Final Paper- Due January 10
There will not be a final exam for Contemporary Affairs. Rather, students will write a final paper over a current event or contemporary topic. The topic must be approved by the instructor. Students will have the last week of school to work on the paper and they must have it completed by January 10, 2014. Upon completion of the final paper, students may finish any other work they have not turned in.
final_paper_rubric.docx | |
File Size: | 14 kb |
File Type: | docx |
final_paper_checklist.docx | |
File Size: | 13 kb |
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mla_example.pdf | |
File Size: | 506 kb |
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Energy Blog (Blog 7)- Due December 18
This assignment will be found under the Contemporary Affairs tab, and clicking "Blog Assignments."
In 4 paragraphs, write your answers to the following questions. Remember, a paragraph should consist of at least 4 sentences. Write your answer in a word document, and when finished, copy and paste it into the blog. Do not try to write your response in the blog itself or the website will become clogged and other students will not be able to get on.
Think about what has been talked about this week regarding energy sources. Do you think someday a renewable and sustainable energy source will be discovered/invented?
Sample Outline:
Paragraph 1: Introduction and current problems with energy being used (Coal, nuclear, and other fossil fuels)
Paragraph 2: Renewable energy sources and their problems (Wind and solar)
Paragraph 3: Describe some relatively newer ideas that have shown some promise in becoming effective long term solutions.
Paragraph 4: Do you think a solution will ever be found to the energy crisis?
In 4 paragraphs, write your answers to the following questions. Remember, a paragraph should consist of at least 4 sentences. Write your answer in a word document, and when finished, copy and paste it into the blog. Do not try to write your response in the blog itself or the website will become clogged and other students will not be able to get on.
Think about what has been talked about this week regarding energy sources. Do you think someday a renewable and sustainable energy source will be discovered/invented?
Sample Outline:
Paragraph 1: Introduction and current problems with energy being used (Coal, nuclear, and other fossil fuels)
Paragraph 2: Renewable energy sources and their problems (Wind and solar)
Paragraph 3: Describe some relatively newer ideas that have shown some promise in becoming effective long term solutions.
Paragraph 4: Do you think a solution will ever be found to the energy crisis?
Marijuana Blog (Blog 6)- Due December 13
This assignment will be found under the Contemporary Affairs tab, and clicking "Blog Assignments."
In 4 paragraphs, write your answers to the following questions. Remember, a paragraph should consist of at least 4 sentences. Write your answer in a word document, and when finished, copy and paste it into the blog. Do not try to write your response in the blog itself or the website will become clogged and other students will not be able to get on.
Would legalizing the recreational use of marijuana be harmful to our society? Support your answer with what you've learned about marijuana this unit.
Sample outline:
- Paragraph 1- Benefits of recreational use.
- Paragraph 2- Drawbacks of recreational use.
- Paragraph 3- Will it be more harmful than beneficial?
- Paragraph 4- What rules and regulations would you propose to place on the use of marijuana?
In 4 paragraphs, write your answers to the following questions. Remember, a paragraph should consist of at least 4 sentences. Write your answer in a word document, and when finished, copy and paste it into the blog. Do not try to write your response in the blog itself or the website will become clogged and other students will not be able to get on.
Would legalizing the recreational use of marijuana be harmful to our society? Support your answer with what you've learned about marijuana this unit.
Sample outline:
- Paragraph 1- Benefits of recreational use.
- Paragraph 2- Drawbacks of recreational use.
- Paragraph 3- Will it be more harmful than beneficial?
- Paragraph 4- What rules and regulations would you propose to place on the use of marijuana?
Education Blog (Blog 5)- Due December 6
This assignment will be found under the Contemporary Affairs tab, and clicking "Blog Assignments."
In 4 paragraphs, write your answers to the following questions. Remember, a paragraph should consist of at least 4 sentences. Write your answer in a word document, and when finished, copy and paste it into the blog. Do not try to write your response in the blog itself or the website will become clogged and other students will not be able to get on.
Paragraph 1
- What is the purpose of education?
- What kind of things should be taught?
Paragraph 2
- What is something you like about American schools?
Paragraph 3
- What is something you don't like about American schools?
Paragraph 4
- If you were the principal of a new school and could make any rules you wanted, what would your school look like?
