My Social Studies classes are currently finishing their portfolio pieces about the colonial grievances discussed in our Declaration of Independence. These pieces will be collected on Thursday the 2nd of December. By Thursday, we will have spent three days writing these rough drafts. Once I check these drafts, students will rewrite them on the computer to complete their final copy.
We took our common assessment over Chapter 5-7 last Friday which brought us to the end of the Revolutionary War. We will soon be studying the difficulty our new country had under the Articles of Confederation and how that led to the Constitutional Convention. We will also be spending quite a bit of time studying our Constitution.
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and are looking forward to spending Christmas with your family. As always, please email me if you have any questions or concerns.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
christmas card 2010
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Thursday, November 11, 2010
Midterm reports will be going home on November 19th!
My classes are currently working on the events that led to the Revolutionary War. We will be writing a portfolio piece about the varied colonial reactions to the Stamp Act and students will have the opportunity to rewrite and perform a few of the grievances written in the Declaration of Independence. Also, we will spend a couple of days on the Revolutionary War. Our common assessment for this unit will cover chapters 5-7 in the History Alive textbook. I hope to have students take this test before Thanksgiving break, but we may have to wait until after the break.
My students have had the opportunity to be creative through our study of the colonies and as participants of a colonial town meeting designed to sway the neutralists to either the Patriot or Loyalist position. I've enjoyed their efforts and am looking forward to how they will express themselves in their interpretation of the Declaration of Independence. I hope you will spend some time asking them about these activities and what they are learning about this wonderful country of ours.
As always, let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
My students have had the opportunity to be creative through our study of the colonies and as participants of a colonial town meeting designed to sway the neutralists to either the Patriot or Loyalist position. I've enjoyed their efforts and am looking forward to how they will express themselves in their interpretation of the Declaration of Independence. I hope you will spend some time asking them about these activities and what they are learning about this wonderful country of ours.
As always, let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Colonial Projects are due Tuesday, October 19th
It's hard to believe it, but we are beginning our second grading period this week. Report cards from the first grade period can be picked up at Twenhofel on Thursday night, the 21st between 4-7 PM. I hope to see you on Thursday night!
My class is completing chapters 3 and 4 this week. Students have been working on their colonial group project and should be ready to present them to the class this Tuesday. Each group was assigned a colony and will make a class presentation about the religion, government, geography, economy, culture and people who lived there prior the American Revolution. We should be finished with these presentations on Wednesday and be ready to take our common assessment over American colonization on Thursday, the 21st. The thirty vocabulary words for the American Revolution will begin on page 15 in their journals and will be given to them once they complete their common assessment.
If you have any questions, please let me know. Have a great week!
My class is completing chapters 3 and 4 this week. Students have been working on their colonial group project and should be ready to present them to the class this Tuesday. Each group was assigned a colony and will make a class presentation about the religion, government, geography, economy, culture and people who lived there prior the American Revolution. We should be finished with these presentations on Wednesday and be ready to take our common assessment over American colonization on Thursday, the 21st. The thirty vocabulary words for the American Revolution will begin on page 15 in their journals and will be given to them once they complete their common assessment.
If you have any questions, please let me know. Have a great week!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Smooth start! :)
We have had a smooth start to this new year!
Our first vocabulary test in Social Studies will be on Monday, the 13th of September and will cover Chapter 1 and 2. Students should have all of these words defined in their journals by that date as they will be allowed to use them on the quiz. They should have a total of 25 words for the two chapters.
We completed the first chapter on Native Americans and today we began Chapter two on exploration and colonization of the New World. I'm hoping that our first common assessment over these two chapters will be next Thursday, the 16th of September.
Students in our homerooms are working to create baskets for the auction next Friday night. Ask them about what they are expected to bring to their homerooms to help this effort. All of the proceeds will be used to help our athletic department.
Also, all 8th grade students will be taking the EXPLORE test on Friday, the 17th of September.
Mid-term reports will be sent home on September 20th.
Be looking for a letter detailing an up-coming field trip that we are planning on taking on Tuesday, November 16th.
As always, if you need anything, please email me and I'll get back in touch with you.
Our first vocabulary test in Social Studies will be on Monday, the 13th of September and will cover Chapter 1 and 2. Students should have all of these words defined in their journals by that date as they will be allowed to use them on the quiz. They should have a total of 25 words for the two chapters.
We completed the first chapter on Native Americans and today we began Chapter two on exploration and colonization of the New World. I'm hoping that our first common assessment over these two chapters will be next Thursday, the 16th of September.
Students in our homerooms are working to create baskets for the auction next Friday night. Ask them about what they are expected to bring to their homerooms to help this effort. All of the proceeds will be used to help our athletic department.
Also, all 8th grade students will be taking the EXPLORE test on Friday, the 17th of September.
Mid-term reports will be sent home on September 20th.
Be looking for a letter detailing an up-coming field trip that we are planning on taking on Tuesday, November 16th.
As always, if you need anything, please email me and I'll get back in touch with you.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Great Start!
We have had a wonderful start to this year! :) I wanted to send a reminder to you that my journal cover project is due tomorrow. Students will be presenting them in their classes for credit. Also, all textbooks should be covered by (and decorated-for extra credit) Monday, August 30.
