Agenda: Week of March 21, 2011

Quote of the Week:  "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit." - Aristotle

Monday:

1. Welcome back from Spring Break.  "Good News."

2. Goal of the Week

3. Video of Aidan After Dentist

4. Catchup on Current Events - Japan and Libya and the Rally to save Texas schools

5. Students will present their college projects.  We'll go alpha through the list of students.  

Tuesday:

Tutoring

Wed/Thu:

Tutoring & Presentation of College Projects

Friday:

Presentation of college projects

Agenda: Week of Feb. 7, 2011

Quote of the Day:  “You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing that we call 'failure' is not the falling down, but the staying down.” - Mary Pickford

Monday:
Goal of the Week, Student Success Stories Handout, Lyrics Project.


Tuesday: 
Tutoring

Wed/Thu:
Tutoring & 4 Year Plans, Lyrics Project

Friday:
Seniors - party to celebrate college acceptances
Juniors - SAT & Lyrics Project

Agenda: Week of 1/24 - 1/28, 2011

Quote of the Week:  "Great people talk about ideas. Small people talk about other people." - Tobias S. Gibson

Monday:
1.  Goal of the Week.  Students will write at least two sentences about their goal of the week, it must be meaningful, attainable, and measurable.
2.  Inspiration: Students will write at the bottom of their weekly goal a reaction to the story of the Ted Williams, the homeless man with the golden voice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWG6zNf4xY0


3. http://www.scribd.com/doc/47369327/Classrooms-No-Teachers
Students will read the document above and follow the directions, writing notes, underlining important points, circling things they do not understand, writing a question at the top and a summary at the bottom.


Tuesday:
Tutoring


Wed/Thu:
Tutoring for first half
Seniors: Song lyric project, current events discussion
Juniors: Song lyric project, ePrep SAT/ACT prep


Friday:

Seniors: Party to celebrate college acceptance.  Still need to celebrate: Kaylin (SFA) and Vanessa (Texas State)

Juniors: Song lyric project, ePrep SAT/ACT prep

Agenda: Week of Jan. 10, 2011

Quote of the Day:  "Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will." - Mahatma Gandhi

MONDAY:
1.  Goal of the Week
2.  Sign the "Years in AVID" form for AVID Certification.
3.  We will discuss the story about the tragedy in Arizona.  A few questions for discussion:
 - Does the type of discussion we have about politics in this country affect situations like this?
 - Does this type of story discourage you from participation in government?
 - What can be learned from the heroes who came to the rescue of those who needed them?

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

TUESDAY:
Tutoring
WED/THU:
Tutoring & then we will discuss college application process.
FRIDAY:
4th Period - Celebration for Jennifer G!  She is accepted to S.F.A.  Way to go Jennifer.
7th Period - Guest Speaker

Agenda - Week of Tue - Fri Jan 4-7, 2011

Quote of the Day:  "Study the past if you would define the future."  - Confucius

Tuesday - "Motivational Monday on Tuesday" - we'll write our new year's resolution and look back at 2010.  We'll also watch and discuss this TedTalk:
http://www.ted.com/talks/ueli_gegenschatz_extreme_wingsuit_jumping.html


Wed/Thu - Tutoring first 1/2.  Second 1/2 we'll discuss new semester schedules, report cards and also binders.

Friday - 4th period:  We will be throwing a celebration for Iliana for getting accepted to Texas Women's University.  Way to go IG!

7th period: We'll be in the Red LGI to hear a guest speaker.

Agenda for the week of December 6th, 2010

Quote of the Day:  "The purpose of life is to discover your gift.  The meaning of life is to give your gift away."  - David Viscott

Monday - 
Students will read a series of editorial articles about "College Choice."  Does it Matter Where You Go To College?
Students will see a motivational video - How to Rip a Phone Book in Half and How to do the This, That Card Trick.  The lesson is that even "magic" is practiced and can be taught.  Some students make it look easy, but the secret is that they work very hard to make it seem so easy.

