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First nameLast nameAssignment: Lesson 7: Unit 1 - Refining Your Short Story Using Feedback -Observation of learning 19 September 2024Assignment: Lesson 7: Unit 1 - Refining Your Short Story Using Feedback - Conversation of learning 19 September 2024Lesson: Lesson 8: Unit 1 - Persuasive Writing: The Op-Ed - Observation of learning 27-28th SeptemberLesson: Lesson 8: Unit 1 - Persuasive Writing: The Op-Ed - Conversation of learning 27-28th SeptemberAssignment: Lesson 16: Unit 2 Exploring and Performing a Shakespearean Sonnet Observations of learning 2 October Assignment: Lesson 16: Unit 2 Exploring and Performing a Shakespearean Sonnet Conversation of learning 2 October Lesson: Lesson 17: Unit 2 Crafting and Delivering Persuasive Speeches Observations of Learning 17-18 October Lesson: Lesson 17: Unit 2 Crafting and Delivering Persuasive Speeches Conversation of learning 17-18 October
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DujanaAdamDujana is working through a story set in an orphanage, where the protagonist finds letters that prompt her to reflect on trust and personal growth. She’s grappling with structuring her scenes to avoid excessive shifts in setting while maintaining the story's thematic integrity.We discussed possible approaches to streamline her scenes, focusing on starting from the protagonist’s low point and using flashbacks sparingly. Dujana was engaged in the idea of emphasizing the protagonist’s internal journey and was open to adjusting her approach to allow for a single, cohesive setting.









Dujana focused on how modern conveniences, like smartphones, prevent people from truly thinking and reflecting, leading to a loss of original thought. She shared how she feels constantly surrounded by stimuli, which she believes impacts her ability to think independently and be creative.We explored ways for Dujana to narrow her focus on specific devices, like smartphones, to avoid generalizations. We also discussed how she could incorporate both the benefits of these devices (for context) and their drawbacks, making her argument stronger by addressing counterpoints. Next Steps: Dujana could strengthen her OP-Ed by including personal anecdotes about her experiences with overstimulation from devices. She might also use emotional appeals by emphasizing the value of quiet reflection and creativity, contrasting it with the constant digital noise that crowds out original thought.Dujana picked a great theme on the importance of time and backed it up with some strong stories, including a historical anecdote. She seems to have a natural sense for how stories can be used to persuade and hold the audience’s attention. Dujana took the group’s feedback to heart and thought carefully about how to refine her anecdote to make it resonate even more with her audience. Her openness to feedback shows her commitment to making her message impactful.
Next Steps: She might want to add a brief reflection or hypothetical example that shows why time management is so important, helping her audience see the relevance to their own lives.
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SalahAddin AlayubiSalah Addin chose a timely topic on the pros and cons of AI, especially how it’s changing daily life and routines. He’s planning to start with the positive uses of AI before shifting to the potential dangers, which should make his speech balanced and engaging.Salah Addin responded well to the idea of using stronger persuasive language and adding rhetorical tools like parallelism to draw sharp contrasts between AI’s benefits and its risks. We also talked about how he could create an emotional connection by exploring the idea of AI threatening our humanity. Next Steps: Salah Addin’s next move is to strengthen his stance on the dangers of AI. Using parallelism and a clear position on responsible AI use will give his argument more punch, making it memorable for his audience.
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SaidElhefnySaid's OP-Ed centers on the value of traditional classroom learning over online schooling, especially regarding the social interaction and fun it offers. His stance stems from personal experience, highlighting how in-person engagement contributes to a more enjoyable learning experience.Said and I discussed how he could counter the argument that online schooling promotes focus by incorporating evidence showing the educational benefits of fun and social activities. We talked about using credible research to support his view that engaging, enjoyable experiences enhance learning retention and effectiveness. Next Steps: To strengthen his OP-Ed, Said could incorporate a study or data on how fun activities impact learning, which would add credibility and reinforce his viewpoint. A vivid personal anecdote might also add an emotional dimension to his argument, emphasizing the benefits of social connections in a traditional classroom.He’s making impressive progress with understanding and translating Shakespeare. He’s starting to see how complex language works, which will deepen his appreciation for literature. He’s starting to get the hang of voice modulation, which will be so helpful when he presents in the future. It’s a new skill set for him, but he’s putting in the effort. Said is learning to make decisions about his learning, like choosing an “easier” sonnet to start with. He’s starting to manage his workload with confidence, a great sign for his overall growth.
