PODER 12 Assignments
Assignment Calendar
Upcoming Assignments
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Past Assignments
Due:
The Final Project
For your final PODER project, you will either present in class or record a Zoom presentation of your responses to the following questions:
1. Now that you're about to graduate high school, think of the advice you would share with incoming freshmen. What do you know now that you wish you knew on your first day of your first year in high school?
2. What advice would you give to your future self (four years from now)?
3. What is the single most important academic lesson you have learned during your four years at MKHS? Why does this lesson in particular stand out to you as the most important?
4. What is the single most important life lesson you have learned during your four years at MKHS? Why does this lesson in particular stand out to you as the most important?
5. Where will you go to college, and at this point what do you plan to study? If you have decided to not attend college right now, then what do you plan to do instead in the near future?
6. Share with us a parting quote that sums up your feelings about graduation and the act of transitioning from one chapter of your life to another.
Presentation requirements:
-Use Google Slides to present your answers.
-Your presentation must be between 3.5-5 minutes long.
-You may present in class on the day of the final, or you may record a video using Zoom and play the video during class instead.
-Whether or not you present in class or play a prerecorded Zoom video, upload your Google Slides to this assignment post by the deadline. If you have recorded your presentation, upload a link to your Zoom video as well.
1. Now that you're about to graduate high school, think of the advice you would share with incoming freshmen. What do you know now that you wish you knew on your first day of your first year in high school?
2. What advice would you give to your future self (four years from now)?
3. What is the single most important academic lesson you have learned during your four years at MKHS? Why does this lesson in particular stand out to you as the most important?
4. What is the single most important life lesson you have learned during your four years at MKHS? Why does this lesson in particular stand out to you as the most important?
5. Where will you go to college, and at this point what do you plan to study? If you have decided to not attend college right now, then what do you plan to do instead in the near future?
6. Share with us a parting quote that sums up your feelings about graduation and the act of transitioning from one chapter of your life to another.
Presentation requirements:
-Use Google Slides to present your answers.
-Your presentation must be between 3.5-5 minutes long.
-You may present in class on the day of the final, or you may record a video using Zoom and play the video during class instead.
-Whether or not you present in class or play a prerecorded Zoom video, upload your Google Slides to this assignment post by the deadline. If you have recorded your presentation, upload a link to your Zoom video as well.
Due:
They Say/I Say Exercise #3
Using at least four sentence templates from the They Say/I Say handout, type a double-spaced, one-page reflection about the 21 Chump Street podcast. Please embolden the They Say/I Say sentence templates when you use them. In the reflection, explain your thoughts about the issue, what points you agree or disagree on and why, and how this issue applies to your own life.
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They Say/I Say Exercise #2
Using at least four sentence templates from the They Say/I Say handout, type a double-spaced, one-page reflection about the Money Tree podcast. Please embolden the They Say/I Say sentence templates when you use them. In the reflection, explain your thoughts about the issue, what points you agree or disagree on and why, and how this issue applies to your own life.
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They Say/I Say Exercise #1
Using at least four sentence templates from the They Say/I Say handout, type a double-spaced, one-page reflection about The Moth podcast featuring Hasan Minhaj. Please embolden the They Say/I Say sentence templates when you use them. In the reflection, explain your thoughts about the podcast, which of Minhaj's points you agree or disagree with and why, and how one of the issues discussed in his story applies to your own life.
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College-Level Writing Exercises
Complete the assigned exercises (listed in today's agenda) on a Google Doc and submit the Google Doc to this assignment post by the end of today's class.
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Financial Literacy Workbook
Complete the workbook step-by-step as we work through the unit on financial literacy.
-Slides 1-21 must be complete and in the same order as the PODER 12 Financial Literacy notebook (the second link, not the first). Vocabulary slides should go after slide 21. Vocabulary we completed: credit, credit score, apr, debt, budgeting, and saving.
-This is a major assignment, so be sure to turn it in on time.
