English I:

1) Final Project: Please see the rubric for “My Media Project” by clicking on the English tab (http://www.somersetvirtualacademy.com/?page_id=7).  Also, let me try to explain

I don’t know if February 14th is also Valentine’s Day internationally, but in the US, it’s a day of “love”.  Yep, just one day.  We don’t want to get too carried away.

Also, before I go any farhter, I just wanted to tell you HOW IMPRESSED I WAS with your video diary projects.  They were amazingly thoughtful and visually pretty impressive.  They made me feel really close to you all as students and individuals.  Hopefully, one day I can visit Soria and see it for myself.  In the meantime, you made me so happy to get to know your lives.  You all should be really proud of your hard work…

English I Updates:

1) You should have finished Module 7 lessons yesterday.  If you haven’t, please login and do that as soon as possible to complete the lessons.

2) You have two weeks to complete your final Module of the semester (Module 8)…by Sunday, February 27th.

3) You final project will be due by that Friday, March 4th (see rubric on the English I webpage titled: “MyMediaProject”).  This will be you “final exam” for the semester along with your final oral examination covering the Burlington English lessons from the past semester.

American History:

Many of you have heard my pleas lous and clear and have really respond by submitting many more assignments.  Still, many of you are still behind the recommended pace.  You have worked so hard throughout the semester, but DON’T LET UP NOW…You still have a lot to do in the next three weeks before the semester ends…so keep focused and don’t procrastinate!  The recommended pace should have you moving into Module 5 right now…are YOU there yet?

Skype me!  Email me!  Whatever you need!

~Mr. M

Yesterday marked exactly one month to the day before our semester ends (March 6).  If you have been procrastinating in completing your assignments, now is the time to get focused and get to work.

Updates:

English I:

1) By the end of this week (Friday, Feb. 11), you need to schedule a 10 minute oral examination with me.  We will simply discuss your video project.  Not scheduling the oral exam will result in a zero, so please make sure to do so.  I’m willing to be flexible to ensure it fits into your schedule, but you must contact me.

2) If possible, please upload your videos to youtube and send me the link to view.  The movies were created in a million different video formats, some of which I am unable to view.  Just to be safe, I recommend doing this ASAP.

3) Module 7 is open and should be completed by this Sunday, February 13th by 11:59pm, Soria.You will have three weeks to complete Module 8 (which will be the last of the semester)

American History:

This is the class where many of you are behind the recommended pace (finishing Module 4/beginning Module 5).  However, some of you are still yet to even complete your Discussion-Based Assessment for Module 2.  No matter what your grade is now, you risk failing the course if you do not pick up the pace.  I know many of the assignments can be a bit difficult and tricky.  But please Skype/email me and we can work together to help you achieve at the highest possible level.

If you need a bit of motivation, I hope this gets you fired up! FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEDOM!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLrrBs8JBQo

~Mr. M

Hope all finds you well…Some important updates as always

American History:

By this coming Sunday, it is recommended that you will have completed Module 5.04…As of now, Nacho Portero is the farthest along…and he is in Module 4.  Some of you, ahem, ahem, have not even completed Module 1!!!!  Remember, the semester ends March 6, and you need to have completed all lessons through the first five modules.  Don’t wait too long to catch up!

English 1:

You should have completed Module 6 by yesterday.  Any lesson completed after last night is considered late.  By now, Module 7 is open for learning.  You must complete all modules by Sunday, February 13.

