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!!

Homework for the week of
April 20, 2009

Current Event-due 4/21
Check Your Progress p.827 1 & 2 due 4/22
Geography 4/23
Lit.Skills-Illustrate 2 scenes and write a 2 paragraph explanation/description of the scenes. Keep current with the reflections.

We have a short week this week but lots to do. We are finishing up our study of WWII. We will continue watching actual footage of battles etc.
We will have our 2nd quiz on Thur. This is open note only, no books or packet!
We will have a final in a few weeks when we have competed our unit.
TRIVIA due 4/23
What was the name of Little Orphan Annie's dog?
DON'T FORGET YOU CAN CHECK YOUR GRADE ON THE ONLINE GRADE BOOK!

Homework for the week of
April 13, 2009

Current Event due 4/14
Geography due 4/17
Keep current with History notes. Reading pages 816-820 & War,Peace, and All That Jazz,pages 152-162. Pink packet as well.

We continue reading and discussing WWII. We have our first quiz on Fri. 4/17. This is the only quiz allowing the use of notes, packet, AND book.
We have a cartoon analysis to work on in class Tues. and it will be due Wed.
LIT. SKILLS
We continue with our novel, Fahrenheit 451. Students need to write a personal reflection for each days reading.
TRIVIA due 4/17
In two paragraphs answer this question; Name the fascist leader who won control of his country and became its dictatorial leader in 1939.
DON'T FORGET THAT LATE WORK IS DUE BY FRIDAY OF THE WEEK IT WAS ASSIGNED FOR 50%. AFTER THAT DAY, 25% FOR ALL LATE WORK.

Homework for the week of
April 6, 2009
Welcome Back!

NO Current Event or Geography this week due to our short week. We begin our study of WWII.
We will spend the next few weeks learning about and gaining a better understanding of the huge global impact this war had.
We will read from our History book, pages 802-820. We will supplement from War, Peace, and All That Jazz. I have handouts as well. We will watch several videos, some documentary style with actual war footage.

Lit. Skills

We begin our next novel study, Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury. I recommend everyone get a copy to keep at home, just in case, so review of the days reading can be done at home.
We have a informational packet with this unit and a variety of class room and homework assignments.

NO TRIVIA THIS WEEK

Homework for the week of March 23, 2009
NO CURRENT EVENTS OR GEOGRAPHY

Dust Bowl packet due Tues.3/24 Students need to answer 'Your Turn' #1 and write a two paragraph reflection/response to the reading. #2, the poem, is extra credit.
Read pages 782-787 in their Social Studies books.
Pro/Con writing activity due Thurs.3/26
Trivia 3/27
We have several group activities this week. Students will be presenting information to the class.
We will be working on an activity relating to Elenore Roosevelt and the many letters she received from Americans during the Depression.
When we return from Spring Break, we will begin WWII.

TRIVIA
due Friday 3/27
In two paragraphs answer the following;
What was the featured attraction between the Indian elephant act and the ape-man act at the Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1896?

Homework for the week of March 16, 2009

Current Event-3/17
Check your Progress-1,2,3&4- 3/19
Geography-3/20
"Life in the 30's"-Mon.3/23

Social Studies

We danced our way out of the Roaring Twenties and right into The Great Depression! We will be reading from various sources this week and gaining a better understanding of how we got ourselves into this pickle! We will have reading homework several days this week and a quiz on the reading. Pages 770-781 will be covered. Questions from the book will be homework on Wed. night. Students will work with a partner on a packet, Life in the 1930's.

Lit. Skills

Questions for chapters 14-17 due 3/18
Friends sheet due 3/19
Final Journal entries due 3/20
Packet and project due 3/24

We will finish our novel this week. Student's will be assigned a culminating activity on Wed.
They have until Tues. of next week, 3/24, to compete it. They need to make a poster, size of a computer page, with a minimum of 5 quotes and 5 symbols that represent the theme, the emotion, the meaning THEY came away with from this reading experience.
THE FINAL QUIZ, OPEN BOOK, WILL BE ON MONDAY, MARCH 23RD.

