Girls Soccer Wins Public League Championship!

The SLA Girls Soccer teamed defeated Philadelphia Academy Charter School (PACHS) 4-2 on Wednesday Oct. 31st to capture the Single “A” Public League Championship. 

Sophomore Alyssa Winner scored two goals and Aateeyah Sherrieff and Korah Lovelace each added one a piece for the victory.

SLA never trailed in the game, but it took a penalty kick by Lovelace 25 minutes into the second half to break a tense 2-2 tie. Winner iced the game with a rocket into the side netting with 10 minutes left to play.

SLA opened the scoring early with Winner hitting a direct kick from 25 yards out into the upper-right corner above the goalkeeper at the five-minute mark of the first half. PACHS equalized off a scramble following free kick in the SLA end of the field 18 minutes later and the teams entered the half tied at 1-1.

Sharrieff opened the scoring in the second half on a scramble in the goal mouth following a bobble by the PACHS keeper at the seven-minute mark of the second half. PACHS soon equalized, however, and the game entered a tense period with neither team producing scoring opportunities.

The 2-2 tie was broken when Michelle Torelli streaked down the left wing to chase down a loose ball in the PACHS defensive end. Her hustle earned a penalty as she was brought down in the box by a defender. Lovelace coolly converted the penalty kick in the lower right corner of the net to give the rockets the winning goal.

The playoff win by the Rockets avenges a 2-1 loss to PACHS during regular season and brings their record up to 10 wins and five losses.

Q1 Benchmark: Book Ending Rewrite

​The link to the new book ending, of Everyday, by David Levithan, is here.


When the project was introduced, I wasn't entirely sure what book I'd write it on. I had a choice between Jazz by Toni Morrison and Everyday by David Levithan.

I had already read Everyday, but I had no passion to do a project on it since the book's ending disappointed me so. I was in the process of readying Jazz, but that book was very hard to follow, and I wasn't concrete in my idea to redesignthe cover idea.

I then had an idea: why not read a book I might potentially like and do something on that? The prospective book was Will Grayson, Will Grayson by David Levithan and John Green. I had began reading the book, and unfortunately lost it.

But, that's beside the point. I had an innovative teacher suggested a splendid idea! Why not rewrite the ending of Everyday?!

I decided that was a swell idea and created an ending I thought was suitable for the end of the book. My intentions for the ending was to give a structured, yet broad, idea of A's life after Rhiannon. I felt like A, the main character, leaving Rhiannon with a suitable boyfriend was fine, but A's life really mattered at the end of the book, and I feel like readers don't get any idea what that might ensue.

My ending included Revered Poole, an antagonist in the story, and I wanted Poole to introduce A to people like his kind. A then meets a soul named Rose, who's just like A, in that Rose goes from body to body. They become "sort of friends" and A decides if there should be an association between them.

Q1 Benchmark: Book Review


Over the last month I read the Fifth book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series. I watched as the war of the five Kings wound to a close. I tasted the meals while reading George’s famous descriptions of food. I hurt when my favorite characters felt pain, and I smiled every moment they didn’t die tragically.

George R.R. Martin’s A Dance With Dragons is the fifth 1,510 page installment to his A Song of Ice and Fire series continuing his stories of the fictional continent of Westeros. While a healthy appreciation for fiction is certainly needed to get through such a large book, I can say that the series has much more to offer than originally meets the eye. Dance continues the story telling style of using “point of view characters”. Chapters are divided up by character, telling the story through their eyes.

For readers unfamiliar with this style of storytelling, let me tell you that it makes it very hard to hate one character more than another. Martin creates a world of gray areas. Much like real life, every character has a reason for their actions. This leaves it up to the reader to draw his or her own opinions. The maddening part of this type of storytelling is that those characters who might otherwise be considered the “bad guys” get to show their own perspective. I found it frustrating that George R.R Martin didn’t let me fully agree with the “good guys” or completely hate the “bad guys”, but I will say that it kept me on my toes. It keeps the story relatable and interesting more than anything else.

One issue I’ve had with the series so far is the inclusion of characters that don’t drive the plot in any way. This continues in Dance. For example, Quentin Martel’s inclusion in the story doesn’t serve any purpose other than to give exhausting details about unimportant places. His entire story can be summed up in the sentence “ The heir to Dorne travels east to find his queen.” I found myself caring little about him and more for what his actions mean to other characters. To those readers who don’t care about every detail but still want to be able to understand the plot, skipping Martel’s chapters is a safe way to save time.