Your video project is due by 11:59pm this coming Sunday, February 6th.  Remember, you can work alone or in groups!  It’s totally up to you.  If you have any questions, please get with me ASAP…

Progress Reports:

I will be sending out Progress Reports this week.  I am asking Mr. Calavia that he forward this information onto your parents so they know how you are doing…

General:

We only have a little more than one month left in the first semester.  Don’t let up yet.  You are getting close to the finish line but still have quite a way to go!  And I’ll be here for you every step of the way if you need any support or assistance…

Best wishes,

DMM

The end of the first semester is quickly approaching and I wanted to encourage you to continue pushing forward with your studies (especially in American History where many of you are very much behind!).  Later this week, I will be sending you your monthly progress reports…

Anyway, here are the updates for your courses…

American History:

By the end of the first semester (first week of March), you will need to have finished all lessons through Module 5!  Many of you are still only in Module 2. This needs to change immediately.  I am here to help you if you are confused or lost…but you need to communicate with me so we can meet over Skype/Elluminate to get your questions answered.

By the end of this week, you should at least be through Module 4 based on the recommended pacing guide.  Again, I’m here if you need!

English:

1) You have until the end of the night on Sunday the 30th to complete Module 6 in Burlington English.  You may begin Module 7 on Monday (there are only 8 modules, so you are almost complete!)

2) The personal video project is due Sun. February 6th by 11:59pm Soria.  Unfortunately, I lost much of the video clips when my computer crashed and now I have been struggling to learn and use the video editing program on my new computer.  So, I am sorry to say that I will not be able to provide an example BUT I will remember that when I grade your projects.  I will certainly take that into account and grade you fairly!  In order to get the details of the project, if you haven’t already begun, click on the English tab of the website and read through the rubric (Video Diary project).  Email/Skype me with any questions!

Survey:

I am still waiting for many of you to complete the surveys so we can learn about how to improve our program.  Please click on the following link to complete:

http://www.surveyshare.com/s/AQAWUBC

OK…enough for now.  I have been very busy lately trying to get out domestic program up and running, but that doesn’t mean that I am too busy to keep up with you.  Always here, whenever it is!

~Mr. M

I know you’ve had much going recently with the holidays and celebrations.  I, too, have been very busy trying to expand our program to other students such as yourselves.  It has  been such a pleasure to work with you that I want to ensure that other students and teachers throughout the world have the same opportunity:

Updates as always:

English I:

You should have completed Module 5 and begin your work on Module 6.  You have until January 30 to complete all the lessons of Module 6.

Also, your next project is to complete a video diary of your life.  I was going to send you an example last week to assist you with the rubric but my computer crashed and I am having to update all my files.  I will get that to you as soon as I can.  In the meantime, I have pushed back the deadline/due date for the assignment from Jan 30 to FEBRUARY 6th to give you an extra week to complete it.  This assignment should be very fun for you…More to come soon, I promise!

American History:

You should be completing all the lessons and assessments in Module 4 but many of you are very behind.  Just please keep the assessments coming to me and I will try to read, evaluate, and offer feedback as soon as I can…

…Also, don’t forget to schedule your Module 2 Discussion based Assessment with me (oral exam) ASAP on all of the content of that module.

SURVEY:

Also, I am asking that you take a brief moment to complete a survey about your experience with Somerset Academy International.  If you do so within the next week, i will give you five points of extra credit to whatever course (American History or English) of your choosing!  To complete the survey, please click on the link below…

http://www.surveyshare.com/s/AQAWUBC

In the meantime, and as always, you guys are the best.  Skype or email with any questions!

Mr. M

I really hope everyone is doing great following the holidays.  This time of year can be difficult–following the rest and the relaxation of the winter break–but I know you will all rise to the challenge and be extremely successful in your studies.

Here is what to expect:

English I:

1) You have until this Sunday, January 9th to finish all the lessons of Module 5.

2) Your next assignment/project is due on January 30th and it is a video project about your life.  Here is the rubric…and I will discuss it with you all in the coming week: http://www.somersetvirtualacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Video-Diary-Project-English1.pdf

American History:

1) By this Sunday, January 9th, the pacing guide says that you should have completed assessment through about Module 4.03….many of you are still only in Module 2, so there is a lot to catch up on!

