This IS a Test!!

Greetings,

We corrected pages 15 and 16 in the "The World's People" booklet today, so the work in that booklet is completed.  Today's assignment is an Open Book Test over Chapter 3.  I am requiring a page number with each answer,  because I believe it is important that kids know how to locate information in a textbook. I gave the kids about 35 minutes to work on the test in class, and what is not completed is homework. This will be graded as a test, so it is imperative that this assignment be completed on time.

We did not watch CNN Student News today.  I previewed it before school started, and the entire 10 minutes was dedicated to the shootings in Newtown.  I can't talk about this tragedy without crying, and although I don't think it's wrong to show emotion in front of kids, I simply can't talk about it right now.  I worry about my daughter, as I'm sure you worry about your child.  My daughter worries about me, now more than ever.  It's a hard truth to face, and I need a little time before I can talk about it with kids. 

Hugs your kid one extra time tonight :-)

Cathy

Possible Homework!!

Greetings,

Today we went over work assigned yesterday.  This work was not graded, but it was used for discussion of economic terms and economic systems.  Today, the assignment is page 13 in the "The World's People" booklet, and is due Thursday, December 13, 2012. The assignment is a Vocabulary matching activity, over vocabulary words from Chapter 3, Section 2.  The students must include a page number with each answer.  I require a page number because I want kids to learn how to use a textbook.  When your child writes a random page number, it defeats the purpose.  I don't expect kids to memorize every fact in the book, but I do expect them to know how to locate information.  Please encourage your student to use the book carefully.

I have a "Secret Word" for Thursday, too. The word is:  ethoncentric!

Thanks,
Cathy

Levels of Economic Activity

These are the jobs that need to be sorted by Level of Economic Activity :-)

Actor                                                      

Apple picker

Author

Astronaut

Ballet dancer

Book binder

Car assembly line worker

Clown

Computer programmer

Chef

Dairy farmer

Day-care worker

Dentist

Doctor

Dress maker

Engineer

Farmer

Fireman 

Furniture maker

Gold miner

Hair stylist

Interior designer

Manicurist

Nurse

President

Printing press operator

Policeman

Professional Athlete

Scientist

Store clerk

Shoe maker

Sheep herder

Sugar cane farmer

Radio announcer

Truck Driver 

Levels of Economic Activity

Today, I asked the kids to sort a list of jobs by level of economic activity. We have been reading the section on Economy in the Social Studies book.  There is a great chart on page 54 in the textbook.  We have also spent a couple of days talking about this concept, and although it is abstract, I think with a little thought, it can be done.  I am attaching a copy of the list of jobs that need to be sorted.  It is due tomorrow, December 11, 2012. Some of the job titles (apple picker) sound "mean", but I needed a few jobs at the Primary Level.

Thanks,
Cathy

 

Lost Boys of Sudan

Today we watched a bit of the movie "God Grew Tired of Us" which is about the lost Boys of Sudan.  It is a very powerful movie, and the kids were spellbound, for the most part.  We were watching for examples of culture, culture traits, acculturation, and how one's culture changes when one's life is so incredibly altered. They saw that what we take for granted, like running water and electricity, are new and mysterious to people from a different culture.

A few kids will be coming home with an assignment that needs to be "fixed". We did an open-book, fill-in-the-blank assignment over Chapter 3, Section 1 this week.  It was assigned on Tuesday and corrected on Thursday.  If your child did not get a passing grade +12/20, they received a new copy to do over the weekend.  If you would like your child to re-do the assignment, I have extra copies, they just need to ask.

Have a groovy weekend,
Cathy

The Rise of Agriculture

We continued to discuss the impact of development of agriculture on the development of culture.  We watched a power point about the rise of humans, from lives of hunter-gatherers to living in an advance culture; making and using tools, art, and abstract symbols.

