Academy World History & English

Eng: Prejudice & Stereotypes

2008-04-08T14:12:00.000-07:00

Today we spent the day talking and writing about prejudice and stereotypes in preperation for our short unit on antisemitism, and Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice.

AAAAARRGGGGHHHHHH!

2008-04-08T10:23:00.000-07:00

For the last week students have been focused on important battles from WWII. Students created powerpoint presentations about specific battles and then presented to the class.

Animal Farm Essay

2008-04-03T15:41:00.000-07:00

Today we worked on the Animal Farm essay response in class. Remember, I am expecting at least a good long paragraph for number 1 and several good paragraphs for number 2. Use your notes on the film and the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Compare the ending of the film to the ending of the book. How is the ultimate message of the film different from the book? Why do you suppose this change was made? Explain in detail.
Consider the differences between the book and the film. Were the changes made by the filmmakers effective in conveying Orwell’s message? Why or why not? Be sure to support your arguments with the details from the film AND the novel.

Eng: Animal Farm Film

2008-04-01T17:24:00.000-07:00

Today we started the Animal Farm film and took notes. We will finish the film tomorrow and begin the essay.

History: Mea Culpa

2008-03-31T10:01:00.000-07:00

Okay..... I've been a little lame in my latest posting efforts. So, I've decided to turn the page and start fresh. Basically the academy students have been working on the Animal Farm/Totalitarianism project for the last few weeks. At this point students should have some sort of finished product that meets some of the project objectives.

Today, March 31, we'll be doing a timeline that explains events that led up to WWII.

Animal Farm Faces

2008-03-26T13:22:00.000-07:00

Students wrapped up chapter 10 questions and started their Animal Farm Faces projects. Faces projects are due Friday.

Eng

2008-03-18T13:44:00.000-07:00

Today we finished chapters 6 & 7 and the discussion questions.

Eng: Animal Farm

2008-03-17T16:43:00.001-07:00

Today we finished chapter 6 aloud and then continued with chapter 7 silently. Some students started chapter 6 & 7 questions.

History: Mar. 11, 12, 13, & 14

2008-03-14T12:58:00.000-07:00

March 11: We discussed the situation in the Soviet Union after Lenin died. We discussed the differences between Stalin and Trotsky. Students drew faces for each and explained their differences in writing.

March 12, 13 and 14:
We watched the film Swing Kids. Students will write an essay next week in class about the film. On 3/13 we took notes on the rise of the Nazi party.

Eng: Piggy Propaganda

2008-03-13T13:36:00.000-07:00

Today we looked at the pigs' use of propaganda in the first half of the book. There was an assignment collected.

Eng: Chapter 5

2008-03-12T14:31:00.000-07:00

Today we read, took notes on, and discussed chapter 5 of Animal Farm.

Eng: Chapter 3 & 4

2008-03-11T15:47:00.000-07:00

Today we finished, and I collected, the chapter 3 & 4 questions.

Eng: Animal Farm Chapters 3 &4

2008-03-10T13:11:00.000-07:00

Today we continued reading and taking notes on Animal Farm. We read chapters 3 & 4 and started some questions (available in class).

History: March 5,6,7 and 10

2008-03-10T11:28:00.000-07:00

March 5: We worked on illustrating the Communist Theory of Karl Marx.
March 6: I lectured about Vladmir Lenin and then students finished the Communist Theory drawing, and also finished the maps and the grid about the former Soviet Union.
March 7: We went to the park.
March 10: Students registered with the counselors for next year.

Eng: Into the Allegory

2008-03-05T17:12:00.001-08:00

Today we started Orwell's Animal Farm, reading most of chapter 1 and taking notes.

Eng: Propaganda Intro

2008-03-04T15:29:00.000-08:00

Today we finished our intro to propaganda. We start Animal Farm tomorrow.

History Feb. 27 - Mar. 4

2008-03-04T13:42:00.000-08:00

Over the course of the last 5 classes we have:
1. Watched (and answered questions) a video about "Russia's Last Tsar."
2. Worked on the Russia/Break Away Republics grid.
3. Discussed the Communist Manifesto of Karl Marx.
4. Did a reading guide about the Russian Revolution.

