Friday, September 23, 2011

Social Studies Update

Hello!

Here's what we've been up to in Social Studies lately...

7th Grade:
*Central and South America map quizzes; we've used Geography Choreography as a kinesthetic study tool.

*Part 5 (which is the last section!) of The Surrender Tree.

*Graphic Organizers researching and compiling important details about The Cuban Independence Movement, The Spanish-American War, The U.S. War with the Philippines, The U.S. Annexation of Spanish Colonies (e.g. Puerto Rico, Guam) and Hawaii; and The Panama Canal.

*4-Source Comparison Packet about the Spanish-American War.

*Charades to review terms (e.g. Rough Riders, Teddy Roosevelt, Jose Marti, Anti-Imperialist League).

*We've done journal entries such as, "In your opinion, do we still have 'yellow journalism' today? Why or why not? Explain. Use specific examples."

*Original sheet music (primary source documents) from the Spanish-American War era.


8th Grade:
*Vocab work using the Frayer Model (Definition, Characteristics, Examples, Non-Examples); our current terms include "Natural Rights", "Constitution", "Checks & Balances", "Limited Government", and the three branches of U.S. government.

*A website and graphic organizers to compile important details about the three branches of U.S. government.

*History Tunes about U.S. government (very, very corny, and very, very informative ;) ).

*Journal entries such as, "What is your favorite of the rights in the Bill of Rights? Why? Explain."

*Charades to review government related terms.

*Written response homework assignments about "When Rights Collide", and "Theocracy and Democracy in Iran".


Please sign up with me for conferences next week! If you weren't able to get a spot through VolunteerSpot, please let me know and we'll work something out via email.

Have a great weekend!
Leah Hood