Unit 3 Grade 10 Performance Task Appearance vs. Reality – What is reality? Teacher preparation/resource requirements prior to administering performance task:
1. Ideally, the teacher has access to a projector and PowerPoint-like software for presenting
images in the introductory classroom activity, but these images can also be distributed as
handouts.
2. Preview all instructions and texts before administering the performance task.
3. Check links to make sure the links are up to date, contain the correct information, and
function correctly.
4. Make photocopies of the attached photos (if Youtube video is not available).
5. Make copies of student instruction page and the article, “From Poverty to Plato” and
Summary of Allegory of the Cave.
Classroom Activity: (40 minutes maximum)
Using visual stimuli (Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” You Tube video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQfRdl3GTw4,) the teacher invites students to share
prior knowledge of Greek Philosophers, Plato, and the nature of shadows, by way of class
discussion. In order to contextualize the examination of the theme, “appearance vs. reality,”
the teacher leads students in the discussion of three basic understandings of the topic: (1)
allegory, fables, parables are types of stories that reveal hidden truths about human nature; (2)
that what one perceives may not reveal the whole truth human nature; (3) that many philosophers
believe very few perceive the whole truth about reality.
Part 1
Students view and take notes on the “Allegory of the Cave” video (or photo/summary), then read
Jean Cheney’s article, “From Poverty to Plato” and take notes as they read. Constructedresponse questions call upon the students to cite evidence from the article and the video to
support their explanatory essay.
Part 2
Students refer to their notes as needed to compose a full-length explanatory essay. Students are
allowed access to the stimuli in Part 1. Pre-writing, drafting, and revisions are involved.
Scoreable Products
The explanatory essay completed in Part 2 will be scored. Notes completed in Part 1 and prewriting and drafting in Part 2 will not be scored.
Pasadena Unified School District 1 Unit 3 Grade 10 Performance Task Appearance vs. Reality – What is reality? Teacher Directions for Guided Classroom Activity
Introductory Classroom Activity (Day 1)
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Present on a projector (or distribute a handout of) the photo/summary/video on Plato’s
“Allegory of the Cave.”
After giving students a moment to view the You Tube video, ask, “What do you think this
photo/summary or video is telling us about reality or truth? What is the message or main idea
that the photo/video communicates?
After taking a few responses, affirm or state that the photo/summary or video provides an
explanation of how Plato shows the difference between perceived reality and true reality.
Invite students to briefly explain what is happening literally and symbolically in the
photo/summary or video.
Ask, “Why do you think Plato presents his perspective of reality in this manner?”
Teacher Directions for Parts 1 and 2 (Allot 80 minutes for Part 1 & 2. It can
be broken down into 2 days)
Part 1
Students should receive the text, directions, questions, essay assignment, and any other material
related to the task. They should receive the constructed-response questions in Part 1 and the
essay assignment in Part 2.
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Initiate the testing session.
Pass out the note-taking guide, reminding the students that its use is optional and un-scored.
Alert the students when there are 25 minutes remaining in Part 1.
Alert the students when there are 5 minutes remaining in Part 1.
Have students write their names on any notes. Collect all student notes.
Close the testing session.
Part 2
1. Initiate the testing Part 2.
2. Allow students to access the text, their notes, and their answers to the constructed-response
questions presented in Part 1. They will not be allowed to change their answers.
3. Once 15 minutes have elapsed, suggest students begin writing the essay.
4. Alert the students when 30 minutes remain.
5. Alert students when 15 minutes remain and suggest they begin revising their essay.
6. Close the testing session.
Pasadena Unified School District 2 Unit 3 Grade 10 Performance Task Appearance vs. Reality – What is reality? Student Directions for Parts 1 and 2
Part 1
Your task
You will read an article titled, “From Poverty to Plato” by Jean Cheney and then write an essay
on how Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” may apply to how we perceive reality today.
Steps to follow
In order to plan and compose your essay, you will do all of the following:
1. Review and evaluate your notes on the video Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave.”
2. Make notes about the information from the article, “From Poverty to Plato.”
Directions for beginning
Part 2
You will now have a total of 70 minutes to review your notes and assigned text, plan, draft, and
revise your essay. You may use your notes and refer to the text. You may also refer to the
answers you wrote to the questions in Part 1, but you cannot change those answers. Now read
your assignment and the information about how your essay will be scored; then begin your work.
Your Assignment
Jean Cheney in her article, “From Poverty to Plato” reports on students taking a class in Utah’s
Venture Course in Humanities. In class, the students answer a question posed by Professor
Bridget Newell: “What do you think that Plato means when he says that we are like shackled
prisoners in a cave who are seeing shadows and thinking this is reality?” The students in class
offer various responses to the question.
Write an explanatory essay in which you explain how you might answer the professor’s question
and/or add to the class discussion? In your response, compare and/or contrast how your present
reality relates to Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave.” Provide examples from the article, your notes
from the video, and your own observations and experiences.
Essay Scoring
Your essay will be scored on the following criteria:
1. Statement of purpose / focus and organization: How well did you clearly state your claim on
the topic, maintain your focus, and address the alternate and opposing claims? How well did
your ideas logically flow from the introduction to conclusion using effective transitions?
How well did you stay on topic throughout the essay?
2. Elaboration of evidence: How well did you elaborate your arguments and discussion of
counterarguments, citing evidence from the text? How well did you effectively express ideas
using precise language and vocabulary that were appropriate for the audience and purpose of
your essay?
Pasadena Unified School District 3 Unit 3 Grade 10 Performance Task Appearance vs. Reality – What is reality? 3. Conventions: How well did you follow the rules of usage, punctuation, capitalization, and
spelling?
Now begin work on your essay. Manage your time carefully.
Ancillaries
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Short non-fiction piece “Poverty to Plato” by Jean Cheney
Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” You Tube video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQfRdl3GTw4
Pasadena Unified School District 4