Today, students played a little government review game.  They made cubes with different aspects of government written on each side.  There were six groups, to represent the three types and the three systems of government.  Groups passed the cubes around and the students were able to explore the different way that each type and system of government works.

Students also took a “Pre-Quiz” on economic vocabulary terms.  This was to see just how much they remembered from our lesson on Middle East economics.  Of course, this quiz was not taken as a grade; just as a measurement to see where we stood on economics.  It was definitely an exciting and fabulous Friday! 

News and Notes:

• Country Extension Projects due Monday!
• Make sure you have defined ALL 20 vocabulary terms….Quiz on Tuesday!

Please remember…

• Country Extension projects are due Monday (3/1)
• Vocabulary quiz Tuesday (3/2)…we will go over the vocabulary Friday in class!
• Africa Unit Test Friday (3/5)

Today, students were in the Mac Lab to explore economic indicators of various African countries.  Students were assigned a country to explore using CIA World Factbook.  After their explorations, we did a little ranking!  Students lined themselves in order of life expectancy, GDP, birthrate, literacy rate, etc.  It was an exciting and explorational day! 

Remember: Your BLUE African Government graphic organizer is due TOMORROW

As we look at the countries of Kenya, South Africa, and Sudan, it is important to note how the term “Republic” has been used or misused.  For example, citizens in the Republic of Sudan, as it is called, have few real constitutional freedoms unless they are associated with the National Congress Party. Most government positions are appointed…so, are they really a true definition of a republic?  Hmmm….

What about Kenya? In Kenya, personal freedoms are written into the constitution, but the government is dominated by the president.  Yes…it is called the Republic of Kenya.

In South Africa, personal freedoms are numerous. Literacy rates in the country are also high.  It is called the Republic of South Africa. Yes, it really is a republic!

I hope that you enjoyed today’s review of government types and government systems. This is particularly important as we approach the CRCT in less than 6 weeks! Can you believe it??  If you missed class today or would like to review further, here is the PowerPoint and corresponding graphic organizer:
Forms of Government
Government Notes organizer

Groups also began the government cubing activity. We will continue this tomorrow in class.

News & Notes:
1. For homework, complete the blue government organizer that covers government systems and government types. If you were absent, please see Ms. Myers ASAP. Your completed organizer is due Friday, February 26th.
2. Classes will meet in the Mac Lab tomorrow. See you there!

Read Across America Week: March 1-5

We will be collecting your gently used, middle school appropriate books for our first Book Swap February 22-March 4.  Bring them to the Media Center to receive your voucher. You’ll be able to trade in your vouchers on March 4 at Literacy Night (6:30 in the Cafeteria) and March 5th during homeroom (in the Media Center Classroom).

For every 2 books you bring in, we’ll give you a voucher for one book that’s new to you (not necessarily brand new, but it’ll be a book you didn’t have before!) So, if you bring in 4 books, you’ll get 2 vouchers. The 1-for-2 is because we’re going to donate whatever books are left over to a charity. Cool huh? You get a book that you haven’t read before and someone who didn’t have books at all is going to get one. Totally cool!

I strongly encourage you to take a moment and visit Mrs. Harpin’s blog at http://cobblearning.net/charpin/ concerning next week’s Book Swap & PTSA’s Literacy Night (March 4th at 7:00 pm). They are both part of McClure’s Read Across America Celebration.

Greetings and happy Friday, Planet Hollywood!
This time last week, we were anticipating 2-4 inches of snow!
Students had all class period to work with their partner on the country extension project.  We also had a guest speaker, Mrs. Bowles, join us to talk about the AVID class, Advancement Via Individual Determination.  If you are a student that struggles with organization or would benefit from additional help in a particular subject area…perhaps AVID is something that you may want to think about.

Breaking News!…
Due to the chorus field trip next Friday, Mrs. Myers announced that country extension projects will be due and presented on Monday, March 1st. Hopefully this will give you an additional weekend to polish and perfect your presentation.

Happy Thursday to all:
Thursdays are always a whirlwind!  Today students completed their presentations on education in Kenya and did a superb job of reflecting on Kenya’s education motto: Quality Education for Development.
1. Explain the meaning of the motto.
2. Do you believe that this motto is being upheld in Kenyan classrooms?

Student groups offered their thoughts on whether or not the motto holds true. This led to some very interesting conversations…BRAVO!

After summarizing our learning, students moved to comparing the Kenyan information to education in Sudan.  Students reviewed an article and chart that allowed them to compare and contrast education in Sudan and Kenya.

A Friendly Reminder:
Classes will be in the Mac Lab tomorrow to work on the country extension projects.  Please make sure you have all necessary materials (including your flash drive) with you tomorrow.  See you in the Mac Lab condo!

Did you know?…
Only 85% of Kenyans go to elementary school?
Did you know?…
Out of the 85% that attend elementary school, only 24% go to high school.
Did you know?…
Out of the 24% of Kenyans that attend high school, only 2% go to college.

Students had a wonderful time “acting” in the role of a Kenyan student or farm worker. In groups, students read articles that corresponded to their role and took notes to create a visual display of the information. Tomorrow, student groups will present their information to the class.

Click here for today’s PowerPoint Education in Kenya: Kenya pp

Special notes: Ms. Myers collected the (homework) paragraph responses to the blood diamond conflict.