Ms. Aydinian's Class
June 3, 2011
I am not here today, obviously. I am at Colorado State University grading AP World History essays. Be nice to the sub.
It has been wonderful teaching you guys this year. I am always amazed at the sharp, polished debate at the end of the class--you guys have made such progress since August! Hopefully I will see everyone again in MUN Advanced next year. If you will be taking MUN II, continue to check the website and fundraise over the summer--we have 4 conferences for which to fundraise!!!
It has been wonderful teaching you guys this year. I am always amazed at the sharp, polished debate at the end of the class--you guys have made such progress since August! Hopefully I will see everyone again in MUN Advanced next year. If you will be taking MUN II, continue to check the website and fundraise over the summer--we have 4 conferences for which to fundraise!!!
June 1, 2011
Study for your other exams!!!
May 27, 2011
Last day of mini-debates! Next week, 6th period will be used for study for other exams.
May 25, 2011
More mini-debates!
May 23, 2011
Mini-debates continue!
May 19, 2011
Mini Debates today! So far 2 topics, decided by popular vote of the class, have been covered.
Deandric and Juan--you will be the first chairs today. Be ready!
Deandric and Juan--you will be the first chairs today. Be ready!
May 17, 2011
From now until the end of the school year, we will be having mini-debates during the class period. At most, the debate will last 90 minutes, but if some topics are exhausted before the end of class we will pick a new one from the pile. Last week, everyone voted on the top 20 topics suggested for this purpose. Resolutions will not be necessary for these debates, and as such, neither will unmoderated caucuses.
Starting with the seniors, everyone will be a chair, by themselves (omg!), for 10-15 minutes of the simulation. Grades received as a chair will count as a test grade. If you are not the chair, you are a delegate, and your participation in the debate grants you a classwork grade. Everyone should be a chair at least once (juniors/sophomores perhaps more during senior exams) before final exams.
The grading will be as follows:
Starting with the seniors, everyone will be a chair, by themselves (omg!), for 10-15 minutes of the simulation. Grades received as a chair will count as a test grade. If you are not the chair, you are a delegate, and your participation in the debate grants you a classwork grade. Everyone should be a chair at least once (juniors/sophomores perhaps more during senior exams) before final exams.
The grading will be as follows:
Chair
70 base
+5 for each correct action (using ParliPro)
-5 for each incorrect action (using ParliPro)
+5 for each correct action (using ParliPro)
-5 for each incorrect action (using ParliPro)
Delegate
60 base
+10 for each speech made from the Speakers' List
+5 for each moderated caucus & For/Against speech
+2 for each question asked
+1 for each point, motion or second
-2 for each minor mistake (using ParliPro)
-5 for each major mistake or Decorum from Chair or Director
+10 for each speech made from the Speakers' List
+5 for each moderated caucus & For/Against speech
+2 for each question asked
+1 for each point, motion or second
-2 for each minor mistake (using ParliPro)
-5 for each major mistake or Decorum from Chair or Director
May 13, 2011
Day 3 of the Torture simulation. Goal: passing a resolution.
May 11, 2011
Day 2 of the Torture simulation. Goal: multiple working papers submitted to the dais for introduction to the floor.
May 9, 2011
Last class period you all received the background packet on Torture for the Human Rights Council. Everyone picked one country from the 47 on the Council to research over the weekend to represent in the simulation. I cannot guarantee that we will have access to the laptops for the rest of the year. If you have a laptop, please bring it in with you.
We will begin simulating today in class. Again, students will be chairs, this time individually for 10 minutes. I expect this simulation to last for the rest of the week. I do expect a passing resolution with this simulation.
We will also complete your peer grades this period. I am missing resolutions on the last SC simulation from most of you. Please get those in.
We will begin simulating today in class. Again, students will be chairs, this time individually for 10 minutes. I expect this simulation to last for the rest of the week. I do expect a passing resolution with this simulation.
