Friday, December 19, 2008

Semester Grades

There are two terms for you to look at. Term 1 has all of the assignments and tests from the semester. Term 2 has the Final Exam. The Overall Grade in Term 2 is your semester grade. If you did community service, it is listed. Add that number to your overall percent to know your overall grade. If you have questions, you can e-mail me. I will NOT be checking my e-mail everyday, as it is a break for me too. But I will check it sometime over the break.

Have a great break!!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Online Scholastic Book Orders

Dear Parent,
I have exciting news... You can now place your Scholastic Book Club orders online!

Browse all the great monthly Club selections at low prices and order online - all while helping our classroom earn FREE books, software, and resources.

Here's how it works:

1. Use the information below to access the Scholastic Book Clubs Web site.
2. Browse the titles with your child, and place your order with your credit card.
3. Your order will come to me, and your credit card payment will go directly to Scholastic's secure server. There's no need to send money to school.
4. After I submit the entire class's order to Scholastic, your order will be delivered to our classroom for your child to take home.

www.scholastic.com/parentordering

Class User Name: SellersAmericanStudies
Password: Room202

Remember, placing your online credit card order is completely safe and secure.

Ordering online is the most convenient way to use Scholastic Book Clubs. You can order anytime, right up until the online order due date. And this month, our class can earn additional FREE books, just for trying this online ordering service.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Sellers

Friday, December 12, 2008

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Reading

A new thing that we have started in class is a Book Wall. Students list books and authors of books that they have enjoyed reading. This serves as a way to recommend books to their classmates. I have seen so many more students carrying around books that they are reading just for pleasure. I am so glad!!! This makes me happy. Studies how that the more students read, the better they become at reading and writing. Plus, in my opinion reading is just fun.

I have also instituted the Scholastic Book Club order forms in my class. Remember those from your student's elementary school days? Well, they are back. I feel that the order forms give students a look in to books that they might not read otherwise. Don't worry these are at their reading level!! I will be collecting orders no later than Thursday December 18. The information is all on the order form. There is no pressure, this is just for fun and access to books. I am also working on a way for you to be able to place the orders online from home. More on that to come...

Please encourage your students to read over the break. Anything will do: books, magazines, newspapers, fiction, non-fiction, biographies, fantasy, sci-fi, historical fiction...

FINALS!!!!! THEY ARE COMING UP SOON!!

In American Studies, we have a combined final, just like all of our unit exams. The exam will be on the first day your student has either of their American Studies classes. Check the Valhalla website for the finals bell schedule.

Your student was given a study guide for the final exam. Please make sure that they are studying this weekend. They should be going through all of their materials and reviewing the things we have covered this semester. It is a comprehensive final exam.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

COMMUNITY SERVICE- URGENT!!!!

COMMUNITY SERVICE REPORTS ARE DUE DECEMBER 10!!!! NO LATER!!! NO EXCUSES!!!!!!

There is a last chance opportunity for community service that I heard of today. Reminder you must speak to me or Mr. Bussey BEFORE you do community service to get it approved.

Here is an opportunity from I Love a Clean San Diego.
San Ysidro Community Cleanup
Saturday, December 6th from 9 - 11AM
2200 Enright Drive, San Diego 92173

There is still time in 2008 to volunteer at one of ILACSD's community cleanups. Our last beautification event of the year will take place in an open space area in need of your help! A lot can be accomplished in just one morning, not only for the immediate neighborhood and open space, but for the marine ecosystem as a whole. Contamination from trash and illegal dumping in this tributary eventually travels to the coast where it pollutes popular beaches. This canyon is part of the watershed that drains in Imperial Beach, which has been closed several times in 2008, as recently as September and November.

Volunteering is made easy, with all supplies provided, including water and snacks. Simply arrive ready to volunteer, wearing closed toed shoes and work clothes. For more information or to sign up to volunteer, send your request to volunteers@cleansd.org
. We hope to see you out there!

Monday, December 1, 2008

Grades

Parents and students:

I will be updating grades online today. I apologize that it has been a while. I recently had a death in my family and my time outside of school has been consumed with dealing with that.

Reminder that the To Kill a Mockingbird Test is on Wednesday!!!

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. There are only two more weeks of school before finals.

Who are the mockingbrids?