Together, we worked through Sonnet 18 line by line, breaking down Shakespearean language into modern phrases. Said got creative with his translations, suggesting phrases like “strong winds shake delicate flowers” and “your beauty will never fade,” which showed he really understood the imagery. Said’s patience with this tough language is helping him build confidence in reading complex texts. It’s clear he’s learning to interpret Shakespeare’s metaphors and make them his own, which is fantastic progress.Said chose climate change as his topic, specifically focusing on recycling and how people can make a difference in their communities. He’s tuned into the reality that recycling isn't a regular habit in many Middle Eastern and Asian countries, so his angle on bringing local change is really meaningful.Said appreciated feedback about targeting his audience more precisely. We talked about motivating listeners to take direct, achievable actions, like starting recycling efforts in their neighborhoods or pushing local leaders to prioritize environmental practices. Next Steps: Said can refine his message by narrowing it to focus on sparking community-based recycling initiatives. Including a personal story—like his own relationship with recycling or lack thereof—could really help his audience connect with the call to action.
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ShahdHassan Minawi
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ValeryHerrera
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arwaahilalArwa’s OP-Ed focuses on the ethical issues surrounding the Nestlé corporation, particularly its history and questionable practices. Her interest in the topic was sparked by a documentary, which brought her awareness of Nestlé's influence on global commerce and smaller businesses.Arwa discussed how she might handle potential counterarguments, such as the idea that Nestlé products are so widely used that boycotting would be nearly impossible. She is planning to use this point to reinforce her main argument, highlighting the problematic power Nestlé holds and its impact on local markets. Next Steps: Arwa can amplify the emotional impact of her OP-Ed by sharing a compelling story or statistic from her research, possibly focusing on a specific community or industry affected by Nestlé. This will give her piece an emotional hook while reinforcing her stance on the need for ethical consumer choices.
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LinaKhaled RaoufLina initially stated that studying and reading are the most important things in life, though it seemed more like a belief inherited from her surroundings than a deeply personal conviction. Her topic could evolve into a thoughtful piece about balancing academics with other valuable life experiences.We discussed how Lina could broaden her view to include the importance of life balance, not just academics. She also considered exploring a personal journey in her OP-Ed, where she starts with a strict academic view but then questions this belief, offering an internal debate. Next Steps: Lina could make her OP-Ed more relatable by sharing a story about an experience that challenged her beliefs. By using ethos to acknowledge the other side (such as social or recreational activities), she can make her OP-Ed a more nuanced reflection on the value of academics and life balance.Lina is working with a complex topic on the importance of environment in child development, and she’s balancing the physical and emotional aspects really well. She actively participated in the conversation about using repetition to emphasize her points, which shows she’s open to experimenting with her delivery.Lina was receptive to suggestions on balancing the importance of physical spaces with emotional support, and the idea of using repetition to emphasize this balance came up as a strong approach for her. Next Steps: She might develop a key phrase to repeat throughout her speech, reinforcing her message that both physical and emotional environments are essential for children’s well-being.
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Adan HassanMinawi
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JoudyMohamed
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Wessam
Mohamed Elhefny
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ArwaMohamed YusufArwa is highly engaged with her espionage-themed story and is exploring complex themes of loyalty and internal conflict in a modern-day setting. She’s open to adjusting her setting to enhance believability, particularly by anchoring it in an alternate or historical context.In our discussion, Arwa was receptive to suggestions about balancing her character's internal and external conflicts. She was interested in emphasizing the protagonist’s growth, especially her struggle with loyalty, and agreed that grounding the story in a historical context, such as the Cold War, could add depth.Arwa’s focus on social media’s impact shows her analytical side, especially with her interest in backing up her points with hard facts. She’s considering how concrete data can make her argument more persuasive, and this will definitely help her audience understand the real impact.Arwa really took the feedback on using statistics to demonstrate how much time social media consumes. Her willingness to dive into this angle shows that she understands how facts and data can strengthen her argument. Next Steps: She could gather recent stats on social media’s effect on time management among teens, ideally from a reputable study, to really drive her point home.
