Inventing America -- US History

Week of November 9th

2009-11-08T12:17:00.006-07:00

Announcements:

** Student Council sponsored dance this Friday, November 13th - 7 to 9 pm. Entry is $2 at the door. The dance is in the middle school commons.

** Grades for the start of the 2nd academic quarter have been updated. Many students are missing one assignment, please check power school.

** HWs due Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Please see below for details.

Agenda: Week of Nov. 9th

Monday:

1. Power School grade check-in. Students missing quizzes or HWs will be asked to come in and complete them at lunch or after school this Monday or Tuesday.

2. Student goal setting for US History in the 2nd quarter:)

3. Interpreting the slave-trade through maps. What conclusions can we draw about the origins and development of this growing institution from a series of maps and charts?

a. Students begin their own 13 Colonies maps. Directions provided for HW (See below).

4. Pre-read and select roles for this week's student play: "Anne Hutchinson - Intolerance in the British Colonies"

HW: Finish Colonial Map using textbook. Label colonies and identify reasons for establishment. Due Tuesday!

Tuesday:

1. HW assignment check and review: On what beliefs and practices were the original 13 colonies founded?

2. Performance and assessment! Students perform "Anne Hutchinson: Intolerance in the British Colonies." This is followed by discussion of the play's historical and present-day significance.

HW: Students respond in 1 paragraph "Is the Anne Hutchinson story important today? Why or why not? Please use specific details from the play in your answer." This paragraph will be assessed on ideas (content), conventions and organization.

Wednesday:

1. HW (paragraph) check and sharing of answer ideas.

2. Stories of the Slaves: A compare-contrast activity using 3 slave narratives.

Thursday:

1. Students trip to Center for the Arts to see Shakespeare's "Macbeth"

2. 7th period will meet today - we will be

Friday:

1. CNN Student News - Students practice guided note-taking, then use their notes to take a short, 5 question quiz on the current event's content.

2. My Bondage and My Freedom - Fredrick Douglass.

Our class splits up into 3 groups learning about Fredrick Douglass in 3 different ways.
Group 1: High Level autobiographical reading
Group 2: Secondary Source readings
Group 3: United Streaming clips

The groups will be recording selected information that we will be using in class on Monday.

Week of November 2nd

2009-11-01T19:09:00.002-07:00

Announcements:

**Quarterly Recognition was a big success on Friday. You deserved it!

**Parent-Teacher conferences are this Tues/Wed from 3pm-6:45pm. Students should have signed-up for a meeting-time, if desired, with their home base teachers.

** There is no school on Friday, Nov. 6th.

** There will be a student-council sponsored dance on November 13th in the middle school commons from 7-9pm. Entry is $2.00.

** The 2nd Academic Quarter begins on Monday.

Agenda:

Monday:
1. We revisit the results of our quality of life indicators state comparison activity from Friday.
2. Begin compare and contrast: Jamestown - Plymouth - Motivations, successes and governments. We create the skeleton of a comparison foldable.
3. Student Play: Select parts and pre-read:

HW: Complete Jamestown section of comparison foldable for tomorrow. Use pages 70-73 in our text as a resource.

Tuesday:

1. HW Check
2. Dawning of a New World - A time-line of early American colonization.
3. Perform student play - Jamestown!

Wednesday:

1. United Streaming clip: Myth Busters - The Truth about Plymouth Rock.
2. Continue Comparison with reading on Plymouth - Saints and Strangers.
HW: Complete comparison foldable: Use pages 76-79 in the text as a resource.

Thursday:
1. Quiz: Jamestown/Plymouth Comparison.
2. Current Event: International Quality of Life Index - A comparison of life expectancy, literacy, GDP, and the human development index (HDI) amongst the world's 195 recognized nations.

Week of 10/26

2009-10-26T14:36:00.003-07:00

Announcements!

End of the Academic Quarter this Friday, October 30th!

Congratulations 8th grade students finishing in good style on the American Indian Thesis papers!!!

Explorer Quiz on Wed. (To be part of Quarter 2 grades)

Quarterly Recognition on Friday afternoon - all classes meet in the morning.

Monday:

New Text Book - How do we approach it? A scavenger hunt will lead us in the right direction.
Working on explorer "foldables"

Tuesday:
Complete Foldables and hand-in for assessment
Student Play "De Soto!" explores the heartland

Wednesday:
Quiz - Early American Explorers - Student use foldables
Early British Colonies: Jamestown - A failed business proposition

Thursday:
SIGHT - Primary Document Analysis - Jamestown Advertisement
Forensics at Jamestown - How Science and History overlap.

