8/31/10 and 9/1/10 - Guns, Germs, and Steel

We will be watching Part 1 of the documentary Guns, Germs, and Steel. This outstanding film describes the agricultural revolution we discussed from Chapter 1, Section 1 of our books. Students will be required to take notes during the video. These will be collected on Friday, 9/3, along with a Video Reflection. The Video Reflection is similar to the Reading Reflections students complete about their reading assignments, but this time it's about what they've seen in class.

For those that would like to watch at home, you may borrow/rent the DVD of Guns, Germs, and Steel from the library, Netflix, or your favorite video rental store. You may also watch it in various segments on YouTube:
Guns, Germs, and Steel episode 1 (1 of 6)
Guns, Germs, and Steel episode 1 (2 of 6)
Guns, Germs, and Steel episode 1 (3 of 6)
Guns, Germs, and Steel episode 1 (4 of 6)
Guns, Germs, and Steel episode 1 (5 of 6)
Guns, Germs, and Steel episode 1 (6 of 6)

Homework: Look over Chapter 1, Section 1 of your text, and continue working on SR1-1 and RR1-1, both due Thursday, 9/2

8/30/10 - Beginning Chapter 1

Here begins our journey through Chapter 1 - The World Before Modern Times. We'll start out the class by completing a Circle Map to activate our prior knowledge about this subject. Then we'll read through Chapter 1, Section 1 together on the first humans and civilizations. We'll model good critical reading habits with each other. As we read, we'll discuss the information together as a class. Time permitting, students will work on the Section Review for Chapter 1, Section 1 (SR1-1). Students will also get a handout for their Reading Reflection on Chapter 1, Section 1 (RR1-1). Students will complete the Section Review and a Reading Reflection for each section of each chapter. The Section Reviews will show me that you students understand the history. The Reading Reflections will give you a chance to show me what you think about the history and how you personally interact with what you read. Section Reviews will be graded for accuracy. Reading Reflections will be graded for completion (thoroughness and thoughtfulness).

Here are the handouts:
Circle Map
Reading Reflection (RR1-1)
Chapter 1, Section 1 Review (SR1-1)

RR1-1 is embedded below:



SR1-1 is embedded below:



Homework: Re-read Chapter 1, Section 1
Start SR1-1 and RR1-1, both due Thursday, 9/2

8/27/10 - Reading Critically

Today we will discuss what it means to read critically. I will give students tips and techniques for how to read their textbooks, articles, and other materials well. You may download the PowerPoint slides handout here: Reading Critically

The Reading Critically PowerPoint handouts are also embedded below:



Homework (if we have our textbooks): Read Chapter 1, Section 1 for Monday, August 30th

8/26/10 - Taking Notes

Today we'll be learning note-taking techniques. You may download the handouts from the PowerPoint presentation here: Taking Notes.

Homework: NONE

Course Syllabus

You may download the Course Syllabus here: 11th grade World History

I need all parents' and students' email addresses

Hello, parents and students. I need all your email addresses to faciliate good teacher-parent-student communication.

Parents, please send me a message from your email account stating your name, your child's name, and the class your child has with me.

Students, please send me a message from your email account with the following information in the subject line: WH11 - Your Name. (Obviously, do not write "Your Name," but whatever your name is.)

Please send me these emails as soon as possible so I can create an email group for your class. Thanks!

8/25/10 - Learning and Listening

After reviewing information about Multiple Intelligences, we will be "learning about learning" and active listening. If there is time at the end of class, students will begin to complete worksheets called "Four Steps to Better Understand How You Learn." What is not done in class will be homework, due August 26th.

You may download class materials here:
Learning and Listening PowerPoint handouts
Four Steps to Better Understand How You Learn - Step 1
Four Steps to Better Understand How You Learn - Step 2
Four Steps to Better Understand How You Learn - Step 3


The same things are embedded below. (Sometimes the file sharing site has problems with the embedded images, so you may need to check back another time to see them.)

Learning and Listening PowerPoint


Four Steps to Better Understand How You Learn - Step 1



Four Steps to Better Understand How You Learn - Step 2



Four Steps to Better Understand How You Learn - Step 3

8/24/10 - How are you smart?

Today in class we will be discussing Multiple Intelligences and learning styles. I will share information via PowerPoint slides and discussion. Here are links to handouts from today:

PowerPoint presentation handout
"How are you smart?" survey
Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom

PARENTS, please download the "How are you smart?" survey and complete it. Discuss your results with the results your child got on her/his survey. Knowing how you learn and how your child learns will help you understand how to better support your child's education. Look at the "Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom" handout to find some ways you can support your child's learning and study habits at home.

Here is one of the above handouts in embedded form:



HOMEWORK: Write a one-paragraph summary of the talk you have with your parents about your intelligences and your parent's intelligences. Write an additional paragraph telling me (your teacher) what your strongest intelligences are, and how you will use that knowledge to help you study for Social Studies. You may also mention your weakest intelligence and how you might bolster that area by using your stronger intelligences for support.

8/23/10 - Welcome to Social Studies

Today I introduced myself to the students and discussed the rules and procedures for class. You may download the handout here: Welcome to Social Studies handout.

Tomorrow we will be going over Multiple Intelligences and learning styles.

PostCrossing.com Project

For an optional enrichment activity, students may participate in the PostCrossing.com Project. There is a Web site called PostCrossing.com that connects people worldwide in a postcard-sending network!

Interested students (with parental supervision) should create an account at PostCrossing.com to begin this activity. Follow directions for setting up an account on their site: www.PostCrossing.com

Participants are able to specify what types of postcards they receive. You may get any from around the world. Ask PostCrossing members to send you postcards with images of scenery, landscape, or cultural elements from where they live. They should write you some interesting facts about their city, state, or country. Your goal is to learn things about the world you may not find in your textbook. Bring the postcard to class so we can share it and display it so we all learn something new about our global society.

Interested students must provide their own postcards and postage. See the teacher for more information.

Welcome to class!

Here you'll be able to find out what we have done in class. You'll see any assignments, handouts, PowerPoint presentations, activities, etc. that we did in class. This is a great resource for students and parents! I'll also try to add information for further study in case you want to dive deeper into something we've been learning about in class. Thanks for checking the class blog!