8th Grade Take Home Questions due Janurary 7th!!!

Response Questions for Constitution Test
Due Friday, January 7th2011
Directions: You are required to answer Questions 1 and 10. You will choose three more questions to answer.
Your answers must be in complete sentences with a minimum of a paragraph length.
You will be graded on grammar and content. Each question answered is worth 8 points. Grammar and length are worth 5 points each.
Total Points=50
Please note, I am giving this test for you to work on at home, I am looking for thoughtful evidence based answers, you will not receive full points for answers that are vague and rushed.

1. Why has the constitution lasted so long?

2. Why was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?

3. Which Amendment do you feel is most important? Why?

4. What are the fundamental freedoms granted by the Bill of Rights?

5. Which Powers does the National Government have under the Constitution?

6. What Powers do the states have?

7. At the Constitutional Convention, there was an issue over slavery; what was the issue? Between which groups? How was it resolved?

8. Why was Shay’s Rebellion significant?

9. What is the role of free press in America? What are the responsibilities of a free press?

10. What is the significance of the following terms: federalism, separation of powers and checks and balances?

8th Grade Amendment Project Due Jan 4th!

Be sure that you are prepared for your Presentation!!



We Have our Rights!
The Amendment Project
In order to help you and your classmates learn about the Amendments to the Constitution, you will do the following:
 You will be assigned to do one or part of an Amendment.
 You will need to read about your amendment; try to understand what it says and why the people of this country felt a need to add it to our Constitution.
 You will be given a 12x18 piece of construction paper that you will fold in half to create a mini-protest sign.

o Part I: The Project
 On side A you will design and create a collage that represents the meaning of your Amendment. You could use pictures and words from magazines or the internet or even your own drawings.
 On the top half of side B you will 1) write or paste a copy of the Amendment as it appears in the Constitution 2) On the bottom half, you will write your own interpretation of what the Amendment really means in “everyday” language.
 You will be given a Popsicle stick to finish off your “protest” sign on the last in-class workday given.

o Part II: The Presentation
 You will prepare a short presentation for the class; it will be no more than 4 minutes in length. It will be your job to share the meaning of your Amendment and what was the reason behind this issue becoming an amendment. You will also make a point of how did or does this Amendment benefit us, the American people.

 Please note that all writing must be done in ink or marker
 Please include your name, date, and class period in the bottom corner of side A.

7th Grade Students and Parents Muslim Contributions Project

Students have a project due Jan. 18th on the contributions of Muslims to the world. There is a research component to this assignment. Students will be given only 2 days in class to do any research as this is an extension of what we have been learning in class.
If possible, please help your child with appropriate websites for information. I have offered a few: pbs.org, nationalgeographic.com, history.com and I will give more.
Please note, there are some extremist websites that are not appropriate and those are not the websites that the students should be accessing.
Please look below about what the Project consists of.
Thank you.

Muslim Contributions Assignment

We have been studying the religion of Islam and the Muslim people. To help us better understand their contributions to the world, we will be doing a project on the contributions.

Directions:
Step 1:
You will choose 5 Topics from the following list:
City Building and Architecture
Scholarship and Learning
Science and Technology
Geography and Navigation
Mathematics
Medicine
Bookmaking and Literature
Art and Music
Recreation

Step 2:
For each topic, you will need to give 1 example of how the Muslims contributed to the topic.
For example, if you choose City Building and Architecture, the contribution you might choose is a mosque.

Step 3:
For each example you have-a total of 5-you need to have 2 paragraphs written up on the following questions:
Why was this contribution important during the time period it was developed?
How is this contribution still used and important today?

Step 4:
You will need to recreate one contribution, either by drawing it or making it out of some other form.
Example: if you choose to recreate the mosque, then you would want to make a mosque possibly out of paper mache or out of some other material to have as a physical example.

