Final Exam Planning

1. I will shoot this assignment this Saturday April 30, 2016.
2. I will shoot at my aunt's house.
3. I will be documenting my cousin's birthday party.
4. I will need my camera and maybe a tripod, both of which I have in my possession.
5. I will photograph the bouncy house, presents, parts of the piñata and parts of the birthday cake. I will video parts of the piñata and parts of the birthday cake and some in the bouncy house. I will narrate some of the information about the party (names, relationship to birthday boy, etc.) and some of the presents. Narration will introduce people in still photographs. Lots of still photographs will follow, and when people are in the bouncy house there will be some video. More photographs, then piñata video and pictures. More stills, then cake video and pictures. Present pictures and some narration explaining importance of gifts.

Illustrator

Infographics

Create line charts

Intro to iMovie

Intro to iMovie Video:
1. iMovie is fairly easy to use and uses both still photos and videos. Importing both videos and still photos isn't difficult and is simply a click and drag action. It is possible to edit the length of the video, split clips in many pieces and add effects to a clip.
    iMovie has two types of timeline modes, a clip mode, and a time mode, and each present unique features. Adding titles and subtitles is hassle free and can be on a clip or on a black screen. iMovie makes making movies as easy as possible and the options are fairly self-explanatory.
2. I already knew that iMovie made movies can use both still photos and videos.
3. I didn't know that clips could be edited.

iMovie for Mac:
1. iMovie is designed for all apple products, iPhones, iPods, iPads and Macs. An iMovie can be started on product and finished on another. iMovie can be used to make both movies and trailers for these movies.
    Sound effects can be added as well as voice overs. Themes add a professional feel to the movie and they bring their own professional soundtrack. In order to share a movie, you only need to export it into a compatible file and upload it to your favorite site.
2. I already knew that trailers could be made.
3. I didn't know that you could access movies on all apple products.

4. I am concerned about having enough time to complete the project and getting the video.
5. I am confident that I can have the photos quickly and maybe the video if I can figure out how to use it.
6. I would document my sister's track meet or my cousin's birthday party.

My Opinion Story

All students are familiar with standardized tests, STAAR, SAT, ACT, MOY, AP tests, etc., and the stress they bring with them. We are forced to think the same way the test makers think, because of the somewhat-biased choices, avoid the correct-looking-wrong-answers, and become masters in subjects that do not always interest us. I think that this is wrong, students shouldn’t be required to spend hours differentiating between a, b, c, and d, or writing essays on ridiculous prompts that don’t truly reflect our writing skill.

Although I realize that some measure of knowledge is needed to show if students are learning enough, I don’t think that standardized tests are the way to go. First of all, these tests don’t take into account learning impairments as much as they could. For example many students read slowly, but these tests don’t accommodate that.

Secondly, the time constraints make students nervous and stressed as time runs out. For instance, many students like to double check their answers to ensure that they answered every question right, but the time constraint doesn’t always allow these students enough time to do this. 

In addition, the sheer number of questions is ridiculous; sixty questions about grammar, sentence structure, and literary analysis is excessive. For example, students in Texas must take the English STARR test twice in high school. 

Lastly, students are required to take five STAAR tests to pass high school, but three of these are generally taken during freshman year. Even if a student takes algebra in 8^th grade, they still must take two STAAR tests in 9^th grade, while sophomores and juniors take one STAAR test and seniors take none. If we could just take biology in 9^th grade, English II in 10^th grade, algebra II in 11^th grade, and United States government in 12^th grade, then there would be less stress freshman year, and fewer tests to take for high school students.

I don’t agree with the fact that students have to take both the English I STAAR and the English II STAAR. If we could just take the English II test, then our skills would still be tested and we wouldn’t be as stressed freshman year. In addition, if we could just take an Algebra II test instead of the Algebra I test, then our skills would be more developed and we could take fewer tests as a 14-15 year old. And instead of taking an United States history test, knowledge that is rarely used, we could take an United States government test, we would be more knowledgeable about our government and this knowledge is much more relevant in today’s world than U.S. history.

I think that standardized tests are too stressful and don’t accurately measure students’ knowledge because the test is unaccommodating for disadvantaged students, and because of the time constraint, and somewhat-biased answers.

SNO Online Papers

The Polaris Press: Minimum Wage

1. Erin Lungwitz
2. President Obama's plan to raise minimum wage. 
3. "The minimum wage in the United States should be raised to $10.10. People who work full time shouldn't be impoverished."
4. She addresses the other side of the topic by saying "Some of these companies don't want to pay their employees more than the current minimum wage in fear of losing money..."
5. She wasn't wishy-washy about her opinion because throughout the story, she clearly conveys her feeling toward the topic. 
6. There are no quoted in the story. 
7. This is in a 3rd Person point of view. 

