Good Morning Everyone,
I hope you enjoyed your weekend and are ready to get to work on our on-line publication - Scribbles! Well, at least that's the name we have so far. Anyway, I like it. Let's discuss what we will be doing this week.
1. All article ideas for both print and video should now be finalized and all reporters and editors should be researching information and statistics, as well as arranging interviews and locations for their stories. Editors-in-Chiefs should be compiling a list of articles, assigning reporters, due dates, and daily progress reports for each of the stories. A spread sheet will be available to the editors to keep tabs on your daily and weekly progress. Finally, we have to decide on a deadline when all articles are due in their publishable form.
2. The latest edition of The Blazer is now out and available. Letters to the Editor are due to Ms. Sackstein and myself by this Wednesday at 3:00PM. If you are still unsure of how to write a letter to the editor please refer to the blogs I created with links as to how to write a letter to the editor. Or, you can see me after school today or tomorrow from 3:00-4:00PM.
3. I have not forgotten about Roadtrip Nation. By next Monday, April 4th, I want to see that you have an interview set up with someone from your list of possible candidates. I need to see that person's name, contact information, how you will be conducting the interview (by phone, skype, or in-person), and the list of questions you will asking.
4. Finally, I am still missing past assignments from many of you. It is your responsibility to check the blog and my e-mails and complete those assignments now! We are almost into April and that means we have less than three weeks until the final transcript grades are due. Please do not procrastinate and waste time getting this stuff done.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Our Class Publication
Greetings Everyone,
I just wanted to elaborate on what I spoke about in today's class and give you an idea of what will be happening for the rest of the year.
1. We will continue to work on Roadtrip Nation. Your continued assignment is to contact the person you are interviewing, schedule and then record your interview. Your immediate goal is to actually schedule your interview. By Monday March 28th I want a progress report e-mailed to me on how close or how far you are from actually conducting your interview. If you find yourself unable to contact anyone then you need to tell me ASAP so we can find a different person to interview or use different contact methods.
2. As I stated in class, we are going to create our own publication where we will decide what topics to broadcast, write about and/or podcast. THIS IS IMPORTANT. I WANT ALL OF YOU TO COME UP WITH TOPICS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ OR WATCH ON TV. If you are bored with the subject matter no one will want to read about it.
Tomorrow we are going to assign and vote for an editorial and layout staff. As a class we will decide who the editors will be, who will be responsible for layout, who will specialize in writing articles, and who will be responsible for broadcasting. These will not be permanent assignments. I want everyone in the class to experience all the different roles that go into creating a publication, so at some point (probably at the beginning of the next trimester, we will be switching roles. However for now our job is to create a staff and start producing articles and broadcasts.
3. For tomorrow, March 22nd, come to class with your five article/broadcast ideas fully formed. This means you will have written a thesis statement for each idea.
For example if you want to write about teenage pregnancy at WJPS you could write a thesis statement that states: I would like to write an article about teenage pregnancy at WJPS. The article would include research about teen pregnancy in the USA, statistics about which teens from what part of he country are most likely to become pregnant, and how the pregnancy has affected their lives. I would also interview teens who have become pregnant as well as the fathers of these children. In addition I would interview teachers administrators at schools, as well as medical doctors that deal with teen pregnancies to get their points of view on the subject.
This is the type of article proposal that should be submitted. Please use this form for your first choice and then have your other article ideas submitted using this form by Wednesday, March 23rd.
Finally, for those of you who were at Columbia last week (Luca, Deborah, etc), please come to class ready to share what you learned about setting up a publication.
I just wanted to elaborate on what I spoke about in today's class and give you an idea of what will be happening for the rest of the year.
1. We will continue to work on Roadtrip Nation. Your continued assignment is to contact the person you are interviewing, schedule and then record your interview. Your immediate goal is to actually schedule your interview. By Monday March 28th I want a progress report e-mailed to me on how close or how far you are from actually conducting your interview. If you find yourself unable to contact anyone then you need to tell me ASAP so we can find a different person to interview or use different contact methods.
2. As I stated in class, we are going to create our own publication where we will decide what topics to broadcast, write about and/or podcast. THIS IS IMPORTANT. I WANT ALL OF YOU TO COME UP WITH TOPICS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ OR WATCH ON TV. If you are bored with the subject matter no one will want to read about it.
