History timeline

Most of you know that Ms. Mercado gave us a timeline to prepare over the holidays. I will divide it up soon and assign everyone a part to do. Until then, please continue to work on speeches, and keep studying! :)

Competition is at the end of January, so we are almost there!

-Priscilla

Final!

Make sure that you have your speeches written on index cards. This will help you begin to easily memorize them.

I expect to see your speeches on index cards tomorrow, Thursday at lunch.

Whyte

A! O! Let's Go!

People, let's finish up these speeches. Next week I have arranged for you to visit various educators around campus. You will present your speec to them and they will provide feedback. This starts Monday. Be ready!

Whyte

Instead of Going to Math Tutoring Tomorrow...

go to Mr. Whyte's class because we need to fill out some formsfor competition that are due TOMORROW. Do not be late. Do not be absent. Be here at 7:15, no later.

Remember to get the blue paper I sent home with you signed by your parent(s). Do not forget this.

See you guys tomorrow,
Priscilla (Captain P)

Written Speeches!!!

Bring them tomorrow morning!!! We will practice presenting them!!!

Speeches...

You have your rough drafts completed. This week we will work towards refining them, as well as, learning how to present them.

Make sure that you bring your rough drafts to Wednesday morning's meeting.

Whyte

Essay tomorrow morning!

Consider young Antonio experiencing the deaths of three people who he knew. What affect does this have on him? How do these unfortunate events become conflicted, morally depressing test points along his coming of age journey. Consider Ultima, Father Byrnes, The Golden Carp in your argument...

Homework and Test Tomorrow!!!

There seven major literary works that the USAD has put out for this year's Latin American theme. Your homework tonight is to make a table, a chart, or some other graphic organizer in which you list:

1. The writer's name and her/his corresponding piece...

2. The names of character and their roles in each piece...

3. The setting of each piece

4. The theme of each piece

5. The style of each piece

6. Central conflicts of each piece

and

7. Know the various dates relevant to each writer and literary piece

Please, pass this on to Nick and Roger. I don't seem to have their e-mails.

TEST TOMORROW: 7:15 (not 7:20)

Peace,
Whyte

BEFORE 6:45 A.M.

Let's Go CAVS! November 15!!!

OK, People...

Study smartly. We go to scrimmage tomorrow morning!

Remember to review flash cards.

I'll see you tomorrow morning at Chaffey High School on the south side. The south side is located on 4th Street in between San Antonio and Euclid Avenues.

In Peace,
Whyte

Batter Up: First Round this Saturday!

Concentrate on your ACADEC notes: remember we go to compete this Saturday morning!

Details:

Meet at MHS staff parking lot at 7:15 A.M.
Competition to be held at Rancho Cucamonga High School
Should return by 2:30 P.M.

Multiple-choice tests to be taken in five areas! LATIN AMERICAN...

1. Literature
2. History
3. SuperQuiz Biology and Evolution
4. Art
5. Music

Remember to bring me your emergency cards!

In Peace,
Whyte

Tomorrow....

And every Thurday morning as a matter of fact, we will be meeting in Mrs. Hsiao's room (Portable 4 I think?) for math tutoring.

I expect everyone to be present since this is not a part of the "specializations" we have.

Tomorrow

We meet at 7 A.M. SHARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRP.

This Week's Schedule...

Monday: We meet with Mrs. Rhinehart tomorrow morning and then with Mr. Nagler after school.

Tuesday: We meet with Ms. Mercado in the morning and then with Mrs. Gonzalez after school.

Wednesday: We review Latin American literature with me in the morning and then we meet with Mr. Flores after school.

Thursday: Literature and Composition review with me in the morning and then we meet with Ms. Mercado after school.

Friday: We meet for impromptu speeches in my class. Priscilla will lead.

Excellent job on the turn out for today's library quest, team. I am glad to see Knott's Scary Farm didn't frighten you too badly.

In Peace,
Whyte

Social Science (History) Reading Schedule.

In order to review all the material by November 1st, here is the
reading schedule.

