Miss Kirby Tells All About Class

...is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” -Calvin Coolidge US= You were given your 2nd Quarter project assignment to get started on over the break if you choose. You can find the assignment sheet on my School Loop page here . Don't forget that you are supposed to use an EMPTY 14-20 ounce can. Sociology= Do some naturalistic observation over the break! Was there any stratification in terms of gift giving around your home this season? :) See you in 2011!

...How did it get so late so soon?" -Dr. Seuss US= You have your Jazz Age Journal due (either today for odd periods or tomorrow for even)! Be sure to read through Chapter 7 before class on Wednesday & Thursday (hint, hint)! You will be getting your 3rd quarter project assignment this week before the break so you will have PLENTY of time to do a good job with it! Sociology= We will be reviewing our past two quizzes on Tuesday & then continuing on with our material about Social Inequalities this week.

Don't forget that all Adopt-A-Family contributions are due this week in your 3rd period classes! Oops! Grades did not get updated over the weekend. You WILL see updates this week though! Some of you have really been slacking off and not staying in touch when you miss class or failing to make up work that you missed due to absence. Please be advised that you will receive zeros for work that is not made up due to excused absences! US= You have a Study Guide due on Thursday, 12/9 (odd periods) & Friday, 12/10 (even periods)...this is a date change. You were given more time! Be sure to do a thorough job with the study guide so you can be well prepared for the Formative Test. Don't forget to actually go through the chapters in the textbook too! Sociology= We are still working through our unit on Social Inequality. Expect a quiz on Friday, 12/10 covering Inequalities in the U.S., Maintenance of the Social Stratification System, & Social Classes in the U.S..

We seem to have turned around and all of the sudden December is here! Grades will be updated this coming weekend. US= Many of you missed last week's Quest on Chapters 4 & 5; it is your responsibility to make that up ASAP. Two people did that this afternoon; you're next chance is tomorrow between 1:30 & 4:30pm. This must be done this week! We are on to a new topic...The Great War a.k.a. The War to End All Wars! New homework will be given out in class on Monday & Tuesday (here is a link to where it is also posted on-line) . Be sure to get going on that...it is due next week (Tuesday, 12/7 for odd periods & Wednesday, 12/8 for even periods) . We will be completing chapters 6 & 7 before the break, so come prepared to be on task in class! ***3rd period...be sure to be setting aside money for Adopt-a-Family. We should have our family by the end of this week! Sociology= Your extra credit is due Tuesday, 11/30 if you chose to do it. We will be continuing with o

"The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving." ~H.U. Westermayer Remember that no matter what might be happening in your life...good or bad, we all still have a lot to be thankful for! US= You have a Quest on Chapters 4 & 5 (loner than a quiz shorter than a test) in class this short week. No homework over the break! Sociology= You have a quiz on Tuesday covering our notes on Social Inequality Unit so far. You will have an extra credit opportunity over the break that I will be giving out in class.

Don't forget that there is a warm clothes drive (jackets, sweaters, gloves, etc.) happening this week in 4th period classes AND a food drive (non-perishable items) happening in 3rd period classes. Please think about ways that you might be able to contribute! :) US= We will be working through Chapter 5 this week. There will be a Quest (longer than a quiz, but shorter than a test) on chapters 4 & 5 next week (Monday, 11/22 for odd periods & Tuesday, 11/23 for even periods). Be prepared to be focused in class! You also still have a few opportunities to make up points on the 1st Quarter Summative Test on Tuesday & Thursday at 7:15am or Tuesday from 1:30-3:30pm. Take advantage of the opportunities that are presenting themselves! Sociology= Finally took the midterm...so that means we'll be starting Unit 3! No really, we will be starting Unit 3 this week; we're going to have a lot to talk about since the subject is "Social Inequality". You have homework du

First Quarter grades are due this week. You will see these grades finalized on-line by Thursday, 11/11 (Veterans Day). US= You have a Chapter 4 Vocabulary Quiz this week (11/9 for odd periods & 11/10 for even periods); be sure to go through the bold terms in Chapter 4 so you are prepared! We will be wrapping up the last bits of Chapter 4 this week and then be moving on to Chapter 5. Be prepared to see more frequent quizzes in class to make sure that you are keeping up with the reading int he textbook. Homework and potential make-up points will be discussed in class this week...make sure you are in class to hear about it! Sociology= We just finished up unit 2, but be prepared to see a midterm exam next week (covering both units 1 & 2). We will start to take a look at Unit 3 (Social Inequality) on Wednesday.