Friday:
Current Event: Quality of Life Index Comparison - Which demographic indicators improve life? What areas if the world have the highest quality of life?

Quarterly Recognition!! You deserve it!

Week of Oct. 19th

2009-10-19T14:40:00.003-07:00

Yes it is true! Mr. Wells has fallen ill, like many of his students, with some strong strain of the flu. I will not be in until Wednesday.

Graded rough drafts with comments will get to students on Wed.

*** Final Drafts are due on Friday, October, 23rd ***

Agenda:

Monday: Students work on the last 2 components of the thesis paper left undone: Works Cited in MLA format, and a visual/imaged-based title page that supports their thesis.

Tuesday: Explorer foldables - Students create booklets on the who, when, where and why of early European exploration.

Wednesday: Students get rough drafts back and make adjustments to their rough drafts - they now have 2 peer edits and a teacher edit.

Thursday: Explorer webquest - using discovery education online, students identify the when and where of early European explorers in the Americans.

Friday: Students present final projects to the class!

Week of October 12th

2009-10-11T10:47:00.004-07:00

Announcements:

**No school for students on Columbus Day: Monday, Oct 12th

** Thursday, October 15th - Statewide "Explore Test". This is a pre-SAT test designed to give feedback to kids on areas of study and career areas for their futures. It will also familiarize students with the structure and content of the college entrance exam. The state of Wyoming is funding the effort and many WY middle-schoolers will be taking it this year.

** Student Newspaper Meeting on Friday, Oct 9th went well, however all students are welcome to submit to the paper by simply dropping their articles into the "Open Access" folder under the appropriate grade-level folder.

** Due Date this week: Completed Rough Drafts - Wed. October 14th at the start of class.

Agenda:

Monday: No School for Students

Tuesday:

1. Continue with "Chief Joseph Medicine Crow" read alouds
2. Quick writing exercise - Expository Connector Phrases
3. Writing workshop - Students work on rough drafts
HW: Finish Rough Draft and have Printed for Wednesday

Wednesday:

In-text citation demonstration to the class. Students will be asked to use parenthetical citation once in their papers. A format guide will be distributed.

Peer Editing Day: Students will read peer papers, using a guide to make targeted critiques. We will do a peer edit example to highlight goals and process.

Thursday:

"Explore" pre-SAT tests - entire 8th grade

** After school writing help available in room 101.

Friday:

Current Event: Goal - Filter important details, and take notes that are useful later! Students watch student news, taking brief notes. They take a comprehension quiz using their notes. A note-taking practice example will be demonstrated to the class beforehand.

Peer edit - Second Session - We will meet with Mr. Yazz' classes, and students will complete a 2nd peer edit (see wed.). Students will then be incorporating peer edit info into their final drafts.

Final Drafts due Tuesday October 20th!!! Please be on-time.

Update - October 7th

2009-10-07T06:22:00.004-07:00

Announcements:
***Yesterday, Tuesday Oct. 7th 15 students began working with PEAK coordinator, Nancy Brumstead during lunch/team to develop a topic for National History Day competition. There will be a team-time meeting on Thursday, Oct 8th with Mrs. Brumstead to help students arrive at a focused topic. This year's theme: Innovation in History!!

*** Some students took up the challenge for optional extra credit, bringing in questions for Cory Helm's Uncle, who is a diplomat in Iraq. We read a letter from him in class last Friday to establish background information. These were e-mailed to Iraq last night!! (Tues).

This Week:

Monday: Media Center - Ms. Swiggum refreshes students on the use of Noodletools citation aid. Many students will need new passwords or accounts.

Tuesday: In class - Ms. Riley and Mr. Wells discuss and model outlining for history papers using "Inspiration" Software. Students then begin building their own outlines - These are due on Thursday! Individual conferences with students to check research sources. There was not time for all conferences. Those who did not meet, will need to show their notes tomorrow.

Wednesday:
1. Read Aloud and discussion: "Joseph Medicine Crow: Counting Coup - Becoming a Crow Chief"
2. Final day in the media center! Students will have a final look at library resources. After classes today, they will be able to check these resources out.
Most students will be building their outlines on Inspiration.

Thursday:
1. Primary Image Analysis: using the SIGHT method, students continue to examine primary source images regarding our current theme - First Nations and Conflict with Settlers.

2. Outline Check - Individual Conferences with Teachers

3. Composing rough drafts - Many students will be using the Jane Schaeffer organizers with prompts, but this is not required for all students.

