interview questions for seniors

1. how do you feel about the incoming seniors and underclassmen receiving a more beneficial plan once we graduate?
2. The underclassmen don't have to take as many standardized tests as we did,  do you think the underclassmen are lucky they don't have to take as many as we did, do you think it's fair, what's your opinion on it?
3. Any thoughts or something to add about the new bill?

interview for students (interview sophomores and freshman)

1. Now that instead of passing 15 standardized tests, you only have to pass 5. Do you find this beneficial? How did several standardized tests affect you?
2. To be automatically accepted in to state universities in the top 10 percent of your class, you have to be on the distinguished plan, is this a problem to you? What do you agree or disagree with about this?
3. You now only have to take 3 years of math, social studies, and science, and 4 years of english. Do you think 4 years of english versus 3 years of everything else makes sense? Would you have wanted 4 years of everything? 3 years?
4. Now that you have more space for electives and individual interests, what electives would you want to take? what are you most interested in? 
5. What do you think about the new plan giving students more individual freedom to choose classes they're interested in?
6. What colleges do you plan on applying to?
7. The bill limits the number of benchmarks and STAAR tests, do you feel several standardized tests are a waste of time?

1. How will less standardized tests affect students? How did the number of standardized tests in the past years become a problem for student's time in class?
2. Now that students only have to take 3 credits of science, math, and social studies, how does this give them more flexibility in other classes? How does the current 4x4 graduation plan for graduating seniors this year differ from the years to come?
3. English is the only academic course requiring 4 credits still, why is this the only core subject requiring 4 instead of 3 like the others?
4. How does the updated plan, which is said to give students endorsements in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM); business and industry, give students more opportunities? The bill is said to give student's a greater variety of curriculum, what kinds of curriculum will be offered to students? Is it any different than the academies provided to students?
5. What is the Foundation High School Program? 
6. Do you think the bill is reasonable and more convenient for students? how?
7. How does this bill help student's reach individual potential more than it has in the past years?
8. A student is not required to retake an EOC each time the student fails it. The bill eliminates the requirement that student performance on end of course exams must account for 15% of the student’s course grade. How can this benefit the students? What is your opinion on this rule?
9. The new bill is said to be tougher on students, why would some people believe this?
10. That “distinguished level of achievement” is required for students to qualify for automatic admission to state universities if they graduate in the top of their classes. Do you believe every student should be on the distinguished plan?
11. Do you think students will respond well to the new bill? How do you feel about the changes to come in the next years?

info for HB5

• hb5 schools will have less standardized testing. 
•  new high school graduation requirements
•  But the requirement for science, math and social studies has dropped to three credits, giving students more flexibility in elective coursework 
•  The updated plan includes endorsements students can earn in specific subjects including business and industry, humanities, science and technology. 
• he law also reduces the number of standardized exams, STAAR tests, that high school students must pass in order to graduate from 15 to five. 
• Reducing the number of end of course exams from 15 to five, adding more vocational paths to graduation, and dumping the old accountability system of Exemplary/Recognized/Academically
• The state's graduation requirements will "significantly change" beginning with freshmen entering high school in 2014. 
• The governor signed HB5 on June 10 
• "English I, English II, Algebra I, U.S. history and biology EOCs are required, while the state will no longer require students to pass (State Assessment of Academic Readiness) chemistry, physics, geometry, world history, world geography, Algebra II and English II EOC tests to graduate. HB5 also eliminated the requirement that districts include the EOC results as 15 percent of course grades," according to the release. 
• moving from the current “4x4” graduation plans to a 22
• credit Foundation High School Program that allows students to earn endorsements in specific areas of study by completing four additional credits -The new plan requires the state board to make a number of policy decisions, such as deciding which courses will count as advanced mathematics, English and science courses and determining the requirements for each endorsement area.
• The endorsement areas are science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM); business and industry; public services; arts and humanities; and multidisciplinary studies. -the new graduation plan will not be in effect for the 2013-2014 school year.
• However, students who will be sophomores, juniors or seniors during the 2014-2015 school year and are currently following one of the three existing programs will have the option of switching to the Foundation program when it becomes available in the 2014-2015 school year. 
• http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/lake_houston/news/state-board-of-education-seeks-input-on-new-graduation-plans/article_d29e55d4-7e7e-508e-b372-e00e7b17f001.html
•    All students must begin high school on a 26-credit program that includes a specialized focus, such as Arts and Humanities, Business and Industry, or STEM — science, technology, engineering and math. They can opt for a 22-credit plan after their sophomore year with parental consent.
• A student cannot choose to choose to graduate under the Foundation Program until after sophomore year and must get parental consent.
• 
  

Junk food people prefer | Infographics

1. how many awards did you win?
2. How many awards did newspaper/yearbook win all together?
3. What does it mean to win a bronze star?
4. How does Akins' usually do at TAJE?
5. What does the bronze star and the numerous individual awards mean to you?

