One week so far - hope you are all having some fun...

I had a great time with family and friends this first week. Big dinner with family in Santa Cruz this past week. I hope you are all getting plenty of sleep and eating good food. I hope you are having a good time with family and friends as well.

Another week to go - have a great time. I will be correcting some papers, essays and timelines this coming week.

Have a great time,

- Mr. Rodgers

Work Due Friday, Dec. 21

Here is the work due tomorrow before vacation:
1. Roman Timeline
2. 2 Star Girl Postcards
3. Parent signed IS thesis paragraph (already checked off)
4. IS Hook - text - may be part of your Prospectus
5. IS Prospectus - Typed in Google Docs IS folder, typed in class copy: Hook followed by Thesis paragraph
6. Chapter 6 - EQ and 8 Terms (already checked off)
7. All Roman Unit Notes (10 points)


If you did not turn in your Spelling Contract Unit 8 or did not take the Unit 8 Spelling Test - you should turn it in on Friday and take the test after the first five minutes of class. (Students who fall in this category also received a reminder email).

If you did not turn in any part of your Short Report - Drafts 1, 2, or 3 and your bibliography, then bring the missing parts on Friday.

See you tomorrow.

Timeline - Possible events - Now due Friday.

Several students completed their homework and found most of the events needed for their timeline on their own - as was assigned for homework. Several students did not do their homework at all, and came to class without any information. To help most students:

Here is a list of the minimum number of dates that are needed for each arm of the timeline.

Those who did last night's homework and come to class with a near complete or completed timeline at the beginning of class, will earn up to 3 XC points.

The timeline assignments is now due Friday at the beginning of class. We will work on the timeline in class for about a half an hour Thursday.

Timeline Event Ideas and Ch 6 terms to draw from

Timeline Event Ideas here - more research required for each event

Events per branch of the timeline:
Roman Empire - 3 events
Western Europe - 4 events
Byzantine Empire - 4 events
each diagonal slant - 2 events each

Ch 6 terms - Core 1 list and Core 2 list

Also due tomorrow (see previous blog posts) - IS paragraph with parent signature.

Due dates this week up until Winter Break

Due - Detail
1218 - SS Ch 6 - 8 terms and 3 EQ with 3 summary point answers
1219 - IS explanatory paragraph with one parent signature approving your topic

1219 - Two Stargirl Postcards
1220 - IS Prospectus

1220-1 - IS Hook Off!!!

1220 - Roman Timeline Due

IS Explanatory paragraph explained:
1. Write the thesis statement that states the pro or con position of your issue as the first sentence.
2. Write three more sentences that basically summarize three arguments that support this position.
3. Have a parent sign this paragraph that they accept your basic topic, although your parent does not have to agree with the position you are taking.

Sub Plans and 11x17 Timeline with corrections

Monday, 121712 I had a substitute due to illness.

Here are the 11x17 Roman Timeline directions...

Here are the sub plans work selection from today:

A. Read Social Studies Text Chapter 6

1. Each person reads silently by themselves – this should take about (15 – 20 minutes)

2. Write this on the board: When done reading, take notes on a piece of notebook paper as follows (10-15 minutes):

            a. Write down and define at least 8 key terms, names of important people, events with dates

            b. Write 3 EQ questions and at least 3 bullet point answers for each question

            c. Complete as homework – due Tuesday

3. When it seems that the students are losing steam, “you may share some of the terms not defined in the book with people at your table.”

Continued page two:

B. Timeline – Due Thursday

1. Every student should get a 11x17 piece of paper – have a student volunteer pass it out – the ream of paper is on a table in class.

2. Every student should get a ruler – have a student volunteer pass one to each student – the rulers are in the back left corner in the supplies case.

3. Every student should get a handout –

            a. READ the handout with the students

            b. measurements are on the handout for each line.

            c. Today, students should layout the page

d. Then students should use their notes and the textbook, to find historically significant dates – EXPLAIN: First event – Outcome of 3^rd Punic War. Last event for each branch is on the handout.

e. Students should fold the paper in half and keep it in their binder.

C. Stargirl – Novel activity and reading

1. Each student should get a copy of the novel, Stargirl.

2. Students should read silently at their desks, taking notes on each new chapter (20 minutes MAX)

3. Students must also finish their two postcards, for the events that they were assigned in their chapters.

D. If time, show DVD – Barbarians - Vandals. Have a student help you find the right chapter. Then use the double arrow keys on the remote to skip to the right chapter. Ask students in each class where we left off.

