7th & 8th Grade Update!

7th Grade:   The seventh grade students are in the midst of their Reconstruction Unit.  This includes the study of the United States post Civil War and the many changes the country faced politically, economically, socially, and otherwise.  The students will be able to describe the impact of various events and movements that influenced Reconstruction such as Lincoln's assassination, the development of the Ku Klux Klan and the Jim Crow Laws, the Freedmen's Bureau, and the important Constitutional Amendments that ended slavery and gave rights to African Americans.  We will finish this Unit when we return from break and then continue on to the Industrial Revolution followed by Imperialism. 

8th Grade:  The eighth grade students did an incredible job on their Declaration of Independence projects!  We are now deep in our Government Unit, which includes early law as well as the structure of the United States Government.  The students will gain an understanding of the 7 key principles of the Constitution, the amendment process, how a Bill becomes a law, and the roles of each branch of government.  We will have 3 more weeks of government when we return from break and then on to World War II.

I hope everyone has a wonderful and restful break,

See you in 2014,

Ms. Van

School Master!

Hello Parents and students,
As you know the students turned in their notebooks and had a test on Friday. I am grading the material over the weekend and will continue through Tuesday. Once all grades are updated in my grade book I will be posting on school master. I was hoping to have all grades up by Monday, but I think Wednesday is more realistic. I appreciate your patience and understanding and am happy to answer any questions if needed.
Thanks again,
Ms. Van

7th and 8th grade update!

Hello parents and students,

7th Grade:  The students are in the middle of their Civil War Unit.  We have been working diligently to cover the material missed due to Drug Awareness Week and Galileo testing.  All good things just a busy time for all.  Today the students will be taking a test on the standards addressed from the years 1860 - 1863.  This test covers the Election of Abraham Lincoln, secession of the southern states, the advantages and disadvantages of the Union and Confederacy, as well as the strategies for both sides.  In addition, they will demonstrate their understanding of life for the soldiers, the battles of Antietam Creek and Shiloh, and the famous Emancipation Proclamation.  This was a very difficult time in America's history, where the country lost over 600,000 lives in a desperate fight to save our country, and most importantly end the institution of slavery.  We will continue this Unit over the next two weeks.

8th Grade:  As a class we have been unraveling the events that led to the birth of the United States.  Our studies this far have included a discussion of the Enlightenment Period, John Locke, Montesquieu, and the roles these all played in influencing the creation of the Declaration of Independence.  Furthermore, the students have read about and discussed the importance of Thomas Paine, and Richard Henry Lee in encouraging the Patriots to move forward with Independence.  In addition, we have been doing an in depth study of The Declaration of Independence and the impact of this brilliant piece of writing both in 1776 and still today. The students will be tested on this material today, and we will continue with the Revolutionary War over the next two weeks.  Finally, the students will be creating a current version of the Declaration of Independence, in groups, in words that demonstrate their understanding of the material covered.

Ms Van

Home work 7th and 8th grade!

8th Grade:  The students are required to have Section 2 chapter 6 complete in their notebooks.  The Section includes reading pages 179 - 184 and then answering questions 1 -7 in complete sentences.  In addition they need to have the following key terms from section 2 defined in their notebooks:

1. Nathan Hale
2. Mercenary
3. Alliance
4. Marquis de Lafayette
5. Calvary
6. Friedrich Von Steuben

Furthermore, the students need to have section 1 chapter 6 complete in their notebooks, this was required at the beginning of second quarter.

7th Grade: The students were given a copy of Section 3 Chapter 15 to complete for Wednesday.  However, due to testing today, they will have an extra day, and need to have the work complete by Thursday (Halloween :) ).  The students are required to read pages 524 - 527 and answer questions 1 - 4 in complete sentences in their note books.  In addition, they need to have the following terms from section 3 defined in their note books:

1. Restore
2. Sustain
3. Emancipate
4. Horace Greely

Furthermore, the students need section 1 and 2 completed in their notebooks, which we have worked on together as a class, terms and questions answered.  Finally, on Tuesday October 29th they had a handout on the Emancipation Proclamation.

