6th grade social studies for the week of 1.15.13

OVERVIEW: We will look at reasons why humans go to war.  We will start looking at factors that forced America into the Civil War, including slavery, economics, and human rights.  Friday we will also listen to one of the greatest speech's in American history, MLK's "I Have a Dream."

HOMEWORK: students will have readings to complete each night and Friday will have a writing assignment identify their own "dream."

QUIZZES/TESTS: students will begin preparing vocabulary notes in preparation for a vocabulary test next week.

6th and 8th grade writing (Scott) for the week of 1.15.13

OVERVIEW: I will introduce a new writing curriculum we are rolling out called Traits Writing from Ruth Culham.  This includes the writing process we have been using but stresses the 6+1 traits (ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, and presentation).  We will specifically look at the first two steps in the process: pre writing and drafting.

HOMEWORK: Students will have a short writing assignment that aligns with these traits and steps each night.

QUIZZES/TESTS: none

*WINTER BREAK ESSAYS DUE TUESDAY 1.15.13

8th grade social studies for the week of 1.15.13

OVERVIEW: We will be continuing our Constitution Unit this week by looking at factors that lead to writing of the actual document: the Constitutional Convention, The Great Compromise, and other important civic ideas we find in America.  Also, Friday students will listen to one of the greatest speech's in American history, MLK's "I Have a Dream. and look at our own dreams.

HOMEWORK: students will have readings and questions to answer each night continuing what we are studying in class.

QUIZZES/TESTS: students will have a short quiz Wednesday and Thursday to check understanding of previous nights readings.  Students should also be taking notes on chapter vocabulary and work on studying content words for vocabulary test next week.

6th grade social studies for the week of 1.7.13

OVERVIEW: We will begin our WAR themed unit today by talking about the American Revolution, the Revolutionary War and why colonists were unhappy with England.  We will read and watch videos to gain background knowledge on the events, people, and places of the specific time period.  In this unit we will look at reasons for war, results of war, bystanders of war, and what war looks like (just to name a few).  We will concentrate on American wars (i.e. the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the most recent conflicts in the Middle East.

HOMEWORK: Students will have readings and questions to complete at home each night.

ASSESSMENTS: no quizzes of tests this week

8th grade social studies for the week of 1.7.13

OVERVIEW: We will begin our CONSTITUTION UNIT today by talking about the American Revolution and why colonists were unhappy with the King and the English government.  We will read and watch videos to gain background knowledge on the events, people, and places of the specific time period.

HOMEWORK: Students will have readings and questions to complete at home each night.

ASSESSMENTS: Looking ahead our estimated CONSTITUTION TEST date will be the second week in March.

6th and 8th grade writing (scott) for the week of 1.7.13

OVERVIEW: We will be reviewing our literary essays, what worked and what we still may need to work on.  Building on the essay format (introduction, body, and conclusion), supporting with details, and interpreting the facts with our own ideas we will complete a prompt about our winter break.

HOMEWORK: Students will begin prompt in class Monday and continue to work on the template for homework as well revising, editing and drafting the final copy.

ASSESSMENT: final copy will be due Thursday

Welcome Back! January 7th, 2013

Hello! I hope you all enjoyed your break! Back to work. Below are the words for this week. There will be a quiz on Friday. 

VOCABULARY WORDS 

Suffix “-ment” which means “act of” or “state of” or “result”. Write down 3 bonus words with the suffix “-ment”.

1. achievement

2. amendment

3. nourishment

4. establishment

5. accomplishment

6. contentment

7. fulfillment

8. advancement

9. implement

10. acknowledgement

11. engagement

12. enlargement

13. agreement

14. amusement

15. monument

1._________________________2._______________________3.________________________

Monday:  Copy definition of each word and make flash cards of the vocabulary words. Sort the words into the three categories.

Tuesday:  Continue to write down definitions and finish flash cards.  Write a story using at least 5 of the vocabulary words.

Wednesday:  Write synonyms (a similar word) for the words listed on the board using the Thesaurus.

Thursday:  Practice learning the definitions with the Bingo board.  Study with flash cards.

Friday:  Review definitions and spelling/Vocabulary test Friday.

REMINDER: Report card pick up is January 11th. It will be held in the gymnasium and is first come, first serve.