ESLDO

Unit 4: Novel Study: War Horse

Lesson 14: Learning the Habits
of an Effective Reader

Reflecting on War – Discussion Board

When World War I was over, in November 1918, it was the bloodiest war ever fought until that
time. More than 13,000,000 were dead in battle. Perhaps another 30,000,000 had died of
diseases as a result of the war. Entire families and entire generations of you ng men were gone
forever in some European villages and towns.

Today, only one war is bloodier in human history—World War II.

After World War I, many people lost faith in humanity and science. Before World War I, many
people believed that science, technology, and the human mind could make the world a better
place. After World War I, more and more people thought that science had only been used to kill
more people much faster. Humans may have more technology and better science, but humans
are still just animals—apes—and it is their instinct to kill and destroy. . . .

In the Discussion Board topic called Reflecting on War, post a 100- to 200-word response to at
least three of the following prompts.
 Why do humans fight wars?
 Is war ever justified? If so, then when?
 What is human nature? How would you describe human nature? Why?
 Are humans very different from apes and other animals? Or do humans have more in
common with animals than we would like to think? (You may reflect on the picture
below.)

After posting your responses, read and respond to at least three of your classmates’ posts.

The rubric on the next page shows you the criteria that will be used to assess and evaluate your
Discussion Board posts.

1
 ESLDO
Unit 4: Novel Study: War Horse
Lesson 14: Learning the Habits
of an Effective Reader

Criteria Level 5 - Level 4 - Very Level 3 - Good Level 2 - Level 1 - Needs

Excellent Good Satisfactory Improvement
Knowledge and The student The student The student The student The student
Understanding demonstrates demonstrates a demonstrates demonstrates demonstrates
(Concepts, an excellent good considerable some limited
Themes, Issues, knowledge and knowledge and knowledge and knowledge and knowledge and
Text/Media understanding understanding understanding understanding understanding
Forms) of the topic and of the topic and of the topic and of the topic and of the topic and
related themes related themes related themes related themes related themes
and issues. and issues. and issues. and issues. and issues.
Thinking The student The student The student The student The student
(gathering, examines and examines and examines and examines and examines and
selecting, processes processes processes processes processes
analyzing, and information information information information information
evaluating with a very high with a high with with some with limited
information; degree of degree of considerable effectiveness. effectiveness.
forming effectiveness. effectiveness effectiveness.
reasonable
conclusions)
Application The student The student The student The student The student
(using applies applies applies applies applies
knowledge and knowledge and knowledge and knowledge and knowledge and knowledge and
skills in familiar skills with a very skills with a high skills with skills with some skills with
and new high degree of degree of considerable effectiveness. limited
contexts; effectiveness. effectiveness. effectiveness. effectiveness.
making
connections
between
different
contexts)
Communication The student The student The student The student The student
(expressing and communicates communicates communicates communicates communicates
organizing with a very high with a high with with some with limited
information; degree of degree of considerable effectiveness effectiveness
writing/speaking effectiveness effectiveness effectiveness and has not and has not
clearly and with and has posted and has posted and has posted responded responded to
a purpose; three or more two responses one response to meaningfully to any posts by
adhering to responses to to classmates. classmates. any posts by classmates.
English-language classmates. classmates.
conventions;
engaging in
discussion
forum)