Tomorrow we are going to assign and vote for an editorial and layout staff. As a class we will decide who the editors will be, who will be responsible for layout, who will specialize in writing articles, and who will be responsible for broadcasting. These will not be permanent assignments. I want everyone in the class to experience all the different roles that go into creating a publication, so at some point (probably at the beginning of the next trimester, we will be switching roles. However for now our job is to create a staff and start producing articles and broadcasts.
3. For tomorrow, March 22nd, come to class with your five article/broadcast ideas fully formed. This means you will have written a thesis statement for each idea.
For example if you want to write about teenage pregnancy at WJPS you could write a thesis statement that states: I would like to write an article about teenage pregnancy at WJPS. The article would include research about teen pregnancy in the USA, statistics about which teens from what part of he country are most likely to become pregnant, and how the pregnancy has affected their lives. I would also interview teens who have become pregnant as well as the fathers of these children. In addition I would interview teachers administrators at schools, as well as medical doctors that deal with teen pregnancies to get their points of view on the subject.
This is the type of article proposal that should be submitted. Please use this form for your first choice and then have your other article ideas submitted using this form by Wednesday, March 23rd.
Finally, for those of you who were at Columbia last week (Luca, Deborah, etc), please come to class ready to share what you learned about setting up a publication.
Monday, March 14, 2011
I will be out tomorrow
Greetings Everyone,
I know this is going to break all of your hearts, but I will not be in class tomorrow due to a conference that I must attend. I can already hear the collective crying, but, not to worry, I shall return on Wednesday.
For tomorrow: Please have your restaurant cold call reflections completed and e-mailed to me by 7AM tomorrow, March 15th. Reflections should include the restaurant that you called, whether you were able to speak to anyone, how effective was your speech/script, and did you actually get a recipe. You should also write about how you felts during the call. Were you scared, nervous, or did you feel comfortable speaking to a stranger over the telephone. Finally, what did you learn about yourself during this experience? These should be typed and e-mailed to me by 7AM tomorrow.
For class tomorrow, please complete the cold call script for Roadtrip Nation and rehearse it with your partner. What I really want is for each of you to spend class time editing your cold call script so that when you read and say it over the phone it sounds natural and genuine.
That's all for now. On Wednesday we will discuss how to actually contact your person of interest.
I know this is going to break all of your hearts, but I will not be in class tomorrow due to a conference that I must attend. I can already hear the collective crying, but, not to worry, I shall return on Wednesday.
For tomorrow: Please have your restaurant cold call reflections completed and e-mailed to me by 7AM tomorrow, March 15th. Reflections should include the restaurant that you called, whether you were able to speak to anyone, how effective was your speech/script, and did you actually get a recipe. You should also write about how you felts during the call. Were you scared, nervous, or did you feel comfortable speaking to a stranger over the telephone. Finally, what did you learn about yourself during this experience? These should be typed and e-mailed to me by 7AM tomorrow.
For class tomorrow, please complete the cold call script for Roadtrip Nation and rehearse it with your partner. What I really want is for each of you to spend class time editing your cold call script so that when you read and say it over the phone it sounds natural and genuine.
That's all for now. On Wednesday we will discuss how to actually contact your person of interest.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
For Tonight and Tomorrow
Needless to say I was unhappy with most of you in today's class. Please let's do better tomorrow. Come on time, start work with your partner, and try to make your cold calls. As I stated, if the excessive talking continues it will affect your final trimester grade.
For those of you who successfully spoke to someone at your restaurant, please type up the recipe and e-mail it to me. For those of you who have not been able to get through, keep trying and go over how you are making your calls. Are you doing everything the way we discussed in class? Work with your partners to improve your performance.
For those of you who could not get through to your restaurants, please e-mail me and let me know so I can have new restaurants for you to call. Tomorrow will be the last day for cold-calling and you will receive a grade for your effort, or lack thereof.
Next week we will begin planning how to call and actually contact the people on your interview list for Roadtrip Nation.
For those of you who successfully spoke to someone at your restaurant, please type up the recipe and e-mail it to me. For those of you who have not been able to get through, keep trying and go over how you are making your calls. Are you doing everything the way we discussed in class? Work with your partners to improve your performance.
For those of you who could not get through to your restaurants, please e-mail me and let me know so I can have new restaurants for you to call. Tomorrow will be the last day for cold-calling and you will receive a grade for your effort, or lack thereof.
Next week we will begin planning how to call and actually contact the people on your interview list for Roadtrip Nation.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Time to Cold Call!!
OK Everyone. It's time to cold call.
Please remember to come to Room B20 from now on (except for Wednesdays). Also, please bring your cell phones and your Roadtrip Nation books to class as well will need to use them to make your cold calls.
