Projects and Assignments - CALENDAR
Week 31 (oops...where did week 30 go?) May 19 - 23
We'll be tying up the loose ends of our academic classes in the first part of this week. I look forward to picking your brains about what was great this year (and what we can improve next year) in Social Studies. We'll also get a little taste of next year's curriculum and discuss what we already know and what we're most curious about. We'll enjoy a local field trip and enrichment classes on Thursday and Friday.
Monday, May 19 - 08/09 preview. We'll look at the California State Standards for next year's studies. Topics include Ancient Rome, Early Christianity, Islam, Medieval Asia, Africa and Europe, and the Renaissance. We'll share what we already know, and make a list of the ideas that most intrigue us for next year. HOMEWORK: If you don't plan to use your textbook in the future, please bring it back to school so it can be reused.
Tuesday, May 20 - We'll continue yesterday's discussion, as well as checking in with grades. We may watch a video on one of the topics we've studied this year.
Wednesday, May 21 - To Be Announced.
Week 29 - May 5 - 9
This week we'll explore the exciting world of ancient Greek philosophy. Lovers of knowledge, rejoice! On Friday, each class will hold a "symposium" where we'll relax, recline, and discuss the philosophical ideas of the Greeks - and some of our own!
Monday, May 5 - We'll do some in-class readings containing background information about Greek philosophy. Each student will be assigned a Greek philosopher for the week. On Thursday, you'll present a "textbook page" about your philosopher to the class. Your page should be a standard-sized page that contains interesting information about your philosopher, as well as images, maps, diagrams, "discussion questions," etc., as well as a bibliography for your sources. On Thursday, you'll present your page to the class and give a brief presentation about your philosopher's life and ideas. Finally, you'll pose one interesting discussion question to the class based on your philosopher's ideas. Homework: Print out information, images, etc. about your philosopher for class Wednesday; we'll have a work day for your " textbook page."
Tuesday, May 6 - Today we'll read some excerpts from Plato's writings, and try our hand at the Socratic method! Homework: Make sure you have materials to work on your "textbook page" and presentation in class tomorrow. You will not have internet access, so come prepared with whatever information you need.
Wednesday, May 7 - Textbook page work day. You'll have all the paper, glue, pens, etc. you'll need to make your page beautiful, but no internet access, so come prepared!
Thursday, May 8 - Textbook page presentations/discussion. Homework: Bring cushions, picnic blankets, etc. for tomorrow's "symposium."
Friday, May 9 - We'll kick off our shoes for a Greek-style philosophy party!
Week 28 - April 28 - May 2
Awesome work on the festival last week! I hope you all had as much fun as I did. Did anyone else get a "toga tan" or was it just me?
Monday, April 28 - Today we reflected on our work for the festival. If you were absent, please write answers to the following questions and give them to me asap:
1. Describe your costume. Which pieces did you make? How was it historically accurate? 2. Describe how you contributed to making your city state's "stuff" (armor, chariot, medallions, flag, etc.). 3. Describe your contribution to your city state's play. 4. Which awards did your city state win (prove to me that you were rooting for your class!)? 5. Describe any other way in which you contributed. 6. How do you think the Greek Festival could be improved in the future?
Tuesday, April 29 - Research Papers and other assignments passed back, grade check-in. I'm still missing quite a few assignments. Your homework is to make sure that you have no zeros dragging your grade down. Here are make-up assignments for the most common missing assignments:
Hinduism/Buddhism Quiz: Choose two of the topic sentences listed in week 21's assignments and use your notes to write a paragraph for each topic sentence. Include at least three pieces of specific information from your notes to support each topic sentence. Please turn it in to me with a parent's note that states that you used only your notes, not your text, for the assignment.
Cartoon History Reading: If you have a zero for this assignment, it means you were here on the day that we read about the scary world of archaic Greece, but you didn't turn in to me the accompanying assignment (answering questions about the reading). Make-up assignment - Look up each of the following Greeks on dictionary.com (or a big fat dictionary, if you have one) and write the definitions: Oedipus, Antigone, Jason, Heracles, Orpheus, Iphegenia, Clytemnestra
Greek Play Proposal: Many people didn't turn in their proposal for the festival play. If I didn't get that from you, I need you to answer the following questions. 1. What was the first Greek drama a replacement for? 2. What does catharsis mean? 3. Which culture invented the alphabet? 4. The story of Dionysus is similar to the story of which Egyptian god? 5. Tragedy comes from "trag oida" which means ___________. 6. Dionysus was the god of _________.