US= You have your Tribal Pamphlet Project is due this week...it is due (11/3 for odd periods & 11/4 for even periods). A template for it is on School Loop. You also should be working on your 1st Quarter Summative Study Guide (also due 11/3 for odd periods & 11/4 for even periods)...that is your "Homework Packet" this time around. If you are having trouble with finding answers you can come by before school or at lunch time, but not the day it is due! Sociology= We will be wrapping up Unit #2 this week. On Tuesday we will be doing some review and on Thursday we will have our Unit #2 Exam. Being that this week is the end of the 1st Quarter your extra credit assignment is also due on Thursday, 11/4 (if you chose to do it). In honor of the 2010 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants and because I can, please enjoy these photos. (I must say, not having a TV made it a very interesting series to listen to.)

US= You have your tribal Pamphlet Project to be working on...it is due (11/3 for odd periods & 11/4 for even periods). I have posted a template for it on School Loop now. You also should be working on your 1st Quarter Summative Study Guide (also due 11/3 for odd periods & 11/4 for even periods)...that is your "Homework Packet" this time around. If you are having trouble with finding answers you can come by before school or at lunch time. An extra credit assignment will be given out to those who want it in class on Monday or Tuesday...it is due the end of this week. ***Want to earn back point on your Formative #2 Test? Come by before school at 7:20 on Thursday, 10/28 or Friday, 10/29 to make test corrections and earn back partial credit. Only 2 people took advantage of this opportunity with Formative #1! Sociology= We will be wrapping up Unit #2 this week. On Tuesday we will finish up "Conformity" and on Thursday we will cover "Deviance"; Quiz #4

US= You have your tribal Pamphlet Project to be working on...it is due (11/3 for odd periods & 11/4 for even periods). I have posted a template for it on School Loop now. This week we are starting a new unit (on Chapters 3 & 4)...your homework this time around will be a little different. I'll explain more in class! Sociology= We are finally starting the 2nd Unit on Culture, Conformity, & Deviance! You have homework due on Wednesday (read pages 81-91 and answer questions 1-3 on page 91). Be prepared for a quick quiz on Culture on Wednesday as well. Remember that your project assignment is now due Friday, 10/22! I can't wait to see what you all have to share based on your research methods. :) I should have grades updated by the end of this week. Thanks for your patience!

US= We are wrapping up Chapter 2 this week! Be sure to have your homework packet ready to turn in on Friday, 10/15 (for periods 1, 3, & 5) and Monday, 10/18 (for period 2). Some of you have still not made up your missed tests...you must see me this week to do that otherwise the score will stay a zero. Sociology= Do you have your picture/cartoon homework??? Quiz #2 on Tuesday, 10/12 and finally we will be wrapping up this Unit and taking the Unit 1 exam on Thursday, 10/14.

Grades will be up to date on School Loop by Wednesday evening. US= We are on to Chapter 2! Please be working on your Homework Packets (due 10/15 for odd periods & 10/18 for even periods); if you divide up the work into smaller bits you'll find that it is not that difficult to do! Sociology= We will be working on wrapping up Unit 1 this week. You should be expecting another quiz by the end of the week & a unit test next week (probably Tuesday 10/12) ! Please be in communications with your group in regards to your research project...I can only give you a limited amount of class time to check in with each other. ***Some of you will see that your grades really stink....it's because you have something missing! Don't be a slacker...turn in all of your work on time!

How fitting is that quote with our weather so far this week? US= Your Chapter 1 Homework Packet is due this week on the day of our Chapter 1 test! (Wednesday 9/29 for odd periods & Thursday, 9/30 for even periods) Sociology= Be prepared for a quiz in the second half of the period on Tuesday, 9/28 on the material we have covered so far!

Grades & scores will be posted on School Loop next week since classes are receiving their final shuffle this week! Be sure that you are logged on to School Loop so you can check on things! US= You took your Map Quiz this week, but in looking ahead please remember that your Chapter 1 Homework Packet is due next week on the day of our Chapter 1 test! (Wednesday 9/29 for odd periods & Thursday, 9/30 for even periods) Sociology= Your homework due on Friday, 9/24 is Read pages 14-22 and answer questions 1-3 on page 22; read pages 38-42 and answer questions 1-7 on page 42. Be prepared for a quiz next week on the material we have covered so far!

