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IPC Summative Discussion: Culture & Perception

Assignment Overview
Throughout our unit, we have focused on who we are, how we perceive the world, and how our worldview impacts our ability to communicate
effectively with others. You have had opportunities to develop your self-awareness, listen and learn from your peers, and recognize our similarities and
differences through practice discussions and other formative experiences. You will now be asked to actively engage in a discussion pertaining to a
specific unit topic. Then you will write a reflection about the experience following some specific guidelines.
Your overarching group focus will be: How can we work to identify barriers and obstacles that impact our community, and then take action to make
positive change?

Group Discussion: You will be placed in discussion groups and assigned a topic to discuss for 15 minutes.
1. Collect and read information (articles, websites, videos) through individual research to help you understand the topic, and prepare
questions.
2. Write questions and talking points/suggestions to bring to your discussion. It is a good idea to have at least 5-10 so you are prepared to
have a really insightful discussion. YOU MUST PREPARE AHEAD OF TIME using this document.
3. The discussions will take place on Tuesday, May 2nd or Wednesday May 3rd during our class period. The discussions will be
recorded.

Written Response: Due Friday, May 5th by 11:59 PM (we will write in class on THURSDAY the 4th).
For this assignment you will write a 1-2 page reflection paper in which you analyze the discussion you had with your group members.
1. STEP ONE- watch your video of the discussion to see exactly what you did and said, as well as how everyone else communicated. Feel
free to take notes if you would like.

2. STEP TWO- write your reflection. Please read the following prompt carefully before you begin.
How did your own cultural lens and worldview impact your ability to engage in a discussion with your peers? Consider what your
views were going into the conversation, during the conversation, and after the conversation. Illustrate what you learned and how you
and your peers communicated with specific moments from the discussion.
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Be sure to use vocabulary terms from Unit 4 in your reflection. We will review these & the rubric before you begin your
reflection.
STEP ONE: Before Research
DISCUSSION TOPIC: _______________________________ THE FULL LIST IS HERE

What do you already know about the topic? How do

you see it, hear it (at school and in the community).

What, if anything, do you know about the barriers

and obstacles encountered by members of your
selected group/topic?

What do you want to know? What are you WRITE A LIST OF QUESTIONS HERE.
curious/confused about?

(Consider the overarching question: How can we

work to identify barriers and obstacles that impact
our community, and then take action to make
positive change? )

STEP TWO: Research & Fact-Finding

What should I look for?
● News articles, social media posts, videos that explain the topic, its history, & personal experiences
● Sources that help you to understand the BARRIERS & OBSTACLES faced by individuals that are part of your topic
● Sources that will help you to develop ideas about hot to take action, to make positive changes, and move forward
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● Your research should consist of ALL sides and opinions centered around that topic, pop culture, etc.; you should try to get as many
perspectives as you possibly can.
● Think about things that have been happening at LTHS related to your topic, or in our broader community.
Where should I look? You’ve been given your topic…now what?
Here are some places to get you started! Several websites are places to SEARCH for what you are interested in looking for!

● Education & Socioeconomic Status

● GLSEN Climate Survey Executive Summary
● 26 Mini-Films for Exploring Race, Bias, & Identity with Students (these are through the NewYork Times)
● Disability Resource Guide 2020
● *Many of these sources have specific pages dedicated to topics (ex. gender identity)
-New York Times -Huff Post -The Guardian
-Independent -The Conversation -USA Today
-Slate -Thought Co. (Good for background on a topic, not as strong on current events)

● LT DATABASES! -Go to LT website/-Click on “Student Resources”/-Click on “Library”/-On right side bar- click on “Databases”
○ SIRS Issue Researcher (coverage of today’s important and controversial topics)
○ Explora Research Center (contains journals, newspapers, and magazines focusing on current issues)
○ Proquest Newsstand (contains Chicago Tribune, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal)
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During Research: (You will fill this out during your work days and then organize your ideas before your summative.
This is what you will bring with you and reference during your summative discussion).

Source Title or What connections can you
link make to the source (between
your life, LT, something you
heard before, etc.)?
Did you learn anything
about specific
barriers/obstacles
regarding your topic?
What?
Did you learn anything Overall reactions: What
about possible solutions? surprised / shocked you?
What? What changed,
challenged, or confirmed
your beliefs?

1.

2.

3.
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Extra Source:
STEP THREE: After Research
Remember the purpose of meaningful discussions- the intention is to LEARN from one another. How can we do that? How can
we ask questions that we actually want to talk about, and hear what people have to say? Also, your group should discuss ways to
change.

Write at least 5-10 questions that, after examining all of your reactions and connections, seem like great places to explore this topic with
your group. Try to focus on places that will allow for diverse perspectives to be shared! Multiple opinions! Here are some sentence stems to
help you.

● What do you think about __________?  Why do you feel that way?
● How is this text related to other texts, films, or resources we’ve discussed in class?
● How is the text/film related to my life or something I have observed?
● What feelings or emotions are created? Why? How does the author/director want us to feel?
● What would happen to _____ if _______?
● What would it be like to live …?
● If you were ( ), would you have __________?  Why or why not?
● What is the best __________________ and why?
● How does ______________ apply to everyday life? To what we’ve learned before
● What is the best _____________________ and why?
● What is a solution to the problem of _____________?
● What do you think causes _____________? Why?
● What if the situation changed to ___; how would that impact the outcome?

Be sure you have also thought about the second part: HOW to work to create positive change. Come prepared with 2-3 specific ideas/plans to
discuss.
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During Discussion: GOAL- to focus on how to make positive change at LTHS/in our community in relation to your assigned
topic
QUESTIONS I CAN PREPARE TO ASK MY GROUP THAT WILL ALLOW FOR DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES AND MULTIPLE OPINIONS:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Comments & ideas regarding HOW to make positive change:

1.

2.

3.
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SUBMIT THIS TO CANVAS BY 11:59 PM ON MONDAY, 5/1