Crossword Puzzle Blog

Cross-

word Puzzle Blog
by Mr. Carrison & Flash
Gates Intermediate School
Scituate, MA

Use this blog to help each other complete your Energy Crossword Puzzle project that is due November 25th. Remember that late puzzles are marked down 100 points. Plan to succes or you plan to ___________! Check below for my technology homework excuse policy.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Mr. Carrison’s Policy on Excuses for Technology Assignments

In the past years I have been able to verbally convey this information to my students. To make it easier for some parents and students I am taking a few minutes to try and clarify my policy on excuses for assignments requiring the use of technology. By technology I mean computers, the internet, media storage devices, printers, digital cameras, scanners, email and the like. Understand that we often use these types of assignments for review purposes ON THE DAY THEY ARE TURNED IN. If everyone had and “acceptable” (really no such thing) excuse, I could not use student work to review for tests. Factor in that I have 100+ students and it is realistically just not possible to take in assignments “when ever.” I can never remember a time that my boss was impressed with an excuse rather than the project or task that he or she had entrusted me with. These excuses seem to be remembered when you are up for a raise and/or possible promotion! As a parent of three young adults, trust me when I say that high school and college instructors simply do not accept excuses. When excuses are for sale in the Want Advertiser, Boston Globe Classified section or on eBay.com I will start giving them consideration. When and if this doubtfully ever happens, excuses possibility MIGHT then be worth something. Please start your technology projects early. You should backup to a USB drive and the computer hard disk OFTEN. I would also “orphan” a copy by sending the file to yourself in an email and NOT downloading it!

> Computers are sometimes available in my room during study and after school.
> Computers are available in other areas of school such as our school library and computer lab.
> Computers are available at the Scituate town library and all Boston libraries.
> Many homes have two or more computers, check with a relative, neighbor or friend AFTER getting your parent(s) permission - of course.
> Many parents have access to loaner laptops at their place of employment.
> If you wait until the last minute to complete a report – plan on the computer, printer &/or Internet to break down. No excuses are acceptable. Plan ahead! Let me repeat, No Excuses Are Acceptable!
> All my technology assignments are assigned WELL in advance, often 1 ½ weeks or more.

There are at least 4,817 excuses as to why you could not complete this assignment. Most fall in to the following major categories:

Ö “My computer is possessed and/or hates me.”
Ö “My parents/brother/sister/goldfish tied up the phone line.”
Ö “My computer crashed, died, went up in flames and/or ate my data file.”
Ö “My printer up and died” or “It’s possessed by evil beings”
Ö “The net was down” “We lost power” ”Aliens knocked out or cable or power.”
Ö “Our dog bit Comcast man and he turned off our cable to retaliate.”
Ö “My dog ate my computer, homework, internet cable and/or printer”
Ö “We do not have a computer at home.”

Computers and the Internet are still in their infancy and as such are prone to trouble. If you wait until the last minute to start this assignment you can plan on a technical malfunction. Know this and plan ahead! Unless the entire South Shore falls off the power grid for more than 48 hours… any technology orientated project or homework assigned is due on the date given.

No credit will be given for late work!
No credit will be given for late work!
No credit will be given for late work!

http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/dictionary/DictionaryResults.aspx?refid=1861609681Microsoft’s Encarta’s Definition of Excuses:
1. justification: a reason or explanation, not necessarily true, given in order to make something appear more acceptable or less offensive There can be no excuse for laziness.
2. false reason: a false reason that enables somebody to do something he or she wants to do or avoid something he or she does not want to do The perfect excuse to do nothing
3. bad example: an inept performer of a particular action or task ( informal ) A poor excuse for a cook
4. note justifying absence: a note from a doctor or parent confirming that somebody is not well enough to go to work or attend school

Plan to succeed or plan to fail!

This COULD.... be an easy A+! Your.... choice!

excuses technology.com – proof read by “Mox”- Emily Moxie

clip art grabbed from http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/thisweekineducation/upload/2007/10/bill_crossword_puzzle.gif