Assignments Page
Welcome! You can see assignments posted weekly here, or link below to general expectations and repeating assignments.
Week of Jan. 12 - 16 This week we'll walk through the world of Medieval Europe as pilgrims from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales!
Mon., Jan. 12 - Finish letters to sponsored children. In class, re-read 3.1 and 3.2, The Role of the Church in Medieval Europe and 3.4 Pilgrimages and Crusades. Read information about Chaucer. I will hand out a list of roles and assign you a role. Homework: You will be using your log as a "diary" thoughout the week. Write a "diary entry" from the point of view of your character on the eve of your departure for a pilgrimage! It should be at least one handwritten page!
Tues., Jan. 13 - We begin our pilgrimage. Our first destination will be St. Pantaleon, a church in Germany. We'll learn about the seven sacraments of the Medieval church and play a game to remember them better. We'll also hear The Clerk's Tale. Homework: Write a diary entry about today's travels.
Wed., Jan. 14 - No class because of UCLA visit.
Thurs., Jan. 15 - We'll visit the University of Bologna and learn about the philosophy of Thomas Aquinas. We'll also hear the Wife of Bath's tale. Homework: Write a diary entry about today's travels.
Fri., Jan. 16 - Consider yourself fortunate if you survive today - we'll be doing a simulation of the Black Plague as we continue our travels as Medieval pilgrims. No homework.
Week of Jan. 5 - 9
Happy New Year and welcome back! This week we'll do some reflecting on the past year and focus on research paper skills before diving into Chapter 3: The Role of the Church in Medieval Europe. Lesson Plans
Monday, Jan. 5 - Reflection and Teacher Evaluation Handout. Writing letters to sponsored children, taking pictures. Homework: Print out a draft of your mini-research paper for tomorrow's workshop. You should have made the changes and improvements I suggested on your rough draft. Include the bibliography.
Tuesday, Jan. 6 - Research paper writing workshop. We'll do some group writing exercises and you'll also have time to collaborate on your mini-research papers. Homework: Final draft of mini research papers due Thursday!
Wednesday, Jan. 7 - Internet Research Scavenger Hunt! Brush up on your research skills and discover new resources with this fun activity. Homework: Final draft of mini-research papers due tomorrow.
Thursday, Jan. 8 - We'll watch a video about the building of a Medieval cathedral. Homework: Write your "short list" of research paper topics in your log to turn in tomorrow.
Friday, Jan. 9 - Begin Chapter 3 interactive activities. No homework.
Week of Dec. 15 - 17
In our three days of classes this week, we'll prepare for and take a Japanese/European feudalism quiz, do a fun creative writing project, and talk research papers.
Monday, Dec. 15 - I'll give you the study guide for Wednesday's quiz and we'll go over it together. Homework for Wednesday: Write a holiday history carol in your log. Re-write the words of a popular holiday song to describe one of the subjects we've studied, for example:
Samurai are Coming to Town
You better be brave, you better not cry, you better be loyal, I'm telling you why; samurai are coming to town.
You know that they've been training, to fear nor pain nor death; you know that they will serve their lord until their dying breath. Etc...
Use Rhymezone.com to help you find rhymes if you need help!
Tuesday, Dec. 16 - I'll give back the rough drafts of your mini-research papers (sorry for the delay!). Final drafts are due the Tuesday we get back. Review jeopardy game. Every question that will be on the quiz will be covered, so take notes! Homework: Study for quiz and finish your holiday carols for tomorrow.
Wednesday, Dec. 17 - Quiz on European/Japanese feudalism. I'll show you the list of topics for the longer research paper we'll be doing later in the year - take some time over break to make a "short list" of topics you're interested in. We'll finish up the class by sharing some of our history carols! Homework: Work on your final draft of the mini-research paper, due Tuesday, Jan. 5. Also, give some thought to your next research paper topic.
Week of Dec. 8 - 12
The Medieval Tournament has finally arrived! This week, the valiant warriors of Medieval Japan and Europe will engage in friendly competition, present their creative projects, and learn about each other's culture! Lesson Plans
Monday, Dec. 8 - The tournament begins! We'll play some friendly games to get to know each other. I'll get an idea of what your presentations entail and make a tentative schedule so that you know when you'll be presenting. Homework: Last day to work on your creative project, due tomorrow!
Tuesday, Dec. 9 - Presentation of creative projects. Homework: Read 3.1 and 3.2 and do the Reading Notes for 3.2 in your Interactive Student Notebook.
