Update for families

Sunday, September 26.....the first of the 3 expected Explorer packets were returned to students today along with all the corrected answers to the questions. There will be 2 more packets and then a test covering all three sections on November 3. A specific study guide will be handed out 2 weeks before the test date, but students can benefit from re-reading the sections and/or reviewing the answers to the questions as time allows.

Native American Tests

Parents: Just a quick note to let you know I sent your son/daughter home tonight with their Chapter 1 test. Please go through it with him/her and sign it before it is returned to me. We spent about half an hour today discussing how to study better next time, how to read questions carefully and answer fully, how to seek help as needed. I've put some articles at the side of this blog about how to study as well as about test anxiety which you may find useful!

Explorer Unit

SEPTEMBER 19-OCTOBER 11

Our Social Studies class embarks on a study of exploration...Ibn Battuta, Marco Polo, the European exploration around the world throughout the 1300-1500s, outer space and under sea. Students will have 3 packets of work to do during this time and therefore three quizzes, which will be announced as each packet is handed out. Also, the quarter project will focus on exploration. Each student will be assigned an explorer and will be doing a 3 part project...designing a poster, writing a report, and giving a speech as their character. The project paper will be attached to this blog as soon as it is handed out to students.

NOTE: Students will be asked during their speech to become the explorer, telling of their adventures in the first person narrative. It would be terrific if they could dress the part as well, but I do NOT want students going out to rent costumes or to have costumes made. Please go through the closets and the garage to find things for them to wear!

August 24-September 15

During these 3 weeks all three sections of Chapter 1 in our textbook will be covered; the topic is the settlement of North and South America and the cultures of the Native American tribes on these two continents. During class students will read and take notes on each section. There will also be homework posted on the board in class. I will give students a study guide for this chapter on August 30 while will help them prepare for the Chapter 1 test on September 15.