The assignment, which is due Wednesday, November 28, is the Quiz on page 5 in the "The World's People" booklet.  Students were instructed to include a page number with each answer.  This is open-book, and I want to make sure books are used.  This will be a graded assignment.

Time was given to work on this assignment in class, however, you may want to ask you student if they have completed the assignment.

Thanks,
Cathy

HOMEWORK!!

Well, Thanksgiving is done, and we are on the downhill slide to Christmas!  Where has the time gone?

 I explained to the kids today that with the start of a new trimester, everyone has an "A" and it will be their responsibility to maintain that wonderful grade.  I have faith in them; I know everyone could have an "A" if they worked hard and turned everything in on time. 

We do have homework today, pages 3 and 4 in our "The World's People" booklet.  This is open book, and I did not ask for page numbers.  In some classes, we completed the flowchart on page 4 together, so if your child "doesn't get it", we will go over it again tomorrow.  A few kids have told me they lost their booklet, and I have no extras.  However, the booklet can now be found on my web page under the title "2012 The World's People". It was posted today, so you can check the date to make sure you are getting the most current edition.

Here is a link to the document; you will need to download and print the booklet:

http://www.lowellschools.com/education/components/docmgr/default.php?sectiondetailid=14736&catfilter=1922#showDoc

Illustrated Vocabulary

The past two days the students have been working to illustrate 13 vocabulary words from Chapter 3, Section 1 in our textbook. The vocabulary words are difficult to illustrate, so the kids really have to think about what each word means.  This is more important than simply memorizing a list of words for a test that will be forgotten after the test is taken. 

I was out of the room on Tuesday and Wednesday, so I'm not sure of the progress that has been made. Tomorrow we will be back on track.  I LOVE Chapter 3; it addresses culture and economy.  We will be taking a test over this chapter,but don't worry yet!  We just started the chapter so I have NO time frame. As we get close to taking the test, I will let you know.  We will actually have a project to wrap up the culture and economy concepts, too.

There is no homework, so enjoy the evening.

Cathy

Oceans, Seas, and Continentes Test

This Friday, November 2, 2012, we will be taking the final Oceans, Seas, and Continents test. I have told the kids there WILL NOT be an opportunity to re-test for this test.  This is an easy test, we have done several assignments to prepare for the test, and I think it is important that the kids take responsibility and prepare for this test.

The test will consist of two blank maps; one side for identifying continents, and the other for identifying oceans and seas.  The continents, oceans, and seas are numbered and the test consists of students writing the correct name with corresponding ocean, sea, or continent.  We will be doing one more review activity on Wednesday, and that will be sent home to use as a study guide.  I have also suggested that the kids use the World Physical Map in their Social Studies book.  We will go to the computer lab tomorrow (Wednesday) to look at Sheppard Software, which has several map puzzle activities.

The seas the kids need to be able to locate  on a world map:
Arabian Sea, Bering Sea, Caribbean Sea, Coral Sea  Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, South China Sea

The oceans the kids need to be able to locate on a world map:
Atlantic Ocean, Arctic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Southern Ocean

Thanks,
Cathy

BIG MAP, again

The deadline for the BIG MAP draws nigh!!  Tomorrow, Thursday, October 25 will be the last day for kids to work on their map during class time.  They know the BIG MAP is due when they enter the classroom on Friday, October 26.

Many students have already turned in their BIG MAP!! It is exciting to see such industriousness, and most of the maps turned in have been well done.  The kids have had a list of required items since the assignment was started, but I also posted a list, and a scoring rubric last week. I have posted on the board the following message:

"By the end of class today, October 24, if you are still drawing your continents, you are WAY BEHIND.  You have two (2) more class periods before your map is due.  Friday IS NOT a "work-on-your-map" day."
 If your student still needs to get a major portion of the map completed, it will be coming home today.  You can "google" a world map, but be sure to get on that includes the seas.  There are also great maps in our Social Studies book.


Next week, we will return to our textbook to begin Chapter 3, the best chapter in the book :-)

Thanks,
Cathy

BIG MAP!

