Monday, November 30, 2009

Attention Parents!!!

Rancho San Diego Community Holiday “Cheer” Benefit
Friday December 18th, 2009
6:30-11:30pm Cocktails 6:30, Dinner Served at 7:30
Cottonwood Golf Course Pavillion 18yrs+
Tickets must be purchased in advance by Wednesday 12/16/09.
Contact: valhallacheertvf@gmail.com
Make payment to:TVF Cheer Mail payment to: 1725 Hillsdale Rd. El Cajon, CA 92019 Attn: Cheer Advisor Supporting the Valhalla Cheer Program Cost: $25.00 per person-(Price includes dinner)
Flier is attached

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Just in time for the holidays!!

DUE DATE- 11/20/09

Dear Parent,

This month’s flyer from Scholastic Book Clubs features some terrific new books—along with some time-tested classics—that your child is sure to enjoy reading.

Please take some time to explore the flyer with your child. Make your selections and return the order form to me along with your payment.

Or, give online ordering a try!

It’s fast, easy, and you get instant access to hundreds of additional titles plus online-only specials and discounts. Best of all, our class earns a FREE book for our classroom library every time a parent places their order online!

To order online, go to the Web address below and enter our class’s personalized user name and password in the sign-in fields on the right side of the page. Note: You do not need to create your own user name and password.

www.scholastic.com/bookclubs
User Name: SellersAmericanStudies
Password: Room202

Shop online to get instant access to over 500 additional titles plus online-only specials and discounts. Of course, you can always use the printed flyer instead and have your child hand in a Book Club order form and payment at school.

Thank you for continuing to help our classroom earn FREE books. Remember, every time a parent places an order online, we earn a FREE book for our classroom library!

Go to www.scholastic.com/bookclubs now to get started.

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

Sincerely,


Stephanie Sellers

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

College News

I received this letter from the President of San Diego State University. This is more of a reason why all of you need to study hard and do the best you can.

SDSU Alumni and Friends:As a direct result of devastating state budget cuts of $571 million, the California State University System is reducing enrollment state-wide this year and next by 40,000 students. San Diego State's share of that reduction will be 4,618 students. There are 1,850 fewer students on campus this fall and we expect to reduce our enrollment by an additional 2,768 students next fall. As educators (and Californians) we wish resources allowed us to accept all qualified applicants, but they do not. California is now rationing educational opportunity, which is to say opportunity itself. Demand for an SDSU degree has never been higher. The university turned away 22,164 qualified applicants for the current fall semester - all from outside our local service area which includes schools south of State Rout 56 and all of Imperial County. It is unfair to deny educational opportunities to anyone--local students or better-qualified, out-of-area students. In the midst of the unprecedented cuts forced upon us, SDSU is looking for middle ground. The university will give extra eligibility points to local students in order to maintain its historic ratio of local to out-of-area first-time freshmen. Over the past 11 years, that ratio has been about 37 percent local. Up until now, local applicants could gain admission to SDSU by meeting a minimum eligibility score established by the CSU in conjunction with the California Postsecondary Education Commission. But because San Diego State receives so many applications (we are #2 in the country for undergraduate applications) we historically required non-local students to have a higher cut-off score. Beginning this year, we will award local applicants enough extra points to bring the number of their acceptances up to the proportion needed to maintain the historic 37 percent ratio. The cut-off scores and supplementary points will vary by discipline depending on demand and available spaces. A few critics claim SDSU is trying to discourage local students from applying. Nothing could be further from the truth. SDSU has encouraged local applicants by: partnering with the Sweetwater Union High School District to help its students prepare for success at SDSU; administering three inner-city schools in City Heights enrolling approximately 5,000 students; and, in recent years, increasing the proportion of local students in our Educational Opportunity Program (the largest in the state) from 40 to 80 percent. These efforts are designed to ensure that our local students are well prepared for collegiate success at San Diego State or any university of their choosing. Transfer students present a different challenge. Our historic ratio of in-service area to out-of-service area transfer applicants is 60 percent local. Given the reductions in funding and enrollment slots, we are giving first admission priority to local transfer applicants who meet the requirements of the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG). These will be transfer students who have 100 percent of their transferrable work from SDSU's local community colleges. Second admission priority will be offered to transfer students from local community colleges. We are predicting that virtually 100 percent of our transfer admits for fall 2010 will be local. What is our rationale regarding transfer admissions? Simply that given these difficult and unpleasant choices, we must give first priority to those transfer students who have completed all lower division requirements and have no more courses they can take at the community college level. These students are ready to enter their major and make progress toward their four-year degree. What can you do to help? First and foremost, encourage your children, or children of friends, to work hard, do their homework and pursue their dream of higher education. Secondly, fight for more enlightened priorities for California. We are failing the coming generation. Due to state budget cuts, we now have fewer spaces available for all the students who would like to attend SDSU. This is a sad commentary on the condition of our state and its inability to provide educational opportunity to students who want nothing more than to develop their skills and abilities to be our state's future leaders. For additional information, please visit www.sdsu.edu/enrollmentinfo Sincerely, Stephen L. Weber, SDSU President

