Synergy Humanities

New Blog Has Begun

2011-08-24T10:28:00.000-07:00

The new Synergy Humanities Blog is:

www.synergyhumanities.wordpress.com

Check it out!!! Good-bye to this blogspot blog. It has served us well.

Final Homework

2011-05-30T22:33:00.001-07:00

Homework week of 5/16/11

2011-05-15T21:05:00.000-07:00

Visual Project Proposal Form for 6th/7th History Fair

2011-05-08T20:18:00.000-07:00

Homework week of 5/9/11

2011-05-08T20:14:00.000-07:00

REVISED history report due dates

2011-05-08T20:12:00.000-07:00

History Report Due Dates

2011-05-03T11:14:00.001-07:00

Completed China Study Guide

2011-05-03T11:10:00.000-07:00

Homework week of 5/2/11

2011-05-02T08:13:00.000-07:00

Tikal

2011-04-24T20:56:00.000-07:00

Homework week of 4/25/11

2011-04-24T20:53:00.000-07:00

The Silk Road

2011-04-03T20:13:00.001-07:00

jspivey.wikispaces.com

Homework week of 4/4/11

2011-04-03T20:01:00.001-07:00

Visual Project Proposal Form for 8th Grade Project

2011-04-03T20:00:00.000-07:00

Homework week of 3/28/11

2011-03-27T21:24:00.000-07:00

Sites for Silk Road research

2011-03-22T18:05:00.001-07:00

Sources for Silk Road Cities – Roughly West to East
1. Damascus – almonds, purple dye, dried fruit, swords, glass, cloth goods
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus#Antiquity
• https://www.msu.edu/user/zayzafo1/travel/damas.htm
• UNESCO World Heritage Convention: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/20
• http://www.oldamascus.com/home.htm

2. Merv – Turkmenistan
• University College London Ancient Merv Project: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/merv/
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merv

3. Fergana – Uzbekistan – horses, rugs, nuts, dried fruit, copper
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fergana
• http://www.orexca.com/fergana-valley.shtml

4. Balkh - The Arabs, impressed by Balkh’s wealth and antiquity, called it Umm-al-belad, the mother of cities. When the Silk Road was the chief artery of commerce between East and West, Balkh was second to none. But then came Ghengis Khan, and wreaked upon it the utter devastation that has made the Mongols’ name a byword for barbarism. Balkh never fully recovered.
• http://depts.washington.edu/silkroad/cities/afghanistan/balkh.html ***
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balkh

5. Samarkand
• Samarkand – The Gem of the East: http://www.tashkent.org/uzland/samarkand.html
• Samarkand – Crossroads of Cultures, UNESCO World Heritage Convention: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/603
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samarkand

6. Kashgar – pack animals, tea, dried fruit, medicinal herbs
• travelogue w photos
http://www.berclo.net/page97/97en-china-16.html
• Tearing Down Old Kashgar: Another Blow to the Uighurs
Read more: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1913166,00.html#ixzz1GatKNjzo
• History of Kashgar: http://www.muztagh.com/china-history/kashgar.htm
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kashgar

7. Hetian (Chinese name) – Hotan
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Khotan
• http://www.travel-silkroad.com/english/dongfanwenming/history/htsj/gyzkc.htm

8. Kucha
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kucha
• http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110115180840AAxokjq

9. Turfan/Turpan – grapes, raisins, wine, cotton, dye for porcelain, alum, Glauber’s salt, key oasis on northern route, lowest point in China and highest temperature; karez (water channels) run from mountains
• Travel Guide: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/turpan.htm
• http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/xinjiang/turpan/
• http://www.belfun.com/amaury/turfan.htm
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turpan

10. Loulan - oasis city on the north-eastern edge of the Lop Desert
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loulan_Kingdom
• Uyghur American Association article:
http://www.uyghuramerican.org/articles/37/1/Loulan-Vanished-in-Sand/Loulan-Vanished-in-Sand.html

11. Hami/Kumul – famous for melons
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hami_City

12. Dunhuang – strategic crossroads; “By the second century AD Dunhuang had a population of more than 76,000 and was a key supply base for caravans”
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunhuang
• http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/dunhuang.htm
• caves of the singing sands: http://www.textile-art.com/dun1.html
• International Dunhuang Project collections: http://idp.bl.uk/pages/collections_en.a4d

13. Liangzhou – modern-day Wuwei
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wuwei,_Gansu
• http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/gansu/wuwei/
• few pics: http://scenery.cultural-china.com/en/147Scenery3241.html
•
14. Karakorum
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karakorum
• http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/312072/Karakorum

15. Lanzhou
• http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/gansu/lanzhou/
• http://www.chinats.com/lanzhou/index.htm
• http://www.muztagh.com/china-history/lanzhou.htm
•

16. Chang’an (Xi’an) – silk, chrysanthemums, rhubarb, paper, lacquer, gunpowder, mirrors, bamboo
• http://www.chinaorbit.com/travel/xian-china-travel/history-changan-xian.html
• http://www.ancientsites.com/aw/Places/Place/325935
• http://history.cultural-china.com/en/183History5192.html
• http://depts.washington.edu/silkroad/cities/china/xian/xian.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chang%27an - extensive detail!
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xi%27an

Additional Sources for Students
East Site Travel Info.
www.east-site.com/silk-road

History and pictures for many sites, including Bukhara, Samarkand and Khiva, for example:
http://www.east-site.com/history-of-samarkand

Silk Road Seattle
lots of specific maps for cities, empires, regions...includes Dunhuang, Anxi, Palmyra, photos of Kashgar and Bukhara, Karakorum, Balkh
http://depts.washington.edu/silkroad/cities/cities.html

Interactive map exercises: test yourself on geographic features, cities, etc.
http://depts.washington.edu/silkroad/maps/maps.html

Excerpt from Travel Silkroad
http://www.travel-silkroad.com/english/dongfanwenming/history/sczlgs/routes.htm

Different Routes of the Silk Road
There is more than one route of the Silk Road. The routes vary due to their different destinations in the west in the different dynasties. But there are three main routes.
The route along the north side of Tianshan Mountain is the North Tianshan Route; that along the south side of Tianshan Mountain, the South Tianshan Route and that along Kunlun Mountain the South Western Region Route. These three routes are called, respectively from north to south, the north route, the middle route, and the south route.
The above three routes are actually one route before they reach Loulan, Xingjiang, that is from Xi’an---Lanzhou---the Hexi Corridor---Wuwei---Zhangye---Jiuquan---Dunhuang---Yumen Guan (Yang Guan)---Loulan.
The north route runs from Loulan---Turfan---Hami---Urumqi---Yining---Yili--west to coast of the Caspian Sea.
The middle route runs from Loulan---Kuche---Aksu---Kashi---west to Iran and to Rome along the coast of Mediterranean Sea.
The south route runs from Loulan---Qiemo---Yutian---Shache---south to India and Southeast to the direction of Afghan.
Source: www.travel-silkroad.com, September 12, 2000
Translated by Beijing Star-light Translation Center

Useful List - Populated Places along the Silk Road on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Populated_places_along_the_Silk_Road

