Upcoming Events: Book Fair and Holiday Shoppe

The book fair is all of this week.  It is open from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday, 11/9 - 11/13.  My language arts students will be going to the book store in class on Wednesday, 11/11.  All books are provided by Border's.

 

 

Come join the fun!  The Hightower Trail Husky Foundation 3rd Annual Holiday Shoppe will be held on Saturday, November 14th from 10 AM - 3 PM throughout the school.  There will be over 35 quality vendors, a delicious bake sale, face painting, book sale, Pope and HTMS spiritwear, Husky Hut merchandise, a special student shopping area, gourmet popcorn and snacks, concessions and much more!!  All proceeds will benefit HTMS technology and outdoor education programs.

November 09, 2009 |

Week of 11/9 - 11/13

Hope you all had a great weekend.  We are going to have a busy two weeks before the Thanksgiving Break.

Friday, 11/13 Social Studies - Students finished their maps or continued to work on them.  On the LCD projectors, I showed them how to divide their map between North, South, East and Equator, and West Africa.  The map quizzes will also be divided this way.  When students finished they were to get a Social Studies book and go to page 496 and build the graph that is shown on the page.  This is a reading aid for the chapter.  Students were to complete this chart.  If they do not finish, they will have time to do it as a warm-up on Monday.  Homework:  Finish map.  If not done, borrow an Atlas and finish. Language Arts - Students took the Reading Benchmark test and then worked on their persuasive papers, took AR tests, went to the library or read.  They had their choice, however, they must have a legible draft completed by Monday.  I looked over what they had and made a few comments, but did not "grade" them or "fix" them.  Homework:  Have a legible copy of your paper on Monday for revision and editing.

Thursday, 11/12 Social Studies- Students continued with their maps. Did numbers 4-9, 11-14.  Many of these were very simple and did not take them long.  We will work on number 10 tomorrow.  Students needed to be fairly far along in these so they can finish by Monday.  Homework:  If you want, take home map and borrow an Atlas.  Language Arts - Students did DGP Week 10 in class and then worked on their persuasive papers.  Homework:  Rough draft should be completed by tomorrow.  Reading Benchmark test tomorrow.  There is no way you can study for this since we are looking at your comprehension of reading passages.

Wednesday, 11/11 Veteran's Day - Social Studies - Students were given their Africa map.  We are starting a new unit.  This is a very large map.  We will be working on it for the next three days.  There are different sections that will be assigned daily.  Today we worked on numbers 1-3.  They named all of the countries, found the capitals and then found additional cities in each country. Homework:  NONE We are using the maps and our Atlases in class.  Language Arts - Students continued to work on their persuasive papers due 11/18.  Homework:  NONE except to look over what you have written.

Tuesday, 11/10 Social Studies - Students took their Unit 1, Part 2 test on the Middle East which covered recent history, government and economics.  We will begin the Africa map tomorrow.  Homework:  NONE  Language Arts - Students worked on their persuasive papers which are due on Wednesday, 11/18.  I am trying to give them time to work in class due to the amount of tests and projects in other classes.  We are going to the book fair tomorrow.  Homework:  Continue on your paper.

Due Dates:  Reading logs and reading journals due 11/16

   Persuasive Paper due 11/18.  Be prepared to give your paper as a speech 11/18-11/20.  We will choose who gives the speech by pulling "popsicle name sticks".   

Monday, 11/9 - Social Studies - We had a round-robin review in three of the social studies' teachers' rooms.  My classes were divided between Ms. Nix, Mr. Corbett and Mr. Howe to answer questions and review on the three sections of the test including history, government and economics.  Please look at last week's blog for all of the information to study for the test.  The answers to the study guide are there. Homework:  Study for test tomorrow.  21 multiple choice, 3 short answer and 1 essay.  Language Arts - We began with four square to get them to think outside of the box. It was a lot of fun and eye opening for the students.  We then talked about the design of their persuasive essay due Wednesday, 11/18.  We also talked about how to start a persuasive paper with the hook.  Students then worked on their introductions in class while I circulated and looked at their reasons and T-charts.  We will be working on the paper during class most of this week.  Students will go to the book fair on Wednesday, 11/11.  Next week, students will take their essays and give a persuasive speech in front of the class.  They should not have any trouble because they know so much about it from their paper.  Homework:  Think about your supporting paragraphs.

