Weekly Preview

First week of January 2009

Monday
GLE #72 -- Leaders in Louisiana History
GLE #73 -- Antebellum Louisiana

Tuesday
GLE #73 -- Antebellum Louisiana
GLE #76 -- Governments of Louisiana

Wednesday
GLE #73 -- Antebellum Louisiana
GLE #77 -- Wars and Louisiana

Thursday
Complete any unfinished GLE presentations
GLE #78 -- Geography in Louisiana History
Review Game (if time permits)

Friday
Test over materials taught this week (see above)
GLE #79 -- Natural Resources in Louisiana History

GLE #26 Outline Updated

If you have downloaded the GLE #26 outline please discard the old version and download the revised copy from the iDisk.

Social Studies Fair Displays

Remember, the displays and monologues are due 13 January 2009. I distributed rubrics and discussed the projects at the beginning of the school year. If you have questions please ask as soon as possible.

Grades Updated

I updated the course grades Tuesday afternoon.

Test on Friday

The test on Friday will only cover GLEs 73 (colonial period), 74, and 75. It will not cover GLE 76. Study the crossword puzzles for the GLEs on the test.

GLE #73 Crossword Puzzle: Colonial Period

History
Louisiana History
Benchmark: H-1D-M1; describing the contributions of people, events, movements, and ideas that have been significant in the history of Louisiana ; (1, 3, 4)
GLE #73. Describe and explain the importance of major events and ideas in the development of Louisiana (H-1D-M1)

We went over this puzzle today in class; if you were absent or lost your copy you may download from these links.

http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle73puzzlecolonialera1
http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle73puzzleColonialEra1.pdf
http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle73PuzzleColonialEra2
http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle73PuzzleColonialEra2.pdf

GLE #76 Puzzle

I will not include GLE #76 on the test this Friday except for the pre-Columbian and colonial periods.

History
Louisiana History
Benchmark: H-1D-M2; tracing the development of the various governments that have been established in Louisiana throughout history; (1, 3, 4, 5)
GLE #76. Trace and describe various governments in Louisiana's history (H-1D-M2)

http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle76puzzle
http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle76puzzle.pdf

GLE #75 Puzzle

History
Louisiana History
Benchmark: H-1D-M1; describing the contributions of people, events, movements, and ideas that have been significant in the history of Louisiana ; (1, 3, 4)
GLE #75. Describe the contributions of ethnic groups significant in Louisiana history (H-1D-M1)

http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle75puzzle
http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle75puzzle.pdf

Crosswords for GLE #74

History
Louisiana History
Benchmark: H-1D-M1; describing the contributions of people, events, movements, and ideas that have been significant in the history of Louisiana ; (1, 3, 4)
GLE #74. Describe the causes and effects of various migrations into Louisiana (H-1D-M1)

http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle74puzzle
http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle74puzzle.pdf

GLE #72 Crossword Puzzle for the Colonial Period

The GLE #72 crossword puzzle for the colonial period.

http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle72colonialperiodpuzzle

http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle72puzzle1colonialperiod.pdf

Extra Credit Opportunity

You may earn 10 extra-credit test points (but no more than 2% of your overall grade) by completing the LEAP practice test for 8th grade. You must bring a print-out by the Friday before Christmas. See:

http://www.louisianapass.org/

GLE #71 Puzzle

GLE #71. Describe major early explorers and explorations significant to Louisiana or early settlers in Louisiana

http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle71puzzle
http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle71puzzle.pdf

Friday

We will cover GLE #72 for the colonial period. No quiz.

We covered GLE #71 (explorers) today.

Weekly Preview

15-20 December 2008

Monday
Louisiana history
IEP Day for my IEP students

Tuesday
Louisiana history
GLE #75
Test on GLEs 23, 24, 71, 72 (as covered in class), 73 (as covered in class)

Wednesday
Louisiana history
GLE #76

Thursday
Louisiana history
Review game

Friday
Louisiana history
Test on GLEs 71 to 76 as covered in class

No Bellringer Quiz

We are taking a break from the bellringers. No quiz Friday. We will continue our study of the early history of Louisiana. Read Chapter 5 for next week.

GLE #24 Crosswords

GLE #24 crosswords:

http://www.paulblankenship.com/currentgovernmentleadersfed

http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle24fedgovcrossword.pdf

http://www.paulblankenship.com/louisianaofficialspuzzle
http://www.paulblankenship.com/LouisianaOfficialsPuzzle.pdf

http://www.paulblankenship.com/scotuspuzzle
http://www.paulblankenship.com/SCOTUSpuzzle.pdf

Thanks to All Supporters of the English Department!

Thanks to all the CMM families supporting the ELA teachers at Cheeburger! Cheeburger! and Barnes and Noble tonight. It was good to see so many of our students and former students participate despite the wet weather.

Grades Updated

I updated the grades on TeacherWeb about 4:00 p.m. to include the test on GLEs 18 to 22 given today.

About the Athens Bellringer

Please read the sections on "Athen's expansion" and "Athens at its zenith" for the quiz on Friday rather than the first five paragraphs. 

See the last Weekly Preview for a link to the article.

Updating GLE #24

I am updating GLE #24 for some of the recent elections and upcoming cabinet appointments. The files are taking some time to upload, so please check back later tonight or tomorrow for an outline dated today that replaces the old outline from September.

GLE #23 Puzzle

GLE #23. Identify qualifications and terms of office for key leaders/representatives at the state and local levels (C-1A-M6)

http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle23puzzle
http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle23puzzle.pdf

Civics Reading Assignment

Please read Chapter 4 in the textbook by next Friday as a supplement to the course material. You are not required to do the assignments in the textbook, nor will I test you on this chapter except as it coincides with the material presented in class.

