Just In Case Anyone Is Interested...

Hi!

Just in case you wanted to know, we found out this week that we will be moving to Vladivostok, Russia!

I don't have a job lined up there yet, so this blog may not be updated for a while, but I do intend to continue to use this blog once I find a new job.

Once again, it was my pleasure to teach at Discovery! I wish you all a wonderful 2012-2013 school year!

KF

Summer School Fun!

Hey Summer Schoolers!

Here are a couple of links I would like you to visit and spend a bit of time on today...

http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/proofreading_makes_perfect/g03/g03home.htm

Yes, I realize it is geared toward 3rd graders, and that all of you are WAY above 3rd grade level, but it will give you a little bit of extra practice on some of the mistakes you might make along the way...

If you'd rather find something in your age range, you may choose to play this game (if your computer has the right plug-in!)

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/hme/k_5/proofread/proof.htm

Have fun!
KF

PS: These are tougher than you think they will be!

PPS: You can also check out this awesome pre-writing tool: http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/essaymap/

PPPS: Here is another fun online writing resource: http://www.eduplace.com/tales/index.html

Our Final Week of School! Week of June 4-8

Hello everyone!

I CAN'T BELIEVE we're at the end of the school year!!!

This week is a strange one with the timing because Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are all half days; students will be dismissed at 11:45 am all three days. Tuesday and Thursday are AM schedules, Wednesday is a PM schedule. Monday is a full day of school! The Honors Breakfast will be held Monday morning at 7:00 AM. Wednesday at 10:30 we will head to Discovery Idol. Thursday at 10:30 is the Awards Assembly. Friday is Graduation Day!!!

Here are a few messages from the Administration:

HONORS BREAKFAST – Parents and Teachers of students in Grades 6-12 who were on the Honor Roll during the first three quarters of this school year are invited to attend the Honors Breakfast to recognize these students on Monday, June 5, at 7:00 a.m.

 
CHOIR FUNDRAISING END-OF-THE-YEAR CARNIVAL: The Choir Parents are organizing an end-of-the-year Carnival and Bingo for Saturday, June 9, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There will be games, food, and of course the exciting Bingo. Please come bid the school year good bye with our family and friends while supporting the Choir in their last effort to raise fund for their upcoming San Francisco trip in July.

UNCLAIMED ART SALE - Yes! It is time for the annual Unclaimed Art Sale!  Parents, if your students have not brought their portfolios home from the art room you may find them up for sale in the art room.  All unclaimed art work will go on sale Monday June 4,5,6,7 from 7.30 am to 3:30.

All pieces are reasonable priced (10-20-50 Lempira) and families will get a huge discount (free). All proceeds from the sale of student work will be used to help pay for the framing of students’ works for the permanent collection. 

2011-2012 YEARBOOK IS COMING!– The ‘Year of the Wolf’ – The Discovery School yearbook is being printed and will be ready for distribution on Friday, June 8, according to the publisher. We are currently offering pre-sales to guarantee that you get a copy. Although the book is larger than last year, we have been able to arrange for no increase in the cost over last year. Therefore, our school memories are reflected in an 80-page, hard cover yearbook for the price of L. 650 each. You can reserve your copy by seeing Belgica in the Finance Office and paying the L. 650. We know these will sell out quickly, so be sure and reserve yours now! The school offices will be open throughout the summer so you will still have a chance to buy a yearbook as long as they last. 

MOZART’S ‘COSI FAN TUTTE OPERA COMES TO TEGUCIGALPA! – For the first time in Honduras, the National Philharmonic Association, with the support of Maestro Jorge Mejia, has arranged for a professional opera company from Texas to come to Tegucigalpa and perform Mozart’s famous opera, ‘Cosi Fan Tutte’.  Premiere  will be held on Thursday, June 7, at 7:00 p.m., with a repeat performance on Friday, June 8, at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale at the Discovery School Finance Office.

Don't forget to sign up for the Summer Course, Great Writing!

Even though it's a short week of school, we will still be learning in Room #4!

6th grade: Monday you will finish up the Little House on the Prairie Pilot episode movie. Tuesday there is no class. Wednesday we will watch a section of the History Channel show America: The Story of US about Westward movement. Thursday there is no class. Have a great summer!