November 09, 2009 |

Week of 11/2-11/6

Welcome to another week of learning! As a reminder, students do not have school tomorrow because of election day.  Please get out and vote.  

Friday, November 6 - Social Studies - Took quiz on economics (a majority did extremely well), reviewed the governments of Iran, Saudi Arabia and Israel that will be on the test.  I have a study guide that was not given to Purple class on the conflicts in the Middle East and a venn diagram on these three countries.  Attached are statements about the Middle East that will be important for the test:  Download Middle East Unit 1-Part 2 Study Guide Answers.  Study for the test on Tuesday.  Study Session with Mr. Corbett on Monday morning at 8:05 a.m.  Language Arts - Went to computer lab to work on persuasive paper.  Three reasons and thesis statement and T-chart are due on Monday.  We will begin writing our introductions.

Thursday, November 5 - Social Studies - Small videos about economics where the students had to watch and decide what the situations were and what economic vocabulary was used.  Homework:  Study for quiz tomorrow on economics and work on study guide for test on Tuesday, 11/10.  Language Arts - Went to computer lab to work on persuasive paper.  Homework - continue pro/con list and make sure there are three major themes for your side of the paper.

Wednesday, November 4 - Social Studies - Quiz on Vocabulary Unit 1-Part 2.  Read Handout #25 on economics of the Middle East.  Reviewed questions from the CRCT book.  Homework:  Study for quiz on Friday, and Test on 11/10.  Study sessions on 11/5 and 11/9 at 8:05 a.m.  Language Arts:  DGP, Week 8.  Went to computer lab to research choices for persuasive paper.  See last weeks blog for the choices.  Homework:  NONE

Monday, November 2 - Social Studies - Students answered questions on economics and then read sections from the CRCT book to see if they got them right.  We then saw a power point on economic terms.  See attached:  Download Economic Terms.  They should use this to study for a quiz that will be given on Friday on the economic terms.  To study for the quiz on Wednesday, the students should use the words on my blog last week.  Homework:  Study for vocabulary quiz on Wednesday and begin preparation for quiz on Friday.  Finish correcting your questions in the CRCT book, pages 107 - 119. There will also be an end of Unit 1 test on Tuesday 11/10.  Please see featured post for more information. Language Arts - Today we worked in the grammar book on comparatives and superlatives.  They took a formative assessment from the book to see what they understand and where they are having trouble.  We then went over a power point on superlatives and comparatives. We will be starting the persuasive essay on Wednesday.  We have computer time on Wed.-Fri. of this week.  On Wednesday, students will need to look at both sides of a few topics to decide which topic will be best for them.  Attached is a copy of the topics they can choose.  Download Persuasive Writing topics Homework:  Look over the list of topics for the persuasive essay.  Keep reading.  For the Jackets 2 Jackets, your reading must be up to date from October 9 - November 9. Try to get in as many pages as possible.  Make sure you know what you read at the beginning of October.

November 02, 2009 |

Upcoming Social Studies Assessments

Assessments coming up

1) Vocabulary quiz Wednesday (modern Middle East and government)

2)Economics miniquiz Friday

3) Test Tuesday, 11/10

study guide for test:
Download Middle East Unit 2 study guide

There will be help sessions Thursday and next Monday @ 8:05.

