Bring in for week of March 3rd assignment

To all my students:

I need you to help me for next week's assignment by bringing in credit card applications and/or offers that your parents may receive at home in the mail.  (You can black out their name and address or I can do that for you.)

I need at least 6 per period.

You will be working in groups to compare and contrast the credit card offers.

After the activity you should have a better understanding of what to look for in credit card offers and applications, be able to understand the terms of a credit card and be able to make an educated choice between which card is giving you the better deal.

This is a skill you will need in your future and maybe will help you now or at least you can share with your parents and family what you learn.

Quote Assignment 3

"Where there's a will, there's a way."  ~Anonymous

This quote is pretty self-explanatory, but it is a quote I grew up with and feel it applies to many aspects in life.  I am really looking forward to the examples you use to explain this quote.
As always, it needs to be typed.  Make sure you include your meaning of the quote and an example.

Due February 27 (Periods 2,4,6) and February 28 (Periods 1,3,5)

A Modest Proposal -- Connecting beyond Swift's satire

After having read the excerpt from Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal" I want you to consider the following topic:
Are you concerned about the future of the United States?

Just as Swift was concerned with the issues of poverty and overpopulation in his country of Ireland, I want you to share what, if anything, concerns you about your future in this country.

If you do have a concern or concerns, explain what concerns you the most and why?  Use evidence from a reliable source to back up your answer.
If you are not concerned, explain why you are not.  Use evidence from a reliable source to back up your answer.

Instead of collecting papers or having you email me your assignment you must post your answer to my blog (below this posting as a comment).
Your grade will be based on the following criteria:
1.  Post is up by the deadline.  All periods due by February 28th before midnight.
2.  Answering the topic appropriately and using relevant evidence.  Make sure to include where you found your evidence.
3.  Including your name and period at the beginning of your post.
4.  Follow proper grammar and punctuation.

I am looking for honest answers.  If you would like to answer using satire you are more than welcome to do so since it is in the spirit of Swift.

Worth 10 points

*I will give extra points on this assignment for people who respond to someone else's post.
**I will also give extra points to the period with the most participation.

President's Day Extra Credit

Okay, so this is for those of you who actually check my blog and want a few extra points.  In honor of President's Day, which is Monday, February 17th (the reason why there is no school) complete the following assignment:

1.  Go to the White House website http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents
2.  Pick a president
3. Write down three (3) facts about the president, two (2) interesting or surprising facts about them and one (1) famous quote from them.

Must be emailed to me by Monday, February 17th by midnight!

"Remember when..." Project

Over the next couple of weeks you will be creating new walls to reflect on the years you have been in school.  This "memory" wall (if you want to call it that) will include images and explanations of the significance of these images.

In class you will receive a topic:
1. Product
2. Historical Event
3. Book
4. Fashion
5. Sport
6. Music

Once you have received your topic you will find an image that relates to that topic.
A.  The image can include anything from when you were in elementary school through freshman year in that category.
Example:
Book -- Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss


You can draw the image by hand or print it out.  It needs to be at least on a paper that is 8x10 size (printer paper size).

B.  On the back of the paper you will write a short description or summary of the image.  Also include the significance or importance of the image.
Example:
Green Eggs and Ham is about a character named Sam who wants the other character to try green eggs and ham.  He thinks he will really like them if he just gives them a try.  The other character keeps refusing Sam, but Sam is very persistent and when he finally tries them he does like them.
I really enjoyed this book when I was a child because it was so silly and enjoyed the way everything rhymed.  Now I realize that it also taught many lessons about life such as not being afraid to try new things.

C. You will present in class your image and explanation by March 3 (Periods 2,4,6) or March 4 (Periods 1,3,5)

Quote for week of February 10-14

In honor of Valentine's day, here is this weeks quote:

"Kisses are better fate than wisdom."  ~e.e. cummings

As usual, please explain the quote in your own words and give an example/scenario using the quote.
Assignments must be typed in order to receive complete credit.

Reading Plus

If you qualify for any of the following, you can take a break from Reading Plus for the remainder of the year:

1.  Have completed at least 30 sessions.  (30 sessions of IB, SR, and RA)
2.  Have passed FCAT and/or SAT/ACT with a passing score.
3.  Have reached level J or higher.

Anyone who has not met one of these must continue using Reading Plus until Spring Break.

John Stossel Essay Contest

In class I showed you the video clip from John Stossel regarding government trying to control what people eat.  After watching that clip you are to answer the following question in essay format:

Should it be the government's job to try to keep people healthy?  Why or why not?

You will be working on the essay in class for the next week.  It needs to be at least 500 words, which is two pages long.  You also need to include at least one quote from the video clip in your essay.
*If you are interested in entering the contest the word limit is 500-1000 words and it must be typed.  You can bring me your essays on a USB if you would like me to enter it into the contest.  (There is prize money involved.)

Quote Assignment

"Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off of the goal."  ~Lombardi

We are going to start our weekly quote assignment again.  With the Super Bowl that just took place on Sunday, I thought I would select a quote from a famous football icon -- Vince Lombardi.
As usual, please explain the quote in your own words and give an example/scenario using the quote.

Assignments must be typed in order to receive complete credit.

Due by Thursday, February 6th for all periods!