After we check-in with grades, we'll start a fun Greek pottery activity. If you're absent, follow the links and design your own Greek vase at home... First, we'll learn the names and shapes of the main types of greek vases. Then, we'll learn about the difference between black figure and red figure vases at the Metropolitan Museum. Then, we'll try an online activity to learn how black-figure vases were made. Then comes the really fun part. We'll learn how to re-create the look of black figure pottery with oil pastels and tempera paint, and make some vases of our own!
27 - April 21 - 25
This week we'll continue our preparations for the festival, which is THIS FRIDAY!!!!. You can peruse my Festival Page (follow the link or click the button on the navigation bar to the left of my website) if you have questions about any element of the festival.
Monday, April 21 - We'll write Greek-style ODES. If you're absent, see the section on odes on the Festival Page and write your own ode (it can be traditional, like Keats', or free-form) to turn in to me when you get back. We'll select the best ode from each city state to be read at the festival! Homework: Gather materials for your masks, costumes, props, flags, chariots, charioteers' helmets, armor, and ????? If in doubt, bring it tomorrow!
Tuesday, April 22 - Humongous double-period work day. Yay! Everyone did such a wonderful job last Thursday, and I know we'll have a super productive day today putting the finishing touches on all our projects. Homework: Work on your costume, etc. for the festival.
Wednesday, April 23 - We'll rehearse our plays today, and make sure all of our props and costumes are working properly. Homework: Work on your costume, etc. for the festival.
Thursday, April 24 - We'll practice some of the athletic competitions and work on whatever needs work. Homework: Get lots of sleep, have a good breakfast, and pray to the Gods of Olympus for victory at the festival tomorrow! Remember your athletic shoes for the afternoon's competitions.
Friday, April 25 - FESTIVAL!
Week 26 - April 14 - 18
This week each city-state will begin rehearsing the play they'll present at the festival. We'll make our own masks and props during Thursday's double period work day. We'll also learn about traditional Greek music and dancing, and get a head start planning our costumes.
Monday, April 14 - Today we'll warm up with some ancient Greek phrases, and then learn about the dress of the ancient Greeks. If you're absent, see the links on the festival page to start planning your costume. See Living in Style at Odyssey Online, too! Homework: Start gathering materials for your costume.
Tuesday, April 15 - Today we will finish writing our class plays and sketch the costumes, masks, and props. Homework: Memorize your lines or begin your prop/costume assignments. Gather materials for Thursday's work day.
Wednesday, April 16 - Today we will begin rehearsing class plays. 3rd period will have a special lesson in Greek dance. Ongoing Homework: Memorize your lines and work on your prop/costume assignments. Gather materials for Thursday's work day.
Thursday, April 17 - Double period work day for masks, props, costumes, chariots, armor etc!
Thursday, April 18 - All classes will have a lesson in Greek Dance as well as time to work on rehearsing their play. Homework: Work on your costume and props over the weekend.
Week 25 - April 7 - 11
This week we'll be learning about daily life in ancient Greece and preparing for the Greek Festival! No homework this week in honor of Friday's Science Fair!
Monday, April 7 - Hooray! Today we'll celebrate as we turn in our RESEARCH PAPERS! I'll also hand back some old work and check in about grades. As we fill up our stomachs with refined sugars, we'll decide upon a motto and logo for our city-state.
Tuesday, April 8 - We'll read a segment of the Cartoon History about the possible origins of Greek theatre. Then, we'll read some segments of ancient comedies and tragedies and learn about how they were performed. If we have time, we'll begin writing our own Greek-style play!
Wednesday, April 9 - Each city-state will work on the play that they will present for the Festival. Roles as well as costume and props assignments will be given.
Thursday, April 10 - "Work Day" for each city-state to work on one aspect of festival preparations.
Friday, April 11 - No Classes, Science Fair tonight!
