Gates Foundatin HQ--Last Blog!!

"No dream comes true until you wake up and go to work." (Anonymous)

Your project is either finished or nearly finished. How did you do on it? I really would like projects like the one you've been working to be a big part of next year's class. For that to happen, I would like some honest feedback about the project.

What did you think about the project? What did you like and/or dislike? If you were teaching the class, what parts of the project would you keep? What would you cut out? Would you add anything to the project concept?

I know that many of you have worked very hard. I can't wait to see your presentations!

Gates Foundation HQ Management Specialist Post 8

"To aim is not enough, you must hit!" (German Proverb)

What do you think this proverb is saying to us? It's kind of like saying "You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?" Did you hit your mark on the test? What did your group think of the test? Were they ready?

Today was the last full day of this week, that you had to work as a full team. Do you think you will hit the deadline of next Wednesday? Why or Why not?

Gates Foundation HQ Management Specialist Post 7

"Be true to your own goals." (Anonymous)

What are your goals: do something different, get a good grade, do the best you can, etc? What is your team doing to reach those goals. How was today? Are you staying on track.

Gates Foundation HQ Management Specialist Post 6

"The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus." (Bruce Lee)

Where is the focus of your group? Is everyone doing their job? Are you making sure to direct people when they need directed? You have the hardest job of trying to keep your peers (friends) on track. They may disagree with you and get upset with you, but they will smile and laugh with you when you earn your "A"!

Crunch Time:

It's getting to be crunch time. Remember our goal is to have every piece of the project completed by May 3oth. That is only 8 days away, and don't forget about the field trip, and the band field trip. We're getting close! Remember any issues that come up with your group, post them or get them to me somehow. Keep up the great work!!

Gates Foundation HQ Mangagement Specials Post 5

"The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person's determination." (Tommy Lasorda)

Is your group determined to do a great job? Can you keep your team motivated? Those are two things you need to make sure you do to keep your team going.

How was today? What were some things that got done? Next week, I will have the cameras for those who are doing a video, so be ready to shoot. Have a great weekend.

Gates Foundation HQ Management Specialist Post 4

"Go for the moon. If you don't get it, you'll still be heading for a star." (Willis Reed)

You can look at your project in a couple of ways. You can look at the questions and just put down an answer, or you can look at the questions, discuss them with your group, and answer them with as much detail and thought as possible. Which way do you think Willis Reed would want you to do? Which way is the harder of the two ways? In the end, which of the two ways will give you the most satisfaction?

I will go over the Wiki today or Friday. There is a new password to do the updates. I will need to meet with those members of the group who are responsible for the Wiki to make sure that they know exactly what they have to do. Remember to report any technical difficulties or any problems ASAP.

Keep your team moving forward. Some of these projects look like they will be fantastic!!

Gates Foundation HQ Management Specialist Post 3

"Failure is an opportunity to begin again more intelligently." (Henry Ford)

Think about if your team has failed at any of your tasks. Remind them of Henry Ford's quote in that they need to pick themselves up and learn from their mistake.

How is everything going? If you have technology related problems let me know as soon as possible. Remember technology is great to use as a tool, but it can sometimes let us down when we need it most. If that happens to you or your team move on to some other part of your project until we can fix the problem.

By now, we should be working together to build your assessment for your team project. Keep those updates coming into me.

Gates Foundation HQ Management Specialist Post 2

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." (Helen Keller)

Great posts from day one. Most of you are keeping me well informed. Remember if you make a mistake with the post, just do another and say, "disregard first post."

How does the above quote relate to what you and your team have to do? How is everything going with your team. How did your team work today? What did you get accomplished?

Tomorrow, I need to know what you are doing for your team project. Remember you need to find ways to keep your team motivated and on track. That can be a hard task, especially this time of year.

Also, I had to change the password to the Wiki Page. Someone had gone in and changed everything on one of the pages. I'm going to speak to that person today. Make sure the people in your group responsible for the Wiki see me and get the new password.

