Thursday, July 31, 2014

Good luck guys

Goodmorning guys i hope everybody will do great in compass test today

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Party at Lilia's house tomorrow night

415 Pickney ave, Sugar Land, Texas 77479

Lilia, what's your phone number?

Today's debate

Congratulations to Rana and Zachary and to all of their fans in 5B! You did a great job in today's debate.

I want to thank Ali and Marta for participating in the debate, even though you didn't win. I wish we had time for the best 2 out of 3!

Keep arguing! Keep debating! Keep looking at all sides of the issue!

Extra listening practice

If you're interested, I heard this on the way to school this morning. Tell me, what are some of the barriers to vaccination mentioned in the listening?

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Final conferences

Next Thursday we'll have our final conferences. They will take place in Greg's room. I would like to schedule my conferences between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. as the graduation will take place at 2 p.m.

       5A                                       5B
11:00: David                          Ahmed
11:10: Marta                          Norah
11:20: Pias                               Rana
11:30: Jean                             Rachel
11:40: Nawaf                             Rey
11:50: Omar                            Sultan
12:00: Uyen                              Karen
12:10: Maryam                          Duy
12:20: Mohammed                Mohammed
12:30: Dia                                Lilia
12:40: Lena                                 Z
12:50:                                     Alejandro

Monday, July 28, 2014

La mejor receta de brownies de chocolate, receta postre dulce

Good news: Reading test results

I am very pleased to report that the results on this final exam were quite good. Maryam didn't take the test yet, so these are the results based on 23 tests taken between the 2 classes. I curved the test 6 points, which allowed for some more A's and no D's.

90-99:  30%
80-89:  26%
71-79:  30%
61-69:   0%
51-59:  13%

The high score goes to David. Congratulations.

I will count this test twice and the supporting details test once in determining your final grade. I will also look over your previous scores on townsendpress to see if these can help lift your grade.

Question for you:
With such good scores, what can you infer?


Party at Lilia's Home on Thursday beginning at 6 p.m.

Thank you, Lilia, for hosting our class celebration. I'm REALLY looking forward to it (tone is HAPPY)!

Please let us know if you're coming, how many people you're bringing, and what you're going to bring to eat. Hopefully we'll have our very own little culture festival.

I will bring a very famous American dessert: BROWNIES. But these are not just any brownies. These brownies are so special that I have actually written an essay about them. If you're interested, you can read it:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-rIza1967iVUkpGX0FmNW43dlU/edit?usp=sharing

Post your contribution to the party as a comment!

Read it more than 100000000 times

I just like it and like to share it with you

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Marijuana legal or illegal?

People who are interested in this topic and want to know more, there is a special section in the New York Times newspaper that can be interesting for them.
Link: http://nyti.ms/1t9O3Ii

Answers to the practice test

If you're checking this, it is likely that you took the test. If so, check your answers and let me know your score. 

1. a
2. b
3. a
4. c
5. b
6. c
7. a
8. a
9. b
10. d
11. a
12. b
13. d
14. d
15. a
16. b
17. c
18. a
19. d
20. a (but d is possible too)

Friday, July 25, 2014


Preparation for your final exams

1. Reading exam on Monday

The skills covered on this test will be purpose and tone, fact and opinion, and understanding bias (I posted my video which explains bias. If you missed class today, I highly recommend that you listen to it).

In order to be prepared, you should review the criminal justice vocabulary from the chapter on fact and opinion. In addition, you should review the adjectives that describe tone. Finally, the following words will appear on the test, so it will be helpful if you are familiar with them.

Words you might not know that you will see to on this test:
discretionary (adj.)
cynical (adj.)
due process (n)
implement (v)
oversight (n)
dismiss (v); dismissal (n)
adverse (adj.)
sacred (adj.)
privilege (n)
infringe (v)
patriotic (adj.)

2. Listening test:
  Part 1 is on Monday. You will listen to a short lecture and take notes. In order to prepare for this, you should review the vocabulary in Leap, chapter 5. I recommend doing the vocabulary review exercise on the Leap website. There will be a vocabulary component of the test on Wednesday from Leap chapter 5.