November 02, 2009 |

Week of 10/26-10/30

The week before Halloween.  Hope everyone is set for the fun holiday.  This week is RED RIBBON WEEK.  We are also selling paper pumpkins for Cystic Fibrosis this week.  If you can donate a $1, it will help fight this terrible disease.  REMINDER:  THERE IS NO SCHOOL NEXT TUESDAY, 11/3 BECAUSE OF ELECTION DAY.  STUDENTS ALWAYS GET THIS OFF.

Friday, October 30 - Social Studies - Students worked in groups on their government vocabulary we have been learning.  They made mind-maps on the distribution of power, citizen participation and characteristics of a parliamentary and presidential democracy.  They were to be finished by the end of the class period.  Homework:  Begin studying for the vocabulary quiz on Wednesday.  Language Arts - Students took a persuasive technique quiz, did some DGP and read more persuasive essays in their Reader's Journey to prepare them for  their essay assignment next week.  Homework:  Reading Journal Q2-3 is due on Monday as well as your signed reading log.

Thursday,  October 29 - Social Studies - we went to the computer lab to work on stock market.  Many of the students need to work on this every day and find companies that will grow.  If you have any suggestions for your students, please let them know.  We will have a vocabulary quiz next Wednesday, November 4.  Attached is the list ofwords.  We have been discussing these in class over the entire unit.  Download Unit I - Part 2 Vocabulary Revised  (the list of words without definitions for studying) and Download Unit I - Part 2 Vocabulary Definitions Revised. We will also have another short quiz on the economic vocabulary next Friday and a test on the end of the Middle East on Monday, November 9th.  There will be study sessions next week.  I will let you know the days.  Homework:  Work on the political cartoon due on Monday. Language Arts - we worked on our debating skills with two articles in our Language Arts book about whether athletes make too much money.  It was very interesting.  Homework:  Study for persuasive techniques quiz tomorrow.

Wednesday, October 28 - Social Studies - I went over with the class how they can easily make a flyer using  Power Point.  To change the sheet from landscape to portrait, go to file, page setup, and choose portrait for the slide.  To get a clean "sheet", go to format and then slide layout.  We then went over the attached power point on political cartoons.  New Assignment due 11/2:  I assigned each student to complete a political cartoon for Monday on one of these topics:  The Israeli/Palestinian Conflict, the nuclear arms in Iran and the fact that they are hiding them, and also the voting in Afghanistan and the problems that are going on because of it.  If they need more information on these they can find it on the internet.  We have also discussed it in class. Attached is the power point:  Download POLITICAL_CARTOONS08 update. Homework:  Complete your flyer due tomorrow.   Language Arts - We finished off the Great Debates.  I was impressed with most of them.  We then gave comments to the groups and discussed what was good and what could be improved.  Tomorrow, remember to bring your Reader's Journey to class.  We will discuss the work done on Monday in the literature book, and then read another article in the book.  This will help prepare you for the quiz on Friday.  You will also need to bring your book that day to class.  Also, have a reading book.  Homework:  Begin studying for quiz.  Bring in reading log signed tomorrow.

Tuesday, October 27 -Social Studies- Today we worked together on a complete outline for reading #24 on Government in the Middle East.  Attached are the two outlines made by my Purple and Red classes.  Download Red class outline _Governments #24 and Purple class Download Government Outline_#24.  Many also said they could not find the directions or rubric for the on-level assignment so I will post them again.  Download Performance Task OL Palestinian and Israeli Flyer 09-10 and  Download OL Arab-Israeli Conflict flyer rubric.  After the outline, students had time to finish the questions from the Junior Scholastic on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.  Homework:  Continue working on flyer due on Thursday, 10/29.  Language Arts - In class today we had the debates.  They were very good and the students used a lot of thought in their presentations.  Some of them were not completed today, however, the students that dressed today for the debate do not have to dress tomorrow when they present.  There were a few students who did not dress, and if they have not presented I have asked them to dress.  The quiz I had planned to give tomorrow has been postponed until Thursday or Friday.  It will be on advertisements and what is used to get people to buy.  Homework:  NONE