Step 5:
Bibliography
a. Minimum of two online resources. These resources must be reputable and academically based. You may not use Wikipedia, about.com, ask.com, or similar websites that are run by the public rather than scholars.
b. Minimum of one book resource (not including your textbook). The school library has a section set aside.
c. You are welcome to use your textbook for information and ideas, but this will not count as one of your three resources.
d. PLAGARISM IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE. If you are using someone else’s ideas, you must cite them in your annotated bibliography. You will receive a 0 on this project and a detention if you plagiarize your material.
Other information:
a. Neatness counts
b. Spelling, punctuation, grammar, writing conventions count


Due Date: Tuesday, January 18, 2011

8th Grade 12/14/2010

Students: You have your preamble assignment due tomorrow! Remember to practice it a few more times to be sure that you are ready!

We will begin our Amendment assignment in class tomorrow, if you have extra magazines,please bring them in!!
The amendment assignment will be due either the 4th or 5th of January depending on which amendment you receive.

8th Grade 12/13/2010

Be sure to have your Bill of Rights Sheet to turn in tomorrow.

8th grade Preamble Assignment

Please continue working on your preamble assignment, Due December 15th!

8th Grade Homework 12/8/2010

students need to finish the Branches of Government packet. Due tomorrow.

7th Grade

All parents: Today, I used some class time to allow students to clean out their backpacks to help with organization, it was a successful experience. I suggest that you have your student do this weekly as it will help with their organization.
Thank you!

7th Grade Homework 12/7/2010

In your ISN, please complete pages 44-47. You need to do questions 1,2and 5 for each section. This will end up being the following: reading each section in your textbook, pages 75-81, and filling the chart on each of the sections on Chapter 7. Due Tomorrow!

8th Grade Extra Credit

Today is the 69th anniversary of Pearl Harbor. For extra credit, due tomorrow, please write or type one page or more about the significance of Pearl Harbor.
What was the event? Who was involved? What was the outcome?
You need to also tell me where you got your information from: grandparent? internet site? which one?

8th grade Preamble Assignment

Preamble Assignment
Due Wednesday, December 15th 2010
Directions: Your assignment is to memorize the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America. You will be presenting your memorized Preamble to the class on the above date. You may present individually or with a group of up to four people maximum.

Grading: You will be graded on the following criteria:
Memorization: Did you memorize the preamble?
Creativity: Did you present the preamble in a creative way? Props, acting out?
Voice: can we here you? Do you speak clearly, at an appropriate pace?
Length: Is your presentation between 30seconds and 2min?


This is worth 20 points:
To receive an A on this assignment (18-20points), you must have the creativity element worked in, have the preamble memorized and speak clearly without going over the time allotment.
To receive a B on this assignment (16-17points), you must have the preamble memorized and we must be able to hear you clearly, you must be within the time allotment.
To receive a C on this assignment (14-15points), you do not have a creative element, you stumble when you say the preamble and we cannot hear you clearly.
To receive a D on this assignment (12-13points), you do not have the preamble memorized, you have no creative elements and we cannot hear you.
An F is unacceptable.

Preamble to the Constitution of the United States

We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union,
Establish Justice,
Insure domestic Tranquility,
Provide for the Common Defense,
Promote the General Welfare, and
Secure the Blessings of Liberty to Ourselves and our Posterity,
Do ordain and establish this Constitution for the
United States of America.

8th Grade Homework 12/6/2010

First period: please read section 9.5 in your text to prepare you for the questions in class.
Fifth period: please read section 9.6 in your text to prepare you for the questions in class.
All 8th Grade, your Preamble assignment is due December 15th!

8th Grade Homework 12/3/2010

Please answer the 6 questions given to you in class on the Executive Branch of the Government as well as the first 3 on the Executive Branch page in the packet given in class today. Due Monday!

Also, please get in the habit of reviewing your notes! This next section has quite a bit of information to remember regarding our government, please review your notes nightly!!

7th Grade

We have completed our Unit on Africa today. We took a test and Monday we will begin our next unit on The Rise of Islam and its influence on the world.
Enjoy your weekend.

7th Grade Homework 12/1/2010

We will have our Africa Unit test on Friday, December 3rd. Remember to study. If you would like to receive extra credit towards the test, be sure to complete the study guide and turn it in on Friday. No late study guides will be accepted.

8th Grade Homework 12/1/2010

You need to answer questions 13-14 on the Chapter 8 questions packet for tomorrow. You can use pages 111-112 for reference.
We answered questions 10-12 in class today.

