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Once again to make up for lost days, I’m putting up two things. This week’s “Oh-Ten” Gazette, and a poster I made for the guerilla art thing. I wanted to try to do something a little more hardcore, but I ended up making something that will probably be spotted as not-school-mandated and taken down fairly quickly. Ah well. At least I like how it came out. Two pictures of it because it didn’t quite fit in the scanner, and “to” is there twice becuase I couldn’t remember if I had included it in the first picture. >_<

The “Oh-Ten” Gazette

Your source for what’s not going on in Sophomore IB

Volume 2, Issue 23

 How to Read and Understand Shakespeare

            This is high school. This is the International Baccalaureate program. There is no way to escape that infamous, confusing, but apparently genius Elizabethan writer. Welcome back to Shakespeare. Julius Caesar is a little harder to wrap your head around than Romeo and Juliet, and not having the book to look over at home isn’t helping anyone. Try these tips so you won’t be biting your thumb at Mrs. Strate when you see your grades.

            The main difficulties with Shakespeare are pretty closely linked: Either you can’t tell what they’re saying, or you can’t tell what’s going on. Shakespeare had an annoying habit of mixing the words in sentences in a way that Yoda would have difficulty understanding. To translate an odd sentence, locate the subject and the predicate (what happens to the subject) of the sentence, and arrange them properly in your head. Don’t do this when reading aloud, though, because it takes away from the poetic merit of the piece, and English buffs in your class will probably correct you. It also helps to read the notes in the margins. You have a lot less of a chance of understanding the combination of old vocabulary and figurative language if you don’t.

            There are tons of things you can do to get a better idea of what’s actually going on. Pay attention when Mrs. Strate stops the reading to explain what has just happened. You may want to take notes when she does that, as she is probably telling you the answers to the next quiz. Ask questions about parts that confuse you, or write down the scene and line and ask the internet later. The copyright on Shakespeare’s work is way out of date, so you should be able to find any of his plays on the internet. Read the synopses handed out in class, or look them up online.

            Maybe someday, in college, or as an adult, you will appreciate the beauty of Shakespeare’s poetry and prose. Maybe you are already beginning to. However, at the moment, it’s okay to just be interested in getting an A on the test.

Rumor has it . . .

            Oh Shakespeare, long may you create awkward moments for high school students. As various female characters kneel at the feet of their would-be husbands and declare themselves whores, one begins to wonder why students are subjected to this humiliation every year. While IB sophomres struggle through Elizabethan drama in one class, they continue to teach each other the curriculum in another. Bets are being taken as to when certain teachers will actually begin teaching. Meanwhile, an ailing absentee teacher finally returns, with new enthusiasm to assign group projects and forget to grade them. The question remains: will anyone be able to successfully spell and pronounce Mr. Sczepantzki’s name on the first try?

 In Case You Were Wondering

102 days/74 school days until the last day of school.

The Writer is feeling lazy and is looking for someone to help write next week’s Gazette. You know who to see.

The Polish sub’s name is probably spelled wrong here, too.

I didn’t put this up yesterday because I hadn’t written it. >_< I had no school so I didn’t need to. Now I have two days to make up for…

The “Oh-Ten” Gazette

Your source for what’s not going on in Sophomore IB

Volume 2, Issue 22

 How to Deal With Stress

            Now that it’s second semester, one would think that Pre-IB sophomores would be more settled into healthy routines. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Accounts of getting home, taking a nap, and waking up the next morning are becoming more prevalent. With the latest instance of multiple-test days and the added stress of a single Valentine’s Day, some students are just not doing well in terms of mental health. Something must be done.

            Stress can be caused by countless things, but loads of homework and extra-curriculars are likely to be the main issues. The most important part of relieving stress isbeing aware of how stressed you are, and identifying its cause. If an intimidating workload is your main stressor, try to break everything into simple tasks and manage your time well. Recognize your priorities and don’t allow people to pile on more obligations. It is not your responsibility to put up with other peoples’ problems if you can barely deal with your own.

