Assignments Page

Welcome! You can see assignments posted weekly here, or link below to general expectations and repeating assignments.

Week of May 11 - May 15

This week we'll take our final quiz, do some fun review activities, and perfect our research papers before final drafts are due next Monday.

Monday, May 11 - 1st period will finish the Jeopardy game. 2nd period will choose whether to play review charades/pictionary or have time to study together. 7th graders will have a double period of Language Arts. Homework: Study for tomorrow's quiz and make sure your notes are complete.

Tuesday, May 12 - Renaissance Quiz. I will turn back some of the Research Papers. Homework: Work on the final draft of your research papers, due Monday, May 18.

Wednesday, May 13 - I will turn back the remaining Research Papers. Fun activities to review all we've learned this year. Homework: Work on the final draft of your research papers, due Monday, May 18.

Thursday, May 14 - Video or other activity TBA. Homework: Work on the final draft of your research papers, due Monday, May 18.

Friday, May 15 - Track Meet, no classes!

Week of May 4 - May 8

This week we'll continue working on our Research Papers (complete rough drafts due Friday) while finishing up our studies of the Renaissance in preparation for next Tuesday's quiz.

Monday, May 4 - Thesis Workshop...we'll work together to make sure we each have a dynamite thesis. If time permits, we'll work on "identifying" the mystery Renaissance people from last week's activity. Homework: Work on your remaining body paragraphs.

Tuesday, May 5 - I will hand back your first six body paragraphs with comments. Please make all suggested changes in the next few days- I will not repeat myself when I make comments on your full rough drafts! Introduction and Conclusion Workshop...we'll make sure that our brilliant theses are set in beautiful introductions and conclusions - so that they may sparkle more brightly! Homework: Work on your remaining body paragraphs, and begin typing up your introductions and conclusions that we worked on in class.

Wednesday, May 6 - Bibliography Workshop - We'll review the MLA style and answer frequently-asked bibliography questions. I'll explain in-text citations. If time permits, we'll continue identifying the mystery Renaissance people! Homework: Work on all aspects of your paper. Complete rough draft due Friday. Don't forget: correct formatting, proofreading, strong topic sentences, juicy hook, interesting title, in-text citations, bibilography!

Thursday, May 7 - I'll distribute the study guide for next Tuesday's Renaissance quiz. You will have time to complete your reading and notes on Chapters 28, 29, and 30. Those who are already finished will have the opportunity to complete an extra credit assignment. Homework: Work on all aspects of your paper. Complete rough draft due Friday. Don't forget: correct formatting, proofreading, multi-part thesis, strong topic sentences, juicy hook, interesting title, in-text citations, bibilography!

Friday, May 8 - Turn in complete rough drafts. Renaissance Jeopardy!!! Homework: Relax in the back yard with a tall glass of lemonade.

Week of April 27 - May 1

A big thank you to all the students, teachers, and parents who made the Renaissance Faire a great success! This week we'll return to our work on our research papers and continue to do readings and activities about the Renaissance.

Monday, April 26 - In-class Renaissance Faire self evaluation. Finish Chapter 28 (sections 3,4,5 and 6 and accompanying reading notes). Homework: Be ready for tomorrow's Research Paper Work Day, and begin typing your first 3 body paragraphs for Wednesday.

Tuesday, April 28 - Field Trip Homework: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd body paragraphs, typed, double spaced, proofread, due tomorrow.

Wednesday, April 29 - Writing strong topic sentences. Homework: 4th, 5th, and 6th body paragraphs due Friday.

Thursday, April 30 - Begin Chapter 30 "Mystery Renaissance Person" activity. Homework: First six body paragraphs due tomorrow.

Friday, May 1 - RP Work Day: peer editing, review introductions and conclusions. Homework: Remaining body paragraphs due Tuesday.

Week of April 20 - 24

This week we'll continue our study of the Renaissance with readings and activities in Chapter 29 while completing our booths and costumes for Friday's Faire!

Monday, April 20 - I'll make a list of table and easy-up requests. Together, we'll read the 29.1 and 29.2 and you'll travel around the room in small groups to complete readings and activities on the rest of Chapter 29. Note: Information from Chapter 28 Reading Notes will be included on our culminating quiz on the Renaissance, but this reading will not be due until later next week. Homework this week: If you are absent Monday and Tuesday, plan on reading Chapter 29 and doing the Reading Notes. Otherwise, your homework is to prepare your costume and booth for Friday's Faire.