While I love this book and hope everyone reads it. I also had to read the other huge books in order to get to it. Dance is completely plot driven, and will not make any sense unless the first four books are read before hand. If you think you are up to the challenge of reading such a long story, I guarantee that you will enjoy yourself. If you’ve made the journey through the other four books, congratulations! You are in for another thrilling installment to the series. Remember though, George R.R Martin in infamous for killing off major characters. In A Dance With Dragons, winter is coming, and that certainly doesn’t mean he’ll relent.

.By James Prell


Spanish Alphabet Rafi



Abuhena Hares
Spanish
Manuel

Alphabeto

A: ah
B: beh
C: seh
D: deh
E: eh
F: efe
G: hey
H: hachi
I: eeeh
J: hota
K: kah
L: ele
M: eme
N ene
Ñ: enyeh
O: o
P: pe
Q: cu
R: ere (or erre)
S: ese
T: teh
U: ooh
V: beh
W: doble beh
X: equis
Y: y gre-ge-ga
Z: seta

The purpose of this lesson is to teach about the spanish alphabet which is quite similar to the english one but has its key differences which will be highlighted.

Here is a video about two people reciting the alphabet. Here is another video about a real life situation.

Q1 English 3 Benchmark: Kenny Le

Killing Lincoln by Bill O’Reilly & Martin Dugard


Book Review by Kenny Le


It is important that we learn about our greatest American heroes and villains. Role models are a big thing in today's life. Everyone wants to be a better person everyday. Everyone has goals whether it be personal or academic goals. Abraham Lincoln had good goals that he had to accomplish, but John Wilkes Booth put an end to the pursuit of those goals. Stories like this inspire people to do good things, and it inspires people to stop the harm that is being done by bad people. 

When I first opened Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard, I expected to skim through the pages and see what the book is like. I wanted to find out why would they sell a book about Abraham Lincoln when most people already know what happened. I thought people probably bought it, because it's written by Bill O'Reilly. Bill O' Reilly is a political commentator, and he also has his own show on Fox, The O'Reilly Factor. It is common knowledge that people know what happened to Abraham Lincoln. If they do not know what happened to Lincoln, they can find out what happened by searching up Abraham Lincoln on the web. I skimmed through the book, and read the first page that got me hooked. 

In the beginning of the book, Abraham Lincoln is the President of the Union in the time of the Civil war. It recalls the final days of the war with Abraham Lincoln watching over the war. The story of Robert E. Lee battling against Ulysses S. Grant was very engaging. After the war, the book soon moves into a sequence of events where Lincoln is working to end the war, while John Wilkes Booth's plan goes into work to end Lincoln's life.

Killing Lincoln is a nonfiction book, but as I read it, it felt more of a fiction novel. Killing Lincoln is written as a thriller, and the book just keeps drawing you in and making you want to read more to find out what's going to happen next. Everyone knows how Lincoln's life ended, but the book creates anxiety for the reader making you ask questions like "What if?". There were so many moments where Lincoln could've been saved that I never even knew about. There were so many different things Lincoln could've done differently to protect himself. It makes you keep hoping that Lincoln will realize the dangers in his life, as the plot to end his life continues on. 

Killing Lincoln is a very readable book about history. It's not boring and dull like history textbooks or articles you often see in history class. The authors Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard do a really good job with presenting the details of the past without overwhelming you with too much information. I highly recommend people to pick up this book.

The Story of Red

Screen Shot 2012-10-24 at 7.35.44 PM
Screen Shot 2012-10-24 at 7.35.44 PM

I spent a week enthralled in this book. On the edge of my seat for its entirety, focused on every word, hearing every sound, seeing the landscapes broken uneven pavement and understanding the characters. Like the complexity of the internal struggles of Red, the extremely human but excruciating animalist need to have power, to be the alpha dog in the room. Using that great power how you see fit. However knowing that you have to step down and play the role of a pawn, to be loyal to the ones that you love even when you are dying to take that power. This is  shown but the pawn with the queen shadow. And above his head his name “Red” in color chocolate color  because your eyes may just deceive you as you read this story.

In the right corner you see the medieval brick read letters that read “Granny”. Above it you see the eerie setting of  blown to the side and tattered curtains; with the werewolves skull on top of the brown silver moon the same moon. This is shown in the chest of Red. On the table you see a jewelry box filled with silver which was used to make the silver bullets. Next to that is a wolfsbane cigar used to make a thick smoke fog protect Red from the wolfs when they first broke into Granny’s house.