In the final section of the novel, two characters are compared to the mockingbird. Re-read the passages that identify the two characters (Ch. 25 & 30). In a few paragraphs, discuss these questions: Why is the mockingbird an appropriate symbol for these characters? In what ways are the characters similar? In what ways are they different? Cite evidence from the novel.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

TKAM Week #3 Vocab- Due Friday

31. tranquil
32. protruded
33. propensities
34. frivolous
35. propelled
36. formidable
37. obliquely
38. edification
39. reverent
40. infallible
41. placid
42. begrudge
43. ominous
44. vivid
45. oblivious

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Scholarship Opportunity

SAN DIEGO JUNIOR MISS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Grade 11
This is not a beauty pageant. The program recognizes and rewards
well-rounded young women. The competition consists of 5 categories in
which each girl’s scholastic achievement, individuality, talent, stage
presence, and public speaking ability are evaluated. At no time is
personal appearance judged and it costs nothing to enter.
Details at www.ajm.org or contact them by email at
sdjuniormiss@yahoo.com.
Deadline to contact them is January 19, 2009.

TKAM Vocab Week 2

16. palette
17. benevolence
18. honed
19. caricature
20. inordinately
21. ingenuous
22. innate
23. guilelessness
24. fanatical
25. tentatively
26. rudiments
27. articulate
28. melancholy
29. palliation
30. rectitude

Thursday, November 6, 2008

TKAM Vocab Week #1

You need to find the working definition of the following words. Meaning, I do not want you to just memorize the dictionary definition of the word, I want you to understand what it means. You also need to find the part of speech. For a bonus: Find the sentence where they appear in the book. You need to cite the page number and write the sentence. The words are listed in the order that they appear in the book. These words are words that have shown up on past SAT tests. So that is an added bonus for those of you that are college bound! If you do use an online dictionary, I recommend using Merriam-Webster's online dictionary/thesaurus. Due on Wednesday 11/12/08. http://www.m-w.com

1. assuagedLink2. piety
3. dictum
4. taciturn
5. quaint
6. malevolent
7. predilection
8. domiciled
9. profane
10. terrain
11. indigenous
12. diminutive
13. fractious
14. disapprobation
15. auspicious

Monday, November 3, 2008

Open Lab for the PPP Project

The American Studies teachers will be in the library computer lab on Wednesday and Thursday, during 7th period and after school (during tutorial time). We are doing this so that students will have an opportunity to get help from us and use the computer for their research. Please take advantage of this.

Due Thursday

Do not forget that Exam Analysis is due Thursday, unless you are doing exam retake on Wednesday, then it is due Wednesday.

Also To Kill a Mockingbird reading is due Thursday. Here are the questions:

Chapter 7
  • When Jem tells Scout about getting his trousers back, he tells her of something strange. What is this?
  • Can you find any evidence that Jem is beginning to understand more than Scout about Boo Radley? What do you think this is?
  • Does Jem still fear the gifts in the tree? Give reasons for your answer.
  • When the children plan to send a letter to the person who leaves the gifts, they are prevented. How does this happen? Who does it, and why might he do so?


Chapter 8
  • Why does Scout quiz Atticus about his visit to the Radley house? How much does Atticus tell her?
  • What is the “near libel” which Jem puts in the front yard? How do Miss Maudie and Atticus react to it?
  • Why does Atticus save Miss Maudie's oak rocking chair?
  • When Atticus asks Scout about the blanket around her shoulders, what does Jem realize?
  • Explain what Atticus means by telling Jem not to let his discovery “inspire ” him to “further glory”? Is there any reason why Jem might now do as his father says?
Chapter 9
  • How well does Atticus feel he should defend Tom Robinson? Is it usual for (white) lawyers to do their best for black clients in Alabama at this time?
  • Scout and Jem have “mixed feelings” about Christmas? What are these feelings and why?
  • Uncle Jack Finch tells Scout that she is growing out of her pants. What does this mean and why might he say it?
  • When Francis talks to Scout he reveals an unpleasant feature of Aunt Alexandra. What is this?
  • Does Scout learn anything from overhearing Atticus's conversation with Uncle Jack? What might this be?
  • Read the final sentence of this chapter. Explain in your own words what it means and why it might be important in the story.