7th Grade Homework 11/30/2010

Be sure to complete your Africa Achievements chart for tomorrow. You should have two sections left.

Test is on Friday, review your notes!

8th Grade

If you had circles on your paper today, I suggest that you review and fix your answers for Ch-8. You will be turning the paper in at the end of the Chapter.

7th Grade Homework 11/29/2010

Students: outline Ch-15 Due tomorrow.

We will have a test on Africa on Friday, please review your notes.

8th grade homework 11/29/2010

Answer questions 1-9 on your Ch-8 questions sheet. Due tomorrow. Remember, to receive full credit, answers must be complete!

1st period: Bring in canned foods and your report card envelopes

8th Grade 11/18/2010

Students and parents: sorry for the late post, but our internet has been down all day at school and I was not able to post anything until I arrived home.
Students: Tomorrow is your Revolutionary War test. Please study! You can turn in the study guides for extra credit tomorrow with the test.

7th Grade Homework 11/18/2010

Students and Parents: sorry for the late post, the internet has been down all day at school so I was not able to post until I arrived home.
Students: Finish worksheet on Islam influences in West Africa for tomorrow. Remember, you need to give 1 specific example for each topic. Do not draw the pictures.

7th Grade Homework 11/17/2010

Please reread Ch-14 tonight. We will be going over key points in class.

8th Grade Revolutionary War Test Friday, November 19th

You will have your Revolutionary War Test this Friday the 19th. We will have two in class study sessions.
I will be giving you a study guide in class tomorrow, as usual, you may turn the guide in for extra credit towards the test.

IMPORTANT!!!! If you will not be here Friday, please make arrangements to take the test on Thursday. This is going to benefit you!!!

All Parents

Report Cards go home this Friday, November 19th, 2010. Please be sure to check with your child so you can see their grades for the trimester!!
The only reason that your child would not have their report card is if they were absent from school.

7th Grade Africa Brochure Assignment due November 17, 2010

Be sure to have your brochure finished and ready to turn in on Wednesday! If you need paper or supplies feel free to come and get them from my classroom.

8th Grade Extra Credit

If you would like to earn extra credit, be sure to turn in your questions about Vetran's Day on Friday, November 12th. I will not accept late questions.

8th Grade Declaration of Independence Assignment Due 11/12/2010

Here are the directions for your assignment, please be sure to turn in the excerpts and the questions with your book on Friday.

Declaration of Independence
Children’s Version Assignment
Due Friday, November 12th 2010
Directions: Once you have finished rephrasing the excerpts of the Declaration of Independence you will create an “illustrated book” to help a third grade level student better understand the events of the Declaration of Independence.
The “book” should be written in simple, clear language that an eight to nine year old could understand. It can be designed as a scroll on a large piece of paper, or you can fold paper to make it appear more as a book.
Contents:
1. You will need a brief introduction explaining the events that led to the Declaration of Independence.
2. The excerpts that you have rephrased.
3. At least four colored illustrations to represent the different excerpts.
4. Any other details that you feel would help an eight to nine year old understand the Declaration of Independence: color, borders, decorated letters other visuals, etc.
5. Writing is free of spelling and grammar errors.
6. Effort is noted.
You may want to begin your introduction that says something like this:
A long time ago, a group of people left their home to find a new place to live. The new place that they now lived on was ruled by a country named, Britain. The people who lived in this new place were called “colonists”. The colonists loved their new home, but many people were unhappy with the British government. They thought the ruler, King George III, was a self and cruel leader. Eventually, the colonists became angry with the king and fought against him because…
Grading:
Introduction (10 points)
Does your introduction explain the events leading to the Declaration? Are they correct? Can an eight year old understand them?
Excerpts (10 points)
Are your excerpts correct? Do you have all eight? Can an eight year old understand them?
Visuals (5 points)
Do you have at least four illustrations that represent the topics? Are they colored?
Grammar/Spelling (5points)
Did you proofread? Is your writing clear of misspelled words? Are your sentences accurate?

Total Points: 30 points

7th Grade Africa Brochure Assignment due November 17, 2010

Here are the directions for the Africa Brochure. I will be giving you 2 days to work on it in class.

