War Eagle Classic

Please join me in congratulating the following!

Masen Kuppler - IPDA 3rd Place
Jalen Bell - Prose Finalist

Congratulations to all of our competitors!
Carson O'Neal, Jenni Kirk, Sadaf Raza, Isaac Springwater, Zach O'Connor, Brooke Matthews, Kendal Bittick, Alyssa Vowell, Anna Claire Martins, Bre Hudson, SieSie Chavez, Anna McCoy, and Drew McFarlane

Former debate partners: Megan McPherson (thx for judging!) and Sadaf Raza

Student Congress Recap

I'm happy to announce the following Student Congress Awards!

Excellence/Superior in Committee
- E. Jenni Kirk Masen Kuppler
- S. Blakely Mayhall

Excellence/Superior in Floor Debate
- E. Jenni Kirk, Masen Kuppler, and Sadaf Raza
- S. Blakely Mayhall

Excellence/Superior in Parliamentary Procedure
- E. Blakely Mayhall, Masen Kuppler

Best Delegate from RHS Delegation
- Blakely Mayhall

Best Bill in House I
3rd place Blakely Mayhall

I'm super proud of this group!  

 Delicious lunch.

  Keeping it classy at the Capitol.

 What a great team!

Post Awards Ceremony with their new gear.

Monday/Tuesday Directions for Debate

Please write the objective on your calendar: Students will evaluate past performances, and students will prepare for their next debate.

Debate students should watch any videos and complete all reflections that are unfinished on their portfolios.  (I receive statistics on each video; so watch them all the way through, because I will know if you do not.) For every video of yours, there should be a reflection.  So those of you who have debated in class could have up to five reflections: introductory speech, constructive speech, CX asking questions, CX answering questions, and rebuttal speech.  

• One reflection consists of 3-4 sentences about your performance.  You should evaluate your content, delivery, and any aspect you are judged on according to the ballots.  Both constructive and positive comments are encouraged.

After they have accomplished this, they should begin working on their Heritage tournament piece(s) or their next in class debate.  



HHS Alternative Assignment if you ARE attending
HHS Alternative Assignment if you are NOT attending

AFF v. NEG

(not necessarily in this order)

Bittick/Matthews  v. Onea/Oneal

Mays/Turner v. Pavon/Martins

Speed/O'Connor v. Vowell/Turner

Smith/Sanchez v. Doherty/Wegrzyn

Please fill out the following survey both Monday and Tuesday.  This is how you will receive points for this workday.

Parent/Teacher Conference Schedule

Hello parents and guardians!

Since I split my time between RHS and HHS, I also have to split my time at Parent/Teacher Conferences.  I'll be at Heritage on Monday, October 28, from 4:00 - 7:00 pm.  On Wednesday, October 30, I'll be at Rogers High from 3:45 - 6:45 pm.

Of course, if you cannot come and see me on the times above, shoot me an email, and we can schedule a time that is convenient for us both.

Thanks for your understanding!
Liz

edavis@rps.k12.ar.us

Debate I Directions for 10/21/13

First, open your portfolio.  Make sure that everything is formatted appropriately.  Resize fonts or videos, make theme changes/adjustments, etc.

Today, we will focus on working with partners and your 1AC.

Please click on the following link and save it to your Google Docs or open it in Word and save it to your documents.

Cuba Embargo (Affirmative)
Cuba Embargo (Negative)

Cuba Oil (Affirmative)

1. Decide which case you and your partner will work on for your first in class debate.
2. Make any changes necessary to your case.
3. Develop a NEG file for you and your partner.
1. openevidence.debatecoaches.org/bin/view/Main/

Advanced Debate Instructions for 10/21/13

Bill Book

Students,  please review the bills in your committee and find evidence to debate the bills.  Print whatever you need for in class debates.  

Also, do you need to change anything on your 1ACs? Discuss with partner.

Directions for Class on Friday, September 13

Please review and follow all of the directions below.  Here is a video that you can follow along.  Then, complete the survey.

Open Google Chrome through Launchy.

1. After you log into your account, type in Chrome in Launchy.
2. It should pop up within a minute.

Go to the Blog for Class.

1. Make sure you are in Google Chrome prior to going to the blog.
1. Debate: http://mountiedebate.blogspot.com
2. Forensics: http://mountieforensics.blogspot.com
3. Theatre Dance: http://rpstheatredance.blogspot.com

Create a Gmail Account or Access your Gmail Account.

1. Type in gmail.com to the address bar.
2. In the top right, click the red button that says Create An Account.
3. Fill in the information, and click next step.
4. In needed, verify your account with a text message sent to your phone.

Create a YouTube Account.

1. Type in gmail.com to the address bar.
2. Once you are signed in, click on YouTube across the top under the address bar.
3. If you are not already signed in, click Sign In in the top right corner of the screen.
4. Follow the instructions to finish your YouTube account.

Create a Presentation in Google Docs.