Community Service Opps

Here are some opportunities from I Love a Clean San Diego:

Clean Canyons for a Clean Coast Cleanup
Saturday, November 8th from 9AM - 12noon
Meet at the Valencia Park Malcolm X Library parking lot
5148 Market Street, San Diego 92114

I Love A Clean San Diego and City of San Diego Open Space Division with support from Allied Waste Services have joined forces to tackle the litter and illegal dumping plaguing San Diego's canyons. Join in with friends, family, coworkers, or clubs and organizations to beautify this open space area and surrounding community in need of volunteers. All supplies will be provided at no charge, but remember to wear work clothes and sturdy closed toed shoes, and bring extra water. For more information, you can visit ILACSD's website or contact Natalie Roberts via email, or call (619) 291-0103 ext. 3014. We would appreciate RSVP's if you plan to volunteer, especially with a large group. Walk-on's will be accepted, but everyone must sign a waiver and anyone under 18 will need a parent/guardian signature to volunteer. Click here to print out the waiver to bring to the cleanup.

Tijuana Watershed Cleanup
Saturday, December 6th from 9 - 11AM
2200 Enright Drive at the intersection of Beyer Blvd and Enright Dr, San Ysidro 92173

I Love A Clean San Diego and City of San Diego - Think Blue with support from Allied Waste Services are emphasizing the need for more inland cleanups in an effort to protect San Diego County's watershed as a whole. Many of these areas act as a catch basin for litter from the surrounding neighborhoods and busy streets, as well as suffer from illegal dumping. Join us in cleaning up the Tijuana Watershed to prevent trash and debris from contaminating popular connecting beaches such as Imperial Beach where many South Bay residents swim, surf and play.

Volunteers should wear closed toed sturdy shoes and bring extra water. All supplies will be provided. Please check in at registration upon arrival to hand in a signed waiver or fill one out on-site. Minors under 18 will need a parent/guardian signature on their waiver. To sign up as a volunteer or find out more, contact ILACSD's Volunteer Department at 619-291-0103 or volunteers@cleansd.org.


Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Scholarships

AMERICAN LEGION NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL ORATORICAL CONTEST
Grade 9-12
You must be citizen of or lawful permanent resident of the U.S.
All contestants must be bona fide students herein described as any
student under the age of twenty (20) years on the date of the National
Contest who is presently enrolled in a high school. To enter there is no
application required. Just contact your local American Legion Post for
entry into the local or district contest.
California Finals Scholarship - $1,200; National Finals Scholarship -
$18,000
Information at www.legion.org

AYN RAND INSTITUTE - “THE FOUNTAINHEAD” ESSAY CONTEST
Grades 11 and 12
Choose a topic from a list on the website www.aynrand.org/contests
To avoid disqualification, a stapled cover sheet MUST include: your
name and address; your e-mail address (if available); the name and
address of your high school; topic selected; your current grade level
and (optional) the name of the teacher who assigned the essay, if you
are completing it for classroom credit.
Essay must be no fewer than 800 and no more than 1,600 words in length,
and must be typewritten and double-spaced. One entry per student,
please.
Deadline is April 25, 2009.
FIRST PRIZE: $10,000, 5 SECOND PRIZES: $2,000, 10 THIRD PRIZES: $1,000, 45 FINALISTS: $100, 175 SEMIFINALISTS: $50
Submit it on line at www.aynrand.org/contests

Monday, October 27, 2008

REMINDERS

Reminder #1: The unit exam is on Wednesday. Please bring your study packet to class on Tuesday.

Reminder #2: You need to be reading the new book, To Kill a Mockingbird. Ch. 1-3 are due Thursday. Here are the questions.

Chapter 1
  • What do you learn in this chapter about Maycomb, Atticus Finch and his family?
  • What do you learn about Dill's character?
  • What, briefly, has happened to Arthur “Boo” Radley.
  • Why does the Radley place fascinate Scout, Jem and Dill?
  • What do you notice about the narrative voice and viewpoint in the novel?
Chapter 2
  • Why is Scout so looking forward to starting school?
  • Why does Jem not want anything to do with Scout at school? Is his behaviour typical of an older child?
  • What do you think of Miss Caroline Fisher as a teacher? Can you find qualities which would make her good or not so good at her job?
Chapter 3
  • Who is Calpurnia? What is her place in the Finch household?
  • What is Walter Cunningham like? What does his behaviour during lunch suggest about his home life?
  • What do you think of the way Atticus treats Walter?
  • Does Scout learn anything from Walter's visit? What do you think this is?
  • Atticus says that you never really understand a person “until you climb into his skin and walk around in it”. What does this mean? Is it an easy thing for Scout to learn? (In the last chapter of the novel, Scout repeats this, but she changes “skin” to “shoes” - this is probably not a mistake: Harper Lee suggests that Scout cannot clearly recall exactly what Atticus said and when, but the reader can check this!)
  • What do you learn in this chapter about the Ewells?

