Monday, January 31, 2011

7th Grade Social Studies Community Service Assignment

Welcome back Social Studies Students!  As part of your Social Studies required work you will be required to perform a minimum of 4 hours of community service in a teacher-approved project of your choice. You might want to start brainstorming the following types of service providers:
  • Food Bank
  • Home School
  • Public Park
  • Library
  • Community Church
  • Nursing Homes
  • Fire or Police Department
  • Come up with your own!
Carefully read the requirements of the project below. It may be helpful to print out the requirements to keep in your social studies journal for reference.
Read more after the jump.

Econ Research Project

To Economics Students:
You will be required to complete a semester long project, submitting assignments throughout the semester.  I will have an informational meeting February Thursday the 3rd at 2pm or Monday the 7th at 10am, discussing the initial requirements as described here:

Research Project Topic: Stock Market

It is important to note that you will be monitoring your stocks for a six-week period. You must begin now so that you will have time to complete all parts of this assignment. Plan ahead!

The problem: You have just inherited $100,000 from your millionaire great-uncle. The stipulation is that you must invest it in the stock market until you turn twenty-one. First, you must familiarize yourself with the stock market and then decide what some good investments might be.

Your assignment: Follow the research guidelines explained later in this section as you research and respond to the following questions. You will complete this project in four separate parts. Your findings for each part should include and address each of the proposed questions. You will submit each part as instructed on page 15.

See more after the jump.

Welcome Back! Changes and Rearranges

I hope that this message finds you refreshed and ready to take on the new semester.  Or excited to develop a new study pattern that doesn't leave you rushing to complete all work!  A few things of note as we start the new semester:
  • Deadlines will be implemented in all of my classes after every 6 week interval.  So all work has to be completed up to that date to get credit.  Students who have not completed work will receive a "0" for those assignments.
  • Schedules and Syllabi will be located under a tab located on the left of each class page.  This will show up to date changes and students will be held accountable to check this document once a week (along with messages).
  • High School students will be required to submit 2 work samples per core class.  High School students will need to complete this samples to qualify for graduation.
  • Middle School Math classes now require keeping a notebook with all practice problems.  Please label your notes by section so I can recognize which chapters to give you credit.
  • If you are enrolled in a Credit Recovery Course this semester the content is available under the Course Information/Orientation then Table of Contents.  To get to the quizzes and exams you have to check the "Mark as Reviewed" box next to the Section.  You also get 5 attempts at completing all assignments and exams, but many of the exams need passwords (so contact your instructor when you are ready).
  • American History, Economics, and American Government Finals will continue to be held at the Web Academy and all work needs to be completed before you can set up an appointment to attempt the final.
Finally students are still required to sign in on a daily basis.  Check in with teachers once a week, and meet with your mentors once a month.  If you have not completed this required survey please to now: Click Here For Survey  If you have any questions please email me at: ellsberg@gbwebacademy.org

Thursday, January 27, 2011

4pm Deadline

You must turn all work in today before 4 o'clock to receive any possible credit for your fall term classes.  Good Luck.- Mr. Ellsberg

Monday, January 24, 2011

Finals (History and Government)*




We are quickly approaching the end of the semester and for our high school classes that means... Finals! Although I do not necessarily agree that one test at the end of the class period adequately measures student learning, I feel it is important to expose students to exams now so when college "comes a callin'" you can feel comfortable with the format. Hopefully you will never have to take the dreaded "Sudden Death Final" (I just made that up), the final that counts for your entire class grade! I only had to take this kind of final once in Barcelona, and lets just say I made sure to check the Syllabus before signing up classes from there on after...
The finals for all high school classes will only reflect a small portion of your final grade (less than 10%), but that does not mean you should take them lightly. Think of this experience as skill developing! I will be holding finals from Tuesday the 11th through the 26th of January. You must sign up before by email to designate a time for your final. Here is a great link that has some helpful tips when prepping for your final.
Finals Week Calls for New Study Techniques
* If you transferred to us after the beginning of the year you are exempt from finals, but please send me a message ASAP!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Big Dollar Holler....(er)...ers

Advertising is big business, how big?  Check out how much these companies are willing to pay for a moment of your time. Click Here For Full Image

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

A Little About Web Browsers


        We browse the web all the time, we research, check our email, and even do our school work online. There are many different web browsers that can be used to view the web, some of them work pretty good, others are not so great. In this document I will tell you about what I have found to be the best web browser to use for working on school.

