Monday, November 28, 2011

1. Monday, November 28, 2011 • Objective: Students will write using the proper QASIC formula • Do Now: • Where do I sit? Look at the list on the board for your group number • Pick up QASIC format and rubric from the Do Now bin and read • Take out all of your Alexander notes • On any piece of paper answer: What can you CONNECT Alexander the Great to? Life experience, character in a book/movie, cartoon, historical figure? Explain. • Homework: • On a separate piece of paper list 10 facts about Alexander the Great • Quiz tomorrow

2. QASIC: Overview Q = Restate QUESTION by making it a declarative sentence. (1 sentence) A = ANSWER in your own words. (1-2 sentences) S = Use examples that SUPPORT your answer (2 sentences) I = Write an INSIGHT or connection through something previously studied or a world event (1-2 sentences) C = CONCLUDE by tying it backtothecontent. (1 sentence)

3. Let’s practice “Q”(RESTATING THE QUESTION) • Example: • Why should Alexander be considered great? Alexander should be considered great for a variety of reasons. OR Alexander should be referred to as Alexander the Great throughout history for a few reasons. • Tips: • Restate the QUESTION in a complete declarative sentence • Reread to avoid having a fragment. • Try to spice it up and restate in your own words.

4. Let’s practice “A”(ANSWERING THE QUESTION) • Example: • Why should Alexander be considered great? Alexander accomplished many impressive feats in his lifetime, like unifying an empire, conquering thousands of miles of land and spreading Greek culture and ideas. • Tips: • ProvideCOMPLETEANSWER • Provide specific reasons • Watch pronouns!

5. Let’s practice “S”(SUPPORTING THE ANSWER) • Example: • Why should Alexander be considered great? Alexander unified his empire by adopting customs of the people he conquered. When conquering the Persians, he adopted their style of dress, the way they treated their government officials and by marrying into a Persian family. • Tips: • Support your answer with very specific examples. • Make sure your support is fully explained, using details that answer who, what, why, when, where

6. Let’s practice “I”(PROVIDING INSIGHT) • Example: • Why should Alexander be considered great? Alexander reminds me of the westward expansion in the United States. During this expansion, many people would stop at nothing to gain additional land, even if others, like the Native Americans were harmed. This still resulted in the discovery of many new natural wonders and expanded many of the natural resources available to the American citizens. • Tips: • Be specific with your insight or connection • Can be external connection (to a book, movie, TV show, world events, historic events, another person’s experience) • Can be internal connection (your personal experience). • Make sure you show how the connection or insight relates to your answer by providing details.

7. Tuesday, November 29, 2011 • Objective: Students will write using the proper QASIC formula • Do Now: • Where do I sit? Same groups as yesterday • Pick up “conclusion” paper from Do Now bin • Based on your answers yesterday to the question: Why should Alexander be considered great, write a concluding sentence. • Homework: • Finish Alexander the Great short answer • Bring textbook

8. Let’s practice “C”(CONCLUDING YOUR RESPONSE) • Example: • Why should Alexander be considered great? Even though there were some negatives to westward expansion, this was still a significant and great time period in our country’s history, just as Alexander’s accomplishments were important and considered great during and after his lifetime. • Tips: • Make sure it relates back to the question and answer. • Try tying your insight back to the initial answer. • Needs to be more than “This is why…”

9. SAMPLE QASIC Alexander should be referred to as Alexander the Great throughout history for a few reasons. Alexander accomplished many impressive feats in his lifetime, like unifying an empire, conquering thousands of miles of land and spreading Greek culture and ideas. Alexander unified his empire by adopting customs of the people he conquered. When conquering the Persians, he adopted their style of dress, the way they treated their government officials and by marrying into a Persian family. Alexander reminds me of the westward expansion in the United States. During this expansion, many people would stop at nothing to gain additional land, even if others, like the Native Americans were harmed. This still resulted in the discovery of many new natural wonders and expanded many of the natural resources available to the American citizens. Even though there were some negatives to westward expansion, this was still a significant and great time period in our country’s history, just as Alexander’s accomplishments were important and considered great during and after his lifetime. Q A S I C

10. Roles • Technician – in charge of the computer, assists the typer in recording the responses • Typer – the fastest typer of the group. Needs to be able to record all responses on the template on the computer • Evaluator – chooses which responses are the best • Expert – oversees written responses, makes any writing changes • Proofreader – makes any grammatical or spelling changes

11. After logging in to your computer… • Go to the Start menu • Open “My Computer” • Open “Student Share” S:drive • Open the folder “Alpha Social Studies” • Open your class period’s folder • Open the Word file “QASIC group writing” • If it says “Open as Read Only” click OK • Follow the instructions on the document on how to save BEFORE you begin typing

12. When you are finished typing… • Evaluator/expert/proofreader - double check final product • Technician – Print enough copies for everyone in your group AND one for me. • Technician - Wait for it to print, then shut down and return computer