Week of Aug. 16

Friday
We graded and turned in the Getting To Know Your Textbook activity.
Handout: Directions for accessing the online edition of the textbook.
Students continued to work on the Map Skills Packet.
Homework
Create an account for the electronic textbook (if you will not be using a textbook at home).
The packet is not for homework. Be sure to have it with you next week.


Thursday
Students finished up the Textbook activity.
Handout: Map Skills Test - students worked through the problems with a partner.
Homework
None (we'll continue the Map Skills Test in class tomorrow - it's not for homework). Tomorrow we will grade the Getting To Know Your Textbook activity.


Wednesday
Students shared their reflections on the Learner Surveys and then turned them in.
Students then worked on the "Getting to know your textbook" assignment using the Creating America textbooks.
Homework
None



Tuesday
I checked which students needed to check out a textbook and which could use the online version - we went to the library and those who needed textbooks were able to check them out.
We took a Multiple Intelligences survey to discover what kind(s) of intelligences we have and then graphed the results. Students took notes on the traits of their top 2-3 intelligences and any careers that appealed to them. Many students had time to begin their homework.
Homework
On a lined sheet of paper and using the surveys from today and yesterday, answer the following questions in complete sentences. Skip a line between each answer. Incorporate the question into the answer.
Learner Survey Reflection
1. What had you already known?
2. What surprised you (or what did you learn)?
3. What 2-3 things (from the Strategies section) can you do to make sure you'll have a successful academic year? (use what you learned in the Descriptions and Strategies paperwork)
4. What did you learn from the Multple Intelligence inventory?
(a) Did anything surprise you?




Monday
I enjoyed meeting my new students! We discussed general rules and procedures. Due to the imminent schedule changes, I will review my syllabus and other forms next Monday. We reviewed the textbook situation and the possibility of accessing the electronic version from home.
We also took a Learner Survey to discover what kind of learner we are.
P4 and P7 took the "What are my learning strengths?" survey. P7 turned in the results of the Learning Strengths survey (intelligences).
Homework
Check that you can access the electronic textbook online. Otherwise, you'll need to check out a textbook from the school library for the year. You will be responsible for its return or replacement in May 2011. P4 needs to finish the "What are my learning strengths?" survey and list scores on the half-sheet they were given.

Supplies for my Social Studies Classes

Please note:
- No permanent markers (like Sharpies)
- No gel pens

To be as successful as possible, you should have the following items each day:

- 2 two-pocket folders
- lined, loose-leaf paper (keep a supply at home and replenish when needed)
- colored pencils; we do a lot of maps!
- one or two spare pencils (or extra lead for mechanical pencils)
- black pens for labeling maps (and writing, if you wish)
- red pens for grading
- a thumb/flash drive will be very helpful

Summer...

Hope you're enjoying your summer vacation! See you August 16!

Week of May 24

Thursday
Early release - special schedule.
End-of-year activities.





Wednesday
Students viewed a documentary about Seabiscuit, the race horse that became a working man's hero during the Great Depression.
P3 took the online DVSSA.
Homework
Return any library books you may still have out.


Tuesday
Field Day & Water Day for 7th and 8th graders.



Monday
Due to serious network issues, P2 and P3 were unable to take the online DVSSA. When the network came back online around 11:10, we were able to have some students take the test in various classrooms. We will have the remainder test over the next few days.
P7 took the test.
Make-up date for P3 is Wednesday.
Homework
None.

Week of May 17

Friday
Today we put together the final draft of the Social Studies part of the survival project.
I collected the rough drafts.
Homework
Monday we will be completing the online version of the final Deer Valley Social Studies Assessment.





Thursday
We watched the American Experience video "Riding the Rails," which tells the story of teenage hobos who left home during the Great Depression.
Homework
Keep thinking about the four time periods and your plan of action. Rough drafts are due tomorrow. Stop by your homeroom for a sheet of butcher block paper before coming to class. We will be putting the Social Studies portion of the poster together.



Wednesday
We watched the American Experience video "Surviving the Dust Bowl" and saw real footage from the disastrous decade.
Homework
Keep thinking about the four time periods and your plan of action. Rough drafts are due Friday, when we will be putting the Social Studies portion of the poster together.



Tuesday
Students took the written portion of the Deer Valley Social Studies Assessment. The online version will be taken May 24.
Homework
Survival Poster - Rough drafts are due Friday, when we will be putting the Social Studies portion of the poster together.



Monday
Handed out sheet of paper as "rough draft" for the Survival poster. Discussed ideas for completing it.
We finished watching the American Experience video The Civilian Conservation Corps and saw real footage of how the agency helped young men during the Great Depression.
Homework
Keep thinking about the four time periods and your plan of action. Rough drafts are due Friday, when we will be putting the Social Studies portion of the poster together.

Week of May 10

Friday
Final presentations.
Watched a segment from the American Experience documentary The Civilian Conservation Corps, which depicted the poverty brought on by the Great Depression and how Roosevelt's New Deal brought relief.
Homework
Think about your survival project.



Thursday
7th Grade Field Trip to the Biosphere.



Wednesday
We continued with the 1930s presentations.
Homework
None.



Tuesday
Took the Social Studies standards test.
Homework
None.



Monday
Collected homework (class work from Friday).
We began our 1930s presentations.
Homework
Standards test tomorrow. We will review, take the test, then grade.

Week of May 3

Friday
Read and discussed Ch 26 S4 - The Effects of the New Deal.
Students were encouraged to take notes that would help them with their 1930s PowerPoint.
Homework
Textbook p. 749, #1, 2, and 3.
Please e-mail me the PowerPoints by Sunday afternoon. Presentations start Monday.



Thursday
Students had time to work on their PowerPoint in the lab.
Homework
I must have the PowerPoints by Sunday afternoon. Presentations begin Monday.



Wednesday
Early Release ~ Special Schedule
notMYkid presentation, then P2.
P2 worked on their presentations in the lab.
Homework
PowerPoints can be e-mailed to me if they are finished.
If you work on it at home, be sure to e-mail it to yourself before tomorrow, as Thursday is our last day for this in the lab.



Tuesday
Collected homework.
P3 and P7 had time to work on their PowerPoint in the lab.
Due to the play, P2 did not (we had extra time in class on Aprill 27).
Homework
I must have the PowerPoints by Sunday. Presentations begin Monday.



Monday
Collected homework.
Read and discussed Ch 26 S3 - Life during the Depression.
Students were encouraged to take notes that would help them with their 1930s PowerPoint.
Homework
Textbook p. 734, #1, 3, and 4. #3 and #4 in complete sentences.
Continue with the 1930s research. Due May 10.