Tuesday, April 21 - You'll continue yesterday's readings and activities and finish Chapter 29 and the accompanying Reading Notes.

Wednesday, April 22 - Renaissance Faire Work Day

Thursday, April 23 - Renaissance Faire Work Day

Friday, April 24 - Renaissance Faire - Don't forget your costume, booth decorations, and activities!

Week of April 14 - 17

This week we'll delve into several textbook readings on the Renaissance as we begin to prepare for the Renaissance Faire. I'll be meeting with individuals to talk about Research Paper outlines and your Renaissance Faire booths. Thursday and Friday will be work days - be prepared and bring all the materials you need!

Tuesday, April 14 - I'll collect your Research Paper outlines and your Renaissance Faire Planning Handouts. I'll speak briefly about your costume, booth, and character at the faire and review the resources available to you on my website. We'll learn the first in a series of Renaissance vocabulary words! I'll meet with individuals about your Renaissance Faire booths as you begin reading Chapter 28. You'll read 28.1 and 28.2 and do Preview 28 in your ISN. Continue reading 28 and doing Reading Notes 28 in your ISN. Homework: Gather materials for Thursday and Friday workdays. You may work on your costume, your booth, or any other aspect of the Faire.

Wednesday, April 15 - We'll review yesterday's reading and learn a new Renaissance vocabulary word. You will begin reading Chapter 29 and doing the reading notes as I continue to meet with individuals about the Renaissance Faire booths and your Research Paper outlines. Homework: Gather materials for Thursday and Friday workdays. You may work on your costume, your booth, or any other aspect of the Faire.

Thursday, April 16 - Renaissance Faire Work Day. Homework: Gather materials for Friday workday. You may work on your costume, your booth, or any other aspect of the Faire.

Friday, April 17 - Renaissance Faire Work Day No Homework.

Attention: Research Paper Outlines will not be due until Thursday, March 26. You may plan to work on your outline Thursday in class, just be prepared to show me a mostly-completed outline by the end of class.

Week of March 23 - 27

Monday, March 23: Research paper work day. I will check that you have the following sources: 2 encyclopedia - type sources, at least one book, and one WWW source. Be prepared to read, take notes, and begin working on your outline. Homework for Thursday: Outlines due!

Tuesday, March 24: We will go over the requirements for the Renaissance Faire project and you will have time to brainstorm about your booth, character, and costume in class. Homework for Thursday: Outlines and Renaissance Faire Planning Handout.

Wednesday, March 25: Research paper work day. Bring all your sources and plan to work on your outline. Homework for Tomorrow: Outlines and Renaissance Faire Planning Handouts due!

Thursday, March 26: Research paper work day. I will be checking outlines and Renaissance Faire Planning Handouts throughout the day. Homework for Break: Finish your outline and bring it to class on the day we get back from break. Begin to gather booth and costume materials for the Renaissance Faire and be ready for a work day as soon as the day after we come back to school.

Friday, March 27: Science Fair, No Classes.

Week of March 16 - 20

This week we'll continue to research for our papers and prepare for Friday's library visit. We'll also finish Promises and learn about Muslim contributions to world civilization.

Monday, March 16 - We'll explore how to use the online public library catalog. If you do not already have a library card, make sure you have one by Friday. (It's easy...just stop by the Solvang Library and fill out the form!) We'll do an activity to get to know the SB Library Catalog and Infotrac. We'll also review ways to take notes or make notecards. Homework for Wednesday: In your log, write down the call numbers and titles of at least three books that you might want to check out from the library.

Tuesday, March 17 - Classes that have not finished Promises will do so. Those who have finished will meet in groups to discuss the film and present ways that children around the world can help end violent conflicts such as the one in Israel/Palestine. Homework: see above.

Wednesday, March 18 - RP work day. I'll check book lists and notes. We'll talk about "Googleing" for sources, and how to tell a reliable source from a less reliable one. You will have any remaining time to work on research and notes. Homework: Have your sources in class on Monday: 2 Encyclopedia-like sources, your books, and 1 WWW source (please don't find this until we've covered it in class).

Thursday, March 19 - We'll cover the information in Chapter 10, Contributions of Muslims to World Civilization, with an alphabet game. Homework: See above. Be sure to bring your book list, library card, log, and a pencil for our library trip tomorrow.