10/7
Pages 11-25 The Colonial period through Maximillian

10/14
Pages 25 – 33
The rise of Porfirio Diaz through Constitution of 1917

10/21
Pages 34 - 41
Rev. Generals in the Mexican Presidency through The Mexican Miracle

10/28
Pages 41 – 47
The end of the Pri Hegemony through conclusion


See you all on Tuesday,
Ms.Mercado


Make sure to have this read so that we can go over the material more easily.
Also, remember that we will meet with Ms. Mercado Tuesday mornings but Thursdays after school will also be spent in Ms. Mercado's room, but as a reading period. This should help ensure that people are up to date on the reading.

See all of you tomorrow,
Priscilla

One-on-one Conference Tomorrow

I'll need to speak to you each tomorrow. Speech topic essays were due today! I'm missing a few of yours!

I want to take CAV ACADEC to the local Harvey Mudd/Honnald Library located at CGU either this Saturday or Sunday in order for the team to thoroughly research your topics with total access to information. Everyone Must Attend.

Make sure that you are at Mercado's at 7:10. She's in Room 59. I'll be round to check on your progress in class.

Also For Monday...

Don't forget that your Speech rough drafts are due to me. Good work on drafting them, people.

Make sure that you arrive tomorrow, prepared and promptly ready to study with Mrs. Rhinehart at 7:15 A.M.

Mr. Whyte

Tutoring tomorrow morning and Tuesday morning

Tomorrow, we will be meeting with Mrs. Rhinehart in the morning for economics tutoring, and Tuesday morning will be spent with Mrs. Mercado going over Social Sciences. After school tutoring on Monday will still be with Mr. Nagler for Art tutoring.

- Priscilla

Tomorrow

Remember, we are continuing our work on speeches tomorrow; this means have your outline prepared tomorrow or expect to complete it by tomorrow morning.

Once we have our outlines, we will be completing the rough drafts for our speeches by Monday. Prepare to share what you have on that day.

Also, remember that we have decided to go out to eat tomorrow after school at Rocky's. I know that Mr. Whyte will be able to provide some of us with rides, and the rest will be worked out tomorrow.

- Priscilla

MHS ACADEC ALUMNI GIVES TIPS

1. Impromptu Speeches

-Practice with those with less confidence at public speaking, major Points are lost at not making the minimum time limit.
-Work a lot on eye contact

2. 4-minute Speech

-Choose interesting topics
-Set definite deadlines on speeches to increase preparedness

3. Essay Writing

-Just ensure that everyone does the reading due to the fact that all the topics are based on the readings.

4. Interview

-Work on eye contact
-Prepare them for the “not-so-nice” judges. Seriously these guys will Trip them up big time…
-Work on formality

Good Luck,
Jose Juarez

Speech Outlines due this Friday...

We will work on them daily this week. Prepare to share this Friday.

Also, it has come to my attention that too many of you are not being consistent with attending tutoring. This is a slap in the proverbial face. We must promptly report for 7:15 AM tutoring DAILY. No excuses. You have chosen to dedicate yourself to something larger than life. I commend you on your service. You are noble.

Furthermore, we have set up for daily after school tutoring that you must attend. We must attend. We want to win this year. This will only happen through smart working, team effort, studying and attending tutoring.

I must be blunt. If you can't hack it, then we are going to to have to discuss cutting you have the team. I hope this doesn't have to happen. I believe in you all sincerely, but I can't have a few people showing up here and a few people showing up there.

Are we straight?

Good.

See you promptly tomorrow morning.

Mr. Whyte

Tomorrow Morning

Rather than meeting with Mr. Whyte, we will be meeting in Mrs. Rhinehart's room for Economics tutoring. This is in an effort to get more people to tutoring sessions. Bring the material if you have it. If you do not, I will make some available to you.

