Thursday, October 24, 2013

Digital Publishing & Diction

Week 9:

  1. Create your own Storybird.  Include the link as a "comment" below on this blog post.  Your story must be grammatically correct with correct spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.  Additionally, your story must include at least three of the following: have a plot that makes sense; convey a mood, tone, or atmosphere in which pictures and text work together; include complex and interesting characterization; and have a discernible theme.
  2. Write good, specific compliments on each of your classmate's Storybird stories.
  3. Descriptive writing is often facilitated by strong word choices (your diction).  For each of the following words, find at least five more precise synonyms.  For the last two words*, please find *ten more precise synonyms:
  • scared
  • happy
  • sad
  • big
  • small
  • strong
  • tired
  • angry
  • want
  • fight
  • pretty
  • said*
  • went*
4. Last, pick one of your lists of five and put the words in order from least extreme to most extreme (or vice versa) Example: Ugly: wretched-->gross-->hideous-->disgusting-->vile



American Civil Liberties of Maine Bill of Rights Student Conference Reflection

Please answer the survey questions about our field trip on Monday. Please be thorough. In order to do field trips like this in the future, we have to be able to show that they have a positive impact on student learning.

Thanks!

Psychology of Drugs

Write a question that has to do with the psychology of drugs that you really want to answer.

Find an answer from a reliable source.

Email the following to ms.kappelman@gmail.com:
  • question (this can be your subject) 
  • answer to the question (in your own words) 
  • a link to the source that you got the answer
  • brief explanation of why you think that was a reliable source
*You will not have to share these.


Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Othello Pre-Reading Definitions

Tragedy:
  • a story (usually a play) dealing with tragic events and having an unhappy ending, esp. one concerning the downfall of the main character.

Elements of Tragedy:
  • Tone: causes fear and pity
  • Plot: cause & effect, catastrophe & resolution which is sad but satisfying (catharsis—cleansing of pity & fear)
  • Tragic hero

Tragic hero:
  • Noble, “good” character
  • With one Fatal Flaw in his/her personality that is his/her undoing (ex. pride, greed)

Friday, October 18, 2013

Sharing & Celebrating

Week 8: 

This week we will sharing our work, celebrating our work, and evaluating the works of others. We will be reading each others' strories and begin working with a digital storytelling tool called Storybird.  Storybird collects art from a variety of artists and lets you use that art to express yourself.  I have signed you all up for Storybird accounts.

  1. Please see me for your login information.
  2. After you have logged in to Storybird, start exploring the tool.  Start by looking at my own story: Mary Ann Reads a Book.  Type a comment about something specific that you liked.  Then, explore at least five other stories, commenting on things that you liked.  Send me links to the stories on which you commented.  ***For ideas on how to make good, specific comments, look at my comments on YOUR stories (not the suggestions, the comments/compliments--usually the first sticky note on your final draft printed stories) AND refer back to your elements of fiction.  
    • A good, specific compliment is not: I liked your story.  
    • A good specific compliment is: I liked how you used dialogue to show how feisty your character is! Great use of indirect characterization!
    • You can view Storybirds from last year's students, too: Cat on the Run by Bry, The Tale of Cynthia Mercury by Celenia, & The Day the Clouds Drifted Away by Adara.
  3. Write at least one good specific compliment on a sticky note for each of your classmate's published work from last week. (I have these, so check with me to read them.)

Dream & Sleep Questions

Choose one of the starred questions to answer. Find an answer from a reliable source.

Email the following to ms.kappelman@gmail.com:

  • question (this can be your subject) 
  • answer to the question (in your own words) 
  • a link to the source that you got the answer
  • brief explanation of why you think that was a reliable source

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Othello Vocabulary

Beguile- to influence by using tricky means
Censure- strong expression of disapproval
Chaste-sexually innocent
Cunning-doing something slyly or sneakily/clever
Devise-to invent or plan
Disposition-overall mood
Ignorance-lack of knowledge
Insinuate-to say something without directly saying
Malice-desire to hurt someone out of meanness
Modest-not showy
Notorious-famous (usually for something bad)
Paradox-a statement that contradicts itself but expresses a truth
Repent-to feel sorry for or make up for a past action
Solicit-trying to get something from someone else
Vice-immoral or evil practice/habit

Vouch-to support or guarantee something

Friday, October 11, 2013

Publication

Choose one or more of your edited stories to make an illustrated version of for publication.  Your published version(s) should include:

  • an illustrated cover with the story's title and your name 
  • at least five additional pages/slides with both words and appropriate, clear picture graphics
  • a slide/page in which you cite ALL websites that host the pictures that you use 

*If you draw original illustrations, then you only have to complete one book.
*If you use "found images," you will need to create three books--one for each story. These "books" may take the forms of unprinted slideshows. To submit, upload the slideshows to Google docs and share them with me. 