Then seen to the left of Red are fancy almost cursive writing that reads “Marrisa”, who runs an antique shop seen above. She is the main female character, and the  love interest of Red, on top of the shop you see winding tree with a bird next to an arrow. Marrisa was the one picked to learn how to use the silver tipped arrow this caused her to marking up a tree in the middle of the woods that almost leads the her demise. Finally at the top you see blood dripping onto the image showing the death of the wolves. A collage of descriptive writing and amazing imagery.


Keystone Pipeline Monologue Project

​In History, we have been learning about the Keystone Pipeline Project. The Keystone Pipeline is is a pipeline system to transport synthetic crude oil from Canada to the United States. For our project, Mr. Block made us take a standpoint and write from that prospective, so for instance I was against the pipeline so I wrote a monologue from the standpoint of someone who was against the pipeline. 
​For my first monologue out of my three monologue series, I decided to write as someone who was offered money to leave her home so that they could use her land for the pipeline. 

My Home is NOT for Sale! 

(Sitting on her sofa when she hears a knock on the door)

Who is it? I’ll be there in just a second! (walks to answer the door)
Hello mr... mr... Mr. Jameson. Come in please, it’s a little chilly. (walks inside with Mr. Jameson and they sit on the couch)  
What brings you here today? My land? You want my land? Why? No! You can’t have it! I won’t let you! (Angrily Speaking)  I can’t believe you thought you could come in my house and take my land! This is mine! I bought it and I refuse to sign it over to you. TransCanada? Who are they? Why do they feel the need to take what isn’t theirs? (Pause) A pipeline? From Canada all the way to Texas? Why the hell do they need all that oil anyway! Go dig somewhere else! I dont care how beneficial it is to the company, the other states, or anyone else for that matter. I worked my whole life for this land and I’m not going to throw it away for a project that will be gone in five years after all of the oil dries up! (Pause, looking to her left) Calm Down? Me calm down? At a time like this? I’m sorry Mr. Jameson, not to sound rude, but thats not going to happen. There is more to the land then just a place to be. My children were born and raised here, my grandchild born in this very house. There is an emotional connection involved in this house and there is no amount of money that can change the way I feel about this. (Looks at the paper handed to her) 7,000 dollars? 7,000 dollars is the amount of money offered to me for the forty years that I have invested into this house and for the forty years worth of memories that my family has created. Im sorry Mr. Jameson, but if you would like to take my land, you are going to have to fight for it, because I’m not giving it up this easily. Have a good day! (Walks off stage with Mr. Jameson, seeing him out)
My Second Monologue was written as a child of the women who just got told this terrible news. 

My Home, My Safety

(Sitting on the bed when she hears a knock at the door) Who is it? Oh come in mom. (Pats the bed) Sit down please. You have news to tell me? Is it bad? Oh no, the look on your face, this cant be good. Mom just tell me, don't sugar coat it. (Looks away) Our land? They are taking our land? A pipeline? They are taking our house to build a pipeline? Please tell me you said no. Your considering it? Mom, no! (Angrily pounds fist into knees) I've lived in this house all of my life and you are thinking about giving it up for some oil? They don't care about us, they just care about the money they are going to be making. 7,000 dollars? You are throwing away our time in this house for a measly 7,000 dollars, that isn't even enough to buy another house mom are you serious? I cant understand how you can consider up and leaving something you have had for so long because they made it sound good! This is an embarrassment. You aren't putting your family first and its sickening. This is my safety net, the only thing that has been stable my entire life and I don't want to let go of that. If that's what you plan on doing, please leave me out of it. (Lays back in bed and puts headphones on) 

My Third Monologue was written as a letter written to the women telling her about what was going to happen next. 

You move, or else!


To whom it may concern, this is our last attempt of land transfer peacefully. We have tried to get you to continue this process as painless as possible but your family is not cooperating with our request for land. We are in dire need of your land to go foward with our building and the more you do not cooperate, the longer it is going to take to complete our project. We tried to prevent this case from having to become a legal matter, but that is the next step. We have spoken with a judge who is more than willing to sign this order to make you leave the property as early as tomorrow, but we are hoping that it does not have to come to that. We respect the fact that you have a family that has lived here all of their lives, but this project is very beneficial to the economy and the well being of the states and we need the land to continue with the progress. Please get back to us as soon as possible to inform us of how this matter is going to be addressed. Thank you so much for your copperation. 