Eng: Talking About Tools

2008-02-29T13:40:00.000-08:00

Today we did a bit of history in class, looking at the five tools totalitarian dictators use to gain and maintain control. This builds upon our work with media analysis in preparation for Animal Farm next week.

Eng.: Media Analysis

2008-02-28T15:45:00.000-08:00

Today, after a review of Allegory and Fable, we did a media analysis exercise using the bits of persuasive media students brought in. It was collected. The questions are below.

Notice/Focus Media Analysis, Part 1

Make a list of at least 10 things that you notice about your advertisement or piece of media. What stands out? 5 minutes
Choose three things from your list. What makes these things particularly significant or interesting? Explain in detail. 5 minutes

Notice/Focus Media Analysis, Part 1

Compare notes with a partner, and add responses to the following questions to your previous notice/focus work. 10 minutes

What things do your media have in common? Do the media’s creators use similar techniques to get their message across? What are those techniques?
What are the messages of your media?
Who are the targets of these messages? (e.g. women, men, teens, children, etc.) How do you know? Be specific.

History: Feb. 25 & 26

2008-02-26T13:00:00.000-08:00

Monday Feb. 25: Tapestry discussion about drug abuse.

Tuesday Feb. 26: Introductory lecture: What is Totalitarianism. Students also researched some statistical data about Russia and the break-away republics.

Eng.: Allegories and Fables

2008-02-25T12:21:00.001-08:00

Today we started a short look at allegories and fables as a part of our run up to Orwell's Animal Farm.

Eng.: In Class Essay

2008-02-15T14:46:00.000-08:00

Today as a culmination of our WWI unit, students wrote an essay in class on a piece of WWI poetry.

History: Feb. 14 and 15

2008-02-15T12:12:00.001-08:00

Feb. 14: We discussed the Treaty of Versailles. Map of post WWI Europe.

Feb. 15: WWI open notes test. Packets collected.

Eng: WW1 Poetry Project, Part 2

2008-02-12T15:23:00.000-08:00

Today we started this:

Choose a line or two from your favorite of the World War I poems your group has studied and present it artistically. Your art may be literal (i.e. an actual image or event described in the poem) or symbolic (i.e. a symbolic representation of an emotion, feeling, or idea the poem evokes). USE THE WHOLE PAPER.

Include:

The poem title;
The author’s name;
The line of poetry (clearly and legibly of course);
The correct heading information (on the back).

We will finish this tomorrow.

History: Feb. 7, 8, 11 & 12

2008-02-12T13:36:00.001-08:00

Feb 7: Students worked on drawing a freehand map of Europe.

Feb. 8: We went to the park. Thomas blocked my shot once.

Feb. 11: I lectured about 5 important battles of WWI. Students began writing a letter from the trenches.

Feb. 12: Students graphed statistical data from WWI, and finished the letters from the trenches.

History: Feb. 5 and 6

2008-02-06T09:48:00.000-08:00

Tues. Feb. 5: We attended an assembly about Black History/Black History Month.

Wed. Feb. 6: Students filled out the weapons matrix, watched a short segment about life in the trenches and took notes on life in the trenches.

History: Feb. 4

2008-02-04T11:28:00.000-08:00

Today Paula Arrowsmith talked about the services available to teens at the Rape Crisis Center/Suicide Hotline.

Jan. 31 and Feb. 1

2008-02-04T11:26:00.001-08:00

Jan. 31: Students took a quiz on WWI causes. After the quiz we watched a portion of the film "A very long engagement" to see the conditions in the trenches in WWI.

Feb. 1: Student teams created a powerpoint about a weapon from WWI.

History: Jan. 31, Feb. 1

2008-02-04T11:20:00.000-08:00

Jan. 31: Students took a WWI causes quiz and finished the spoke diagrams.

Feb. 1: Teams of two students created powerpoints about the different weapons that were used during WWI.

