Socials 8-3

Today we watched some short clips on the Vikings and we finished our sketchnotes. We ended with a good spirited quiz.

Make sure any overdue work gets in to me by Monday.

Socials 8-3 Wednesday, Nov 12

Today in Socials we received our grade out of 12 for the in class paragraphs. There are comments on the google documents, please read them and respond.

We copied a Vikings sketchnote from the board as I told you the story of the Vikings.  We were then assigned the  final project, a Vikings sketchnote.  It is due this Friday.  Please use the websites on the Vikings handout and my Sketchnote to help you with your subject. The assignment requires; 3 different texts, doodles and text-boxes.

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Friday, Nov 7 Social Studies 8 -3

Today we wrote an in-class paragraph on the Franks.  Students used their prepared topic sentences and 2nd sentences. Everyone worked quietly and respectfully. Thank you!

When you were finished, I asked you to do a viking's research sheet and gave you three websites to find the answers. (The links are here, here and here) Please finish the sheet over the weekend, so you are prepared for Wednesday's class.

Homework: finish vikings worksheet. 

Thursday, Nov 6 Social 8-3

Today we reviewed the Franks and discussed the paragraph assignment for Friday. We all worked on a topic sentence and 2nd sentence. I encourage all students to write out what they plan to say so they are ready for Monday. If any students wish to talk to me about their topic sentences, I am available in room 123 at lunch.

We then learned about another great Emperor, Charles the Great or Charlemagne. We watched a film (link is here) and discussed some of the " big ideas." For example, that he brought education back to Gaul. 

I encouraged any students who did poorly on the Rome test to come for an in class tutorial at lunch and re-write the test. As no one did come I will reschedule for Wednesday, Nov 12. Parents can reach me at kwagner@sd46.bc.ca if they wish to know their child's mark.

Socials 8-3 Tuesday, Nov 4th

Today in Socials 8 we talked about two up coming assignments.  An in-class paragraph on the Franks on  Fri, Nov 7th  and a sketchnote on the Vikings. The sketchnote will be due the following week.

We then discussed the Franks and I demonstrated sketchnoting. We had watched a short clip on Clovis a Frankish warrior King (see link here)last class. We then got into groups and worked on a project to help us better experience Frankish Society. We  presented our finding in the last 20 minutes of class.

Students were given their Rome test scores today. For those Students wanting to do a re- write there will be an in class tutorial at lunch tomorrow. First 15minutes. 

Thursday, Oct 30 8-3

Today we wrote a Quiz in socials for the first 20 minutes.  Then, we worked on our Rome paragraphs.

I have asked the students to open a gmail account so that they can use Google Drive for assignments.  Google Drive is an online word program that allows students access to their work on multiple computers including their computer at home.  Furthermore, the document can be shared with a teacher and the teacher can comment.

In group 8-3, I issued a study guide for the next section of the chapter on the Franks. 

Grade 8-3 Tuesday

Today we had a lesson on paragraph writing.  We reviewed the elements of a paragraph and then practiced writing topic sentences.  We ended by revisiting the seven reasons listed in the text on page 11, and used them to write our own paragraph.   If you did not get your paragraph done it is homework. Here are the board notes:

 

Thursday Social 8-3

Today in Socials, after watching a short clip from Gladiators the movie  (link is here), we tried to image how it might have been for those soldiers defending the borders of the failing Empire. We imagined that they would need to get messages to Rome, but communication would have been difficult due to Barbarian attacks, spies, terrain, weather and lack of communication technology. We then worked in groups experiencing different scenarios which we shared with the class.  The class was a buzz of activity! Nice Work!

Tuesday Socials 8-3

Today we reviewed what we know and what we learned about the Roman Empire.  We also came up with some wonders? For example, I wonder what motivated the Barbarians to conquer Rome?

We also looked at the nine different reasons of why Rome fell and we decided whether or  not the forces were External (coming outside the Empire) or Internal (coming from inside of the Empire). We then watched John Green's version of why Rome fell.  See link here. 

Please comment here what you wondered and what you learned watching the short clips.

The Fall of Rome

Today in Socials we reviewed how to find the main idea in a paragraph and we went over some of the paragraphs. Afterward, we discussed the role of government and brainstormed what would happen if the government in Ottawa and the provinces ceased to be. This helped us to imagine what it would be like for the citizens of the Roman Empire when Rome fell. We realized some changes would be immediate and others would take longer. We will continue to discuss the Fall of Rome next class.

Tuesday's Class

Today we reviewed the story of Rome. We created a timeline and I tried to help students grasp what, for example, 500 years means.  For example, what is a generation, and how many of those fit into 500 years?  After that we read the "Story of Rome" together as a class. We then looked at a new skill that will help when we are writing our own paragraphs: identifying the main idea. We discussed that the main idea is the "point" in the paragraph and that it is usually found in the first sentence. We noted that it is the most important thought about the topic. We worked on finding the main ideas in the paragraphs of our "Story of Rome." I then gave you a chance to try it with a partner. We will continue this work next class. It was hard work for a block after lunch, so we ended the class with another History Makers song. The link is here.

