December 16-20

We will start the week by learning about the history of political parties and the two main parties today. The Constitution games are due Tuesday, and we will spend a few days reviewing for test by playing the student designed games. The students have a test on the Constitution on Friday.

CLASSWORK
Monday 12/16: Political Parties
Tuesday 12/17: Games due PLAY GAMES
Wednesday 12/18: PLAY GAMES
Thursday 12/19: Study Guide and Review
Jeopardy Review Game
Friday 12/20: CONSTITUTION TEST

HOMEWORK
Monday 12/16: GAMES DUE TOMORROW!!
Tuesday 12/17: None
Wednesday 12/18: None
Thursday 12/19: STUDY for TEST
Friday 12/20: None ** Have a Happy Vacation!
Government Games
FBI Kids
Treasury Game
I Civics Games
Free Rice

December 9-13

CONSTITUTION GAMES DUE ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17

This week we will learn about the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. The students will be creating questions for their games based on these topics.

CLASSWORK
Monday 12/9: Complete Legislative Branch WS as a google doc and view Congress in action
Tuesday 12/10: Study how bill becomes a law + notes
Wednesday 12/11: Study the Executive Branch + notes
Presidency

Thursday 12/12: Study the Judicial Branch + notes
***TUTORIAL Come work on your game!
Friday 12/13: Government Activity and Finish vocal questions

HOMEWORK
Monday 12/9: Finish the Legislative Branch Questions
Tuesday 12/10: Finish the How a Bill Becomes a Law Questions
Wednesday 12/11: Finish the Executive Branch Questions
Thursday 12/12: Finish the Judicial Branch Questions
Friday 12/13: Finish Vocabulary Questions and work on game as needed!
Constitution Jeopardy

Week 1: December 2-6

This week we will begin our unit on the United States Constitution and how our government works. The students will be creating a game to share with the class that includes question cards centered on the three branches of government.
For our last project, Archer Wann created a video game.  To get into the game making mode, follow the link below to see his amazing creation!

Archer Wann's Video Game


CLASSWORK
Monday 12/2: Creating the Constitution Play performed in class
Tuesday 12/3: Game Creation Explanation and handouts
Wednesday 12/4: Game brainstorm and rough draft
Thursday 12/5: The Bill of Rights
Friday 12/6: The Three Branches of Government

HOMEWORK
Monday 12/2: Read 228-233 Complete WS: Creating the Constitution
Tuesday 12/3: Think of Game Ideas
Wednesday 12/4: Finish Rough draft Proposal of Game
Thursday 12/5: Bill of Rights Activity
Friday 12/6: NONE

Week 13: November 18-22

This week we will be wrapping up our study of the Revolutionary War. The students have a big test on Wednesday, forty questions! They will be given a study guide in class on Tuesday, and they need to practice the flashcards below.

CLASSWORK
Monday 11/18: War Ends Lecture
Tuesday 11/19: Study Guide
Wednesday 11/20: Revolutionary War Test
Link to Thankgiving Quiz and Games
Thursday 11/21: Sharing projects with Mr. Gard's classes
Friday 11/22: Game

HOMEWORK
Monday 11/18: Practice flashcards



Tuesday 11/19: STUDY
Wednesday 11/20: NONE
Thursday 11/21: NONE
Friday 11/22: NONE

Week 12: November 12-15

Surrender at Yorktown 

At the beginning of this week, students will be sharing their research projects. The students have been informed of an extra credit opportunity involving this project. The student needs to share his/her google presentation with an adult, and practice the narration. Once this is done, the adult fills out a form (which the students have), and then it is turned into me on Tuesday. This is worth 3 extra points on their project.
At the end of the week, fittingly, we will learn about the end of the war. We will examine the costs of the war, and  long term effects of this historical event.

CLASSWORK
Tuesday 11/12: PROJECTS DUE, students present research
Wednesday 11/13: Project presentation continued
Thursday 11/14: Finish up project presentation
Friday 11/15: Notes on War Ends

HOMEWORK
Tuesday 11/12: NONE
Wednesday 11/13: Crossword Puzzle
Thursday 11/14: War for Independence History Detective Worksheet
Friday 11/15: None

Week 11: November 4-8

On Monday and Tuesday the students will be finishing up their Revolutionary War presentations(DUE NOV 12). They need to create a google presentation to share their research with the class. Outside of class, they should be working on creating a homemade item that enhances their presentation. Later in the week, we will focus on the life of a soldier, and key battles in the war.

