SURVIVAL SKILLS!

Boys & girls, consider the following essential survival skills from Educational Leadership (the place where principals and teachers get the most up-to-the-minute research on education):

1. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

2. Collaboration and Leadership

3. Agility and Adaptability

4. Initiative and Entrepreneurialism

5. Effective Oral and Written Communication

6. Accessing and Analyzing Information

7. Curiosity and Imagination

What do you think? Are any skills missing from the list? What skills on this list do you possess? Which ones do you need? 20 points EC for your thoughts posted in the COMMENTS section or emailed to ms.kingsbury@verizon.net....

Extra Credit Opportunity: Bad Habits in College = Lower GPA - SURPRISED?

Please read this article from Science Daily about the connection between unhealthy habits (smoking, drinking, and all-nighters) and your college GPA (which you pay ALOT of $$ to earn!):

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081021120925.htm

What do you think? How can this information help you NOW in high school? 20 points EC for a well thought-out opinion of 5 sentences posted here in COMMENTS or emailed to ms.kingsbury@verizon.net.

Extra Credit Opportunity: The Future Is Now!

Please read this article entitled "77% of Teachers Assign Internet-Required Homework: Survey" - you can access it by clicking on the title of this post or by cutting and pasting this link:

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6608496.html

What do you think? Is this amount of Internet use acceptable? Are students being asked to do too much work on the computer? 20 points for a well thought-out opinion of 5 sentences emailed to ms.kingsbury@verizon.net or posted in the COMMENTS section here....

Friday, October 24, 2008

Objectives:
After this class, students will be able to:
1. read and comment on the work of their peers.
2. respond to feedback on their writings.
3. speak in front of the class and listen to others.

Agenda:
Today students will have the opportunity to share their $500 essays with their classmates in a peer review activity and then in front of the class for entire group feedback.

Homework: Students should continue to work on their senior project research papers.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Objectives:
After this class, students will be able to:
1. write for a clearly defined audience and purpose.
2. listen to a professional speaker.
3. take notes during a presentation.

Agenda:
1. Warm-Up: Students should write the following announcement into their notebooks: This is your homework! Write this down! Each month, from now until June, the School District of Philadelphia and Office Depot will give away $500 to an outstanding senior. Write a 1 page essay in which you explain why you should win the money. Discuss your character, academics, and community service. 50 points (and maybe some cash!)

2. Today we will have a guest speak, Lyle Boyd, from Lincoln Technical Institute. He will discuss finances and career choices after high school. As he speaks, students should take 2-column Cornell Notes on his presentation.

Homework: Students should type and email their resumes, cover letters, and thank you letters to ms.kingsbury@verizon.net. Due tomorrow!

EC OPPORTUNITY: Being smart is great, but having excellent social skills is better:

Check out this article from Science Daily:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081015120749.htm

It's better in the longer run to have excellent social skills than high grades. Does this surprise you? 20 points extra credit for a well thought-out opinion of 5 sentences in this topic, posted here or emailed to ms.kingsbury@verizon.net...

EC OPPORTUNITY: Being smart is great, but having excellent social skills is better:

Check out this article from Science Daily:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081015120749.htm

It's better in the longer run to have excellent social skills than high grades. Does this surprise you? 20 points extra credit for a well thought-out opinion of 5 sentences in this topic, posted here or emailed to ms.kingsbury@verizon.net...

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

EARLY DISMISSAL, BOYS AND GIRLS! MS. KINGSBURY HAS A MEETING TO GO TO - ENJOY YOUR EASY DAY!

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Objectives:
After this class, students will be able to:
1. monitor their research paper progress.
2. define the features of a works cited page.
3. create their own works cited page.

Agenda:
1. Warm-Up: Students will answer the following questions in their notebooks: You need to have over 10 sources for your research paper. How many sources do you have at this point? What kind of sources are they (book, magazine, website)? Ms. Kingsbury will solicit students for answers to get a feel for their progress.

2. Students will record the following notes on how to create a Works Cited Page in their notebooks:

Features of a Works Cited page: Write these all down into your notebook!

1. Begin your Works Cited page on a separate page at the end of your research paper.

2. The entries on the Works Cited page should be in alphabetical order. Most entries will begin with the author’s last name. Sometimes the entry will begin with the title.

3. Format of a book entry:
Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication.

(Any pamphlets or brochures are also cited in this format.)

4. Format of a magazine/newspaper article entry:
Author(s). "Title of Article." Title of Periodical Day Month Year: pages.