Maps
http://www.silkroadfoundation.org/toc/index.html
Highlights: Map of China with PRODUCTS, Central Route with easy to read CITIES, WHOLE Route Turkey to China, Mongol Empire, Arab Empire

http://www.silkroadproject.org/tabid/177/defaul.aspx
Great maps on this site, may be too small to read when printed

Silk Road Brochure Assignments

2011-03-21T15:01:00.000-07:00

MISSING WORK/ All due by Wed., March 23rd

2011-03-21T14:16:00.000-07:00

Homework week of 3/21/11

2011-03-20T20:31:00.001-07:00

China Timeline entries

2011-03-14T14:06:00.000-07:00

homework week of 3/14/11

2011-03-14T14:04:00.001-07:00

British Museum China homework

2011-03-06T20:29:00.000-08:00

Homework week of 3/7/11

2011-03-06T20:26:00.000-08:00

8th grade project March/April Due Dates

2011-02-27T20:43:00.000-08:00

Short Story Requirements and due dates

2011-02-27T20:21:00.000-08:00

homework week of 2/28/11

2011-02-27T20:19:00.000-08:00

Homework week of 2/23/11

2011-02-22T13:56:00.001-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-13T20:01:00.001-08:00

Homework week of 2/14/11

2011-02-13T19:58:00.000-08:00

Eighth Grade Project February Calendar

2011-01-30T20:14:00.000-08:00

Homework week of 1/30/11

2011-01-30T20:10:00.000-08:00

Toni Cade Bambara, author of "Raymond's Run"

2011-01-24T21:41:00.000-08:00

http://socialjustice.ccnmtl.columbia.edu/index.php/Toni_Cade_Bambara

Homework week of 1/25/11

2011-01-24T21:35:00.001-08:00

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Birmingham 1963

2011-01-17T20:39:00.000-08:00

From Wikipedia

Questions on "Letter From a Birmingham Jail"

2011-01-17T20:36:00.000-08:00

homework week of 1/18/11

2011-01-17T20:33:00.001-08:00

Study Guide chapter 4 and 5

2011-01-09T21:10:00.000-08:00

Homework week of 1/10/11

2011-01-09T21:07:00.001-08:00

8th Grade Project 2011

2011-01-02T21:49:00.000-08:00

homework week of 1/3/11

2011-01-02T21:03:00.000-08:00

Secret Code Challenge

2010-12-17T12:06:00.001-08:00

Final Projects: To Kill a Mockingbird

2010-12-14T08:09:00.000-08:00

homework week of 12/13/10

2010-12-14T08:05:00.001-08:00

Homework week of 12/6/10

2010-12-05T21:38:00.001-08:00

Completed Study Guide for test on chapters 2 & 3 on Sumer

2010-12-04T17:08:00.001-08:00

Websites with information about Drugs/Drug Abuse

2010-12-01T13:48:00.000-08:00

Our Thanksgiving Celebration With The Seniors From On Lok

2010-11-28T21:00:00.000-08:00

The Middle School Made 24 Pumpkin Pies!!!

2010-11-28T20:54:00.000-08:00

Homework week of 11/29/10

2010-11-28T20:46:00.000-08:00

essay planning sheet

2010-11-26T11:35:00.000-08:00

Homework week of 11/15/10

2010-11-14T19:18:00.000-08:00

Take-Home Quiz on Chap. 2 "Solving the Mystery of Sumer"

2010-11-08T19:57:00.000-08:00

The Mesopotamians on YouTube

2010-11-07T20:50:00.000-08:00

Click here to hear "The Mesopotamians" by They Might Be Giants

Homework week of 11/8/10

2010-11-07T20:26:00.000-08:00

Homework week of 11/1/10

2010-11-01T08:52:00.001-07:00

Language Arts and Humanities Homework
Week of November 1, 2010

History
1. Complete all reading and questions for “Solving the Mystery of Sumer” by second block this week.
2. Work from the British Museum website will be assigned in class. It is due in 2nd block this week.
Write the assignment here:

¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬

Language Arts
6th Grade
1. Wordly Wise Test I in class on Thursday.
2. Final Book Review due Tuesday.
3. Reading will be assigned for Freak the Mighty in class on Tuesday.
7th Grade
1. Read and complete vocabulary and questions for chapters 4 and 5 of Shadow Spinner. Due Wednesday, Nov. 3.
2. Complete Wordly Wise unit 3: due Wednesday, Nov. 3.
8th Grade
1. Read and do vocabulary for To Kill a Mockingbird
2. Write a literary log letter about To Kill a Mockingbird. Due on Friday, Nov. 5th.

Homework week of 10/25/10

2010-10-25T08:09:00.001-07:00

Middle School Humanities and Language Arts Homework
Week of October 25, 2010

Humanities
1. Read and answer questions on chapter 2, “ Solving the Mystery of Sumer”. The questions are in the chapter; we’ll assign and number them in class.
Due in 2nd block this week.
2. Complete any work not completed in class using the British Museum site:
www.mesopotamia.co.uk

Language Arts
6th Grade
1. Final Farm School essay is due on Thursday, Oct. 28th.
2. Final book reviews are due on Tuesday, Nov. 2nd
3. Begin unit 3 of Wordly Wise. Exercises A, B, C, and D are due on Thursday, October 28th.

7th Grade
1. Complete reading chapters 1, 2, and 3 of Shadow Spinner by Friday, October 29th. Read chapters 4 and 5 by Wednesday, Nov. 3rd.
2. Complete questions for all of these chapters in your literary log: Due on Wednesday, Nov. 3rd.
3. Study for a Wordly Wise test on units 1 and 2. Test will be on Friday, October 29th. Be sure to bring your Wordly Wise to class. You’ll begin unit 3, which is due on Wed., Nov. 3rd.

8th Grade
1. Reading in To Kill a Mockingbird will be assigned in class and due on Thursday, Oct. 28th.
2. Complete the vocabulary in the packet according to the chapters read.

Completed Study Guide

2010-10-19T15:54:00.000-07:00

Homework week of 10/18/10

2010-10-17T20:38:00.000-07:00

Language Arts and Humanities Homework
Week of October 18, 2010

History
1. Study a minimum of 30 minutes per night for history test:
7th grade will take the test Thurs., 6th & 8th graders on Friday

Language Arts
6th
1. Rough draft of book review due on Tuesday, 10/19.
2. Final Farm School essay due on Thursday, 10/28.

7th
1. Final Book Review due on Monday, 10/25.
2. Final Farm School essay due Wednesday, 10/20.
(We will work on these in class this week. Bring your flash drives).

8th
1. Buy your copy of To Kill a Mockingbird by Monday, 10/25. (Buy the Warner Books Edition ISBN 0-446-31078-6)
Reading in preparation for To Kill a Mockingbird: due on Thurs., 10/21.
2. Poetry will be assigned in class and due on Thurs., 10/21.

Homework week of 10/12/10

2010-10-11T21:03:00.001-07:00

Language Arts and Humanities Homework
Week of October 12, 2010

History
1. Complete the study guide for the history test. The test will be on
Wed., Oct. 20 for 7th graders, Thursday Oct. 21st for 6th and 8th graders.
Study guide due Fri., 10/15 for Block I, Mon., 10/18 for Blocks II and III

Language Arts
6th
1. Rough draft of book review due on Friday, 10/15. We will work on it in class on Thursday.
2. Final Farm School essay due on Thursday, 10/28.

