September 4

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)
• No cell phones (as per school policy; unless otherwise instructed); 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!
• 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.
• Please do take holidays or time off in January, because this could potentially interfere with Diploma Exams or school-based exams.

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 20-3).
• 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.
• 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

Social 30-1

We didn't really start the course today. I introduced myself, and went through the course outline with you. I also collected names and email addresses to make it easier to share Google Docs with you over the course of the semester. I will send you an invitation to the wiki tonight as well, so you'll have to check your junk/spam folder for the email invitation link. Please remember your friendly letter assignment is due on Friday, September 6th. Please make sure that you organize your writing in a friendly letter format, covering the following topics: 

• family
• interests
• academic background
• academic goals (what are your goals for Social Studies/ academic goals for this semester/year, future goals/aspirations)
• what other classes are you taking this semester?
• hobbies
• sports,
• favorite movies
• favorite TV shows (what are your Netflix "binge-worthy" TV shows and movies)
• favorite music
• favorite books

Please complete the Google Contact Form (if you didn't sign up in class):  

Social 20-1

I introduced myself today and went through the course outline as well. Your friendly letter assignment is due on Friday, September 6th. Tomorrow we'll start looking at the concept of nationalism.

Please make sure that you organize your writing in a friendly letter format, covering the following topics: 

• family
• interests
• academic background (i.e. what junior high school did you go to?)
• academic goals (what are your goals for Social Studies/ academic goals for this semester/year, future goals/aspirations)
• what other classes are you taking this semester?
• hobbies
• sports,
• favorite movies
• favorite TV shows (what are your Netflix "binge-worthy" TV shows and movies)
• favorite music
• favorite books

Please complete the Google Contact Form (if you didn't sign up in class):  

IB 30/35

We didn't really start the course today. I typically just go through the course outline on the first day and give you an idea of what to expect in the course. I went through the IB 30/35 course syllabus, and overview of the IB exams (Paper 1, Paper 2, and Paper 3), and an overview of the IA. You must hand in your completed rough draft of your IA on September 30th. We will give you feedback on areas for improvement, then you will hand in your final good copy on October 31st.