Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Star Wars: Episode VII: TFA Countdown

Brrr...............it's cold for sure!

Reminder:

1. Walk like a penguin when outside
2. Dress warmly
3. Bring a sack/bag lunch/Lunchable tomorrow because of our field trip


Today:

Organize Student Folder & Complete Assignments from Monsoon Asia Unit

Collect Unused RR Passes for Raffle......due to the snow day, the raffle will happen when we return from Christmas Break.

SNOW DAY     SNOW DAY     SNOW DAY     SNOW DAY     SNOW DAY     

NO SCHOOL

Enjoy your day off.............

Monday, December 14, 2015

Today:

1. World Memory Map #4

2. Monsoon Asia Unit Checklist

3. Finish Asia Notes

4. Organize assignments/complete classwork


R2D2 paid Rocky Top a visit last week....super cool!

Friday, December 11, 2015



Today:

1. CNN Student News (aired 12/10/2015)

2. Table Hopping Notes Activity

No Homework

Have a fun-tastic & safe weekend!

Thursday, December 10, 2015 

Today:

Activity: Inside-Outside Circle Activity

Objective: Students will gather information about countries in Asia in an active, game show kind of way called Inside-Outside Circle.

No Homework

Wednesday, December 9, 2015


Monsoon Asia Ecosystem & Human Impact Project (Day #4)

Work on any and all of the 3 requirements for the Social Studies portion of the project.
     1. Large Scale Map
     2. Small Scale Map
     3. Slide Presentation

See Google Classroom for ALL of the necessary information, links, and documents to guide you through this assessment project. This will be our last scheduled class time to work independently on this project. Make sure you complete the project before we start our Christmas Break.


Star Wars: The Force Awakens Count Down

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

“Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”  -Francis of Assisi

Activity:

Monsoon Asia Ecosystem & Human Impact Project (Day #3)

Students will continue their exploration of their chosen ecosystem & region of Monsoon Asia in order to gain an understanding of the characteristics of the ecosystem & region and how humans have impacted both.

*Be sure to re-read the directions document, use the links in the Research document to find your information, & record your notes in the Research Organizer document. (all on Google Classroom from 12/4/2015)

**Projects need to be completed by the time we go to Christmas Break.

   

Monday, December 7, 2015

Activity
1. Class Starter: Read attached article
Smog in China

2.Monsoon Asia Ecosystem & Human Impact Project 
     -Large & Small Scale Maps
     -Research (see document of links from Friday's postings in Google Classroom)
          *Be sure to put you research facts in the Research Document (also posted in G.C.)

No Homework

Friday

12/4/2015

Activity:

Persuasive Essay for the 3 Gorges Dam (see Google Classroom from 12/3)

1. Finish Step 2 Planning
2. Work on Step 3 - Write your persuasive essay (use your notes from the video)



Objective: Students will use their burgeoning writing skills to write persuasively about the topic of the effects of building a dam.



Homework: Be sure to finish your Monsoon Asia Mapping Lab assignment. You may come in before or after school or check out a Geography Alive textbook from the library & borrow a transparency from me.

Thursday

12/3/2015

Today:

Class Starter: 3 Gorges Dam Images Slide Presentation (Google Classroom)

Activity: Finish 3 Gorges Dam Documentary & Pros vs. Cons Notes Sheet

Objective: Students will look at images of the 3 Gorges Dam and its construction. They will also watch a documentary about it and fill out a graphic organizer about the positive and negative effects of building it.



Homework: Be sure to finish your Monsoon Asia Mapping Lab assignment. You may come in before or after school or check out a Geography Alive textbook from the library & borrow a transparency from me.

Wednesday
12/2/2015
1. Discuss The Dam Question from yesterday
2. Three Gorges Dam Documentary (video in class from YouTube - see link below)
     a. Watch the Dam video
     b. Fill out the Dam Notes sheet (hard copy)
     

China's Mega Dam

Homework: Be sure to finish your Monsoon Asia Mapping Lab assignment. You may come in before or after school or check out a Geography Alive textbook from the library.

