Your Hopes In 20 Characters or Less

First Day Letter

9th Grade World Class

    This is just the first of many letters you will get from me this year. These letters serve many functions.  Sometimes, I’ll take time to share my perspective about the class or about the period of history we are studying.  Other times, it will be a direct response to what you tell or write me. At times, the tone will be very personal and, at other times, serious and formal.

To be honest, I’m not always sure what to say to start the school year, so much of this day seems unlike the rest of the year. I don’t know you, and you don’t really know me- though I’d guess you know a little more about me than I know about you.  And while I have a good sense of the content you will learn this year, it isn't set in stone as I base some of my plans on what seems to interest you.

    Here’s what I do know:

Course Requirements:

    I expect you to keep a Class Journal.   You will receive a two packets of readings this year.

    You will develop a portfolio throughout this course organized around the following processes and products:

1. Writing Explorations (Dialogic JournalJ)

2. Self and Class Reflection (Class Journal)

3. Content Creation Work (essays, unessays, tech projects, videos)

    Of course there are other projects and assignments, such as, simulations and oral reports. But these will not be kept
in the portfolio.

About Those Journals

Investigations show that most students just plain forget most of what they have been taught. (As much as 90% is lost
in three weeks after a test)  Even worse, students often do not understand well what they remember. And what they
remember and understand, they do not use!. Some psychologists speak of the problem of “inactive  knowledge” knowledge
that learners retrieve to answer the quiz question, but that does not contribute to their lives nor provides insights in real,
complex situations. So, the point of these journals is for you to make meaning of the things you learn about in my class
and in other places.

A write named Edward Albee once said, “I write to find out what I am thinking about.”  The journals are designed to get you to actively engage with the readings and with the class.  It is not for summarizing the readings or for telling me what happened in class.  Instead, it is a chance for you to think about issues, to write about your reactions and observations.  The idea is to explore meanings and to find out what you can learn by writing.

    Journal writing provides a chance for you to explore your own thoughts, to wander about on the page, to see what
you have to say.  At times, I might assign focused topic to get you thinking about a certain issue. But, I will always
leave room for you to explore your thoughts. I will ask for dialogic journal posts of about a page and a half
every two or three weeks. I will also have you write in them during class.

 Journal writing can help you read more reflectively.  Good readers actually are “active readers”. They are actively involved in making meaning.  Journals help because they encourage you to think about how you experience and understand and relate to the things you read.  Journal writings will often serve as a basis for class discussion.  Journals can let you see sides of your classmates you never saw before and they may see sides of you---depths of thought—that aren’t present in every day conversation.  I am always so impressed by the quality of student journal writing. And the usual labels of distinctions you make among yourselves about who is smart and who isn’t as smart often just disappear.  

   

The Course of Study:

    This year I will work with you to build your understanding of the world through studying the events and social
movements from the past three thousand years with particular emphasis on how religion and revolutions have shaped
the world.
T

About Grades:  

I firmly believe in the importance of learning for its own sake. You will have ample chance to redo work for a new
grade. I will grade projects, presentations, tests and quizzes. I will not grade your homework or class participation.
However, if you do not do your homework, you will not be allowed to retake/ redo the projects and tests I assign.
This no doubt delights many of you and troubles others. I will explain in further detail at other times the reasons
I have for this policy.

    How I view school:  I can tell you that there is something you need to know about history, and with my help you
may be able to learn it.  But I cannot tell you what it is in a way you can now understand. I can only arrange for you
have the right sorts of experience for yourself.  You must be willing, therefore, to have these experiences….If you are
unwilling to step into this new experience without knowing ahead of time what it will be like, I cannot help you.  
You must trust me and your classmates.

    I will design a series of explorations in whatever area of study we are examining at the time. Through these explorations,
we will place ourselves in the role of historian, writer, (and scientist.)  This class is a space of total experimentation in an
atmosphere of mutual respect and trust. This class is a kind of contract between us. As a community of intellectuals,
we will read, write, talk and think.  We will become readers and participants in each other’s work, coaching and supporting
as we learn what real work is together. I will be totally open to your questions and concerns. You, in turn, have to learn
to do these three things:

    In a nutshell,

There are three things I basically ask from you:

1. To Really Try
2. To Participate in class as best you can.
3. Be open minded to me, your classmates, and my class

     I look forward to helping you learn.

Mr. McDonnell