Systems Thinking Resources

For those of you who have received my letter, or for anyone interested in the power of systems thinking, here is a listing of important links:

First of all, what is systems thinking? Here is a link. And yet another. Also, try this link to STELLA which is a powerful systems thinking program used in education and by several established academic and business organizations.

Here is the link to my research study from last year, posted on You Tube.

The book Schools That Learn by Peter Senge can be looked at here.

And Peter Senge's world wide Society for Organizational Learning can be viewed through this link.

A GREAT link HERE is one at which you can see systems models being built. VERY practical. I like the Borneo island one myself.

Further, the conference that I plan on attending to kick-start these ideas can be accessed here.

Hopefully, this gives you a start into the world of systems thinking and a glimpse of the powerful learning that is possible using these ideas, techniques, and tools.

Thank you for your support!

R. Leadbetter M.Ed.

RRJ

Format this Page so that You can Complete Weekly
RRJ's

Elements of a Reading Response Journal (RRJ)
Entry

Section

One
Date;
Title;
Author;
Number of pages read.

Two
Plot Details:
1. What happened?
2. What are the setting details?
3. Who are the Characters?
4. What are the Conflicts?

Three
Analysis:
1. Comment of the author’s use of a literary device, or
2. Consider the writing from a particular perspective.

Four
Personal Comments:
1. How do you feel about what you have read?
a. Why? (because)
2. What feelings or experiences do you share with the character(s)?
a. Explain.

Five
Predictions:
1. What do you think might happen next?
a. Why? (because)
2. What would you like to have happened next?
a. Why? (because)

The Last RRJ

The LAST RRJ

Getting ready for your Exam


1. Describe the main character in your story.


2. Detail ANY use of metaphor or symbolism in your story. Explain why these are used.


3. Is your story intended to teach any type of lesson or to help the reader learn something? How does it do this?


4. Describe the setting(s) in your story.


5. Detail ANY use of the following in your story: simile, personification, or alliteration.

Create and Advertisement for YOUR Business


Use the knowledge you now posses about business, marketing, and advertising to create an effective advertisement for your business.
This advertisement can be in the form of
· A poster on a standard sheet of paper or
· A website page.
· A power point presentation.

or another idea...


Use the concepts of
· Product
· Promotion
· Price
· Place
· Attracting attention
· Gaining Interest
· Building Desire
· Getting Action


Your advertisement will be graded on your use of these concepts as well as text, format, color, and originality.
/50

Business Plan

Starting a Business

This is not a comprehensive business plan like the type you would take to a bank for a loan, but it covers many of the important basic considerations.
1. Using ‘Word’ write a partial business plan using all of the headings listed below.
2. Include your full name, date, and use each heading listed below.
3. Research information as needed.


Business Plan
Include information under the following headings:
I. The Company
a. Ownership – who? What type?
b. Products & Services – what are they?
c. Company Location – where? Why?

II. Industry Analysis
a. Why this is a good industry to go into?

III. The Target Market
a. Target Market – who? Why?
b. Competitive Environment – is it?
c. Company Strengths – what are your competitive strengths?

IV. The Competition
a. Direct Competitors – who? Why?

V. Marketing Outline & Sales Strategy
a. Company Image/Message – what is it?
b. Marketing – what will you use? How? Why?
c. Facilities – what do you need? Where?
d. Production – how? Who?
e. Customer Services – how will you serve your customer?

VI. Technology Outline
a. Internet – do you need it? Website? Why?
b. Hardware Needs – tools of the business; what are they?
c. Telecommunication Needs – yes or no? Why?

VII. Management & Organization
a. Management Team – who? Why?

VIII. Milestones
a. Goals – What are they in 1 year and then in 5 years?
b. Strategies – how will you go about achieving your goals, step by step?
c. Risk Evaluation – is this risk? Why or why not?

IX. Financial Data & ProjectionsCapital Requirements – will capital be required to start? How much? Where will you get it?

Going into Business Worksheet

Copy the following into a word document....

Going Into Business

Date:

First and Last Name:



1. Create a list of reasons why someone would want to start a business. List five to seven.



2. Describe the four types of business and provide an example for each.




3. How has technology influenced home-based business?




4. List three reasons why consumers may be hesitant about shopping online.





5. Explain the disadvantages of debt financing and equity financing.





6. Outline the five steps you need to take before starting a business.

7. Use from fifty to one hundred of your own words to explain what a successful future business could look like for you.

English Research Survey

Please copy and paste the URL below into your browser.

