A Spirited Week

We celebrated Islander pride this week with a variety of fun dress up days and a winning football game. The festivities continue with Homecoming Dance (be safe) and the first annual Tom Burns run and walk. I hope to see you Sunday morning as we remember a great teacher and a friend to all.

On the world scene, the stock market continued its roller coaster ride and we edge closer to an historic election. You will have a chance to vote on October 29 during our Mock Election using official style ballots and the voting machines. A pep rally will conclude the day’s event with Secretary of State Ralph Mollis as our guest speaker who will announce the winner.

AP European

This week we stayed on schedule with the test on chapter 16: Absolutism and Constitutionalism. Our next test is on October 29 and because of the schedule change and a shorter period we will only have multiple choice questions. In the meantime, you have your power point presentation on Tuesday. Please email your presentation to me at asullivan@mpsri.net before Tuesday. Having the three presentations in one location will cut down on computer time and allow us to complete the presentations.

CWI

Congratulations to one and all who contributed a letter to The Newport Daily News. It was a great treat to see six student letters selected for publication. You have the opportunity and power to make your voice heard... write a letter... to The Wave, Newport Daily News, Providence Journal or New York Times!

This week we continued with our study of Africa through our text, current events, articles from the African press and our maps. Many of you did a great job on your maps and thus earned a great grade on the map “quiz.” The quiz on East Africa, using your notes, was a challenge to some. Keep in mind that your author uses the bold headings to point you in the direction of key information. Try not to get bogged down in the details... look for the big idea. Next week you will have one day to complete the last sections in your text and then we will be ready to watch our movie “War Dance.” The movie is the story of three high school age students who live in a refugee camp in northern Uganda after their families fall victim to the rebellious Lord’s Resistance Army. The movie describes how the students prepare for a national music competition where a victory could help restore hope to their embattled homeland. It is an exciting movie as we follow the young people through their unique challenges and join in their excitement over the music and dancing of their native tribe.

Your current events using an African publication are due next week.

Top reasons for not doing current events and solutions:

“I don’t have a computer at home.”
You do not need a computer to do this assignment. You may cut an article out
of a newspaper or photocopy an article. If you want to use a computer, go to the
school library or the public library.

“I don’t have a printer at home.”
See above solution... time management... you have several days to complete
the assignment.

“I forgot it in my locker (at home, in my car, in my other notebook, etc).”
Look at your planner the night before and pull together your assignment and
notes/notebook/pen/pencil for the next day... take the time to plan.

Extra Credit Question:

What country in Africa has the longest name? Shortest name?

World History

We helped Mr. Fontaine this week by test-driving the new timeline software. You quickly found the bugs and drawbacks in the system but persevered and ended up producing the timelines. Great effort!

Keep in mind that you should be checking your rubric as you put together your assignment: Did you cite sources and did you post a comment?

Finally, you were to send me the timeline for grading at asullivan@mpsri.net. To date I have only received two timelines.

This week you received your Scientific Revolution assignment which is due October 29. I have built in extra time for this assignment so all projects will be collected on Wednesday before we go down to the Mock Election pep rally. As part of your reflection on the timeline activity, many of you asked for a solo project so you will do this project by yourself. Use the rubric as you put together your project.

Your next current event is due November 3. This will be the last assignment for first quarter. It is a great opportunity to earn points if you follow the rubric.

Extra Credit Question:

The European Age of Printing began with the publication of what book?

Challenges Mount

We had another action packed week as our Juniors took their state exams, we watched the last debate between Senators McCain and Obama, and our beloved Red Sox taught us about the importance of never giving up...battling back from a 7-0 deficit to win in the bottom of the ninth!

This morning many of our Juniors are taking the PSAT exams. I wish you the best and congratulate you on your efforts to prepare yourselves for continuing your education beyond Middletown High School. Learning to be a student for life will serve you well as you encounter new challenges, new jobs, and new demands in this ever-changing world.

CWI

This week we continued our study of Africa by listening to your reports on current events there. Not only are you learning about Africa from the events you yourself studied, but you also have the opportunity to learn from the work other students have done and shared with the class. Make sure to take good notes, listen to the discussion and have your notes organized for the upcoming quiz. You may use your notes during the quiz, so listening actively to the discussion will serve you well. Your next current event is due October 22 and must be ready at the start of class. You have several days to do this assignment so plan accordingly.

We also learned a new strategy for taking notes, called “bold to bold.” By using the bold headlines the author provides, you can identify the most important ideas in each section. Once you have completed your note taking, try to answer the questions at the end of the chapter using only your notes. If you are able to respond correctly then you have good notes. We will be using this strategy for the remaining sections of this chapter.

