Monday, Monday, Monday!

Greetings,

Monday, June 9 we will be holding our annual "Trade and Barter Day".  It is really akin to a Sixth Grade Flea Market, but it gives the kids a chance to trade and barter for objects of desire.  Everyone is expected to participate, so have your child start looking around for "stuff" they no longer want; one man's trash is another man's treasure"

Latin American Trade and Barter Day

Who: 6^th grade students

What: Bring in items to trade and barter with their classmates. 

* Items must fit into one grocery bag.  Students should also bring in a colorful beach towel which will help to organize the merchandise.

When: Monday, June 9, 2014

Where: To Be Determined (if it's nice, we may be outside!)

Why: Markets are essential in Latin American countries. This activity gives students the opportunity to experience a market setting where they can trade and barter.

* Items to consider for trade: CD’s DVD’s, computer games, old toys, jewelry, crafts, if it’s handmade it probably is OK to trade. All items to trade should pass parental inspection and approval. Items not permitted: food, old clothing, lotions, makeup, body spray, candles, or anything flammable. Use good judgement.

Central and South America Power Points

Greetings,

Yesterday, May 28, the kids started making Power Point presentations on Central American, Caribbean Island, or South American country. Countries were assigned via a random draw from a paper bag :)

The assignment involves preparing slides about one's country; there are five heading that need to be addressed, and  at least three facts need to be provided for each heading.  Ideas for each heading have been provided although those are just ideas and kids are free to use other ideas that they find interesting.

We are using Chromebook computers to complete this assignment, but we will only have the computers for three days - May 28,29, and 30.  Many kids are using their time wisely, but there are several who, no doubt, will need to complete this assignment at home.  It is due Monday, June 2, 2014.      

Below is the assignment description with "ideas" for each heading:


    Central and South America Report/Power Point

The purpose of this assignment is for you to learn about a topic that will not be covered in class in great detail.  You will report on your “chosen” country to inform the rest of the class J  The following information must be included:

Geography: Include pictures J

Location-Continent, Hemisphere, Latitude and Longitude

Physical Features- Mountains, bodies of water, rivers, desert, rain forest, etc

Climate- Type of climate, average temperature in Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Vegetation

Wild Life

History: Include pictures J

First Inhabitants

Famous Leaders

Major wars or revolts

Government: Include pictures J

Name of Capitol City

Country’s Official name

Type of Government;  Communist?  Democratic Republic?  Socialist? 

Current Government Leader: name, title, residence

Economy: Include Pictures J

Major industries

Major agricultural crops

Trade – imports and exports

Money – name, value compared to US dollar,

Occupations of the citizens

Culture: Include pictures  J

Population

Ethnic Groups

Major religions

Life expectancy

Language

Literacy Rate

Food

Clothing

Holidays and Customs

Sports and Recreation

Famous Artists, Authors, Scientists, etc

                                                                                                   

Mexico Flip Book and Map of South America

Greetings,

The Mexico Flip Book was due today, and the majority of  kids did turn in the assignment. Check Infinite Campus to see if your child has the 5 points applied to "Turning the assignment in on time" score. Many kids went "above and beyond" on their assignment, and those flip books are displayed on the board under the title "This is BEAUTIFUL work!"  Extra effort deserves extra praise.

We have been working on a "Political and Climate Map" of South America the past two days.  This assignment is due Thursday, May 22.  This information has been on the Assignment Board since yesterday, and the due date was repeated several times during class.  Many students have already turned in their maps!

Tomorrow we will start a new map activity "Mapping Wealth and Poverty in Brazil".  This will be a two day assignment, too.  The first part of the assignment will require the kids to put GDP data in order from lowest to highest value.  The second part of the assignment will require kids to color areas based on the GDP data.

We are approaching South America through geography right now; next week we will be start an individual project!

Thanks,
Cathy

Good bye Mr. Clover

Today we bade good-bye to Mr. Clover.  The kids were sad; many asked for autographs and made cards.