Friday, March 20 - Trip to the S.B. Library. Homework: Please look over your books this weekend and bring them to class on Monday. Have your sources in class on Monday: 2 Encyclopedia-like sources, your books, and 1 WWW source

Week of March 9 - 13

This week we'll continue watching the documentary Promises about how the Israeli Palestinian Conflict affects the lives of the region's children. We'll also begin researching our research paper topics as we prepare for our trip to the Santa Barbara Library on Friday.

Monday, March 9 - Promises Video. Homework for Tuesday: Use macspage.com to print out an Encyclopedia Brittanica article on your topic.

Tuesday, March 10 - We'll review the marks of a reliable research resource vs. a dubious one. We'll use our encyclopedia articles to help us make a list of research search terms for our topic. We'll learn to use the Gale Reference Center as a research resource. We'll also discuss interesting sites such as PBS and National Geographic. Homework for Thursday: Print out at least one additional piece of research from one of the sites on macspage.

Wednesday, March 11 - Promises Video. Homework for Thursday: Print out at least one additional piece of research from one of the sites on macspage.

Thursday, March 12 - We'll review notetaking skills and spend classtime reading our resources on our topics and taking notes. Homework for tomorrow: Write a paragraph summary about what you've discovered about your topic through research so far. Your paragraph should include the following information: what sources you've located, three interesting facts you've learned, and two questions that you still have about your topic. Be prepared to share your work in class tomorrow.

Friday, March 13 - Promises Video. No Homework.

Week of March 2 - 6

We'll continue our investigation of how Islamic beliefs influence current events, through video clips and news articles. Later in the week, we'll begin doing research for our research papers. Lesson Plans

Monday, March 2 - We'll finish watching the Frontline "Ordinary Muslims" videos. Homework for tomorrow: write down your first, second, and third choices of research paper topics, and give a reason why you are interested in each, on a separate piece of paper.

Tuesday, March 3 - Today we'll read and discuss a news interview with Osama bin Laden. We'll look at bin Laden's interpretation of jihad. Homework, due Thursday: Option 1: In your log, write a letter to Osama bin Laden. Respond to his ideas about jihad (from the interview), and tell him your own ideas. Use your knowledge of Islam to address his terrorist tactics. Suggest some alternative methods he and his followers might consider to bring about the change they want to see. Option 2: Interview an adult about the Israeli Palestinian Conflict. Ask them at least five questions and record your questions and their answers in your log. Try to find out information about what part of the world the conflict is in, who is fighting, who the victims are, what started the conflict, and why it hasn't been resolved yet.

Wednesday, March 4 - Today we'll continue looking at the bin Laden interview. Homework: see above.

Thursday, March 5 - Today we'll finish the bin Laden interview. We'll share our interviews about the Israeli Palestinian conflict to prepare for the film Promises, which we'll be watching in the coming days. No Homework.

Friday, March 6 - Today you'll get your assignment for the research paper project. I'll show you how to use macspage to print out an encyclopedia article. We'll begin the film Promises. Homework for Tuesday: Use macspage.com to print out an Encyclopedia Brittanica article on your topic.

Week of Feb. 23 - 27

This week we'll learn about the Islamic concepts of shari'ah and jihad, and examine specific ways that they come into play in current events. Lesson Plans

Monday, Feb. 23 - Final day to work on posters or manuscripts. Homework: Posters and manuscripts due tomorrow.

Tuesday, Feb. 24 - Today we will have short classes, and we may miss class completely. If we do have class time, we will share posters and manuscripts before turning them in. Homework: Read 9.9 and 9.10 and do Reading Notes 9.9 and 9.10.

Wednesday, Feb. 25 - After reviewing the ideas of jihad and shari'ah together, we will do a pre-viewing activity and view video clips from Frontline: Portraits of Ordinary Muslims. No Homework.

Thursday, Feb. 26 - We will continue the "Ordinary Muslims" activity. No Homework.

Friday, Feb. 27 - I'll pass out and explain the list of possible research paper topics. Homework for Tuesday is to write down your first, second, and third choices of paper topics, and give a reason why you are interested in each, on a separate piece of paper.

