Thursday, November 19 (Please Sign & Return Progress Reports )
Social Studies: Filled in Trade Barriers organizer
Key Words: trade barrier, imports versus exports, tariff,
embargo, quota
Reading: Began novel, The Cay. Please finish chapter 1 (at least) by
tomorrow.
Wednesday, November 18(Progress Reports Went Home Today; Please Sign & Return)
Social Studies: Trade and Resources Follow-Up Activity; learned about trade
barriers and took notes
Key Words: trade barrier, imports versus exports, tariff
Reading: Students read article "The End of Cheap Oil", underlined the main
idea in each paragraph and wrote a 3 sentence summary of the
entire article. (Turned in Today) - No homework
Tuesday, November 17
Social Studies: Trade and Resources Activity
Reading: Students read article "The End of Cheap Oil" and underlined the main
idea in each paragraph. Next, they will write a 3 sentence of the
entire article. (To be finished tomorrow) - No homework
Monday, November 16
Social Studies: Discussed the 3 basic economic systems & how each system
answers them. Also discussed opportunity cost, entrepreneurs,
and supply and demand. We watched a short video showing an
example of supply and demand at work.
Homework: Memorize the 5 basic economic goals of countries
and do the small activity on p. 3 of the economics
packet. Also, read the descriptions of each
economic goal. Come to class with questions, if
necessary.
Reading: Open-notes quiz on Anastasia's Album and students turned in KWL sheet
Homework: None
Friday, November 13
Social Studies: Discussed the 3 basic economic systems & how each system
answers them. Also discussed scarcity and the difference
between goods and services.
Reading: Silent Reading Open-notes quiz on Anastasia's Album Monday.
Thursday, November 12
Social Studies:
1) Discussed economic systems & watched short video.
Homework: Memorize the 3 basic economic questions that all countries must ask.
(It's on the last page of the packet.)
Reading: Read & took notes on Anastasia's Album. Watched more of the Disney
Anastasia movie to evaluate its version of history. Open-notes quiz Monday.
Wednesday, November 11
Social Studies:
1) Veteran's day letter was due today
2) Explored the Fedville website to learn more about money.
No Homework
Reading: Read & took notes on Anastasia's Album. Watched part of the Disney
Anastasia movie to evaluate its version of history. No homework.
Tuesday, November 10
Social Studies:
1) Work on letter to veteran (due tomorrow; see "homework" below)
2) Discussed the factors of production (economics) & watched short video.
Homework: Write a letter to a veteran (due Weds.) If you know of a veteran
to whom you can write, find out their branch of the military (army,
navy, etc) and their address. The letter need not be longer than a
paragraph or two. Please do not seal the envelope as I need to
see it to give a grade.
If you don't know any veterans, there's a list of several on the
board.
Reading: We went to the media center to find books & check them out.
Monday, November 9
Social Studies:
1) Economics prestest
2) Discussion on Veterans Day & ideas for letters
Homework: Write a letter to a veteran (due Weds.) If you know of a veteran
to whom you can write, find out their branch of the military (army,
navy, etc) and their address. The letter need not be longer than a
paragraph or two. Please do not seal the envelope as I need to
see it to give a grade.
If you don't know any veterans, I've put a list of several on the
board.
Government Case Studies due tomorrow if not already turned in.
Reading: Unit 1 vocabulary quiz & notes on Anastasia's Album. No homework.
Friday, November 6
Social Studies:
1) Government Case Studies: Students identified type and system of government
at work in each example. Due Tuesday, but no more class time will be given
to work on it.
Reading: Silent Reading; unit 1 vocabulary quiz Monday
Thursday, November 5
Social Studies:
1) Government Case Studies: Students identified type and system of government
at work in each example. To be continued tomorrow. No Homework.
The retest is tomorrow for students who wish to take it.
Reading:
1) Reviewed unit 1 vocab. words (identified each by part of speech)
2) Began Anastasia's Album book study
* Unit 1 vocabulary quiz on Monday. You might want to study.
