Pyramid video update

We discussed the building of Egyptian pyramids in all classes today. Here is a clip from a more current video that I mentioned in class which presents Houdin's "Internal Ramp"

Social Studies class update

It's been a few days since my last update--here's what is happening:

All classes took a vocabulary quiz last week, most of the scores did not make it into my gradebook before the progress report deadline--so the progress report that went home today is outdated (for better or worse). Students may see me near the end of class or on the way to lunch if they would like a more current grade sheet.


Recent classwork activity has been groupwork--(Mesopotamia timeline) so there has not been assigned homework.
We are currently investigating ancientEgyptian civilization and comparing/contrasting it to the early civilizations in Mesopotamia (Sumer, Assyria, Akkadian, Babylonian, Chaldean, Persian). Students should be able to name at least one achievement from each--if you're a parent reading this, ask your child. If you're a student, you can just answer quietly to yourself! :-)

Homework crossword puzzle

All classes have a vocabulary crossword puzzle for HW-due tomorrow.
One difference with this crossword is that 2 and 3 word answers have a space between the words on the crossword grid.

I hope this isn't too confusing.

Period 2 and 6 need to turn in their History Day final paper--all of the parts, including:
Intro/thesis
Thesis proofs
Body
Visuals w/ captions
annotated bibliography
conclusion

on Monday, Dec. 8.

Vocabulary Quiz~ All Classes! + Blog only extra credit!

All classes have a vocabulary quiz on Wednesday, 12/10.

In keeping with my "one week notice" policy, all classes were informed today.
All classes will be given a crossword puzzle for homework on Thursday, 12/4--which will be due on Friday, 12/5.

This grade will not be reflected on the interim reports, as I have to have those grades recorded by Tues., 12/9 to go home Thurs., 12/11.




Extra credit questions~ you need to answer both for the points.

1. What is the man at the top of this post called?
2. What is he doing, specifically?

(Hint: I've mentioned it several times in class and I have a similar
picture in my room)
You must email your answer (as always, from a parent account, or from your account with a cc: to a parent) by Sunday, 12/7, 8pm. These points will be included on the interim.

Black Saga competion upcoming!

Do you know Black History? Do you like to compete?

Black Saga competion is coming!

All middle school students are encouraged to enter the Black Saga competition--see any Social Studies teacher or Ms. Ryan immediately for information.

We will have a school-wide competion in January, with the winner advancing to the county level.
Ms. Ryan will provide instructions as well as coaching and study time once a week.

MENA Map quiz Thursday, 11/20

All classes will have a MENA map quiz this Thursday, 11/20.

Students should make sure that they bring their 3 maps on Thursday.
The quiz will be "open map", for periods 1,3,4.

Periods 2 and 6 will have a portion of the quiz where they may use their maps, however the first part will be 10 questions based on 5 physical features and 5 MENA countries that I will select from the following list:

Countries/Physical Features

Iraq -- Red Sea
Iran -- Suez Canal
Saudi Arabia- Euphrates River
Bahrain -- Tigris River
Qatar -- Aswan High Dam
Israel -- Lake Nassar
Yemen -- Sinai Peninsula
Libya -- Blue Nile
Jordan -- Atlas Mountains
Syria -- Persian Gulf

MENA Map game

Here's a fun map game if you're up for a challenge:
Click here to link to the Middle East/North Africa map game.

Activity Day, 11/14

Friday is activity day, which means my classes will be about 33 minutes each.
We will be meeting in the computer lab, to practice with Comic Life, a program that we will be using next week. We will be creating comic pages based on our notes of the Stone Age and the beginnings of civilization in Mesopotamia.
I've posted a a sample of Comic Life here--with just a few random pictures--to show what the finished product could look like.

MENA map update

In an effort to make sure all classes have an equal opportunity to complete their MENA map packets I have decided to extend the due date until Thursday, for ALL classes. The only exception is period 2-due Friday (since I will not see them on Thursday due to Safety Day, and I will only see them on Friday for 5 minutes due to the meteorologist presentation).

All classes were told of the adjusted date today in class.

