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Congratulations Newly Minted Murderer

It is not easy to suspect someone and get away with a clean murder but coming from a pro, let me give you some helpful hints that have gotten me through my most recent adventures. I don’t want to brag or anything but I know every which way and not way to plan, commit and get away with murder. This spans from avenging the death of a friend or just plain killing in cold blood. Let me tell you, it’s not easy but if you follow my 8 simple rules, you’ll come away squeaky clean EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. I am going to use a story from my youth to help guide you down the right path to success.

Let me set the scene, paint a picture, plaster the backs of your eyelids with a landscape.

I am the prince of Denmark. My father was murdered so it was just my mom, Gertrude and I until she decided to marry my psycho Uncle Claudius (he’s my dad’s brother...I know right?!) My night watchmen and trusted scholar Horatio came to me one night with tales of a ghost who wished to speak to me.

Turns out this ghost is my dad and he decided to tell me, like it wasn’t a big deal, who killed him and asked me to avenge him. As if that would be an easy task….

Needless to say, everything I touched basically went to ashes. Anyway, here is the best advice I can offer at this point….and oh yeah….I’m dead.

1. Be sure to walk into your mother Gertrude’s room hoping to talk about suspicions of Claudius killing your father. When you see movement behind her curtains definitely assume it is Claudius and stab him through said curtains. Don’t be surprised if you actually just killed Polonius who just so happens to be Ophelia, the love of your life’s father….she is going to go crazy with grief and drown in the river.

2. Definitely agree to fight Leartes, Polonius’ son who wants you dead to avenge his father and sister. He is looking for a sword duel that you are sure to win.

3. You are going to notice that your two trusted friends will come back with a letter ordering your death. I suggest you change the order to say that they are the ones that need to be killed.

4. When Claudius offers you his cup at the fight against Laertes, be sure not to drink it but instead let your mother do so who will immediately die from the poison he filled the cup with. Everything will be okay, I promise! Minor set back is all.

5. When Laertes is cut by his own sword, and is surely poisoned (because Claudius made sure it was poisoned to kill you) be sure to finish him off quickly because you need to win this fight to avenge your father.

6. Next! Kill Claudius so that you may finish what you came to do.

7. Don’t be surprised that you are the only survivor in this massacre. NO ONE is going to even see this mess.

8. I’d like to tell you that you’re going to be okay but you are actually going to die shortly after you kill Claudius. It is okay to just die on the ground right there with the rest of the royal family.

9. Now that you're dead, be sure to watch the Norwegian prince come in and witness the aftermath of the bloodbath.

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My project was designed around a unit on sleep and dreams. The following is a dialogue between Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung regarding the interpretation of a dream:

Entry 3: Conversation between Freud and Jung on the interpretation of a dream

Jung: Hello doctor, in all humility I come seeking your advice.

Freud: (Lights his cigar) What is the matter at hand, and be quick about it, I’m to see a patient at the hour.

Jung: Delightful. I’m afraid in recent days I find myself sorely vexed. A case of mine has come down with a bout of hysteria that refuses treatment.

Freud: (Exhaling a thick cloud of tobacco smoke) Yes. yes. Do tell.

Jung: Twas nigh on a month ago I was first introduced. From the outset the severity of the psychosis was clear. That the chap had scarcely slept in days was evident upon his arrival in my office. His eyes, bulging and bloodshot scanned blankly, disheveled hair and sagging limbs provided further evidence of acute insomnia.

Freud: Ahh so a disorder of the nerves?

Jung: I assumed as much. This served as the basis for my recommendation that the services of a physician might...

Freud: (Checking his watch, then interjecting) I do hope a point is to be found in all of this.

Jung: Quite right. The patient informed me that his nervous system was undisturbed, yet his psyche raged against him. In the tumultuous seas of his subconscious he knew not what resided, only that it plagued him.

Freud: And how was it that this psychosis manifested? Perhaps in deviant displays of sexuality?

Jung: Now the meaning of my visit is made plain. It was not in his wakefulness, but while he slumbered that his mind sought its own demise.

Jung: Each night he saw, as in a vision his sister and her youngest child. This in itself had not disturbed him, it was the circumstances surrounding their encounter that troubled him. It was at his youngest nephew’s funeral that he sat with his grieving sister and their next of kin.

Freud: And this dream.... It occurred with some frequency?

Jung: To put it mildly! The spectre of this scene visited him every night, so that he was want for peace of mind at all hours of the day. No matter how he strained, the thought that he could not escape the guilt that accompanied the thought that he wished for the death of his own blood.

