ELA Curriculum
Students have begun reading their first assigned reading, The Odyssey, by this well-known author.
Who is Homer?
The first P in PREP encourages students to bring all materials including laptops and laptop chargers to class. This P stands for ______.
What is Preparation?
Mr. Smith has two professions: an English and Debate teacher and this profession made famous by tv sitcom, Matlock.
What is an attorney?
There is a stark difference between "arguing" and "debating." Mr. Smith's wife prefers arguing, which relies on emotion and ridicule while Mr. Smith prefers debating which focuses on these two elements.
What are facts and evidence?
Students' second reading includes a play written by August Wilson that was made into a movie starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis.
What is Fences?
The R in PREP urges students to submit all assignments on time and ditch artificial intelligence (AI). This R stands for ______.
What is Responsibility?
Mr. Smith has two daughters who are ages twenty-one and nineteen. His older daughter attends a university that shares a name with a color while his younger daughter's university's name is patriotic and is within walking distance to Jackson-Reed. The two colleges are______.
What are Brown and American University?
Debaters are usually placed in groups of four in preparation for their public forum debates. They are judged on four categories. This category judges debaters on eye contact, stance, hand gestures and the like. (Hint: "Don't cramp my________.")
What is Style?
Another play students will read is a Shakespearean classic. It includes a famous balcony scene between two star-crossed lovers. It doesn't end well.
What is Romeo and Juliet?
The E in PREP encourages both individual and group participation in class. This E stands for _______.
What is Engagement?
Mr. Smith once served one-term as an elected official in the District's Fourth Ward. This position is both voluntary and thankless.
What is Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner (ANC)?
This debate category requires debaters to cite sources and provide specific evidence to support a clear and concise claim.
What is argument?
Students will write FOUR types of essays, one for each term. This first essay is told in first person and based on the student's own life or perspective.
What is a Personal Narrative?
The second P in PREP aligns with the City Council's new DCPS law that limits classroom distractions and enhances student engagement.
What is the Phone (and personal electronic) policy?
Mr. Smith is from Mississippi by way of this city in the Lone Star state.
What is Houston?
This debate category is synonymous with cross-examination in a court of law. You also wouldn't want to be caught in it at the O.K. Corral!
What is Crossfire?
This technological tool is widely used by students that compromises the student's academic integrity and underestimates Mr. Smith's good judgment and common sense. In fact, it will quickly lead to a failing grade.
What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
Like DCPS's grading policy, a student's PREP score carries a weighted percentage that matches Stephen Curry's jersey number.
What is 30%?
Mr. Smith has been married 22 years to his high school sweetheart. They met at this grade level.
What is 9th grade?
This debate category requires sharp listening skills and attentiveness. It also represents the E in PREP.
What is Engagement?