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Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Core Democratic Values Test Wednesday, May 29

Tomorrow, May 29, we will be having a test over the Core Democratic Values.  It will be a "fill-in-the-blank" test, and it will be recorded as a test.  I am adding the list of definitions to this post; the test will be over the CDV terms.

Also, due tomorrow, May 29, is the CDV presentation.  The majority of kids have chosen to create a power point, which can be turned in electronically.  Ask your student to show you their presentation.  It will be a good way to review for the test :-)

Core Democratic Values
Definitions

Common Good: when all people work for the good of all; the government makes laws that are good for everyone.

Diversity:  Difference in language, dress, food, where ones’ ancestors were born, one’s religion and race are accepted as important.

Equality: Everyone should be treated the same regardless of where their parents or grandparents were born, their race, religion, or wealth.

Justice: The idea that all people should be treated fairly, that no one person or group should be favored.

Patriotism: Devotion to one’s country and its core democratic values in words and deeds.

Popular Sovereignty: The idea that government comes from the people.

Pursuit of Happiness: The right to find happiness in your own way as long as it does not impact on the rights of another.

Life: Each person has the right to the protection of his or her life.

Liberty: The freedom to believe what you want, to choose your own friends, to have your own ideas and opinions, and to be able to express those ideas in public.

Truth: Citizens can demand that the government refrain from lying and offer full disclosure.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Social Studies; The Next Six Days

These are our task for the coming days:

May 21-23: Create a Core Democratic Values (CDV)power point presentation -OR- booklet - we will have Chrome books in the classroom, students will be given a list of the CDV definitions today to begin the process.  The presentation/booklet MUST include the following information:
1. Copy of the "book" definition of each CDV
2. The definition "in your own words"
3. A real-life example of the CDV
4. A picture of the CDV with rational (why does this picutre represent the CDV?)

May 24: Latin American Market Trade and Barter Day;  Information about this "assignment" was sent home May 17, and is posted on the blog :)

May 28:  Complete CDV power point/booklet, this is due May 29, and there WILL NOT be computers in the classroom on May 29, so electronic assignments will need to be submitted BEFORE class.

May 29: Test  over CDVs



Core Democratic Values
Definitions

Common Good: when all people work for the good of all; the government makes laws that are good for everyone.

Diversity:  Difference in language, dress, food, where ones’ ancestors were born, one’s religion and race are accepted as important.

Equality: Everyone should be treated the same regardless of where their parents or grandparents were born, their race, religion, or wealth.

Justice: The idea that all people should be treated fairly, that no one person or group should be favored.

Patriotism: Devotion to one’s country and its core democratic values in words and deeds.

Popular Sovereignty: The idea that government comes from the people.

Pursuit of Happiness: The right to find happiness in your own way as long as it does not impact on the rights of another.

Life: Each person has the right to the protection of his or her life.

Liberty: The freedom to believe what you want, to choose your own friends, to have your own ideas and opinions, and to be able to express those ideas in public.

Truth: Citizens can demand that the government refrain from lying and offer full disclosure.

Friday, May 17, 2013

Coming Soon!!

Latin American Trade and Barter Day
Who: 6th 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 24 2013
Where: Media center
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.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Mapping Wealth and Poverty in Brazil

Today, we started working on an assignment in which the kids will create a chloropleth map.  The first step is to order the per captia GDP data, which provided, of the states of Brazil.  The next step is to develop classes, or ranges of per capita GDP, and assign a color to each range.  Finally, the map of Brazil needs to be colored based on the color/range scheme each child has developed.

The kids will have all hour tomorow, May 16, to work on this assignment.  It is due Friday, May 17.  Friday, we will resume Country presentations.

Thanks,
Cathy

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Begin the Presentations :-)

All Central and South America country reports will be due by tomorrow, May 10.

Third Hour started presenting their Central/South American country reports today.  Most have done a nice job, and the rest of the class seems interested in the information being presented.

Presentations in 4th , 5th, and 6th hours will begin tomorrow, May 10. Reports not turned in by tomorrow will be considered LATE, and will be graded as late work.  We have been working on this research/presentation since April 29; every class period for the past eight days has been dedicated to this project.  Work that is not completed will have to be finished at home, or in my room during lunch.  I have returned the Chrome book cart, other teachers are waiting to use the computers, too, so kids will not be able to work on their presentations during classtime.  Their job now is to listen as their classmates educate them about these countries.

Thanks,
Cathy

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

The End (of the project) is Near

Today, Third Hour should have had ALL its facts for the Central/South America country project.  That's a total of 25 facts if your child opted to "go for an A".

Tomorrow, May 8, Third Hour will put the finishing touches on their projects, because they are due Thursday, May 9. We will actually be doing presentations beginning Thursday; the computers will be gone, and it will be expected that students listen to, and learn from, the presentations that will be given during class.


Today, 4th , 5th, and 6th hours did their last day of research, so by the time class begins tomorrow, they should have 25 facts, too.  Their final project will be due Friday,May 10. These classes will be able to put finishing touches on their projects tomorrow and Thursday, although some kids will really need to hustle to be done on time. 

Each class has had the same number of days to complete their projects.  Last Tuesday the computers all "died" after Third hour, which is why their deadline was extended.  I should actually have Third hour watch the movie  everyone else watched when the computers were without power!

For ALL CLASSES, the Central America map is due Wednesday, May 8. This due date has been on the board since Monday, May 6.  The map was assigned May 3, and all class period on May 3 was dedicated to working on the map.

Thanks,
Cathy

Monday, May 6, 2013

Central, South America Country Project

Greetings,

We are still conducting research on Central and South American countries, but we are drawing to a close on this project.  The completed  project  is due Thursday, May 9 for Third Hour.

The completed project is due Friday,May 10, for 4th, 5th, and 6th hours.

Tomorrow, May 7, five facts about the Culture of your student's country are due for Third Hour.

Tomorrow, May 7, five facts about the Geography/Physical Features are due for 4th, 5th, and 6th hours.

A few students have already completed their projects and submitted them electronically to me!  I am encouraging kids to have a classmate watch their presentation first, to check for clarity.  The beauty of an electronic presentation is that it can be edited very quickly and easily, and submitted several times!  I ask that kids "tag" their final copy.


Also, due for ALL CLASSES Wednesday, May 8 is the map of Central America that was assigned on Friday, May 3.  The entire class period on May 3 was dedicated to working on this assignment.

Thanks,
Cathy