Week 24 - March 31 - April 4
This week we'll put the finishing touches on our research papers. Final drafts will be due Monday, April 6. We'll also begin our unit on Ancient Greece and our preparations for the Greek Festival!
Monday, March 31 - Video: Tibetan Buddhism. No homework.
Tuesday, April 1 - RP rough drafts will be handed back. I'll meet with each of you and discuss ways to improve your research papers. When you're not meeting with me, you'll be reading the Cartoon History (pg. 203-225) working on a geography worksheet and a Greek alphabet activity. Homework (All week): Work on your final draft for Monday.
Wednesday, April 2 - Today you'll get your city-state assignment for the Greek Festival and we'll go over the different parts of the festival.
Thurdsay, April 3 and Friday, April 4 - TBA - Check back later in the week! Remember, RP final drafts are due MONDAY!
Week 23 - March 10 - 14
After our open notes, short-answer quiz Monday (you'll be writing on two of the four topics listed in Week 21's assignments), the rest of the week we will focus on our research papers. Instead of collecting body paragraphs on Tuesday, I've decided that I'll collect a rough draft of your full paper on Friday. Tuesday we'll talk bibliographies, Wednesday we'll write our introductions and conclusions, and Thursday will be a work day. Your ongoing homework is to work on your RP rough draft; bring your RP materials every day. 8th graders may have a slightly modified schedule because of shadowing at the upper school.
Monday, March 10 - Open notes, short answer quiz. Writing topics are posted in Week 21. Homework: Work on writing your body paragraphs.
Tuesday, March 11 - We'll work on our bibliographies in the MLA style. You can use Noodlebib if your like, or do them by hand. Remember to consult my original assignment handout to make sure you have all the sources you need. Homework: Work on your body paragraphs and bibliography.
Wednesday, March 12 - Today we'll write our introductions and conclusions in class. We'll share them with our classmates and revise them together. Homework: Work on your body paragraphs, bibliography, and introduction and conclusion.
Thursday, March 13 - In-class work day, research papers. Homework: Make sure your rough draft is ready to be turned in tomorrow. It should be typed and formatted according to my original assignment handout, with no obvious spelling or grammatical errors.
Week 22 - March 3 - 7
This week we'll alternate our studies of Hinduism and Buddhism with work on our research paper.
Monday, March 3 - Periods 1,2, and 4 will watch Sunita's presentation and fill in this handout. Period three will plan the topics of each body paragraph of their research paper and start outlining one of those paragraphs. Homework: Finish "newspaper article" if you didn't do so in class; bring research paper materials for work day tomorrow.
Tuesday, March 4 - Mega-Gigantic, Double Period, Research Paper Work Day. By the end of the day, you will turn in your list of body paragraph topics that we did in class, stapled together with outlines for each of the body paragraphs that you plan to write. If you don't have enough information but you know you want to write about a topic, fill out as much of the outline as you can; some blanks are okay.
Wednesday, March 5 - In-class reading. 16.5, 16.6, 16.7 and take notes. Homework: Bring research paper materials for work day tomorrow.
Thursday, March 6 - Mega-Gigantic, Double Period, Research Paper Work Day, Part II. We'll begin writing our body paragraphs. Homework for Tuesday: Rough draft of body paragraphs.
Friday, March 7 - Getty Field Trip!
Week 21 - February 25 - 29
This week we'll explore two religious traditions of ancient India: Hinduism and Buddhism. We'll also take a field trip to the Santa Barbara Library, and take time to work on our research papers.
Next week, you'll take a quiz that will ask you to write about Hinduism and Buddhism. You will be writing paragraphs for one or more of the following topic sentences, so be prepared (!): 1) A key belief of Hinduism is that the universe, and everything in it, is in a constant state of change. 2) While Buddhism has much in common with Hinduism, it also has many differences. 3) For ancient Hindus, your "dharma" depended on your "varna." 4) Hindus and Buddhists believe that karma helps to explain the inequality and suffering in the world. It would be a good idea to keep these concepts in mind as you read and take notes.
Monday, February 25 - In-Class reading: 15.6, 15.7, 15.8 and 15.9 and take notes. Class Discussion. If you are absent, do this as homework. Bring your book tomorrow!