See you tomorrow morning,
Priscilla

Team's Speech Topics

Ali - The effect the media has on teens
Priscilla - Evolution of Modern modes of Communication
Cynthia - Superstitions: its cultural effects and roots
Rogelio - evolution of game technologies
Jonathan - weaponry
Jose N. - Standardization of Anime
Aaron - Revolution of Cars

Speech Topics and Monday's Tutoring

I know that not everyone was here this morning (by the way, not cool for those who missed). We went over possible prepared speech topics. Everyone needs to think about something they are passionate about that they feel they can talk about for about 3 1/2 minutes to 4 minutes (which is a LONG time). I've chosen to talk about communication and it's evolution over time. Ali wants to talk about the effect the media has on teens. Breanna wants to talk about teen obesity and health. Cynthia plans to speak about superstitions and their cultural roots/effects. Rogelio will speak on advances in video gaming technology. Nick wants to talk about violence in video games and why he is for it. What do the rest of you feel you want to talk about?

Email me possible speech topics, but also have a list of possible topics for Monday, because that is what we will be focusing on during Mr. Whyte's absence.

-Priscilla

p.s. Art tutoring is on Monday after school, and Mr. Nagler was thinking about a fieldtrip to view some murals in Pomona. If this does happen, I want to make sure everyone has parental permission to go. If this does not happen, then we will just be in Mr. Nagler's room.

Literature Practice Quiz!!!

Tomorrow morning, we'll be taking the Latin American Literature Practice Multiple-choice test. Yeah! Be ready.

Whyte

By the way...

We will be meeting in Ms. Mercado's room in the morning, rather than meeting in Mr. Whyte's room. Be there promptly at 7:15.

-Priscilla

Social Science Tomorrow with Ms. Mercado

Don't forget folks, tomorrow you will be studying under the tutelage of Ms. Mercado over in the History Building. Make sure that you're there on time and ready to review!

Let's keep up the super work, people!

Whyte

M-C Test Tomorrow!

Be prepared to take a multiple-choice test tomorrow covering Bless Me, Ultima as well as the other relevant information on New Mexico and Anaya covered in the study guide.

Whyte

Good Work, Cavs!

Let's keep up the good work. It looks like we are finally solidifying our team! Remember that we meet in the morning daily at 7:15. We begin promptly.

Ensure that you have completed Bless Me, Ultima (note this blog site will not allow me to italicize the novel's title: -5) by this Monday. I will test you then.

For tonight, thoroughly go through the Bless Me, Ultima (ibid) study guide section, highlighting main points, topics, dates, history, literary elements and themes. I also want you to transfer your highlighted points onto index cards by this Monday!

Stay focused. It's quite a bit of work, but we can do it, and we can win!

We go to Mrs. Gonzalez tomorrow for Biology and the SuperQuiz question. Be ready.

I'll see you tomorrow morning.

Whyte

Ah, Sonnets! Yeah.

Remember that a sonnet is a 14-line poem. The two poems under study here, Sonnets 27 and 28, by Sor. Juana Ines de la Cruz rely on the Italian form, that is to say that they are structured by using an octet followed by a sestet. Some of you may be wondering why these two sonnets don't use iambic pentametre... remember, I said that this metre is the usual one, not the only one.

What is either poem discussing?

For the first sonnet...Vanity, false pride and flattery is the theme of the day, whereas the inevitability of growing old as well as dying -and- there isn't a thing that you can do to stop this natural process is the theme of the second.

Character Analysis...

Which of Antonio's friends best serve as character foils? In what way has Ultima failed Narciso? What is the "spell" that follows Tenorio's past? Why does Antonio begin to have some serious doubts about Father Byrne? Describe the impact of Florence's death on Antonio? Examine the various roles of Ultima? What is her "ultimate" purpose as a character?

Monday's After School Study Session with Mr. Nagler

This Monday The Cavalier ACADEC team will begin to study Latin American Art in Mr. Nagler's classroom from 3-4 P.M. Make sure that you are on time. You will keep personal time-sheets in order to ensure punctuation, organization and focus!

Keep up the good work, team!

Mr. Whyte

Monday's Test on Chapters 1-5

Study up, folks! Read and re-read. This Monday morning at 7:15 sharp you will take a multiple-choice test. The test passages will come from Chapters 1-5. Read carefully.

Mr. Whyte

Interview Practice

This Friday in the morning, we will be going over the interview portion of the competition. I have already given all of you a form to complete and hand in to me tomorrow morning, and I do plan to prepare questions according to what you have written. I look forward to working on this part of the competition with all of you (this is one of the less intimidating parts of aca dec).

