Monthly Archive

This past week in school was great.  Back to School night was a great success.  I’m so glad I met all of your parents.  I’m sure your parents were excited to hear about TeacherEase.

I’ve also posted a variety of 9/11 comparison projects for everyone to see.  Check them out at the project page.

For those of you involved with the Investor$.  Please check out the Investor$ page for information about the Stock Market Game.  The Game begins NOW (9/29/08)!!!

Looking ahead…we have a Unit Test to prepare for. I’ve decided to move the test from its original date of 10/3/08 to 10/7/08.  You get an extra weekend to prepare for it.

Here’s your schedule for the week…

Monday (September 29, 2008)

Finish Video – Neanderthal

Complete Venn Diagram in class. –> neanderthal-cromagnon-venn

Tuesday (September 30, 2008)

School is closed.

Wednesday (October 1, 2008)

HAPPY OCTOBER!!!

Read pages 33-40.

Complete Fact Sheet on Paleolithic Age. Download here –> Prehistoric_People_Fact_Sheet

Thursday (October 2, 2008)

Read pages 41-46

Complete Fact Sheet on Neolithic Age.

***Extra Credit*** – Watch the VP debate and write a 2 paragraph reaction paper.  (10 point assignment)

Friday (October 3, 2008)

Causes and Effects of the Paleolithic and Neolithic Age.

I’ve decided to open this blog up to my students again.  I feel it is a great way for them to stay connected with the classroom.

There have been a number of absences and this is a great way to stay of top of your work so it doesn’t snowball.

This week in Social Studies…

Monday:

• Review Graphic Organizers… “6 Essential Elements of Geography” and “Natural Resources and History”

Tuesday:

• Review 2nd Geography Quiz
• Vocabulary Discussion:  tectonic plates, continental drift, Archaeology, bands, migrate, specialization

Vocabulary Log-Unit A-Geography 3

Homework: Read Pages 25-30…Answer this Questions –>  Why did scientists begin to study artifacts?

Wednesday:

• Stations: 5 Stations – 5 Questions

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT!! – back-to-school-night-FAQ

Thursday:

• Atlas Activity

Friday:

• Video Clips:  Neanderthal vs. Cro-Magnon

Venn – Diagram Comparing these two —> DOWNLOAD HERE —>neanderthal-cromagnon-venn

The SMART board has arrived and I’m super excited about it.  It is just a giant touch screen…what is not to like?  The next step is to figure out how I’ll integrate it into every aspect of my class.  Difficult?…possibly, but It’ll happen.  

The SMART board company also makes something called an airliner.  This is simply a remote slate that can be used in addition to the board itself. For those of you familiar with Interwrite pads…it is the same thing.   If anyone knows where and how I can get my hands on one of these guys, please let me know.  

 

 School (with students) is about to begin here in (ahem) sunny  New Jersey.  As far as the curriculum goes…I know the kids will enjoy  it.  For the bulk of the year, we will examine the Birth of Civilization  through the Renaissance.  Luckily, I’ve almost finished Guns, Germs,  and Steel…this book is extremely excellent in explaining how certain  societies have developed and prevailed and how other societies have  not evolved on the same pace.  Big Book!!!  Took a while to finish.  I  hope I can use some of the excerpts in class. 

Teaching Social Studies at the middle school level, you always have to spend time on certain “Social Studies Skills.”  So, for the first week or two, we’ll have to review geography, map skills, primary and secondary sources, and all that good stuff.  

There are also various other topics I’d like to touch upon as well.  I’m thinking about starting an economic club, so teaching all about economies would be ideal.  

I’d like to teach Current Events in some capacity.  New Jersey history is also a great topic!!

Of course I’d also like to keep the technology themed projects alive, but there might be some limitations with the building.  I’m sure I’ll figure something out.  

I’m still up in the air on how I will use the Kneighborhood.  I am leaning towards keeping it a place for assignments, worksheets, announcements…with a little bit of commentary.