January 31

IB 30

We picked up right where we left off 3 weeks ago by looking at FDR and the New Deal. I reviewed a few concepts that tie in with Social 30-1 as well by teaching you a mnemonic device to remember the principles of liberalism. We looked at some criticism of the New Deal as well today. I will post the Great Depression and New Deal study guide on the wiki (this is due tomorrow). We also sorted out what area of study your TOK group will be presenting on. TOK presentations will happen at the end of February. Make sure that you read pages 100-135 in your Modern America textbook!

IB 20

We went through the course outline for part of today's class. Please make sure that you familiarize yourself with some of the topics that we will be covering this semester. Please make sure that you read and sign the academic honesty policy, and get your parent/guardian to sign it as well. I introduced myself to you a bit as a way of introducing the concept of primary and secondary sources. Understanding the differences between primary and secondary sources will allow you to be more selective with sources when it comes time to selecting sources for your internal assessment. It will also help you when we get to discussing the OPVL document analysis component of the IB Paper 1. I gave you a IB Skills Handbook as well today, make sure that you put that into your binder. It is yours to keep, and will help you this year and next year in IB 30/35. Make sure that you keep up with current events, we tend to set aside some class time to have discussions about current events during class. I also gave you a handout on evaluating sources and distinguishing between fact and opinion. Please make sure that you complete your letter of introduction for tomorrow's class.

Classroom Rules/Expectations of Behavior:

I think that I have very simple, straight-forward classroom rules and expectations. I will be discussing these in class tomorrow, but here's a quick recap:

• Please be on-task during classroom time (visit later)
• You must wear your visual ID around your neck during class time, no exceptions!
• No cell phones; if your parents really need to get in touch with you, they should call the office. Please don't bring cell phones to class, or if you do, please remember to turn them off! Yes, you have some new freedom this year with regard to electronic devices, but not in the classroom!!
• Please don't listen to music on MP3 players or iPods during class time, UNLESS I have given you permission to do so.
• Be polite. You should be listening during class lectures or when your classmates have questions to ask (you might have some of the same questions).
• Be on time. If you are late, please enter the classroom quietly and apologize for being late. If the door is locked, I have started the lecture or there is a class presentation in progress; I will open the door and let you in as soon as possible.
• Clean up after yourselves. Please don't leave garbage on the floor. I like my classroom fairly neat and tidy.
• Don't bring junk food to class. Healthy snacks only. Or you could always wait until lunchtime.
• You may chew gum in class on the following conditions: don't chew like a cow, I don't want to see the gum or hear you chewing it, that's just gross.
• Late assignments: 10% is deducted for every day an assignment is late. If you have an excused absence, then there is some flexibility with this rule.
• Please make sure that a parent or guardian calls the school to have absences excused. If you miss a test due to an unexcused absence you will be assigned a mark of "zero".
• I will be contacting parent/guardians if you have unexcused absences.
• Please adhere to the school's academic honesty policy which is on the back of your course outlines.
• If you are going away on holidays (please do not schedule holidays during examination periods in June), please let me know in advance. I can prepare materials for you, let you know what you'll be missing, and even give you handouts in advance. This way you won't feel "lost" when you come back from holidays.

Posting on the Blog:

Here are some simple rules that I have established for using the blog, and some other informational items:

• Please post on the blog anonymously.
• If you feel the need to identify yourself, or clarify which grade you're in, please use your initials and your class and section (for example, K.G. in Social 30-1 Period 3).
• Some of you may have your own Blogger accounts. Please don't post on this blog using your Blogger ID, otherwise you may have people visiting your blog that you may not want to see what you're posting.
• Please be courteous, polite and respectful when posting comments on the blog. Don't be rude to your classmates on the blog.
• Please be patient with my response time.
• Please post comments and questions on the blog prior to 10 p.m.
• Between 6-8 p.m. I am usually not online.
• Monday nights are particularly busy for me, this is the night that I have a Masters class at the University.
• Please do not post links to questionable materials.
• Inappropriate comments will be deleted. Please don't do this, it's a waste of my time, I could be doing more productive things, like answering questions that you may have.