Grades Updated

To see your grades on today's test go to TeacherWeb (see the link in the right-hand column of this blog), select your class and then enter your last name and password.

GLE #22 Puzzle

GLE #22. Describe the powers/responsibilities and limits of power for government officials at the local and state levels in Louisiana (C-1A-M6)

GLE #22 Crossword Puzzle #1
http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle22puzzle1
http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle22puzzle1.pdf

GLE #22 Crossword Puzzle #2
http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle22puzzle2
http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle22puzzle2.pdf

Weekly Preview

8-12 December 2008

Monday
Bellringer: Ancient Greek Civilization
GLE #23

Tuesday
Bellringer: Sparta
Test: GLEs 18 through 22 (see the crossword study guides)
GLE #24
Binder/Mind Map Check

Wednesday
Bellringer: Athens
GLE #25 -- Legislative Sim

Thursday
Bellringer: Socrates
GLE #26

Friday
Bellringer: Plato
GLE #27
Quiz on Bellringers: Trojan War through Socrates

CMM Student Announcements

Phase Two of the canned food drive is underway! Collect cans through Tuesday morning December 16th!

There will be a brief Homeroom Rep Meeting in the PAC Foyer Friday morning during Stallion Round-up.

Student Council and Newspaper Staff members going on the field trip this morning should report to the buses no later than 8:00.

The Holiday Dance will be Wednesday, December 17th. Make plans to attend! Tickets will go on sale at lunch Monday, December 15th.

GLE #21 Puzzle

21. Describe the various forms of local government in Louisiana (C-1A-M5)

http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle21puzzle
http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle21puzzle.pdf

GLE #20 Puzzle

GLE #20: Identify the structure and powers of the three branches of the state government, the limits of those powers, and key positions within each branch (C-1A-M5)

http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle20puzzle
http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle20puzzle.pdf

GLE #19 Puzzle

GLE #19: Explain the purposes of state constitutions and describe the relationship of the Louisiana Constitution to the U.S. Constitution (C-1A-M4)

http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle19puzzle
http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle19puzzle.pdf

GLE #18 Puzzle

The crossword puzzle for GLE #18 is linked below. The test on GLE #18 through #22 will be on Tuesday. The American Government Unit Test will be this Friday.

http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle18puzzle
http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle18puzzle.pdf

GLE #18. Identify the powers of state government as defined in the Louisiana Constitution and compare/contrast those powers to the powers of the federal government (C-1A-M3)

No Federalism on the Unit Test

I will not draw review questions from the federalism test on the American government review test. Please study the other crosswords. I hope you all do well!

Poinsettia Pick-Up Day

Poinsettias will arrive tomorrow afternoon. They will arrive around 2:00 p.m. Students & parents may pick them up in the G-Wing. Thanks to all participants!

Change to GLE #18

I made a change to the GLE #18 outline and presentation. If you downloaded an earlier version delete it and download the new one.

iDisk: GLE Outlines 18-21 Posted

The iDisk should be ready to use; email me if you cannot find a file. My thanks to the student who noticed that the GLE #18 outline was not in its folder and let me know!

iDisk: Try Again Later If You Have Trouble

If you have trouble downloading the outlines from the iDisk, try again later today. I am syncing the iDisk with my hard drive this afternoon to make sure you get the latest version of each outline, so you may have to wait a few hours to download. 

15 December 2008: My IEP Meetings

My IEP meeting date is 15 December 2008. I sent the first set of notification letters home before Thanksgiving. I am required to send two more, even if the earlier letter(s) have been signed and returned. This pertains only to the students on my IEP roster. 

Grades Updated

I updated your grades to include your research papers. If you turned in your paper late your grade is not yet posted.

Primary Sources: A Second Chance to Clarify

We will go over your research papers next week. Some did not indicate a primary source. In some instances I could figure out which source(s) were primary, but not in each case. I told each class to note which source was primary, but I will give students losing points in this category a chance to prove that they used a primary source before the end of the grading period. If this applies to you, you must print out your primary source (or bring a copy) and write a paragraph explaining how this source is an example of a primary source for your subject. The deadline for regaining these points is the second Friday in December.

Archimedes and Pi

Back on Email (Occasionally)

I'm occasionally checking my email during the holiday (I can't seem to break the habit). If you need help with your Social Studies Fair display board or monologue send an email but be patient if I do not reply as quickly as I sometimes do. I am writing IEPs over the break.

Poinsettia Sales: Results

Thanks to all participants in the poinsettia fundraiser! Second period wins the competition.

The graph shows average sales in dollars.

The American Government Review Test

On Friday, 05 December 2008, you will take a unit test on American government. Please study your notes (especially the questions from the videos) and the crossword puzzles on government.
http://lastudies2009.blogspot.com/search/label/crossword

Email Over the Holiday

I will be taking some time off from my email over the break. Have a great Thanksgiving! Feel free to write but don't expect a reply until I return.

Grades Updated

I updated the grades to include today's test & quiz.
http://www.teacherweb.com/LA/CaddoMiddleMagnet/Blankenship/AllClasses/Grades.html

Talking About Greece

Weekly Preview (Week After Thanksgiving Break)

These are the bellringers for the week after Thanksgiving. Please do not confuse them with the ones on Egypt for tomorrow's quiz.

I encourage my students to download and print the GLE outlines before coming to class. It will save you a lot of work. See the link to the iDisk on the right-hand column of this blog.

Monday
Bellringer: Philistines and Sea People
GLE #18

Tuesday
Bellringer: Aegean Civilization
GLE #19

Wednesday
Bellringer: Minoan Civilization
GLE #20

Thursday
Bellringer: Homer
GLE #21

Friday
Bellringer: Trojan War
Review Test -- American Government (study the crosswords from the review videos)
Quiz on Bellringers -- Ramses II to Homer

The test on this week's GLEs will be next Tuesday.

