Hi class,

We're just about at the end of our College and Career journey together...Well, at least until next year. :) You need to be done with your research paper by Friday the 16th. Yes, that's this Friday! For most of you, this is not a problem, but for a few of you, you need to get to work. Don't forget, this final draft is a large part of this quarter's grade - like 60%. If you blow off this paper, you will not pass this quarter. And I'll cry...well, not really.

After Friday midnight, you are free to grade your grading partner's paper. You must have it graded by Tuesday the 20th.   If you do not have your partner's paper graded by Tues, the 20th, your paper grade will be reduced by 5%. Do not forget to put your name and your partner's name on the top of the rubric. I have re-sent you the rubric. It is a Word doc. Here are your instructions:

1. Print out the rubric (yes, one person can do this and make copies).

2. Put your name and paper's author's name on top where indicated.

3. Grade paper using the objective criteria. (I know you all love each other but do not allow this fact to
    cloud your judgement. You are simply grading based on the OBJECTIVE criteria provided in the
    rubric. However, there is some room to be gracious... or harsh. :)

4. Bring the rubric to class on Wed. the 21st (last day of class) and prepare to turn it in when I ask for
    the rubric. If you do not have the rubric ready to turn in, this will count as not having your partner's
    paper graded and your paper's grade will be reduced by 5%.

See you tomorrow!

Hi Class,

For the next few classes we'll dive into some pretty heady issues. This may not seem like college prep. but it is. I'll give you a few reasons why.

(1) These issues cause you to think critically and critical thinking is critical to your university success.
(2) These issues will be "in your face" as soon as you begin campus life. They may seem insignificant         now but just wait.
(3) These are the issues that media and culture saturate you with and convince you of their opinions on (example: relativism) whether or not you are aware of it. Make sure you are aware!

DB Thread (is this DB #5??) At least a 200 word initial response and a 50-100 word response to a classmate.

(1) Define relativism. (2) What do you believe regarding this issue and why? (cite a source if needed). (3) What life issue(s) makes relativism attractive and what issue(s) makes it unattractive? (4) How might relativism effect your university experience?

Due: Fri. by Midnight

Hi class,

Your rough drafts will be graded by the end of the day tomorrow (Thursday, 8th). You will have about a week until the final draft is due: Wed. 14th.

I will send you all a grading rubric for the final draft. This is NOT the rubric I used for my very generous and merciful grading of your rough draft. You will use this grading rubric to grade a classmate's final paper. Yes, that's right, you will grade a classmate's final paper based on the rubric criteria.

Here's how this benefits you. (1) You get to read about another career field and possibly learn something you didn't already know. (2) You get some experience at carefully looking at a research paper and evaluating it based on objective criteria. And (3) You get to see the grading criteria before the final draft is due and MAKE SURE you have met the criteria.

I will be choosing who grades who's paper and will give you that info on the 15th.

Hi class,

Here is your DB Thread:

Answer these questions in no less than 250 words and respond to at least one classmate with no less than 100 words.

(1) According to Erikson (pg. 450) what life stage are you currently in? What aspects of your life are contributing to either the positive or the negative aspect of the stage?

(2) Looking back at the previous life stages (according to Erikson), how has each stage of your development worked out for you? Can you look back at a past stage and see why you now react to certain situations or feel certain ways?

(3) Looking ahead at the stages to come, what can you do now to help ensure that you pass through the future stage well?

This DB Thread and response is due by Midnight Monday.

Hi class,

Now that you are done with your survey, spend the rest of the hour:

(1) Look up 1 to 2 universities of interest (don't just choose name brand universities but look based on        geographic location, majors of interest, personal values, affordability, etc.).

(2) Locate a contact email for their admissions department. Cut and paste the email into your school            gmail account.

(3) Craft an email to the admissions department (using a word processor) that states:
     
      (a) Who you are: what grade, what school, what nationality, your current GPA, your interests, and              your reasons for pursuing higher education. (You should have no more than 1 sentence for each            of these personal points).
      (b) Ask about scholarships, work study programs, foreign exchange programs, etc.
           
            (i) Use your positioning statement in your initial paragraph (craft a new one if needed).
            (ii) End by thanking them for their time.

Homework:

~ Read pg. 126 - 131 (most have already done this).