1. Return to your gmail account (so type in gmail.com into the address bar).
2. At the top of the screen, click on Docs or Drive.
3. On the left side of the screen, click Create and then select presentation.
4. A new window should appear, and you can select your Presentation theme.
5. Change the name of the file to be your class period, your last name, and then Portfolio
1. For example, if my last name were Smith and I was in first hour, I would write 1.Smith.Portfolio
6. Share the document with me.
1. Click the blue Share button in the top right.
2. Under add people, type rhs.ocfd@gmail.com
3. Then, click done.
7. You can decorate the first slide however you want (as long as it’s school appropriate, of course).  There are 3 things to include on the title slide:
1. Name
2. Class
3. Hour

End of the Year Recap!

This has been such a great year for RHS Debate and Forensics!  Our class grew from one class to two, we placed at many tournaments, and we even walked away with some sweepstakes trophies!

I am so proud of these students for their hard work and dedication to this organization.  I am honored to be their coach.  

Here are some pictures from the year that never made it online!

In-Class Rehearsal for Alternative Assignments!

Forensicans at the March Madness tournament in Fayetteville!

"Team Building"

After watching a hearing on a capital murder case in Arkansas, Justice Karen Baker came and spoke with our debaters about the Arkansas court system.  

Stoby's in Russellville was great way to end the trip

Getting some shut eye before the State tournament

A delicious late night snack after many hours of debating

Some of our state qualifiers: Isaac, Josh, Jenni, Ean

Our final meal at a debate tournament for the year!

18 and Life to Go: A Legal Handbook for Young Arkansans

Check out this PDF for some vital information about legal processes in Arkansas!

Assessment for Debate/Forensics

Happy Monday!

Sorry that I can't be here today.  Tomorrow, we'll be working on:

• Debate/Forensics (3rd hour): finishing bills/debates
• Debate I (5th hour): preparing for the final exam

For today, I want you to focus on your analysis of performance.  Please answer the following questions, and then submit your work to the sub.

    1.  Are schools killing or enhancing students' creativity? Explain in at least five sentences.

    2.  Watch the embedded video as a class.

    3.  What is the overall point of Ken Robinson's speech?

    4.  What nonverbal strengths does Ken Robinson possess?

    5.  How can education change to better utilize creativity? Should the system change? Explain in at least 10 sentences.
    6.  How can this better utilize creativity, and how can this class improve next year?

If you finish early, please prepare material for your final exam in this class.

Final Exam

For your final exam, you have two options.

Option 1 – Student Congress Bill and Authorship Speech

Students may create a new Student Congress bill and present an authorship speech.  The same rubrics from the previous student congress session will be utilized.  They are also attached here.  Although an outline is not required, I strongly urge that you complete it and follow it during your speech.  You may have one note card.

The bill needs to be submitted electronically the day before your authorship speech is due. 

Point breakdown:

Bill – 55 points

Speech – 100 points

Option 2 – Oratory with Manuscript

Students may write an original oratory and present it to the class.  The same rubrics from the previous oratory assessments will be used in addition to an attached rubric for the actual document (manuscript).  You must use your script and a black book for this speech.

The oratory should be submitted the day before your oratory is due.

Point breakdown:

Manuscript – 55 points

Speech – 100 points

Summer Debate Camps

Hello!

Below are some links to policy debate camps around (ish) our area.  I strongly recommend attending one if you have the opportunity to do so.  Both novice and varsity debaters can benefit from camps!

Natural State Debate Institute - Little Rock, AR

Missouri State Debate Institute - Springfield, MO

Kansas University Debate Camp - Lawrence, KS

University of Texas Skills Intensive - Austin, TX

University of North Texas Mean Green Workshops - Denton, TX 

Student Congress Bills

We are taking a break from policy debate to work on Student Congress!

There are several specific aspects of bill creation that you should be aware of before you get started.  You may choose any policy change at the school, local, state or federal level.    You may work individually or with one partner.  

Here is a link to the Bill Template.  Sign in to Gmail, click on the link, make a copy of the bill, and re-title it with your name.  Then, share the document with me.

Or, if you don't like Google docs, you can download the Bill Template, save it to your H drive, and then email it to me when you are finished.

Here is a packet that I give to Oral Comm. students.  Go to page 3, and you can see a diagrammed bill that tells you what to write in each section.

Here is the rubric for the bill!

Bills are due on Friday via email!

Here is the outline for the bill.  Please fill this out.

Outlines are due by the end of class on Monday.

Glog Assignment for Kuntrell Jackson

Please review this link for the directions for this Glog project.

You you do not have a Glogster account, you will need to create one for free at http://edu.glogster.com/   

This project is due by the beginning of class on Monday, April 1.

If you are attending the state tournament, you are exempt from this assignment.  Make sure that you have clear understanding of the case prior to attending the Appeals on Wheels program on Thursday, April 4.

Please fill this reflection out at the end of each class period.

Bailey & Oliver Speech Competition Results!