Monday, October 26 - Social Studies.  Today we took a formative assessment on the different types of governments.  This should be a review from last year, however, many of them did not remember it.  Attached is a copy of the power point I went over with them after the formative assessment.  Download Unit-3-forms-of-government-powerpointcm-1222353528631277-8  Students were then given a handout, #24, about the different governments of countries in the Middle East.  They should have written an outline and then worked on some mind-maps to understand how they are all different.  Homework:  Finish outline and work on flyer due on Thursday, October 29.  Language Arts - Students read articles found in their Reader's Journey depicting persuasive writing.  Students will be working on a persuasive paper shortly.  We will be going to the computer lab next Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.   Tomorrow we will watch their debates.  I am looking forward to it.  We will also have a quiz on Wednesday, 10/29 on Persuasive Techniques.  Homework:  Prepare for debate, study for quiz.

October 26, 2009 |

Week of 10/19 - 10/23

What a busy week we will be having this week.  Tomorrow is National Day of Writing sponsored by NCTE.  Students will be doing something special in Language Arts.  Wednesday is early release.  Students will be released at 2:15.  Thursday is Wear Orange day in honor of Home Depot who have granted us an outdoor amphitheater and classroom.  They have been building it since Saturday and it will be finished on Thursday.  Friday is our celebration of receiving the National Blue Ribbon of Excellence.  Students will get a longer lunch outside to celebrate and play.  Now let's get down to what the students will learn this week.

Friday, October 23 - Social Studies - Today in class, we worked on an article about the "Crisis in the Middle East" in the Junior Scholastic March 30, 2009.  There were 10 questions they needed to answer.  This article has information that they can use to complete their flyer assignment.  The flyer assignment will count for 1/2 of a test grade. While they were working on this reading, groups had a chance to work on their Stock Market Game purchases and sales. We have groups ranging from a ranking of 63/186 to more closer to the bottom.  Students need to continue to research their companies at home or in the library and continue to buy/sell stock.  There will be grades on the work they have done. Homework:  Work on the flyer that is due on Thursday, October 29.  I am giving students the opportunity to complete the AC version of the flyer.  These students will be required to show both sides of the conflict.  Attached is the AC Assignment and the AC Rubric:  Download Performance Task AC and the rubric:  Download AC Palestinian-Israeli Conflict flyer rubric Language Arts - Students worked in their groups on their debate.  They continued to gather information and practiced their presentations. Students will be required to keep a reading log this marking period.  Parents will need to sign it weekly.  This is in conjunction with the reading program I am promoting this marking period called "Jackets 2 Jackets".  Attached is a reading log that the students can print and use. Download Reading Log. Homework:   No reading journal due next week.  Please bring Reader's Journey

Thursday, October 22 - Social Studies - Today in class we took a formative assessment on what we have learned the past few weeks.  We then saw a video on the Arab/Israeli conflict.  It was very interesting.  I also assigned a project due on Thursday, October 29th.  Attached is the assignment and the rubric.  Download Performance Task OL Palestinian and Israeli Flyer 09-10 and the rubricDownload OL Arab-Israeli Conflict flyer rubric

Wednesday, October 21- Social Studies- Today we went over the outlines that the students prepared for reading #20 on Oil and the Middle East Wars.  As we went over the reading, I typed the outline and showed it on the lcd projector.  Students were supposed to fix their own outlines, however, attached are the two different outlines I made for the Purple and Red classes.  Download The Impact of Oil and the Middle East Wars Outline  and Red Classes -Download The Impact of Oil and the Middle East Wars red.  Either one will be excellent for the students to use for review, etc.  Homework:  NONE  Language Arts - In class the students presented their advertisements and discussed what persuasive techniques they used.  They were fun and interesting.  Homework:  Continue working on debate.  Debates to be presented on Tuesday, 10/28.