Trans Sahara Travel Brochure
Instructions: After gathering research from actual traveler accounts, you will design a brochure to help future travelers navigate and more importantly survive a trip through the Sahara on a trading excursion. The details of how to conduct the research and complete the brochure are outlined below:
I: Research
Steps for gathering data (this will be done in class)
1) Read each account (placards)
2) Record important travel tips in the appropriate boxes in your packet. Use bullet points to gather information. It is up to you to determine what would be an important tip to share with someone while reading the accounts.
II: Brochure creation
1) Decide on a creative format for your brochure. It should have an interesting shape or design (examples: Africa shape, camel shape, flips book style, tri-fold etc. be creative!)
2) The cover should have an interesting title, one that will catch a travelers’ attention. It should also have a neat and colorful picture.
3) Drawings can be hand drawn and no more than 3 colored pictures from the internet. Make sure the pictures you choose are representative of the time period!
4) After the cover should be an introduction. You need to write one paragraph that outlines the geography, climate and the challenges of crossing the Sahara desert. This paragraph is very important because it introduces the rest of the brochure which lists tips for surviving such a treacherous journey.
5) The rest of your pages must contain the helpful information you gathered from the placards. Each page must have:
a) a colorful picture or pictures
b) at least three tips for a first time Saharan traveler.
c)Choose 10 out of the 11 topics that you researched. Do not just copy the pictures from the placards, you may use them as a guide only. Do not copy any words directly from the placards. Put the ideas into your own words!
Total points=60

7th graders going to Yosemite

If you are going to Yosemite next week, make sure to come to my classroom at the beginning of lunch on Wednesday so you can get your work.

8th Grade Homework 11/1

Be ready to turn in your Timeline Assignment for tomorrow. See below posting.
I will be collecting your notebooks tomorrow.

7th Grade Homework 11/1/2010

Read pages 146-147 on Military and Government of Ghana section 13.2. Be sure to take Cornell Notes

8th grade Road to Revolution note organizer

If you have not been here or you have misplaced your Road to Revolution Paper, here are the topics and questions:


The Road to Revolution

The Stamp Act 1765
What was it?
What did the colonists do?
What did Britain do?


The Quartering Act 1765
What was it?
What did the colonists do?
What did Britain do?


The Townshend Act 1765
What was it?
What did the colonists do?
What did Britain do?

The Boston Massacre
What was it?
Who was involved?
What was the outcome?

The Boston Tea Party
What was it?
Who was involved?
What was the outcome?


The Intolerable Acts
What was it?
What did the colonists do?
What did Britain do?

8th Grade Homework 10/28/2010

Students: Please answer the questions on your Road to Revolution sheet about the Townshend Acts. Due tomorrow, continue working on your timeline due Tuesday!

8th Grade Homework Timeline Due 11/2/2010

Timeline Assignment

Directions: You are responsible for making a timeline from the dates, people and events your class has presented over the past week.
Your timeline needs to have a 20 people included with the correct date and event for that person.
You will be graded as follows:
40points: Information
Correct Name of Important Person
Correct Event of Important Person
Correct Date of Important Person
5points: Neatness and Spelling
Can I read your writing?
Is there scribbling out? Messy use of white out?
Is this final draft form? No spelling errors
5points: Creativity
Did you add any elements to make your timeline standout? Photo? Color?
Total Possible Points: 50

Due: Tuesday, November 2nd.
*if you are having trouble with one person’s date/event please use your textbook as a guide!



Practice/rough draft timeline


______________________________________________________________________________

Attention Parents

Progress reports were sent home today. If your child has a C- or less, they must get a parent signature and return the progress report tomorrow.

7th Grade Homework 10/27/2010

Students are to read pages 139-141 in your text. Answer the questions in your ISN on pages 80-81 Sections 12.2-12.4. You do not have to answer question 1 in each section. Due tomorrow

8th Grade Homework 10/26/2010

Please read pages 66-68 section 5.3 in your text. This will help to ensure more participation during notes tomorrow.

7th grade Homework 10/26/2010

Students who did not finish their ISN Africa map will need to have it completed for tomorrow. Pages 76-77 in your ISN, pages 134-135 in your text. Be sure to restate your answers.