Sincerely, 

The State of Texas. 

Courtesy Phrases Rafi

Abuhena Hares
Spanish
Manuel

Courtesy Phrases

The purpose of this blog is to teach people how to excuse, thank, and say you are welcome to people. There are various forms of each topic so use the one best suited for the situation!

Excusing yourself:
  • Perdon: used When bumping into someone
  • Con permiso: Used when you have to use the bathroom
  • Disculpe: Used when you have a question

Thanks:
  • Gracias.
  • Muchas gracias.
  • Mil gracias.

Your Welcome:
  • De nada.
  • Por nada.
  • No hay de qué.

Here is a video depicting two people learning about excuses. Here is a real life situation Video.

Final Moments

‘The Five People You Meet in Heaven,’ by Mitch Albom


By: Alisha Clark

  What is Heaven like? Do souls go up to a place called Heaven, where you become an angel and walk on clouds? From the author of the number one New York Times bestseller, Tuesdays with Morrie comes a long-awaited saga, a beautiful novel that explores a mystery only heaven can unfold.

  Eddie, the main character, is a veteran who feels trapped in a meaningless life as a repairman of a seaside amusement park. Luckily, Eddie didn't always feel so trapped, he endured a very adventurous youth. Then changed into a spiteful old man. Eddie's days are filled with the same colorless routine and a side of regret.

   It is the day of Eddie's 83rd birthday, and the book begins at the end, with Eddie dying. "The last days of Eddie's life was spent, like most of the others, at Ruby Pier, an amusement park by a great gray ocean. The park had the usual attractions, a boardwalk, a Ferris wheel, roller coasters, bumper cars, a taffy stand, and an arcade where you could shoot streams of water into a clown's mouth. It also had a big new ride called Freddy's Free Fall, and this would be where Eddie would be killed, in an accident that would make newspapers around the state." Eddie soon realizes heaven isn't a lush Garden of Eden, but a place where your life is explained back to you by five different people who you've encountered in the past.

  Throughout the book, Eddie is desperately seeking redemption and questioning his final moments. Was it all worth it? Was the last breaths worth taking and can be considered heroic? Or was it shameful and a huge mistake? This book challenges you to think before you act because they may be your final breaths. Thinking after acting has been looked down upon, and is often what people do today.

  Mitch Albom once again delivers another breathtaking original story that will enlighten your life in many ways. It will open your eyes into helping you see the brighter path in life. It changes your thoughts about the afterlife and the meaning of what life means on Earth. A story of love, hope, redemption, The Five People You Meet in Heaven is the bestselling hardcover first-time novel ever, Selling over 12 million copies in 38 territories and in 35 languages.











SLA Parent University: Thursday Nov. 1st

To the SLA Parent Community,

We hope that you are safe at home weathering hurricane Sandy. What a week!

This is a reminder that we are still ON for SLA's first Parent University session, SLA 101, on Thursday, November 1st from 6-8pm. 

What do your kids mean when they say “Moodle”, “Benchmark Projects”, “Standards”, and “Slate”?  Wondering about how to parent a student at a laptop-based school? What to get the most out of SLA? You are invited to attend an evening with Dr. Frederic Bertley, VP of Science & Innovation at The Franklin Institute and SLA teachers for SLA 101. 

All are welcome! Please see attached flyer for details.

Bell Tamira Lucid Chart Home Network

My Local Area Network (L.A.N.) is provided by Clear 4g high speed internet service. There are 7 devices connected to my L.A.N, they are 2 MacBook Pro’s, an iPod, a pair of speakers, a desktop computer, and 2 tablets. Through this experience of learning about my home network, I’ve learned that the cost to purchase and maintain home internet services can be very expensive. Also wifi signal is stronger if put at high elevations because wifi falls down. And I’ve also learned that my L.A.N differs from other L.A.N.’s because the conventional modem or router is connected to the internet through a phone, ethernet, or cable cord. But my modem/ hub receives internet signal via internet towers. The Clear Hub Express picks up internet signal from the nearest tower to give me my internet. I would tell others that getting “Wifi” is best when you have multiple devices that need to be connected to the internet. Also you should look into the cost when you are about to purchase the internet because you need to see which internet provider fit into your budget and what speed you would need for the amount of devices you have.
Screen Shot 2012-10-31 at 12.39.00 PM
Screen Shot 2012-10-31 at 12.39.00 PM