Freud: Have you inquired after his sister? Does he wish her harm?

Jung: On the contrary, they could not be closer. In fact, it was only a short time prior to the onset of this disturbance that he left her abode where he resided for some time.

Freud: Did he not have lodging of his own?

Jung: Oh to be sure he did. It was following the death of his oldest nephew that he stayed with his sister in an attempt to offer some consolation. This reality only added to the grief brought on by the dream…

Freud: How could it not? One nephew passed and yet he wishes the same fate on another?

Freud: Is he wed?

Jung: He is a bachelor. Spurned by his love at a Jung age and never recovered.

Freud: When did he see her last?

Jung: Pardon?

Freud: The one who moved him to love, when did they last confer?

Jung: (Chortles) Funny you should ask. Recently. It was in fact at the funeral of which we just spoke.

Freud: (Reclining in his chair, a slight grin barely visible on his bearded face) Ahhh it is here we have our answer. As I’m sure you know all dreams have, at their root, a wish. It seems that your patient has guessed as much, but he is sorely mistaken in his understanding of the wish, and it is this that causes him to suffer.

Jung: Fascinating. Elaborate.

Freud: It is not the death of another nephew that this man desires, but a return to the favor of his lost lover. It was to this end that his subconscious conjured up circumstances favorable to such a reunion. It just so happened that the circumstances so called upon, led the dreamer to a conclusion so abhorrent he was overcome with guilt.

Jung: Brilliant sir. My client and I owe you a great debt.

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Advice Column using Eightfold Path of Buddhism
7th Grade Social Studies World Religions Unit

Dear Rita the Monk,

I am writing because I am concerned about my neighbor, Ronny.  Sometimes he is very selfish and has such a negative attitude.  He is always complaining about everything, including how much he hates his jobs as a part-time semi-professional boxer and a wild racoon hunter.  He says that he never gets to have nice things like other people (such as a fancy car or new iPhone).  I have noticed that lately he gossips about his family members and friends and even makes jokes about a weird neighbor, Roger, who has an extensive collection of garden gnomes.  However, I once saw him steal one of Roger’s favorite gnomes!  Additionally, he has been lying to others.  For example, on my way to volunteer at the local animal shelter, he told me he used all of the gas in my car so I could not leave to help poor dogs and cats.  Lastly, I noticed that he sometimes gets extremely angry and cannot concentrate on important tasks, such as mowing the grass.  How can I help him?

Respectfully,

Worried Neighbor.

Dear Worried Neighbor,

Have you or your neighbor ever considered examining the religious belief system known as Buddhism?  An essential element of Buddhism is following the Eightfold Path, or the path to ending suffering and achieving enlightenment.  I think that the path addresses many of the problems that your neighbor is encountering and it might be a way to help him address the issues you described.  I have included each item in the Eightfold Path below.  Note that the path is more of a list of necessary principles rather than a step-by-step process.

1)      Right Understanding – Accepting the Buddhist teachings, followers are to develop a deep understanding of the Four Noble Truths.  This item on the Eightfold Path is a deeply personal decision for anyone, including your neighbor.  For guidance on this matter, suggest that he visits a Buddhist temple to speak with a monk.  He may also want to learn about other world religions.

2)      Right Intention – Living a life of selflessness, love, and nonviolence.  It is a commitment to having a right attitude.  This portion of the Eightfold Path will help Ronny realize that he is sometimes selfish and has a negative attitude.  Ask him to embrace positivity and love for others.  He will no longer care about having a fancy car or a new phone, which will improve his peacefulness.

3)      Right Speech – Speaking truthfully, avoiding things like slander, gossip, and abusive speech.  This portion will help Ronny to avoid speaking about others in a negative way.  He will have to stop gossiping and using abusive language when he talks about your other neighbor, Roger.  If he is using right speech, he will also stop lying about using all of your gas.

4)      Right Action – Be honest, behave peacefully and refrain from stealing, killing, lying, or overindulgence in sensual pleasure.  If Ronny begins to work toward achieving this element in the Eightfold Path, his behavior will become much more enjoyable for those around him.  He would no longer steal Roger’s gnomes or lie to you.

5)      Right Livelihood – Do not work at a job that causes harm to people or other living things.  Perhaps Ronny’s jobs are making him more miserable.  After all, as a part-time semi-professional boxer, he is always hurting himself and others just to make money.  Further, as a wild racoon hunter, he is killing other living things that contain spiritual significance and are a part of reincarnation.  If Ronny stops working at these jobs, he might improve other aspects of his life.