Friday:

1. Current Events: Students practice their note-taking skills, and take a quick comprehension quiz using these notes. Student News.

2. We will continue to draft American Indian research papers, party due to the fact that there is no school for students on Monday.

Agenda - Week of September 28th

2009-09-27T18:15:00.005-07:00

Welcome back from a beautiful weekend!

Special Note: Wednesday is mid-quarter already! As has been the policy for 7th and 8th grades, students will receive a grade report only if they are holding a D or and F in the core-content classes. You will be hearing from teachers ahead of time if this is the case.

This week, our focus is two-fold: To accelerate the progress of our research projects and to deepen what we know about American Indian history and cultural influences on our Nation's identity.

Monday:

We begin our week with a look at one of the most infamous examples of US government Indian policy in the 19th century -- The Trail of Tears. We begin with a brief reading, and united streaming clip.

Student Play: Students will be acting out a student-drama in class.

HW - By the end of class on Tuesday, students must have complete notes and citations on 3 research sources. Some students may need to do some internet research and note-taking tonight. Please use this blog's links or the links to online periodicals via the media center's site.

Tuesday:

Day 3 of media center research. Ms. Swiggum will be teaching a mini-lesson on research skills. Students will continue to use non-internet sources. Many students will transition into using media center linked online periodicals and reference sources.
By the end of today, students will need to show 3 resources with notes and citations.

Wednesday:
Today's lesson will begin with a formal review of internet-based research options. These include links to the media center's "Tools for Teachers and Students" such as WYLD, Culturegrams, and Discovery's United Streaming. We will also be learning/refreshing skills on responsible open internet searches. How can students best sift through the literally millions of websites related to their topic? A few simple tips will help them along.

Thursday:

Day 4 Media Center. By now, students should be moving along with notes and citations enough to begin thinking of a logistical outline of their paper, including a thesis statement and a series of supporting paragraphs. By the end of class today, students will need to show 5 resources with notes and citations.

Friday:

Current Event: Student News - Students use Inspiration to practice web notes. They will be dropping their notes in open access where they will be evaluated for depth, order and connection between topic ideas and concrete details.

Then, students will be encouraged to formalize their thesis statements, which will be peer-edited using a general guide which assesses the statement on a series of criteria. They will be turning these in to the teacher at the end of class so that I can make comments and get them back to kids on Monday.

Agenda - Week of Sept. 21

2009-09-21T06:51:00.007-07:00

This week, we will be moving full-steam ahead into the first district standard of the year - American Indian Research Project.

Monday:

Mr. Wells will be attending a history prof. development activity with the Greater Yellowstone American History Project with teachers from all over Western Wyoming.
Sub Plans:
1. Kids need to take a very quick online assessment that measures their ability to interpret primary sources. This is required for all teachers participating in the GYAHP grant (many teachers from across Western Wyoming are participants). This is NOT part of students' grades at JHMS.

2. Finish reading and discussion " The Sioux Today"

3. Using library resources, begin to choose 2-3 possible topics for a thesis research project. Choose a topic that you are excited and curious about. Personal/family connections are encouraged.

HW Bring to class tomorrow - 2-3 possible topics for research.

Tuesday:

1. Note-taking practice with Inspiration software. Students will watch a student-news segment on Afghanistan troop levels while using this outline software to take notes. This is technically practice for use on the American Indian thesis research. Use of this software is required on this district standard.

2. Mini-Lesson:
What is a thesis?? Students work in small teams to narrow down their research topics. This will be challenging, but will make this project do-able and more enjoyable. Students brainstorm to make broad topics more focused and concrete.

Wednesday:

1. Short Presentation by Mr. Wells and Mrs. Brumstead - National History Day - an option to extend curriculum for all students. Peak students will be doing this for Book Bistro.

2. Day one in the media center - Refresher course in document and note-taking skills.

HW: Complete all geo-cultural regions in our regional packets. Much of this will have been done in class. Due Thursday.

Thursday:
Students should have 2 sources documented by the end of this class. Quiz day! Geo-cultural regions and Myth Comparison. More info on this assessment to come.

Friday:1. Day 2 in the media center. Students will be working to find, sort through and glean useful information from a variety of media center and on-line resources. Please! No photo-copying or printing. All notes must be taken by hand or using Inspiriation software on the iMacs.