We will also write our Weekly Goal

Tuesday - 
Tutoring

Wed/Thu - 
Tutoring
Seniors will plan their party for Alisa for tomorrow.
Juniors will work on the next SAT ePrep Lesson

Friday - 
The Seniors will party to celebrate Alisa Galvan's acceptance into the University of North Texas!
Juniors will go to the computer lab to input their ePrep SAT answers

Agenda: Week of Monday/Tuesday November 22/23, 2010

Quote of the Week:  "I celebrated Thanksgiving in an old-fashioned way. I invited everyone in my neighborhood to my house, we had an enormous feast, and then I killed them and took their land." - Jon Stewart

Monday:
We'll check out the pictures we took from last Friday.  They were outstanding!

We'll also watch a TED Talk from J.J. Abrams called, "The Magic Box."
J.J. Abrams traces his love for the unseen mystery –- a passion that’s evident in his films and TV shows, including Cloverfield, Lost and Alias -- back to its magical beginnings.

As the Emmy-winning creator of the smart, addictive TV dramas Lost, Alias and Felicity, J.J. Abrams' name looms large on the small screen. As the writer/director behind the blockbuster explode-a-thon Mission: Impossible III, Cloverfield and the new Star Trek movie, these days Abrams also rules the big screen -- bringing his eye for telling detail and emotional connection to larger-than-life stories.

Abrams' enthusiasm -- for the construction of Kleenex boxes, for the quiet moments between shark attacks in Jaws, for today's filmmaking technologies, and above all for the potent mystery of an unopened package -- is incredibly infectious.

"As a boy, JJ Abrams was fascinated with magic. As a television writer, director, and producer, he has beguiled audiences with a masterful use of suspense, plot reversals, and special effects."

Wired
Tuesday:
Tutoring or - if there isn't much to do with tutoring, since we are heading towards a break -
We'll check out this 7 minute video:


We will have a socratic discussion about the video and the state of education/technology.

After watching it two things popped into my mind:

1) Moderation is very important.

2) Kids are losing the (already inhibited ability) to moderate.

 

What would our campus look like if cell phones were not banned?  I would think it would be a mess.  But, I don't know.

 

I know one thing for sure, kids know how to use technology to entertain themselves and communicate with friends.  But, do they know how to use it for their advantage to learn and do their school work (and later college work) in a more efficient way? 

 

Part of our job is going to be explaining how to balance life so that they get a boost from technology and not just have it sap their attention and ability.

HAVE A GREAT THANKSGIVING!

Agenda: Week of November 11/15/2010 - Friday 11/19/2010

Quote of the Day:  "Never, Ever, Ever give up!"  (a good thought when being a Texans fan!)

Monday - 
Discuss and debate the article in the Tribune last week that discussed technology education and online classes.  Philosophical Chairs if possible.
Juniors will spend 20 minutes working on ePrep SAT critical reading test.

Tuesday - 
Tutoring

Wednesday/Thursday -
Tutoring
Juniors to computer lab to input answers into ePrep.
Seniors discuss scholarships & college apps.

Friday -
Discuss service hours and opportunities.
The weather should be perfect for pictures outside.  Mr. Duez would like to create Christmas cards this year.

Agenda: Monday, Nov. 7, 2010

Quote of the Day:  "People ask me why I've stayed here so long," Paterno told the crowd of 104,147, none of whom went home. "Look around!  Look around!  I love you all...  Now that the celebrating is over, let's go beat Ohio State!"  
-- Joe Paterno, Coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions, as Penn State held an on-field ceremony that included a video tribute and a crystal football given to the coach to commemorate win No. 400. 

Agenda This Week:
Monday - Socratic discussion about the articles they read on Friday in class (juniors).  Discuss our trip to SFA & also check college applications & scholarships (seniors).  Go outside to take class picture, if weather permits and it is a nice day.

Tuesday - Tutoring

Wed/Thu - Tutoring & TBD

Friday -  TBD

Agenda: Week of Nov 1, 2010

NOTICE:  There is a financial aid workshop for Seniors on Nov. 29th at 6:30 in the Gold LGI.  