Welcome to a new school year! Please be sure to use this site to stay up to date on what is happening in class each week. US= Be working on your US Map Worksheet...there is a Map Quiz on Friday, 9/17 (for odd periods) and Monday, 9/20 (for even periods). You now have a Chapter 1 Homework Packet to be working on. It is due Wednesday, 9/29 (for odd periods) and Thursday, 9/30 (for even periods). Hopefully by the end of the week I will have a scanned version of the HW packet posted on School Loop. Sociology= Please be sure to have your (2-3 subject) spiral notebook for class this week. We will be checking out books on Tuesday, 9/14 and moving forward from there. Your first homework assignment from the book is to read pages 6-13 and answer questions #1-4 on page 13 and read pages 172-175 and answer question #1 on page 175. Please answer these questions on a separate sheet of loose leaf binder paper (don't tear it out of your spiral notebook (we need those pages in there) !

I am sure that you are all aware that this is our last week of school & you have finals this week. Please check the school website for details about this week's schedule. Grades will be finalized on Friday, June 25th. If you have questions regarding your final grade please check with me then. Thank you!

In case you're not aware...today is Flag Day ! Do you know the rest of the lyrics to the song quoted above? I will be working on updating grades this week prior to finals. It has been pointed out to me that some of the updates I have done are not reflected in what you are able to see on School Loop right now. I will work on getting that fixed. US= You're Film Project is due Tuesday, June 15th...no excuses for late projects! You have stamped work, your textbooks, and Study Guide (a.k.a. take home part 1 of your final) also due this week! Those are due Thursday, June 17th (for odd periods) and Friday, June 18th (for even periods). IR/PacRim= You have your final map test on Western Europe on Tuesday, June 15th. Be sure to study. We will finish watching class projects & be preparing for our final the rest of the week.

U.S.= You will be receiving your study guides for the second semester final this week. Please be sure to get started on them as early as possible so that you are not overwhelmed at the last minute! Please be in communication with your group since you final product is due Tuesday, June 15th! IR/PacRim= Your final group project is due on Friday, June 11th! The final Map Test on Western Europe has been postponed until Tuesday, June 15th.

I hope that you are all enjoying the long weekend, but please do take some time to remember why it is a holiday. Check out this link for more information about Memorial Day. US= You have your worksheets due in class on Tuesday, 6/1 (for odd periods) and Wednesday, 6/2 (for even periods). Don't forget that your group's script is due Thursday, 6/3 regardless of what period you are in. IR/PacRim= The rough draft of your group paper is due Tuesday, 6/1. You will be getting your final map of the year this week! Extra Credit Update: I will accept the write-ups for this week's episodes up until Friday, 6/4 due to the holiday weekend.

US= We will be taking a look at the 1970s this week as we prepare for STAR testing next week. Please come motivated and prepared to learn since our time is limited! In other news you have a new Group Project...the final product is due 6/15 for all classes, but the first deadline is tomorrow, Tuesday, 5/18. Please be sure to get in a group & have your group leader turn in your "Commitment Form". All group assignments will be posted Tuesday afternoon and your group's storyboard is due on Friday, May 21 (for all classes)! IR/PacRim= You have 4 Research Note-cards due Tuesday, 5/18, your PSA script is due Thursday, 5/20 a Map Test on Eastern Europe on Thursday, 5/20. Those are our big "deadlines" this week. I know it seems like a lot, but if you have been working with your group and using your time wisely these tasks are very "do-able"! Just for fun....this should look familiar to some of you!

Remember that there are 3 more weeks of Extra Credit opportunity (see the column on the left). US= You need to be reading Chapter 16 (just sections 1-4, we will cover section 5 at a later time) in preparation for a test on Chapter 15 & 16 (Friday, 5/14 for odd periods & Monday, 5/17 for even periods). You also have a "Letter from Vietnam" due Wednesday, 5/12 for odd periods and Thursday, 5/13 for even periods. IR/PacRim= Your Group Project Thesis Statements will be returned on Wednesday. Don't forget that your group's storyboard for the PSA is due Friday, 5/14 and your notecards (4 per person) are due Tuesday, 5/18. You were given notecards in class today to use; additionally you were shown some great on-line data base resources to use for your research today. Please take advantage of this help that has been given to you! There will be a new Map given out in class on Wednesday on Western Europe...it will also be due on Friday, 5/14.

