Idea: Mandy Lewis and I want to transfer the portfolio process--currently paper--to a digital format that students can access and add to more frequently throughout the year. We want to create a central site and establish the process that students will use to set up their own sites, access each other's writing, and provide valuable commentary--both on line and in person.
Additionally, I want to look at Persuasive Writing, one of the main genres in the junior year. In order to expand writing assignments--to make them more engaging, relevant--I'm going to work with Jackie Richardson and overlap with the Public Policy project. We share many students in the CP Junior English & CP US History classes. We're planning on using the same language to talk about persuasive writing. By increasing conversation, exposure to issues that affect students, and giving them practice of writing persuasively in English, they will be better prepared to present a meaningful Public Policy project.
Tools: GoogleSites, NY Times Opinion Pages including "Room for Debate", Toulmin for Persuasive Writing, Everything's an Argument, They Say I Say, Many diigo-ed websites.
