Sunday, October 06, 2013

Unit 1 = Geography (Finish)
Unit 2 = Foundation Lessons (Start)
Unit 3 = Myths, Religions, Philosophy
 

Greetings and welcome Mr P's Website for the 2013-2014 school year.

A) Mr P's Class Syllabus - Still need to get signed or just want to read it again?

B) Check out Technical Thompson's Website (P-Alumni Student Class Website)

C) Missed the First Few Days? Forgot some stuff? Want to know the basic of Mr P's class?

2008 - Romero's Intro Video
2010 - Berg & Lee's Intro Video
2011 - Espejo & Thompson Intro Video

GET YOUR TEXTBOOK ONLINE HERE
First log into your etusd account then click on link above

Big Book Questions (BBQ) - Click here for:
a) General info on BBQ
b) Suggested format
c) Table of Contents


MONDAY October 7, 2013
1) Organize & Staple Packet for World Religion & Philosophy (Due Thurs)
2) Group Jeopardy

3) Review Eastern Philosophy

a) Confucianism
b) Taoism


4) Group Prep for Mini-Presentations (Start Tomorrow)

HW:
PREP FOR RADIO BROADCAST: Myths, Religion, Philosophy & Some 15 year old Minds
Pick one or all and listen to NPR reports. By listening, you will get a sense of how radio interviews work. This will hopefully enhance your reporting in class this week.

Just don't listen to the report, LISTEN to the report! In other words:

a) Notice structure of the interview (intro - end)
Intro = Pose question Middle = what answers were discovered  End = summarize answer (walk away)
b) notice the no-nonsense quick pace of interview,
c) pay attention to how information is said, explained and shared
d) how the interviewer and reporter's conversation flows,
e) how statistics are used to make a point,
f) how the reporter uses comments from those she interviewed
g) In the end, what does the report tell the listener. How does the report enhance a listener's life?

QUALITY SAMPLE OF RADIO INTERVIEW: 
A) The Smartest Kids in the World - If you are only going to listen to one report, P says listen to this
1) reporter has gone out gathered info about education around the world,
2) throughout report, shares interesting information gathered from interviews
3) Selects relevant short comments from students interviewed
4) Final Comment: At end, reporter explains what is the big thing she learned or found out (or "walk away") after investigating this topic.

WANT TO LISTEN TO MORE RADIO REPORTS? Below B-F is extra listening. 
B) Secret Behind Finland's Super Smart Kids? Recess - Great facts about Finnish educational success and how it might relate to us.
C) Tuition Policy Behind Korean Student Suicides? good use of short remarks from people interviewed
D) South Koreans Consider The Trades Over University Education
E) Confucian Teaching in Britain - Notice historical & current facts the reporter chose to put in radio report. Notice how the report connects history (Confucius) with today (us). 
F) Do you trust Wikipedia with your health?





TUESDAY October 8, 2013


1) Group Interviews 
2) Making sense of Group Interview Info

 
HW:
A)  Prepare your interview information for PPR (P Public radio) broadcast on Myths, Religions & Philosophy

B) Study for Religion and Philosophy Exam (Thursday or Friday
C) World Myths, Religions & Philosophy Packets
I) Myths of East & West Power Pt for Packet (Due Thursday)
II) World Religion & Philosophy Power Pt (Due Thursday)

 

WEDNESDAY October 9, 2013

1) Group Jeopardy
2) PPR Broadcast - World Religions & Philosophy = Group Presentations

3)
Big Book Questions (BBQ) -
 

HW:
A) Study & Review for World Religion & Philosophy Exam (Thurs)

B) World Myths, Religions & Philosophy Packets
I) Myths of East & West Power Pt for Packet (Due Thursday) 
II) World Religion & Philosophy Power Pt (Due Thursday)

THURSDAY October 10, 2013

1) Turn in World Religion & Philosophy Packets

2) Group Presentations 
3) World Religion & Philosophy Exam
4) Post Unit Discussion

HW:

NONE

Check this out if you are bored or want "more". Some will find this of interest. If you like this stuff, think about a career in Mythology, Anthropology, Theology, etc.