No homework
Wednesday, November 4
Social Studies:
1) Finished governments presentation (students took notes)
2) Watched video about Slovenia & students identified examples of culture
The retest is this Friday for students who wish to take it.
Reading:
1) Story sequencing activity
No homework
Monday, November 2
Social Studies:
1) Governments presentation and students took notes; to be finished Weds.
Reading:
1) Pages 7 & 8 in Rev It Up vocabulary book. Due Weds.
Thursday, October 29
Social Studies:
1) Students read religions packet (on the three major religions of Europe:
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) and answered questions. To be finished in
class tomorrow if necessary. No Homework.
Reading:
1) Silent Reading Day
Tuesday, October 27
Social Studies:
1) Test was today - Grades to be posted by Friday
2) European Imperialsm CLOZE story due tomorrow if not turned in today.
Reading:
1) Students are reading poem "The Goblin Market"; no homework
Monday, October 26
Social Studies:
1) European Imperialsm CLOZE story
(Homework: Study for test)
* Test tomorrow. All classes have received a study guide. You can
also find a copy of it on this website.
Reading:
1) Students made reading strategy bookmarks
Friday, October 23
Social Studies:
1) Students finished chart on European environmental problems;
(Homework: Be studying for test)
* Test Tuesday. All classes have received a study guide. You can also
find a copy of it on this website.
Reading: Silent Reading
Thursday, October 22
Social Studies:
1) Students worked on chart for project on European environmental problems;
to be continued tomorrow. (Homework: Be studying for test)
* Test NEXT Tuesday. All classes have received a study guide.
Reading: Reading strategies presentation; kids took notes & discussed.
Wednesday, October 21
Social Studies:
1) Culture Game as review
2) Students began making chart for project on European environmental problems
that we will begin tomorrow. (Not homework)
* Test NEXT Tuesday. All classes have received a study guide.
Reading:
1) Collected vocabulary activities done in class last week.
2) Began reading strategies presentation; students took notes.
Tuesday, October 20
Social Studies:
Students worked on Daily Geography & went over study guide for test; also, we
had a short presentation and discussion about culture.
* Test NEXT Tuesday. 5th & 6th periods will receive their
study guide tomorrow.
Reading:
Continued story, The Faithful Friend. Students are making a list of
characters and predicting outcomes. No homework.
Monday, October 19
Social Studies: 1st & 2nd period - Students worked on Daily Geography & went
over study guide for test
5th & 6th period - Presentation on the rise of the US and
Soviet Union as superpowers after WWII and
the Cold War.
* Test NEXT Tuesday. 5th & 6th periods will receive their
study guide tomorrow.
Reading: Review of unit 1 vocabulary words & then began story, The Faithful
Friend. No homework.
Friday, October 16
Social Studies: Students turned in graphic organizers on 5 major leaders of
(WWII). Also, students worked on Daily Geography #2 and WWI
review questions. No homework.
Reading: Silent Reading
(Please note that Mr. Wilson will not be able to post assignments for the
next 3 days as he will be chaperoning the 8th grade field trip.)
Monday, October 12 (We have just begun a new grading period.)
Social Studies: Students viewed WWII artifacts and discussed WWII film "Why
We Fight". No homework.
Reading: Read story in class "King Crow"l; discussed class procedures and
expectations.
Friday, October 9
Social Studies: Lesson on recession vs depression; rise of Hitler in Germany.
Students took retest if they wanted to.
Reading: Vocab. quiz today and final check of reading charts.
Reading classes rotate to a different teacher on Monday.
Wednesday, October 7
Social Studies: World War I journal entry or letter home from a soldier or
nurse is due tomorrow. See yesterday's assignment (below) for
details.
The retest for the Europe geography test is Friday.
Reading: Lesson one vocabulary quiz on Friday. Students also need to have
their reading charts in their agendas filled out and signed by a
parent by tomorrow or Friday since the grading period ends on
Friday.
Tuesday, October 6
Social Studies: Students used notes from World War I presentation to write a
pretend journal entry or letter home from a soldier or nurse in that war.
