Tuesday September 11 2013

Today's block order is E F G H

E/F   Block Criminology 12

Today we looked at a couple of different topics within Criminology. The first discussion was on what is a crime? Most of the students agreed on the definition of 'something that breaks the law'. We discussed what a criminal is next. And the class agreed that anybody who breaks the law is a criminal. We talked about the connotations of being labeled a criminal.
I proposed to the class that we are all criminals for downloading movies or music from the internet for free. This sparked a fierce debate as to the definition of a criminal. So we reworked the definition but could not come to an agreement on what a criminal really is.
This will be a precursor to our discussion on Hagan's Varieties of Deviance next week.
Students then discussed the role of mental illness in criminality.
The students then used their phones or laptops to take a personality test on the following website:
http://similarminds.com/personality_disorder.html

Once the students took the 50 question quiz, they were asked to do the following with their resuts:
-write down the top three personality traits
-write a description of the three
-explain whether the quiz is accurate
-does it describe their personality

Post this to their blogs.

G Block   Socials 10

 Started out by collecting the map of Canada that was assigned last class.
Next we did a quick review of latitude and longitude which was followed up by a worksheet reinforcing what we had just discussed. Most students had a pretty good idea of how to do this.
We then had a discussion on Scale.
I went over a few examples of how to convert a R/F scale and then the students were given a worksheet to practice on. Again, most of the students understood the concept and had little difficulty.
Next class we will work on The Five Principles of Geography.

H Block   Socials 9

Collected the map of Canada that was assigned last class. We are starting the first chapter of the year and it happens to be a look at the Modern Age. We discussed the word Change. The students created a top ten list of inventions/inventors.
We discussed this list and examined the impact some of these inventions have had on our lives. Next the students watched a youtube clip on inventions.
I handed out a worksheet on Chapter 1 that the students worked on for the remainder of class. It is not due next class. Students will have a bit more time to work on it.

Monday September 9 2013

Today's block order A B C D

B Block  SS9

Today we had a What do we know about Canada Quiz. Some of you did very well. After that we started on a map of Canada.
 The map must include:- Provinces/Territories
- Capital cities
- Oceans
- colored
- bodies of water outlined
- no pencil
Due next class

Block C/D Law 12

We started the class with a discussion of what is a law? What is the purpose of having laws? Imagine what life would be like if we had not laws. The students decided that life with laws might be interesting but not very fun because of the lawlessness. Anarchy would not be too cool.
Next the discussion moved to where laws come from. The issues of morals and morality was the next topic discussed. Students suggested that our morals come from the following sources:
-parents
-peers
-religion
-school
-media
I shudder at the last one...but its true. The prevalence of the internet has changed society. Finally we discussed such topics as capital punishment/abortions/physically disciplining children....in relation to our individual morals.
The students then did an exercise on page 40 out of their textbooks that outlined how we would react in certain situations based on our morals.
Once that was finished we looked at the Criminal code and I gave the students an exercise that had them exploring how to use it.
Good day!

Week 1

Sorry for the late posts guys. I have been a little slow to shake off the summer slumber. This blog post will summarize all of week 1 for each class.

Socials 9

We did a Canada quiz to see how much background information the students had on their country. I'm excited to say that we have lots to learn. Who knew our national debt was over $616 Billion!!!
We started working on a Canada map last class. The map must include:
- Provinces/Territories
- Capital cities
- Oceans
- colored
- bodies of water outlined
- no pencil

Law 12

We got a chance to get to know each other a little better with the ever popular human bingo! Next we had a chance to discuss what the year will look like...assignments/projects and field trips.

Socials 10

We did a Canada quiz to see how much background information the students had on their country. I'm excited to say that we have lots to learn. We discussed some of the obstacles students have faced in achieving a top mark. Also, we had a frank discussion on what the students wanted to see more of and what they wanted to see less of in class. As I promised, I will try to include some of your suggestions into my planning for the coming units.
We started working on a Canada map last class. The map must include:
- Provinces/Territories
- Capital cities
- Oceans
- colored
- bodies of water outlined
- no pencil

Crim 12

We discussed what the year will look like. I also stated my expectation for the students who have enrolled in this class. Being an elective that you have chosen, my goal is to challenge my students to produce their best work.
We discussed some of the topics that will be covered in class. Also the students created their own personal blogs. They will use these blogs to post some of their assigned work in class. Most students chose the following:
-Blogspot
-Tumblir
-Wordpress
-Blogger

Research Paper

Today we continued to work on your research paper. I am seeing some great progress in some of your papers. We looked at a sample paper. I gave the class a copy of it. Make sure to use it as a reference because it can be very useful.
Getting close to the end!

Research Paper

The last two classes we have worked in the computer lab on your research papers. Most of you have your working thesis statement and are now well into your research. Your research is what will make your paper. You need to commit a good deal of time finding multiple articles/books and journals that will facilitate your ability to write this paper. I need to have your final copy of the assignment due on Thursday June 13. No lates...no exceptions!
You will have the rest of the week to work on this project. Remember to reference any and all sources you are using.

Research Paper

Today we started the much anticipated research paper. The project will be our last assignment of the year. Think of it as your term paper as there will be no final exam.
Our discussion was based around finding a suitable topic to write about. Find something that interests you. Here are some possible topics that you might want to consider:

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Capital punishment 

Guns and violence

TV and Violence 

Prison Systems…do tougher sentences work?

Race and punishment in the Criminal justice system 

Use of eye-witness testimony

Racial Profiling 

War on Drugs

Marijuana ….legalizing drugs 

Broken window policy and the reduction of crime  New York

Pornography and its effects on society  (Sexual Assault) 

Social Class and crime

Race and crime 

Education and Crime

Are men more criminal than women

Once you have your topic we need to focus on your thesis. As discussed in class, make sure your thesis is disputable, focused and relevant. I handed out a package that will help you make sense of what to do. By next class I want you to have a workable thesis in place. From there we will look at how to properly reference using the APA format.

 Here is the website for the APA stuff I was talking about:

http://www.wright.edu/~martin.maner/rptemp.htm

Organized Crime

Today the different groups presented their findings on the different organized crime groups...some interesting information and some interesting choices. We then continued the discussion on what should the response be of the police. What can the police do to curb the rampant gang violence that we hear about on the news on a nightly basis. The following two videos illustrate what the police in the lower mainland are doing to combat gang violence.

Then we started a preliminary discussion on our year end research project....more to follow on Tuesday.