--

7th grade: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday you will watch How the States Got their Shapes, which will show how geography affects the creation of state boundaries. Wednesday there is no class. Have a great summer!

--

8th grade: Monday you will watch the movie Mill Times. Wednesday you will attend the Discovery Idol show. Tuesday and Thursday you have no class. Have a great summer!

--

9th grade: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday you will watch sections of the History Channel show America: The Story of US about World War II and the world after the war.

--

On a personal note, I have truly enjoyed being your teacher for the past two years, and am incredibly sad to be leaving Discovery School this summer. Here are a few of my favorite moments from the past two years:

(Last years') 8th Grade Play

Thanks again for the birthday cake, 8B!

Wasn't cricket fun, 9th graders?

Model UN Unite! :)

Looking spiffy at the Chronicles of Discovery event, 6th graders!

Another shot of last years' 8th graders on UN Day!

 I hope you all will keep in touch and let me know how everything is going! I will miss you all!

 KF

A Week of Exams! Week of May 29-June 1

Well hello again everyone!

Thank you 7th Graders for the lovely Teacher Appreciation gift!

I hope you have all enjoyed your long Memorial Day Weekend. (And I hope you spent at least some of your time studying!)

The school year is quickly winding down but there is still A LOT to do at Discovery School in the next two weeks!

YEARBOOK: We are hard at work on the Discovery School Yearbook! Details and pricing to come!

GENERAL ASSEMBLY: Thank you to all who attended the General Assembly meeting last week! Your time and votes are truly appreciated!

DPTO GARAGE SALE: Come one come all to the DPTO Garage Sale this Saturday, June 2, starting at 9:00 AM! If you would like a table to sell items please contact Maikel Ryan or Carolina Villareal.

CHOIR FUNDRAISING END-OF-THE-YEAR CARNIVAL: The Choir Parents are organizing an end-of-the-year Carnival and Bingo for Saturday, June 9, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the school There will be games, food, and of course the exciting Bingo. Please come and celebrate the end of the school year with our family and friends while supporting the Choir in their last effort to raise fund for their upcoming San Francisco trip in July.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WEDNESDAY: This Wednesday will be a half-day, AM schedule, due to Discovery teacher professional development. Please plan to have your child picked up by 11:45 AM.

SUMMER WRITING COURSE!

This class is for anyone who wants to work on their writing skills over the summer! Letters were sent home to some students last week, but all middle school students are invited to attend. Please let me know if you have any questions, or if you want your student to join the class! It is going to be FUN! :)

Here's the plan for my classes this week:
--
6th grade: Remember we had to change the schedule last week due to bootcamp. And, go figure, I'm going to have to tweak it again this week, because I totally forgot about the half day this Wednesday! Oops! So, in class on Tuesday we will finish the book by reading chapters 24-26 and you will have page 20 (and any other part of the packet you have not completed) as homework that night (don't panic--it's 2 questions!) THE PACKET IS STILL DUE ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 30! There are no exceptions! I will come to your first period class to collect the packets or you may turn them in to me at any time before you leave school on Wednesday. If you plan to be sick that day, please send it to school so I can get it checked and have your final grade entered before June 1.
--

7th grade: Tuesday and Wednesday you will have time in the computer lab to practice for your Whole World Map Quiz, which will be in class on Thursday and Friday. Remember, you will start the quiz in class on Thursday, and Thursday night I will check the countries you ID'd. Then on Friday you will have the opportunity to identify any countries you left blank on Thursday. I will add together your two scores and give you a score out of 100%. That will be divided by two and you will receive two grades out of 50 in the gradebook. (So, for example, if you score 83% on the test, I will divide that by two and you will have 41.5/50 on both quiz scores in the gradebook.) Be sure to use the maps packet I provided you last week, this information, and the country games to study study study!
--

8th grade and 9th grade: I hope you studied hard over the weekend, because your World History final exam is Tuesday, May 29 from 10:30-12:30. I will be wandering in and out of the rooms if you have questions during the test, but if you have any lingering content questions, I'd ask them now...
--

Have a wonderful rest of your weekend and enjoy the short 4-day week ahead!
KF

6th Grade: "Little House on the Prairie" Schedule Change

Hey 6th graders:

As I'm sure you're aware, the schedule I gave you for the reading/activities of Little House on the Prairie has now become a little outdated due to some last-minute changes in the school schedule.