Wednesday, Dec. 10 - Presentation of creative projects and friendly competition. Homework: Read Chapter 3.3, 3.4, and 3.5 and do the Reading Notes in your ISN.
Thursday, Dec. 11 - Continue presenting projects. Homework: Read 3.6, 3.7, 3.8 and 3.9 and do the Reading Notes.
Friday, Dec. 12 - Closing of Medieval Tournament.
Week of Dec. 1 - 5
This week we'll be working on our mini-research papers. Rough drafts are due Friday, Dec. 5. We'll also be preparing our projects for the Medieval Tournament which will begin next week. Lesson Plans
Monday, Dec. 1: 7th graders will share their body paragraphs and 6th graders their outlines. Peer editing session. We'll discuss how to write a great introduction and conclusion and you'll have time to work in class.
This week's homework for 7th Graders: Rough drafts of mini-research papers due Friday (including all aspects of paper: title, introduction with thesis, at least three body paragraphs, conclusion, bibliography). If you are unsure about my expectations, see my Research Paper page.
This week's homework for 6th Graders: Body paragraphs (the information from your outline typed into paragraphs and formatted, in full sentences) due Wednesday. Rough drafts of mini-research papers due Friday (including all aspects of paper: title, introduction with thesis, at least three body paragraphs, conclusion, bibliography).
Tuesday, Dec. 2: We'll talk bibliographies in depth and do some activities to help us remember what we need for MLA bibliographies. We'll do an activity and we'll have time to work on our bibliographies. I'll also introduce NoodleTools and the Citation Machine. 6th graders will fill out the Project Planning Handout. I'll pass back 7th graders' approved Projects.
Homework: Work on your mini-research papers and creative projects. 6th Graders: Remember that your typed body paragraphs are due tomorrow!
Wednesday, Dec. 3: 6th graders will have a peer editing session for their body paragraphs. Then we'll choose names for the Medieval Tournament Project. We'll learn about Medieval Japanese and European names and writing, and you'll make your own name tag.
Homework: Class tomorrow will be a work day for your project for the Tournament. If you need special materials for your work day tomorrow, bring them to class.
Thursday, Dec. 4: Work day for your projects for the Tournament.
Homework: All rough drafts due tomorrow! Make sure to see my Research Paper page if you're unsure of my expectations!
Friday, Dec. 5: Peer editing session for mini-research papers. Depending on where we are with our projects, we will have another project work day or watch a video.
Homework: The tournament will begin Tuesday, so make sure you are ready with your project by then.
Week of Nov. 17 - 21
This week is a little different because of conferences. You will have 2 days of Social Studies class; see your homework assignments below:
7th grade homework for Monday, Dec. 1: Bring in the body paragraphs of your mini-research paper, typed and correctly formatted, along with your outline.
6th grade homework for Friday, Nov. 21: In your log, do the assignment described on the handout I gave you after class on Wednesday. You will be practicing RIP and putting main ideas into your own words.
6th grade homework for Monday, Dec. 1: Bring in the completed outline for your mini-research paper. You should have a three part thesis and at least three paragraphs outlined. Make sure to use RIP to put every idea into your own words!
Week of Nov. 10 - 14
Monday, Nov. 10 - I'll post new grades and we'll take part of class to prepare for conferences next week. Today you'll tell me your preferences for roles in the Medieval Tournament Project. We'll continue reading Chapter 22 and doing the reading notes in our ISN. Homework: Read until 22.8 and do the corresponding reading notes in your ISN.
Tuesday, Nov. 11 - We'll finish preparing for conferences. You'll get your assignments on the Medieval Tournament Project. We'll go over how to use my website to do research. Homework: Finish Chapter 22 and Reading Notes 22 (for tomorrow). Bring a copy of at least one reference article on your mini-research paper topic. Make sure to get the information you need for the bibliography (for Thursday).
Wednesday, Nov. 12 - We'll read a fun article on the difference between Samurai and Ninjas. We'll also do the following activity in class: Pretend you are a daimyo in need of more samurai. Write an advertisement for a samurai that describes the qualities and skills needed. Your "want ad" should include your requirements in at least three of the following areas: military training, mental training, spiritual training, training in writing and literature, tea ceremony training, samurai values. Homework for tomorrow: Bring a copy of at least one reference article on your mini-research paper topic. Make sure to get the information you need for the bibliography.
Thursday, Nov. 13 - We'll make outlines of our mini-research papers. No Homework.
