Thoughts about my Highschool so far.

[Chanku]

Alright so, now that I am in high school, I just thought I would write what I thought about it, at least my school.

So it seems okay, better than middle school I can surely say. One difference is that we can go outside, in between classes or during lunch. One thing I find nice is that I do have a little bit more freedom than I did in middle school. I also have Okay teachers, and bad ones. Alright so the classes that I have (in order) are:
1) English 1 honors
2) Computer Applications (Semester 1)/Marketing (Semester 2)
3) Algebra 1 honors
4) Theater 1
5) Wellness - P (Semester 1)/ Wellness - H (Semester 2)
6) Biology 1 honors
7) World History 1 honors
I'm also on the Pathway so I can learn programing. For those who don't use pathways at their school it's our 'life pathway' and we take classes according to the pathway we choose. We can change our pathway up until after our sophomore year. You HAVE to choose one. I have a story on this.

Anywho for the Classes that aren't 'Core' for those who don't know:
Comp. Applications - Teaches us to use Microsoft Office (Have a story on this), and typing (To an extent)

Marketing - Not exactly sure, something about managing money

Theater 1 - We learn about Theater in general (Have a couple stories with this class)

Wellness - P: Gym. Except we have to write a report at the end. (Have a note on this)

Wellness - H: Not exactly sure.

I also have a few other stories about other classes.

Anywho the food itself is Okay, considering on Even days for lunch we can get either: Mexican, Chinese, or Dominoes(Pizza).

Our schedule uses a Block Schedule, (even periods one day, odd periods the next). And we have 3 lunches, our 4/5 period decides which lunch we get: 1st lunch- Go to lunch before 4/5 period. 2nd lunch- Go to class, goes to lunch, then back to class 3rd lunch- Near the end of class.

Now the stories:

Computer Applications is a basic and unneeded class for those on the programing pathway. It teaches us the basics about using Microsoft office. I mean seriously. If the teacher is instructing then we can't work ahead or get in trouble. So the class itself goes rather slow. The teacher is nice though. She also tends to let us listen to music while we do our work. However she won't let us go on any other sites once we've finished without her permission.

Theater 1 is cool, we learn about theater in general and sometimes we watch TV shows or movies (Monty Python and the Holy Grail anyone?)
The teacher is rather nice.

Wellness - P is well torture. I think it's their form of 'breaking' us. They make us work out for a good period of the class, then we play a 'game' for the remainder. Thank-fully they let us get water if we need it.

World History is awesome my teacher is rather laid back, and doesn't teach often, we have already watched a few shows, and a movie. He is rather laid back and nice. I also introduced him to the Civilization Series.

Biology is well, okay, I don't like the teacher though. She asks for our opinions and once when I was asked what I would change about the school I brought up democratic schooling(which she views as unsustainable). When I brought up removing the Pathway system she replied "How will they track which classes you have." I nearly face-palmed. I felt like saying "They way they did it before the Pathway system, by keeping record of what classes you asked to take." Of course another student mentioned allowing a student to choose more than one pathway. I also mentioned having an open campus, and she said it was for safety. Well if it's MY free period, then why can't I leave campus, as long as I return on time? Other schools do it.

My spectrum teacher is awesome though. He's rather liberal with his teaching, he's planning on retiring due to the fact that the school system is going down-hill and all of the stuff that has been 'stuffed' into it. He doesn't care what we do on the computers in there, as long as we don't hack the school. I feel like me and him are going to get along rather fine.

The male principals seem nice, it's the females that tend to be colder. So that's nice. I don't have to worry about those two in two years anyway.

Alright so now story-time!
Once I was under the pavilion (We have a pavilion outside at the 'court-yard') at lunch with a few of my friends having fun, and then this guy comes over and says, "I have to come here ever day..." After that I really didn't listen. All of the people there agreed, that he DOESN'T HAVE to go down there every day, but chooses too.

Anyway my school is okay, not the best, but it's only my first year. This is my school...

Edit: Yes I know you don't care about my schedule, but I thought I'd list it anyway. Just do get an idea.

Also Anyone here heard of Channel 1? A 'News' network for 'teens' Even though it's only about 5-10 mins. and it's rather watered down, and has about 5 or so 'stories.'

[Driklir]

Never heard of channel 1 and good luck in school.

[brainiac3397]

The only channel 1 I know about is NY 1, which is the public news channel for NYC.

[James Comey]

http://www.channelone.com/

I don't read it though, I just read BBC or quite literally any other site for the same news but even better coverage.

[Chanku]

(09-27-2013 01:01 PM)Driklir Wrote:  Never heard of channel 1 and good luck in school.

Okay

(09-28-2013 01:28 AM)Hansgrohe Wrote:  http://www.channelone.com/

I don't read it though, I just read BBC or quite literally any other site for the same news but even better coverage.