Therefore, please take note of the following changes:

Wednesday, May 23
In class: Read Chapters 22-23
Homework: Chapter 22-23 Reading Questions

Thursday, May 24
In class: Activity pages 18-19
Homework: Finish activity if don't finish in class

Friday, May 25
No class! Bootcamp! Have fun! (Students not attending bootcamp will watch an episode of the Little House on the Prairie TV show!)

Monday, May 28
No class! Memorial Day! (Study study study for your Himno Nacional exam!)

Tuesday, May 29
In class: Read Chapters 24-25
Homework: Chapter 24-25 Reading Questions

Wednesday, May 30
In class: Read Chapter 26, Chapter 26 Reading Questions, Activity page 20

PACKET (with chapter 22-26 reading questions) IS BE DUE BY THE END OF THE SCHOOL DAY! PACKETS NOT TURNED IN ON MAY 30 WILL BE GIVEN A GRADE OF ZERO!

Good luck to all 6th grade students on their Himno Nacional exam on Thursday, May 31! :)

KF

7th Grade: Countries of the World

Hey 7th Grade:

Just FYI, here are the numbers of countries you will need to be able to identify in each area of the world:


North America (including Central America but not the Caribbean): 10
Caribbean (islands only: not including Central America): 13
South America (not including Central America or the Caribbean): 13
Europe (not including Russia or Turkey): 47
Asia (including Russia, Turkey, all of the Middle East and Southeast Asia): 45
Africa (don't forget the islands!): 51
Australia and Oceania (hint: use the map quiz to help you study!!!):14

Total of countries = 193! (Remember that you will not be quizzed on any countries that are "owned" by other countries (ie: Guam, the Virgin Islands, etc)

Happy Studying! :)

KF

Believe it or Not...There's only Three Weeks Left • Week of May 21-25

Hello again:

I hope you are all having a pleasant weekend, recharging from the past week and gearing up for the next. We had a tragedy in the Discovery School family last week, but I have been very proud of how our students have pulled together during this hard time. My thoughts continue to go out to the families and friends affected.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY: Thank you to all parents who attended the General Assembly last Thursday. However, a quorum (33% of parents) was not reached at this meeting, so a second summons has been sent out for a second meeting on Thursday, May 24. PLEASE make room in your schedule for this important meeting where next years' budget and calendar will be voted on and the next two years' board members will be elected.

ENROLLMENT DRIVE BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!  The Enrollment Drive  has begun again! Information was emailed to all parents last Friday and more will be explained at the General Assembly on May 17. This enrollment drive applies to teachers as well as parents—please see Paola for a copy of the guidelines if you are interested.

MAP TESTING: Map testing will wrap up this week. Here's the middle school schedule:

Tuesday, May 22
8:30-9:45 6th grade (Language Usage)
10:05-11:20 7th grade (Language Usage)
11:40-12:55 8th A (Language Usage) **Please bring a big snack on this day as you will not eat lunch until after ALL students are finished with the test. You WILL get lunch, just later than normal.**
1:15-2:30 8th B (Language Usage)

Wednesday, May 23
8:30-9:45 9th Grade (Language Usage)

Make-up tests have been scheduled in the afternoon of May 23 and all day May 24-25. Please be ready to be pulled from class to complete any tests you may have missed over the past three weeks.

--

Here's the schedule in my room this week--it's REVIEW TIME!

