Is irreverence more likely to help or hurt society?

We're going to explore the use of irreverence in creative expression this week. It's an element of satire... but is there a line irreverence can cross that makes it more harmful than funny? 

Module summary:

• Expose: Discuss definitions of satire and irreverence
• Practice: Explore the use of irreverence in articles, TV episodes, and art
• Create: Find another controversial irreverent expression; analyze expressions in your choice of DOK format
• Reflect: Conference with Christine about analysis

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essential questions

• What is satire?
• How do we effectively analyze a source?

goals

• Students will understand that satire is an expression that uses humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to highlight or expose issues in our society
• Students will understand that analysis is the act of breaking down a text or other source and looking at its parts to come to an overall conclusion.

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
• Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research
  

Language

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

activities

 INTRODUCTION

• Warm-up: watch Saturday Night Live sketch on Tiger Woods' accidents
  • discuss - what is the sketch's purpose? what makes it edgy? is it offensive?
  • completing on your own? write this up as an informative paragraph
• Review syllabus and expectations

BE EXPOSED

• Discuss definitions of "irreverence" and "satire"; why is irreverence inherently controversial?
  • completing on your own? look up definitions and respond to question above in a persuasive paragraph, using definitions as part of your support
• Fill out irreverence a source notes doc for SNL sketch
  • share responses and discuss
  • completing on your own? submit notes sheet to Christine and discuss

PRACTICE

• Analyze the following irreverent forms of expression and fill out a source notes doc for each:
  • Two Onion articles: 
    • Fun Toy Banned Because of Stupid Dead Kids
    • God Answers Prayers of Paralyzed Little Boy
  • The Simpsons episode: "Homer the Heretic"
  • Street art photos (see here) from Plastic Jesus (each student will choose one)
• We'll discuss these as we go.
  • Completing on your own? Read the two articles, watch the episode, choose one photo. Follow the prompts, respond thoughtfully. Be ready to discuss with Christine when you are finished.

CREATE

• Find another article, TV episode, comedy sketch, or artistic piece that you consider irreverent
  • Analyze your source with another source notes doc
• Choose a Be Curious DOK medium that tickles your fancy; use it to respond to the question, "Is irreverence more likely to help or to harm society?"
  • ​Reference your source and two discussed sources in your response

REFLECT

• Conference one-on-one with Christine about your DOK choice
• Revise and resubmit as needed

resources

Irreverence Syllabus

​All the other resources you need are linked throughout the activities section above. So go back and actually read it this time. Go on, you can do this. That's right, scroll up... there you go...