Thank you.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=W_2fgaLysUusnEw7fmAgBHIw_3d_3d

U14 Provincial Rugby Trails

Anyone wanting to attend is able to go... Go for it! Here's the information and links:


Martin Jones, Head Coach of the BC Rugby U14 Boys Provincial Program has announced trial dates for selection to the U14 Provincial Team that will tour Ontario in July and participate in the 3rd Annual Provincial Festival with Ontario and Alberta. Open Trials have been set as follows:

Saturday, June 13: Vancouver Island at SMUS Fields, 10.00am to 3.00pm

Registration: Pre-registration can be done by contacting Alex Cameron at the BC Rugby Office at acameron@bcrugby.com or on the day at the trial location.

Registration Form: Please download the registration form and pre-submit it to Alex Cameron at the email above, or ensure to bring the completed form with you to the trial. (http://www.bcrugby.com/index.php?src=news&srctype=detail&category=Main&refno=190)

Eligibility: Eligible players must have been born in 1995 or 1996.

Following the Regional Camps, there will be a long list Camp for approximately 50-60 players. This camp will take place on:

Saturday, June 27: Lower Mainland, location - TBA

Following the selection of the touring party, full details of the tour will be announced and will include:

Wednesday, July 8 to Saturday, July 11:
Pre-Tour staging Camp, in Vancouver (out of town athletes to be billeted)

Sunday, July 12 to Sunday, July 19:
BC Provincial U14 Tour to Ontario

What Type of Business Could YOU Operate?

Lots of kids just like you are making real money with their own businesses! You will see their ideas and read their success stories during this two period assignment. Could YOU own a business too?

Your assignment is to provide an answer this question in the next two periods of Business Education. You will have ample time to search the internet for ideas and opportunities. You will need to have a really good idea of what you could do for a business in order to move to the next assignments in this course. You don’t have to actually run the business that you propose, but you will spend some time thinking about the steps that would be needed, so make sure you are interested in what you are researching.

Check with Mr. L when you have some ideas.
Preview the following Websites for ideas. Pay attention to links and see where you end up.

http://www.moneyinstructor.com/art/childbusiness.asp

http://www.moneyinstructor.com/art/waysforkids.asp

http://www.showkidsthemoney.com/

http://books.google.ca/books?hl=en&id=qsoY-G05QNYC&dq=kids+in+business&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=6yIhs5jEEd&sig=LtOYfy0k69g3MU3CQehF1HshcN8&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result

http://www.showkidsthemoney.com/why_your_kids_should_start_a_business.html

You MUST definitely check out this site and the links at the bottom half of the site page:

http://www.internetbasedkids.com

You will need to write complete answers to the following on a word-processed page. Title the page, What Type of Business I Could Run Right Now, put your name and the date at the top and hand it in to Mr. L by the end of the second period spent on this assignment. You can work on this at home too if you like.

1. Explain in detail what type of business are you interested in.

2. Fully explain in detail why you are interested in this type of business.

3. Explain how you would become successful in this business; what steps do you need to take?

4. What do you think you would call your business, and why?

Wiki Discussion

http://mrlswebspace.wikispaces.com/

Business Letters

Business Letters

This is a two-part assignment.

Follow the directions below.

Part #1

Go to the website listed at the URL below. Thoughtfully answer the following three questions using the information at this website.

1. Business letters. What are they?

2. How are they formatted? Be detailed and specific.

3. Why do they have this format?

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/653/01/

Hand in your answers with your name, the date, and the title “business letters” on your sheet./15

Part #2

Hand in each of the following ALL AT THE SAME TIME.

Letter of Complaint: write a letter of complaint to a real or pretend business. Use correct block format. Ensure that everything is formatted and spelled correctly./5

Letter of Request: write a letter of request to a real of pretend business. Use correct block format. Ensure that everything is formatted and spelled correctly./5

Response: respond to a letter of complaint. Use correct block format. Ensure that everything is formatted and spelled correctly./5

Internet and Expository Essay Assignment


You will follow a number of steps to complete this assignment. Many of these steps are short and simple.

Step 1

1 Find your way to a site that will allow you to “create an igoogle account.”

2 Personalize your account.

3 Go to the button at the top of the screen press the “more” button and open the menu.

4 Right click “blogs” and “open in new tab.”
5 Right click “reader” and “open in new tab.”

6 In the “blogs” tab search for 5 blogs that are writing about a topic you are interested in. Copy each URL and paste it into “reader”.

