Last Week

Last week I focused on finding out more information with regards to the stage project I am working on. My plan is hopefully to fix the stage by redoing the lights, as well redoing the flooring and the walls. Mr. Paul has a friend who is an electrician who will be coming by the school Wednesday the 22nd between 3 and 5 o'clock. He will consulting us with regards to the lights and what exactly we need to get so he can help us set it up. This project won't be going at the pace which I have been planning, but I will end up getting it done.

English SL:

1) Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions
(one-on- one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 11–12
topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own
clearly and persuasively.
a) Come to discussions prepared, having read and researched material under
study; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence from texts
and other research on the topic or issue to stimulate a thoughtful,
well-reasoned exchange of ideas.
b) Work with peers to promote civil, democratic discussions and
decision-making, set clear goals and deadlines, and establish individual
roles as needed.
c) Propel conversations by posing and responding to questions that probe
reasoning and evidence; ensure a hearing for a full range of positions on a
topic or issue; clarify, verify, or challenge ideas and conclusions; and
promote divergent and creative perspectives.
d) Respond thoughtfully to diverse perspectives; synthesize comments, claims,
and evidence made on all sides of an issue; resolve contradictions when
possible; and determine what additional information or research is required
to deepen the investigation or complete the task.

5) Make strategic use of digital media (e.g., textual, graphical, audio, visual, and

interactive elements) in presentations to enhance understanding of findings,
reasoning, and evidence and to add interest.
6) Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating a command of
formal English when indicated or appropriate. (See grades 11–12 Language
standards 1 and 3 for specific expectations.)

Civics

CA.12.4. Content Standard: Principles of American Democracy
Students analyze the unique roles and responsibilities of the three branches of government as established by the U.S. Constitution.
12.4.1. Performance Standard:
Discuss Article I of the Constitution as it relates to the legislative branch, including eligibility for office and lengths of terms of representatives and senators; election to office; the roles of the House and Senate in impeachment proceedings; the role of the vice president; the enumerated legislative powers; and the process by which a bill becomes a law.

The standards above apply to our recent meeting with the school board in which David, Mathew, and I proposed to use school property for our skate park project. We used a visual representation of the park for them to see exactly how we wanted to use their property. They also gave us feedback and suggestions with regards to other things we should find out, such as liability, and they also gave us suggestions about other places on school property and in town that we could use. We were also able to fully explain the intentions and the necessary aspects of the skate park to a school board who might not be very familiar with the idea of a skate park. All in all, we were able to collaborate to come up with a resolution, which was that for the sake of the grant, we put that there was available land for the park but that once the grant was filled out and hopefully accepted that we could come up with a formal conclusion.

Although with the civics standards we haven't really dealt with these standards in somewhat of a national perspective, I feel going to these meetings and talking to our representatives in our local government, we have come to understand how things are ran locally, and nationally. I understand that each branch of government has there own role just like every person in those board meetings has there own specific role.

These Last Two Weeks. . .

So, these last two weeks have been weird for me, I have really been focusing on the grant, as well as fixing the English standards on the main blog. I haven't really done much else this week. But I do feel I can tie in some standards with the stuff I have done over recent weeks.

12.3.4. Performance Standard:

Compare the relationship of government and civil society in constitutional democracies to the relationship of government and civil society in authoritarian and totalitarian regimes.

CA.12.4. Content Standard: Principles of American Democracy

Students analyze the unique roles and responsibilities of the three branches of government as established by the U.S. Constitution.

 

I can connect this to the meeting in which David, Mathew, Fernando, and I attended. In this meeting we were able to interact with the form of government previously established, and we were also able to express ourselves using our rights as citizens. I realized that even in this small town government and its many branches and democracies has its effect here.

 

RL:

1) Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining
where the text leaves matters uncertain.
2) Determine two or more themes or central ideas of a text and analyze their
development over the course of the text, including how they interact and build
on one another to produce a complex account; provide an objective summary of
the text.

 

I can connect the following standards to when we read The Alchemist, a book that Mr. Paul suggested we read. Personally, I loved it, it has really helped find out where I am in my life. I realize that like Santiago, the main character, I am at a point in my life where my journey hasn't even begun. I hope, like Santiago, I will be able to find me way to the crystal shop, through the desert, and to the treasure. I must also keep in mind, that like in the book, it is not the end result that is important, but rather the journey that you went through to get there. I love the way in which Paulo Coelho ends the story on a rather sudden note and leaves us hanging there wondering what exactly happens to the boy, Santiago, and to the girl from the oasis, Fatima. I still wonder whether or not he returns, but then again that's really for my imagination to decide I guess.