Thanks for the site. I knew there was one, I just didn't care to look it up. I agree about the better coverage thing too.

[Chanku]

Bump.......I forgot about this thread....Xcrit reminded me. Anywho, I guess I'll do a quick update:
My math teacher is trying to get me 'more engaged' in class, even though I got a rather high score on the Midterm. I don't really like my English teacher as when she has not specified what to do(when we are in a computer lab mind you) when we are done with the task, and I get on some forums, she calls me out. Sometimes when she's going over something, that I already know(or I get bored) I'll go and work on something short until she moves on. Although I don't see the point in calling me out in class if she wants to teach. Why take the time to call me out then to let me do my own thing. I also felt like standing up and asking her, "why", although I bit my tongue(as I feel she was already pissed at me). Anywho Gym SUCKED. Although I'm in Wellness - H and it seems rather laid back.

[xcriteria]

It might be interesting to hear "why," if you find a way to ask in a respectful and non-threatening manner. (Maybe after class.)

And, multiple or custom pathways would make a lot of sense for at least some students.

Are you taking Marketing? What's that like?

[Chanku]

I am in marketing, even though it's not on my pathway. Something tells me that the other classes were full(or full-year). Anywho we haven't done much so I really don't know yet.

[xcriteria]

Here's a Google Hangout with Daymond John from Shark Tank... organized by a high school marketing teacher...

(If you haven't seen Shark Tank, this article from James Altucher is worth checking out: Ten Lessons I Learned from Shark Tank.)

It's really fascinating how the lines between everything are blurring. You can go online and learn from other high school teachers (not to mention college professors and a range of other people.) So if your your teachers aren't doing anything... there are lots of options.



Watch on YouTube

This is why it just makes sense to allow custom pathways ("personal learning plans"), which students can piece together themselves, with help from people in their school, or with consultants from anywhere on the planet. Learning works best when it's customized, plain and simple.

The state of Vermont is already requiring schools to do this:

Educators Brainstorm Ways To Create Personal Learning Plans

Quote:The new law calls for every student in grades 7-12 to create, with adult help, a personal learning plan based on that student’s interests and ambitions. The so-called PLP must include not just a list of courses leading to a job or career, but also experiences outside the classroom. Tom Alderman directs the secondary and adult division at the Agency of Education. He says students must be at the center of this planning process. And he says the school day may have to be completely re-designed to make time for one-one-one meetings with teachers or counselors.

“It’s a very big shift but it appears to me to be one that most of the folks, the professionals in our schools, and parents and community members are ready to take on,” Alderman said.

So, if the state of Vermont, why not your school?

[Chanku]

Well we have only had two classes(and one of them was only 30 min.) however it seems fun.

[Falsalm]

I thought all highschools let the kids go off campus for lunch. I live right across from my highschool so me and my friends just go to my house for lunch

[James Comey]

Definitely not my school, and a lot of schools in general.

[Chanku]

Alright so I have another report, today my teacher called me up and asked why I wasn't standing during the pledge, and I said due to my beliefs, she then asked what they were, and she said that she has never had someone not stand-up during the pledge when it went against their beliefs, and asked if I would stand next time. The reason why I didn't stand was because of the fact that by standing I feel more inclined to follow. Besides if I'm not going to say it, I'd rather not stand as there would be little point as I'd rather sit(I like sitting). She then got on me for writing a Lua script before she gave any instruction and told me that if I didn't stop, she'd take away my computer privileges and I'd get a 0 when ever we(the class) does something in the classroom. She also called anyone not knowing bible stories ignorant, or stupid, and then gave us projects on old-testament figures, which also offends my beliefs a bit(the exact specifications is a different story in a different thread).

Anywho my two questions are:

• Can she make me stand for the pledge?
• Can she take away the computer privileges knowing that I would get a Zero on several projects?
  

Anywho, also I'm not sure if I should do the Project or not, however that is less of an issue.

[Ky]

(01-14-2014 08:52 AM)Chanku Wrote:  Alright so I have another report, today my teacher called me up and asked why I wasn't standing during the pledge, and I said due to my beliefs, she then asked what they were, and she said that she has never had someone not stand-up during the pledge when it went against their beliefs, and asked if I would stand next time. The reason why I didn't stand was because of the fact that by standing I feel more inclined to follow. Besides if I'm not going to say it, I'd rather not stand as there would be little point as I'd rather sit(I like sitting). She then got on me for writing a Lua script before she gave any instruction and told me that if I didn't stop, she'd take away my computer privileges and I'd get a 0 when ever we(the class) does something in the classroom. She also called anyone not knowing bible stories ignorant, or stupid, and then gave us projects on old-testament figures, which also offends my beliefs a bit(the exact specifications is a different story in a different thread).