7th
1. Rough draft of book review due on Friday, 10/15. Final due Wed., 10/27.
(We will work on this in class this week, so bring your books both days.)
2. Wordly Wise unit 2---due Wed., 10/20.
3. Final Farm School essay due Wed., 10/27.
(We will work on this in class this week. Bring your flash drives).

8th
1. Final book review due on Friday, 10/15.
2. Final Farm School essay due Mon., 10/18

PDF of note taking form for "The Great Leap Forward"

2010-10-03T20:49:00.000-07:00

Archaeological Dig---a few photos

2010-10-03T20:43:00.000-07:00

Homework week of 10/4/10

2010-10-03T20:38:00.001-07:00

Humanities and Language Arts Homework
Week of Oct. 4, 2010

History
1. Read “The Great Leap Forward” and complete the note taking sheets.
2. Due dates: Block III -Thurs., 10/7, Block II -Fri., 10/8, Block I- Tues., 10/12.

Language Arts
6th Grade
1. Wordly Wise unit 2, A,B,C, and D due at end of class on Thursday, Oct. 7th. You will have some time to work on it in class.
2. Rough draft of Farm School essay due on Tuesday, Oct. 12th. Do not work on it at home until after class on Thursday.
3. Complete your self-chosen book this week (if you haven’t already done so). Book reviews are due the following week. Directions will be handed out in class on Thursday.

7th Grade
4. Farm School essay planning sheet and rough draft due on Friday, Oct. 8th.
We will begin in class on Wednesday.
5. Wordly Wise unit 2 --- due on Wed., October 13th.
6. Complete your self-chosen book this week (if you haven’t already done so). Book reviews are due the following week. Directions will be handed out in class on Friday.

8th Grade
1. Credo poem version 1 due on Thursday, October 7th.
2. Planning sheet and rough draft of Farm School essay due on Friday, Oct. 8th.
3. Complete your self-chosen book this week (if you haven’t already done so). Book reviews are due the following week. Directions will be handed out in class on Friday.

homework week of 9/27/10

2010-09-26T20:00:00.001-07:00

Humanities and Language Arts Homework
Week of 9/27/10

Language Arts
All Grades:
1. Creation Myths----specific reading and writing will be assigned in class.
2. Remember: You are supposed to be reading a MINIMUM of 50 pages per week.
A book review about one of the books you’ve read this fall will be due on Thursday, Oct. 14th for 6th grade and Friday, Oct. 15th for 7th and 8th graders. Directions will be handed out after Farm School.

3. Write a literary log to an adult in your family. Write your letter by Wed. evening and give to an adult by Wed. evening.
Your letter AND the response are due on Friday, Oct. 1st.
Your topics are below. You do not have to answer every question asked but do have to write thoroughly about these two subjects.
• What do you remember about being read to as a young child? What do you remember liking? What do you remember about learning to read and the first books you liked to read to yourself? What are some differences between what you liked as a young child and what you like now?
• What characters do you remember from your younger years? What makes a good character? Give specific examples.

8th grade only:
4. Your final essay on being an 8th grader is due on Friday, Oct. 1st. Remember to turn in your rough draft and planning sheet with the final.

homework week of 9/20/10 jpeg

2010-09-19T20:15:00.000-07:00

homework week of 9/20/10

2010-09-19T20:12:00.001-07:00

Humanities and Language Arts Homework
Week of 9/20/10

History
1. Archaeology homework will be assigned in class.

Language Arts
All Grades:
1. Creation Myths----specific reading and writing will be assigned in class.
2. Remember: You are supposed to be reading a MINIMUM of 50 pages per week.
A book review about one of the books you’ve read this fall will be due on Thursday, Oct. 14th for 6th grade and Friday, Oct. 15th for 7th and 8th graders. Directions will be handed out after Farm School.

3. Write a literary log to an adult in your family. Write your letter by Wed. evening and give to an adult by Wed. evening. Your letter AND the response are due on Friday, Sept. 24th.
Your topics are below. You do not have to answer every question asked but do have to write thoroughly about these two subjects.
• What do you remember about being read to as a young child? What do you remember liking? What do you remember about learning to read and the first books you liked to read to yourself? What are some differences between what you liked as a young child and what you like now?
• What characters do you remember from your younger years? What makes a good character? Give specific examples.

8th grade only:
4. Your final essay on being an 8th grader is due on Friday, Sept. 24th. Remember to turn in your rough draft and planning sheet with the final.

Humanities Course Overview '10-'11 (JPG version)

2010-09-16T19:50:00.000-07:00

homework week of 9/13/10

2010-09-12T20:19:00.000-07:00

Humanities and Language Arts Homework
Week of 9/13/10

History
1. Read chapter 1 “The Great Leap Forward” by 2nd block this week (Block I will be due on Tuesday, 9/21 or 9/28 (for first week Farm School students)
2. On a separate sheet of paper, answer the following questions. Use full sentences.
Pg. 20 # 1, 2, 3, 4
Pg. 22 #1, 2, 3
Pg. 23 #1
Pg. 24 #1, 2, 3
Pg. 25 #1
Pg. 26 #1
Pg. 30 #1,2

Language Arts
6th graders
1. Complete Wordly Wise unit 1 A,B,C,D----due Tues. 9/21 (or Tues. 9/28 for first week Farm School students). You will receive your books in class on Thursday this week.
2. We will begin reading creation myths. Homework will be assigned in class.

7th graders
1. Complete all of Wordly Wise unit 1. Due Wed., 9/23 (or Wed., 9/29 for first week Farm School students). You will receive your books in class on Thursday this week.
2. We will begin reading creation myths. Homework will be assigned in class.

8th graders
1. Tomorrow (Tuesday 9/14) you will begin making your farm school journal. Bring in photos of you, your family, and your friends that are important to you. They will be glued to your journal and then covered with contact paper. You will keep the journal, but don’t use photos you want back in their original form!
2. Rough draft of “What It Means to be an Eighth Grader” due on Thursday, 9/16. You must turn it in with the planning sheet, the brainstorming, and a student essay evaluation sheet.
3. We will begin reading creation myths. Homework will be assigned in class.

Homework weekk of 9/13/10 (JPG version)

2010-09-12T20:18:00.000-07:00

Homework week of 9/7/10

2010-09-06T19:29:00.000-07:00

Humanities and Language Arts Homework
Week of 9/7/10

History
6th and 7th graders
• Create your own culture box. Directions on reverse. Due in first block next week
(Blocks II and III on Monday, 9/13/Block I on Tuesday, 9/14).
8th graders
• You will work on creating a time capsule that we will bury in the yard or at Farm School (you get to decide). For homework, make a list of categories of things you think belong in a 2010 time capsule. You will work together to agree on categories and the one object each of you will each bring. The categories are due in language arts class this Thursday, 9/9.

Language Arts
6th grade
1. You will receive a literary log letter from Tammy on Tuesday and your response is due on Thursday, 9/9.

7th grade
1. You will receive a literary log letter from Elena on Wed. and your response is due on Friday, 9/10.

