Well, it's official - we made it to Fourth Quarter! We are in the last quarter of the school year, but it is not a time to relax and "take it easy" - just the opposite! We want to work hard, stay focused, and finish strong.
Things to look forward to this quarter:
- Terra Nova Testing (next week!): Scholarships are awarded for students who have high scores on this test! Sleep well, eat a healthy breakfast, and work hard!
- Career Day: Featuring guest speakers, all of whom are PSM Alumni!
- March Madness Basketball Tournament: You know this is Ms. Michalak's favorite time of year and for some of you, the focus of a project in your math class!
- The Easter Assembly: Presented by the Middle School! (Thursday, April 1st @ 8am)
- Spring Break :)
- School Picnic Day!
- 8th Grade Graduation
.... on a content-based note:
6th Grade:
- We'll be studying Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome - and learning about mythology of the gods and goddesses!
7th Grade:
- Get ready for Westward Expansion (We're ready for the Oregon Trail!), and the build up and eventual fighting of the Civil War
8th Grade:
- The Cold War, Korean War, Vietnam War ... along with the American Dream of the 1950's, the Civil Rights Movement and the Counter Culture of the 60s and 70s, and taking a look at our recent presidents. (And some pretty awesome music along the way).
As always, if you have any questions - post them here, email me, or see me at school. I'm excited for 4th quarter and I hope you are too!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Winter Olympics
Hola Middle School Social Studies students!
Has anyone been watching the Olympics? Did you catch the Opening Ceremony? For those of you who have been watching -- what is your favorite event to watch? Do you have a favorite athlete?
Leave any/all of these answers in a comment on this post and you'll get some extra credit points!
Looking for more extra credit?
-Turn in a current event write up related to the Olympics and gain even more extra credit. (Turn in no later than Monday, February 22nd. You can turn it in any time before that, including during Saturday tutoring) Email Ms. Michalak or see her in person if you have questions about the format.
6th Graders:
- You will need to turn in an *extra* CE in order to gain more bonus points.
- The answer to our class question from earlier today? The 2006 Winter Olympics were in fact held in Turin/Turino, Italy. Stay tuned for more Olympics trivia!
Has anyone been watching the Olympics? Did you catch the Opening Ceremony? For those of you who have been watching -- what is your favorite event to watch? Do you have a favorite athlete?
Leave any/all of these answers in a comment on this post and you'll get some extra credit points!
Looking for more extra credit?
-Turn in a current event write up related to the Olympics and gain even more extra credit. (Turn in no later than Monday, February 22nd. You can turn it in any time before that, including during Saturday tutoring) Email Ms. Michalak or see her in person if you have questions about the format.
6th Graders:
- You will need to turn in an *extra* CE in order to gain more bonus points.
- The answer to our class question from earlier today? The 2006 Winter Olympics were in fact held in Turin/Turino, Italy. Stay tuned for more Olympics trivia!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
State of the Union - Extra Credit
This extra credit opportunity is for ALL Social Studies classes!!
- This evening, President Obama will deliver his "State of the Union" address to Congress and the nation. If you are taking advantage of this extra credit opportunity, you need to watch the speech (it starts at 8pm and will be on all local news channels) and write the following on piece of looseleaf paper:
1) BEFORE the speech, tell me 3 things you think he will/should talk about and why.
2) At the beginning of and during the speech, write down 5 observations - about the room, people, outfits, reactions, protocol, etc.
3) During the speech, write down at least 3 things he actually DOES talk about.
4) After the speech, write down at least 2 questions you have or 2 opinions/things that stuck out to you (or a combination of both)
* Start time: 8pm local Chicago time
* Where to watch: ABC, NBC, www.whitehouse.gov, or a live stream on Hulu
* Due date for this assignment:
7th/8th grade: Due Thursday in class
6th grade: Due Friday in class
* If you have questions, post them here or email me at michalake@psmnow.com - I'll be checking my email during the speech and will get back to you as soon as I can!!
- This evening, President Obama will deliver his "State of the Union" address to Congress and the nation. If you are taking advantage of this extra credit opportunity, you need to watch the speech (it starts at 8pm and will be on all local news channels) and write the following on piece of looseleaf paper:
1) BEFORE the speech, tell me 3 things you think he will/should talk about and why.
2) At the beginning of and during the speech, write down 5 observations - about the room, people, outfits, reactions, protocol, etc.
3) During the speech, write down at least 3 things he actually DOES talk about.
