Parents and Students: 
 
We have a great new resource for you to use at home!! This internet based program is called Study Island. You can access it from your home computer by going to  
 
www.studyisland.com 
Username: FirstnamelastnameLMS (EX: johnsmithLMS) 
Password: Student 
 
This is a standards based website that can be used to practice the current information the students will be working on in class.  
 
Do you like playing video games??? Study Island has incredible video games that allow you to learn at the same time!!! 
 
If you have any questions about this great new option to review at home, please feel free to contact me!! 

Posted by: danaleichner

ITBS Testing begins on Monday, and will go through Friday. Please get a good night sleep and eat breakfast :-) 
 
Monday 8/18 
In class: Finish island group work, Pretest over the Middle East, Map of the Middle East 
Homework: Study Map, Completed map due on Wednesday in class 
 
Tuesday 8/19 
In class: Environmental issues in the Middle East-We will complete a Middle East water summit. We will examine both problems and solutions for the issues in the Middle East over water. 
Homework: Finish map if not completed already. 
 
Wednesday 8/20 
In class: Continue with the discussion about environmental issues in the Middle East. Extraction of oil. Read together and answer questions in the National Geographic Explorer Chapter Three examining the impact of climate on agriculture, trade, and manufacturing. 
Homework: Study map 
 
Thursday 8/21 
In class: Discussion of the Break-up of the Ottoman Empire, Who were the Ottomans? How did the break-up change the geography of the Middle East. P. 111 in the World History Atlas-due on Friday 
Homework: Complete Atlas page for homework if not finished in class. 
 
Friday 8/22 
In class: Work on Study Guide for Test on Tuesday-Geography of the Middle East, Climate, Environmental Issues, and the Ottoman Empire. 
Homework: Complete study guide by Monday and study!!! 
 
Looking Ahead: Review Jeopardy on Monday 8/25, Unit Test on Tuesday-Study guide due in class for a minor assignment grade. Parent Signature on the study guide will earn bonus point on test. 

Posted by: danaleichner

Monday 8/11 
In Class: We are continuing to review the basic concepts in Social Studies by learning more about the economic terms and concepts that we will study throughout the year. Terms today:supply, demand, consumers, producers, opportunity cost, and scarcity. Read children's books, in groups, decide what economic terms are used and how. 
Homework: Study new vocabulary 
 
Tuesday 8/12 
In class: Learn about the different economic systems by working through an economic simulation that will model a market system, traditional system, and a command system. 
Homework: Review new concepts 
 
Wednesday 8/13 
In class: Debrief from simulation on Tuesday. Look at the Virtual Economics disc to review market, command, and traditional economic systems. Learn about a mixed economy. Discuss currency, and barriers to trade. 
Homework: Review for EQ quiz and economic terminology for Friday 
 
Thursday 8/14 
In class: What is religion. Discuss the difference between monotheism and polytheism. Introduce major religions we will study this year and how they are similar and different. Review for quiz tomorrow by playing M&M bingo. 
Homework: Study for quiz 
 
Friday 8/15 
In class: Take quiz.Discussion about environment and interdependence. How do you effect the environment? In groups of four, decide what essential items you would take with you if you were going to a deserted island for one year. How would you effect that island after one year? 

Posted by: danaleichner

Welcome to Social Studies-Team 7-1 
 
Please remember to turn in all forms by August 15. FYI, Emergency Card, and Free and Reduced Lunch form. Please fill in the Free and Reduced Lunch form even if you do not qualify.  
Thanks!!!! 
 
I am very excited for this year!!! Please check this weblog as often as possible for up to date assignments.  
 
Please feel free to contact me at anytime to discuss your child's progress in class. My email is danagreen@walkerschools.org 
 
Monday 8/4 
In class: What is a government? Group work to write a team constitution. Will finish in Language Arts tomorrow. 
Homework: Return syllabus signed 
 
Tuesday 8/5 
In class: Finish discussion about different types of governments. Discuss why location matters. Map of the World-seven continents and four oceans. Difference between a political map and a physical map. Play a game on the smart board-www.shepardsoftware.com 
Homework: Return signed syllabus 
 
Wednesday 8/6 
In class: How does location effect movement? On the road again activity 
Homework: Look over Essential Questions for quiz on Friday 
 
Thursday 8/7 
In class: How does conflict lead to change? Discussion about conflict in everyday life and results. How to end conflict-terms to discuss-diplomacy, trade embargo, sanctions.  
Homework: study for EQ quiz tomorrow 
 
Friday 8/8 
In class: What is economics? Discuss the difference between a command, market, traditional, and mixed economies. Using the economics activity disc, examine different economic terms. Review basketball for EQ quiz. Take quiz  
Homework: Have a good weekend!! 
 
 

Posted by: danaleichner

Monday 5/5 
In class: 1st, 2nd, and 5th block: Finish Dream Home-due in class tomorrow. 3rd block-Career Interest Survey and Timeline of Future. 
 
