Paradigms

NHD
National History Day

Rubrics

Visit to WPTV

An 1850
Success Story

Highly Effective Brains!

Learning Styles

Creativity

Multiple Intelligences

The Teen Brain

Chinese

Procrastination

Interviewing Veterans
 

World History Class

The Oxbridge theme for the first semester is
"Self Identity."

To know thyself requires a bit of research into how thy self got to be thy self. Here's an article from Discover Magazine
that may help us decode ourselves...

Within this 21st century skill framework there are common strands, or learning skills, that will allow students to thrive in the world of work and to be productive entrepreneurial citizens. Tony Wagner, Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a guest at an Oxbridge sponsored symposium held this past summer at the Palm Beach Convention Center, labels these "survival skills" as (1) critical thinking and problem solving; (2) collaboration and leadership; (3) agility and adaptability; (4) initiative and entrepreneurialism; (5) effective oral and written communication; (6) accessing and analyzing information; and (7) curiosity and imagination. Wagner proposes that schools use academic content to teach these skills at every grade level, and be accountable for a new standard of rigor. (Wagner, 2008.)

Dennis Yuzenas, Essential Skills teacher.

Contact
Dennis Yuzenas at:
DYuzenas@OAPB.org

WhatDoYaKnow.com
for the past ten years Dennis Yuzenas has used this website to extend his classroom.

One problem: People generally don't like change. Why change if what you've always done has served you well in the past? Change is scary. Change can be, to misquote Martha Stewart, "A bad thing."

Our study of Paradigms begins with Thomas Kuhn and ends with Thomas Friedman. Along the way we'll see how using our understanding of Paradigms will equip us to compete in the 21st Century.

In class this week we watched a segment of a video from a fellow named Zig Ziglar. He gave us the formula that successful people use to achieve great things. Here it is:

WWII Veterans Oral History Project
Overview:
The Palm Beach County Historical Society (PBCHS) has asked Oxbridge Academy (OA) to participate in a major exhibition centered on Palm Beach County’s role in WWII. The Historical Society will be opening the exhibit this coming December.
 
Oxbridge Academy’s role is the compilation of 10--12 videotaped oral histories of World War II veterans. The interviews would are all conducted at Oxbridge Academy during school hours. The Essential Skills class at OA is preparing audio and video to be sent to the Library of Congress for inclusion in their Veterans Oral History Project and video for inclusion in the PBCHS WWII exhibit. This is an example of Service Learning and Project Based Learning all rolled into one!
 
Process:
Lise Steinhauer, PBCHS staff oral historian, met with students in the Essential Skills class and delivered a workshop on the art of conducting oral history interviews.
 
The veterans are “supplied” and transportation provided by PBCHS Education Director Tony Marconi.

The videotape equipment and video editing is supplied by OA. The interviews are conducted during the school day. Editing takes place during school and after school as the need arises.
 
This cross-curricular project is supported in Dr. Sheilagh Riordan’s French and Speech and Debate classes, Tom Maher and Barbara Zisk’s History classes, Dennis Yuzenas’ Essential Skills class, and the Digital Media class.
 
This project conforms to every one of components listed in the OA Habits of Mind and the Six A’s of Designing Projects.

How are we graded in Essential Skills?
All class assignments will be graded using rubrics that students will access at the time projects/class work is assigned.

It is expected that assignments will be submitted when due. It is understood that there are extenuating circumstances that may preclude this from happening. Students will conference with the teacher when this situation arises. A case by case review will be in effect. Otherwise, a grade reduction of 10% per day may be imposed.

Great Links of the week:

If you're someone that wants to develop your Essential Skills personal skill set go here:
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCT_00.htm

To bring forth creative inspiration, your first objective is to settle yourself within a motivational and relaxing environment that naturally stimulates the creative thought process. For further insights and ideas on how to create this environment, have a read of Developing Smart Study Habits.

Creativity-- http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/hot-thought/201005/how-be-creative

Old linkage you may have missed: