Sheila Kries

Email Address

Gonzaga Preparatory School  (Theology Department)

EAC 2000 Workshop

Justice/Prophets/Genocide Internet Project (type in "academic dept., theology, s kries)

Pearl Trial
Media Literacy/Fallacies

Morality/Ethics Projects (Grade Ten Theology)

Introduction To Logic/Media Literacy/Prodigality

Components:

Teacher presentation of common fallacies (eg. Begging the Question, Slippery Slope, Appeals to Pity, Authority, Force, Prejudicial Language, Straw Man, etc.)

Review of the term, prodigality from Gr. 9 scripture studies (use collegiate dictionary)

Teacher presentation of common methods of persuasion (used in advertising)

Student research in obtaining examples of fallacious forms of persuasion from all forms of media (eg. internet, television, newspaper, magazines, billboards, etc.)

Showing of film Affluenza (PBS presentation on values, consumerism and marketing)

Assessment:

• Testing on fallacies & methods of persuasion
• Students must be able to identify which fallacies are present in a variety of ads.

Students will complete a two-part culminating project:

• Each student shall compose a letter to the school's newspaper discussing one issue within immediate school or wider community regarding comsumerism or an issue presented within the PBS film. 

• Each student shall write an "action plan" for transforming one area of school/student life that is symptomatic of "affluenza."  Within the plan, specifics are required (eg changes in school policies, practices, curricular changes, environmental/building changes, nonfallacious strategies for persuasion, etc.)

Trial of "Kino" (protagonist in Steinbeck's The Pearl)
(Inspired by Connie Robinson, Librarian, Gonzaga Prep)

Students will read the novel The Pearl and conduct a trial in which Kino is charged with various crimes, including several counts of murder in varying degrees, etc. 

Classroom procedure:

Students are given several plot and character quizzes to assess reading of novel.

Teacher presents critical reviews of the novel, as well as portrayals of Steinbeck's style and messages.

Teacher lists and describes the various roles that students may choose to play within the context of the trial. (Kino, Juana, Juan Tomas', The Pearl Buyer, The Doctor, The Dark Stranger, A Tracker,
The Judge, The Bailiff, Court Artist, Jury Foreman, Jury Member, Newspaper Reporter, Defense and Prosecution Teams)

Students list their top three choices of positions.

Once positions are assigned, students begin preparing for the upcoming trial.  Lawyers decide upon charges and witnesses.  Judge and bailiff research court proceedings, study the details of the book and research similar cases.  

Trial begins with the assigned Judge in complete control of the classroom.  All communication between lawyers, teacher and students must take place by note.

Once positions are assigned, students pres