Quote of the Week:  “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” – Hellen Keller

Monday:
1.  Goal of the Week
2.  Binder Check
3.  Halloween Motivational Monday
4.  College Videos

Tuesday: 
Tutoring

Wed/Thu:
Tutoring & a look at SFA/Sam Houston comparison

Friday:
Senior Field trip to SFA

Agenda: Monday, Oct. 25, 2010

The leader always sets the trail for others to follow.

Quote of the Day:  "A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way." - John Maxwell

Monday 10/25 BLACK OUT breast cancer and wear black
Tuesday 10/26 Be a perfect pumpkin and wear orange
Wednesday 10/27 Sock it to breast cancer and wear CRAZY SOCKS
Thursday 10/28 IS PINK DAY & Our final PINK-OUT-PEP RALLY 
8:45 - 9:15 Everyone wear pink!
Friday 10/29 is Spirit Day - please wear red, white & blue!


Monday:  
1.  Goal of the Week.
2.  We will watch the video from the Junior trip to UTSA and discuss the school.
3.  Motivational Monday:

We'll discuss the video and also Breast Cancer awareness week.
We also will work on the NYTimes editorial articles in 7th period.
We will discuss them in 4th period.

Tuesday:
Tutoring

Wednesday and Thursday:
Tutoring & TBD

Friday:
TBD

Agenda: Week of Monday, Oct. 18th, 2010 - Friday, Oct. 22nd, 2010

Quote of the Week:  "The primary purpose of a liberal education is to make one's mind a pleasant place in which to spend one's leisure."  ~Sydney J. Harris

Monday - 
Guest Speaker from Texas Tech

Tuesday - 
Tutoring

Wed, Thu, & Fri - Mr. Duez will be out.  A sub will be here.

Wed/Thu - 
Tutoring for 1st  half
Quote Sheet for 2nd half of the period.

Friday - 
Students will work on the New York Times Education Editorials that we looked at last week.  Each one will be worth a grade (that is completed correctly).  This is great bonus boost to  your grade.  The substitute will pass them out.  If there is extra time, you will watch the Summer Institute student speeches.

Friday 7th period - we'll be on our field trip to UTSA.

Agenda: Week of Oct. 11th through Oct. 15th

Quote of the Day:  "A leader is best When people barely know he exists, When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, They will say: We did it ourselves." Lao-Tzu

Agenda:
Monday - Columbus Day - no school.

Tuesday -
Tutoring!


Wed/Thu -
Picture Day if weather permitting.  We'll go outside and take some pictures.
Seniors - We will also be working on creating a timeline of due dates.  We will discuss applications to colleges and scholarship opportunities.
Juniors - We are going to create a College Wall outside of Mr. Duez's class using college pamphlets and handouts that were given out at college night.


Friday -
Computer Lab - Blue 2
Seniors will be working on Texas Common Application and Scholarships.
Juniors will be researching college and also looking at ePrep.  Mr. Duez will be printing out some test items for the students to work on and then they can put their answers into the system.  There are videos that they can watch to understand questions if they did not do them properly.

Agenda: Week of October 4 - 8, 2010

Quote of the Day: "A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him." - David Brinkley

Monday - 
1. Goal of the Week.
2. We are going to listen to an inspirational story from NPR: Then we'll discuss it.  Could you have done that?
3.  12 minute video: The Seed School from 60 Minutes.
4.  We will discuss the video and do philosophical chairs on the question:  "Are boarding schools the answer to solve the problems of inner city schools?"

Tuesday - 
Tutoring

Wednesday & Thursday - 
Tutoring for the first 1/2
Grade check and binder check after tutoring (Today is report card day for the 1st six weeks)

Friday - 
Mr. Duez is trying to get the computer lab for Seniors to work on the Texas Common App.  And for the Juniors to work on ePrep.

