Preparation Pays!

This week we continued our journey through Africa. You had two days to work in the computer labs with your partners on your power point project. Learning to work successfully with a group is a great skill to have asyou get ready to enter the work force or go on to further professional
development. Using your MHS email accounts and Acrobat (optional) allowed you to collaborate beyond the school building and regular class hours. As with any technology we have to be prepared for glitches. Your room management plan clearly stated that MHS email accounts had to be up and running by October 1. Many students were ready on time and that made the project start smoothly. Some of the paper work got tied up in the office but again with enough advance warning most of you were ready. You will need an MHS account for another project in the future so please be sure to make any necessary arrangements now.

A few last minute hints:
1. Read the rubric and then reread it; it is a very clear list of what you will need to do to have a project that meets standard.

2. Use visuals; limit writing on the slides; you may put all of your words on note cards that will be handed in.

3. Practice your presentation; be confident, be comfortable; you are the expert on the country.

4. Focus on the 3 main questions: what are the
challenges, opportunities and successes of your country?

If you can think of any other questions, please post a comment and I will get back to you. Good luck…all projects are due by 7am on October 26. You must email me the project, using an MHS account, and put the name of the country and class period in the message line. All of the projects will be put into a folder. Presentation day, October 26, will go smoothly when all of the projects are located in the same folder.

Maps

Some classes have finished both the physical and political maps
of Africa. High quiz grades were earned by students who took the time to draw a clear and well labeled map. Some classes are finishing up the physical map and your syllabus states that a quiz will follow. Make sure to follow the rubric to earn all of your points.

National Geographic Reading

Most classes had the opportunity to read an excerpt from National
Geographic on Africa and the impact of geography on its development. As we read, we took the time to pull out one or two main ideas per paragraph. Keep in mind a paragraph contains at least
one main idea and after reading you should be able to select the key idea. Keep your notes short…don’t write long sentences…look for the nuggets of information. Effective note taking skills are a necessity for your future years of work or school.

Admiral Christenson

On Friday Admiral Christenson, President of the Naval War
College, spoke to you about the mission of the College and its unique role in fostering cooperation and understanding with navies from around the world. Over 60 foreign countries send their top officers to Newport to learn side by side with our military leaders. Working closely together over the year provides a unique bond and has served this country and the world as we work towards better communication and cooperation.
Over the year, we will have international officers visit us
during the advisory period. You will be notified in advance and receive a permission slip to attend the mandatory in school field trip. It is an exciting opportunity to learn more about the world.

If You Are Out

As you can see, we have very full class days. When you are absent it is your responsibility to come before or after school to sit down with me and go over the work and assignments. It is not always possible
to spend the time with you during class as we are continually working on the assignments on the syllabus. I would also urge you to check the blog every weekend.