Late Start Wednesdays:  9/2, 9/30, 10/21, 11/18, 12/9, 1/13, 2/3, 2/24, 4/7, and 5/5 

I have found that the most meaningful way to incorporate current events into our curriculum is through class discussions driven by the students.  When the students choose events that are important to them it accomplishes two goals. It provides a jumping off point for discussions covering a wide variety of topics, including areas of curiosity and concern, and allows them to work on their presentation and questioning skills.

On the 10 Late Start Wednesdays every student will need to be ready to discuss a current local or world event with our class.   He/she does not have to have a paper copy of the event, but needs to have enough knowledge to be able to share information, and answer questions.  The current events can be about sports, weather, kids' events, science or whatever is happening in the news that week.  I do ask that you avoid traumatic or violent events that may be distressing to others.

Each student will receive a current event grade based on the following rubric.

4 = Advanced - Has thorough knowledge of a current event; is able to present to the class and answer questions in a meaningful way without reading from the text. 

3 = Proficient - Has full knowledge of a current event; is able to share with the class and answer questions while occasionally referring to the text.

2 = Making Progress - Has some knowledge of a current event; is only able to share by reading the text and can’t answer questions.