Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Lesson 21 – Presentation Feedback 2

EWr
We tried Extensive Writing (EWr) again. The topic was the question, What do you think might be a goal that you could have passion and perseverance for long-term? Could you beat your score from last week? Enter your score in your EWr Log.


Presentation Feedback
Once again you gave your presentations in front of a 2 or 3 classmates who gave you feedback. Use this feedback to make improvements. We will begin our presentations next Tuesday.

I will be a bit strict in my feedback on your presentations. Consider visiting me at my office (please contact me first) or exchanging emails or messages with me. I would be happy to coach you.

As I said before, practice often. If possible, practice in front of someone or some people. Consider recording yourself so you can see how you look.

Send your slides to me via Dropbox or Google Slides. If you have used Powerpoint or Keynote, use the link below.


Due 6/27 23:59



Essay Peer Revision
Use the feedback from your partner to revise your essay.

Follow these steps:
  • From the File menu, click on Make a copy.
  • Edit the file name by adding 2nd Draft to it (don't forget to remove the "Copy of". 
  • Click on the box Copy comments and suggestions. Click OK.
  • Read your partner's feedback comments.
  • Make any revisions you need to. You can click on resolve after you deal with a comment.
  • Share the document with me after you finish.
    Due 6/29 23:59

Friday, June 22, 2018

Video – Fragile (Sting, Yo-Yo Ma, Chris Botti)

Sting wrote this beautiful song about 30 years ago. I was in high school and was very touched by it. This live version includes Chris Botti (trumpet) and Yo-Yo Ma (cello). You can read the lyrics below.

 


If blood will flow when flesh and steel are one
Drying in the colour of the evening sun
Tomorrow's rain will wash the stains away
But something in our minds will always stay
Perhaps this final act was meant
To clinch a lifetime's argument
That nothing comes from violence and nothing ever could
For all those born beneath an angry star
Lest we forget how fragile we are

On and on the rain will fall
Like tears from a star like tears from a star
On and on the rain will say
How fragile we are how fragile we are

On and on the rain will fall
Like tears from a star like tears from a star
On and on the rain will say
How fragile we are how fragile we are

How fragile we are how fragile we are

Thursday, June 21, 2018

Lesson 20 – Essay Peer Review

RF
We did Reading Fluency (RF) practice again. This lesson's topic was Business and the Internet Remember to enter your time and score in your RF Log on Google Sheets.



Presentation Feedback
You gave your presentations in front of a 2 or 3 classmates who gave you feedback. Use this feedback to make improvements. You will give your presentations again in front of a few classmates next Tuesday. Next time should be much better.

You should be able to give your presentation with very few umm-s or pauses.

Practice often. If possible, practice in front of someone or some people. Consider recording yourself so you can see how you look.


Essay Peer Revision
Use the Revision Checklist on p. 97 to help your classmate revise their essay.

Follow these steps:
  • Read your partner's paragraphs.
  • Use the comment function by highlighting the text you want to comment on.
  • Click on the + button on the right of the doc.
  • Write your comment and click save.
Due 6/25 23:59

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Video – Me and My Cello - Happy Together (Turtles) Cello Cover - The Piano Guys

Happy Together is a popular song by The Turtles. In this version, Steve from The Piano Guys answers the question about why he always seems so happy playing the cello. It is because of quality time together. This video shows the many things Steve and his cello do together.  Enjoy watching it again.






Here is the original version by the Turtles from 1967.

