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NOTE: Beginning this Wednesday, Sep 30, 2009, I will be staying after school
every Wednesday until 5:00PM for any student that needs additional help.
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PROJECT
Students have been assigned a project which will be due on December 14.
This project will increase the students knowledge on a country within the
region being studied. Students will learn more about the countries culture,
government, economy, and physical features. The rubrics and requirements of
the project are on the documents page under PROJECT and each student has been
provided a copy of it.
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14 - 18 Dec 09
We have travelled to the Amazon rainforest where we will be looking at
the Land Use Conflict between the different (six) groups competing for the
resources of the rainforest. We will try to find an answer to our essential
question "How should the resources of the rainforest be used and preserved?"
To do this, we need to understand how each group wants to use the
rainforest. The test on Chapter 10 and 12 will be the end of the week.
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7 - 11 Dec 09
This week the students will be putting on their skits instructing their
peers on a specific part of a Mayan's traditions and how they adapt to modern
life. We will leave the Highland Mayans this week and travel further south
to the Amazon Rainforest where we will meet the 4 main groups that are
fighting over this vast resource. We will discuss the benefits and drawbacks
of each groups use.
PROJECTS are due on Monday or Tuesday (depending on the class). Also
next Thursday or Friday, the students will be assessed on the Mayans and the
Amazon rainforest.
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30 Nov - 4 Dec 09
We are in the mountains of Guatemala with the Indigenous people of the
Mayans. We are observing how they are able to preserve their traditional
culture while adapting to modern life. During our observations, the students
will put on a skit helping the class see how they are able to do both. The
students will be given a couple of class periods to prepare for this. They
will then "instruct" the class on a particular part of the Mayan life.
Mr. THOMPSON's Class - If a student needs to retake or want to improve
their test score on Spatial Ineqaulity, they can do so on the 9th or 14th of
Dec after school.
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23 - 27 Nov 09
Chapter 9 test on Spatial Inequality is on Tuesday. It is a short week
and I hope EVERYONE has a safe and wonderful holiday. We will travel to
Central America and visit the Mayan culture to determine how they preserve
their traditions while adapting to the modern world. The students will be
putting on skits to help show this as we learn various aspects of their lives.
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16 - 20 Nov 09
We are finishing our tour of Mexico city were we visited four distinct
neighborhoods (the "have nots", the working poor, the "Haves" - middle class
and upper class). During our visits we discovered why spatial inequality
exists and how each of these social classes live. We will conclude with
discussing how spatial inequality is not limited to Mexico, but it is a
global problem. Our chapter test will be next week prior to Thanksgiving
break.
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EMAIL: richard.thompson@oldham.kyschools.us
sara.berry@oldham.kyschools.us
Phone: 228-9998 ext. 119 / 123
Quote: Do what has to be done!
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How Work is assessed:
- Acheivement Grade - Process Grade
Tests Homework
Quizzes Classwork
Projects Participation
There are two grades that each student earns. The first is acheivement which
consists of quizzes, tests, and projects. The second grade is process which
consists of homework, classwork, and participation.
The assignments and assessments given will be scored on a point’s
basis. Major quizzes, tests, and projects will be worth a greater number of
points.
Study Suggestions / Strategies for Success
- Most homework should take 30 minutes or less to complete and should be
completed on the day it is assigned. Most homework consists of studying the
notes taken in class that day.
Availability for help: We are available to answer questions and give extra
help most mornings between 8:10 – 8:30. We can also be available (with prior
notice) after school until 5:30. Computers are available for student use in
the library and in the classrooms most mornings. Computers are also
available in the library after school until 5:30 p.m.
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Please visit the Social Studies document page where you will find additional
information that the students have completed. They should have copies of
these in their student notebooks. These documents will be added several days
prior to a test to ensure that all students have the necessary items to study.
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