Greetings,

We have spent this week working on the "BIG MAP" :-)  Most kids are making good progress, and a few have already completed and submitted the assignment.  It's very exciting to recieve an assignment ahead of time; it gives me a chance to get them graded early. 

The BIG MAP is due this Friday, October 26, 2012.  Any map turned in after the due date will be considered late because the kids will have had at least five (5) entire class periods to complete the assignment.  The BIG MAP will be graded as a TEST, so it is important that the work be completed and turned in on time.

I think the kids are enjoying being cartographers :-)

Thanks,
Cathy

BIG Map!

Today, we talked about the "Big Map" project which will require your student to draw, free-hand, a world map.  Classes were shortened today as we completed MEAP testing, so thre wasn't really time to actually begin the map.  I did tell the kids that the map is due Friday, October 26, 2012.  I also told them that I would accept no excuses short of being in a coma :-)  We will have plenty of classtime to work on this project!

I am attaching the list of required items that must be on the final map.  I will be giving the kids a copy of this and a copy of the Scoring Rubric, which is also attached.  We will begin in earnest to work on the map tomorrow.

Thanks,
Cathy

World Map

Scoring Rubric

Name: ___________________________

____/2 Title

____/2 Equator

____/2 Prime Meridian

____/2 Tropic of Cancer

____/2 Tropic of Capricorn

____/5 Compass Rose

____/4 Hemispheres

____/5 Oceans (placement)

____/8 Seas (placement)

____/2 Placement- Africa

____/2 Placement-Asia

____/2 Placement-North America

____/2 Placement-South America

____/2 Placement-Antarctica

____/2 Placement- Europe

____/2 Placement- Australia

____/7 Continents Labeled

____/5 Oceans labeled

____/8 Seas labeled

____/14 Colored

_________/80 points

_________ Letter Grade

Required Items for your World Map:

All the continents;

North America

South America

Africa

Europe

Asia

Antarctica

Australia

These Oceans need to be on your map:

Atlantic Ocean

Pacific Ocean

Southern Ocean

Indian Ocean

Arctic Ocean

These Seas need to be on your map:

Arabian Sea

Bering Sea

Caribbean Sea

Coral Sea

Mediterranean Sea

North Sea

Sea of Japan

South China Sea

You also need to:

Give your map a Title

Label the 4 hemispheres

Draw and label the Equator

Draw and label the Prime Meridian

Draw and label the Tropic of Cancer

Draw, label the Tropic of Capricorn

Make a Compass Rose

Your map also needs to be colored/painted

 

Small Map Project

Today we started work on a "small map" project.  The scoring rubric is below.  This is, for the most part, an "in class" assignment.  Those who use their time wisely will have no problem completing the assignment by the end of class time tomorrow (Tuesday, October 16).  This assignment requires the students to find specific areas in an atlas, then label a blank map.  It's a great review for continent, ocean, and sea placement, and use of the atlas index.

Small Map Project

Due 10/17/12

Scoring Rubric:

Neatness:  5 points

Continents: 7 points

Oceans:  5 points

Seas:  7 points

Lightly Shaded: 8 Points

Cover sheet: 3 points

Total:  35 points

Bonus: 1 point

Wrapping Up!

Today we completed the "Getting To Know Your Atlas" workbook!  YIPPEE!  It's fun to work in the atlas, but it's time to switch gears a bit.

Next week we will be MEAP testing on Tuesday and Wednesday again, so classes will be shortened those two days.  We will begin doing the work of cartographers next,  week which should be fun.

There is no homework this weekend :-)

Thanks,
Cathy

MEAP Testing and More Grades

Greetings,

Today everyone took "Day 1" of the MEAP test.  As a result, our schedule was shifted a bit, and most classes were about 35 minutes long. 

