Speech-Revised

Driving on your way to an exciting Vancouver Canucks game; who will win, Canucks, or Chicago? As you imagine how the game will play out, you drive over the new 10-lane Port Mann Bridge. What you may not be aware of is, you are being tolled by an electronic system. I, Jarrod Vanthournout, am here today to talk to you about the toll on the new Port Mann Bridge. First off, I will tell you about why they tolled the bridge. I will then talk about the pros and cons about the toll. Last I will tell you about the pricing.

First things first, why did they toll the Port Mann Bridge? If they hadn't I wouldn’t have a speech, would I? Well the thing is the project cost approximately 3 billion dollars! Now that’s a lot of money. They tolled the bridge so they could pay off this project. The question is, was it the right choice?

With the toll there are some good aspects, as well as some bad. Let’s start with the pros. A really good part of the toll is that instead of stopping traffic at a booth the vehicles are in constant movement without needing to stop or slow down. Unfortunately nothing is perfect. One of the problems with the tolling system is that there are flaws; some vehicles have been paid in a different category during different trips over the Port Mann Bridge. Another problem with the bridge is the cost.

Speaking of cost, let’s get to the prices of the toll. The current prices of the toll are following: 1.50 for a car, 75 cents for a motorcycle, 3 dollars for a small truck, and 4.50 for a large truck. I would like to note that these prices for 1-way, not over and back. However this December, toll rates will double, making going over the bridge even more expensive. To keep this discount, you can sign up for Treo. Another way to not need to pay the toll is to take public transit, such as the skytrain, or the bus.

Today I have talked to about the Port Mann Bridge toll. Let’s recap: I have told you about why they tolled the bridge, as well as the pros and cons of them doing so. Also I have spoken about the prices of the toll. I now invite you all to make your own opinions on the toll. Who knows, it might even be when you’re crossing the bridge to a Canucks game.

I haven't timed myself yet, but if it's still over time I could take out the part I coloured red... Any other suggestions are also welcome.

speech draft

Imagine having 8.3 billion dollars in your name?! you can buy almost anything you want with that amount of money! but it’s not money i’m going to talk about today. I’m going to discuss the importance of not giving up on your dreams and goals. but tell you for fun the person who has .3 billion dollars in his names is Steve jobs.He is one person who never gave up and reached his goals. he could have give  up, but he didn’t know what the outcome would be unless he tried. so he tried and tried until he perfected the Apple company, which is now one of the world’s most valuable companies.

Steve Jobs perfected the Ipad, Ipod, Iphone(just to name a few), all by ignoring the negative comments people said about his wild dreams and goals. People thought what he wanted to accomplish was impossible, but he never gave up, and he now called ‘The father of digital revolution’, and ‘Master of innovation’.

Another man who never gave up on his dreams and ignored the obstacles is Thomas Edison. In particular we all know he created the electric light bulb; however, he also created the phonograph and motion picture camera. He too was thought to be crazy in wanting to create such modern devices. But again, he never gave up on his vision and now named the fourth most prolific inventor in history.

Both of these men have left a powerful mark on human history. They taught was not to give up on ourselves, let your imagination run free, and think of ways to make the world better pace. Because of that, they will be remembered forever. So i want to conclude with these.

Be a leader not a follower, and never give up on your dreams, and i will leave you with a quote from Edison- “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is to try just one more time.”

Independent Project Response

  I really think that that is an interesting idea. If done it should only be for the older grades, like 11 or 12. This would be so the students in the class would already know all the basics of the subjects to incorporate in their projects. My first thought was it looked a lot like Genius Hour. Even though I said it was interesting I don't like the idea myself.... If there isn't any marks, or grades then how do you pass the course? Can you pass by just presenting even if the project doesn't deserve to pass?
  However, there were some aspects I did like... first was the question of the week. I thought it was interesting, and we could incorporate it into the Genius Hour class next year. The second was the check-in at the beginning of the day. I think by doing this the students become closer and more friendly than if they just went off and did their work.
  I really don't think this kind of school would work for me!

Independent school response

Independent Project Response was a wonderful opportunity if you don't really do well in academic courses.

The Independent project was actually a good idea It was different to have to grasp the concept of teenagers controlling there schooling. The school really showcased your talents so you can focus on them and you can do things you enjoy so you want to do them. Each week, they had to present their new project that they had been working on to their classmates and then there classmate would critique each other on their projects. Although there aren't any teachers coaching you through every single thing, but there are teachers to help you when you do need it. I think this would be a cool thing to have at our school but not necessarily for younger grades probably 10-12 because they have an idea of what they want to do when there older. I dont think this would work for younger grades because we dont know what we think we want to be so we wont have a goal and us. I personally would not do the independent project right now because I don't feel like I am mature enough to being on my own all semester. I still feel like I would still need a teacher's guidance to help me through. It would be hard to keep yourself on track and actually do the project. Overall I think it would be really cool to try it out one day! 

  

"The Independent Project"

Last week, we watched a video about "The Independent Project" a school designed and implemented entirely by students.

The Independent Project is definitely a unique and original concept - being able to set your own rules, create your own assignments and have no teachers.

The idea appeals to me because of the innovative concept; giving students the opportunity to control and design their own learning. This would be a great way for students who don't do as well in typical academic schools to express themselves and learn in a non-traditional system. Furthermore, what really appeals to me is the free time in the afternoon given to students to work on whatever they want - be it learn to play the piano, conduct science experiments or design the next big thing.

However, I don't know how well the idea would work out in the long run. How would the students function without teachers and rules? Would a system where students could learn freely be the best idea?

But the only way to find out is to try it out yourself.

I personally would not join this program right now, because at my age I perform better in school where there is more structure and rules. However, I think this program would work well for older students who already have a idea of where they want to move forward in their life.

Overall, I think the Independent Project is a great idea - for some people. It is definitely a unique idea for a black and white world.

Independent Project Response!

The Independent project was really interesting to me. It was really different to see students having so much control to what they were to do in school. It really gave students who weren't so good at academic courses, a chance to show that they actually do have some talent. It gives everyone an equal chance to get into the university of their choice. Each week, they had to present their project that they had been working on the whole week to their classmates and then each classmate would critique each other on their projects. The independent project did actually have teachers but the teachers didn't tell them what to do, they were simply there to help the students if they needed help. This idea is very appealing but I think it would work best for the older grades (10-12) because they have a better idea of what they want to do or major in later in life so they can actually create projects within that field. I would not attend the independent project right now because I don't feel like I am mature enough to being on my own all semester. I still feel like I need a teacher's guidance to help me through. But overall, I think it's a wonderful opportunity if you don't really do well in academic courses!

Independent Project Responce

I liked the idea that students design their own class. I also thought that it was something similar to Genius Hour project. It is something different and it was unique idea that students come up with new ideas and projects. It would be awesome if you have your own rules and you can design without teachers. I think this is good way to learn something and try something new. But I don’t think its good idea that they don’t have a teacher. If there is no teacher, if something goes wrong and something happens, they need teacher’s help and they might have done something that teacher doesn’t like.

So overall I think this is great idea that they try something new, but I don’t like this project and don’t think this is great idea in general.