7th Grade Parents

I will be sending home updated progress reports for your children on Tuesday, October 26th. Please make sure to check with them for their current grade.
If students have a C- or less, I require a parent signature on the progress report and returned to me the next day.

7th Grade Homework 10/22

Have your Africa map finished by Tuesday. Use pages 134 and 135 of the text. Remember, you need a key that shows the kingdoms and the vegetation zones.

8th Grade

Be ready for your Historical Figure Presentation this week. Remember, be creative! Interact with the students!

7th Grade Test Wednesday, October 20th

Study for your test Wednesday. Please remember, I do not give test corrections or retakes.
If you turn in your study guide, you can earn extra credit towards your test depending on how much of the guide you completed.
If you do not come for the test, it is your responsibility to make it up after school!

7th Grade Mesoamerica Test Wednesday, October 20th

We will have our first Unit Test this Wednesday. Students received a study guide today in class that they can turn in for extra credit towards the test. We will have a review day on Tuesday.
Below is the Study Guide with potential topics/questions:

Mesoamerica Study Guide
Maya
What are the 3 periods of Maya civilization?
What are the main characteristics of each period?
What modern day countries did the Maya flourish?
What agricultural techniques did the Maya use?
Explain Slash and Burn.
Why are the Olmec important to Maya?
What are the 2 calendars of the Maya?
What are hieroglyphics?
Aztecs
Where is the empire located?
What is Tenochtitlan?
How was Tenochtitlan built?
What were some of the Aztecs’ religious practices?
How were the Aztecs conquered?
Inca
Which present day countries did the empire span over?
What is a quipu?
What is an ayllu?
Why was the road system important?
Social Structures
How many social groups did each culture have?
What were similarities between the cultures?
What are differences?
Who are the chosen women?
What is polygamy?
Why is the market important to the Aztecs?
Food
What was the main crop for each group?
What is maize?
What else was corn used for?
Religious Practices
What were sacrifices?
Who did the sacrifices?
Why were there sacrifices?
What is the great ball game?
What is techtilli?
Other
What types of marriage customs did each culture have?
What were the roles of each family member for the cultures?
Which group of people did the majority of each culture belong to? What was this group’s primary role to society?

7th Grade Homework 10/15/2010

Your mesoamerican civilization flag and write up is due Monday!! No excuses about leaving it at home...
Please refer to my post earlier in the week if you no longer have the assignment.

8th Grade Presentations This Week!

Please be prepared for your Historical Figure Presentation this week! Remember, you can extra credit if you dress in character. I am available after school next week if you need any last minute help.

8th grade Study Guide for Quiz

Study Guide 8th Grade
Colonies/Slavery
Colony Questions/Vocab
Know the 13 original colonies
What are the 3 different areas?
Which colonies are in each area?
Who are the following people:
William Penn
John Winthrop
James Oglethorpe
Puritans
Quakers
What are the economies of each area?

Vocabulary:
Plantation
Cash Crop
Blue Laws
Betty Lamp
Indentured Servant
Bees and Frolics
Petition
Abolitionist

What is the Great Awakening? How did these feelings contribute to the Revolutionary War?
Why are people coming to the colonies?
How was life different for the colonists versus living in England?
City Life vs. Farm Life
How was education in each area of the colonies? Why?
What were the voting rights of people in the colonies?
How did people use the English Bill of Rights to form their own democracy in the colonies?

Slavery
Why was slavery first introduced in the colonies?
Why did slavery grow in the colonies?
Explain the Triangle Trade-Be Specific!
What is the Middle Passage? Be Specific
Loose Pack vs. Tight Pack
How did one become a slave?
Why did people in the colonies justify slavery?

8th Grade Quiz Friday, October 15th

You will have a short answer quiz based on the Early Colonies and the beginnings of Slavery in the Americas.
This will be a closed notes quiz, please make sure you are studying!

8th Grade

Make sure you are ready to go next week for your Historical Figure Presentations!!

7th Grade Mesoamerica Assignment Due Monday, October 18th!