6)      Right Effort – Promote good actions and prevent evil actions.  Ronny can accomplish this end by helping you help others rather than prevent you from volunteering at your local animal shelter.  Your volunteerism is a good action that he could support.  Rather than lie to you about the gasoline in your car, perhaps he could make sure that your tank is full before you leave for the shelter.  Even better is the idea that Ronny too could volunteer for good actions, thus improving his karma for his next life!

7)      Right Mindfulness – Be aware of your emotions, thoughts, and feelings.  Avoid attachments to these things.  Remind Ronny that it would be beneficial for him to reflect upon his emotions and feelings, including his tendency to get angry and his thoughts about not having the material goods he seeks.  At the same time, though, he must not become attached to his thoughts and feelings and instead seek to achieve a balanced, peaceful mind.

8)      Right Concentration – Through meditation, developing the mental focus necessary to follow the path.  Ronny could increase his focus (which is required for him to mow his lawn) by meditating.  Meditation is the process of spending quiet time in deep contemplation and is an important element in practicing Buddhism; other religions, however, also meditate in similar ways.  If he is meditating properly, Ronny can obtain a peaceful and focused mind, which will help him fulfil other portions of the Eightfold Path while simultaneously moving him toward the goal of attaining enlightenment.

Please note that I am only suggesting that Ronny examine Buddhism and the Eightfold Path if he would like to do so.  Remember that religious beliefs of personal choices, but Ronny can also include pieces of the Eightfold Path in his daily life without completely devoting himself to Buddhism.  I hope both you and Ronny find my suggestions helpful!

Best,

Rita the Monk.

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My project was on WWI. This is an Obituary I made and included:

Lance Corporal Henry Mills II

May 5, 1895- July 29th, 1918

Son of Mary and Sgt. Henry Mills (Ret.)

Husband of Calista Mills

Father of Mary (4) and Anne (9 Mo)

Entered service February 11th, 1918, United States Army 13th Field Artillery Regiment

Died July 21, 1918 of Influenza in Aisne, France.

Lance Corporal Henry Mills II was born in Fort Wayne Indiana May 5th, 1895. He married to his loving wife Calista in June, 1913. He leaves two children, Mary aged 4, and Anne, aged 9mo. He enlisted the U.S Army in Feb 1918. His regiment joined the Second battle of the Marne at Aisne. LC Mills fell ill with influenza after taking shrapnel in the abdomen 2 weeks prior. He was in field hospital 43 healing from the wound when influenza set in. His dying wish was to be buried near his Grand Father, Corporal David Mills (Ret).

Henry is buried in Angola Indiana, joining his Father and Grandfather, a family of valiant patriots.

This fictitious obituary is based on the character from the Letter Home above. The change in rank is purposeful to show the way men quickly advanced in rank as their leaders perished. When looking through causes of death, and at examples of real obituaries, I noticed that influenza was a very common cause of death. Hospitals were not a safe place for wounded soldiers. Links to example Obituaries are in the Reference page below. The location the image was taken from is also in the Reference page.

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I focused on researching a country that speaks French outside of Europe. The country that I chose was Ivory Coast in Africa. I am sharing a menu that I created based off Ivorian cuisine.

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We will be learning about Ecuador next semester.  One of the pieces I created was a travel brochure.  I had a lot of fun creating it so I am going to include this as an assignment for that unit :)

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Next semester, one of the topics I will be teaching is "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The classic book covers countless themes that are perfect for looking at symbolism.
For this piece, I decided to create a Wordle in order to reinforce this idea of symbolism. It was a lot of fun and required me to think about the themes, big ideas, and important concepts before it could all come together.

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I'm including my conversation piece on angles formed from two parallel lines that are cut by a transversal.  This was a standard I taught to my students last chapter.

#2 Conversation
Two middle school students discussing the angles they see in a photo they’ve taken.

Student 1: “So I know the two vertical lines are parallel because they’re both 90 degrees to the base of the gate on my stairs.”

Student 2: “The measuring line acts as a transversal since it cuts into the two parallel lines!”

Student 1: “Exactly.  Okay, let’s study our angle pairs for tomorrow’s quiz.  What would you call the relationship between angles 1 and 8?”

Student 2: “I’d say angles 1 and 8 are congruent, alternate exterior angles because they’re on the outside of the parallel lines and on opposite sides of the transversal.  The alternate exterior angle proves the angles are congruent.”

Student 1: “Very nice!  Alright, my turn.”

Student 2: “What would you call the relationship between angles 6 and 7?”

