Silly Bus

So, I passed out a syllabus.  We went over the rules and expectations, took attendance, and I gave you 5-10 minutes to check base with your classroom friends.  You get your first homework assignment tomorrow.

Everone Passed Q4

That is all.

Ye Be Smart?

We took an IQ test on the last day.  Some of you panicked.  It was just for fun - something you can brag about...or feel bummed about.  Remember that any IQ test has some cultural components - especially the picture test with a missing item.  These exams are never completely accurate.  I wanted to send you out with one final measuring stick, because you will all begin at ZERO again.  You were kings of the school as seniors...big fish in the small pond of Southwest.  You will now be little fish in the big ocean of life.  Some of you will find smaller lakes as you become minnows in college.  But you're graduating as Lakers, so you'll be just fine.  And you never know - some of you may even end up back here in some capacity...although probably not as a teacher, since I'll probably have class sizes of 60 due to budget cuts by the time you graduate from college. 

Thanks for everything you did - and did not do this year.  You made my evolution from Miller to Laker more complete and helped me realize how much I love teaching...it's for the kids, NOT the building.  Igraduated as a Miller in 1991, but feel like I can now say I graduated as a Laker in 2010 - riding your coattails.  Be proud of who you are - I am.

Remember - Nerds Rule the World.

If you want to finish checking your test, stop by before you go to graduation practice. 

Alfie Kohn

Know the name.  I have always been very interested in his philosophies.  This is something you read earlier in the year, but we shall revisit the topic again, near the end of your final compulsory year of education.  Analyze, critique, dissect.  We'll discuss it over the next couple of days - please come in to class tomorrow ready to talk about Ellison, econ, and grades. 

Ellison

I'd like 3rd Period students to meet me outside the auditorium on Tuesday.  I'll bring the questions from periods 1 & 2 and print out what you've emailed me.  Let's be nice, listen, and learn something.  Add your question here.

Every Day Should Be Celebrated Like Today

You should treat your mom nicely every day.  Consider what she has done for you throughout your lifetime, beginning with, oh, let's think...oh yeah...carrying you around for probably the first two years of your life, then driving you around for the next 14-18.  How often does she put aside her wants to provide something for you?  After making mom happy, make sure you write your question for the Keith Ellison visit.  Period 3 students must email it to me - Lizzie is the only one to have done it thus far - firing a shot over my bow in the process...should I take offense?

A Dozen Disgruntled Males

Due to AP testing and a horrible headache due to major congestion (read yesterday's post), we are watching 12 Angry Men (1957) over the next two days, followed by an analysis/discussion on Friday.  Please have the SIX econ worksheets done by Wednesday - no class on Monday and we will be attending the Keith Ellison visit on Tuesday during Period 3 (Per 1 & 2 students should ask your Per 3 teacher if it is OK to attend - I will give you a pass if necessary).  If you are confused about characters, check this out.

Blah Blah Blah

We watched President Obama's Commencement Speech at the University of Michigan on Saturday, followed by a brief analysis/discussion.  I hope to go over some econ tomorrow.  But my cold really put me out this afternoon.  I blew my nose but was so congested that my ears plugged up.  The pressure on my inner ear was awful, resulting in me losing my balance and becoming nauseous while I crumpled to the floor.  It was not a pleasant experience.  I could not move and my head was spinning.  My poor dog must have thought I was dying and he didn't leave my side.  Five-and-a-half years later and he's still the best $350 I ever spent. Needless to say, my sinuses cleared up about 15 minutes later and I can at least walk and read...but my neighbors may be able to hear the Twins game on TV, since my hearing is still bad.  I guess teaching DHH kids may come to be more useful than I had originally planned.  So, I apologize if everything is louder in class tomorrow - or if there is a sub because it turns out I blew an ear drum.  buh-bye.

Tick Tock

You have one last night to study for tomorrow's "final" exam.  I expect everyone to pass with 70%.  If not, look forward to 1 make-up opportunity.  If you do not pass that one, you may not pass this quarter.  I gave you a study guide (check the Moodle).

AP PREP:  Great questions today - know your sequencing, and political ramifications of historical events.  The exam will be administered in the East Gym.  Study the vocab, outline the branches (authority, checks & balances, and separation of powers), and be confident in yourself.  If you have read everything, paid attention in class, and studied, you will do fine.

Justice For All?

I had no voice today - fighting a cold.  I could be miserable at home or miserable at school.  Thought I'd share the misery but keep my distance since the room is large enough.  We did the following:
Take out a sheet of paper:
Capital Punishment is reserved as a State Right      
    Do you support the Death Penalty?  Explain your position.  
      
Is our System of Justice set up for Rehabilitation or Punishment?      
       
We watched a 60 Minutes segment about the case of Alton Logan, convicted of murdering a security guard at a McDonalds in 1982 (Chicago, Illinois).  He was sentenced to life in prison.
       
Write a SHORT statement - Where does fault lie in his case?

Everyone Needs a Thneed

In honor of Earth Day, we watched Dr. Seuss' The Lorax today.  I asked you to watch it through the lenses of an economist:  Resources evident (Capital, Natural, Human), Goods Produced, term defining the Once-Ler, trade-offs, etc.  I will ask you to explain the story through the words of an industrialist in class tomorrow.  We'll also go over two of five handouts you picked up today.  The other 3 will be covered on Monday.  Remember your Government Final as a midterm next Wednesday.  You have the study guide, right?

