The Buddha said "I am Awake"

NPR Podcasts from an International Perspective

Mr Wood — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:52:24 +0000

DO NOT FORGET… “Flip iT” assignments are due posted and typed by Tuesday 11/24. As of 11/14 two are complete. Synopsis. “Flip-iT” Follow-up Questions. Turn in the “Flip-iT” Follow-up questions on line as a Word attachment. Please send the email to bobwoodmsu@charter.net.

SCI Assignment is worth 30 points. Post due by Sunday 11/22 7:00 PM.

This worked really well last time…lets go again, only this time find a podcast #1 in your topic range and #2 make it international.

One of the best things you can do in order to learn how to podcast is to listen to those that are well done. National Public Radio is one of the best on the net. For this assignment I want you to look at NPR programming with a critical eye. Go to npr.org – check the website and click on programs – the drop down menu for news/talk will appear. While NPR consists of several programs, Morning Edition and All Things Considered are their regular daily features. Go to either show. The most recent show is broken down by segment – scroll down to the bottom of that show and you will find – the month – and a search archive. You will need to either search by topic to find a particular podcast or you must find a month, a year, and a show via the calendar presented. I suggest that you use the search mechanism and find something related to your SCI personal segment.

Once you have found a particular show – and a particular podcast – click on the full story. That will take you to a site dealing with that story only…and will provide a listen to the story. It is this podcast, this story that I want to you to use for the following assignment.

Assignment Guidelines:

Name the story (the title listed)
Provide the date of the show – and time of segment
Copy the podcast’s URL so that I can listen
Listen to the podcast
#1 - Provide a paragraph or two – that explains the podcast.
#2 - Type the question: Was this podcast effective in getting its point across? In paragraph form tell me why or why not?
#3 - Type the question: What techniques (sound effects, music, interviews) were used to tell the story? In paragraph form answer the question.
#4 - Type the statement: I liked this podcast – or I did not like this podcast. Explain in paragraph form.
#5 - Type the statement: I would’ve done this to improve the podcast. And explain.

LP’s til Thanksgiving

Mr Wood — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:45:20 +0000

Posted on Nov 16 by Mr. Wood.

Lesson Plans will be posted here weekly in PDF format. In order to access them merely click on the correct class. As changes occur to the plans during the course of the week, I will note those changes at the end of the post – not on the PDF original – so please keep that in mind.

If you have any questions concerning the LPs please leave a reply. I will do my best to get back to you with an answer within 24 hrs.

I hope this helps you to better organize your school work and your life.

Salamou Alaykoum.

Nov 16 to Nov 27 – (MP#2 / week #5, #6)
Period 1 - 11/16 SCI 11/23 SCI
Period 2 – ECON 11/16 ECON 11/23
Period 3 – ECON 11/16 ECON 11/23
Period 5 – ECON 11/16 ECON 11/23
Period 6 - 11/16 GOV 11/23 GOV

Lesson Plan Updates – as the week progresses, there may be changes to the Lesson Plans. I will note changes below:

Economics – the link to This American Life podcast on the Global Pool of Money – You may download a full transcript of the show and stream the episode. I suggest in order to understand it fully, that you go back and listen to the entire show.

Economics - the link to This American Life podcast on Bad Bank - a 2009 follow up show to Global Pool of Money. The guys who explained the mortgage crisis, Alex Blumberg and NPR’s Adam Davidson—are back to help all of us understand the news. For instance, when we talk about an insolvent bank, what does it actually mean, and why are we giving hundreds of billions of dollars to rich bankers who screwed up their own businesses? Also, two guys go to New Jersey to look at a toxic asset. If you liked Global Pool of Money – you’ll like this as well.

Economics – the link to This American Life podcast on Scenes from a Recession -

Economics - The End written by Michael Lewis and located on Politico.com. is a twenty page study of the Wall Street crash which resulted from the collapse of the housing market. If you enjoyed The Global Pool of Money and the ideas raised in the podcast this is a natural follow-up. If you want extra credit for reading this article, then I expect you to read it actively (that means write all over it) and be ready to sit down in a group with others who have read it and talk. I mean really talk about what is going on here. I expect if you read this thing that you know it well. I will be open to almost any kind of extra credit points that you think you deserve here.

Senior Current Issues

The World- Global Hits – The Assignment
The World- Global Hits Assignment #2 –

Morning Edition & All Things Considered

Mr Wood — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:59:14 +0000

One thought here…if this is to be done right, we need to leave the attitude on the sidelines. There is way too much work to do to waste time with “blah, blah, blah” high school drama. Executive producers have been chosen because I think they have the qualities needed to lead, and I have full confidence in them. Each separate group will be provided the autonomy they need within their segments, but in the end final decisions rest with Executive Producers. Please be cooperative. Nobody at OHS has ever undertaken a project such as this. We need to be very well organized. We will ONLY be successful if we don’t get hung up worrying about things that do not matter. So, communicate effectively, work hard, do your specific job to the best of your ability, and collaborate with one another in a constructive positive manner. If you do, the final product can be very very cool.