*Students keep up on your work, follow requirements, and ask for help if you need before the assignments are due!

Thanks,

Ms. Van

Galileo Testing!

Hello parents and students,

Due to Galileo testing this week we have a few changes in the schedule and assignment requirements.  Testing is all day today, Wednesday the 30th, so the students will not be given any additional work to complete tonight. However, they will have to turn in the assignment from Tuesday on Thursday.  I will post more about these assignments following this update.

Students will use Thursday and Friday to finish their Galileo exams if not complete. The students will be able to finish their exams during their Thursday and Friday Specials!

We are excited to see the progress the students are making in their education and hope all took thei time and did their best on each of their three exams.

Thanks,

Ms. Van

Update on the past weeks events!

Hello students and parents,
I apologize for my absence over the past few weeks.  This was not my intention, however, due to fall break, drug awareness week, harvest fest, and teacher - conference, there were many changes to the class schedule and I wanted to make sure the information I posted was accurate and relevant.  Not an excuse, :) just a reality. 

As for this past events, Harvest fest was a huge success, parent -teacher conferences continue into this week, which is absolutely inspiring, and we have enjoyed, and cherished each conference. Drud awareness week left me speechless. On Monday, I collected each classes homework from the weekend, we finished with class discussion and I told the students to keep studying their notes as the rest of the week would be devoted to Drug Awareness.  To begin last week I gave the eighth graders two assignments:

1.  Complete a 31 question quiz on their knowledge and understanding of drugs and the harmful side effects.
2. Complete a drawing to support the, "Just Say No," campaign.
3.  Prepare for Career Day Field Trip on Friday.

We had the pleasure of meeting two Border Patrol Agents on Wednesday.  These gentlemen stayed for each of my classes (8:30 - 11:30)

With each passing day I realize the importance of our school based on Character, Education, and the betterment of our school society.  I am so blessed to be a part of the positive atmosphere, priceless leadership, and wonderfully individual student body.

More to come,
Ms. Van Borkulo

Homework due 9/17/2013!

8th Grade:  The students have 3 handouts connected to a Brain Pop Video we watched on 9/13/2013.  The Video was on the Causes of the American Revolution and the handouts are related to this content.

7th Grade:  The students need to improve their assignments on September 11th.  The requirements are posted on my blog.  The two post prior to this post.

Have a great weekend!

Ms. Van

Homework Due 9/13/2012!

7th and 8th:  Students are required to continue their homework from last night by answer the following questions:

1. What is the function or purpose of the following buildings:
• The World Trade Center (The world Corporate Head Quarters for several major businesses)
• The Pentagon (The Head Quarters for The Department of Defense)
• The White House
2. Explain, to the best of your knowledge, what the intended political or social change was in Al Qaeda choosing these targets to commit acts of Terrorism.

*As a class we defined Terrorism today and discussed the meaning of the word.

*Definition of Terrorism: The use of violence, often against civilian targets, to force political or social change.

Homework Due 9/12/2013

7th and 8th Grade: Students are required to answer the following 3 questions on the events of September 11th 2001:

1. Why does the United States fly the U.S. Flag at half Mast on September 11th each year?
2. What do you know about the events of 9/11/2001?
3. Why do we give time each year to remember, discuss, and reflect on the events of 9/11/2001?

*We will continue our discussion of this event on 9/12/2013 and watch a tribute video as we need a full class period for this lesson!

Homework due 9/10/2013

7th Grade:  Students need to read and answer questions on the, "Secession," handout!

8th Grade:  Students need to answer Chapter 5 section 3 Questions in notebook. We have read and discussed the main ideas of this section as a class. Students need to answer all questions in complete sentences, and write 2 complete paragraphs for the last question.