We will also complete your peer grades this period. I am missing resolutions on the last SC simulation from most of you. Please get those in.
May 5, 2011
Today, Cinco de Mayo will be celebrated by Model UN through research. Today you will have the whole day to research. Next class we debate.
May 3, 2011
We will meet in room 127 for tomorrow's class. Your homework that you should have turned in last class, but are probably turning in today, was a resolution that your country would have written concerning Blood Gems. We will pick 2-5 resolutions to debate, debate, and vote. Those students who have not been a chair will be one. We will also start background reseearching on our next topic, which you will find out in class.
April 27-29, 2011
I have no idea if I will see you guys this week due to TAKS testing, and if I do, how many of you will be in class. You will be given the next background guide to perview and research (maybe you will even get to vote on the next topic)!
April 25, 2011
With only 9 students in class Friday, we were not able to continue debate. Today is Day 4 of debate. We will be finishing today with a passed resolution.
April 22, 2011
Day 4 of debate. We should be finishing up today. Goal: a passed resolution.
April 20, 2011
Day 3 of debate. Will start by taking volunteers for the dais, but will end up calling on you if you do not volunteer. Remember, I am looking forward to hearing information that is circa 2011 and not 2003. Be ready! Goal for today: working papers submitted to the dais.
April 18, 2011
Ms. Aydinian has just finished the MS150 but will not be in today. You have the laptop lab for the purpose of fleshing out your research. Remember--the Kimberely Process is 8 years old...which means there probably is some more information out there on how it's working, is it working, what else are people doing, etc.
April 14, 2011
Day 2 of debate, has everyone reviewed their Parliamentary Procedure?
April 12, 2011
We are debating Blood Diamonds. Students will chair. I will go with volunteers first. 2 students will chair at a time for 20 minutes each. Hopefully there is a lot of discussion and debate so everyone can benefit.
Chair grades will count as a test grade, while delegate grades will count as a classwork grade.
Chair grades will count as a test grade, while delegate grades will count as a classwork grade.
April 8, 2011
Today we are going to debate Blood Diamonds!
NOTE: Actually, we made it a Study Hall since Ms. Aydinian was sick. We will debate Blood Diamonds Tuesday!
NOTE: Actually, we made it a Study Hall since Ms. Aydinian was sick. We will debate Blood Diamonds Tuesday!
April 6, 2011
We are finishing up Blood Diamond today. Hopefully you read your background guide so you can use the remainder of class to research the latest on the topic. I will assign countries on debate day--right now your focus is learning the most up to date information on the topic (ie. nations involved, organizations funded, etc)
April 4, 2011
Today is the start of a new era. Ms. Aydinian will no longer chair your debates. Today you will receive background guides on the trade of blood diamonds. Then we will start watching Blood Diamond, to put a more human face on the conflict.
March 31, 2011
Global Classrooms Model United Nations Conference 2011 is over! Let's rehash--we will be reviewing the pros and cons, of your conference, of your performance, and of your preparation. We will discuss future conferences and the look of the conference schedule for next year.
March 29, 2011
Conference is tomorrow! I am still missing a number of permission slips and money! Today is for any last minute prep you need to get done--research, binder organization, speech writing. I am
March 25, 2011
Today you will be working on turning your revised position paper into a speech. You should decide which partner in the delegation is going to be giving the Speaker's List speech on Conference day.
Homework: signed permission slip and $30 fee!!!
Homework: signed permission slip and $30 fee!!!
March 23, 2011
Everyone will enter the firing range today. Every student will stand at the podium, alone, and answer questions from fellow delegates about their position and plans. You will practice your answers, and the delegates will practice coming up with questions on the spot. Delegates in the audience, be specific, direct, and tenacious. I expect hard-hitting questions!
Homework: signed permission slip and $30 fee!!!
Homework: signed permission slip and $30 fee!!!
