Dr. Williams

Social Studies Week of 12/18

We have spent this week both reviewing what we have studied this year so far and previewing what is coming up during the 2nd semester.  We have watched two short videos on the gold rush and the Trail of Tears.  Each day students have had some time to study and to ask questions in preparation for the mid-term.  On Wednesday, we will do two activities to help prepare for the test--a graffiti board and play the "Umm Game." 

Congratulations to Lauren R. and Anthony F. for representing our classes in the geography bee for the 8th grade.

From Wednesday's Class

Reading Homework 12/18

HW--

Students should finish what was started in class.

Go to mythweb.com

Read the stories of 4 Greek mythology heroes.

Select 2 and complete a character chart for each--due 12/19.

On Thursday, students will create a coat of arms for one of the two they selected.

In Class--

Wednesday--comprehension check

Thursday--Coat of Arms, media center, silent reading

Reminders--

Current Event Due Wednesday--Use a one-sentence summary frame for the summary.

Reading Log--Due Thursday.

Blank Reading Log

Download my_reading_log.doc

Selective Highlighting in SS

I am taking a class where I am learning different strategies to use with students to increase reading comprehension. Earlier this week, I learned a strategy called selective highlighting.  I know that study skills is not a strong area for most 8th graders, so in class on Wednesday, students practiced selective highlighting on an article about the Trail of Tears.  In selective highlighting, you should usually not highlight more than 3 consecutive words.  At the start of the exercise, many students had more color on their page than they did white/black, but by the end, they were getting the hang of it.  On Thursday, students are going to utilize a strategy called picture notes to further examine the article on the Trail of Tears.

Below are pictures of students in 1st and 7th periods using the selective highlighting strategy. 

Week of December 10

Reading--

Current event summary due Wednesday.

Reading log and vocabulary test on Thursday.

We will continue to work on comprehension skills and strategies.

Tuesday--Finish illustrating the vocabulary words.  Students had class time to work on this.

Social Studies--

On Monday students were give a study guide for their mid-term.  Students may come in any morning to review.  Mid-term is December 20.

On Friday, we will have preliminary rounds for the geography bee in each social studies class.  Winners in each class will compete to determine who will represent the 8th grade.

We will begin the next unit in social studies which focuses on the Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears.  This unit will continue after winter holidays.

Report Card Distribution--FYI

Report Cards will be distributed conference week
January 22, 2008 - January 28, 2008
not January 11th as originally posted.

Don't forget that you can check iCue to check your child's progress in all of his/her classes.

Social Studies Reminders of Important Dates

Monday (12/10)--Test on Georgia's Government

Thursday (12/20)--Mid-Term--The mid-term will cover content through Georgia's government.  There will be 25 - 30 questions from the first 9 weeks and 25 question from the second 9 weeks.  Students will be given a study guide in class on December 10.  Students may come in before school any day to review.  Here is a link for it in case they need another copy.

Download georgia_studies_midterm_review.doc

Wordly Wise 3

Lesson 3

Anonymous-adj. Of an unknown source or unrevealed name.

Anthology-n. A collection of various writings, such as songs, stories, or poems.

Conjecture-n. A conclusion based on guesswork or insufficient evidence.

Disposition-n. A person’s usual mood; temperament.

Encompass-v. To enclose or encircle.

Extricate-v. To free from a difficult or tangled situation.

Generation-n. One step in the line of descent of a family.

Guile-n. Cunning or deceit in dealing with others; trickery.

Imperative-adj. Urgent; pressing.

Instill or instill-v. To introduce gradually in order to establish securely.

Modify-v. To make less extreme or severe.

Pivot-n. A small bar or rod on which something else turns.

Prevalent-adj. Commonly occurring; widely accepted or practiced.

Recur-v. To come up again or to happen again.

Spontaneous-adj.  Voluntary and unplanned.

Social Studies--Week of December 2

Monday--Juvenile Justice--Agree/Disagree Activity--In Class

Tuesday--How a Bill Becomes a Law; Political Cartoons--HW--Finish "Finding the Facts: Truth or Fiction" to help review for the test.  This will be graded.

Wednesday--Power Outline of Types of City Government--In Class

Thursday--Political Parties; Review for the Test--We'll take a practice test in class to see how you do.

Friday--Values Dilemma

Important Date Reminders--

12/10-Government Test

12/20--Mid-Term-Comprehensive Test

Reading--Week of December 2

Monday--Wordly Wise Lesson 3--in class; HW--Use the vocabulary words in sentences.  Due Wednesday

Tuesday--Comprehension Skills--Read Up, Up, and Away and Discuss questions in class.  HW--Finish Vocabulary Sentences; Find a current event article and write a 5 sentence summary on the article.

Wednesday--For a Grade--Comprehension assessment in class; HW--Reading Log is due Thursday.

Thursday--Turn in Reading Log; Add Sentences to Word Wall; Silent Reading; Mythology

Friday--Mythology

Important Dates--

Mock Writing Test 12/11

Wordly Wise Lesson 3 Vocab Test 12/13

Comprehensive Vocab Test Lesson 1, 2, and 3 12/20