7 In the “reader” tab place the copied URL into the box that opens when you click the “add a subscription” box at the top left of the page.

8 WALLAH! You have created a reader feed for your personal consumption. Welcome to WEB 2.0!



Step 2

1 Go into “my account” at the top right of your personalized igoogle page.

2 On that screen click the “Blogger” button.

3 Click on “Create a Blog”. Use your first name and followed by a three digit number as your identity. Do not give away any other personal information on the net. This is more than enough to identify you while staying safe.

4 Before you stylize, develop your theme, or any other steps, go to “permissions” then “settings” and set your answer to the question “who can view this blog?” to “only people I choose” and then enter rleadbetter@sd62.bc.ca into this box. You can choose more people later by entering their e mail addresses.

5 In the “settings” area, click the big blue “add authors” button and immediately add rleadbetter@sd62.bc.ca (you can cut and paste this address if you like).

6 In “settings”, go to “comments” and set “comment moderation” to “always”. This makes you responsible for all comments on your blog. This way you can allow, delete, or block comments before they reach the internet.

7 Set up your blog style and theme.

8 Post your 500 to 1000 word expository essay on the blog – in good copy by the 30th of April. I will get an RSS feed when you have posted and will visit your site and comment on your good copy.

9 Invite others to view and comment if you like!

Poetry Sites

These look good....


http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/541


http://www.gale.cengage.com/free_resources/poets/activities/index.htm

Poetry Sites

These look good....


http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/541


http://www.gale.cengage.com/free_resources/poets/activities/index.htm

Beginners guide to rugby

To all rugby hopefuls... please enter the following into google: "beginners guide to rugby" and start reading and viewing.

Also, entering 'Rugby' or 'how to play rugby' into google video. You will find these videos quite helpful.

Do your rugby homework!

Course Selection URL

http://www.emcs.sd62.bc.ca/index.php

Report Cards Coming Home Friday

Friday the 13th report cards will come home with students. If you didn't make parent teacher interviews and you have questions, please click my e mail on the school website under the 'staff' section. I will happily write back. Thank you.

Create and Advertisement for YOUR Business


Use the knowledge you now posses about business, marketing, and advertising to create an effective advertisement for your business.
This advertisement can be in the form of
· A poster on a standard sheet of paper or
· A website page.
· A power point presentation.


Use the concepts of
· Product
· Promotion
· Price
· Place
· Attracting attention
· Gaining Interest
· Building Desire
· Getting Action


Your advertisement will be graded on your use of these concepts as well as text, format, color, and originality.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Parent Teacher Interviews will be held on Wednesday March the 4th and Thursday March the 5th.

Sign up forms will be coming home with students on the 19th of February. If you don't get handed one on the 19th, look for them in binders and the bottom of backpacks! :-)

Thank you.

Business Plan in Short

Starting a Business

This is not a comprehensive business plan like the type you would take to a bank for a loan, but it covers many of the important basic considerations.

1. Using ‘Word’ write a partial business plan using all of the headings listed below.
2. Include your full name, date, and use each heading listed below.
3. Research information as needed.
4. You have 3 classes to complete this work.

Business Plan

Include information under the following headings:

I. The Company

a. Ownership – who? What type?
b. Products & Services – what are they?
c. Company Location – where? Why?

II. Industry Analysis

a. Why this is a good industry to go into?

III. The Target Market

a. Target Market – who? Why?
b. Competitive Environment – is it?
c. Company Strengths – what are your competitive strengths?

IV. The Competition

a. Direct Competitors – who? Why?

V. Marketing Outline & Sales Strategy

a. Company Image/Message – what is it?
b. Marketing – what will you use? How? Why?
c. Facilities – what do you need? Where?
d. Production – how? Who?
e. Customer Services – how will you serve your customer?

VI. Technology Outline

a. Internet – do you need it? Website? Why?
b. Hardware Needs – tools of the business; what are they?
c. Telecommunication Needs – yes or no? Why?

VII. Management & Organization

a. Management Team – who? Why?

VIII. Milestones

a. Goals – What are they in 1 year and then in 5 years?
b. Strategies – how will you go about achieving your goals, step by step?
c. Risk Evaluation – is this risk? Why or why not?