~ Visit  below website and follow the instructions for the student calculator. Fill in each field with the most accurate info. you currently have. Need to know the yearly tuition of a university of interest? Look it up. This calculator is for the UK but certainly applies to anywhere. Come to class on Wed. with the results. I know that this is fairly personal info. so I will not ask for details, only whether you are in the "red" or "black."

http://international.studentcalculator.org/


Red = debt; not enough money
Black = more than enough; no debt

Hi class,

Remember to get in that rough draft by midnight tonight. If the date of submission is the 22nd, I'll need to deduct a few points and I do not want to do that. :)

We are going to take the next few classes to look at a very important subject...money. You know, even the Bible talks frequently about money. One of my very favorite parables in the gospel (Mark 12) deals with money. Money is neither good nor bad; it is neutral. However, how we deal with it is what determines if it has a positive effect on our lives or a negative one. What do you think about money? Are you someone who feels you never have enough? Are you content with what you have? How has money impacted you, your family, your relationships with your parent? Has money been a big topic between you and your family? How about your friends?

Let's continue to mature by learning to have a proper perspective on money and have some conversations about what role money will play in your academic future.

Hi class,

By the time we meet on Thurs. of next week you should be read up until pg. 377 (the end of ch. 11; there will be a quiz soon).

I hope you have gained much from participating in the interview activities. Learning how to present yourself well is an invaluable skill to have for your future endeavors.

Do NOT forget: For Thurs. April 3rd you need to have (1) finished and printed out your positioning statement, (2) reviewed below website and prepared 10 interview questions & their best answers pertaining to your university or company and (3) complete DB Thread 4.

Website: Look through some of the interview questions and answers. Make sure you record 10 questions and their answers that will allow you to be an excellent interviewer on Thurs. Make sure they can relate to your university or company. Notice that there are categories for more general interview questions.

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewquestionsanswers/a/interview-questions-list.htm

DB Thread 4: Read the article below and write an original thread of no less than 200 words. Respond to at least 1 peer with at least 50 words (you do not need to respond to more than 1 person).

http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2013/06/23/the_university_myth_of_good_employment.html

Monday I will not be here. I'll be partying. Yes, that's how I roll. So, a sub will escort you to the library where you will work on your research paper and/or some of the above assignments.

See you soon,

Mr. Barrett

Read p.p. 340-347 & make sure you do DB thread 3 by Wed.

I gave what Naomi said a bit more thought. She is exactly right, you can apply the acronym S.L.E.D. to animals. That just means that a pregnant dog, for instance, has actual dogs in her and not just lifeless goo. Just like how the human mother has actual human in her, not just lifeless goo. However, even though the dog has an actual dog or dogs in her, they are still just dogs. And most people (rightly) do not consider animals, like dogs, to hold the same value as humans. Although, some people do hold that animals have the same value as humans and thus those people should be just as concerned for the puppies in a female dogs womb as they are for a fetus in a female human mothers womb.

You all are some great thinkers!

Hi class,

By the way, what the heck it that in the pic above? :)

Homework for Mon: (1) read pp. 330 - 339. (2) Take the personality test found here: http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes1.htm  and COPY down your 4 letter result (should correspond with the personality types in our text book. (3) Complete DB Thread 3 by Wed 19th. 

DB Thread 3: read this article from Google: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/23/opinion/sunday/friedman-how-to-get-a-job-at-google.html 

Write about your response to the article. How does it impact you? What does it make you consider in regards to your future? Do You think it applies to only the top (one might even say a bit eccentric) companies or to all? What if you are not going to be a tech. major going into a tech. field, does the article still have applicable points? What are they? 

Have a nice weekend!

Mr. Barrett

Homework: Read pp. 326-329 (Ch. 10).

Hi Class,

We are going to dive into learning a little more about the "soft" skill of communication. Communication is such an important skill. Regardless of how much you know, it is very difficult to succeed in life without good communication skills. I understand that this is a bit of a stretch for shy or more introverted people but it is still so important for your futures. As we develop skills to become life-long learners, let's not pass by this important chapter without learning something we did not already know about communication and relationships.

Don't forget: Intro. & cover page due this Friday!

I'll be posting a DB thread today.

See you soon,

Mr. Barrett

Homework: Read pg. 192 - 213

The communication element of your paper is not due until after your final draft. You will be presenting as one of your last assignments of the year. But good job to those who have gotten a head start.