Ask or email Mr P if you have further questions or just want to talk about these interesting topics.

1)
Professor Campbell on Hero's Journey - Monomyth
2) Professor Campbell on Myths and Math
3) Professor Campbell on Mythology and First City States
4) Professor Campbell on Becoming an Adult
5) Professor Watts - Western Difficulty with Hinduism
6) Professor Watts - The Game of Hide and Seek

7) Professor Campbell on Power of Myth P6
  

THIS IS NOT HOMEWORK or EXTRA CREDIT.
It is just for humans interested in learning & life.
a) Animate Lecture - Education of the Future 
b) Open Response - Mr P is sincerely interested to get your opinion regarding this video on education.

BELOW THINKING  HUMANS  ONLY (Not mandatory = students do NOT have to do this.)                                                        
Write an Open Response to the following Prompts: (DUE ANYTIME NEXT WEEK) 
a) Do you agree or disagree with what is said about education today? Please elaborate and explain what you agree or disagree with (at least 2/3 of a page)

b) What are your comments about learning by watching cartoon lectures? Good or Bad? Why? (at least 1 paragraph)


FRIDAY October 11, 2013

1) Nader's Island -- Dont miss class!
Always ranked in the Top 10 lessons of the year.

HW:

None



LEGACY PROJECT INFORMATION

A) Legacy Project approval deadline is the Friday before Halloween.

B) Semester Final is either the Final Exam or a Legacy Project. All students wishing to do a Legacy Project must get approval from Mr. P prior to Halloween.

C) All students not doing a Legacy Project will take a semester Final Exam. The Final Exam is multiple choice. Questions for the multiple choice exam will be cumulative. Thus, any content covered during the first semester can appear on the Semester Final Exam.

D) The Semester Final will be at the end of semester. Students taking the Final Exam will take it at the end of the school year. Students doing a legacy project will turn it in the day the students (not doing a legacy project) take the Semester Final Exam.

LEGACY PROJECT FORMS

1) Blank Proposal Application & Sample of filled out Application
2) Contract
3) Update Form & Calendar
4) Legacy Project Ideas - if you can't come up with ideas of your own
5) Sample WWI Vocab - Gives ideas on how to do Legacy Vocab.
6) Sample - WWI Play - Gives ideas on how to do Legacy Play.
7) Sample - Video Proposal - If you can't provide a sample of your video skills like this, don't even bother with a Video Project
a) Gehr Video Proposal
b) Grace Video Proposal 



SEMESTER FINAL


LEGACY PROJECT OR FINAL EXAM

Each semester students will have a choice of taking either the Final Exam or doing a Legacy Project as their ‘semester’ final. The semester final (exam or project) will equate to 20% - 25 % of the student’s semester grade. There is an application and qualification process that involves doing a legacy project. All students who do not apply or qualify to do a Legacy Project will partake in Final Exam process as a means of fulfilling their semester final obligation for the course. Written below are the specifics for both the Legacy Project and Final Exam.

LEGACY PROJECT

There are several purposes for students to apply to do a legacy project.

1) Students want to create a project to assist & inspire future students’ learning.
2) Students actually want to make a difference and contribute to the betterment of Mr. P’s class.
3) Students prefer to create a project versus taking an Exam for a final.


All student interested in doing a Legacy Project for their semester final must apply and qualify to do a legacy project. To apply and qualify for the Legacy Project, students must submit at least 3 typed proposals to Mr. P. In addition, students are required to schedule a brief meeting with Mr P after school to explain their legacy project proposals. Basically, students are to ‘sell’ their legacy project idea to Mr. P. Students will “qualify” to do a legacy project, if students convince Mr. P of the usefulness of their Legacy Proposal(s). Students should bring their 3 typed legacy proposals and explain them to Mr. P. At the after school meeting, students MUST do the following:

A) Be prepared, articulate and brief (Mr. P is a busy guy and doesn’t like to waste time)
B) Quickly & clearly explain to Mr. P your Legacy ideas (Mr. P has to be able to understand what it is)
C) Explain how it will be beneficial to future students, Mr. P, etc.
D) A typed working schedule that explains how you will be completing the project
E) Samples that demonstrate your ability to do certain kinds of work (i.e. your artwork, video equipment, computer skills or previous projects your done).