Friday, October 16, 2009

Friday, October 9, 2009

Grades are now online

I will be posting again after the weekend and again the following week. Teachers turn grades in for the first progress report on a week from Monday.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Grades

I have been posting them in class weekly as I have had some technical difficulties. The district has changed the uploading mechanism. Be patient. I will let you know when they are uploaded. Please ask your student about their grade until then.

Monday, September 28, 2009

For all of you procrastinators!! Here are the directions for the project.

Write Your Own Declaration of Independence

Now that you have read and analyzed the Declaration of Independence, it is your turn to write your own.
Remember, the Declaration has a Five Part Structure:
1) A Preamble which answers the question: Why are we writing this document?
2) A Philosophical Foundation which answers the question: What gives us the right to declare our independence?
3) A List of Grievances which answers the question: How have our basic rights been violated? (at least 5)
4) An Explanation of Previous Actions which answers the question: What have we already done to solve our problems up to this point?
5) A Resolution which answers the question: What do we now intend to do?
Your Job
Choose an area or issue in your own life from which you would like to declare independence. Write your own Personal Declaration of Independencein which you follow the same Five-Part Structure.

How long does it have to be?It needs to use all five parts and develop each as thoroughly and as creatively as you can.
It needs to be typed with all of the usual conventions (12 pt font, 1 inch margins, double spaced).

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Directions for the mini-essay

"Analyzing Relationships"

1. Develop a claim (thesis) about Huck and Jim's relationship.
2. Use the guiding questions on page 15 in your study packet to help you.
3. Find evidence to support your claim from the novel.
4. Write a mini-essay to prove your point (about 3 paragraphs)

Reading!!

Please encourage your student to read!! Students, please read! Not just stuff for this class. Anything! Magazines, newspapers, the sports page, novels about vampires, comic books, etc. Reading is excercise for your mind! The more you read the better you become at reading and comprehending. The more you read the better your become at writing.

If you are looking for some good things to read, check out the Book Order forms I gave out in class. You can also go online and shop!

Dear Parent,
I have exciting news. You can now place your Scholastic Book Clubs orders online!
Browse all the great monthly Book Club selections at low prices and order online. Plus, our class earns a FREE Book every time a parent orders online.
Here's how it works:
Use the information below to access the Scholastic Book Clubs Web site.
Browse the titles with your child and place your order with your credit card.
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.
After I submit the entire class order to Scholastic, your order will be delivered to our classroom for your child to take home.
To get started, go to the Web address below and enter our class’s personalized user name and password in the sign-in fields on the right side of the page. Note: You do not need to create your own user name and password.
www.scholastic.com/bookclubs
User Name: SellersAmericanStudies
Password: Room202

Ordering online is the most convenient way to use Scholastic Book Clubs. You can order anytime, right up until the online order due date. You'll also get instant access to over 500 additional titles plus online-only specials and discounts.
And don't forget: Every time a parent places an order online, we earn a FREE book for our classroom library!
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Sellers

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Monday, September 21, 2009

Monday, June 1, 2009

Grades

The grades posted are NOT your final grades. But I wanted you to have an idea of where you are going into the final. Remember that the final is 15% of your grade. I also need to finish grading and recording the Fahrenheit Essays.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Finally!!!!!

Grades are posted.

Technical Problems.

The grades are not uploading. I will post when I get them up. Thanks for your patience.

Grades

I have posted your current grades. The Fahrenheit 451 essay is not in there and your final project grade is not in there. Please look them over. If there are any problems, please write me a note or an e-mail, so that I can check on the issue. Please do not come to my desk and just start yelling, "My grade is wrong." I will send you away.