-Slides 1-21 must be complete and in the same order as the PODER 12 Financial Literacy notebook (the second link, not the first). Vocabulary slides should go after slide 21. Vocabulary we completed: credit, credit score, apr, debt, budgeting, and saving.
-This is a major assignment, so be sure to turn it in on time.
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Interactive: Living paycheck to paycheck
Follow the instructions and complete the steps in the order listed. Answer all questions with thoughtful responses to receive credit for this assignment.
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Monthly Grocery Budget
After completing Slides #20-21, take snapshots of those slides and then upload them to this assignment post.
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Savings First Aid Kit
Use DocHub (please download this free program if you don't already have it) to answer all questions on the Savings First Aid Kit. Answer and complete all sections of the Savings First Aid Kit, and then upload your assignment to receive credit for your work.
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Exit Slip question: What changes can I make to my budget based on the results of my Reality Check quiz?
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Before the lesson begins, consider and respond to the lesson’s essential questions: How can I prepare myself financially for unexpected events? How can I start to build an emergency savings fund?
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Think about a past mistake you made. What did you learn from the experience and how can it be applied to your future?
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Think of a time when you convinced yourself that a purchase was a need when, in reality, it was a want. What happened and why? How can we avoid that pitfall in the future?
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Needs and Wants case studies
Answer on a Google Doc the questions found on the linked webpage. Upload your Google Doc to receive credit for this assignment.
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Please copy and paste to this question post the three insights you gained from your research on credit cards.
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Are there any areas of your life that you can be more organized? How can you accomplish this? What can you do to prevent disorganization in the future?
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List some of the pros and cons of owning a credit card.
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What is one place you would love to travel to, and why?
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Financial Literacy Quiz
Upload a snapshot of your completed quiz score, and then in a paragraph or so, reflect on the questions that were difficult for you to answer and the vocabulary that was unfamiliar to you. Type this reflection on a separate Google Doc and upload it along with your picture.
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Reflect on last semester and your academic performance. Did your grades reflect your potential? Why or why not? What are your goals for your final semester?
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Financial Literacy presentation notes
On a Google Doc, type your responses to the questions asked during the presentation. Afterwards, submit the Google Doc to this assignment post.
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What is your word for the new year? Why?
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Semester 1 reflection
Provide thoughtful answers for all of the questions on the attached Google Slides.
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Submitting the FAFSA
In order to receive credit for this assignment, upload a screenshot proving you completed and submitted your FAFSA.
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Applying for scholarships
In order to receive credit for this assignment, upload snapshots proving that you applied for five scholarships.
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Applying to UCs
Upload a picture confirming you submitted an application to at least one school in the UC system.
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Free L.A. Times digital subscription
Upload a snapshot to this assignment post confirming you signed up for the free L.A. Times digital subscription.
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Quarter Check
To help you keep track of your progress and avoid Senioritis, complete and submit the Quarter Check by the end of class.
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Name one milestone you've accomplished and one roadblock you've struggled with so far in your senior year. Explain why each are significant to you.
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Asking Ms. Pagaza about financial aid
Ms. Pagaza will speak to the class on Monday about financial aid, an important yet potentially complicated process for all incoming college students. Begin by reviewing the flyers that were posted to Google Classroom on 10/6/20. Then, consider the information provided and how it relates to your circumstances.
On a Google Doc, type at least three questions about financial aid that you can ask Ms. Pagaza on Monday. Submit your Google Doc 7 p.m. on 10/18.
When Ms. Pagaza concludes her presentation, you are expected to ask her one of your three questions. To receive full credit for this assignment, type her answer on the same Google Doc, and then resubmit it by 9:45 a.m. on 10/19.
On a Google Doc, type at least three questions about financial aid that you can ask Ms. Pagaza on Monday. Submit your Google Doc 7 p.m. on 10/18.
When Ms. Pagaza concludes her presentation, you are expected to ask her one of your three questions. To receive full credit for this assignment, type her answer on the same Google Doc, and then resubmit it by 9:45 a.m. on 10/19.