There is no homework! 

Civilizations continued

Today in Socials we reviewed the attributes of civilization we discussed last class.  We learned that having a food surplus allowed for people to specialize in different fields, such as: doctors, basket makers, carpenters and truck drivers. We watched a short clip with John Green that gave us another perspective about civilization. You can watch the link here.

We also learnt a new skill called sketch noting. Sketch notes allow us to make pictures to remember large amounts of information. We explored different fonts, icons and text-boxes. We will continue to learn more about this new skill in future classes.

First History Lesson

I am Mrs Wagner and I am a teacher upgrading my qualifications.  For the next six weeks I will be teaching history in Mr. Marshall's Social Studies classes.

Today we had a brief discussion about the attributes of civilization.  We looked back to grade seven and came up with a number of factors such as, food supply, population, water, a system of government and a highly developed culture.  We then did group work and generated as many ideas we could with three aspects of civilization namely, power, culture and religion.  Once we had done that, we tried out some Tableaus.  First, we created scenes from a wedding, to practice and once we go the idea, we created Tableaus to reflect culture, religion and power.  I was really please how engaged and willing each of the groups were.

Lastly we watched the "History Teachers" parody of Gwen Stefani's "Harajuku Girls" called "civilization."  To follow the link press here.  The music video review many of the aspects of civilization we had been talking about.

Test 2014

Test

Last Day of the Japan Unit

Groups 8-1 and 8-3
Today we had a look at the Tokugawa Shogunate and learned how Tokugawa united the warring daimyo's. We also found out that it was Tokugawa Ieyasu who moved the capital to Edo, known in modern day as Tokyo. The link is here: Tokugawa Shogunate  We made a quick review and wrote a test.  The test showed some larger connections, that is, how the geography, the religion, early history and Feudalism have influenced the Japanese society today.  We closed with a short film about the modern Pop Culture in Japan Link is here
J Pop: Japanese popular culture.

I wish you all a wonderful spring break and thank you for contributing to my teaching practicum. It was a wonderful experience.

Mr. Marshall will be collecting the Japan tests from me and you will be getting the assessment results after the break!

Today we have a chance to comment on the Summaries from the History Lesson on Tuesday, March 11, 2014. We read over Japan - A Brief History- and talked about some aspects of it.  You were asked to fill out a blank Pyramid sheet and make a compare and contrast between Feudalism in Europe and Feudalism in Japan.  Tomorrow we will have a short open book assignment that will be used as an assessment piece for the course.  Each student can prepare by reading Japan- A Brief History as homework.

Today we caught a little glimpse of the Feudal period and the life of Samurai by watching the trailer from a famous movie, Yojimba (1961) The link is here Yojimba Trailer (1961).  We noted that Japanese Samurai are depicted heroically in Japanese culture much like the cowboys of the West in the United States.

The groups finished up their summaries and posted them to the blog.  You were then asked to give your information into four succinct sentences 1. Who 2. When 3. What happened and 4. So What?  Many of you found the so what to be the most difficult, but you got it! Good Work!

We got to enjoy some brief summary presentations.  It was great to see the collaborative group work. Working in groups is hard work especially keeping everyone focused on the job that has to get done.

I have asked you to read the handout a brief history of Japan and highlight as you read the comparisons between feudal Europe and feudal Japan.

The History of Japan from Ainu Culture to the Minamoto.

Today we are reviewing a large amount of history with "expert groups."  Each group has been asked to summaries what they have read in three ways.  Make point notes, a sketch note and summary to the blog.
The blog summaries are posted here in comments.  Each student must comment on at least two of the "other summaries" The comments will be done in class or as homework.

The Geography of Japan

Today, we looked at the Geography of Japan.  We looked at where Japan is in the world in relation to Canada.  We looked at several different maps that depicted the following: the Pacific Ring of Fire, the population, topography,climate and currents. The maps can be accessed here: Japan: Maps  In groups, we shared photos of Japan and made hypotheses of where the photos could have been taken by using our new understanding. Great hypotheses! We discussed how Japan is isolated and protected due to its geography.We also noted the lack of arable land and high population density in low lying regions. Lastly, we considered how Japan's beauty and cataclysmic natural history has created a culture that reveres (deeply respects) nature.

The class worked on a worksheet and answered the questions using both the text, pages 175-177 and google.  A copy of the worksheet can be found here Japan: Geography Worksheet.

Introduction to Japan

Today, we looked briefly at where Japan is in the world. We looked at "snapshots" of Japan's culture, history and geography in order to get a feeling for the land and its people. The slide show can be found here slide show of Japan
We also had a chance to share what we know with a KWL exercise: What we know? What we want to know and what we learnt: You can access the document here: KWL Japan Exercise. It was wonderful to see how engaged everyone was and the effort each of you put into the exercise.  Very much appreciated! 

Homework:  pages 175-178 in your Pathways Textbook.