The classes spent time completing the assignment from yesterday which was to complete pages 14,15, and 16 in the "Getting to Know Your Atlas" booklet.  The kids are still working from the atlas, learning how to read and interpret thematic maps.  We will correct that assignment in class tomorrow.

Our last big assignment was "Places Everyone" which was done over a two day period in the computer lab.  It was an assignment in which the kids had to find the absolute location of famous cities and/or landmarks around the world.  I had "strongly" recommended two web-sites for the kids to use, which would guarntee correct answers.  Since these web-site automatically provided the latitude and longitude for each "place", I was a little surprised that many kids did not earn better than an "B" on the assignment.  It was a very easy assignment to do if one followed directions.  So.......if you would like your child to do a "re-take" I will have an alternative version available by Thursday, October 11.  It will be your child's responsibility to complete this "re-take assignment" at home; we will not have access to the computer lab, and we need to forge ahead with our work.

Have your child let me know if they want to re-take the "Places Everyone" assignment.

There is NO homework tonight :-)

Thanks,
Cathy

Go Red Arrows!

First, thanks to everyone who was able to attend conferences this week; I love meeting the parents of my students.

Today, we worked with the atlas again, and although most kids finished during classtime, there are a few who should be coming back to the room on Monday before class to complete the assignment.  Sometimes the atlas work can be completed using "any old atlas", but sometimes the directions are very specific regarding maps that need to be used to complete an assignment. 

Next week the kids will be taking the MEAP test on Tuesday and Wednesday!   So.....a good night's sleep and a breakfast with a little protein on Monday and Tuesday nights will be advantageous :-)

There is no homework this weekend.

NO HOMEWORK!!

Greetings,

Today I told 3rd Hour that the work we started in class was homework.  I am changing my mind :-)  Other classes didn't move through quite as quickly, so I'm changing the due date. There is NO homework for Third Hour!!

We are currently working in Chapter 1, Section 2 of our Social Studies book, and the information is "big and important" so I want to spend a little more time going over this introductory material.  I had invited kids from third hour to come back during lunch if they wanted help, or extra time to work, but I'd rather have kids be "on the same page" for another week.  After that, we will be doing a "BIG Project".

Thanks,
Cathy

It's Been a While!

Greetings,

We have been so busy that I haven't taken the time to post anything in a few days, so here is an up-date:

We spent last Thursday and Friday in the computer lab finding the absolute location of many different places around the world.  I allowed the students to work alone, or with a partner, and the assignment was due today, October 1, 2012.  Happily, almost everyone was done, and my hat is off to those students who were absent on Thursday and COMPLETED the entire assignment on Friday!!  :-)  Great job!

Today, October 1, we corrected the assignment.  Those grades will be posted on either Tuesday (10/2) or Thursday (10/4).  I have had a few kids ask if they could do the assignment over, and my answer was "No".  This is my rationale:

1.  The kids were given two days to find the location of 20 different landmarks.
2.  They could work with a partner.
3.  I told them what web-sites to use to for an easy way to complete the assignment.
4.  I don't currently have an alternative assignment. ( I can create one, but it will take a few days, and it would have to be done as homework.)

Sometimes it is more about the process; did I, as a student, follow directions?  Did I ask for help if I didn't understand something? Did I take the assignment seriously?  The work that is in the grade book now is all "Daily Work", we have not done enough for a quiz.  Grades will continue to fluctuate for a while, but when kids settle into the routine, when they see the importance of being serious about a task, grades will continue to improve.

Thanks,
Cathy

Social Studies Books

Today we received our Social Studies books!  They are old, and some are in pretty rough condition.  However, they are still school properity and need to be treated with care.  We will be working from the book this week each day.

I told the kids I would start posting a "Mystery Word" or "Mystery Question". which will be  posted ramdomly.  Today, the Mystery word is "longitude".  Be sure to tell me the word before class.

Grades!!

Today I posted the first grades of the year!  Please don't be worried if your child does not have an "A", there is plenty of time for grades to improve. 