Other options include writing a poem or article. The writing should include
at least 12 good facts specifically about World WarI, including what causes
of the war (especially how European empire building in Asia and Africa helped
cause the war).
This assignment will be due Thursday.
Reading: Students should now be finished with The Cay. There will be a test
tomorrow. The lesson one vocabulary quiz will be on Friday, and
students also need to have their reading charts in their agendas
filled out and signed by a parent by Thursday or Friday since the
grading period ends on Friday.
Monday, October 5
Social Studies: Students took notes during World War I presentation and will
use these notes to help them write a pretend journal entry or
letter home from a soldier or nurse in that war. Other
options include writing a poem or article. The writing should
include at least 12 good facts specifically about World War
I, including what causes of the war (especially how European
empire building in Asia and Africa helped cause the war).
Students will have about 30 minutes in class tomorrow to work
on it. This assignment will be due Thursday.
Homework: If you are taking the Eastern Europe geography retest on Friday,
study! Otherwise, no homework.
Reading: Make sure that you have read up to at least chapter 18 by tomorrow.
Thursday, October 1
Social Studies: The Eastern Europe test was today; I will try to have all
tests graded and the scores entered into Pinnacle before
leaving tonight.
The European imperialism activity is due tomorrow. You can
find a copy on this website if you can't find the one you
started on in class.
5th and 6th periods only: #1 (B & D), 2, 3 (A & B), and #4
on page 338 are due Monday.
Reading: Bring Rev It Up vocabulary books to class Friday. Also, students
should be up to chapter 16 in The Cay by this weekend.
Wednesday, Sept. 30
Homework: Test tomorrow! -- Study hard!! The test will include locating the
Eastern European countries plus Turkey on a blnk outline map and identifying
seven capitals (Moscow, Budapest, Bucharest, Sarajevo, Kiev, Sophia, &
Belgrade). Beyond countries and capitals, students will also need to be able
to identify the Danube River, the Ural Mountains, and the Baltic and Black
seas.
The kids have a list of creative ways to remember both the countries and
capitals (there's also a copy on this website). I recommend using the games
at Sheppardsoftware.com, too — they are excellent.
The European colonialism activity will not be due until Friday.
Reading: Read to at least chapter 13 of The Cay by Thursday.
Tuesday, Sept. 29
Homework: Test Thursday -- Study hard. The test will include locating the
Eastern European countries plus Turkey on a blnk outline map and identifying
seven capitals (Moscow, Budapest, Bucharest, Sarajevo, Kiev, Sophia, &
Belgrade). Beyond countries and capitals, students will also need to be able
to identify the Danube River, the Ural Mountains, and the Baltic and Black
seas.
The kids have a list of creative ways to remember both the countries and
capitals (there's also a copy on this website). I recommend using the games
at Sheppardsoftware.com, too — they are excellent.
Reading: Read to at least chapter 12 of The Cay by Wednesday.
Monday, Sept. 28
Social Studies:
Students traced European colonialism by looking at maps and coloring in a
world outline map. This was the first part of a two-part imperialism activity
that will be due Thursday.
Homework: Test Thursday -- Study hard. The test will include locating the
Eastern European countries plus Turkey on a blnk outline map and identifying
seven capitals (Moscow, Budapest, Bucharest, Sarajevo, Kiev, Sophia, &
Belgrade). Beyond countries and capitals, students will also need to be able
to identify the Danube River, the Ural Mountains, and the Baltic and Black
seas.
The kids have a list of creative ways to remember both the countries and
capitals (there's also a copy on this website). I recommend using the games
at Sheppardsoftware.com, too — they are excellent.
Reading: Read to at least chapter 10 of The Cay by Monday.
Thursday, Sept. 24
Social Studies: Explorers lesson focusing on 3 questions:
1) Why did early Europeans explore?
2) How did exploration affect both Europe and the lands they
explored?
3) What was Prince Henry the Navigator's role in this
exploration?
Students took notes & discussed topic.
Reading: Read to at least chapter 7 of The Cay by Monday. Silent reading
tomorrow.
