Most of my classes got an opportunity to skype with Beachwood Middle School today.  We spent 5 minutes or so letting kids meet Mr. Holman and his students.  Today was more about testing equipment and allowing the students a chance to experience what Skype is all about.  In a few weeks, after IOWA tests and things return to normal, we will start communicating with Beachwood students on a more regular basis.  We will talk about what we are studying, different ways we learn and how culture is different in Chardon and Beachwood.

Students and parents: please feel free to comment on this blog about how you would like to see our collaboration with Beachwood work.  Special projects you can think of, creative debates to have, etc.  Good job this week students.  Remember that next week we have IOWA tests on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  Tuesday is picture day!

Have a great weekend and GO BUCKS!!!

Today we began to examine why geography is so crucial to the beginning of civilization.  Students were given a rather difficult open-ended question: "Tell me why civilization worked in Egypt, India and China.  We eventually got to the root of the matter...People were able to full-fill their necessities/needs because the environment provided for them.  This gave people an opportunity to focus on wants and develop their culture.

Good job today students.  Thinking, discussing and diving into the text.

Homework is to keep on, keeping on with the "What was 7th grade like?" project.  Due next Tuesday!!

Today we finished up looking at all of the many questions students created in regard to the ancient civilizations.  Each class narrowed each topic down to 3 major questions.  I will compile a final list and we will use those questions to guide us through the study of the ancient world.

Ian C. had a great topic to put up for debate on the blog.  He was wondering if language is a necessity or a want?  Great question Ian...I think I could argue this one both ways.  Think about all the ways we communicate with one-another and decide where you stand.  Post a comment and let's get this academic arguement started!

Homework is to continue working on your "What was 7th grade like?" project...DUE NEXT TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28!

Another great day to be a teacher.  Students were given the daunting task to try and create "5 BIG" questions that we should be able to answer by studying ancient civilizations.  It was homework, but it wasn't homework.  I want students to think and reflect, not necessarily come to class with answers (right or wrong).  I want students to stay engaged in class in the cafeteria, the bus and at home.  Students came to class with some amazing questions, especially since it was a very ambiguous assignment.

Students then worked together to refine their questions.  Ms. Daugherty had the awesome idea to hang gigantic sheets of paper on the walls labeled with different aspects of culture.  Students wrote their questions on post-it notes and had to find the appropriate category where their question belonged.  Pictures will be up soon!  Students collaborated, created and moved around the room.  Thinking, learning, creating my curriculum and having fun!

Keep it up 7A, you are a great group of students and your engagement with curriculum is outstanding!

Today we created great definitions for "civilization", "necessities" and "wants".  When we create definitions in my class, we use 7th grade terms.  I want our vocabulary to be accessible!  Students continued to debate the place education plays in our society...AND Mr. Kofol and Mrs. Murphy made comments to help students think critically about necessities vs. wants.  We will look at these in class tomorrow.  Great display of collaboration between students, administration and myself.  Still on cloud 9 from students' independent work on this blog.

Ms. Daugherty has been helping me reflect and think of some great projects for the near future.  Hopefully students will find new ways to engage in learning and find great success!  All my students are amazing thinkers and I want them to be able to show me what they know using several modalities.  It's about succeeding, excelling, and be

Homework tonight is to think of "5 BIG" questions they want to answer about the world by studying the ancient civilizations: Egypt, India, China, Greece, and Rome.  If students do not get 5 finished, it's okay.  Homework for social studies class is about thinking and reflecting on what we do in class, points are not awarded based on having "everything filled in" or "having the right answers".  I want students to be creative, collaborate, reflect and become problem-solvers.  It's not just about earning points; it's about becoming more empathetic learners...patient problem-solvers.  Thanks to everyone this year is going great.  I hope students are enjoying class as much as I am!

Today we were discussing the concept of Necessities (needs) and wants.  We were also looking at what exactly "civilization" means.  An interesting debate started amongst a small group of students in my mods3-4 class.  These students were arguing whether education was a necessity or a want.  It was great!!  I took the debate to the entire class and we had students on both sides of the question.  Lots of great ideas were shared and I even left the room giving serious thought to were education stands concerning the survival of the individual.

Mr. Pennington is sick today, so my head is a little too cloudy to elaborate on how I feel about if education is a want or necessity.  Stay tuned for a comment from students and myself dicussing this interesting question.  Great job today students!!

Home work is nothing for tonight.

Today I spent some time showing students a few examples of how students from last year made their "What was it like?" poster boards.  i also presented a brief PowerPoint about when I was in the 7th grade (1991).  We listened to some music from the 90s and 80s, as well.

I introduced a project that CMS and Beachwood students will be completing, outside of class.  Podcasts for Tomorrow is a chance for students to collaborate and interview professionals in all walks of life.  Over the course of several weeks, small groups of students will work during ICE to create interview questions and then actually interview professionals (doctors, lawyers, electricians, military personal, politicians, etc) about education, skills and culture.  Interviews will be turned into podcasts and posted on the website.  Students have a hand-out, that they received today, if you would like to read more about this exciting new opportunity.

Homework is to continue completing event research (if not already done), schedule a time to talk to parent about life/culture/school when they were in the 7th grade and begin working on poster boards OR PowerPoints.

First full week of school, then next week we are back to a confusing schedule.  Today was our last day in the computer lab to complete research on two national or international events.  These two research papers are not due until September 28th.  Why so long?  Next week is IOWA tests for the 7th grade, so  I will only see two of my classes.  I will collect student work whenever they complete it and want me to grade it. 

Students should also start thinking about scheduling a time to sit down and talk with a parent about what 7th grade was like for them.  The purpose of these interviews is to get a good understanding of what culture was like and how it has changed OR remained the same.

Parents:
  Please take some time and discuss the events of September 11, 2001 with your children.  Events like that help shape the world in which we all live.  Making connections between history and students' lives help them understand the importance of understanding the past.

Students:
Have a story or something to share about 9-11-01?  Post it as a comment.

Still in the lab today.  Students worked as we watched a CNN video about the events of September 11, 2001.  Next week we will start looking at the beginning of civilization.  In 2 weeks we have IOWA tests, so  I will not see the majority of my students.  Because of this students will have nearly TWO WEEKS to finish their projects.  I expect great things!  The beginning of the year is always hectic, four day weeks and testing always interupt the schedule.  Things will calm down and become more routine soon.  Classes and students have been great to work with, so far...let's keep it up!!!

Students continue to work away in the computer lab.  Two more days to complete research.  Students are finding some great events from their parents past.  Next week we will finish up this project and start looking at "the big picture" of 7th grade world history.

Homework is to bring in signed computer lab rules sheet, if you have not done so yet!