Friday work due on 12/14/12

1. Spelling C8

2. Spelling Test 8

3. Third draft Short Report - typed and in google docs. Also, bring two previous edited copies of first and second draft. Include bibliography.

See you Friday,

- Mr. R

Isearch Topics - Parent Approval required...

By next Tuesday, one parent signature is required to approve your assigned topic. You may not change your assigned topic without teacher approval.
Here are the list of assigned topics in need of parent approval. These are listed only in shorthand title form currently.
Also, by Tuesday,
1. students must (type and google folder) a one paragraph explanatory paragraph that defines the Isearch topic and briefly describes three supporting arguments (one sentence each max).
2. Included, one parent must sign the paragraph that they agree with the topic as suitable for their son or daughter.
2a. Parents do not have to agree with the position.
2b. A few students have agreed to take a counter opinion on their Isearch in order to better understand the opposing arguments to their own personal opinion in order to better understand the complexity of the topic overall.

Send individual questions and concerns to erodgers@lcmschools.org

Third and Final Short Report Due Friday, Dec. 13

Today we peer edited our second drafts in class. The final third draft, along with the student edited copies of drafts one and two, along with the bibliography are all due Friday.

Editing focus today - sentence structure - complexity <labelled with corner brackets>, use of rich and specific topic vocabulary, paragraph structure (topic sentence (starred) and supporting ideas 3 min (each one numbered)), extraneous sentences in a paragraph (labelled with a zero).

We labeled two great passages with quotes and shared some in class. At the top of the page, we posted a count of complex sentences, number of specific vocab used.

Based on our two editing sessions of each draft, students should attempt to:
Use a number of new complex sentences by including more detail in 3 - 5 more sentences with modifying words or phrases that answer the questions: when, how, where, what, why.

Use a few more words that are specific to the topic.

Make sure that each paragraph has a clearly stated topic sentence and at least three supporting details.

Handouts for this week and next (evolving list)

Ch1 EQ questions - Quiz on 121312

Controversial ideas list - sample notes - due 1213

Roman Timeline directions

Class Schedule and due dates up through Winter Break

Learning Goals:
What is a controversial topic?
What is the Legacy of Rome?

Due - Detail

1211 - 2nd draft of Short Report (typed, dbl sp) - bring first edited draft as well.
1212 - Study for Ch1 EQ (choose two questions and use the chapter to formulate your own answers)

1213 - SS7 Textbook Ch1 EQ quiz (see future post for questions)

1213 - List of ideas for Isearch (IS) Controversial topic - explain the basic idea for each in a sentence.

1214 - SpC8 and SpT8

1214 - 3rd/Final Draft of Short Report - bring first two student edited drafts for full credit.

1218 - IS explanatory paragraph with one parent signature approving your topic

1220 - IS Prospectus

1220-1 - IS Hook Off!!!

1220 - Roman Timeline Due

Roman Timeline Resources - Timeline due 122012

Timeline Resources

Roman Emperor Timeline

Short Report Instructions for Writers and Sayings topics

These directions are for the three students per class that were assigned or volunteered to write a short report on writers or Latin sayings:

If you are doing the Writers or Latin sayings topics: you must write about three writers, or four sayings:

3 Writers - per paragraph
1. Explain when and where the writer lived.
2. What major event happened in their lifetime
3. What type of writing and what subjects they wrote about
4. If possible, what Romans thought about this person's writing
5. Describe one of their major works - books, plays, poetry, etc.
6. A quote and explain it.

If you are writing about Latin sayings:

4 Latin sayings
1. Give the quote.
2. Explain the quote.
3. If there is an event, person, or Roman issue that this quote was about, explain that event, person or issue.
4. Who said it - give a brief detail of who the writer or speaker was.
5. How can this quote be used today as a piece of advice or otherwise.

Second Draft of Short Report - Due Tuesday, Dec. 11

You should rework your short report so that each paragraph follows the organizational goals as follows:

Paragraph One:
Explain and define ideas, event, person, trend, dates, location related to the importance of the topic

Paragraph Two:
Explain the KEY EVENT(S) that make this topic important

Paragraph Three:
Explain the importance of the topic in relationship to:
1. related important events, people, or topics
OR
2. how this event changed history in a major way
OR
3. how this event or topic is related to modern events show important similarities

Also,

1. If you use a historic quote:
a. give the name of the person who wrote or said it, and when they lived.
b. make sure the quote is explained in the context of your short report's topic or key point you are trying to explain.