2nd Quarter update~ Ms. Ryan in on Monday, 11/10

All classes are working on several MENA maps (climate/resource, political and physical).
All classes are in various stages of completion.
The climate map was started in class and can be finished at home using the map above although Sudan will have to be completed in class. Click on the map, it gets HUGE! .
The map packet( 3 maps) will be due on Wednesday, 11/12--all classes except Period 2 (because they took part in the smoking survey). Period 2 map packets will be due on Thursday, 11/13.

Period 2 & 6 : Ms. Ryan will be in on Monday, 11/10.

2nd Period~Important!

Tomorrow--Thursday, 11/6 is the tobacco survey--my Period 2 students and two other 6th grade classes will be involved in this survey.

The green permission slip needs to be returned only if a student is not taking the survey.
I haven't received any permission (opt out) slips yet, so I'm assuming everyone is taking the survey.

2nd Quarter begins!

We started our 2nd quarter material today--looking at the M.E.N.A. (Middle East/North Africa) region.
The text book calls it "Southwest Asia and North Africa"--it's the same place.
All of the countries we'll be covering are listed on the map above, with the exception of Sudan (the large country just south of Egyt) and Iran (the large country just east of Iraq).
Students have a climate/resource map that must be completed in class, because the proper climate map is not in the text book that they have at home. It is not for homework.
When all three (3) maps have been distributed, I will assign a due date for the map packet, as well as a quiz date.

Mock Election Results are in!

6th grade totals: Obama/Biden - 135
McCain/Palin - 58

Schoolwide Totals: Obama/Biden - 292
McCain/Palin - 135
There were several student who chose not to vote, or voted for Nader (Ind.), Mickey Mouse (one was in my class), and me-- I actually received a vote from my 6th period class. Having not selected a running mate, I'm glad that I was not elected...and as it was a secret ballot, I can't give that voter any extra credit, 'cause I don't know who you are....sorry! :-)

Soo.... schoolwide the % breakdown is Obama~68%
McCain~32%
Check the results Wednesday AM and see how close--or far off--we were

Friday~VOTE day...also...Ms Ryan is coming for Pd. 2 & 6

All classes took the assessment today, and all classes will be voting tomorrow.

I have a little mock election for my classes just over there-----> in the right margin.
Ms Ryan is running a school-wide Presidential election just to see how Patapsco student voters mirror the voters nationwide.
In 2004, PMS students had Bush beating Kerry by just a little bit.
The national % was Bush-50.7% and Kerry 48.3%--so we were close!

We will tally the 6th grade votes Friday before school dismissal, so students will know who won if they are watching the returns on Tues. evening.
7th and 8th grade "precincts" will report to Ms. Ryan, and the grand total will be available on Wednesday.

All classes~plus a lil' extra for Periods 2 & 6

All classes- End of quarter assessment this Thursday.

As mentioned in class, 20 multiple choice, 2 BCR's. I am putting together a study
of sorts. Use your *starred* drills to give you an idea of the topics, i.e., if
you have a starred drill about timezones (and you do!)--you should be familiar
with what timezones are, where in our world and country it is earlier/later, etc.
Also, drill check on Thursday--just a matter of having your drill book up-to-date, and with you--easy points if you've been staying on task this quarter!

Period 2 & 6

Ms. Ryan, Monday, October 27
you you have this date already~just a friendly reminder!
When in doubt, check the PMS History Day link on the PMS website

Pen Pal letter due dates

Period 1- due tomorrow- Thursday, 10/23

Period 2,3,4,6-due Friday, 10/24

Just a few reminders:

*does not need to be typed, but if your computer writes neater and spells better than you do, I would prefer it! :-)

* 2 details from the chart: male life expectancy, kilowatt hours of electricity/person, etc.
you don't have to choose from just the columns that we filled in.
Describe why you think your country is developed/developing using
the data from the chart with creative examples.

* country can't be the U.S. or South Korea--only Nigeria, Bangladesh, or Venezuela.

Make-A-Map update

I've had a few requests regarding the Make A Map project, due Monday, Oct. 20 (Periods 2,3,4,6)
I have posted portions of a sample map (click on image to enlarge) from last year as a visual reference. From top to bottom they are the legend, country, and capital city.This is the general class map--Period 2 & 6 have specific requirements regarding placement of landforms/bodies of water.

Reminder: Period 3 & 4-- Five questions and their answers on the back of your map.
Periods 2 & 6--Environmental issue and realistic solution on back of your map.