March 21, 2011
Speech day! Before the break you should have picked up a famous speech from me or outside the door to annotate. You should have practiced your delivery, hand gestures, eye contact, and pitch & volume. This is a test grade--take it seriously. If we have time you will have the rest of class to look at your peers speeches and prepare questions for the firing range next class.
Homework: signed permission slip and $30 fee!!!
Homework: signed permission slip and $30 fee!!!
March 8 & 10, 2011
Today and Thursday you are giving your UH Conference speeches in class. This will count as your midterm grade. You will also peer grade everyone else in the class. I will be selecting 2 peer grades at random to either average with my assessment of your speech, or average together as a test grade--whichever benefits you more.
You will also be receiving a speech to read, memorize, and deliver the week we get back to school. I suggest you read through the speech, annotate for emphasis (volume modulation, pauses, etc) and hand gestures/eye contact, and practice it several times. I will be grading on delivery, and purely on delivery. I would also suggest you go on youtube and look up famous speeches and speakers in history (JFK, MLK, Clinton, Obama, etc) and see what they do and incorporate it into your speech.
You will also be receiving a speech to read, memorize, and deliver the week we get back to school. I suggest you read through the speech, annotate for emphasis (volume modulation, pauses, etc) and hand gestures/eye contact, and practice it several times. I will be grading on delivery, and purely on delivery. I would also suggest you go on youtube and look up famous speeches and speakers in history (JFK, MLK, Clinton, Obama, etc) and see what they do and incorporate it into your speech.
March 2 & 4, 2011
Due to the numbers of students missing March 2nd, we will be doing the lesson again on March 4th. Today you are using your position papers to craft a 2-minute speech for the UH Conference. This is your Speaker's List Speech--you are trying to convince everyone in the room that the issue is important, and that your way to fix it is the best way.
Writing for speaking and writing for reading is different. You are going to need to change your vocabulary, sentence structure, and organization of your paper for this speech. Additionally, you will need to add openings and closings that address the chair and the committee members. Make sure to practice your speech several times before the big day next week.
Your Midterm will be this speech (as was said in class several times! You will deliver it both days in class next week! Make sure you practice!
Writing for speaking and writing for reading is different. You are going to need to change your vocabulary, sentence structure, and organization of your paper for this speech. Additionally, you will need to add openings and closings that address the chair and the committee members. Make sure to practice your speech several times before the big day next week.
Your Midterm will be this speech (as was said in class several times! You will deliver it both days in class next week! Make sure you practice!
February 22-28, 2011
In class you will be working on polishing your final copies of position papers for the UH Conference. I will meet with pairs individually after each draft version is completed to edit your papers for basic grammar and formatting errors.
I am hoping to see that you have already made the content edits that I marked on the rough drafts you turned in January 27th. If not, we will spend time discussing that again during our desk convos and you will be spending class time correcting that. If you need more time to finish I can pull you in for HR tutorials every day and Tuesday CCO tutorials until we get an acceptable paper for submission.
Edit and complete your position papers. Look at the rubric I have handed out to you and make sure that there are no basic formatting errors!!!
I am hoping to see that you have already made the content edits that I marked on the rough drafts you turned in January 27th. If not, we will spend time discussing that again during our desk convos and you will be spending class time correcting that. If you need more time to finish I can pull you in for HR tutorials every day and Tuesday CCO tutorials until we get an acceptable paper for submission.
Edit and complete your position papers. Look at the rubric I have handed out to you and make sure that there are no basic formatting errors!!!
February 17, 2011
You are getting back your graded rough drafts of your conference position papers today. You will get the class period to talk over them with me and fix them for final submission. They are due to the University of Houston on March 1st.
Papers are due to me on February 22nd.
Papers are due to me on February 22nd.
February 15, 2011
Today you are debating and voting on Draft Resolutions #6-8. We need a strong debate with tough questions and persuasive answers. Everyone got a copy of the draft resolutions last class period and were given time to critique and strategize. Make me proud.
This counts for a test grade.
