Week of May 29~
While we won't have specific homework this week, we are reading and learning about the Enlightenment and there will be an assessment next week. With all that in mind, I will continue to remind you and to encourage you to review your notes for a few minutes each night. As I keep saying, this will keep the ideas fresh and you will really own them. A little bit of studying for a lot of nights is so much more effective (you will really retain the information!) than a lot of studying on 1 little night.
Week of May 21 ~
While our assessment on Thursday is open notes, I always think reviewing a little bit each night to really solidify the ideas we're studying is a good habit. You will need to zoom in on what YOU feel is the most important concept from the Scientific Revolution, so while you read over your notes, think about that.
There will be NO HOMEWORK over the Memorial Day weekend. Enjoy this long weekend with your family and friends!
Week of May 14 ~
We won't have history homework this week as we have the science MCAS on Tuesday and Wednesday and then we'll begin exploring the Scientific Revolution on Thursday. I'm sure you are all very disappointed not to have homework.
...head outside and enjoy what they're forecasting to be a sunny and warm end of the week!
Week of May 7~
We won't have history homework this week...however, use the time to review the science MCAS review packet that Mrs. Daigle or Mrs. Schmohl assigned. Also, take the time to review your Renaissance and Reformation history notes...as I've been saying, the ideas we uncovered while studying these time periods (humanism, asking questions, digging for the real answer) will carry us into the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment. And as always, reviewing a little bit every night keeps ideas fresh in your mind...and it's way easier than cramming a lot on 1 little night.
Week of April 30~
Through read alouds, independent reading, discussions and documentaries, we will explore the Reformation and Counter Reformation this week. At this point, I don't see us having homework as we will be working hard in class to really understand what these events are and how they impacted life during this time period - yes, we're still technically in the Renaissance.
**Mid-term is quickly approaching. Please remember, if you are absent, YOU are responsible for getting the work out of our make-up folders and turning it in to be graded. If YOU don't do that, your grades may suffer. Please BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOU.**
Week of April 23 ~
Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday - review your notes, just for 5-10 minutes, to help you be ready for Thursday's Renaissance Quick Check.
Tuesday-Monday, April 30 - work on your Who Am I? project. It's not a massive, really tough project but it is still vital to take your time and do your best.
Week of April 9~
At this point, I don't foresee any history homework this week. We will be doing work in class to help us learn about the Renaissance and I'm reading aloud to you, all week, a great biography on Leondardo da Vinci, one of the Renaissance's most important people. What a life he had! Let's be productive in class and work hard, so there won't need to be homework at night.
Perhaps most importantly, there will be NO homework over vacation! Have a wonderful week and enjoy the time with your family and friends.
Week of April 2~
Homework: Each night, take the time to review for our Middle Ages assessment on Friday. As we discussed in class, on Monday, dig through your binders and be sure you have notes, readings and/or study guides for the content listed on the study guide. On Tuesday, start creating note cards or study sheets using all of your materials. On Wednesday, in class, add to your notes and utilize the textbooks and each other as resources. Review all your notes Wednesday and Thursday so you'll be ready for Friday's assessment. Remember: Studying a little bit for a lot of nights is WAY MORE EFFECTIVE than studying a lot for one little night. Plus, the Red Sox kick off the season in Detroit on Thursday, and it would be fun to see some of the game instead of cramming for our test.
Week of March 26~
We will be productive and engaged in class as we dig into the plague, the 100 Years War and meet Joan of Arc...but we won't have homework. That being said...IF you would like to begin preparing, it's always a good idea to review your notes on the Crusades, the Magna Carta, the Black Death, the 100 Years War in anticipation of our assessment on FRIDAY, APRIL 6. As we always say, a little bit of reviewing over a lot of nights is WAY MORE effective that a lot of reviewing on 1 little night. Study guides will be passed out on April 2...but you can still get ready by reviewing your own notes.
