Submit all your grades is SIS!

Students,

I'm in SIS grading all your assignments. I'm running into several that have not been submitted by students. Please, get into SIS and make sure all your assignments have been submitted so I can grade them.

NJ

Social Leadership: Link to Mr. Jensen's V Office

Students,

Here's the link to my V Office:

https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?password=M.3FC73EAF1E6181864E284ECB18260B&sid=2010289

Social Leadership: Mentor Meetings

If you were supposed to have a mentor meeting this week, I am happy to meet with you.

1. Please message me in SIS and tell me when you'd like to meet

2. I will be available

Wednesday from 12:00 - 5:00 pm MT

Thursday from 12:00 - 5:00 pm MT

Best,

NJ

Social Leadership: Class on Friday

1. We DO have class on Friday at 12:00 MT

2. We WILL have presentations of Social Leadership Projects

3. Here are guidelines for presentations:

Time: 5 minutes to present, 2 minutes for feedback/grading

Topic: showcase your project, including press release

Grading criteria:
1-The Project

-Well-developed

-Individually Challenging

2-The Delivery

-Engaging

-Effective Visuals

World Lit: Bring Final Essay for Peer Review

On Wednesday we'll review each other's essays and give feedback in class. Make as much progress as you can, and come with your draft for peer review.

REMEMBER: Pick your own Final Essay topic. There is no assigned topic.

Message me in SIS if you are stuck.

No World History Class on Wednesday

History is cancelled for Wednesday since finals will already be submitted.

Nels Jensen

Updated Final Checklist for World History & World Lit

World History and World Literature
End-of-Semester Checklist

1. 12/13 WH- Share your final diagram of The Ancient World for Peer Grade. Diagrams will be accepted until Friday at 7:00 pm MT. (This deadline has been extended due to mentor change.) Extra credit for those who had diagrams ready at the beginning of class.
2. 12/13 WL- Term Paper triads
   
3. 12/14 Mr. Jensen will email out Final Exams via email by 8:00 am. Choose a 3-hour block and a Proctor. Complete all questions and submit to Mr. Jensen via SIS messaging. Proctor sends email to njensen@wacademy.org, verifying the proctoring. Submit to Mr. Jensen in SIS by 12/14 no later than 10:00 pm MT.
   
4. 12/15 WH- CANCELLED: Oral Exams from 10:00 – 1:00 MT
5. 12/15 WL-Bring Term paper final draft, present to peers for feedback
6. 12/17 WL- Final Term Papers due by 10:00 am MT. Submit via SIS. World History & World Lit students will meet together in the WH Room (link below) to Present Final Term Papers in Class.
7. WH- link: https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?password=M.8C0BC63323666387ABB9D5DA35CE11&sid=2010289
   
8. All assignments should be uploaded by Friday, 12/17 at 7:00 pm MT. No Assignments will be taken after that time.

Week of December 13, 2010

Last week before break!!  Let's pull this all together.

Week of December 6, 2010

Whoa, Christmas Break is upon us!!  Finals, too.  To me, finals are, yes, a little stressful, but they are fun, too.  I know, I know, it sounds crazy, but really... you get to kind of "show off" and surprise yourself with what you can learn and how much you really know if you put some focussed time into it--instead of just winging it.  Also it feels good to clear the slate, to get everything done, and then to start fresh a few weeks later.  How did you all like the Living Leadership forum?  I hope you liked it.  How are you all doing on your assignments?  Hopefully great!  : )

Week of November 29, 2010

Wow, the week of November 29 already?!  Well I have been so pleased with the quality of conversation in the blog.  I also think we have just begun to scratch the surface when it comes to quality conversation, deep thoughts, cool applications to real life, and awesome and meaningful epiphanies--that will come to EVERYONE when they learn to read the classics closely.

Write on young philosophers, poets, playwrights and statesmen!  Write on!!

Andrew Groft

Week of November 22, 2010

Take it away young leaders!  Can't wait to see what you all have to say this week.  Happy Thanksgiving!!

Week of November 15, 2010

Last week we had some really good posts and some really good classes.  People are, for the most part, coming prepared with good slides and engaged minds.  You are listening to each other and learning from each other.  When we have colloquia in the various classes and we don't get to your key ideas, PLEASE post them here.  Also, when you have more to say about other things you are learning, POST.  We love it.

Dr. Groft

Week of November 8, 2010

Hey Gang.  Sorry that I got this threat up a little late.  I really do believe that those who can post at least once a week, and read what other students are saying, will get a richer experience.  It is clear to me that school and class time are both CRITICAL to academic progress, but that MOST of our work is done outside of the classroom.  Whether it is our own personal study, group study in v-rooms, or carrying on the conversation in the class blog, let's make every effort to engage with all four mentors outside of class as well as in.