5. Format of a website entry:
Author(s). "Title of Article." Title of Online Publication. Date of Publication. Date of Access .

(If there is no author, start the entry with the title.)

6. Format of an interview entry:
Name of Person Interviewed. Personal Interview. Date of Interview.

7. Visit this site for more help: http://library.duke.edu/research/citing/workscited/

After taking their notes, students will turn the following narrative into a Works Cited Page:

Class of 2009! I close my eyes, and I picture myself walking down the aisle and receiving my diploma and shaking Ms. Young’s hand and giving the finger to that teacher that forced me to go to summer school last year. I can’t wait to graduate, but first I need to write a research paper for the Senior Project.

I decide to do a paper on violence and hip hop. I go to the Free Library of Philadelphia at 19th and Vine, and I find a book called Hip Hop Kills. It is written by this guy named Michael Dyson, and it is published by the University of Pennsylvania Press right here in Philly. The book is two years old.

I find another book called The Myth of the Violent Rapper. It is written by my old head Queen Latifah. It’s also two years old, and it was published by Harcum Press out of NYC.

After browsing through the books, I hit the magazines. I find this article by Jesse Jackson in Ebony; it’s called, “Stop the Violence Against Ourselves.” The magazine is from November 17, 2007, and I think the volume is 15. I find the article on pages 25-30.

I find another article about TI; it’s in the NY Times, and it’s called, “TI: Did He Do It?” I think the volume is 181. It was written by this girl named Shakira Lawrence, and it’s on page 10. The newspaper is from October 31, 2007, the day before my birthday!

After the books and magazines and hit the computer. I go to Google, and I amazingly find the phone number for Atlantic Records. Should I call it? I pick up my Razor - why not, right? It rings, and next thing I know I somehow get transferred to Lil Kim!! Holy $!&%!!! I talk to her for ten minutes about her trial and perjury conviction. It’s December 15, 2008, and it’s a day I’ll never forget.

I do a few more searches on violence and hip hop music. I visit a site and read this jawn called, “Biggie, Tupac - Is 50 Next?” I don’t see any author, but the site is http://www.urbangrip.com/biggietupac50.html, and it was published on April 20, 2005. Then I find another jawn called, “Drop Your Weapons!” This jawn was written by DeShaun Green back on February 14, 2003, and I found it at http://www.cnn.com/us/violence/green/021403.html.

I went to Wikipedia too. My teacher says to NOT USE WIKIPEDIA as my main source of info, which is why I read all that other stuff. Did you know that people just like you and me actually write the stuff you read on Wikipedia? Seriously, that kid with the corny hoodie could get it in his head that he knows something about heart surgery and could write a Wikipedia article about it!

So now I have a whole bunch of stuff to read, and I need to turn all this into a Works Cited page.

Will you help me?

Ms. Kingsbury will circulate and check for understanding and completeness in today's assignment.

Homework: Students will continue to work on their Senior Projects.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Objectives:
After this class, students will be able to:
1. define the features of an introduction paragraph.
2. define the features of a thesis statement.
3. write an introduction paragraph with a thesis statement.


Agenda:
1. Warm-Up: Students will answer the following questions in their notebooks: Describe your progress so far on the Senior Project. Are you ahead, on schedule, or behind? What one thing will you do this week to further you progress? Ms. Kingsbury will solicit answers from the students.

2. Students will take two column notes on the following presentation about the research paper introduction paragraph and thesis statements:

WHAT IS AN INTRODUCTION?
a. It is 5 sentences long (4 + thesis).
b. The first sentence is an attention-getter, something outrageous that engages your reader, leading them from the outside world into your paper.
c. It can include: background information, a short narrative or story, a surprising statistic, a definition, or a quotation.
d. It starts with a general statement and then gets specific about your topic. The introduction ends with your thesis statement.

WHAT IS A THESIS?
a. It is the main point and controlling idea of your paper.
b. It is the final sentence in your introduction paragraph.
c. It is NOT a statement of fact.
d. It is an assertion and opinion you have about your topic. It should make your reader say, “What? Really?!”
e. It follows a formula: Although people think one thing about this topic, the truth about the topic is this.


SAMPLE INTRODUCTIONS:

Imagine that you have been the victim of that terrible urban legend where your kidney is stolen while you were on vacation in a foreign country. “Can I survive without a major organ?” you might fret to yourself. Because of the advances in modern science, the answer is yes. Vital organs eventually fail within the human body. Organ donor matching can guarantee that a sick person in need of a vital organ will get the best one to extend his/her life.