The deadline to apply and qualify for doing a Legacy Project as a student’s “Final” for the Fall semester will be October 31st (Halloween) and for the Spring semester March 21st (Equinox). If a student does not apply and qualify by this date, the student will then, by way of default, partake in the Final Exam process at the end of the semester. If a student qualifies and agrees to do a Legacy Project, then he/she is committed to doing a Legacy Project. They will not be allowed to change from doing a Legacy Project to taking the “Final Exam.”

GROUP or SOLO WORK: Mr. P highly recommends that students work solo on their legacy project. Once again, he advises students do NOT work with other students. However, students might be allowed to work with others if they can justify the need to have more than one person do the project. Yet, the group work limit is 3 students. Students may also work with students in Mr. P’s other World History classes. Most importantly, if students qualify to work in a group it is entirely their choice and responsibility to do so. Mr. P will NOT, once again, will NOT hear any grievances or feel any sympathy pertaining to group work problems. Group work is a choice of the students. Again, Mr. P suggests students do NOT work in groups. Yet, students are old enough to make their own decision on such matter.

LEGACY GRADING SYSTEM:

A Grade:

Most likely any legacy project that will be or is actually used in Mr. P’s class achieves an “A” grade. If Mr. P will not use it in the future, it probably is NOT going to get an “A” grade. Legacy projects rarely take 1 day or 1 weekend to complete. Students with a desire to achieve an “A” should put in a fair amount of time and effort to complete their legacy project. However, time and effort does NOT necessarily equate to an “A” grade. Students can work very hard and still not achieve an “A” grade. The project should be of the utmost quality. It should also be ready for classroom use. Usually any needed adjustments that Mr. P has to do will deduct from the grade of the Legacy Project. All students witness how Mr. P runs the class on a daily basis. Students should become aware of what is “needed” and what “works” with regards to legacy projects. Also, “A” legacy projects are well labeled, packaged, easily stored or accessed. Presentation of the Legacy Project is memorable. It is NOT just another boring final presentation. Fellow students believe the project is useful and of quality.

B Grade:

Usually a good legacy project but does not do all the requirements listed for an “A” grade. Most likely, a “B” grade results because Mr. P will have to “adjust” the project so that it can be used in class. “B” rate Legacy Projects lack the originality, usefulness and quality in comparison to “A” rate Legacy Projects. Presentation of the project is above average and is somewhat memorable.

C Grade:

Results when the Legacy Project will NOT be used in the classroom. It does NOT fulfill the general standards of a “B” grade. Presentation of the project is average and is NOT memorable.

D Grade:

“D” stands for Disappointment. This project is obviously substandard to what is expected of Legacy Projects. It appears to be done quickly and with substandard care. It will NOT be used in the classroom. Presentation is unprepared, robotic and/or boring.


F Grade
:

Produces an overall gross Legacy Project. There is a sense of making a mockery out of doing the Legacy Project. Unorganized and poor presentation. If anything, this project serves as a sample of what NOT to do for a Legacy Project.



FINAL EXAM

The Final Exam will take place the day of the scheduled final in late January for the fall semester and in June for the spring semester. The Final Exam will consist of approximately 100 multiple choice questions. The questions will be related to the unit topics covered during the semester. Students are welcome to pick the Final Exam as their semester final.

180 – 200 correct; 90% - 100% = A
160 – 179 correct; 80% - 89% = B
140 – 159 correct; 70% - 79% = C
120 – 139 correct; 60% - 69% = D
0 – 119 correct; 0 - 59% = F