Respond to the articles below.
1. Summarize article.
2. Provide personal reactions to information.
The American Dream Today:
1. “Who wants to Be a Millionaire: Changing Conceptions of the American Dream” by Matthew Warshauer
a. http://www.americansc.org.uk/Online/American_Dream.htm
2. “Save a Middle Class Dream” Robert Schwab
a. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-schwab/denver-union-rally_b_828703.html
3. “Kentuckians support Wisconsin at Rally for the American Dream” by Christopher Hignite
a. http://www.examiner.com/courts-in-lexington/kentuckians-support-wisconsin-at-rally-to-save-the-american-dream
4. “They have a Dream” by Mariacarmen Godoy-Andino
a. http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/they_have_a_dream/id_34153
5. The 2010 MetLife Study of the American Dream
a. http://www.metlife.com/business/insights-and-tools/industry-knowledge/metlife-study-of-the-american-dream/index.html?WT.mc_id=vu1234
6. “Two Thirds Feel American Dream Harder to Achieve: Americans not sure Government can Help” by Robert Longley
a. http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/moneymatters/a/baddream.htm
7. “Should undocumented immigrants have ‘a shot at the American dream’?” by Alan Shapiro
a. http://www.teachablemoment.org/high/immigration2.html
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
The Kite Runner Introductory Project
Assignment:
Your uncle, who is being deployed to Afghanistan, must refresh his knowledge of that country. You volunteer to help him by creating a pamphlet that contains pertinent information of the following categories:
1. Stated Mission:
• Name and define the stated mission of United States’ involvement in Afghanistan.
2. Mission’s Deadline
• What is the deadline for our Afghanistan mission? What was the original deadline? Why has it been pushed back?
3. Modern history:
• Provide a brief history of the region by outlining the 5 most important events in Afghanistan history since 1978. Must include one fact about its war against the Soviet Union, the Taliban emergence, and USA involvement in country post 9/11.
4. Afghanistan People:
• Define a Pashtun and Hazara. Include religion and ethnicity in your definition.
• Provide 3 examples of conflict between these groups.
• Name and define one problem a soldier may encounter because of this conflict.
5. Geography:
• Provide a map with 3 major cities, including the capitol, 2 military zones, and its border with Pakistan labeled.
• Name, describe, and provide a picture of 3 different types of terrain. Describe one potential problem soldiers may encounter with each of them.
6. Weapons:
• Describe the Kalashnikovs, the gun used by the Taliban. Include one advantage and one weakness of using that gun. Provide a picture of it.
Brochure Rubric
CATEGORY (4=A) Excellent; (3=B) Good; (2=C) Almost; (1=D) Not Yet
Attractiveness & Organization
4: The brochure has attractive formatting, is in point form and has very well organized information. 3: The brochure has attractive formatting, is in point form and has organized information.
2: The brochure has adequate formatting, is in point form and is somewhat organized.
1: The brochure's formatting and organization of material are confusing to the reader. Information is not in point form.
Content - Accuracy
4: The brochure has all of the required information and some additional information.
3: The brochure has all of the required information.
2: The brochure has half of the required information.
1: The brochure has little of the required information.
Writing – Mechanics:
4: All of the writing is in complete sentences. Capitalization, punctuation and spelling are correct throughout the brochure.
3: Most of the writing is in complete sentences. Most of the capitalization, punctuation and spelling are correct throughout the brochure.
2: Half of the writing is in complete sentences. Some of the capitalization, punctuation and spelling are correct throughout the brochure.
1: Much of the writing is not in complete sentences. Much of the capitalization, punctuation and spelling is not correct throughout the brochure.
Graphics/Pictures
4: More than five effective graphics are included and go well with the text.
3: Five relatively effective graphics are included and go well with the text.
2: Three-four graphics are included but do not always go well with the text.