8th grade
1. You will receive a literary log letter from Elena on Thursday. Your response is due on Monday, 9/13.
2. Essay planning for an essay on being an 8th grader will be due on Friday, 9/10. To prepare, brainstorm all the things that come into your mind when you think about being an 8th grader. Due on Thursday, 9/9. (Note: I expect at least ½ page of brainstorming).

Homework week of 9/1/10

2010-08-30T20:38:00.000-07:00

Middle School Humanities and Language Arts Homework
Week of September 1, 2010

All Students
1. Turn in your summer homework by Friday, Sept. 3rd.
2. You will receive an assignment connected to your summer reading on Thursday. It will be due on Friday, September 3rd.
3. Blog Exploration homework below is due on Thursday, Sept. 2nd.

Your name_______________________
Your block_______________________

You will need to be familiar with the use of the Humanities blog for many purposes this year. The address is www.synergyhumanities.blogspot.com
(You may use the classroom computer [not the laptops] before school, after school, and during snack and recess if you don’t have access to a computer at home.)

1. Log on to the blog.
2. What is the background design?
_______________________________________________________________________
3. Choose a museum from the tool bar on the right.
a. Museum Name__________________________________________________________
b. List 3 things you notice on the museum’s home page:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

c. Go to The Library of Congress website. Find the World Digital Library. (look at the tool bar on the top). Who is cooperating on this project?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

d. Click on the link to Tiff’s blog. What bird is on her blog?
________________________________________________________________________

Middle School Farm School Form for Parents

2010-08-30T20:02:00.000-07:00

Please note that there is a pdf file below this post

June 15, 2010

Dear Middle School Families of 2010-2011,

Fall plans are already in progress for the middle school. Our Farm School trip takes place just weeks into the new school year. This is a great way for the 6th, 7th and 8th graders to learn about each other, to forge new friendships and to test themselves in a safe environment. This year’s focus for 6th and 7th grade is history based (building cultures---a perfect segue into our year’s history theme of ancient cultures), while the 8th graders will work on a program of transitions and build something on the land as an honoring of their years of Farm School.

This year’s farm school will be in two back-to-back weeks, September 20th to September 24, 2010, and September 27th through October 1st. Half of the middle school goes each week. In placing students into the two weeks, we try our best to keep in mind the friendships of the kids, at the same time encouraging them to interact with different people. It is very difficult to make changes because the numbers need to be balanced for each week. Therefore, please let us know if there is a very compelling reason for a change by July 1st.

Parent participation is absolutely integral to the success of Farm School. So, don’t let your middle schooler dissuade you from participating. We need you just as much as we did when your child was in 5th grade. Twelve wonderful parents joined us on the backpacking/camping trip, had a great time, and didn’t embarrass their children. We especially encourage new families to join us, even if just for a day, because it’s such a great way to get to know the students, parents and teachers. Please fill out the return slip and either mail to Synergy or email Elena at elena@synergyschool.org. We will need several people to volunteer to help with organization right at the beginning of school or even the week or two before school begins. You’ll be hearing more about this wonderful trip early in September.

Thanks very much,

The middle school team

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I can come during week one _______________or week two____________________
9/20----9/24 9/27 0----10/1
I can spend the following days/nights______________________________________
I’m not sure of my schedule yet, but I hope to come on________________________
I can help organize the trip in late August/early September (circle one)
Name (please print)____________________________________________________

Middle School Farm School Form for Parents (JPG format)

2010-08-30T12:56:00.000-07:00

U.S. History Report Visual and 3D Requirements

2010-05-23T20:39:00.000-07:00

UNITED STATES HISTORY REPORT VISUAL PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

DISPLAY REQUIREMENTS
Display Board --- it needs to be freestanding, because it will be on a table.
The goal of the display board is to teach people about your topic. Include:
A title ________________
Your name ________________
TIMELINE A timeline that is related to your topic________________
• (For example: a timeline of a person’s life, placing an invention, event, battle in a larger timeline context. Your audience needs to know when this took place in relation to the other events or the 19th century.
MAPS
• Maps: (a minimum of 2---see directions below)________ _________
• (where did your person, event take place?)
• . a minimum of one of your maps needs to be hand drawn. You may use an already created outline map as a starting point. ( We will help you find one)
• . you need at least one other map---it can be photocopied or downloaded. Be sure that your choice of maps shows information both “close up” and views that show your information from a continent or larger perspective.
•
ILLUSTRATIONS ________________(a minimum of 5 )
CAPTIONS
• Captions________________ (explain your maps, timelines and illustrations)

3 Dimensional Project Requirements
The 3 dimensional project is another part of teaching people about your topic and drawing their interest to your display.

1. It may be art based, such as a sculpture, a scene, a painting, or a combination of these ideas. Some examples include a sculpture of a person, a scene showing an invention, a battle, westward expansion etc.
2. A demonstration of something: For example, someone studying an invention might want to have a replica of the invention.
Over**************Over
3. An interactive project: For example, create a game that teaches people about your topic. Think about the many kinds of displays you see in museums for ideas.

Homework week of 5/24/10

2010-05-23T20:38:00.000-07:00

Humanities and Language Arts Homework
Week of May 24, 2010

History
1. Put the dates for Reconstruction onto your timeline. Due in 2nd block this week. Eighth graders only: due on Friday.
Reconstruction Dates:
March 1865 : Congress establishes the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, Abandoned Lands
March 2, 1867: Congress passes Military Reconstruction
1872: Freedman’s Bureau disbanded
June 1866: Congress passed 14th Amendment
1866: Tennessee is the first Southern state to ratify 14th Amendment; all others refuse
June 1868: 7 Southern states adopt new constitutions and elect legislators. They then adopt 14th Amendment and all 7 rejoin the Union

2. Read the articles on Black Codes (1 in each packet). Blocks II and III already had this assigned for today. Block I----read it by Tuesday, if possible. If not, complete by Friday, May 28th.
3. Read in Footsteps
“The Power of Literacy”
“The Freedman’s Bureau”
“A Military Choice”
Due in 2nd block this week.

Language Arts
6th grade
1. This week we will read through page 114. Read through page 87 for Tuesday’s class and we will go from there in class on Tuesday.
. 2. The final sections of your reports are due on Tuesday, May 25th. Be sure to mark where the final section begins.
3. Come to the 8th grade project presentation on Wednesday night at 6:30 pm. No homework due on Thursday or Friday so you can come.
4. Begin planning your visual display and 3 D project. You will work on your proposal in class on Thursday.

7th grade
1. Wordly Wise 10 is due Wednesday, May 26th.
2. The final sections of your reports are due on Wednesday, May 26th. Be sure to mark where the final section begins.
3. Come to the 8th grade project presentation on Wednesday night at 6:30 pm. No homework due on Thursday or Friday so you can come.
4. Begin planning your visual display and 3 D project. You will work on the design in class on Wed.
5. Read your assigned pages in your group book.