Remember that is is your responsibility to check for errors.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Finals Study Guide

For the final exam, you should compile all of the materials from this semester. For example:
- The study packet for Black Boy and Fallen Angels.
-The storyboards and societal similarities for Fahrenheit 451
- The supplemental reading packet for AAW (America at War)
- The supplemental reading packet for TT (Turbulent Times)
-Any additional readings from those units (ex. "I am Joaquin")
-The four articles from AT (America Today)

Then you should re-read and review all of the poems, songs, speeches, short stories and articles from those units.

For each poem/song you should be able to identify:
- Speaker
-Tone/Mood
-Historical Context
-Prominent Literary Devices
-Underlying Message

For each speech you should be able to identify the:
-historical context
-tone/mood
-aim
-main claim
-prominent literary devices

For each article you should be able to identify:
-historical context
-tone/mood
-aim
-main claim

For each short story you should be able to identify:
- historical context
-main characters
-plot

For each novel you should be able to identify:
-main characters
-historical context
-plot

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

"That was then... This is now" Vocab

1. zeitgeist 2. ubiquitous 3. quintessential 4. seismic 5. discombobulate 6. moxie 7. protocol 8. ideology 9. salience 10. flux 11. hyperbolic 12. slough 13. chastening 14. entrepreneurs 15. ascetics 16. bacchanalia 17. sustainability 18. comatose 19. incoherent 20. paradigm 21. profligacy 22. epiphenomena 23. yuppie 24. subsidize 25. assimilate

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Book Amnesty Day

Please bring any and all books that belong to Valhalla and that you are not currently using. I will turn them in for you. We need them to take an accurate inventory of what is available in the book room. Some students still have books from 9th grade at home!!! Please help get these books in. "Lost" books cost the school money that can be used elsewhere or that we can save to by the new editions of the history text. This is much needed!!!

I will collect any subject's books. Including:
*Math from any year
*History from any year
*Novels from any year
*Science from any year
*Foreign Language from any year
*Whatever else you might have

Please bring these in as soon as possible!!

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Volunteer Opportunity

The NAVY's 23rd Original Bay Bridge Run/Walk is looking for volunteer's for its event on May 17. Please e-mail them at volunteer@mwrsw.com for more information.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Spring Break Enrichment

Spring Break Enrichment

In lieu of community service, you have the opportunity to do a variety of assignments over break that will allow you to gain community service/ extra credit “hours”. You have two main options.

Books:

Each book read and assignment completed will count for three hours. The book must be something that you have not already read. It must also come from this list. In addition to reading the book, you must complete the written assignment and submit it to turnitin.com by the deadline.

In Dubious Battle- John Steinbeck
Farewell to Manzanar- Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston & James D. Houston
A Raisin in the Sun- Lorraine Hansberry
The Catcher in the Rye- J.D. Salinger
Invisible Man- Ralph Ellison
Tortilla Curtain-T.C. Boyle
Rain of Gold- Victor Villasenor
Sunrise Over Fallujah- Walter Dean Myers

Movies:

Each movie watched and assignment completed will count for one hour. The movie must come from this list. In addition to watching the movie, you must complete the written assignment and submit it to turnitin.com by the deadline. If the movie is rated anything over PG, you must have your parent sign the release form.

Pleasantville (PG-13)
Saving Private Ryan (R)
Mona Lisa Smile (PG-13)
Dead Poets Society (PG)
When Trumpets Fade (R)
Casualties of War (R)
Good Morning Vietnam (R)
War Games (PG)
Inconvenient Truth (PG)
Mississippi Burning (R)
Dr. Strangelove (PG)
White Man’s Burden (R)
Hairspray (2007- PG)

Parent Permission:
I give permission for my child ___________________ to view the following movie(s) for the Spring Break Enrichment assignment.
Movies:

________________________________ ____________________________ __________
Parent Name Parent Signature Date

Written Assignment

In essay format (Must have an intro, thesis, conclusion, multiple paragraphs,etc.), you must:

 Explain the argument of the movie or book
 Provide specific evidence from the movie or book that shows the argument
 Explain the aim of the movie or book
 Provide specific evidence from the movie or book that shows the argument
 Explain the historical context of the movie or book
 Provide specific evidence from the movie or book that shows the historical context


All assignments must be submitted to www.turnitin.com by midnight on April 19th. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!

If you do multiple assignments, each one must be submitted to a separate assignment on turnitin.com. Ex. Spring Break Enrichment #1, Spring Break Enrichment #2, etc.

