Your blogs about alternative energy got me really excited! It is so incredibly amazing all the technologies that we are using to come up with a solution to our energy woes (as comically described above).

Some blogs that I particularly enjoyed:
- Caitlin's indictment against wind power
- Itzel's hope for rainbow power
- Danielle's description of a WAVE FARM (woh)
- JD's blurb on banana power

Check 'em out! And leave comment love. :)

We are one week shy of our all-day debate tournament! You may be nervous, but do not worry! One week is a lot of time to prepare.

After burning your eyes with researching and straining your minds with debating, you may be wondering why we are going to so much trouble to do this project. You may even be wondering, "What does debate have to do with humanities?"

Humanities are about our stories -- and doing debate is way to get better at telling them. Here are, in my opinion, the top 4 reasons why we should debate.

5) It improves critical thinking - or being able to look at ideas for both their strengths and their weaknesses. If ever someone offers you an idea, you need to be able to test it and see if it's a good or bad idea. Some of the things we do are harmful to our lives! But we do not think critically about ideas, or actions. Debate helps you do this.

4) It helps you know how to research -- if ever you have a question about anything, you could either ask someone who knows the answer, or you can find out for yourself. Debate gives you the tools you need to understand how to find out information on your own, so that you can rely on yourself to find answers to your questions. This is knowledge, and knowledge is power.

3) It improves your ability to listen - in life, with whoever you are around (family, friends or classmates), you need to be able to listen when other people talk to you! How many arguments happen simply because we do not understand one another? If you learn to listen well, you will understand people more, and save yourself a lot of trouble!

2) It helps you communicate confidently and effectively -- debate helps you organize your ideas, and in debate, you also practice delivering your ideas to your audience. We work on finding ways to really say what we need to say. Communication opens so many doors! And your words can change the world.

1) Debate is fun! (Right?!)

Do you have other ideas about why people debate? How has this project gone for you? I know it has been a frustrating experience, but I think Team Alpha is going to rock the house next Friday at our tournament! You guys are great!

As you could see when the debaters came on Wednesday, debate is a valuable tool that will teach you public speaking, critical thinking, notetaking, persuasion and poise. In order to gain these things, you must work hard on creating your affirmative case! Writing an affirmative case is hard work, but it is within your power! As with any assignment, please do the best you can.

Here are some helpful questions that will guide you as you write your affirmative case (due TUESDAY).

1. Do you have a catchy introduction?
2. Do you state the resolution, "Resolved: That the United States should significantly change one or more of its policies towards Mexico"?
3. Do you have definitions of words from the resolution, defined with a dictionary?
4. Do you have at least two harms, or problems with how things are right now? (e.g. smuggling, or illegal immigration)
5. Do you have evidence to prove your harms? (Evidence is expert testimony or research from credible sources. You will need to research to finish your case!)
6. Do you have a plan to solve your harms? Remember that you can do anything you want! You can remove the border, or create a wall. The sky is the limit!
7. Do you list your agent (probably Congress and the President), your enforcement (probably the Border Patrol) and your funding (probably taxes)?
8. Do you have at least two advantages, or good things that happen because of your plan?
9. Do you have a conclusion, that encourages your audience to vote for your case?
10. When read out loud, does your case take 6-8 minutes to read?

You may have noticed that high school is getting harder to manage! We are knee-deep in projects all over the place, and we need to work together to stay on top of our assignments. If you need help, please email me. I would like to be a resource for you!

In addition to your affirmative case, you should also continue to read in your book, Breaking Through and you need to post a blog (approx. 10 minutes) answering the question, "How does the US benefit Mexico and how does Mexico benefit the US?"

Debate is hard, but it is worth it! We will be concentrating on this topic for the rest of the semester. Please let me know how I can help you, and I will do my best to guide you through problems.

best of luck.
Kay