Societal Connections Unit Assessment

“There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction.” -Winston Churchill

The world is changing around us.  Recently many countries around the world have had their citizens protest unjust and oppressive governance.  What drives these citizens to risk their lives for their causes?  In what manner do these governments operate that citizens find oppressive?  Being able to recognize these qualities and changes help us to become better global citizens.  Often novels can embody these same ideas and values.  How does one read a text and find these connections?  This skill is important in trying to find meaning in literature and the world around us. 

In this unit you will be assuming the roles of an critical reader, researcher, and presenter. 

In addition, in this unit you will be addressing the essential question, “What can a novel teach us about ourselves and the world?” 

This unit will include 3 tasks:

•      Socratic discussions (formative and summative) about the novel and its issues

•      A project that examines a novel and its central theme and the connections one can make to modern society

•     An interactive digital media presentation that examines the novel and its connections to a modern society

Task 1: Socratic Discussions

Students will participate in a series of Socratic Discussions (formative and summative) based on a novel that examines/discusses societal issues.

Requirements:

•     Students will be required to participate in several Socratic Discussions over a text.

•      Students will be required to use the novel to support and express their ideas clearly and persuasively.

•     Students will be required to build upon the ideas of others in the discussion and help strengthen their own ideas through the ideas of others.

Task 2: Societal Connections Project

Students will create a digital media presentation which examines the connections between a modern day society and its issues to the society/issues of the novel.  Students will cite from both the novel and from credible research sources.

Requirements:

•      The presentation needs to make at least 5 different connections between the novel and a modern society.

•     The presentation must cite textual evidence from the novel to support the connections made.

•     The presentation must cite textual evidence from non-fiction research sources to support the connections made.

•      All textual evidence must be cited in correct MLA format

•      The project must be created in an engaging and interactive media format.

•     The student must reference the the rubric for the requirements and grading criteria.

Task 3: Digital Media Presentation

Students will present a digital media presentation which examines the connections between a modern day society and its issues to the societal issues of a novel. 

Requirements:

•    The presentation must incorporate a digital media element.

•    The presentation must be interactive and engaging.

•    The presentation must add interest by unitizing the digital media.

•     The presentation must be polished and evidence of preparation   should be evident.