Hello all!

Since we do not have a meeting this week (and will miss again next week due to MLK day…that’s why you picked this class right? All these weeks off?), I think we need to actually start “ToKing” (that’s pronounced T-O-K-ing) now. For that reason, I would like you to complete the following assignments before class and bring them to my room (104) by Tuesday. January 17th. Handwritten or typed is acceptable. If you have questions please drop by my room or email me at

This will count as your first week’s participation points, so you do want to make sure to complete them fully. As well, please do not collaborate. We will discuss these issues as a group on Monday the 26th.

As a note, we do NOT normally have even close to this much homework in a week…just remember, you’re missing three hours of school this week…so the 3-4 hours I think this project will take should not seem excessive.

  1. For each of the following scenarios, explain: a)how you would teach a child the information described. Then, explain b) why you chose this method (its strengths) andc)its drawbacks.

a)Why it is wrong to put a poodle in a microwave

b)The history of the battle of Gettysburg

c)How to ride a bike

d)The main themes of The Grapes of wrath

  1. Schooling assignment:
  2. Read and annotate the homework articles by Orson Scott Card currently on the links section of my schoolwires page.
  3. Find at least three articles discussing proposed changes to the fundamental nature of American schooling. Annotate them.
  4. Devise three significant changes you feel schools should make if they were dedicated solely to students’ learning. Describe each one in a paragraph including references to some of the sources above.
  5. Complete position paper #1 – “The key to improving the knowledge students gain from schooling is the increased use of technology” (A position paper is actually two separate 500 word brainstormings…one that agrees with the prompt and one that disagrees with it)

So…that first one wasn’t that bad, was it? Yes, it probably took you three hours or so…but remember…you missed a whole week of classes! This week’s is another makeup…one of the drawbacks of having class on Mondays…but next week we all get to finally meet! Huzzah! (You do all have your tickets to the renaissance faire already right? I’ll be the one with the funny hat in the third row of the Ded Bob show)

  1. Answer the following questions about your extended essay: (If you don’t know anything about the extended essay, come see me ASAP)
  1. What subject area do you see your essay falling into? What classes have you already taken in this subject area? If you have not taken classes, where have you gained the necessary background context to work in this area?
  2. In a five sentence paragraph, explain your passion for this topic. (I really do believe it should be passion…but if you just don’t feel passionate, I suppose “interest” would be fine).
  3. Tell me the five most important words to know about your topic…those five words that people in the field would laugh at you if you didn’t know them. (If you don’t know what they are, the Wikipedia article on your topic can be VERY helpful here)
  4. Revisit the 10 qualities outlined in the IB learner profile. (What do you mean you don’t have it memorized? Find it! Seriously, everything IB is on line somewhere). Now think of your Extended Essay, infant stages it might be in.
  5. Pick three of the traits that you feel your project will definitely reveal. Explain how your project will likely reveal these three traits.
  6. Now pick three that you are not sure that your project will demonstrate (dollars to donuts you all pick “caring” as one of these three). Now explain why you think it will be more difficult to demonstrate these three.
  1. Reality
  2. Define reality.
  3. Justify your definition.
  4. Read Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” : (there are many translations and versions available, but I think this one will work best for you)
  5. Answer the following questions:
  6. What does Plato hope to convey to readers of his allegory?
  7. According to Plato, do humans being typically perceive reality? To what does he compare the world?
  8. According to Plato, what often happens to people who develop a true idea of reality? How well do they compete with others? Who is usually considered superior? Why?
  9. How useful do you think the knowledge Plato presents here is? Why?
  10. Compare Plato’s definition of reality with your own.