Exams are next week!

Some of the 8th graders and I had a review session this morning, using the flip cards on the SMART Board to improve our historical vocabulary:

AAS:
Extra credit option, due Monday:
Read and take notes from Pgs 625 - to the top of pg 630.

Spring Break Extra Credit

There are two Spring Break extra credit options for this week:

Part One: Current Events Quiz (10pts, 1pt for each correct answer)
Using CNN Student News website, answer this week's Current Events Quiz. You can find the quiz by clicking HERE. Please send me an email with your answers.

Part Two: Creating your own Current Events Quiz (up to 15pts)
Create a quiz about news stories/events that have happened over the last month. Your quiz should include both national and international events as well as an answer key. It can consist of multiple choice and/or short answer questions. Basic "knowledge level" questions (like the ones on the CNN Student News quiz) will be worth 1pt each. Higher level thinking questions will be worth more points. You can either type your quiz as a document and attach it to an email, or just type it directly into an email.

Both options are due before we return to school on Monday, May 2nd.

AAS Students* -
Just a reminder, you need to email me with your project topic, interviewee's name, and 10 questions you plan to ask in your interview by Monday! Many of you have yet to do this ... please don't be late! Email me if you have questions/are having troubles with any part of this assignment.

Enjoy your Spring Break, and please let me know if you have any questions!

Spring Break!

Congratulations everyone - we made it to Spring Break! I hope you enjoyed the Easter Assembly this morning :) In this post, you will find homework (if your class has any. Stay tuned - I will post the extra credit options on Saturday! As always, leave a comment or email me if you have any questions. Enjoy your break!

6th Grade:
Homework: Read and take notes on Chapter 14, Section 1. Answer review questions #3-5 on looseleaf.

7th Grade:
Homework: Create a biography of a fictional Civil War Soldier (Union or Confederate, your choice). Include a hand drawn picture of your soldier along with their state, date of birth, age, job at home, family members, reason for joining the army, and 2 interesting facts about them.

8th Grade:
No homework, but check back tomorrow for the extra credit assignment!

AAS:
Homework: Be working on your Oral History Project. If you have not already done so, you need to email me with your topic, name of interviewee, and 10 interview questions by MONDAY< April 25th!
*Your interview should be completed by the time you come to class on Tuesday, May 3rd.

8th Gr Homework April 19th

29.2: War Expands in Vietnam

1.Compare the American soldiers in the Revolutionary War and the Viet Cong fighters in Vietnam. (3pts)
2.What were some of the problems that American soldiers faced? (3pts)
3.Describe the effects of the US strategy of destroying land and villages that hid the Viet Cong. (3pts)
4.What advantages did the Communists gain by attacking on a holiday? (3pts)
5.Explain (clearly) how the Tet Offensive changed the course of the war. (4pts)

7th and 8th Grade Homework: April 18th

Here are the questions for the 7th and 8th grade homework tonight (due tmrw, 4/19):

7SS - Chaper 16, Section 2: Life in the Army
1.Suppose you are a soldier in the Civil War. Would you want your brothers or father to enlist and join you on the battlefield? Why or why not? (3pts)
2.Why would some soldiers take clothing off of dead soldiers after a battle? (3pts)
3.Identify reasons that men volunteered for the army. (4pts)
4.Why was disease responsible for so many deaths during the war? (3pts)
5.Explain two ways that the Civil War differed from earlier wars. (4pts)


8SS - Chapter 29, Section 1: The Cold War Roots of Conflict
1.What was the Berlin Wall, and why was it an important symbol to people in the USA and in Europe? (4pts)
2.Why did such a strong tension develop over Cuba? (3pts)
3.What choices did JFK have? What was the final result of the Cuban Missile Crisis? (5pts)

Middle School Extra Credit! Due April 18th

This week's extra credit option is going to continue our focus on current events. As you know, CNN Student News produces a daily news show and has a content-rich website covering both domestic and international news. This week's extra credit option is to complete a 10 question quiz about the news stories from this week.

You can find the quiz HERE.

You may use the website (Click here: CNN Student News) to complete the quiz - feel free to watch the archived episodes, or click on the links to read the stories about the topics the questions are focusing on.

You can either print the quiz, fill it in, and hand it to me on Monday (April 18) OR you can email me your answers anytime before Monday morning.

