HAPPY SUMMER VACATION EVERYONE!

For all in-coming 8th grade students, welcome. I hope you are having a great summer so far!
You can start getting ready for my class, when you know you'll be in my class, by reading the newspaper, watching the news, and getting involved in World events.
The more informed you are about what is happening in our World now, the better prepared you will be for studying our history!

SEE EVERYONE IN A FEW MONTHS!

Week of June 1, 2009
No homework this week!
Bring your History books back before Tuesday! If you don't, you'll buy that book and that would be too bad :-(
We do have activities planned for this week so come with something to write with!
Bring a bag for the things in your locker AND don't forget, you need to be at the high school no later than
4:45!!
It's been a blast guys.
Have a great Summer

Homework for the week of
May 26, 2009

Current Event 5/26
Take home Constitution test 5/29

History

We have a busy week and a crazy schedule. Tuesday finds us exploring Civil Rights and the application in today's world. We will watch a clip from the dvd, The Children's March. Wednesday we have the Awards ceremony and a dvd, Viva La Causa, the story of Cesar Chavez and the movement for social justice.
Thursday we have the GRADUATION practice at the high school. We MUST have the signed permission slip before anyone can get on the bus!
Friday is the Illinois State Constitution test. Students may use their packets.
NO GEOGRAPHY THIS WEEK. NO CURRENT EVENT NEXT WEEK. NO TRIVIA NEXT WEEK

Lit. Skills

We will continue reading books of our choice. Last day for any AR points is Wednesday.

Trivia
due 5/29

The Germans call it Donou; the Russians call it Dunay. What do people in English-speaking countries call it?

Homework for the week of
May 18, 2009

Current Event due 5/22
Geography due 5/22
Trivia due 5/22

History

We will continue our study of the 1950's and the McCarthy Hearings. We will have a partner pro/con activity on Monday. Global concerns during the Cold War will occupy us this week and a very brief study of Viet Nam. We will begin a mini unit on Civil Rights as well. This will continue into next week.

OUR STATE OF ILLINOIS CONSTITUTION TEST IS MAY 29TH!!

ALL HISTORY BOOKS MUST BE TURNED IN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. IF YOUR BOOK IS NOT RETURNED, YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR IT!

Lit. Skills

We will present our book projects on Monday. We will have AR reading for the remainder of the week. Students are encouraged to take as many AR tests as possible or do alternative assignments. I do not have that many grades for Lit. Skills this trimester so it is important to get in as many AR points as possible.

LATE WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AT ALL . ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE ON THE DAY ASSIGNED. THE ONLY EXCEPTION IS A STUDENT WHO IS OUT ILL.

Trivia
Who wrote the popular children's poem, "The Pied Piper of Hamelin" ?

Homework for the week of
May 11, 2009

Current Event due 5/12
Geography due 5/15
5 paragraph reflection essay 5/15
Trivia due 5/15
Reflection journals{Lit.Skills} due 5/11

HISTORY

We conclude our study of WWII with our final test today. Students will have a five paragraph reflective essay due Friday. We will discuss the requirements during class on Tues. and they will have most of class to work on it. The essay needs to be framed in the consideration points we have used these past few weeks. Willingness to blame, use of propaganda, rationalization of actions, those who obey and resisters, courage to care, and hope.
ALL HISTORY BOOKS NEED TO BE RETURNED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
STATE CONSTITUTION TEST IS MAY 29TH
ALL LATE WORK DUE BY 5/15. I WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY MISSING WORK AFTER THIS DATE!!
Lit. Skills
We will watch the movie version of Fahrenheit 451 Monday. The students need to write a compare and contrast paper, 2-3 paragraphs, due 5/15

Their project is due on Monday, 5/18.
AR tests need to be taken as soon as possible and I will still accept extra credit or alternative projects for AR points.
Trivia

The flag of what American state was designed by a 13 year old boy? Remember, two paragraphs. Due 5/15

Homework for the week of
May 4, 2009

Current Event due 5/5
Geography due 5/8
Crossword/word-search due 5/8
Trivia 5/8

History

We will have a mini unit on the Holocaust this week. We will have a choral reading of , 'I Never Saw Another Butterfly, by Celeste Raspanti. This is a play based on the poetry written by children in Terezin concentration camp. Over 15, 000 Jewish children passed through this camp and only about 100 were still alive when Terezin was liberated at the end of the war. The story is a lesson of hope when there was little reason for hope.
We will learn about Hannah Senesh and her brave attempt to rescue fellow Jews in cooperation with the British.
We will have a review session for the test and an opportunity to complete our notes.
THE FINAL TEST, OPEN NOTES ONLY, WILL BE ON MONDAY, MAY 11TH.

Lit. Skills

We will continue with our novel. We are already in the third section. Students MUST have a personal reflection journal entry for each series of pages we read. They are to create a crossword puzzle with at least 15 clues OR a word-search puzzle with 20 words from our novel.
An answer key must be included. Extra credit work is available and everyone who is lacking in AR points, is encouraged to take advantage of this offer!!!

TRIVIA

Where was the first Neanderthal fossil excavated in 1856? Remember, two paragraphs are needed. Due 5/8

ALL LATE WORK MUST BE TURNED IN THE MAY 15, 2009. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!

Homework for the week of
April 27, 2009

Current Event due 4/28
Geography due 5/1
Movie notes due 5/1
Lit. Skills:
Character analysis due 5/1

Social Studies

We are finishing up our classroom exploration of the WWII era. We will watch actual footage of D-Day, dropping the bomb on Hiroshima, Japanese Americans and their prison camp experience, and Pearl Harbor. Students need a 2-3 paragraph reflection on the films we watch this week. Discussing the difference between actual footage of events vs 'Hollywood'.
We will have classroom discussion of these events, peace, and lasting impressions. We will begin our Holocaust unit on Friday. This will last through next week.
I am sending home a permission slip to view the opening scenes of the movie, Saving PrivateRyan. I need these signed and returned by Wed. when we watch the movie. If you would prefer not to view the film, there is an alternative lesson to complete in the Library.

Lit. Skills

We are in the second section of our novel. Students need to write a reflection for each group of pages we read and discuss in class. They need to analyze a character we have met so far. What are they like, personality, physical appearance, etc. What does their character contribute to the story thus far? Why is this important for us to know?

Trivia
What Tchaikovsky ballet ,especially popular during the holiday season, was completed in 1892?
DON'T FORGET THAT I ACCEPT LATE WORK FOR PARTIAL CREDIT!!