6th grade: You will continue to follow the schedule for your Little House on the Prairie reading. Remember that the deadlines will still be applicable if you miss class! Your African Doctors book is due Monday, May 21. That day we will also read chapters 18-20 in class. Tuesday you will have a reading assignment and will look at the treaty the US Government made with the Osage Indians just a few years before the Ingalls family moved to Kansas. Wednesday you will read and complete a Venn Diagram about the Osage. Thursday you will have a reading assignment, and Friday most of you will be absent enjoying bootcamp!
--

7th grade: You will be working with enlargement techniques in order to better understand how that big, cool, painted map on my wall was made. Each day in class you will have a one-page worksheet to complete, and then will have time to work in your maps packets to study for your Whole World Map Quiz, which will be held next week, May 31-June 1. You will have no class on Thursday due to a PE Field Trip, and Friday most of you will be absent enjoying bootcamp!
--

8th grade: Remember that your World History I Semester Exam will be Tuesday, May 29, from 10:30-12:30. This next week you will spend each class reviewing for this exam. I will have a study guide for you on Monday and you will have class time to organize your notes and complete the study guide. Later in the week we may have some review activities if you have completed your study guides. Friday most of you will be absent enjoying bootcamp!
--

9th grade: Remember that your World History II Semester Exam will be Tuesday, May 29, from 10:30-12:30. This next week you will spend each class reviewing for this exam. I will have a study guide for you on Monday and you will have class time to organize your notes and complete the study guide. Later in the week we may have some review activities if you have completed your study guides.You will only have about 25 minutes of class on Tuesday due to MAP testing.
--

The next three weeks will go very quickly, especially if you stay focused and sprint to the finish!
KF

Fun Things Happening in Room #4!

Hello:

I just wanted to share some of the fun things that we've been doing in my class lately...

First of all, last week the 8th graders researched and had a trial for Martin Luther, similar to the Imperial Diet of Worms in 1521. Here are a few photos of the students in action:

The prosecution and Charles V

Charles V defending himself to the defense

The defense and Erasmus

Martin Luther passionately defending himself

Although both the defense and prosecution sides did well, the ultimate decision of the court was that no decision could be made...the same decision as the judges at the Imperial Court of Worms in 1521.

--

The 6th graders have also been a little "dramatic" this past week. As part of their reading of Little House on the Prairie, the class performed a Reader's Theater version of Chapter 11 of the book (Indians in the House) in class on Friday. There were speaking and non-speaking roles, but as in all theater, there were no small parts, only small actors ;)

Our creative Mr. Master, the master of props

The "Indians' and their skunk-skin clothes

The director (far right) directing the narrators, Jack, and Ma

Mary, Laura, and Jack listen to the narrators

RUN AWAY!

Great job, 6th graders!

--

I also got to have a little creative fun a few weeks ago when I presented one of my hobbies, tatting, (or frivolite in Spanish), to my 5th Grade Spanish class as part of an "All About Me" presentation!

Threading the needles getting ready to begin

Sometimes its easier to see the little knots you're making when they're far away from your face

Tatting is a serious thing, don't you know? ;)

What a fun school Discovery is! :)
KF

Happy Mother's Day! Week of May 14-18

Hello everyone!

I want to wish a very happy Mother's Day to all our Discovery School Moms! I hope you have a wonderful day! And just for fun, here's a link all about the History of Mother's Day!

MAP tests continue this week. Here's the middle school schedule. The classes in bold below will take their tests during my class time.

Monday, May 14
10:05-11:20 9th grade (Reading)
11:40-12:55 8th B (Reading) **Please bring a big snack on this day as you will not eat lunch until after ALL students are finished with the test. You WILL get lunch, just later than normal.**
1:15-2:30 8th A (Reading)

Tuesday, May 15
8:30-9:45 7th grade (Reading)
10:05-11:20 6th grade (Reading)

Please remember to do your best on these tests. We do use this data to know at what level to set your lessons, and if you don't try on these tests we don't know your true abilities. Take your time and do the best that you can do!

AP TESTS: The students have been doing a great job of being quiet in the halls and patient when we have the bells turned off during AP exams. Keep up the great work! :)

MATH OLYMPICS: CONGRATULATIONS to the Discovery School Math Olympics teams! Four Superior and 1 Very Good rankings are AWESOME! Glad your hard work really paid off!

GENERAL ASSEMBLY:  The General Assembly of parents has been scheduled for Thursday, May 17, 2012, and the official Summons was sent to all parents electronically and by hard copy last week. Attendence for teachers is not mandatory. We need a quorum of 33% of our parents in order to have a legal meeting. During the meeting, parents will vote on the budget and calendar for next year, as well as electing Board members for the next two years.