Wednesday, Sept. 23 School cancelled due to inclement weather & flooding
Tuesday, Sept. 22 School cancelled due to inclement weather & flooding
Monday, Sept. 21 (School cancelled at 1:15 due to inclement weather &
flooding.)
Social Studies: Christopher Columbus lesson & examine primary source
materials.
Thursday, Sept. 17
Social Studies: Students worked on essay comparing and contrasting the
geography, natural resources,and population distribution of
either the United Kingdom & Germany or Russia & Italy. We also
learned the names of the rest of the Eastern European
countries.
1st Paragraph: Explain each country's climate (use atlas or
map that you colored yesterday).
2nd Paragraph: Explain what natural resources each country has
and where they are found (see atlas or map).
3rd Paragraph: Explain where most people live in each country
and why (consider geography, climate, & natural
resources).
This assignment is worth 25 points and is due Friday. Students
will only have 10 minutes of classtime tomorrow to work on
their essays.
Homework: Finish essay (due Friday)
For help, see the following maps in your textbook:
a) A10 - A11 Population distribution
b) A6 - A7 Climate (uses different terms than what
we've seen in the class atlases)
Reading: Students discussed chapter 2 of The Cay and read chapter 3.
Homework: If necessary, finish chapter 3.
Wednesday, Sept. 16
Progress reports and student PIV (Pinnacle Internet Viewer) information were
given to your child this afternoon. Please sign and return the progress
report to your child’s homeroom teacher. Also, if you have not picked up the
parent PIV forms, please stop by the front office to get this valuable
information. Together you and your child can check assignments and grades on
a regular basis to ensure that this academic year is a success. Thanks in
advance for your continued support.
Social Studies: Students began writing an essay comparing and contrasting the
geography, natural resources,and population distribution of
either the United Kingdom & Germany or Russia & Italy.
1st Paragraph: Explain each country's climate (use atlas or
map that you colored yesterday).
2nd Paragraph: Explain what natural resources each country has
and where they are found (see atlas or map).
3rd Paragraph: Explain where most people live in each country
and why (consider geography, climate, & natural
resources).
This assignment is worth 25 points and is due Friday. Students
will only have 10 minutes of classtime tomorrow to work on
their essays.
Homework: If necessary, work on essay (due Friday)
Reading: Students discussed chapter 1 of The Cay and read chapter 2.
Homework: If necessary, finish chapter 2.
Tuesday, Sept. 15
Social Studies: Daily Geography #1 was due today. We reviewed the Eastern
European countries learned yesterday and learned three more
(Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova). Students also began a map
activity that they will use tomorrow when writing an essay
comparing and contrasting the geography, natural resources,
and population distribution of either the United Kingdom &
Germany or Russia & Italy.
Homework: Study Eastern Europe map (8 minutes).
Reading: Students read and discussed chapter 1 of The Cay.
Monday, Sept. 14
Social Studies: Students worked on Daily Geography #1 (due tomorrow), watched
a short movie clip showing Venice, Italy, and began learning
the Eastern European countries (Russia, Estonia Latvia, and
Lithuania).
Homework: Study Eastern Europe map (8 minutes); if necessary,
complete Daily Geography #1.
Reading: Today we began our novel study of The Cay. No homework.
Friday, Sept. 11
Social Studies: 9-11 Presentation, discussion, and mini-project (ungraded)
Reading: Silent Reading
Thursday, Sept. 10
Social Studies: Geography test today; no homework
Reading: Students finished vocabulary activities in the Rev It Up workbook.
Wednesday, Sept. 9
Social Studies: Students practiced for tomorrow's test and then took notes
while watching a short video about life in Norway.
For the test, students need to label the Western European
countries (plus Greece, Poland, and the Czech Republic) on a
blank map of Europe and identify the capital city for each.
There will be a word bank with the names of all the countries
and capitals. Students also need to locate the Alps & Pyrenees,
the Mediterranean & North seas, the English Channel, the Rhine
River, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Scandinavian & Iberian
peninsulas.
