Uvalde Shooting Highlights Role...

Writing Workshop

Workshop Title: Security

Step 1

Say, “Watch the following clip. Then offer your thoughts on the matter. Do Ted Cruz’s suggestions make sense? Why or why not? Can you think of other instances where the political response has been similarly outrageous?” Then briefly discuss.

Step 2

Read “Uvalde Shooting Highlights Role of Doors in Security Plans” by Deborah Paredez. When you’re done, briefly discuss the poem. What is the speaker’s take on the Uvalde tragedy? How did the poem convey that?

Step 3

Have your students think of other current events in which the political or societal response has been…less than productive. What events were they? What was the response like? How or why was the response in the event’s wake unproductive? Give them a few minutes to brainstorm.

Step 4

Have your students compose a poem similar in sentiment to “Uvalde Shooting Highlights Role of Doors in Security Plans” in which they convey their feelings toward a ridiculous, asinine, or outrageous political or societal response to a current event and/or happening.

Step 5

When the students are done, have them share their responses with one another, if they are comfortable doing so.

The full presentation may be found HERE.

Analytical Lesson

Area of Focus: Various

Step 1

This lesson allows students to analyze various concepts and skills, so it is recommended that you have covered several of the “standalone” lessons before assigning this one.

Step 2

Start by showing your students the following clip from Jimmy Kimmel Live. When the clip is done, ask your students why the host is mocking Ted Cruz. What makes Ted Cruz’s proposal about increased safety measures so “funny”? Briefly discuss.

Step 3

Ask your students to open the following document and go over the introduction and directions with them. In this assignment, your students will have to “finish” the poem based on their observations of the first half of it (both in content and style). Then give your students time to work.

Step 4

When your students are done, have a few of them share their responses with the rest of the class. Then have them briefly discuss why they chose to take the poem in that direction.

Step 5

Read the second half of the poem to your students. Then discuss how or if your students’ “predictions” came to fruition.