- Priscilla

This Week's Focus

For this Thursday, we will examine Chapters Uno - Tres in Bless Me, Ultima.

Consider the following prompt for tomorrow: Identify and analyze some of the conflicts that Antonio faces at home, at school, and in his community? How must he reconcile the inevitable and dynamic predicaments of his present experiences in order to cross the threshold of human consciousness? Will he be ready to face his rites of passage?

We will concentrate on Writer's Workshop and public speaking this Friday.

I'll see you all tomorrow at 7:15 A.M. sharp!

-Mr. Whyte

RCHS Competition!

Looks like we go to competition this November 1! Let's focus our energy and prepare ourselves for this outing.

Keep in mind that this is also an SAT testing day. Please plan to take this test on another date.

The Tutor Schedule for this year

First of all, the team will meet in the mornings before school everyday at 7: 15 AM (8:15 AM on Fridays) in Mr. Whyte's room (RM 2). On Monday through Thursday, we will also have after school tutoring sessions from 3:00-4:00 PM; Mondays will be with Mr. Nagler in room 103 to study Art. Tuesdays will be alternated between Economic study sessions with Mrs. Rhinehart in room 56 and Social Science study sessions with Mrs. Mercado in room 51. Wednesdays will be with Mr. Flores in room 100 to study Music. Thursdays will be with Mrs. Gonzalez to study Evolutionary Biology (the Super Quiz topic)in room 40.

Team members will be expected to be present at each session, having read the necessary material.

Tomorrow, September 3, Mr. Whyte wants all of us to bring Bless Me, Ultima to the morning study session so we can go over the book.

-Priscilla

Tutoring Schedule

Tomorrow, I will be handing out a tutoring schedule (if it gets Mr. Whyte's approval). I will post it later, but I need to make sure everything is correct first.

-Priscilla

Mr. Whyte will be out of town from about now to August 22.

While he is gone, I A) want to make sure everyone has read teh Language and Lit. resource guide as he wanted and B) would like to try and have everyone begin reading the music resource guide. While Mr. Whyte is away, I may be able to set up a study session with the music tutor, Mr. Flores. If not, I would still like to meet up once before August 22 to ensure that people at least have the material. At this time I also need a recent copy of transcripts and a rough idea of what your schedules will be like for the coming months. This is something you might need to get used to, since I will need to know when you guys are available for meetings and such. Know that you will also probably have to make time for aca dec meetings and study sessions.

Not all of the meetings will be with mr. Whyte and I'd like to give you a list of the other tutors right now:

Art - Mr. Nagler
Music - Mr. Flores
Science/Super Quiz - Mrs. Gonzalez
Social Science - Mrs. Mercado
Economics - Mrs. Rhinehart
Lang. and Lit. - Mr. Whyte
Essay - Mr. Whyte
Speech and Interview - Mr. Whyte

- Priscilla

This week's meeting.

I will not be in town towards the end of the week and I had agreed with Mr. Whyte at last weeks poorly attended meeting that we could hold the meeting earlier in the week, around Wednesday. Unfortunately, I have something akin to the flu and have a doctor's appointment for that day this week. Rather than attempting to have a meeting without me, I am going to ask Mr. Whyte if we can simply wait until next week to meet, because by then I hope to feel better and I know that many team members will be back from vacation.

That does not mean it is a break week. In fact, Mr. Whyte wants everyone to have the entire Language Arts Resource Guide (not including the Basic Guide though) read by this time so we may discuss this and Bless Me, Ultima further. Mr. Whyte has great ideas and thoughts on the book that I know will help us in competition.

Keep reading. Keep studying. Remember, this is a team effort and I don't want to be the only one on the team making an effort (well, except for Cynthia).

- Priscilla

I Recieved Impromptu Responses from Three People.....

COME ON. I expected people to complete the assignment and for me to provide feedback. If you did not do it because you had not heard of the assignment, I still need it to be completed. Ignorance is not an excuse, especially when I posted the assingment for everyone to read on this blog.

