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Current Event Project – Version 5

Recommended Sources: If a story appears in 3-4 of these sources, it usually makes the quiz

  1. FM 88.9 National Public Radio
  2. The Oregonian (available online at
  3. Bill Maher on HBO
  4. “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central

What YouWill Do:

Log Form
  1. For 12 weeks over the next semester, you will keep a Current Event Log
  2. You will use the Current Event Log Form for each of those 12 weeks.
  3. Each week you review will be 7 days long, beginning on Friday and ending on Thursday (just like your Current Event Quizzes do)
  4. The Log Form will be due the day after (Friday) the reviewed week finishes – NO LATE LOGS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
  5. Logs must be turned in on the provided form, be in your own handwriting, and MUST NOT be similar to any other students. With the exception of the article/story titles, everything MUST BE IN YOUR OWN WORDS. If you do not understand the concept of paraphrasing, see me or your English teacher.
  6. YOU MAY use the Log Form to help you on the weekly current event quiz. The Log must be turned in at the same time as the quiz.
  1. You will write the Journal on your own paper

Personal Journal
  1. Each Journal must be 2 pages (1 page, front and back)
  2. The Journal may be typed – double-spaced, Times New Roman 12 pt font, ½ inch margins .
  3. The Journal must have your name and the week you reviewed written on the top of the first page
  4. The Journal is due on Friday, the same day as the quiz
  5. The Journal is to be your personal reaction to the stories of that week. You are to reflect and think about those stories, NOT TO RE-EXPLAIN THEM OR GIVE A BUNCH OF FACTS. Think/write about the following things: What’s going to happen next? What should happen next? How should you feel about this issue or event? How important is this issue/event in your life? In your community? In your nation/world? How does this story connect to our past history? What does this story/issue reveal about human nature? About the nature of communities? How accurate was the portrayal of this story? What bias or hidden agenda might be detected in the depiction of this story or issue? How could you personally have affected this story? If you were a leader, what might you do about it?
  6. The Journal should be entirely in your own words. Don’t be excessively concerned about handwriting, spelling, grammar, etc. The point is to engage your mind
  7. LOOK FOR INSPIRATION FROM YOUR PARENTS. SHARE YOUR JOURNAL IDEAS!

Grading
  1. This is an individual, NOT group, project. You receive zero credit for a log significantly similar to others – DO NOT SHARE LOGS!!! I CHECK 
  2. This ongoing project will ultimately count as 3 project grades (1 per 6 week grading period).
  3. You should do some combination of 5 logs/journals per 6 weeks. Each Log and Journal is worth a maximum of 20 points (5X20=100 pts per 6 weeks)
  4. You will receive no grade for a Log or Journal that is not in your own words, on the required form (for Logs) of fails to meet the other requirements listed above. IF YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! See me if you have questions!
  5. Extra Credit – you may earn 10 pts extra credit per 6 week by doing an extra log or journal
  6. WARNING! IF YOU DON’T DO THIS PROJECT, YOU WILL FAIL THE CLASS!!!

Current Event Log Grading Practices:

  1. You start with 20 points
  2. You lose points for the following:

A.1 pt for each missing story or article summary

B.1-5 pts for having more than 5 articles per day

C.3 pts for failing to have fewer than 4 total sources consulted

D.1 pt for each article w/o a source

E.1-5 pts for not having collaborating 5 of your stories with 3 total sources

F.1-10 pts for not having sufficient detail/paraphrasing in your story summaries

Current Event Journal Grading Practice:

  1. You start with 20 points
  2. You lose points for the following:

A.10 points for each missing page (2 total)

B.2 pt if not on lined paper

C.6 pts if not single spaced (handwritten) or double-spaced (typed)

D.1-10 pts if improperly formatted (12 pt font, ½ inch margins)

E.2 pts if week reviewed dates aren’t written

F.1-20 pts if not in your own words

G.1-20 pts if just a summary of facts and not personal reactions to stories

THE CODES 2A TO 2F WILL BE USED ON YOUR GRADED LOGS TO EXPLAIN LOST POINTS

THE CODES 4A TO 4G WILL BE USED TO EXPLAIN GRADES FOR YOUR LOGS