Student 1: “I’d say they’re supplementary, same side interior angles because they’re on the inside of the parallel lines and on the same side of the transversal.  The same side interior angles postulate proves that they’re supplementary.”

Student 2:  “Great! What about angles 1 and 6?”

Student 1: “Those are easy, congruent, vertical angles.  What about 3 and 6?”

Student 2: “Those are congruent alternate interior.  What about angles 1 and 3?”

Student 1: “Those are congruent corresponding angles.”

Student 2: “I always miss the corresponding angles, how do you remember them?”

Student 1: “I think of corresponding as being in the same relative position.  Both angles 1 and 3 are in the upper left of the intersection, so I know they correspond.”

Student 2:  “Thanks, that helps.  I think we’re all set for our quiz!”

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My project ties into an extreme weather unit I am creating for a sophomore Earth Science class. The students will be looking at thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding and extreme cold/heat. This piece will be for the extreme cold and centers around a very cold winter coming to the town on Minot, ND. It starts with this PSA about being safe in the upcoming winter.

Radio PSA heard on KHRT in Minot, ND

Woman: Well it is that time of the year again.  Winter in Minot.  Last year was so cold and they said this year could get even worse.

Man: Yes. I heard they are saying this could be the worst winter we’ve had in 10 years.  Temperatures could get down to -30 at times!

Woman: I sometimes don’t know what to do when it gets that cold.  We can turn on our heat but that costs so much money.  We don’t have any other choice though.  Whatever you do, we just need to make sure we stay inside when it gets that cold.

Announcer:  That’s exactly right.  Winters here in Minot are bad, and this is a reminder to you to take all the proper precautions.  Listen to your local news and weather reports for advisories and warnings.  Wear multiple layers of lightweight clothing when outside, and pay attention to when your body starts shivering.  Limit your time outside and check for possible signs of frostbite.  Be a good neighbor, and check on those who are around you to make sure everyone is safe this winter.

Also take care of your pets to make sure they are safe in the extreme temperatures.   Animals are just as susceptible to the cold as humans are.  No pet should be left outside for long periods of time in the extreme cold.  When they return from the outdoors, make sure to wipe them down and check them over, including their paws for cracked pads or bleeding due to the cold.

Our winters are rough, but we don’t have to do them alone.  Protect yourself and protect each other and we can all make it through this winter safely.

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I focused on the Africa unit for my World History class. I wanted students to take a look into the current events that are going on in Africa and show that in a continent where lots of bad and sad stories come out, there is still lots of good too. The good does not make it on the evening new at night and that is a shame, therefore the students went out/online and found that good news to share with their class.

Genre 2: News Report

This is a really fun idea that I came up with on my own and am using in my placement right now. For News Report, I grouped students up into two and they picked an African country to investigate. Their job is to find a current story going on in that country that is positive. Too many times do we think of Africa and think negative. It is either AIDs or poverty or Civil Wars. But there are tons of good stories, of positive actions that do not get told. For New Report, the groups will find those stories and share them with the class. They will do informal presentations, 3 groups a week for the next five weeks. This gives the students the control to learn what they want to. To find stories that interest them about Africa will help them see that this is a Continent full of positive people and actions. I will run the presentations like a TV show, being the host. Using Google Docs and YouTube to spice up my presentation, the students will then come up and tell their story that they found.

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Shedding Light on the Dark Continent_ Africa

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For my project, I decided to focus on Economics since that is what I am placed in currently. I chose the concept of supply and demand because it is simple, yet really allows for some creativity. The piece I decided to share is my breaking news story on equilibrium. It is the secret to a perfect business, so I thought it made perfect sense to play it off as a breaking news story.

BREAKING NEWS: A new study has just uncovered a major discovery in the realm of supply and demand. As we all know, supply and demand the economic backbone of the economy. But this latest find will change the game for firms and consumers forever.

It is called equilibrium. Equilibrium refers to the perfect balance between supply and demand in which products are produced and consumed at maximum efficiency. Companies from across the globe are desperately trying to find whatever it takes to achieve this equilibrium.

*Roll footage of interview with local company CEO*

“It changes everything. If we can achieve this equilibrium status, there will be no surplus, not shortage. Everything will run perfectly smooth. This is what everyone wants to have, but it is so hard to get. The target is ever moving.”

As more and more companies attempt to understand equilibrium, we can expect a closer analysis of consumer trends and tastes in order to hopefully achieve it.

At eleven, we will have an exclusive, sit-down interview with Grand Rapids’ top company CEO’s to discuss what finding equilibrium could mean for many of the local businesses right here in Grand Rapids.