 

Here are the words:

Imagine me and you, I do
I think about you day and night, it's only right
To think about the girl you love and hold her tight
So happy together

If I should call you up, invest a dime
And you say you belong to me and ease my mind
Imagine how the world could be, so very fine
So happy together

I can't see me lovin' nobody but you
For all my life
When you're with me, baby the skies'll be blue
For all my life

Me and you and you and me
No matter how they toss the dice, it had to be
The only one for me is you, and you for me
So happy together

I can't see me lovin' nobody but you
For all my life
When you're with me, baby the skies'll be blue
For all my life

Me and you and you and me
No matter how they toss the dice, it had to be
The only one for me is you, and you for me
So happy together

Ba-ba-ba-ba ba-ba-ba-ba ba-ba-ba ba-ba-ba-ba
Ba-ba-ba-ba ba-ba-ba-ba ba-ba-ba ba-ba-ba-ba

Me and you and you and me
No matter how they toss the dice, it had to be
The only one for me is you, and you for me
So happy together

So happy together
And how is the weather
So happy together
We're happy together
So happy together
Happy together
So happy together
So happy together (ba-ba-ba-ba ba-ba-ba-ba)

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Lesson 19 – Presentation Handouts and Example (Updated)

Updated

EWr
We tried Extensive Writing (EWr) again. Could you beat your score from last week? Enter your score in your EWr Log.


Essay Revision
Use the Revision Checklist on p. 97 to help you revise your essay. On Thursday, you will share your essay with a partner who will give you constructive (negative) feedback.


Presentation Example
Angela Duckworth gave a short talk at TED Talks – Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. She practiced many hours to give this talk. How much time should you practice?



Note: You can go to the TED.com website to find more resources such as subtitles and transcripts. You can even download videos.

Homework
Watch the video again and observe her delivery. Ask yourself these questions:

  • How well did she communicate her message?
  • How well did each of her points fit with her main point?
  • How was her posture? Her eye contact? Her gestures? Her voice?
  • How was her storytelling? 
  • What was her "hook" (something to make you interested at the beginning)? Was it effective?

Write your answers in paragraph form on a Google Doc. The title should be your full name + AE18L20.
Due 6/25 23:59


Presentation Handouts
Consider the advice from these website resources:

13 Best Practice Tips for Effective Presentation Handouts

How to write a Presentation Handout: 5 Effective Ideas


If you are interested in learning more about grit, I recommend reading Angela Duckworth's book: Grit – The Power of Passion and Perseverance.


Monday, June 18, 2018

Lesson 18 – Essay Preparation

RF
We did Reading Fluency (RF) practice again. Remember to enter your time and score in your RF Log on Google Sheets.


Essay Handouts
We went over the answers for the essay handouts. You will write an essay using the structure found on the new handouts.

Due 6/20 23:59 

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Video — What Makes You Beautiful (The Piano Guys Cover of One Direction)

What Makes You Beautiful 
(The Piano Guys Cover of One Direction)

I wonder how much practice they must have done to make this video. Enjoy it again!




Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Lesson 17

EWr
We tried Extensive Writing (EWr) again. Could you beat your score from last week? Enter your score in your EWr Log.


Reading
We worked on the reading handout: Unit 4: South American Empires. The vocabulary is now on our Quizlet study list. Finish the tasks before the next lesson.

Send your answers for Paraphrasing Practice using Google Docs (AE L17).
Due 6/13 23:59


Quizlet
We took a test using Quizlet. We also used it when we had downtime.


Presentations
Make a presentation comparing two countries or products. In your presentation, you should use at least 3 kinds of graphs. Be sure to use good CRAP design. Your presentation should have a good introduction, body, and conclusion.

You will make a handout for your classmates. Use the appropriate design for text and visuals depending on the medium.

The presenters will be chosen randomly each time, usually 2-3 per lesson beginning 6/19.


Essay Handouts
We will discuss the essay handouts in the next lesson.

Thursday, June 7, 2018

Lesson 16 – Making Pie Graphs

RF
We did Reading Fluency (RF) practice again. This lesson's topic was Business and the Internet Remember to enter your time and score in your RF Log on Google Sheets.


Making Pie Graphs
I demonstrated how to make pie graphs (or charts) in Google Slides. You will need to use these skills in your next presentation.


Homework
Work on the handouts I gave about writing essays. We will go over it in the next class.