Don't forget that Mother's Day is this coming Sunday (May 9th)!!! US= We are taking a Quiz on Chapter 15 this week and then moving on to Chapter 16 and taking a look at the Vietnam War. PLease be reading in your textbook as we are covering topics in class! IR/PacRim= You have a list of due dates for your group project. Be sure to stay in contact with your group members and don't fall behind on the work. Topics were picked today (5/4), a copy of the UNDHR is due on 5/6, and your group's thesis statement is due on Monday, 5/10. There will be some time to work with your group in class on Thursday after the Map Test!

US= We are moving on to Chapter 15 this week. Expect a quiz next week! See the note to the left about an extra credit opportunity. Your homework for this unit will be clarified by the end of the week. IR/PacRim= You have a new map due Wednesday, 4/28 and a Map Test next week on May 6th. By the end of this week you will be getting started on a big group project for our class...be prepared to contribute!

This Friday marks the end of the 3rd quarter...how quickly it snuck up on us! Grades continue to be updated and I thank you for your patience! US= You have homework due this week & there will be a Civil Rights Quiz at the end of the week also! The 44 Study Guide questions ( are posted on School Loop) are due Thursday, 4/22 (for odd periods) and Friday, 4/23 (for even periods); that same day we will be taking the NMUSD District 3rd Quarter Benchmark exam. Please don't wait until the last minute to get started on this work. The Study Guide was designed to help you be prepared for the test! IR/PacRim= You have a test on your Asia Map this Thursday, 4/22. In class we will continue where we left off last week looking at control of information and the impact of media on our global society. Just for fun...do you know the answer to this riddle? The captain of a ship was telling this interesting story: "We traveled the sea far and wide. At one time, two of my sailors were stan

Welcome back! As you should have seen in a School Loop e-mail I, once again, had some computer issues over the break. I will be working on updating the grades throughout the week. US= We are now onto a new unit covering The Civil Rights Movement. This will be a rather quick unit...the end of the 3rd quarter is next Friday, 4/23. That means a couple of things...we will be done with this unit and we have a District Benchmark Test to take. Your homework is to complete the Study Guide that is given out in class and turn it in on the day of your test (Thursday, 4/22 for odd periods and Friday, 4/23 for even periods). IR/PacRim= You got a new map of Asia in class today...that is due on Wednesday, 4/14 and the Map Test will be on Thursday, 4/22. We will be gearing up to start a new unit this week. Thanks for the good discussion on global news items this morning!

Grades and scores will be updated over the holiday break for all classes. US= We will be taking the district assessment on Chapters 12 & 13 this week. These are the same chapters we just finished up. Also due this week is your 3rd quarter project The Cold War Storyboard. This is one of only two projects that you have in this class & it is very important that you do the project and turn it in on time! AS YOUR SYLLABUS STATES...projects are NOT accepted late! This project is due Tuesday, 3/30 (for odd periods) and Wednesday, 3/31 (for even periods). IR/PacRim= We are going to finish up War & Conflict in class this week. There will be a test covering this unit & the UN on Thursday, 4/1. Just for fun...a trivia question this time. How do they determine which Sunday will be Easter?

US= We've got a test on Chapters 12 & 13 coming up! So you should be wrapping up your reading and Kirby/Cornell Notes on Chapters 12 & 13 (due 3/26 for odd periods & 3/29 for even periods) . Notice the date change! Don't forget to be working on your 3rd Quarter project as well...the Cold War Storyboard (due 3/30 for even periods and 3/31 for even periods)... this is 10% of your semester grade...don't blow it off! IR/PacRim= We will be continuing in our unit on War & Conflict this week with our focus being on two major conflicts on the continent of Africa. There will be a UN and War & Conflict Test on Thursday, April 1st...this is not a joke! Can anyone identify the location of either of the photos posted in the two last weeks???