So today I'm asking a simple question for everyone, but especially the World History folks: What are the most powerful lessons you've learned or even re-learned from chapter III in Roots of American Order regarding the Greek influence on the rest of the world, and particularly on the foundations of America?

I also welcome any other epiphanies or connections or just interesting thoughts!

Week of November 1, 2010

Week of October 25, 2010

Week of October 18, 2010

Midterms Week!!!!

All my best to all of you GENIUSES!

: )

Dr. Groft

Week of October 11, 2010

I have faculty members (mentors) reading this blog.  They're all talking about it.  PLEASE keep it up.  Just share you connections, epiphanies, observations and questions.  Respond to the comments of others.  That's it!  : )

Week of October 4, 2010

Hey Everyone!

I have to say that many of the conversations going on in the blog are excellent.  KEEP IT UP!!!  Class participation--which includes blogging and reaching out as a way to help build an environment of learning--is a substantial part of your grade, and more importantly, your educational experience.  EVERYONE should be posting some idea, epiphany, insight, connection, etc... EVERY WEEK at least.  You guys are incredible.  LET IT SHOW!!!

Week of September 27, 2010

Week of September 20, 2010

All written assignments, ideas, comments, questions, epiphanies, annotations, etc...

Please remember to describe what your post is, who it's from and for which class.

Week of September 13, 2010

This is where you post all of your shout-outs, notes, ideas, questions, epiphanies, etc... for the week of September 13, 2010.

Weekly Thread Instructions

Posting on Common Weekly Thread ... INSTRUCTIONS:

Any Assignments, Ideas, Annotations, Epiphanies, Comments, Questions, etc... for this entire week go here.

PLEASE label whatever you post at the beginning of your post so that we know what of the above (or other) categories it belongs to.

ALSO label what class it is for.

For Example:

Some Random Comments for World History from Bob Jones:

[then type whatever you want]

or

Andy Groft's Notes and Ideas from Chapter 1 of The Illiad (World Lit):

[then paste them from your word processor here]

or

Kira Edwards just checking in with ALL of the WA Upperclassmen:

[type here]

or

James Simmerman's Poetry Assignment #1 for World Literature:

ETC...

-Dr. Groft

Syllabus Version 1

Williamsburg Academy Syllabus

Version 1

World History, World Literature, Social Leadership

Dr. Andrew Groft

September

W 1      WH       -Orientation Day

            WL       -Orientation Day

F 3       WH       -A Story of the World

                        -Landmarks

                        -Discuss Civilizations

                        -Discuss Free-Flow Assignment

            WL       -Discuss the Settings, Milieu and basic Ideas of each book

                        -Example of How to Read

                        -Why The Hard Stuff?

           

SL        -No Class Today

M 6                  Labor Day - No Classes

W 8                  Elevation

F 10                  Elevation

M 13     WH       -30-second Speeches on “Why I Should Be Class President”

                        -Creation of Class Leadership Team

-A Story of the World (including Universal Themes)

                        -Landmarks

                        -Discussion of Study Guide Expectations

                        -Explain Class Threads

            WL       -Discuss Literary Devices

                        -Preview of The Illiad by Homer

                        An Explanation, Activity and Game to Prepare to Enter the Trojan War

W 15     WH       -Landmarks Gauntlet!

                        -Discuss Encyclopedic vs. Philosophic Questioning

           

            WL       -Colloquium on Books 1-8 of The Illiad

F 17      WH       -Lecture and Discussion on Chapters 2-5 of “Heroes of History”

                        -Highlights of the Eastern World

            WL       -Colloquium on Books 9-14 of The Illiad

            SL        -Colloquium on Three Cups of Tea by Mortenson

                        -Overview of Social Leadership

                        -Introduction to the Course
                        -Mentor Meetings

*M 20   WH       -In-Class Reading of Eastern religious excerpts (handed out beginning of class)

                        -Discussion on Eastern Religious Views

            WL       -Grammar Workshop #1

                       

W 22     WH       -Lecture and Discussion on Chapter 6 of “Heroes of History”

                        -Discussion on key differences between East and West (Diagram #1)

            WL       -Colloquium on Remainder (Books 15-24) of The Illiad

F 24      WH       -Lecture and Discussion on Chapters 7-8 of “Heroes of History”

                        -Small Group Assessment of the famous Funeral Oration

            WL       -Preview of The Odyssey by Homer

An Explanation, Activity and Game to Prepare to Take the Long Journey Home

And a Discussion on Where the Trojans Went

            SL        -Submit and Discuss Assignment #1
                         -Colloquium: "Three Cups of Tea"
                         -Dr. Groft gives Assignment #2

*M 27   WH       -Overview and Diagramming of Ancient Greece (Diagram #2)

                        -Study Guide Triads #1

            WL       -Grammar Workshop #2

W 29     WH       -Lecture and Discussion on Chapters 9-10 of “Heroes of History”

                        -Discussion on the Rise and “first” Fall of Rome     

            WL       -Colloquium on Books 1-12 of The Odyssey

October

F 1       WH       -Speeches           (Student Presentation #1 that must have at least one memorized

sentence that comes from a famous speech or written work.)