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Got Plans is on Tuesday!

"Got Plans?" is our career/college night that prepares all students to go to a 4-year college, 2-year college, or vocational/trade school, armed forces or into a career. This year the event is at Cuyamaca College on Tuesday, October 21st, from 5-8 pm. This is a good opportunity to have a conversation with your student about what their future holds. Now is the time to think about this. Do not wait until senior year. By the end of junior year, students should have a good idea of what school they want to apply to.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Community Service

Anza Elementary School is looking for volunteers for their booths at the Fall
Festival, Friday, Nov. 21st from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Please contact Oluna Bradley PTA rep at 820-8543

Reminder

Your fairytale project is due one week from today!!!! (Oct. 22) Be prepared to read it to the class!

Friday, October 3, 2008

Final Draft of Essay is Due Tuesday!!!

Please make sure that your final draft is in class on Tuesday. You need to make sure that you have revised your essay and made the necessary corrections based on today's peer review. Make sure that you are paying attention to the writing conventions.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Upcoming due dates

Your typed rough draft of your essay is due Friday. You can find a copy of the Collins article here. It can be found in the assignments folder.

Also, don't forget that you exam analysis is due on Friday, too.

http://ebackpack.guhsd.net/ssdr89/Sites/assignments/

Monday, September 29, 2008

Grades and Exam Analysis

Grades are posted today. Please review your grade and examine how you can improve. Most of you can improve your grade by reading and studying. Also, do not forget that you have an opportunity to retake the unit exam. You must have your exam analysis done for history AND English in order to take the exam. Remember that your new score and old one will be averaged together and the averaged score will replace your old score.

For each section of the test that you received less than a 70% on, you must do a soapstone chart and answer these three questions.
1. Identify 3 to 5 important facts or reasons the author offers to support the main idea.
2. Identify any examples of bias or faulty reasoning found in the article.
3. How is the information discussed in the article relevant for today?
You can find the directions for the soapstone here:

http://ebackpack.guhsd.net/ssdr89/Sites/assignments/

Monday, September 22, 2008

Opportunity

The City of El Cajon is looking for teens to be a part of their Teen Coalition. It is a great opportunity to develop your leadership skills and get community service hours. Let me know if you want an application. Just e-mail me and I will e-mail it to you. The application is due Friday September 26th.

PROJECT DUE TUESDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please do not forget to do your project. Remember for each day it is late, 10% off. NO EMERGENCY PASSES ACCEPTED!

Also, you should be studying for Thursday's unit exam. We will have an extra tutorial session Wednesday after 7th period to study. Be there if you need help!!!

Friday, September 19, 2008

Huck Homework- Due Monday, PROJECT DUE TUESDAY

Read chapters 19-21 for Monday. Answer these questions.
Ch. 19
59. Who wouldn't say, "dern the fog"?
60. The two men said that they were really…
Ch. 20
61. How old was the imaginary boy named Ike?
62. How much did the King make at the camp meeting?
Chapter 21
63. What play are the duke and the king rehearsing?
64. What is the "most celebrated thing in Shakespeare"?
65. Who Killed Boggs?

DON'T FORGET TO WORK ON YOUR PROJECT!!!!!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Community Service Opps

Fuerte Elementary is offering two volunteer opportunities. One is for a western carnival on September 26 from 5-8 pm. The other is for a Halloween Carnival on October 25 from 5-8 pm. Please contact Angie Gardner for further information and to let her know that you can volunteer. 619-277-7334

Grades Posted

I have posted new grades. If you have a D or an F, you are in trouble. You need to start reading, studying and turning in your homework. If you are having trouble in any of these areas, we have tutoring available. You can come to American Studies on Wednesday's from 2-3 or Thursdays from 2-3 and 3-4. Please take advantage of this time if you are lost or if you need to make-up tests and quizzes. Missed tests and quizzes really hurt your grade.

