Thinking Like a Real Estate Agent

Today we continued our work on learning how to be real estate agents by looking at our previous properties and we started looking at Mesopotamia also.

AIM: I will list the pros and cons of 6 properties in order to compare and contrast them with 100% accuracy. I will also determine location using longitude and latitude with 100% accuracy.

Standard: Estimation and Reasonableness as well as using longitude and latitude to locate destinations.

Do Now: We took our Estimation and Reasonableness assessment for Paul is SMART

Lesson Steps:
Once we finished the Do Now we went right into reviewing the 5 properties from yesterday and students voted on which property they would like to buy. We discussed their decisions based on the pros and cons of each one and the discussion also incorporated comparing and contrasting each property. We ended class by looking at the geographical setting of Mesopotamia and explained the weekend's homework.

Homework: Read the worksheet and fill out the pros and cons of living in Mesopotamia.
Thinking Like a Real Estate Agent#1

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Real Estate Agents for a Day

Today we introduced the concept of how people choose places to live by looking at the pros and cons of area real estate.

AIM: I will identify features of 5 different locations and complete a decision process of buying property by comparing and contrasting the qualities of each one.

Standard: Students use a variety of maps and documnents to identify physical and cultural features

Do Now:
1. Vocabulary term: Another word for a worker
2. Vocabulary term: To be specific and obvious
3. Vocabulary term: “Around the time” or close to a certain time
4. Vocabulary term: To beat and control an enemy
*Bonus point--> What symbol is used for #3?__________

Lesson Steps:
Today we took a step closer to studying the homelands of our new students in depth. We introduced the concept of trying to decide on a place to live like in a house hunting television program. We explained how they would soon be working as real estate agents to sell the properties associated with Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Ancient India and Ancient China.

We watched a short clip on the web about a house hunting show (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dgMBcFmyKI) and looked at how the couple talked about the pros and cons of each property in order to decide on which property to buy. This feeds into our social studies focus on comparing and contrasting facts. We then looked at five slides that showed different natural environments to see how people would weigh different options like the environment, climate, resources, proximity to family and safety. We will use these criteria to help start the decision process on which ancient location to "buy."

Homework: Complete post card project or quiz correction if not done already.
Rel Estate Charts Intro

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Postcard Presentations and Vocabulary Review

Today we had another visit by Captain Chronos!

AIM: I will define 10 new words that connect to the BCR and timeline reading and review estimation work on yesterday's quiz with 100% accuracy.

Standard: Defining and using Vocabulary Words and Paul is SMART

Do Now:
1) Vocabulary Word: a fact that leads to something or ingredients.
2) Vocabulary Word: silt that is good for growing plants.
3) Vocabulary Word: A man-made waterway.
4) Vocabulary Word: Around a certain time.

Lesson Steps:
Today we started with a normal Do Now but we were interrupted by Captain Chronos who bounced into our class through another portal! Captain Chronos asked students to present their findings about the different missions that they took while they went back in time. Each student had the opportunity to share an interesting fact about their trip and also what they learned about the ancient civilization they visited.

Next we went over the timeline quiz in which many students need to retake. So tonight's homework is for students to revise the quiz and also to do an extra worksheet about using their time lines. Finally, we closed class with a wrap up of the 10 new vocabulary words and students also have to make connections to each word for homework (see yesterday's posting).

Homework: Handout from today
Timeline Quiz Review and Makeup

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BCR Review and Vocab Extension

Today we reviewed yesterday's BCR and also went over some new vocabulary for the third advisory.

AIM: I will define 10 new words that connect to the BCR and timeline reading and connect them to first advisory words with 100% accuracy.

Standard: 7IT-A.6 Describe the facts and evidence used to support an argument as well as defining words and using vocabulary words.

Do Now: Open note quiz on using a timeline

Lesson Steps:
We started by taking our quiz and then students reflected on yesterday's BCR in their writing journal. Next we went over an example of a BCR that specifically shows how facts answer the question. We learned the word "explicit" and made sure that students knew that their job is to really show the reader why their writing actually answers the question. We then looked at 10 vocabulary words that connect to our BCR from yesterday as well as from the timeline reading.

Homework: Complete the personal connections to each new vocabulary term.

Third Advisory Vocabulary Words

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BCR Day

Today we wrote BCRs and got back into the swing of things with our sixth in-class writing assignment this winter.

AIM: I will write a BCR in a MEAL paragraph format and achieve a 4 out of a 4.

Standard: 7.W.E.3 Writing logical reports that incorporate facts to support a question.

Do Now: Students completed their BCR reflection paper based on BCR#5

Lesson Steps:
Today we went over students' individual plans to improve in the writing of their BCRs and then we went right into writing the 6th one. Today's question was: "What factors led to the creation of cities in ancient times?" Students received a reading that they had to base their response and then they were given most of the period to finish the writing of the paragraph. We then finished up with completing post card projects before being dismissed for the day.

Homework: Open-note quiz tomorrow on our ancient timeline activity. All post card projects are due tomorrow if they haven't already been turned in.