Last Week: June 9-June 11

This week we will be taking an in class final. The students will be writing a letter home from the point of view of an immigrant to a relative in the "old country."
I have really enjoyed my year! The students have learned a lot and I am proud to say that all my students passed the Citizenship Test! Go out from here and be productive citizens, find your passion, and make the world a better place! Congratulations to you all!
Mrs. Holden

CLASSWORK
Monday: Finals periods 1-3, 8th graders get yearbooks and have promotion practice. Dismissal is at 1:18
Tuesday: Finals periods 4-6. Dismissal is at 12:04
Wednesday: Class periods 1-4, EAGLES CUP-Go ORANGE CRUSH!!, Promotion students here at 1:30

June 2-June 6

This is our last full week, and boy is it a busy one! On Tuesday, the students will go through the Ellis Island experience (don't forget to dress like an immigrant). On Thursday, they will take a 50 question citizenship test (see blog flashcards and/or study guide handed out on Monday). Friday, the students will visit Nordhoff High School (please turn in permission slip).

CLASSWORK
Monday 6/2: Study guide for citizenship test and discuss Ellis Island
Tuesday 6/3: Ellis Island Simulation come to class in costume with sentimental item, passport, and official papers
Wednesday 6/4: Practice Citizenship Test and Final Essay Outline handed out
Link to Practice US Citizenship Test
Thursday 6/5: CITIZENSHIP TEST
Friday 6/6: Field trip to Nordhoff and Rough Draft of Final

HOMEWORK
Monday 6/2: Prepare for Ellis Island-costume and sentimental item
Tuesday 6/3: NONE
Wednesday 6/4: STUDY for CITIZENSHIP TEST

Thursday 6/5: NONE
Friday 6/6: NONE

May 27 - May 30

This week we will continue to work on our Ellis Island simulation. The students will be creating their passports and official papers. They will also learn about one of America's most iconic symbols, the Statue of Liberty.

CLASSWORK
Tuesday 5/27: Handout outlining the three parts of our final**glue this into notebook. Discussion of passport creation and official papers. See google doc to copy and paste outline before creating your own.
Wednesday 5/28: Guided Reading Worksheet pages 614-617
Thursday 5/29: Statue of Liberty
Friday 5/30: Citizenship Test Study Guide

HOMEWORK
Tuesday 5/27: WORK On passport and official papers due Friday
Wednesday 5/28: finish guided reading WS and work on passport/official papers
Thursday 5/29: work on passport/official papers due tomorrow
Friday 5/30: finish study guide as needed

Week of May 19-22

This week we will begin our final unit: Immigrants and the Ellis Island Experience. The students will be creating their characters and researching the immigrant experience.

CLASSWORK

Monday 5/19: Design Immigrant Character
Link to Ellis Island passenger search

Tuesday 5/20: Research and work on Immigrant Biography

Wednesday 5/21: Research and work on Immigrant Biography

Thursday 5/22: Virtual Field Trip of Ellis Island

Coming to America: A Virtual Field Trip of Ellis Island

Friday: NO SCHOOL

HOMEWORK

Monday 5/19: None

Tuesday 5/20: Immigrant Bio

Wednesday 5/21: Immigrant Bio due tomorrow

Thursday 5/22: NONE

Friday 5/23: NO SCHOOL

May 12-16

This week we will finish "Life in the West." We will have a test on Friday. Please study using the flashcards below. Also don't forget that we get out at 12:04 on both Tuesday and Friday. Hope to see you at Spring Celebration on Thursday night. We will have a collection of projects that have been completed this year on display plus a viewing of Civil War student made movies!

CLASSWORK
Monday 5/12: John Henry-American Tall Tales
Tuesday 5/13: Old West Scavenger Hunt
Link to Old West Scavenger Hunt
Wednesday 5/14: Railroad Map * Need Colored Pencils, black pen
Thursday 5/15: NOTEBOOK CHECK, Guided Reading WS pages 585-589
Friday 5/16: TEST

HOMEWORK
Monday 5/12: Guided Rdg WS pgs 590-593
Tuesday 5/13: Finish Old West Scavenger Hunt
Wednesday 5/14: Finish Railroad Map, prep for NOTEBOOK CHECK
Thursday 5/15: STUDY for TEST
Friday 5/16:NONE

May 5-9

This week we will be focusing on growth of the American West after Reconstruction. We will learn about the "Age of he Cowboy", and the fate of Native Americans.