You also have your political map of Africa due next Wednesday. You should plan on doing some of that work at home as you will have limited class time next week. Make sure to add the five sub regions to your rubric.

This week we also updated our status of assignment sheet and some students are not taking the opportunity to revise. That is your choice, but if you decide not to revise, please return your original work with a note saying you are not revising. This will allow both of us to stay organized.

Extra credit question for CWI: What is the capital of Ethiopia? Be the first to respond correctly during our next class meeting to earn the extra credit.

World History

This week we continued working with the new software that allows us to create timelines on the computer and to embed graphics and videos. We are slowly working through the process and have discovered some minor bugs and delays but I know you will work them out and produce a great timeline. Your timelines are due on Monday, October 20, and you will present them to the class that day. Keep in mind that part of the rubric is to post a helpful comment and we will do that after the presentations.

We also had our first current event sharing session this week. We will use this opportunity to practice our reporting and note taking skills. After a few weeks of current events you will have a quiz. You will be able to use your notes for the quiz, so if you take good notes, keep them organized in one place in your 3-ring binder, and listen to the discussion you should get a good grade.

This week you also handed in your election project. I was especially pleased with some of the public service announcements, and I hope you will have the opportunity to read your announcement in the morning as our school gets ready for our Mock Election on October 29.

The most important homework you have is the work you assign yourself. You need to ask yourself each evening, “What do I need to do to be prepared for class tomorrow?” Do you need to do part of a long-term project? Do you need to read your text to be ready to design a timeline? Do you need to work on your current event? Much of high school is learning how to cope with greater amounts of work, to manage your time and to stay organized.

Extra credit question for World History: What was Machiavelli’s first name? Be the first to correctly answer this during our next class meeting and you will receive extra credit.

AP European History

This week we worked on graphic organizers comparing the Absolute Monarchies of France and the British movement towards Constitutionalism. We also read about John Locke and Thomas Hobbes, two important political theorists whose ideas continue to shape our thinking. You practiced pulling out significant quotes from their primary source documents. This is a skill you will need for the AP exam in May.

Your exam on Absolutism and Constitutionalism is on Monday. You will have multiple choice questions, one identification (worth 4 pts) and a free response essay. There are three free response questions to select from. Your study guide and bold-to-bold outlines are due Monday.

Highs and Lows

What a tumultuous week! The headlines in Saturday’s paper summed up the economic news: “Worst week ever on Wall Street.” As the American markets struggle to gain back the confidence of investors and infuse the banking system with money, all markets around the world have taken a hit. This weekend world financial leaders gathered in Washington, DC to devise a plan that would restore the markets. The Group of Seven includes Japan, Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Canada and the United States. The leaders pledged to “use all means possible” to restore financial confidence and to infuse additional money into the world economy. Keep watching the news or reading the headlines to keep updated on this turning point in history! What a great time to be part of a Contemporary World Issues class.

Our own election has also had a hot week as we come down to the last three weeks of campaigning. The last debate is on October 15 so tune in Wednesday for your last chance to see the candidates go head to head.

Pulitzer Prize winning author, Doris Kearns Goodwin, spoke at Roger Williams University on October 9. We are so fortunate to live near many colleges and universities that sponsor lecturers that are open to the public. Keep your eyes open for these opportunities and make the time to attend. Mrs. Goodwin used Abraham Lincoln as a model president and then compared his qualities to our two candidates: Senators McCain and Obama. Among the top ten traits that made Lincoln such a successful president she included perseverance, patience, recognition of mistakes and taking the time to make amends, and surrounding himself with exceptional people even though they held opposing views and may even have been perceived as enemies.

CWI

Congratulations to all who completed their letter to the editor assignment. It was with a great deal of pride that I delivered your letters to The Newport Daily News on Friday. Your letters were clear, passionate and convincing. Many of you wrote about the importance of this election in your own life and how the new president will be confronted with unique challenges. While we can hope that some of the letters will be chosen for the paper, please keep this powerful tool in mind for the future as well. Make your voice heard by writing letters to your school paper, local paper, and officials.

This week we also continued our study of Africa by listing the challenges and opportunities facing this large and diverse continent. While reading The Providence Journal this morning I came across an article by Matthew Lynn who urged unemployed bankers to look for new opportunities in Africa. He wrote about the need for professional money managers to help the ailing economies of Africa and the need for humanitarian assistance.

