Core Democratic Values & Homework

Today's assignment was to complete pages 5-9 in the CDV booklet.  Your student should have a definition written in their own words, and two "real life" examples of each CDV. This is due tomorrow, Tuesday, February 28.  I'm not worried about pictures, but it might help them formulate plans for the activity we do later this week. 

Third Hour was not in class today; we were at an excellent assembly about Internet Safety.  It gave me, as a mom, something to think about. Be sure to ask your child about the assembly.  Third Hour will be a day behind this week, but that's okay :-)

Thanks
Cathy

CDV Documents

A list of definitions and a study guide for the final test on Core Democratic Values can be found in the "Documents" section of my LMS website.  Just look for documents labeled "CDV".

Thanks,
Cathy

Core Democratic Values

We began working today on a Core Democratic Values(CDV) unit.  The kids took a pre-test over the terms earlier in the marking period, and we are now beginning instruction.  Today, we simply read over the first page of a short booklet, looking at documents important to the governing of our country. There is NO homework today.

During this unit, your student will be asked to write definitions of CDVs in their own words, relate each CDV to a "real life" event, and draw a picture that will help them remember the definition.  The kids will then work in a small group to make a poster of a CDV which they will present to the rest of the class.  The culmination will be the post test, which will be given prior to the end of the marking period.

Learning about Core Democratic Values helps the student understand the rights granted to them under our Constitution and helps them develop into a more educated citizen of our country.  Some day they will be in charge; I'd like to think that they understand the responsibility that is attached to the freedom our country offers each of us!

Thanks,
Cathy

Chapter 10 Test

The final grades for the Chapter 10 test have been entered.  Almost every student who re-took the test showed some degree of improvement. 

Brazil - No Homework

Today the kids created, with a partner, a poster about Brazil.  Last week the "in class" assignment was to gather 12 facts about Brazil, which were to be used to create this poster.  We also watched a movie about Brazil,  a movie about  Families of Brazil, and read the section about Brazil in our textbook.

The poster is to include 12 facts about Brazil, so theoretically each group had 24 facts from which to choose in producing the poster.  Class time was given to do the poster, and a short amount of time will be given tomorrow to complete the assignment.  This is not a homework assignment, but not every group used its time wisely.

Thanks,
Cathy

Re-Test

Today, students who had completed the Power Up were allowed to take the Chapter 10 test again.  The scores were much better, but I really thought everyone would have at least a B since they had a copy of the actual test to use as a study guide.  We also went over the Power Up yesterday, and I asked for any clarifications that may have been needed. 

A completed Power Up is required before a student is allowed to re-test.  A few kids told me they left their Power Up at home, so I told them they needed to bring it in tomorrow.  We have mid-winter break next Monday, so I would really like to wrap up the Chapter 10 testing cycle tomorrow.

There is no homework tonight.

Thanks,
Cathy

Power Up! = Homework 2/14/12

Today I handed out a "Power Up" packet to those students who need to power up to prepare to re-take the test over Chapter 10.  The power up is a paper copy of the test; your student needs to answer each question AND provide the page number, paragraph number, and section name where the answer was found.  This is my attempt to get your student to actually read, or re-read, the chapter.  All the information one needs to be successful on the test can be found in the chapter.

The Power Up packet is due tomorrow, February 15.  We will go over information during class tomorrow, so it is imperative that the power up be completed. It will then be sent home tomorrow to use as a study guide for the re-test on Thursday, February 16. 

A completed Power Up packet is a requirement if your student wishes to re-take the test on Thursday; please consider the Power Up homework for this evening.

Thanks,
Cathy

You have to think

Today, we took the test over Chapter 10, Caribbean South America.  The test was difficult; although I asked the kids to go into the chapter several times, the questions were not basic "regurgitation" questions.  The test required the kids to pause and think about their responses, and not everyone wanted to pause and think.

Several kids tried to tell me that the questions from the test were not from the book, however, Mr. Vandenberg and I looked through the book and found every answer; page and paragraph.  We will be offering a "Power Up" and re-test to any student who wishes to participate.  This process will start Tuesday.

