Back in the Saddle

Blues:

Tomorrow we will be engaging in a "Harkness Discussion" on Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. What that means is that you will be participating in discussion as a team while I take notes on your interaction with one another and your engagement with the topic.

Everyone is expected to contribute in such ways as the following:

- Leading
- Summarizing, restating, and clarifying
- Offering examples from the text
- Asking questions
- Commenting or giving opinions
- Making suggestions
- Asking for clarification
- Reacting to comments
- Analyzing text, comments, or the discussion itself
- Asking for new information, asking for comments or reactions
- Making connections with other texts

Since this is a team effort, there will be a team grade. The whole class will get the same grade with two exceptions: students who detract or distract from the discussion or resist efforts to get them involved will be marked down; other students who perform truly exceptional group-beneficial feats by "saving" or immensely uplifting a discussion that is going bad, for example, may receive a higher grade. But, with few exceptions, everyone receives the same grade.

A discussion for which everyone would receive an "A" would look like this:
- Everyone participates
- Pace allows for clarity and thoughtfulness, but not sleep
- There is a sense of balance and order: focus on one speaker at a time
- The loud do not dominate; the shy are encouraged; everyone is clearly understood
- Students are animated, sincere, and helpful
- All students come well prepared
- The text is often cited; students back up what they say with examples from the text
- When the process is not working, the group adjusts. Those unhappy with the process say so.
- Students take risks and dig for new meanings
- Comments are not lost
- There is an attempt to resolve questions and issues before moving on to new ones

The class will earn a "B" by doing most of the things on that list, a "C" by doing only half of what's on the list (half the class is cruising), and a "D" by doing less than half (everyone is cruising).

During the discussion, I will sit and make notes on the dynamics of the discussion using the list above as a rubric. I will also sometimes pause the discussion for a "reality check": "How are we doing? What do we need to do differently during the rest of the period to make this a better discussion?"

To prepare for the discussion, think about the following questions:

1. People often fear what they do not understand. Who is feared in TKAM because people just don’t understand them?

2. Education is not limited to the classroom but it is an important part of a person’s everyday life. Give examples of lessons that Scout, Jem, and Dill learn outside of their classrooms. What do they learn? Who do they learn it from, or how do they learn it? Do you think Harper Lee is sending the same messages to her readers?

3. Prejudice is responsible for much social injustice. Describe events from TKAM where prejudice leads to social injustice.

4. Courage is standing up for what you believe in, regardless of whether you “win” or “lose.” Describe moments from TKAM when characters are courageous despite knowing they are going to “lose.” What are they trying to “win”? How/why will it be considered winning? If they “lose,” what will literally happen to them? Are there other characters involved? Are they fighting on their own, or have they reached out for help? What kind of message might Lee be sending to her audience?

Be prepared. Remember that your grade will count as two quiz grades.

Work hard: luck means nothing.

- AC