Mesoamerican Achievements Assignment

Directions: You have just finished learning about three different civilizations in Mesoamerica. Your job is to create a flag that represents one of these civilizations. You will also include a one page typed or written write-up explaining your flag and giving two examples of how the civilization is similar to our culture today.

Getting Started:
1. Choose which civilization you want to focus on: Maya, Aztec or Inca
2. You will need a piece of white paper given to you by me.
3. Brainstorm on what symbols/words you will have to represent your civilization
4. Begin your flag
5. When you are finished with your flag, begin your write-up explaining your flag and how your chosen civilization is similar to our culture today.
6. Proofread!!
7. Turn in on Monday, October 18th 2010.
Grading:
You will be graded on the following:
Your flag is detailed with color and appropriate symbols representing your civilization
You can use 5-10 words only on the flag
Your write-up is clear, free of grammatical errors and shows thought put in to how the civilizations are similar.
Point Value: 30 points

8th Grade Presentations

Please continue to prepare for your presentations for the week of October 18th. I am not available on Tuesday after school for help, but any other day is fine to come in.

7th Grade Homework 10/8/2010

Students are to read pages 292-299 in their text and finish answering the questions on pages 176-177 in their ISN. Due Tuesday, October 12th.

Progress Reports

All students were sent home with official school progress reports today.
If you have a C-or less in my class, you must have your progress report signed by a parent and sent back on Tuesday.
Homeroom, you must also have your Manila Envelope signed and brought back on Tuesday, October 12th.

7th Grade Parents

I have noticed many 7th grade students turning in incomplete homework or no homework at all. We have many resources for students after school to get help with their homework including: After school Tutorials Mon-Thurs, Peer Helping after school and many open classes including my own. If possible, please encourage your child to attend these resources available to them.

7th grade homework 10/5/2010

Please fix your answers to the Inca Questions we worked on in class. You should use any notes taken on the Inca as well as pages 289-291.

8th Grade Homework 10/5/2010

Please read and answer the questions on Slavery given in class today. You can use your notes, as well as the excerpts from the handout.
Make sure to have each question completely answered to receive full credit. Due Tomorrow!
Continue working on your Historical Figure Presentation, I am available for help after school!

7th grade homework 10/4/2010

Please read pages 289-291 on the Incas. you will have questions to answer when you come to class tomorrow regarding the reading.

8th Grade Homework

Please continue to work on your presentations! Please see me if you need help!

8th Grade Historical Fiction Presentations

Students, you received your presentation date today, please begin brainstorming on what you plan to do for your activity. You will be receiving your reports back on Monday. Presentations will be the week of October 18th.

7th grade October 1st

There will be no homework this weekend. We will begin our section on the Incas when we return on Monday. Students, please review your notes weekly, we will be having a unit test on the Mesoamericans.

7th grade homework 9/29/2010

Students are to read pages 282-284 of their text and answer the corresponding questions in their ISN pages 172-173. Sections 25.3, 25.4, 25.5. Due Tomorrow.

8th Grade Historical Fiction Presentations

You will be giving your Historical Fiction Presentations the week of October 18th. I will be assigning you a day tomorrow.
You will need a poster board, if you are not able to get one, you will need to come see me BEFORE October 12th.
I am available after school for assistance on your activity and designing your poster. The week of the 12th is a minimum day week so you will have some extra time in the afternoons to prepare your presentations!!

Below are the presentation guidelines

Length: 5minutes total.
Characterization:
A. Speak in the first person. Use a loud voice and have good eye contact. Show enthusiasm.
B. Extra Credit: Dress Up in Character! This will help to make your presentation and person come to life.
Creativity
A. On a large piece of poster board, write your historical figure name in large letters. Below the name, write the person’s most important event(s) and the year(s) the event happened-NOT the years that they lived. Include pictures of your person and their most important event(s). Keep the captions under the photos short, writing should be large and easy to read. The poster should be neat and clear.
B. Make your person’s most important event “come alive”. Get Creative! Build a model and have students test it out, act out a skit, recreate an event, create a news conference or have a debate with another character in your time period. Include props. You should have something to hand students when they leave that describes what your person did in history
C. You must INVOLVE the people you are presenting to in your skit, model, recreation, news conference, debate, etc. They should be involved throughout your presentation.

