"Friend do it this way - that is,
whatever you do in life,
do the very best you can
with both your heart and mind...."
~from Lakota Instructions for Living
". . .The ground is almost bare, yet very little grows. This season is not good for much . . . unless you’re one of those overalls-clad, Northwoods diehards who eagerly awaits the running of the maple sap. If you are, you lovingly set aside this season, “from the Ides of March to the singing of the spring peepers,” for tending your trees."
~by Eva Apelqvist
ASSIGNMENTS FOR
THE WEEK OF
MARCH 28-APRIL 1
SOCIAL STUDIES
ANCIENT GREECE
Monday:Finish Shield Activity
Tuesday--Friday:
For the people of ancient Greece, vases were designed for function as well as beauty. These terra-cotta vessels were used in nearly all aspects of daily life--for storage, carrying, mixing, serving, drinking, and for holding perfume or cosmetics. SeeHERE. Creating amphoras was a hot, dirty, and laborious job, and although they served a real practical purpose, they were elaborately shaped and decorated--a skill often handed down from father to son.
As we learn more about what makes a democracy, we have before us a true "teachable moment." Here is an opportunity to teach our children about how responsible, engaged, and informed citizen participation is vital to a healthy democracy.
These students are intelligent, empathetic, and aware of the controversy, and often the rhetoric, that comes with any election process, and clearly they are developing their voice, their opinions, about this one. We must show them that we value these opinions and challenge them to support their opinions with facts. (That begins with showing them how.)
We can start by finding out what is important to them and then make watching or reading about the presidential debates a shared experience. LookHERE for ideas.
From class discussions, it's clear that our students are value driven and have clear opinions about what kind of world they want to live in. They/we have their parents to thank for that. What a wonderful community.
With all the chaos and confusion of this election season, let's not forget . . .
ASSIGNMENTS FOR
THE WEEK OF
MARCH 21-25
LANGUAGE ARTS
Monday:We are aware of many issues that concern American citizens in this presidential election year. For today: Take 5 minutes and create an independent list of things/issues that are important to you. Combine lists and add more as you think of them. From this enhanced list, choose 8 that you are particularly passionate about.
Tuesday-Thursday:Using the list from yesterday, write a business letter entitled, "Dear Presidential Candidates." Present your top three issues using the B.E.E. format. Remember to support each of your choices with facts. Use your computers to find out more about each of them. Directions in class.
Friday:With a partner, conference, edit, and revise.
FYI: Here's your incredible brainstorm list! (Yes, YOU DID THIS TOGETHER, you brilliant, politically-aware young citizens, you!)
global warming, pollution, animal cruelty, increased (deadly) diseases, racism, cure for cancer, climate change, free college tuition, ISIS, gun control, women's rights, bringing soldiers home, our space program, tax reform, health care, cost of living, suicide bombings/terrorists, securing our borders, child care, child abuse, immigration, pay equity, minimum wage increase, education, increased security, perscription drug costs, defense of social security, Wall Street accountability, family medical leave, second amendment rights, national defense, Washington accountability, U.S. trade reform, taking care of our veterans
SOCIAL STUDIES
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME:
COMPARISONS & CONTRIBUTIONS
Wednesday: Create a chart showing the difference between Greek and Roman gods. Provide the name and a brief description for each of the 12 major gods, the Olympiand: Aphrodite, Apollo, Ares, Artemis, Athena, Demeter, Dionysus, Hera, Hermes, Hephaestus, Poseidon, Zeus.
FRIDAY: Choose a god or goddess from the list you created and write a short (typed) description. Then design a shield (four inches in diameter) with a symbol that exemplifies that god or goddess.
Click on your god or goddess of choice HERE to read about their characteristics.
QUESTIONS ABOUT ANCIENT GREEK GODS, GODDESSES, AND MAGICAL BEINGS? LOOKHERE!
Did you ever watch this? Let's do it!
Horrible Histories--Groovy Greeks
MATH
Monday: Common Core Math games
Tuesday: Lesson 7.6. Use Algebraic Expressions. Share & Show, pgs. 391-392. Practice & Homework, pgs. 393-394
Essential Question: How can you use variables and algebraic expressions to solve problems?
Wednesday: Lesson 7.7. Problem Solving - Combining Like Terms. Share & Show, pgs. 397-398. Practice & Homework, pgs. 399-400.
Essential Question: How can you use the strategy use a model to combine like terms?
Share & Show, pgs. 409-410. Practice & Homework, pgs. 411-412.