Friday, Nov. 14 - Today we'll finish our "Samurai Want Ads." Then, you'll have a choice of activities for the remainder of class. If you still need information for your mini - research paper, you may use my books or the computers to gather information. If you feel you already have enough information, you may do the following activity: Read the "Samurai vs. Ninja" article. Imagine that you are a talk show host, and that you're doing a show on Japanese warriors. Your guests are a Samurai and a Ninja. In your log, write a script of the show.
Week of Nov. 3 - 7
Monday, Nov. 3 - I'll pass back tests and explain my test corrections policy. We'll finish our "field trip" to Istanbul and take some notes on what we've learned. Homework: Do test corrections if you wish to do so. I will accept them until Friday.
Tuesday, Nov. 4 - We'll read 2.1. and take notes on the Middle Ages and Feudalism. Homework: Today is Election Day! Your homework: Watch at least 30 minutes of election coverage on T.V. tonight. Take notes of your observations in your logs. You might focus on one or more of the following ideas: results in specific states, electoral college results, polls, swing states, party bias in reporting. You will be asked to give a 60 second "news report" on your observations in class tomorrow.
Wednesday, Nov. 5 - Presentations: 60 second news reports. Discussion: Election results! I will pass out the new Interactive Student Notebooks and we'll begin reading Chapter 2 and doing Reading Notes 2. Homework: Read 2.2. to 2.5 and do the Reading Notes for those sections in your Interactive Student Notebook. Also, if you'd like to participate in our sponsorship of a needy child, bring in your contribution for the month. If you can bring a dollar, great! If you can contribute less, that's fine too.
Thursday, Nov. 6 - We will do the Experiential Exercise on feudalism. Homework: Finish Chapter 2 and Reading Notes 2 in your ISN.
Friday, Nov. 7 - We will read 22.11 and I will introduce the Medieval Tournament Project. We'll do Preview 22 to introduce some of the ideas in Chapter 22, and discuss. We will read 22.1 and 22.2 together and do mini-tableaux to illustrate life in in Medieval Japan. We will continue reading independently, and do the Reading Notes for Chapter 22. No Homework.
Week of Oct. 27 - 31
Monday, Oct. 27 - I will pass back logs and Interactive Student Notebooks. I will pass out the Rome Test Study Guides and we'll go over them together. 6th graders will take the test Wednesday, 7th graders don't have me Wednesday and will take it on Thursday. 7th graders will finish reading Chapter 36 and all classes will finish the reading notes for Chapter 36. Homework: Make sure your notes in your log are complete by checking my website. Take notes on 1.2 of your new text to prepare for the essay question on Rome's fall.
Tuesday, Oct. 28- SuperMegaEnormous game of review jeopardy! The questions will be similar to test questions. Homework: Prepare for the test!
Wednesday, Oct. 29 - 6th graders take the test, 7th graders have a double period of Language Arts. No homework for the rest of the week because of Hero Festival.
Thursday, Oct. 30 - 7th graders take the test. 6th graders go on a (virtual) field trip to Constantinople! Click here to go to Byzantium/Constantinople/Istanbul!
Friday, Oct. 31 - 6th and 7th graders are in Constantinople, continued.
Week of Oct. 20 - 24
Monday, Oct. 20 - In class, we'll present and discuss our Presidential Poster Projects. Homework, due Wednesday: In your Interactive Student Notebooks, complete the introduction activity to Chapter 36, How is an idea like a seed?
Tuesday, Oct. 21 - We'll return to Ancient Rome, review 34.6, "Rome Becomes an Empire," in our textbooks, and take notes. We'll begin reading Chapter 36, "The Origins and Spread of Christianity."
Wednesday, Oct. 22 - We'll read up to 36.5, "Jesus' Teachings". We'll do the Parable Activity, first hearing some of Jesus' parables from the New Testament, then sharing Mac's Parable, then writing and sharing our own. Homework: Period 1: No homework. Periods 2 - 4: Finish your parable in your logs. I will collect them tomorrow. If you were absent and you are in periods 2-4, read 2 or 3 of Jesus' parables (I recommend: the Lamp and the Basket, the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, the Good Samaritan) and Mac's Parable (use the links above) and write your own parable in your log. Be ready to share it with the class tomorrow.
Thursday, Oct. 23 - We'll do a scavenger hunt to review what we've learned, and continue reading Chapter 36.
Friday, Oct. 24 - 7th graders don't have Social Studies today. In 6th grade, we'll finish Chapter 36 and take the reading notes in our Interactive Student Notebooks. I'll pass out your new texts. Next Monday we'll review what will be on the Ancient Rome test. 7th graders will take the test on Thursday, 6th graders on Wednesday. Homework, due next Tuesday!: Read 1.1. and 1.2 in your new textbook!
