Winter Survival Updates

Winter Survival Updates
Friday, January 29, 2016
Site: A field on Merlin Way in Dexter (in the cold de sac)
This not an Ann Arbor Public School Site; We have permission to be there

It is from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM (Students return to Pattengill by 2:00 PM). It is an all day, outdoor field trip where students explore how the pioneers lived in early America as well as observing heat exchanges. There will be two classes sharing 10 camp sites. 

Students are to plan a meal; understand the component needed for a fire; build a fire with the wood on site; cook a meal; and clean up the site. Simultaneously, students are keeping warm and dry. Adults may attend; however, they are not required to attend. Adults may want to bring a portable chair. 

Students are to dress in 2 layers from head to toe. If a student is not properly dressed, the school has the discretion to deny attendance on the trip. Carry everything he or she brings. 

Students are not to bring knives, matches, glass or any object not permitted at school. Plastic knives are permissible. 

If a student becomes cold, there is an adult fire to warm him or her. In an emergency, parents will be notified. I've survived 12 Winter Survivals with worse temperature than what we are currently experiencing in Michigan. 

FYI: The trip is only cancelled if the wind chill is below zero or if school is cancelled. 

No School February 1, 2016

No School , 2/1/2016

The entire District of Ann Arbor Public Schools will have professional development day on Monday, February 1, 2016. This day will be a great opportunity for students to work on the following projects assigned to Room A7, home of the Puma Thinkers.


Science Fair project
Reading a variety of genres
Math facts
Social Studies, Life in the Colonies comic strip on Storyboard

Science Fair 2016

This layout is the standard for scientific projects

Science Fair 2016

Science fair is required in A7. It is both a school and home project, primarily completed at home. In order to avoid procrastination, students are expected to complete portions of the project prior to receiving a science board. Students will have an immediate consequence if a portion is not completed in a timely manner. This process has worked in my classroom for over 15 years. 

Families must monitor projects especially in situations pertaining partners visiting the home of other partners. Families must ensure that the work is being completed by all parties with  equal effort. Partners must notify the teacher early if a partner is not fully engaged as a participant. The project is graded and each individual will receive the same grade contingent upon partners reporting unequal parts. 

Required Science Fair Project 2016 (Topic Sheet)

Dates

Monday, Jan. 25, 2016: Topic sheet is due.

Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016: Final submission of title of project and a partner (optional)

Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016: List of materials is due.

Friday, Feb. 5, 2016: Hypothesis or Purpose are due.

Monday, Feb. 8, 2016:Procedure is due. (Subtopics for research projects)

Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016: References, research and/ or plan of what each                                                                      partner completed are due.

Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016: Boards will be given on this day.

Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016: Final project is due with conclusion and/ or                                                                    results as well as pictures or diagrams.  (On the board)

Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016: Science Fair, @6:00 PM

Friday, Feb. 26, 2016:All board are sent home.

Materials are the items used or to be used in the project.

Hypothesis is the prediction of what the scientist thinks will happen or occur in the experiment.  Usually a hypothesis is supported with a reason.

Purpose is the rationale supporting the research or demonstration or model.

Procedure is a list of numerical steps written in complete sentences.

References are any books, websites, or collaborators used in the experiment.

Research is any information researched that explains the project.

Conclusion is the written final results after the experiment is completed in paragraph format. It answers the hypothesis.

Results are the findings in the demonstration projects or what was learned.

Pictures are any photographs of the models or steps during the experiment.

Diagrams are picture models with labeled parts.

Guidelines

1. Students are allowed to have a partner (s) from A-7 class, but partners are not required.

2. Projects are mostly home projects with some time for in- class work.

3. Each part must be legibly hand-printed or typed. Computers are available during lunchtime on Mondays and Wednesdays.

4. The PTO will donate the board. The school may or may not contribute the construction paper, if the desired colors are available.

5. Avoid gluing assignments on the board until I have approved it.

6. Effort and the neatness of the board are graded. Remember, make your audience want to read it just by looking at your board.

Sample projects

Pay close attention to the layout

Best or Worst Colony Rubric

Chapter 7 Best Colony Rubric

Name _______________________________ 

Best colony or Worst Colony

Total __________/ 20 points

Part I

If you were alive during this period in history, in which colony would you have chosen to live? Why?  Give 3 reasons.

Write a letter to one of your friends in Great Britain persuading him or her to migrate to a colony of your choice. The time frame is the 17^th century.

Requirements

      Date  (1) ___________

      Greetings (1) ___________

     Introduction stating:

o   Colony (1) _____

o   Colonial region (New England, Middle, and Southern) (1)  _____

o   Location (North, South, East or West, Atlantic ocean, near etc.) (1) ____

      State 3 reasons why this colony is the best colony (3) ______

     One of your reasons must contrast one of the opposing colonies (3) _______

o   New England

o   Middle

o   Southern

     Uses voice to persuade the reader of the letter (3) _________

      Closing Paragraph, restates main ideas, friendly chatter (3) ________

      Salutation (1) _______

     Less than 3 misspelled words (1) _______

      Less than 3 grammatical errors (1) _______

(Challenge)

If you were alive during this period in history, in which colony would you have refused to live? Why?

Write a letter to one of your friends in Great Britain persuading him or her to never visit or do business with this colony.

Differentiation

• State 3 reasons why this colony is the worst colony (3)
• Use of economic terms as a reason: natural resource, human resource, good, product, manufacturing, trade off, opportunity cost, etc. (3)

Chapter 8 Study Guide

Name ________________________ Date ________________

History Alive, America’s Past, Chapter 8 Study Guide and Outline

Study Guide

• Identify and compare what was life like prior to Slavery and after slavery
• Explain the process of becoming a Slave
• Triangular Trade – identify and describe each part of the triangle

·      West Coast of Africa

o   Holding Cells (The point of no Return)

·      Atlantic ocean (Middle Passage)

·      Colonies/ Eastern part of North America

·      (Some trade involved the Caribbean Islands in the Triangle).

o   Auction Block

o   ‘Breaking in” Process

o   Plantation Rules

Explain how Slaves (Enslaved people) coped while being slaves

Identify the 4 Dilemmas of Slaves

(Use the descriptions in a Journal entry)

Resist and fight back … Die

Fake sickness

Run away

Conform to being a slave

Technology supplement
Triangular Trade Routes

Journal entry

•Historical (setting) Fiction (characters, conflict, & plot)

•Main character, slave is you

•Setting:

–1700’s time period

–Place West Africa, Middle Passage or Middle or Southern Colony

Create a realistic slave problem and Solve it.

Criteria

•Well developed, realistic dilemma 

•Accurate setting

•Descriptive words 

•Appropriate Mood for an enslaved person

•Application of Historical period involving slaves

Usage of African Names and Old English names

•4-5 paragraphs

•Edited and revised 

Less than 3 misspelled words

Journal Entry Components

       Realistic Date (16 or 17th century, American Slavery lasted for over 400 years 18th and 19th centuries are permissible; however, the time period is English colonial timeframe )
Greetings
Recognizable closing (adjournment)
Chatty voice 

Assignments

Write Slave Journal Entry (Historical Fiction)             15 points

Take home quiz   (Use book at home)                          10 points (February 3, 2016)

Equality Core Democratic Sheet                                   12 points

Justice Core Democratic Sheet                                      6 points

Total                                                                              43 points