The full title of the book by Alexandra Robbins is The Geeks Shall Inherit The Earth: Popularity, Quirk Theroy and Why Outsiders Thrive After High School. A huge amount of material to cover is a small book. It is a quick read and sometimes a bit too simplified but a good book for parents, educators, and adults in general.
Robbins uses the case study as the general structure for the book. By examining each of the parts, she wants to call attention to fact that there are numerous "types" in schools the fall in some way out of the "norm." she points out that being in the most "popular" group does not exclude a person from humiliation and bullying. It takes on a different form but in general kids can be unkind to one another.
There are the stereotypes and many typical descriptions that sometimes are too funny on TV sitcoms but in real life the humor is missing. Some are creative, shy kids who are more loners and less social than others. She notes that many of these could also be doing very well in class work which adds another problem of the being the smart kid. There are numerous examples of adult intervention that added to the problem and some times was the problem.
If you are interested in a introduction to a variety of teenage types, this book is a start. The moral of the storybis that all the various types will make it and many do quite well as a result if the challenges and problem solving. Not that she recommends bad things happening to kids. There is much in the book that calls atention to some of the little things that can be harmful and hurtful.
We continue to concerned with bullying. We will continue to stress that all students deserve a safe and healthy learning environment. As students, parents and adults we need to be aware and do our part to protect each other.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Statue and Glockenspiel in New Ulm
With a short drive south of Minneqapolis one steps back in time and onto a new continent and country-- Germany. Complete with Oktoberfest and sauerkraut. The town was founded in1854 by the German Land Society. There are three German festival celebrated annually - Fasching, a sort of German Mardi Gras; Heritagefest inJuly honoring all things German and Oktoberfest.
When visiting New Ulm two sights are the copper statue of Hermann Armeniis of Cherusci. He is a 32-ft statue on top of a 70-ft pedestal created in 1897. The second landmark is the town's glockenspiel situated below the 37-bell carillon tower. Three times a day, every day, a dozen mechanical figures pop out of the clock. Numerous shops and restaurants make for a pleasant visit.
Personal Project possibility: what is your heritage? Is there a local around here than celebrates that heritage? What are your family customs and rituals? Can you document your families' movement from the old world to this new land and finally into Minneapolis?
When visiting New Ulm two sights are the copper statue of Hermann Armeniis of Cherusci. He is a 32-ft statue on top of a 70-ft pedestal created in 1897. The second landmark is the town's glockenspiel situated below the 37-bell carillon tower. Three times a day, every day, a dozen mechanical figures pop out of the clock. Numerous shops and restaurants make for a pleasant visit.
Personal Project possibility: what is your heritage? Is there a local around here than celebrates that heritage? What are your family customs and rituals? Can you document your families' movement from the old world to this new land and finally into Minneapolis?
Volunteers Needed Great Community Sevice
The new wall at the front entrance of the high school on 47th is almost complete. Now is the time to prepare the soil, move existing plants and plant new items. We need you help this week. Trying to get things moving prior to the return of really hot.
A person with landscape expertise will e there to direct the work. We need volunteers to finish the project.
For exact time and dates this week, please email me.
A person with landscape expertise will e there to direct the work. We need volunteers to finish the project.
For exact time and dates this week, please email me.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Merit Scholars from Southwest
MINNEAPOLIS – Two more Minneapolis Public Schools students on July 11 were named National Merit Scholars. In total, four MPS students received National Merit Scholarships and 11 students were named National Merit semifinalists during the 2010-2011 school year.
Dylan M. Pfandler and Matt L. Sikkink-Johnson, both of Southwest High School, were among approximately 8,300 students nationwide honored with National Merit Scholarships sponsored by colleges and universities this year. Officials of each sponsor college selected their scholarship winners from among finalists in the 2011 National Merit Scholarship Program who plan to attend their institution.
Pfandler was selected to receive the National Merit Knox College Scholarship. Sikkink-Johnson was selected to receive the National Merit Carleton College Scholarship. These awards provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship.
Pfandler, Sikkink-Johnson and more than 1,700 college-sponsored Merit Scholarship winners announced today are a part of the distinguished group of approximately 8,300 high school seniors of 2011 who will receive National Merit Scholarships for college undergraduate study worth nearly $35 million. Announced earlier this spring were winners of two other types of National Merit Scholarships – corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards and National Merit $2500 Scholarships.
Dylan M. Pfandler and Matt L. Sikkink-Johnson, both of Southwest High School, were among approximately 8,300 students nationwide honored with National Merit Scholarships sponsored by colleges and universities this year. Officials of each sponsor college selected their scholarship winners from among finalists in the 2011 National Merit Scholarship Program who plan to attend their institution.
Pfandler was selected to receive the National Merit Knox College Scholarship. Sikkink-Johnson was selected to receive the National Merit Carleton College Scholarship. These awards provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship.
Pfandler, Sikkink-Johnson and more than 1,700 college-sponsored Merit Scholarship winners announced today are a part of the distinguished group of approximately 8,300 high school seniors of 2011 who will receive National Merit Scholarships for college undergraduate study worth nearly $35 million. Announced earlier this spring were winners of two other types of National Merit Scholarships – corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards and National Merit $2500 Scholarships.