Tomorrow, we will be correcting pages 7 and 8  from the atlas booklet.  Time was given today for the kids to work on the assignment, and I strongly recommended that those kids who were not done come to the room tomorrow during lunch to complete the assignment. 

This work is not difficult, but it does require the kids to read CAREFULLY and FOLLOW DIRECTIONS.  These are skills that are still developing is many Sixth Graders, and this is the perfect time to get those skills perfected.  Working in an atlas is all about reading informational text, understanding what has been read, and applying the skills.  Many kids want to rush through the work and miss important cues.  I am convinced, however, that everyone will be successful in no time!

Thanks,
Cathy

Friday!

We continued to work with the atlas today.  I have asked that all kids be done with pages 1-4 by class time on Monday; they have had three or four days to completed these pages, and we have done sections together in class.  I told the 5th and 6th hour kids if they weren't done by the end of class they could come to my room on Monday during their lunch to finish the assignment.  I told them they won't be in trouble; they are just getting a little extra time.

Have a good weekend,
Cathy

Atlas Work

Greetings,

We are currently learning the "ins and outs" of an atlas.  Being able to use an atlas is being able to read informational text and apply what has been read.  Many students are doing a great job with these assignments, and are able to "work ahead".  However, some students are finding it difficult to use class time wisely, which can prove problematic.  I only have one classroom set of atlases, so I can't allow students to take an atlas home.  I did this last year, and not every atlas was returned, so they need to stay in the classroom. 

Beginning next Monday, I will be asking students to return to my class during lunch if they need to completed work that was not completed during class time.  I usually make sure that I don't give an assignment that is too big to complete in class, but it does require the kids to work diligently. I know this is just the beginning of the year, and the transition to a Middle School setting may be a little difficult for some kids, so I've been cutting them a little slack.

  But.......starting Monday, I will expect everyone to use their time to their advantage and complete in-class work.

Thanks,
Cathy

Homework

The two pictures of  "The Places I've Been" is due on Friday.

Weclome to Sixth Grade Social Studies!

It was nice to meet you at the Sixth Grade Smart Start on Monday!  I can promise you that I won't remember your name when I see you again on September 4th, so please don't feel bad. 

Don't worry about getting lost, feeling confused, or not being able to open your locker; we will be there to help you.  The first week is "Pink Arrow Week", so there will be different activities happening that won't normally be part of our day.

If possible, please have the following supplies:
One 2-pocket folder with prongs to hold paper; this is called a "Paper Portfolio" on the package
One "personal" pencil sharpener
One box of 12 color pencils
One black or blue sharpie


All Sixth graders will have lunch after 4th hour, from 11:07-11:37, but lunch time is not indicated on your schedule.

This is going to be a great year!

Mrs. Wood

Reward Day June 6!

Tomorrow, June 6, Sixth Graders who have meet the criteria, will participate in Reward Day.  Reward Day will be structured like a Field Day, but we will not be competing for prizes, just the "fun" of beating the opposing team.  Since we will be outside in the afternoon, please be sure your child dresses appropriately, and brings a water bottle.  It would probably be a good idea to have your water bottle labeled in some way with your child's name.

Thanks,
Cathy

Calling All Social Studies Books!

Today I started collecting books from 5th and 6th hour classes.  I will collect the rest of the books tomorrow, June 6.  The cost of a replacement book is $33, so please make sure your child explores every nook and cranny if their book is currently AWOL. 

If a book is lost, you will recieve a notice on Thursday in the form of a "Lost Book" form.  The book fee must be paid before your child can receive a report card.

Thanks,
Cathy

Oh Canada, Part Deux

The majority of kids worked on the questions today, but not everyone used their time wisely.  So... I'm posting the questions, which are due Monday, June 4. Additionally, the second part of today's assignment was to read Section 3, pages 143-147, and write three facts about each "group" of Canadian Provinces.  Those groups, as grouped by the textbook are the Eastern Provinces, The Heartland, The Western Provinces, and the Canadian North.This is also due Monday, June 4.