8th grade
1. Complete the TKAM character chart. Due on Friday, May 28th.
2. Write a literary log letter to a Synergy teacher about your favorite character(s) in TKAM. Use your chart as a resource. Write about how Harper Lee develops them in the book. Was it primarily through action, dialogue, description, and a combination? Use quotes to support your writing. Write about what motivates the character(s) you chose to write about. You know the many other things you can write about character so make sure you include all important ideas. It must be in your literary log---one full page. Due Wednesday, June 2nd.
3. Your final project on TKAM will be due the last week of school------Thursday, June 10th. More directions will come. You will choose one among several writing projects.

Printable version of Bibliography Format

2010-05-20T21:13:00.000-07:00

Bibliography Format

2010-05-20T21:10:00.001-07:00

BIBLIOGRAPHY FORMAT
Sincoff, Maura, Cathy Rettberg. "MLA Citation Guide." 10 Nov. 2005.
Menlo School Library. 5 March 2009.

Citing an Online Image
Very important! If you are citing an image found in Google Images or any other image retrieval service, be certain to cite the image in its original context. Do not provide the URL of the enlarged image - you must use the URL of the page where the image was originally shown.

* Image creator's last name, first name, if available, or page author's name if available, followed by a period and a space
* Title of photo followed by a period, in quotation marks. If no title, describe briefly within quotation marks.
* Descriptive word (photo, map, cartoon, drawing, etc,) followed by a period and a space
* Website title in italics, followed by a space
* Website publication date in DD Mo. YYYY format followed by a period and a space
* Date image was viewed in DD Mo. YYYY format followed by a space
* Web address in angle brackets, followed by a period

example:
Suzuki, Lea. "Mick Jaggar." Photo. SFGate.com 14 Nov. 2005. 14 Nov. 2005
.

Citing a Professional Web Page

* Last name, first name, followed by a period and a space
* Title of article followed by a period, in quotation marks
* Date of publication or update followed by a period and a space
* Institution followed by a period and a space
* Date page was viewed in DD Mo. YYYY format followed by a space
* Page address in angle brackets, followed by a period.

example:
Sincoff, Maura, Cathy Rettberg. "MLA Citation Guide." 10 Nov. 2005.
Menlo School Library. 14 Nov. 2005. .

Personal Website or Homepage

* Last name, first name, followed by a period and a space
* Title of website in italics followed by a period anad a space
* Date of publication or update followed by a period and a space
* Date page was viewed in DD Mo. YYYY format followed by a space
* Page address in angle brackets, followed by a period.

example:
Rettberg, Cathy. Julien's Eagle Ceremony. 20 Dec. 2003. 3 Aug. 2004
.

Citing an Interview

* Last name, first name followed by a period and a space
* Type of interview (personal, telephone, etc.) followed by a period and a space
* Date of interview in DD Mo. YYYY format followed by a period

example:
Colb, Norman. Personal interview. 4 Sept. 2003.

Citing a Book
* Last name, first name, followed by a period and a space
* Title of book in italics, followed by a period and a space
* City of publication, followed by a colon and a space
* Name of publisher, followed by a comma and a space
* Year of publication, followed by a period.

example:
Day, Nancy. Your Travel Guide to Ancient Greece. Minneapolis: Runestone Press, 2001.

Citing a book with multiple authors
List the authors of a book in the same order they are printed on the book. Reverse the name of the first author, insert a comma, then write the remaining names in normal form. If there are more than three authors you may choose to list them all, or to list only the first, followed by et al. (and others).

* Last name, first name, remaining names, followed by a period and a space
OR
* Last name, first name et al., followed by a period and a space
* Title of book in italics, followed by a period and a space
* City of publication, followed by a colon and a space
* Name of publisher, followed by a comma and a space
* Year of publication, followed by a period.

example:
Borden, Sara, Sarah Miller, Alex Stikeleather, Maria Valladares, and Miriam Yelton. Middle
School: How to Deal. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2005.

OR

Borden, Sara, et al. Middle School: How to Deal. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2005.

Homework week of 5/17/10

2010-05-20T10:42:00.001-07:00

Language Arts and Humanities Homework
Week of 5/17/10

Humanities
1. Read the following
Cobblestone:
“The Civil War and the Constitution”
“Reconstruction and the Five Civilized Tribes”
Footsteps:
“The Power of Literacy”
2. Write 5 GOOD questions for each article.
Due in second block this week

3. A second assignment will be handed out in second block and due in first block next week.

Language Arts
6th Grade
1. Read pages 72 to 100 in Freak the Mighty by Thursday. I will hand out a homework assignment in class on Tuesday that will also be due on Thursday.

2. History Project---- We will work on the writing of your report in class on Thursday. You should have the introduction and at lest 2 pages more by Tuesday (tomorrow) and at least 2 more pages will be due on Friday, 5/21

7th Grade
1. Small Group Books----Read your assigned pages, bring your book to class on Wed. and Friday.
2. History Project----Write 2 more pages of your report---Due on Friday, 5/21. Bring your history work to Wednesday’s class---you will have time to work on it in class.
The final section of your report is due next Wed., 5/26.

3. Wordly Wise unit 10 is due next Wed., 5/26. We will work on it in class.

8th Grade
1. Complete To Kill a Mockingbird by Monday, May 24th.
2. You MUST turn in the final rough drafts of your projects by Wed., 5/19, if you expect any proofreading/editing assistance.
8TH GRADE PROJECT NIGHT IS WED. NIGHT, MAY 26TH.

Homework week of 5/10/10

2010-05-10T09:22:00.000-07:00

Language Arts and Humanities Homework
Week of May 10, 2010

NOTE: HISTORY FAIR IS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2ND, NOT TUESDAY, JUNE 1ST.
Humanities
1. Put the 1863-1865 Civil War dates on your timeline. They will be handed out in class. The site with photos and more information is
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/cwphtml/tl1865.html
Due in 2nd block this week.
2. Reading and questions on Reconstruction will be handed out in second block and due in first block next week.

Language Arts
6th Grade
1. Report Outlines are due Tuesday, May 11th.
2. Read through page 71 in Freak the Mighty by Thursday, May 13th.
3. Bring all history report materials to both language arts classes.

7th Grade
1. Complete all of Wordly Wise unit 9 except the Narrative by Wed., May 12th.
2. Read the assigned number of pages in your small group book. You will have discussion time and a short writing assignment in class on Wed. Be sure to bring your lit log with your parent letter by Wed., May 12th.
3. Two sections (or 2 pages, if your sections are longer than 2 pages) of your report are due on Friday, May 14th.
4. Bring all history report materials to both language arts classes.

8th Grade
1. Complete all the rest of the writing for you 8th grade project by Friday, May 14th.
2. Read chapters 17 and 18 of To Kill a Mockingbird by
Thursday, May 13th. Complete the vocabulary through ch. 18.
Read ch. 19 through 23 by Monday, May 17th.
3. Bring your flash drives and writing notebooks to class on Thursday. We will do a poetry writing activity.

homework week of 5/3/10 (OOPS--forgot to post 'til Wed.)

2010-05-05T09:59:00.001-07:00

Middle School Humanities and Language Arts Homework
Week of May 3, 2010
History
1. Finish reading “Cluster Two 1863: A Turning Point?”. Answer questions 2 and 3 on page 80. All due in second block this week.