Week of March 19~
The weather looks spectacular this week! And, we have ELA MCAS on Thursday. And, it's my first week back ...so we will be doing our work in class this week and there will be
no homework. Please, get outside and enjoy the weather; have dinner with your family; rest up on Wednesday night so you're bright-eyed and ready for the MCAS on Thursday, and put forth your best effort every single day in class.
Week of February 13 ~
We will be actively reading, digging for conclusions and evidence, note-taking and discussing every day in class. At this point, I don't foresee any homework from history class. Also, there will be NO homework over vacation - so have a wonderful break and be ready to tackle the Crusades when we get back!
Week of February 6 ~
As mentioned on the Announcements page, this is an ambitious week for us. On Monday, we will devour feudalism/manorialism. Tuesday and Wednesday have us loading up on cities and towns. On Thursday, we'll meet a fascinating woman from this time, Eleanor of Aquitaine. While we may spill over a bit and still talk feudalism on Tuesday, etc, we have a whole lot of reading, writing, discussing to do each day! On Friday, we will begin class with our usual warm-up, but it will be a review of the week's learning. Please, in an effort to help you all get used to doing a little bit over a lot of nights, take 5-10 minutes each night and review our notes/work from class that day. It keeps all the material fresh and helps you to truly own what we're learning.
Week of January 30~
Wednesday -Using what you've learned through our study of knights, please complete your shield with vital information about knights. You may have begun this in class or you may have to begin it tonight at home...either way, it is due and will be collected at the beginning of class on THURSDAY.
**If you chose to tackle the Extension Project, please keep working on it and remember, it is due on Feb. 10. **
Week of January 23 ~
We won't have homework for the beginning of the week as we will be reading comic books in class to help us get a wide overview of all things Middle Ages. Working in groups, you'll read the comic book searching only for information on your assigned topic and then, in true jigsaw fashion, your group will teach all of us about your topic. This will keep us busy for Monday and Tuesday for sure. Wednesday is the math mid-term. If we need time on Thursday to finish up with the comic books/jigsaw groups, we'll take it.
I will update this later in the week, if we have homework on Thursday or Friday. Thanks!
**On Thursday, Jan. 26, I discussed an enrichment opportunity that is connected to our Middle Ages study. As mentioned in class, the specific details are explained on a paper that you can take (and it's on top of the overhead projector). This extension/enrichment opportunity is OPTIONAL and could be worth UP TO 25 BONUS POINTS depending on how thoroughly and thoughtfully it is completed. If you are interested, please take the sheet and complete the work independently by Friday, FEB. 10.
Week of January 17~
As of Tuesday, I don't foresee formal homework in history this week. We will be finishing up reconnecting with MLK, Jr and his life and impact on Tuesday and now Wednesday, due to the 2 hour delay on Tuesday morning. Thursday will be spent exploring trends in various historical data as we interpret graphs on graphminder.com. And, Friday, each of you will complete that Skills Review (interpreting readings/maps/graphs) in class.
Any week that doesn't have "formal" homework, please check out CNN.com for the daily student news. South Carolina has its Republican primary this weekend, so there will be lots of news about that in newspapers and on tv. Take time to dig in and learn about these men who hope to be the next President of the United States. These choices affect YOUR future, too.
Week of January 9~
Assigned on Tuesday and DUE ON THURSDAY, JAN. 12 - "How to be a Viking" non fiction poem. Using all of your new knowledge from the IMAX video, our read aloud and other work done in class, follow the samples given out in class on Tuesday and write an original poem using your Top 10 Interesting facts about Vikings. The focus of the poem is How to be a Viking. Remember, it must be typed OR written neatly in blue or black ink. Spelling, punctuation and capitalization matter so take the time to be 100% correnct.
Assigned on Friday and DUE ON TUESDAY, JAN. 17 - Martin Luther King reflection. Based on our work in class, choose ONE of the options and thoughtfully complete a reflection on this amazing man in US history - he's the ONLY US citizen to have his own holiday! Again, either typed or written neatly in blue or black ink. Spelling, captitalization and punctuation count!