Agenda - Week of September, 14th

2009-09-13T19:28:00.003-07:00

This week, students will be exploring modern American Indian cultural groups through geographic regions. Our first TCSD#1 History Standard will begin next week, but this week's themes should be helping kids choose topics for the Native American research papers. These are thesis-centered papers.

Our first quiz will be on Tuesday - please prepare yourself:)

** Also this Wed. at 6:30 - Back to School night** Please see message to the left for more details.

Agenda:

Monday:
1.We continue our analysis and comparison of Indian creation myths with a Cherokee myth today. Students will be sketching what they hear as the myth is read aloud. We will compare to the Tlingit myth from SE Alaska that we read last week.

2. Students will be mapping geographical regions of N. America. Discussion will center on how these geo-climatic regions may have helped shaped culture and language groups.

3. Students use media-center resources to investigate 2 regions more in-depth.
HW: Quiz tomorrow - Paleo-Indian vocabulary -- use it in 1-2 paragraphs to explain various theories of how and when the first Americans arrived.

Tuesday:

1. Quiz - Use our word-wall vocab to write 1-2 organized paragraphs explaining the arrival of the first Americans to the continent.

2. Introduction to our first US History Standard - A look at sample themes and topics. Example papers from past years.

3. Highlight - Mound Builders of the Mississippi - The Cahokia and others. Ties to Wyoming's Spanish Diggings.

HW: Read and add information on 2 new geo-cultural Indian regions. Complete a comparison diagram. Due tomorrow.

Wednesday:

1. HW check and share.
2. Read aloud - "Life on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation" - Group note-taking using inspiration. What is reservation life like of Sioux kids living on a reservation
3. Examination of US Census data for American Indian groups.
No HW - Tonight is open house.

Thursday:
Today is Constitution Day. As a recipient of federal education funds, we are required to teach a lesson on the US Constitution. This is a great federal mandate, although we will be studying the US Constitution in depth this January.
Today: Student's constitutional freedoms and responsibilities in public school. Examination of 3 Supreme Court cases affecting public school students.

Friday:
We will have the bulk of the thorough media center American Indian collection in class. We will have a guided discussion, and browsing of this collection. Students will narrow their research choices down. They will need to have selected a final topic, as well as have pre-selected 3 non-internet resources by Tuesday, Sept. 22.

Stay tuned for updates to this agenda!

HW for Thursday, Sept. 10th

2009-09-09T13:47:00.002-07:00

Today was a day of Paleo-Indians, mega-fauna and extreme climactic changes!

Students who did not finish the Ice-Age reading and related questions, please finish for tomorrow. This is our first HW of the year.

Good luck middle school football and x-country!

Agenda - Week of September 8th

2009-09-04T14:34:00.004-07:00

**The first week is over and I am so happy with my incoming 8th graders! **

It was great getting to know a new group of fun, excited students.

Today, we built ancestry maps and looked for patterns of immigration and migration that led us all to the Teton Region. We also used the mandolin as an example of the many paths of American immigration and cultural adaptations in America to people and traditions from Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Mr. Wells even played a little on the mandolin.

Due on Tuesday (No school on Monday) - Completed notebook with six divided sections.

Agenda for this week:

Tuesday - All classes except 7th period in the Media Center for Ms. Swiggum's class on our revamped tech system. There are many critical skills taught here that will be used this year. If you miss this class, please remind the teacher.

Wednesday - The first Americans - Nomadic Migration from Asia, and competing theories. Students receive vocab for the first quiz today. We will also be watching a podcast of the President's address on education. We will be analyzing the content of this speech.

Thursday - Archeological sites of paleo- Indians and what they tell us forensically about where early Americans came from, when they arrived and how they lived. We will be examining how science has influenced history and vice-verse.

Friday - UWYO forensic archeologist Russell Nelson will be our guest speaker. He'll be bringing in plenty of obsidian to demonstrate how early tools were pressure-flaked.

Thursday -

Due for Friday Sept. 4th!

2009-09-03T08:11:00.003-07:00

Students - Please bring in for Friday, Sept. 4th

a. Parent/Guardian E-mail info after reviewing the expectations with your parent(s) or guardian(s).

b. A 3 ring notebook, with lined paper and 6 dividers.

Thursday - Team building tower project.
We also look at data from yesterday's surveys to help establish classroom rules.

Friday - Yarn Ancestry Activity
Students also set-up notebooks together.

Welcome 8th Graders!

2009-08-31T13:44:00.006-07:00

It's hard to believe, but another summer has gone by. Administration, support staff and teachers here at JHMS have been busily preparing for an exceptional year of learning! Below, I am pasting the 8th Grade US History Course Expectations. Students will receive a paper copy of this on the first day of class. Please review and contact me with any and all questions!