1. Less than two graphics are used and may or may not go with the text.
How to Pick Brochure Template
1. To access this template, go to FILE and select NEW on the top of the screen.
2. On left side of page, under the heading Microsoft Office Online, click “Brochures and Booklets.”
3. In middle of page, click “Brochures.”
4. In center pane, look through the brochure templates. Click a template thumbnail to view details in the right pane.
Your uncle, who is being deployed to Afghanistan, must refresh his knowledge of that country. You volunteer to help him by creating a pamphlet that contains pertinent information of the following categories:
1. Stated Mission:
• Name and define the stated mission of United States’ involvement in Afghanistan.
2. Mission’s Deadline
• What is the deadline for our Afghanistan mission? What was the original deadline? Why has it been pushed back?
3. Modern history:
• Provide a brief history of the region by outlining the 5 most important events in Afghanistan history since 1978. Must include one fact about its war against the Soviet Union, the Taliban emergence, and USA involvement in country post 9/11.
4. Afghanistan People:
• Define a Pashtun and Hazara. Include religion and ethnicity in your definition.
• Provide 3 examples of conflict between these groups.
• Name and define one problem a soldier may encounter because of this conflict.
5. Geography:
• Provide a map with 3 major cities, including the capitol, 2 military zones, and its border with Pakistan labeled.
• Name, describe, and provide a picture of 3 different types of terrain. Describe one potential problem soldiers may encounter with each of them.
6. Weapons:
• Describe the Kalashnikovs, the gun used by the Taliban. Include one advantage and one weakness of using that gun. Provide a picture of it.
Brochure Rubric
CATEGORY (4=A) Excellent; (3=B) Good; (2=C) Almost; (1=D) Not Yet
Attractiveness & Organization
4: The brochure has attractive formatting, is in point form and has very well organized information. 3: The brochure has attractive formatting, is in point form and has organized information.
2: The brochure has adequate formatting, is in point form and is somewhat organized.
1: The brochure's formatting and organization of material are confusing to the reader. Information is not in point form.
Content - Accuracy
4: The brochure has all of the required information and some additional information.
3: The brochure has all of the required information.
2: The brochure has half of the required information.
1: The brochure has little of the required information.
Writing – Mechanics:
4: All of the writing is in complete sentences. Capitalization, punctuation and spelling are correct throughout the brochure.
3: Most of the writing is in complete sentences. Most of the capitalization, punctuation and spelling are correct throughout the brochure.
2: Half of the writing is in complete sentences. Some of the capitalization, punctuation and spelling are correct throughout the brochure.
1: Much of the writing is not in complete sentences. Much of the capitalization, punctuation and spelling is not correct throughout the brochure.
Graphics/Pictures
4: More than five effective graphics are included and go well with the text.
3: Five relatively effective graphics are included and go well with the text.
2: Three-four graphics are included but do not always go well with the text.
1. Less than two graphics are used and may or may not go with the text.
How to Make a Brochure Using Microsoft Word
Microsoft word already has a template prepared for you to make a brochure. All you have to do is cut and paste your own text into the brochure and print it!How to Pick Brochure Template
1. To access this template, go to FILE and select NEW on the top of the screen.
2. On left side of page, under the heading Microsoft Office Online, click “Brochures and Booklets.”
3. In middle of page, click “Brochures.”
4. In center pane, look through the brochure templates. Click a template thumbnail to view details in the right pane.
5. Select the tri-fold brochure template you want, and click Download. The template is applied to a new document.
5. The template will be on your screen. It is already filled with words (garbage mostly). All you have to do its cut those words out and paste with your ownYou can modify any of the placeholder objects, such as Text Boxes, Pictures, and Shapes, to create your layout.
How to Add Your Content
1. Dive in, and type your brochure. Here are some tips:
· In a template, type information in a text box.
· Try using large font sizes for titles, and center them using the Center button on the Home tab.
· WordArt works nicely for the front (title) page. To insert WordArt, on the Insert tab, click WordArt, and then select a style.
· To prevent text from flowing from the bottom of one column to the top of the next column, you can use text boxes. Draw a text box over a column. When you type in the text box, all text will remain inside the container. If you want text to flow from one text box to another, select the first text box, and then, on the Text Box Tools Format tab, click Create Link. Then, click the empty text box that you want the text to flow into.