Change your habits now!!!! It is not too late!!!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Community Service Opportunity

Reminder, Coastal Cleanup Day is this Saturday. Scroll down a few posts for more info. Also The Mother Goose Parade is looking for some volunteers. You must be 16 years old. There are applications available in the Counseling Office.

For more info call the Mother Goose Office at (619)444-8712

Monday, September 15, 2008

Tonight's Homework

Finish reading the Frederick Douglass piece. Write a rhetorical precis. Due tomorrow.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Scholarship Opportunities

BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU TORCH AWARDS SCHOLARSHIP ESSAY
Grade 11-12
You must be a member of the graduating class of 2009 or 2010 residing
in San Diego or Imperial County.
Essay theme: ‘The importance of ethics and integrity in our
community.”
Five cash awards ranging from $500 to $1,500.
Apply online at http://sandiego.app.bbb.org/torchaward
Deadline is October 27, 2008.


COLLEGEWEEKLIVE.COM $3,500 SCHOLARSHIP
Grades 9-12
One $3,500 scholarship will be awarded to the student who best responds
to the following question: “Going to college is a big, important step
in one’s life. What are you looking forward to the most about going
college, and why?” This award is open to all international and U.S.
high school students in grades 9-12. Additionally, students must login
and participate in the free CollegeWeekLive.com virtual college fair
being held online Nov. 12 &18, 2008.
Apply online now at CollegeWeekLive.com $3,500 Scholarship
Deadline is November 9, 2008.


EDUCATION MATTERS 5K SCHOLARSHIP
All Grades
This award is for U.S. students, must be 13 years of age or older. Must
be a legal U.S. resident. Must be enrolled or enroll no later than the
fall of 2014 in an accredited postsecondary institution of higher
learning (college, university, or trade school) within the United
States.
Apply on-line at www.scholarshipexperts.com
Award amount is $5,000 annually, non-renewable
Deadline is October 31 2008.

SHOUT IT OUT SCHOLARSHIP
Grades 9-12
Five $1,000 scholarships are available. Winners will be chosen based on
their responses (260 words or less) to the given topic: “If you were
given a 60-second commercial spot on television that would air
repeatedly during the presidential debates, what message would you shout
out to America?” To be eligible to apply, students must be 13 years of
age or older at the time of application and be legal residents of the
fifty (50) United States or the District of Columbia
Apply online at www.scholarshipexperts.com
Deadline is September 30, 2008.

Huck Homework- Due 9/15

Read Chapters 12-16. Answer the discussion questions below AND answer the Understanding Literature Questions (1 & 2) on page 98 in your book.

Ch. 12
42. What is a tow-head?
43. What two items did Huck and Jim decide to NOT "borrow?"
44. According to Huck Finn, how much do steamboat captains make per month?

Ch. 13
45. What's the name of the wreck?
46. According to Huck Finn, how many wives did Solomon have?

Ch. 14
47. How many boxes of cigars did Huck and Jim get from the ferry-boat?
48. How did Louis the XVI die?

Ch. 15
49. Where did Huck lose the raft?

Ch. 16
50. What town were Huck and Jim looking for?
51. Why was Huck miserable?
52. How did the raft get destroyed?

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Huck Homework

Reminder if you did not finish today's classwork, it is homework!!!


Huck homework: Read Chapters 8-11. Answer the discussion questions for the chapters. See them below. You must answer them in complete sentences!!!

Chapter 8

26. Why was the ferry-boat firing the cannon?
27. How long is Jackson Island?
28. What did Huck find that made his "heart jump up amongst his lungs?"
29. Why was Jim afraid of Huck?
30. Why didn't Huck believe that bees didn't sting idiots?

Chapter 9

31. How wide was the island?
32. What did Jim say that the little birds said?
33. Were they right?
34. How did the man in the house die?

Ch. 10

35. What did Huck and Jim find sewed up in the lining of an old blanket overcoat?
36. After Jim got bit by the rattlesnake, what did he have Huck do with the rattles?
37. Why does Huck think that Jim got bit by the snake?
38. What two objects did they find in the stomach of the catfish?