Please congratulate Brianna Graham on winning 3rd place in the 4th annual Bailey & Oliver Speech competition!  She, along with 6 other students from RHS Debate, competed against 7 students from Bentonville High School this weekend.  She received high scores from her judging panel, which consisted of local news anchors, judges, CEOs, and school administrators (including our own Mrs. Highfill)!

All of our students represented RHS exceptionally well, as usual.  All of the judges approached me throughout the competition to tell me how pleased they were with the students' talent, poise, and demeanor.

 Here are the top three finishers with Mr. Bailey & Mr. Oliver! You ladies are all phenomenal!

From the left: Emma Hacket (2nd), Brianna Graham (3rd), Heidi Peterson (1st)

 Here are all of the competitors from RHS & BHS!

Here are the competitors from RHS!

From the left: Megan McPherson, Blakely Mayhall, Josh Garlock, Jenni Kirk, Austyn Ayson, Brianna Graham, and Masen Kuppler

And the real star of the show, the fifteenth competitor

A special thank you to the Bailey & Oliver Law Firm who invited us to be a part of the competition this year.  This is truly a unique and amazing experience for all of our students!  

Thanks for your support!  

Liz

Bailey & Oliver Workdays

Please use your time in the lab wisely as you work toward your speech for the Bailey & Oliver Speech Competition.  The outline for this speech is due Monday, February 4; speeches will begin on Tuesday, February 5.

Also, you should complete the Extemp Activity that was assigned last Thursday & Friday.  This will be due on Friday, February 1.

Here are some sample outline templates for this assignment.

The Bailey & Oliver Speech Competition for students from Rogers High School and Bentonville High School will be on Saturday, February 23, 2013.  The winner of the competition will win $300!

The topic for this years competition is: 

Is the US currently falling behind in education? If so, what needs to be done?

I have uploaded a version of the rubric that the judges will use during the competition.  You can access that document by clicking this link.

Extemporaneous Speaking

Hello!

We are moving on to study extemporaneous speaking in this next unit.  Hopefully, you'll be able to have lucrative gains from this information.  In February, the Bailey & Oliver Law Firm are hosting a competition, and the winner of this extemporaneous speaking contest will win $300!

While I am traveling with the drama department, there is an activity that I would like for you to complete.  Once you have finished this, you may look for pieces online, work on your Forensics/Debate work, etc.  You will need headphones for a portion of this assessment.

Directions:

1. Please log into your Gmail account.
2. Click on the following document.
3. Select File > Make a Copy.
1. Rename the document to read your last name.Extemp Activity.
2. For example, mine would be "Davis.Extemp Activity".
4. Share the document with me.
1. Click the blue icon at the top right of your page.
2. Then enter my Gmail address: RHS.OCFD@gmail.com
5. Complete the questions on the activity.

Thanks, and I look forward to applying your knowledge next week!

Cabot Classic Results!

Congratulations to the RHS Forensics and Debate team on a fantastic performance this past weekend in Cabot!  Jane Balgavy and her team hosted a wonderful tournament!

Please congratulate all of the students who attended the 2013 Cabot Classic!  They were all amazing representatives of our school.  I often had coaches come up to me to tell me just how talented and respectful these students are.  I'm so proud to be their coach!

Here are the results!

Oratory
Sadaf Raza - Semifinals
Daniel Salvador - Semifinals

Poetry
Bre Hudson - Semifinals
Annie Kate Lipscomb - 2nd place

Novice Debate
Jenni Kirk/Josh Garlock - Semifinals (tie for 4th)
Brianna Graham/Taylor Stacy - 2nd place
Josh Garlock - 3rd place speaker
Jenni Kirk - 1st place speaker

Varsity Debate
Blakely Mayhall/Masen Kuppler - 2nd place

It was a great weekend, and here are some pictures from the trip!

 After a long night of debating, Papa Johns was a great decision!

 The Poetry results were posted, and we had two kids in semi-finals!  Way to go Bre and Annie Kate!

 They pretend like they don't like me taking pictures of them.  

 We had 3 out of 4 teams advance to elimination rounds!

 This is the best cheese dip in central Arkansas!  Thanks, Mexico Chiquito!

 We had two students in Oratory semifinals! Congrats Sadaf and Daniel!

 Yay Annie Kate!

Patiently awaiting the awards!

1AC Reflection & Development

Over the last couple of days, we have focused on analyzing and finding holes in our current first affirmative constructives.  The purpose of this was twofold; first, students were able to analyze another case and use critical thinking skills, and second, students will be able to use these analyses to strengthen their cases.

In class today, your goal is to review the comments from your evaluators and make any necessary revisions.  Please make a list of your goals for today with your partner, and share those goals with me.  

Specifically, I want you to begin using Google docs for this.  

1. Log into your gmail account, or create a gmail account.
2. Go to drive at the top of the webpage.
3. Select create then select document.
1. Here is where you will write your goals for the class period.
4. Share this document with your partner and with me by clicking share in the top right corner.
1. Add my email address rhs.ocfd@gmail.com
5. Work with your partner throughout the class period, and at the end of the class period, reflect on your progress.
1. On the document, write out what you accomplished and what remains to be done.