Final Geo Quiz: World Capitals

Canada: Ottawa
Russia: Moscow
Australia: Canberra
Germany: Berlin
Japan: Tokyo
China: Beijing
India: New Delhi
Brazil: Brasilia
South Africa: Pretoria (also Cape Town, Bloemfontein)
Italy: Rome
France: Paris
Spain: Madrid
Indonesia: Jakarta
Argentina: Buenos Aires
Nigeria: Abuja
Pakistan: Islamabad
Iran: Tehran
Cuba: Havana

Egypt: Cairo
Syria: Damascus

Quiz Date: May 24, 2013

Current Issue Outline

Now that you have finished taking notes on your current issue, you need to arrange these notes in the order that you need for your presentation.  You have accumulated notes from a variety of sources.  You now need to arrange these notes into a presentation with a beginning, middle, and end.

If you took notes on things which are actually NOT RELEVANT to your presentation, then DO NOT include them in your outling.

You need to put your notes on your issue into a logical order for your presentation.  Your current issue will cover at least 10 slides.  Each presentation will have the following order:

1. Introduction to Issue
2. Historical background of issue
3. Current state of issue
4. Future outlook for issue
5. Personal stance on issue
6. Conclusion

Within each of the headings, you can create sub-headings.  For example, if you have 3 Historical Background slides, you can give each slide a separate sub-heading.  However, you do not need to use sub-headings.  You can use only headings if you prefer.

Outlines should be typed.  This way you can move notes around in your outline to create the presentation that works best for you.

Due Wednesday, May 8.

Story Proposals

You will write two story proposals: one for a Mystery Story featuring your detective from your Detective Dossier and a second for a Science Fiction Story featuring the setting you described in your Science Fiction Setting.

Each proposal needs 2 elements: The synopsis and the outline.  The synopsis should be 5-10 sentences in length.  It should provide an overview of the story.  It must include information about the characters, plot, and setting.  The synopsis is a summary paragraph.

The outline should list 5-10 events from the story in chronological order.  Each event must be one sentence in length.  The outline does not need to cover all the events in the story.  Also, some elements from the outline might change as you write the actual story.

Finally, you need to write about your inspirations for each story idea.  What books, movies, or television influenced your ideas for your stories?  Be honest.

Once you have completed both proposals, you will choose the one you like best and you will write that story.  However, save the second proposal, as you may decide to write that story in the future in Open Writing.

Coming up with story ideas is challenging.  You will need to do some brainstorming.  Be creative.  The more thought you put into the planning stage, the easier you will find writing the actual story.

Current Issue Research

How does a particular cultural, economic, political, or environmental issue within a particular country resonate locally and globally?

Research must contain at least 3 articles from different sources and containing different information.

I.  Notetaking:

• Locate at least 2 different main ideas per article
• Use bullet points for each line of notes under main idea headings
• Include bibliographic information
• Notes must be in pencil
• Articles must be printed

Citations must include: author, article title, source, date.

Sample citation:

Gacek, Jason.  "Sounders Defeat Timbers."  Olympia Times.  27 June 2013.

Science Fiction Setting Description

Describe the time and place of a potential science fiction setting.  How is this setting different from the present?

Include in your description:

• place characteristics
• location
• technology
• time

Length should be about 3/4 of a page, typed, 1.5-line-spaced.  Illustrate the bottom of the place with color.

Due May 6, 2013.

Science Fiction Independent Reading Project

Please answer all questions in complete paragraphs.  Typed, 1.5-line spacing, size 13 font.

0.  State the title, author and star rating (0-5) for your SFIRP book.

1.  Describe the setting of the book.  Where and when does the book begin?  Describe what one would see in this place.  How would this place differ from a similar setting set in the present day?  What technology would one find in this place?  Does the action in the story move to different locations?  Explain.

2.  What is the goal the protagonist must attain in this story?  How must the protagonist attain the goal?  Is the protagonist successful?

3.  Is there an underlying message the author is attempting to communicate with this book?  Explain.

4.  What did you think of the book?  Explain why you liked or did not like this book.

Due Wednesday, May 1.

Reading Log #15

Minimum 4 hours of reading.  Due Tuesday, April 30.

Reflection Questions:

1.      What was your favorite book of the past three weeks?  Explain what you enjoyed about this book.

2.     Where and when did you read during Conference Week?  Did you have enough time for reading?

The Giver Questions

Please type using size 13 font and 1.5 line Spacing.  Each question should be answered with a complete paragraph.