Make-A-Map due date

All classes, except Period 1:

Make-A-Maps are due on Monday, Oct. 20. (Periods 2,3,4,6)

Period 3 & 4 will have time on Tuesday to work in class, and then the maps will be sent home for completion.

Period 2 & 6 will be seeing Ms. Ryan ( and Ms. McNabb, and Mr. Jones and myself) tomorrow
to work on thesis statements. These two classes wil be permitted to work on their Make-A-Maps on Wednesday.


With class time as well as a 3 day weekend, students should have no trouble finishing up their maps.
I actually had one student want to turn his/hers in today. I won't say who, but his/her initials are A. O...:-)

Homework update

PERIOD 3 & 4: World Map due tomorrow, Wednesday, Oct. 8~Open Map quiz!
Please don't forget your map!

Period 2 & 6: We're still presenting .ppt's
Ms. Ryan in tomorrow--bring your orange History Day parent meeting (Monday,Oct. 13) sheet--regardless of your parent(s) ability to attend!
World map (due) & quiz are Monday, Oct. 13

Period 1: Make-A-Map, being started in class, will go home tomorrow to be finished.
This will be due on Monday, Oct. 13.

STOCK MARKET GAME~ update

My "B" day seminar,( Stock Market Game) got to make their initial investments today!
All the trading is done online, and students can--and are encouraged to--trade at home after consulting with their team. Investor teams are made of up 3 students to prevent any tie votes.

Click here to go to the Stock Market Game login page.

When students decide to purchase a stock, they need a 2-1, or 3-0 vote to do so.



With the current state of the market, I think breaking even would be considered a success.
We just have to keep repeating to ourselves "It's only a game, it's only a game..."

As all good investors, our mantra is "buy low, sell high", we're just trying to determine how low is "low"...

Assembly changes plans

The PTA sponsored an assembly today that presented the dangers of smoking.
It was pretty lively--a rap artist, several dancers, lots of student participation...ask your son/daughter if they got on stage...there were about 12-15 students at one point!



Consequently, Period 2 was 12 minutes long, and Period 3 was 20 minutes long.
I've made some adjustments in class regarding due dates, which I mentioned to classes today.

Period 2 & 6: World map due and world map quiz for now due Monday, Oct. 13.
Review 5 Themes for quiz

Ms. Ryan will be in Wednesday, October 8--do you owe her
something? Bring it!


Period 3 & 4: World map due and world map quiz still due this Wed., Oct. 8.

Period 1: You folks are doing great, right on schedule.

End of Quarter Assessment date

Social Studies classes ( Mr. Kenney and I) are giving the 1st quarter Assessment on
Thursday, October 30.

The asssessment will consist of 20 multiple choice questions and 2 BCR's (paragraph answers).
We will review in class and I will provide a review packet as well.
Students *starred * drills also serve as a study guide for topics on the assessment.

History Day links~ Periods 2 & 6

All the information you will need for History Day--FAQs, forms, links and samples-- can be found on the Patapsco Media Center website.

Homework update

Period 1-None (students took world map quiz today--grades available tomorrow)

Period 2- Ms. Ryan is in Friday, 10/3--have your topic for History Day!
Five Themes of Geography .ppt and article due Mon. 10/6
World Map due Wednesday, 10/8, map quiz
Make-a-Map begun in class today due date TBD

Period 3- World Map due Wednesday, 10/8 map quiz

Period 4- World Map due Wednesday, 10/8 map quiz

Period 6- Ms. Ryan is in Friday, 10/3--have your topic for History Day!
Five Themes of Geography .ppt and article due Mon. 10/6
World Map due Wednesday, 10/8, map quiz
Make-a-Map begun in class today due date TBD

Classroom update

Period 1- Working on a world map--not for hw--open map quiz on Thursday, 10/2
Period 2- Working on .ppt, Five Themes article assignment, both are due Monday, 10/6
Period 3-Presented 5 Themes posters in class today, No homework
Period 4-Presented 5 Themes posters in class today, No homework
Period 6- Working on.ppt, Five Themes article assignment, both are due Monday, 10/6. Began working on world map today in class-not for hw.

Have a great first fall weekend!

Important~Period 2 & 6

Period 2 & 6 should bring a blank CD-R/flash drive to school tomorrow to take home their
"project in progress". One CD per group, if you're working with a partner.