Upcoming Events from I Love a Clean San Diego

CREEK TO BAY CLEANUP
Saturday April 25th from 9AM - 12noon
Location: Over 60 sites countywide

Sign up today for the 7th Annual Creek to Bay Cleanup with I Love A Clean San Diego! Volunteers will span out across roughly 60 coastal and inland cleanup sites on Saturday, April 25th to make a big difference for the environment and the community countywide. All supplies are provided, and volunteers will receive commemorative event reusable water bottles. Scouts can earn patches for all of their hard work volunteering. Visit the event website at www.creektobay.org for more information and to register at the site of your choice.

Call or email Natalie Roberts at 619-291-0103 ext. 3014 or nroberts@cleansd.org if you have questions regarding the event or if you would like to register a large group.

UPCOMING EVENTS
San Diego Science Festival
Saturday, April 4th from 10AM - 4PM
Location: Balboa Park

Join in at Balboa Park for over 500 hands-on activities perfect for the whole family. Many popular museums will offer complimentary admission that day. Don't forget to stop by I Love A Clean San Diego's booth!

Gardening to Save, Conserve, and Harvest Rain Water Class
Tuesday, April 7 from 6:30–8:30 PM
Location: San Diego Natural History Museum, Balboa Park

With out a doubt, water is our most valuable resource and it's high time we treat it with the reverence it deserves. Examine the myriad ways people distribute (irrigation) and conserve (mulching) imported water. Study in detail methods used for eons by early cultures in harvesting rain water. Learn why the best place to store water is in the ground. The museum is also giving away low-flow shower heads and water-saving gardening tip pamphlets to all participants!

The San Diego Natural History Museum offers a water-conservation gardening series including classes on rainwater harvesting and water wise plants. Visit http://tickets.sdnhm.org or (619) 255-0203 to register or for more information.

San Diego EarthFair
Sunday, April 19th from 10AM - 5PM
Location: Balboa Park

ILACSD is happy to once again be a part of one of the largest environmental fairs nationwide. San Diego's EarthFair features more than 200 exhibitors, special themed areas, a Food Pavilion, a special Kids' Activity Area, five entertainment venues, the Children's Earth Parade and Alternative Fuel Vehicle Parade and Show. We hope to see you there celebrating Earth Day!

San Diego River Days Cleanup and Graffiti Paint Out Event
Saturday May 9th, 10AM - 12noon
Location: The portion of the San Diego River that runs beneath Pacific Highway. Registration will be set up at the trail access in front of the storage facility at 4800 Pacific Highway, San Diego, 92110. Parking is available along Pacific Highway before you reach Rosecrans St.

Volunteer with ILACSD to cleanup trash and paint out graffiti along the San Diego River. Trash and graffiti blight the portion of the river running beneath Pacific Highway and freeway overpasses, visible in several directions. Join us and San Diego River Park Foundation for this year's River Days event! Visit our website, www.cleansd.org or contact Natalie Roberts at 619-291-0103 ext. 3014 or nroberts@cleansd.org if you would like to participate.

Water Wise and Easy-Care Plants for Your Garden Class
Tuesday, May 12 from 6:30–8:30PM
Location: San Diego Natural History Museum, Balboa Park

Concerned about using too much water in your garden? If you are, it's for good reason. Water is such a precious commodity that we all need to think about how to make do with less. But making do doesn't mean giving up, nor does it mean brown and dry. Learn 30 (or more) plants that are water wise, easy to take care of and absolutely beautiful in the garden.

The San Diego Natural History Museum offers a water-conservation gardening series including classes on rainwater harvesting and water wise plants. Visit http://tickets.sdnhm.org or (619) 255-0203 to register or for more information.

Kids' Ocean Day Cleanup
Thursday, June 4th from
Location: Coronado City Beach

Help local students take action for the environment through a cleanup and aerial art formation that sends out a powerful environmental message. ILACSD is seeking volunteers over the age of 18 to help supervise approximately 1,000 students that will be attending this annual event. To sign up as a volunteer, please contact Colleen Dahlem, Education Director, at cdahlem@cleansd.org or 619-291-0103, ext. 3009.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

DON'T FORGET TO SUBMIT YOUR MIT TO TURNITIN.COM!!!!!!

Here is the information you need to get started:

Website: turnitin.com
Class ID: 2632668
Enrollment password: orangepride

If you need the directions you can find them here: http://ebackpack.guhsd.net/ssdr89/Sites/assignments/

Friday, March 13, 2009

Civil RIghts Speeches Short Answer Prompts

Prompt #1: What is the argument/ main claim? What evidence is given to support the argument?