Guest Speaker this Wed: Mechanical Engineer, Jean Zipagan. We will be Skyping with her in class.

Thurs. we'll finish the quiz and I'll introduce you to a potential opportunity for some of you to attend some college classes next year.

Praying for you all,

Mr. Barrett

Hi class,

What a great presentation we had today! I wish we could get John here to teach some business electives. Maybe when he comes back to Cambodia. :)

One of the skills (often called "soft skill") that John possessed was the ability to communicate well. This skill is invaluable and can put you at a great advantage when competing for a job. However, many of you do not possess this skill as a natural gift (most people don't and some people even rate public speaking to be scarier than dying.). This is why it is such an important skill to develop over the course of your primary education. That is also why we are adding a presentation element to your research paper! I know, I know, you all love me so.

Presentation Element: You will each develop a 3-5 min. script using the information from your research paper. Your script will be written for the purpose of recruiting, selling, drawing interest in, etc. your chosen career topic. 

 I will offer you an example of a script using a fictitious thesis:

Thesis: Becoming a high school teacher is both challenging and rewarding; it requires at least a bachelors degree, completing a teaching internship, and obtaining teaching credentials.  

Example Script:

       With the advancement of standardized public school curriculum, the ever increasing salaries, and the personal satisfaction that comes with educating the future generations, there has been no better time in the history of education to become a high school teacher. Becoming a high school teacher requires you to earn a bachelor degree in some academic field, complete a year-long student teaching internship and obtain teaching credentials. 
       It is not necessary for a college freshman to know exactly what they want to teach as a high school teacher. This gives you, the freshman, the opportunity to explore different majors. However, as you begin to focus in on your desired major, you can tailor that major to suit your needs as a future educator. For instance, if you want to teach English Composition, you can earn your bachelors in Secondary Education with a minor in English. 
     While you earn your degree in Secondary Education, you will have the opportunity to do an internship, often called student teaching, in your last year of study. The year of student teaching is a great opportunity for you to learn on-the-job and develop the practical skills that you will not get from the university classroom. You will apply the teaching theory and behavioral management techniques that you learned in university. During this time you will be under the guidance of a competent, experienced high school teacher.   
     After you complete your bachelors degree and a year of student teaching you will be eligible for taking a state exam to be awarded teaching credentials. Your education will have prepared you for successful completion of this standard exam. Upon receiving your credentials, you will be employable as a high school teacher. This will be just the beginning of an exciting career shaping and education the future generations of your country. 

Notice how it takes into account each main point of my thesis but does not give too much or totally unnecessary details. Remember, it is only 3 - 5 min. with the intent to recruit, sell, inspire, etc. students toward your chosen career topic. Mine was more about a college major but yours will be more career/job focused.

We will use the memory devises  from our book (pp. 160-162) to help us memorize this short script and deliver it with gusto! Aren't you so excited!

Praying for you all!

Mr. Barrett

Hi Class,

What a great presentation from Mr. Kozloff today. Remember to give him an extra thank you when you see him.

Here is your homework: Read pp. 164-174 & prep. for quiz. You'll be seeing that quiz on Monday.

Don't forget about your title page and intro. They will be due on Fri. March 7th. Here is a great website you can look at for examples: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ You do not have to use APA but you are welcome to. Just make sure your title and intro. loosely meet some writing style standard (APA, MLA, etc.). (I am not concerned about headers and footers but you'll need to be someday). This will be the last section of the research paper for the 3rd quarter.

Mr. Barrett

Homework:

1. Read pp.xi-xii, 151-164 (middle)  Due: Monday 24/02/14
2. Complete DB Thread & print-out to discuss. Due: Monday 24/02/14

Hi Class,

I hope you are learning some theory, practice, etc. that will aid you along in your future choices, particularly, the choices pertaining to college and career.

DB Thread 2: Ask you parent(s) (caregiver, guardian) the question, "If you could go back to the very end of high school, what would you do differently and the same?" Write at least a 200 word response. You can respond by retelling their response, recording your reaction or thoughts about what they said, and how you will apply their advice/wisdom/life lesson. Read and respond to at least 1 of your classmates.
(Create a new doc. in the DB Threads (C&CP) folder. Title it like this: First Name_Last initial_DB2)

Have a great weekend!