2. Add pictures, shapes, SmartArt, and any other object to go with your text. Here are some tips:
· On the Insert tab in the Illustrations group, click an object, such as a Picture or SmartArt graphic, to add it to your brochure. You can also drag a picture file from a folder.
· Select an object, click the object Format tab, and then click Text Wrapping to align the object to the column (In Line with Text) or click one of the other options to move the object freely.
· Try the other options on the object Format tab, such as Outline, Effects, and Fill. For example, you could add a light fill color to a text box or a drop shadow to a picture.
3. Remember to save your document regularly. When you're finished with your brochure, print it. Fold it into thirds, and see how it looks. You might need to move things away from the edges a bit so you don't cut off text or pictures.
Senior Final: Choose one of the following and submit June 1.
1. Senior Video Final Exam
IntroductionAs promised, here is your long awaited senior video final exam. This is designed to give you a chance to make a final, lasting impression on AHS and get a grade in the process. This project caters to you and your family as you prepare to start the next phase of your life. The following is a list of criteria and objectives. Good luck and have fun!
Objectives
As a result of participating in this project, the student will be able to…
1. Purposefully reflect on his/her high school experience
2. Effectively use technology to create a video retrospective
3. Reflect on his/her growth and maturation using interviews with parents, friends, loved ones, teachers, etc.
4. Create a tangible final product
5. Illustrate the different phases of life from which he/she has “graduated”
Criteria and Scoring
1. The video should be 10 minutes for an individual project, 16 minutes for a group of two, and 20 minutes for a group of three. Should you choose a group project, your stories need to complement each other in some way.
2. What most interests me about the video is you. I want to know as much about you as possible. Include references to your beginnings, struggles, triumphs, maturation, future plans, etc.
3. You MUST include at least one parent or guardian.
4. You MUST have a unified purpose and/or narrative, much like any of the papers you’ve written this year.
5. You MUST include clips from every phase of your life.
6. You MUST include yourself actually doing something (sports, working, acting, drawing, etc.)
7. You MUST include interviews with at least three other people (non-family) who have made an impression on you.
8. You MUST include some sort of order represented through chronology or theme.
9. You MUST include smooth transitions. Please don’t walk around aimlessly and film everything. Like a paper, move from one part of your video to the next with transitions (fades, music, announcements, etc.)
10. You MUST include between 4-6 different locations that are relevant and reflective as well as explained.
11. Provide me with a final product compatible with my VCR or DVD player
12. Hand in the film and this packet on the due date
13. As is the case with any project of this sort, my biggest concern is crossing the line into indecency. If you plan on bringing your camera to a party, prom weekend, etc. you need only to exercise this rule: If your parents wouldn’t want to see it, neither would I. Understand that including alcohol, drugs, violence, or other inappropriate action in the video will result in failure and a referral to the administration and to your parents. I reserve the right to fail any video I deem inappropriate, disrespectful, or in direct violation of the aforementioned rules. We’ve built a mutual respect during the course of the year, so consider that before putting us both in a situation from which there is only way to extricate ourselves.
Suggestions
1. Make your parent interview meaningful. It doesn’t have to be scripted but it should be something on which you look back with pride in the years to come.
2. Make the video a documentary. In other words, tell stories of your youth, visit people you care about, go back to places you haven’t been in years, allow yourself to enjoy making the video as well as watching it. Edit the film in such a way that it includes sit down interviews and live-action shots.
3. Consider candid conversations, rehearsed bits, parties, vacations, the workplace, first loves, last loves, true confessions, athletics, drama, anything school related, etc.
4. Consider using pictures to create a storyboard of your life.
5. We aren’t interested in your house, your room, your car, etc.
6. Don’t overact or put on a show using some character who is not the person I’ve come to know. This is a reality show!
7. Sacrifice a little embarrassment and laugh at yourself.
8. Please give each group member equal time. It’s immediately obvious when one or more members aren’t working as hard as the others.