4) After the speech, write down at least 2 questions you have or 2 opinions/things that stuck out to you (or a combination of both)
* Start time: 8pm local Chicago time
* Where to watch: ABC, NBC, www.whitehouse.gov, or a live stream on Hulu
* Due date for this assignment:
7th/8th grade: Due Thursday in class
6th grade: Due Friday in class
* If you have questions, post them here or email me at michalake@psmnow.com - I'll be checking my email during the speech and will get back to you as soon as I can!!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
"Once On This Island"
Hello there!
Today was the opening night for our school musical, "Once On This Island." If you didn't go see it tonight, GO on Friday or Saturday! It is a good, fun, entertaining show and you can come support your fellow students who have been working hard since September. Let me know what you think of the show - and if you show me your ticket stub on Monday, you'll earn some extra credit :)
Today was the opening night for our school musical, "Once On This Island." If you didn't go see it tonight, GO on Friday or Saturday! It is a good, fun, entertaining show and you can come support your fellow students who have been working hard since September. Let me know what you think of the show - and if you show me your ticket stub on Monday, you'll earn some extra credit :)
Thursday, September 24, 2009
The Providence Effect!
Finally!!
"The Providence Effect," the documentary about our school, is being released in theaters tomorrow, September 25th. I hope you are all planning on going to see it, and taking family and friends with you!
If you DO go see it, please leave a comment here telling me what you thought of the movie - doing so will earn you extra credit!
You can check out theater listings and times, watch the trailer, and see more information at the website: www.theprovidenceeffect.com
Enjoy!!
"The Providence Effect," the documentary about our school, is being released in theaters tomorrow, September 25th. I hope you are all planning on going to see it, and taking family and friends with you!
If you DO go see it, please leave a comment here telling me what you thought of the movie - doing so will earn you extra credit!
You can check out theater listings and times, watch the trailer, and see more information at the website: www.theprovidenceeffect.com
Enjoy!!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
President Obama's Speech
On September 9th, all middle school Social Studies classes got to watch President Obama's speech to schoolchildren. We had an opportunity to talk about the speech and each student picked out some of their favorte quotes - many of these are now hanging on the wall in the hallway. Here are some pictures of us watching the speech:
The 7th grade Language Arts classes are composing letters to President Obama letting him know we watched the speech, what they thought about the things he said, and showing him some pictures. We'll let you know if we hear back from him!Friday, August 28, 2009
Week 2 - Complete!!
Hello Middle School Social Studies Students!
Congratulations - we have completed the second week of school and we are off to a great start! I'm posting your homework for the weekend here --- if you want to earn some extra credit, leave a comment telling me what you are MOST excited to learn about this year in your Social Studies class :)
6th Grade -
1.3 notes are due Monday. Make sure to follow proper format! (see your 1.1 notes, or ask an older/returning student if you aren't sure!)
7th Grade -
We have our Chapter 1 Test on Monday - use your review questions, review sheet, class notes, and www.classzone.com to help you prepare. If you want to review with me, you can come up Monday morning at 7:30am.
8th Grade-
Your compare/contrast essay about the Preamble to the US Constitution and the PSM Mission Statement is due on Monday. It is a project grade worth 25 points -- 5 pts each for: 1) background of each document, 2) audience of each 3) purpose of each 4) meaning of each and 5) language mechanics/spelling. The essay should be at LEAST 3 paragraphs -- opening, body, and closing. Your essay may take on a lengthier format - for example, 1 paragraph for opening, each topic, and the closing. Please email me with any questions!
Have a great weekend, and I'll see you on Monday :)
~ Ms. Michalak
Congratulations - we have completed the second week of school and we are off to a great start! I'm posting your homework for the weekend here --- if you want to earn some extra credit, leave a comment telling me what you are MOST excited to learn about this year in your Social Studies class :)
6th Grade -
1.3 notes are due Monday. Make sure to follow proper format! (see your 1.1 notes, or ask an older/returning student if you aren't sure!)
7th Grade -
We have our Chapter 1 Test on Monday - use your review questions, review sheet, class notes, and www.classzone.com to help you prepare. If you want to review with me, you can come up Monday morning at 7:30am.
8th Grade-
Your compare/contrast essay about the Preamble to the US Constitution and the PSM Mission Statement is due on Monday. It is a project grade worth 25 points -- 5 pts each for: 1) background of each document, 2) audience of each 3) purpose of each 4) meaning of each and 5) language mechanics/spelling. The essay should be at LEAST 3 paragraphs -- opening, body, and closing. Your essay may take on a lengthier format - for example, 1 paragraph for opening, each topic, and the closing. Please email me with any questions!
Have a great weekend, and I'll see you on Monday :)
~ Ms. Michalak
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