CLASSWORK
Monday 5/5: End of Reconstruction: read pages 545-549, work on Reconstruction Vocabulary
Tuesday 5/6: Movie Heartland and Worksheet
Wednesday 5/7: Information on Battle of Little Big Horn and Battle of Wounded Knee
Thursday 5/8: 8th grade Assembly and Video
Friday 5/9: Old West Scavenger Hunt
Link to: Old West Scavenger Hunt
Link to Gene Autry Museum Tour

HOMEWORK
Monday 5/5: finish Reconstruction vocab definitions
Tuesday 5/6: Read pages 557-561 and Complete Guided Reading Worksheet
Wednesday 5/7: Read pages 562-567 and Complete Guided Reading Worksheet
Thursday 5/8: None
Friday 5/9: NONE

April 28- May2

TESTING WEEK

This week the 8th grade students will be taking the Smarter Balance Test on Tuesday and Thursday. Monday-Thursday we have 12:04 dismissal days. Friday is a regular schedule.On Wednesday we will have a party to celebrate the end of the Civil War. Students are to see their generals about what to bring. I will be absent on Friday and the following Monday to attend my son's graduation from the University of Portland!!

CLASSWORK

Monday 4/28: finish presentations, Reconstruction 

Tuesday 4/29: TESTING

Wednesday 4/30: Civil War Party **bring a treat for your army!

Thursday 5/1: TESTING

Friday 5/2: Read 533-537 and complete Worksheet

HOMEWORK

Monday 4/28: NONE
Tuesday 4/29: bring treat tomorrow for your fellow soldiers
Wednesday 4/30: NONE
Thursday 5/1: NONE
Friday 5/2: NONE

April 21-25

This week is a busy week for us! The students will be presenting their Civil War research projects. I'm excited to see what additional information they have discovered. Presentations will take place in class Monday-Thursday. I shared the schedule with the students as a google doc. On Friday we will have a big unit test covering all of the Civil War. A study guide will be given to the students on Monday, and they need to study using this or the flashcards below. On Tuesday, we will have a notebook check.

CLASSWORK
Monday 4/21: Civil War Presentations + Study Guide
Tuesday 4/22: Civil War Presentations + Notebook Check
Wednesday 4/23: Civil War Presentations
Thursday 4/24: Civil War Presentations
Friday 4/25: CIVIL WAR TEST


HOMEWORK ***BE READY FOR YOUR PRESENTATION
Monday 4/21: Be ready for NOTEBOOK CHECK tomorrow + STUDY GUIDE
Tuesday 4/22: STUDY
Wednesday 4/23: STUDY
Thursday 4/24: STUDY
Friday 4/25: TEST DAY * No Homework

Week of April 14-18

This week we are well into the Civil War. We will learn about the Battle of Gettysburg, Sherman's March to the Sea, and the Battle of Vicksburg.
CLASSWORK
Monday: Emancipation Proclamation and Movie
Tuesday: Battle of Gettysburg
Wednesday: Battle Game
Thursday:  War Ends
Friday: Gettysburg Address
Gettysburg Address Memory Game

HOMEWORK
Monday: Work on Civil War Project
Tuesday: Work on Civil War Project

Watch The Civil War: Gettysburg on PBS. See more from The Civil War.

Wednesday: Finish Gettysburg Address Worksheet and watch movie above on Gettysburg. Click on blue link above.
Thursday: Work on Civil War Project
Friday: Work on Civil War Project

Week of April 7-11

This week we will focus on the Civil War. The students will be given identities on Monday, and will participate in Civil War simulations during the week. The students will also spend time researching for their Civil War project.

CLASSWORK
Monday 4/7: Civil War character assignment-ENLISTMENT
Tuesday 4/8: Your'e in the Army Now simulation
Wednesday 4/9: First Shots Fired Activity
Thursday 4/10: Research Project Work day
Friday 4/11: Battles Activity

HOMEWORK
Monday 4/7: Work on Research Notes (Note Check on Thursday)
Tuesday 4/8: Work on Research Notes (Note Check on Thursday)
Wednesday 4/9: Work on Research Notes (Note Check on Thursday)
Thursday 4/10: Work on project presentation
Friday 4/11: Work on project presentation

Week of March 24-28

This week we will dive into an in depth study of The Civil War. The students will be researching and becoming experts on topics of their choice related to the war. They will present their research to the class in a 5-10 minute "Expert Talk". These oral presentations will be due the week of April 14-18.
A complete description of the project has been shared as a Google doc.

CLASSWORK
Monday 3/24: Civil War Map
Tuesday 3/25: Notebook Check/Project Description and Choose Topic
Wednesday 3/26: Project Approval-Begin Research
Thursday 3/27: Project Research
Friday 3/28: Project Research

HOMEWORK
Monday 3/24: Finish Map and Get Notebook Ready for Check
Tuesday 3/25: Choose topic
Wednesday 3/26: Work on research notes
Thursday 3/27: Work on Research Notes
Friday 3/28: Work on Civil War Project if you want ** Have a great Spring Break!!

