Mrs. White's Social Studies Blog

Roman Unit

2012-01-13T10:50:00.001-07:00

We begin our Rome unit on 1/17 with a pretest on Chapters 10 & 11. We will do a variety of activities with this unit, and it will take 3-4 weeks to complete. Students are encouraged to preview the chapters and "test out", earning the ability to design their own study of Rome.

Greece and Christmas

2011-12-19T10:42:00.001-07:00

We are in the middle of our study of Ancient Greece. Students have read the background information in the World History Book from Chapters 8 and 9. They have been working on writing a newspaper (every student is responsible for an article and a "fun" piece). We will continue our work on that after Christmas, but if you want to do some research or writing over the break, please do so! Resources for Ancient Greece are listed in the column to the right.

Information on Ancient Israel

2011-11-30T09:58:00.001-07:00

Chapter 7 in the World History book (see right for login, password, and link) pages 202-219.

There are also links in the Online Resources list to the right for more information...

History, Archaeology, and the Stone Ages

2011-09-21T08:37:00.001-06:00

The students did really well on their Geography Unit tests overall. We have begun our study of history, archaeology, and early man this week. We will spend the next couple of weeks learning how historians and archaeologists work, and some of the early parts of human history. There will be a short assessment at the end of this unit, but it will be open book, so we will not pretest on this topic. I have added links to the Resources list that may assist students in learning more at home.

Geography

2011-09-13T08:15:00.001-06:00

I am getting here a little behind the times this unit. Usually, I update this at the beginning of a unit, highlighting new links in the resources bar, and letting you know what chapter in the book we are using as a resource.
For our Geography unit, we have not used the book very much, because much of the information is scattered. You can look at pages H14-15, H18-21, and Chapter 1, Section 2 pages 12-17. Also, if you want to see examples of the 2 main kinds of maps, check the atlas, pages R4-5. All of this is available online, go to the World History Book Login link at the top of the Online Resources list, and use the Username and Password I've provided in the top right corner of this blog page. I am also moving up some links to geographical websites - some with games, some with cool information! Study hard for the test this Friday - I know you'll all do great!

Renaissance

2011-04-12T09:33:00.001-06:00

The Renaissance was a fascinating time in history...it really influenced the world we live in today. There is too much to talk about all in class. I have put some sites in the list to the right... EXPLORE NEW IDEAS (be a Renaissance student!). Also, lots of really interesting people...

Extra Credit

2011-03-24T08:53:00.003-06:00

Take the coat of arms design we make for class and... make a shield, or banner, or family patent. You can make a shield with cardboard or tagboard, covered in foil or not, painted or colored, decoupaged. You could make a banner (that would fly in battle or above your home or tent) with the design on paper or even on cloth.
The amount of points will depend on the amount of work, time and attention to detail, and possible accuracy if you use the resources on the blog! Due by April 15.

Middle Ages - Medieval Times

2011-03-04T15:02:00.001-07:00

Chapters 17 and 18 in our World History book are about the Middle Ages.

Viking Exploration

2011-02-10T15:13:00.002-07:00

Welcome and hail! Hopefully you will best this assignment as the Vikings bested all their foes. Use the paper handed out to you to explore the world of the Vikings on the Internet. Be sure to complete your packet from the last 3 days first! All of the websites are in the Online Resources list... just to the right.

Have fun and LEARN something new!
You learn something every day if you pay attention. ~Ray LeBlond
It's what you learn after you know it all that counts. ~Attributed to Harry S. Truman

facies carta

2011-01-21T15:01:00.001-07:00

I decided to make the facies carta page available to those of you who would like to complete it on the computer and print it out. To find it:
1) Click here: Link to Mrs. White's filing cabinet
2) The assignment is the 3rd one down... facies carta page
3) To use it, you will have to download or "save as" onto your computer or flash/thumb drive.
4) The instructions for the assignment are also there (4th assignment down).

Remember! This is not a point and click, copy and paste assignment. Learn about that person and complete the profile based on their life....

Mrs. W

Rome

2011-01-03T10:45:00.002-07:00

The ancient Roman civilization is one of the biggest we study all year. It manages to incorporate pieces of every civilization we've studied this far, from Mesopotamia to Egypt to China to India to Judaism and Greece. It also leaves the greatest legacies to modern Europe and the Americas. We will be working on this unit for 3 to 4 weeks. There will be a common assessment at the end, and we will work on answering essay questions correctly as well.

There are many internet sites to visit that give information about Rome. Remember to use information that is at your level of understanding, and to search as specifically as you can for the topic... To the right are a number of sites that you can use to begin learning about Ancient Rome.

Greece

2010-11-28T19:28:00.002-07:00

Ladies and Gentlemen,
We have officially reached our unit on Greece. In the spirit of Socrates, students will be "teaching" their classmates. I will pose a question that each pair will have to research and create a mini-lesson for the class to present the answer. I am hoping that you find lots of interesting details to add to the GRAPES outline that covers our basic curriculum. (No, you can't all do the Big 3...yes, I saw Percy Jackson.)