There is a meeting tomorrow, from 12-2, and those who did not attend last weeks must be present to pick up the matreial. Bring paper, pencil, and yourself.

I have to go, but comment so I know that you have read this post.

- Priscilla

Examples of Impromptu Speech Questions

At today's meeting, it was decided that five impromptu topics would be posted here on the blog and that each team member would choose three to answer and email to me (jdeppchick@yahoo.com). Take no more than 15 minutes to type up each impromptu speech and remember: DO NOT REVISE. There will be only one opportunity to make a good speech during competition and we need to practice doing it right the very first time. After you think you are done, do not only email me your three responses, try reading them aloud as if you are giving the speech. This will give you a good feel for how your timing is and whether you'll need to say more in a future response.

Here are five possible questions:

1) Tell us about a nickname you have and how you got it.

2) You are an ant. Convince an anteater to not eat you.

3) Should parents censor the kind of music their teenagers listen to, the type of television shows or movies they watch, or the type of books they read?

4) How would you convince your principal to give students their birthdays off of school.

5) Is it important to know a second language? Should everyone learn a second language?

Yes, some are weirder/harder than others, but remember, there is always a chance that you will hate all three topics presented to you in the actual competition; you still have to answer one of them anyway.

You have exactly one minute to choose a topic, think a bit about your speech, and jot down a few notes on a note card the judges provide you. Once this time is up, it is time for you to give your speech.

Email me your responses to THREE of these prompts by 8:00 PM on Monday, July 21 along with some possible topics for your prepared speech (for more info on that assignment, read my previous post.)

Have Fun :)

-Priscilla

A Message from our Coach, Mr. Whyte.... and my own comments

"Let's meet weekly, while maintaining the blog. We want to win. Nothing replaces good old-fashioned face to face. Also, I will be teaching you guys weekly learning strategies, again so that we can win. The Blog is another terrific idea. It allows for constant communication and immediate feedback.

I am alarmed by our inability to reach members or their lack of initiative to contact [Priscilla]. This is a weak link in our chain. We must have near 100% attendance. Anything below this lowers our chances towards victory.

All members: We need to be in winning mode. We need to be attending tutoring!

In Peace,
Whyte "

I agree with Mr. Whyte in that studying together and learning these strategies that he has to teach us are vital to victory, and that's what this competition is about: victory.


Tomorrow, there will be a meeting in room 21 from 12-2. I have confirmation that three people (out of eight!), besides myself and Mr. Whyte, will be in attendance. One of our team members has even dropped out. The school year hasn't even started yet and our drive and commitment is already waning. It'll be difficult to make sure that everyone is on the same page, but I plan to do what I can to make sure it happens.

I want to make sure people are actually paying attention to these posts, so I ask that after you finish reading each post, you leave a comment. I don't care if you have something to add, a question, or simply a "I have read this post"; I want to make sure that everyone is keeping up with the tasks and assignments at hand. Many of us (myself included) spend plenty of time online anyway and all I ask is that every team member check in with this blog daily, to make sure they are up to date.

This is a serious commitment, but a fruitful one. Please keep in touch with me via myspace, email (jdeppchick@yahoo.com), or ask me for my cell number if you prefer texting.

-Priscilla

Now That the Blog is Set Up

Hey everyone. This is my first post and I'm anxious to see how this actually works out.

I first wanted to make sure everyone knows that the study material for this year is in and that there will be a meeting July 18 from 12 - 2, to allow for the gathering of the material and for a meeting as a team with Mr. Whyte.

Also, now that we are beginning to start studying and working, I want everyone to start thinking about speech topics. Topics can technically be about anything, but it's preferable that it is you something A) that you are passionate about and B) that it is somewhat original. This will not only make sure that you can make the time limit (3 1/2 minutes is the minimum; 4 minutes is the max), but will ensure that the judges are not bored or offended by your speech. I am hoping that by this next Monday, July 21, you will have a few topics that you are ready to discuss with either Mr. Whyte or me.

Email me at jdeppchick@yahoo.com or message me on myspace with possible speech topics or any question you may have.

- Priscilla