Week of March 17-21

This week we will be examining the events that led up to the Civil War. Monday we will learn about slavery, and Tuesday, the Underground Railroad and the Abolitionist Movement. The rest of the week will be devoted to creating a timeline of 8 key events.

CLASSWORK
MONDAY: Slavery in America
TUESDAY: Underground Railroad Activity
WEDNESDAY: Events Leading to Civil War
THURSDAY: Events Leading to Civil War
FRIDAY: Events Leading to Civil War Movie

HOMEWORK
MONDAY: Read pages 348-353 and complete #1 Terms and Names #2 Using Graphics #3 Main Ideas. ***BRING FLASHLIGHT!
TUESDAY: Complete Harriet Tubman WS
WEDNESDAY: Work on Timeline Events 1-4
THURSDAY: Work on Timeline Events 5-8
FRIDAY: TIMELINE DUE! No HWK

March 10-14

MANIFEST DESTINY

California Gold Rush, The Forty Niners

REMEMBER THE ALAMO

CLASSWORK

Monday 3/10: Texas Independence and the Alamo Lecture-see Google doc

Tuesday 3/11: War with Mexico Lecture and Worksheet-see google doc

Wednesday 3/12: Read pages 412-417 then play The California Gold Rush Game- see Google doc

Thursday 3/13: The Story of Us Movie: Westward

Friday 3/14: Manifest Destiny Test*bring #2 pencil

HOMEWORK

Monday 3/10: Google Doc Questions 7-17.

Tuesday 3/11: Finish War with Mexico Worksheet

Wednesday 3/12: Complete Study Guide for Friday's Test

Thursday 3/13: STUDY FOR TEST using Study Guide or blog flashcards
Friday 3/14: NONE

March 3-7

This week we will finish our study of Andrew Jackson. The students will be turning in arguments on this question, "Is Andrew Jackson a man we should celebrate or one we should apologize for?" Then Wagons Ho! Onto the Oregon Trail.

CLASSWORK
Monday 3/3: Write rough draft of Jackson argument
Tuesday 3/4: Begin Oregon Trail Project see Google doc for directions
Wednesday 3/5: Work on Oregon Trail Guidebook
Thursday 3/6: Work on Oregon Trail Guidebook
Friday 3/7: Work on Oregon Trail Guidebook **Minimum Day- last day of trimester 2

HOMEWORK
***NEED NEW NOTEBOOK!!!
Monday 3/3: Jackson argument final draft due tomorrow
Tuesday 3/4: Work on project
Wednesday 3/5: Work on project
Thursday 3/6: Work on project
Friday 3/7: Finish project as needed

February 24-February 28

This week we will focus on Andrew Jackson's presidency. We will look at how he changed the face of government. We will also examine the positive and negative effects of his years in office.

CLASSWORK
Monday 2/24: Intro to Andrew Jackson's Presidency by performing a play.
Tuesday 2/25: Trail of Tears Lesson
Wednesday 2/26: Native American Relocation Map
Thursday 2/27: Jackson's Tariffs
Friday 2/28: Jackson"s War on Bank

HOMEWORK
LINK TO Andrew Jackson Videos
Monday 2/24:Read Andrew Jacksons Presidency and Complete Politics of the People WS
Tuesday 2/25: Trail of Tears reflection questions
Wednesday 2/26: Native American Relocation Map
Thursday 2/27: Jackson Vocabulary
Friday 2/28: NONE

February 10-14

This week we will focus on the ideas of Nationalism and Sectionalism and analyze the impact of these two perspectives. We also have a TEST on Friday covering Madison and Monroe.

CLASSWORK
Monday 2/10: Nationalism and Sectionalism WS. Read 354-357
Tuesday 2/11: Erie Canal Movie and Video Guide WS
Wednesday 2/12: Erie Canal Song Lyrics and Canal Map *bring colored pencils
Thursday 2/13: Test Review
Friday 2/14: TEST * bring #2 pencil

HOMEWORK
Monday 2/10: Finish Nationalism and Sectionalism WS by reading 354-357
Tuesday 2/11: *bring black pen/colored pencils
Wednesday 2/12: Finish map and questions
Thursday 2/13: STUDY for TEST and bring #2 pencil tomorrow

Friday 2/14: NONE! Have a great vacation!

February 3-7

This week we will be finishing up our study of the War of 1812 and Madison's presidency. We will also start to learn about the "Era of Good Feelings," and James Monroe.