Could you be swayed?


Often times as a young educator, you bump up against controversial issues. This is especially true as a Social Studies teacher when most of the excitement lies in these debated topics. I am hyper aware of topics such as abortion, evolution, immigration, climate change, minority rights etc. when they pop up in class. It is a tricky proposition to approach such topics as a non-bias observer or devils advocate. I often ask myself, “Is what I am saying swaying students to my own beliefs?”. Over the weekend I overheard an interesting experiment conducted by the show This American Life on OPB. The topic was climate change and the subject a 16 year old high school student who was approached at Glen Beck's Restoring Honor Rally in Washington D.C. Fast forward here to the 24th minute to listen to the podcast. What are your thoughts? Could you be swayed from your beliefs? Where do they come from? Why do you believe what you believe? Comment below!

Monday, January 17, 2011

State Testing - 7th Grade Writing - Office Limitations

Via Ms. Calhoun AKA: State Testing Champion Del Mundo,
State testing begins next week, January 18th, and will go through April.  We will begin with the 7th grade writing test.  By Oregon State law, these tests must be administered, and all students are required to take them.  It is also important to note that all high school students MUST take these tests to graduate.   Letters were sent home this week, indicating which tests each students needs to take, and the time and date that each test is scheduled for. Please mark these dates on your calendars.  Students must be present for these tests as scheduled.

- Please click here for the 2011 State Testing Schedule, available on our website.
-The tests will be administered at the Gresham Barlow Web Academy in the main classroom.
-During testing times, the main classroom will be closed to drop in visits and meetings.  However, our back classroom will be available, and students are welcome to come by as usual.  Please note that the back classroom is not stocked with desktop computers.  If students wish to work on site, they will need to bring in a laptop.

Please contact the school with questions:
    503-258-4790.   

Friday, January 14, 2011

Extra Credit: Contact Update Survey

Need a few extra points in one of my classes before the end of the quarter?  Looking for a way to boost your grade in the waning hours of our semester?  Here is a quick survey that when completed will give you a few extra credit points in your Social Studies Class with me Mr. Ellsberg. Click Here For Survey

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Does education equate to wealth?

Check out this very cool transparency that compares educational achievement and wealth around the nation.
Click Here For Full Transparency

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. Day (25th Anniversary)


This is a video of MLK's last speech (along with a short excerpt of a Robert Kennedy speech), before his untimely death in 1968.  It has been said that King could read a 20 minute sermon then deliver that speech a mere 5 minutes later.   Here are a few of his quotes for you to ponder this following week as well as a free event offered by a Portland Institution commemorating the Day:
-A man can't ride your back unless it's bent.
-A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom.
-A right delayed is a right denied. 
See the rest after the jump.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Never Lose or Forget Your Documents Again!



We all hate it when our computers give out or fail. It can be devastating to lose important data, such as school files or photos. Although the hard drive doesn’t always fail, without proper tools and things it can be impossible for you to get your data without the help of a tech. Backups will prevent you from loosing data and will make it accessible to you if your machine up and dies. Now I could tell you a few different ways to backup your machine, but I’m only going to tell you a fairly easy and efficient way to keep your school documents safe and accessible on any computer with an internet connection.
View the rest of Taylor's Article here
How to create folders.
Navigating google docs.
Uploading to google docs.
How to download google docs.
How to delete google docs.

