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NOTES TO TALK ABOUT WITH SANDI

Use the poem below as a basis for a new 12th grade English research paper – “What Will You Do To Change The World?” (based on Patrick’s project – “What will you do to change the world of poetry”).

Some objectives for the project:

• Get kids to choose a topic they are passionate about
• Include primary sources, interviews etc.
• Not just a list of what needs to be changed – but how every person can contribute to that change – how to “be the change you want to see”
• Require a research summary or a research journal is some format – perhaps a blog?
• Main research product must be multimedia in the broad sense. Must include sound and visuals at least. Perhaps not allow PowerPoints to force them out of their comfort zone a little. Possible products could be videos, dramatic producations, poetry, children’s books, websites, blogs, flickr pages, podcasts etc. etc. I have a list of ideas here in the library. This page might help – Beyond PowerPoint.
• Kids browse CQ & other resources (databases AND print versions) for topic ideas they are passionate about
• Need to create an iceberg image for research – teach kids to scan the surface and then delve deeper.  Encyclopedia is the tip of the iceberg.  Just below the surface are more detailed reference books.  Diving further down we find periodicals (especially academic journals).  Putting on our scuba gear – we find the most detailed resources – books.
• Research needs to be presented to someone other than the teacher.  Could have everyone present to the class.  Are there other possibilities?  EX: Students could find another venue to present their ideas – a video posted to YouTube, a presentation made to PTSA, a presentation to another class – e.g. science or global etc, present to a local community group.  Other ideas?
• Would have to find a way of making the kids accountable for the presentation.  Perhaps require that the presentation be video taped?  Create a rubric or other form for listeners to respond to/evaluate their presentation?

Sandi – let’s talk about this….

From Everything I know In 15 Minutes by Doug Johnson

I would like to leave you with a very short poem by Minnesota author, Fredrick Manfred, called “What about you, boy?”

Is your work coming along?
Are you still making candles
Against darkness and wrong?
The whole thing is to blast.
Blast and blast again. To fill the
Black
With songs, poems, temples,
paintings,
Anything at all. Attack. Attack.
Open up and let go.
Even if it’s only blowing. But blast.
And I say this loving my God.
Because we are all he has at last.
So what about it, boy?
Is your work going well?
Are you still lighting lamps
Against darkness and hell?”