This counts for a test grade.
February 10, 2011
You are getting back your graded rough drafts of your conference position papers today. You will get the class period to talk over them with me and fix them for final submission. I am still waiting to hear when the final due date is, but I'm assuming it's in the next two weeks.
Addendum: Actually, due to the fact that no resolution was passed the last class period we instead spent the period writing new draft resolutions in caucus. They will be introduced and debated Feb. 15th. Papers will either be handed back the 15th or 17th.
Addendum: Actually, due to the fact that no resolution was passed the last class period we instead spent the period writing new draft resolutions in caucus. They will be introduced and debated Feb. 15th. Papers will either be handed back the 15th or 17th.
February 8, 2011
Day 3 of the School Board Debate over Off-Campus Lunch. We should continue to hear speakers off the list, but we will introduce Draft Resolutions #4 and #5 to the floor. We should debate all resolutions in a moderated debate (hint hint) and we will vote on them today. I want to see pointed, tough questions on these draft resolutions! Goal for today: passage of at least one draft resolution.
February 4, 2011
Snow Day! Be ready to debate the other resolutions and vote next class.
February 2, 2011
Day 2 of the School Board Debate over Off-Campus Lunch. Today we should continue to hear speakers off the List, see draft resolutions introduced to the floor, and amendments made to those resolutions. Unlike Security Council resolutions, the resolutions passed by the Board can be enforced, so we need to see consequences for rule/policy set forth. The current problem I am seeing with the resolutions are that they are not specific enough.
January 31, 2011
Day 1 of Debate. Committee: School Board. Topic: Off-Campus Lunch. Each one of you has a specfic role, which means that your voices need to be heard in debate. Your goal for the debate is to write and pass at least one resolution. Your goal for today is to find your allies in the debate and start to write a working paper.
Debate will count as a classwork grade. Everyone starts off with a 60. Speeches from the List are worth 5 points. Speeches at any other time are worth 2 points. Points, motions, and seconds are worth 1 point. Misuse of ParliPro is worth a negative point, and a specfic decorum call is worth a negative 5 points. If 3 general decorum calls are announced in one day of debate, I will take 5 points off everyone's grade.
Debate will count as a classwork grade. Everyone starts off with a 60. Speeches from the List are worth 5 points. Speeches at any other time are worth 2 points. Points, motions, and seconds are worth 1 point. Misuse of ParliPro is worth a negative point, and a specfic decorum call is worth a negative 5 points. If 3 general decorum calls are announced in one day of debate, I will take 5 points off everyone's grade.
January 27, 2011
Your rough draft of your UH conference position papers are due today by 7:45 am! I hope you got them in on time, because as the syllabus states, 10 points off for each day it's late!
I'm still sick, I still have no voice, and I'm still hacking up my lungs. We are postponing debate by one day. Study Hall today. Be smart. Work on the Works Cited pages that you forgot to include, and add footnotes to your papers.
I'm still sick, I still have no voice, and I'm still hacking up my lungs. We are postponing debate by one day. Study Hall today. Be smart. Work on the Works Cited pages that you forgot to include, and add footnotes to your papers.
January 25, 2011
Last day for research and working on your papers before the due date of January 27th at 7:45 am! You should be putting the finishing touches on your rough draft (which I am taking for a test grade--as I've stated many times in class). I will be using last year's rubric from conference to grade your papers. There is no excuse for lazy formating--as you saw, it cost some of you a lot of points on your final last semester.
January 21, 2011
Research Day 3. The majority of your time today you should be working on writing the actual paper, and only researching to add to the text you have written. Remember, the Works Cited (using MLA) is worth 15 points on UH's rubric last year. You should be creating the page and footnoting your cites while you are writing. Today I will show you how to properly footnote in Word.
January 19, 2011
Research Day 2. You should have more in depth information on your topic, and can begin writing your position paper. I do not expect a polished paper, but you should be able to compose a basic first paragraph (definition of the issue, background info/history of the issue, why is this issue important for the committee to discuss?).