1.      Name three rules or regulations in the society of Jonas’ world which are different than rules or regulations in our society.  Explain these differences.

2.     Who is “the Giver?”  What is the job he must perform?

3.      Describe what happens at the end of The Giver.  Were you satisfied with the ending of the book?  Explain your answer.
 

Due Monday, April 22.

Country Project Presentation

You will design a PowerPoint Presentation to be delivered to your Geography class.  Your project will first contain an overview of the history, geography, and culture of your country.  Later in the trimester, you will choose a contemporary issue of importance to your country to research in depth.

Country Overview: 20 slides total:

1.  Title Slide: Country Name and Your Name.

2.  Map Slide.

3.  Flag Slide.

4.  Overview Facts: 6-10 important facts: capital, population rank, area rank, etc.  The UpFront Magazine World Index is a good source for these facts.

5-9.  History: 5 slides total. One image per slide.  3-5 facts per slide.

3 overview slides: Must cover ancient times to the present.

2 spotlight slides.  Choose one event, historical period, or important figure to spotlight.

10-15.  Geography: 6 slides total.  One image per slide.  3-5 facts per slide.

Terrain/Landscape Overview: 2 slides 

Climate Overview: 1 slide.

City Overview: 1 slide.

City Destination Spotlight: 1 slide.

Physical Feature Spotlight: 1 slide.

16-20. Culture: 5 slides total.  One image per slide.  3-5 facts per slide.

Language Overview

Religion Overview

Customs Overview

           Food Spotlight

           Pop Culture Spotlight

Mystery Independent Reading Project

 Read a mystery novel approved by Mr. Gacek.  It must be from a series you have not read before.

Answer the following questions in complete paragraphs.

1.  Who is the detective (or main mystery-solver if they’re not technically a detective)?  Describe his or her personality.  Is the character likable?  What makes the character an effective mystery solver?  Note: And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie, doesn’t have a traditional detective.  If you read this book, explain who is trying to solve the case, and how this scenario differs from most detective novels.

2.  Who is the narrator of the novel?  It will be either a character or an “omniscient narrator.”  Does the reader know more, less, or the same amount of information as the characters?  Did you feel the narration was effective for the telling of the story?  Why or why not?

3.  Describe the mystery of the book.  What is the detective attempting to solve?

4.  Describe the solution to the book.  How was the case solved?  What evidence did the detective use in solving the case?

5.  Did you prefer this book or The Westing Game?  Explain your answer.

Due Thursday, April 11, 2013.

Reading Log #11 and Book Presentation

Journal Entry:

1.  Did you read at least 3 hours outside of class over the past two weeks?

2.  Did you have enough time for your reading, or did you feel rushed over the past two weeks?

3.  Would you normally read at least 1.5 hours per week outside of school, or does keeping the reading log force you to read more than you ordinarily would?

4.  What book did you choose for your new genre reading?  What genre is it?  Why did you choose this book?  What were your expectations for the book?  Did the book meet them?  What did you like or not like about this particular book?  Would you choose to read another similar book to this in the same genre?

Book Presentation

You will make a presentation to the class on your New Genre Book.  You will receive a score for Delivery and for Content.  For your speech, you should speak clearly at an appropriate volume, make eye contact with the audience, and speak at an appropriate rate.  You may use note cards.  Presentations will begin February 19.  Your presentation should address the following questions:

1.  Name the title and author of the book.  Hold up the book for the class to see.

2.  What genre is the book?  Why did you choose a book from this genre?  How widely have you read from this genre in the past?

3.  What were your expectations for the book?  Why did you have these particular expectations?

4.  How many stars would you give the book (out of 5)?  Why did you give the book this rating?  Be specific.  Refer to specific elements of the book (plot, dialogue, description, explanation, characters, humor, complexity, etc) in explaining your answer.  Do not merely state an opinion.  Explain WHY you hold this opinion.  Refer to specific elements of the book, but DO NOT summarize the plot or give away spoilers.

5.  Will you continue to read books from this genre?  Why or why not?

6.  What are you CURRENTLY reading?  Display that book. 

Reading Reflection #9

Did you read at least 3 hours?
Did you enjoy your reading overall?  What was your favorite thing you read?
Choose one book in which you did some reading.  What adjective would you use to describe this book?  Explain why this particular adjective fits the book.