To the right, I am posting a list of many sites you may visit for information. Each pair will have to create some kind of handout for the rest of the class. We will have 3-4 days in the computer lab to research and type. We will go over the details in class after we pre-assess our knowledge of ancient Greece.

Have fun!

Some Short Chapters...

2010-11-15T15:04:00.003-07:00

Students -

We are covering 3 chapters in short, condensed weeks. These chapters are important for your overall class knowledge (there will be questions on the end of the year test), but not as crucial as our "BIG" units on Egypt, Greece, and Rome. We have covered/will be covering the following chapters before Thanksgiving:
Chapter 7: The Hebrews
Chapter 5: Ancient India
Chapter 6: Ancient China

We will review these civilizations and religions on the Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving together in class. After Thanksgiving break, we will begin our work on Greece. (Start studying for the pre-test...)

Engineering an Empire: Egypt

2010-10-14T11:03:00.002-06:00

We began watching a video today in class. If you want to watch parts that we skipped due to time, here is the You Tube link for the program. It is in 10 parts...
Engineering an Empire: Egypt on You Tube

Have a great weekend!

Egypt Unit

2010-10-11T08:56:00.002-06:00

In class, we are reading the book Mummies, Tombs, and Treasure:Secrets of Ancient Egypt by Lila Perl. Along with this, we are answering questions which will be turned in. After we complete this non-fiction book, we will be working for 2 weeks on our Egypt books. I have scheduled computer lab time for research and for typing. Students are required to read and answer questions on each page they are creating, develop a table of contents and glossary, and to decorate each page as they wish (to go along with the theme). Instructions packets were passed out to students last Friday (10/8). These books will be due on Friday, 10/29. To the right in the Online Resources list, I have updated links to Egyptian sites that are informational and fun. I recommend that students start with these sites and move on to more complex or specific information if they wish.

Code of Hammurabi

2010-09-29T08:40:00.003-06:00

Here is the link to the website with the complete text of the Code of Hammurabi.

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY: If you would like to earn some extra credit (maximum 10 points), then please copy 5 of the laws as written, translate them (tell what they mean in easy to understand language), and give a modern equivalent (if there is one, if not, please mention that). You could use federal, state, or local laws for the modern equivalent - please be sure to tell me which one it is.

Good luck!

Mesopotamia...No such place!

2010-09-24T15:10:00.002-06:00

Mesopotamia, aka the Fertile Crescent, was actually a bunch of city-states and then empires which all existed around the 2 rivers - Tigris and Euphrates (you-fray-teas). It is an area that has seen continual strife for thousands of years, but it is also the "cradle" of civilization, because so many things were invented/first used there.
I've put some links on the Online Resources list if you'd like to do some peeking around!
Our test is TENTATIVELY scheduled for Tues. Oct. 5.

Early Man and Culture

2010-09-12T13:17:00.002-06:00

We are halfway through our Early Man and Culture unit. This unit is about man's beginnings and how cultures developed through the environments that humans found themselves in. We have covered the ideas that geography affects the environment and the differences between history and archaeology. Next week we will tackle the beginnings of mankind and the revolutions of tools and farming. Our test is tentatively scheduled for Monday, 9/20, but may be pushed back a day due to this week's busy school schedule. Don't forget that the paleontologist from the Dinosaur museum will be coming on Monday to speak during 1st, 2nd, and 3rd period.
Sometime next week, we will begin our unit on Mesopotamia...after that, Egypt!

End of the Geography Unit

2010-08-30T14:15:00.002-06:00

Parents and Students,
We will finish up our Geography unit this week with a test and your island maps due (both on Friday). While we may have some time in class to work on the maps, you will probably need to do 5-10 minutes a night on your maps at home. I have the white construction paper for the final copy in my room when you are ready.
Our test will be the same as the pre-test. If you have that in your folder, along with the notes & handouts we've done over the last week, you should have everything you need to study. We will do a review in class on Thursday.
Email me if you have any questions, or you can leave a comment here with a Google address.

New Year 2010-2011

2010-08-23T08:49:00.001-06:00

Parents and Students,
Welcome to the Social Studies blog. This is where I keep all the things that could come in handy for our class units. Notice on the right that there is a username and password for your Online World History book, as well as for BrainPop. Underneath that is a list of links for the current unit we are studying. At the bottom is a list of the units we will cover this year.
If you have a question, feel free to email me, or if you have a Google address, you can comment here on the blog, and I will receive that through email.
Thanks for visiting!
Mrs. W

Middle Ages

2010-02-23T15:55:00.002-07:00

We will be learning about feudalism, the importance of the Christian Church in Europe, and how towns and eventually countries developed in Europe. We will be creating a brochure for the Crusades next week. We will be in the computer lab on Monday and Tuesday next week.