Gates Foundation HQ Management Specialist Post 1

"The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary." (Author Unknown)

What do you think about this quote, and how will it relate to your team's approach to doing the project? How did you team do today? What ideas are you putting together for the project? Did any concerns or questions come up? If you have any personal questions or comments you do not want on the blog, please send me an email that you need to discuss the project in person at jimellis@loyalsocklancers.org.

Question and Vocabulary Assignments

Period 3:

1. Alexa, Caitlyn, Austin, Eric--Land and Climate Questions #1 and #6.
2. Sammy, Kirsten, Gina, Heidi--Culture Question #1 and Vocab. #1.
3. John, Pat, Danny, Eli, Spencer--History Question #1 and Vocab. #2.
4. Emily, Nicole, Stevie, Anya, Ana--Daily Life #1 and Vocab. #3.
5. Gary, Brenna, Wilson, Brittany--Government #1 and Vocab. #4.

Period 4:

1. Greg, Kinsley, Jeff--Land and Climate #2 and Vocab. #5.
2. Becca, Steven, Cassaundra--Culture #2 and Vocab. #6.
3. Anthony, Mike, Ryan--History #2 and #6.
4. Abbi, Micaela, Sidney--Daily Life #2 and Vocab. #8.
5. Ali, Tess, Diana--Government #2 and #6.

Period 6:

1. Paul, Lindsey, Cody, Taylor--Land and Climate #3 and Vocab. #9.
2. Dominic, Jaden, Michael, Brandon--Culture #3 and #6.
3. Jeremiah, Dillon, Riley, Lucas--History #3 and Vocab. #10.
4. Sara, Emily, Tessa, Danielle--Daily Life #3 and Vocab. #11.
5. Katherine, Brianna, Tamika, Casey--Government #3 and Vocab. #12.

Period 7:

1. Janson, Shariq, Evan B.--Land and Climate #4 and Vocab. #13.
2. Catherine, Jacob, Emily, Jillian--Culture #4 and Vocab. #14.
3. Myrle, Codi, Crystal, Danielle--History #4 and Vocab. #7.
4. Brandon, Luis, Freddie--Daily Life #4 and Vocab. #15.
5. Shane, Evan W., Adam, Bryce--Government #4 and Vocab. #16.

Period 8:

1. Karissa, Hayley, Megan, Samantha--Land and Climate #5 and Vocab. #17.
2. Hunter, Austin Eric--Culture #5 and Vocab. #18.
3. Dylan, JP, Doug--History Question #5 and Vocab. #19.
4. Kayla, Jackson, Lindsey, Katie--Daily Life Question #5 and Vocab. #20.
5. Mike B., Mike R., Caleb, Greg--Government #5 and Daily Life #6

Major Change to Gates Foundation HQ Project!!!

There has been a major change to the Gates Foundation HQ Project. The change goes with the "Culture" and "Daily Life" topics.

Daily Life:

In the "Daily Life" topic, I have removed the question referring to population. It was question number 1. The questions are now as follows:

1. Describe the clothing, including modern and traditional dress.
2. What are the schools lilke? Describe the system of education?
3. What leisure activities (entertainment, sports, etc.) do people enjoy?
4. What is the currency called? How does it compare to the U.S. Dollar?
5. What are its industries, exports, basis of economy?
6. What is currently happening in this country? Any current events in the news?

Culture:

In the "Culture" topic, I have removed the number 2 question asking what the country was known for. In "Culture", the population question from "Daily Life" will be added. The questions for "Culture" are as follows:

1. What are the major religions of this country?
2. What is the official language? What other languages are spoken?
3. What national traditions, holidays and festivals are celebrated?
4. What is the population of this country? Are there several races or cultures living there? If so, what is their relationship to one another?
5. What types of art are enjoyed?
6. What are some famous landmarks?

To see all of the questions, please access the Class Wiki. Any questions, please comment below or ask in class.