Tuesday 5/6 
Renaissance Field Trip for 120 Level Stamps 
In class: Current Events. Students will read the magazine "Current Events" and discuss the events happening recently with their groups. 
 
Wednesday 5/7 
Career and College Tour in the gym during first block. 
In class: We will discuss different job opportunities in class, look at salaries and pay checks, and make an estimate as to how much money per month things will cost in their dream home. 
 
Thursday 5/8 
In class: Begin Monopoly project. Students will pick new groups and create a monopoly board game incorporating all of the terms we have learned in class. Students will have to create rules, game pieces and a board for other students to play. The monopoly board should represent a city and the pieces should go along with that city as well. This will be due in class on Thursday 5/15 for a major assignment grade. Students will have a rough draft of the rules, game pieces and board due on Monday 5/12 by the end of class. 
 
Friday 5/9 
Believer's Day/Renaissance Party for students with at least 80 stamps at the Rec  

Posted by: danaleichner

Monday 4/28 
In class: Present Travel Brochures to class. Begin our next project on working within a budget. We are going to design our own Dream Home. Students will work in groups to design their own room in the house. 
 
Tuesday 4/29 
In class: Work on deciding what is a need and a want for your room. Use computers and newspapers to figure out how much things cost to determine what you can afford. 
 
Wednesday 4/30 
In class: What are key concepts when understanding economics? Students will read in the economics book and the CRCT book to understand concepts such as budget, savings, balancing, income, and credit 
 
Thursday 5/1 
In class: Time to work on your Dream Home. List of items in your room, with prices due on Monday. Diagram of room, with color included, due on Monday 
 
Friday 5/2 
In class: What type of profession would you like? Students will take an interest survey to decide what type of job they would like. Students will create a future timeline.....where will you be in the next five years? ten years? 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50....due in class on Monday 

Posted by: danaleichner

This week will begin our review for CRCT. We only have ten more days until testing begins, so I would like to take this opportunity to review the major concepts we discussed this year. Students, if there are any topics or items we have discussed this year that are still unclear for you, please bring this to my attention either in class or through email. I will be sure to include that in my review if not done so already :-) 
 
Monday 3/31 
In class: We are going to complete a webquest using the mobile lab. This webquest will be focused on the different types of governments in Asia and Africa. We will look at the type of governments, leadership within those countries, and the role of a citizen. 
Homework: Review webquest information-Quiz on Friday 
 
Tuesday 4/1 
In class: Time to finish the webquest covering governments in Africa and Asia, pass back our economics post test from the week before spring break. Answer any questions about economics and review often missed concepts from the test. 
Homework: Review for quiz on Friday 
 
Wednesday 4/2 
In class: Review of the Ottoman Empire-Students will complete a review web to answer the questions-how did the empire grow, what was the impact of the Ottoman Empire, and How did the empire decline? We will use the dry erase maps to locate the Ottoman Empire at its height. 
Homework: Study for quiz on Friday over the government types in Africa and Asia and the Ottoman Empire 
 
Thursday 4/3 
In class: Scavenger Hunt to review physical features and countries in Africa and Asia-the students will use clues to determine and locate which country or physical feature is described-using dry erase maps. Students will then answer questions in pairs or individually that will ask them to apply the information they know about location to come up with the answers. Review for quiz 
Homework: Review for quiz tomorrow-Ottoman Empire and Governments in Africa and Asia 
 
Friday 4/4 
In class: Take quiz; go over geography questions. In groups, the students will each be given a policy governments have to deal with (pollution, water, extraction of natural resources, poverty, disease) in groups they will research what that policy means, and then five countries we have discussed in class that deal with this policy-present to class. 

Posted by: danaleichner

Monday 3/17 
In class: Pretest over Economics. Go over Pretest; Using Virtual Economics and the smart board, we will highlight a few key terms and watch video explanations. Begin reading Children's books to discover how common economics themes are all over. 
Homework: Review your "pretest review guide"-test over the review guide on Thursday 3/20 
 
Tuesday 3/18 
In class: Finish reading Children's books. Using the smart board, we will look on worldmapper.org to examine how education, political systems, and health issues affect a countries economic system 
Homework: Study review guide and notes from the past two days.-Test on Thursday 
 
Wednesday 3/19 
In class: Bead Simulation-Students will examine three different economic systems (command, traditional, and market) by using beads-work in groups. 
Homework: Study review guide-Test tomorrow 
 
Thursday 3/20 
In class: Debriefing about the bead simulation and the different types of economic systems. Review. Take unit test. 
 
Friday 3/21-3/28  
No School-Spring Break!! 
 
First day back from spring break is March 31. 
 
CRCT dates- 
April 14-Reading 
April 15-Language Arts 
April 16-Math 
April 17-Science 
April 18-Social Studies 
 
 
 

Posted by: danaleichner

It is that time of year again when our students are preparing and reviewing for the CRCT. There are several things the students can do to prepare for the big week, April 14-18. Getting a good night sleep, review class information at home, and making every attempt to come to school (when well) will enable our students to be as prepared as possible.  
 
Remember, we only have 18 school days left until the Reading CRCT. 