CLASSWORK
Monday 11/4: Work on presentation
Tuesday 11/5: Work on presentation
Wednesday 11/6: A Soldier's Life Worksheet
Thursday 11/7: Key Battles Worksheet
Friday 11/8: Veterans' Day info, Notebook Check, Practice Oral Presentation

HOMEWORK
Monday 11/4: Work on presentation and HOMEMADE ITEM
Tuesday 11/5: Finish presentation and work on HOMEMADE ITEM
Wednesday 11/6: Work on HOMEMADE ITEM
Thursday 11/7: PRACTICE ORAL Presentation and Work on HOMEMADE ITEM
Friday 11/8: Practice Oral Presentation and FINISH HOMEMADE ITEM

GRADING RUBRIC FOR REVOLUTIONARY WAR PROJECT

SUBJECT	NONE   0 points	Way Below Average     1 point	Average     2 points	Above Average     3 points	Excellent     5 Points
Intro
Quality of Research
Summary
Bibliography
Oral Presentation Skills
Homemade Item

Week 10: October 28-November 1

THINK OF OWN IDEA!!!

This week we will begin a Revolutionary War project. This assignment involves researching a topic of the student's choosing, creating a presentation to share with the class, and making a "homemade item" to support his/her presentation. The assignment directions are glued into the student's notebook on page 39, and have been shared with the students as a google doc. Projects are due on Tuesday, November 12. Students will sign up for a presentation day sometime that week. We will be devoting time in class each week to work on this, and students are expected to work on it outside of class as well.
LOOK TO LEFT for HOMEMADE ITEM IDEAS!



Create Artwork

CLASSWORK
Monday 10/28: Work on  Research Questions
Tuesday 10/29: START RESEARCH
Wednesday 10/30: Declaration of Independence Activity
Thursday 10/31: WORK on RESEARCH
Friday 11/1: Story of Us: Revolution
HOMEWORK
Monday 10/28: Write 15 Research Questions
Tuesday 10/29: Work on Research
Wednesday 10/30: Declaration of Independence WS
Thursday 10/31: NONE **Have a fun and safe Halloween
Friday 11/1: Work on project research or homemade item


Make a Diorama

 




 



Dress Up!

Create a Movie or Other Visual Presentation 







Week 9: October 21-25

This week we will learn about how the Revolutionary War started. On Friday, we will discuss a research project that the students will begin next week.

CLASSWORK
Monday, Oct 21: Boston Massacre
Tuesday, Oct 22: Midnight Ride of Paul Revere and War Begins
Battle of Lexington and Concord Animated
Wednesday, Oct 23: Johnny Tremain
Thursday, Oct 24: Johnny Tremain
Friday, Oct 25: Discussion of Research Project

HOMEWORK

Monday, Oct 21: Revolutionary War Vocab do as a google doc or in notebook
Tuesday, Oct 22: Read pgs 170-173 and complete worksheet handed out in class
Wednesday, Oct 23: None
Thursday, Oct 24: None
Friday, Oct 25: Choose Research Topic

Week 8: October 15-18

This week we will be examining the events that led up to the Revolutionary War.

Tuesday 10/15: Topic: The French and Indian War. Make a chart telling who, what, when, where, why and effects
Introductory Video to French and Indian War
Link to French and Indian War
Link to Animated Battles of the French and Indian War
Comprehension Quiz on French and Indian War

Wednesday 10/16: Start poster timeline on the ACTs leading up to the War
Thursday 10/17: Finish poster timeline. TUTORIAL. **Stamped for me = test retakes
Friday 10/18: Topic: The Boston Massacre. Perform a play about this event



Tuesday 10/15: Read in book pages 146-15. Then answer questions pg 151. #1Tell what each term means. #3 answer a,b,c by restating the question.
Wednesday 10/16: None
Thursday 10/17: finish Acts Timeline Poster as needed
Friday 10/18: NONE

Week 7: October 7-11

THE 13 Original Colonies

This week we will be viewing our google presentations on the colonies and wrapping up our study of the New England, Middle, and Southern colonies. We are becoming very proficient on using both google docs and presentations. Students please share your presentation with your parents! We will have a test on Friday.

