11/29 - Class Recap

One of my favorite photos that I have taken, at the 2012 London Olympics Opening Ceremony. We have talked in class about how sports are definitely gendered.

Hello everyone,

Our first early release Wednesday together since October! Here's what happened in class today:

Learning Targets Addressed:
I can communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
I can apply understanding of ideas and concepts to a new context or problem.
I can demonstrate an understanding of the role of governments in current issues.
I can effectively conduct and apply research.

Soundtrack: "Kings and Queens" by 30 Seconds to Mars. Selected for today because of the latest royal wedding announcement from the UK and because of the gendered way in which we view both terms. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 11/29/17:
Check-In/Review Agreements

Gender Reflection
Vocabulary Guide

Homework: Read the blog! Catch up on any missing work. Next Current Event: Katelyn, Brenden, Emily, and Asher.
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Check In/Review Agreements: At the beginning of class, we went over the Courageous Conversations Agreements, as always, to begin our work together for the day. After checking in, we talked for a while about what is happening in the world outside of class, before moving on.

As part of this section, we watched the most recent video created by the Beaverton School District about our conversation with Jordan Thierry about The Black Fatherhood Project. The video is here:


Equity Conversations at Westview H.S. from TeacherSource Videos on Vimeo.

Due to time today, we did not have a Current Event in class.

Gender Reflection: At the end of last class, we took a look at this article to begin wrapping up our gender unit:

Google Drive - America's Profound Gender Anxiety

Today in class, we did a timed write (for about 20 minutes) for the reflection in class. Thank you for your thoughts here! If you did not get the chance to do this in class, please do so ASAP.

Vocabulary Guide: We did not have the time to get to this today, so we will do so next class!

Thank you for your work today! Next class, we will be starting our last unit before our semester ending "call to action" unit. See you then!

11/27 - Class Recap

I am sure that at least a few students visited the Oregon Coast over the long Thanksgiving weekend. I took this photo at Cannon Beach in 2009.

Dear class,

Welcome back from your long weekend! We wrapped up our gender unit today and reflected on what we have learned about gender in the media. Here's what happened in class today:

Learning Targets Addressed:
I can communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
I can apply understanding of ideas and concepts to a new context or problem.
I can demonstrate an understanding of the role of governments in current issues.
I can effectively conduct and apply research.

Soundtrack: "Return of the Quack" by Supwitchugirl. Selected for today because the Autzen Stadium jumbotron almost needed a third digit during the Oregon Ducks dominant win over Oregon State in the Civil War (as well as the band name). Lyrics here.

AGENDA 11/27/17:
Check-In/Review Agreements
Current Event

Bechdel Test

Gender and Media

Gender Reflection

Homework: Read the blog! Catch up on any missing work. Next Current Event: the teachers.
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Check In/Review Agreements: At the beginning of class, we went over the Courageous Conversations Agreements, as always, to begin our work together for the day. After checking in, we talked for a bit about what is happening in the world outside of class, before moving on.

Current Event: After checking in and having the Fire Drill, this is the presentation that we led the class through:

Google Drive - DSJ Current Event 11/27

An article about the story we took a look at is here:

HuffingtonPost.com - Celebs Rally For Cyntoia Brown, A Child Sex-Trafficking Victim Who Killed A Man

As a reminder, this is the assignment for the current event:

Google Drive - DSJ Current Event Group Assignment

The next Current Event will also be led by the teachers.

Bechdel Test: This is another way at looking at gender in media, and specifically, films. The test is simply this:

1. It has to have at least two [named] women in it
2. Who talk to each other
3. About something besides a man

Here is the website we showed in class that helped explain the test and whether or not movies pass the test (a ton of movies do not): BechdelTest.com

Gender and The Media: Because we wanted students to have an excuse over the break to watch their favorite TV show or something in the media, we wanted students to analyze how gender plays a role in their favorite form of media. We had a pair share in class, then took volunteers to talk about what they found with the class. So interesting! If you have not completed this assignment and submitted it on Google Classroom, please do so ASAP.

Gender Reflection: At the end of class, we took a look at this article to begin wrapping up our gender unit:

Google Drive - America's Profound Gender Anxiety

Next class, we will do a timed write for the reflection in class. It will be our first shorter class Wednesday together in about a month! See you then!

11/20 - Class Recap

Today in class, we watched an episode of The Office TV show and analyzed how gender was portrayed. This is me jumping for joy outside where The Office was filmed, in Los Angeles. Photo taken in 2009.

Hello everyone,

Happy Thanksgiving! We had a good day in class looking at gender in the media. Here's what happened in class today:

Learning Targets Addressed:
I can communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
I can apply understanding of ideas and concepts to a new context or problem.
I can demonstrate an understanding of the role of governments in current issues.
I can effectively conduct and apply research.

Soundtrack: "Starboy (Radio Edit)" by The Weeknd. Selected for today because of the long upcoming Thanksgiving weekend and due to our ongoing study of gender.

AGENDA 11/20/17:
Check-In/Review Agreements
Current Event
Gender in the World
The Media and Gender

Homework: Read the blog! Complete your Gender in the Media assignment! Catch up on any missing work. Next Current Event: the teachers.
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Check In/Review Agreements: At the beginning of class, we went over the Courageous Conversations Agreements, as always, to begin our work together for the day. After checking in, we talked for a bit about what is happening in the world outside of class, before moving on.

Current Event: After checking in, we turned it over to Sam N., Dylan, and Matthwe who had the Current Event for the day. This is the presentation that they led us through:

Google Drive - DSJ Current Event 11/20

An article about the story they took a look at is here:

NYTimes.com - In Minnesota, Outrage and Sorrow Over Al Franken Allegations

As a reminder, this is the assignment for the current event:

Google Drive - DSJ Current Event Group Assignment

The next Current Event will be led by the teachers.

Gender in the World: This was about the quick research project we did last class. The assignment (also posted in Google Classroom) is here:

Google Drive - Gender Country Profile Project

The goal of this assignment was for students to try and see how gender has an impact around the world in all sorts of ways, and to try and identify some reasons why. We had a pair/share in class as to what students noticed in terms of gender in countries around the world, and then had a class wide discussion on the themes.

The Media and Gender: Because we wanted students to have an excuse over the break to watch their favorite TV show or something in the media, we wanted students to analyze how gender plays a role in their favorite form of media. This could be watching sports, a TV show on Netflix, reading a magazine or book, etc. To begin with this assignment, Ms. Labossiere and I showed an episode of one of our favorite TV series: The Office (US version)! We watched the "Sexual Harassment" episode from Season 2 on Netflix and asked students to note how gender was portrayed throughout the episode. After the episode was over, we had a conversation about what we noticed.

For your assignment over the weekend: Bullet points are fine for notes, and then we want a quick summary (1-2 paragraphs) of what you noticed in watching the show/reading the magazine or book/etc and how it relates to gender.

That was it for the day! Have a great Thanksgiving break and we will see you next Monday!