We begin our work on Chapter 1 today. Students will read and work independently through the chapter to find information about the Native Americans who first lived in our country. They will be assigned to a group and given one of the eight cultural regions about which they will share information to the class next week. One worksheet was collected in class today and the other is due on Monday, the 30th of August. On that paper is a map with the eight cultural regions. Students should find their region in their textbook and color it on their map.
We will begin working on the vocabulary for Chapter 1, too. We will begin this on Monday, the 30th since they journals are not due until tomorrow. All definitions are to be kept in the vocabulary section of their journal. Each page should have four words with a brief definition, part of speech of the root word and a picture that represents the word. The vocabulary words are: migrate, culture, environment, natural resource, cultural region, and adaptation.
Also, I need my syllabus signed and the information sheet completed by one parent by Wednesday, September 1st; that is only four school days from now!
We begin our work on Chapter 1 today. Students will read and work independently through the chapter to find information about the Native Americans who first lived in our country. They will be assigned to a group and given one of the eight cultural regions about which they will share information to the class next week. One worksheet was collected in class today and the other is due on Monday, the 30th of August. On that paper is a map with the eight cultural regions. Students should find their region in their textbook and color it on their map.
We will begin working on the vocabulary for Chapter 1, too. We will begin this on Monday, the 30th since they journals are not due until tomorrow. All definitions are to be kept in the vocabulary section of their journal. Each page should have four words with a brief definition, part of speech of the root word and a picture that represents the word. The vocabulary words are: migrate, culture, environment, natural resource, cultural region, and adaptation.
Also, I need my syllabus signed and the information sheet completed by one parent by Wednesday, September 1st; that is only four school days from now!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Update from Social Studies 817
I have enjoyed getting to know your children these past few days and am looking forward to this year!
On Monday, the 23rd of August, I will pass out my History Alive textbooks and each student should bring a brown paper grocery bag to cover their textbook.
Yesterday, I shared with my students how to decorate the front and back covers of their composition book. We will not work on these in school and they must be completed and presented on Friday, August 27th. I have included the directions for this assignment below:
The front cover should reflect information about the student now and should have at least:
1. 5 colors
2. 5 words
3. 5 pictures
The back cover should reflect information about the student's future and should have at least:
1. 5 colors
2. 5 words
3. 5 pictures
Students will be required to share their journal covers with the entire class on Friday, August 27th.
If you need anything, please let me know me!
Sincerely,
Melody Barbour
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
First Day News
The first day went well and went by fast and we are excited for the year to get started!
Your child will be bringing home a folder full of important paperwork that needs to be read and discussed with him/her. Several of these papers need to be completed and signed by the parent as well as the student, and returned to school to your child’s homeroom teacher tomorrow:
1. The Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) – please read with your child and sign. This needs to be completed before your child will receive computer/internet access.
2. Enrollment Form – Extremely important form to update contact and emergency information. Please complete all portions of the form, sign, and return to your child’s homeroom teacher as soon as possible.
3. Dress Code – Please read and discuss with your child about Twenhofel’s dress code. Sign and return.
4. Behavior Contract – Please read and Code of Conduct book, discuss with your child, and sign and return paperwork.
Please contact your child’s homeroom teacher with any questions/concerns.
We enjoy working with you and your children this year as we prepare them for high school.
The Man O’ War Team
Your child will have two papers that need to be read and completed by you that will count toward your student's grade. I have attached both of them on my blog to give you access to them. Please try to have them returned to me by September 1st.
Thank you for your help and support.
Sincerely,
Melody Barbour
Your child will be bringing home a folder full of important paperwork that needs to be read and discussed with him/her. Several of these papers need to be completed and signed by the parent as well as the student, and returned to school to your child’s homeroom teacher tomorrow:
1. The Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) – please read with your child and sign. This needs to be completed before your child will receive computer/internet access.
2. Enrollment Form – Extremely important form to update contact and emergency information. Please complete all portions of the form, sign, and return to your child’s homeroom teacher as soon as possible.
3. Dress Code – Please read and discuss with your child about Twenhofel’s dress code. Sign and return.
4. Behavior Contract – Please read and Code of Conduct book, discuss with your child, and sign and return paperwork.
Please contact your child’s homeroom teacher with any questions/concerns.
We enjoy working with you and your children this year as we prepare them for high school.
The Man O’ War Team
Your child will have two papers that need to be read and completed by you that will count toward your student's grade. I have attached both of them on my blog to give you access to them. Please try to have them returned to me by September 1st.
Thank you for your help and support.
Sincerely,
Melody Barbour
Monday, August 2, 2010
Welcome to the Man O' War Team
This class is Social Studies and we will be studying the history of America from its beginning to the era of reconstruction after the Civil War. We will study several primary source documents important in our history and civic life today, including the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution. Students will receive a textbook for this class that they will be responsible for bringing to class every day. The cost of this book is close to $60.00 and must be paid if a student loses the book issued to them.
The following items will be needed in my class for the 2010-2011 school year.
_________________________________________________ Pencils (#2), Pens (black or blue), Scissors, Glue or glue sticks, Colored pencils, Paper - 8.5 X 11 in. (Can be in a spiral type notebook or loose), and a Composition notebook (See below)
The following items will be needed in my class for the 2010-2011 school year.
_________________________________________________ Pencils (#2), Pens (black or blue), Scissors, Glue or glue sticks, Colored pencils, Paper - 8.5 X 11 in. (Can be in a spiral type notebook or loose), and a Composition notebook (See below)
I am looking forward to meeting and working with my new students and their families this year. :)
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