CLASSWORK
Monday Oct. 7: Watch presentations on the colonies and complete Colonies' Comparison WS
Tuesday Oct 8: Finish presentations and start 13 Colonies Vocabulary
Wednesday Oct 9: Map of the 13 Colonies
Thursday Oct. 10: Test Review Using Google Doc Review Sheet
Friday Oct. 11: TEST on 13 Colonies and GAMES
13 Colonies Name Game
Colonial Challenge Game
Colonies Hangman
Colonies Scrambled Trivia
Colonial Word Search
Merchant Match Up
Write with a Quill Pen
Colonial Slideshows
HOMEWORK
Monday Oct. 7: NO HOMEWORK
Tuesday Oct 8: Finish 13 Colonies Vocabulary. ***See google doc titled "13 Colonies Vocabulary" for directions
Wednesday Oct 9: Finish 13 colonies map and answer questions
Thursday Oct 10: STUDY for test use the flashcards below, google doc called study guide, and google presentation on vocabulary.

Friday Oct 11: NONE
****Remember no school on Monday, Oct 13 due to teacher inservice day!Write with a Quill Pen

Week 6: September 30 - October 4

This week we will continue to use our new chrome books. We will practice making a google document, and learn how to make a google presentation. The students will be working in teams to research either the New England, Middle, or Southern colonies. Once they are done with their research, they will create a google presentation to share their findings with the class. This project involves work on the computer outside of class.




Classwork
Monday 9/30: Create google doc on colonies and begin research
Tuesday: 10/1: finish research
Wednesday 10/2: learn how to make a google presentation
Thursday 10/3: work on colonies presentation
Friday 10/4: work in computer lab to finish presentation. USE LINK below to the right under Favorite Links to sign into google. Then go to MY DRIVE and select shared with me.

HOMEWORK
Monday 9/30: Log into google using link on the right under Favorite Links. Then go to drive and shared with me. Work on research.

Tuesday 10/1: finish research. Then watch the video below that explains how to make a google presentation. The first one is longer, but more detailed.
How to Make a Google Presentation Video




Google Presentations Tutorial Link






Wednesday 10/2: Work on presentation

Thursday 10/3: Work on presentation
WANT TO ADD ANIMATION TO YOUR PRESENTATION? LEARN HOW HERE!
How To Add Animation to your Presentation Tutorial


Friday 10/4: Work on presentation ***DUE MONDAY!

Week 5: September 23-27

This week we will be focusing on the first successful colonies in America, Jamestown and Plymouth. The week will start with an activity designed to see if the students would have survived the first year in a new colony.
The lessons below are subject to change if all of the new chromebook information arrives! So please check back daily to get updates.
Don't forget Tuesday is picture day.


Challenge Question: What is the main crop that saved Jamestown from destruction and who introduced this crop to the colony?

TENTATIVE CLASSWORK
Monday 9/23: Roanoke and intro to colonies simulation activity
Tuesday 9/24: finish activity
Wednesday 9/25: Chromebooks!!!!

Thursday 9/26: Making a google doc
Friday 9/27: Google docs practice

HOMEWORK
Monday 9/23: Watch and Play Captain John Smith Online Adventure
WATCH ALL THE PARTS!
Captain John Smith Online Adventure

Tuesday 9/24: Read and answer questions on Jamestown. Read pages 85-89 in text. Then do WS.

Wednesday 9/25 NONE!! Chromebooks!!

Founding of Jamestown
Jamestown
Pocahontas
OPTIONAL: Play Jamestown Online Adventure Game



Thursday 9/26: Watch videos below
Mayflower Deconstructed
Mayflower

Friday 9/27: None

Week 4: September 16-20

This week we will focus on Spanish, English and French explorers. We will examine key figures, why they came and the impact that they had. On Friday we will be having a test on the Age of Exploration. Please study using the flashcards below. 
Challenge question: What was the fate of the Incan emperor, Atahualpa?