Posted by: danaleichner

Monday 3/10 
In class: Pass back tests. Guided reading using CRCT p. 44-49. Critical thinking questions dealing with independence and how to help your country 
Homework: Finish Guided reading if not done so in class 
 
Tuesday 3/11 
In class: Notes on The Boers and the Boer War in South Africa. Discussion of Apartheid in Africa. Activity-in partners place events that happened before, during, and after Apartheid in the correct column. 
Homework: Look over notes 
 
Wednesday 3/12 
In class: Class Reading about Nelson Mandela and F.W. deKlerk. Q3 Benchmark Test. 
Homework: Look over notes 
 
Thursday 3/13-Last day of Q3 
In class: Health issues in Africa. HIV and other diseases that are prevalent in Africa.  
Homework:NONE 
 
Friday 3/14 
No School-Teacher In-service Day 
 
A look Ahead......Economics Unit Next week 

Posted by: danaleichner

Transatlantic Slave Trade Questions 
1. Where did the triangle trade begin? 
2. What were the ships loaded with? (6 things) 
3. What were the different professions of people who were on the ship? WHY? 
4. What does it mean for trade to be “broken”. Explain 
5. What was inside a bundle? 
6. How long did the bundling process take? WHY 
7. How were people loaded on the ships? 
8. How often were the slaves fed on the boat? 
9. How many people on average did not make the trip? WHY 
10. How long did the trip take? 
11. Describe the ways in which a sale could take place 
12. Why did most plantation owners prefer slaves that did not know eachother? 
 
*13th amendment abolished slavery in 1865 
*More than 10 million Africans became slaves 
*The slave trade destroyed the agricultural economy of many sub-Saharan areas 
*Whole communities were taken away in Africa by the slave trade 

Posted by: danaleichner

Monday 3/3 
In class: 15 minute guidance presentation; Finish working on the Review Guide-Go over all information, answer any questions. 
Homework: STUDY Review Guide 
 
Tuesday 3/4 
In class: Review Jeopardy; Answer any last minute questions. 
Homework: Study for test tomorrow 
 
Wednesday 3/5 
In class: Review; Take Unit Test-Empires in Africa, Cultural Groups in Africa. Begin discussion on Colonialism in Africa; The Scramble for Africa 
 
Thursday 3/6 
In class: Read aloud together CRCT p. 40-43-Colonization in Africa-smart board looking at the colonizstion 
 
Friday 3/7 
In class: Slave trade information-Diagram of the Triangle Trade-Slave Narrative-Read aloud together and discuss reactions 
 

Posted by: danaleichner

Monday 2/25 
In class: Think Tac Toes are due today in class for a major assignment grade. Begin discussion about the migration of the Bantu. Play "Bantu Bingo" 
Homework: Study Bantu notes 
 
Tuesday 2/26 
In class: Review all four empires in Africa (Ghana, Songhai, Ethiopia, and Mali) and the Bantu migration.  
Homework: Study notes 
 
Wednesday 2/27 
In class: Complete a webquest over the cultural groups in Africa. We will be using the mobile lab in class.  
Homework: Study 
 
Thursday 2/28 
In class: In groups from the webquest, you will write a skit demonstrating the life of your cultural group in Africa and perform for the class. Each group will need to present necessary information for the class to understand their group. 
Homework: Study notes 
 
Friday 2/29 
In class: Literacy in Africa. We will examine the literacy rates in South Africa, Sudan, and Egypt. Review Guide will be given for a test on Tuesday. 
Homework: Study and complete review guide. 
 
A look ahead........ Test over the Empires in Africa, Bantu Migration, Cultural Groups in Africa, and Literacy rates on Tuesday March 4. 

Posted by: danaleichner

Monday 2/18 
No school-President's Day 
 
Tuesday 2/19 
In class: Check review guide for completion; review basketball 
Homework: Study for test 
 
Wednesday 2/20 
In class: Review for test; Take test; Pretest over the next unit; explanation of Think Tac Toe 
 
Thursday 2/21 
In class: Pretest over the empires; Time to work on Think Tac Toe-Due tomorrow 
 
Friday 2/22 
In class: Think Tac Toe is due in class today. Extra credit if you do one more 
 
 
Friday 2/22 
In class: Finish 

Posted by: danaleichner

Monday 2/11 
In class: Practice locating physical features and countries on the smart board. Begin natural resources in Africa. Each student will receive a map of Africa and a list of natural resources. Complete the activity due Wednesday. 
Homework: Study for map quiz tomorrow-Nile River, Atlas Mountains, Lake Victoria, Kalahari Desert, Drakensberg Mountains, Sudan, Kenya, Chad, Rwanda, Egypt 
 
Tuesday 2/12  
In class: Take map quiz; Finish natural resources in Africa; Information on how Chad, Sudan, and South Africa have been affected by natural resources. 
Homework: Finish natural resource worksheet if not done so already. 
 
Wednesday 2/13 
In class: Using the dry erase map, students will do a scavenger hunt using CRCT p.  

Posted by: danaleichner