TRIVIA
due 3/20

What is the name of the cartoonist who created, Doonesbury? Remember, two paragraphs is needed for credit!

REPORT CARDS GO HOME ON THURSDAY

Homework for the week of
March 9, 2009

Current Event due 3/10
Geography due 3/13-Country Crossword

Trivia due 3/13

Social Studies

We will be exploring the wonderful music of the 1920's this week and watch a great documentary of the Roaring Twenties! We will touch on the "Prosperity Balloon and Getting Rich Quick" themes.
Lit. Skills
We continue with our novel, Summer of My German Soldier. Students have a two page vocabulary sheet due Wed. 3/11. Everyone is responsible for keeping a journal/reflection for each chapter they read. These may be collected at any time for grading!
Don't forget a bout "Independent Reading"
TRIVIA
In golf, the term, "albatross" is better known as what?
Recall you need a two paragraph response.

NO HOMEWORK FOR THE WEEK OF
MARCH 3, 2009
ISAT TESTING ALL WEEK

Students are working on a mini research unit in class this week. They have a name/term from the Roaring Twenties and are finding information. They need to write a brief definition and explanation of the term and provide a visual. These will be presented in class on Monday, March 9th.

THE TRIMESTER IS OFFICIALLY OVER FRIDAY, MARCH 6TH.

Homework for the week of
February 23, 2009

Current Event due 2/24
NO GEOGRAPHY THIS WEEK

Class work Etc.

We will be roaring into the 1920's! We will be reading from various sources about this time in our history. Student's will have some short writing assignments. The will be given a packet on Wed. This packet will be due by the end of class Thur. We will also have a Scholastic activity to work on in class Friday.

Lit. Skills
We continue reading from our novel, Summer of My German Soldier. Students must have a personal reflection/response to EACH chapter we read. They may journal as themselves or a character. I will collect these randomly so everyone needs to be up to date.
ALL LATE WORK WAS DUE TODAY AND I WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY LATE WORK THIS TRIMESTER.
*TRIVIA
Where was horror film star, Bela Lugosi born and where did he get his name?
due 2/26
*last one this trimester
ALL UN-USED CURRENT EVENT COUPONS ARE DUE 2/26 FOR EXTRA CREDIT.
ISAT TESTING BEGINS ON TUESDAY, MARCH 3RD. NO HOMEWORK THAT WEEK!!

Homework for the week of February 16, 2009

Current Event due 2/17
Geography due 2/20

SOCIAL STUDIES

We will end our WWI unit on Wednesday with our TEST. Students may use their notes but nothing else.
We will have a review game on Tuesday to help us study for the test.
We will review the test on Thursday and discuss any points that need clarification.
ALL LATE WORK IS DUE ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 23RD!
LIT. SKILLS

We begin our novel, Summer of My German Soldier, Tues. We will spend the next couple of weeks reading in class as well as at home. Each student must keep a personal journal for each chapter. There will be various activities to accompany this unit and they will be listed each week.

TRIVIA
Due 2/20

John Glenn's most recent space mission was aboard the space shuttle Discovery in 1998. When was his first mission and what was his spacecraft called?

DON'T FORGET, THE TRIMESTER ENDS ON MARCH 6, 2009

Homework for the week of February 9, 2009

Current Event due 2/10
No Geography this week!
Trivia due 2/13

Our Unit TEST is Wednesday February 18, 2009
Students may use their notes but that is all.

Due to conferences, we will have a modified schedule. We will continue to watch a film relating to WWI and what was happening in our world. Various in-class activities will also be on the agenda.