Homework: Study! Test Tomorrow.
Reading: Students finished reading strategy bookmarks and worked on first two
vocabulary activities in the Rev It Up workbook. Tomorrow is silent
reading day. The vocabulary activity will be completed on Monday.
Homework: Read for at least 20 minutes (any book)
Tuesday, Sept. 8
For the President's speech to students, use the following web address:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/mediaresources/
Social Studies: Students began Europe Daily Geography #1 (due Friday; to be
completed in class) and then played the Sheppard Software
geography games to practice for the test.
Homework: Study! Test Thursday
Reading: Reading Strategies Presentation; kids are making reading strategy
bookmarks
Homework: Read for at least 20 minutes (any book)
Friday, September 4
Social Studies: Students finished map project (details in the Thursday notes
below). No Homework unless you need to study.
Test next Thursday.
Reading: Silent Reading; no homework
Thursday, September 3
Social Studies: Students worked on map project in small groups, labeling
various features and indicating population density in various
areas. To be completed tomorrow.
Test next Thursday.
Reading: Vocab. Unit 1: Learned words; students made Freyer Model
diagrams for six of the unit one words (includes word,
definition, characteristics, example, and non-example). Today
they were allowed to choose whether to make Freyer Models for
the rest of the unit one words or make cartoons (with caption)
for them. Cartoons must also include a definition.
Bring a book for silent reading tomorrow. No homework.
Wednesday, September 2
Social Studies: Students reviewed Europe map; learned Scandinavian and Iberian
peninsulas; worked on learning all of the capitals of the
countries we're studying.
Homework: Study Europe map & capitals for 10 minutes. Test next Thursday.
Reading: Vocab. Unit 1: Learned words; students are making Freyer Model
diagrams for six of the unit one words (includes word,
definition, characteristics, example, and non-example).
This will be finished in class tomorrow. No homework.
Tuesday, September 1 (Sorry for the late post; I had a meeting.)
Social Studies: Students finished 2-paragraph essay comparing & contrasting
the US and Czech Republic, then played sheppardsoftware.com
geography games in computer lab.
Homework: Study Europe map & capitals for 9 minutes. Test next Thursday.
Reading: Anastasia's Album test & collected KWL sheet. No homework.
Please have Rev It Up vocabulary book (available for $8 at school
store across from cafeteria in morning) by Weds. (tomorrow).
Monday, Aug. 31
Social Studies: Reviewed location of Western Europe; began making memory
tricks for learning their capitals. Also began 2-paragraph
essay comparing & contrasting the US and Czech Republic,
which will be finished in class tomorrow (not homework).
Homework: Study Europe map & capitals for 8 minutes. Test next Thursday.
Reading: Finished book, Anastasia's Album, & KWL sheet.
Open-notes quiz over Anastasia's Album on Tuesday.
Please have Rev It Up vocabulary book (available for $8 at school
store across from cafeteria in morning) by Weds.
Friday, Aug. 28
Social Studies: Finished locating countries of Western Europe on blank map;
we'll begin learning their capitals on Monday.
Homework: Study Europe map for 8 minutes.
Reading: Silent Reading
Open-notes quiz over Anastasia's Album on Tuesday.
Please have Rev It Up vocabulary book (available for $8 at school
store across from cafeteria in morning) by Weds.
Thursday, Aug. 27
Social Studies: Continued learning map of Europe; learned more memory tricks
Homework: Study Europe map for 8 minutes.
Reading: (Same as yesterday.)
Students read Anastasia's Album and took notes on KWL sheet that
goes with it. There will be an open-notes quiz next Tuesday on the
book -- students may use what they wrote on their KWL
sheet to help them. No homework.
Wednesday, Aug. 26
Social Studies:
(1) Finished & turned in geographic features diagram (this is
homework if not finished)
(2) Began studying map of Europe; learned memory tricks
Homework: Study Europe map for 8 minutes.
Reading:
Students read Anastasia's Album and took notes on KWL sheet that
goes with it. There will be an open-notes quiz next Tuesday on the
book -- students may use what they wrote on their KWL
sheet to help them. No homework.