“This Republic is Soon to Fall” [Cicero]

                                                “A Case (for/against) the Murder of Caesar” [Brutus or Marc Antony]

                                                “A Case (for/against) Empire” [Caesar or Cicero]

                                                “The Roman Road Ahead” [Publius Valerius crying from the dust]

                                                “Children of the State or Men of the Republic” [Augustulus or Arelius]

                                                (This is also Creative Work #1)

                        -Hand out Simulation #1 for Monday

            WL       -Student-Led Discussion on “How to Come up with Good Ideas for Essays, Short Stories

and Poetry”

-Small Group Drawing Table

            SL        -Discuss Assignment #2
                         -Dr. Groft gives Assignment #3

*M 4     WH       -Simulation #1

            WL       -Grammar Workshop #3

W 6      WH       -Lecture and Discussion on Chapters 11-12 of “Heroes of History”

                        -The Empire and the so-called Pax Romana

            WL       -Colloquium on the Remainder (Books 13-24) of The Odyssey

                        -Peer Review Essay #1 is Due Friday

F 8       WH       -In-Class Reading of “The Fall of Rome” by Durant (handed out beginning of class)

            WL       -Present Peer Review Essay #1 to Peers for a grade

                        -See that it is published by the end of the day

            SL        -Short Presentations on Assignment #3
                         -Dr. Groft gives Assignment #4

*M 11   WH       -Presentation of Memorization Pieces #2 (1-3 minutes each)

                        -Memorized Pieces should come from great speeches, sermons or plays. It would be ideal

if those pieces were found in Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” or “Antony and Cleopatra” or from Plutarch’s “Lives”

            WL       -Grammar Workshop #4

                        -Short Story or Poetry Piece #1 Due on Wednesday

                       

W 13     WH       -Lecture and Discussion on Chapters 13-14 of “Heroes of History”

                        -The Pathway to the Medieval West

            WL       -Presentation of Short Story or Poetry Piece #1 to Peers for a Grade

                        -See that it is published by the end of the day

F 15      WH       -Overview and Diagramming of Ancient Rome (Diagram #3)

                        -Study Guide Triads #2

            WL       -Colloquium on Books 1-3 of the Aeneid by Virgil

            SL        -Discuss Assignment #4
                         -Dr. Groft gives Assignment #5

M 18     WH       -Review and Timeline Exercises

            WL       -Triads work together on Drafts of Mid-term Essay

                        -Mid-term Essay Due Wednesday

W 20     WH       -Midterm Exam (In-Class)

           

            WL       -Final Read-Through and Revisions of Mid-term Essay in Triads

-Submit Mid-term Essay Electronically to Dr. Groft by the end of Class

F 22                  Fall Break – No Classes

M 25     WH       -Landmarks Gauntlet!

WL       -Dr. Groft will Return Mid-term Essay with either a Grade or a Request for Further Revisions

            -Colloquium on Books 4-6 of The Aeneid

W 27     WH       -Lecture and Discussion on Chapter 1 of “The Roots of American Order” by Kirk

                        -The Order vs. Freedom Tightrope in Civilization

                        -Hand out Simulation #2 for Friday

            WL       -Colloquium on Books 7-9 of The Aeneid

F 29      WH       -Simulation #2

            WL       -Colloquium on Books 10-12 of The Aeneid

            SL        -Short Discussion on Assignment #5
                         -Colloquium on "Do Hard Things"
                         -Dr. Groft gives Assignment #6

November

*M 1     WH       -In-Class Eastern Poetry Readings (handed out beginning of class)

            WL       Grammar Workshop #5

W 3      WH       -Lecture and Discussion on Chapter 2 of “Roots”

                        -Our Biblical Heritage

            WL       -Student Presentations (4-6 min.) on:

“How to Understand Greek and Roman Literature”

“Odysseys and Travails Then and Now”

“Statesmen of Tomorrow (Need/Don’t Need) Ancient Literature”

F 5       WH       -Speeches           (Student Presentation #2 that must have at least one memorized

sentence that comes from a famous speech or written work. 4-6 min.)

