Sunset over Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii. Photo taken in 2011.
Hello everyone,
Today was our very last class together. There were around 92 A days this year, and of course, if you had my class last year, it is about double that in the amount of time we have shared - it has been hundreds of hours! Here's what happened in class today:
Today was our very last class together. There were around 92 A days this year, and of course, if you had my class last year, it is about double that in the amount of time we have shared - it has been hundreds of hours! Here's what happened in class today:
Learning Targets Addressed:
Knowledge LT 8: I can identify how technological knowledge and innovation shapes a society, place, or region.
Knowledge LT 22: I can describe the influences, impacts and resolutions of historical conflicts.
Critical Thinking LT 4: I can evaluate information and explanations within a given context and develop a relevant conclusion.
Critical Thinking LT 5: I can justify and support arguments or interpretation with appropriate evidence.
Communication LT 1: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Research LT 1: I can effectively conduct and apply research.
AGENDA 6/12/19:
News Brief - Idi
Presentations
Homework: Read the blog! Come to the summer Fritz/Puterbaugh meet up at the Tanasbourne Starbucks attached to Barnes and Noble, on Tuesday, August 6, at 1:00 PM! Have a wonderful summer! See you next year!
Survey (Swap with Puterbaugh)
BREAK
Letters Back
Free Advice
Big Circle Friend Talk
Walk on Water
Handshakes, High Fives, and/or Hugs
News Brief: Idi had the news brief today and selected an article about this story to talk about: NBCNews.com - U.S. death rates from suicides, alcohol and drug overdoses reach all-time high. After discussing the story, which is obviously super important, we also checked in to see if anyone was up to anything interesting or fun outside of class over the summer. Here's my map of flights (so far!) this summer as we visit family and friends in Europe and the Caribbean.
As part of the news brief, we also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):
As part of the news brief, we also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):
I talked in class about the importance of following the news and trying to stay up to date with what is happening in your city, state, country, and world. Knowledge is power! Try to stay plugged in to what is going on, if you can!
Presentations: Before we ended the class with a celebration, we needed to finish the final presentation on an assigned conflict in United States history. Here was the assignment:
Here is the PowerPoint that shows who was in what conflict presentation group:
Here was the calendar of what I think we did for the last month of the year in American Studies, to help students plan. That calendar is linked here (and may be updated, so use the link over the paper copy you were given):
Here is the PowerPoint that shows who was in what conflict presentation group:
Here was the calendar of what I think we did for the last month of the year in American Studies, to help students plan. That calendar is linked here (and may be updated, so use the link over the paper copy you were given):
Google Drive - American Studies 10 Foreign Policy Calendar 2019
Thank you for your work and notes on these! As I said in class, all students that completed this assignment will receive a Communication score. Only if another score would improve your grade (and of course, you demonstrated that as part of the presentation assignment), will I enter scores for any of the other starts. Grades are due for teachers at 3:00 PM on Monday, June 17th, as a heads up.
Survey: After students presented in my class, we swapped classes with Mr. Puterbaugh, so that another group of students could present. While those presentations were happening, Mr. Puterbaugh led students through a survey of your experiences in our classes this year (or, just this class if you only had me). This survey was accessible via Google Classroom. We really appreciate your feedback on how everything went!
BREAK: After presentations and the survey, it was time for the scheduled break between two classes, which we ushered students out of the room so that we could set up for the year(s) end celebration. We also asked that students silence and put away any electronic devices as a condition of entering the room again.
Note: the second half of the class roughly followed this Google Slides presentation.
Letters Back: Most of these letters are from the start of this year in American Studies. We wanted students to take a look at how they described themselves and consider where they are now, as well as where they might be in another year to two years (when they graduate)!
Free Advice: One of the feedback items from the mid-year survey that I did was that students were looking for more sort of "life advice" from us as teachers. This was a "Ask Me Anything" time, where Mr. Puterbaugh and I were basically willing to answer any question that students had for us.
Big Circle Friend Talk: This was modeled after an activity that Senior Inquiry does here at Westview, as a time for each student to share a bit about their experience. The prompts were:
First time around the circle - Reflect on the class: favorite, important, funny, or meaningful memory from your year or two years. We realize possibly not everyone had a positive experience - try to find something good to reflect on.
Examples: What knowledge and/or skill(s) will take with you from this class? What is one thing you struggled with and overcame this year? Did you have a favorite activity/topic/day?
Second time around the circle - Reflect on the people: Shout out! Who have you appreciated during your time in these classes? Who has helped you or inspired you or made class more tolerable?
Examples: People who helped you in the class. People who seemed quiet in the large group but helped you with your work. People who made the class better. People who challenged you or pushed you to do more (or saved you countless times). People who tried to distract you or cheered for you during Jeopardy. People who always had something interesting to say?
We used the ball of yarn from our start of the year activity to help make the circle and keep track of who was talking.
Walk on Water: Last year, I ended Global Studies with a video that highlighted many different places and people around the world. I wanted to do the same this year, with a video that highlighted a day in America: "Walk on Water" by 30 Seconds to Mars.
Survey: After students presented in my class, we swapped classes with Mr. Puterbaugh, so that another group of students could present. While those presentations were happening, Mr. Puterbaugh led students through a survey of your experiences in our classes this year (or, just this class if you only had me). This survey was accessible via Google Classroom. We really appreciate your feedback on how everything went!
BREAK: After presentations and the survey, it was time for the scheduled break between two classes, which we ushered students out of the room so that we could set up for the year(s) end celebration. We also asked that students silence and put away any electronic devices as a condition of entering the room again.
Note: the second half of the class roughly followed this Google Slides presentation.
Letters Back: Most of these letters are from the start of this year in American Studies. We wanted students to take a look at how they described themselves and consider where they are now, as well as where they might be in another year to two years (when they graduate)!
Big Circle Friend Talk: This was modeled after an activity that Senior Inquiry does here at Westview, as a time for each student to share a bit about their experience. The prompts were:
First time around the circle - Reflect on the class: favorite, important, funny, or meaningful memory from your year or two years. We realize possibly not everyone had a positive experience - try to find something good to reflect on.
Examples: What knowledge and/or skill(s) will take with you from this class? What is one thing you struggled with and overcame this year? Did you have a favorite activity/topic/day?
Second time around the circle - Reflect on the people: Shout out! Who have you appreciated during your time in these classes? Who has helped you or inspired you or made class more tolerable?
Examples: People who helped you in the class. People who seemed quiet in the large group but helped you with your work. People who made the class better. People who challenged you or pushed you to do more (or saved you countless times). People who tried to distract you or cheered for you during Jeopardy. People who always had something interesting to say?
Walk on Water: Last year, I ended Global Studies with a video that highlighted many different places and people around the world. I wanted to do the same this year, with a video that highlighted a day in America: "Walk on Water" by 30 Seconds to Mars.
Handshakes, High Fives, and/or Hugs: At the very end of class, it was time for year end handshakes (which I always do as students leave class for the last time). This year, I also taught students a new high five/low five for when they see me in the halls next year. And, if any students wanted, they could give each other and/or us hugs.
We have been so grateful to teach you all this year (or past two years)! Thank you SO much for all of your hard work, kindness, and understanding. Keep in touch! Go forth and make the world a better place.