Week of Oct. 14 - Oct. 17
Tuesday, Oct. 14 - I will pass back work and check in with mid-term grades. If you haven't already played Presidential Jeopardy, you will play today, and learn what is and isn't in the power of a president! If your class has already played, we'll go to PBS's President for a Day lesson and walk through it together in class. If you're absent, play the game on your own, and print out the news story at the end, or write a paragraph about your experience as president. Homework: Due Thursday a Final Final Draft of Assessment #2 - Julius Caesar Verdict. I expect to see perfect formatting and proofreading!
Wednesday, Oct 15 - Today, I'll introduce the Presidential Poster Project (click here for the assignment handout or click here to see my example) and we'll begin doing research. Students will be assigned an issue to investigate (such as the economy, environment, etc.). In class, we will research the presidential candidates views and proposals on your issue. You can also choose which candidates' views you wish to explore. You will make a poster that presents two candidates' ideas and proposals about that issue. You will present your poster to the class in a short verbal presentation. Posters will be due Monday. Homework: Due Thursday a Final Final Draft of Assessment #2 - Julius Caesar Verdict. I expect to see perfect formatting and proofreading!
Thursday, Oct. 16 - Research day for the Presidential Poster Project. Homework: Bring materials to work on your poster.
Friday, Oct. 17 - Work day for the Presidential Poster Project. Homework: If you didn't use your class time well, you'll be working on the Poster Project over the weekend! Presentations are Monday...
Week of Oct. 6 - Oct. 10
Monday, Oct. 6 - Each class is at a slightly different point with the Julius Caesar trial. Today, Period 1 will finish the trial, do their self evaluation, and begin their jury deliberations (Assessment #2, described below). Period 2 will also work on Assessment #2 in class. Periods 3 and 4 will finish the trial. No Homework.
Assessment #2 - Put aside the role that you played in the trial. Think about all the things you heard from the witnesses in the trial. As a DMS student, do you believe that Caesar was a tyrant or a hero? Write a paragraph to support one of the following topic sentences, using at least 4 specific examples that you learned from the trial.
Julius Caesar was a power-hungry tyrant who destroyed the Roman Republic.
Julius Caesar was a hero who saved Rome with his leadership.
If you were absent today and are a 6th grader, please do a rough draft of the paragraph described above in your log.
Tuesday, Oct. 7 - Periods 3 and 4 will do their-self evaluations and Assessment #2, described above, as well as notes on Julius Caesar's assassination. Periods 1 and 2: Notes on Julius Caesar's assassination. Tableau: Caesar's punishment?
We will begin a week-long series of discussions and activities discussing our American republic and its connections to the Roman republic. We will take some time to investigate the current election and the role of president. Today, we'll discuss how the president is chosen. Homework for all classes: type a final draft of Assessment #2, due Thursday.
Wednesday, Oct. 8 - Discussion of responsibilities of the president. Interactive activities related to election and responsibilities of the president.
Thursday, Oct. 9 - Final drafts of Assessment #2 are due, peer review. Continued activities related to election.
Friday, Oct. 10 - Today we'll finish up our discussion of the election and spend some time writing to our sponsored children. Please bring $1 today if you wish to participate in the sponsorship.
Week of Sept. 29 - Oct. 3
Monday, Sept. 29 - Today, you'll really get your roles for the Julius Caesar Trial. Each witness will read their background information out loud to the class. If you are absent, see the links below to get what you missed.
Homework:
Lawyer #1 : You will write the opening statement, an explanation of the main points of your case and the summary of the testimony of each witness. Here’s a commonly used format: “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, in this courtroom, you will hear how Caesar _____________________. Sabinus Maximus will testify that Caesar _____________________. Mark Antony will testify that Caesar ___________________________. Etc. Etc. You will clearly see that Caesar was Rome’s savior, not her destroyer.” You will also write 3-5 questions to ask each of the witnesses on your team. Their response to each question should strengthen your case and weaken the case of your opponents.
Laywer #2: You will make the closing statement, a restatement of the ideas from the opening statement. You will also write 3-5 questions for each of the witnesses of the opposite team. Their response to each question should strengthen your case and weaken the case of your opponents.
Witnesses: Re-read the information from your packets. Write a paragraph in the first person ( “I am Honorius Craxus") describing who you are in your own words. Include as much information as you can from the packet. You may also add your own creative ideas, as long as they go along with the packet.