I am excited to see you all soon:)

JHMS Vision Statement:
Jackson Hole Middle School provides students with an innovative and exceptional education that instills integrity and promotes achievement in a diverse world.
Jackson Hole Middle School Course Syllabus

Teacher: David Wells

Course Title: US History pre-Columbian to Civil War

Website: www.exploringhistoryjhms.blogspot.com -- Please Check for updates!

Course Standard Projects:

1. Native America Research Paper – For many students, this will be their first complete research paper. Emphasis is on the critical processes and skills of research and writing in today’s media-rich world.

2. US Constitution Test and Essays – Emphasis on structure and current application of the founding document in students’ lives and in their community.

3. Westward Expansion/Old West Periodical – Students create an authentic newspaper based around student-chosen topics ranging from Lewis & Clark to local Wyoming history.

4. Civil War Literature Circles - Students choose Civil War related novels and assume roles in lit. circles. Assessment is based on students’ ability to relate their novels to overarching time-period themes.

Objectives:
* Students will practice and develop critical thinking and analysis skills as they relate to various historical materials and media.
*Students will develop research, reading, note taking and writing skills.
* Students will familiarize with school-wide composition, and writing assessment systems.
* Students will examine cause and effect in early US History and explore its connection to the present.
* Thematic Focuses include:
Constitution
Community
Cultures
Conflict
Contours of Freedom
Current Events

Course Materials/Supplies:

3 Ring Binder with 5 dividers and lined paper for handout materials

# 2 pencils w/erasers

A course textbook will be used lightly. A wide variety of supplemental materials and multi-media will be distributed accessed in- class.

Course Grading Specifics: % of total grade
Unit Assessments and Projects 40%

Quizzes/ Short written assignments 30%

Homework 20%

Current Events 10%

Homework: Reading is the basis for American studies and will therefore make up the basis for most HW assignments. HW is also assigned to reinforce concepts discussed in class. In order to fully participate in class, a student MUST complete the assignment. Assignments will be provided in class, and can also be found on the class blog/website.

Make Up Procedures: Students are responsible for managing missed or incomplete assignments. For everyday absence, students have two days to make up the missed work. Students and parents are responsible for obtaining pre-excused absence forms for every missed class.

Late Work: For smaller, daily assignments late work will receive a 50% until the end of the content unit. For larger projects, assignment scores decrease 10% daily.

Special Notes: Parents/Guardians, please include an e-mail address on the return portion of this form. I am forming e-mail lists for each 8th grade class and will be sending notices and reminders home regularly.

Reminder - June 1st Final

2009-05-31T09:05:00.003-07:00

8th Grade US History students will take the last of 4 standard assessments on Monday, June 1st.

Students have been working for 3 days planning outlines and gathering textual and primary source evidence to support their arguments and commentary.

Please bring only your prepared 5*7 index card and your lit circle novel.

Computers will be available for students. Hand-written essays are also acceptable.

See you there!

Other Announcements:
**Mandatory Talent Show Rehearsal on Wednesday, June 3rd. Bring all needed instruments and costumes to the JHHS Auditorium - 2:45 - 5:30.

**Talent Show: Friday, June 5th - JHHS Auditorium

** Make-up MAPS testing on Monday and Tuesday this week.

Week of May 26th

2009-05-26T11:16:00.003-07:00

Welcome back from the 3 day weekend. Hopefully everyone had fun and also reflected a little on the meaning of Memorial Day and the "ultimate sacrifice", in Lincoln's words, that all fallen US Vets have made.

Announcement: Final US History Essay Standard on Monday, June 1st. Students will be receiving a bank of essay questions on Wednesday.

Agenda:

Tuesday:

MAPS Testing will happen during History Class today - This is a reading comprehension test that will be compared to a similar assessment they took in the Fall.

Wednesday:
Last Literature Circle Discussion Day: Student led discussion on last 1/4 of lit. circle novels.

Also: All students get Final Exam Essay questions to begin preparation of quotes and responses. This test will be given on Monday, June 1st. Students may bring their lit. circle novel and one 5*7 notecard with prepared quotes or details.

Thursday:
Final Essay Test Preparation: Students will be developing outlines and preparing supporting quotes for their essays.
(Cold Mountain Lit. Circles will meet today to prepare presentations for tomorrow).