In 4 paragraphs, write your answers to the following questions. Remember, a paragraph should consist of at least 4 sentences. Write your answer in a word document, and when finished, copy and paste it into the blog. Do not try to write your response in the blog itself or the website will become clogged and other students will not be able to get on.
Paragraph 1
- What is the purpose of education?
- What kind of things should be taught?
Paragraph 2
- What is something you like about American schools?
Paragraph 3
- What is something you don't like about American schools?
Paragraph 4
- If you were the principal of a new school and could make any rules you wanted, what would your school look like?
December 2 Classwork (PreEd)- Due December 2
In 4-6 sentences, answer the following questions. Did
you learn anything new about gay marriage? In what ways has your thinking
toward gay marriage changed if at all? What is your position?
Then write half a page answering the following question:
Do you feel like you are getting a quality education? Explain why or why not in half a page.
Things to think about while writing:
- Do you have good teachers? What makes them good or bad?
- Are you learning? What are you learning? Is what your learning important?
- Do you feel like you’re prepared for what comes after high school?
- How could our education system be improved?
Then write half a page answering the following question:
Do you feel like you are getting a quality education? Explain why or why not in half a page.
Things to think about while writing:
- Do you have good teachers? What makes them good or bad?
- Are you learning? What are you learning? Is what your learning important?
- Do you feel like you’re prepared for what comes after high school?
- How could our education system be improved?
Gay Marriage Paper (Wr 3)- Due November 27
Students will write a 1.5 to 2 page paper describing their stance on Gay Marriage. The paper should be set up in MLA format with 1' margins, double-spaced, and 12 point font with the proper headings.The paper should be 5 paragraphs.
Paragraph 1- Introduction (Describe what the paper will be about and state your thesis)
Paragraph 2- Make an argument in favor of gay marriage listing as many reasons as possible.
Paragraph 3- Make an argument in favor of keeping traditional marriage, again listing as many reasons as possible.
Paragraph 4- Explain what you believe and why.
Paragraph 5- Conclusion (Sum up what your paper was about in a short paragraph and repeat your thesis)
When you are finished, upload your paper to the drop box below.
Paragraph 1- Introduction (Describe what the paper will be about and state your thesis)
Paragraph 2- Make an argument in favor of gay marriage listing as many reasons as possible.
Paragraph 3- Make an argument in favor of keeping traditional marriage, again listing as many reasons as possible.
Paragraph 4- Explain what you believe and why.
Paragraph 5- Conclusion (Sum up what your paper was about in a short paragraph and repeat your thesis)
When you are finished, upload your paper to the drop box below.
Entrance Slip- Due November 19
If you only had one dollar a day to live on, how would you spend it? Explain why in at least 4 sentences.
Poverty Line Budget- Due November 18
The poverty level for the continental U.S. is $11,490. In this assignment, we are going to try to create a budget on that salary. Making it a little easier, suppose your monthly salary is $1,000. Keep in mind, after taxes, your paychecks will only sum up to $802.10. Taxes are $197.90.
In order for students to complete the budget they will need to make it through Microsoft Excel. To do this, they must first open Excel. Then they will click File in the top left corner and choose New. After they have selected New, various templates will appear. They should select Budgets, then Home Budgets, and after that finally Personal Monthly Budget Planner (or Spreadsheet). They will need to change the Projected and Actual Income to $1,000. They will also need to change all the example numbers to 0 to start it new. For the taxes portion, students can insert the full $197 into Federal for convenience sake.
When entering in information, enter the same number for both projected and actual. So if you budget $200 a month for food, put that number in for both the projected and actual columns.
Expenses you need to think about budgeting for:
Housing
Utilities
Food
Healthcare
Transportation
Vehicle insurance
Vehicle payments
Gas
Vehicle Repairs
Phone
Miscellaneous expenses
Clothes
In order for students to complete the budget they will need to make it through Microsoft Excel. To do this, they must first open Excel. Then they will click File in the top left corner and choose New. After they have selected New, various templates will appear. They should select Budgets, then Home Budgets, and after that finally Personal Monthly Budget Planner (or Spreadsheet). They will need to change the Projected and Actual Income to $1,000. They will also need to change all the example numbers to 0 to start it new. For the taxes portion, students can insert the full $197 into Federal for convenience sake.
When entering in information, enter the same number for both projected and actual. So if you budget $200 a month for food, put that number in for both the projected and actual columns.