Tuesday, October 20 - Social Studies - Students watched a video entitled Poppy Jihad about Afghanistan and how the drug business with poppies has affected the country and terrorism.  They had questions to answer and we then discussed them in class.  Homework:  Write an outline for the reading #20 to discuss in class tomorrow  Language Arts - Today is National Day on Writing.  The students went on a scavenger hunt around the school to see where there is writing.  They also worked on their debates with their partners.  Homework:  None

Monday, October 19 - Social Studies - Today we went over the reading we did in class on Friday about the Arab-Israeli conflict.  We then watched a power point that went into more depth about the conflict.  Attached is the power point (there are a few typos) Download Arab-Israeli Conflict power point for AC.  Homework:  NONE  LA- In class today all students received a permission slip to get signed. I am participating in a study with the University of Michigan and UTQ about teacher observation and the best way to help teachers learn.  We will only be observed a few times, but since they are using videotape, we must get your permission.  The video will not be shown to anyone except in the study.  Please sign the sheet whether they can be in the video or not.  We will keep them out of the video is you request it.  Students will receive positives on their PAW card if they turn it in by Wednesday.   After discussing this, we corrected our warm-up of DGP-Week 6. Classwork consisted of discussing the debate format for their assigned debate and then working on them in groups.  Students are to dress for a formal debate, therefore, they must dress properly.  I told them no jeans, tennis shoes, tee shirts, etc.  They should look like they would if they were going to a formal event at a place of worship.  I am not talking about the party part, but the service. Homework:  Tonight students should write down 10 ways you use writing every day. 

 

October 19, 2009 |

Jackets 2 Jackets Reading Program

We are participating in a reading program sponsored through the Georgia Tech  Women's Basketball Team.  It is a program where all participants will recieve a free ticket to a basketball game in December, and there are also many  more prizes available.  Attached is a parent letter and the form for the students to keep track of their daily pages read.

 

Download Jacket 2 Jacket Parents Letter

October 15, 2009 |

Early Release and other exciting events next week

Wednesday, October 21 will be an early release day.  Students will be dismissed two (2) hours early. 

Thursday, October 22 is Home Depot Day.  They will be building an outdoor classroom outside and everyone is supposed to wear Orange to show our appreciation. 

Friday, October 23 is our celebration of becoming a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.  We will have an extended lunch to celebrate.  More information will be provided soon.

October 15, 2009 |

CRCT Practice Books available in the Husky Hut through END OF OCTOBER - CHANGE IN DATE

We have been given another opportunity to buy the CRCT Practice Book for 7th Grade Social Studies.  It is not required, but students will need to write out the questions and answer choices if they do not have the book.  It is $10.00.  It is now available at the Husky Hut through the month of October.

October 15, 2009 |

Vision and Hearing Screening

Vision and Hearing Screening will be next Monday and Tuesday for all 7th grade students.  They will go during first period. 

October 15, 2009 |

Week of 10/12 - 10/16

Welcome to the first week of the second marking period. I now understand Pinnacle better and will use it to keep all parents informed in a timely manner.  This marking period does not have any testing which will make it easier for all of the students, and teachers too!  Social Studies is still covering The Middle East and Language Arts is working on Persuasive writing, reading and speaking.  It should be a great marking period.  Social Studies:  Current Event due Friday 10/31.  The Social Studies CRCT Practice Books are still be sold in the Husky Hut.  We will be using them throughout the year.  Students who do not have one, will share and write out the questions, etc.

Friday, October 16 -Social Studies.  Students turned in their current event.  Those that turned it in today will receive a five point addition to their grade.  Since many had trouble finding articles, they have until Monday to turn it in before it will be considered late.  Students made sure that they had made enough purchases in the SMG and printed off their progress.  They needed to have three companies by today to remain in the game.  While some students were working on the computers I had in the room, the other students read an article on the Arab-israeli Conflict (sheet 19).  They were supposed to take two column notes on what has gone on since Israel became a country in 1948.  Attached are the notes.  Download ArabIsraeliConflict  Homwork-Continue looking at companies (research) that you might want to buy their stock.  If you did not do the current event, DO IT. LA- We went to the library today to do research on their debate topics.  We will discuss the proper way for a debate in class on Monday, and they will continue to prepare for it.  Homework:  Reading Journal Q2-2 due on Monday, 10/19.

