Suriving the Storm

Here is a look at 6.3 students enduring "The STORM" - a two day event meant to simulate the sounds, sights and feelings of the real WaxMuseum. Things that may have been distractions will no longer effect us. 

4 days.

"Now He Belongs to the Ages"

Team 6.3 had the opportunity to meet Abraham Linco. . . I mean, Mr. Stan DeHaan. That's what happens while listening to him; it's easy to forget this tall, mild-tempered man standing before you is not actually our sixteenth President. 

While my students are putting finishing touches on their WaxMusuem performances, Mr. DeHaan provided a perfect example of what it looks, sounds and feels like to truly become someone else. 

With little over one week before our big night, let me ask you if you will have the Stan DeHaan Effect? What I mean is, will people need to pinch themselves while listening as a reminder that you are not actually your person of the past?

#ChangeALife #WM2013

The STORM

Preparing for the STORM

There's a storm coming - forecasted to hit on April 19th. 

Practicing your speech by yourself, or even with a friend or family member is becoming too easy; doing so isn't realistic either. It's good, don't get me wrong, but it's not enough. The hallways of Patrick Henry will have a lot going on during the WaxMuseum - it's like a storm. 

Next Friday, we going to try preparing for the ultimate storm by replicating the sights, sounds and feelings you'll experience during the 90 minute blitz of activity. Can you focus, can you be confident, accurate and entertaining when things are spiralling around you? We'll see next Friday won't we. . . 

The storm is brewing - you can either run away from it, or dance in the rain. 

6.3 - In it to End It.

Can something as small as writing a little red x on your hand really make a difference? Yeah, it can. Before last week, none of us knew slavery was still an issue. Awareness. People need to know about things, and perhaps someone asked you why you had a red x on your hand.

They probably thought you had just gone to a sporting event, to a dance, concert or performance, or maybe they thought you had an x shaped scratch. . . no probably not. Either way, if you were able to tell them about End It, you made ONE MORE PERSON aware of the issue. 

What happens if everyone in the world hears about things and realizes there's a need for change? Hmmm, what if. . . hey, let's do our part to make that happen. Who knows, maybe a little red x on our hands will make the world better. 

#ShineALight #EndItMovement

End It Movement

Not in Sioux Falls. Not in South Dakota. Not in the Midwest or the United States. Right? Wrong -it does exist. 27 million kids, moms, dads, friends are forced to do things they don't want to do by threatening people. There is a world far greater than "our world" that we feel so very comfortable in. Isn't it our obligation; are we not responsible for making the whole world safe, just and free for all people? You and I are individually small people in the eyes of the world, but when millions, no, billions of small people like us respond to injustice, and cry out for change, it's amazing how big we become. As one. Together. 

Check out this site or watch the video- the main days to show our support are next Sunday and Tuesday. The site has things you can buy, but also has really cool and easy ideas for free. Take five minutes to check it out. This is the real world - let's step up and do something about it. 

P, Pr, Pre, Prep, Prepa, Prepar, Prepara, Preparat, Preparati, Preparatio, Preparation.

As we're officially within one month from the 2013 Wax Museum, it becomes vital that our preparation ramps up. When we look at the gap between where we are and where we need to be, it should push us to work harder each day. I have included videos from 2012 students showing qualities of a great performance. Those include: volume (loud), speed (natural, not too fast), body language (movement - not statue-like), confidence (an "I'm awesome" attitude) and fun (it's ok to smile. I think some famous people smiled once in a while). 

Strong tips for successful preparation:
    - read your 1st person narrative and time it. Is it 2:00-3:00 long? 
    - memorize, memorize, memorize.
    - practice for your parents, sister, hamster, in the mirror, to your imaginary friend.
    - memorize, memorize, memorize, memorize.
    - wear your costume to the mall (no, maybe just around home) so you get used to it. 
    - stop memorizing and BECOME - speak it as if you ARE your person.

Surely you're not studying Christianity in school. We are, and don't call me Shirley

Before everyone constructs their defenses, or puts up a "stop right there" sign, let me assure you that everything contained in our next unit complies with all federal laws - specifically Law 2.003.B-2 (I made that law up). But this next unit does make people get a little weird - we're talking about Christianity. . . in school. . . Say what?!

Yes, we are. Studied through the eyes of history, the rise and growth of Christianity can tell us a lot about not only history, but about the world today. It is not my job, my intention nor my goal to impose any beliefs on students - Christian beliefs, Muslim beliefs, Jewish beliefs, etc (it's not my role to impose beliefs on anyone for that matter). We will discuss Jesus - the man. We will discuss the Bible - the best selling book of all time. We will discuss Christians today - the two billion + of them. 

I think the next week and a half in social studies will be interesting for everyone - whether you're an expert of the Christian faith, or if you've never even seen a cross. Thanks for your understanding. Now, we've got some learning to do!

Remind 101 - What is it?!

How to get onto Mr. Klumper's Remind 101 list! Sign up now before all the spots are taken.

(There is no limit to spots, but sign up now! You'll be glad you did and be in the loop with all happenings on 6.3)

Mr. or Ms. 15,000

As we near our 15,000th hit on KnowStrength, I begin to wonder who the lucky winner of a personalized Bumper Sticker will be. . 

Check often, you never know when 15K is going to burst onto your screen!

Happy Blogging. 

Are YOU prepared for succes?

See if you're prepared for Thursday's test! 

Mediterranean Map Cheat

Working on your Study Guide? Want to make sure you've labeled locations accurately, here's your cheat! KnowStrength provides you w/ everything you need. 

Time to Eruption: Five, Four, Three, Two, One. . . Nero

Every civilization, culture and empire of history can say they've had one or two bad leaders, right? Well, in the case of ancient Rome, under the leadership of Nero, a stronger adjective than "bad" may need be used: 

Horrible - Awful - Wreched - Frightening - Terrifying - Volatile 

I feel this video clip does a fine job conveying the personality and behavior shown by Emperor Nero spanning fourteen years of Roman history.