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Video — Indiana Jones Rocks Petra with this Arabian Classical Remix! - The Piano Guys (Wonder of the World 4 of 7)

Indiana Jones Rocks Petra with this Arabian Classical Remix!
(The Piano Guys Wonders of the World Series)

This is the fourth in the series where The Piano Guys go to one of the 7 Wonders of the World.  In this video, they go to Petra a city built into the rock in Jordan. The name Petra means rock.

Because Petra was a location in the 3rd Indian Jones movie, they use music from the soundtrack in this tune.

Enjoy the video again.


 





You can read more about the New 7 Wonders of the World in simple English here:
New 7 Wonders of the World 

Thursday, May 31, 2018

Lesson 14 – Research Skills (Library)

For today's lesson, we attended a workshop in the library about research skills. Please use these skills on your future assignments that require research.

Homework & Quiz

  • Do the tasks on the handout Unit 3: A Girl with a Vision before next Tuesday's (6/5) class.
  • There will be a quiz on design (CRAP and images) and on plagiarism on 6/5. Study for the plagiarism questions on p. 1 in Become a Better Writer.


Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Video — I Won't Give Up (Jayesslee Cover of Jason Mraz)

I Won't Give Up (Jayesslee Cover of Jason Mraz)
Jayesslee is the artist who sang the Gangnam Style cover we watched before. Jayesslee means J S Lee. Their names are Janice (Jay for J) and Sonia (Ess for S) and their last name is Lee. I love their harmonies. It must have been difficult to perform this on one take at the beach.

See the lyrics below the video.








I Won't Give Up
When I look into your eyes
It's like watching the night sky
Or a beautiful sunrise
There's so much they hold
And just like them old stars
I see that you've come so far
To be right where you are
How old is your soul?
Well I won't give up on us, even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love, I'm still looking up
And when you're needing your space, to do some navigating
I'll be here patiently waiting, to see what you find
'Cause even the stars they burn
Some even fall to the earth
We've got a lot to learn
God knows we're worth it
No, I won't give up
I don't wanna be someone who walks away so easily
I'm here to stay and make the difference that I can make
Our differences they do a lot to teach us how to use
The tools and gifts we got yeah, we got a lot at stake
And in the end, you're still my friend at least we did intend
For us to work we didn't break, we didn't burn
We had to learn how to bend without the world caving in
I had to learn what I've got, and what I'm not and who I am
I won't give up on us, even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up, still looking up.
I won't give up on us (no I'm not giving up)
God knows I'm tough enough (I am tough, I am loved)
We've got a lot to learn (we're alive, we are loved)
God knows we're worth it (and we're worth it)
I won't give up on us, even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love, I'm still looking up

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Lesson 13 – Images

EWr
We did not do Extensive Writing (EWr) today. Do it on your own in your notebook with a timer and enter your score in your EWr Log.


CRAP Quiz
We had a quiz on the 4 design principles represented by the acronym CRAP.


CRAP Review and 2nd Design Prezo
I gave another presentation about design. The content may be part of a quiz in the near future. You can review the presentation by looking at the slideshow below:






Presentation
Sometime soon, you will give a presentation focussing on the skills of posture, eye contact, gestures, and visuals. You will be able to present on a topic from another class or on a comparison of two countries. More details to come later.


Academic Reading Handout
We checked our answers for Unit 2: Look Closer, Think Again. The vocabulary from the unit will be covered on the vocabulary test.

Homework
  • Read your classmates' blog posts about favorite places to eat and CRAP analysis and leave comments. Due 6/4 23:59
  • Write a paragraph or more about what you are learning in your learning journal. You can reflect on what you are doing effectively or ineffectively. Due 6/2 23:59.

Thursday, May 24, 2018

Lesson 12 – CRAP (Design)

Life After Death by Powerpoint (video)
We began by making a list of good and bad presentation slide ideas. Then we watched a video by comedian Dan McMillan. He uses humor to make his point. Even though he exaggerates, he had good observations about bad presentation slides.