  Part 2 is on Wednesday. I will give you questions to answer based on the notes you take on Monday. Then I will play something new for you on Wednesday and you will take notes and then answer questions. I will give you vocabulary that you need to know for Wednesday as soon as possible. I might some listening material related to the Innocence Project. I'm not sure yet.

If you have any questions, post a comment or shoot me an email.

Just one more week to go. I know you can do it!

My lecture on bias

http://youtu.be/xo9694f2iKk

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Testing schedule

Monday:
8:30-10:15: Grammar review with Greg and writing test
10:30-11:15: Listening and note taking
11:15-12:30: Reading test

Tuesday:
Study day (no class)

Wednesday:
8:30-10:15: Grammar and writing tests with Greg
10:30-11:15: Listening test
11:30-12:30: CHAMPIONSHIP DEBATE

Thursday: 
Compass test

CLASS PARTY AT LILIA'S HOUSE!

Friday: 
No class

Your final presentations

5A:

Lena:

Dhiyaa:


5B:

Rey:


Mohammed 5B:

Friday, July 18, 2014

Homework for the weekend

RS, pp. 298-303. Read and do the practice 1. We will go over in class on Monday.
RS, pp. 304-309. Read the article and answer the comprehension questions. Also, underline all examples of stated opinions in the article and write your explanation in the opinion box on the side.

The Innoence Project




 

1. What did the woman in the video do?




This one is difficult to watch.

Listening # (due Sunday)





     

What are some of the causes of wrongful convictions?



Why did he confess if he didn't commit the crime he was accused of?

Heads up for next week

Monday: Classes combined in my room
        Adjective clause test
        Listening test?
        Criminal justice discussion

Tuesday: Classes combined in my room
       8:45-9:15:  30 minute writing sample
       9:30-10:30: FINAL DEBATE (in my room)
       10:45-11:45: Fact and opinion
       11:45-12:30: Listening test
      
Wednesday-Friday: Presentations and other stuff

Examples of inductive reasoning

http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-inductive-reasoning.html


Explanation of inductive vs. deductive reasoning:
http://www.bio.miami.edu/dana/dox/scientific_method.html

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Listening quiz tomorrow on the scientific method lecture

I know I said it in class but I want to remind you that there will be a listening test tomorrow on the lecture we listened to, took notes on, and discussed in class yesterday.

For those of you who wrote questions, I thank you. I have chosen many of them for the test.

Final presentation guidelines and schedule

In this presentation, we will discover who among you has the potential to be a lawyer :D

Today, each student was assigned a position on a controversial topic (either for it or against it).

Your job is to research the topic so that you are familiar with the topic as well as the arguments for and against it. Write down all of your sources of information as you'll need to provide them at the end of your presentation.

Then you are to give an 8-10 minute thoughtful presentation on your topic, arguing your point of view (not your own point of view; the point of view you are assigned). Present as many arguments as you can in favor of your position. Again, this is not your personal point of view, but rather the opinion you have been assigned.

A strong argument will also consider the opposing points of view and address them if possible. In other words, you will anticipate the counter-argument and challenge it to strengthen your own position.

A good presentation will contain:
1. An attention-grabbing introduction to your topic
2. A clear explanation of your topic and why it's controversial (For example, what exactly is capital punishment?)
3. Your position on the issue and why we should be persuaded by it.
4. A conclusion.

***Just like last time, you have to practice outside of class in front of two classmates. If you skip this step, you will lose points from your grade. I will give you the feedback form just as we did for your first presentation.

Here is the schedule:

5B
Wednesday:

4. Marijuana should not be legalized for anybody. (ALEJANDRO)



Thursday:
1. Adults should have the right to carry a concealed weapon. (KAREN)
5. In high school, boys and girls should be educated separately (separate sex) (REY)
6. In high school, classes should be co-ed (boys and girls together).  (MOHAMMED)
9. The drinking age should not be lowered to 18. It should stay as is at 21. (RACHEL)
10. The drinking age should be lowered to 18.  (LILIA)
3. Marijuana should be legalized for adults. (DUY)

Friday:

1. Social networking sites are good for society. (ZACHARY)
2. Social networking sites are not good for society. (NORAH)
7. Violent video games should be against the law. (SULTAN)
8. Violent video games should not be against the law. (RANA)
2. Carrying a concealed weapon should be illegal. (AHMED)


5A
Wednesday:
1. Social networking sites are good for society. (DAVID)
2. Social networking sites are not good for society. (JEAN)

3. Marijuana should be legalized for adults. (UYEN)
4. Marijuana should not be legalized for anybody. (PIAS)

Thursday:
5. In high school, boys and girls should be educated separately (separate sex) (MOHAMMED)
6. In high school, classes should be co-ed (boys and girls together).(DIA)

7. Violent video games should be against the law. (NAWAF)
8. Violent video games should not be against the law. (LENA)

Friday:

9. The drinking age should not be lowered to 18. It should stay as is at 21. (ALI)
10. The drinking age should be lowered to 18.  (MARYAM)

11. Adults should have the right to carry a concealed weapon. (MARTA)
12. Carrying a concealed weapon should be illegal. (OMAR)



Championship Debate Match

I wish we had time to do semi-finals before the finals match, but unfortunately, we don't, so we'll have to go straight to the finals.

Representing 5A will be Marta and Ali.
Representing 5B will be Rana and Zachary.

The topic will be capital punishment, also known as the death penalty.

Marta and Ali will be arguing IN FAVOR OF capital punishment.
Rana and Zachary will be arguing AGAINST it.

Each class should help their classmates prepare for this debate because you want your team to win!

If possible, I'd like to schedule this debate for MONDAY.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Tests after class tomorrow at 12:30

1. The listening test for those who missed it on Tuesday (Maryam, Mohammed 5A, Ahmed, and Nawaf).


2. The do-over reading test for those who want to improve their score from the last reading test (or for those who enjoy pain and want to take another test). This test will cover supporting details, organizational patterns, and inference. I highly recommend that you practice on townsendpress.net to prepare for this test.

Homework for tonight

Write two test questions from the lecture on the process and history of the scientific method (Leap, ch. 5, lecture 1). You may not write the same questions as someone who posts before you. If your question/s are chosen for the test, you will receive 10 points. Of course we only want GOOD QUESTIONS!

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Topics for your final presentation

For your final presentation, you will be asked to present an argument for a controversial issue. The issue can be social, medical, environmental, political, or something else.We did this during our debates, ie. vaccinations should be required by law. I would like you to give me some propositions for topics that are of interest to you. I will give you until Wednesday night to give me your suggestions.




Example:
Proposition: Marijuana for adults should be legal.

Monday, July 14, 2014

I should have asked you to prepare questions for the test from your notes. That is the best way to study for a test. MY MISTAKE.

Weeks 10, 11 and 12 (UPDATED WITH CHANGES IN WEEK 11)

Monday, 7/21: Classes together with Holly
Tuesday, 7/23: Classes together with Holly (Final debate match!)
Wednesday, 7/24: Final presentations
Thursday, 7/25: Final presentations
Friday, 7/26: Final presentations

Monday, 7/28: Final exam (listening or reading)*
Tuesday, 7/29: Study day
Wednesday, 7/30: Final exam (listening or reading)*
Thursday, 7/31: Compass exam at 8:30 a.m. (no class)
Friday, 8/1: No class

Monday, 8/4: Writing Sample
Tuesday, 8/5:
Wednesday, 8/6: Field Trip
Thursday, 8/7: Final conferences and graduation

*Not sure about Greg's test schedule yet


Extra Reading Practice

http://news.yahoo.com/ebola-crisis-west-africa-deepens-500-dead-104712391.html

If you decide to read this, answer the following question: What are some of the barriers to the solution for the outbreak?