Tuesday, Aug. 25
Social Studies:
(1) Worked on geographic features diagram (not homework);
we will have 10 minutes to finish it in class tomorrow.
Reading: Work for article "The End of Cheap Oil" due today.
Students began book Anastasia's Album and started filling in the KWL
sheet that goes with it. There will be an open-notes quiz next
Tuesday on the book -- students may use what they wrote on their KWL
sheet to help them. No homework.
Monday, Aug. 24
Social Studies: (1) Greece/Rome graphic organizer (homework: due tomorrow)
(2) Began geographic features diagram (not homework)
Reading: Silent Reading; students also worked on completing summaries for
article "The End of Cheap Oil." No Homework
Friday, Aug. 21
Social Studies: Presentation on ancient Rome and students answered questions.
Reading: Finished book talks on summer reading; students also worked on
completing summaries for article "The End of Cheap Oil."
No Homework.
Thursday, Aug. 20
Social Studies: Worked on latitude & longitude; if necessary, finish for
homework. Also watched short film about life in Greece today.
Reading: Continued book talks on summer reading; to be finished by Friday.
Wednesday, Aug. 19
Social Studies: Collected Map project & Greece questions (due today). Worked
on latitude & longitude.
Reading: Began book talks on summer reading; to be finished by Friday
Tuesday, Aug. 18
Social Studies: Presentation on ancient Greece; kids answered questions on
worksheet (to be coninued tomorrow).
Homework: Map project due tomorrow (see description below).
Reading: Discussed book talks on summer reading (these need to be done by
Friday); worked on identifying topic sentences in article "The End of
Cheap Oil" (to be coninued tomorrow).
Monday, Aug. 17
Social Studies: Students continued working on map project (due Wednesday);
Some classes began lesson on latitude & longitude.
Reading: Students filled in reading chart in agenda book and read.
Friday, Aug. 14
Social Studies: Students began map project in which they map their own
neighborhood. Due Wednesday. Map should include a title,
at least 3 street names labled, at least 3 important landmarks
identified by symbols, a key (also called a legend)that
explains each symbol, at least two natural features labeled
(ex: creek, hill, trees, pond), and a compass rose showing
north, south, east, and west. Due Wednesday.
Reading: Today was silent reading, and kids also got an introduction to
Dodgen's media center. Students also logged onto computer and changed
their password.
Thursday, Aug. 13
Social Studies: Today students indicated their learning styles, strengths and
weakness, and interests on a name card that they made.
Homework: Download syllabus on this website, print, and get parent to read &
sign. Please return by Friday. If you can't print it, just view it with a
parent and have them write me a quick note that they saw it. Please include
parent email address.
Reading: Students finished inference flip books for The Faithful
Friend and turned them in for a grade. Tomorrow will be silent
reading day (bring a book if you have one).
Homework: Get agenda signed by Friday; summer reading project due Friday.
Wednesday, Aug. 12
Social Studies:
Homework: Download syllabus on this website, print, and get parent to read &
sign. Please return by Friday. If you can't print it, just view it with a
parent and have them write me a quick note that they saw it. Please include
parent email address.
Reading: Students began making inference flip charts for book The Faithful
Friend.
Homework: Get agenda signed by Friday; summer reading project due Friday.
Tuesday, Aug. 11
Social Studies:
Homework: Download syllabus on this website, print, and get parent to read &
sign. Please return by Friday. If you can't print it, just view it with a
parent and have them write me a quick note that they saw it. Please include
parent email address.
Reading:
Homework: Get agenda signed by Friday; summer reading project
due Friday.
Monday, August 10 First Day of School
Homeroom: Bring folder home and have parent fill out & sign all paper work.
Please return it to school by Wednesday. Students will be issued a locker
after all paper work is in.
Social Studies: Introductions & overview of what we will be studying
Homework: None
Reading: Introductions & overview
Homework: Get agenda signed by Friday; summer reading project
due Friday.
