The "Task" Ahead

In order to graduate from MHS, you will need to complete the Certificate of Initial Mastery or the Performance Based Graduation Requirements that include a portfolio and the Capstone. This week we started a persuasive essay task that you may use for the portfolio. It is my goal that all of you will meet standard on the essay so that you will be one task closer to completing your portfolio. I know you will be successful if you use the rubric, plan, revise and meet the deadlines.

You have the task prompt and writing criteria. You have a folder of background information on freedom of speech in high schools and samples of persuasive writing. In addition to your folder, Mr. Fontain has done a great deal of preliminary research for you and that work is located on the Teacher Pub drive under Social Studies. If you feel you need additional sources, you may want to check out The First Amendment Center.

Use the research organizer and rubric to help you collect the evidence you will need to write the essay. On Friday you received an outline on how to do a persuasive essay. Keep in mind that you must have your research signed off no later than April 4 and your draft needs to be reviewed before April 12. The final essay will be handed in after our break and must be accompanied by the draft. Scorers will be looking to see what types of revisions you made. Your essay must be in MLA format and word processed. So get out your calendars and prepare a plan!

Political Cartoons

Political cartoons were first introduced in the colonies in 1754 with Ben Franklin’s “Join or Die” cartoon that featured a snake (a symbol of the colonies) cut into several pieces. This was Franklin’s way of urging the colonies to unite, against a common enemy, during the French and Indian War.

This week we looked at a cartoon of President Jackson, dressed and acting as a King, which was used in the 1832 campaign to discredit his actions. We analyzed the cartoon by using a guide that showed us the different techniques cartoonists use to make their points. We looked for symbols, labels, irony, and exaggeration. Modern cartoonists also like to use caricature to help convey their message. The cartoons in the UpFront magazine gave us the opportunity to look at recent cartoons that featured global warming, the increased cost of stamps, and the war in Iraq. For our next current events assignment, you will be asked to bring in an editorial cartoon to share with your fellow students. There are numerous sites that collect editorial cartoons from around the country and one of the best is maintained by Daryl Cagle, an MSNBC cartoonist. The cartoon that you bring into class must come from a paper other then The Newport Daily News. Let’s see how many different cartoons we can collect.

Third Quarter Coming to an End

The quarter is rapidly drawing to a close so take a few minutes to make sure your portfolio is up to date and in the bin. We have only a few more homework assignments left before grades close. You will need to add up your points and provide me with your percentage earned. I will then review your additional work (checks, portfolio, and classroom participation) to add extra points you may have earned.

Our final quarter will have fewer homework assignments, as you will spend much of your time on a Civil War project. This project gives you the opportunity to showcase all the skills and strategies you have learned this year on a topic of your choice.

Good-bye Abigail…Good-bye John

Students in period 7 should be finishing “John Adams” and preparing for the final assessment on the last two chapters of the text. The final assessment will have a variety of questions including quotation identification, short answer, and objective. While you read, you may want to keep a reading log which would be helpful as you review for the assessment.

Congratulations

Our hats are off to KC and CB for winning first place in the state tournament for Destination ImagiNation. They are members of the Llama Llama Duck team. They were awarded first place for their play about a “hero undertaking a personal challenge.” Let’s join in wishing them well as they move on to the next level of competition!