Prompt #2: What is the aim/purpose? What evidence is given to support the aim?

These should at least have a paragraph each in response.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Scholarships

U.S. NAVY ROTC COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Grades 11, 12
Must be U.S. Citizen.
Qualifying SAT/ACT scores, (SAT: critical reading 530, math 520), (ACT:
English 22, math 21) to expedite your application, release scores
electronically to NROTC code 0656 via collegeboard.com or
actstudent.org
Nursing option available now!
Complete application and details on-line at http://www.navy.com for
more info call 619-279-9099 Petty Officer Cavazos.
Scholarship award is $180,000 (will pay full tuition, books and lab
fees).

CSU - FRESNO: SMITTCAMP FAMILY HONORS COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP
Grade 11
Must have clear demonstration of the intellectual and creative
potential to benefit from honors learning experiences and meeting one or
more of the following criteria; within the upper 10% of your graduating
class, 3.6 GPA in college prep courses or PSAT/SAT of 1200 Math/verbal
or above.
Full scholarships.
Details at http://honors.csufresno.edu
Deadline April 15, 2009.

JUNIOR STATESMEN SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAM
Grades 9, 10, 11
This is an exciting opportunity for student leaders to learn more about
politics and government in a dynamic academic environment. Located on
the campuses of Georgetown, Princeton, Yale, and Stanford.
Leadership and public service, cyberpolitics, international relations
media and politics and the civil rights movement are some of the new
courses for 2009.
Details at www.jsa.org/summer (partial scholarships available).

QUESTBRIDGE COLLEGE PREP SCHOLARSHIP
Grade 11
For juniors who have demonstrated academic excellence despite facing
financial obstacles.
Free of charge!
Full scholarships to college summer programs at Harvard, Notre Dame,
Stanford, and Yale. Individualize college admissions counseling from
QuestBridge.
Invitations to attend QuestBridge College Prep Conferences at locations
including Rice, Stanford and Yale.
Apply on-line at www.questbridge.org
Deadline on March 31, 2009.

ADOPTION CENTER OF SAN DIEGO ESSAY CONTEST
Grades 9,10,11,12
Open to all high school students.
Write an essay of 1,000-1,500 words on the topic: “Why is placing a
child in an open adoption a better decision than parenting for teens
today?”
Award amounts are $1,000 1st place, $500 2nd place, and $350 3rd
place.
Guidelines at http://grossmont.guhsd.net
Deadline is April 30, 2009.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Couseling Info: ATTENTION PARENTS AND STUDENTS

Mrs. Swatniki, the 11th grade counselor came to class today to present information about graduation, planning for next year and planning for college.

COURSE SELECTION CARDS ARE DUE MARCH 10!!!!! DO NOT FORGET!!! If you do not select your classes, they will be selected for you!!

Please refer to the guidance websites for more information. You can also find a few helpful links to websites to the left.

Class of 2010 website: http://class.guhsd.net/index.php?EMP=DD57

General Guidance website: http://valhalla.guhsd.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=123&Itemid=272

Community Service Opportunities

REI Paddle Demo Day & Beach Cleanup
Sunday, March 15th, from 10AM - 2PM

Tidelands Park, Coronado
2020 Mullinix Drive, Coronado 92118

Cleanup, kayak, and canoe with I Love A Clean San Diego (ILACSD) and REI! We hope to see you out there to cleanup the beach and test out kayaks and canoes while enjoying a scenic view of the San Diego skyline. All volunteers will need to sign a waiver to participate, and minors under 18 will need a parent/guardian signature on their waiver. All supplies provided, but please remember your reusable water bottles and sunscreen/hat if it is warm out. Call 619-291-0103 ext. 3014 with questions or to sign up.