As I mentioned earlier your will working in groups of twos (and one group of 3). There is no arguing to be done about this so please work with your partners and help them to succeed as they will help you.
The Groups are as follows:
1. Maria and Antonio Davis
2. Brandon and Deborah
3. Aliyah and Diego
4. Thomas and Stacey
5. Ashley and Kiana
6. Anthony, Samantha, and Luca
7. Katherine and Joseph
8. Antonio Gatto and Gabriela
9. Kristian and Nancy
10. Alexandra and Michelle
11. Julian and Selena
12. Jamel and David
I also mentioned that you would be assigned restaurants to call. Below you will find the restaurants that are assigned to you. I have included their locations and telephone numbers, but you must research the restaurant and look at the menu and what dish you would ask them to help you prepare. Doing research on your subject is the single most important thing that will help you become a good cold caller. This is really going to be your homework for tonight.
The list of restaurants is as follows:
1. Maria: Bistro 33, Astoria, (718) 721-1933
2. Brandon: Pop's Diner, Elmhurst, (718) 426-2229
3. Antonio Davis: Tuscan Hills, Forest Hills, (347) 804-5050
4. Deborah: Mojave, Astoria, (718) 545-4100
5. Aliyah: Bourbon St. Cafe, Flushing, (347) 408-0098
6. Diego: Five Guys Burgers and Fries (718) 767-6500
7. Thomas: The Family Restaurant, Forest Hills, (718) 520-1123
8. Stacey: Uncle George's Greek Tavern, Long Island City, (718) 626-0593
9. Ashley: De Mole, Sunnyside, (718) 392-2161
10. Kiana: Buddy's Kosher Delicatessen, Bayside, (718) 631-2110
11. Anthony: Pasta Lover's Restaurant, Kew Gardens, (718) 261-2800
12. Samantha: Last Stop Restaurant, Astoria, (718) 932-9419
13. Luca: Waterfront Crab House, Long Island City, (718) 729-4862
14. Katherine: Stamatis Restaurant, Astoria, (718) 278-9795
15. Joseph: Bonfire Grill, Forest Hills, (718) 268-0707
16. Antonio Gatto: Cinema Paradiso, Astoria, (718) 786-6400
17. Gabriela: Paninoteca, Forest Hills, (718) 268-3520
18. Kristian: Real Santa Fe Steak House, Woodside, (718) 392-7684
19. Nancy: Happy Buddha Vegetarian Restaurant, Flushing, (718) 358-0079
20. Alexandra: Ben's Best, Rego Park, (718) 897-1700
21. Michelle: Anna's Corner, Astoria, (718) 545-4000
22. Julian: La Vigna, Forest Hills, (718) 268-4764
23. Selena: Jackson Diner, Jackson Heights, (718) 672-1232
24. Jamel: Taverna Kyclades, Long Island City, (718) 545-8666
25. David: JJ's Asian Fusion, Astoria, (718) 626-8888
Come to class prepared to call and good luck!
Please remember to come to Room B20 from now on (except for Wednesdays). Also, please bring your cell phones and your Roadtrip Nation books to class as well will need to use them to make your cold calls.
As I mentioned earlier your will working in groups of twos (and one group of 3). There is no arguing to be done about this so please work with your partners and help them to succeed as they will help you.
The Groups are as follows:
1. Maria and Antonio Davis
2. Brandon and Deborah
3. Aliyah and Diego
4. Thomas and Stacey
5. Ashley and Kiana
6. Anthony, Samantha, and Luca
7. Katherine and Joseph
8. Antonio Gatto and Gabriela
9. Kristian and Nancy
10. Alexandra and Michelle
11. Julian and Selena
12. Jamel and David
I also mentioned that you would be assigned restaurants to call. Below you will find the restaurants that are assigned to you. I have included their locations and telephone numbers, but you must research the restaurant and look at the menu and what dish you would ask them to help you prepare. Doing research on your subject is the single most important thing that will help you become a good cold caller. This is really going to be your homework for tonight.
