Monday, February 28, 2011

Monthly Meeting

Attention Mentor Students!  You need to set up a time to meet with me here at the office or off campus ASAP.  If we did not meet last month it is essential that you get in communication with me as deadlines are fast approaching and Work Samples are in need of completion.
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

Christian Students United

Via Michael:
Hello I am one of your fellow freshman students, Michael Podarelu. I just wanted to tell you about my CSU club. It stands for Christian Students United. We meet at the school every Tuesday at 12:00 to 12:30 for fellowship, a little bit of the word and some prayer. I started this club so we can all get to know each other and try to make a difference in our school. I hope that you can come to the club, and I look forward to meeting everyone.

6 week deadline.

Your 6 week deadline will be March 11th at 4pm.   This means that you have to complete all assignments up to that date in your syllabus.  If you have a reason(s) that you will not be able to meet this deadline you have to meet with me at the Academy or send an email with your explanation(s).
The following is a list of chapters you have to be completed with in the corresponding class:
American Government: Chapter 3 (Principles)
American History B: Chapter 2 (From the age of Extremes to a World Power)
Economics: Unit 4, Section 2 quiz
Geography B: Eastern Asia, Physical Characteristics and Systems of Eastern Asia
6th Grade
-Math: Classify and Measure Angles
-Social Studies: Ancient Rome: Christianity
7th Grade
-Math: Quadrilaterals and Other Polygons
-Social Studies: World War II
8th Grade
-Math: Polygons
-Social Studies: Reconstruction

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Attn: Students

I will not be available by phone tomorrow.  If you are having trouble with my class send me a message and I will try to respond by Saturday or Sunday.  Remember this will be a 3 day weekend as Monday is a State Federal Holiday honoring past Presidents.  Here is a great site of Presidential Quotes.  There are some great treasures in here like:


"If it were not for the reporters, I would tell you the truth."

Chester Arthur

"What is right and what is practicable are two different things."

James Buchanan

"No man ever listened himself out of a job."

Calvin Coolidge

Government after all is a very simple thing."

Warren Harding

SS French Revolution CD Covers!


We had some great submissions for the French Revolution Extra Credit Assignment to create your own CD Cover.  Here are some of my favorites:

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Extra Credit: Documentary Club! (Download Permission Slip)


We will be continuing the ever popular Documentary Club Featuring DIRT: The Movie next week Tuesday the 22nd at 10am.  If you would like to attend (and I hope you do) you need to bring with you this Parent Permission Slip.
Description:
"DIRT! the Movie--narrated by Jaime Lee Curtis--brings to life the environmental, economic, social and political impact that the soil has. It shares the stories of experts from all over the world who study and are able to harness the beauty and power of a respectful and mutually beneficial relationship with soil." - http://www.dirtthemovie.org/

Monday, February 14, 2011

Economics Essential Skills/Work Sample

Economics Students, You will have to complete two work samples this semester.
Speaking Rubric
Writing Rubric
The first work Sample will be due by May 27th, the second a week later.

American Government Essential Skills/Work Samples

American Government Students, You will have to complete two work samples this semester.
Speaking Rubric
Writing Rubric
The first assignment will be due by April 28th!  They are as follows:

American History B Essential Skills/Work Samples

American History Students, You will have to complete two work samples this semester.
Writing Rubric
The first will be assigned to be due by April 7th at latest: they are as follows:

Update: Geography Essential Skills/Work Samples

Update: To complete required Work Sample go to voice board, then: Send a voice mail to all instructors.  Then you can record your 2 minute speech!  (If you cannot record by pressing the red button) Test your voice recording availability through the control panel> sounds and audio devices>voice> test hardware.
Geography Students, You will have to complete two work samples this semester.
Speaking Rubric
Writing Rubric
The first will be assigned to be due by the 24th at latest for Geography B students.  The second work sample will be assigned to Geography A students by March 3rd they are as follows:

Friday, February 11, 2011

Egypt Uprising (Extra Credit)



Egypt President/Dictator (depending on the commentator) Hosni Mubarak, stepped down today after 30 years of rule.  Protests have been growing over the past few weeks, emerging from civil unrest that lay dormant under the regime until recently.  
A growing unemployment rate coupled with a population of mostly young adults used social media like facebook, twitter and blogs to organize and illuminate the populous, have been credited with the movements success.  The civil unrest was highlighted by a Google Hero, an internet crackdown, and an American News Crew getting a little too close for comfort.
Former Egyptian elections were dominated by the ruling party resulting in one choice for representation (as was the case for Mubarak). In the US, pundits fear that a military state or an radical religious group will seize control, but only time will tell who or whom emerges as the future of Egypt.
This is the second Revolution in as many months in the region.
Whatever you think about the events of the past few weeks please don't be like 52% of Americans, so read up on it!
What are your thoughts about these movements in North Africa? Please comment below or send me a message, for Extra Credit (read up on it first)!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

IncarcerNation

"The average annual operating cost per state inmate in 2001 was $22,650, or $62.05 per day; among facilities operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, it was $22,632 per inmate, or $62.01 per day." "Expenditures/Employment". U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. Retrieved 29 December 2009.
Amount spent per student in the Gresham Barlow School District: $8,696 via Open Books Project Oregon
"There is a great imbalance between how we invest in incarceration – and how we invest in education. And right now children are trapped on the losing end of that imbalance. It’s not right. It’s not fair. And most of all – it’s not smart." Former Governer Ted Kulongoski
 

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Extra Credit: Create your own Infographic

For those of you who are looking for a challenge and want to switch up your workload you have an opportunity here.  Infographics are used more often to relay information to a wider audience.  If you would like to try to create your own with some of the course material, or find information on your own you can receive extra credit of up to 100 points in your Social Studies class.  This will be a time consuming assignment so if you are cutting into your normal class hours this project should be put on hold until you can find more time.  Please let me know if you want to pursue this project so we can work together to make it happen.  To get started check out this great site and post: Infographic Design Blog

Monday, February 7, 2011

High School Work Samples

In each of my classes this semester you will be asked to submit 2 work samples for your high school portfolio.  Each student is required by state law to complete multiple assignments before receiving a diploma.  Assignments for your classes are listed above in the Matrix and each is described in greater detail on the link below.
CLICK HERE FOR WORK SAMPLE ASSIGNMENTS

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Where do I find that?

A question raised more often than not in any one of my Social Studies courses is how to find information about any number of a wide range of subjects.  Most students default to a Wikipedia Search, or asking me to Google something for them.
One great resource is supplied by our very own Gresham Public Library (which boasts free Wifi and is a great place to study!)through the Multnomah County Library System.   You might do yourself a favor by checking it out through this wonderful Powerpoint brought to you by our very own Savannah Lehman.

And don't forget to cite your sources in APA!

Monthly Meeting

Attention Mentee students!
Great to have you back for the beginning of our spring semester here at the Web Academy! You should be enrolled in your Spring term classes as of today.  Make sure to get in contact with your new teachers with questions regarding new classes that you may have.  Some changes that you should be aware of are as follows:

  • Deadlines will be complimented 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.
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