Segment Submission Form
Wednesday 11/18 – Segment Submission form complete.
Friday 11/20 – Recorded podcast assignments posted online.
Tuesday 11/24 – Podcasts for show #1 posted online.
Show #1 will go to air Thursday December 3.
Show #2 will go to air Thursday December 17.

SCI Assignment is worth 30 points. Post due by Sunday 7:00 PM.

Assignment Guidelines:

Name the story (the title listed)
Provide the date of the show – and time of segment
Copy the podcast’s URL so that I can listen
Listen to the podcast
#1 - Provide a paragraph or two – that explains the podcast.
#2 - Type the question: Was this podcast effective in getting its point across? In paragraph form tell me why or why not?
#3 - Type the question: What techniques (sound effects, music, interviews) were used to tell the story? In paragraph form answer the question.
#4 - Type the statement: I liked this podcast – or I did not like this podcast. Explain in paragraph form.
#5 - Type the statement: I would’ve done this to improve the podcast. And explain.

EAGLE RADIO IS BORN

Mr Wood — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:16:38 +0000

We do not know how long this creation will live. Nor do we know if and when it will ever reach public production. However, we do recognize November 10, 2009 as Eagle Radio’s official birth. We have yet to throw the switch to send volts of electricity through its circuitry, in order to create a beast worthy of speaking to the world. We haven’t even gone to the graveyard to dig up a brain. We will be patient…Frankenstein laid on the operating table in his master’s castle for days before lightning brought him to life. We will work for a pre-Christmas lightning strike to bring our beast into the realm of the living. Until then, any suggestions from any Oakridge Student (past or present, living or dead) for the future success of Eagle Radio will be appreciated. Please post on this site. Be not afraid.

The Executive Producers for Eagle Radio for 2009/10 are:

Brandon Ames
Tasha Johnson
Autumn Woods

Below, are separate segments and their vision statements planned for Eagle Radio. Feel free to post comments or suggestions.

SPORTS – Brandon Ames (P), Travis Allman, Zach Cook, Chris Brown – We want to cover a wide range of sporting events, from high school to the professional level. We want to make it something interesting and something that will keep listeners wanting to tune in for more.

WORLD & POLITICAL ISSUES – Autumn Woods (P), Tasha Johnson, Brandon, Wilder, Jacob Buozis – the goal of the World and Political Issues segments are to bring awareness and understanding to the listeners about world issues and controversial conflicts.

TEEN TALK - Hope Smith (P), Angel Harris, Becca Strait, Courtney Johnston – Teen Talk is a socially active discussion informing teens on harmful situations. We’ll use interviews to help teens deal with their day to day problems.

ON THE STREET - Kate Lynn Sower (P), Katie Daugherty, Nyssa Swanson – The goal of “on the Street” is to make our community aware of important issues they or their neighbors may face on a daily basis, by using their own voices as outlets.

YAPPING - Shelby Ippen (P), Celeste Wackerlie, Amanda Hentsch, Shelby Cardinal - Open discussion. Everyone has a different viewpoint. The conversation will be unscripted, people being themselves, in order to provide people more freedom to talk.

SCHOOL EVENTS & THE CLASSROOM - Shelby Ippen (P), Celeste Wackerlie, Amanda Hentsch, Shelby Cardinal - We want to see the group talk about things that people will want to hear about going on at OHS. EX – dances, spirit week, seasonal sports try-out, classroom projects. We want it to be taken seriously, but still have a laid back feel to it. Again we don’t want people to start freaking out because they get themselves overly excited.

DINNER & A MOVIE – Courtney Johnston (P), Jake Six - Dinner and a movie will provide listeners with the latest on fine dining in the Muskegon area and entertainment on the big screen. Meals, movies, and overall experience will be discussed and rated on a 1 to 10 scale.

FILL-INS - Ariel Burrington (P), Stacy Galdeen, Nate Grawbarger - Fillins are short, humerous blurbs that inform, entertain, and amaze the listener.

OAKRIDGE EAGLES PAST AND PRESENT – Ariel Burrington (P), Stacy Galdeen – in the works

BOOKS & MUSIC will be open to anybody – in Senior Current Issues – or in the general public who wants to put together their own little podcast on a book that they’ve read or particular Music that they like.

LP’s Nov 9 to Nov 13

Mr Wood — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:31:49 +0000

Posted on Nov 9 by Mr. Wood.

If you have any questions concerning the LPs please leave a reply. I will do my best to get back to you with an answer within 24 hrs.

I hope this helps you to better organize your school work and your life.

Salamou Alaykoum.