Gates Foundation HQ--Topics

Below are the topics for the Gates Foundation HQ project. For the people marked with **, I know that you did not list that topic, but it was what was left by the time your survey came in. I know that you will do a great job!! One major change: The materials coordinator will also be responsible for working on the Wiki.

Topics:

Period 3:

Land and Climate—Alexa; Austin; Eric; Caitlyn
Culture—Sammy; Kirsten; Heidi; Gina
History—John W.; Pat S.; Dan H.; Eli W.; Spencer U.
Daily Life—Emily; Nicole; Stevie; Anya; Ana
Government—Gary; Wilson; Brittany; Brenna

Period 4:

Land and Climate—Greg, Kinsley, Jeff
Culture—Becca, Cassaundra, Steven
History—Anthony, Ryan, Mike
Daily Life—Abbi, Micaela, Sidney
Government—Ali, Tess, Diana**

Period 6:

Land and Climate—Paul, Lindsey, Cody, Taylor
Culture—Dominic, Brandon, Jaden, Michael
History—Jeremiah, Lucas, Riley, Dillon
Daily Life—Sara, Emily, Danielle, Tessa
Government—Tamika, Casey, Brianna, Katherine**

Period 7:

Land and Climate—Janson, Shariq, Evan B.
Culture—Jacob, Jillian, Catherine, Emily
History—Myrle, Crystal, Codi, Danielle
Daily Life—Brandon, Luis, Freddie
Government—Shane, Bryce, Evan W., Adam**

Period 8:

Land and Climate—Karissa, Hayley, Megan, Samantha
Culture—Hunter, Devon, Eric, Austin
History—Dylan, JP, Doug
Daily Life—Kayla, Jackson, Katie, LindseyGovernment—Mike R., Mike B., Caleb, Greg**

Gates Foundation Project

Our first project will be based on the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. View the letter that you will receive on Thursday. If you have any thoughts on this project, please comment. When you comment, do so as "Anonymous" but include your name within the comment.

Team Letter

May 10, 2007

EIR Team Members,

Team, we have been given the opportunity to secure a partnership with Mr. Bill Gates of Microsoft Corporation. In July, he will retire from the day to day running of Microsoft and focus his attention on the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Mr. Gates is currently looking for appropriate properties in several European countries to set up the Gates Foundation Headquarters.
Our Task:

1. We need to sell Mr. Gates on the idea of locating his headquarters in the country of France.

2. You will break into five teams, each focusing on a different category of France.
a. Categories will be Land and Climate; Culture; Daily Life; Government; History
b. Teams will consist of a Management Specialist; Research Coordinator; Materials Coordinator; Presentation/Media Coordinator.

3. Each team will put together a presentation that will secure Mr. Gate’s partnership with our firm.
a. Presentation Models and Display Format will be up to each team.
b. Some ideas could include the following: Brochure, Poster, Talk Show, Multi-Media PowerPoint, Newscast, Commercial, Music Video, etc.
c. You will have the following tools to use: Two digital video cameras, one digital still camera, Apple iBook, art supplies (not including heavy poster board), and Internet access.

All necessary information is included in your Informational Packet. Remember, I am viewing Mr. Gates and his potential account with us as our Number One priority! It is important for all of us to pull together as a team and secure this account. I’m counting on all you to do work above and beyond your capabilities.

Sincerely,
James L. Ellis
President/CEO of Ellis International Real-Estate

Social Studies Projects

Projects in Social Studies:

This will be a blog to support our social studies classes. In social studies we will begin to do many more projects. Our first project will be the "Gates Foundation HQ" project. These projects will be based on real life scenarios. The teams you will be in will be based on the following positions: Management Specialist (Team Leader), Research Coordinator, Materials Coordinator, and a Presentation/Media Coordinator--all positions that you may be a part of in a future career. One of the responsibilities of the Management Specialist will be to update me daily, using this blog, about how your team is doing. To see a little about the first project read the next post.