            There are many ways to keep stress levels down, so you need to decide what will work best for you. A nutritious diet helps, and caffeine should be avoided because it increases feelings of anxiety. Despite early bus pick-up times and what is apparently a teenage disposition toward late bed times, getting a healthy amount of sleep is absolutely essential. If you come home tired, take a nap—but set an alarm so you wake up in time to still get other things done. Time management is key, but taking appropriate breaks is important as well. Try to put time aside to do things you really like. Exercise is especially helpful because it releases lots of endorphins, which increase happiness.

            If nothing else, think positively. Instead of freaking out about a problem, take a deep breath and concentrate on a solution. All of these tips are well and good, but if you don’t think they’ll work and don’t try to make them work, they won’t. Remember, stress is all in your head.

 Rumor has it . . .

            Last week was an affecting one for many. The first day of multiple tests since exams put many students on edge. Sophomore IB students should be commended for getting through not only Trigonometry, English, and History quizzes, English and Biology tests, and a standardized examination on top. A depressingly dull Valentine’s Day saw few roses delivered to the Pre-IBers, but there’s always hope that some admirers may have chickened out. With all the emotional turmoil, it’s not surprising that a teacher was pulled into the fray as well. Which teacher’s self-esteem will the Panther Ridge Contingency strike next?

 Check It Out

This Thursday has been declared Act-Like-a-French-Person Day. Have fun kissing people on the cheek to greet them and shunning anyone who acts particularly American.

 In Case You Were Wondering

Quasars are the farthest objects in the known universe.

I write a weekly underground newspaper-of-sorts for the sophomore International Baccalaureate class at my school. The International Baccalaureate is basically an advanced curriculum; there are about 70 kids in the sophomore pre-IB class. (Real IB doesn’t start until junior year.) I didn’t put up anything last Sunday because I was expecting to write a Gazette, but didn’t because there was nothing to write about. Oh, and, our graduating class is 2010, thus “oh-ten.” Anyway, without further ado:

The “Oh-Ten” Gazette

Your source for what’s not going on in Sophomore IB

Volume 2, Issue 21

 How to Write a Passable Essay

            This week represents a conflict of social and scholarly agendas, as both Florida Writes and Valentine’s Day draw near. With the looming threat of remedial classes, students will have to focus a little more on academics this week. Several essays were written in English class as preparation, but peer grading isn’t always spot on, especially when friends grade essays. Hopefully the Gazette will be a little more helpful than a three-page list of transition words.

            Being a standardized test, FCAT Writes does have certain standards that have to be adhered to. It’s best to go with the five paragraph essay format, with three body paragraphs and at least three supporting details for each. It’s possible to get a good grade with only two body paragraphs, but the more you write, the better chance you have of doing well. Take a little time to plot out your essay before writing. This not only ensures that you have enough details for each subject; it also keeps you from erasing an entire paragraph later on. Make sure that your points are fairly concise so that they can fit in the space allotted, and leave time to go back and edit in case you end up with anything you don’t like.

            Vocabulary and good sentence structure are all very well and good, but creativity is the most clear-cut difference between a five and a six. Think outside the box. Graders are looking at tons of essays a day, and the relief your satirical essay gives could just boost your mark. In a persuasive essay, try arguing the side you aren’t expected to agree with. You can make up more than statistics for an expository; go all out and make up events and contributing factors that are only vaguely plausible. The most important thing to remember when writing this way is to make sure that whatever fantastic examples you give are well-supported.

            Mrs. Strate said earlier in the year that a six was a gift from God.  One of the best things about IB is being able to prove a teacher wrong.

 Rumor has it . . .

            Last week marked the beginning of Black History Month for American citizens, and with it, Sophomore IB students were forced to endure the annual showings of civil rights activists getting beaten and hosed. After being told that if the video didn’t move them, they were the cause of racism, students were given a sheet of thought-provoking questions which at least ninety percent of them BS-ed for homework. Those opposing the shallow teaching method and making an effort towards an intelligent discussion of the topic were immediately shot down. Long live the intellectual opinion.

 In Case You Were Wondering

Until 1969, the Catholic Church recognized eleven Valentine’s Days.

The original conversation hearts were shaped like scalloped shells, and the sayings were on their paper wrapping instead of directly on the candy.

By special request: 17 weeks and 3 days until the last day of school.