Content
A. You will be graded on content. You must cover the most important events in your person’s life. You should be able to describe these events in detail.
B. Students will be taking notes on your presentation. Be prepared to answer these questions: What is your most important year? Two most important facts? The event you were involved in? Your impact on history?

7th Grade Homework 9/27/2010

Read pages 276-277 from your text, Section 24.4. You will answer the corresponding questions in your ISN on page 169. There are 3 questions regarding section 24.4.
This was the section we looked at today in class and what we did the act out about.
Due Tomorrow!

8th grade Historical Figure Report Due Tomorrow!!

Your Historical Figure report is due tomorrow! If you are going to be absent because you are truly sick, please attach your report and email it to me at: rmerlo@pacificasd.org.
Please finish it!

7th grade homework 9/22/2010

Your Maya questions on Chapter 23 are due tomorrow! Remember, I want you to use your notebook to find answers first. Any questions you cannot find in your notes you may use your text for.

8th grade Historical Figure Report Due September 28th

Reminder to students, your Historical figure report is due next Tuesday! As I have said in class, if you are able to turn your report in early, by Thursday, I can proofread it and give it back to you so you can make changes and submit it on Tuesday.

8th grade Journal Assignment Due September 24th!

Journal Writing on Colonial America

Directions: Pretend you are a British journalist who has just spent a year living in colonial America. You kept a journal to be published so that the British will have an accurate view of life in colonial America. Use the information from your notes and the textbook to create an illustrated journal as follows:
• Make a title
• Date each entry
• You need 5 entries that discuss at least 2 aspects of colonial life per entry.
 Include well-chosen details in the narrative to make the journal more realistic. Use your imagination.
• Each journal entry should be at least 4 sentences.
• Remember, you are writing for people who have never been to America, you want to give them a mental picture of what life is like in the colonies.
• Proofread your writing for grammatical and spelling errors.
Point Total: 25 points
Due: September 24th, 2010

7th grade homework 9/20

Please read pages 266-267 and take Cornell notes on this section. This will prepare for our class activity tomorrow

8th grade Reading Homework 9/20

Please read pages 49-60 for notes tomorrow; you can use this for reading log time...

8th Grade Colony Brochure

Do not forget to complete your Brochure! Due Tuesday the 21st.

Parents

Thank you to all who came to Back to School Night this past Tuesday; it was a pleasure to meet you. I appreciate your support and your participation!

7th grade 9/15/2010

If you did not finish your geography challenge in your ISN pages 160-161, please finish and bring in tomorrow! Pages 256-257 will help you in your textbook.

Reading for 9/15/2010 Homework 8th grade

Please read pages 37-46 to prepare for class tomorrow!

7th grade World History9/10/2010

No homework for the weekend. When we return we will continue our exploration of Mesoamerica.

8th grade Homework 9/10/2010

What happened to the lost colony of Roanoke? Minimum of a paragraph explaining what you think may have happened to this early failed colony. Do not forget to use CROATOAN in your story. Due 9/13/2010
Continue working on your historical figure reports. Due 9/28/2010, you should be gathering information from different sources to begin the writing process.

7th grade homework 9/3

Continue working on your Inventions Assignment due September 9th.

8th grade homework 9/3/10

Continue working on your Event assignment due Thursday September 9th. Please begin your Historical Figure Essay due September 28th.

8th grade Historical Figure Report Due September 28th

Historical Figure Written Report

Each of you has been assigned a person who was an important part of U.S History. You will “be” this person all year. Your assignment is to find out who your person is and why he/she is famous.

Requirements for Written Report:
1. Length 2-4 pages
2. Standard margins 12 point font, double spaced, times new roman or ariel
3. Final draft form (spelling and grammar count). Use paragraphs and topic sentences.