Friday:
Final day of Literature Circles: All groups meet in one room and present songs, poems, games and other learning activities. Students teach each other and share their novel details with other groups.

Announcement! Final Essay Test on Monday, June 1st.

Week of May, 18th

2009-05-19T14:24:00.003-07:00

Agenda:

Monday:

Current Events update - Supreme Court nominee process. What is in the Constitution and what to expect.
Class Notes: The Civil War Amendments: What is Legal Equality?

Tuesday:
Civil War Lit. Circle Discussion Days: By now most groups have begun to be much more autonomous. They need to have read the assigned pages for their specific novel and to have completed their pre-selected role tasks. Be ready for discussion!

Wednesday:

Today there is a brief, open-notebook quiz: Civil War Draft Riots, Emancipation, Black Soldiers and the Civil War Amendments.
Then - Student Play! "The Last Best Hope"

Thursday:

Literature Circle Activity Day: Students select and complete a small task, creating a variety of products to present to their groups. Students get new reading assignments and roles for next Tuesday.

Friday:
Finish final run of student play.
We introduce the ideas and format of the final US History Standard - This will be on Tuesday June, 2. Students will have to make connections to the Civil War and their own lives using material gleaned from Literature Circles - Essay format.

Week of Monday, May 11th

2009-05-11T08:14:00.002-07:00

Announcements:

Entering week 2 of Civil War Lit. Circles - Please keep up on reading and role tasks, especially Cold Mountain and Killer Angels groups.

Weekly HW is due on Tuesday in Lit. Circles - Read and complete role tasks so that you can participate actively in the book discussion.

Monday:
Because Mr. Wells is a participant in the Greater Yellowstone American History Grant, my students will be taking a primary source analysis test online today. This actually fits right into our curriculum. This results of the test are only shared with the federal government and will not count towards the students grade.

Then, with remaining time: Each class has 1 or 2 groups who have not presented their Civil War Battle to the class due to many extra-curricular pulls and other absences. Today they will present to the class as we finish our group timelines.

Tuesday: Students meet in literature circle novel groups. They will be required to have completed the assigned reading and their role tasks. They will need these to be able to participate in the discussion. Absent? Please turn in role sheets the next day for credit.

Wednesday:
Draft riots in the North and in the South! Students learn about the civilian upheaval in opposition to the drafts of both the Union and the Confederacy. Many of these riots took on racial and socio-economic overtones. Students will be interpreting newspapers from April, 1863.

Thursday:
Activity day in Lit. Circles. Some groups are finishing last week's activity for presentation to their circles. Other groups are beginning anew with a new activity. Skits, sketches and small writing assignments are all fair game.

Friday:
Emancipation and Black soldiers in the North - Short readings in small groups.
Student News - Notes and Current Events quiz - students may use their notes on this quiz.

Week of May 4th

2009-05-04T14:22:00.003-07:00

Announcements:

Thursday at 12:45, 8th grade students will be going to the Center for the Arts to spend an afternoon with Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president -- well, not really, but by all accounts he's a darn good impersonator! We have been prepping with a wide variety of Lincoln readings and primary source material.

Agenda:

Monday:
Students continue to present Civil War battle models and presentations.
We briefly meet in our Lit Circles, get an overall process briefing and our role assignments due tomorrow, May 5th. Each novel has different readings, assignments (due each Tuesday) and facilitators. Please ask your facilitator if you are unsure of your reading pages or tasks!

Tuesday:
First day, Civil War lit circle student-led discussions: Be prepared with your completed role-assignments:)

Wednesday: This is mid-4th quarter

Final student presentations on Civil War battles
We then develop questions for President Lincoln, who is visiting tomorrow!!

Thursday:
8th grade field trip to Center for the Arts to visit with Abraham Lincoln in the flesh! 5th grade and students from around the state will also be attending.

Friday:
Literature Circles meet - activity day: Student groups choose from a host of engaging activities related to their novel - they will be researching and producing small pieces of art, games, essays or skits based on their respective titles.

Update!

2009-04-30T14:43:00.002-07:00

There will be no Quiz on Friday, May 1!!

Students will be presenting their Civil War battle replicas or presentations tomorrow, Friday, May 1.

Students will receive their Lit. Circle Novels tomorrow, and will have required amount of reading for Tuesday, May 5th - dependent on the novel. Students will also choose a role and have a specific task to complete that will help them in novel discussion on Tuesday.

Have a nice weekend!

Week of April 27th

2009-04-27T12:18:00.002-07:00

Announcements:

Talent Show auditions all this week and next Monday during lunch. Sign-ups are closed. Please come prepared to your scheduled audition with the technology your act requires and good luck!