CRAP Design Principles
I presented about design principles using the CRAP acronym from Robin Williams' book The Non-Designer's Design Book. There will be a quiz next Tuesday.


RU Prezo Design 1 CRAP from Daniel Beck


RF
We did Reading Fluency (RF) practice again. This lesson's topic was How Teachers Are Viewed Remember to enter your time and score in your RF Log on Google Sheets.

Blog Post
You will make a blog post evaluating an advertisement or a poster and evaluate the design based on the CRAP principles. Choose a design in which you can write enough about. Try to be thorough in your post. Your post should include an image of the design. Make some suggestions on how the design could be improved. The title should be original, but have (CRAP Analysis) in parentheses as well.

Due 5/30 23:59

Homework
Finish the handout for Unit 2 before next Tuesday.

There will be a quiz on CRAP and a quiz on vocabulary from our Quizlet list next time.

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Video — The Jungle Book / Sarabande (Mayan Style)

The Jungle Book / Sarabande (Mayan Style)
(The Piano Guys Wonders of the World Series)

This is the third in the series where The Piano Guys go to one of the 7 Wonders of the World.  In this video, they go to Chichén Itzá on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. The most famous view is of El Castillo, a big Mayan pyramid.

The music is a medley of tunes from the soundtrack to Disney's The Jungle Book. Did you see the bear and the panther in the video? They are two of the main characters from the movie

Enjoy the video again.

 



You can read more about the New 7 Wonders of the World in simple English here:
New 7 Wonders of the World 

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Lesson 11 – Concluding Sentences and Paragraph Titles

EWr
We tried Extensive Writing (EWr) again. Could you beat your score from last week? Enter your score in your EWr Log.


The Writing Process
We once again looked at the Writing Process with our Lesson 11 Handout. We focused on Concluding Sentences and Titles (paragraph).


Paragraph
Write a paragraph on one of the topics from the Lesson 10 handout. Check all the handouts to follow all the steps for a good paragraph.

For the Google Docs homework:

  • Make a new Google Doc and share it with me.
  • The title should be your full name + AE + L11 (ex. Reiko Suzuki AE L11).
  • Share it with me at my Rikkyo email address.
    Due 5/24 23:59



Blog Post
Write and publish a blog post about your favorite place to eat in Ikebukuro. Provide information about the following:

  • Location
  • Kind of food
  • Quality of taste
  • Atmosphere
  • Overall impression
  • Photographs (of the restaurant and food if possible)

Due 5/28 23:59



Learning Journal
Write a paragraph or more about what you are learning. You can reflect on what you are doing effectively or ineffectively. 

Due 5/23 23:59.

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Lesson 10 – Attention and Memory

Note: Updated AGAIN (5/22)

RF
We began with Reading Fluency (RF) practice again. This lesson's topic was Defining Education. Remember to enter your time and score in your RF Log on Google Sheets.



We watched this TV commercial by Softbank about walking while texting. What do you think about it?







Brain Rules #4 Attention
We also watched this video from Robert Medina about attention.




Brain Rules #5-6 Memory





Homework

  • Write 2-3 paragraphs in Google Docs about what we learned about attention and memory can help you learn better. Due 5/24 23:59.
  • Do the Lesson 9b handout on organizing for next class. 
  • Do the Lesson 10 handout for next class.


For the Google Docs homework:
  • Make a new Google Doc and share it with me.
  • The title should be your full name + AE + L10 (ex. Reiko Suzuki AE L10).
  • Share it with me at my Rikkyo email address.
  • Due 5/24 23:59

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Video — The Mission / How Great Thou Art - The Piano Guys (Wonder of The World 2 of 7)

The Mission / How Great Thou Art 
(The Piano Guys Wonders of the World Series)

This is the second in the series where The Piano Guys go to one of the 7 Wonders of the World.  In this video, they go to the Christ the Redeemer Statue in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). They also visit Iguazu Falls near the border of Argentina. 