Thursday, October 15 - Social Studies - Today we went over an article about the formation of the State of Israel.  We read it together and I showed them how they should take notes using an outline.  Every child should have it completed because I wrote all of it on the board.  Attached is an outline that will give them any information that is missing.  Download Outline of packet 18 - The State of Israel  I also showed the students again how they should write their current event.  We talked about what is needed to get a good grade.  The hardest part seems to be the second paragraph where they need to think about the circumstances in the article and relate it to other parts of the world, the United States, or the Middle East.  Homework:  Complete Current Event - due tomorrow. LA - We talked about the ads they had filled out in class and for homework, and reviewed where the ad would or would not work.  They are to now either work in pairs and perform/videotape an ad or work alone and make a print ad.  Homework: None for tonight.  Reading Journal Q2-2 due on Monday, October 19.  Advertisement due on Wednesday, October 21.

Wednesday, October 14 -Social Studies - Students worked in their CRCT practicebooks for additional review of the Middle East.  We will be using them periodically to review and continue to teach the students.  It covers all of the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) for the entire year.  Students completed pages 75-83, and then worked in their groups to make purchases of stock for the Stock Market Game (SMG).  All groups must make a purchase by Friday to continue to be able to participate.  We use this for a grade, please make those purchases.  Homework:  Complete any outstanding work.  Continue to investigate good stocks for the game.  Work on current event due on Friday, October 16 (this week)  Language Arts:  Today we read for awhile and then got into groups (4 each) to begin our lesson on debate for the persuasive unit.  Students read a short article (from Scholastic Magazine on a topic that they will then investigate and present their sides.  I chose the students using my "popsicle sticks" which are sticks with their names on them that I use to build teams or choose order of presentation.  Today the teams worked together and built a pro/con sheet.  I will then divide them into pro/con groups of two, and on Friday they will do research on their topic to support their side of the debate.  I will choose which student has pro/con, probably from the sticks.  There is nothing wrong with either side because the topics are kid friendly.  Homework:  Complete the Advertisement sheet for tomorrow.

Tuesday, October 13 - Social Studies - Today we saw a power point on the Stock Market and then began making purchases in their groups.  By Friday, each team must make a purchase of stock from three different companies.  Attached is the power point that will explain the goals of the game.  Download What is the Stock Market, anyway.  Homework:  Investigate companies that you are interested in purchasing for the game.  Come to class with the Stock identification (the letters for the company, like KO for Coca Cola).  Students have a current event due on Friday, October 16th.  It must be on something going on in the Middle East.  Currently there are many interesting articles.  The instructions are on an earlier blog. Language Arts - Today we had a 20 minute timed writing and then began working on planning a commercial.  We are looking at all of the techniques necessary to do this. Homework:  Continue working on the handout for planning your ad.  We will decide if we have time to make a full-fledged ad or just discuss them in class.

Monday, October 12 - Social Studies - Students worked on articles about Jerusalem: Divided City and Stalemate in the Middle East.  They then answered questions.  We will review them on Thursday.  Homework:  None  Language Arts:  In class today, students worked on grammar, vocabulary and fact/opinion.  The pages are 260-261 (Simple/Compound), pages 236-237 (Fact/Opinion), Pages 200-201 (Vocabulary) and Page 231 (Fragments).  Students need to have these completed by Wednesday. If students did not turn in their Reading Journal #Q2-1, it must be turned in by tomorrow or it will be considered late.  Attached is how all journals should be set up. Download Example of Reading Journal set-up

October 13, 2009 |

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