Have a nice weekend,
Cathy

Test Tomorrow, and Secret Word :-)

The test over Chapter 10 - Caribbean South America is tomorrow, Friday, February 10.  Please be sure your child spends some time going over the chapter this evening; the test is not difficult, but your child will need to think!!   

Earlier this week, I posted a list of information that will be important to know for the test.  Please be sure your child looks over that information.  We did review from the list today, but a refresher is always  a good policy.

Page 18 in the booklet was assigned today; for some it is homework.

The secret word for today is "study"!  Tell me tomorrow for a Jolly Rancher!!

Thanks,
Cathy

HOMEWORK!!!

There is a homework assignment for tonight, February 8.  The students have a blue study guide for chapter 10; this is a two sided paper with matching, fill in the blank, and multiple choice questions.  This is OPEN BOOK, and  a page number MUST accompany the answer for each question.  This is to help prepare for the test on Friday.

Thanks,
Cathy

Test Friday, February 10

At the end of this post is a list of "stuff" that the kids should know for the test Friday.  Tomorrow, the students will exchange their "Fill in the blank" questions, and they will be given time in class to complete that assignment. 

Third, Fifth, and Sixth hours were assigned page 17 in the CSA booklet, which will be due tomorrow.  First and Second hours will be given time in class to work on that page, but we will correct it prior to the end of class.

For the Test on Friday, make sure you know:

Tierra fria

what lies between the Guiana Highlands and the Andes

paramo

Animals/fish in the Orinoco

Tierra helada

What has influenced music on the Caribbean coast

Country capitals

Why the Spaniards are important

Important aspects of Colombian culture

Important crops in Colombia

The role of the Catholic Church in Colombia

Official languages of Colombia and Venezuela

Important aspects of Venezuelan culture

What is important for French Guiana’s economy

About ethnic groups in Suriname

Why the Guianas are isolated from the rest of South America

What French Guiana sends to France

What Guyana exports

What countries have influenced the Guianas

Cordillera

Natural resources in Caribbean South America

Thanks,
Cathy

Once more, with feeling

I typed my little entry, attempted to post it, and it was gone!!  This can be frustrating!

We are having a TEST over Chapter 10  on Friday, February 10.  It will be a 34 question multiple choice test which the students will take on a computer.  The decision was made that students MUST have a grade of at least a C- (70%) to pass the test.  We are hoping this will encourage studentst to study :-)

Today we finished reading the chapter, and the assignment was to complete pages 15 & 16 in the booklet.  The information in the booklet will be helpful when studying for the test, so remind your student to keep it handy!!

If your student DID NOT complete pages 15 & 16, it is homework. 

We started writing "Fill in the Blank" questions from the chapter, too.  Each student will write questions from each section of the chapter, and exchange with a classmate.  This assignment has a two-fold purpose: first, kids have to look through the book to write the questions, and secondly the students will need to look through the chapter to answer the questions.  Sneaky studying!!

The sections of Chapter 10 are:
Physical Geography
Colombia
Venezuela
The Guianas

Thanks,
Cathy

Secret Word for February 3, 2012

I didn't announce that there would be a "secret word" for Friday, so let's see who actually looks at the blog!

The word is  Lake Maracaibo.

Good luck :-)

Hmmmm

Yesterday's assignment seemed to allude many students!  It was pretty straight-forward, and I think kids just made the choice to not use the book.  So, you may receive a "Failing Grade Report" today. 

The assignment for today is to finish page 13 and do the quiz on page 14 of the Caribbean South America booklet.  Since it seems that so few students used the book on  yesterday's assignment, a page number is required as part of the answer for each question on page 14. 

We will be taking the test over Chapter 10 on Friday, February 10.

http://lowellmiddleschool.weebly.com/

The link above will take you to the LMS Homework page; the CSA booklet can be found in my Classroom Documents.

Thanks,
Cathy

Venezuela, Continued, Secret Word :-)

Today, the kids should have finished reading the section on Venezuela, pages 228-229.


 The assignment was to do page 12 in the Caribbean South America booklet.  That page can be found in the "Classroom Documents" section of my LMS webpage if your child forgets to bring it home today.

We watched a video about Venezuela today, too.   

The secret word of the day is Venezuela, but you need to tell  what it means.  The answer was  in the movie!!

Good Luck!