We continue to work on the Mexico Flip Book, which is due Wednesday, May 21.  We reviewed the directions and requirements again today; this will be graded as a test, so a missing assignment will have a big impact on one's grade.  Missing work will also need to be completed at home as we will be moving forward in our study of Central and South America.  We have spent three days in the computer lab so far, with one more day on Monday, May 19, so there has been plenty of time to gather research on Mexico.  So far, the "Mexican Walking Fish" has been the most popular native "wild life" entry.

I have told the kids, every day of this assignment, that this is their responsibility; they need to follow the rules, they need to decide if they understand the facts they are recording, they need to be in control of their learning.  Seventh Grade is not far off, and the ability to work independently will be required of the students. This is a good place to start for those students who still struggle to be independent.


Happy week end,
Cathy

Mexico Flip book - A work in progress

We continue to spend time in the computer lab doing research on Mexico.  We have the computer lab for one, and possibly two, more days.  Research that is not completed by the end of the day on Monday, May 19 will need to be completed at home.  This is actually a fairly easy assignment; I am asking for 25 facts and four days should be enough time.  I have a few kids who have completed the assignment. The Mexico Flip book is due Wednesday, May 21.

Next Tuesday, May 20, we will be starting the unit on Central America, and I want to get to South America, too.  We may be taking a different approach to complete this task.

Thanks,
Cathy

Mexico Project

Today I assigned the "Mexico Flipbook" project.  I am attaching the information sheet the kids received today.  This information is also available on my web page; you can get to the web page via LMS Homework  Page.

Thanks,
Cathy

Mexico “Flipbook” Assessment (Test)

Scoring Rubric

Label your book with the following Headings (spelling COUNTS!)

Climate/Wild Life/Vegetation           Government and Economy        History            Geography/Physical Features        Culture

You will need three (3) illustrations (hand drawings), three (3) pictures, or a combination of both, in your flipbook.

For each of the Headings, you will need to list five (5) facts.  You may use three (3) facts from your book, but at least two (2) facts must come from “research” you do in the Computer Lab.  If you want to do ALL your facts from your “research” that is perfectly acceptable. J  Your Headings may be in any order you choose. 

Consider including the following information for each Heading:

Climate:  types of climates and their locations, native plants, native animals

Geography/Physical Features: bodies of water and their locations, landforms and their locations, borders, Resources and their locations

Government and Economy:  Structure of Government, the type of work done by the people of Mexico, Wages, Maquiladoras

History:  Ancient Civilizations, Spanish Conquest

Culture: Food, Customs/Holidays, Dress, Sports, Music, dance

There is much more information that can be added to each heading; these are just ideas.  As you do your research, you may find some aspect that is more interesting to you.

You will be graded thusly:

Title Page – 1 point

Heading Labels –1 point

3 Pictures/Illustrations – 3 points

Geography – Five Facts, 5 points

Climate- Five Facts, 5 points

Culture – Five Facts, 5 points

History – Five Facts, 5 points

Government and Economy – Five Facts, 5 points

Total = 30 points

This assignment is due May 21, 2014

Maya, Aztec, Inca Test Tuesday, May 6

On Tuesday, May 6 the kids will be taking a test over the unit on Mesoamerican cultures.  These cultures include the Olmec, Maya, Aztec, and Inca.  Mr. Clover started this unit on April 7, and has taught lessons on each of the cultures.  The kids have notes covering information from the book and video clips, and a Review Sheet that was handed out last Thursday, May 1.  The kids had Thursday and Friday in class to work on the Study Guide, and it was to be returned, completed, today so there could be a "meaningful" review.  Please ask your child to show you the notes from the unit.  It might be helpful to quiz your child over the information this evening.

The test will be 30 questions; 10 True/False, 10 Multiple Choice, and 10 Fill-in-the-blank, with a word bank.

Thanks,
Cathy