ENROLLMENT DRIVE BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!  The Enrollment Drive has begun again! Information was emailed to all parents last Friday and more will be explained at the General Assembly on May 17. This enrollment drive applies to teachers as well as parents—please see Paola for a copy of the guidelines if you are interested.

Here's the schedule for this week's classes
6th grade: Thank you to those of you who stayed with the schedule last week when we had an unexpected day off. Remember, one of the reasons you have the schedule is so that you know what to do even when you are not in school! As per the schedule, we will read chapters 12-13 in class on Monday, will have fun listening to and analyzing cowboy songs on Tuesday, read chapters 14-15 on Wednesday, create our own children's books on Thursday, and read chapters 16-17 and work on a primary source on Friday. Remember that chapter 8-14 reading questions will be due on Thursday, May 17.
--

7th grade: This will be a very disjointed week for you...you're only with me three days! On Monday, ALL 7th grade students need to be ready to present their Australia and Oceania projects! NO EXCUSES! Tuesday you will have no class due to MAP testing. Wednesday will be our second presentation day. If you were not pulled from the "Cup of Doom" on Monday, you will present Wednesday. Thursday you will have your regularly-scheduled PE field trip, and Friday, May 18 will be your Australia and Oceania Quiz.
--

8th grade: Monday is a MAP test day for both classes. Any class time that either class has will be used to finish the Henry VIII assignment from Friday, which will be due on Tuesday at class time. Tuesday and Wednesday you will learn about the Catholic Counter-Reformation, Thursday you will review, and Friday, May 18 will be your Reformation Quiz.
--

9th grade: Be ready, your World War II Mini-Quiz will be Monday, May 14! Be sure you ALL have your 1-page, front-side only notes page with you for your LAST QUIZ OF THE YEAR!!! Double-check this page to know what you should be studying. Tuesday-Thursday we will have a continent-by-continent look at the world after World War II! Friday you will not have class due to bootcamp! Don't forget to turn in your money and permission slips ASAP!
--

So there you have it...I can't believe there are only 4 weeks of school left! WOW!
KF

PS: Did you meet our new student? ;)

8th Grade: Henry VIII and his Wives Assignment

Hey 8th graders:

Here is your assignment about Henry VIII:

Activity Choices:

1) Write a love letter/poem/song from Henry VIII to one of his wives. Then, write the wife's response to Henry.
(Minimum 1 page for each=total of 2 pages)

OR

2) Write a "personal ad" for Henry VIII and any two wives, then answer them. Be sure to include:
    •    a description of yourself (likes, dislikes, physical appearance, etc)
    •    a description of what you are looking for (personal and physical qualities)
    •    how people can answer your ad
(Minimum 1 paragraph for each=total of 2 pages)

Click here or here for examples of personal ads.

Due in class on Tuesday, May 15!

Have fun! :)

KF

No School • May 10

Good morning everyone:

I hope you are enjoying your unexpected day off today.

I just wanted to remind you that all deadlines still apply:

6th grade: You will need to turn in your movie questions and chapter 1-7 reading questions tomorrow at class time. You also need to have read through chapter 11 by tomorrow's class!

7th grade: Projects will still be presented tomorrow! You can spend your free time today practicing for your Whole World Map Quiz!! :)

8th grade: Sorry you'll have to wait another day to find out about Henry VIII's wives and children...if you want to do your own investigation, check out this very excellent website: http://www.tudorhistory.org/

9th grade: You have an extra day to study and prepare for your mini quiz! We'll figure it all out tomorrow...don't forget your notes page!

Have a nice day, be very safe, see you tomorrow!
KF

9th Grade: World War II Studying Suggestions

Hey 9th grade:

Remember that tomorrow we will have about 20 minutes more review and then will jump right into our World War II Quiz!