Grades Updated

I updated the grades on TeacherWeb to include today's test on the judicial branch.

Be sure to scroll down on this page to see the study guide for Friday.

Poinsettia Sales

Please bring your poinsettia forms and money in on Thursday. I would like to wrap up sales on Thursday if possible.

If sales fall short of our needs we may have to scale back the Mardi Gras celebration this year. We need each person to sell at least two to cover expenses.

Progress Reports and Point Sheets

Please remember to get your progress report signed (if you received one). Everyone has been given a point sheet this week. Remember that you can check your grades online.

Civil Liberties and Civil Rights Crossword Study Guide

Here is the study guide for the next test (on Friday):
http://www.paulblankenship.com/civil-liberties-rights-puzzle

And the printable version:
http://www.paulblankenship.com/CivilLibertiesAndRightsPuzzle.pdf

Poinsettia Sales

Please bring your sales forms and money in on Wednesday if you are done selling. Friday is the final day to turn in funds and orders, but I would prefer to wrap things up on Thursday if possible.

If the fundraiser is not successful we may have to scale back our Mardi Gras celebration.

Remember -- the class with top per person sales wins a prize!

Test on the Judicial Branch Wednesday

As previously announced, the test on the judicial branch (40 questions) will be on Wednesday. See previous posts for study guides.

Progress Reports and Point Sheets

All students in 6th and 7th periods received point sheets today. Student with less than a B also received official progress reports. Official progress reports MUST be signed and returned. I sent them home one day early because the grades will not change tonight,

All other classes will receive point sheets and progress reports on Wednesday.

Social Studies Fair Displays

Just a reminder: Social Studies Fair displays are due on 13 January 2009.

Bellringer Quiz on Friday

As usual, we will take a quiz on the bellringers on Friday. The quiz will cover Amenhotep I to Akhenaton.

Official Progress Reports on Wednesday

I will send home official progress reports on Wednesday for students with less than a B in my class.

Poinsettia Sales

I will start collecting money on Tuesday.

First IEP Notification Letters

Please get your IEP notification letter signed and returned on Tuesday. IEP meetings are scheduled for Monday, 15 December 2008 for my IEP students.

Judicial Branch Crosswords, Part II

The judicial branch test will be on Wednesday.

I wrote a second crossword puzzle:
http://www.paulblankenship.com/judicialbranch2
http://www.paulblankenship.com/JudicialBranch2.pdf

Here is the printable version of the first crossword on the judicial branch:
http://www.paulblankenship.com/JudicialBranch.pdf

Grades Updated

I updated the grades online yesterday afternoon.

http://www.teacherweb.com/LA/CaddoMiddleMagnet/Blankenship/AllClasses/Grades.html

Judicial Branch Crossword

A crossword puzzle on the judicial branch:

http://www.paulblankenship.com/judicial-branch-puzzle

Weekly Preview

Monday
Bellringer: Hatshepsut
Judicial Branch

Tuesday
Bellringer: Thutmose III
Judicial Branch

Wednesday
Bellringer: Amenhotep III
Test on Judicial Branch
Civil Rights

Thursday
Bellringer: Akhenaton
Civil Rights

Friday
Bellringer: Ramses II
Test on Civil Rights
Egypt video

Tests of Speech

Crossword puzzle on tests of speech:

http://www.paulblankenship.com/civil-liberties-speech
http://www.paulblankenship.com/civil-liberties-speech.pdf

Test & Quiz Friday

The test will cover civil liberties. In addition to the crossword please know the seven tests of speech (slander, libel, sedition, bad tendency, etc.).

The quiz will cover bellringers Imhotep through Ahmose I AND the video on Egypt seen on Wednesday.

I plan to check mind maps on Friday.

Bureaucracy Test Thursday

Since I was out today we will take the test Thursday. The civil liberties will still be Friday.

Poinsettia Sales

Just another reminder!

Civil Liberties Study Guides

Here are the first study guides for civil liberties. I'll post the second one tomorrow. I'm changing that test to Friday.

http://www.paulblankenship.com/civil-liberties
http://www.paulblankenship.com/CivilLibertiesCrossword.pdf

Bureaucracy Test Wednesday

I rescheduled the bureaucracy test to Wednesday. 

Study guide:

http://www.paulblankenship.com/bureaucracy-puzzle

http://www.paulblankenship.com/BureaucracyPuzzle.pdf

Grades Updated

I checked and the grades are updated and working. Let me know if you have a problem. 

Poinsettia Sales

I want to remind you that we need each student to sell (or make an equivalent donation to) two poinsettias to fund our Mardi Gras celebration.

The class with top sales will have either a pizza celebration, ice cream celebration, or a McDonald's breakfast celebration (depending on the time of day that the class meets and a vote of the class members).

(Photo from USDA)

Greater New Orleans Parish Chart

We will soon cover the parishes of Greater New Orleans:
http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle04GreaterNewOrleansParishesChartKey.pdf

Florida Parishes Chart

Next week we will examine the Florida Parishes.

http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle04FloridaParishesChartKey.pdf

Acadiana East Parishes

We will go over the Acadiana East parishes this week. If you miss that day you can get the answers here:
http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle04AcadianaEastParishesChartKey.pdf

Hey, Hey, Hatshepsut!

Weekly Preview

I updated the course grades with Test 2.3 and Quiz 2.2. I'll add Test 2.2 on Monday when I am back at school.