Week of Feb. 9 - 13

This week we'll learn about the teachings of Islam. Later in the week, you'll be able to choose between two assignments: an illuminated manuscript about the life of Muhammad, or a poster about one of the Five Pillars of Islam, the Qur'an and the Sunnah, Shari'ah, or Jihad.

Monday, Feb. 9 - Finish the activity on the Life of Muhammad. Students read 8.7 and 8.8 and complete Reading Notes 8 in the ISN. Homework: Read 9.1, 9.2 and 9.3 and complete Reading Notes 9.3 in the ISN.

Tuesday, Feb. 10 - Discuss 8.7 and 8.8 reading notes. Homework: Read 9.4, 9.5, and 9.6 and do the reading notes.

Wednesday, Feb. 11 - Review 9.1 to 9.6. Finish Chapter 9, and the accompanying reading notes in the ISN. Discuss how the Pillars of Faith are similar or different to individual students' own secular and religious values. Begin manuscript and poster assignments. Homework: Work on your manuscript or poster, which you will present in class on Friday.

Thursday, Feb. 12 - Manuscript and poster work day. Homework: Work on your poster or manuscript.

Friday, Feb. 13 - Manuscript and poster work day. Homework over break: You will have some time Monday to work on your poster or manuscript. It is due the Tuesday after break.

Wedesday, Feb. 11.

Week of Feb. 2 - 6

This week we'll learn about the life of and teachings of Muhammad. We'll also prepare for a quiz on Friday.

Monday, Feb. 2 - Happy Groundhog Day! Today we'll finish our "Medieval Travel Channel" presentations on the geography of the Arabian peninsula. We'll read 8.1 and 8.2 together, then begin Lesson 8, an activity about the life of Muhammad. Homework: Go over your study guide for Friday's quiz. Make sure your notes and ISN are complete. Study for the quiz a little bit each night.

Tuesday, Feb. 3 - We'll finish Lesson 8, the activity about the life of Muhammad. We will begin an illuminated manuscript project to put together all of our knowledge of Muhammad's life. Homework: Finish any part of your Reading Notes that you were unable to finish in class.

Wednesday, Feb. 4 - 6th Grade: Continue doing life of Muhammad activity. Homework: Finish any part of your Reading Notes that you were unable to finish in class.

Thursday, Feb. 5 - Review jeopardy for tomorrow's quiz. Homework: Study for tomorrow's quiz.

Friday, Feb. 6 - Quiz on the Role of the Church in Medieval Europe, Life in Medieval Towns, The Geography of the Arabian Peninsula (Chapters 3,4,7) No Homework.

Week of Jan. 26 - 30

This week we'll present our dramatizations of life in Medieval Europe, then move on to our next unit: Islam. Lesson Plans

Monday, Jan. 26 - Dress rehearsal of dramatizations. Homework: TBA

Tuesday, Jan. 27 - Performances of dramatizations.

Wednesday, Jan. 28 - Geography Challenge, Unit 2. Homework: Finish the Geography Challenge if you didn't have time to do so in class.

Thursday, Jan. 29 - Medieval Travel Channel Activity - Geography of the Arabian Peninsula No Homework; if you are absent, please read Chapter 7 of your text.

Friday, Jan. 30 - Begin Lesson 8, The Prophet Muhammed No Homework

Week of Jan. 19 - Jan. 23

We celebrate MLK Day and the Presidential Inauguration this week. Later, we'll finish our pilgrimages and take a peek at daily life in Medieval Europe.

Tuesday, Jan. 20 - You've just watched the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States! In class, we'll watch a brief video. Then, you'll respond to one of the writing prompts below in your log. Your homework is to finish your response and be ready to share tomorrow. Video

Wednesday, Jan. 21 - We'll share our writing assignments from yesterday. I'll pass back mini-research papers, we'll talk grades, and we'll do the "happy hat." We will finish our pilgrimage. Homework: Write your final diary entry as a pilgrim and be ready to turn in your log tomorrow.

Thursday, Jan. 22 - We'll read 4.1 and 4.2 and begin a group activity to bring Medieval life - well - to life! In small groups, we'll be preparing interactive dramatizations about different aspects of Medieval life. Homework: Bring any costume or prop materials you need to make tomorrow's work day productive.

Friday, Jan. 23 - Work day on interactive dramatizations. Homework: Be ready to perform on Monday!

Click Here to See Past Assignments

General Expectations for All Assignments

Unit Overviews

Calendar