2. Read “Cluster Three 1864-1865: What Were the Costs of the War?”.
Read “The Blue and the Gray” just for enjoyment. It is a great short story. You will not be assigned any work on this story.
Read and highlight “Lee Surrenders to Grant” and “Death of Lincoln”.
Answer questions 4 and do the writing activity: Summarizing the Civil War.
Due in first block next week.

6th Grade
1. Freak the Mighty - read through page 33 by Thursday. The next section anda writing assignment will be assigned in class on Thursday.
2. We will start the outline for your report in class on Tuesday. It is due on Thursday, May 6.
3. Grammar and punctuation will be assigned on Thursday.

7th Grade
1. Write a literary log letter to an adult family member about reading Night. It is due Friday, May 7th, with a response from your family member. You should cover the following plus add anything else you think is important.
• What was it like to read such an intense and painful memoir? Use examples and quotes.
• Do you think you should have been asked to read it or was it too much to expect?
• What did you think of the author’s writing? Be very specific---yes, use a quote or two.
• Do you think you have changed in any way(s) after reading this memoir? Explain.
• Do you recommend this book to your family members? Why or why not?
• What else do you want to say?
2. Grammar and punctuation will be assigned in class.
3. You will choose a small group book and begin reading it this week. Your group will make some decisions on the kind of work you want to do about the book (with my approval).
4. Your report outlines are due on Wednesday, May 5th. We will begin writing the first sections in class. The introduction and first page are due on Friday, May 7th.

8th Grade
1. Read chapters 11, 12, 13, and 14 by Thursday, May 6th. Read ch. 16, 17, and 18 by Monday, May 9th. (We’ll read chapter 15 together in class). Keep doing your vocabulary packet.
2. Write 2 more pages of your project. This should be the end for many of you!
Work on your display.

EXTRA!!! REVISED History Report Due Dates (LOOK!)

2010-04-25T21:15:00.000-07:00

American History Report (revised dates)

This is a research report on the topic in American history that you were recently assigned. You will go through all of the steps involved in researching and writing a report: reading sources, taking notes, making an outline, writing a rough draft and revising for a final draft. You will also make a 3 dimensional display for the history fair where all reports will be presented. You will be held accountable for the schedule and deadlines below and evaluated on your work process as well as the various elements, from start to finish, of the report.

REQUIREMENTS
Writing: All computer written reports must use a standard font in a standard size, 1.5 line spacing and margins no larger than 1 inch. The requirements do not include the illustrations. It is, however, good to have some illustrations mixed in with the writing. Hand written report length requirements will vary depending on your writing.
6th grade – minimum of 5 pages of writing -, not including the illustrations etc.
7th grade – minimum of 7 pages of writing – not including the illustrations etc.

Other: * A timeline that is related to your topic __________
* a partially hand-done map (we’ll explain in class) _____________
* Illustrations – photos, drawings etc. ____________
* Cover _________
* Title page __________
* Bibliography ___________
All of the above, including the written part of the report, will be presented on a display board or in some other manner of your choosing.

Requirements for the 3D project will be given to you on another sheet of paper
Keep this sheet in the front of your report folder or binder and check off each step as you complete it by writing the date of completion on the line.

List your sources here: (you will need a minimum of 2 to 3 sources)

1._______________________________________________________________________________

2._______________________________________________________________________________

3._______________________________________________________________________________ Reading and Note taking: You will need to show your work diary and note cards every language arts class. Bring all of your report work on both language arts class days every week. You do need to have a report folder for all of your work.
Complete most of your reading and note taking by Tuesday, April 27 (6th) and Wed., April 28 (7th)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
over over
Writing:
We will write the outlines in class and for homework on April 29th and 30th.
The rough draft of the introduction and first page of your report will be due on Thursday, May 6th (6th grade) and Friday, May 7th (7th grade).
The next 2 pages are due Thursday, May 13th (6th) and Friday, May 14th (7th).
The final pages are due on Thursday, May 20th (6th) and Friday, May 21st (7th)
We will return your rough drafts by sections, with all of them returned by Monday, May 24th. The final is due on June 2nd. ________________
The final draft, all maps, illustrations, display board AND 3 dimensional project must be completed by Wednesday. ______________

The History Fair will be Wed., June 2nd, during the school day. EVERYTHING must be done and brought to school first thing in the morning. We will set up the fair during the day.
=====================================================================

Homework week of 4/26/10

2010-04-25T21:07:00.001-07:00

Language Arts and History Homework
Week of April 26, 2010

History
1. New history reading will be assigned after the test and due in the second block class this week.

Language Arts
6th Grade
1. Continue working as much as it takes to get all of your reading and notes completed for your history report by next Tuesday, May 4th.
2. You will begin Freak the Mighty in class this week. Some homework will be assigned.

7th Grade
1. Turn in your literary log and Night questions this Wednesday for me to grade.
2. Continue working as much as it takes to get all of your reading and notes completed for your history report by next Wed., May 5th.
3. Wordly Wise unit 8 is due this Wed., April 28th.
4. Final Night essay is due on Friday, April 30th. You MUST include your rough draft and planning sheet.

8th Grade
1. Complete 2 more pages of your 8th grade project by Friday, April 30th. The REVISED DATE FOR THE PROJECT PRESENTATION IS WEDNESDAY, MAY 26TH, FROM 6:15 P.M. UNTIL 8:15 P.M.
2. Begin working on the visual aspect of your project.
3. The next sections of TKAM will be assigned Monday and due Thursday, April 29th.

Study Guide for Civil War test

2010-04-19T09:22:00.000-07:00

Proposal for 8th grade project----visual element

2010-04-18T20:36:00.000-07:00

Homework week of 4/19/10

2010-04-18T20:33:00.000-07:00

Humanities and Language Arts Homework
Week of 4/19/10

History
1. Complete your Civil War study guide by second block this week.
The test will be on Monday, April 26th for Blocks II and III and Tuesday, April 27th for Block I. Study 30 minutes per night this week and 1 30-minute session over the weekend.

2. History Report work for 6th and 7th grade: Work a minimum of 1.5 hours and complete your work diary. Bring all of your report work to all language arts classes this week. The completed work diary will be checked off in your last language arts class of this week.

Language Arts
6th Grade
1. Wordly Wise test on unit 6 will be on Thursday, April 22nd.

2. You will continue working on the comma packet and homework will be assigned.

7th Grade
1. Art Project for Night. Due Wednesday, April 21st. Don’t forget the caption!
2. Your Night essay planning sheet and the rough draft of 3 paragraphs are due on Wed., April 21st. We will work on it in class on Wednesday for 30 minutes. The complete rough draft is due on Friday, April 23.

3. Bring Wordly Wise to class on Wednesday. We will begin unit 8 in class. It is due the following Wed., April 28th.

4. The final Night essay is due on Wed., April 28th.

8th Grade
1. Complete the proposal for the visual component of your 8th grade project. Due on Friday, April 23rd.

2. Read chapters 4, 5, 6, and 7 in To Kill a Mockingbird and complete the vocabulary for chapters 4-6 by Thursday, April 23rd. Read chapters 8 and 9 by Monday, April 26th. There may be a pop quiz any language arts class to be sure you are keeping up with the reading.