History: Jan. 30

2008-01-30T14:22:00.001-08:00

Today students worked on finishing the causes spoke diagram.

WWI causes quiz Thursday.

History: Jan. 28 & 29

2008-01-29T16:15:00.000-08:00

Jan. 28: We reviewed the causes matrix and filled in as a class. Students then began work on the Causes of WWI Spoke Diagram assignment (see back of causes matrix for directions).

Jan. 29: We discussed the implications of the failure of the German Von Schlieffen Plan. We watched a segment of "A Very Long Engagement" to see the conditions in the trenches. Students then worked on the spoke diagram.

Eng: WWI Poetry Project

2008-01-29T15:41:00.001-08:00

Today we wrapped up our look at the CAHSEE practice test and I introduced our next project on WWI poetry. We will start this tomorrow.

History: Jan. 24

2008-01-24T13:39:00.001-08:00

Today students worked on a map that illustrated Europe before and during WWI. We also discussed the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and how that led to the outbreak of WWI.

History: Jan. 23

2008-01-24T10:03:00.000-08:00

I finished the lecture on the 5 great powers before the outbreak of WWI. Students also watched a dvd segment on Kaiser Wilhelm II (leader of Germany during WWI), and continued working on the Europe before WWI map.

History: Jan 22

2008-01-22T12:09:00.000-08:00

Today students divided the point totals for the now completed Imperialism project.

I began a lecture that helps explain the origins of WWI. Assignment title: 5 great powers.

History: Jan. 9

2008-01-09T14:35:00.000-08:00

We discussed the results of the N.H. primary. Then students continued working on the Imp. project.

History: Jan. 8

2008-01-08T13:48:00.000-08:00

Today students worked on the imperialism project. Maps, timelines and bio-sheets should now be completed.

Xtra Credit Option: Analyze the New Hampshire primary that is occurring today. Answer: Who won for each party? What does that mean for the candidacy of the winner, and what does a loss mean for the candidacy of the candidates who lose today.

Eng: Imperialism Project

2008-01-07T16:52:00.000-08:00

Handouts are available online. Get them here.

History: Jan. 7

2008-01-07T13:36:00.001-08:00

Today students got a packet of information that covers the final project of the semester- the Imperialism project. Students selected a project option and worked on a project description for the option that they chose.

Eng: Finishing "Crackling Day"

2007-12-20T15:37:00.000-08:00

Today we reviewed MLA citation format and finished our discussion of the short story "Crackling Day."

History: Dec. 20

2007-12-20T11:09:00.000-08:00

Student teams continued working on the map, timeline and info. pages which are all due on Friday.

Eng: A Trip to South Africa

2007-12-19T16:04:00.000-08:00

Today we read a short story called "Crackling Day" and started on some questions.

History: Dec. 19

2007-12-19T12:55:00.001-08:00

We continued to work on the Imperialism project. Map, timeline and info. page all due on Friday.

History: Dec. 18

2007-12-18T13:52:00.000-08:00

I reviewed the 5 motives of Imperialism with the class and collected that assignment along with the Africa GDP map.

Then student groups began part I of the imperialism project. This week students are creating a timeline, a map, and filling out an informational page about a region that was a victim of Imperialism. All three elements will be due on Friday.

After Christmas break students will complete part II of the project by creating a presentation of some sort to teach the class about how Imperialism manifested itself in the region they chose.

History: Dec. 13, 14 and 17

2007-12-17T16:01:00.000-08:00

Th. Dec. 13: Students worked on analyzing the 5 motives of Imperialism as well as a map that showed the GDP per capita of African Nations.

Fr. Dec. 14: We went to Carson Park.

Mon. Dec. 17: Same activities as 12/13.

Eng: PC Part 2

2007-12-17T15:32:00.001-08:00

Today we continued the in-class essays we began Friday.

Eng: Persuasive Posters, Cont.

2007-12-13T15:26:00.000-08:00

Today we continued our persuasive posters. They should be nearly complete by now. Tomorrow students will work on an in class persuasive essay with Mr. Lee.

