Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Between a Rock and a Hard Place 2009-2010

by Aron Ralston

(DC assignment in conjunction with class reading of Deathwatch)

All segments are due the same dates as the Deathwatch Segments

Segment 1: The Approach ~ The path or route to the start of a technical climb

Due Tuesday, 12/15

In-class discussion:

As a group of DC students, brainstorm the qualities of a survivor. Make a list of personal qualities, characteristics, and common situations that demand survival instincts or skills. This list should include details about each quality, and you should have a specific example from history/news/your general knowledge to apply to each quality/characteristic.
You will be responsible for 1 technical dictionary entry for this segment—you choose the word/phrase, and be sure to include chapter and page #. (Directions and sample from Deathwatch on back).
You will also be doing book chats together as a group while REG are doing PPT discussion questions 1-2 times per week. So, as a group, you need to discuss and turn in how you want to break up the book into segments.

So what’s due?

**Workbook pages that were assigned are due along with the rest of the class DUE 12/10
Typed list of qualities/characteristics with real-life examples
Technical dictionary
Book chat sheet (done in class)

Segment 2: The Hook ~ Equipment used to aid climbing
Due Tuesday, 01/12

You will be doing book chats together as a group while REG are doing PPT discussion questions 1-2 times per week.
Look at the technical writing samples and participate in the class lesson.

So what’s due? 1. Individually, choose 6 words from the list of common survivor related terms below, and then find four of your own and make a short list of them.

2. Choose one term from your list of ten to complete one Technical Dictionary. (Use the directions previsoulsy given to you.)

3. Book Club Talk Worksheet for the agreed segment #2 pages.

4. Technical Writing: WebQuest using Man vs. Wild & Survivorman television shows

barren

challenge

exposure

fracture

hypothermia

improvise

injury

isolated

ration

salvage

strategy

tarpaulin

You will be continue with book chats together as a group while REG are doing PPT discussion questions 1-2 times per week.

Thinking of our discussion at the beginning of the novel, now that you’re reading Ralston’s story, consider the following focus questions:

So what’s due?
1. Write the answers to these questions in 3 separate, thoughtful paragraphs. This is all due the same day with segment 3 work.
2. Technical Dictionary for a new term. You may use words from the list above, or words from the list you created in segment 2.

You will continue with book chats together as a group while REG are doing PPT discussion questions 1-2 times per week.
Read one of the survivor stories on the PBS website.

So what’s due? 1. Create a Cornell note-taking guide for another student to complete. (We have samples if you need to see one.) You need to make a “student” copy and a “teacher key” of this worksheet. Your worksheet should include questions and answers directly from the reading, others that interpret the reading, and some that apply an understanding of the reading. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/shackleton/surviving/stories.html

2. After completing the note-taking guide, compare Ralston’s story with the second survivor account you read. Include in your comparison a response to the focus questions from segment three, applied to both stories.

3. Technical Dictionary for a new term. You may use words from the list above, or words from the list you created in segment 2.

Final Book Test: Tuesday 02/02
You will have a brief written test about the book. It will be an essay test.

Culminating Activity : Rappel~The process by which a climber may descend on a fixed rope
Final Book Test: Tuesday 02/02

So what’s due? You have a choice. You may do the regular culminating activity, which is to create a Guide Book for an Extreme Adventure Tour, or you may create a handbook for a survivor. If you choose to make the handbook, use what you have learned about survivors and technical writing to create a pamphlet for survivors of disease, abuse or another traumatic event. Include healing techniques, accounts of others who survived this trauma, and resources for survivors such as Web sites and phone numbers of organizations specializing in this area.

Culminating Activity : Rappel~The process by which a climber may descend on a fixed rope Final Book Test: Tuesday 02/02

Culminating Activity : Rappel~The process by which a climber may descend on a fixed rope
Final Book Test: Tuesday 02/02