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Week Ten: Friday, November 3, 2023

Welcome: 

Wow--and just like that the first quarter of the school year is over! The students and I were talking in class this past week about how slowly the year started (partially because of the Cavalcante days I believe) and how quickly time is flying by now. The first quarter is over and I am working my way through the last few graded assignments we had and any work that had been resubmitted or submitted after the due date. 

We were able to take a little extra time and watch a longer video on Friday at the end of the quarter. This past week we watched one of my favorite Goal Cast videos all about wisdom and the ability to never give up. I hope you can take 10 minutes to watch the video--I think you'll love it. 



Social Studies (Periods 1, 5 and 6) 

This Past Week: 

  • Monday: We started the week with a quick reading about the Electoral College so the students got a better understanding of how we elect our president. The students then did a Sketch and Tell and worked on their #040-Three Branches of Government Infographics. 
  • Tuesday & Wednesday: We spent both days playing a Gimkit Review game for their content check-in on Thursday and then working on #040-Three Branches Infographics. 
  • Thursday: I had an unexpected day off today due to a minor family emergency (everything is fine). While I was out the students watched an EdPuzzle on the Bill of Rights, took the Content Checkin #3, and then worked on their Three Branches of Government Infographics. 
  • Friday: We took some time today to let the students get caught up on anything they needed to finish for the first quarter, watch the video above, and then fill out a Google Form to help me create a better class for them the next quarter. 

Next Week: 

  • Bill of Rights: This week will focus on the Bill of Rights of the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution of the United States. The students will investigate the debate surrounding the need for a Bill of Rights and some of the rights protected. We'll also spend time working on reading comprehension activities and a small in-class writing assignment. 
  • Civics Exam Review: We'll also spend time this week playing some review games for the Civics Exam. The Civics Exam is required for all 8th-grade students and will be given on November 16. 

AcceleratedSocial Studies (Periods 3 and 8) 

This Past Week: 

  • Debates: We finished the quarter 1 debates in class this week. It was great to see the students collaborating and discussing in front of their classmates, high school students, and some teachers who served as guest judges. 
  • Library: The classes spent time getting lessons on conducting research in the library this week. The students first learned how to evaluate sources of information using the CRAAP test and then how to set up and conduct a research project with Noodle Tools. They will be using both of these skills throughout the second quarter on their Quarter Two Podcast Project. 

Next Week: 

  • Bill of Rights: This week will focus on the Bill of Rights of the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution of the United States. The students will investigate the debate surrounding the need for a Bill of Rights and some of the rights protected. We'll also spend time working on reading comprehension activities and a small in-class writing assignment. 
  • Civics Exam Review: We'll also spend time this week playing some review games for the Civics Exam. The Civics Exam is required for all 8th-grade students and will be given on November 16. 
  • Quarter 2 Podcasts: The students will continue to work on their Quarter Two Podcast Projects this week by brainstorming some research questions they can ask and looking for sources of information. 

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