Falcon Quill: The War on Gender wage Equality: A perspective on the disparities between men's and women's paychecks

1. Alex Doswell
2. The unfair gap between the amount of money men and women are paid.
3. "It's frustrating that I'm discriminated against for something as rudimentary as gender.
4. She doesn't really address the other side of the topic.
5. She isn't wishy-washy at all about her opinion because she clearly conveys her opinion throughout the entire article. 
6. She quoted one article. 
7. She wrote in 1st Person point of view.

The Review: Taylor Swift at the Grammys: Bad Blood or a girl-power missive?

1. Kara Wollmers
2. The impact and implications of Taylor Swift's speech at the Grammys.
3. "Swifts's speech was a breath of fresh air."
4. She doesn't really address the other side of the topic.
5. She is not wishy-washy in her opinion because her opinion is conveyed throughout her article. 
6. There are quotes from Taylor Swift's speech and Kanye West's rap.
7. She wrote in 2nd Person point of view.

Personal Essays

1. One idea about choosing a topic to write about presented by the writer is to chose a topic that you are passionate about. 

2. One thing that you should remember when writing your piece is to avoid abstract phrases and to be specific. 

3.   

     -Personal essays by definition contain a personal perspective. You should be there. Watch your construction. If every sentence begins "I", you need to rephrase to provide a better rhythm and pace to your piece. 

     -Writing essays is a great way to get your opinions off your chest, but avoid philosophical rants which make no connection to your reader's experience. Again, keep it personal while relating to a wider world. 

     -Take your ideas from wherever you can. Note your reactions to everything, pursue passing preoccupations and distractions, consider what makes you, glad, angry, passionate in what you read, see, and hear. Mine your own past for incidents, images, lessons and epiphanies. 

Opinions Writing Preview Activity

Apple refuses to violate privacy of users
1. Editorial
2. The FBI wanting Apple to create a code to break into a terrorists phone.
3. "...we believe that the FBI is asking Apple for too much at the risk of all other iPhone owners."
4. They address the other side by saying, "Yes, something horrible happened and they want to know whether or not they were linked to ISIS, and that is reasonable to find out."
5. I don't think that this was wishy-washy, because it is clearly stated throughout the piece and it doesn't waver.
6. There are no quotes in this story.
7. This was written in First Person point of view

Drug dog investigations have students feeling as though their rights are being violated at school
1. Granger Coats
2. The educational system taking away constitutional rights and unfairly punishing students for their crimes.
3. "I believe the DEAP should be a punishment saved only for the severe cases..." & "...the current rules and handling of student offenses is flawed."
4. They address the other side by saying, "all other minor behavioral offenses should be felt with justly. Students who break the code of conduct should be punished..."
5. They are somewhat wishy-washy because the opinion is clear, but there are circumstances where this doesn't apply.
6. Coats quoted the code of conduct.
7. This was written in the First Person point of view.

Social media, back at it again
1. Alicia Molina
2. The origins of "Damn Daniel" and the effect of Josh and Daniel's fame.
3. "I think that it's great that people are using their fame for good and they are not keeping it all to themselves..."
4. They do not address the other side of the topic.
5. I think that this is wishy-washy because the opinion wasn't stated until the end and it wasn't all clear.
6. Molina quotes the video, a tweet, and surfboard.
7.  The point of view switches from Second Person to First Person

Beyonce causes controversy
1. Fuaad Ajaz
2. Beyonce's motivation behind her recent music video and the themes behind it.
3. "...apparently people think that celebrating an organization that among other things fought for equal rights, provided breakfast for little kids, and protected their communities is wrong."
4. Ajaz doesn't really address the other side.
5. Ajaz isn't wishy-washy at all because, his opinion is evident throughout the piece.
6. Ajaz quotes Angela Y. Davis, and Beyonce.
7. The point of view is First Person.

Is the AP world history test worth it?
1. Mia Barbosa
2. Whether AP world history test is worth the risk because it could save thousands of dollars, but it could waste $93.
3. "I think that if a student has paid enough attention throughout the year...they can definitely pass the test..."
4. She doesn't really address the other side of the topic.
5. She isn't wishy-washy because her opinion is stated over and over again from the get-go.
6. There are no quotes in this story.
7. The point of view is First Person.