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JuhaenaMuslimJuheana’s story concept—a fantastical marketplace for dreams—shows her interest in imaginative and layered storytelling. She’s focused on using a first-person, minor-character perspective and was receptive to shifting focus from the dream purchase to the protagonist's journey as the primary narrative.In our conversation, Juheana and I discussed the benefits of emphasizing her setting and the journey through it as key elements. She responded positively to the idea of a slower reveal of the protagonist’s purpose, which could heighten the story's thematic depth and focus on change.

Juhaena chose a meaningful topic about the impact of children’s media use, inspired by her observations of her younger sister’s screen time. She connected this to broader concerns about the effect of digital media on young minds, which brings a personal and relevant perspective to her OP-Ed.Juhaena explored using emotional appeals to emphasize the impact of too much screen time on childhood development. We discussed how she could use her observations as a powerful anecdote to make her argument relatable. She also considered adding research-backed evidence to support her stance, giving her piece both credibility and emotional depth. Next Steps: Juhaena could strengthen her OP-Ed by expanding on her personal observations with a focused introduction, perhaps describing a specific moment with her sister. She should use rhetorical tools, like anecdotes and credible statistics, to show her concern over how excessive media use affects children’s well-being.Juhaena’s topic on productivity is close to her heart, and she brought in personal anecdotes on task management that were relatable and insightful. It’s clear she’s thinking seriously about how to frame productivity in a way that will speak to other teens.She was really engaged in the discussion and open to using personal stories as examples. Johanna’s focus on relatable examples shows she’s getting the hang of connecting her own experiences to her theme in a way that will resonate with her peers. Next Steps: She could enhance her message by adding a specific example of how these productivity strategies have helped her in school or life. This would make her message even more relatable.
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Syeda FarahnazRoomy
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AfnannSamir AbdulatifAfnan showed a real depth of thought with her topic on AI dependency. She’s clearly concerned about the impact on students’ problem-solving skills and critical thinking. Her engagement with the feedback about incorporating Islamic values, like using a relevant hadith, added a thoughtful layer to her speech and showed how seriously she’s taking this.Afnan was receptive to the idea of using a rhetorical question to hook her audience and began thinking about how to word it in a way that would make high school students sit up and take notice. Next Steps: It would be great for her to develop a strong opening question or even a surprising statement that really draws her audience in, helping them connect with the topic.
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AbdullahSharifAbdullah’s OP-Ed argues that online schools should enhance socialization opportunities for students. He feels that online learning, while accessible, often lacks the interactive quality found in traditional schooling, which is vital for a well-rounded student experience.We discussed potential counterarguments, such as the belief that online socializing can’t replicate in-person experiences. Abdullah suggested that, even if online interactions differ, structured online socializing can still be beneficial, particularly for students in remote areas. He also considered including examples of modern online communities as proof of successful digital socialization. Next Steps: Abdullah could strengthen his piece by citing examples of successful online communities or referencing studies about the positive effects of digital interaction. A specific example, perhaps of an online social event, could bring added weight to his argument by showing how online schools can support student relationships effectively.Abdullah chose social media’s effect on mental health, focusing on how it encourages unhealthy comparisons, particularly among teens. He wants to highlight how comparing ourselves to others online can lower self-worth and impact mental well-being.Abdullah found it helpful to focus his message around self-worth and confidence. He liked the idea of using the phrase “comparison is the thief of joy” to set a clear theme. We also discussed ways he could use rhetorical devices like metaphors and repetition to make his message stick. Next Steps: Abdullah can shape his speech around the core idea of finding self-worth from within, instead of through online comparisons. Using metaphors and repeating phrases like “you are good enough” will reinforce his message and help his audience feel more connected to his message.
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Overall ObservationsThe lesson was highly interactive, with students displaying strong engagement and creativity in developing their short stories. The focus on both individual feedback sessions and group discussions allowed each student to reflect deeply on their work, especially on themes of change, character development, and setting.Each student chose a topic that connected with personal experiences or observations, which makes for a compelling foundation. They showed interest in crafting persuasive, impactful OP-Eds that include rhetorical techniques like anecdotes, ethos, and counterarguments.Each student really leaned into the feedback, showing growth in how they’re shaping their messages with stories, rhetorical strategies, and personal connections. Moving forward, they could benefit from sharing feedback with each other to keep building those collaborative skills, helping everyone learn and grow together.
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