More REI Paddle Demo Information


7th Annual Creek to Bay Cleanup
Saturday April 25th, 9AM - 12Noon
Over 60 coastal and inland cleanup sites countywide

Registration will begin this week for the 7th Annual Creek to Bay Cleanup! Volunteers are invited to celebrate Earth Month with ILACSD by participating at one of over 60 coastal and inland cleanup sites throughout San Diego County. Visit the event website at www.creektobay.org for more information and to register for a site of your choice. We hope to see you out there this year making a difference for your community at your favorite local beach or park.
Creek to Bay Website


Kids' Ocean Day Cleanup
Thursday, June 4th, 7:30AM - 1PM
Coronado City Beach
Isabella Ave and Ocean Blvd, Coronado 92118

I Love A Clean San Diego needs up to 50 volunteers for this event targeting underserved schools in South Bay and inland areas. Volunteers will assist with coordinating a beach cleanup and human art formation that will be photographed from a helicopter above! This event is a great for team-building with co-workers or fun with friends. Volunteers will spread environmental awareness and empowerment by showing students they can make a difference at any age. We ask that volunteers be at least 18 years of age. If you would like your school to participate, or to sign up as a volunteer, please contact Colleen Dahlem, Education Director, at cdahlem@cleansd.org or 619-291-0103, Ext. 3009.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

TEST PREP IN THIS MONTH'S BOOK CLUB

Dear Parent,

This month’s Book Club is filled with great books and software.

I particularly recommend:

KAPLAN ACT, PSAT, SAT GOLD EDITION (This is $10.00 cheaper than Barnes and Noble and no shipping cost!)


To order online, go to the Web site below and enter our class’s personalized user name and password.

www.scholastic.com/parentordering

Class User Name: SellersAmericanStudies
Password: Room202

Remember, placing your online order is completely safe and secure. Your credit card payment is sent directly to Scholastic.

When you shop online, you can take advantage of exclusive online-only offers and choose from an expanded selection of books and software. Of course, you can always use the printed flyer instead and have your child hand in a Club order form and payment at school.

Thank you again for ordering and for continuing to help our classroom earn FREE books, software and learning materials. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Sellers

Monday, February 23, 2009

Turnitin.com

We have had some problems with plagiarism. From now on all written assignments will be submitted through Turnitin.com.


Here is the information you need to get started:

Website: turnitin.com
Class ID: 2632668
Enrollment password: orangepride

If you need the directions you can find them here: http://ebackpack.guhsd.net/ssdr89/Sites/assignments/

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

UNIT EXAM ITEMS

The following are the items that are on the uit exam for the English portion.

1.WWI/ War: War Poems
2.WWII: Two Soldiers, When the Emperor was Divine
3.Cold War/ Vietnam: Songs, Ambush

If you do not pass a section, you will need to do a SOAPSTone for EACH reading in that section for Exam Analysis. That means each poem and each song. SO MAKE SURE YOU STUDY!!!!!!!

Come to class on Wednesday with any questions or clarification you might need.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Scholastic Book Orders

Dear Parents and Students,

I wanted to remind you that you can place your Scholastic Book Club orders online. I passed out the paper order form to students today. One of the books, The Compound, fits into waht we have been studying about the threat of nuclear war. It sounds interesting!


To order online, go to the Web address below and enter our class’s personalized user name and password.

www.scholastic.com/parentordering

Class User Name: SellersAmericanStudies
Password: Room202

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

Plus, when you shop online, you can take advantage of exclusive online-only offers and choose from an expanded selection of books and software. Of course, you can always use the printed flyer instead and have your child hand in a Book Club order form and payment at school.

Thank you for continuing to help our classroom earn FREE books and learning materials. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Sellers

P.S. Orders are due by February 13.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Reading Assignment

For this week's reading assignment, you need to complete 2 reading logs. You need to do one for 3&4, with a summary for each (25 words each) and one for 5&6. We will be having a quiz that day (Jan 22) on chapters 1-6 and the Vietnam terms.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Poetry Assignment

Make sure you are reading all 6 poems. Analyze them and make notes on each poem. Be prepared to discuss in class.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Scholarships

ANK OF AMERICA STUDENT LEADERS PROGRAM
Grades 11, 12
Do you have what it takes to be a Bank of America Student Leader?
If you are a junior or senior in high school with a passion for
improving your community, we would like to help you turn that passion
into action.
As a Student Leader, you will participate in:
An eight-week paid internship at a nonprofit/charitable organization. A
week-long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, DC (July 19 - 24,
2009) to gain valuable civic, social and business leadership skills
We are looking for the next generation of community leaders. If you
want to make a difference in your community, apply today at
www.bankofamerica.com/neistudentleaders
Deadline is February 20, 2009.


BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU - THE STUDENT AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
Grades 11, 12
The program is designed to train students to deliver this information
to peer groups on campus. You’ll receive two hours of training on the
educational information that you’ll be asked to share. You’ll then
have the opportunity to develop and deliver your presentation to a small
peer group. Each Ambassador will be required to make the presentation to
a minimum of two peer groups. Students may also choose to work in teams
of two. Up to 4 students or 2 student teams will be chosen from each
high school.
Plus, students will appreciate this as a resume builder. There will be
three scholarship incentives for the most number of students presented
to. A recognition event will be held annually to award certificates and
incentive prizes.
For more info go to http://sandiego.bbb.org
Application deadline is January 30, 2009.

Why We Fight Summary and Response

You need to write a one page summary and response to Why We Fight.

Use these questions to help guide you:

*What claims were made in the film about war?
*What do you think about what was said in the film?
*What is your reaction to the ideas presented in the film?

Monday, January 5, 2009

READING IS IMPORTANT!!! (Welcome to a new semster)

Dear Parent,

Please encourage your student to read. We are starting a new book soon called Fallen Angels. It is about a group of young men that are in the Vietnam War. Please, Please encourage them to read. Today your student wrote a "resolution" for American Studies. I am hoping that they look at this as a fresh start and as an opportunity to improve. Continuing to read inside and outside of school is one way for them to do that. Talk to your kids about what they like to read, what they might be interested in. Encourage them to seek books that are on subjects they like. Only good things can come from reading.

One place to look for some books would be in the fliers I gave the students. Scholastic offers inexpensive books that students are interested in. Some of the ones on the flier are a little young, but any reading is good for practice. I wanted to remind you that you can place your Scholastic Book Club orders online. This month’s offers are filled with great books and software at terrific values.

To order online, go to the Web address below and enter our class’s personalized user name and password.

www.scholastic.com/parentordering
Class User Name: SellersAmericanStudies
Password: Room202

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

Plus, when you shop online, you can take advantage of exclusive online-only offers and choose from an expanded selection of books and software. Of course, you can always use the printed flyer instead and have your child hand in a Book Club order form and payment at school.

Thank you for continuing to help our classroom earn FREE books and learning materials. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Sellers

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Upcoming Community Service Events

Don't wait until the last minute this semster!!! Get a head start on planning your community service. Here are some events that are coming up.

Singles Mingle Cleanup Saturday, February 14th, 10am - 12noon + mingling to follow Location: Mission Beach, meet by the grass near the bathrooms Looking for a like-minded Valentine this year? ILACSD's February cleanup event is themed for Valentine's Day, giving couples or singles an opportunity to clean up the beach together with a mingling event to follow. Pickup trash and a potential date this Valentines Day! Walk-on's or sign up's are welcome to participate. Look for the ILACSD canopy with banners upon arrival to check in, sign the waiver, and get your supplies. Contact ILACSD's Volunteer Department at 619-291-0103 or volunteers@cleansd.org for more information.

San Diego Science Festival - SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, April 4, 2009 Balboa Park The San Diego Science Festival will descend on San Diego with science events throughout the county at no charge in March and April 2009. Come visit the ILACSD booth at the Science Festival in Balboa Park on Saturday April 4th, 2009. Let us know if you would like more information regarding any of the science related events going on throughout March and April, or visit the festival website.

7th Annual Creek to Bay Cleanup - SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, April 25th from 9AM - 12noon Choose from approximately 60 coastal and inland cleanup sites countywide! Planning is underway for the 7th Annual Creek to Bay Cleanup, so mark your calendars now! Volunteers will once again remove litter and debris across the county all on the same day in celebration of Earth Month this April. Take part in one of the biggest volunteer events of the year as a volunteer, site captain, or sponsor! If you or your company are interested in getting involved by either sponsoring the event or providing volunteer support at a cleanup site, contact Morgan Justice-Black at mjusticeblack@cleansd.org for more information on involvement. Cleanup sites will be determined and posted in March 2009, so be sure to check out the event website for updates and to register to participate. We hope to see you out there!

Kids' Ocean Day Cleanup Friday, June 4th from 8AM - 12:30PM Coronado City Beach Isabella Ave and Ocean Blvd, Coronado 92118 Volunteers and donations are needed to support the Annual Kid's Adopt-A-Beach Ocean Day this coming year. ILACSD gives assemblies at ten underserved schools in South San Diego and then invite them to the beach for a field trip to participate in a clean up and aerial art formation. This is a great event to volunteer with a group! Contact Colleen Dahlem, Education Director, for more information or to sign up at cdahlem@cleansd.org.