Create-a-Culture Presentations

How is a country's population growth rate figured?

Today we presented our Create-a-Culture projects. Each group had 10 minutes to detail the culture they created. Each group will be graded per the rubric provided at the beginning of the project assignment.

After presentations, we completed a personal reflection and evaluation to be turned in by the end of class.

Then we spent the last few minutes of class organizing last week's notes on Culture to prepare for a quiz tomorrow!

How do we define culture?

Understanding Population

   This week we've continued with our unit on Culture. We discussed language families, types of government, and today we learned about population rates. We began class with a series of statements about population and its affects. With each statement we decided what our "stand" on the statement would be by going to a designated part of the classroom. We discussed varying viewpoints of each statement and then took notes along with a powerpoint about populaiton rates, densities, and distribution.
   Then we individually completed a handout on population pyramids according to the Census Bureau's website.
   The remainder of class was spend working in your groups for the Create-a-Culture project. Remember, your keynote/PPT and your typed papers must be organized in turned in tomorrow by the end of class. We will present our projects on Tuesday, Feb. 21 in class!

Change & Exchange

Today's discussion was about cultural changes and exchanges. We discussed cultural diffusion and how it affects food and religion. Then we completed a partner activity in which we mapped the major world religion and analyzed how those religions traveled.

The Create-a-Culture project was assigned today. Groups were formed and proposal sheets were handed out to record our brainstorm sessions. Your culture project proposal will be turned in for approval on Friday.

Sociology

Describe 3 of the 7 discussed patterns of treatment for minority groups.

  Today we worked on research & our minority group timelines as a part of our group projects.
Thursday we will work on the immigration & culture posters. Finishing touches &  presentation practice will be on Friday. We will present our minority group exhibits on Tuesday, May 10.

Freshman Seminar

  Today your annotated bibliography needs to be complete & uploaded onto your ePortfolio. Check out the attached example & make sure you're format is correct!

  Please begin working on the journal entry section & when complete also upload.

Monday, April 25 - We will add the finishing touches to our research projects/ePortfolios.

Wednesday, April 27 - We will practice our presentations in class.

Monday, May 2 - We will present our projects to our guests!

  You have your rubric & expectations so even if you did not meet a benchmark deadline... please make sure you have all components of the project complete & uploaded to your ePortfolio!

  Remember the All About Me section is extra credit & you can also choose to bring a prop/visual aid for your presentation.

  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns! I am expecting excellent & professional projects!!

Sociology

  Due to HSAP testing we have rescheduled our Criminology Project presentations for Tuesday, April 19. 

  We will be using our class time  today & Thursday to work on our projects. Friday will be a normal class for us, complete with DEAR & binder checks.

  Be prepared to turn in & present your Criminology research next Tuesday!!

Freshman Seminar

In class we began to create an image essay about our research topic.  Remember, you must have a clear direction/purpose/point you want to make with your images.  You should build an argument.  

Your powerpoint/video presentation must include the following content:

• a minimum of 8 content slides + a title slide + a works cited slide documenting the sources for your images.
• 1of the 8 content slides must include an infographic linked to your research. The graphic must include a brief text explanation & may be either self-generated or from one of your sources. IT MUST FURTHER AN IDEA for you to receive credit.
• a cohesive background
• NOTES (Use the notes tool in powerpoint to type what you will say about each slide -- you will not READ the slides)
• It must be uploaded to your ePortfolio

Remember for class on Wednesday we will be in Rm #121.

* All Notes for Research need to be handed in or uploaded by the end of today.

Sociology

Today the Criminology Projects were assigned. You and your partner will work together to interpret a notorious crime. Your project instructions & assigned criminal were given in class today.

* Due to HSAP testing our new presentation date is Tuesday, April 19!!

Freshman Seminar

  Today we continued our work on our Inquiry Research Projects. We used our ePortfolios that we created last week to complete & upload The Three 5's. This should be done by the end of the day if you did not finish in class.
  Then we got started on our next section, Research Notes. Please read the directions on the site template & start researching. We will need 2 sources from DISCUS, 1 from another academic site, & 2 others of your choosing. We will complete this section & upload in class on Wednesday.

Freshman Seminar

  Today we introduced our new Inquiry Project that we will be working on for the majority of this last 9 weeks. We had three of our seniors come in to share with us about Senior Project. They decribed the challenging & fun aspects of senior project, how they came up with their ideas, how they go about research, & other aspects of the process. Then they answered some of our questions & gave advice to us for when we're doing senior projects.
  Then we got started with creating our ePortfolio. You received instructions in class & should have set up your site. We explored the site & used some magazines for topic inspiration. We will begin with the Three 5's. You need to come up with 5 researchable questions. These need to be level 2/3 questions & should be in word format by next Monday's class.
  If you wish to go ahead & attach to your portfolio you may, otherwise, you need to have this document with your 5 questions on flashdrive or student drive.

Global I - A schedule

What attracted people of the Roman Empire to Christianity?

  To begin class we took notes along with a powerpoint to discover how the Roman Empire collapsed. We looked at a primary source about Attila the Hun and discussed his character in class. Then we completed a worksheet in class to reiterate the causes of Rome's collapse.
  For the remainder of class, we worked on our Roman skits & planned our Toga party for Wednesday, March 30. Remember, we will present our skits & review for our upcoming test. You may wear a "toga" over your usual uniform & bring something to eat to share with the class. Keep in mind, these skits replace an essay & make up 30% of your grade on the test!
  Feel free to email me if you have any questions about the project & upcoming test.

