More Congratulations
Hats off (maybe Santa hats) to our wonderful band and jazz group who performed so magnificently on December 21. Your talent, dedication and hard work paid off. Great job!
South Asia
This past week we completed our study of South Asia. We watched the Emmy award winning show “India Rising” which focused on the rapid development of a middle class in India which is larger than the entire population of the US. After watching the video, you had an on demand writing assignment where you had to decide if this new large middle class in India would benefit or harm the United States. This in class writing assignment was worth 10 points
We concluded our study of South Asia by working in groups with multiple texts and videos to help us respond to two questions: Is Pakistan a dangerous country? And what should the US relationship be with this country? You had excerpts from your UpFront magazine, Newsweek, and the New York Times as well as a video clip on pop musicians in Pakistan, a TED video on suicide bombers, and a CNN interview with Greg Mortensen, author of “Three Cups of Tea.” This wealth of information gave you a wide ranging perspective on Pakistan but ultimately you had to decide the answer to each question. This in class writing assignment was also worth 10 points.
Current Events
In addition to our regular events, we took time to review reports on the death of the North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il and to speculate how the transfer of leadership to his young son will impact the country. Secretary Clinton hoped this change in leadership could be the start of a new and more positive relationship between North Korea and the U.S. We will continue looking at this major event in the new year when we continue our study of Asia.
Task
Congratulations to all of you who handed in the task. Many of you met or exceeded the standard and therefore the task can go in your portfolio. For those who nearly met standard, you were still able to earn in-class credit. Task scores will be provided to you upon your return. My advice is to think before you write, give yourself time to rewrite and be specific…avoid generalities.
Enjoy
Now we have all earned some rest and relaxation time. No homework was assigned over the break but let me remind a few of you that revisions are due on January 3. I know you will keep up with the news and what is happening in the outside world.
If You Were Absent
This past week we had two in class writing assignments. If you were absent for the assignments, you have five days to make up the work. I am available before and after school each day except Wednesday (faculty meetings). Please make arrangements ASAP so you don’t lose the opportunity to make up the assignments.
A Time to Say Thank you
There are many who help make this blog an interesting, useful and helpful source of information for students and parents. I want to thank BABM, KLM, and MLM who give me the student’s point of view on the entries. They are especially good at pointing out the need for a consistent positive message no matter what the challenges are. They also provide technology support when I have goofed up an entry or inserted the wrong size picture. I also want to thank LEM who has been my faithful editor. His insistence on word choice and good grammar have made me a better writer. He has also been a constant source of encouragement when some weekend mornings I consider not writing an entry... “What, no blog?! Say it’s not true!” Finally, thank you to my faithful readers both near and far. While this is the last posting for the year, stay tuned for a special New Year’s kickoff!
Hats off (maybe Santa hats) to our wonderful band and jazz group who performed so magnificently on December 21. Your talent, dedication and hard work paid off. Great job!
South Asia
This past week we completed our study of South Asia. We watched the Emmy award winning show “India Rising” which focused on the rapid development of a middle class in India which is larger than the entire population of the US. After watching the video, you had an on demand writing assignment where you had to decide if this new large middle class in India would benefit or harm the United States. This in class writing assignment was worth 10 points
We concluded our study of South Asia by working in groups with multiple texts and videos to help us respond to two questions: Is Pakistan a dangerous country? And what should the US relationship be with this country? You had excerpts from your UpFront magazine, Newsweek, and the New York Times as well as a video clip on pop musicians in Pakistan, a TED video on suicide bombers, and a CNN interview with Greg Mortensen, author of “Three Cups of Tea.” This wealth of information gave you a wide ranging perspective on Pakistan but ultimately you had to decide the answer to each question. This in class writing assignment was also worth 10 points.
Current Events
In addition to our regular events, we took time to review reports on the death of the North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il and to speculate how the transfer of leadership to his young son will impact the country. Secretary Clinton hoped this change in leadership could be the start of a new and more positive relationship between North Korea and the U.S. We will continue looking at this major event in the new year when we continue our study of Asia.
Task
Congratulations to all of you who handed in the task. Many of you met or exceeded the standard and therefore the task can go in your portfolio. For those who nearly met standard, you were still able to earn in-class credit. Task scores will be provided to you upon your return. My advice is to think before you write, give yourself time to rewrite and be specific…avoid generalities.
Enjoy
Now we have all earned some rest and relaxation time. No homework was assigned over the break but let me remind a few of you that revisions are due on January 3. I know you will keep up with the news and what is happening in the outside world.
If You Were Absent
This past week we had two in class writing assignments. If you were absent for the assignments, you have five days to make up the work. I am available before and after school each day except Wednesday (faculty meetings). Please make arrangements ASAP so you don’t lose the opportunity to make up the assignments.
A Time to Say Thank you
There are many who help make this blog an interesting, useful and helpful source of information for students and parents. I want to thank BABM, KLM, and MLM who give me the student’s point of view on the entries. They are especially good at pointing out the need for a consistent positive message no matter what the challenges are. They also provide technology support when I have goofed up an entry or inserted the wrong size picture. I also want to thank LEM who has been my faithful editor. His insistence on word choice and good grammar have made me a better writer. He has also been a constant source of encouragement when some weekend mornings I consider not writing an entry... “What, no blog?! Say it’s not true!” Finally, thank you to my faithful readers both near and far. While this is the last posting for the year, stay tuned for a special New Year’s kickoff!
1 comment:
Happy New Year!!! Enjoy the time "off." Looking forward to the posts of 2012!
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