12/1/2015

Today:

1. Class Starter Question (Google Classroom)

2. Finish Monsoon Asia Mapping Lab
     a. Challenges #3 & #4
     b. Challenge #5 (Assessment)
     c. Complete reading
     d. Google My Maps Monsoon Asia

Hi all. Welcome back.

Today:

Monsoon Asia Mapping Lab:

1. Challenge #3 - Questions 1-10
2. Challenge 4. - Questions 1-6
3. Textbook Reading pages 390-397
4. Google My Maps - work on your map from Friday before break



No homework

Have a Happy Thanksgiving & a fun break!

Today:

1. Monsoon Asia Mapping Lab: 

               -complete Challenges #1 & #2

               -begin Challenge #3

2. Google My Maps Activity:

               -create a new My Map and begin exploring Monsoon Asia

Countdown until Thanksgiving Break = 2 days

Today

Two Voice Poem - final class time to work on any of the steps of the assessment project (approx. half of class)

Begin Unit #2 Asia
     Intro Question (Google Classroom)
     Monsoon Asia Mapping Lab
          a. Preview Activity
          b. Map Challenge #1
          c. Map Challenge #2

***Reminder - Project is due by the end of the day on Friday. Refer to the directions document and project rubric in Google Classroom daily to help keep you on track.*** 

Wednesday, November 18, 2015


Today:

• CNN Student News (broadcast only)

• Two Voice Poem - Analysis Writing Assessment

Directions: Go to Google Classroom & open the shared document. Follow the directions from there.

***Reminder - Project is due by the end of the day on Friday. Refer to the directions document and project rubric in Google Classroom daily to help keep you on track.*** 

Happy Snowy Tuesday  

Today:

Two Voice Poem - Students will work on the steps listed below for their assessment project.

• Rough Draft
• Final Draft

***Reminder - Project is due by the end of the day on Friday. Refer to the directions document and project rubric in Google Classroom daily to help keep you on track.*** 

Countdown to Thanksgiving Break = 4 days!

Countdown to Thanksgiving Break = 5 days (including today)

Today in Class:

1. Warm Up - Whole Class Discussion about the Paris Attacks

2. Unit Assessment - Two Voice Poem: continue working on your assessment project

3. One-on-One Check Ins with Berger to see your project progress

Homework: Two Voice Poem Project is due by day's end Friday. Be sure to work on  your project at home to make sure you finish on time.

F-R-I-D-A-Y!!!

Today:

Students will work on their Unit Assessment Project that was introduced yesterday.

Reminder:

All of the classwork assignments in this unit (give or take) were research-based to gain an understanding of our essential question - "How does colonization affect traditional culture?" Be sure to use all of those completed assignments to help you build your project. All of the shared documents that you need to work on were put on your Google Classroom yesterday. Refer frequently to the project directions document as you gather facts that you will include in your Two Voice Poem.

Please ask me for assistance as you continue to work independently on your projects in class today and next week.

The project needs to be completed by Friday, November 20. Please contact me if you need to talk about your progress on the project.

Have a terrific weekend!

Happy Thursday

***Special Note - The Stolen Generations Testimonials website is down and many of you have emailed me with concerns. I am looking into it but for now use the information from that site that you collected when I assigned it.***

Today: 

Australia/Oceania Unit Assessment Project
     1. Introduction to Two Voice Poem Project
          a. Directions document (Google Classroom)
          b. Q & A

     2. Two Voice Poem video clip examples (Link below & other is in Google Classroom)

          Two Voice Poems video clip

     3. Two Voice Poem Graphic Organizer (Google Classroom)

Homework: Spend some time thinking about your project and if you feel it's necessary, work on it some.

Tuesday, November 10

Tomorrow is Veterans Day
Please remember all of our service members past and present.




Today:

Finish viewing Rabbit-Proof Fence and complete the 'Thoughts to Ponder' questions as well as the vocabulary sheet. Add these two assignments to your Unit Check List and put them in your file folder.

Homework: None

Enjoy your time off tomorrow

Greetings Everyone.

Activity: Rabbit-Proof Fence Day #2 - we will continue viewing the film and writing detailed responses to the 'Thoughts to Ponder' Assignment.

Reminder: The Australia/Oceania Unit is coming to a close soon so make all the necessary preparations concerning your classwork.