4. You must write your report in the first person.

5. Content must include:

A. Childhood/early life. Basic background information on historical figure such as: birthplace, education, family members. ( 1-2 paragraphs)
B. Historical Achievements. Explain why your historical figure is important. What did he/she accomplish? Explain how the person ties to his/her time period. What time period were they a part of? Describe the time period or event. (3-5 paragraphs)
C. What impact did your historical figure have on U.S History? How would U.S History be different today if your person never existed? (1-3 paragraphs)
Points Possible: 100
Part A=20 points Part B=45 points Part C=35 points

My Historical Figure is______________________________________________________

Due Date: Tuesday, September 28th, 2010

7th grade Homework Inventions Assignment due 9/9

Inventions Assignment
Due Thursday, September 9th.

Directions: Follow these steps in constructing your assignment.

1. Think of an invention; it could be a telephone, car, radio, printer, socks, sunglasses, etc.
2. Find out the following on your invention:
a. Who invented it?
b. Where was it invented?
c. What year?
d. Why was it invented?
3. On a piece of poster paper (I will give you some) arrange your paper in three sections.

Section 1: Draw a detailed photo of the invention you have chosen. Make it as neat as possible and add color and a title. (5points)

Section 2: Write a paragraph answering the questions from number two. (10 points)

Section 3: Explain how this invention has helped make life easier or even more difficult at times. (5 points)

4. Please proofread your grammar and make sure you use complete sentences! Even if you are not an artist, effort makes a difference.

8th Grade Event Assignment Due Thursday, September 9th!

Make sure to choose an event from the packet in class. If you did not choose one during class, I will continue to pass the packet around. You are welcome to stop by before or after school to sign up.

Yearbook Homework

Class Expectations Sheet signed by parent by Thursday, September 2nd.

Homework for August 30th 7th grade World History

All materials needed for class by Wednesday, September 1st.
Class Rules signed by parent due Thursday, September 2nd.

Homework for August 30th 8th US History

All materials for class by Wednesday, September 1st.
Class rules signed by parent by Thursday, September 2nd.
Movie Permission slip signed by parent Thursday, September 2nd.

8th grade US History Class Syllabus

This class will cover a variety of topics pertaining to the United States. Below is a list of the topics we will be discussing:
U.S Geography
The Growing Nation
13 Colonies
The Jackson Era
Slavery Manifest Destiny/Native Americans
American Revolution
Causes of the Civil War/Reconstruction
Articles of Confederation
The Growth of Industry/Immigration
U.S Constitution
Women's Suffrage/Reform Movements
Bill of Rights Political Cartoons

Class Expectations

I expect the following of all students:
On Time: Once you enter the class, students are to be in their seats and beginning to work on the daily warm up when the bell rings
Preparation: have writing utensils ready to be used, binders out and work completed daily.
Respectful: We are together for about 45 minutes everyday, have an open mind to different points of view, be kind to this classroom, persons in it and to yourself.
Attentive: Be an active listener to all speakers, prepare questions or answers for discussions.

Homework/Grading

Homework
There will be homework sent home weekly, not necessarily every night. There will be projects and larger assignments sent home to work on throughout the year. Assignments will be posted in class daily and online at: msmerloclass.blogspot.com. Students are responsible for their assignments!

Late Work
I accept late work throughout the year. Weekly homework assignments will earn half credit while larger assignments will receive a full grade lower than the original grade earned each day they are turned in after the due date. Please note: In the final trimester, many teachers change their late work policy.

Absent Work
Students will be given the amount of days they were absent from class to make up the missed assignment(s).


Grading Policy
Each assignment will be given a point value based on the assignment; Tests and Projects are worth more points. Grades will be based on a total of points possible for the trimester and a letter grade will be given for the points earned.
Note: for a minimum passing grade, students must complete at least 60% of the work at full credit.
94-100%=A 90-93%=A- 89-87%B+ 86-84%=B 83-80%=B- 79-77%=C+ 76-74%=C 73-70%=C- 69-67%=D+ 66-64%=D 63-60%=D- 59% and below=F

7th grade World History Class Syllabus

This class will cover a variety of topics pertaining to the world. Below is a list of the regions and time periods we will be discussing:

Medieval Europe
Early Japan
Islam and the Muslim Empires
Early Central American Civilizations
West Africa European Renaissance
Imperial China
Europe in to the Modern Age

For each unit, we will discuss a variety of aspects including but not limited to: religion, class structure, cultural achievements and geography