Nov 9 to Nov 13 – (MP#2 / week #4)
Period 1 - SCI
Period 2 – ECON
Period 3 – ECON
Period 5 – ECON
Period 6 - GOV

Lesson Plan Updates – as the week progresses, there may be changes to the Lesson Plans. I will note changes below:

Economics – the link to This American Life podcast on Scenes from a Recession -

Senior Current Issues

The World- Global Hits – The Assignment
The World- Global Hits Assignment #1 – Salif Keita – Mali

Oakridge High’s 2009 Voice of Democracy

Mr Wood — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:34:50 +0000

In the 2009 Voice of Democracy Essay contest sponsored by the local VFW, Oakridge was fortunate to have four fine representatives.

The annual essay/speech contest has a unique title each year. This years topic for the speech was “Does America Still Have Heroes.” The speeches must be between 3:00 and 5:00 minutes long. They will be evaluated by the local VFW Post, with the winner sent on to Districts to compete for college scholarship cash awards.

Please listen to each of the following four entries. We are honored to be represented this year by:

Autumn Wood’s VOD essay

Rachel Stewart’s VOD essay

Nyssa Swanson’s VOD essay

Shelby Cardinal’s VOD essay

Well done gals.

LP’s – Nov 2 to Nov 6

Mr Wood — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:50:05 +0000

Posted on Nov 3 by Mr. Wood.

If you have any questions concerning the LPs please leave a reply. I will do my best to get back to you with an answer within 24 hrs.

I hope this helps you to better organize your school work and your life.

Salamou Alaykoum.

Nov 2 to Nov 6 – (MP#2 / week #3)
Period 1 - SCI 1
Period 2 – ECON 2
Period 3 – ECON 3
Period 5 – ECON 5
Period 6 - GOV 6

Lesson Plan Updates – as the week progresses, there may be changes to the Lesson Plans. I will note changes below:

Economics - the link to This American Life podcast on the Global Pool of Money – You may download a full transcript of the show and stream the episode. I suggest in order to understand it fully, that you go back and listen to the entire show.

Economics – the link to This American Life podcast on Bad Bank – a 2009 follow up show to Global Pool of Money. The guys who explained the mortgage crisis, Alex Blumberg and NPR’s Adam Davidson—are back to help all of us understand the news. For instance, when we talk about an insolvent bank, what does it actually mean, and why are we giving hundreds of billions of dollars to rich bankers who screwed up their own businesses? Also, two guys go to New Jersey to look at a toxic asset. If you liked Global Pool of Money – you’ll like this as well.

Senior Current Issues - the link to This American Life podcast on Scott Carrier’s show on “The Friendly Man”. This also includes the other three chapters of the show. Go to this link to stream the episode.

Ideas for Senior Current Issues – “Flip it”

Mr Wood — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:04:32 +0000

As you know, our fantastically creative “Flip-iT” assignment produced especially for the 2010 Senior Current Issues class, which is one of the most gifted in our school’s history (please pardon the syrup) is currently in flux. I, Mr Wood, have had second thoughts about the four assigned videos. #4 – is currently “Where do I go from here?”. The rest are open topic videos. We are thinking about providing guidelines for some or all three of the remaining videos.

Leave any comments you might have to guide that “re-think of the guidelines.” Your ideas will be considered when working on restructuring. If you choose not to post…then it will be up to Mr. Wood. Good luck with that. Please post by Thursday.

ECONOMICS – CA Honor Roll – the A’s

Mr Wood — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:03:14 +0000

The following individuals earned A’s on the Economics Exam Common Assessment #1. Congratulations.

102% – Emily “little” Laughlin – 5
98% – Jamie Potts – 3
97% – Hilary Howard – 2
96% – Michelle Shafer – 3
96% – Onamarie Russell – 5
91% – Dustin Shalifoe – 2
90% – Joel Stewart – 3
90% – Megan Dean – 5
90% – Kody Jones – 5

And so…the clock is ticking. What’s going on in Lansing?

Mr Wood — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:54:34 +0000

check here for coverage of our Sept 29 journey to the State Capitol to deliver 2340 signatures to Governor Granholm

Check “Michgan Promise NEWS Category” on the right side of the blog daily for News Updates on the Michigan Promise and the Michigan budget.
Check “Michigan Promise & YOU Pages” on the left hand side of the blog to find a running calendar of events – for what you can do to have your voice heard!

In the News for Wednesday Oct 28 –via Daily Informers

Michigan Messenger - Budget battles test power of Granholm, education lobby

This entire budget battle will come down to whether or not Governor Granholm can pull two Senate Republicans to her side in funding programs in the budget with new taxes. The Republican Senate has a three seat majority. Senate Majority leader Bishop has refused to move off his “no new taxes” pledge. The deadline is Saturday. If the Governor cannot convince any Republican Senators to break ranks and join her the Promise scholarship will be history. Many other programs will face the budget axe as well. Looks like you got three days left to get Lansing to keep their “Promise” Hit the phones……