Expenses you need to think about budgeting for:
Housing
Utilities
Food
Healthcare
Transportation
Vehicle insurance
Vehicle payments
Gas
Vehicle Repairs
Phone
Miscellaneous expenses
Clothes
Obamacare Blog (Blog 4)- Due November 11
This assignment will be found under the Contemporary Affairs tab, and clicking "Blog Assignments."
In 3-4 paragraphs, write your answers to the following questions. Remember, a paragraph should consist of at least 4 sentences. Write your answer in a word document, and when finished, copy and paste it into the blog. Do not try to write your response in the blog itself or the website will become clogged and other students will not be able to get on.
Explain some problems in the health care industry Obamacare has set out to fix?
Explain some problems or side effects with Obamacare?
Do you think Obamacare is the solution for health care problems, or is it causing more problems than it is fixing?
In 3-4 paragraphs, write your answers to the following questions. Remember, a paragraph should consist of at least 4 sentences. Write your answer in a word document, and when finished, copy and paste it into the blog. Do not try to write your response in the blog itself or the website will become clogged and other students will not be able to get on.
Explain some problems in the health care industry Obamacare has set out to fix?
Explain some problems or side effects with Obamacare?
Do you think Obamacare is the solution for health care problems, or is it causing more problems than it is fixing?
Modern Slavery Blog (Blog 3)- Due November 4
This assignment will be found under the Contemporary Affairs tab, and clicking "Blog Assignments."
In 3-4 paragraphs, write your answers to the following questions. Remember, a paragraph should consist of at least 4 sentences. Write your answer in a word document, and when finished, copy and paste it into the blog. Do not try to write your response in the blog itself or the website will become clogged and other students will not be able to get on.
What was your reaction to this unit? (Feelings, emotions, etc...)
From this unit on modern slavery, what did you learn?
What are some things you can do to help end modern slavery?
Are there any questions you are left with? If so, what are those questions?
In 3-4 paragraphs, write your answers to the following questions. Remember, a paragraph should consist of at least 4 sentences. Write your answer in a word document, and when finished, copy and paste it into the blog. Do not try to write your response in the blog itself or the website will become clogged and other students will not be able to get on.
What was your reaction to this unit? (Feelings, emotions, etc...)
From this unit on modern slavery, what did you learn?
What are some things you can do to help end modern slavery?
Are there any questions you are left with? If so, what are those questions?
Modern Day Slavery in Our Own Backyard Reading (Read 1)- Due October 29
When writing a research paper, students must find sources to use and be able to extract information from that source. They must also be able to organize it. This assignment focuses on reading an article and highlighting information that would be helpful writing a research paper and organizing it.
Read the following article and highlight or underline parts of it that would be useful in a research paper. All information that is found should be able to back up the thesis, "Slavery in the United States still exists." Find information that supports this thesis. Once information is found, it can be assigned a letter to explain what its for. This is up to you how you want to assign information and how you organize it. Examples may include:
D-Data, C-Context, E-Explanation F-Fact, Q-Quote.
Print out the article and finish it as a hard copy. When finished, turn it into Mr. Samuelson.
Read the following article and highlight or underline parts of it that would be useful in a research paper. All information that is found should be able to back up the thesis, "Slavery in the United States still exists." Find information that supports this thesis. Once information is found, it can be assigned a letter to explain what its for. This is up to you how you want to assign information and how you organize it. Examples may include:
D-Data, C-Context, E-Explanation F-Fact, Q-Quote.
Print out the article and finish it as a hard copy. When finished, turn it into Mr. Samuelson.
modern_day_slavery_snipped.docx | |
File Size: | 736 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Midterm Exam!- October 23
The midterm exam will be on October 23. It will be all essay regarding topics like globalization, genocide, and current events we've talked about. A study guide for the exam is attached below:
midterm_exam_study_guide.docx | |
File Size: | 13 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Universal Human Rights Blog (Blog 2)- Due October 11
This assignment will be found under the Contemporary Affairs tab, and clicking "Blog Assignments."
In 3-4 paragraphs, write your answers to the following questions. Remember, a paragraph should consist of at least 4 sentences. Write your answer in a word document, and when finished, copy and paste it into the blog. Do not try to write your response in the blog itself or the website will become clogged and other students will not be able to get on.