Essential question: How can you identify equivalent algebraic expressions?
Lesson 7.6
Lesson 7.7
Another 7.7
Lesson 7.8
More 7.8
Lesson 7.9
READING
10 True Tales: Heroes of Hurricane Katrina
Based on what we read and talk about, you’ll be able to draw a lot of conclusions or determinations called INFERENCES. We’ll talk a lot about them as we read this book.
So how's everybody doing after losing that (oh so precious) hour of sleep on Sunday? I must say, the ol' rise and shine isn't exactly working for me right now. Fiddling with people's sleep schedule has proved to be not such a good idea in lots of ways. For example, it takes a bit of adjusting before productivity regains momentum (which costs businesses $434 million annually!) and groggy drivers make the morning commute a bit more of a challenge. For those of you who aren't morning people to begin with, I feel your pain!
So, why engage in this peculiar ritual in March and November? Read on to see what many people believe is the reason for the bi-yearly switch-a-roo.
Myth #1: Daylight Savings Time was established to help the farmers.
Well, no. Truth be told, it's just the opposite. In fact, farmers lobbied hard against it because it left them with an hour less time each day to get their crops to market. They actually blocked Daylight Savings Time until 1966 when President Johnson managed to sign it into law.
http://happysimpleton.com/2009/11/02/rooster-set/
Myth #2: It helps us to conserve energy.
Nope. In fact, it's just the opposite here, too. A study made in 2008 found that it actually hikes air conditioning bills on those warm summer days and increases our gasoline usage. (Hey, if it's still light out, why not get in the car and go somewhere?) Also, since mornings are darker, people turn on more lights.
So much for this theory, huh?
Myth #3: We have Benjamin Franklin to thank for Daylight Savings Time. Oh, he might have toyed with the idea when he was in France in 1784, suggesting that rising earlier was a great way to get more done (obviously a morning person. . .), but it was actually a guy by the name of William Willet, a British builder, who proposed the idea of "British Summer Time" in 1905. No surprise that the farmers opposed it here, too. It became a law after Willet died in 1915. Myth #4: There's no changing it now. Never say never. In 2007 the government extended it by a month thanks to the lobbying efforts of businesses who profit from longer evenings (recreational facilities, golf courses, outdoor water parks, etc.). On the flip side, schools/parents don't want their kids waiting for the bus in the dark on those cold winter mornings . . Interesting to note: Arizona and Hawaii don't change clocks twice a year like the rest of us.
"History is yours to make. It is not owned or written by someone else for you to learn. History is not just the story you read, but the story you write. . ."
Monday: Three ways to approach the same information:
2. Forms of Government Prezi (Another Great Overview!)
3. Watch these (very short) videos that also explain. . .
Now you should be sufficiently brilliant to complete THIS worksheet! Please turn in!
Tuesday: Jigsaw activity -- Four forms of ancient Greek government: monarchy,oligarchy, tyranny, and democracy.
Divide into 4 groups. Each group should create a chart addressing the following aspects of one form of ancient Greek government to share with the class. Then. . .
Create and perform brief role-play demonstrating this form of government.
Copy all information on graphic organizer creating a symbol for each form of government.
Chart should include:
The name of the form of government
The definition
The etymology
Information about how this form of government worked in ancient Greece
Why this form of government declined in ancient Greece
What do we know about this form of government in today’s world?
Wednesday: Simulation of Athenian democracy.
Democracy--A Short Introduction
Check this out! When done, create aVenn Diagramthat shows the similarities and differences of Athenian Democracy and Democracy in the United States.
Thursday & Friday:Go HERE to learn about the development of government in ancient Greece. What a FUN read! Don't forget to go through it all, though--there's an assignment at the end!
SCIENCE
Space and the Solar System
Tuesday:Videos (below) & discussion
THE SOLAR SYSTEM TO SCALE
A TOUR THROUGH OUR SOLAR SYSTEM
Wednesday: The Life & Death of Stars PPT & Notetaking activity
Thursday: Begin work on Part 1 of the Independent Project -- Space Newsletter Worksheet
For the people of ancient Greece, vases were designed for function as well as beauty. These terra-cotta vessels were used in nearly all aspects of daily life--for storage, carrying, mixing, serving, drinking, and for holding perfume or cosmetics. See HERE. Creating amphoras was a hot, dirty, and laborious job, and although they served a real practical purpose, they were elaborately shaped and decorated--a skill often handed down from father to son. 
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