The music is a mashup (mix) of two tunes. One is called Gabriel's Oboe. It is the most famous music from the soundtrack of the movie The Mission. The setting of the movie is at Iguazu Falls. It is a wonderful movie and I strongly recommend it. It has a beautiful theme about love (not romantic). I cry every time I see it. The other music is a Christian hymn called How Great Thou Art.

Enjoy the video again.


 

You can read more about the New 7 Wonders of the World in simple English here:
New 7 Wonders of the World 

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Lesson 9 – The Writing Process

EWr
We tried Extensive Writing (EWr) again. Could you beat your score from last week? Enter your score in your EWr Log.


The Writing Process

We looked at the Writing Process with our Lesson 9 Handout. We will continue with this on Thursday.




Learning Journal
Write a paragraph or more about what you are learning. You can reflect on what you are doing effectively or ineffectively. 
Due 5/16 23:59.

Monday, May 14, 2018

Video – Gabriel's Oboe (from The Mission)

We watched a scene from the great movie The Mission. The story took place in the disputed territories between Brazil and Argentina and Paraguay called Iguazu. The Iguazu Falls are considered one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World.

The movie begins with the death of a missionary priest. Immediately after his death, another priest goes back to the same people. He takes an oboe and plays the melody in this video.


Sunday, May 13, 2018

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Video – U2 Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own

Bono, the lead singer of U2, wrote this song as a tribute to his father when his father was dying. The words are very touching. In the handwritten text at the beginning of the song he writes that his father worked in the post office by day and sang opera by night. In the lyrics of the song, he writes that his father is the reason he sings and that his father is "reason why the opera is in me".



Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own from Cristiano Rodrigues on Vimeo.


Tough, you think you've got the stuff
You're telling me and anyone
You're hard enough

You don't have to put up a fight
You don't have to always be right
Let me take some of the punches
For you tonight

Listen to me now
I need to let you know
You don't have to go it alone

And it's you when I look in the mirror
And it's you when I don't pick up the phone
Sometimes you can't make it on your own

We fight, all the time
You and I, that's alright
We're the same soul
I don't need, I don't need to hear you say
That if we weren't so alike
You'd like me a whole lot more

Listen to me now
I need to let you know
You don't have to go it alone

And it's you when I look in the mirror
And it's you when I don't pick up the phone
Sometimes you can't make it on your own

Say, say, say

I know that we don't talk
I'm sick of it all
Can you hear me when I
Sing, you're the reason I sing
You're the reason why the opera is in me

We're here now
I've still got to let you know
A house doesn't make a home
Don't leave me here alone

And it's you when I look in the mirror
And it's you that makes it hard to let go
Sometimes you can't make it on your own
Sometimes you can't make it
Best you can do is to fake it
Sometimes you can't make it on your own

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Lesson 7 – Informative Speech

RF
We practiced reading fluency with Reading 3: Technology in the Classroom. Be sure to enter your times for this reading and the earlier ones after you make your RF Log.

RF Log
Follow the steps to set up your Reading Fluency (RF) Log:

We will use Google Sheets (spreadsheet) to keep track of our progress in extensive writing (EWr). This makes it easy me to follow your progress. It also makes it easy for you to see your own progress. You can generate a line graph from the spreadsheet.

Follow the steps:
  1. Sign in / log in to Google Drive.
  2. Click on NEW.
  3. Choose GOOGLE SHEETS
  4. In the top left box, give your spreadsheet the title: full name + AE + RF Log (e.g., Taro Suzuki AE RF Log)*
  5. In the top right corner, click on SHARE.
  6. Share it with me. Use my Rikkyo address (danielbeck).
  7. In the A column, write the date of your first RF reading.
  8. In the B column, write the time of your first RF reading.
  9. In the C column, write the number of correct answers.
  10. Repeat for each time.
Enter in your RF score every week.

Informative Speech
We heard some of our classmates' speeches and gave feedback with the form.

We will have the remaining speeches on Thursday. The standard will be raised because we heard the feedback given to the first speakers. Practice, practice, practice!

