Weekly Schedule September 2nd – September 5th

This is our schedule for the week ending September 5th, 2008. It is important to remember that these schedules are not etched in stone. Our firm belief in adjusting our curriculum to meet the needs of students sometimes causes slight changes. It is important to note that ample time is given in class to complete most assignments. There are occasional projects, spanning a week or more, that will require students to work outside of class. There will be no more than one of these per month. If you have any questions, please contact me at extension 38.

1st Year Social Studies – The next two weeks we will be studying US Geography. Each day we will cover a different region. Class work will consist of packets, two days for each of four packets, in which students will create detailed state maps from generic state outline maps. Students will be given time in class to work on the packets, but some time may be needed at home. There are a number of links on my blog that will provide all the information needed.

Monday: Labor Day – No School

Tuesday: US Geography: From Sea to Shining Sea: New England Region - This program looks at the geography of New England, and shows how the protected bays and the rugged terrain contributed to the growth of this region's industries, manufacturing and agriculture. Viewers visit big cities, small towns, and the winding roads in-between as they learn about New England. There will be a quiz.

Wednesday: US Geography: From Sea to Shining Sea: Middle Atlantic Region - Viewers will learn how geographical features, including the natural and human-made waterways and protected bays, and the moderate climate, have all combined to make this region a key transportation center of the country. The importance of manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, and commerce to this region's growth is emphasized.

Thursday: US Geography: From Sea to Shining Sea: Southeast Region - Viewers learn of the region's rich history, from early settlers through the Civil War, to the birthplace of the civil rights movement. The way in which a primarily agrarian economy changed to one of diversified manufacturing, service, and communications is detailed. There will be a quiz.

2nd Year Social Studies – The next two weeks we will be studying World Geography. Each day we will cover a different region. Class work will consist of packets, two days for each of seven packets, in which students will gather general information about each country in the region and then answer general questions about the region. Students will be given time in class to work on the packets, but some time may be needed at home. There are a number of links on my blog that will provide all the information needed.

Monday: Labor Day – No School

Tuesday: World Geography - North America - Overview of Mexico and Central America - Explore your world with a virtual tour of the globe! This collection of videos will take your students to every country and region of the world. This program overviews the geography, culture, and history of Mexico and Central America.

Wednesday: World Geography - North America - Regional Overview of Canada - Explore your world with a virtual tour of the globe! This collection of videos will take your students to every country and region of the world. This program overviews the geography, culture, and history of Canada.

Thursday: World Geography - South America - Eastern and Northern South America - Explore your world with a virtual tour of the globe! This collection of videos will take your students to every country and region of the world. This program overviews the geography, culture, and history of South America.

Health –

Friday: We will be viewing “Food Smarts: MyPyramid for Kids.” Join a group of campers as they discover the importance of eating right. Using the USDA MyPyramid food guidelines, they learn why some foods are better than others; see how exercise is an important part of any healthful eating plan, and what to do when a particular food makes them groan "yuck!”

Weekly Schedule August 25th – August 29th

This is our schedule for the week ending August 29th, 2008. It is important to remember that these schedules are not etched in stone. Our firm belief in adjusting our curriculum to meet the needs of students sometimes causes slight changes. It is important to note that ample time is given in class to complete most assignments. There are occasional projects, spanning a week or more, that will require students to work outside of class. There will be no more than one of these per month. If you have any questions, please contact me at extension 38.

1st & 2nd Year Social Studies – This week we will begin our study of geography by covering basic mapping skills.

Monday: Maps and Globes - Globes and Their Use: For nearly 2,000 years, people have used globes to represent the planet on which we live. The globe is the perfect representation for Earth because the planet is a sphere. Land forms and oceans can be correctly aligned and shown in a smaller, and much more practical, scale. Students will learn abut key terms associated with globes, such as equator, prime meridian, axis, hemispheres, latitude, longitude, compass rose, time zones, cardinal directions, and scale model. Demonstrations are provided for calculating the distances between locations on the globe and locating a major city by its latitude and longitude. There will be a worksheet and quiz.

Tuesday: Understanding and Using Globes: This two-part Unit of Study is designed to present students with explanations of how maps and globes are used to represent key concepts about our planet. One video explores maps and the other presents information about globes. Vocabulary includes terms such as scale, compass rose, cardinal directions, symbols, latitude, longitude, equator, hemisphere, oceans, and continents. The video covering globes also includes material about using charts, graphs, and tables. There will be a worksheet.

Wednesday: Understanding and Using Maps: Continued from Tuesday. There will be a worksheet and quiz.

Thursday: Maps and Globes - Maps and Their Uses: There are many kinds of maps used today, each designed to share information in a special fashion. Maps are so useful that many software packages and Internet sites are devoted to creating programs that describe and illustrate the many and varied uses of maps. This video also presents information about the uses for and principles behind GPS (Global Positioning System). There will be a worksheet and quiz.

Health –

Friday: We will be viewing “Don’t Pop Your Cork on Monday.” In bright, humorous and lively animation, this program provides children with an understanding of stress, and the importance of developing stress survival skills. Beginning with the types and causes of stress, the young viewer explores the ways in which stress affects us, both physically and mentally. Importantly, the program also offers effective ways for children to deal with stressful situations. This video is based on the book by noted psychologist and author Dr. Adolph Moser. We will have a discussion and a quiz.

The First Week

Hey Everyone!

I'm not posting a schedule for the first week because things rarely hold to any schedule I have created. There are always things that come up and we must be flexible.

We will be doing STAR Math and Reading, going over the new Student Handbook, class rules, and things like that. We probably won't be split into our groups for the first week, but we will rotate based on homeroom. So I will see everybody on Tuesday.

I have had some questions from students:

Who is my homeroom teacher?

I can't post that list on my blog, but the student that asked is in my homeroom. The lists are up on our doors at school. Remember that all Intermediate students are in building G now.

Will we have free dress in the first week?

That is up to you. Get all your work in, which won't be much, and you're in!

Will we have Tiger Time?

No.

Will lunch be served?

Yes.

Can I come over to Mr. Lawslo's house to do his chores?

I'm sorry to say, no.

I hope you are all as excited as I am about this year. I know we're going to have a great time and learn all kinds of wonderful, interesting things.

9/11 Contest

The Lake Havasu City 9/11 committee is setting up an essay contest for middle and high school-age students of Lake Havasu. The winners at the high school and middle school levels will attend the ceremony and then go with Superintendent Gail Malay to read their essays on KNTR radio. The essay should be no more than 500 words typed. Finished essays should be sent to Margaret Nyberg at Thunderbolt Middle School or dropped off at city hall.

The topics for students to choose from are:

1. Why should 9/11 not be forgotten?

2. What does it mean to be part of the 9/11 generation?

There's also a poster contest for kids in grades K-12. Entries should be a 12” x 18” poster about 9/11 (www.az-wtcmemorial.com shows a model of the new addition to the present memorial.) Judges are looking for the students' impression of 9/11 and why it is important to remember. The posters will be displayed at the ceremony on 9/11. They will later be shared with residents in Havasu's rest homes and the senior center. All entries are due by Friday, August 21st. (Questions: call Margaret Nyberg at 928-208-9568 .)