Academic report
written by Michael Jorgensen, 11th grade
Week 2, Ottawa River
Things are finally starting to fall into rhythm with our second week of school. Stephen was named student of the week for all a round great work and epically good class participation.
In math AP calculus started their first calculus unit, which is limits. Algebra II just finished absolute value and inequalities, and is testing on Monday. Algebra I has started imaginary numbers, and number lines. Physics is doing falling objects, vectors, and projectile motion. Biology just finished chapter 2 on experimentation, research, and characteristics of living things.
Human geography is reading A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah, and students are hopefully prepared for there upcoming test of the geography of Africa. US history has been flopping back and forth between current events and the growing resentment between the colonists and great Brittan in the 1700s. American government discussed the three different types of democracy; republic, federation and confederation. The American government class is also following the presidential race and acceptance speeches of Sarah Palin and Joe Biden.
Also, on a history note, last Sunday the whole school took a field trip to the Canadian parliament in Ottawa city. We took a tour of parliament and learned about the House of Commons and the senate. We also visited the Canadian Museum of Nature.
In English, American Literature started the Great Gatsby, with reading out loud in class, and studying vocabulary from the book. Creative writing is writing about their greatest fear, including an artistic element. World Literature just started researching the background and setting of Never Cry Wolf by Farley Moat and has read the first chapter.
We are adopting the philosophy of “work hard, play hard” and spirits remain high. We are beginning to find that ever elusive balance between our schooling and out time on the water. The busy load is manageable and it keeps us focused on our studies, but the ambient sound of the river can always be heard. I believe that for most of us that is all the motivation that we need.