3. Don’t forget-----2 more pages of your project are due on Friday, April 23rd.

Night final assignments

2010-04-12T15:04:00.001-07:00

Homework week of 4/12/10

2010-04-12T09:33:00.001-07:00

Language Arts and History Homework
April 12, 2010

History
1. Read the chapter “Jefferson Davis” in your newest history packet. Hightlight the reading. Due 2nd block this week (III—on Wed., II—0n Thurs., and I ---- on Friday).
2. Sixth and 7th graders-----work for 1.5 hours by Friday of this week reading and taking notes for your history report. (fill our attached work diary).

Language Arts
6th grade
1. Complete Wordly Wise unit 6 by Thursday, April 15th.

7th grade
1. Art project on Night is due Wednesday, April 21st.
2. We will begin the Night essay in class this week and it is due Friday, April 23rd.

8th grade
1. Work 3 hours on your 8th grade project. Two more pages of writing are due this Friday, April 16th. If you were asked to revise your outline, be sure to have the revised version this Friday.

2. We will begin To Kill a Mockingbird on Thursday. Complete the first 2 chapters by Monday, April 18th.

Requirements for U.S. History Report

2010-04-12T09:32:00.000-07:00

American History Report

This is a research report on the topic in American history that you were recently assigned. You will go through all of the steps involved in researching and writing a report: reading sources, taking notes, making an outline, writing a rough draft and revising for a final draft. You will also make a 3 dimensional display for the history fair where all reports will be presented. You will be held accountable for the schedule and deadlines below and evaluated on your work process as well as the various elements, from start to finish, of the report.

Keep this sheet in the front of your report folder or binder and check off each step as you complete it by writing the date of completion on the line.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Getting started: Once your topic is chosen, you will read your first source. This is one that provides an overview of the topic.

My first source is ____________________________________________________________
* Read the source all the way through without taking any notes. ____ * Make a list of topics this source introduces. _______
* Write questions you now think your report should address (answer) and/or that you now have and want answered. _______
* Now read this source through again, taking notes and/or underlining as you go. ____
Working on the week of March 26th – in class and as homework. 7th grade is a bit ahead of 6th with this.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
More Sources: You need to find two more sources. At least one must be a book or article from a magazine. The other could be from the internet but be sure it is in depth enough to add new material to your report. _________

* My two other sources are:
_________________________________________________ from ___________________
and
_________________________________________________ from ____________________
DUE by Wednesday, April 4th
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
More Note taking: You will need to show note cards on your reading on the following dates: April 16/17 __________
April 23/24 __________
April 30/May 1 _________
You should have finished most, if not all, of your research by April 30/May 1. You may continue some research as you write, or return to your sources for clarification on more information.
Proposal for the 3 dimensional project is due on April 25, 26 or 27. ____________
We will work on your outline in your block class on April 25, 26, 27.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Writing: Once your outline has been approved, you will begin work on the rough draft of the first half of the report. ____________
This writing is due on Friday, May 4
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
More Writing: Write the rough draft of the 2nd half of your report. ____________
Due by May 14/15 - You are encouraged to turn any completed sections in earlier so we can get them all back on time!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Final Draft and 3 Dimensional Project:
We will return your rough draft by Monday, May 18.
The final draft, all maps, illustrations, display board AND 3 dimensional project must be completed by Tuesday, May 29th. ______________

The History Fair will be Tues., May 29, 2007. EVERYTHING must be done and brought to school when you come on the morning of the 29th. We will set up the fair during the day.
=====================================================================

REQUIREMENTS
Writing: All computer written reports must use a standard font in a standard size, 1.5 line spacing and margins no larger than 1 inch. The requirements do not include the illustrations. It is, however, good to have some illustrations mixed in with the writing. Hand written report length requirements will vary depending on your writing.

6th grade – minimum of 5 pages of writing -, not including the illustrations etc.
7th grade – minimum of 7 pages of writing – not including the illustrations etc.

Other: * A timeline that is related to your topic __________
* At least one hand done map _____________
* Illustrations – photos, drawings etc. ____________
* Cover _________
* Title page __________
* Bibliography ___________
All of the above, including the written part of the report, will be presented on a display board or in some other manner of your choosing.

Requirements for the 3D project will be given to you on another sheet of paper

The Battle of Gettysburg

2010-04-05T19:35:00.000-07:00

Above is an image of the Battle of Gettysburg from the Encyclopedia Britannica. For extra credit answer the following questions: Where is Gettysburg? When did the battle take place? Who won this battle? Who were the generals on each side? What were the casualties on each side?

Homework week of 4/6/10

2010-04-05T19:26:00.001-07:00

Language Arts and Humanities Homework
Week of April 6, 2010

History
1. All grades: Questions on chapters 5, 6, and 7 of reading on Abraham Lincoln. You read these chapters the week before spring break.
Due on Friday, 4/9/10 --- Block I, Monday, 4/12----Blocks II and III
2. History Research Project for 6th/7th graders listed under grade level below.
3. An extra credit assignment is on the blog.

Language Arts
6th Grade
1. Work for 1.5 hours, reading and taking notes, for your research project by Thursday, April 7th.

2. Wordly Wise will be assigned in class today. Do A through D in unit 6 by Thursday, April 7th.

7th Grade
1. You were to have completed Night by the end of spring break. Complete the reading guide #5, questions 3 through 7. Do question #8 in your literary log. Due on Wednesday, 4/7/10.

2. More on Night will be assigned Wednesday in class and due on Friday, 4/9/10.

3. Bring all history report sources to class THIS Wednesday, 4/7/10. Your first set of note cards (8 cards MINIMUM) is due next Wednesday, 4/14/10.

8th Grade
1. Write a sonnet. Due on Friday, 4/9/10. We will begin in class on Thursday.
2. Write 2 pages of your 8th grade project, not counting the introduction (for some of you, this will be 1 section or less, for others it may be 2 or 3 sections). Due on Friday, 4/9/10.

Sonnets for 8th grade

2010-03-16T20:32:00.000-07:00

8th grade project calendar

2010-03-14T19:50:00.000-07:00

EIGHTH GRADE PROJECT -------Final Due Dates

Due dates

Thursday, March 18th First draft of your outline is due
Friday, March 26th Write a rough draft of your 1st two sections (II and III)
March 29-April 6th Spring Break (Use this time to complete all research)
Friday, April 9th Proposal for your visual component is due (a form will be handed out) and your introduction are due.
Friday, April1 16th Rough draft of next 2 sections (IV and V)
Friday, April 23rd Rough draft of next 2 sections (VI and VII)
Friday, April 30th All final sections are due (entire rough draft must be completed!)
May 3rd-May 14th Work on your visual component
May 17th-May 28th Make all revisions and complete the written project
June 2nd 8th grade project night!

REQUIREMENTS REMINDER
1. The final project will be composed of two parts:
a. A written report of a minimum of 10 pages to 15 pages in length. It needs to be word-processed using a common font, size 12, spaced 1.5 spaces. This is worth 65 % of the grade.
b. The second part is a visual presentation and/or demonstration/presentation.
This is worth 35 % of the grade. It needs to be very thorough and visually attractive.

Homework week of 3/15/10

2010-03-14T19:48:00.000-07:00

Language Arts and Humanities Homework
Week of March 15, 2010

History

1. If you don’t complete the “Reflections on the Civil War” chart in class, finish it for homework. Due in second block this week.