Eng: Persuasion Cont.

2007-12-11T15:34:00.000-08:00

Today we finished looking at the persuasive articles on cell phones in school and I collected the assignment. Tomorrow we will begin a short persuasive project.

History: Dec. 7 and Dec. 10

2007-12-10T16:01:00.000-08:00

Students continued working on the I.R. newspaper "front page." Completed assignments were printed on Monday. There will be no more class time for this assignment. "Front pages" and all other materials from the I.R. unit are now due.

Eng: Persuasion Continued

2007-12-07T13:25:00.000-08:00

Today we continued to look at the persuasive article assigned yesterday. Everyone should have their This I Believe essay in by now.

Eng: Persuasive Strategies

2007-12-06T13:21:00.000-08:00

Today we started our look at persuasive writing with some notes on strategies of persuasion. Students also finished up This I Believe essays which are due now.

History Dec. 5

2007-12-05T14:22:00.000-08:00

For the first half of class we went to assembly about Youth Relay for Life. During the 2nd half of class students finished AND TURNED IN the itinerary for the fictional week-long trip to England, Wales and Scotland.

History: Dec. 3 and 4

2007-12-04T14:49:00.000-08:00

Monday: Healthy Focus group. Discussed pre-judging people.
Tuesday: Worked on fictional 7 day trip to Great Britain.

Eng: Essays Continued

2007-11-29T15:54:00.000-08:00

Most students have finished typing their essays and some are on to revision at this point.

History Nov. 29

2007-11-29T13:50:00.000-08:00

Today we continued working on the "Effects of the I.R." grid. We also attended the Tobacco awareness event in the Cafeteria.

History: Nov. 28

2007-11-28T13:32:00.001-08:00

We finished the lecture on the Industrial Revolution and began working on a grid that organizes the positive and negative aspects of the I.R.

Eng: This I Believe Cont.

2007-11-27T16:00:00.000-08:00

Today we continued work on the TIB essays we started before vacation. Students should be finished or nearly finished with their hand-written drafts by tomorrow in class.

History: Nov. 26

2007-11-26T14:37:00.000-08:00

Welcome Back! Today we began talking about the industrial revolution. There was a brief lecture which outlined some themes of the I.R. and a reading guide.

Eng: TIB Essays Cont.

2007-11-16T13:02:00.000-08:00

Today we continued our work on the essays we started yesterday. I collected work and will keep it here over the break.

History: Nov. 14, 15 & 16

2007-11-15T16:14:00.001-08:00

Students have been working on the children's book about the French Revolution which will be due on Nov. 16.

Have a good break. Cheers.

Eng: This YOU Believe

2007-11-15T15:44:00.000-08:00

Today students started their this I believe essays in class. Most brainstormed possible topics and outlined their papers. Some made a start on their introductions (students should write two different introductions for the same paper, using two of the five strategies we discussed in class, and then choose which is more effective).

History: Nov. 13

2007-11-13T14:52:00.000-08:00

Today we started a project that will be due on Friday. Students are creating a storybook of the French Revolution using power point.

I collected and graded all the work from the unit on the French Revolution. Sacre' Bleu!

Homework: None (unless you still haven't turned in your packet).

Eng: This You Believe

2007-11-13T14:12:00.000-08:00

Today we started our look at your own personal beliefs by examining some statements of belief and deciding where you fall and why.

Eng: Catcher Final Exam

2007-11-09T19:31:00.001-08:00

Today we took the final exam for the Catcher in the Rye.

History: November 8

2007-11-08T13:16:00.000-08:00

Today we watched a ten minute segment of a dvd titled "Cribs: Versailles." Then students took brief notes about the Reign of Terror and then began a map assignment about Europe in 1812.

Eng: This Holden Believes

2007-11-08T12:01:00.000-08:00

Today students wrote an in-class essay about some central belief or value expressed by Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in the Rye.

Final exam on the novel tomorrow. You may use your notes.