Monday
Bellringer: Khufu and the Pyramids of Giza
American government review

Tuesday
Bellringer: Sphinx
Test on Bureaucracy

Wednesday
Bellringer: Hyksos
American government review

Thursday
Bellringer: Ahmose I
Test on Civil Liberties

Friday
Bellringer: Amenhotep I
American government review

Printable Constitution Crosswords

Click on the links:

http://www.paulblankenship.com/ConstitutionCrossword.pdf

http://www.paulblankenship.com/Constitution2Crossword.pdf

Printable Crosswords

I had a request for printable crossword puzzles. Click the links below to download them as Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) files.

http://www.paulblankenship.com/CivilLibertiesCrossword.pdf

http://www.paulblankenship.com/ExecutiveBranchCrossword.pdf

http://www.paulblankenship.com/FederalismCrossword.pdf

http://www.paulblankenship.com/Federalism2Crossword.pdf

Bellringer Quiz on Friday

Please read and study your assigned bellringers for a 60 point quiz on Friday.

Current Grades Online at TeacherWeb

Current grades are posted online at TeacherWeb. I provided students with passwords. I cannot send passwords via email for security reasons, but I can send a note home with a student with the password. I intend to update after major tests or at least once each week.

http://www.teacherweb.com/LA/CaddoMiddleMagnet/Blankenship/AllClasses/Grades.html

I sometimes put non-graded items on the point sheets for your information. Examples include results of pre-tests and whether or not certain forms have been submitted.

Primary Sources

I discussed primary sources during the first week of school when we covered the social studies fair packet and again a couple of weeks ago. If you want more information on primary sources see this brief article from Yale:
http://www.yale.edu/collections_collaborative/primarysources/primarysources.html

Weekly Preview

Hopefully, I will be back on Wednesday. Please keep my father-in-law in your thoughts as he recovers from an automobile accident. He is still in the hospital.

Monday

• Bellringer: Rosetta Stone
  
• World history review video

Tuesday

• ELECTION DAY

Wednesday

• Bellringer: Menes
  
• American government review video
• Research papers due (bring your papers and assume I will be back on this day)

Thursday

• Bellringer: : Djoser
• American government review video
  
• Tests on the executive branch and the Constitution

Friday

• Bellringer: Imhotep
  
• American government review video
• Test on federalism (know the seven stages of federalism, know about each stage, and know the cake analogies)

Federalism Crosswords

Crossword puzzle study guides on federalism:

http://www.paulblankenship.com/federalism

http://www.paulblankenship.com/federalism-2

Constitution Crosswords

A couple of crossword puzzle study guides on the Constitution:

http://www.paulblankenship.com/constitution

http://www.paulblankenship.com/constitution-2

Test 2.2: Executive Branch on Friday

I will test you over the executive branch on Friday. See the crossword puzzle study guide posted last Friday.

Test 2.1: Legislative Branch

I have decided to limit Test 2.1 to just the legislative branch. I will test you on the executive branch on Friday, on Test 2.2.

Weekly Preview

Monday
Bellringer: Israel & Judah
American government review
Test review crosswords (see previous post)

Tuesday
Bellringer: Cimmerian
Test 2.1 on American government
American government review

Wednesday
Bellringer: Scythian
American government review

Thursday
Bellringer: Media
American government review
RESEARCH PAPER DUE IN ALL CLASSES, INCLUDING 6TH PERIOD (bring before class, give them to me, do not just leave them at my door)
Field trip to Career Center

Friday
Bellringer: Persian/a.k.a. Ancient Iran
American government review
Quiz on bellringers

Grades Updated

Although you do not have many points from the first week of the grading period, I have uploaded your grades from the quiz and pop quiz given this week. Your first major test is Tuesday (see the previous post for study guides).

Study Guide Crossword Puzzles: Legislative & Executive Branches

So far I have written the following crossword puzzles to review American government:

• Legislative Branch Crossword Puzzle #1
• Legislative Branch Crossword Puzzle #2
• Executive Branch Crossword Puzzle #1

Study Guide & Grade Update Later Tonight

I'll post a study guide and update grades later tonight.

Habeas Corpus

Bellringers on World History

The pretest administered at the beginning of the school year indicated a strong need for world history review. I have assigned readings on world history. Many students read these articles and are making good grades on the quizzes. Some students seem more challenged by the quizzes.

To help you review world history, I am requiring that students making less than a "B" on a quiz mind map the articles for the following week. I will show you your grades on today's quiz on Wednesday and let you know if you are assigned to make mind maps this week. Mind maps are a great study technique (one that I use when taking classes) -- I think that they will help many of you excel on the quizzes! Flash cards on the dates, people, and events would probably help. I am assigning reading on world history in place of textbook reading assignments. I will check your mind maps daily starting on Thursday. Those making "B" or above are excused from making mind maps but are encouraged to keep up the good work.

The Research Paper

The research paper is due on 30 October 2008. You must bring separate copies for English and Social Studies or your paper will be late in one of your classes.

Students in previous years lost points for failing to check their papers against my rubric. Do you have the correct number of sources, types or sources, and a primary source? Please read the directions and the rubric provided during the first week of school and be certain that your paper meets the requirements of the rubric.

Governmental Powers

Weekly Preview

Monday
Bellringer: Babylon & Babylonia
American government review video

Tuesday
Bellringer: Hammurabi & the Code of Hammurabi
Quiz on Bellringers: Akkad, Amorites, Lagash, and Sargon
American government review video

Wednesday
Bellringer: Assyria, Nineveh, and Sennacherib
Oktoberfest
American government review video

Thursday
Bellringer: Mitanni
American government review video

Friday
Bellringer: Aramaean
American government video
Test 2.1 -- on American government review videos (rescheduled to next Tuesday)

Quiz Game for the Geography Unit Test

Here is the review game we played in class on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Geography Unit Test is Thursday of this week.

http://www.paulblankenship.com/quizgamegeounittest.html

Quiz Game Online

I decided to post the quiz game for test 1.6 online. This is the test you will take tomorrow. We played the game today -- I am posting this for students who were absent.
http://www.paulblankenship.com/game16.html

GLE #62 Timeline: Partial Example

I made a partial example of the GLE #62 timeline. Follow the instructions I provided in class. Your timeline covers the 1600s.