Ch. 11

39. Who is Sarah Williams?
40. Where is Sarah from?
41. What three ways did Mrs. Loftus ascertain Sarah's true gender?

Monday, September 8, 2008

Huck Finn Quote Assignment

Reminder that the quote assignment is due Wednseday. Hope you had a good day. See you tomorrow.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Huck Finn assignment for Monday

Don't forget that reading is due every Monday and Thursday. Sometimes you will have a written assignment to go with it too.

Due Monday: Ch. 4-7 (that means you have to read 4, 5, 6 and 7!) and Questions #1,3,4,8,9,10 on pages 38 and 39. Please answer them in complete sentences.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Community Service and Environmental Info

2. COASTAL CLEANUP DAY!
The 24th Annual Coastal Cleanup Day event is approaching, and I Love A Clean San Diego and San Diego Coastkeeper hope to recruit more volunteers than ever before! This year's event has many exciting new elements, including new cleanup sites with over 70 locations to choose from, Spanish language outreach with bilingual sites, extra service project options alongside cleanups at some sites, and fun new giveaways and prizes at each site. Visit the event website at www.cleanupday.org for details about the event, site info, to register, and to download a waiver. Join us to reach our goal of 7,000 volunteers to make this the most successful cleanup ever of our beaches, bays, rivers, canyons, and parks!

3. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Sustain San Diego E-Waste Collection Event Saturday, September 6th from 9AM - 1PM San Diego County Administration Building's north parking lot 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego, 92101 Clear out space in your home and help raise money for I Love A Clean San Diego by dropping off any unwanted electronics to be properly disposed of and recycled. I Love A Clean San Diego, Recycle San Diego, 10News, Azteca America, and the Department of Toxic Substances Control are proud to give San Diegans a convenient opportunity to make the right choice when discarding their old electronics. Volunteers are needed to help with paperwork and coordinate drop offs from 8:15 AM to 1 PM. All volunteers must be 16 years of age or older, and service verification can be provided. Contact Natalie Roberts at nroberts@cleansd.org if you are interested in volunteering. San Diego Padres Green Team Friday September 26th from 5 - 10 PM Saturday, September 27th from 5 - 10 PM Sunday, September 28th from 11 AM - 4 PM Petco Park 19 Tony Gwynn Way, San Diego, 92101 Attention Padres fans! Join ILACSD in helping to make Petco Park sustainable by joining the San Diego Padres Green Team! Volunteers are needed for the last home stand to educate fans about new recycling receptacles available at the stadium and help encourage recycling in between innings. Enjoy the game without having to purchase a ticket, and help Petco Park and the Padres stand out among other sports teams through these green initiatives. Only volunteers 18 years of age or older are accepted, and everyone must sign up in advance as a volunteer. Contact Natalie Roberts or Morgan Justice-Black at 619-291-0103 to register as a member of the Green Team. Beautify Chula Vista Day Saturday, October 4th from 8 AM - 12 noon Otay Park 1613 Albany Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91910 Register today to make a big impact on a neighborhood with the help of hundreds of fellow residents. Show your community pride through a multitude of activities, all acting together to spruce up the area in different ways. Everyone is asked to pre-register for the event, in order to be assigned to a beautification team. These teams will be removing litter, painting out graffiti, planting trees, and stenciling storm drains. Sign up to be a part of this dynamic annual event by visiting the event website today!

4. ILACSD IN THE COMMUNITY San Diego Loves Green new website www.sandiegolovesgreen.com If you are interested in finding green businesses, news, and information in one stop, San Diego has a new resource for eco-conscious locals. Learn about upcoming events, view message boards, read environmental articles, and a peruse a directory of environmental businesses and organizations, including ILACSD! La Mesa Environmental Awareness Festival Saturday, September 13th from 10AM - 2PM Harry Griffin Park 9550 Milden Street, La Mesa 91942 The City of La Mesa and the Environmental Sustainable Committee are sponsoring the La Mesa Environmental Awareness Festival, encouraging community members to sustain La Mesa and sustain the Earth. Join in the fun with activities and games for all ages, information and resources about water conservation, energy efficiency, recycling, composting, solar cooking, storm drain runoff, master gardening, and more! Take advantage of on-site opportunities including shade trees, a recycling drop off, and an incandescent light bulb exchange for up to 5 energy-efficient compact bulbs. Plus, don't forget to stop by I Love A Clean San Diego's booth! For more information, visit the City of La Mesa's webpage.