Homework: Have a night off!

Happy Friday & Rocky Top Spirit Day

***Assembly Schedule Today***

Activity: 

Students will watch the film Rabbit-Proof Fence to gain further understanding and perspective of colonization's effects on traditional cultures.

Assignment: Vocabulary Terms & Thoughts to Ponder Questions

Homework: None

Have a tremendously interesting and fun weekend!

Fall Dance is tonight from 6-8. Don't forget your school ID & ticket. Have a blast!!

Richard Dawson - host of Family Feud

Today: Students will take an optional survey from ACYI (Adams County Youth Initiative). Students will take the survey using their chromes and a link provided on Google Classroom.

If time remains after the survey, students should work on completing their Writing Wednesday Assignment from yesterday.

Homework: Nada!

Today: Writing Wednesday - CNN Student News (aired 11/3/2015)

Activity:
     1. Google Classroom - WW document
     2. Read Prompt Options (whole class)
     3. Watch Newscast
     4. Choose prompt & fill out plan portion of the doc
     5. Write your response using your plan & the transcript


Homework: Not this evening, maybe another night 

Today:
Students will learn about the effects of colonization in Australia by exploring the Rabbit-Proof Fence film along with other resources to gain perspective about the Aborigines and the British.

Activities:
    
     1. "Rabbits in Australia" video clip
     2. Rabbit-Proof Fence Vocabulary & Film Synopsis
     3. Rabbit-Proof Fence

Homework:
     None

Spirit Week Day #1

Happy PJ Day!

Today: Chapter 33 - What Makes Australia Unique? Final day to work in class

• Reading Sections 33.9 & 33.10
• Processing Activity

No Homework tonight

Spirit Week Day #2 tomorrow is Super Hero Day so be sure to show you're Hero Pride!

Happy Halloween.....D'OH!!!

Chapter 33: Continue Reading Notes Questions and Reading Sections (includes 33.3 through 33.9). Read the Global Connections Section 33.10

Australian Ghost Stories 

8 of the scariest, haunted places in Australia

A Great & True Australian Ghost Story

10 Amazing Stories of Australian Paranormal Phenomena

No Homework

Have a Spook-tacular Weekend. Be Safe & Have Fun!!! 

October 29, 2015

Today: 
Chapter 33: Relative & Absolute Location - What Makes Australia Unique? (continued)
     1. Sid the Seagull Video clips
     2. Finish Geo Terms
     3. Skill Builder - Placards & Visuals (see Google Classroom)

Homework: None tonight      
              

Wednesday October 28, 2015

Today:

Step 1 - You need completed copies of HDI Graph #1 USA and HDI #2 Australia. I have some copies of HDI #1 that some of you turned in that I will give to you at the beginning of class. Once these are completed you will move on to the next step.

Step 2 - With your shoulder partner, compare the two countries information in all four of the Spider Graph categories (literacy rate, infant mortality, schooling, life expectancy) As well as all of the other information that you collected.

Step 3 - Open the assignment in Google Classroom for today and answer the comparison questions using examples from both countries. Use details and critical thinking skills to express your thoughts.


Homework: Continue working on this assignment until it is completed by the end of the Australia/Oceania Unit.

What in the wide, wide world of sports...?

Today: We continue our Australia/Oceania Unit with Chapter 33 from Geography Alive.

Activity:

     1. Observe the picture above. What do see that's obvious? What can you infer from it? A message perhaps...hmmm.......I wonder.......

     2. Preview Activity

     3. Reading - Sections 33.1 & 33.2

     4. Geoterms Table

Homework: None.....unless you have SS classwork to catch up on.

Holla.......it's Monday again..........Welcome Back!

Today: 
Students will review their answers from Friday's Gallery Walk Resources Assignment with a partner. Then they will write the constructed response for the Analysis Question for that assignment. Finally, students will fill out the Australia/Oceania Unit Checklist.

Homework: Work on any assignments for this unit that need completion.

Today is Friday....Right On!



Activity:
     1. Australia's Early History Reading ( see Google Classroom)

     2. Gallery Walk: British Perspective of the Colonization of Australia
         
Objective: Students will look at many different resources to gain an understanding of the British Perspective of the colonization of Australia.