Agenda:

**This is the final week before Civil War literature circles begins. Students will receive their books on Thursday. Students who selected Cold Mountain will need to have a parent/guardian sign a waiver. They will be bringing home the waivers this week.

Mon: As often happens, class last week moved more slowly than expected. Therefor today we start the discussion of changing female roles during the Civil War.
1. Read aloud and video clip: Clara Barton
2. Small groups work to identify the who, what and where of Women Spies in the Civil War.
3. Clicker competition - Groups that read together will play this clicker game.

Tues:
1. We will need to finish the clicker activity - most classes were about 1/2 finished.
2. Introduction to Civil War battle research. This is a brief research project in which students choose a major Civil War battle, research it using media center resources, and present in small groups to the class. As a class, we will be placing these battles on a timeline that will illuminate larger patterns of the conflict. Students will receive a quiz grade for their presentation based on both the process and the final product. Presentations will be on Thursday and Friday of this week.

Wed:

Day 2 of research - Civil War Battle products. Students will be using a large array of media center and internet resources to create a visual/tangible product that will teach the class about the details of their battle and it's overall significance. In the past, students have made recreations of battlefields, power point presentations, or garage band pieces.

Thurs:

Research and synthesis continues - some groups begin presentations.

Frid:

1. Final Civil War Battle presentations
2. Quiz: Quiz on past 2 weeks of student notes -- Life under slavery and Women of the Civil War

Please read your assignment for your specific Lit. Circle novel:)

Week of April 20th

2009-04-21T06:38:00.002-07:00

Welcome back from a beautiful weekend!

Announcements: Both the can drive for the JH Cupboard and the Student Council dance were a success! We have more than 1,500 items ready for the Cupboard - We are looking for volunteers to help shuttle the food down to the Cupboard this week. Thanks for your generosity! Contact Mr. Wells at the Middle School if you can help with the transfer.

Agenda:

Monday:
Book Talk with Mr. Wells, Mr. Yazz and Ms. Swiggum in the media center. The format for Lit. Circles is discussed, selected passages from six book choices are read, and book content, themes and reading levels are discussed. Students choose a 1st and 2nd choice from the following titles: Cold Mountain, Moon over Tennessee, Soldier's Heart, The Killer Angels, Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Tubman - Conductor of the Underground Railroad. Students will begin lit. circles in May. Look for more details on this blog next week.

Tuesday:

Note share: Students develop questions not answered by text regarding life under slavery. We post the questions in an organized format around the room and peers attempt the answer the questions as they walk from station to station.

Primary Source Analysis: Students finish their primary source analysis and begin presenting their photos, and political cartoons to the class.

Wednesday:
Student Play! An adaptation of the recent non-fiction " Team of Rivals"
Student News w/notes and quiz. This will be a current events grade.

Thursday:
Women as Civil War Spies: Students choose a Civil War spy and investigate her role and effect on the course of the War.

Friday:
Presentation of female spy info to the class.
Student debate!

Welcome back from Spring Break!

2009-04-13T13:53:00.004-07:00

Welcome back to school and get ready for a focused unit exploring the causes, tragic events and effects of our nation's Civil War - By far the costliest in US History.

Announcements:

1. There will be a non-perishable food drive this week at JHMS. Home bases will be competing to see which can collect the most items. The winning home base gets into the dance this Friday (17th, 7-9pm) for free. Students who bring in 4 cans or items to the dance will also be admitted.

2. There will be a quiz this Friday the 17th - Events leading to the Civil War. Students can use their timeline and notes to study.

Monday:
a. Students identify their pre-knowledge of causes of the Civil War in small groups.
b. Civil War artifacts - We examine a canteen and powder horn carried by an Ohio volunteer into Vicksburg.
c. Students begin a united streaming web-quest in pairs. They are using readings and short video clips to explain the many compromises and challenges faced by a young nation.

Tuesday:
a. Students check out new Civil War links on the blog, including a Civil War soldier and sailor database. We look up details about our Ohio recruit as an example (Mr. Wells' great great Uncle).
b. We then continue the United Streaming activity in the media center - What is not finished will become HW - due Wed.

Wednesday:
a. HW is collected
b. Short, smartboard activities reinforce events leading to the Civil War - Matching and Challenge-board.
c. Read aloud - A slave narrative.