PowerPoints are due, and will be presented on Monday, 10/6.
Each student-- not each group--will also be responsible for turning in a Five Themes of Geography: In the News. This assignment was given on Wednesday, 9/24.
(I will have several CD's available for those students who forget.)

No homework--except Pd. 2 & 6

Period 2 and 6 have a History Day homework assignment from Ms. Ryan.
It entails checking out the History Day link on the Patapsco Middle School website.
She showed students how to get there during period 6 today (period 2--you guys will see her tomorrow, Thurs.--bring your folders!)

Additionally, Period 2 & 6 have a Five Themes of Geography reading/writing assignment that will be due next week--the same day as the PowerPoint project. As mentioned earlier, I will pick a fair due date this Friday, based on our progress with technology issues...

All classes--no homework tonight

No HW tonight.

Parents--Back to School Night is Thursday, Sept 25.
Progress Reports come home next week, Thursday, 10/2

Some days technology is great...

...and other days are like today.

We had some trouble during period 6 today with the laptop computers. After utilizing my laptop, my desktop, and sending 7 students to the media center, all but one student got online today to work on the project.
I will be allowing more time to complete this. On Friday, I will assess how far along the majority of the class is, and then set a fair due date.

Ms. Ryan update-- Period 6, tomorrow, Wednesday, Sept. 24.
Period 2, Thursday, Sept. 25

Bring your folders!

No homework tonight, 9/22

Panama Canal--Two themes represented here.


All classes are working on an in-class project on the Five Themes of Geography.


Periods 2 and 6 began their projects today in the computer lab.
We will be working with the laptops on Tues.(pd 6), and Wed.( pd 2). Depending on the
reliability of the mobile computer lab, I will assign a due date at the end of class tomorrow/Wed. We will also be in the computer lab on Friday.

Period 2 and 6 may need to complete their project at home.

World Population Clock link

U.S. and World Population Clock

No homework tonight, Friday, 9/19.

Autumn begins on Monday, 9/22--I believe the official time will be right around 6th period, 11:44am.
This is the autumnal equinox.

Fast fact: "equinox" is from a Latin word meaning "equal( aequus) night(nox)", as in the night is equal to the daylight hours. After Monday, the days will be getting shorter... :-(

No homework today, Thursday 9/18

All classes are working (Pd 2 & 6 begin tomorrow) on a 5 Themes of Geography project in class.
Pd 2 & 6 have computer lab time scheduled for next week, and will need to complete their .ppt's at home, if necessary.

Clocks are gone for now

I had a pretty cool clock display on my blog for about a day--it had several clocks, each showing the time in a different U.S. city. While updating my blog today I saw that somehow an ad had been attached to it, so I dumped the feature.
Sorry, if you saw it and enjoyed it--I'll try to put it back on if I can eliminate the advertising (that's probably why it was free!).

^^ That clock^^ will give you a headache if you look at it too long!

Ms. Ryan is coming, Ms. Ryan is coming!

Period 2 and Period 6--Bring your History Day folders on Thursday, 9/18! (tomorrow)


Homework: Period 2--finish 5 Themes worksheet (10 questions)
All other classes, no homework

Homework all classes--study for quiz!

All classes have a vocabulary quiz on Wednesday, 9/15.
There are 2 PowerPoint presentations on earlier posts, below this one, that are great help for studying--please use them!
Additionally, periods 2 & 6 will have several questions related to their first 12 drills, for a total of 40 questions.

Additional words for Pd. 2 & 6.

Thes words are for periods 2 & 6 only

Click on arrows below the slide to view the show.

Gtvocabulary

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own.

Use arrow buttons under each slide. Write down your guess for each slide. Check against key (posted on 9/13 post)

Our Earth Vocab 2008

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own.

Homework-all classes+ Vocab .ppt KEY, don't peek!

Click list to enlarge





All classes will have a vocabulary quiz on Wednesday, 9/17.

Periods 1,3,4--Multiple choice.

Period 2 and 6--Fill in the blank, no word bank will be provided.

Know what the words mean--i.e. what is an advantage of living near an oasis, what is a disadvantage of living in a landlocked country, why is a delta a desirable place to farm, etc.--as well as the definition.

