TEST Day!

Test site:

https://canvas.instructure.com/

User name/password will be provided in class.

When you get done, visit:

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/Geography.htm

Or

http://www.brainpop.com/search/search.weml?keyword=Social%20Studies%20Games&sections=games

That's it.

Quiz day

Quiz site:

https://canvas.instructure.com/

User name/password will be provided in class.

When you get done, visit:

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/Geography.htm

Or

http://www.brainpop.com/search/search.weml?keyword=Social%20Studies%20Games&sections=games

That's it.

Week of 15 August

What a Week!

-We discussed the strengths and weaknesses of the various theories regarding the origin of the first Americans.

-We read and collectively summarized a Scientific American article about a recent discovery that is bringing more of this subject to light.  Check it out!: http://goo.gl/M9EblA

-We discussed Mayan, Aztec and Inca civilizations and looked for the textbook's descriptions and examples of their cities, science and industries.

-We also discussed Native American imagery and portrayals in popular culture, using this political cartoon as a starting point for discussion:

Next week:  We will be looking at Native American culture groups within what is now the United States.  This will have the students working in pairs to compare and contrast the various groups.

There will also be a quiz this Wednesday. Right now the plan is to give the quiz online via Canvas.  The students will be given a Canvas account and will take the quiz using that platform.  Once the accounts are set up, I will notify everyone and will send out log in information by request and on an individual basis so that parents can see the grades and the quiz itself instantaneously! Technology is a beautiful thing! 

Should there be a situation where setting up Canvas (or a similar software like Coursesites) is not possible (hey, things happen!), a pen and paper version of the quiz will be given that day instead. 

Let's get things started! Unit one is underway!

Great tutorial for geography. http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games.htm

We will begin our first unit Monday with a world geography refresher and we will examine theories about when and from where the First Americans came. along with the evidence for these claims.

On tuesday, we will conduct a reading exercise using recent news stories about 

archeological discoveries that shed new light on the early Americas.

 

Wednesday will find us looking at North American geography and the major civilizations that developed.

Thursday will bring us another reading exercise. This time it will involve primary source documents.

Friday will bring us the first of many team assignments. Students will be paired and assigned Native American culture groups to study.

Hold on to your hats! It's gonna be a busy week!