Mr. Workman’s Class

Yes, it is summer break and we will be seeing some major changes this coming year.  They are mostly based in the change over of the school becoming The American Leadership Academy.  I will be teaching both high school history and math (probably Algebra).  Mrs. Polakoff will be teaching science and math (possibly geometry and above).  We will be joined by a great English and theatre teacher, Mrs. Betsy Love, who has great experience with both areas of education.  For all of the 7th and 8thgraders, you will now be primarily with only your own grade level.  Mr. Riggs will be teaching 7th grade and Mr. Whitlock will be teaching 8th.  There will also be a new teacher in each of those grade levels.

I encourage you all to continue reading great books and studying great things like The Constitution and our national history.  The texts I expect we will be working with in history will be 5000 Year Leap and The Making of America for history/government.  The best part for those of you who have already read these is that there will be an abundance of new material to go long with these in order for you to deepen your knowledge and understanding, not just me giving you my opinion either.  Also, I urge you to read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens as this will be a book with which you will become intimately familiar.  We will focus on “leadership from within.”

Remember, the only thing a government truly ought to fear is a populace who thinks and acts accordingly.  Outside forces cannot be feared because they can be reasoned with.  A people who are set against their oppressors can neither be reasoned with nor controlled.

This is no Doomsday prophecy from a fanatic (though calling me a fanatic in general may not be out of place).  The end of the school year approaches however, and this leaves us with its consequences.  Papers are due, presentations are expected, and there is always that pesky game against the Staff to prepare for (here’s hoping your chances are better than before). 

Be sure you get everything done.  Incompletes transfer as F’s in almost every district.  I do not expect this to actually be an issue, but you need to be aware and act accordingly.

Manuel received his Eagle Scout Award this Saturday.  We want to be sure and let him know how pleased we are that he has made this effort and reached his goal.

Yearbooks will be $20 until the 11th of May, after which the price will be $25.  Order quickly to make sure you get one.  They will be in a similar format as last year.  Seniors: get your layouts to me BY FRIDAY the 8th.

We will be going to Organ Stop Pizza on Monday the 18th.  Please bring in $10 by the 14th and let your parents know they are invited to join us (at the same cost).

Preparing for the Science Fair Judging-Practice Makes Perfect!

• If you can communicate your science fair project well, you maximize your chances of winning.
• Write up a short “speech” (about 2–5 minutes long) summarizing your science fair project. Do not restate your abstract word by word. You will give this speech (from memory) when you first meet the judges. Include in the speech:
  • How you got the idea.
  • How you did the experiment (explain any relevant terms along the way).
  • Your results and conclusions.
  • Why your science fair project is important in today’s society (how will it help people today?). You don’t have to cure cancer. Perhaps your work will help a small group of people, but it’s still important.
  • Demonstrate that you understand the theory behind why your project turns out the way it does.
  • If you can’t fit all of this into your presentation, be prepared to discuss each of the above topics separately.
  • Expect to be interrupted when you talk to the judges. You will rarely finish your speech.
• Organize a list of questions you think the judges will ask you and prepare/practice answers for them. A few common questions are listed below.
  • How much help did you receive from others?
  • What does your data tell you?
  • Why is this research important? (Who cares if a rocket flies well?)
  • What do your graphs represent?
  • What does your data tell you?
  • What problems did you run into while doing your experiment and how did you fix them?
  • What are the three most interesting things you learned when doing this science fair project?
  • What further research do you plan on doing, or would do, to this science fair project? (Your future study)
• Study your background research as you would for a test. In some ways, presenting your science fair project is like taking an exam. The better you know your background research, the higher the chance you have of winning.
  • This is the part I usually had trouble with: I would do the research and understand everything, but then I needed to study it. I would eventually learn and remember all the facts I should know, but I had to sit myself down and study. Force yourself to pretend there is a test the next day on all of the information, and you will be prepared.
• Practice explaining your science fair project to others and pretend they are judges.
  • Practice explaining all graphs, tables, your short speech, answers to possible questions judges might ask, etc.
  • Practice explaining the theory behind your science fair project. Theory includes everything from your background research.
  • Videotaping yourself during practice can also be very helpful. Although it can be painful to watch the video, you will see the mistakes you made and be able to fix them the next time you speak.
• Practice explaining your science fair project in simple terms so anyone can understand it.
  • Many students do not know how to explain their science fair project to the general public. If you can explain your project in laymen’s terms, you are one step ahead of everyone else!

We will be discussing Les Miserables on Tuesday April 21st.  We will not be going on a hike for the discussion.  Because of the extended time we have had to prepare, be sure to come with your thoughts and some questions.  Everyone is expected to actively participate in the discussion.  The expectation has not changed, I am simply pointing it out.

Thanks to all of you who helped finish this one.  I took more time on it but I think the quality is much better because of it.

I will input the photo as soon as I figure out how.

No big deal really.  All of you are more than prepared for these tests.  Just make sure you are here on the days you need to be here.