9. Don’t spend too much time on any one part of the video (i.e. your boyfriend/girlfriend, your work, a party, etc.)
The Camera
1. Be as steady as possible
2. Have the subject of the shot move….not the camera
3. Avoid excessive zooming and unzooming
4. SPEAK UP!! Especially when you’re outside
5. Charge your batteries so you don’t cut yourself off in the middle of a profound moment
6. Avoid walking while the camera is running. If you want to move, pause the recording and move
7. USE A FRESH TAPE!! I don’t want to see twenty minutes of your dance recital or Little League game in the middle!
And Finally…
This is your final exam!! Failure to turn in your video on the due date will result in a grade of 0%. Any finals handed to me after the due date will be returned to you immediately.
Videos are due June 1.
2. Autobiography Final Exam
For this option, I’d like you to put together a high school autobiography. The narrative should only include your four years of high school and should be based on your growth, maturation, and self-reflection. In other words, I do not want a dissertation on everything that happened to you during your high school career; instead, I’d ask that you consider your story as part of a larger whole, as based on a predetermined thematic connection, or as a written “mirror image” of your time in high school.
Tips for getting started:
1. Feel free to include dialogue even if it’s only loosely based on actual conversations.
2. Much like the senior video, I’d like you to weave in those people who served as your greatest mentors (parents, teachers, etc.), your friends and confidants, and even your enemies.
3. Your struggles should be as catalogued as your triumphs. You can approach this from a purely academic perspective, but I think a truer account of your life should include a more personal perspective as well.
4. Because this exam is based on self-reflection, you’re going to have to really sit down and think about your life, which, for some people, isn’t easy. It may be useful to talk to other people whose time with you can better represent your growth than your time spent alone.
5. If you feel compelled to get creative, I’ll allow this to be written in such fashion. For instance, maybe you’d consider writing your own autobiography as a ghost writer, so the narrative would be in the third person even though we both know you wrote it. Maybe you’d consider writing it like an epistolary novel (The Perks of Being A Wallflower) in the form of letters, diary entries, or blogs. Such decisions need to be cleared by me.
Logistics
1. The paper needs to be at least six pages long, double spaced, in 12 pt. Times New Roman font.
2. The paper needs an effective title (not “My Story” or some other uninventive title) which should be centered and underlined on the first page.
3. Writers should observe common writing conventions, grammar rules, and mechanical nuances that were taught during the course of the year.
IntroductionAs promised, here is your long awaited senior video final exam. This is designed to give you a chance to make a final, lasting impression on AHS and get a grade in the process. This project caters to you and your family as you prepare to start the next phase of your life. The following is a list of criteria and objectives. Good luck and have fun!
Objectives
As a result of participating in this project, the student will be able to…
1. Purposefully reflect on his/her high school experience
2. Effectively use technology to create a video retrospective
3. Reflect on his/her growth and maturation using interviews with parents, friends, loved ones, teachers, etc.
4. Create a tangible final product
5. Illustrate the different phases of life from which he/she has “graduated”
Criteria and Scoring
1. The video should be 10 minutes for an individual project, 16 minutes for a group of two, and 20 minutes for a group of three. Should you choose a group project, your stories need to complement each other in some way.
2. What most interests me about the video is you. I want to know as much about you as possible. Include references to your beginnings, struggles, triumphs, maturation, future plans, etc.
3. You MUST include at least one parent or guardian.
4. You MUST have a unified purpose and/or narrative, much like any of the papers you’ve written this year.
5. You MUST include clips from every phase of your life.
6. You MUST include yourself actually doing something (sports, working, acting, drawing, etc.)
7. You MUST include interviews with at least three other people (non-family) who have made an impression on you.
8. You MUST include some sort of order represented through chronology or theme.
9. You MUST include smooth transitions. Please don’t walk around aimlessly and film everything. Like a paper, move from one part of your video to the next with transitions (fades, music, announcements, etc.)