AP PREP:  CHEW SOME GUM!!!

Mook and Midriff

So, we watched Merchants of Cool in class.  Can you identify who the Mook and MIdriff is in each of your classes?  Or in your graduating class?  What about the whole school?  I hope to have an interesting conversation about what you saw.  If you missed class (AVID, illness (including senioritis), etc.), watch it online.

AP PREP:  I made a spreadsheet (GoogleDocs) of important federal agencies.  Every test-taker has been assigned one to research and share what you find.  Get it done before the weekend so people can study.  I am planing on having T & Th as "ask the teacher" sessions during class, while the other students do some Econ work - we have plenty of space.  And know that I am easily available before and after school every day (except Tuesday next week).  Shoot me some questions through email, or even the Moodle (just made a AP QUESTIONS Forum).  Let's be collaborative, helpful, and supportive.

AP Prep

Go to the Moodle and find some additional resources.  You will get a packet tomorrow of some key concepts & terms, plus sample essay questions.  I uploaded the same thing to the Moodle.  I also put a vocab list on the Moodle as well.  CHEW SOME GUM!!!  If I can find it, we'll be watching South Park: Big Gay Al's Big Gay Boat Ride tomorrow for Day of Silence purposes.

Wal-Mart: Good, Evil, or Simply Misunderstood?

So, we started a documentary today, Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Living. We will finish watching it on Thursday, but I need everyone to watch a Frontline episode about Wal-Mart (60 minutes, viewable online, read an excerpt here.) that is more objective.  Also read a critique by Tucker Carlson here.  Please do so BEFORE Friday.  On Friday, we'll watch a Penn & Teller BS episode (I have to edit it during playback) that attacks the documentary. Here is a review of the P&T episode. You'll have to write a SHORT paper, due Wednesday.  If you are interested in what I showed in class today, check out the Target Virus and Wal-Mart Virus.  And please remember that we have the FInal Exam in 2 weeks, while you AP test-takers have less than 3 weeks to test day.  Chew some gum!

Circular Arguments & Ideology

I hope you learned something today - or at least thought about what was presented.  For those of you interested in sharing what we read, you can find the article from The Economist here and the AP article about 47% of US households not paying federal income taxes here.  We'll watch something about Wal-Mart tomorrow (maybe they're not so evil after all?), escape from one another on Weds and come back for some more Wal-Mart stuff on Th-Fri.

And Conan on TBS?  WT...???

And since we regularly use this, I thought you should know about the changes...



And the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for photography (pic is link to story):

Go Tax Yourself

The plan for the week looks like this: 
Monday:  Read about Taxation, write a reflection, and discuss.
T-W:  Wal-Mart Analysis
Th:  1040EZ and 1040A taxes
F:  TBD (Day of Silence, so discussion is out).

The AP Govt final will be moved to Tues/Weds (final week of April).

Please Vote for Me

So, we started the Please Vote For Me documentary, which will be finished tomorrow.  I gave you a handout (I'll put it up on the Moodle tomorrow) that you should finish after we finish tomorrow.  We'll discuss it in class as well.  I'll share something about the Media and Wal-Mart over the next two weeks as we wrap up and tie a knot around government.  You SHOULD be studying for the AP Exam (Official and in-class "Final") on your own time - that's why I have cut HW down to very little time needed.  I doubt the video is available online (maybe youtube or vimeo?), so if you are gone Fri, bring in a flash drive on Monday.

Finding Your Way

We met in Lab E118 today so you could chart your political ideology.  Please go to The Political Compass and read the introduction BEFORE taking the test!  Please take the test autonomously.  Do NOT talk, peek, or share your answers with anyone while test-taking is in progress!  After you take the test, read the analysis.  Please make sure you copy your chart onto a Word doc (and save as a .doc) and write up your reflection on the results.  Were you surprised or reaffirmed?  Basically, analyze your political ideology and how you do or do not practice what you believe.  When you have finished, save your file, but also copy everything and paste it into a journal entry on the Moodle (Political Compass in Folder 25).  Lastly, if you feel comfortable doing so, paste your compass results into the forum and share it with your peers.  If time remains, look at the FAQ and some Region Specific information.

Past, Present, Future?

We watched a Bill Moyers' Journal concerning Single Payer Health and Health Care Reform. I want you to watch/read the transcript and then read a part of this paper.  Pick one of the myths and compare/contrast the arguments from both sides.  A simple write-up about what you learned or thought about is acceptable - Due Friday (on the Moodle as a Journal entry).

Love or Money?

Glad to see that many of you returned safe and sound.  I had a couple of absences, so we'll have to wait for 100% until a later date.  Grades are done.  If you have a concern, please see me after school or during lunch.  In class today, we discussed a ROMOTHINK:  Love or Money...which is more important to you? Consider needs versus wants. If you would prefer, break it down into a percentage. For example, if both are equal, you would indicate 50/50. Think, discuss, decide, and defend.  Please prepare yourself for the AP Government Final on April 22/23.  A nice, BIG exam.  Toodles.