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"The swiftest way to triple your success is to double your investment in personal development." - Robin Sharma. What does personal investment mean? What personal investment are you making in yourself?
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PIQ Rough Draft Organizer
Please complete this handout to help you keep track of your PIQ rough drafts and the specific improvements they need.
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How can Ms. Pagaza help you right now? What do you need from her (e.g., presentations, handouts, etc.)?
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CSU Application
Finish your CSU application and then submit it. Take a snapshot of the webpage that confirms you completed and submitted your application. Upload your snapshot to this assignment post to receive credit and to help me keep track of your college application progress.
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Write four questions (silly or serious) that you think would make good college personal statement prompts.
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Letter of Recommendation packet
As proof of completion, submit a digital copy of your Letter of Recommendation packet.
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People often reward themselves after achieving a goal with uninterrupted TV time, sleeping, eating at a restaurant, etc. How do you reward yourself for completing a big task or accomplishing something? How will you reward yourself for completing and submitting your CSU application?
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Follow-up letter to staff members who have agreed to write you a letter of recommendation
As proof of completion, submit a digital copy of your follow-up letters.
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Requesting letters of recommendation
Email at least two to three (depending on which schools you apply to and how many letters of recommendation are required for admission) school staff members and politely ask if they will write a letter of recommendation for you. For the sake of accountability, please take a picture of each of these emails and then upload the pictures to this assignment as proof of completion.
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Which teachers know you well?
Create a list of teachers who know you well. What kind of student were you in his/her class? What would that teacher say about you? Now write one example of how you stood out in his/her class. Your example should be specific. Think about your participation, a project, or volunteer work you’ve done.
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EOP Questions
Use this handout to help you begin drafting responses to the questions found on the EOP application. Even if you don't plan to apply for the program, please answer the questions because it will serve as good practice for the responses you will have to write on your college applications.
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List all the reasons you've heard about why you should go to college. Review those reasons and reflect on how many of those are cliches or someone else's expectations of you. Now write a two-sentence statement about why you would like to attend college.
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What makes writing about oneself so difficult? What holds us back from sharing our stories: fear of not being interesting enough, fear of rejection, or fear of sharing with others? Does this resonate with you? Why or why not?
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Talking about My Future
Having this kind of conversation with your parents can be difficult, so it's helpful to know in advance what you want to say. Please complete all empty portions of the slides to prepare yourself to discuss with your parents your plans for your future.
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Questions to ask Ms. Pagaza
On the attached handout, type one or more questions to ask Ms. Pagaza after she finishes her presentation. Type on the same handout her answer to your question(s). Upload this assignment by the end of the class period.
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CSU Campus and Major organizer
Please complete the attached form to organize your college search.
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Reflection: Life Lessons from a Senior
Reflect on your writing experience by answering the questions on the attached handout.
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Your college list
First, share this list with Mr. Yankowsky. Then, complete this list to consolidate and organize all the information needed for your reach, match, and safety universities. Be sure to complete this assignment before working on the Talking about My Future assignment.
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Senior year letters to yourself
Follow each prompt to write thoughtful, helpful letters to yourself. Each letter should be double-spaced and at least a page long.
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Life Lessons from a Senior
Reflect on your time in PODER and at Mark Keppel high school. Think of the life lessons you've learned, choose six, and then explain each lesson in detail while also providing advice to future PODER freshmen.
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A-G handout
Using information from PowerSchool and from your transcript, please complete this form so that you and I can better understand your A-G progress.
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Who is on your team?
Fill out the provided form using information found on mkhs.org.
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Your ikigai?
What are you good at? What do you love to do? What does the world need? And what can you get paid for? At the intersection of these four answers lies your ikigai: what is it? How do higher education and your prospective major pertain to these answers?
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Thoughts on Watts?
Demonstrate your ability to paraphrase by expressing Alan Watts' message in your own words. Then, share your thoughts about that message and how it relates to your own life.