US= Be expecting a quiz on the Cold War this week! So that means you should probably get started on reading and doing the Kirby/Cornell Notes on Chapters 12 & 13 (due 3/24 for odd periods & 3/25 for even periods). Don't forget to be working on your 3rd Quarter project as well...the Cold War Storyboard. IR/PacRim= We will be continuing in our unit on War & Conflict this week with our focus being on the break-up of former Yugoslavia. Just for fun....where is this?

US= First of all we will be visiting the counselors this week to register for next year's classes. Don't forget to have your completed blue registration form with you in class (Wednesday for odd periods & Thursday for even periods). Please remember to get all the signatures you need in advance, include a parent signature...I will be scoring this as an assignment. We will be starting a new unit this week on the Cold War & the 1950s. Also you will get your 3rd quarter project assignment later this week. IR/PacRim= You have a map test on North Africa & the Middle East on Wednesday, 3/10. We will be continuing this week looking at Tools of Foreign Policy and how they play in to War & Conflict. Just for fun...no one tried to identify last week's photo, but maybe we will have better luck this week. Do you know where this is?

If you attend a screening of the documentary "A Long Night's Journey Into Day" (which chronicles 4 stories of truth and reconciliation following the fall of Apartheid in South Africa) on MONDAY, March 8th you can earn extra credit. In order to receive the extra credit you will write a movie review for the documentary using the following format: Opening: Catch the Reader's Attention Think about how advertisements sell movies: "trailers" show you a few seconds of the movie to get you interested. When you begin your movie review, make your own "trailer." If you liked the movie, then your trailer should make people want to see it; but if you didn't like it, the trailer should be something that shows why you didn't like it. Don't explain why you liked it or didn't like it; make the reader like or not like the movie by what you describe. Begin your review by retelling an incident or moment from the movie, which you think, captures the

It's amazing how quickly the months can fly by! US= You have your first Homework Packet of the new semester due this week (Thursday, 3/4 for odd periods & Friday, 3/5 for even periods); don't forget that we have our World War II Test that day also. A study guide for the test was posted on School Loop...check that out to help prepare yourself. IR/PacRim= Your North Africa & Middle East Map is due on Tuesday, 3/2. We will be starting a new unit this week on War & Conflict...be prepared to do some group work in class later this week. Just for fun...where is this? Robbie identified where last week's photo was...anyone going to take a guess this week?

Well, we're back from the break. I hope you all enjoyed the time off! We've got a lot coming up, so please stay on top of your assignments & don't put things off to the last minute this semester! I am sorry that the extra credit opportunity at the Public Library last Saturday was canceled, but be on the lookout for another extra credit opportunity at the beginning of March. US= You have a Chapter 10 Quiz on Wed., 2/24 (for odd periods) and Thurs., 2/25 (for even periods). Don't forget that your World War II Homework Packets are due next week...Thurs. 3/4 (for odd periods) and Fri., 3/5 (for even periods). This week we will be continuing our studies about the US involvement with World War II. IR/ PacRim = We will be spending some time this week looking at the United Nations and the role it has played in global affairs. There is a lot to learn & discuss when it comes to this topic. It also give us at least another week of a "non-depressing" topic

US= Please get started on your homework packet that was given out in class last week. It is due 3/4 & 3/5. When we return form the break there will be a quiz on Chapter 10 on 2/24 & 2/25...please be prepared! IR/PacRim= Don't forget that your Olympic Questions are due to be e-mailed to me ( kkirby@nmusd.us ) by Monday, 2/15. I sent home an e-mail with a copy of the questions via School Loop. Finally, for all classes an ***EXTRA CREDIT ALERT*** On Saturday, February 20th you have an opportunity to earn some extra credit. High School Students may see Chief Washington Correspondent for The New York Times, David Sanger speak at the Newport Beach Public Library.These are the details: It is free for students ...if you bring your NHHS student id card The event takes place Saturday, February 20th from 11am-noon Doors open at 10:45am and seating is limited to 200 people It will take place at the Newport Beach Central Library, 1000 Avocado Avenue, Newport Beach in the Friends Mee

A new semester a new beginning, a clean slate, a fresh start! Hopefully you all have some great goals that you want to accomplish this semester! US= We will be starting our next unit on World War II and the 1940s. A new Homework Packet was given out in class today...it is due Thursday, 3/4 (for odd periods) and Friday, 3/5 (for even periods). Please start off on the right foot this semester...don't procrastinate & get this started now so you're not up doing it the night before it's due! IR/PacRim= Before we start our unit on War & Conflict we will spend this week looking at a few other items as they relate to global affairs. I realize this is vague, but I want to ensure that you will come to class this week to find out what I'm talking about! Just for fun...