Here are some things you will need to be aware of:
-Causes of World War II
-Rationing
-Minorities' contributions to the war effort
-Monument's Men
-Radio/Propaganda

Major events/dates:
Beginning of the war (2 dates)
Pearl Harbor
VE Day
Atomic Bomb dropped
VJ Day

Happy Studying!
KF

Teacher Appreciation Week: Week of May 7-11

Hello again:

As it is Teacher Appreciation Week, I just want to take a moment to address how much I appreciate all my fellow teachers at Discovery School...what an AMAZING staff we have! I also want to say how much I appreciate my ability to BE a teacher at Discovery...undoubtedly the BEST school in Honduras! Thank you for being such wonderful students and parents!

MAP testing begins this week and will continue for the two weeks following.

Here is this week's schedule for the Middle School classes:
Thursday, May 10
8:30-9:45 6th grade
10:05-11:20 7th grade
11:40-12:55 8th grade A **Be sure to bring a big snack as you will have a late lunch.**
1:15-2:30 8th grade B

Friday, May 11
8:30-9:45 9th grade
A note: Please remember that these tests are IMPORTANT! The results of these tests are used to help determine the level of assignments and evaluations we can use in our classrooms to be sure we are challenging each student. When students don't try their bests on these tests we do not get an accurate representation of the abilities of our students, and therefore have to work much longer fully meet their needs in the classroom. Please discuss the importance of these tests with your student and encourage them to give their best ability on each of the three exams!


From the Administration 
DRESS CODE: As the weather gets hotter, please remember the Discovery School dress code! No bare shoulders/short shorts or skirts/overly baggy jeans, etc! Thank you!

GENERAL ASSEMBLY:  The General Assembly of parents has been postponed to Thursday, May 17, 2012. The summons will be sent electronically and by hard copy to all parents. We need a quorum of 33% of our parents in order to have a legal meeting. During the meeting, parents will vote on the budget and calendar for next year, as well as electing Board members for the next two years. We hope to see you there!

ENROLLMENT DRIVE BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!  The Board of Directors has voted to repeat the Enrollment Drive that was held last year. Information will be emailed to all parents and sent home via hard copy during the week, and explained at the General Assembly on May 17.

 
MIDTERM REPORTS: Midterms were sent home last Friday. Please sign the form and return it with your student ASAP. If you would like a conference with me, please feel free to contact me to schedule one.
--

We have three 5-day weeks left, then two 4-day weeks and then the school year is over. This means you have just 23 days left to do your best at your current grade level. DON'T WASTE THEM! Here's what you can look forward to in social studies this week:

6th grade: You will continue our reading and activities about Little House on the Prairie this week. Be sure to check the schedule I gave you last week so you know what we're doing in class, what is due, etc! Remember that last Friday's Wagon activity and your immigration DBQ essay redo are both due tomorrow!
--

7th grade: On Monday and Wednesday you will have textbook assignments about Australia and Oceania. Tuesday you will work on an Australia and Oceania packet. Thursday you will be out with Mr. Victor. Friday is the first presentation day! Everyone needs to be ready to present on Friday!
--

8th grade: Monday you will work with the classroom textbooks to find out about some of the other major revolutionary leaders (besides Martin Luther), as well as how the reformation affected women. Tuesday-Friday you will be learning about Henry VIII and his lovely wives. It's going to be very "dramatic" by the end of the week! ;)
--

9th grade: You're almost done with World War II! Monday and Tuesday you will present your Oral History projects to the class. Double-check your rubric to make sure you know what you need to include in your presentations. Wednesday you will finish up the 1940s house series. Thursday you will review, and start your World War II quiz. Friday you will finish the quiz in the first 20 minutes of class, and then end out the week taking your MAP test!
--

So there you have it...Have a great week, and keep sprinting to the finish!
KF

9th Grade: Atomic Bomb Webquest

Hey 9th Graders:

Today in class you will be working in groups of four to complete an Atomic Bomb Webquest!

Head over to https://c1.livetext.com/visitor-pass.html and enter the visitor's pass: 22C5333A in the box provided!

Work together and have fun! Your group reports and individual reflections will be due on Monday, May 7!

KF

Happy Labor Day! Week of May 2-4

Hello again everyone:

We are officially in the countdown to the end of the year...6 more weeks! WOW!

No time for sleeping...only 3.5 weeks to final exams!!!