Agenda: Week of Sept. 20 - 24, 2010

Quote of the Week: "Leadership can be thought of as a capacity to define oneself to others that clarifies and expands a vision of the future." - Edwin H. Friedman

Monday - Mr. Duez was out with illness.  The substitute helped the students work on their goal of the week and they composed a letter to a current teacher.

Tuesday - Tutoring

Wed/Thu - Tutoring & then students looked at the Texas Common Application online and we also discussed scholarships.

Friday - Students will get two handouts - the 3 Level House to help with tutoring questions and the Texas Common Ap recommendation letter that is sent to teachers.  This way they can see it and understand how the process works.

We will also see two inspirational videos from the Honda Film series.  They are both 10 minutes in length.
1. Success v. Failure
2. Dreams v. Nightmares

Agenda: Week of 9/13/2010 to 9/17/2010

Quote of the Day:  "Texans 34 - Colts 24"

Agenda:
Monday - 
1.  ePrep student information & AVID Student Information form (for those students too confused, lazy, or unfocused to have already completed the online form).
2.  Socratic Seminar on "Study Habits" NYTimes article.
3.  Mr. Duez will walk around and do a quick binder check for all.

Tuesday - 
TUTORING

Wed/Thu - 
TUTORING first 1/2 of the period

Friday -
We will work on the college handouts that the students had while there was a sub last week.  We will work on identifying a list of 5 colleges to apply to and understanding the deadline.
We will also do a "Survival" team building exercise.

Agenda: Week of 9/7/2010 to 9/10/2010

Quote of the Week:  "Whether you think you can, or think you can't.  You are right."  - Henry Ford

Monday - Labor Day - no school
Tuesday - Tutoring
Wed/Thu - Tutoring for first 50 min.  Then students will be working on organizing their binders.  We will grade them on Friday.
Fri - Students will read an article on learning and also see a video clip about a charter school.

NY Times Article:
Research Upends Traditional Thinking About School
This article will help students realize some new study methods based on research.

Video Clip from 60 Minutes:
60 Minutes correspondent Byron Pitts reports on the SEED school, the first urban, public boarding school.

Agenda: Week of August 30, 2010-Sept. 3, 2010

Quote of the Week:  "Even if  you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." - Roy Rogers

MONDAY:
Avid students in both Junior and Senior classes will work on college choice guides from AVID's College & Career curriculum.
They will also work on the college essay in class.  They will receive the AVID college essay rubric.
Our college essays will be due on Friday, Sept. 17th (Test grade).

TUESDAY:
Our new tutors arrive.
Tutors and students will introduce themselves to each other.  We will tutor for 1/2 the period.

WED/THU:
Tutoring for the 1st half of the period.  We will not grade tutoring this week.  Tutors and students are still getting back into the swing of things.
Second half of the period will be focused on reviewing their answers to the College & Career curriculum and writing a letter to AVID underclassmen.

FRIDAY:
Guest speaker in Blue LGI (4th will be in Mr. Duez's classroom).  Former FBI agent will discuss her life.

Agenda: Friday, August 27, 2010

REMEMBER TO FILL OUT THE AVID STUDENT INFORMATION SURVEY.

Friday's Agenda:



1.  Discuss Cornell Notes.  We'll watch this video (embedded here from Youtube).

2.  Binder setup.  AVID seniors will create their system and put it to paper.  We'll watch this inspirational video:

  

3.  Get into tutoring groups and check over each of their binders or organizational plans.

Have a great weekend!

Agenda: Wednesday & Thursday August 25 and 26, 2010

During Block days this week we will do two things:

Teambuilding Towers
and
Organizing study groups for advanced classes

The teambuilding towers are going to be made from magazines, styrofome cups, straws, spaghetti noodles, tape, paper clips and a piece of poster board.  Each group will have about 15 minutes to construct their towers.  The ones that are the tallest and MOST stable will win.  Fabulous prizes to the winning team!

Study groups will be very important this week.  We'll spend some time in them today and also on Friday so that we can find friends that are in the same advanced classes and get some help and advice.  We'll start tutoring next Tuesday.