In the recent movie John Q, a nine-year old boy needed a heart transplant, but his parents’ health insurance refused to cover it. Now imagine if this boy were your son. Everywhere, there are millions of people whose health insurance does not provide adequate coverage for necessary, life-saving treatments and procedures. Health insurance becomes a jungle in which many people become entangled and lost. However, despite the existence of companies that make health care difficult, there are many adequate health insurance options available.

Today’s doctors seem easily influenced by pharmaceutical companies. Rather than prescribe older drugs that are tried and tested, doctors leap for their prescription pads to write a script for the latest pill. Doctors use their best judgment, however, when they make these choices. After reading studies, they often conclude that “newer is better.” Although new prescription drugs are expensive and sometimes unproven, they provide benefits that older drugs cannot.

A woman with “cottage cheese” thighs is not a happy woman. She hates the summer, because she thinks she looks terrible in a bathing suit, and she hates the winter, because the many layers of clothing she wears makes her feel even bigger. Fortunately, if she can afford it, there is liposuction. After one short procedure, a woman can be transformed from saggy to sexy. Liposuction may be expensive and possibly danger, but it allows people to live healthier and more comfortable lives.

Imagine that your child has a chronic disease for which there appears to be no cure. You have been advised to try gene therapy to manage your child’s disease. The medical techniques behind gene therapy are still new. And indeed, gene therapy is not always guaranteed to help a patient. However, despite its risks and dangers, gene therapy is often successful and offers many benefits to a patient.

Have you ever been the only non-smoker in a group of nicotine addicts? You’ve probably spent much of your time with them coughing and choking, feeling like you were suffocating, or even thinking that you might die? And consider that street corner where you wait for the bus. You inhale the noxious fumes of uncountable automobiles. All this pollution is sure to make a person sick, perhaps even develop lung cancer. Although there are many ways to get lung cancer, the breathing of second-hand smoke is the primary cause of this disease.

3. After taking notes, students will write their own introductions with a thesis statement.

4. Reminders of Upcoming Due Dates:
a. 10/24: resume, cover letter, thank you letter - all due typed and emailed to ms.kingsbury@verizon.net
b. 10/27: grade sheets will be distributed
c. 10/30: October notebook check will be performed
d. 10/31: THE LAST DAY OF THE FIRST MARKING PERIOD!

Homework: Student should continue to work on their senior projects.

Extra Credit Opportunity: Free Computers For All?

Please read this article from the Guardian about the British government's beginning stages of a program to give a home computer to every student:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/7681654.stm

What do you think? Doable? Crazy? 20 points extra credit for posting here or emailing to ms.kingsbury@verizon.net an opinion of 5 sentences....

Something Interesting and Educational to Do @ UPenn

Penn Humanities Forum Lecture

Changing Places, Changing Faces: The Human Journey Wed October 29 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm Dr. Spencer Wells, Director of National Geographic's Genographic Project, recently named a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, shares his latest discoveries, and outlines the next steps for the ambitious Genographic Project, an initiative to collect and analyze over 100,000 DNA samples from indigenous populations worldwide. Reservations, through the Penn Humanities Forum, required: 215/573-8280, or by email: phf@sas.upenn.edu. This program is part of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Museum, and city-wide Year of Evolution.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Objectives:
After this class, students will be able to:
1. read and comprehend non-fiction writing about a controversial issue.
2. draw inferences and conclusions about a controversial topic.
3. write personal opinions based on experience and evidence.

Agenda:
1. Warm-Up: Students will answer the following questions in their notebooks: Describe your style of dress. What do you like to wear? What does your style say about your personality? Ms. Kingsbury will solicit students for answers.

2. Today's Classwork: Students will read an article entitled "The Sad Truth About Saggin' Pants" by Judge Greg Mathis. This article can be found at: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_9_63/ai_n27506779?tag=content;col1. The text of the article is below:

The sad truth about saggin' pants: emulating convicts can lead to prison mentality

Ebony, July, 2008 by Greg Mathis

We've all seen young Black men wearing white T-shirts and jeans sagging so low that their underwear was on display for all to see. And we've all shaken our heads and wondered what they were thinking, coming outside dressed like that. The sad truth is that they probably weren't thinking. They are simply emulating popular fashion, not knowing the trend's origin or understanding the potential social and personal consequences of blindly following the masses.

