Thematic Unit Power Point

This is the unit we will embark upon after the first of the year.
Continuing Our Travel Through History

Civil War Project Rubric

Please go to the following site for the evaluation rubric for the Civil War Project.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/24192332 -

[Civil war project rubric]

Gradebook

Petit VanOrnumDeyden Grades

Colonial Day

We took a trip back in time to the year 1780 and experienced life as a colonist. These are pictures of some of the colonial wardrobes that was very common to see on men and women back then. We were able to make a leather wristband, candles, homemade apple cider, blockprinting, and played with colonial toys and games.

Playing with Technology

Aloha all,
I have spent, again, about two and a half hours trying to download an avatar like Kelli added to our blog without success. It was fun and easy, but how easy is it if I cannot put it where I intended. Now I can't even log in to the site to try again.
I hope all is well you you all, and that you are able to spent quality holiday preparation time with your loved ones.
A hui hou (which means until next time) ame Mele Kalikimaka (and Merry Christmas).
Myra

Class Lesson 3 in the Civil War Project

Welcome back to our blog. Your third step in this project is to make sure you do enough each day to insure you have addressed each of the requirements listed in Step 2, and to have enough time to put on your final finishing touches. Here is a guide to help you. Please print it out so you can easily refer back to it.

Monday, December 14
Research time in the computer lab. This is where we begin. I have supplied you with one website to start your information quest. Use it first. Choose your specific topic there, print out your information. Make sure you find as many artifacts and visuals as you need to make your project interesting. List the site on your "References" list, and go on from there. We will spend only one day finding information.
Remember; Write down each website you visit on your "References" list!

Tuesday, December 15
Read the info you printed out and learn about your topic. Start organizing your information. Make sure you put your information in your own words! This is when you decide how you will present your information, whether you present a creative composition in the form of a poem, a song, a painting, a model, a slide show, or a report. You are responsible to report to us what format you have chosen on this day. Make sure you have thoughtfully decided because changing later will cost you quality of product. If you have any other ideas for your presentation, check with us first.

Wednesday, December 16
Start building your presentation. This will be your main work session to pull your project together. Any supplies you need will be made available to you. Use this time to be productive!

Thursday, December 17
Finalize your project. Proofread and edit any written portion. Finish adding artifacts and visuals. Have a peer check over your project as you check over theirs. Add any "bells and whistles" now. Make sure you have your list of references included and properly formatted. Practice your presentation. Use the rubric from step 2 to help polish it up.

Friday, December 18
Presentation Day! Be ready to present your project to your peers. Also be ready to learn from others. Use the rubric to evaluate yourself and two other presenters. Turn in your project.

Proceding with your Civil War Project

Now that you have checked out the website and have chosen your topic, decide how you want to present your information. You may chose to write an expository paper, or you may chose to create a poem, a song, a model, or a painting. You may also choose to create a Powerpoint slide show. If you choose a more graphic presentation of your information you need to make sure the facts are easily seen in chronological order. Use the rubric below to help guide your work.

Facts are clearly and accurately presented using age-appropriate vocabulary. 4-5 points

The presentation is neatly and attractively constructed, and is easy to understand and learn from. 4-5 points

Project is thoughtfully and creatively constructed. 4-5 points

All references are listed with proper formatting, and are prominently displayed. 4-5 points.
A superbly done project would earn 18 -20 points. Well done would be 14-17.

Introduction to the Civil War

After reading Harriet Tubman, Conductor on the Underground Railroad, by Ann Petry, you should be able to make the connection between the perceived necessity for slavery in the southern states and the anti-slavery environment of the northern states, and the tension between the north and south that this caused. You also found tensions building in Congress as laws were passed which promoted the return of runaway slaves once they reached a northern free state. This was a red flag to the northerners, indicating they were not fairly represented in congress, and further widening the gap between north and south.

Check out the link below and choose one of the topics from the left side bar. In your first response entry say why you chose your topic and what you intend to find out.
The site to visit is: http://americanhistory.si.edu/militaryhistory/printable/section.asp?id=5

Middle School Fun

Though coolness is optimally important to this age of students, we need to remember middle schoolers are still children when they are allowed the safety to express their childhood hearts. This was a simple but appealing opportunity to play act with stick puppets which happened to be candy canes.

Christmas Fun...

Quizzes by Quibblo.com

Have you ever...

Have you guys ever used BrainPOP? If so, What are some of your favorites about this software? If not, you should definitely look into it! IT is such a valuable resource for your students to add a little something extra to your lesson!! Go check out the site. The web address is www.brainpop.com Have a great week!

What are your thoughts?

Hey guys!!

Just wanted to know what your thoughts are...Would you rather take classes in a classroom setting with face to face interaction OR would you prefer online classes to work at your own pace? Any thoughts on the topic would be great! Thanks!