CLASSWORK
Monday 9/16: The Conquistadors: Cortes and Pizarro
Tuesday 9/17: Perform play "Explorers Who Abused Indians-And Got away With It"
Wednesday 9/18: Study Guide
Thursday 9/19: Review Video
Friday 9/20: Explorer TEST!

HOMEWORK
Monday 9/16: Read the following link and write down answers to the following.
Why Explorers Explored the World
1. What were the six reasons why explorers set out?
Click on the map or country title across the top to and find the answers to the following.
2. What were the main reasons why the French were exploring?
3. What part of the world did the French primarily explore?
4. What were the main reasons why the English sent explorers?
5. What part of the world did the English mainly explore?
6. What were the Spanish explorers trying to gain by exploring?
7. What part of the world did the Spanish explore?
Tuesday 9/17: Complete Explorer Comparison Chart WS
Wednesday 9/18: finish study guide as needed
Thursday 9/19: Study using study guide or blog flashcards

Friday 9/20: TEST today no homework

Week 3: September 9-13

This week we will start our  unit on European exploration
of the Americas. Don't forget hat Wednesday, September 11, is Back
to School Night-See you then!  Friday is a 12:06 dismissal.
CHALLENGE ?: How many voyages to the New World did
 Columbus make?

CLASSWORK
                              Monday: Introduction to Explorers, life aboard ship
Tuesday: Christopher Columbus
         Wednesday: map of Spanish explorers
       Thursday: Pride of Matilija assembly
              Friday: Columbus's impact on the natives

HOMEWORK
Monday: Read the links below
Excerpt from Columbus's Log
More Excerpts from Columbus's voyage
                                   Tuesday: Read pages 49-53 in text and
       complete worksheet
           Wednesday: Finish map
  Thursday: NONE
Friday: NONE

 

 

Week 2: Sept 3-6

 

This week we will continue to focus on Native Americans. We will examine how the first peoples got to North America, and examine similiarities and differences among tribes. We will discover how geography and access to resources influences a people's way of life.

Challenge Question: Who was Deganawida?

CLASSWORK
Tuesday 9/3: Native American story of creation plus learning to take notes
Wednesday 9/4: Introduction to vocabulary
Thursday: Tribe Comparison Chart
Friday: Quiz and Movie

HOMEWORK
Tuesday 9/3: Crossword puzzle
Wednesday 9/4: finish vocabulary
Thursday 9/5: 1. Study for quiz using flashcards below.

Friday: NONE

Week One: August 27-30

Welcome 8th Grade Social Studies!

Each week I will post the classwork and homework for the week. For true success in my class, check this site daily. I will also post a challenge question or activity. Turn in your answer to me by Friday of each week for a chance to win a prize. On Fridays, I will draw two winners from each class.
WEEK 1: CHALLENGE ?
Can you come up with a different Native American tribe name starting with each letter in SOCIAL STUDIES?

CLASSWORK
Tuesday 8/27: introductions, expectations, supplies, intro to history-artifact game
Wednesday 8/28: Set up notebooks,  Start Native American Tribe Research Worksheet (WS)
Thursday 8/29: Work on tribe research, mini presentation,  and colored pic
Friday 8/30: Student experts share tribe info. Complete tribe comparison WS

HOMEWORK(all hwk is due the following day unless noted)
Tuesday 8/27:
1) Have parents sign "Social Studies Success" Form.
2) Watch the video below. Then copy the following two questions, and write your response after.  Question #1: What do you think is the most important reason to study history? Question #2: Describe five things related to the United States that you would like to learn more about this year.


Wednesday 8/28:
1. Gather the following supplies. This is counted as a homework assignment.
Supplies Needed: Notebook with at least 70 pages, colored pencils, black fine tip pen for map work, sharpened pencil or pen for notetaking, glue stick, highlighter, hand sharpener.
 2. Research more about your tribe. Write down 10 interesting facts on the back of Native American Tribe Research WS

Thursday 8/29: None!

Friday 8/30: None! Enjoy your weekend!