Thursday, November 29, 2012

Civics, Focus, World

Parent Teacher Conferences tonight 4:30-8:30,  J-306

Today's post is for Today and tomorrow, Friday, 11-30

Civics:  Today we applied what we knew from FORMS of Government to our understanding of the philosophy behind the forms.  We did a speed dating activity to experience the remaining thinkers where we pair shared and discussed each's contribution to the forms of government we have studied.  We also used your Cornell notes (at least the applicable concepts) with today's material.  Yes, you will get credit for the Cornell..Continue to add to the material as we have only just begun to touch on many of the concepts.  For this evening you need to complete the reading, annotation and interpretation for the remaining thinkers...you have 3. Be sure to complete the chart. We will revisit this material on Monday.

Tomorrow, Mrs. Iden will be here... You will be studying the Dec of Independence. It's a neat activity so don't miss out. There will not be a blog post tomorrow.

For homework, you will begin working on Cornell 3.4-3.6, that is due on Wednesday, 12-5. We are aiming for a quiz on Friday, 12-7, but nothing is certain at this time.

Focus: Today was the last day of strand 2. Please complete any and all requirements by Monday so that I can report your score to Mrs. Maddalena.

World:  Today we focused on Gupta's Golden Age with it's productive and chaotic times.  We wrapped up the discussion related to the historical context and are ready to move onto Hinduism and Caste. Today you learned about Arthashasta, tomorrow you will learn more and apply its teachings.  Mrs. Iden will be here to implement a cool activity.  You will learn something about yourself tomorrow. For the weekend, you need to read Eight Rupees, a reading that will be provided in class tomorrow. There are seven questions for analysis. The Eight Rupees reading will be due on Monday.  For this evening, review the material to date, in particular the causes for the fall of empire and finish up your reading and personal note taking for ch. 7, sec. 1 & 2.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Civcs, Focus, Seminar, World

Parent Teacher Conferences begin today at 4:30 and will conclude at 8:30.  The final day of conferences is tomorrow same time. J306

Civics: Today we focused on the philosophy of government... The WHY related to the forms of government.  We began learning about early thinkers like Plato, Aristotle & Machiavelli and will continue to learn others tomorrow.  Due tomorrow are Cornell Notes 3.1-3.3

Focus: Glogster post and 4 critical issue posts must appear on your blog by Friday.  We have one more lab day tomorrow.

Seminar: You have class on Friday 10:45-11:35
Today we made a number of announcements related to college apps, financial aid and the professional portfolio that is coming due.  Many of you are making excellent progress, other are just puttering along so please pick up the pace.  Resumes and personal statements should be in the homestretch for being completed.

World: Today we discussed your entry slips related to Civilization dying by suicide NOT murder in the context of Jared Diamond's Collapse.  We also introduced the GUPTA Empire.  Begin reading chapter 7, sections 1 & 2 (finish before Friday), and complete your own method of note taking (Graphic Organizer, Cornell, Outing...)  You wll be able to use prepared notes on the next quiz. Although we read together and annotated in class, please complete the 4 questions related to the Gupta Historical Context reading for tomorrow.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Civics-Focus-World

Parent Teacher conferences tomorrow 4:30-8:30. Please remind your parents to attend.

Civics:  Today we applied the concepts related to democracy and by now you should have solid understanding of the forms of government and the WHY behind those forms.  Tomorrow we will focus on philosophy.  Due for Thursday are reading and Cornell Notes: Ch. 3.1-3.3.  Please continue to review the material to date.

Focus:  3rd blog post should be on your page.  Glogster is due on Thursday.

World: Today we applied the internal and external factors related to the fall of empire.  NICE job!  You looked at the factors in a variety of ways today and did a nice job of reasoning through the material.  We debriefed the graphic organizer.. I will credit it tomorrow, although I did eyeball the room. You received a prompt about:

Civilizations die by suicide, not murder... We discussed this and you used your understanding of the factors for fall of empire to justify your response.  We concluded that Suicide is a choice and Murder is not, thus it is internal factors that bare more weight when considering fall of empire.

