Monday, July 28, 2008

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

Thursday, July 24, 2008

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

Friday, July 18, 2008

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

Thursday, July 17, 2008

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

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

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