Tuesday, February 26 - We'll learn about (and try!) some yoga, an interesting part of the Hindu tradition. Class/Homework: Read 16.1, 16.2, 16.3 and 16.4 and take notes. Bring your library card and book list (Title, Author, Call Number) for tomorrow.
Wednesday, February 27 - Santa Barbara Public Library Field Trip! Remember, look for books you will actually READ and ENJOY! Think: Juvenile Non-Fiction! If you find one good book on your topic, spend the rest of the time helping your friends rather than accumulating more books than you will read! REMEMBER YOUR LIBRARY CARD AND BOOK LIST!
Thursday, February 28 - Research paper work day. This will be the last in-class time devoted to reading and note-taking. I will also give you a handout for your outline. I will be checking your notes at the end of class to make sure that you have been using your time well! If your notes are not complete (complete and containing the key information you want to include in your paper), I'll expect to see complete notes at the beginning of next week.
Friday, February 29 - We have delayed Sunita's presentation in 1st, 2nd and 4th periods until next week. With all classes, we will be planning the topics of our R.P. body paragraphs. If you were absent, make sure you print out and understand the outline handout we discussed yesterday, and plan your body paragraphs like this: For a research paper on the Tower of Babel, P1 Ziggurats, P2 Biblical Account, P3 Mesopotamian Accounts, P4 Archaeological Remains, P5 Origin of Languages. Homework: Take home one of your library books and take notes.
Week 20 - February 11 - 15
Whew - the year's racing by! Check out the Calendar to see the schedule up until the Greek Festival. My tentative due date for the Research Papers is Friday, March 14, before Spring Trips. This week we'll begin a whirlwind two-week unit on the ancient civilizations of India.
Monday, February 11 - We'll see the final segments of "Promises." We'll consider what we've learned in a written response to the following two prompts: 1. Describe three things you learned from the documentary. 2. How can young people contribute to making peace in a time of war? Homework: Finish your response to the documentary, if you did not not finish in class.
Tuesday, February 12 - Research Skills, continued. We'll explore Infotrac, Public Library Databases, and the Public Library Catalog. Homework for Friday: Print one more internet source for Friday, preferably from one of the academic databases you just learned about. Also, make a list of at least 3 items you might want to check out in the Santa Barbara Library (list title, author, call number). Bring EVERYTHING in your research folder for Friday.
Wednesday, February 13 - We'll explore the geography of India with Google Earth. Homework: Work on your research!
Thursday, February 14 - We'll read 5.1 - 5.5 in History Alive and take notes. Homework: Work on your research!
Friday, February 15 - Research Paper work day. Bring your research folder today!
Week 19 - February 4 - 8
As a follow-up to last week's "Peace Talks" assignment, we'll be watching parts of a documentary about children in Israel and the Palestinian territories. We'll also spend time learning how to find quality research from various internet sources.
Monday, February 4 - We will watch and discuss parts of the documentary "Promises." If you are absent, you can watch it on YouTube. No Homework.
Tuesday, February 5 - Research Skills. We'll explore ABC-Clio as an internet source. I'll also explain the process of reviewing an internet source that you found by "Googling." Homework: By Thursday, bring to class at least two sources for your research paper topic (your Encyclopedia Brittanica article already counts as one). Any "Googled" sites must be reviewed.
Wednesday, February 6 - We'll explore and analyze several interesting parts of the Hebrew Bible. Make sure to talk to me today if you are having trouble with research.
Thursday, February 7 - You'll have time to read and take notes from your internet sources. There will also be time to "check in" with the class and share some of what you've learned.
Friday, February 8 - To Be Announced....
Week 18 - January 28 - February 1
This week we'll begin working in earnest on the research paper - or should I say, "radical project," as many 7th graders have dubbed it? Classtime will be spent learning research paper skills and holding another debate. We have been reading about the ancient struggles of the Jewish people to maintain their culture and religion. This week we'll learn more about the modern continuation of this struggle, and the modern state of Israel. We'll take on roles to examine perspectives on either side of the Israeli-Palestinian debate, and examine how ancient history connects to the present day.
Monday, January 28 - Today in class you will turn in your first, second and third choices for research paper topics. I will explain the process of getting a public library card. We'll spend the rest of the day learning background information about our Israeli/Palestinian Peace Talk project. Homework: 3 points extra credit for students who bring their library card (or a card willingly loaned by a parent) by next Monday.