No Homework

Have a grand weekend!

Good morning or good afternoon depending on when you read this.
    

Activity: Stolen Generations Testimonies Assignment (solo investigation)  [click link below]

     Stolen Generations Testimonies

Objective: Student will watch/listen and read information from a primary resource website to gain perspective and knowledge of the Aborigines' perspective of the effects of British colonization.

Homework: Make sure your Australia HDI is finished by next Wednesday.

Happy Rainy Wednesday!





Today:

1. Google Classroom Warm Up question

2 HDI "Spider" Graph Australia

Homework: Make sure all of your SS classwork is complete for the Australia/Oceania Unit

A little levity to start class........

HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!

Today:

1. Getting Started - use your resources to define these words & be ready to share (5 minutes....GO!)

• perspective
• testimonial
• generation

2. Stolen Generation Testimonies (whole class investigation) [click link below]

           Stolen Generations Testimonies

3. Stolen Generations Testimonies Assignment (solo investigation)

Homework: Not tonight ladies & gents!

Monday October 19, 2015

Strine of Oz

Today: We are going to have some fun with language. Australian language to be specific. Open your Google classroom to find today's activity. There is a digital copy for each of you to do the activity on. If you finish and have time as the substitute for the follow up activity. Remember to do your best for the guest teacher today and I'll see you tomorrow.

Homework: Be sure to complete all the unfinished class activities for the Australia/Oceania Unit because I'll be conferencing with you individually this week to take a look at your progress. 

What more needs to be said?

Today: Students will make a world map from memory using the 15 Points of the Proficient World Map Notes. They will also learn some linguistic culture of Australia via the "Strine of Oz"

Activity:

1. World Memory Map #2

2. Class Assignment Check In

3. The Strine of Oz Assignment

Homework: Get outside and enjoy some of Colorado's stunning autumn weather and scenery!

Hi everybody!

A little movie trivia for you...........what movie does this line of dialogue come from?

"In case I don't see you....good afternoon, good evening, and good night?" 

Counseling presents........

Today: We welcome Ms. Miller from the Counseling Office to present the Naviance Curriculum.

Please welcome her and pay close attention to the information she gives you.

We will return to our regular social studies programming tomorrow.

Homework: Please have your Scholarly Habit Survey ready to turn in tomorrow.

Current Events Writing Wednesday

*Ignore the date above, I drafted this last night.

Hooray for Wednesday!

"What's going on in our world?"

"Great Question."

Let's take a look at CNN's Student News and keep our fingers on the pulse of the world, so to speak.

Activity: Writing Wednesday Current Events - Go to your Google Classroom and open up your WW document. After we read the choices make note of a new addition to your Writing Wednesday responsibilities. It's called Step 2: Organize your Thoughts. Use this space to plan your writing. And no, this is not optional. Then follow our regular process for writing. Remember to use the transcript section of the doc to help plan and write your response. Make sure to write using evidence and details. When you've finished, turn it in via Classroom and then work on the Reflection Question from yesterday's Aborigine Documentary Assignment.

Homework: Don't forget to get your Scholarly Habits Survey filled out with your parents/guardians for Friday's class. This is super quick & super important. Thanks!

G'day 7th Graders

Aboriginal Dot Art

Today: Students will continue learning about the history and culture of Australia's Aboriginal People.

Activity: "The Men of the Fifth World" documentary & Questions 

Questions will be answered as students view the documentary (questions are paper copies but can be found on Classroom too) Students should be able to complete this assignment in class. If you were absent, the video is attached to Classroom as well.

Homework: RTMS Student Scholarly Habits Survey - please fill this out at home with your parents/guardians and return it to me by this Friday 10/16

Happy Monday everybody!

Reflection Question: Today is Columbus Day in the U.S.  What is the connection or significance of Christopher Columbus to our study of the Aborigines of Australia? 

Today: Continue your work on the Guided Reading of the Aborigines that I assigned last Thursday. Check Google Classroom and my blog post to refresh your memory. Please keep reading the article and filling in the blanks in your Google Doc.


Homework: Please work on your Guided Reading and Fill in the Blanks doc for 15-20 minutes tonight.