- Are there any human rights that are universal to everyone? For example, life, speech, voting, education, etc.
- Who should be in charge of establishing these rights?
- Whose job is it to make sure the human rights are not broken?
- If the rights are broken, what should be done to enforce and reestablish the rights?
When finished, work on I Have a Plan Iowa.
In 3-4 paragraphs, write your answers to the following questions. Remember, a paragraph should consist of at least 4 sentences. Write your answer in a word document, and when finished, copy and paste it into the blog. Do not try to write your response in the blog itself or the website will become clogged and other students will not be able to get on.
- Are there any human rights that are universal to everyone? For example, life, speech, voting, education, etc.
- Who should be in charge of establishing these rights?
- Whose job is it to make sure the human rights are not broken?
- If the rights are broken, what should be done to enforce and reestablish the rights?
When finished, work on I Have a Plan Iowa.
Exit Slip (Slip 2)- Due October 9
If the basic universal human right of life is broken, whose job is it to step in and help? How do you enforce it?
- For instance, if there was a small holocaust happening, what should be done about it?
- Think about whether action needs to be military or not. If using a military, whose?
Answer in a short paragraph (at least 6 sentences).
- For instance, if there was a small holocaust happening, what should be done about it?
- Think about whether action needs to be military or not. If using a military, whose?
Answer in a short paragraph (at least 6 sentences).
I Have a Plan Iowa
All students must complete the I Have a Plan or IHAPI this semester for their specific grade guideway. This means all juniors will take the 11th grade guideway and seniors will complete the 12th grade guideway. Your grade level is determined by the grade you should be in. So if you should be a junior, but you are only considered a sophomore because of the number of credits you hold, you complete the junior guideway still.
Steps
1) Go to the IHAPI website.
2) Your username and temporary password will be given to you by Mr. Samuelson.
3) Log in (Some students will need to create a new account- For this, thus click Create An Account on the page and follow the directions)
4) Follow the directions for getting set up and be sure to do these two things!!
- Change your password to Wcsd(studentID#) Ex. Wcsd123456
- Primary School- East High
5) Juniors complete the 11th Grade Guideways
Seniors complete the 12th Grade Guideways
6) When you are all finished, make sure you raise your hand and show Mr. Samuelson so he can check you off as having done it.
Steps
1) Go to the IHAPI website.
2) Your username and temporary password will be given to you by Mr. Samuelson.
3) Log in (Some students will need to create a new account- For this, thus click Create An Account on the page and follow the directions)
4) Follow the directions for getting set up and be sure to do these two things!!
- Change your password to Wcsd(studentID#) Ex. Wcsd123456
- Primary School- East High
5) Juniors complete the 11th Grade Guideways
Seniors complete the 12th Grade Guideways
6) When you are all finished, make sure you raise your hand and show Mr. Samuelson so he can check you off as having done it.
Amendment Proposal Paper (Wr2)- Due October 4
Students must choose one of the Amendments suggested by Larry Sabato in his book A More Perfect Constitution. Students may make whatever tweaks to the Amendments that they want though. Students must write a 1-2 page paper describing why they think the Amendment they've chosen should be adopted into the United States Constitution. The paper should be in MLA Format which means 1' margins, Times New Roman, and 12 point font. For an example of a paper in MLA Format, click this link.
Some suggestions to consider:
Introduction- Capture your audience and explain to them briefly a problem and your Amendment to fix it.
Body 1- Explain in detail the main problem that exists in the current Constitution.
Body 2- Explain in detail the Amendment you're proposing and the implications of it.
Body 3- Describe some tweaks you may consider adding to the Amendment to make it more functional and appealing to the country.
Conclusion- Sum up what you just stated in your entire paper into one short paragraph.
When finished, upload your paper to the below form.
Some suggestions to consider:
Introduction- Capture your audience and explain to them briefly a problem and your Amendment to fix it.
Body 1- Explain in detail the main problem that exists in the current Constitution.
Body 2- Explain in detail the Amendment you're proposing and the implications of it.
Body 3- Describe some tweaks you may consider adding to the Amendment to make it more functional and appealing to the country.
Conclusion- Sum up what you just stated in your entire paper into one short paragraph.
When finished, upload your paper to the below form.
Entrance Slip (Slip 1)- Due October 2
In a short paragraph (at least 6 sentences), explain how the media can be both good and bad for our society?
