Friday, September 2nd: Mexican-American War or US Invasion of Mexico?

Today's Driving Questions
1. How was rhetoric used to persuade people about the Mexican-American War?
2. To what extent does Thoreau serve as a good model for how we as individuals should strive to live in creating a just society?

Starter: Take THIS survey to let me know your general comprehension level on the primary source readings! 

Class Biz
- Honors reading and response questions to ch. 1 of Zinn due Tuesday
- No other homework this weekend! (Unless you feel like you need to get ahead in TNTSJ)

Agenda
1.  Finish reading the primary source readings on the Mexican American War and complete the historical thinking skills chart.  Also, jot down questions or confusions you have about the readings. 

2. Partner coaching

• Try to match up with someone who had a different level of comprehension of the reading than your own!
• Go through each article, paragraph by paragraph and identify the main idea in each paragraph.
• Try to help each other clarify any confusions or define words you didn't understand
• Make a note of any questions you still have for our whole class discussion

3. Whole class discussion to deconstruct the readings
GOAL: Identify each author's rhetoric (use of speech as a way to persuade their audience)?  Who is the audience? What is the purpose of each article and what rhetoric does each use to make their point?

• Review: What is "Manifest Destiny"?
• Clarify any remaining confusions/questions
• Go over the "Discussion Questions" at the end of John O'Sullivan's article
• North Star Editorial:  How does Douglass's rhetoric differ from O'Sullivan's?
• What critique does FD offer of politicians? 
• How does the author highlight the class and race dimension of the war?​
• How does the author feel about Manifest Destiny?
• Why does he say war violates Christian morals?
• What does he mean on p. 3 paragraph 1?
• In what ways do you see these two conflicting views/ideologies on war playing out in more modern times?

The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail 

• Check out copies
• Go over the structure of the play (how does time work?)

• Read pages v-vi as a class
• Character list
• Read stage directions and volunteers to set up the stage 

Assign student roles and read pp 3-14 aloud 

 Reading Schedule for TNTSJ
*Finish the play by NEXT Friday, 9/9*.  All of the following reading deadlines are for the END OF CLASS so as to avoid homework!

• By  Tuesday, 9/6: To page 31
• By Wednesday, 9/7: To page 55
• By Thursday, 9/8: To page 79
• By Friday, 9/9: End