Greta Thunberg from 3 different news sources.

Due Thursday 9/27:

• Peer profile revision

Due Wednesday 10/2:

• Read "What is Journalism For?" from the Elements of Journalism and write a 2-page informal response that identifies key points along with your thoughts and analysis. Be prepared to discuss the reading in class on the due date.

Due Monday 10/7:

• Step 1 of Feature Article Assignment:

  • Read "What is a Feature Story?" packet 

  • Conduct initial research on your topic & fill out this worksheet

  • Decide your angle, the specific focus of your story

Due Thursday 10/10:

• Step 2 of Feature Article Assignment:

  • Read “Writing Interview Questions” and “Feature Reporting Tips” packet

  • Reach out to and schedule interviews with at least 3 people for your article

  • Prepare interview questions and do any relevant background research on your interviewees.

Due Tuesday 10/22:

• Step 3 of Feature Article Assignment:

  • Gather information from a variety of sources including interviews and observation notes from any events you might attend. Compile this info into a document you can share with me, with sources. Fact-check your information to determine if it is credible. 

Due Tuesday 10/29:

• Step 4 of Feature Article Assignment:

  • Draft your article using writing tips from your packet and AP style guidelines. Your article should be approximately 700-1,000 words. 

Due Monday 11/4:

• Write a 2 page informal response paper on your reactions to the short documentary on Danica Roem, and the longer film Knock Down the House. Focus on what you found interesting or inspiring, what you learned, and what obstacles, strategies, and success stories there were in the candidates' community organizing. What were their goals and values? How did they employ them and build power and influence? What did you learn about electoral politics?

Due Thursday 11/7:

• Draft opinion piece geared toward School One community aiming to convince readers to share your opinion or take action on an issue you feel is important. It could be an issue about School One, or a wider political issue you think School One students should be aware of and care about. Use both your personal story as well as facts and reasoning to make your argument. This opinion piece should be typed and a minimum of 300 words, no maximum word limit. 

In class Wednesday 11/13:

• Supreme Court justice bios

  • You will report on your assigned Supreme Court justice for the class. Make sure to include:

    • Their name, age, how long they've served on the court, who appointed them

    • 2-3 significant things in their life bios

    • 2-3 things they are known for in their Supreme court decision record

Due Thursday 11/14:

• Feature Article revision. This will be “published” for the class.

Due Monday 11/18:

• Op Ed revision. This will be “published” for the class.

In class Tuesday 11/19:

• Civics Quiz on government

Thursday 11/21:

• CREDIT DEADLINE for all overdue work

Trimester end 11/22

From 2018-19:

Due Friday, September 14th:

• Finish reflection paper started in class and add 3 personal goals of communication skills (including verbal and written) that you plan to work on this trimester based on your own self-reflection.

Peer Profile Assignment:

• Step 1 due Monday, 9/17 (Read packet and write interview questions)

• Step 2 in class Wednesday 9/19 (Conduct interview)

• Step 3 due Monday, 9/24 (Write peer profile)

• Follow advice from: "How to Write a Profile Feature Article"

Due Wednesday, September 26th:

• Write a 1-page response for the TED Talk  "The Danger of a Single Story" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie including the following:

  • What are her main ideas? Do you agree/disagree? Why? Pull out a quote or two from her speech you find interesting. Discuss why.

  • How has the idea of "the single story" affected you or people you know?

  • How does the media influence the “stories” that we hear about others?  How could we overcome these barriers to get at the “balance of stories” that Adichie hopes for? 

Due Friday, September 28th:

• Watch or read a news story about immigration (any angle) and fill out this worksheet. Be prepared to report/share about your source with the class.

Due Wednesday, October 3rd:

• Revise your peer profile according to comments and email me a digital copy at MaryannU@school-one.org that is ready to be printed and shared with the class on Friday.

Feature Article Assignment:

• Step 1 due Friday, 10/12 (Read "Feature Reporting Tips" packet and answer these research questions)

• Step 2 due Wednesday, 10/24 (Gather all your research, interviews, and notes)

• Step 3 due Wednesday, 11/7 (Draft your article)

• Step 4 due Wednesday, 11/14 (Final polished article)

Due Monday, October 22nd:

• Electoral College debate

  • Handout: What is the Electoral College?

Due Friday, October 26th:

• Read "Why and How Good Writing Counts" and complete sentence exercise at the end.

*No class Monday 10/29 due to field trip.*

Due Wednesday, October 31st:

• Research candidates and questions, fill out sample ballot (front & back), and provide brief (1-3 sentences) explanation for each vote. 

  • You may use the sample ballot linked here for School One's district, or find your own district ballot. 

  • Very useful website for all things election-related and general info about candidates: Ballotpedia

Friday, November 16th: CREDIT DEADLINE for ALL overdue work.

• Also: FINAL Deadline for super-polished Feature Article via email by Friday at midnight. After this, article will be published for class, warts and all.