Category: 2378

Graduation Speech 2011

You are graduating in a few weeks. Here is your opportunity to talk to your class about your thoughts on the past, present and future. Construct a speech to present to our last English 12 class. If you’re not sure where to begin, the links below provide both examples and tips on how to write a graduation speech. These may be some of the last words you share with me and your classmates, and it is always important to be memorable, so keep that in mind as you write.

You will be graded according to 5 focuses on a 10 point scale (10=perfect, 8=mostly accurate, 6=somewhat inaccurate, 3=inaccurate/inappropriate).

1. Length (300 or more words)

2. Meaning (fits the intention of a graduation speech)

3. Organization (uses paragraphs effectively to create a unified, logical speech)

4. Grammar/Spelling (does not contain errors)

5. Language Usage (effectively uses words to achieve desired effect)

Examples of speeches:

http://whatkidscando.org/archives/intheirownwords/Gradspeeches03.html (many samples to choose from)

http://collegeuniversity.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_write_a_graduation_speech (tips on how to write a speech)

http://www.dominik.net/thoughts/valedictorian-speech.php3 (another sample)

Graduation Speech 2008

You are graduating in a few weeks. Here is your opportunity to talk to your class about your thoughts on the past, present and future. Construct a speech to present to our last English 12 Class on Thursday (7/8 will begin Tuesday). If you’re not sure where to begin, the links below provide both examples and tips on how to write a graduation speech. These may be some of the last words you share with me and your classmates, and it is always important to be memorable, so keep that in mind as you write.

You will be graded according to 5 focuses on a 20 point scale (20=perfect, 15=mostly accurate, 10=somewhat inaccurate, 5=inaccurate/inappropriate).

1. Length (300 or more words)

2. Meaning (fits the intention of a graduation speech)

3. Organization (uses paragraphs effectively to create a unified, logical speech)

4. Grammar/Spelling (does not contain errors)

5. Language Usage (effectively uses words to achieve desired effect)

Examples of speeches:

http://whatkidscando.org/archives/intheirownwords/Gradspeeches03.html (many samples to choose from)

http://collegeuniversity.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_write_a_graduation_speech (tips on how to write a speech)

http://www.dominik.net/thoughts/valedictorian-speech.php3 (another sample)

A Separate Peace WebQuest

You are a teenager living in the United States during World War II. You read the newspapers and hear the radio broadcasts, but it is hard to make sense of this war that involves so many countries and people. This webquest will take you back to the Home Front of the 1940’s to learn what it was like to grow up during this turbulent time.

Background Information:

It is December 6, 1941. The United States is beginning to emerge from the Great Depression and war is raging in Europe. Every day you hear the reports of how it is spreading to other parts of the world. You have heard of the Nazi atrocities, but it all seems so far away. Is war the best thing for the nation? Should the U.S. get involved with such a costly effort?

Topics

Life at Boarding School
Describe what life might be like today on the campus of a prestigious boarding school, such as the Phillips Exeter Academy (the model for Devon School). Blog a comparison between a private school and a public school. Students might wish to focus on one of the following topics:

academic curriculum
clothing styles
social activities
the role of sports
conformity and diversity among students

The War

What were causes of World War II? What countries were at war? Why (or how) did the United States become involved in the war? What was date that the U. S. entered the war?

You can be brief (a short paragraph) but please get as specific as you can. Use websites to help you along. The more information you find, the better you’ll understand the characters, as well as the story.

Websites for your use
I’m not sure what will be blocked or not but I’m trying to help you along

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/9061/USA/WWII/ww2.html
A useful study of WWII

http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/timeline/ww2time.html
A timeline with photos and text

http://www.teacheroz.com/WWIIcauses.htm
Explains causes of the war related to WWII

http://www.exeter.edu
Phillips Exeter Academy homepage

http://www.exeter.edu/libraries/4513_4621.aspx
Phillips Exeter Academy’s A Separate Peace page

A Separate Peace by John Knowles

You are going to be reading the story A Separate Peace. Below are terms that will relate to this story and its characters. In your blog entries I’d like you to choose two words and for each please:

1) define the word, perhaps beginning with a dictionary entry if this is helpful
2) list your personal reactions to and associations with the words – Have these words played a role in your own coming of age(growing up, maturation, transition from middle to highschool for example)? How?

rivalry, peace, trust, peer pressure

Also…

Competition plays an important role in A Separate Peace. Consider how competition affects students in your school. Does competition enable a healthy social and learning environment? What are your impressions of competition inside and outside of the classroom? You can be brief!