mrtripodi.org: Mr. Tripodi’s Virtual Classroom » 2008

Goverment/Geography bonus assignment

Filed under: Archive: 2008-09 — Mr. Tripodi @ 5:28 pm

For this chance at bonus points, you’ll need to read the following articles…

John McCain, Flexible Aggression (link)
Barack Obama, Forever Sizing Up (link)

…and download the instruction sheet:

There are an absurd 16 bonus points in play, but to get them, you’ll have to do a lot of work. If you have questions, see me.

This offer expires at the end of school on Wednesday, October 29.

Eighth graders are welcome to take a shot at this, but you’ll be graded by the same criteria as the upperclassmen.

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The case is out (and other news)

Filed under: Mock trial — Mr. Tripodi @ 8:54 pm

The case is out. You can access it directly at this link, or go here to see the splash page with all pertinent documents.

Your binders are ready. I have them in room 212, where you can pick them up after school. If I have you in class, I’ll hand-deliver them Monday. Huge thanks to Levi for help in assembly, staying late on a Friday.

The binders include the case materials, plus instructions, hints, and tips from the PA Bar Association. This binder will act as your “textbook” for Law 101, which I’ll be teaching in our afterschool meetings.

The discussion board is live. You should know the password; if not, ask me. You can get there by clicking here. There’s also a permanent link above right under the “Pages” heading.

Blackhawk Mock Trial is on Facebook, with thanks to Anthony for setting us up. If you’re on Facebook, you can join the group here.

Next week’s meeting may need to be rescheduled. I forgot that BHS is sending me to a seminar Tuesday through Thursday. I’m willing to stay on Fridays if you are, but I’ll leave that up to you. Sound off on the discussion board if you can/will/won’t/can’t/shan’t meet next Friday.

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Class documents: Week of October 20

Filed under: Archive: 2008-09 — Mr. Tripodi @ 9:09 am

Colonial map packet (PDF, 521 kb)
This is the three-page mapping project of the area surrounding Jamestown, and the eastern seaboard in general.

Page 95 in your textbook will help you plot the front page, and the map on page two will help you answer questions on page three.

Reflective reading: Squanto (PDF, 22 kb)
This was completed and collected in class on Wednesday, October 22.

Chapter 4 vocabulary crossword (PDF, 31 kb)
This was distributed in class on Wednesday, and is due Thursday. This edition has the word bank. There are 46 questions, and the assignment is worth 40 points — the extra six questions are worth half a bonus point each.

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Meeting: Thursday, October 23

Filed under: Mock trial — Mr. Tripodi @ 7:46 am

We’ll be meeting Thursday, October 23, immediately after school in room 212. If you can’t attend, see me.

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8th Grade US History bonus assignment

Filed under: Archive: 2008-09 — Mr. Tripodi @ 11:05 pm

For this chance at bonus points, you’ll need to read the article

Mystery of Va.’s First Slaves is Unlocked 400 Years Later.

Then choose only one of the following:

For two extra credit points, print a copy of a world map and label every place mentioned in the article.
For up to three extra credit points, write a one-paragraph reflection on the article, focusing on the question, “Why is this important to American history?”
For up to four extra credit points, write five discussion questions for this article. Try to take the information presented in the story, and come up with five solid questions that would start a good conversation about the article. (Teacher’s secret: Questions starting with “Why do you think…” and “What would have happened if…” always work well for this purpose.)
For an obscenely generous five extra credit points, respond to this article using the QWA response form. You do not need to write the accompanying essay, but you must completely and comprehensively answer all questions to get all five points.

This offer expires at the end of school on Friday, October 24.

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Updates

Filed under: Mock trial — Mr. Tripodi @ 8:25 pm

Release of case materials has been postponed to Oct. 24.
Beaver has registered three (three!) teams for this year’s competition.

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Chapter 19 vocabulary crossword

Filed under: Archive: 2008-09 — Mr. Tripodi @ 2:36 pm

Chapter 19 vocabulary puzzle (PDF, 21 kb)

Above find the crossword puzzle distributed on October 14.

It’s due Wednesday, October 15.

The online version includes a word bank that was not given out in class. Any correct number of answers over 38 will be counted as bonus points.

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Tyler Thompson’s top five people of Irish descent, as presented in class 10.10.2008

Filed under: Archive: 2008-09 — Mr. Tripodi @ 10:27 am

5. John F. Kennedy
4. Robert McNamara
3. Gerry Conlon
2. Whitey Bulger
1. Tyler W. Thompson

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Notes: Constitution vs. Articles

Filed under: Archive: 2008-09 — Mr. Tripodi @ 2:14 pm

Constitution vs. Articles of Confederation class notes (PDF, 38 kb)

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A few interesting articles about early Americans

Filed under: Archive: 2008-09 — Mr. Tripodi @ 5:46 pm

Here are two well-researched articles discussing the science, anthropology, and history behind the crystal skulls in the fourth Indiana Jones movie, and the sacrifice rituals in Apocalypto.

‘Indiana Jones’ plays off real-life skull worship (link)
Scientists figure out secret of Maya’s blue paint (link)

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Meta

October 26, 2008

Goverment/Geography bonus assignment

October 24, 2008

The case is out (and other news)

October 22, 2008

Class documents: Week of October 20

October 21, 2008

Meeting: Thursday, October 23

October 18, 2008

8th Grade US History bonus assignment

October 16, 2008

Updates

October 14, 2008

Chapter 19 vocabulary crossword

October 10, 2008

Tyler Thompson’s top five people of Irish descent, as presented in class 10.10.2008

October 9, 2008

Notes: Constitution vs. Articles

October 5, 2008

A few interesting articles about early Americans