Also, (Period 2 and 6) study and be familiar with drills #1-11, as I mentioned in class, as there will be a few short answer (1-2 sentences) questions based on those.
Any questions please ask during class Mon, Tues. or email would be fine--same email rules apply.

(Pretty cool shot of the Nile River delta from space in the pic above!)

No homework tonight.

All classes:

We have started (Period 2 will start tomorrow) our Five Themes of Geography packet.

It is a group work assignment to be completed in class, so it is not to be completed for homework.

Reminder: Period 6--Ms. Ryan will be in Friday, 9/12. Bring your History Day folder!

Homework, Due Thursday, 9/11

All classes: Complete the latitude zone worksheet, front and back.
Use your text book--the atlas pages (A1-37) in the front to help you.
Remember, "Zaire" is now named "Democratic Republic of the Congo"
--and has been since 1997!

In the example above: Polar= high
Temperate = middle
Tropical = low

Period 2 only: Ms. Ryan is coming tomorrow--bring your History Day folder!
Period 6, Ms Ryan is coming Friday--see above!

Homework, due Wednesday, 9/10

All classes:

Complete the latitude/longitude review worksheet.

FYI: You can click on the map above to enlarge it, if you'd like review latitude/longitude in all of the hemispheres (HW just covers the U.S.).

ATTN: Period 2/Period 6

Reminder:

Ms. Ryan will be coming to :

2nd period this Thursday (9/11)

6th period this Friday (9/12)

Please remember to bring your History Day folders!

Also, we will be using the mobile computer lab later this week. If you haven't turned in your
"Web Contract" (HCPSS Expectations for Computer Usage) form, you need to do so.
It was in the 6th grade packet.
I have the list of names--and extra copies of the Web Contract-- if you can't remember.

Vocabulary Quiz, next Wednesday, 9/17

All Classes:

This was announced to several of my classes today--but with two fire drills (period 2 just 'didn't happen' today), and students in sectionals, etc., I'm posting it here as well.
Vocabulary Quiz- Wednesday, Sept. 17.

This is 9 days notice, and I always promise at least a week notice, so we're good...
I will announce again tomorrow, at which point every student should have it written in his/her agenda book.
Period 1, 3, 4- Multiple choice/matching
Period 2, 6 - Read the defintion, provide the word

Homework due Monday, 9/8

All classes:

Complete the "Geography " crossword puzzle. These definitions will be similar to those on the quiz to be announced next week for the following week (9/15-9/19) so it makes a great study tool, as do flash cards.

All classes: Complete the Relative Location worksheet (it has a map of Panama on the back), if you haven't already. Most of Period 1 and 2 students have turned it in. Periods 3, 4, & 6 have not yet.

P.S. If you're reading this on Friday before 8:00 pm and you still haven't made a submission (see the post from earlier this week) there's still time! Great response overall!

Homework, due Friday (Pd 1 and 4) and Sunday (pd 2 and 6)

Homework for Period 1 and 4 is to finish the "Direction and Distance" worksheet from class for tomorrow, Friday, 9/5.

Homework for Period 2 and 6 is to email Ms. Ryan by 11pm Sunday night (but please do it by a reasonable hour!)and tell her something interesting about you.
Her email address can be found in the Staff List on the
Patapsco Middle School home page.
Make sure that you put "History Day" in the subject line.

History Day 2009!

Patapsco Middle School's History Day 2009 is getting under way...!
This is the first year that we will have participation by our 6th , 7th and 8th graders.
We hope to hold the school wide competition in February, the county competition is scheduled for March 21, and the MD state competition....
Ms. Ryan will be in my period 2 and period 6 classes tomorrow (Thurs., 9/4) to present information, exhibit a few samples, as well as answer questions about History Day.
History Day is open to all students, but is a required, graded project for G/T classes.
The research is completed outside of the school, but Ms. Ryan comes to my classroom on a regularly scheduled basis to keep students on track and provide lessons on primary sources, interview questions, bibliographies, etc.

Blog only Extra Credit

Please read the directions to receive credit-
In an effort to generate more traffic to my blog, I will post a "blog only" extra question once or twice per quarter. Students must respond with the correct answer via email--either from their parent's email account, or from their account with a cc: to their parents (school policy).
Deadline is Friday, September 5, 8:00 pm. Please don't respond via "comments", otherwise you will post the answer for all visitors :-(

Question(s):
At the top of this post is a picture of Indonesia.