Reminders: Upcoming Due Dates

About four weeks ago I assigned my students to complete a timeline on the 1600s and a take-home test. The take-home test may be completed in a cooperative manner but each student is responsible for the answers marked on his or her test.

The take-home test involves interpreting a set of timelines. These are available here:
http://delicious.com/louisianastudies/takehometestgle63

The timeline is a simple assignment. You only need FIVE events EACH from the English colonies that would later become the United States and Louisiana. Since very little recorded history happened in what would later become Louisiana you may include events in French Canada, such as exploration of the Mississippi River and the establishment of the fur trade in French Canada as events that lead to the colonization of Louisiana. You do not have to give a detailed explanation of the events -- just list them next to the correct year on the timeline. You do NOT have to do the timelines for the 18th, 19th, or 20th centuries yet, though you are welcome to work ahead. Don't make the assignment more complicated than it is. Keep it simple!

If you lost your copies please download them from the iDisk. Instructions on iDisk use have been given in class and posted on this blog.

The XYZ Affair

Last Chance for Extra Credit is Monday

The last chance to turn in extra-credit work is Monday. You may not have more that 2% of your grade from extra-credit. See:
http://delicious.com/louisianastudies/extracredit

Weekly Preview

Monday
Bellringer: 7 Facts on Amorite
Test Review -- Test 1.6, GLEs 12-17 and review
GLE #16

Tuesday
Bellringer: 7 Facts on Lagash
Test 1.6, GLEs 12-17 and review
Due: 1600s timeline and take-home test assigned 4 weeks ago

Wednesday
Bellringer: 7 Facts on Sargon
Geography Unit Test Review

Thursday
Bellringer: 7 Facts on Babylon and Babylonia
Geography Unit Test (200 pts.) -- review of geography GLEs covered this grading period

Friday
Bellringer: 7 Facts on Hammurabi and the Code of Hammurabi
GLE #18
Acadiana East -- GLEs 2 & 4

Study Guide for Test 1.5 on Friday

The text of the review game that we played in class Monday is posted here:
http://www.paulblankenship.com/test15studyguide.txt

James K. Polk Rocks

Changes to Our Usual Schedule and Due Dates

No test on Tuesday. Ms. Pomeroy's two-day field trip and the Explore Test on Thursday make a test impractical until the end of the week. I will provide your review on Monday because it is the only other day I will see all of you. Study your notes on the review game between Monday and Friday. I still plan to give you a quiz on the bellringers on Friday. The due date for the 1600s timeline and the take-home test is now Tuesday, 14 October 2008 (that gives you an extra weekend to finish the assignments). Since these are major assignments I will accept each late at a 50% per day deduction of points.

Bellringers: Early Mesopotamia

Monday -- Sumer
Tuesday -- Hittite
Wednesday -- Erech (also known as Uruk)
Thursday -- Gilgamesh
Friday -- Akkad

Quiz on Friday -- covers Poverty Point, Sumer, Hittite, Erech, and Gilgamesh.

Reminder: World History Quiz Tomorrow

As seen on the board and course calendar, we have a world history quiz on Friday. The quiz covers the bellringers discussed on Monday through Thursday.

Art Map Due Tomorrow

The Art Map is due tomorrow. The late penalty is 25% per day. I originally said 50% per day but I have changed my mind. This applies ONLY to the Art Map Project and not to any other project or assignment. The assignment was made near the beginning of school. I will check my email around 6:00 p.m. tonight for any last minute questions, though I took a considerable amount of time answering questions in class today. I wish you all good luck and hope everyone does well on the project!

Just for Fun: The Spider

Just for fun; I'm sharing a link to a Flash animation of a spider. It is an example of mathematics applied in computer programming to simulate physics. And it is cool.
http://www.onemotion.com/flash/spider/

Cane River Lake

View Larger Map

Test/Binder Check Tuesday

Please be prepared for a test and binder check over GLEs 9, 10, and 11 and central Louisiana parishes on GLEs 2 and 4.

Art Map Bonus Opportunity

Line #20 in the instructions (natural resources) is now optional. I will give 2 extra-credit project points for those completing this task.

Alternatives to Excel

If you need to make a spreadsheet for your charts and graphs, you may use Excel. However, Excel is expensive and I do not expect you to purchase it for my class (especially since I don't use it). There are some great free alternatives. Please get parental permission.

OpenOffice is a free, open-source alternative to Excel. You have to download and install it. I have used it and can say that it worked well for me.
http://www.openoffice.org/

Another free spreadsheet is offered online through Google. No download is required but you have to sign up for a free Google account.
http://docs.google.com

Art Map: Major Land Resource Regions

Ignore the numbers on the map online; just use the colored areas.

1600s Timeline Note

You may include other expeditions on the Mississippi River that led to the French colonization of Louisiana.

Art Map Due Thursday

Just another reminder -- the Art Map is due Thursday, 02 October 2008. It is a non-droppable project grade. Projects are weighted at 10% of your overall grade. I assigned this project on the first week of school and posted the due date on the board before school started.

http://lastudies2009.blogspot.com/2008/08/board-cam-important-dates.html

Mac Excel Help

If you are using Excel on a Mac you can find help here:
http://www.microsoft.com/mac/help.mspx?app=1

Art Map FAQs

I want a good, neat art map but I am not expecting perfection. Fulfill the rubric's requirements and you will get a good grade. I am open to your creative ideas on how to make this happen.