lip dub story

who to interview:

students in different academies

person filming it (matthew??)

reeves or doerr

yearbook kid

newspaper kid

1. What exactly is a "lip dub"?
2. Where did you get the idea of doing a lip dub?
3. Schools all over the country have started to do lip dubs, how would Akins' lip dub differ from other schools?
4. How do you go about organizing the entire school to participate in it?
5. What songs are you using and why? What effected the choice of songs used?
6. Who is mainly in charge of the lip dub?
7. What will happen after the making of the lip dub is complete?
8. When do you plan on making the lip dub?
9. What are you most excited about for it?

story questions

talent show
mrs bagnall

1. why was the valentines pageant canceled?
2. did the talent show replace it?
3. is it open to students?
4. in the past, usually what kind of acts perform at the talent show?
5. how long has akins held talent shows? are you always in charge of it?
6. when are auditions? when is the talent show?
7. where do the proceeds go?
8. can teachers also to the talent show?
9. what is the weirdest talent someone has performed?
10. what was your favorite talent act in the past years?

reading for 15 min story opinions
-why it's a waste of time
-suggest other methods to improve reading skills
-talk to mrs red land and other english teachers
-talk about why it's not necessary in non core classes
-shouldn't be penalized for not having a book

questions for stories

art prepares for uil
-mrs yopp
-kid going to uil
-mr.cannon

1. What is VASE?
2. Where is uil?
3. How has akins done in previous years at UIL?
4. What types of art are you looking to enter?
5. Who are some artists doing UIL this year that were successful last year?
6. Do you expect anyone to go to state?
7. Has anyone entering this year won awards for their work?
8. Is it stressful preparing for UIL?
9. What goes through your head when you're at VASE and your students are being judged for their work?

battle of the bands
-sinsored
-stephanie ferguson
-Aashraya
-Luis Hernandez
-christian
-mrs. horowitz
-Alex pineda

1. How did you do at battle of the bands?
2. What went through your head when you were on stage performing? Before going on stage?
3. What charity are you choosing to give your money to and why?
4. What was the preparation process like for you before the performance?
5. Who were your favorite bands that performed?
6. What musicians inspire you?
7. What made you want to perform in the first place? When did you start playing instruments/singing/rapping?
8. Did you play your own songs or cover songs?
9. Why did you choose those songs?
10. What was the crowds reaction?
11. What do you like the most about performing?

questions for mrs horowitz

1. What exactly do you do for battle of the bands?
2. When was battle of the bands created?
3. what club is hosting battle of the bands now?
4. Why isn't invisible children doing it anymore?
5. Who decided the bands got to pick which charity they could give the money to?
6. What do you like most about the event?
7. Is the second round going to be at stubbs again?
8. What exactly are the prizes for the winners? Where does all the proceeds go?

questions for mr. valles

1. what do you teach? speech? debate?
2. how did you meet alana?
3. what award did she recently win and where?
4. how many people are in debate?
5. what sort of contribution or impact has alana made to the speech/debate team?
6. what are your thoughts on her as a student? debater? 
7. what do you like best about speech and debate?
8. why did you decided to teach them?

Alana questions

talk to
mr. vallez
alana
debate/speech friend

1. What awards have you won?
2. How long have you been doing debate?
3. Who all is in the debate team?
4. What strategies do you personally use in debate to win awards?
5. How competitive is debate?
6. When did you decide you wanted to take debate?
7. What are the challenges of it?
8. Do you want to debate after high school too?
9. How do you think debate is beneficial to you?

Beto DREAMS questions

1. When did you start the DREAMS clothing line?
2. What inspired you to create the clothing line? Why did you create it?
3. Is it just you who designs this? Who else helps?
4. When did the clothing line start to gain popularity? How did you try to get your clothes noticed?
5. What are the hardest things about trying to run a clothing line while in high school and in general?
6. Have you made a big profit off your clothes?
7. How does it makes you feel whenever you see people wearing your shirts or buying them?
8. Where can you buy them?
9. Do you plan to continue your clothing line after high school? What else do you see yourself doing after high school or college?
10. What is the process of designing, making and producing the finished product?
11. Do your designs carry any specific meaning or significance?
12.  Where did the name DREAMS come from?
13. Is it just popular among Akins students?
14. Who have you seen wear it? (what type of crowd, specific people, etc.)

questions for denmark kid

1. Through what organization did you come to America?
2. Why did you pick to come to America out of all your choices?
3. In what ways does the culture in your country look up to America's culture?
4. How did you imagine America to be before you came here? The people? land? culture?
5. How has America and American's influenced your personality, style, outlook on things, etc.
6. How did you feel when you first stepped foot in the school?
7. What did you expect American school to be like? How's it different over there from here?
8. When do you go back to Denmark? How do you feel knowing you'll have to leave America at the end of the school year?
9. What other countries have you been to?
10. What are families like in Denmark compared to here? How are the kids different?
11. Was it easy for you to make friends when you first got to the school? Were you nervous about coming to school here?
12. Do kids have more freedom in Denmark or in America? In what way?