You may, of course, hand-draw one story and then do additional published versions of your other two stories for bonus points!


Book Review Directions

Type up a short review of the book you finished.  Your review should include the following:

  • Title & author
  • 1-3 sentences summarizing the book (what’s it about?)
  • A couple of sentences of your opinion
    • What did(n’t) you like about it
    • Who would you recommend it to & why
  • A rating of some sort
    • Stars, thumbs up, a grade, etc…. your choice
  • A picture/illustration of some sort

Saving & Investing Notes

Use the PowerPoint to catch up on your saving & investing notes.


Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Ancient Egypt: the Sphinx

Watch the following video: Riddles of the Sphinx by PBS's Nova. 

You will need to break up your viewing in multiple days.  Make sure you write down where you left off at the end of the period so that you can pick it up the following day. 

For each day that you watch, record the following:

  • 5-10 facts
  • 2-3 questions that YOU have (if these get answered as you read, include the answer)


Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Events Leading up to the Revolution Jigsaw

For your assigned event, neatly, legibly, and colorfully include the following on a blank white piece of paper:

  • Name of event
  • Date(s)
  • Location(s)
  • What happened
  • How it led to the Revolution
  • Your opinion
  • A picture

*Note Kapp's examples of the Writs of Assistance and the Stamp Act Congress as well as the student examples already on the wall.

Chandler: Quartering Act
Bryanna: Declaratory Act
Jade: Committees of Correspondence
Joey: Intolerable/Coercive Acts
Jacob: Townshend Acts

If you finish before the end of class, please see Ms. Kappelman to begin a second event for potential bonus points! (Stamp Act, Sugar Act, Tea Act, Colonials burn Gaspee)


Sunday, October 6, 2013

Revising & Editing

1. Have a revising conference with your teacher. Bring your fable, fractured fairy tale, & myth/tall tale. Note the following times:

  • Janelle: Monday 11:15
  • Lizzie: Monday 12:10
  • Jesstine: Monday 1:15 (or 1:00 if you prefer)    

2. Revise your stories
3. Have an editing conference with your teacher. Bring your revised fable, fractured fairy tale, & myth/tall tale. Note the following times:
  • Jesstine: Tuesday 1:45 (or earlier if you are ready)    
  • Janelle: Wednesday 9:45
  • Lizzie: Wednesday 12:30
4. Make your edits and submit your edited stories to your teacher.


Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Budget Activity

Budgeting, part 1:  Income
What kind of career do you want? ____________________________________
Go to bls.gov to find the following information:
How much does that career makes annually? ____________________________________________
How much education will be required in order to be qualified for this career?
                #of years of post-secondary education/degree needed: _________________________________
Now, take out the tax owed by using the following table: (from http://taxes.about.com/od/Federal-Income-Taxes/qt/Tax-Rates-For-The-2012-Tax-Year.htm)
·   10% on taxable income from $0 to $8,700
·   15% on taxable income over $8,700 to $35,350
·   25% on taxable income over $35,350 to $85,650
·   28% on taxable income over $85,650 to $178,650
·   33% on taxable income over $178,650 to $388,350
·   35% on taxable income over $388,350.
What is your income after tax, your disposable income? _______________________________________
Divide your disposable income by 12 to find your monthly take home pay: ________________________

Budgeting, part 2:  Necessities
What type of post-secondary education is required?  Circle/highlight which of the loans you will have taken out in order to pay for this education (these are the average loans across the country):