10. You MUST include between 4-6 different locations that are relevant and reflective as well as explained.
11. Provide me with a final product compatible with my VCR or DVD player
12. Hand in the film and this packet on the due date
13. As is the case with any project of this sort, my biggest concern is crossing the line into indecency. If you plan on bringing your camera to a party, prom weekend, etc. you need only to exercise this rule: If your parents wouldn’t want to see it, neither would I. Understand that including alcohol, drugs, violence, or other inappropriate action in the video will result in failure and a referral to the administration and to your parents. I reserve the right to fail any video I deem inappropriate, disrespectful, or in direct violation of the aforementioned rules. We’ve built a mutual respect during the course of the year, so consider that before putting us both in a situation from which there is only way to extricate ourselves.
Suggestions
1. Make your parent interview meaningful. It doesn’t have to be scripted but it should be something on which you look back with pride in the years to come.
2. Make the video a documentary. In other words, tell stories of your youth, visit people you care about, go back to places you haven’t been in years, allow yourself to enjoy making the video as well as watching it. Edit the film in such a way that it includes sit down interviews and live-action shots.
3. Consider candid conversations, rehearsed bits, parties, vacations, the workplace, first loves, last loves, true confessions, athletics, drama, anything school related, etc.
4. Consider using pictures to create a storyboard of your life.
5. We aren’t interested in your house, your room, your car, etc.
6. Don’t overact or put on a show using some character who is not the person I’ve come to know. This is a reality show!
7. Sacrifice a little embarrassment and laugh at yourself.
8. Please give each group member equal time. It’s immediately obvious when one or more members aren’t working as hard as the others.
9. Don’t spend too much time on any one part of the video (i.e. your boyfriend/girlfriend, your work, a party, etc.)
The Camera
1. Be as steady as possible
2. Have the subject of the shot move….not the camera
3. Avoid excessive zooming and unzooming
4. SPEAK UP!! Especially when you’re outside
5. Charge your batteries so you don’t cut yourself off in the middle of a profound moment
6. Avoid walking while the camera is running. If you want to move, pause the recording and move
7. USE A FRESH TAPE!! I don’t want to see twenty minutes of your dance recital or Little League game in the middle!
And Finally…
This is your final exam!! Failure to turn in your video on the due date will result in a grade of 0%. Any finals handed to me after the due date will be returned to you immediately.
Videos are due June 1.
2. Autobiography Final Exam
For this option, I’d like you to put together a high school autobiography. The narrative should only include your four years of high school and should be based on your growth, maturation, and self-reflection. In other words, I do not want a dissertation on everything that happened to you during your high school career; instead, I’d ask that you consider your story as part of a larger whole, as based on a predetermined thematic connection, or as a written “mirror image” of your time in high school.
Tips for getting started:
1. Feel free to include dialogue even if it’s only loosely based on actual conversations.
2. Much like the senior video, I’d like you to weave in those people who served as your greatest mentors (parents, teachers, etc.), your friends and confidants, and even your enemies.
3. Your struggles should be as catalogued as your triumphs. You can approach this from a purely academic perspective, but I think a truer account of your life should include a more personal perspective as well.
4. Because this exam is based on self-reflection, you’re going to have to really sit down and think about your life, which, for some people, isn’t easy. It may be useful to talk to other people whose time with you can better represent your growth than your time spent alone.
5. If you feel compelled to get creative, I’ll allow this to be written in such fashion. For instance, maybe you’d consider writing your own autobiography as a ghost writer, so the narrative would be in the third person even though we both know you wrote it. Maybe you’d consider writing it like an epistolary novel (The Perks of Being A Wallflower) in the form of letters, diary entries, or blogs. Such decisions need to be cleared by me.
Logistics
1. The paper needs to be at least six pages long, double spaced, in 12 pt. Times New Roman font.
2. The paper needs an effective title (not “My Story” or some other uninventive title) which should be centered and underlined on the first page.
3. Writers should observe common writing conventions, grammar rules, and mechanical nuances that were taught during the course of the year.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)