I provided short interview reading of Jared Diamond...remember him.  It is on his book called Collapse.  For tomorrow, you have an entry slip due.  Respond to the following:

1. Do you agree or disagree with diamond's analysis regarding the collapse of civilizations? Why or Why not?
2. Would Diamond agree or disagree with the notion that civilizations die by suicide not murder? Why or Why not? 

Monday, November 26, 2012

Civics, Focus, Seminar, World

Parent Teacher Conferences on Wed and Thurs evening this week; 4:30-8:30

Civics: Today we focused on the philosophy behind government.  Our focus was on John Locke. For this evening, complete quote analysis.  Those absent, I will post today's documents on the website.

Focus: 3rd blog post should be completed.  By Thursday, you need to have created and posted a glogster related to critical issues.

Seminar: Draft of college essay due on Wednesday.  Use your prompts.  If  you have completed a college essay, bring that along with the prompt.

World: Today we discussed factors related to the fall of empire in the context of Rome and Han. For this evening, you are to analyze the graphic organizer related to the fall of Han.  Also, you should complete the analysis questions on the backside.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Civics, Focus, World

Happy Thanksgiving!  Enjoy your time off with friends and family. Be safe!

Civics: Today we applied the forms of government to the systems and attached a potential economic system to a scenario related to efficiency, prosperity, security..... We have finished the intro to the forms of government and will not move on to the philosophy that is underlying to government. 

We have visitors (two other teachers) on Monday.  On Monday we will begin the Roots of Democracy and begin a week long focus on philosophy.... If you do not feel secure about the material in Chapter 2, please review. You have completed Cornell notes and a few activities related to the content. 

Short essay and argument were returned today. Your grades have been posted to power school.
Focus: Today we played around with GLOGSTER-EDU. For your 4th post you will be using Glogster so we used the time to get acquainted.  Next week Thursday, is the last day for this focus strand, so we will attempt to do lunch.

World: We debriefed MULAN today and those completely finished turned in the entire packet and critical analysis.  On Monday we will do Han CSI to focus on the factors that led to fall of the Han. At this point, you should have a solid understanding on patriarchy, filial piety, and some aspects of the fall of empire.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Civics-Focus-13th Sem-World

Civics: Today we continued with the principles of government and applied those principles to the current conflict in the Middle East between Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza.  We will continue with the forms, and systems on Monday.  Over the weekend, take about 20 minutes to review the reading in the book as well as the work we have completed in class.  We will focus on systems on Monday and Tuesday next week.

Focus: Post 3 should be completed.  After town hall, you met in your base groups for mentoring.  Nice work.  Next week is the last two days for this strand.

Seminar: You mentored today. Work on your letter and resume.  See you on Monday.

World: Today we finished Mulan.  Be sure your Mulan analysis packet is completed.  Take time to think about how you critically analyzed the aspects of Confucianism, patriarchy and the Han.  Both charts, the poem interpretations and questions through 7 should be completed at this time.  We move on to another analysis stage Monday.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Civics-Focus-World

Civics:  In class we finished up the text in the middle activity. You should review the material and also the text 19-22.  For tomorrow you are to complete the chart related to the forms of government (only the chart on the first page).  In addition, your short essay is due.  Be sure to stable the assignment handout on top of the essay when  you hand it in. Be sure to adhere to the rubric and include your name on your essay.

Focus: Today you continued working on your 3rd blog post.  Be sure you finish your post if you have not already done so. We only have two more days before our next strand rotation.