Please remember that Discovery School does have a dress code, and if you do not come to school dressed appropriately you will be asked to change. Girls, this means no bare shoulders, no short skirts or shorts; boys, this means pants that don't show the underwear. If you're not sure what you're wearing is appropriate, ask

MAP testing begins next week...stay tuned for the schedule!

Please be checking the Administration Blog weekly for other Discovery School announcements!

Although this week is short, it will be packed full of learning...
6th grade: BRING YOUR LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE BOOKS/KINDLES EVERY DAY THIS WEEK! Those of you without a Kindle will be given copies of Little House on the Prairie Wednesday in class. All of you will be given your Little House on the Prairie packet on that same day. DO NOT LOSE THIS PACKET! If you lose it, it will be your responsibility to re-print the packet and re-do all your work. I will also be notifying parents if the packet or book are forgotten more than once. Be responsible! This week you will read chapters 1-2 of the book and plan what to pack in the wagon if you were going on a trip west. Your "Who Went West" packets and America Will Be textbooks are due in class on Wednesday!
--

7th grade: You will start your final unit of the year this week; Australia and Oceania. Wednesday and Thursday you will have time to work on the maps in the textbook, and Thursday and Friday you will be in the computer lab researching for your final country project of the year!
--

8th grade: Don't forget your Martin Luther Trial research this week! Wednesday you will have time to work with the Lawyers to prepare for the trial, which will take place in-class on Thursday and possibly a bit on Friday. Friday you will also finish the Martin Luther movie!
--

9th grade: I hope you had a good time and learned a lot of interesting things about the subject of your Oral History interview! The research packet with questions about the Oral Histories from WWII is due in class on Wednesday (along with the September 11th extra credit sheet) and your actual Oral History Presentations will be Friday, May 4! Wednesday in class you will listen to and evaluate a radio show from World War II. Thursday you will have a webquest in the computer lab about the end of the War, and Friday will be presentation day!
--

I hope your weekend has been lovely and you are ready to sprint to the finish! YOU CAN DO IT!!!
KF

9th Grade: Because I'm nice...

Here are the links for your Oral History Assignment:

Page 1: Soldiers
Frederick Solberg: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVy5VFGP-hw&feature=related
Second soldier: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2UN3bRWIBo

Page 2: The Holocaust (you may not be able to listen to these, but can use the provided transcripts to answer the questions)
"Simply because we were Jews": http://www.holocaustsurvivors.org/data.show.php?di=record&da=recordings&ke=23
"Escaping the Death Camp Train": http://www.holocaustsurvivors.org/data.show.php?di=record&da=recordings&ke=17

Page 3-4: Reaction to Pearl Harbor
Click here to listen to both recordings!

And I am sure you are smart enough to find the September 11th extra credit... :)

KF

6th Grade: Immigration and Industrial Revolution Quiz Review Questions

Hey 6th graders:

If you know the answers to these questions, you'll be doing pretty well on your quiz tomorrow!

Don't forget to bring your one page (front-side only) of notes to use during the quiz!

1.     Why did the Industrial Revolution start in England? (textile industry was based there, needed machines to help them with that work)

2.     Name and describe one Industrial Revolution machine

3.     What was cottage industry? (People completed project by hand, in their own home, ie spinning, weaving, etc)

4.     How did people’s opinions about the Industrial Revolution’s machines change over time?

5.     Name one way immigrants affected the United States?

6.     What was one positive about the factory work in the Industrial Revolution?

7.     How did the movie An American Tail connect to the Industrial Revolution?

8.     What was one negative about factory work in the Industrial Revolution?

9.     Name and describe one job that children could have had during the Industrial Revolution. (chimney sweep, tosher, factory, stealing, corpse collector, mine work)

10.  Name one positive thing that came from the Industrial Revolution

11.  Name one negative thing that came from the Industrial Revolution

12.  What was a Luddite? (Follower of Ned Ludd who didn’t like the Industrial Revolution)

13.  What was a reformer and what did they do? (person who wanted to make life better during the Industrial Revolution, cleaned up hospitals and cities, educated the poor, etc)

14.  What were some reasons people immigrated to the United States?

15.  Name one reason US Citizens didn’t like immigrants?

16.  How did the Dear America movie connect to the movie An American Tail?

17.  Name one similarity between the people who immigrated to Latin America and to the United States. (generally European, etc)