Your next current event is due October 14 and it must be about Africa.

AP European

This week we focused on Absolutism and Constitutionalism. Our primary source readings used Louis XIV as the “best” example of Absolutism. The palace of Versailles and its gardens are a very impressive visual that will help you better understand this concept of divine right of kings. We will now move on to Constitutionalism and how this form of government evolved, starting in Britain.

Remember to use the internet book link to help you review the key concepts for the chapter.

World History

This week we started using a new software program, XTimeline, which allows you to put video and graphics into an interactive timeline. We have two groups working on the Reformation and two groups working on the Renaissance. This will be a good review activity as you spent time on these concepts last year. You have a rubric for the assignment.

Your next current event is due October 16. You have your guidelines and a rubric so you should be able to earn lots of points.

Your election project is due October 15. You have been working on this project for over a week so you should be ready on Wednesday. I look forward to seeing your assignments – on time!

The Drama Continues

What an action packed week we have had... the debate between vice presidential candidates Senator Joe Biden and Governor Sarah Palin and the drama on Capitol Hill as the Senate and House passed a massive and controversial “bailout” or “rescue” plan for our financial sector. We are living through historic times so take the time to watch the news, discuss the issues and consider the impact on you and your future.

Interterms

We are at the half way point for first quarter so now is the time to pause and reflect on what we have done and what we must do in order to be successful. Many of you have kept your portfolio up to date and have been monitoring your grades... congratulations! Some of you did not have the portfolio in place so you will be below standard... take the time to put together a corrective action plan... do you need a more serious attitude towards your work? Do you need a folder to organize your work? Do you need a plan to make up missed work or do you need to stay after and work with me? It is your choice and your responsibility... you can be successful but you must have a plan! Remember the old saying, “Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.”

PSAT

Juniors, it is that time of year to start planning for college and one of your first steps is to sign up for the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT). The exam gives you an idea of what the SAT is like and also puts you in the running for National Merit Scholarships. You will also receive mailings from prospective colleges after you have taken the test. Colleges use the results to recruit students whom they would like to see come to their college. See Mrs. Hicks or Dean DeBlois for registration information.

Homework Helper

As posted earlier on this blog, Mr. Fontaine has arranged for Middletown students to have access to the live, on-line RI help line. This is a service worth checking out.

Open House

Thank you to all of our visitors. It is always a special event when we get to open up our classroom for visitors. Please come again!

CWI

This week we finished out study of the economy... perfect timing as our classwork was supported by real world happenings. Your current event for the week focused on the economy. We will be doing current events regularly... it is a great opportunity to earn lots of points. You have a clear guideline and a rubric so take advantage of this opportunity. Remember you must have the current event at the start of class and you must have the article attached to your written work. You have several days for this assignment so you need to plan. Computers and printers are available at MHS library or the public library.

This week you also started your election project: “Time to Decide.” On Friday I collected your on-line survey, interviews and graphic organizer. I hope you enjoyed the interviews... it is a great way to learn about the issues and the process voters go through when deciding whom to support. Next week we will work on Letters to the Editor.

When you come in next week, we will continue working on our maps of Africa. Start looking for news about Africa as I am sure our next current event will focus on this large and diverse continent.

AP European History

This week we focused on sorting and reading documents. I hope you will never forget our shoe event... so many different combinations.

Your test is on Monday and that means your study guide, identifications, and bold to bold outlines are due. As promised, here are four free response essays that will be part of the exam:

1. The period from 1450-1650 witnessed a profound extension of European society beyond the borders of the Continent. What were the factors that facilitated this expansion? What was the motivation, both for the individual European explorers and the states that supported them?

2. The Thirty Years’ War marked a major turning point in European history. What were the political, social, economic, and religious consequences of the conflict?

3. The status of women changed dramatically as a result of the Reformation. In what ways were women affected. How can we explain these changes?

4. The European witch hunt is one of the most bizarre phenomena of Western history. How do historians explain the witch hunt? How did this phenomenon reflect European civilization in the 16th and 17th centuries?

World History

This week we finished our power point presentations on famous Greeks. We not only learned about Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and Sophocles, but we also learned to work with a partner and practiced presentation skills. As high school students we are going beyond the text and the facts and starting to think critically about issues and make application to the real world. Your rubric tells you what needs to be done to meet standard (keep in mind our review of numerical grades). Computers and printers are available to you after school in the library or at the public library.

This week you were introduced to the current events assignments that we will be doing on a regular basis. Your first event is due on Tuesday. Please follow the rubric to earn full credit.