January 14, 2011
Research Day. You have read the background guide and you have your country assignment. You are expected to use your class time researching your country's position on the topic, recent international action on the topic, and create specfic solutions in line with your country's viewpoint.
January 12, 2011
You will receive your committee assignments in class today. You will be assigned your partners for the conference as well. Responsiblities will be outlined for the partnerships. You will both receive your final average based on your performance at conference as a pair, but each student will grade their partner--which will count as a test grade. You are getting class time today to read your background guide and ask me any questions on the material. Next class it is expected that you have a basis understanding of the topic.
January 10, 2011
Well, we really didn't get to choose the committees last class with the altered bell schedule. We will do this today. You will also get to look over your resolutions and position papers from the Essequibo Valley Simulation. In class students will make corrections to their resolutions and we will all go over the common mistakes of the position papers as a class.
January 6, 2011
Today we are selecting preferences for committees and countries for the Global Classrooms Conference at the University of Houston. Here are the choices:
Committees
Security Council - Multinational Terrorist Groups
UNICEF - Access to Primary Education
Human Rights Council - Violence Against Women
United Nations Development Programme - Energy for Sustainable Development
ECOSOC - Trafficking in Human Beings
Countries
Brazil
Cameroon
Indonesia
Qatar
Switzerland
Thailand
United States of America
Yemen
Committees
Security Council - Multinational Terrorist Groups
UNICEF - Access to Primary Education
Human Rights Council - Violence Against Women
United Nations Development Programme - Energy for Sustainable Development
ECOSOC - Trafficking in Human Beings
Countries
Brazil
Cameroon
Indonesia
Qatar
Switzerland
Thailand
United States of America
Yemen
12/17/10
Study Hall today since I will be at UH Graduation. Study for 7th period exam. You will be getting your committee assignment when we get back from break.
12/15/10
Today we will finish up debate, the Speakers' List, and voting on resolutions. I told everyone that you will need to know the format for resolution writing, because everyone will be writing one at the end of class today. The topic will be of my choosing, and I will use the same grading rubric that I used on the previous resolution writing assignment.
12/13/10
Simulation Day 4. Goal for today: debate draft resolutions introduced to the floor.
12/9/10
Simulation Day 3. Goal for today: draft resolutions submitted to the chair.
12/7/10
Simulation Day 2. Goal for today: find allies for resolution writing, write working paper to continue next class.
12/3/10
Simulation starts today! This simulation will run longer than most that we will do in this course because we will be stopping a lot to go over ParliPro, flow of debate, strategy, etc.
Goal for today: Talk. On the Speakers' List, setting speaking time, bringing up points and motions. Everyone's goal for today is to talk at least once. Your grade depends on it.
Debate will count oone-fourth of your Fall Final Exam Grade. Everyone starts off with a 60. Speeches from the List are worth 5 points. Speeches at any other time are worth 2 points. Points, motions, and seconds are worth 1 point. Misuse of ParliPro is worth a negative point, and a specfic decorum call is worth a negative 5 points. If 3 general decorum calls are announced in one day of debate, I will take 5 points off everyone's grade.
The sections of your Fall Final Exam Grade are as follows:
1/4 - Position Paper (completed)
1/4 - Debate (in progress)
1/4 - Speech (2 minute Speakers' List speech)
1/4 - Resolution (last day of debate--looking like Dec. 15th)
Goal for today: Talk. On the Speakers' List, setting speaking time, bringing up points and motions. Everyone's goal for today is to talk at least once. Your grade depends on it.
Debate will count oone-fourth of your Fall Final Exam Grade. Everyone starts off with a 60. Speeches from the List are worth 5 points. Speeches at any other time are worth 2 points. Points, motions, and seconds are worth 1 point. Misuse of ParliPro is worth a negative point, and a specfic decorum call is worth a negative 5 points. If 3 general decorum calls are announced in one day of debate, I will take 5 points off everyone's grade.