What about the nine cultural sub-regions? I don't see that many on the map.

Some are labeled by color, others are printed on the map (e.g., Terrace Flatwoods). As long as you have what's on the map it will be OK.


I can't fit everything on the map. How am I supposed to make it all fit?

Use smaller indicators, such as dots or stripes.


I need help using Excel to make my chart and graph.

See http://office.microsoft.com/training/training.aspx?AssetID=RC100620751033

GLE #10 Spreadsheet Calculator

I posted a spreadsheet to help calculate percentage of change problems for GLE #10. GLE #10 is "Analyze the population characteristics and other demographic information about the United States and Louisiana, including rates of increase/decrease for demographic variables." The spreadsheet is available in the iDisk under 8th Grade Social Studies/Geography/gle10/gle10calculator.xls. You may open it in Excel or OpenOffice. You may also download the file here:
GLE #10 Calculator

Bellringers

Please read the linked articles before coming to class. We will have a quiz on Friday.

Monday -- Nazca
Tuesday -- Olmec
Wednesday -- Skara Brae
Thursday -- Çatalhüyük
Friday -- Poverty Point

Change to Art Map Instructions

Please make the following change to line #19 of the art map instructions (not the rubric):

19. Add major crops to your art map. The five major crops of Louisiana are cotton, soybeans, rice, sugarcane, and corn. Indicate which parishes had gross income of over $20,000,000 in 2002 (Yodis, Colten, & Johnson, 2003 (pp. 147-149). Indicate the parishes with these crops on the Louisiana's Agriculture Map at http://www.aitcla.org/files/AITC_MAP.2004.pdf

Corn is labeled "Feed Grains" on this map.

Reminder: Upcoming Due Dates

Just a reminder, these assignments, given some time ago, are coming due before the end of this grading period:

The Art Map of Louisiana Project -- 02 October 2008
The GLE #62 Timeline of the 1600s -- 08 October 2008
The GLE #63 Take-Home Test -- 09 October 2008

If you lost your instructions please print another copy from the iDisk -- see the links to the right.

I am concerned about the students who have not taken their art maps home to finish them. Time is running out!

Friday: Quiz on the Cradles of Civilization

As announced in class (and on the board) earlier this week we have a quiz on Friday over the cradles of civilization. I wrote a study guide on the board today:

• Definition of civilization
• Five cradles of civilization
• Rivers in each (except Mesoamerica and the Andes)
• Writing in each (Indus River probably spoke Dravidian and wrote in hieroglyphics)
• The five stages of material culture (Paleolithic through Iron Age)
• Bronze Age -- what is bronze?
• Sumer -- what was it and why was it important?

Suggested Study Techniques for Test 1.3 on Tuesday

I suggest that you make flashcards of the information from the review game today to prepare for the test. Phone a friend and quiz each other until you know the things you missed during the game.

Test 1.3 & Binder Check 1.3 on Tuesday

The binder check will be on your mind maps and bellringers not previously checked.

The test covers GLEs 1-8, except 3. We reviewed for the test today. If you were absent please look over the outlines for GLEs 1, 5, 6, 7, and 8; the map for the NW and NE parishes for GLE #2, and the charts for the NW and NE parishes on GLE #4.

Remember, the Art Map is due 02 October 2008.

Need Internet Access?

I am sending a letter home on Tuesday to determine which students need Internet access at school to complete the bellringers or other assignments. I have repeatedly offered in all classes to write passes for anyone in need of Internet access. If you are reading this at home please continue to do so. I only want to write passes for those without access to the Internet at home. I am requiring everyone to sign and return a letter about Internet access to help those who truly need Internet access and hold everyone accountable for reading the world history articles that I have assigned. My pretest indicates a strong need for world history review before we take the LEAP.

Caddo Middle Magnet a 'Blue Ribbon School'

Read the Shreveport Times' article on our Blue Ribbon School:
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080920/NEWS01/80919039

Bellringers on the Cradles of Civilization

Please read the following articles:
Monday: What does "civilization" mean? What were the five earliest known civilizations?
Tuesday: Egypt
Wednesday: Mesopotamia
Thursday: Indus Civilization
Friday: Shang Dynasty

Be able to give 7 facts about each of the ancient civilizations above.

Point Sheets Went Home this Week

I sent home point sheets and a few progress reports this week. Please return them with a parent signature. If you did not submit a topic/category worksheet on time you are missing 10% of your grade for the class because you have no project grade. If you turn in your art map and timeline projects on time you will recover most of the missing 10% of your grade (assuming, of course, that you make a good score on each project. As mentioned on the back-to-school letter, grades are weighted at:

• 10% classwork
• 10% projects
• 80% tests & quizzes

Test & Binder Check 1.2 on Wednesday

We will have the test & binder check Wednesday. Study GLEs 5, 6, 7, and 8. Review materials from the previous test, such as vocabulary cards.

The binder check includes:

• GLE #5 -- mind map & worksheet
• GLE #6 -- mind map
• GLE #7 -- mind map & worksheet
• GLE #8 -- mind map and video notes on the Great Flood of 1927
• Bellringers
• Vocabulary Cards from GLE #2, assigned two weeks ago

No GLE #2 maps are due. No GLE #4 charts are due.

How to Solve a Rubik's Cube

CMM Fundraiser

Please participate in the CMM magazine sales fundraiser. I order magazines through CMM every year because I know how much the equipment we purchase through the fundraiser helps our students. I encourage everyone to take part and support their education.

iDisk Help

1. Open the iDisk by clicking the link to the right on this blog labeled "Blankenship's iDisk"
   
2. Double click 8th grade folder
3. Double click Geography folder
4. Double click the GLE folder that you want
5. Click the far right arrow for the file that you want to download
6. Wait for the file to download to your computer
7. Open the file on your computer by double-clicking the file icon in Windows (or on the Mac)
   

Point Sheets Today

I sent home point sheets today. Please get a parent signature and select a password to check your grades on TeacherWeb. Write your desired password on the point sheet. I am in the process of setting up grades for access on TeacherWeb.