Rome

2010-01-26T09:37:00.003-07:00

We have begun our study of ancient Rome. We will be learning about its history from the Republic through the Byzantine Empire. This unit includes a lot of information about the foundations of our culture. Since we will be outlining these chapters, please make sure that you have paper in your folder to use everyday.

I have put links to Roman information in the Online Resources on the right side. Also, BrainPop is back running!

Greece Unit 12/8 - 1/15

2009-12-11T09:20:00.002-07:00

All Hail Mighty Greeks! We have begun our study of Ancient Greece. To accomplish this labor, we have divided into city-states in class. Our first task is to learn about Greek Mythology. This will involve learning the Olympian Gods, reading some myths, and becoming acquainted with some Greek monsters. Then we will learn the stories of the Greek Heroes, including Herakles (more commonly known by his Roman name, Hercules). We will compare the traditional story of Herakles Labors with the more recent Disney film version. After Christmas, we will study more about the city-states and their relations with each other, including wars and the Olympics. We will demonstrate what we have learned by putting together a newspaper from our city-states. Instructions and rubrics will be coming home after Christmas.

This is an exciting unit for kids and teacher alike! There is so much energy in the classroom. I have updated the resource links to the right for more research at home.

Egypt Books

2009-11-05T10:05:00.002-07:00

We have been working on our Egypt books all week. Students should have 3-4 pages in some stage or another. We will be going to the computer lab next week on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. If students do not need to use the computers, they will be allowed to work on their books in the labs on those days. Remember books are due next Friday, 11/13! Use the Online Resources to the right...

BrainPOP is temporarily unavailable while the school looks into renewing our license.

Ancient Egypt

2009-10-21T14:24:00.002-06:00

Pyramids, pharaohs, and mummies, oh my! We have begun our unit on Ancient Egypt. This is Chapter 4 in the World History textbook (pgs 82-115). The classes are currently listening/reading a non-fiction book called Mummies, Tombs and Treasure by Lila Perl. It is an older book, but very good information. The students are completing a packet of comprehension questions every day as we read the chapter, and we are going over it together in class. The students are also working on a map of Egypt...maps that may be helpful for that assignment are on pgs 87, 98, and 108. The map assignment is available online at the Classwork webpage. To the right are some helpful websites that kids can visit for more information.

Our assessment for this unit (which we will begin next week and work on for 2- 2 1/2 weeks) will be a book on Ancient Egypt compiled by the students. We will do most of the work in class, but there may be some "crafty" things that get done at home. Instructions will be handed out next week.

Mesopotamia Unit

2009-10-06T08:26:00.003-06:00

Ancient Sumerians invented the first writing system, the first irrigation system, and the wheel. Hammurabi had his laws carved in stone. The Babylonians also created the Hanging Gardens. Phoenician traders/sailors created the first alphabet and traveled all around the Mediterranean.

How did the geography of the Fertile Crescent affect civilization in that region? How do the achievements and inventions of Mesopotamia affect us today? How was the government of Sumeria developed? What role did the gods play in Sumerian life? See the links to the right for more information online...

Our test for Mesopotamia will be on Thursday, 10/15.

Early Man and Culture

2009-09-21T08:54:00.003-06:00

We are currently studying the development of culture and early man. On Wednesday, we will be watching a Discovery Channel video about Otzi the Iceman. Thursday will probably be a review, and our assessment for this will likely be this Friday. This will cover material from Chapters 1 and 2 (pages 6-17 and 28-43).

Please make sure to get all assignments in, even if they are late. I need to be sure that you are getting all of the information (learning), and your work is the practice for your assessment. I will always take late work (except for the past the trimester - can't change that). It will count slightly less, but I will accept it.

School Year 2009-2010

2009-08-12T13:28:00.002-06:00

We will start the year with some geography, map skills, and basic social studies vocabulary/concepts to help us as we progress. ( The "how to use this book pages", and Chapter 1) Notice that the World History textbook is online (see the Online Resources to the right). The username and password are on the top of the right-hand menu also. This is JUST like the book you have in class.

We will take a pre-test next week. This will not go on your grade, but will help me to measure your growth when we take the same test at the END of the year. It will cover the highlights of stuff we will learn this year. Again, it's not for a grade now, but at the end of the year, it will help me to see the things we learned (or didn't), and how well it stuck with you (or didn't). No worries!

What to expect...

2007-06-21T09:37:00.001-06:00

We will be covering several thousand years of human history this year. We must keep up a brisk tempo so that we can meet standards. I will encourage you to delve deeper into any subject that catches your fancy! This page will include resources for those independent studies. I hope you are as excited for this year as I am :) I enjoy having the Internet as a resource. It is much quicker and gives more kinds of information than the old encyclopedias that we had to use as kids. BUT BEWARE! Please remember that not everything published is true. You will need to verify information, trying to back up with at least one other source. Wikipedia is a good example of this - anyone can add to their site. Take it with a grain of salt...and happy searching!