UPDATE: Persuasive Essay Video...

If you read through the Persuasive Essay post HERE and watched the video of the debate, you will remember that I added an extra incentive to watch the video and then leave a comment. Five extra bonus points would be added to your persuasive essay score on Monday, January 9th, which will be recorded as a TEST grade. I've thought some more on this extra credit and thought I would ADD five more bonus points if you could do a simple outline (following the set up we discussed on Wednesday, January 4th) of either the affirmative or the negative side in their opening arguments. That means you could earn up to TEN BONUS POINTS on your persuasive essay!! Such a nice teacher! Now who will take me up on my offer?

Research Paper Reminder...

For both 11th and 12th Chemistry and 9th and 10th Physical Science your finalized research paper topics are due on Monday, January 9th. The topic you write down on Monday will be permanent. You cannot change it! You have the weekend to do some research online to make sure you can find 7 to 10 sources to write your paper....two of which must be books. Then on Monday, January 16th, we will begin a week of workdays designed to help you do reading, "scattergramming" (creating a list of ideas related to your topic and then arranging according to relevance--I'll explain more on Monday!), creating your outline, and starting your notecards. All of you have mentioned some really great topics and I look forward to reading your paper already!

Economics Persuasive Essay Writing...

On Thursday, January 5th, my Economics class was assigned to write an outline for their chosen persuasive essay topic. I had planned for us to watch a debate featuring Lisa Peng, for whom our award is so aptly named for. This award will be given to one student who applies themselves to persuading their classmates in whatever topic they are assigned. Out of all my classes I admit that this is my favorite award to give!

So while you're wandering around your house today not sure what today on this glorious snow day, I've included the video we were originally going to watch in class today. Your job is to pay close attention to the opening speeches from both the negative and affirmative sides and to compare them to the information we've been studying in class these last few days about the art of persuasion.

Now here is an incentive for you: if you watch this video and leave me a comment below you will earn +5 Bonus Points on the persuasive essay you are reading in class on Monday, January 9th. And yes, your essay is still due on Monday and will be a TEST Grade. Remember you are only reading your essay to the class...nothing else. I will want to see both your outline and your written essay. There is no required length to your essay but you must be persuasive!

WW II Through the Radio Project...

I am certainly looking forward to this new project we are working on in chapter 22 of our US History. World War II is most fascinating! So to complement our studies we are doing a project on World War II Through the Radio. If you're looking for some inspiration then watch the video above...a short film, really, on behind the microphone.

Don't be afraid to add sound affects and to get some help from other students, parents, or siblings. BE CREATIVE...and let me know if you have any questions!

Spanish Homework...

The homework scheduled for Friday, January 6th, is for you to write San Lucas 2:1 five times and be ready for a verse quiz on Monday, January 9th. In case you left your verse sheet at school below is the verse you will need to write:

San Lucas 2:1-

Acontecio (accent on last o) en aquellos días, 

que se promulgo (accent on last o) un edicto de parte de Augusto Cesar (accent on e), 

que todo el mundo fuese empadronado.

Snow Day...

There will be no school on Friday, January 6th, because of inclement weather. No need to show up before 8 am. Enjoy the time off and be sure to keep up with the homework assigned for my classes!

Research Paper Topics Link...

It's that wonderful time of year again! It's RESARCH PAPER TIME!! Today in class each student compiled a list of their top three topics they would be interested in researching in science class. Click HERE to be directed to a website where several topics are actually linked to more information about that topic. Remember, final topics are due on Monday, January 9th. I will be passing around a sheet of paper where each student will write their name and their chosen topic. These next few days are to be spent making sure that one of your three topics will have the required amount of sources needed for this paper: two must be books.