What is your essence, and where does it come from?

Module summary:

• explore the meaning of existence
• learn about existentialism
• watch ​Groundhog Day
• analyze the movie in relation to the philosophy
  
• review mechanics with Grammar Flip

Jean-Paul Sartre, one of the leading philosophers behind existentialism

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essential questions

• How does philosophy add to our understanding of life?
• Why does word choice matter?
• How do we develop voice in our writing?

goals

• Students will understand that philosophy is a conversation about the fundamental nature of life, existence, and knowledge
• Students will understand that word choice strengthens writing by clarifying an argument through specific wording and by adding interest through imagery. 
• Students will understand that voice is your personality showing through your interest or passion in the subject and ability to engage the audience through effective word choice.

c-tachs

Writing

• Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
• Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.

Language

• Demonstrate command of conventions of standard English grammar when speaking and writing

Speaking and listening

• Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions

activities

Monday: 

• Introduction to Grammar Flip
  • Create account, join Mechanics Review class (code DDFKGL3S)
  • Pick four topics to master for the week
    • Watch the video 
    • Take the multiple choice quiz
    • Respond to writing activity prompt in a Google Doc and share with Christine
• Dialectical journals (write, respond, respond) - check in with Christine if you miss this component of the module
  • Group discussion and sharing
• Introduction to existentialism
  • Watch Crash Course intro and take notes (scroll to bottom of page for video)
  • Take quiz to check your notes and retention

Tuesday: 

• Review existentialism basics
  • Create group list of existentialism pillars
• Watch Groundhog Day
  • Take notes on evidence of existentialism
• Debrief movie and finalize notes

Wednesday: 

• Draft an essay: how does Groundhog Day illustrate existentialism?
  • intro - hook, context (overview of existentialism philosophy and Groundhog Day plot - one sentence each!), thesis
  • support - for each of these paragraphs, focus on a different element of existentialism you see addressed in the movie. Be sure to make a clear connection between a specific event in the movie and one of the pillars of the philosophy
  • conclusion - wrap everything up. Consider ideas like: what do you think of all this? why should your audience care? what did you get out of the movie? is existentialism for you? 
• Turn in your rough draft

Thursday: 

• Revise essay
  • Word choice - highlight verbs and adjectives (use two different colors) and upgrade half of them to stronger, more specific words
  • Voice - check that your writing sounds like you, is honest, and sounds passionate
• Grammar Flip: finish 4 topics (quizzes and writing activities) with 80% accuracy

Friday: 

• Wrap up essay and Grammar Flip topics

resources

Groundhog Day Module Syllabus
File Size:	57 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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crash course in existentialism

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