2) For the 2.08 assignment, you are supposed to add a post of your own to the Bill of Rights Discussion (in Discussion Area) about an amendment of your choice and how it related to the Hurricane Katrina disaster of 2005.  You must also respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings to get full credit for the assignment. 

3)  For your 2.11 assignment, you will set up a meeting time with me (about 15 minutes) to discuss Module 2.  It will be an oral examination on everything ranging from the leadup to the Revolutionary War to the development of the Constituion andthe Bill of Rights.

4) Any assignment with an H next to it, such as 3.03H is extra credit.  You DO NOT HAVE TO DO IT and it will not count against your grade if you do not.  But…if you do it well, I will give you extra credit for your efforts!

Otherwise, I will be sending you feedback on all of your assignments you submit as soon as possible…

In the meantime, and as always, please email or Skype me with any questions!

Best,

Mr. M

I know, for many of you, this week is extremely special.  Whether because it is Christmas or simply because it is the last day of school before vacation, I wanted to be sure to share my warmest holiday wishes with you and your families.

Of course, since this is a virtual school, this would be a GREAT GREAT GREAT time to continue with/catch up onyour progress in your Somerset courses.  SO, here are the requirements/recommendations for pacing:

1) English I:

   a) Family Oral History Projects: I received ALL projects on time and will be reading them in the next few days prior to Christmas.  Once ompleted, I will send you and Sr. Calavia your midterm progress report card with your recent oral examination grade, project grade, and overall grades in each of your courses.

   b) December 21st Live Class Session CANCELLED: As a show of gratitude to all of you for your hard work and commitment this semester, I am postponing our mandatory group session until January.  Before that time, I will send you a video link with a video of my life.  This will be your next project for English I and will provide an example of how to do it successfully.  During that session, I will walk you through the rubric and answer any questions you have.

   c) Module 5…you have until Sunday, January, 9th (three weeks) to complete all of the lessons from Module 5….good luck and please let me know if you need any help.

2) American History

    a) By that Sunday, January 9th, the pacing guide recommends that you should have completed all lessons and assessments through 4.03.  For many of you, that will mean that you have plenty of catching up to do!  Please keep me updated as to your questions and needs.  I will be around all winter break, so please email or Skype me if you need any help or support.

     b) 2.08 Discussion Group…make sure to post your Bill of Rights amendment and respond to you fellow classmates’ postings.  The more you respond with thoughtfulness and insight, the higher your grade will be!

3) As always, a fun little way to end this update…enjoy and happy holidays!  As much as I love you guys, if I could do this: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdmsNA6yhXY), I might have to start looking for different work.

Best, all,

~Mr. M

Updates abound, so here we go….

I. English I

a) Modules…Remember….you have until Sun December 19 to finish all Modules lessons from 1-4.  Let me know if you get stuck anywhere in the Burlington English and I’ll be gad to help

b) Next week, (Dec. 14-17), we will be scheduling individual Skype meetings where you will be doing your midterm oral examinations for English.  I will schedule these with you soon based on your schedules!

c) Don’t forget about your midterm supplemental project (due Sunday, December 19th by 11:59pm Soria time).  The project is to complete a family oral history.  The rubric is available in the English I course section.  Get to work early on this.  Don’t wait too long….

II. American History

a) Many of you are well behind the recommended pace (through 03.04 by Sunday the 12th).  Many of you are stuck at:

      1) 2.05…the essay on Lexington and Concord.  If that is the case, just email/Skype me and we can talk about strategies for creating a solid thesis and formulating a strong argument based on the historical evidence.

      2) 2.08…discussion board on the Bill of Rights.  I have set up a discussion area for you to post your thoughts and respond to others.  It is important for you not only to SHOW ME what you’ve learned but also converse with your fellow students and see how their opinions are similar or differ.  If you have any problems with this, please let me know.

Other than that, hope all finds you well as we approach the end of our first semester together.  My thoughts are with you all.  Please do not hesitate to let me know if I can be of any help to you!

Mr M…