9th Grade Criteria for the Common Core Essay: Nature vs. Nurture

Are humans more influenced by nature (genes) or nurture (environment)?

·         Write a persuasive logical argument that addresses the above question.

·         Four quotes minimum from all the sources

·         Four source minimum

·         MLA format

·         Works Cited page

·         Six paragraphs

·          1,000 words

·         The introduction must include a thesis statement with a clear viewpoint on the issue.

Professor Stephan Chorover on nature vs. nurture from MIT Dept Brain and Cog Science on Vimeo.

ANALYZING ARGUMENTS WORKSHEET

NATURE VS. NURTURE VIDEO LINK

PRESENT AN ARGUMENT

NATURE VS. NURTURE VIDEO LINK 2

MAKING EVIDENCE BASED CLAIMS DOC. Articles:  NY TIMES ARTICLE Simply Psychology  Wall Street Journal Telegraph

Grade 11/English 6 Students:

Download Below Assignment :)

Project Based Learning

Grade 9

The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe

Common Core Standards

Reading: Literature

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.7

Analyze the representation of a subject or a key scene in two different artistic mediums, including what is emphasized or absent in each treatment

Writing

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.3

Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.

Speaking & Listening

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1

Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively

The Tell-Tale Heart from Talking Animals on Vimeo.


LINK TO THE COMPLETE TEXT :)

ENGAGE NY Vocabulary:

·hearken (v.) – listen; give heed to what is said

·vulture (n.) – a bird of prey

·acute (adj.) – extremely sensitive even to slight details or impressions

Engage NY Guiding Questions:

1.     What is “True!”?

2.     What distinction is the narrator making between nervous and mad?

3.     What has happened to the narrator’s senses?

4.     What “senses” is the narrator referring to and how do you know? What evidence does the narrator give to show his hearing was acute?

5.     What words (synonyms) could replace acute in this context?

6.     What does his acute hearing reveal about the narrator?

7.     What is the narrator telling the reader to do?

8.     How does the narrator speak to the reader in this excerpt?

9.     Why does the narrator choose the words calmly and healthily when describing how he is going to tell the story?

10. What “haunted” the narrator?

11. Why does the narrator decide to “take the life of the old man”?

12. How does the narrator feel about the old man?

13. How does the narrator describe the old man’s eye?