The Golden Age of Science Fiction, 1938-1946
Wednesday, 1/29: Formed Who Goes There study groups and assigned first 10 pages of "Who Goes There?"
Thursday: Brief talk about John W. Campbell and pulp fiction, and then read in groups chapters 2-5 of "Who Goes There?"
Friday: Read in groups. Through Chapter 8 by Monday.
Monday, 2/3: Read; let's see if you can finish.
Tuesday: Complete reading "Who Goes There?" along with the questions.
Wednesday: written quiz on "Who Goes There?" and a one-day graded discussion of the story. Students must participate 5 times. Kids who miss the quiz, must submit a formal paragraph answering the question, what is the main theme of the story? Kids who miss the graded discussion must write another paragraph answering the question, how does this story compare to Frankestein? Both paragraphs should be submitted in the assignment portal on Schoology.
Thursday: Wrap up the discussion from yesterday; students who were absent both or either day can write a formal paragraph and submit it on schoology in place of the graded discussion. The paragraph should answer the following question, what is the main theme of the story, and it should be submitted in the assignment portal for the graded discussion. Then, begin watching The Thing.
Friday: Continue watching The Thing.
Monday, 2/10: Completed watching The Thing and briefly discussed the differences between the film and the writing.
Tuesday: Form Story #2 Groups. Each group then searches for a Golden Age of Science Fiction story for the class to read next. Criteria: must be from the GA, must be a good representation of the genre, must be from a reputable write of the genre. Then, groups present their choice to the class and we pick which one to read next.
Wednesday: E Learning day: read the first 12 pages of "Black Destroyer."
Thursday: Complete reading of "Black Destroyer."
Friday: Graded discussion on "Black Destroyer." Students who are absent can write a formal paragraph answering the question, how does "Black Destroyer" compare to the other things we have read this unit?
Tuesday, 2/18: Begin Isaac Asimov week! For the remainder of this session, if you dress like Asimov, you can earn up to 5 extra credit points. Watch this video on Asimov, whilst taking notes, then take a quiz using those notes. Kids that miss the quiz can watch the interview and then write a formal paragraph on the words which best describe him.
Wednesday: No school.
Thursday: Assign "Trends" by Isaac Asimov. The story is found in the PDF in schoology called The Great Science Fiction Stories on page 229.
Friday: Quiz and graded discussion on "Trends." Students who miss the quiz and discussion should submit a formal paragraph in the assignment portal on schoology answering the following question, what is the most important theme of the story? The paragraph is due Monday before the start of class.
Monday, 2/24: Robert Heinlein Week! Begin reading "The Menace From Earth (page 423)"in groups.
Tuesday: finish reading "The Menace From Earth." Then, answer the questions. Then, watch this video. Then, be ready to discuss all this tomorrow. And then this video.
Wednesday: Fishbowl discussions on "The Menace of Earth." THE 10 COMMANDMENTS OF THE FISHBOWL!
Thursday: Fishbowls Day 2.
Friday: Played a game for extra credit.
Monday, 3/3: Complete the 5 Essentials Survey--Mr. Lipe will give you your log in. Begin final story of the Golden Age. In groups students pick a story from the Golden Age of Sci Fi. Then, as a group study the story and answer the questions on the story. The story must be 10 pages or more. If it's not 10 pages, then you must add an additional story. Once you sign up for a story, no other group can sign up for it. Then, study the work. Next, plan a presentation on the story in which you answer the story questions. Your presentation can include slides, but the slides cannot have more than a word or two on them.
Tuesday: work on reading story and answering questions.
Wednesday: complete reading story.
Thursday: Prepare for presentations on story of choice.
Friday: Begin presentations on story of choice.
Monday, 3/10: Complete presentations on stories of choice.
Tuesday: Assign a 400 word Free Write on The Golden Age. You can say whatever you want. What did you learn; what did you think you were supposed to learn? What words would you use to describe the GA? Which skills did you most develop? Which writer was best? What do you think the next unit will be like?