Thanks,
Cathy

Canada Section 2

1.     Who are the Metis? (141)

2.     What is one of the most culturally diverse cities in Canada? (142)

3.     What is a dominion? (140)

4.     Who were the first European people to settle Canada? (138)

5.     Where was the Seven Years’ War fought? (139)

6.     Who conquered “New France”? (139)

7.     What type of government does Canada have? (141)

8.     Where, in the world, was “New France” located? (139)

9.     What did Canada use to help create a nation “from sea to sea”? (141)

10. List the provinces of Canada, and their capital cities. Map, page 135

Alberta

British Columbia

New Brunswick

Newfoundland/Labrador

Northwest Territories

Nova Scotia

Manitoba

Nunavut

Ontario

Prince Edward Island

Quebec

Saskatchewan

Yukon Territory

Late and/or Missing Work

All late work and/or missing work is due Monday, June4, 2012.

Thanks,
Cathy

Oh, Canada!

Today, we started answering questions from the chapter about Canada. They ARE NOT Homework, but I'm going to post them anyway since a few students made the request. 

Thanks,
Cathy

Canada Section 2

1.     Who are the Metis?

2.     What is one of the most culturally diverse cities in Canada?

3.     What is a dominion?

4.     Who were the first European people to settle Canada?

5.     Where was the Seven Years’ War fought?

6.     Who conquered “New France”?

7.     What type of government does Canada have?

8.     Where, in the world, was “New France” located?

9.     What did Canada use to help create a nation “from sea to sea”?

10. List the provinces of Canada, and their capital cities. (Use the map, p 135)

20 Questions

Today we corrected pages 8 and 9 in class.  The assignment for the day is to complete pages 7 and 10 in the "Central America and Caribbean Islands" booklet.  Each page is a quiz and will be entered in the gradebook as a quiz. Each page is an OPEN BOOK quiz, and a page number is part of the answer. 

These pages are due Thursday, May 24, when class begins. Time was given in class to work on the assignment. 

Thanks,
Cathy

Booklet pages 8 & 9 Due Wednesday 5/23

Yesterday I was out of the room.  The assignment was to read pages 231-217, with a partner or alone, and do pages 8 and 9 in the booklet.  I also requested page numbers be supplied with answers on page 8.  This assignment is due Wednesday May 23 at the beginning of class. We will be correcting the work in class.

Thanks,
Cathy

Econ Quiz; today's homework

This is a copy of the quiz that was assigned today.  Time was given in class to work on the assignment, but just in case...........

This is due Wednesday, May 16, 2012.

Students will be able to use this quiz as "notes" for the final Econ quiz.  We will correct this before taking the final quiz.

Name:_________________________________  Hour:____

Economics Quiz

1. The first level of economic activity uses natural resources and raw materials to produce goods; this is known as a _____________________ industry.

2. Natural resources and raw materials are manufactured into other products at the _____________________ level of industry.

3. Research and distribution of information based on products happens at the __________________________ level of industry.

4. Goods and services are exchanged at the ___________________ level of industry.

5. Teachers, nurses, and truck drivers provide a ______________________.

6. A _______________ is a thing that is produced; it has a “physical presence”, and can be used.

7. ____________________________________ is what you experience when you have to choose between two items and pick one item over the other item.

8. Water, trees, plants, oil, and coal are ____________________________.

9. ______________________________ are the workers in a factory, store, or school.

10. Goods that the USA sells to other countries are _________________.

11. Goods that the USA buys from other countries are ________________.

12. When there is a limited, non-renewable amount of a resource, we think of it as _________________________________.

13. If video game prices are low, the ________________ for the games will be high.

14. The amount of goods or services that a producer is willing to provide is the _____________________________ of that good or service.