friday oct 12

1. -i gave my paper back to dez i don't remember the number
2. My story about freddy zamora and sinsored got published.
3. 26 people contributed to the creation of the paper.
4. My favorite photo is the picture of Freddy and Yera dancing together at prom on page 6 because it is in the moment of the prom queen and king dancing and the contact he has with her while dancing.
5. My favorite story in the paper is Sean's column, "Inside the Outside" on the opinions page, page 2, it's about his thoughts on high school and what do we knowledge we really get out of high school, it's my favorite because I think it's well written and I can relate to the point he is getting across.
6. My favorite graphic is John's drawing that is a part of Sean's story, I like it because it truly depicts the kids at school in my opinion. I think it will attract many people to the story because the drawing is interesting.
7. The news pages are my favorite because it has a good amount of both pictures, art, cutouts, and graphics. I think every things on the pages look good and isn't just a bunch of words on a page, the art and pictures bring it to life.
8. This issue I want to put more art on my page and be more creative with it since it's the entertainment page, I want to also do more cutouts, this issue I'll also take pictures for homecoming.and blue & gold night

three little pigs video

1.  The story of The Three Little Pigs was covered through the internet, newspaper, and TV.
2. It has the same concept, but through the media if was taken as a serious issue people were concerned about and protested and tweeted over.
3. They didn't really interview anyone, they filmed the police speaking about it and the rioters and what they had to say about the case.
4.  They covered the opposite opinion of the three little pigs being guilty and the debate over whether they're guilty or not.
5. They didn't cover what exactly happened as in why they murdered the wolf and the story behind it.
6. The Guardian did not express their opinion but covered the opinions of others.
7. Yes we can cover events and show different sides of a story and how people feel about a certain topic.
8. You can make it a reality by covering it, what really happened, and showing different sides of the story from others but not your opinion because you're the journalist documenting it.

freddy zamora story

1. what was your relation to freddy?
2. have you lost anyone else close to you before?
3. what did freddy mean to you? 
4. when was his funeral? what was it like?
5. what do you miss most?
6. how have family and friends handled it and make this transition?
7. how is life different now that he isn't here anymore?

sinsored story

1. how did it feel winning 2nd place at battle of the bands last year?
2. who plays which parts? whose all in the band?
3. what venues have yall played at?
4. any albums or tour in the works?
5. what caused some members of the band to leave?
6. have you guys gained more fans or recognition from playing in venues?
7. what are the hardest things to deal with when you're in a band?
8. what's the craziest thing that's happened at your shows?
9. how did you guys end up getting gigs at venues like the red eyed fly?
10. what do you like best about being in a band?
11. what do you like the least about being in a band?
12. what bands do you guys look for for inspiration?
13. planning any sxsw shows?
14. when are your next shows?

story
freddy zamora story
who to interview
-his brother adam zamora
-dad
-friend either nohemi rodriguez or cousin tori
-mom
-marisol gomez

other story
sinsored story
who to interview
michael loera
austin davenport
santana gutierrez
pierce
some fan of theirs

scavenger hunt
haleigh, alex, savannah

3. Mrs. Ball if the director for diamonds and is located in the fine arts building, Mr. Faust teacher band, Mrs. Bennet teachers orchestra, Mrs. Seagle teaches theater, Mrs. Medina, Mr. Cannon, and Mrs. Yopp teach art.

6. Mrs. Horowitz teaches history, Roberson teacher science, Sloane teaches math, Kesling teaches English, Broome teaches animation, Clark teaches biology, Warr teacher English, and Reeves and Doerr teach journalism.

9. Ten story ideas for this issue are homecoming, Freddy Zamora, Schedule complains, Rumors of seniors not being allowed to go off campus anymore, teen pregnancy, overcrowding, FFA new barn, elections, ACL, and Fun fun fun fest.

12. This years editor are Alex doing the photo essay, Haleigh is in-depth editor, Jackie is features, Ben is sports, Dez is editor in chief, Marissa is opinions, and I edit entertainment.

15. Five people who I think are important to know who don’t work in Akins are Dr. Carstarphen (414-2412), Tommy Cox (414-1050). Elaine Hopkins (414-2413), Lori Moya (414-2610), and Dr. Akins.

Some websites to visit are NPR for news, twitter to see what students are talking about and what’s trending, the AISD website to be aware of what’s happening in the school district, CNN, and Yahoo.

ideas for next year

1. making polls and surveys would be interesting and pull more people to read the paper since they know they'd be in the paper and so would their opinions
2. definitely need to dig deeper with people we interview, start conversations with them and ask them more personal questions and ask till you get those good answers that have a lot of meaning in them