A:
1. News stories convey mostly fact, while opinion stories are mostly opinion.
2. News stories have quotes, while opinion stories don't necessarily have them.
3. News stories cover recent events, while opinion stories relay opinions of different topics.
B:
There wasn't an event to photograph or an interviewee to photograph.
C:
1. Marvel vs. DC
2. Wage gap
3. Standardized testing

Peer Review Student of the Month

Bianca's Student of the Month Story
Paragraph:                   50 points
5 Quotes:                     25 points
Inverted Pyramid:       15 points
Extra Credit:                 0 points
Total:                          90 points

Earthquake Story

Several people were injured after an earthquake in San Francisco Bay area Monday morning. The earthquake caused a building to collapse, which injured six people. 

"A building housing McHenry’s Auto Supply at 2342 Plum St. partially collapsed, killing two people and injuring six others," according to public information officer from the Hayward Fire Department Jennifer Vu. "Names of the dead are being withheld pending notifications of families."

Hayward firefighters used ropes to stabilize the auto supply shop, conducting a search of the building and capped a gas line after detecting a gas leak at the site.

"Twenty-one fire personnel, 12 police and five American Red Cross workers responded to the building collapse, with some arriving within four minutes of the quake," Vu said. "Three of the six people injured were hurt seriously enough to require hospitalization and were transported to Hayward General Hospital. No other serious injuries have been reported in Hayward" 

A scientist from the U.S. Geological Survey came to assess the magnitude of the earthquake. 

"The epicenter of the earthquake, which had a magnitude of 6.4 on the Richter scale, was under the Hayward Hills," U.S. Geological Survey scientist Penny Gertz said, "it occurred on the Hayward Fault, which runs under the hills."

Hayward resident Mike Beamer, whose apartment is across the street from McHenry’s, felt a rolling motion that lasted for about 30 seconds, with a big jolt coming in the middle. 

“I was eating my breakfast when the room started rolling. I dove under the table just as I heard an explosion outside and a chunk of cement flew through my kitchen window. That’s when the screaming start across the street.” Beamer said. 

__________________________________________________________________

Huntington Story

Janice Jones was shot in her home on Wednesday when her gun accidentally discharged. The 9 mm handgun discharged after Jones's dog knocked it over. 

 "Jones was eating pork chops in the back of her motor home, which was parked on Beach Boulevard near Highway 1, when her dog knocked her 9 mm handgun off a seat. The weapon discharged when it hit the floor, and the bullet passed through Jones; leg and through the side of the vehicle," California Highway Patrol press Liaison Tammy Rye said “It could have been worse, the bullet hit two inches from the gas tank.”

Jones was transported to Huntington Beach Hospital via ambulance and later was transported to Irvine Medical Center, and Jones’ dog, a Pomeranian named Tombo, was placed in the care of the Huntington Beach Animal Control officers.

The dog seemed to be malnourished, according to Janet Ngo, one of the animal control officers, and had fresh cigarette burns on its forehead. “It could have done with a little less abuse and a few more of those pork chops,” Ngo said.

News Values

Timeliness:

• There was an earthquake in Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan, but no immediate reports of injuries or damage. The earthquake frightened hundreds of people and was felt in several major cities and countries.
• Powerful Earthquake Strikes Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan
• Powerful Earthquake Strikes Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan 

Proximity:

• After the apprehension of the the murderer of 18 year-old  Haruka Weiser, the University of Texas is unsure of what to do about the security of the campus. Students are now wary of their security and are concerned with the inability to seal the campus. 
• UT grapples with security worries in wake of slaying
• Even as University of Texas administrators sought to calm an anxious campus after the death of Haruka Weiser, officials continue to grapple with a fundamental issue: striking a balance between the safety of a public university and public access to it.

Impact:

• Trump takes the phrase "America First" from America's isolationism era, right before World War II, and claims to be speaking for the "silent majority". These phrases and slogans cause some people to be cautious, remembering the Nazi sympathizers in America, and other people to follow his policies.
• Donald Trump says 'America First' like isolationists before World War II
• Donald Trump says 'America First' like isolationists before World War II

Prominence:

• The Panama Papers are bringing important political information to light about several political leaders around the world and their offshore bank accounts. These papers let the public know about tax evasions and such information that the politicians would rather keep hidden.
• Panama Papers Leak Signals a Shift in Mainstream Journalism
• Panama Papers Leak Signals a Shift in Mainstream Journalism

Conflict: 

• Philippine Soldiers were killed in a fight with a militant group. The militant group has kidnapped around 20 foreign citizens like Rolando del Torchio, who had been released the day prior to the firefight. 
• 18 Philippine Soldiers Killed in Firefight with Militant Group
• 18 Philippine Soldiers Killed in Firefight with Militant Group