18.  Name one difference between the people who immigrated to Latin America and to the United States. (poor vs rich, level of education, etc)

19.  Name one way immigrants affected the United States?

20.  Name one reason US Citizens didn’t like immigrants?

21.  Name one country from which immigrants came to the United States

22.  Name one job people could get when they immigrated to the United States (factory, railroad, strike breaker, etc)

23.  Why were labor unions considered bad by factory owners? (people who joined them could ask for higher wages, less hours of work, more breaks, etc)

24.  Why did immigrants from the same country generally live in the same area of town? (they tended to join family or gravitate toward people who spoke their language)

25.   What were options for immigrants who did not succeed when they arrived in the US? (go west)

26.  Name one reason US Citizens didn’t like immigrants?

27.  How did the movie An American Tail connect to the Dear America movie?

28.  How did the Dear America movie connect to the Industrial Revolution?

29.  Name one way immigrants affected the United States?

30.  How do immigration and the industrial revolution connect?

KF

The Last Day of April: Week of April 23-27

Hello again everyone!


•I want to start off with a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to our Model United Nations Team who competed in the ABSH Model United Nations competition this past weekend. We took a team of 8 students who competed in 5 different committees and returned with TWO Best Delegate medals as well as an Honorable Mention Delegate medal! Other awards won include a Bazooka award for the most founded "attacks",  an Encyclopedia award for most knowledge, three Best Alliance awards and three Future UN Delegate Awards. WOW! I heard nothing but positive comments about our students from the advisers, chairs and delegates of the other schools participating, and I was super-impressed with the poise, participation, and preparedness of our students! CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN!!


•Because I was at the Model UN competition I was not able to attend last Friday's Family Fun Night, but thank you to all of you who did! I hear it was a great success!

•Please remember that Discovery School does have a dress code. Students who do not follow the code may be asked to send home for a new outfit. Please think carefully when dressing for school!


•This Wednesday is a half day due to a teacher work day. We will be running a PM schedule. Please make arrangements to have your child picked up by 11:45 AM!


•This Friday is the Chronicles of Discovery Gala, an Oscar's-like event celebrating our students' achievements in the arts and literature. If you would like to attend, please contact Mr. Fenn to purchase your ticket!

Here is the in-class schedule for the week:

6th grade: You will be reviewing for your immigration quiz on Monday, and will have an industrial revolution and immigration quiz on Tuesday, April 24! Wednesday-Friday you will start learning about the Westward Movement in the United States! Don't forget your American Tail Questions and Activity, as well as your DBQ Essay are due Monday, April 23!!

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7th grade:  Your Africa Country Container Projects are due Monday, April 23 and will be presented at that time. Be ready! You have no class on Wednesday due to the professional development half day, and no class on Thursday due to a PE Field Trip, Friday you will have a map quiz over Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa! Be ready!!! Don’t forget that you have three textbook assignments due when you return to class tomorrow!

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8^th grade: This week you will begin studying the Reformation. You will have an introduction on Monday, and will follow the life of the man who started it all by watching a movie Tuesday-part of Thursday. Along the way you should be keeping track of the major events of Martin Luther’s life. On Friday you will begin researching for a fun activity about Martin Luther, which will last into the following week. Remember that your After Las Meninas artwork is due Monday, April 23!

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9^th grade: Hopefully you have completed your timeline activity from last week, because your timeline and your magazine article activities are due Monday, April 23! You will also be using your timelines in class tomorrow as we look at some of the major events and battles of the early war. Your minorities at war activity is also due tomorrow! Tuesday, (no class on Wednesday), Thursday and Friday you will be working with oral histories from World War II and preparing to capture some of your own over the long weekend.

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Have a great week!

KF

9th Grade: Minorities in the War

Hey 9th Grade!

http://www.sfmuseum.org/war/issei.html

http://www.shsu.edu/~his_ncp/NAWWII.html

http://www.nwhm.org/online-exhibits/partners/exhibitentrance.html

http://www.neta.com/~1stbooks/unit1.htm

http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/aframerwar/