Lit. Skills
Students will continue reading their independent reading materials. We will begin our new novel, Summer of My German Soldier, the week of the 16th.
ALL MISSING ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE TURNED IN FOR PARTIAL CREDIT BY MONDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2009.
I WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY WORK AFTER THIS DATE
TRIVIA
What product was first introduced in 1906 as Blibber-Blubber?

Homework for the week of February, 2, 2009

Current Event due 2/3
Pro/Con WWI 2/4
Geography due 2/6

WWI packet and map skills sheet are due Tuesday February 3!!

Social Studies

We will be watching some WWI video footage and continuing our discussion of this time in our Nation. We will have some group work on the Influenza epidemic, the Red Scare, and Labor disputes.

OUR FINAL UNIT TEST WILL BE ON WEDNESDAY FEB.18TH
STUDENTS MAY USE THEIR NOTES AND THAT IS ALL!!
Lit.Skills

The entire week will be spent reading from their independent reading books and taking AR tests.

Trivia
due 2/6
What baseball legend hit Yankee Stadium's first two World Series home runs?
{don't forget you need to answer this is two paragraphs}

Homework for the Week of January 26, 2009

Current Event due Tues.-1/27
Geography due Friday.-1/30

Social Studies

We will be finishing up our classroom discussion of WWI this week. There will be some reading from our text as homework and good notes are expected for all our reading and class lectures.
We will have a closed book test on WWI when we have finished the entire unit. Students will be allowed notes but that is ALL!!
Students will receive a packet on Thursday to reinforce what we have been studying in class. They will have one day to work on this at school. The rest of the work needs to be completed at home. It will be due on Tues. Feb.3rd.

Lit. Skills

We are watching the original version of, Raisin in the Sun, with Sidney Poitier and Ruby Dee this week. Students need to continue with their AR reading and taking the tests. THE PARENT/GUARDIAN READING FORM IS DUE ON FRIDAY, JAN. 30!!

TRIVIA
due Jan. 30th

In two paragraphs answer the following question:
What tennis breakthrough was made by Lili de Alvarex on center court at Wimbledon in 1931?

Homework for the Week of January 19, 2009
NO SCHOOL MONDAY IN HONOR OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING
HISTORY CLASS

Current Event due 1/20
No Geography this week.

We will begin WWI on Wednesday. We will have readings to do in class and at home. Pages 702-722 will be covered in our history books. We will also read from our supplemental book, The Age of Extremes. We may have questions to answer at home if class time does not permit.

LIT. SKILLS

We will finish reading the play, Raisin in The Sun. We will watch the original version of the play when we have completed our reading. Students need to continue reading their AR books at home and have their completed AND signed form returned on Jan. 30th. The students know it is their responsibility to take AR tests before school or during lunch as we finish this unit.

TRIVIA
In two paragraphs answer the following:
How did the ancient Romans keep dry when it rained at the Colosseum?
Due 1/23

Homework for the Week of January 12th

Current Event due 1/13
Geography due 1/16
We will be reading and discussing Chapter 20 in our History books.
There will be reading homework from this chapter several nights this week. We will have in class review questions to answer and those will become homework if they are not finished during the allotted time.

Trivia due 1/16
In two paragraphs answer: What European capital is located in the crater of an extinct volcano?
Lit. Skills
We continue reading A Raisin in the Sun in class. There are questions and writing activities that are assigned when we finish each act. These are usually worked on in class and due the next day.
Progress Reports go home on Friday!!

Welcome Back!
Homework for the week of Jan. 5th

-Current Event due 1/6
-Check Your Progress, 1 & 2, on page 659 of our History books due 1/7 AND READ pages 660-665 by the end of the week.
-DBQ due 1/9
NO GEOGRAPHY THIS WEEK :-)

WE WILL BE WATCHING AN EDITED VERSION OF IRON JAWED ANGLES THIS WEEK.

Trivia-due 1/9
In two paragraphs answer this question;
Where was Billy the Kid, the notorious Wild West outlaw, born?

DO NOT FORGET THAT I ACCEPT LATE WORK!!