Anywho my two questions are:

• Can she make me stand for the pledge?
• Can she take away the computer privileges knowing that I would get a Zero on several projects?
  

Anywho, also I'm not sure if I should do the Project or not, however that is less of an issue.

More importantly, can she use the Bible so heavy-handedly in the curriculum? This kind of thing is what makes people hate Christianity - God Himself doesn't seem to want it to be forced, but instead a choice.

The answer is that she can't make you stand for the pledge, but she can give you a zero...though, obviously, that would be a terrible mistake.

[Chanku]

I live in TN, which is in the bible belt(and most of the kids at my school are christians, although she isn't teaching anything about them, and it's up to the students. Not to mention the fact that she is using the same outline as she did Greek mythology) Although I haven't stood for the pledge all year and she calls me out today on it, and she then gave out an assignment on the bible.....weird I'm not sure if it's a coincidence, or not. Although wouldn't giving me a zero, and knowingly put me at a disadvantage me for a 'good education'?

[Ky]

Regardless, you should call her on her bluff. Teachers have never met a student that isn't afraid to fail, and if you could even pretend to be that student, you would present a true threat.

[Chanku]

The thing is, that would require a bit change on my part, as I'm the type of student that just follows the rules because of the fact that well, I keep up a facade, and being blindly obedient is part of it. However the thing is, I'm NOT afraid to fail. Although I wouldn't mind calling her bluff...unless it wasn't a bluff.

[Chanku]

Alright so a little update:
I'm liking my health class, even though we are taking an abstinence thing, which uses 'scientific evidence'. However I find that a contradiction as abstinence does not work. Although some of the things they teach is a load of class(in the regular class). However English isn't so good. One of the kids got onto me for not standing up when the teacher wasn't in the class room saying, "Just because she isn't in here doesn't mean you don't have to stand." My response, "You do realize she can not legally make me stand." Although they had no response. I left my 3ds at school(in heath class). Also Pig Out, which is a little festival thing that happens during homecoming, was a disaster. They decided to do it over the three lunches, instead of merging them, causing third lunch to get the short end of the stick. While the Cafeteria was okay, the rest of the food was not. 99% of the food was gone by the time 3rd lunch began. While the food is okay(the actual food they normally serve) I found it ridiculous that most of the food was gone leaving only a few drinks, and a few things of food left. I seriously want to slap the person who thought of doing that.

[brainiac3397]

Abstinance?

ABSTINANCE?

That's unhuman. God didnt create us with sexual organs and a desire to procreate so we could lock up our genitals beneath layers of fabric and abstain from carrying forth humanity.

Seriously though, abstinance is your best tool against all that nastiness from sex. And remember to get your mate tested(and maybe grab some DNA samples of them...for security purposes.)

[James Comey]

I personally find it ludicrous schools still preach absolute abstinence. People are going to have sex. I'd say it's time to also start stressing about condoms, etc.

[Chanku]

Thanks Hansgrohe, sadly TN is still rather fucked up. Hell schools aren't allowed to teach evolution(well except for colleges). Tennessee is also in the bible belt, and is, as usual, highly conservative. My dad(when he taught(he was a sub and was loved by teachers and students)), would talk about things like that if a student asked him, although the principal at my school(yes, he used to sub there), didn't really like it.

[brainiac3397]

My school never discussed sex. At all.

Seeing that it was a private school owned/managed by a nonprofit organization that was mainly a religious one(interfaith dialogue, peace, all that religious hippy stuff).

A bad call in my idea. Just cause any talk of sex, at all in shool, will not make the reality of it go away. None of the admins would dare speak of it, and teachers associated with the organization would shy above from such topics. Other teachers generally kept low-key about it because the admins were not keen on any talk of it. Even among students!

[Chanku]

Wow Brainiac.

[brainiac3397]

In fact, very few kids knew anything about sex. Not to mention no knowledge about protection. My one friend didnt even realize anyone could buy a condom. It was never discussed suth him at home or school, so when I mentioned during some conversation about buying condoms from a local store, he was actually in disbelief

I guess from the lack of discussion of the topic, he equated condoms with porn, thus taboo and difficult to obtai before 18.

It was a change for me when I got to college, but no surprise. They spoke openly about sex and protection during an orientation event, and told students where they could go to purchase variety of protection for cheap(10 cents a condom for example. They could give it away free but they didnt want people hoarding up the supplies. The price just makes sure people buy what they need, not what they want, along with providing some cash for the office for their events and what not).

My family never discussed sex either, but I guess they dont need to anymore since I did figure it all out a while back, and im sure they were aware of it.

[James Comey]

^ Wow.