15. If a store sells out of a popular game, but can order more, they are experiencing a ____________________________, not a scarcity.

16. The __________ includes the values of a country’s goods and services produced by factories in the country and factories located in foreign countries but owned by citizens of the country.

17. Communist countries like North Korea and Cuba have a _______________________ economy; the government has complete control of the economic system in the country.

18. Factors of production are controlled by people rather than the government in a __________________________ economy.

19. Most one-crop economies are found in ____________________regions.

20. In a free enterprise system, goods are sold in a _________________ economy.

Word Bank

 command       demand       exports     free enterprise     good    GNP  GDP  

human resources     imports     market        natural resources 

opportunity cost      primary      quaternary   scarce     secondary   service  

shortage     supply   tertiary   tropical 

Econ Terms; Quiz Tomorrow! Homework Tonight!

Tomorrow we will be having an Econ Quiz.  We have spent a couple of days reviewing, and today your child worked on a "practice" quiz, which is actually more difficult than the final quiz.  This quiz, on goldenrod paper, is due tomorrow, May 16. This assignment is open-book, and the "goldenrod" quiz can be part of the notes students may use when taking the Final Econ Quiz on Wednesday. The Final Econ Quiz will include examples of Supply, Demand, Opportunity Cost, Wants, Needs, etc.  It will be important that you child understand the "essence" of the word; simply memorizing the definition might not be  the best approach. 

Below are the definitions; an example, when provided, is in bold, italic print.

Economic Terms

2.     Scarcity: When there is not enough of a good (product) or service to meet the needs of everyone who wants the good or service

3.    Opportunity Cost:  The good or service that is given up when you buy your first choice.  (What you decide NOT to buy to get your first choice.)

4.     Profit Motive: Profit (money a business makes) is why a company, business, or store is started.  The owners want to make money.

5.    Competition: Competition helps consumers because competition can make prices go lower. (Meijer may charge less for cereal than D&W to get you to shop in their store. The competition is between Meijer and D&W.)

6.    Demand: The desire and ability to pay for a product or service. (I have money, so I can buy new shoes; I have a demand for shoes.)

7.     Law of Demand: The idea that consumers will purchase more of a good at lower prices, and less of a good at higher prices.  The idea is also that higher prices will always lead to lower quantities of a good being demanded. (For example, when gas prices go up, people may make fewer “unnecessary” trips.)

8.    Supply: The amount of goods/services producers are willing to sell at various prices. (For example, stores are willing to sell school supplies at a lower price before school starts because they have a high number of school supplies.

9.    Law of Supply: The idea that producers will supply more of a product or service at higher prices, but less of a product at lower prices. (Before school starts, when everyone wants supplies, the stores have many school supplies that they will sell at a lower price.  After school starts, the number of supplies is lower, and the price is higher.)

10.  Compare Inelastic Demand and Elastic Demand: With an Inelastic Demand, people will always keep buying a product no matter what the cost. (For example, people will always buy gas for their car, no matter how expensive. We need gas in our car to get to our job, so we buy it at any price.)  With an Elastic Demand, people will buy less of a product if the price becomes too expensive and may look for a substitute product if the price is too high. (For example, if the price of Coke increases, you have options; don’t buy as much Coke, buy another brand like Meijer or Faygo cola, or buy no cola at all.)

11.   Economic Resources: Land, Labor, Capital, Entrepreneurship, Technology

12.           Wants: Products we desire but don’t need; (for example, you need shoes, but you might WANT Zig-Tech Reeboks!  You need food, but you might WANT to only eat food from McDonald’s.)

      Needs: Those things you need to maintain life-food, water, a place to live, clothing.



Open Book Quiz; Section 1, Due May 14

Today we finished taking notes over Section 1 of Chapter 9.  Since we did this on a "graphic organizer" I don't think the kids interperted the activity as "taking notes"!  In the CA/CI booklet, the Quiz on page 3 was assigned.  Since this was a quiz, page numbers are a required part of the answer.  Those statements that were "False" also needed to be changed to make them true. Both the notes and the quiz are due Monday, May 14.