CLASSWORK
Monday 2/3: Mrs. Holden will be presenting Africa slides to seventh graders. Eighth graders will be with Mr. Gard and continuing study of the War of 1812 & working on SSB project
Tuesday 2/4: Battle of New Orleans through song. WS handed out
Wednesday 2/5: Madison and Monroe Movie- notes
Thursday 2/6: James Monroe mini report on Chromebook
Friday 2/7: Monroe Doctrine

HOMEWORK
Monday 2/3: Finish Star Spangled Banner Project and share with me kholden@students.ojaiusd.org
Tuesday 2/4: Study for Star Spangled Banner Quiz
Wednesday 2/5: NONE
Thursday 2/6: Finish Monroe mini report
Friday 2/7: None

January 27-31

This week we will have a test on Jefferson's Presidency and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. We will also focus on the War of 1812 and the Star Spangled Banner.

CLASSWORK
Monday: Jefferson's Problems with Foreign Powers
Tuesday: Test
Wednesday: War of 1812
LINK to War of 1812
Thursday: Star Spangled Banner
Friday: Star Spangled Banner Project

HOMEWORK
Monday: Study for Test

Tuesday: Watch Obama's State of the Union Address and take 15 notes
Wednesday: NONE
Thursday: Take 10 Notes on the Information presented in the link below
LINK to Star Spangled Banner
Friday: NONE

January 21-24

This week we will be focusing on Lewis and Clark and their expedition into the West. We will also be having a notebook check on Wednesday. Students can access their google drive to see a checklist of the items needed in the notebook. Students may also complete an extra credit assignment that is due on Wednesday. To earn back three points, students need to share our MLK Quote slideshow with an adult. The adult then needs to write a comment in the student's notebook and sign his/her name. All students should take advantage of this opportunity because progress report grades are due on Friday.

CLASSWORK
Tuesday 1/21: Compare and Contrast Lewis and Clark. Complete WS.
LINK to Readings on Lewis and Clark

Wednesday 1/22: Notebook Check and Reading of Lewis and Clark Journals. Work on journal note taking WS.
LINK to Lewis and Clark Journals

Thursday 1/23: Lewis and Clark Play
LINK to Lewis and Clark Interactive Adventure

Friday 1/24: Incredible movie about Lewis and Clark's Amazing Journey

HOMEWORK
Tuesday 1/21: 1. Be ready for notebook check **See google doc that was shared with you
                       2. Write a paragraph arguing who is the better leader, Lewis or Clark. Your paragraph needs to be at least seven sentences long. It needs to have a topic sentence, and 5 reasons supporting your choice. End with a concluding sentence. **USE LINK UNDER TUESDAY CLASSWORK FOR INFO
                      3. Complete Extra Credit if you want**See directions above in intro paragraph

Wednesday 1/22: Finish Journal Note Taking Worksheet. Use the Link under Wednesday classwork to finish.

Thursday 1/23: Jefferson Crossword Puzzle

Friday: NONE

January 13-17

This week we will focus on two influential men in American history, Martin Luther King Jr. and Thomas Jefferson.

CLASSWORK
Monday: Timeline of Civil Rights Movement
Tuesday: Martin Luther King Junior Quote Digital Art Project
Wednesday: Martin Luther King Junior "I Have A Dream Speech"
Thursday: Thomas Jefferson
Friday: Louisiana Purchase and Map

HOMEWORK
Monday: Use Link Below to Find a Meaningful Quote from Martin Luther King Junior. Copy it into your notebook.
MLK QUOTES
More MLK QUOTES
Tuesday: Finish Art Project
Wednesday: NONE
Thursday: Complete Jefferson Worksheet
Friday: Finish Map

January 6-10

This week we will be focusing on our first two presidents, and on the challenges facing the newly formed government.

CLASSWORK
Monday 1/6: George Washington
Use the link "Mount Vernon" Use the timeline of Washington's life and record the following in your notebook. Draw a line 1/3 of way into page. On the left hand side of the line write the following dates. Then on the right hand side of the line, write the event that occurred.
Washington Timeline
1732                                          
1759
1759
1761
1764
1783
1783
1787
1788
1789
1789
1789
1790
1790
1790
1791
1791
1792
1792
1793
1794
1794
1796
1797
1798
1799
Tuesday 1/7: Washington's Presidency WS
Wednesday 1/8: Challenges Facing the New Government
Thursday 1/9: Federalists in Charge WS
Friday 1/10: Movie: Washington, Adams. Then begin study of third president, Jefferson.
Link to Exploring Monticello

HOMEWORK
Monday 1/6: Finish Timeline and Explore Mt Vernon
Tuesday 1/7: Vocabulary: Word/Definition/Picture/Importance for the following words:
                       1. inaugurate        2. cabinet          3. tariff           4. Federal Judiciary Act
Wednesday 1/8: Vocabulary: Word/Definition/Picture/Importance for the following words:
                      1. Battle of Fallen Timbers      2. Treaty of Greenville         3. Whiskey Rebellion
                      4. French Revolution               5. Jay's Treaty                       6. Pickney's Treaty

Thursday 1/9: Finish WS as needed
Friday 1/10: NONE