Mr. Williams March News and Notes

by Travis Williams

March 02, 2010

Mr. Williams Classroom News and Notes-

Welcome to the month of March!! We are just a few months from the end of another semester and as usual time is passing quickly. The students are working extremely hard with each class completing a quiz or test in the past couple of days. Here is an overview of what is taking place in each class.

World History-

World History is cruising at mach speed and is entering the Renaissance and Reformation of the Church that takes place in Europe in the 14th century and continues for 200 years. The students are truly in a routine that includes a wide variety of notes, worksheets and the students’ favorite break from the classroom Achieve 3000 activities.

The students will begin working on examples of art, music or another avenue in which we find continue to evolve even in our short lifetimes. Make sure to check back for an update on what is taking place.

Intro to Social Studies-

Psychology or Sociology, what are they and what is the difference? Students in Intro to S.S. have just completed their studies on the science of Psychology. Next up is sociology. The fun part of these two units is how much the students learn about the basic make up of minds and how they work but also translate things into group dynamics.

In psychology we have focused on the basic principles from Freud and the Id, Ego and Super-Ego to the Pyramid of Maslow and his Hierarchy of Needs that every individual must meet.

In sociology we will begin looking at the ways that groups are established into both Primary and Secondary groups. The students will examine their own lives and see how much each influences their daily lives.

Intro to Speech-

Intro to Speech is in full swing completing both group and individual presentations and speeches. Students have had the opportunity to speak in front of the class on multiple occasions and outside of a few nerves everyone truly seems to be excelling in the challenges that many people never grow out of, Public Speaking!!

This current unit we are discussing focuses on the ability to establish strong arguments and evidence when presenting materials on an issue. To reinforce these skills we are working on debates. Students have been assigned a topic and must prepare both sides of the issue and prepare to present the materials to the class. A coin toss will determine the side in which each group must present.