The list of restaurants is as follows:
1. Maria: Bistro 33, Astoria, (718) 721-1933
2. Brandon: Pop's Diner, Elmhurst, (718) 426-2229
3. Antonio Davis: Tuscan Hills, Forest Hills, (347) 804-5050
4. Deborah: Mojave, Astoria, (718) 545-4100
5. Aliyah: Bourbon St. Cafe, Flushing, (347) 408-0098
6. Diego: Five Guys Burgers and Fries (718) 767-6500
7. Thomas: The Family Restaurant, Forest Hills, (718) 520-1123
8. Stacey: Uncle George's Greek Tavern, Long Island City, (718) 626-0593
9. Ashley: De Mole, Sunnyside, (718) 392-2161
10. Kiana: Buddy's Kosher Delicatessen, Bayside, (718) 631-2110
11. Anthony: Pasta Lover's Restaurant, Kew Gardens, (718) 261-2800
12. Samantha: Last Stop Restaurant, Astoria, (718) 932-9419
13. Luca: Waterfront Crab House, Long Island City, (718) 729-4862
14. Katherine: Stamatis Restaurant, Astoria, (718) 278-9795
15. Joseph: Bonfire Grill, Forest Hills, (718) 268-0707
16. Antonio Gatto: Cinema Paradiso, Astoria, (718) 786-6400
17. Gabriela: Paninoteca, Forest Hills, (718) 268-3520
18. Kristian: Real Santa Fe Steak House, Woodside, (718) 392-7684
19. Nancy: Happy Buddha Vegetarian Restaurant, Flushing, (718) 358-0079
20. Alexandra: Ben's Best, Rego Park, (718) 897-1700
21. Michelle: Anna's Corner, Astoria, (718) 545-4000
22. Julian: La Vigna, Forest Hills, (718) 268-4764
23. Selena: Jackson Diner, Jackson Heights, (718) 672-1232
24. Jamel: Taverna Kyclades, Long Island City, (718) 545-8666
25. David: JJ's Asian Fusion, Astoria, (718) 626-8888
Come to class prepared to call and good luck!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
For Thursday and Friday
Greetings Everyone:
I hope we are all adjusting to being back at school after our nice break. Now for the bad news. We won't have any time off until Spring Break which isn't until the end of April. So we have a long stretch of time and a lot of work ahead of us.
Let's review what we are doing for the rest of this week and into next week.
1. Your next Letters to the Editor are due this Friday, March 4th, at the beginning of class. Please remember to revise, proofread and edit your letters before submitting (e-mailing) them to Ms. Sackstein and me. All letters must be submitted using either MS Word or Google.docs. No handwritten letters will be accepted. By now you should know the format for writing a Letter to the Editor. If you have any questions please refer to earlier postings on this website.
2. We're going to slow down the pace of our cold-calling. After speaking with many of you over the past several days, I can see that we need more time to prepare our scripts and, perhaps, discover a little more about ourselves. I would like all of you to read Lesson 11, Shedding The Noise, and answer the questions on page 81 of that lesson. We will also discuss how technology may be contributing to the noise level in our lives without us even realizing its effects.
3. Finally, I need to apologize to the class. Most of you have done an excellent job getting your assignments completed on time (notice that I said most, not all of you). I, on the other hand, have not done a good job getting your assignments back to you. Again, I apologize for the delay and all of you will have your grades and comments regarding these assignments posted on Teacher-ease by this Sunday evening.
That's all for now. Please remember to bring your Roadtrip Nation Experiences with you to class tomorrow and read Lesson 11 tonight.
I hope we are all adjusting to being back at school after our nice break. Now for the bad news. We won't have any time off until Spring Break which isn't until the end of April. So we have a long stretch of time and a lot of work ahead of us.
Let's review what we are doing for the rest of this week and into next week.
1. Your next Letters to the Editor are due this Friday, March 4th, at the beginning of class. Please remember to revise, proofread and edit your letters before submitting (e-mailing) them to Ms. Sackstein and me. All letters must be submitted using either MS Word or Google.docs. No handwritten letters will be accepted. By now you should know the format for writing a Letter to the Editor. If you have any questions please refer to earlier postings on this website.
2. We're going to slow down the pace of our cold-calling. After speaking with many of you over the past several days, I can see that we need more time to prepare our scripts and, perhaps, discover a little more about ourselves. I would like all of you to read Lesson 11, Shedding The Noise, and answer the questions on page 81 of that lesson. We will also discuss how technology may be contributing to the noise level in our lives without us even realizing its effects.
3. Finally, I need to apologize to the class. Most of you have done an excellent job getting your assignments completed on time (notice that I said most, not all of you). I, on the other hand, have not done a good job getting your assignments back to you. Again, I apologize for the delay and all of you will have your grades and comments regarding these assignments posted on Teacher-ease by this Sunday evening.
That's all for now. Please remember to bring your Roadtrip Nation Experiences with you to class tomorrow and read Lesson 11 tonight.
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