Human Interest

• The Brussels attack and the Paris attack have caused lots of panic in European capitols. Officials fear that there are underground cells in many countries and that high-tourist countries are high on the ISIS attack list. 
• Revelation on Brussels Attackers Fuels Fears of New Assaults
• Revelation on Brussels Attackers Fuels Fears of New Assaults 

Novelty: 

• Rock artist Bryan Adams canceled his Mississippi concerts due to the state's prejudiced laws against LGBT people. Adams is not the first artist to cancel a concert over biased laws, and in addition to artists, major organizations and business have also threatened to leave a state where such laws are passed. 
• Bryan Adams cancels Mississippi gig over 'anti-LGBT' bill
• Bryan Adams cancels Mississippi gig over 'anti-LGBT' bill

Student of the Month Story

Freshman Emilia Fox was named Bowie High School's April Student of the Month through her dedication to her academic success. Fox was diligent in finishing her assignments as well as assisting others in their learning and understanding of difficult subjects.
"My friends were my inspiration for helping others because they often asked for my help." Fox said.
Fox's help not only impacted students, her aid was also beneficial to her teachers.
"Whenever Emilia answers her classmates questions, she frees up some of my time so that I can grade papers and write tests and such," English teacher Angel Coulby said.
The help Fox provides extends beyond the help an average student provides.
"It's not often that I have a student that is as helpful in class as Emilia is. Most students that understand the material help mostly their friends, but Emilia helps everybody in the class when they need it, regardless if they disrupt the class," Coulby said.
After school started, it didn't take long or Fox to fill the role of the go-to tutor.
"In the beginning of the year I had no idea how to do dimensional analysis and Emilia was explaining it to me when a few other students started listing too, and the way she explained it, really made sense to the class. She is one of the biggest reasons that I aced that test. Ever since then, she's been the first person I go to when I don't understand something," Freshman Katie McGrath said.
Fox is just as helpful and polite in the real world as she is inside the classroom.
"Emilia is a great person as well as a tutor. She never makes me feel inferior when she explains things, and she never just gives me the answers, she makes sure that I understand the concept and that I can do it on my own. And when I see her in the halls, she always makes sure to be nice and ask how my day's going. I once saw her help a student pick up his papers after they flew out," McGrath said.
Between helping her classmates and completing her own work, Fox has a lot to have pride in.
"Even though it was a bit exhausting, and I would get internally exasperated often, I wouldn't change anything. I'm proud of having helped my peers," Fox said.

My First Interview

1. How did your friends react to your achievement?
They were proud.

2. How did your family react to your achievement?
They were proud as well. 

3. What was the most enjoyable aspect of working towards this award?
The best part was knowing I could receive this award.

4. What was the least enjoyable aspect of working towards this award?
The worst part was knowing about all the work that I had to finish.

5. Was it your intention to be given this award? Why or why not?
I hadn't intended to win at first, but then I thought that it would be best for me.

6. Looking back at all the work you did, would you do anything differently?
I would manage my time better.

7. What do you plan on doing next?
I plan on helping others work toward receiving this award.

8. What regrets do you have in relation to winning this award?
I don't have any regrets.

9. What aspect of working toward this award was the most difficult? Why?
The most difficult part was knowing there was a lot of work left to do.

10. What aspect of working toward this award was the easiest? Why?
The easiest part was the work itself.

11. What was the first thing you did after you learned that you were named Student of the Month?
The first thing I did was I wrote about it in my book.

12. Why do you think that you deserved/didn't deserve the award?
I feel I deserved the award because I worked hard and that I deserved recognition. 

13. Do you plan on continuing working as hard as you have up until being given this award?
I plan on working just as hard because I'm committed to my project.

14. How did you find out that you were named Student of the Month?
It was announced over the intercom during class. 

15. How important is this award to you in comparison with other awards you've won?
I feel that all my awards are equal in importance.

16. If you hadn't won, who would you have liked to see be the Student of the Month?
I would have liked to see my friend Marissa win.

17. In your opinion, how did your project measure up to other students' projects?
I feel that I succeeded more in my project.

18. What aspects of your project would you not change?
Even though it was exhausting, and I would get internally exasperated often,I wouldn't change anything.

19. Which aspects of your project are you most proud of?
I'm proud of having a huge impact on my peers

20. What was your inspiration for your project?
My friends were my inspiration for helping others because they often asked for my help.

Inverted Pyramid