Wednesday, September 2nd

Starter 5: Creative writing Free Write
Research has shown that writing creatively can actually enhance productivity!  It's also fun and a nice change of pace from all the politics we're entrenched in with our current project!
SOOOOOOO......

For the next 15 minutes, just write.  You start by writing about the physical space right here and now and everything you can hear/feel/see/smell/touch.  Then perhaps bring it to the emotional level:  how you are feeling, what's weighing on your mind, how school is going, what you're looking forward to this weekend, etc....

OR write more creatively!  What's a story that seems to want to be told?  Maybe use the picture above as inspiration for a story

Announcements
Any luck on parent chaperons for our field trip?

Agenda
1. Review our driving questions!

2. Share out: "Ah-ha, Say what!? and I wonder" about yesterday's readings
Article 1: "The Gold King Mine: From An 1887 Claim, Private Profits And Social Costs" from Colorado Public Radio (read at least to the section labeled "Mining: Why all the water and toxins?")
Article 2: "When Our River Turned Orange" from High Country News

3. Assigned reading on Silverton's Superfund debate (I have printed copies!)
Driving questions' themes: Future Implications and Historical Context
A. Read Chase McCallister’s coverage in The Durango Herald of the Silverton mining situation over the last year or so. Pay attention to the date of each article! 

1. http://www.durangoherald.com/article/20140422/NEWS01/140429856
   
2. http://www.durangoherald.com/article/20140423/NEWS01/140429803//article/20140423/NEWS01/140429803/Superfund-label-stokes-Silverton%92s-curiosity-
   
3. http://www.durangoherald.com/article/20150214/NEWS01/150219763/Is-Silverton-ready-for-a-cleanup 

B. Then read this letter to the editor in the Silverton Standard, written just before the disaster.

As you read, take notes to help you answer our driving questions (note-taking template)
and after we'll discuss: 

• How do these articles illuminate your understanding of our driving questions?
• What perspective are you forming about the Superfund dilemma in Silverton? What are pros/cons? What biases may influence other folks' perspectives on the Superfund?

4. Podcast examples
   A.  "It sounds like you were a black sheep"

• Great example of empathetic listening (can you spot it?)
  
• What did you notice about the types of questions the granddaughter asks and how she asks them?

  B. Animated: "Miss Devine"

5. Jessica's Daily Affirmation to help us transition into independent research!

6. Open research time OR More Sample StoryCorps Podcasts (depends on time)

• Pick a perspective from the list on the board that most intrigues you AND one that you know the LEAST about or are least drawn to
• Focus your research on those two perspectives
• Take notes using this template 

• Taking notes digitally? Please do so in your digital comp book (same place as starters)
• Did you find a SUPER good resource? Add it to this document  pretty please!

7. Share out findings to the whole class ("Whip-around")

• Briefly summarize one of the perspectives you researched
• Select one piece of evidence OR argument used to defend that perspective from the article you read and share that with the group.

MORE EXAMPLE STORYCORPS PODCASTS

• 436: Listen Closely
  
• 438: The Wind and the Rain
• "John and Joe"