Today in 12 Grade, English students were introduced to a listening comprehension activity

Serial Website episode 1- dealing with a journalists investigation into a murder mystery case in
Baltimore Maryland and review of evidence and accounts. Working together, the teacher and
students identify characters, plot, questions, controversies and vocabulary using a handout as a
guideline (see images and notes). Instructional technology included audio, pauses, and
smartboard used by teacher to facilitate discussion and record/keep track of encountered
characters so far.
https://serialpodcast.org/season-one
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Breaks in between classes (c. 20 minutes)

Erdnuss chocolate bar; Nestle Kit Kat and coffee
Set up school computer password/printing; German textbooks and worksheets
As a follow up from last week, returned for 12th grade
student group presentations (15-20 minutes each) of
various political/cultural projects on the Culture Wars.
Here is an example of students using technology.
However, overall impression of classroom observations in
English is that technology use is not as heavily
emphasized or considered necessary for daily instruction.
Most classes get along without reliance on computers
and projectors, video clips focus on worksheets,
games, discussions, and posters/ group work to comprise
majority of lesson plans. Teachers usually write out
lesson plans on paper, though teachers room contains
around 10 computers (faculty username/password to
access). Two computers per classroom is standard issue
(internet/printing access). Computer lab rooms are
available for any additional needs of larger groups.
Breaking News update student summary/interpretation
Democratic debate: Hillary Clinton vs. Bernie Sanders
for party nomination (issues: Roe v. Wade, comparisons with Trump, gun laws, womens rights;
disrespectful to different candidates?)
Presentation 1 Abortion laws in U.S. and Germany (4 students, PowerPoint) in English

- history, laws, obstacles, health, rights, restrictions, 1970 Roe v. Wade, Presidents, modern day
laws, state rules vary, information, consent, consultations, education, waiting period, charts,
maps, statistics, professional doctors, particular stages of pregnancy; US encouragement to
convince not to have an abortion
- German abortion laws; history 1920-Present; punishments,
Nazi takeover, prison, fines or death penalty, doctor
confirmation; insurance pays for abortion; Germany more of
ban on abortion; currently legal
- does insurance pay for abortion? (depends); pronunciation
of words (processes, to have an abortion)
Presentation 2 Abortion; Structure main question,
description, sources
- Supreme Court, definitions of abortion; comparison of states
(Texas, North Dakota, Georgia); restrictions/qualifications;
information age, consultations, prolonged processes,
consequences, womens rights protests, victims of rape or
incest, pro-life vs. pro-choice; time frame of pregnancy, fetus
Questions/feedback
- Why Texas and North Dakota? (not representative of all
United States more conservative, different populations,
geography, stricter laws on abortion)
Oral presentation grades
Assessments sheet
Ms. E African American/Black History Project (handouts)
11 grade work for Thursday next week (exam schedules)
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Tea time -Berliners - fried dough, sugar with raspberry filling (5 people, ate entire box) and
frothy cappuccinos
New scooter for Nino; snapchats and social media videos
Origami lesson 2 - paper boxes
Plans for city visits
Chess Tournament Round 3 - Mike wins tiebreaker 3-2