*If you were out of class due to the Freshman trip please come by & get the material you missed ASAP!

Global I - A schedule

What were the six significant reforms Caesar accomplished while in control of Rome?

  We briefly reviewed our lesson on Julius Caesar & then we used a worksheet to answer questions along with a film about his rise & fall of power.
  In small groups, we read a scene out of Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar. We discussed the tone & the intent of the scene.
  Then, a group project was assigned to create a historical skit about an issue/event in Roman history. Each member of the group must play a role and speak a minimum of 5 lines. The skit should be 2-5 minutes in length & needs to accurately portray an issue/event we discussed in class.
  Your group picked topics in class. You must provide evidence to ensure the accuracy of your dramatization. Please be creative with your presentations, costumes, & props! This will count in place of an Essay portion on our upcoming test on Rome.

Presentations will be on Wednesday, March 30.
Test will be on Monday, April 4.

Global I - B schedule

What were the six significant reforms Caesar accomplished while in control of Rome?

  We briefly reviewed our lesson on Julius Caesar & then we used a worksheet to answer questions along with a film about his rise & fall of power.
  In small groups, we read a scene out of Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar. We discussed the tone & the intent of the scene.
  Then, a group project was assigned to create a historical skit about an issue/event in Roman history. Each member of the group must play a role and speak a minimum of 5 lines. The skit should be 2-5 minutes in length & needs to accurately portray an issue/event we discussed in class.
  Your group picked topics in class. You must provide evidence to ensure the accuracy of your dramatization. Please be creative with your presentations, costumes, & props! This will count in place of an Essay portion on our upcoming test on Rome.
Presentations will be on Tuesday, March 29.
Test will be on Thursday, March 31.

Freshman Seminar

  The InfoGraphic Projects were due today in class. We had a Gallery Walk & used our logs to critique four of our classmates' posters. Then we used a self-assessment tool to grade our own work. On postits we answered three reflective questions about our work & shared our responses in class.
  The gallery log worksheet/assessment tool & post-its should have been turned in at the end of class.

Freshman Seminar

We worked on our infographic projects again today in class. All poster must be complete & ready for presentations on Monday, March 7. Make sure you have your sources cited, 10 dimensions of you illustrated through infographics, & consistent captions/headings.

Freshman Seminar

We continued work on Our World: An InfoGraphic Project in class. Please follow your project instructions and make sure you have your poster for Wednesday. We will be sketching an outline of our poster & starting to see proof of our research & infographic design.
Remember, your projects should be ready for presentation on Monday, March 7.

Freshman Seminar

  We reviewed our introdruction to InfoGraphics & discussed the rules of designing your own infographic. The My World Project was assigned in class. For this assignment you will write & present information about yourself graphically. You must include text & infographics in a format that mirrors the structure of The World: The Decade in Numbers by TIME Magazine.
The following components are required:
• Presented on large paper/poster paper with a title & dominant image that anchors the project thematically. Must be at least 14x22. Please have no later than Wednesday.
• At least 6 different types of infographics are utilized. Bar graph, distribution map, chart, diagram, thought bubble, pie chart, + any other 4…
• Correct corresponding text explanations are provided for each infographic.
• Consistent headings
• Information is provided on at least 10 dimensions of your world
• Attractive, purposeful, & interesting use of color and visuals.
• Source information & creator is cited at the bottom right hand corner.
• A rough draft for each text component is reviewed/corrected by the instructor. Due by end of class on Monday.
• A sketch of how you plan to present your final draft.


Here are the links for the websites we looked at in class as well as a few more for ideas:
http://creately.com/
http://www.tagxedo.com/
http://sixrevisions.com/graphics-design/40-useful-and-creative-infographics/
http://dailyinfographic.com/
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/awesome-free-tools-infographics/
http://www.visual-literacy.org/periodic_table/periodic_table.html
http://www.smallmeans.com/new-york-times-infographics/

Freshman Seminar

Today we finished work on our Portfolio Projects. The project must  be handed in to me & complete before Wednesday in order to be excused from the final.
Project must include:

• Mastery Statement
• College Readiness Checklist
• Parent Evaluation
• Mentor Evaluation
• Artifacts

Freshman Seminar

Today we continued work on our Freshman Portfolio projects. In class you should have completed the college readiness checklist. Many of you still need to schedule a time to meet with me to do the Mentor Evaluation. Remember we will have some time to finish our projects on  Monday, December 13, but they are due by the end of the day. So, make sure you have your Parent Evaluations completed before then.

Freshman Seminar

Today we spent all class period working on the Mastery Statement for our Freshman Portfolio projects. This project will take the place of  your midterm exam & will be weighted as such.

• Mastery Statement

This essay will address 3 required topics & 1 optional topic describing your path in gaining the skills taught and refined in each of your core classes:
What were your two biggest obstacles or frustrations this semester?
What are some of the important skills and knowledge you have gained?
What do you feel are your two greatest accomplishments during the course of this semester? Explain and refer to at least two artifacts.

Your project should also contain the following:

• 4 Key Artifacts from 3 core classes + 1 elective course (16 altogether)
• Checklist for College Readiness
• Parent Evaluation
• Mentor Evaluation

We will work on our projects again on Wednesday & Monday, December 13. Your finished project is due on the end of the day on Monday, December 13. If it is not completed by the due date, you must attend the designated final time (Wednesday, Dec. 15 @ 8:00am). Please schedule a time to meet with me to complete your Mentor Evaluation.