I'll also be here tomorrow for Saturday tutoring - so come see me in the 408 Lab if you have any questions!

AAS - Ch 19 Questions

African American Studies Homework for April 13th:
- Pg 494: APPARTS (Extra Credit)
- Chapter 19 Questions (see below)
- Cornell notes, pgs. 539-550
* All of these things are due when we meet again on Monday, April 18th!

Chapter 19 Questions:
(All of these questions can be answered by reading Ch 19 - read critically, and give thorough, complete answers!)
1.What is bebop? Include in your answer both a description and some of the artists. How was it received by whites? (5pts)
2.What is meant by “race film?” Who was the first African American to win an Oscar, when was it, and for what role? (4pts)
3.Describe the “Chicago Renaissance” and compare it with the Harlem Renaissance. (4pts)
4.What were the goals of black literature in the mid 1900s? (3pts)
5.Explain the role of either Joe Louis and/or Jackie Robinson in African American history. (4pts)

8th Grade Extra Credit

As a part of our Modern Civil Rights Era unit, you have an opportunity for some extra credit. We are going to analyze a primary source using a method called APPARTS.

1) Read the document. You can find it HERE

2) In an email to me, or on a piece of looseleaf paper, fill in the following:
A - Author. Who created this document? Be specific.
P - Place and Time. When and where was it created?
P - Prior Knowledge. What do you already know about this time period?
A - Audience. Who is the intended audience of this document?
R - Reason. Why did the author create this document?
T - The main idea. What is the document about?
S - Significance. What is the lasting impact and effect of this document? SO WHAT? Why is it important?

If you have questions, see me! This assignment is due by Monday, April 11th.

High schoolers, hard at work:

Armahd and Kyronda

Janise, Ashley, and Tyren

Extra Credit and Weekend Homework

First up: Extra Credit!

This assignment is for all of my students and is due by Monday, March 21st. (Except for seniors - you have until Wednesday morning due to retreat!)

The assignment is based on the news events of this last week - we've spent quite a bit of time talking about current events in class this week, so you should all be able to do well on this assignment! Feel free to use the CNN Student News website to help you though!

Assignment:
- Answer the 11 questions from this week's CNN Student News Newsquiz. The questions can be found here
- Send me your answers in an email, or write them out on looseleaf and bring them to me in class on Monday.

Weekend Homework:
6SS: 12.2 notes due on Monday, Current Event #2 (International event) due Wednesday.

7SS: 13.4 questions due Monday - make sure you read the whole section!

8SS: 27.3 questions due Monday. Nice job on your debating today! I'm so glad you were able to successfully argue your opinions using facts.

AAS: Read and take notes on pgs. 362-370

Email me if you have any questions, enjoy the weekend, and for those of you who are basketball fans - I hope your brackets are doing well!

7SS - Weekend Homework

Hello 7th Graders,

As we discussed in class, we need to get a head start on the next chapter - so over the weekend, please read and take notes on Chapter 13, Section 1. Then read section 2, and answer the following questions on looseleaf paper:

1. Explain how American settlers caused problems in Textas.
2. Why didn't Texas join the United States in 1836?
3. Create a list of 4 events (and their dates) that led to the formation of the Lone Star Republic.
4. How did losing the Battle of the Alamo serve as a turning point for Texas Independence?
5. Why was Texas a magnet for land speculators and investors?

Feel free to email me if you have any questions! Both of these assignments are due on Monday, March 14th at the beginning of class.

AAS: Simple Outline Format

Good morning!

Your outline analyzing the historical accuracy of the movie "Glory" is due on Thursday. Here is the format your outline should follow:

Outline example:

I. Introductory Sentence
A. Intro topic 1
B. Intro topic 2
C. Intro topic 3
D. Conclusion sentence / transition

II. Topic 1 Intro
A. Detail 1
B. Detail 2
C. Detail 3
D. Conclusion (analysis of comparison) / transition

Repeat for topic/paragraphs 3 and 4

V. Conclusion paragraph
A. Restate Topic 1
B. Restate topic 2
C. Restate Topic 3
D. Conclude w/ your thesis

Please see or email me if you have any questions, and/or refer to your assignment description sheet distributed in class last week.