“Remembering our Biblical Roots”

“There is a Chance for Something New”

“Our National Book Teaches (For/Against) Separation”

“We Must Take the Best of East and West to Build a New Nation”

(This is also Creative Work #2)

            WL       -Lecture and Discussion on The Introduction of Beowulf

            SL        -Guest Lecturer: Meghen Muyanja
                         -Discuss Assignment #6
                         -Dr. Groft gives Assignment #7

*M 8     WH       -Investigations in Historical Fiction

                                    -Persian Wars

                                    -Peloponnesian Wars

                                    -Alexander’s Conquests and the Helenization of the World

            WL       Grammar Workshop #6

W 10     WH       -Lecture and Discussion on Chapter 3 of “Roots”

                        -Our Greek Heritage

            WL       -In-Class Short Story Creation Workshop

F 12      WH       -Overview and Diagramming of Ancient Greece (Diagramming #4)

                        -Study Guide Triads #3

            WL       -Colloquium on Beowulf

                        -Peer Reviewed Essay #2 is Due Wednesday

            SL        -Discuss Assignment #7
                         -Discuss progress on Assignment #8 (Leadership Project)

*M 15   WH       -Presentation of Memorization Pieces #2 (1-3 minutes each)

                        -It is recommended that these be poems that you have written yourself as if you were an

Ancient Chinese Poet, or and Ancient Greek Poet or Playwright. 

(This is also Creative Work #3)

-In-Class Reading of Original Ancient Greek Writings [Plato]

            WL       -Grammar Workshop #7

W 17     WH       -Lecture and Discussion on Chapter 4 of “Roots”

                        -Our Roman Heritage

            WL       -Present Peer Review Essays for a Grade in Small Groups

                        -See that your Essay is published by the end of the day

F 19      WH       -Short In-Class Reading of Original Roman Writings [Livy]

            -Geography of the Ancient West (Activity)

WL       -Colloquium on The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer

            SL        -No Class Today or Mentor Meetings Today
                         -Work on Assignment #8

*M 22   WH       -Overview and Diagramming of Ancient Rome (Diagramming #5)

                        -Study Guide Triads #4

            WL       Grammar Workshop #8

W 24     Thanksgiving Break – No Class

F 26      Thanksgiving Break – No Class

M 29     WH       -In-Class Reading [Durant]

            WL       -“My Own Finish” Activity

December

W 1      WH       -Lecture and Discussion on Chapter 5 of “Roots”

                        -Our Christian Heritage

                        -Hand out Simulation #3 for Friday [Nicea]

            WL       -Student Presentations on “Whole, Healing, Bent and Broken Stories”

F 3       WH       -Simulation #3

            WL       -Colloquium on Ivanhoe (Assigned chapters TBA)

            SL        -Colloquium TBA

M 6      WH       -In-Class Reading on Middle Ages

            WL       -Colloquium on Ivanhoe (Assigned chapters TBA)

W 8      WH       -Quick Response Activity

                        -Study Guide Triads #5

            WL       -Colloquium on Ivanhoe (Assigned chapters TBA)

F 10      WH       -Lecture and Discussion on Chapter 6 of “Roots”

                        -The Light and Dark of our Medieval Heritage

            WL       -Colloquium on Ivanhoe (Assigned chapters TBA)

            SL        -Presentations on Assignment #8 (This is your Final Exam)

M 13     WH       -Overview and Diagramming of The Ancient West (Diagramming #6)

-Small Group Discussions on choosing Best 5 Philosophic Questions and Best 20 Encyclopedic Questions

            WL       -Working in Triads on Final Term Paper

                        -Please bring a finished draft for peer review and editing

W 15     WH       -Submit Best 5 Philosophic Questions and Best 20 Encyclopedic Questions to Dr. Groft

-Small Group Oral Exams

3-HOUR PROCTORED EXAM TAKEN AND SUBMITTED TO DR. GROFT

            WL       -Final Read-Through and Revisions of Term Essay in Triads

-Submit Term Essay Electronically to Dr. Groft by the end of Class

           

F 17      WH       -Class Debrief and Discussion of Moments (Best, Funniest, Most Embarrasing, etc…)

            WL       -YouTube As Literature? (Activity…Rules will be explained by Dr. Groft)

Week of September 6, 2010

INSTRUCTIONS:

Any Assignments, Ideas, Annotations, Epiphanies, Comments, Questions, etc... for this entire week go here.

PLEASE label whatever you post at the beginning of your post so that we know what of the above (or other) categories it belongs to.

ALSO label what class it is for.

For Example:

Some Random Comments for World History from Bob Jones:
[then type whatever you want]

or

Andy Groft's Notes and Ideas from Chapter 1 of The Illiad (World Lit):
[then paste them from your word processor here]

or

Kira Edwards just checking in with ALL of the WA Upperclassmen:
[type here]

or

James Simmerman's Poetry Assignment #1 for World Literature:

ETC...

-Dr. Groft