Second: Search for the Austin Bat Cave “Group” and “request access”

Before you start actually writing, watch this slideshow and then do some brainstorming:

https://www.applytexas.org/adappc/html/c_share_essay_topics.html

The prompt for Topic A is…

Write an essay in which you tell us about someone who has made an impact on your life and explain how and why this person is important to you.

REMEMBER: This essay is about how this someone has made an impact on YOU.  So even though this essay is a little about someone else, it is primarily about you.

So… seriously… do some brainstorming!

Then start writing.

I’ve frequently been moved by This I Believe segments. Your task is to create your own This I Believe essay. My favorite weekly program from National Public Radio was discontinued (the series actually continues on something called The Bob Edwards Show, but it’s no longer on Morning Edition) a few years back. For years, starting in 1951 with Edward R. Murrow (click and listen!), all sorts o’ folk have shared their passions with listeners.

The best way to get started on this assignment is to listen to several essays. The This I Believe website is quite user-friendly. Before you begin writing, please read through these guidelines, and do your best to abide by them.

A few of my favorites:

The Making of Poems

Finding Freedom in Forgiveness

Inviting the World to Dinner

Coolness to the Pizza Delivery Dude

Combating the Tyranny of the Positive Attitude (Not really a favorite, but related to this CI Post earlier in the year.)

Freshmen: StoryCorps Recording

StoryCorps has recently usurped This I Believe as my favorite series. It’s just plain beautiful to listen to these stories. Information about StoryCorps may be found here. Better yet, just start listening!

The first few on this page exemplify why I LOVE StoryCorps.

Though many of the stories are so poetic that you’ll need some Kleenexes, there are others that are just run-of-the-mill and merely pleasant to hear. Such as this one about sanitation partners, or this one about a school custodian, or this one about youthful mischief.

Some are miraculous and uplifting, such as this one about a robbery.

And if you really want a tearjerker.

OK, ENOUGH! I must stop listening and hyperlinking to these stories! I’ve wasted spent over an hour doing such! Though I do feel rejuvenated after having wasted said hour in this fashion.

You must record/edit your StoryCorps project. Perhaps you know a relative, friend, mentor, or acquaintance with a story. Or perhaps interviewing someone will muster-up an interesting story. Or perhaps you have a great story to share. The options are nearly endless.

You’ll notice that most of the StoryCorps examples are around 2 minutes in length, so that should serve as your target. As far as recording said stories, I’ll leave the options up to you. Many in the class are much more familiar with how to record and edit audio than Mr. Earhart. But I’ll happily embark on a journey of digital-audio editing, or we can kick-it (Why am I in love with hyphens today?) old school with a tape recorder and dual cassette decks.

The above projects are due on February 6th for B Day Folks and on February 7th for A Day Folks.  And, YES, you will have to read your This I Believe Essay or play your Story Corp project in front of the class on those days.

Captain Obvious Rubric:

Great projects get a great grade.

Good projects get a good grade.

OK projects get and OK grade.

Crappy projects get a crappy grade.

Then you should start applying for scholarships.

I have fee waivers for the ACT, and I’m waiting on said waivers for the SAT.  See me for a waiver and sign-up.

Juniors – it may be a good idea to create a College Board account with SAT so that you can sign-up to receive the SAT “Question of the Day” via Email.

Last week we watched the above video about Khan Academy.   Today we venture into the world of Khan.

All students should create an account, and you can do such by logging in through Facebook or Google.  You should then add Mr. Earhart as a coach by using his gmail: mattearhart@gmail.com

Then start playing around on the website.  Your task for today is to complete at least two exercises.

Let’s start with Apply Texas, as this application will suffice for admittance at all Texas Universities.  It will take some time to complete this application, but it is a must.  You can save as you go, and I’m guessing I should give it a once-over before you officially submit.

And, please, Email yourself your password so we don’t have issues with forgetting it.

Additionally, you should be completing the Biographical Information Packet I sent you last Spring, and starting to ask for letters of recommendation.  You need to give those writing the letters at least 3 weeks notice to complete said letters.  And you need to have pre-stamped and addressed envelopes to do such (or links for electronic submissions).

That’s a start.  We’ll go from here.

Click Here for the Review

Click Here for the Notes to Help with The Review

FDR New Deal

For more information about the causes of the First World War the following links and videos should provide some valuable information.

For a Brief Summary Written By High School Students Click Here

For a More Formal Analysis Click Here

These two videos, made by students, are AWESOME!