Student Mini-Lessons and Summary Essays
Requirements:
1) Meet and conference with Tom to discuss your topic.
2) Lead a class-length lesson and discussion on an auxiliary topic. The lesson should:
a) focus on showing students the connection and/or influence
of your topic on the primary texts we are reading this semester
b) be a lesson rather than simply a presentation
c) include some combination of visual/textual aids - the
chalkboard, overhead outlines, handouts etc
d) make good use of the allotted time (generally, one class)
e) be well prepared and present information that is both
relevant and new
f) show that you have a strong grasp of your topic, that you
are the class "expert" on this topic.
3) Submit a 3 - 4 page summary of your lesson
and findings. Please email these to me
within one class period of your lesson as a MS Word.doc file and I will post
them.
These summary essays should:
a) summarize the key concepts presented in your lesson
b) clearly show the connection and/or influence of these
concepts to the primary reading
c) attempt clear connections to other relevant Mini-Lesson
and lecture topics; when possible, create hyperlinks to these other Lessons
d) include a few representative or important quotes on the
topic
e) cite (MLA style) a minimum of four sources previously not
covered in class
f) include at least four links to further online resources on
the topic
g) include 2 test questions which address the two central
ideas presented in your lesson in relationship to the primary texts. Do not
explicitly include the answers to these questions, but readers should be able to
develop a relatively complete answer based on your in-class lesson, your summary
and having read the primary text. Some of these questions will be used on the
Midterm and Final exams.