Mind Mapping Video

Test Wednesday, Binder Check Tuesday

I rescheduled them to allow a second day of review before the test.

Iron Age

Please read the following article before coming to class on Friday, 19 September 2008.

Iron Age

Bronze Age

Please read the following article before you come to class on Thursday, 18 September 2008.

Bronze Age

Neolithic Period

Please read the following article before class on 17 September 2008 so that you can answer the bellringer question:

Neolithic Period

Mesolithic Period

Please read this article for the bellringer on Tuesday, 16 September 2008:

Mesolithic Period

Paleolithic Period

We will begin our review of world history for the LEAP Test through the bellringers next Monday. Please read this article before you come to class on Monday, 15 September 2008 so that you can answer the bellringer question for that day:

Paleolithic Period

Help with the GLE #2 Maps and other GLE Activities

Scroll down on this blog to see the maps I posted to aid you on GLE #2 and the GLE #3 Art Map Project.

To see all blog entries on GLE #1, click here.
To see all blog entries on GLE #2, click here.
To see all blog entries on GLE #3, click here.
To see all blog entries on GLE #4, click here.

Lost a worksheet? Download it from the iDisk.

GLE #2 Vocabulary Cards

For help with many of the definitions see your textbook glossary and:
http://delicious.com/LouisianaStudies/gle02

The word list:

• Barrier beaches
• Bay
• Bayou
• City
• Coast
• County
• Fjord
• Gulf
• Hamlet
• Hill
• Island
• Isthmus
• Lake
• Landform
• Levee
• Mountain
• Ocean
• Pass
• Parish
• Parish seat
• Peninsula
• Plain
• Pond
• Reservoir
• River
• Salt domes
• Sea
• Sound
• Thalweg
• Town
• Village
• Weir

GLE #1 Worksheet Help

See:
The GLE #1 World Clock

If you want my PTSA magazine order and extra credit...

The first person to physically bring a print out of this blog signed by a parent/guardian to me on Monday gets my PTSA magazine fundraiser order and 5 extra credit test points. In the event of a tie the tie will be broken by random selection (i.e., coin toss or dice roll). Everyone else bringing a signed copy of this blog entry on Monday gets the 5 extra credit test points.

CMM has so many good things because of the fundraiser. I hope everyone will sell at least two magazines.

Weekly Preview

Monday

• Binder Check 1.1 (see below for details)
• Review for Test 1.1
• GLE #5 -- Geography
  

Tuesday

• Test 1.1
• GLE #6 -- Geography
• GLE #62 -- Historical Thinking Skills

Wednesday

• Discuss Test 1.1
• Point Sheets
• GLE #7 -- Geography
• GLE #8 -- Geography

Thursday

• GLE #8 video -- Geography
• GLE #63 -- Historical Thinking Skills
  
• GLE #64 -- Historical Thinking Skills

Friday

• GLE #8 video -- Geography
• GLE #65 -- Historical Thinking Skills

Binder Check 1.1

Binder Check 1.1 on Monday will include:

• The GLE #1 Worksheet
• The GLE #2 maps (waterways and parishes/parish seats) for week 1: northwest Louisiana parishes (see page 3 of the GLE #2 worksheets)
• The GLE #4 chart on northwest Louisiana parishes
• The Longitude Crossword
• The GLE #2 Vocabulary Cards
  

The Map Basics Crossword is not yet due.

About the Course Calendar on Google

I have tentatively planned out the school year in Google. Anything more than a few days out is subject to change, though the project due dates are unlikely to be altered.

Binder Check and Test: Storm Delay

Because of the unexpected school closure we will have the following due/test dates:

• Nothing is due the day we return to school, on Thursday. I want everyone to have a chance to get things together before I start taking grades.
  
• The Social Studies Fair Category and Project is due on the school day after we return to class, on Friday.
• The Binder Check will be on Monday.
• Test 1.1 will be on Tuesday.

Of course, the first point sheet will be delayed until the first test is graded. There would be little reason to issue a point sheet with no test grade.

Binder Check on Wednesday, Test 1.1 Thursday

The binder check will be on Wednesday -- I have delayed it to give students another class day to trace their art maps (GLE #3). Test 1.1 will be on Thursday.

The binder check will include any bellringers not collected in class, the GLE #1 worksheet, and the northwest Louisiana parishes listed on page #3 of the GLE #2 worksheets should be added to your maps for waterways and parishes/parish seats.

Social Studies Fair Topic & Category Due Tuesday

Your Social Studies Fair Topic and Category Worksheet is due on Tuesday. If you lost the copy I supplied in class you may download and print another here:
Social Studies Fair Topic and Category Worksheet

Enjoyed Meeting You All at Back to School Night

Thanks to all those who joined us for Back to School Night. It was a pleasure to meet you. The presentation is available on my iDisk (see the links to the right) for anyone unable to join us tonight.

Sketch Pads in Stock at OfficeMax

I just bought an 11" by 14" Bienfang sketch pad at OfficeMax. Office Depot on 70th Street had some larger Foray pads that are acceptable. The one available online on my last post had a firmer back than the others, but that's optional. I spoke with an employee at Office Depot about ordering more sketch pads.