The sections of your Fall Final Exam Grade are as follows:
1/4 - Position Paper (completed)
1/4 - Debate (in progress)
1/4 - Speech (2 minute Speakers' List speech)
1/4 - Resolution (last day of debate--looking like Dec. 15th)
12/1/10
ParliPro day! We are pushing back the simulation to go over Parliamentary Procedure rules. Also, we are talking about how to alter your papers to speeches (for those of you who turned in a paper) since there have been a number of questions on this.
11/29/10
We will be finishing up parliamentary procedure today. You will get class time to edit your final position papers into a speech. Speeches will be due for Wednesday's class. Be ready to be tested on ParliPro in a future class. We will start our Simulation on Wednesday.
ATTENTION
Remember, your final copy of the position paper with the proper format (see the packet i gave you where I marked Final Copy Grading) is due in my inbox by 7:45 am! My email is [email protected]. Remember to spell it correctly!
11/18/10
Today we will be covering Parliamentary Procedure. It is in your best interest not to be sick today. We will go over what it is, how it is used, and what the specific rules you need to know for conference are. we will run a mini scripted scenario after we describe and explain the points and motions that you will use the most (and least).
11/16/10
I'm going to be out. IT WILL BE A STUDY HALL IN CLASS TODAY. BRING SOMETHING TO WORK ON QUIETLY AND ALONE.
11/12/10
Today students will get the class period to correct their position paper, and I will finish conferencing with any students that I was not able to speak with on Wednesday.
11/10/10
We will practice writing resolutions, proposing solutions to common high school dilemmas. I will also be discussing position papers individually with each student.
Homework: finish up the resolutions that you didn't in class. be prepared to peer edit and talk with me the next class.
Homework: finish up the resolutions that you didn't in class. be prepared to peer edit and talk with me the next class.
11/8/10
We will finish up caucusing and move into Resolution writing. Students will present their solution to the class and handle questions from the floor. We will read together the Resolution guidelines and if we have time begin turning the working papers about Napster and Interpreters into resolutions.
11/4/10
We will be discussing Caucusing, starting with a first five defining what it is. After reading an article on state-sponsored translation services, you will be placed on both sides of the issue. You will make a T-Chart illustrating the issue and possible solutions. You will share working papers and try to build support for your viewpoint with your classmates. We will evaluate how successful groups are in building consensus and support for differing views.
Homework: 2 minute speech
Homework: 2 minute speech
11/2/10
We will continue with Negotiation. You will perform your skits in the first 20 minutes of class, and the rest of us will guess as to what tactic you are displaying. Time will be given to read the US-China article if you did not do it for homework like you were supposed to, and then we will discuss tactics used in this real-life event. Next we will be discussing the issues of negotiable and non-negotiable items as relates to the article. To make it tangible to teenage life, you will be writing a persuasive letter on an issue of my choosing, incorporating negotiation tactics in the text of the body.
Homework: 2 minute Opening Speech for ERV Scenario
Homework: 2 minute Opening Speech for ERV Scenario
10/28/10
We are moving on to negiotating. We will be learning different tactics, their weakness and strengths, and practice using role play from skits that you are creating.
10/26/10
We are continuing the Millenium Summit speeches today. Again, I have not received all the position papers yet. You need a paper in order to create a speech with it!
Homework: finish Position Paper if you have not already done so. Begin crafting paper into 2 minute speech.
Homework: finish Position Paper if you have not already done so. Begin crafting paper into 2 minute speech.
10/22/10
Study Hall. Again, finish your position paper!
10/20/10
Study Hall. Be nice to the substitute teacher. Work on your position paper if you haven't turned it in to me yet.
10/18/10
Hope you have edited your speeches down to 2 minutes! You will have 30 seconds either way as a buffer for your speech. Have fun representing world leaders back in 2000!