The saggin'-pants trend started in prison. Inmates, not allowed to have belts, wear their pants slung low. Once home, they continued the practice. Young boys in their neighborhoods took the look as their own. The trend grew and is immensely popular in both urban and suburban areas; many White teens now wear their pants dropping below their butts.

Emulating prisoners, or any other group, without understanding what you're doing is dangerous. For young Black men, the trend is especially self-destructive. Copying prisoners can contribute to a prisoner's mentality. Already our young men refer to a prison stint as a state-paid "vacation" or time away at "school." Prison is not luxurious and the education received there will not serve the inmate well once he returns home. Prison has become, for many, an unfortunate rite of passage. Instead of fighting against the odds, too many of our boys are embracing the street mentality. They must understand that prison is nothing more than modern-day slavery. Inmates in some U.S. prisons produce products sold on the open market. They receive just $1 a day while the large corporations that run the prisons make millions.

For many of our youth, glorifying the ghetto life and gangsta culture is the modus operandi for "keeping it real." The reality is that there is no glory in living in poverty, going to prison, being killed young or contracting a sexually transmitted disease, all frequent consequences of the thug culture.

The current generation of young Blacks is one of the most talented we've ever seen. We repeatedly have proven that we can rise above obstacles. Unfortunately, too many of our youth are still trapped in a mind-set that ultimately puts them at competitive disadvantage against those who are more privileged. While privileged youth may listen to gangsta rap and mimic some of its culture, at the end of the day, they return to superior schools, economically stable households and most of them attend college. Poor youth don't have the option of taking a detour Into self-destruction. When they decide to change directions and recapture their potential for success, the privileged youth has captured the opportunity.

One proposed solution is to outlaw saggin' pants, as did a town in Georgia. A better approach might be to embrace, educate and challenge our youth on why they should avoid fads and fashions that would be disrespectful to them selves and their community. We should inform them that saggin', when spelled backwards, describes the type of person they don't want to be.

We must be consistent, however; we cannot criticize our boys for wearing their pants low when our girls--and some grown women--are wearing low-rise jeans cut so low that the top of their thongs peek out. That particular style has its roots in prostitution, and the pole-dancing exercise rage comes from strippers. As a community, we must be consistent in what, who and how we criticize and encourage our young people.

BY JUDGE GREG MATHIS

COPYRIGHT 2008 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning

After reading this article, students will answer the following questions:

1. According to the article, what is the origin of baggy pants?

2. According to the article, what is the current state and opinion of today's prison system?

3. Do you feel that today's generation of young Black people is one of the most talented, as Judge Mathis does? Explain your position.

4. Ban baggy pants for men? For women? Explain your position.

5. What 2 new things did you learn in your reading today?

Students will turn in the answers to their questions for 40 points towards their grade.

Homework: Students should continue to work on the rough drafts of their research papers. The handwritten version is due on Friday, November 7, 2008.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Health Academy seniors were in an assembly today - no work assigned!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008: PSAT Testing!

Deepest apologies, boys and girls! Ms. Kingsbury is under the weather today. See you on Thursday!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Today students will begin their cross country pen pal project with students from San Diego, CA. Students will read letters and respond, earning 50 points for their work.

Put your life in perspective....

http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/10/15/faces-of-world-poverty-20-arresting-photographs/

...by visiting this site and viewing the lives of others. It will make you appreciate what you have.

Monday, October 13, 2008

NO SCHOOL - HAPPY COLUMBUS DAY!

Scholarship Alert!

Prudential Spirit of Community Awards
www.prudential.com/spirit
Deadline: October 31
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards honor young people in middle level and high school grades for outstanding volunteer service to their communities. Over the past 13 years, the program has honored more than 80,000 young volunteers at the local, state and national level.

Coca-Cola Scholars Program
www.coca-colascholars.org
Deadline: October 31
Applicants must be high school seniors and selection is based on character, personal merit and commitment. There is also the Coca-Cola Scholars Two-Year College Scholarship available.

Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
www.scholastic.com/artandwritingawards
Deadline: Check website for regional deadlines
Young writers and artists in grades 7 to 12 can enter this competition sponsored by Scholastic. You can view the winning work from previous years online.

Thinking about college, even remotely?

http://www.college.gov

This is a great site which will direct you through the specifics of the college applications process! Go!!!

Friday, October 10, 2008

Tentative plans for this day include working on our cross-country pen pal project. Due to the holiday the day before and the upcoming Monday, today's plan is flexible and open to allow for circumstances arising due to attendance (or lack thereof).

Thursday, October 9, 2008

No School! Enjoy your day off!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Students will spend this class period in our library collecting information on their research topics. Students will work on the handwritten rough drafts of their research papers during this class time.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Objectives:
After this class, students will be able to:
a. describe the requirements of their senior project research paper.
b. define vocabulary related to research.
c. create a research paper outline.

Agenda:
1. Warm-Up: In their notebooks, students should answer the following questions: What is the topic of your research paper? Why did you choose this topic? 2-3 sentences

2. Students will take Cornell Notes (aka 2-column notes) on the following slide show which outlines the requirements and due dates for the research paper of the senior project:



3. Students will create their research paper outline from their research proposals. Ms. Kingsbury will check for completed outlines on October 17, 2008.

Homework: Students should begin researching their topic and collecting information to write their research papers.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Guest Speaker! Rose Kennedy from the Thompson Institute will be visiting to provide students with a career presentation.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Objectives:
After this class, students will be able to:
a. define the features of a resume.
b. create a personal resume of their own.
c. write for a specific audience and purpose.

Agenda:

1. Warm-Up: Students should answer the following questions in their notebooks: Reflect on your week at school. How was it? Did you enjoy your days off or were they a waste of time? Do you have plans for the weekend? 2-3 sentences

2. Today's Vocabulary: Resume - a formal work document which gives a potential employer a summary of your education, work experience, internships, volunteer work, special skills, and contact information.

3. Today's Classwork: Students will create a rough draft of their resumes in their notebooks, even if they already have one. See page 1152 in our textbook for a sample. Pay attention to details - little mistakes in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and format = no job.

4. Ms. Kingsbury will check today for cover letters and thank you letters - 40 points for each.

Homework: Students should get caught up on their make-up work and senior project work! If you're all caught up, then enjoy your weekend!

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Objectives:

After this class, students will be able to:

a. understand their current progress in class.

b. reflect on personal experiences and create an improvement plan.

c. write a cover letter and thank you letter.

Agenda:

1. Warm-up: In their notebooks, students will answer the following questions: What was the hardest thing for you to complete/accomplish/do this past week? Why? How will you solve this problem? 2-3 sentences

2. Students will receive their progress reports for the midpoint of the marking period. We will review these sheets, make corrections, and do make-up work.

3. Students will continue to work on their cover and thank you letters. Ms. Kingsbury will check for these rough drafts tomorrow.

Homework: Students should finish typing their career goals essays and email them to ms.kingsbury@verizon.net.

Tuesday, September 30 - Wednesday, October 1, 2008

NO SCHOOL - Enjoy your days off!

Monday, September 29, 2008

Objectives:
After this class, students will be able to:
a. explain the purpose and audience of a cover letter and thank you letter.
b. write a cover letter.
c. write a thank you letter.

Agenda:
1. Warm-Up: In their notebooks, students will answer the following questions: Have you held a job during high school? Why or why not? How has this impacted you? 2-3 sentences

2. Students will write the rough drafts of their cover letters and thank you letter for their Senior Project. Models are below:

COVER LETTER

Madelaine Kingsbury
72 Heritage Lane
Wallingford PA 19073
(610) 468-2298
ms.kingsbury@verizon.net

November 10, 2010

Company Name
Address
City State Zip

To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing in response to your advertisement in Careerbuilder for a ______. I am very interested in this position, and I believe I am the best candidate for this job.

I graduated from Overbrook High School in June 2008. I am currently attending ______, and I am majoring in _________ . In my classes, I have learned about ________. My current GPA is _________.

In my previous jobs, I have _________. My job skills include _____________. I am the best candidate for this job because ________________.

My salary requirement for this position is _______. I can be reached at _________ for an interview. I look forward to hearing from you regarding this position.

Sincerely,
YOUR NAME

THANK YOU LETTER

Madelaine Kingsbury
72 Heritage Lane
Wallingford PA 19086
(610) 484-2987
ms.kingsbury@verizon.net

December 1, 2010

Company Name
Company Address
City State Zip Code

Dear Ms. Jones:

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me on December 1, 2010, to discuss the _______ position available at your company. I was very excited to learn more about your organization. I believe that I will bring ___________ to the job. I am certain that I am the best candidate for this position. I look forward to hearing from you very soon.

Sincerely,
YOUR NAME

Students will be given actual job descriptions from Career Builder to work with. 40 points for each letter (80 total).

Homework: Students should type their career goals essays for Friday, October 3, 2008, and email them to ms.kingsbury@verizon.net.