Tuesday, Sept. 30 - Here's the rubric that will be used for my evaluation of you, and your self-evaluation. Today, lawyers will meet with their teams. All witnesses will listen as lawyers share the questions they have prepared for each witness. Witnesses can give feedback or share ideas with lawyers, but lawyers will have the final say on which questions will be asked. Witnesses will write down the questions they will be asked in their logs. Witnesses will be given time to answer those questions in writing, in their logs. In the meantime, the lawyers will have a meeting to discuss cross-examination questions. The rest of the day will be spent practicing questioning. Witnesses can team up to ask each other questions.
Homework: Lawyers and witnesses should go over the information they will be presenting tomorrow!
Wednesday, Oct. 1 - The trial begins!
Thursday, Oct. 2 - The trial continues.
Friday, Oct. 3 - Trial ends. In-class jury deliberations as described below:
Assessment #2 - Put aside the role that you played in the trial. Think about all the things you heard from the witnesses in the trial. As a DMS student, do you believe that Caesar was a tyrant or a hero? Write a paragraph to support one of the following topic sentences, using at least 4 specific examples that you learned from the trial.
Julius Caesar was a power-hungry tyrant who destroyed the Roman Republic.
Julius Caesar was a hero who saved Rome with his leadership.
If you are absent today, please do a rough draft of the paragraph described above in your log.
Week of Sept. 22 - 26
Monday, Sept. 22 - I'll hand back your final drafts of Assessment #1. If I didn't give you a grade, you have until Wednesday to get it back to me with the correct formatting. We'll discuss posting grades, and you'll learn your pseudonyms. We'll also finish talking about the possibility of sponsoring a child. No Homework, unless I handed your final draft back without a grade.
Tuesday, Sept. 23 - We'll finish Chapter 33 together. I'll introduce the "Column Assignment" that we'll be doing together for Chapter 34, From Republic to Empire. We'll begin the column assignment. No Homework, unless I handed your final draft back without a grade.
Wednesday, Sept. 24 - We'll finish and present our column assignments. I'll introduce the Julius Caesar Trial and background information. Homework: Work on your part for the Julius Caesar trial.
Thursday, Sept. 25 - We played Roman Expansion Jeopardy. If you missed it, click the link and see if you know the answers, all from Chapter 34.
Friday, Sept. 19 - After taking some notes, we took a quiz to help determine our roles for the Julius Caesar Trial.
Week of Sept. 15 - 19
Monday, Sept. 15 - We'll read Chapter 32, Geography and the Early Development of Rome, and stage our first tableau: Romulus and Remus. No Homework
Tuesday, Sept. 16 - I will hand back logs, and we'll discuss proofreading notes and final drafts. You'll have time to refine the paragraphs you wrote for Assessment #1, and we'll meet one on one to discuss grades. Homework, Due Thursday: Type a final draft of Assessment #1. Make sure it follows my guidelines for typed assignments.
Wednesday, Sept. 17 - We'll do a classroom exercise to "bring alive" the information in Chapter 33, The Rise of the Roman Republic. We'll begin reading Chapter 33. Homework: Work on your final draft of your Assessment #1, due tomorrow.
Thursday, Sept. 18 - We'll finish reading Chapter 33. If we have time, we'll stage a tableau of the Plebian Revolt.
Friday, Sept. 19 - Today we'll talk about our duties to the less fortunate, and discuss possible service projects for the year.
Monday, September 8 - Tuesday, September 9
Monday, September 8 - Unit 6 Geography Challenge
Tuesday, September 9 - I'll introduce our ongoing tableau activity and we'll look at artworks about events from Roman history to get inspired.
Wednesday, September 3 - Friday, September 5
Tuesday, September 2 - Welcome/Orientation. Homework: In your log, define the word "duty."
Wednesday, September 3 - We'll dive right into the study of ancient Rome with a discussion of our unit theme: Duty. Homework: Finish your "bust assignment" if you did not do so in class.
Thursday, September 4 - Writing a Topic Sentence and Supporting Paragraph.
Friday, September 5 - In Class Assessment: Writing a Topic Sentence and Supporting Paragraph. Logs will be collected.
Monday, September 8 - Tuesday, September 9
(Usually, I'll post the most recent homework assignments at the top of the page. Because I'm doing this ahead of time, I'll move these assignments up on Sunday the 7th.)
Monday, September 8 - Lesson/Chapter 32 - Geography and the Early Development of Rome. I'll introduce our ongoing tableau activity with the story of Romulus and Remus and we'll photograph our first tableau. Homework: Read Chapter 32 if you were absent.
Tuesday, September 9 - We'll discuss the concept of duty and global responsibility. We'll consider possible service projects for the year.
General Expectations for All Assignments