Favorites: 2012

Film: Moonrise Kingdom (Focus Features)
Television: Louie (FX)
Album: Sun, Cat Power (Matador Records)
Book: The Fault in Our Stars, John Green (Dutton)
Game: Sounders 1:0 Real Salt Lake, November 8 (Western Conference Semifinal)
Video: Carly Rae Jepson, Jimmy Fallon & The Roots, "Call Me Maybe"

"The Perks of Being a Wallflower" showing at Capitol Theater

What does Stephen Chbosky have in common with Harper Lee?  They have both written exactly one novel.  Obviously "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" is not as famous as "To Kill a Mockingbird," but in the field of Young Adult Literature, "Perks" is already considered a classic.  However, Harper Lee never got to direct the film adaptation of "To Kill a Mockingbird."  Stephen Chbosky wrote the screenplay and directed the film version of "The Perks of Being a Wallflower."  As an independent film, "Perks" has not had a wide release; it played 745 theaters at its widest point (a Hollywood blockbuster will play over 4,000 screens).  Therefore, the film's two week run at the Capitol Theater is significant.  This is your chance to see the film on the big screen.

"The Perks of Being a Wallflower" is rated PG-13.  It is intended for teen audiences.

The film stars Logan Lerman, Ezra Miller, and Emma Watson.

The Olympia Film Society website is here.

You can read Roger Ebert's review of the film here.

Introducing Seattle Reign FC

The name of the Seattle team in the newly-formed National Women's Soccer League was announced today: Seattle Reign FC.  I'm actually not a big fan of the name.  I tend to dislike singular nouns as team nicknames: Storm, Thunder, Galaxy, etc.  Yuck.  However, the team crest is fantastic.  And I'm definitely excited that Seattle will have a women's professional team.  Remember, the Sounders Women are a semi-professional team.  Seattle Reign FC's chief rival will be Portalnd Thorns FC.  Hopefully, the top U.S. Women players will be joining the league.  I assume the Reign will be playing home matches at Starfire, but nothing has been announced yet.  It would definitely be cool if Seattle could play Portland in a match at CenturyLink.  So while I'll probably never love the name Seattle Reign FC, I will still be a proud supporter.  Let's Go, Reign FC!

Northern & Western Europe Quiz

Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, United Kingdom, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, Netherlands.

You can print a blank map of Europe here.

Reading Log #8

Over break you need to read at minimum one entire book and read for a minimum of 3 hours.  The book must be a book you have not read previously.  If you are currently in the middle of a book you need to finish that book and then in addition read the amount of an additional book equivalent to the number of pages you had already read in the original book.

Reflection:

Did you meet the minimum reading requirement?

Where was the most enjoyable location at which you read?  Describe the location.

What was your favorite book that you read?  What did you most like about this particular book?

What are you planning on reading next?  Where did you hear about this particular book?

The Golden Compass, Part III: Svalbard

German Book Cover

Vocabulary: Find and record 3 unfamiliar or interesting English language vocabulary words.  Record the word, definition, and the page number on which it was found.

Reflection: What did you think of the last third of the book?  What did you think of the ending?  What do you now think of the book as a whole?  Are you interested in reading Book II of the series, The Subtle Knife?

Analysis:  What was Lord Asriel trying to accomplish at the end of the book?  Why do you think he was trying to do this?  Was he successful?  Why were Lyra and Pan trying to stop it?  What happened to Roger?

Due Wednesday, November 28.

The Golden Compass, Part II: Bolvangar

Hebrew Book Cover

Read Part II only.  Do not read ahead!

Vocabulary: Record the definitions of 3 English Language words which were unfamiliar to you.  Record the page number on which you found each word.

Reflection: What did you think of Part II?  How does it compare to Part I?  What is your opinion of Lyra?  What is your favorite part of the book so far?

Due Tuesday, November 20th.

The Golden Compass, Part I: Oxford

Read Part I: Oxford by Tuesday, November 13.  DO NOT READ PART 2!!!

Please type or print neatly on a separate sheet of paper.  Due Tuesday, November 13.

Vocabulary: Philip Pullman uses a rich vocabulary.  Record 3 interesting words which are English language words but are not commonly used words.  Record the page number on which you find the word.  Look up the word in a dictionary and record its definition.  Many words have multiple definitions.  Record the definition which best matches the usage used by Pullman.  Note: Pullman uses some words, like daemon, in a context new to the world he has created.  Do not use these words.

Reflection:  Give Part I a score out of 10 (10 being the highest).  Explain in at least one complete paragraph why you gave the book the score which you did.  Explain what worked and/or didn’t work in the book.  Refer to a specific passage from the book to illustrate your point (Do not quote the book—paraphrase what happens in a particular passage).  Be specific and descriptive when explaining why you liked or didn’t like the book.