Undergraduate Education Debt
(Excluding Parent PLUS Loans)
 Institution Level & Control
Cumulative Debt
4-year Total
$22,656
4-year Public
$19,839
4-year Private Non-Profit
$27,349
4-year Private For-Profit
$24,635
2-year Total
$12,307
2-year Public
$10,444
2-year Private Non-Profit
$14,790
2-year Private For-Profit
$17,310
< 2-year Total
$10,172
< 2-year Public
$10,321
< 2-year Private Non-Profit
$10,990
< 2-year Private For-Profit
$10,123
Tables from (http://www.finaid.org/loans/)

All Students
All Education Debt
(Grad & Undergrad)
Graduate & Professional Degree Programs
Cumulative Debt
Master's Degree
$40,208
Doctoral Degree
$58,967
Professional Degree
$98,711
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
$41,676
Master of Social Work (MSW)
$49,017
Master of Science (MS)
$40,362
Master of Arts (MA)
$40,500
Master of Education or Teaching
$35,946
PhD
$45,455
EdD
$44,880
Law (LLB or JD)
$92,937
Medicine or Osteopathic Medicine
$127,272
Pharmacy (PharmD)
$81,838


The current interest rate on such loans is currently 6.8% (http://www.finaid.org/loans/scripts/interest.cgi).  The average length of these loans is 120 months. 
Use this information, and go to http://www.aie.org/paying-for-college/finance-tools/College-Loans-A-Cost-Calculator.cfm to find your monthly payment for your student loan:
                                                                                                                                                                ___________________
Find an apartment to rent.  How much per month will it cost? __________________________________
(Found at: ___________________________________________________________________________)
For utilities (heat, electricity, plumbing, etc.), we will set everyone at a monthly rate of                  $100
Choose one of the following health insurance plans and divide the rate by 12 to find your monthly expense:  (from http://www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/consumer/indhlth.htm#6 )
Plans
Standard Plan A
Individual Deductible
$250
$500
$1,000
$1,500
MEGA Life & Health Insurance Co. Telephone Number* 800-527-5504, Option 1 “Insureds”. When it asks for your Insurance ID #, verbally say “Representative.” The recording will then respond by saying, “did you say representative, if so press 1”. Press 1.
Single Premium

Nonsmoker
$1,279
$1,268
$1,245
$1,222
Smoker
$1,497
$1,483
$1,457
$1,430
Family Premium

Nonsmoker
$3,191
$3,164
$3,108
$3,052
Smoker
$3,626
$3,595
$3,531
$3,468
Sample rates are based on a community rate.
A one-time application fee of $50 is added to the above rates.


                                                                                                Health Insurance: _________________

Find a car to buy or lease.  What kind of car? __________________ Monthly payment: ______________
(Found at: _________________________________________________________________________)
http://www.billdodgeautogroup.com, http://www.leeauto.com/, & http://www.primemotorgroup.com are all in the area and have monthly quotes available online.
Circle one: If you have a truck or SUV, plan on spending at least $150 on gas, for a sedan, plan on $100

Find a car insurance policy at www.geico.com (use a fake name & the address of your fake home, also a DOB that makes you at least 18) for you pretend car. How much per month? _____________________

For groceries, plan on spending at least $60/ week.  How much is that per month? __________________

Now, find a cell phone plan.  How much per month? __________________________________________
(Found at: _________________________________________________________________________)

Now, find an internet/cable plan.  How much per month? ______________________________________
(Found at: _________________________________________________________________________)

You should save or invest at least 20% of your income for EMERGENCIES & RETIREMENT.                                                                                                                                              How much savings/month? ________________
ADD UP YOUR MONTHLY NECESSITY EXPENSES:
student loan payment
$
rent
 $
utilities
 $
health insurance
 $
car lease
 $
gas
$
car insurance
 $
groceries
 $
phone
 $
internet/cable
 $
savings/investment
 $

TOTAL NECESSITIES: $______________________ /month
Now, subtract your monthly cost of your necessities from your monthly disposable income to find your discretionary income:
________________________        ––        ________________________      =         ____________________
(Monthly disposable income)    (minus)   (Monthly cost of necessities)   (equals)  (discretionary income)


What could/should you buy with your discretionary income? ___________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

List at least three emergencies that you should have money set aside for:_________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

What was your largest monthly expense? __________________________________________________

How could you reduce this? ______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

What expense(s) surprised you the most?  Why? _____________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

What expenditures did you have to reduce to pay your other monthly expenses? ___________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

What has this activity taught you? _________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________