Sketch Pad

Please bring your sketch pad to class next week. The sketch pad should be 11" by 14" and have 100 sheets. We will use the sketch pad for student-generated graphic organizers, such as mind maps. The larger paper makes it easier to make the graphic organizers by giving the student more space to work. I recommend the Bienfang brand but other brands are acceptable. You may order them through Office Depot (item number #334870):
Bienfang Sketch Pad

Try Google Earth

Google Earth is a FREE program that puts a globe on your computer. If you want to try it the address is:
http://earth.google.com/

You may import the Google Maps posted on this blog into Google Earth to see many of the items you need for the GLE #2 worksheets and the GLE #3 art map project.

Google Earth is also a lot of fun.

Workdays on Thursday & Friday

We will have project workdays on Thursday and Friday. Please bring your foam board and any supplies you want to use for the art map. You may also use this time to work on the GLE #2 worksheet.

About the GLE #2 Worksheet

GLE #2 will be completed over the next several weeks. We will break the assignment into regions and study around 10 parishes each week. You do not have to have the whole assignment done by the next binder check.

Google Map for the GLE #3 Art Map Project: Cities

View Larger Map

Google Map for the GLE #3 Art Map Project: Waterways

View Larger Map

Google Map for the GLE #3 Art Map Project: Roadways

View Larger Map

Google Map for the GLE #3 Art Map Project: Plantations

View Larger Map

The Google Map for GLE #2: Lakes & Reservoirs

View Larger Map

The Google Map for GLE #2: Islands

View Larger Map

The Google Map for GLE #2: Rivers

View Larger Map

The Google Maps for GLE #2: Coastal Waterways

View Larger Map

Textbooks

Textbooks were sent home today. Do not bring them back to school unless asked to do so. I have a class set, so there is no need to haul your book to class each day.

Weekly Preview

What's up for next week?

Monday

• Issue textbooks
• Watch a film about longitude (reviews prior learning on map skills)
  
• GLE #1 Presentation and Worksheet

Tuesday

• More longitude film
• Finish the GLE #1 presentation and time zone activity

Wednesday

• GLE #2 presentation and map activity
• More of the longitude film

Thursday

• Finish the longitude film
• More class time for GLE #2 map activity
  
• Class time to work on the Art Map of Louisiana

Friday

• The GLE #4 presentation
• The GLE #4 chart on northwest Louisiana
• More class time for GLE #2 map activity
• Class time to work on the Art Map of Louisiana

The Supply List

I do not collect supplies from my students, but I do want my students to have the supplies they need for class. The supply list includes my recommendations with the Office Depot item numbers. The sketch pad does not have to be the Bienfang brand (though I have found that to be a quality product). Be sure you get a sketch pad and not tracing paper (tracing paper is too thin). The size should be at least 11" x 14" and should be spiral bound wih at least 100 sheets. Please have the 3x5 cards and sketch pad by next week if possible.

The Supply List
http://www.paulblankenship.com/supplies.pdf

Map Basics Crossword

We will review previous learning about maps and introduce time zones through the Map Basics Crossword. Some of the clues are brainteasers. I'll check your work on the puzzle on the first binder check on 02 September 2008 (more about binder checks later).

Printable Version
http://www.paulblankenship.com/MapBasicsCrossword2008.pdf

Interactive Version
http://www.paulblankenship.com/map-basics-crossword

First Test Scheduled for Wednesday, 03 September 2008

The first test will be on Wednesday, 03 September 2008. We will not take a test next week because we are spending this week working on the pretest assessment and starting the Art Map and Social Studies Fair Projects. I do not want to schedule a test immediately after the Labor Day weekend, so we will test on Wednesday rather than Tuesday.

Course Calendar Updated

I have updated the course calendar and embedded it at the bottom of this page.

Link to the course calendar

Social Studies Fair Packet and 8th Grade Additional Instructions

I provided a copy of the Social Studies Fair Packet and Additional Instructions for the 8th Grade in class. If you lose your copy of either please print another from these links. You are assigned to read these tonight, write down any questions, and bring your questions to the library on Thursday and Friday. Report directly to the library; do not go to the G-Wing.

The Social Studies Fair Packet
http://www.paulblankenship.com/SocialStudiesFairPacket.pdf

Additional Instructions for the 8th Grade
http://www.paulblankenship.com/ssfair8thinstructions.pdf

Art Map Foam Board Should be 22" x 28"

The correct size for the foam board for the Art Map is 22" x 28" as listed on the front. Please change your rubric to reflect that or print a new set of instructions:

http://www.paulblankenship.com/gle03ArtMapofLouisianaProjectInstruction.pdf

Board Cam: Important Dates

Important dates are posted on the board to the right in my classroom. Students are expected to check that board daily for updates and note any information provided in their agendas.

The board says:
"Due dates:
- Art Map of Louisiana -- 2nd October
- Research Paper -- 30th October
- Topic & category due 2nd September
- Social Studies Fair Display and Oral Presentation due 13 January 2007"

The papers on the board are the grade-level expectations (GLEs) we will address in the first week. They are GLEs #1 and #70. GLE #1, which we address through a presentation and assignment, is "Use time zones in the United States or the International Date Line to interpret a map or representation of a globe and calculate current times in different places." GLE #70, which we address through the Social Studies Fair research paper, states "Conduct historical research using a variety of resources, and evaluate those resources, to answer historical questions related to Louisiana history."

Welcome to Louisiana Studies

Perhaps you are thinking, "But Mr. B., my schedule says 'Louisiana History?'"

Yes, it does. However, the official course title is a little misleading. The course objectives set by the State of Louisiana (also known as "grade-level expectations," or "GLEs" for short) are almost evenly divided between geography, civics, economics, and history. We will start the course with an overview of expectations. We will discuss major projects, especially the research paper. We will then cover the GLEs that concern historical thinking skills (62-70) to prepare you to complete the class projects that use these skills.