FLOW the Film Premiere Friday, September 19th - Thursday, September 25th May run longer depending on interest level Landmark Ken Theater 4061 Adams Ave, San Diego 92116 Oscilloscope Pictures brings Irena Salina's award winning documentary to the Ken in San Diego this month. The powerful film builds a case against the growing privatization of the world's dwindling fresh water supply with an unflinching focus on politics, pollution, human rights, and the emergence of a domineering world water cartel. Beyond identifying the problem, FLOW also gives viewers a look at the people and institutions providing practical solutions to the water crisis and those developing new technologies, which are fast becoming blueprints for a successful global and economic turnaround. The film's message will be supported by speakers from various local environmental organizations, including ILACSD staff on Sept. 24th. For more information, visit the film's website at www.flowthefilm.com

14th Annual Pacific Islander Festival Saturday, September 27th and Sunday, September 28th 9AM - 5PM Ski Beach in Mission Bay East side of Vacation Isle off of Ingraham Street, San Diego 92109 Celebrate Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia at the Pacific Islander's Festival this month, at possibly one of the biggest luaus around! The festivities are brought to life with vibrant colors, pounding drum beats, and elaborate costumes. Vendors will be on hand to entertain you and the whole family with arts, crafts, food, drink, and educational information about the Pacific Islanders and their culture. ILACSD will join in the celebration, so be sure to stop by our booth!

5. BIOCOMPOSTABLES By Connie Glenn, ILACSD's Education Coordinator While walking around the zoo the other day, I looked at the cold drink in my hand and discovered something very exciting. Written on the plastic cup I was holding were the words "environmentally sustainable" and "compostable". What I had just discovered was the latest advancement in our quest for a sustainable society: Biocompostables. Biocompostables, including Bioplastics and Compostable Plastics, are made from renewable plant materials, like potatoes or corn resin, with no petroleum-based materials. They can be used to make consumer products like cups, bowls, utensils, to-go containers, trays, garbage bags, and even apparel and furnishings. Be cautious though. Unless specifically intended to hold something hot, these products are only heat stable to 110°. Any hotter than that, or even left in the sun, and these products will melt. The good news? On the production side, these items are made from sustainable, non-oil based materials. And on the disposal side, they have the potential to take up less space in landfills. Some items are able to be composted, a process by which materials undergo biological decomposition in a compost site without leaving a toxic residue. Others will biodegrade from the action of naturally occurring microorganisms like bacteria, or be recycled as plastics which are all wonderful benefits for the planet and humans. The companies that manufacture these products recommend composting them at a compost facility where moisture and temperature are regulated, something that San Diego County does not offer to the public. So, what better reason to start composting than to be able to properly degrade your single-use kitchenware. We still have a ways to go before our society is a sustainable one, but with innovations like these, we are surely on our way.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

The Declaration of Independence

Read the document and find the shifts in the argument. Also complete the handout.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Patriotism Documents and other stuff

If you were absent or if you lost any of your handouts you can find them here:

http://ebackpack.guhsd.net/ssdr89/Sites/assignments/ Look for the stuff labeled patriotism. This includes the powerpoint with the images

Patriotism Essay

Writing assignment: (Due Friday)

Imagine that you are a presidential candidate. What do you have to say to the American people about patriotism?
Write an essay in which you explain to your constituents (voters) what you believe. Be sure to use evidence and develop a good argument. Us the articles you have read as an example.

Friday, August 22, 2008

Collins Summary and Response

On a separate sheet of paper write a half a page for each part:

Article Summary (Summarize the argument made by Michael Collins and explain the evidence used to support it.)
Response: (Discuss your reaction to what is being said in the article.)

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Collins Article

1. Look up and define the vocab words.
2. Read the Collins Article
3. Highlight traits Collins attributes to the American Character
4. Answer the following questions:
What is the author's main argument/ claim?
What is the author's aim?
Go here if you lost your handouts or if you need to see the Argument powerpoint again. They are called Collinsvocab and whatisanargument
http://ebackpack.guhsd.net/ssdr89/Sites/assignments/

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Directions for tonights homework

1. Read your writing assignment from yesterday (Why should we study US history and American literature?)
2. Highlight the main argument
3. Star (*) the evidence.
4. What is the aim of your piece?

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Patriotism

How do you define patriotism? What does it mean to be patriotic? Leave a comment and let us know.