Tuesday, January 29 - I'll hand out a calendar with important dates for the research paper. Final research paper topics will be decided. We'll review how to use Encyclopedia Brittanica online. Remaining class time will be spent preparing for our Peace Talks. Homework: Print at least one Encyclopedia Brittanica article on your topic. Due Thursday.
Wednesday, January 30 - If we haven't done so already, I will assign roles for the Peace Talks project. You will meet in groups to discuss your roles and perspectives on the topics we will be trying to resolve in class: territory/security/refugee rights. If you are having trouble with your research, be sure to see me today!
Thursday, January 31 - We'll spend time highlighting and taking notes from our encyclopedia sources. I'll introduce the research folders. Peace Talks will begin.
Friday, February 1 - Class will be devoted to the Peace Talks discusion. Homework: See Monday's Extra Credit
Week 17 - January 21 -25
Tuesday, January 22 - We'll finish sharing our "symbolic suppers" and read an action-packed Biblical passage about the Ten Commandments. After a discussion, we'll be writing our own commandments...laying out the 10 basic tenets of the worthwhile activity of your choice. Homework: Bring your textbook from home for tomorrow!
Wednesday, January 23 - We'll have a discussion of our textbook reading in chapters 11 and 12, followed by the "unveiling" of the 2008 research paper topics and basic guidelines. There will be plenty of time to ask questions about topics and explore different possibilities.
Thursday, January 24 - To be announced!
Week 16 - January 14 - 18
This week we'll see Egyptian civilization from another perspective: that of the ancient Israelites. We'll do readings and watch a video, "Walking the Bible," to uncover the roots of monotheism.
Monday, January 14 - Quiz: History Alive Chapter 9. Reading from How Do You Spell God? by Rabbi Marc Gellman and Monsignor Thomas Hartman, exploring the Hebrew Bible. No Homework.
Tuesday, January 15- In-class video, "Walking the Bible" Episode Two: The Israelites in Egypt. Click here to see a summary of the video. Homework: Read 11.1, 11.2 and 11.3 of History Alive and take notes.
Wednesday, January 16 - In-class reading in History Alive: 11.4, 11.5 and 11.6, notes and discussion. No Homework.
Thursday, January 17 - Class discussion: How can we be tolerant of and sensitive to others' religious beliefs? No Homework.
Friday, January 18 - In-class activities. Stretch your mind and write your own Ten Commandments. Tableaux to review this week's main ideas. Homework: Read 12.1 and 12.2 of History Alive and take notes.
Week 15 - January 7 - 11
Happy New Year!!! We'll ease back into the swing of things by performing our Isis and Osiris puppet show for the 6th graders. We'll refresh our memory about Egyptian civilization with readings from History Alive, and we'll put our knowledge of Egyptian society into action with a fun debate!
Monday, January 7 - Run through of Isis/Osiris Puppet show. In-Class Reading: History Alive 9.1 and 9.2 and take notes. Homework: Read History Alive 9.3 and 9.4 and take notes (use the T-chart or another organizational technique that works for you - don't just write phrases randomly!).
Tuesday, January 8- We may perform the puppet show today. If not, we'll be reading History Alive 9.5, 9.6, and 9.7 and taking notes. Homework: Read History Alive 9.5, 9.6. and 9.7 and take notes, If we didn't do so in class.
Wednesday, January 9 - Now that you've read about all of Egypt's social classes, you'll be assigned to take the role of one: a pharaoh, government official, priest, scribe, artisan, or peasant. I will present the class with a list of debate topics, and you will prepare your responses in class. Homework: None (although you may wish to work on your notes for Monday's quiz).
Thursday, January 10 - The Great Egyptian Debate! Homework: None (although you may wish to work on your notes for Monday's quiz).
Friday, January 11 - Today we'll watch selections from the documentary "Walking the Bible" that tie into Egyptian civilization as well as that of the ancient Israelites. Homework: Prepare for Monday's quiz on History Alive Chapter 9 and notes from the Egypt Blog.
