Summer SAVY, Session 4 Day 3, “Truth v Perception” (5th-6th)
Good evening, families and students!
I am so glad to be back in the classroom! Today we did A LOT of interactive reading and application activities to understand the many influences in the world and in society that change our perceptions and challenge our notion of the truth. We also talked about how people use rhetorical strategies to persuade others, whether this be to agree with us, to join us in an endeavor, or – as in the case of Tam Sawyer – even to do our chores for us! Ask your student about how they tried to persuade their classmates that work tasks that they don’t enjoy are actually fun and desirable, and that other people should take them on. Make sure to have them explain the ways they used pathos, logos, and ethos as they were moving around the classroom and “pitching” their distasteful task, such as taking out the garbage, doing homework, or walking their pet Komodo dragon, Fluffy!
In the afternoon, we learned about how trials work and connected it to class by discussing objectivity and subjectivity, and the responsibility of deciding whose truth is evidentiary and able to be proven. We listened to two different versions of The Three Little Pigs – one told from the Wolf’s perspective (I had allergies and was merely sneezing, and I thought my friend was sleeping, so I came down the chimney). We watched a mock trial where B.B. Wolf sues the last little pig for damages and emotional distress, and made our own jury determination. Turns out it was the little pig who was guilty, and we even decided to award Mr. Wolf extra compensation for damage caused by incendiaries!
Next, we read the story of the Pied Piper in preparation for the epic and tense mock trial we will have tomorrow. Extra, extra, read all about it! The Pied Piper will be suing the town of Hamlin in civil court tomorrow morning before his criminal court case, in which he will be the defendant on charges of kidnapping and possibly even murder! Gasp! Mock trial is a very involved process, but so much fun, and I can’t wait to see what evidence our students gather, how they will create their persuasive opening and closing arguments, and whether they can deliver a verdict without prejudice or bias. It’s sure to be an electric case where we will have to separate fact from fiction, truth from lies, and determine whose perspective aligns best with reality. Until tomorrow!
~ Ms. Rho
Treasure Hunt Bonus Clue: There is a particular vocabulary word in this blog that we discussed towards the end of class when we were deciding how much money Mr. Wolf should be awarded. We considered extras like having to buy bandages and pillows and a cane. What is this word, and what does it mean? Good luck!