Feb 27 2009
7th Grade Social Studies
We took our test over the development of Africa today. Next week we will be covering the economies and governments of Africa. You do not have any homework this weekend!
Tell Mr. Kay: What is an oligarchy?
Have a great weekend!
Feb 26 2009
7th Grade Social Studies
We reviewed the material for tomorrow's test by playing Hollywood Squares. I'm sure you wrote down all the answers to the study guide so you can perform exceptionally well on the test. Don't forget to review your landforms and countries of Africa.
Homework: Study for your test!
8th Grade Reading
After independent reading and 327 Book Club writing, we reviewed the results of our diagnostic test from Tuesday. We also went to the Media Center to use UsaTestPrep.com to prepare for our practice test on Monday. You do not have any homework tonight.
Have a great night!
Feb 25 2009
7th Grade Social Studies
Today we submitted our apartheid poems, and some of the students were able to present their poems or raps to the class. Remember to complete your study guide tonight so you are ready for the test on Friday.
Homework: Finish study guide.
Have a great night!
Feb 24 2009
7th Grade Social Studies
We put our knowledge of South Africa and apartheid to work today by creating poems, raps or songs outlining the important aspects of apartheid. We used the poem "Who Am I?" as a model, and we chose either apartheid or equality as our topic. The poem should include the answers to the four questions from yesterday.
The African History test has been moved to Friday. Don't forget to be reviewing your countries and landforms!
Homework: Finish the final draft of your poem. It can be handwritten or typed, but it should be neat and legible.
8th Grade Reading
After independent reading, we headed to the media center to work on usatestprep.com. We also began working on a figurative language short story. These stories will be due next Monday.
Have a great night!
Feb 23 2009
7th Grade Social Studies
We focused on apartheid in South Africa today. We answered some key questions concerning South Africa's official policy of racial segregation in the 20th century. Tomorrow we will work on a performance task that will combine all of the material we learned today. We will have a test over the history of Africa on Thursday. You do not have any homework tonight.
Tell Mr. Kay: Apartheid means "apartness" in what language?
Feb 20 2009
7th Grade Social Studies
After collecting your current events, we continued to study the independence movements in Kenya and Nigeria. We also looked at the troubles Zimbabwe has faced in the last 20 years. Your "out" question today: How did nationalism in Kenya and Nigeria lead to independence in these countries?
We will have a test over the development of Africa next Thursday.
Homework: None
8th Grade Reading
After independent reading and 327 writing, we looked at our benchmark test results and categorized them so that we could see the reading areas we need to work on. We also took part of a CRCT practice test. You do not have homework this weekend.
Have an awesome weekend!
Feb 19 2009
7th Grade Social Studies
Today we learned about the nationalism movement in Kenya and Nigeria. We will look at the effect of nationalism in those countries tomorrow. I also collected your Belin Conference maps today in class. We will have a test over African history next Thursday.
Homework: Current Event summary and response due tomorrow!
Tell Mr. Kay: What Kenyan group advocated violence in order to achieve independence from Great Britain?
Have a great night!
Feb 18 2009
7th Grade Social Studies
We completed our Berlin Conference Map, and we worked on textbook page 511 (#2 and #3). This should be completed on your "through" page. The "out" today was: Put yourself in the position of a European delegate to the Berlin Conference. What reasons would you use to justify the colonization of Africa?
Homework: Complete your Berlin Conference map and textbook questions. Remember that your current event summary and response is due on Friday!
Tell Mr. Kay: What was one resource that attracted the Europeans to Africa?
8th Grade Reading
We read "The Tell-Tale Heart" and discussed the mood and tone of the story. We also looked at the figurative language within the story. We practiced using figurative language by writing some sentencing using several types. We also took a quiz over figurative language vocabulary. After the quiz, we had independent reading time, and I collected your vocabulary charts. You do not have any homework tonight.
Have a great night!
Feb 17 2009
7th Grade Social Studies
We continued our study of Africa by taking a close look at the Berlin conference and the consequences it had on the African continent. We began mapping out the changes in Africa, and we will finish this tomorrow in class. Remember that a current event summary and response is due on Friday!
Homework: Get your progress report signed!
Tell Mr. Kay: What four countries were the major players at the Berlin Conference?
Feb 13 2009
7th Grade Social Studies
After completing a summary of the current economic conditions in South Africa, we watched "Inside Africa". We learned about the problems the African Union is facing and how they are dealing with the economic problems in Africa. You do not have any homework this weekend.
Tell Mr. Kay: Who is the current leader of the African Union?
8th Grade Reading
After independent reading, we read a short story in order to analyze the author's use of figurative language. If you were not able to answer the questions at the end of the story, you will have time on Wednesday to complete them.
Homework: Study your figurative language vocabulary organizer. We will have a quiz over these words on Wednesday.
Have a restful weekend!