1. It is part of which continent?
2. It is an example of which vocabulary word?

Homework, Due Thursday, 9/4

All classes:

Complete vocabulary definition for this Thursday,9/4.

Depending on your class you should have either 29 or 35 words.

If I--or Ms. McBride/Ms. Hess--gave you a printed list of words those are the words that you are responsible for.

I will be checking your words for completion on Thursday, but not collecting them. Students should keep definitions to study as well as complete vocabulary activities prior to the vocabulary quiz (TBA).

No Homework

No homework assigned over the Labor Day weekend.
However...all classes did begin working on vocabulary in class today--all words are to be defined by Thursday, Sept. 9/4.
All definitions can be found in textbook (index,glossary) or dictionary.
Reminder: if using a dictionary, choose the definition that is related to geography.
Example- a legend is part of a map as well as a story/fable.
Email me if there are any questions

--Some students asked if they could type their definitions-sure, but by no means required!

Dead Sea pic

We talked about the Dead Sea on Thursday in class--and saw a picture in the text (pg.421) of the "floater".
Here is a picture of some of the salt on the shore of the Dead Sea (nearly 10x saltier than an ocean!)

No homework tonight, Thurs. 8/28

There will be no homework tonight.
There is a historic event taking place at the Democratic National Convention--Barack Obama accepting his party's nomination (7pm) that should be on many channels (C-Span for one).
This is not required viewing, just an FYI for those students interested in the political process--and you know who you are!

We will be holding a mock election prior to the General Election (Tues. Nov 4)
In 2004, the Patapsco results had George W. Bush narrowly defeating John Kerry.
It will be interesting to see what happens this year!

(Equal time department: John McCain will be making his acceptance speech next Thursday, September 4)

Textbooks have been issued!

All students were issued a textbook today. They were instructed to take it home, and keep it there until June. I have a class set of books that we will use at school, so that will save some locker space/backpack space. Parents please check to see that a book resembling the picture above has made it home with your child.

The picture above may also be handy in June, when trying to remember what the book looks like :-)

As mentioned in the Parent letter, we will only be studying part of the world in 6th grade, though the book contains the whole world. Using the book as a guide, we will be covering information in Unit 1, 5,6,7,8. We will also be using a variety of texts and other materials in class.
Please email me if you have any questions. Click here to email me

Reminder: Grading Policy letter

I mentioned this in class several times Monday, but many students wanted to "hand in" their signed letters anyway... :-)
Students are to keep their signed letter in front of their Social Studies section of their binder throughout the year. This will makes it easily accessible for parents/students to refer to.
I will also scan/post a copy to my website, as well.

Homework, 8/26, due Thurs., 8/28

All classes are to complete the Sixth Grade Writing Prompt, due Thursday, Aug. 28.
It should be a one page, descriptive essay. Handwritten is fine for this writing assignment, though you may type/print if you wish.

Reminder: Students do not have to write about Africa, Asia, or the Middle East.
I mentioned these on the prompt--and in class--as these are our areas of study this year and I'd like to know who my "experts" may be!

As stated, students are free to write about the "coolest" place wherever they may have been--it may be in Maryland!
I am interested in seeing writing style, as well as skill. Please remember to use C.U.P.S.

Homework Mon., 8/25

All classes are to get the "Parent Letter" signed for homework.
Parents, this is a 2-sided overview of my class/grading policy.
Students are asked to keep it in their binders to refer to throughtout the year.
I will be scanning a copy and posting it on my website, when our scanner gets connected.

Please check the survey!--->

Periodically, I'll post a survey just to see what's on 6th graders minds.
You may select one (or more) answers from the first survey over there ----> in the right margin.

Welcome 2008-09 6th Graders!

If you're reading this, you either: a) paid attention during class
b) read your Grading Policy (homework) letter
c) both of the above

I'd like to welcome sixth graders and their parents to my 2008-09 blog!
Throughout the year, you will find important information here, including:
homework, project due dates, as well as classroom/school news that relates to social studies.
I also periodically post "blog-only" extra credit questions here. This means that your responses must be emailed. When emailing me or any teacher at Patapsco
Middle, please remember the school policy is to send a cc: to your parent/guardian's email account or just use their account to respond.