Next week we will be reviewing Economics and taking a "post test" on either Wednesday or Thursday. 

Have a nice weekend.

Thanks,
Cathy

No Homework

Today we corrected the Central America-Caribbean Island maps; look for grades on IC by the end of the day Friday.

Please remind your student that it is imperative that they come to class prepared each day.  This means they should be bringing their book, booklet,  homework, and a writing instrument on a daily basis.

Thanks,
Cathy

Lost and/or Missing Books

I have had several students come to me the past few days to tell me that they have lost their book!!  We are still using our book on a daily basis, so it is important that your student locate their book as soon as possible. Aside for needing the book in the class right now, if the book needs to be replaces at the end of the year, your child will be fined. 

So....start looking under those beds, the couch, the car seats, or any other place that a Social Studies might like to hide :-)

Thanks,
Cathy

Potential Homework!!

Today we watched a short video about the geography of Central America.  After the video, the kids had time to work on  pages 1 & 2 in the "Central America and Caribbean Islands" booklet. These pages, pages 1 & 2  are due tomorrow, Thursday, May 10. The assignment is straight-forward and follows  Section One (pages 206-207) from the beginning to the end of the section.  Page numbers are not required on this assignment.

A reminder, too, that the map of Central America and the Caribbean Islands is due Thursday, May 10.

Students have been absent from the room on Tuesday and Wednesday for additional Band rehearsal; however, they are still responsible for work that they missed.  Mrs. Bredwell has reminded the students that it is their responsibility to "keep up" with Core Class work.

Thanks,
Cathy

Central America and the Caribbean Islands

Today we began Chapter 9, "Central America and the Caribbean Islands".  We started with a map assignment, which will be due Thursday, May 10.  Time was given in class to work on the assignment, but tomorrow we will not be working on the map.

I put the maps in the Documents section of my web page, too, so if it's lost, feel free to print another :-)

Mexico Market Trade and Barter Day

This Friday, May 4, is Mexico Market Trade and Barter Day. I posted information about this event last week, but the info will follow this posting.

This is an assignment, so each student is required to participate.  Participation means that each student bring at least five items to trade/barter.  It is actually a fun activity and even "shy" kids end up having fun.  Because this is an assignment, and the kids have known about this activity for a week, those kids who don't bring items will recieve a 0 (zero) for the day; it will not be possible to "make up" the zero grade.

Please have your child look around for tradeable items; cards, old games, toy cars, jewelry, rock collections, stuffed animals, etc.  It truly is a fun day!!

Mexican Market 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: Friday, May 4 2012

Where: Media center

Why: Markets are essential in Mexico. 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

Flip book Due Friday, May 4

Just a reminder that the Mexico Flipbook is due on Friday.  This is a TEST, so it is important that the assignment be ready to turn in Friday.  I have told the students that it is also very important that they understand the facts they are putting in their book!  This is not an assignment where one learns to cut and paste from the web to a word document.  This is an assignment in which one teaches me about Mexico.  I have been telling the kids that if I don't "get" one of their facts, I will ask them to explain; if they can't explain the fact, they will not earn credit for the fact.

Open Book Quiz, Mexico Map possible Homework

Today the classes did the open-book quiz on page 12; this was over Section 3.  The students were required to use a page number with their answer.  The point is to teach them how to use the textbook; I try to continue to point out that the questions move in a linear fashion from the beginning to the end of each section. If  quiz is HOMEWORK if it was not completed in class.  The quiz is graded for correct answers to the questions and correct page numbers.

A map of Mexico was also assigned and will be due on Thursday.  The students are asked to label and color major landforms on one map, and number and record the 31 states and the Federal District on another map.  They are to use their book to complete the assignments.

Tomorrow we will work on our flipbooks.

Thanks,
Cathy