Make sure you have a complete works cited page, in MLA format, ready to turn in with your outline!

Homework and Grade update

Hello!

Thank you all for your patience as I was out sick - I'm almost caught up on grading papers, and you'll have everything back to you at the beginning of next week. As for this weekend:

6th Grade:
- Current Event due Wednesday
- Current Events quiz will be sometime next week!

7th Grade:
- Finish 12.2 Questions. Email me if you have any questions/need the questions.

8th Grade:
- World War Two from A-Z Books: You need to have a rough draft of your entire book ready to show me on Monday. This means all descriptions should be done, and all pictures should be ready. It does not need to be in final book form yet. See this page for some past examples.

AAS:
- "Glory" Written Assignment (see assignment description sheet for more information, but this is what is due on Monday):
- Research your three chosen terms (on one piece of looseleaf)
- Compare/Contrast chart of the movie and your research.

Weeked Homework 2/11-2/14

6th Grade:
10.1 Questions
These need to be answered on looseleaf.
10.1: The Origins of the Hebrews

1.How did Abraham create the foundation of Judaism – what idea did he establish?
2.How did the Hebrews become known as the Israelites?
3.What events caused Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, and what happened as a result?
4.How did the Israelites receiving the 10 Commandments affect the Hebrew religion?
5.Explain who the judges were and describe their role in Israelite life.
6.How did the judges help to keep the Israelites united? Who were some of the important judges?
7.How did the Hebrew belief in a Promised Land affect their actions in Egypt and Canaan?

7th Grade:
11.1 Notes

8th Grade:
3rd pd: Boulder Dam Questions (see post below) due Monday
8th pd: Fireside Chat due Monday (at least 2 paragraphs)

African American Studies:
- Script is due Monday (2 - 2.5 pages typed)
- *Be ready to present on Monday! Bring your rubric with you.
- Ch 9 Notes (pgs. 224-229) due Tuesday
- Extra Credit: APPARTS - can be turned in any time before Thursday's test.

8th Grade Social Studies - Feb 10th/11th: The Boulder Dam

Hello!

Log in to Classzone - Chapter 25 - Animated History - Chapter 25: Building the Boulder Dam. You may either write these answers on looseleaf and turn them in, or email them to me.

1.Why was the Boulder Dam project important to the economy?
2.Why do you think the Colorado River was chosen as the site of this dam? Be specific.
3.Why did the Colorado River need to be diverted? How did they do this?
4.Describe the challenges and dangers faced while building the dam.
5.How was this dam a Public Works project? Why did Hoover choose to undertake this project?
6.What impact did/does this dam have on the environment and the local economy?
7.What is the name of the dam today and why did it change?

If time permits, write 3 quiz questions (and answers) about the dam that could reasonably be answered by anyone in your class.

8SS - HW for Tues, Feb 9th

8th Grade homework, due tomorrow (on looseleaf). Make sure you READ all of section 25.1 (including the sidebar on Pg. 779) to help you answer these questions and to ensure you are ready for class tomorrow!

25.1 Questions: 16pts

1.Compare the appearances of prosperity in the 1920’s with the realities. (3pts)
2.What did Herbert Hoover imply when he promised Americans “a chicken in every pot and a car in every garage”? (3pts)
3.Contrast Hoover’s promise with the reality that developed. (4pts)
4.“Roleplay” an answer: Imagine you are Hoover. What would you say you did to combat the Depression? (3pts)
5.Describe how the nation lost its trust in President Hoover. (3pts)

Update: Conferences, Snow Days, Schedule Changes

I hope you all have enjoyed your TWO snow days in a row! Parent Teacher conferences WILL be happening tomorrow as scheduled, from 11am-2pm and 4pm-7pm. If you have more than one mandatory conference, please make sure your parent is at school at least an hour before closing time, for either session. Of course, you are more than welcome to come to conferences with your parent/guardian.

*Updated School Schedule*
- As a result of having two (very unexpected and unusual!) snow days in a row, a change is being made to the school calendar - we WILL have classes on Friday, February 25th.

If you have any questions, feel free to comment here or send me an email. I hope to see you all tomorrow!

A street near my house - still waiting for the plows!

State of the Union - Video links

If you missed the State of the Union, and want to watch it and/or complete the second extra credit option, here are some places you can watch the speech in its entirety.

