New Unit!

We began our unit on geopolitics with a discussion of genocide, discrimination, colonialism, and apartheid, among other things.  Homework for all sections is to fill out the reverse side of the handout.  All groups blog tonight, with Section 03 writing about Nelson Mandela, and Section 01 writing about propaganda.  Section 02 can sum up their notes from today's discussion.

test today

Thanks, Sam for the sensational homemade sausage on Section 01!

I hope you all aced the test today.  Don't forget to blog about today's class (before Saturday night at midnight), and have a great weekend!

test on Culture tomorrow

Tomorrow's test will be cover my PowerPoint and class discussion on Culture, as well as the classwork and presentations you guys did.  You are allowed to use your blog, but you can't just call up the link to my PowerPoint.  I would recommend taking notes on it, and posting those notes in your blog.

Congratulations on reaching the last test of the first quarter.  Study hard, and finish strong.

food today, test on Friday

THANK YOU to those of you who brought in international foods as part of our studies on culture.  Please note the following:

• Check your PowerSchool to make sure you got your 10 points of extra credit.  If I missed you, send me an email and let me know.
• Please pick up any Tupperware, serving dishes, spoons, handle bags, etc., from Room 121 (the TV Studio) ASAP.

The test on the Culture unit is this Friday.  It will cover my lectures, your presentations, and the PowerPoint I have posted.  This is the last test of the first quarter.

Thanks again for making the classrooms smell and taste so good!

multiple choice quiz

What did Section 01 accomplish in class today?
       a.  they wrote their own questions for Friday's test
       b.  they worked on their WikiBooks chapter on culture
       c.  they wished Tatiana a happy birthday
       d.  they ate M&Ms and root beer barrels
       e.  all of the above

The correct answer is e.  Nice work!

why excellence matters

I refuse to believe that some of the presentations I saw in class today are the best you can do.

If you are going to fall into the habit of doing as little work as possible just to get by, then here are a few things you should start getting used to:

• seeing other people get jobs and raises you think you deserve
• watching someone else get the girl (or guy) you had your eye on
• having a job that offers no satisfaction, just a paycheck
• being defeated by teams that aren't as talented as yours

The good news?  You guys are in your early teens, so it's not too late to turn it around.  Here are some thoughts to ponder before your next project/paper/test/whatever:

You can't make a great play unless you do it first in practice.
                                                                      -- Chuck Noll

It isn't hard to be good from time to time in sports. What is tough, is being good every day.
                                                                                                                  -- Willie Mays

So be good.   

         -- Me

let's do something special

Many of you are familiar with the Race For The Cure, which raises funds to try to find a cure for breast cancer.  And a lot of you know Amanda Brannan, one of your classmates in this awesome freshman class.  But some of you may not know that Amanda is this year's biggest single fundraiser!  This is incredible!

If you (through your parents) want to help Amanda raise even more funds in memory of her Mom, click here to go to her donation page.  Every little bit helps, and you'll feel good knowing you have helped to make a positive difference in the world.

Good luck on the PSAT test today, have a great l-o-o-o-o-ng weekend, and thank you for your generosity!