Blog #10.8

Handout, p. 362 #10

Blog #10.7

Handout, p. 362 #9

Blog #10.6

Handout, p. 362 #8

Blog #10.5

Handout, p. 351 #5

Blog #10.4

Handout, p. 351 #4

Blog #10.3

Handout, p. 351 #3

Blog #10.2: Purpose and Tone (in the Call Lab)

Handout, p. 350 #2

Blog #10.1: Purpose and Tone (in the Call Lab)

Handout, p. 350 #1

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Vocabulary Slides for Leap chapter 5 and RS chapter 6 (due Wednesday)

Leap Chapter 5:

hypothesis--Ali
conduct (V)--Ali
publish--Alfuhaid
feedback--Alfuhaid
intermittently--Marta
inquiry--Marta
incorporate--Nawaf
literature review--Nawaf
consensus--Maryam
revolutionary--Maryam
obvious--Dia
scrutiny--Dia
offend--Alsaihati
innovative--Alsaihati
predictable--Omar
mainstream--Omar
case study--Jean
core (adj)--Jean
medium (n)--David
quantum leap--David
capacity--Uyen
crucial--Uyen
collaborate--Pias
adjacent--Pias
cutting-edge--Lena
mechanism--Lena
solitary--Sultan
spontaneous--Sultan
evolutionary--Norah
theory--Norah
hunch--Alshaikh



RS chapter 6
perjury--Alshaikh
mistrial--Alshammari
unresolved--Alshammari
circumstances--Rana
alibi--Rana
motive--Rachel
deter (v); deterrent (n)--Rachel
incarceration--Alejandro
rehabilitation--Alejandro
testimony--Zachary
appeal--Zachary
defendant--Duy
make amends--Duy
search warrant--Lilia
litigate--Lilia
exoneration--Karen
stigma--Karen

Friday, July 11, 2014

Homework for the weekend

Okay, guys, here we go. We're headed in for the final stretch. Basically we have 2 more teaching weeks before final exams. I'd like to cover a lot of material, which will require some extra hard work on your part. You can do it. I know you can. (PURPOSE IS TO MOTIVATE YOU (persuade you to act). TONE IS INSPIRATIONAL).

On Monday, we're going to listen to a new TED talk. You're going to take notes and then I will collect the notes and give you a test on Tuesday (with your notes). In order to prepare for this lecture, you should read the post I posted on pandemics and know the vocabulary from LEAP chapter 6 as well as the vocabulary listed at the bottom of that post. (PURPOSE IS TO INFORM YOU. TONE IS NEUTRAL, STRAIGHTFORWARD).

On Monday we will also practice PURPOSE and TONE on the townsendpress.net website in the Call Lab. However, if you want to start on the website before Monday, you may.

For Monday: RS, chapter 5: Reading selections 3 and 4 (read the paragraphs, then identify the main idea, purpose, and tone of each one). I mentioned the Oprah article in 5B, but I think I will save that article for a test.

For Tuesday: Leap, pp. 82-84, parts, A, B, C and E. Then listen to the lecture and take notes on p. 86. On Tuesday, I will assume that you will have already listened to the lecture. If you have extra time on your hands, you can go over the vocabulary on pp. 89-91.

Also for Tuesday: We will discuss the following article, which was written in 1971.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-rIza1967iVanRIOUd4NW9PNHc/edit?usp=sharing
On Monday and Tuesday, we will also be discussing HUMOR, which is one of my favorite topics :D

Have a great weekend. Stay cool. Read a lot.

:D



Regarding our conversation in 5B...

Main idea: The Chinese government sees the iphone as a weapon.

https://www.yahoo.com/tech/china-declares-iphone-a-national-security-threat-91452345224.html

Debate Scores

5B
Norah/Rachel: 91
Ahmed/Rey: 68








Sultan/Karen: 80
Zachary/Rana: 94




Alejandro/Mohammed: 77.8
Lilia/Duy: 84.2




5A
Ali/Marta: 88
Lena/Mohammed: 83




Maryam/Uyen: 82.8
Jean/Omar/Nawaf: 79




Pias/Dia:  74
David/Ahmed: 78



Videos from your debates

5B:


Rachel 1
image
Preview by Yahoo
Rachel 2

image
Preview by Yahoo
Rachel 3
http://youtu.be/zjG2ltSHTIE
image
Preview by Yahoo
Sultan 1
image
Preview by Yahoo
Sultan 2
image
Preview by Yahoo
Sultan 3


5A:

 
 
image
 
 
 
 
 

Preview by Yahoo

 

debatedavid1
image
Preview by Yahoo
image
Preview by Yahoo
image
Preview by Yahoo


image
Preview by Yahoo