World: Today you were given a quick vocabulary lesson related to Confucianism and Mulan. You viewed part of Mulan with a critical eye watching for evidence of patriarchy, Confucianism and the rest of the concepts in the chart.  We will wrap up the film tomorrow. For this evening, HOMEWORK, go back and complete the first term chart where you need to find evidence of the terms in the Poem of Mulan (#1) first page of packet, then finish questions 6 and 7 which relate to the poem.  Remember, you are considering patriarchy, Confucianism, and the aspects of Han.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Civics-Focus-13 Seminar-World

Civics: today we worked on a lesson that dealt with the principles of government using a technique referred to as TEXT IN THE MIDDLE.  In that activity, you were able to get in touch with the text so that you can better process the material. We will continue with the activity tomorrow in class. Tonight you are to reread text pages 19-22...it applies to what you did today.  Also, your short essay is DUE TOMORROW.  Be sure you adhere to the rubric.

Focus: Continue with blog post 3.  Remember, we only have tomorrow and next Monday and Tuesday for this strand. :(.

Seminar: Resumes today.  We are building your portfolio

World: We debriefed the American Culture Patriarchy chart.  It's easy to be critical of the Chinese but taking a closer look at American culture, we do some pretty radical things due to patriarchy.  At the end of class we read together the poem of Mulan.  For this evening, you are to write the interpretations of the poem and answer the questions related to the poem.  We will continue with the poem Mulan tomorrow.  Remember, we are considering the big ideas related to fall of empire... Patriarchy, Confucianism and of course the internal and external factors related to fall of empire.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Civics, Focus, World

Civics: today we held the fishbowl on whether or not to junk the electoral college. You did a nice job utilizing your arguments and explaining the positions on these issues.  Now that you have expressed these beliefs, you need to work on the 3 paragraph short essay assignment given today. The short essay is due on Friday at the start of class.  If you want to hand it early on Thursday, please do so.  If you are absent on Friday, please be prepared to send your essay via email.

Tomorrow we will pick up with the principles of government. Be sure your work on the Cornell document is complete. You worked on that in class yesterday.

Focus: Today we discussed options for your next post.  I will comment on your 2nd post today.
We will be in the lab tomorrow.

World: Today we debriefed patriarchy and the role of women in Han China.  We tied foot binding into the discussion and also revisited the inferences we made related to fall of empire.  Due tomorrow is the foot binding chart. Use this evening to review and get caught up with the materials related to Han China.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Civics, World, 13th Seminar

Civics: Today we debriefed the electoral college once and for all.  I will provide credit for the material.  Over the weekend you are to continue working on your arguments for the fishbowl debate. The fishbowl will take place on Tuesday. I will be out on Monday. Mrs. Iden will be here and you will work on material related to the principles of government. It would be convenient for you to bring your textbook to class on Monday.

World:  Today we discussed aspects of Empire and predicted why empires might fall.  We used the information you gained from the Cornell notes to have a discussion about Han. You received a supplemental reading ( I will post it on the website) related to the Han. Read it, annotate it and put usable information from it on your Cornell Notes.

On Monday, Mrs. Iden will be here. You will be focusing on Patriarchy and Confucianism revisited.  There is an activity arranged for class. Stay on task and be prepared to share your analysis with the class at the end of the period.  For homework (DUE WEDNESDAY) you will read about foot binding and complete tasks related to that.

13th Seminar:  Today was a lab day where you worked on your personal statement.  Monday you will finish up mentoring discussions, do a class activity about who you are and begin thinking about resume writing.



Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Civics-Focus-13th Seminar-World

Reminder: Guest Teacher tomorrow - Mrs. Iden  Please provide you BEST EFFORT!

Civics: Great job today!  We had post election discussions and began an activity that you need to spend 15 minutes finishing up this evening.  Tomorrow in class you will have time to formulate arguments for Friday's fishbowl debate on the Electoral College.  Be sure to use the time wisely!

Focus: Today we debriefed the election and you worked on your 2nd blog post.  The post is due tomorrow.  Those of you who finish before class ends, please spend time commenting on your peer posts.

13th Seminar: You should be working on your personal statement. We meet Friday, be prepared to attend class at 10:45-11: 35, It's an early release. We can use the time to work with you in the lab on  your statement.