Thursday:
a. Compare and contrast - Students create visual diagrams that compare culture, economy and political leanings of Northern and Southern states.
b. Read aloud - A boy soldier!
c. Review for quiz tomorrow -- Causes and events leading to the Civil War.

Friday:
a. Quiz - short answers: Students identify major events leading to the Civil War and explain their importance.
b. Analyzing period photographs: The first war to be photographed - what do these images tell us about the social history of this era?

Final week before Spring Break

2009-03-19T12:17:00.005-07:00

Announcements: Updated info on quarterly recognition posted 3/23!

1. We are drawing into the close of PAWS testing. Students who missed school last week will be required to make up the section(s) of the PAWS test that they missed.

2. Quarterly recognition will be the 2nd half of the day on Thursday. All classes will meet in the morning and then the class will travel to the rec. center where students can either use the pool room or go next door to the new JES gym for dodgeball. If you plan on being at the pool, please remember a swimming suit and a towel!

3. This is the first week of the 4th academic quarter.

Agenda:

Monday: Final day of PAWS testing. Only periods 4&7 are meeting to finish the computer version of the reading assessment.

Tuesday: Final day to finish writing, drafting and preparing presentations for the Invent and Invest project.

Wednesday: Students begin to present and "pitch" their inventions/innovations to the class. Their peers may chose to invest in their projects. The winning invention will be that which received the most peer investment money. This money is, of course, fake, but the connections to innovation and investment are real.

Thursday: Classes will be shortened so that Quarterly Recognition can happen after an earlier lunch. Congrats students!!
In class, students will finish presenting and winners will be announced.

Friday: Final day before Spring Break - Review games and summative timeline. Looking ahead to Civil War issues and the lit. circles.
Have a great, safe Spring Break!!

Week of 3/16

2009-03-16T06:51:00.003-07:00

Announcements:

Wed-Friday this week, students will be taking the reading portion of the PAWS assessment. This assessment is used by teachers to develop appropriate material and lessons for students. The federal government uses the data, in part to establish AYP - annual yearly progress, which can affect school funding.

Congrats students on an excellent 1st formal debate on Thursday and Friday!!

Agenda:

Monday - Today 4th and 7th periods meet in US History, but for double blocks. (3rd and 5th do not meet today).
This class is a repeat of 3rd and 5th's lesson from Thursday:
1. Innovation and Big Business - Fun Video Quiz - Winner get in the raffle!
Ford, Edison and Rockefeller
2. Rubric Review - We look at guidlines and grading rubric for Invention Presentations
3. Students are writing, drafting and preparing presentations for the Invention Project.
4. Read-Aloud - "Electricity"

Tuesday -
1. Quick smartboard warm-up on Patent and Trade, and Rockefeller, Ford, Edison information.
2. Students will continue to write, draft and prepare presentations for their Invention Projects.
3. Student News!

Wed-Friday
Students are assessed on their reading and comprehension skills on the PAWS tests.
Classes will alternate days, but come to class for double-blocks. Please eat well and get lots of rest:)

Week of March 9th

2009-03-09T15:02:00.004-07:00

Announcements:
Congratulations to all 8th graders on wonderfully creative, research-based newspapers! They look great. Please check power school to see notes.

PAWS testing starts on Wed. in English classes for writing. Next Wed., the 18th PAWS testing begins in other content areas. In History classes, students will take the 2 reading tests. Scores are used to determine federal funding levels, so we are hoping students do there absolute best! There will be no homework on nights before testing days.

Agenda:

Monday:
Introduction to Governmental support of innovation in our History. Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution.
Students examine examples of recent successful innovations.
In pairs, students analyze data on teen technology trends.
Read Aloud "Mr. Tootwhistle's Invention" - Historical Fiction

Tuesday:
Students explore the US Patent and Trade Office online in preparation for their own invention project.
What is the difference between a patent, trademark and a copyright?
We read and investigate 3 important inventions that revolutionized US development - The Combustible Engine, The Daguerreotype and the telephone.

Wednesday: Today only 3rd and 5th periods meet, but for double blocks (due to PAWS testing in English).
Students begin the process of selecting an invention concept that they will develop and market to their peers. We are examining an abundance of resources on American Invention in US History.

Thursday: Today only 4th and 7th periods will meet, but for double blocks (due to PAWS testing in English).
See Wed. class description - today is a repeat for different class periods.

Friday:
Students move fully into the development phase of the Great American Invention project. They will need to fill out a US Patent application, write a description of how their innovation will work, who it will be marketed to and also create a visual aid for a presentation (On Tuesday, 3/17).