The Weather Great Topic
In the matter of one week - seven short days - outside can change up and down 40 degrees. It can move from dangerous storms to beautiful, low humidity days. Shorts, long sleeves, rain gear and a sun hat are all appropriate wear on such days. If you wait an hour it will change.
According to some studies the actual prediction of future weather is less than one out of three chances of being correct. The further out - more than 24 hours - the prediction the less likely will be the success rate. Now that is an almost perfect job- being right less than a third of the time and people still listen to you.
But what about weather ( limited of course) being your Personal Project or Extended Essay topic. The summer is an interesting three month study or going to the end of the year a a six month study. There are books to read, people to interview and live conditions to watch. What makes for a reliable prediction? Are there any good weather person jokes? Why and how did that famous TV weather person get his/her position?
While sitting at the lake or catching some rays or a break from a good book, you could be making a journal entry about the weather. Your Personal Project.
According to some studies the actual prediction of future weather is less than one out of three chances of being correct. The further out - more than 24 hours - the prediction the less likely will be the success rate. Now that is an almost perfect job- being right less than a third of the time and people still listen to you.
But what about weather ( limited of course) being your Personal Project or Extended Essay topic. The summer is an interesting three month study or going to the end of the year a a six month study. There are books to read, people to interview and live conditions to watch. What makes for a reliable prediction? Are there any good weather person jokes? Why and how did that famous TV weather person get his/her position?
While sitting at the lake or catching some rays or a break from a good book, you could be making a journal entry about the weather. Your Personal Project.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Wabash a Street Caves historical tours
Need some weekend adventure and some history of the area and as a bonus, fun. Check out the Wabasha Street Caves. There is an informative web sit - www.wabashastreetcaves.com - with calendar of events, times and costs.
According to the web site:
Check out the Summer tour schedule on the Calendar (Memorial Weekend to Labor Day Weekend)! This year we are doing 2 Saint Paul Gangster Tours each Saturday and also adding the Ghost & Graves Tour. Learn the meaning of headstones, and hear the stories of haunted places in Saint Paul. It's fun, educational, and also a little bizzarre. Narrated by one of our spookier characters. Booo~
If you are doing a Personal Project this has potential. There is lots of history in the area. How about developing your own tour book with descriptions and pictures. Many could be right in your biking or walking distance.
According to the web site:
Check out the Summer tour schedule on the Calendar (Memorial Weekend to Labor Day Weekend)! This year we are doing 2 Saint Paul Gangster Tours each Saturday and also adding the Ghost & Graves Tour. Learn the meaning of headstones, and hear the stories of haunted places in Saint Paul. It's fun, educational, and also a little bizzarre. Narrated by one of our spookier characters. Booo~
If you are doing a Personal Project this has potential. There is lots of history in the area. How about developing your own tour book with descriptions and pictures. Many could be right in your biking or walking distance.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Southwest Soccer Camp Aug. 1 - 4 Grades 4-9
Have plans for the first week of August? One great option is the annual Southwest High School soccer camp at Southwest High School Stadium.
Its a great chance to meet and learn soccer from the coaches of Southwest high school mens and womens soccer, as well as from some of the best high school soccer players in MN (2010 State Boys finalists). Support Minneapolis soccer while providing your kids with great Minneapolis youth role models.
Registration form attached. We accept registrations even up to day of camp. But we greatly appreciate pre-registration. Please forward this to any kids you think might be interested. Thanks much for supporting Minneapolis soccer.
For Who: Boys and Girls: Entering grades 4 – 9 (Fall 2011).
When: August 1st through the 4th (Mon-Thur), 2011, 1:00 – 3:30 PM.
Where: Minneapolis Southwest High School Stadium
@ 48th Street and Abbott.
Led by: Southwest Lakers Head Boys Soccer Coach Jamie Plaisance & Head Girls Coach Colette Montgomery & the Lakers Varsity Captains.
What to bring: Water and a ball.
Cost: $80
Typical soccer week-long camps cost $120 - $140. Our camp costs less because most the trainers are volunteer high school soccer players. Revenue from these camps help Southwest High School soccer pay for the referees, transportation, and other costs for the 2011 Fall Soccer season.
Its a great chance to meet and learn soccer from the coaches of Southwest high school mens and womens soccer, as well as from some of the best high school soccer players in MN (2010 State Boys finalists). Support Minneapolis soccer while providing your kids with great Minneapolis youth role models.
Registration form attached. We accept registrations even up to day of camp. But we greatly appreciate pre-registration. Please forward this to any kids you think might be interested. Thanks much for supporting Minneapolis soccer.
For Who: Boys and Girls: Entering grades 4 – 9 (Fall 2011).
When: August 1st through the 4th (Mon-Thur), 2011, 1:00 – 3:30 PM.
Where: Minneapolis Southwest High School Stadium
@ 48th Street and Abbott.
Led by: Southwest Lakers Head Boys Soccer Coach Jamie Plaisance & Head Girls Coach Colette Montgomery & the Lakers Varsity Captains.
What to bring: Water and a ball.
Cost: $80
Typical soccer week-long camps cost $120 - $140. Our camp costs less because most the trainers are volunteer high school soccer players. Revenue from these camps help Southwest High School soccer pay for the referees, transportation, and other costs for the 2011 Fall Soccer season.
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