It's FINALS WEEK! This is what the schedule looks like this week: Monday, 2/1 = Period 1(8:00-10:00) & Period 5(10:20-12:20) Tuesday, 2/2 = Period 2(8:00-10:00) & Period 6(10:20-12:20) Wednesday, 2/3 = Period 3(8:00-10:00) & Period 7(10:20-12:20) Thursday, 2/4 = Period 4(8:00-10:00) & Period 8(10:20-12:20) Friday, 2/5 = Teacher Prep Day, No School. Winter Formal from 8pm to Midnight at Knott's Berry Farm. There is NO late start this week, but you do get out early everyday & you don't have any classes on Friday! Final 1st Semester Grades will not be official until Friday, 2/5. I will post your project and exam scores as soon as possible, but please be patient as there is a lot of work to take care of in finalizing everything for the semester. Thanks!

Don't forget to bring your spare change to your 4th period class this week for the "Race for Relief"! 100% of what is raised will be going to Child Hope International (see further down on the page for a link to a story on CNN involving this organization) . Every little bit of money that you are able to give will be going to help the people of Haiti who have been devastated by the earthquakes. US= You have a Chapter 9 Quiz this week (1/26 for odd periods & 1/27 for even periods) . Be sure that you are prepared for it; that means you should actually read the entire chapter! Remember that you also have the Summative Study Guide Questions due later this week (1/28 for odd periods & 1/29 for even periods) . We will be spending time in class this week finishing up the 1930s and preparing for our final which covers Chapters 1-9. IR/PacRim= Your Partner Project is due on Tuesday, 1/26. Be sure that is completed & turned in on time! We will be wrapping up our unit on

I sent home an e-mail for an easy 5 point extra credit opportunity via School Loop to all students yesterday...be sure to check School Loop for that. Additionally I will be giving out one more final extra credit opportunity for the semester in class later this week. US= We are continuing with the Great Depression this week. Remember that you have a Chapter 9 Quiz next week (1/26 for odd periods & 1/27 for even periods). Be sure that you are working on the Chapter 5-9 Study Guide Questions they are also due next week (1/28 for even periods & 1/29 for odd periods). I will be passing out a Study Guide (covering chapters 1-9...what will be included on the final) in class later this week. IR/PacRim= We are continuing with our unit on Disease. Don't forget to be in contact with your partner regarding your project that is due on Tuesday, January 26th. A bunch of papers will be passed back in class this week as well as a Study Guide for the final. Just for fun...

Oops! All of the sudden it is Wednesday & I realize that I had not yet updated the blog. Sorry for the delay! US= All classes received the 2nd Quarter US History Summative Study Guide this week. Those questions are due on 1/28 (for even periods) and 1/29 (for odd periods) the test will take place during finals week. Please be keeping up with your textbook reading...Chapter 8 Quiz this week (1/13 & 1/14) and a Chapter 9 Quiz on 1/26 & 1/27. IR/PacRim= You have a Project due on 1/26....be sure that you stay in contact with you partner to do a good job & get it turned in on time. There is a Map Test on the Northern(ish) Half of Africa on Friday, 1/15...don't forget to study!

Happy New Year! I'm sure that there were a few New Year's resolutions made...anyone resolve to not procrastinate? Well I hope that you all enjoyed your break. Before you know it the end of the semester will be here, so be sure to stay on top of your work! US= Your second project of the semester is due next week (Monday, 1/11 for odd periods & Tuesday, 1/12 for even periods...I will have a list of Alphabet Soup Agencies on the board in class). We will be finishing up this semester by completing Chapters 8 & 9...be sure to be reading. There will be weekly quizzes this time around! I will explain the new homework later in the week. IR/PacRim= This is a busy week for us! There will be a new map given out on Tuesday...it is due on Thursday, 1/7. We will also be starting our next unit on Disease as well as getting your final project assignment for the semester. We will spend some time in class next week to help us all be a bit more prepared for finals & what to expect