Please go here to access Oakridge Seniors c/o 2014 Blogs.
OK guys…this year we tackle blogs. 
Our goal is this – each student leaves Senior Current Issues with a fully functional working blog. This is not a facebook page – or someplace to dump a ton of prom photos, or pretty pictures of your boyfriend or girlfriend. It’s not for chatting or emailing or skyping. What we want to create is a place where you can portray yourselves professionally. Continue reading
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Kelly Locke an ex-student sent me Teddy Bear’s Porcupine Halloween Feast this weekend. I watched it and I thought of our first hour Senior Current Issues class. I’ve been reading your Mindfulness experiments all day long…what a joy to read them. Your weekends sound mindful. To take a cup of tea from the bubbles off the pot all the way through to the scent of the berries, and feel of the steam of the cup, to find your family in an orange or a big ole strapping Oak Tree – and to hug it for twenty minutes. Nature called out to many of you in such a mindful manner and on such beautiful weekend. And the Friday night lights of an Oakridge football game – the marching band and pre game rituals. Guys, thank you for sharing your experiences with me. All of them and I’m only half way through them.
I’ve never had Senior Current Issues class so in tuned to daily meditation and the light of a candle. I think we will start many days this school year with calm mindful meditation.
And I am sure that you all will appreciate the mindfulness in which Teddy Bear enjoys his pumpkin feast.
Nameste.
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This week Ebola surfaced in New York City and in Mali – two places that could not be further removed from one another. Reactions has been swift; and markedly different. Concern is growing in both places. The quality of health care and 
infrastructure of the two locations could not be further apart. Over the next week, as you pursue American scholarships and European blogs, I want you to stay focused on Ebola in Mali and NYC.
For starters read this blog from the Washington Post. Make sure to explore all of the links within the post. They will bring you up to date on the status of each location. As the week progresses I would like you to find two news stories that deal with ebola in Mali, and two news stories that deal with ebola in New York City. Print all four and actively read each. The four active readings will consist of one 80 point assignment to be turned in at the beginning of class on Monday, November 3.
Go here for reminders on the art of Active Reading.
In addition to the active reading requirements, I will assign you an interactive google docs post that will be due posted to google docs – not to google classroom – by 11:59 PM on Sunday November 2. Stay tuned here for specific directions for the google docs posting. I will have it up and posted below (in blue) by Tuesday.
Meanwhile you have the week to dig into blogs and scholarships. So let’s get moving…
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Some interesting footage from 1976 when Ebola was first discovered in Zaire (present day Congo) in 1976.
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Use the following podcasts to review for CA #2 – The Principles of Government
In an effort to improve understanding of key terms I’ll be posting MP3 podcasts of “terms to study” regularly throughout the semester. These terms will serve as a core for unit comprehension and exams. Each is also listed in the classroom on the front whiteboard and will be targeted for class discussion. When I place a numeral that corresponds to a particular class hour next to the term on the front board, I will assume that all students in that particular class hour understands the term. Any student can veto my decision by a simple veto. We will continue to work through the definition until that student is comfortable with the term. However, one the class hour numeral is on the board, quizzes will be drawn from the corresponding term. All quizzes are two terms 10 point essay answers (twenty point total) and are based on a working understanding of the word; that means you’ll be answering in essay format. I am also posting audio podcasts of many of them below. Each podcast is two to five minutes in length.
Quizzes will be often and unannounced. So it is important for you to review your notes and the below podcasts regularly throughout the semester. Terms will also serve as a basis for Common Assessments. Consequently a good way to review for the Common Assessments would be to listen to the podcasts.
Terms in blue have been podcasted. Merely go to the term and you will find the podcast in MP3 format.
CHAPTER ONE – PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT
1/ 1 Government & the State
1/ 2 Forms of Government
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