Informative Speech Feedback Forms

For each speaker, give feedback using the form link below.

Feedback Form

Here are some things to consider when giving feedback:

Posture:
  1. Feet
    Does the speaker set their feet properly? For men, shoulder-width apart and pointing straight forward. For women, feet pointing out in each direction with one foot a little in front of the other.
  2. Hands
    Does the speaker pause before setting hands? Does the speaker set their hands properly? One hand should rest in the "hook" of the other hand's fingers.
  3. Look
    Does the speaker pause before beginning to look? Does the speaker look from one side of the room to the other and back to the middle? Does the speaker look slowly?
  4. Voice
    Does the speaker pause before beginning to speak? Does the speaker take a breath? Does the speaker use a loud enough voice?
  5. Parts
    Does the speaker introduce the topic? Does the speaker talk about each of see, do, eat, getting around? Does the speaker review the points at the end?
  6. Images
    Are the images interesting? Are the images full size? Do the images suit the message?
  7. Eye contact
    Does the speaker make eye contact with individuals? Did the speaker make eye contact with you? Does the speaker keep eye contact for about 3 seconds or one sentence?

Saturday, May 5, 2018

Video — Kung Fu Piano: Cello Ascends (The Piano Guys – Wonders of the World Series)

Kung Fu Piano: Cello Ascends 
(The Piano Guys Wonders of the World Series)

This is the first in the series where The Piano Guys go to one of the 7 Wonders of the World.  In this video, they go to the Great Wall of China. Enjoy the video again.





You can read more about the New 7 Wonders of the World in simple English here:
New 7 Wonders of the World 

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Lesson 6 – Presentation Posture and Eye Contact

Presentation Posture and Eye Contact
We learned about good presentation posture. We learned that before we speak, we should start with good posture.

Follow these steps:
  1. Set your feet (shoulder width apart for men, toes pointed out, one foot in front of the other for women).
  2. Set your hands (clasp one hand in the other)
  3. Look at your audience (look from one end of the audience to the other slowly and then back to the middle)
  4. Speak with a loud, clear voice after taking a breath.
For good eye contact, look at someone for about 3 seconds or one full sentence.

Speaking of Speech
We learned about good posture for giving presentations. We also looked at a model Informative Speech as well. Next week you will give an Informative Speech about your hometown or any city. You can use your own computer to give the presentation. If you want to use my computer, you will need to use  Google Slides  for your presentation (no USB dongles, no Powerpoint). See the steps below.



Presentation Slides

You need to share your slides with me before you come to class next week.
  1. Go to Google Drive.
  2. From the New button on the top left, choose Google Slides.
  3. Give the title your full name + 18S AE + Informative Speech (eg. Taro Suzuki 18S AE Informative Speech).
  4. Click the Share button and write my Rikkyo address. (You can continue to make changes after you share.)
  5. Finish your slides before class and be ready to present. Due 5/7 23:59. You can share your slides now and continue working on them until the class.
  6. Practice, practice, practice!
Your slides should be full slide photographs of your city. The best photographs are your own photographs from your camera or smart phone. If you cannot get your photos yourself, get large photos from Google Images.


Your slideshow should have at least 8 slides:
  • A title slide with the name of your hometown and your name. (1 slide)
  • An overview slide with your four points (text). (1 slide)
  • One (or more) slides for each point. (4 or more slides)
  • Summary slide with your four points (images). (1 slide)
  • Title slide as your final slide. (1 slide)


Watch Lisa Suzuki's Informative Speech again. Practice with your slides many times to be smooth at it. Practice makes perfect! 


EWr
We tried Extensive Writing (EWr) again. Could you beat your score from last week? Enter your score in your EWr Log.



Model Speech
Watch the model speech again to help you prepare.





Quiz
Next week we will have our SPA and 4 Strands Quiz. I promise!

Lesson 28 – Final Lesson

Vocabulary Test Take the Quizlet test and show your score. Project Work and Report Write a paper together with your group. Including a...