Week 14 - December 17 - 20
This week we'll be putting our creative and dramatic skills to work on a "puppet-y" adaptation of the Egyptian myth of Isis and Osiris. We'll also tie up some loose ends (thank-yous for guest speakers, how on earth do they put up those obelisks???).
Monday, December 17 - You'll have group work time to work on your puppets, props, and lines. Homework: Bring any materials that your group needs.
Tuesday, December 18 - More group work time. Depending on how much time we have, we may work on thank-yous or finish the obelisk video in class.
Wednesday, December 19 - Performances of Isis and Osiris!
Week 13 - December 10 - 14
After our quiz on Monday, we'll finish our fabulous Egyptian-style drawings and display them around the classroom. For the rest of the week, we'll be adding to our knowledge of Egyptian art and architecture as we begin to design our own Egyptian monuments. We will also read from the Cartoon History and History Alive.
Monday, December 10 - Quiz on Hammurabi, Abraham, Egyptian geography, and Chapter 8 of History alive. We'll also finish our Egyptian-style drawings. No homework.
Tuesday, December 11 - Essays will be passed back and grades posted. We will discuss and take notes on different elements of Egyptian architecture. We'll also look at some famous Egyptian monuments. No homework.
Wednesday, December 12 - Today we'll have a "show and tell" session thanks to the Andreas family. Then we'll watch two segments of two documentaries, "Secrets of the Pharaohs" and "Obelisk." If you were absent, check the Egypt Blog for notes on the films. Homework: Write a "body paragraph" based on the information you got from the films. Begin your paragraph with a strong topic sentence, and support the sentence with facts from the films.
Thursday, December 13 - Today we reviewed and revised our body paragraphs and watched an intriguing video about Egyptian mummification! Homework: Revise and type your final draft of your "body paragraph" to turn in tomorrow.
Friday, December 14 - Today we will conclude the video on mummification. We'll read the important Egyptian myth of Isis and Osiris. If you are absent, go to this page to read the myth. No Homework.
Week 12 - December 3 - 7
We ended last week with a fun reading about Abraham, a "founding father" of three of the world's great religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In the reading, Abraham left the city of Ur, in Mesopotamia, and led his family to the land of Canaan. As you may recall, the descendants of Abraham multiplied and divided until a group of them immigrated to Egypt. This week we'll follow in their footsteps, and begin an exploration of the amazing world of ancient Egypt.
Monday, December 3 - We'll do a short reading in the Cartoon History to introduce us to Egyptian civilization. We'll take some notes on the geography of Egypt (check the new Egypt blog if you're absent). I'll pass out your personal copies of our DELIGHTFUL new textbook, History Alive. We'll read section 8.1 together and discuss ways to take notes as you read. Homework: Read 8.2 and 8.3 and take notes.
Tuesday, December 4 - Draw like an Egyptian. Egyptians are famous for their unique drawing style. Today we'll explore the characteristics of Egyptian drawing/painting and create our own Egyptian-style masterpiece. Homework: Read 8.4 and 8.5 and take notes.
Wednesday, December 5 - Field Trip! Homework: Read 8.6 and 8.7
Thursday, December 6 - Write like an Egyptian. We'll learn about hieroglyphs, ancient Egypt's mysterious writing system. We'll also learn about the exciting story of the Rosetta Stone, the artifact that helped archaologists decipher hieroglyphs. Homework: Study for tomorrow's quiz.
Friday, December 7 - We'll play a rousing game of Review Jeopardy to review for Monday's quiz. Homework: Prepare for open notes quiz on: Hammurabi's Laws, Abraham, Egyptian geography, and Chapter 8 of History Alive.
Week 11 - November 26 - 30
We'll start out the week with a fun activity about Hammurabi, the Babylonian king who is famous for his code of laws. We'll have a short quiz on Wednesday to refresh our memory about Sumerian civilization. Towards the end of the week, we'll work on the final draft of our Gilgamesh essay, with special attention to structure and organization.
Monday, November 26 - Today, you'll be confronted with a number of legal quandries faced by King Hammurabi of Babylon (circa 1800 B.C.). In groups, you'll take justice into your own hands and decide on punishments for crimes ranging from punching your dad, to faulty house construction. Then you'll learn about Hammurabi's ruling in each case. If you miss class, check for blog updates of class notes on Hammurabi.
