Friday, March 13, 2009

Quiz Day

Today was a reduced schedule due to our Women's History Month Assembly. We took our quiz as soon as we cam into class and students took the majority of the time to complete it. There is no homework over this weekend.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Quiz Review

Today we worked in stations to prepare for tomorrow's quiz.

AIM: I will review 10 vocabulary words, I will review how to draw our mental map with 16 physical features, and I will compare and contrast the environments of Mesopotamia and Egypt by completing a Venn Diagram.

Standard: Vocabulary Mastery, 7.3 Geography of Mesopotamia and Egypt

Do Now:
1) Vocabulary word: A water passageway.
2) Vocabulary word: Fertile soil dropped by a river.
3) Vocabulary word: Thin strips of land with the same trait
4) How many years ago was 711 CE?


Lesson Steps: Today we worked in a stations model in which students would rotate between reviewing vocabulary words, practicing drawing the map and also writing their compare contrast BCR for tomorrow's quiz.

Homework: Study for tomorrow's quiz

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Comparing and Contrasting Geography

Today we continued to take notes and prepare for the compare contrast paragraphs for Mesopotamia and the Nile Valley.

AIM: I will determine bias by distinguishing facts in two readings with 100%accuracy.

Standard: Determining bias and author's purpose

Do Now:
1) Vocabulary word: Basic ingredients that make other goods.
2) Vocabulary word: To mix with a lot of energy.
3) Vocabulary word: Empty and with nothing growing.
4) How many years ago was 777 BCE?

Lesson Steps:
Once we finished the Do Now we started looking at the letter from yesterday and picked out more pieces of evidence to support the opinion of Hatshepsut. We then looked at a Venn Diagram and started filling in the differences and similarities of the geography of Mesopotamia and the Nile Valley. Students are to complete this diagram tonight.

Homework: Complete the following Venn Diagram using notes and the additional handout from the book

Venn Diagram

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Distinguishing Fact From Opinion

Today we read a letter from Hatshepsut explaining why Egypt was so much better than Mesopotamia.

AIM: I will determine bias by distinguishing facts and opinions in two readings with 100% accuracy.

Standard: Determining bias and author's purpose

Do Now:
1) Vocabulary word: Something that happens every year.
2) Vocabulary word: a place to park your boat
3) Vocabulary word: Another word for waterfall
4) How many years ago was 345 CE?

Lesson Steps:
Once we finished the Do Nows, we played a quick game of around the world to review the vocabulary from last night. We then read Hatshepsut's letter and used color pencils to highlight the facts versus opinion. Students then read a passage in the textbook to find more evidence to support the opinions stated in the letter. We reviewed the facts and also the follow-up questions together. Students were then given a homework handout to continue the same process with a reading about Khufu.

Classwork Handout
Hatshepsut Letter



Homework Handout
Khufu Homework

Monday, March 9, 2009

Vocab Recap

Today we went over all the vocabulary of the Nile reading.

AIM: I will find 2 pieces of evidence and 3 points of view in a letter.

Standard: 7.3.1 Locate and describe the major river systems that supported permanent settlement and early civilizations.


Do Now:
1) Vocabulary Word: The normal or regular way.
2) Vocabulary Word: to be specific and very clear
3) Vocabulary Word: To bring things together to make as one.
4) How many years ago was 539 BCE?


Lesson Steps: We completed the Do Now and then reviewed the scripts, stories and cartoons from our classmates' "A Journey Up the Nile" assignment. We then reviewed the vocabulary words in the handout posted for today. We then started to read a letter from Hatshepsut. We will continue to read about the bias and author's purpose in the letter tomorrow.

Homework: Complete the vocabulary assignment on the posted page below.

Handout: Round 3 Vocab