Born That Way?

Aim: How do we analyze the traits of genius?   

Malcolm Gladwell

Do Now: Watch these clips of Michael Jordan’s top career dunks and plays. http://realtalkny.uproxx.com/2013/02/topic/topic/videos/video-michael-jordans-top-10-career-dunks-post-season-plays/

Michael Jordan is considered the best NBA player ever. That probably qualifies him as a physical genius, wouldn’t you say? Do you think Jordan’s genius at basketball gave him a pass on practicing as hard as everybody else on his team?

Today we are considering what makes someone a genius as opposed to just really good at something.

We will analyze the traits that make someone the best of the best.

You don’t have to be a brain surgeon to understand that practice makes perfect whether it involves dribbling a basketball, playing the cello, or figuring out that E=Mc2. 
In "The Physical Genius"  New Yorker writer Malcom Gladwell considered what the best of the best in sports, classical music, and neurosurgery have in common.

Step 1: Read the first half of "The Physical Genius". As you read, take notes on habits, skills, and personality traits that are shared by hockey player Wayne Gretsky, musician Yo-Yo Ma, and brain surgeon Charlie Wilson. Create a graphic organizer for yourself with those three headings if it helps you with your note-taking.

Step 2: When you have completed reading the first half of the article, state your opinion in a well-organized paragraph as to whether each of these men were born with their “genius” or acquired it. As always, support your opinion with specific and relevant evidence from the text. Post this paragraph on your blog. Don’t forget: Your opinion is gold only if you can support it with specific and relevant evidence from the text. Have a partner review your work before submitting it.

Final Reflection: Are you a genius at anything? (It could be something like making your favorite food.) Explain how you got that way on your blog.