Tuesday, November 27 - We'll take Hammurabi's code a step further, and create a Hammurabean code for our own classroom. Watch out -- it'll be an eye for an eye around here! Your Gilgamesh rough drafts will be passed back. Homework: Take home your essays and read my comments carefully. If I suggested different wording or organization, try to understand WHY I made those suggestions. Brainstorm ideas to improve your essay, and bring your rough draft tomorrow: it will be a work day.
Wednesday, November 28 - Open-notes quiz on: Basic Mesopotamia, The Epic of Gilgamesh, Sumerian Gods, and Hammurabi. Check the blog and make sure your notes are complete. Today will be an essay work day.
Thursday, November 29 - More essay writing/study skills activities.
Friday, November 30 - Final draft of your Gilgamesh essay is due. Cartoon History of the Universe class reading: The Hebrew "Founding Fathers"
Week 10 - November 12 + 13
We'll be in class Monday and Tuesday - Enjoy your internships and conferences (insert evil laugh here: mwah-ha-ha-ha-ha!!!!) during the second part of the week.
Monday, November 12 - Today I'll collect 8th grade's rough drafts of Gilgamesh essays. 7th grade will fill out conference preparation sheets. Both classes will be working on the Mesopotamian Gods Pantheon Project - creating a (nearly) life-size drawing of the Mesopotamian deity of your choice.
Tuesday, November 13 - Today we'll finish our Pantheon project and post awesome pictures to the new Mesopotamia blog! Homework: I've posted two sets of class notes to the blog...make sure the information contained therein is also in your own notes in your Social Studies binder. We'll have an open-notes "memory-refresher" quiz the Tuesday we return.
Special Announcement: Check out and post to our new blog!
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Week 9 - November 5 - 9
This week we will be polishing our performance of our Gilgamesh Play, and beginning an essay on the story of Gilgamesh.
Monday, November 5 - Finish costumes and props, rehearse in groups.
Tuesday, November 6 - Double period Social Studies. We will perform for the 6th graders during 2nd and 3rd periods. 1st and 4th periods will be devoted to work on the essay project. Link here to see 7th and 8th grade programs for the play.
Wednesday, November 7 - Essay work time/Mesopotamia Jeopardy.
Thursday, November 8 - Field trip, no class.
Friday, November 9 - ROUGH DRAFT OF ESSAY DUE. Today we will put together a classroom display that showcases different aspect of Mesopotamian civilization.
Week 8 - October 29-November 2
This week we will finish reading and perform A Gilgamesh Play for Teen Readers. We will also put together a classroom display that showcases different aspects of Mesopotamian civilization.
Monday, October 29 - Continue reading A Gilgamesh Play - No homework
Tuesday, October 30 - You will receive your scene and role assignment for our performance of the play and begin to rehearse- Homework: Read over your lines at home
Wednesday, October 31 - Class time will be spent in rehearsal, and making props and costumes - No homework
Thursday, November 1 - You will be assigned a reading about one aspect of Mesopotamian civilization to read in class. Class/Homework: Make an 11x14 inch display that presents your topic. Due Monday!
Friday, November 2 - Performance of our play!
Week 7 - October 22-26
This week we'll be concluding our unit on human origins, and beginning our unit on Mesopotamia.
Monday, October 22 - Today we'll finish the assessment activity on hominids; you'll be looking at each class' display, identifying which hominid you think left the artifacts, and giving supporting evidence for your choice. We'll also finish up the tableaux of "The World in 3300." No homework.
Tuesday, October 23 - We will use Google Earth to explore the geography of the Middle East. We'll be learning the names and locations of the countries in the Middle East today. Homework: Work on your map handout (due Thursday). Use these maps to help you: Middle East Asia Europe and Africa, or download Google Earth to your home computer.
Wednesday, October 24 - Today we'll be looking at artifacts from Mesopotamian society to learn about the art, religion, economy, government, technology, and writing of Mesopotamia. Work on your map handout.
Thursday, October 25 - Map handout due. We will begin reading a dramatic version of "The Epic of Gilgamesh" in class.
Friday, October 26 - No Social Studies today - double period of Language Arts to prepare for the festival.