Monday Is Just Around the Corner

Essays are nearing completion as students put together their third supporting argument in time for Monday's class. Three things need to be mentioned/addressed:

1. How are your lists coming? My list could go on forever. In fact, that is what we should do for the  

    New Year. Each week we will all add something new to our lists as our minds open up to new 

    possibilities. 42 Reasons Why it is Absolutely Amazing to be Alive.

2. Geography questions for collaborative work: some of you have not completed this assignment and

    somehow managed to make it through two classes without writing the questions down. Here
    they are:

   

         a. Assess your combined environmental impact. With all your categories exponentially
             increased how are you effecting the environment, society, and the economy? Explain.

         b. What changes can be made to lessen your impact on the environment? What changes can be

             made to improve the economy? To benefit society? Reflect on sustainability when
             answering the above questions. 

         c. Create a model house or apartment that incorporates ideas of sustainability and
             sustainable development. Explain your choices.

3. Christmas Party is coming up, but when will it take place and what will we be doing?

         

         a. Secret Santa Lottery (10 dollar gifts)

         b. Potluck (Lunch foods and dessert)

         c. Musical Chairs!?

         d. What period? 

See you tomorrow.

Hope the weekend was good to you all.

Where We Will Discuss Your Thoughts on Race

To racialize - to differentiate or categorize according to race

In memory of Nelson Mandela, we discussed the importance given to racial identity. We inferred as to what might be the meaning of the term "to racialize ". Students linked its meaning to redlining in the United States and reflected on the social importance of race in different countries e.g., South Africa and America.

We learned the term Apartheid (Apartness) and reflected on how education has been used as a tool by countries to divide populations along racial lines. 27 years...

Below we will begin our discussion on the value we give to race. We pursued two questions by reflecting on the importance of race. Is it important? Why? Why not? Posts your paragraphs below that contain your thoughts and feelings. Respond to two other student paragraphs by building on or critiquing the ideas they put forward.

Paragraph                 due by 8:00pm Tuesday
First Response           due by 8:00pm Wednesday
Second Response        due by 8:00pm Thursday

Remember to use appropriate language and to be respectful. Anything you would not say out loud to your peers in the classroom should not be stated below. Be honest. Be sincere. Be kind. Be critical.

Be thoughtful,

Mr. del Sol

*Post paragraphs and responses in the comment section 

Thesis, Introduction and a Sustainable Household

Language

We are further into the essay writing process. Students should have a thesis statement and introduction paragraph prepared for Wednesday. Also, students should be bringing in three sources of information that they will use to support their arguments and opinions.

1 Thesis Statement
1 Introduction
3 Sources of Information (newspaper articles, books, magazines, web-based, information, etc.)

Students will be in the library tomorrow (Tuesday) where they will use there time effectively to research their topic and begin typing up amazing, engaging, interesting, and concise introductions.

Concise - giving a lot of information clearly and in a few words.

Geography

Students are illustrating their homes and connecting their lifestyle to land-use and sustainability. Students are placing themselves at the centre of a piece of paper and around themselves listing their NEEDS and WANTS. Students are drawing a HOME (apartment, house, or _______ ) around themselves and listing all of the things required for their HOME to function (heat, electricity, etc.). After students have listed components for each of these categories, then students will list all the WASTE that is created by themselves, their family, and their HOME.

Four categories: NEEDS, WANTS, HOME, and WASTE
Students are to use a different colour for each category, so each may be visually distinguishable.
Students may draw or write. Your choice.

After completing the house, students are to answer four questions:

1. Do your wants exceed you needs? Explain
2. What are your thoughts on the amount of waste you create? What happens to your waste? Where          
    does it end up? Explain.
3. What kind of impact are you having on the environment? Positive or negative? Both? Explain.
4. What steps do you take and can you take to live in a more sustainable way? Explain.

On a more personal note, I finished reading the contributions you all made on the Trains of Thought and you all impress me. Such great ideas: thoughtful, sentimental, and honest.

It's a Debate!

Monday and Tuesday, debate teams will go head-to-head arguing FOR or AGAINST on a range of topics. The topics include:

• Voting Age in Canada - The age of voting eligibility in Canada should be lowered to 14 years of Age.
• Utopia - In a perfect society, all people would have a long life expectancy and the death rate would be extremely low.
• Global Warming - The issue of global warming is more important than the issue of global hunger.
• War in Afghanistan - Western troops should remain in Afghanistan until peace and democracy have been established.
• Science - Human cloning is a good idea with more positive benefits than negative ones.
• Euthanasia - If a person is "suffering from a terminal illness or incurable condition" it is alright to have some one assist them in ending their life.

Students are expected to show up Monday prepared for the first round of debates. Preparation means:

1. The outline with position statements, supporting arguments, and closing statements is 
     completed.

2. Two to three paragraphs have been completed and follow the structure we have so 
     thoroughly discussed. 

3. Each debate team member has taken on a specified role by either providing two 
     supporting arguments or a supporting argument, opening and closing statement.

Remember that all members must participate equally in the debates, debates will be marked and scored, and audience members will be actively assessed.

Enjoy the weekend,

and listen to good music.

Questions and comments should be posted below.

On Story, and a Place for Yours

Here we go...

In 8.4 we have been working on storybooks by combining images and text. We are in the process of analyzing revised copies for (1) clarity and understandability, (2) proper punctuation and spelling, and (3) subject-verb agreement within properly formed sentences. 

We have sought sage advice from the late Kurt Vonnegut as to how to write story effectively. In review, Mr. Vonnegut suggests:

1. Give the reader at least one character he or she can root for

2. Every character should want something, even if it is only a glass of water

3. Every sentence must do one of two things: reveal character or advance the action

4. Start as close to the end as possible

5. Write to please just one person

6. Readers should have a complete understanding of what is going on

While all these suggestions may be helpful, we are focusing on the value of rules 1, 5, and 6.

Remember Einstein: "Imagination is more important than knowledge"

Post questions or late-but-finished work in the comment box below. If you are having a difficult time using the blog, then let me know and I will seek a solution.

All the best.