Week of January 3~
Happy New Year!
For the first few days this week, we'll be using the texts in class to help us with some "grazing at the Dark Ages buffet" and mapping, reading and discussion circles. We won't have homework until later this week, probably Friday...but I'm still working out those details. You can be sure I'll discuss it with you in class and will update this site later in the week.
**As promised, here is an update regarding homework...there WILL be homework on Friday. In class, we will learn about graphs (line, bar, pie graphs) and tables and how they are used to explain trends in current events and culture. We'll see some examples and discuss the information that is being shared on each graph. FOR HOMEWORK: You will find 3 more graphs and explain them. A sheet will be given out in class on Friday with specific directions to guide you as you use words to explain what the graph is showing. This assignment will be due on MONDAY, JAN. 9. Use websites like
www.usatoday.com and click on Snapshots (there are many graphs in the areas of News, Sports, Life and Business) or check out the actual USA Today newspaper or look for the poll question results, displayed in a graph, on the top of the Telegram and Gazette. Dig for other sources of graphs, too...like the US Census Bureau or even The World Almanac for Kids.
Week of December 19~
As all presentations were due on Monday, December 19 and we will be presenting them this week, there is NO additional homework for this week.
Help Santa and wrap some presents, bake some cookies and latkes and enjoy the holidays. Happy Hannukah and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Enjoy vacation with your family and friends!
Week of December 12 ~
Remember, all week we have I Search for our homework. For
Monday, Tuesday and even
Wednesday, focus on gathering your research (just like we wrote on the board when we broke down the schedule). By
Thursday and certainly over the weekend, prepare your presentation - power point or poster board? What's your visual? Make sure you have all the facts you are required to and you're comfortable and knowledgable enough to explain all of your details with us. Be creative and have fun with the slides/poster - be proud of what you've learned and share what you've uncovered. We're excited to learn from YOU!
**Presentations for your I Search projects will begin on Monday, Dec. 19. Be prepared!
Week of December 5 ~
Our work with Confucius and Kubla Khan will be done with picture books in small groups and as read alouds...so there won't be homework in the early part of the week.
Wednesday - The I Search opportunity (see, it is an opportunity for you to learn...not something bogging you down.
) will be discussed today and I'd like you to read over the explanation tonight and be ready to ask questions, if you have any, tomorrow. Also, this is the time to really dig in and choose what you will explore.
Thursday, Friday - Be researching for your I Search...keep track of the resources you use, too. Remember, you must have a citations page with your presentation. This is an opportunity for all of us to learn more about specific areas of interest!
Week of November 28~
As we discussed in class, you may or may not have homework depending on how much you and/or we accomplish in class. We have 4 weeks and we can not accomplish all of this learning in class alone. Utilizing class time and advisory in the most productive way will certainly be helpful; however, there will be days when some of the work will have to be accomplished at home. Remember, we've discussed our culminating exhibition (oral presentations) for the week before vacation...doing work consistently along the way will make it so much easier than if you wait until the end.
**We have not gotten any inforamtion on the exhibition yet...that will be coming in a few weeks.**
Week of November 14~
Depending on how productive we are in class, you may have homework later in the week as you work through some analysis of Sundiata's history and "The Lion King" movie from Disney. Remember, some classes will miss history on Thursday because we are going to the high school for the play, so this may require some classes to do some of the work at home. We'll try to do most in class so we can learn from each other and pull our ideas together, but be aware, there may be some work at home.
Week of November 7~
Wednesday - While you will have Tuesday and Wednesday in class (budget your time appropriately...we will finish the read aloud of Amos Fortune's capture and experience on the Middle Passage on Tuesday and on Wednesday, to honor our veterans, our read aloud will be Eve Buntings,
The Wall.), if you still need to finish your cube, you will have to do this over your 4 day weekend. Stay on track and focused and you will have plenty of time to complete your cube thoughfully and beautifully in class - you can utilize Advisory time, too.
Enjoy your long weekend!