*For students who were gone this day, they may make up this assignment. However, students who were in class had their opportunity to complete the assignment in class and may not make it up.
*For students who were gone this day, they may make up this assignment. However, students who were in class had their opportunity to complete the assignment in class and may not make it up.
United States Role in the World Blog (Blog 1)- Due September 20
This assignment will be found under the Contemporary Affairs tab, and clicking "Blog Assignments."
In 3-4 paragraphs, answer the following question. Remember, a paragraph should consist of at least 4 sentences.
What should be the United States role in the world?
Think about relationships with other countries, human rights, and economic interests.
When you are finished........
Go to this website, and take the quiz. Record the results on a piece of paper and give them to Mr. Samuelson.
In 3-4 paragraphs, answer the following question. Remember, a paragraph should consist of at least 4 sentences.
What should be the United States role in the world?
Think about relationships with other countries, human rights, and economic interests.
When you are finished........
Go to this website, and take the quiz. Record the results on a piece of paper and give them to Mr. Samuelson.
Syria Blog (Web 4)- Due September 17
Students will need to blog about what they think should be done in Syria. They will need to create a new page (a blog page) on their websites and write 3 paragraphs describing the action, if any, the US should take in Syria. This is an opinion so students should express their own beliefs, and most importantly, explain WHY they think this way. Once they have finished this, they must make sure to publish their websites and then respond to two other classmates.
Student Directions:
1) Create a blog page and call it "Blog".
2) Create a blog and respond to the prompt: "What kind of action do you think the US should take in Syria."
3) Go to 2 other classmates websites and comment on their blogs. Tell them whether you agree, disagree, or anything else that you find important and explain why you think that.
Be sure to publish your website when finished!
Student Directions:
1) Create a blog page and call it "Blog".
2) Create a blog and respond to the prompt: "What kind of action do you think the US should take in Syria."
3) Go to 2 other classmates websites and comment on their blogs. Tell them whether you agree, disagree, or anything else that you find important and explain why you think that.
Be sure to publish your website when finished!
Globalization Writing (Wr1)- Due September 13
Students will write a 1-2 page paper describing their opinion on whether globalization is good or bad. They are expected to provide specific examples to support their answers and also site any sources they use in a Bibliography. The paper should be 12 point font, double-spaced, Times New Roman, and with margins set at 1 inch on all sides.
There are no right or wrong answers. The paper is meant to be a summation of the student's opinion and what they have learned. However, answers are expected to be backed up by factual information with research from other sources cited.
There are no right or wrong answers. The paper is meant to be a summation of the student's opinion and what they have learned. However, answers are expected to be backed up by factual information with research from other sources cited.
globalization_pros_and_cons_student_answers.docx | |
File Size: | 15 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Globalization Definition (Web 3)- Due August 30
Students must make a separate page on their website and call it "Globalization." On that page they will need to write out their own definition of globalization. They must also provide three examples of globalization happening and explain themselves in a short paragraph.
3 Topics to Discuss (Web 2)- Due August 27
For more information about this assignment, students should go the Topics to Discuss page under the Contemporary Affairs tab. Students must submit a comment describing at least 3 topics they want to learn and talk about this semester.
Student Website Creation (Web 1)- Due August 27
Students have been given a username and password. They are to create a website with that information by going to students.weebly.com. In the websites, students must create two pages. A Home page and an About Me page. The Home page should include just a short generic welcome. The About Me page has some other requirements:
- Name
- Grade
3 Titles (My Background, What I expect to learn..., & My Fundamental Beliefs & Values)
- My Background, 1-2 paragraphs explaining a short bit about each student. Family, hobbies, interests, etc.
- What I expect to learn..., 1-2 paragraphs explaining what the student expects they will learn from the course
- My Fundamental Beliefs & Values, 1-2 paragraphs explaining where they get their core values and what predecessors make up new opinions in the future.
- Name
- Grade
3 Titles (My Background, What I expect to learn..., & My Fundamental Beliefs & Values)
- My Background, 1-2 paragraphs explaining a short bit about each student. Family, hobbies, interests, etc.
- What I expect to learn..., 1-2 paragraphs explaining what the student expects they will learn from the course
- My Fundamental Beliefs & Values, 1-2 paragraphs explaining where they get their core values and what predecessors make up new opinions in the future.