Counterfactual Due Dates

The Counterfactual Project timelines and PowerPoints are due on 12 May 2009. You will present in class.

Pick-a-Project

Your last project for the year is the most flexible assignment. You may select the topic (with my approval) and the means of presenting the topic. Your project should fulfill your IEP objective. Past projects have included cooking videos, video game re-enactments of a famous battle, and web pages. See the Rubric Index for ideas, although I will consider developing new rubrics for innovative projects. Projects are due on 19 May 2009; we will schedule presentations in each class period.

Counterfactual Rubrics

The Counterfactual Powerpoint Rubric
http://www.paulblankenship.com/CounterfactualPowerPointRubric.pdf

The Counterfactual Timeline Rubric
http://www.paulblankenship.com/CounterfactualTimelineRubric.pdf

The Counterfactuals Project

Working in small groups (2 to 3 students), students will select a turning point in history, change the outcome, and project a counterfactual series of cause and effect events based on the altered turning point. A "turning point" is some event that made a difference in history, such as Bienville bluffing the English captain into leaving the Mississippi River. The events will be presented in a timeline and PowerPoint. I have reserved library time on 30 April & 1 May for research time and group work on this project. The counterfactual history must be logical, realistic, and probable. Omit references to mythological figures or anything that would be impossible in the real world (such as unicorns, dragons, or magic). Also exclude anything not known to exist, such as space aliens. Even in the counterfactual history all the rules of physics still apply. Rubrics have been provided.

Fake Resumé Due Date

The new due date for the fake resumé is 28 April 2009.

Due Date for the Fake Resumé

09 April 2009 is the due date for the fake resumé project.

Career Activities: GLE #47 Fake Resumé

GLE #47. Cite examples of how skills/knowledge and technical training increase personal productivity and career opportunities, and which skills/knowledge would enhance particular career prospects (E-1A-M5)

Write your fake resumé as if you are just finishing your formal education and seeking your first position in your new profession. To emphasize your skills and de-emphasize your lack of experience you will use the functional resumé format.

Your resumé must be typed and neat. Bring two copies -- one for Social Studies and the other for English. You will be graded in each class on this assignment.

Fake Resumé Rubric for Social Studies

No Pajamas for Mardi Gras

A student asked about wearing pajamas for Mardi Gras. Pajamas are regarded as a violation of the school dress code and may not be part of the Mardi Gras costume. Athletic uniforms and street clothes are also prohibited as costumes. Be creative and wear a costume that looks like something a float rider might wear. Pirates, clowns, superheroes, jesters, movie characters, and cartoon characters (excluding Family Guy and similar cartoons) are encouraged.

Mardi Gras Costume Project

Mardi Gras is February 24.
I distributed the costume grading checklist in class.
No street clothes, no athletic uniforms. No credit if you break these rules!
Dress code enforced.
25 project points.

If you plan to do the extra-credit Mardi Gras projects see me by Friday of this week for more information.

GLE #25 Assignment

We will discuss the GLE #25 assignment tomorrow in class. If you lose your handout you may access it here or on the iDisk:
http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle25assignment.pdf

The law is due next Tuesday, giving you one week to complete the assignment.

Art Map Due Tomorrow

The Art Map is due tomorrow. The late penalty is 25% per day. I originally said 50% per day but I have changed my mind. This applies ONLY to the Art Map Project and not to any other project or assignment. The assignment was made near the beginning of school. I will check my email around 6:00 p.m. tonight for any last minute questions, though I took a considerable amount of time answering questions in class today. I wish you all good luck and hope everyone does well on the project!

Social Studies Fair Packet and 8th Grade Additional Instructions

I provided a copy of the Social Studies Fair Packet and Additional Instructions for the 8th Grade in class. If you lose your copy of either please print another from these links. You are assigned to read these tonight, write down any questions, and bring your questions to the library on Thursday and Friday. Report directly to the library; do not go to the G-Wing.

The Social Studies Fair Packet
http://www.paulblankenship.com/SocialStudiesFairPacket.pdf

Additional Instructions for the 8th Grade
http://www.paulblankenship.com/ssfair8thinstructions.pdf

Art Map Foam Board Should be 22" x 28"

The correct size for the foam board for the Art Map is 22" x 28" as listed on the front. Please change your rubric to reflect that or print a new set of instructions:

http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle03ArtMapofLouisianaProjectInstruction.pdf