World: Today in class you worked composed a response on your World Religions Prompt.  You worked on this in the lab. Those absent should be working on the prompt at home. Be prepared to turn in your essay next class. Tomorrow, you will begin fall of Empire.  Please do a good job participating and following directions so that you complete the class work necessary to be prepared for Friday.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Civics, Focus, World

Civics: Today you received credit for the assignment Electoral v. Popular Vote.  Use all of the materials you have accumulated to this point to begin formulating arguments related to our fishbowl debate topic.  I will post the debate handout on the website for those absent.  We will have time in class on Wednesday to prepare for the debate that will take place in class on Friday. 

We went over quiz II today.  This evening, be sure to keep an eye on the election. If there is a winner either late tonight or early tomorrow morning arrive in class with knowledge of who won the popular vote and who won the electoral vote. We will do an in class analysis related to the election and those foo the past to zoom on the outcome and impact of the swing and battleground states.

Focus:  Today you should have read peer blog posts and posted comments for your classmates to read.  In addition, you should be preparing your second post which is due on the topic of your choice on Thursday. Be sure to consult multiple sources when choosing your topic. Also, be critical in your analysis.

World: Today we finished up the fishbowl debate....the spirited fishbowl debate related to World Religions.  This evening you are to compose a brainstorm for a three paragraph essay response to the prompt you received at the end of class. Those absent should check the website for the handout.  IN class tomorrow, you will use your brainstorm to write/type your three paragraph essay response on the assigned prompt.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Civics-Focus-13th Seminar-World

Last day of the marking is on Wednesday. Any and all late work must be turned by tomorrow (Tuesday)

 FYI: I will be out of the classroom on Thursday. Mrs. Iden will be the guest teacher.

Civics: Today we reviewed again the material on the electoral college. Be sure to review this material.  We viewed brief clips on electoral dysfunction...Use the ideas for arguments on your own behalf when we do our fishbowl debate.  For this evening, you are to complete the handout on the electoral college using the materials to date and the websites provided.  Bring your completed assignment to class tomorrow.

Focus: First post was due and is now credited. We are now working on peer reviews and research for our second post.  55 minute office hour tomorrow.  Be sure to use your time wisely. Go for help and/or use the time to study.

13th Seminar: UM Dearborn was here today.  On site admissions were also completed.  College essay draft is due now.  Grades are posted on Wednesday and will reflect attendance, the college essay and progress at your internship.

World: Today we began the fishbowl debate.  I love your passion for discourse. Well done.  We will continue tomorrow.  Now that you have an idea of what to expect, go polish those arguments and come ready to share.  Following the debate,  you will have a short essay response assigned that will be due on Wednesday.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Civics, Focus, World

Civics: Today we went over 10.4 and revisited the concepts that we learned about the Electoral College.  We also discussed whether or not voting is a right or a privilege.  As you know, it is a privilege.  The framers (white, males who were property owners) never included such a right in the Constitution. Over the years Amendments have been added to the Constitution to accommodate for the disenfranchised.  See the handout on the Amendments to the Constitution related to voting that was provided in class.  Over the weekend be sure to review all there is on the Electoral College material.  we are moving to debate prep on Monday. Also, pay attention to the stump speeches and the news over the weekend.

Also on Monday, we tally the ballot from today's schoolwide election voting.

Focus:  Town hall and voting today.  Mentoring did not happen due to town hall time span.  We did however gain some helpful advice from the mentors who were present regarding occ winter term registration.  Be sure to heed the advice.

Strand II: Your first blog was due yesterday.  Please be certain it is complete.

World: Today we went over your quiz II then headed to the lab for fishbowl debate preparation.  Today will conclude our in school preparations.  Whatever you did not finish in school this week, needs to be finished at home :(.  On Monday we will hold our fishbowl debate. You must be present to receive credit for oral arguments.  Also, you MUST have your argument map completed in order to participate in the fishbowl.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

World

Due to the field trip, only World History met today.

WORLD: We were in the lap formalizing arguments and thesis for the fishbowl debate. Continue work on the argument map. We will wrap up our preparations tomorrow in class. Plan on Monday for the fishbowl debate.