2. Read “The Pickets” by Robert Chambers and “The Drummer Boy of Shiloh” in the packet “A House Divided”. On a separate sheet of paper, answer question #2 on page 60 (“Responding to Cluster One”). Use quotes to defend your point of view. Due in second block this week.

Language Arts
6th
1. Grammar and punctuation homework will be assigned on Tuesday and due Thursday, March 18th.

7th Grade
1. More chapters and questions for Night will be assigned on Wednesday. Be sure to do the chapter reflections for each chapter as you read. They will be due next Wednesday, March 24th.

2. Use 10 words from Wordly Wise unit 5 in sentences using dialogue. Refer to a guide to be handed out in class on punctuating dialogue. Due Wednesday, March 24th.

2. Test on Wordly Wise units 6 and 7 will be next Wednesday, March 24th.

8th Grade
1. The rough outline for your 8th grade project is due this THURSDAY, March 18th.
This will help you identify areas for more research.

2. Sonnets will be handed out in class on Monday. Read and choose your favorite sonnet by Monday, March 21st.

Missing Work PDF files

2010-03-09T20:03:00.000-08:00

Mexican War Questions

2010-03-09T19:49:00.000-08:00

Homework week of 3/8/10

2010-03-07T21:44:00.001-08:00

Humanities and Language Arts Homework
Week of March 8, 2010

History

1. Complete “The Guns Roar” reading and the questions by 2nd block this week.
More reading will be handed out in 2nd block class.

2. Lightly color in the Confederate states (those that seceded by April 12, 1861). Using a different color, color in the free states. Do not yet color in or mark the slave states that did not yet secede. On the back of the map, make a list of states that seceded, and mark the secession date.

Language Arts

6th grade
1. Complete the Narrative in Wordly Wise unit 5 by Tuesday, March 9th.
2. Test on Wordly Wise unit 5 will be on Thursday, March 11.
3. Final book review is due on Thursday, March 11.

7th grade
1. We will begin reading Night on Wednesday. Reading and questions will be assigned and due on Friday, March 12.
2. Reminder: Wordly Wise 7 is due this Wednesday, March 6th.

8th grade
1. Work on 8th grade project 4 hours this week. Be sure to bring everything on Friday. Most of your research needs to be completed by Friday, March 19th. We will begin outlining at that point. You will still be able to do research to “fill in the holes” in your outline.

2. Choose one of the following for your final Twelfth Night assignment:
• Create a poster advertising a production of Twelfth Night. You need to show your understanding of elements of the play and the characters as part of this assignment.

• Write a letter of reference to a prospective employer for one of the characters. Refer specifically to his/her qualifications, using examples from the play.

• Write a 3 or more paragraph essay on either which character you would most like to be or which character you would most like to meet.
Whichever assignment you choose must be neatly done and proofread carefully as it will be displayed at school. It is due Friday, March 12th.

Homework week of 3/2/10

2010-03-01T19:54:00.000-08:00

Humanities and Language Arts Homework
Week of March 2, 2010

History

1. All grades: If you haven’t already done so, add the United States War Against Mexico dates to your timeline. Due: Block I---Fri., Blocks 11, 111---next Monday, March 8th.
2. 8th graders----complete the map on the U.S. War Against Mexico. Read the 2 articles and answer the questions. Due: Fri., Blocks 11, 111--- Monday, 3/8, Block II---3/9 (Tues.)
3. Reading on the Civil War will be handed out in blocks this week and assigned for 1st block next week for all students.

Language Arts

6th grade
1. Wordly Wise 5, A-D, is due on Thursday, 3/4.
2. You will begin a book review on Marching for Freedom in class. You may need to complete it for homework. Due on Thursday, 3/4.

7th grade
1. Bring your Wordly Wise book to class on Wednesday. Unit 7 will be introduced and due on Wed., 3/10.
2. Work on the Nazi Holocaust will be assigned in language arts class and due on Fri., 3/5.

8th grade
1. Work on 8th grade project 1.5 hours this week. Be sure to bring everything on Friday.
2. Next week there are a number of half days for conferences and we will expect you to work 4 hours on your project.
3. An assignment on Twelfth Night will be handed out in class on Thursday and due on Monday, March 8th.

U.S. Expansion 1848

2010-02-21T20:37:00.000-08:00

Homework week of 2/22/10

2010-02-21T20:21:00.001-08:00

Humanities and Language Arts Homework
Week of February 22, 2010

Humanities
1. Reading, note-taking, and questions about the U.S. Mexican War will be due in 2nd block this week.

Language Arts
6th Grade
1. Your final memoir is due on Friday, February 26th. The final memoir requirements were handed out last week, are posted in the classroom, and are on the blog.
2. Be sure to bring your San Francisco Public Library Card every day this week and for all language arts classes until further notice. You will be choosing a topic for your history report and you will need a library card to do some research.

7th Grade
1. Your final memoir is due on Friday, February 26th. The final memoir requirements were handed out last week, are posted in the classroom, and are on the blog.
2. Be sure to bring your San Francisco Public Library Card every day this week and for all language arts classes until further notice. You will be choosing a topic for your history report and you will need a library card to do some research.
3. Grammar test on nouns, pronouns, verbs, and subjects will be this Wed., Feb. 24th. Study your grammar packet.

Homework week of 2/15/10

2010-02-15T20:25:00.001-08:00

Humanities and Language Arts Homework
Week of February 15, 2010

History
1. Complete the attached timeline work. Due in second block this week (if you don’t have a second block time, it is due the first block next week).

The URL below is for the War on Mexico work we’re doing in class. It is for your reference.
http://www.pbs.org/kera/usmexicanwar/index_flash.html

Language Arts
6th grade
1. Marching for Freedom assignment to be handed out in class and due on Thursday, 2/18.
2. Your final memoir will be due on Friday, February 26th. See the reverse for final memoir requirements.
3. Be sure to have a San Francisco Public Library Card by next week. You will be choosing a topic for your history report and you will need a library card to do some research.

7th grade
1. Complete the Grammar Packet (most of you did this last week) and study for a quiz. Due on Friday, Feb. 19th.
2. The grammar quizzes you created will given be on Friday, Feb. 19th.
3. Your final memoir will be due on Friday, February 26th. See the reverse for final memoir requirements.
4. Be sure to have a San Francisco Public Library Card by next week. You will be choosing a topic for your history report and you will need a library card to do some research.

8th grade
1. Work 3 hours on your 8th grade project. Yes, we will meet about your project this Friday.
2. Pack for Mexico!

Final Memoir Requirements

2010-02-15T18:14:00.000-08:00

Final Memoir Requirements:
1. Use the rubric for most of it. You received it a week or two ago. It’s also posted on the blog and in the classroom.
2. Your memoir needs to be word processed, using a basic font such as Times New Roman, Helvetica, or Geneva. Use 1.5 spacing and size 12 font.
(If you want to handwrite your memoir, talk to your teacher).
3. You need a decorated cover with the title and author. You also need a back cover.
4. You need a title page, with the title, author, date, and your grade level.
5. You need a dedication page.
6. Include 2 blank pages at the end (before the back cover) for comments