The rewrite must work on developing better
Ideas - facts, details, related information to the main theme or point of the essay
Organization - that the information and explanations appear in the correct paragraphs in an order that makes the information easy to understand.

EQ Chapter One Study Guide - Quiz Dec 13

Get the Study Guide full of student created questions here.

Ch 1 - EQs
Quiz next Thursday, Dec. 13 -
Answer three questions total, each question from a different numbered section from Chapter 1 in SS7 Text and materials presented in class.

EQ Questions must -
1. Define the big idea in the question and any terms used.
2. Give detailed examples or explanations, using key terms and important facts from the chapter.
3. Show the importance of the questions major idea.

Class Notes AND tonight's homework

Class notes - Barbarians, Rights, and Racism

Due Friday - 2 things:
1. Read Chapter 1 - write two EQs - questions and complete PARAGRAPH answers with the following standards:

EQ Requirements - paragraphs should:
1. Define the big idea in the question
2. Give detailed examples or explanation - use key terms (define terms) and facts
3. Make sure the importance of the question is explained - by relating to events before or after, or related concepts that are connected, or related to modern issues

2. Bring the typed, DOUBLE SPACED Short Report and typed bibliography ready for peer editing.

Short Report (due Thursday, Dec 5) directions and student topics updated

The student written question "4. How did Paul affect the Christian religion?  How did the Christian religion affect his own life?" has been dropped from the EQ section for Chapter 36.


Here are the Core 1 Topics per person

Here are the Core 2 Topics per person


Directions:

1. Short report -
a. first draft (minimums - 3 paragraphs, 300 words) dbl spaced, typed, save in Google Docs SS folder

Paragraph purpose - each paragraph must satisfy the following requirements
Paragraph one - define and explain the basic subject

Paragraph two - go into detail about the key event or events, or a sequence of events that make this event, person or trend important in history

Paragraph three - explain the importance of this event in a larger context - which must include one of the following
a. future events related to the report's topic
b. demonstrate how this event, person or trend changed history in a significant way
c. how this trend or event may relate to our daily lives or modern history as a parallel event in our time

2. Bibliography 3 reference min., MLA format, only one reference may be from a general knowledge website or encyclopedia. Book references are not required. Typed.

Rest of the Week's HW due this week

Due - Detail
1205 - Rome Test
1206 - First draft short report and biblio- typed in class AND shared in Google Docs (in LA folder) - see previous posting from last week.

1207 - Journal - in class
1207 - Read SS7 Text Chapter 1 and write 2 EQs

Next week -

Due - Detail
1211 - Second Draft of Short Report
1214 - SpC and SpT7

Roman Test update - EQ change for Chapter 36

The student written question "4. How did Paul affect the Christian religion?  How did the Christian religion affect his own life?" has been dropped from the EQ section for Chapter 36.

How to answer the EQ Questions

As part of the Rome Test, students must answer a total of four EQ questions - two from the primary chapter, and one each from each chapter of their choice.

Students can use the previous post to get the EQ questions and accompanying student notes from each core. The questions were rewritten, but the notes are unedited. Students were given this handout in class, and direction in how to best answer an EQ question. Students were given time in class to write a practice EQ answer, and some of these drafts were shared and verbally graded in class based on the following criteria:

EQ Answers should:
1. Define the big idea of the question.
2. Give detailed examples and explanations.
a. use key facts and terms (define terms)
b. explain three examples, the most important and detailed exampled should be first, followed by the second with a shorter explanation, and a third that receives a shorter description still.
3. Make sure the importance of the explanation is explained - either
a. in the progression of events that followed the time period in question or
b. how this information relates to elements of our daily life or modern history

Writing down sample answers for each question is an excellent method to study for these EQ questions. The handout presents information to help students draw from information presented by each group in their presentation materials (a link is found in a previous post below).

Rome Test EQ Study guide - TEST moved to Wednesday!

Here is the link to the EQ study guide.

You must read the directions at the beginning of the document first. Good Luck.

There will be time in class to study with your Chapter groups for the Primary chapter EQs. Students will then be given time to examine the student presentation materials and discuss student work regarding their selected First and Second choice chapters.