IX. Financial Data & Projections

a. Capital Requirements – will capital be required to start? How much? Where will you get it?

Business Education -- Going Into Business

Going Into Business

Date:

Name:



1. Create a list of reasons why someone would want to start a business. List five to seven.



2. Describe the four types of business and provide an example for each.




3. How has technology influenced home-based business?




4. List three reasons why consumers may be hesitant about shopping online.





5. Explain the disadvantages of debt financing and equity financing.





6. Outline the five steps you need to take before starting a business.

7. Use from fifty to one hundred of your own words to explain what a successful future business could look like for you.

What Type of Business Could YOU Operate?

Lots of kids just like you are making real money with their own businesses! You will see their ideas and read their success stories during this two period assignment. Could YOU own a business too?

Your assignment is to provide an answer this question in the next two periods of Business Education. You will have ample time to search the internet for ideas and opportunities. You will need to have a really good idea of what you could do for a business in order to move to the next assignments in this course. You don’t have to actually run the business that you propose, but you will spend some time thinking about the steps that would be needed, so make sure you are interested in what you are researching. Check with Mr. L when you have some ideas.

Preview the following Websites for ideas. Pay attention to links and see where you end up.
http://www.moneyinstructor.com/art/childbusiness.asp
http://www.moneyinstructor.com/art/waysforkids.asp
http://www.showkidsthemoney.com/
http://books.google.ca/books?hl=en&id=qsoY-G05QNYC&dq=kids+in+business&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=6yIhs5jEEd&sig=LtOYfy0k69g3MU3CQehF1HshcN8&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result
http://www.showkidsthemoney.com/why_your_kids_should_start_a_business.html

You MUST definitely check out this site and the links at the bottom half of the site page:

http://www.internetbasedkids.com

You will need to write complete answers to the following on a word-processed page. Title the page, What Type of Business I Could Run Right Now, put your name and the date at the top and hand it in to Mr. L by the end of the second period spent on this assignment. You can work on this at home too if you like.

1. Explain in detail what type of business are you interested in.
2. Fully explain in detail why you are interested in this type of business.
3. Explain how you would become successful in this business; what steps do you need to take?
4. What do you think you would call your business, and why?

What to do about missed work...

If a student is away for any reason... all or at least some part of the work missed can be made up, but it will take a small effort on their part.

I am available before school, at lunch, and after school. During these times, I will gladly take a portion of my time, when asked, to get a student back on track with their work Usually it takes only 5 to 10 minutes to get the work together and explain to the student what is required. Sometimes it can take longer, but usually not.

So, if your son or daughter is away I am here and available to help. They must take the initiative, however.

Thank you!

Art Related Sites

Check out these art related sites....

http://artpad.art.com/artpad/painter/

http://www.aardman.com/html/home.asp

http://www.ferryhalim.com/orisinal/

http://www.coudal.com/moom/

http://www.zefrank.com/

http://www.miniclip.com/games/magic-pen/en/

Art Pages

Use only the following URL's for your in-class art assignment.

http://accessarts.org/ArtKids/
http://www.thegalleriesatmoore.org/activities/index.shtml
http://www.haringkids.com/coloringbook/index.html
http://www.smilegodlovesyou.org/PBN.html

Business Ed

Business Letters

Part #1

Go to the website listed at the URL below. Answer the following three questions using the information at this website.


Business letters. What are they?

How are they formatted? Be detailed and specific.

Why do they have this format?


http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/653/01/

/15



Part #2

Write a letter of complaint to a real or pretend business. Use correct block format. Ensure that everything is formatted and spelled correctly.

/5
Part #3

Write a letter of request to a real of pretend business. Use correct block format. Ensure that everything is formatted and spelled correctly.

/5
Part #4

Respond to a letter of complaint. Use correct block format. Ensure that everything is formatted and spelled correctly.

/5

Missed Work

If your child has missed work due to illness, travel, or any other reason they will need to see me before school, at lunch, or after school to get alternate assignments. As most work we do in class contains a portion of important teaching, getting missed work is going to be more and take more than a one minute visit. :-) If your child plans on spending 5 to 10 minutes of time with me listening and gathering materials, I will gladly spend my time getting them on track.

Thank you~!

Feb 11th

Please make plans to attend the event at the high school on the 11th. It is designed specifically for students and parents of students going into grade 9 next year. It is a good idea to attend so that you can ask questions of the high school staff. Start time is 7:00 pm.