The "enhanced" version from the White House, including maps, charts, and graphs:


And here is a video of the speech (also from the White House, posted on YouTube) :

Let me know if you have any questions - and feel free to leave a comment on this post telling us what you thought of the President's Speech!

State of the Union - Extra Credit

The State of the Union Address

- Tonight, January 25th, 8pm CST
- All major news networks

Assignment / Extra Credit Options:
1.Do TONIGHT, during the speech and turn in TOMORROW:
a.Two column notes on looseleaf (up to 6pts)
i.Left side: Observations of event (people, clothes, decorum, behavior, etc)
ii.Right side: Speech. (What did Obama say?)


2.By FRIDAY:
a.Two paragraph review of the speech (up to 10pts)
i.Do you agree with what he said?
ii.What opinions do you have about the speech?

Extra Credit, you say?

This week's Extra Credit Opportunity is available to all students, Middle and High School.

Last month, there was a writing contest about how technology has changed, and continues to change, our lives. This month, there is another contest and a new topic:

WhoWhatWhereWhenWhy?

If you could spend a day with anyone alive or dead, real, fictional or imaginary…

Who would you pick?
What would you do with them?
When would you meet: in the past, present or future?
Where would you meet them?
Why would you pick them?

Tell us in 100 words or less, and you may win $100 in TweenTribune's second 100-word essay contest.

Be careful - you only have 100 words!

Check out some of the last contest's winners: here

And take a look at some of the entries that have already been posted for this contest: here

* IMPORTANT! Do NOT enter your contest entry directly to the website - you need to email me your entry and I will enter the best of the best into the contest.

If you have ANY questions, look at the contest website first, then email me. Good luck, and be creative!

Weekend Homework and upcoming tests...

Happy (snowy) Saturday :)

6th Grade:
- 9.3 notes due on Monday
- Current Event due Wednesday. (Check out the Gale Student Resource we were using in class on Friday - it's a great resource to get an article from!)

7th Grade:
- Ch 9 Review, Pg. 334 #14, 15, 18-20, 23
- Ch 9 Test is on Wednesday

8th Grade:
- Ch 23 Review, Pg. 748 #9-16 Even OR Odd
- Ch 23 Test is on Tuesday

AAS:
- Ancient African Kingdom Brochure is due on Monday - Final copy, including Works Cited Page (in MLA format). Please turn in the rubric as well.

Have a great weekend everyone! Parent Teacher Conferences are less than two weeks away!

8th Grade Social Studies - HW for 1/20/11

8th Graders, here are the homework questions for tonight. They are all based on the information in 23.3. Please read the section first, then answer the questions on looseleaf paper - you should be ready to hand them in at the start of class tomorrow!

23.3 Questions: Pushing the Germans Back

1) True or False (and give a fact to verify your answer)
a.More soldiers died than civilians in World War One
b. African American combat units spent little time on the front lines.

2) What was the turning point of the war, and when did it occur?

3) Explain why the battle from #2 can be considered a “turning point.”

4) What happened two days after Germany’s Kaiser stepped down? Describe what that “thing” means.

5) What was the effect of the war and the flu epidemic in terms of human lives lost?

Last chance for this extra credit option!

ALL of my students - Middle or High School - can use this as an extra credit opportunity, but your entries MUST be emailed to me by 5pm TODAY (Saturday, January 8th).

This is a writing contest, but your entry can only be 100 words - no more! The question is

“How does technology make the world a better place?”

Check out some examples of clear, effective, but short writing here:
http://tweentribune.com/100words

To enter / complete this extra credit, you should answer that question (in your own words - don't steal anyone else's idea!) in 100 words or less and email it to me today. Don't enter it on the contest website, I'll take care of that ...

I've gotten many submissions, and they are good writing, but so far none of them are SUPER creative ... they're well done, but not yet standing out far above the rest. So take a look at the website and get your creative writing ideas flowing!

Other Homework:
6th Grade: 8.3 notes
7th Grade: 8.3 notes
8th Grade: Chapter 22 Review, Pg 714 #9-15 ODD.  Study for Tuesday's test!
AAS: Chapter 1questions # 1-5 (on looseleaf)

I'm here for Saturday Tutoring until noon ... come see me in the computer lab or email me if you have any questions!