Seniors - Essential Skills


Think that was embarassing? Lets do our best to prevent you from suffering the same fate!
As a requirement to graduate with an Oregon Diploma seniors will need to complete all 9 Essential Skill projects. If you are a Senior, or a Junior who is close to complete you should meet with Mrs. Riehl riehl8@gbwebacademy.org (503)489-7723 ASAP to make a plan to graduate on time with all requirements!

Clubs and Labs

Students who are interested in either Documentary Club or Math Lab will have to wait until next quarter to attend those extra opportunities! I am also taking student parent feedback for both classes. Math lab had a very low turn out for middle school students so we might just schedule extra help by appointment only. Please let me know what you think!
Mr. Ellsberg

Friday, January 7, 2011

Constitution Reading: Edited or Updated?


As the newly elected government officials settle in to their posts this week a marked change has taken over in Washington. The GOP now controls the House of Representatives and the Democratic majority in the Senate is down to a hand full. The Republican majority who were primarily elected to cut back taxes and "restore the Constitution" started the new year with a symbolic reading of the Constitution. The document widely regarded as the foundation for American Government's rule will be read to highlight the founding fathers beliefs about taxing, oversite, and beliefs in daily life... Or will it?
"After wrangling, Constitution is read on House floor, minus passages on slavery"
"The intent was to read the Constitution as it currently operates," Rep. Robert W. Goodlatte (R-Va.) said in an interview. The Constitution, is also a reflection of the changing path America has taken in its 200+ year history with 28 amendments. Some darker and more draconian portions have been left out ie "3/5ths Compromise" which "counted slaves as three-fifths of a person for purposes of divvying congressional districts".
Should we acknowledge our past failures as a state or, Can we see past the ideological beliefs of our Founders and take only what we can apply to us today?
Post your thoughts!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Crime rates rising?

Does media have an effect on how you view current crime rates? With the economy in the gutter and unemployment static and struggling in the state one might think crime would be at an all time high. Actually statistics say otherwise, cities like LA are seeing crime rates reaching the lowest levels in 40+ years. That follows a nation wide trend where crimes rates have seen an incredible drop. Authorities credit that to long prison sentences for violent offenders, deceased

convicts, and "Crack dealers have learned how to do business without killing each other,"NPR. Check out this article Published by NPR news.
LA's Crime Rates
Another article by the "Huffington Post"

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Update! Extra Credit: Documentary Club!



If you would like to view this movie please send me an email with parent permission and I will make it available to you for extra credit.
Thank you!

Next Monday, the 10th of January, you will be awarded an extra-credit opportunity. The movie Harlan County U.S.A. will be viewed at 10:30 at the Gresham Barlow Web Academy. If you would like to view the movie you can download this video permission form then have it signed by a parent. Also please read the following article and be ready to discuss!
U.S. Mine Accidents Killed 48 in Year
Longtime tug of war on mine safety

Mentor Meetings

Hey Men-tees,
I hope that your break went well and you got some much needed rest, and for some of you some time to catch up in your classes. It is time to meet with your mentors, for my students you need to contact me to set up a meeting with a parent (required) for the month of January ASAP! You have until the last week of this month to turn in all required work! Many of you are close to finished with the coursework for your classes, and that's awesome, but a few of you need to do some extra work to catch up.

High school students need to sign up for next quarter classes. So check with your mentor today to see what electives that you have available!



I'm looking forward to our meeting. I am available for meetings after 9-4 Monday through Thursday. I can make off campus visits Wednesday 9am-4pm, though those fill up quickly. Please email me back ASAP so that I can put you on the calendar!
Mr. Ellsberg

Monday, January 3, 2011

Obamacare

The new health care legislation starts going into effect as of today. Many of us have heard the propaganda from either side doing their best to sway your beliefs, but what does it actually include? Here is a great site designed to inform you of the impending health care changes. Kaiser Family Foundation