The next test for the Mid Term Final is the in-class writing test. For this test, you will write an expository essay that is focused on an idea common to all three of the films. This essay is not about the films. Instead, it is about an idea. You will then develop the idea, using examples that include the films and other texts.
The original plan was to have a memorized portion focused on key terms. Based on the progress on Monday, I changed the test for Part 2. You will now start with a 20 minute speed write that reflects your knowledge of the system for writing an essay, including the 4 subsystems and the related cognitive tools. You do not need to memorize the study guide for this. Just come prepared to discuss your writing process and plans for the expository essay. We did this for classes that started on Tuesday and it worked well.
Friday’s schedule is changed, too. Instead of doing the key concepts test, you will have more time to work on your in-class essay test. At the end of this, you will write another speed write that demonstrates that you know how to use the systems, models, frameworks, and cognitive tools for writing an essay. We will do a new test (focused on the key concepts) on Friday April 5.
The April 5 Key Concepts Test will not change your grade for Term 1. It will be a Term 2 test, even though it’s done before the start of Term 2. That is because you will benefit from doing a required preview test for when you will need to complete the key concepts test for the Unit II Test and the Final Exam – but it’s too late in Term 1 to make this test change your grade. The timing for assessing the key concepts is all that has changed – these are still required concepts for the course. We will wait until April 5 to focus more on memorized understanding of the key concepts. Until then, we’ll focus on using the writing process to write an essay.
Here is the schedule for the rest of the week:
Period 2/4
- Wednesday – Start the in-class writing test (speed write + essay work time)
- Thursday – Work on the in-class writing test (essay work time + conferences)
- Friday – 60 minutes for the in-class writing test + 20 minute speed write (key concepts)
Period 1/3
- Wednesday – Work on the in-class writing test (essay work time + conferences)
- Friday – 60 minutes for the in-class writing test + 20 minute speed write (key concepts)