Eng: Holden's Values

2007-11-07T17:02:00.000-08:00

Today we began with a discussion of Holden's values in preparation for tomorrow's in-class essay, and then we finished the questions on the end of the book.

History 11/7

2007-11-07T14:02:00.001-08:00

We attended an assembly that explained the origins of Veterans Day.

History : Tuesday Nov. 6

2007-11-06T13:52:00.000-08:00

Today we translated the Tennis Court Oath into simpler terms and took notes on the Storming of the Bastille and the March on Versailles (two important events from the French Revolution).

Eng: Catcher No More

2007-11-06T13:47:00.000-08:00

Today we finished The Catcher in the Rye and started discussion questions on the last few chapters.

There will be a two-part test on Catcher starting Thursday. You may use your notes.

English: Everyone was in Class!

2007-11-05T15:45:00.000-08:00

I almost don't need to write this because everyone was in class today, but for form's sake... Today we talked about chapters 23 and 24 and embarked on our reading of the final two chapters, which we will finish tomorrow.

Eng: Chapters 23 &24

2007-11-02T11:06:00.001-07:00

Today we finished the art project from yesterday and moved on to chapters 23 & 24 of Catcher.

English: The Catcher in the Rye

2007-11-01T13:26:00.000-07:00

Today we finished chapter 22 and finally learned why the book is called The Catcher in the Rye. We then worked on an art assignment called "Picturing the Catcher in the Rye" which is available here if you'd like to work on it at home.

English: Catcher Continues

2007-10-31T15:50:00.000-07:00

Today we finished chapters 20 & 21 and discussed them. We started chapter 22.

History: Halloween 2007

2007-10-31T13:17:00.000-07:00

Students presented their powerpoints about Latin and Central American countries. Those not presenting took notes on the presentations given by others.

History: Tuesday Oct. 30

2007-10-30T14:50:00.000-07:00

Sorry I missed a few days.....

Students have been working on power-points about different Latin and Central American countries. This project has been on-going for about a week.

English: Catcher Chapter 19

2007-10-26T13:01:00.000-07:00

After reviewing chapter 18, we read chapter 19 aloud.

English: Catcher Ch. 17-18

2007-10-25T11:14:00.000-07:00

Today we finished chapter 17 aloud and the read chapter 18 silently. Students who finished early check their grades in anticipation of the end of the quarter.

English: Review Review

2007-10-24T13:30:00.000-07:00

Today we discussed the chapter13 to 16 review questions and started chapter 17 aloud in class.

Monday 10/22 and Tuesday 10/23

2007-10-24T10:23:00.000-07:00

On Monday students continued working on the TIB iMovie projects.

On Tuesday students finished the TIB projects and completed a map that detailed the countries and capitols of South America.

English: After Elizabeth

2007-10-23T15:31:00.000-07:00

After the movie, students worked on finishing chapter 16 of Catcher and writing up answers to the discussion questions for chapters 13 through 16 (available at th handout web page).

English: The Invasion Continues

2007-10-22T10:53:00.000-07:00

Today we read chapter 15 of Catcher aloud in class, students read chapter 16 on their own. Don't forget to take notes!

English: Mr. Staiano Invades Brooks' Space

2007-10-19T14:00:00.001-07:00

Today we took a vocab quiz and finished reading chapter 14 of Catcher in the Rye. Don't forget notes.

October 19, 2007

2007-10-19T12:02:00.000-07:00

On Thursday and Friday students continued working on the "This I Believe" iMovie projects. Projects will be due on Tuesday.

No Homework

October 16 and 17

2007-10-17T13:12:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday students finished a reading guide about the Enlightenment. I collected it at the end of class.

On Wednesday I put students in teams of two to begin creating an iMovie project about famous Enlightenment philosophers. Student teams answered questions about the figure and began writing a "This I Believe" statement from the perspective of that person.

October 15, 2007

2007-10-15T13:58:00.000-07:00

We practiced using the application iMovie for an upcoming project.

October 11: Roots

2007-10-11T13:48:00.001-07:00

Today we continued watching Roots.