*All students have one more day to turn in SIGNED progress reports for extra credit!!!

Friday 8/23/2013 Test!

7th Grade:  Seventh grade students have a map test on the United States prior to the Civil War.  Students will receive a blank map of the United States prior to the Civil War. The requirements are as follows:

1. Label all States correctly!
2. Draw boundary line between the North and South!
3. Put a star on the first state to secede!
4. Name the border states!
5. Demonstrate understanding of Union vs Confederate states with an arrow and label!

8th Grade:  Eighth grade students have a test on the French and Indian War and vocabulary about the 13 Colonies. The test will include the following:

1. 20 multiple choice questions.
2. 10 fill in the blank (all vocabulary)
3. 5 short answer questions.

The short answer questions will be on the following:

1. Explain the impact of the French and Indian War on the British and how this negatively affected the Colonists.
2. What role did George Washington play in the French and Indian War?
3. How did William Pitt help the British turn the war in their favor?
4. How did the battle for Quebec affect the War?
• Answer:  The battle for Quebec was the turning point for the British because the French could no longer defend the rest of its North American territory.
5. What lands did the British gain in the Treaty of Paris?
• Answer:  The British gained French Canada, Spanish Florida, and all French lands east of the Mississippi except New Orleans.

All Questions we went over in class besides short answer questions 4 & 5.  I posted the answers after questions 4 & 5.  Students may use a note card for this test.

Good Luck! 

8th Grade Quiz Postponed due to Galileo Testing!

8th Grade:  The quiz scheduled for Monday 8/19/2013 is postponed until Thursday 8/22/2013! Check blog Tuesday for a study guide!!!

Monday 8/19/2013 Galileo Testing!

The students in both 7th and 8th grade will take the Galileo pre-test. 

7th Grade:  The students will take Writing, Reading and Math tests.

8th Grade:  The students will take Science, Reading and Math tests.


***8th Grade your quiz will be postponed until Thursday.***

Welcome 2013 - 2014 students and parents!

Welcome students and parents,
     I am looking forward to this year and the continued collaboration with this years students.  Social Studies is a subject that allows students to explore the world from many different angles.  This class requires students to take notes, read, participate in class discussion, complete homework and in class work, and demonstrate understanding of material on quizzes and tests.  I will use my blog to update parents and students on the weeks events, post homework assignments, and to post quiz and test preparation questions.

7th Grade:  The seventh grade students start the year with a study of the years prior to the outbreak of the Civil War.  This will include an in depth look at the differences between the North and South, as well as the several events that caused the country to go to war.  The students will learn about the Missouri Compromise of 1820, the Dred Scott Decision, the Compromise of 1850, the Kansas - Nebraska Act of 1854, the role of Abolitionist, the Underground Railroad, and the secession of the southern states.

8th Grade:  The eighth grade students start the year with a look at the establishment of the original 13 colonies. This includes a study of the French and Indian war, and the events that led colonists to rebel against King George III, the King of England.  The students will examine the Stamp Act, the Tea Act, The Intolerable Acts, and events like the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party.  This will allow students to understand what led to the American Revolution and our eventual study of the Revolutionary War.

4th Quarter Social Studies Project!!!

SOCIAL STUDIES 4^th QUARTER PROJECT

7^th Grade: Choose a topic from World War 1 (1914 – 1918) or any topic from history through 1999. The topics can be an event, person, or period in which history was created as a result of the topic chosen. You may not choose a topic from World War II, this era is part of the 8^th grade standards and will be used for your projects next year. Take time to think of what you are interested in and what you would like to know more about. This will make your time preparing the assignment exciting and enjoyable. You will be required to have 3 topics ready by Monday April 8^th, 2013 from these I will let you know your topic. You may work alone or with one other person. Make sure you do thorough research, know your topic, and use reliable sources to retrieve information. The project will include a research check, poster board with supporting information and pictures, and a power point presentation that will be presented to class. Your project should be centered around a thesis statement which will be the focus of your research and you will present your findings to the class in a logical, well prepared, and polished presentation. The following dates are the due dates for the different parts of your project:

• Monday April 8^th, 2013 3 topic choices
• Friday April 12^th, 2013 1^st Research check
• Monday April 22^nd, thesis statement and 2^nd Research check (Have information with you in class) Books, printed material, notes taken from websites! Make sure you use websites that are appropriate for school projects! Examples: history.net, or pbs.org
• Friday April 26^th, 2013 bring poster board to class with materials and information to work on in class.
• Monday April 29^th, 3013 final research check, be prepared to ask any questions you may have.
• Monday May 6^th – Friday May 10^th 2013 Presentations! Power Point ready to go with bibliography attached or printed to turn in on day of presentation. (5 – 7 slides)

8^th Grade: Choose a topic from World War II (1939 – 1945) to the present. Your topic should be centered around an event, person, or period in which history was created. Take time to think of what you are interested in and what you would like to know more about. This will make your time preparing the assignment exciting and enjoyable. You will be required to have 3 topics ready by Monday April 8^th, 2013 from these I will let you know your topic. You may work alone or with one other person. Make sure you do thorough research, know your topic, and use reliable sources to retrieve information. The project will include a research check, poster board with supporting information and pictures, and a power point presentation that will be presented to class. Your project should be centered around a thesis statement which will be the focus of your research and you will present your findings to the class in a logical, well prepared, and polished presentation. The following dates are the due dates for the different parts of your project:

• Monday April 8^th, 2013 3 topic choices
• Friday April 12^th, 2013 1^st Research check
• Monday April 22^nd, thesis statement and 2^nd Research check (Have information with you in class) Books, printed material, notes taken from websites! Make sure you use websites that are appropriate for school projects! Examples: history.net, or pbs.org
• Friday April 26^th, 2013 bring poster board to class with materials and information to work on in class.
• Monday April 29^th1, 3013 final research check, be prepared to ask any questions you may have.
• Monday May 6^th – Friday May 10^th 2013 Presentations! Power Point ready to go with bibliography attached or printed to turn in on day of presentation. (7 – 10 slides)

7th and 8th Grade Homework Due March 15, 2013

7th Grade: The Seventh Grade students need to answer the following questions:  

•  What do you think President Theodore Roosevelt mean by, "We must all of us be Americans nothing but Americans?"

• How were immigrants effected by this?

8th Grade: The eighth grade students need to complete the following handouts:

1. Brain Pop Vocabulary on The Great Depression
2. Brain Pop Activity on The Great Depression
1. Interview Questions
2. Further Research question
   
3. Brain Pop Great Depression 10 question quiz 

7th and 8th Grade Update!

7th Grade:  Third quarter has come to an end! The students are finishing up their unit on Imperialism, which will be followed by a short test to demonstrate their comprehension of the material.  Next, we begin our unit on World War I.  This unit explores every aspect of the Great War such as the causes, battles, important people, the effect on the United States and its entry into World War I, and the fall of the German Empire.  In addition, the students will be required to choose a topic from World War I for their fourth quarter project.  The details and deadlines of the project will be given to the students when they return from Spring Break. As a teacher I have watched many of our students work hard over the past few weeks to bring their grades up in the classes needed.  I am proud and honored to work with these students and look forward to the upcoming quarter.

8th Grade:  The students completed the third quarter and report cards are here!  Currently, the eighth graders are wrapping up their studies of the 1920's with a focus on the causes and effects of The Great Depression.  This unit will finish this week followed by a question and answer session to check for mastery of the material.  Next week we begin our Unit on World War II. From past experience, the students have shown great interest in this area of history.  Our World War II Unit includes an in depth look at the causes and effects, the role of dictators in Europe, battles, The Holocaust, the dropping of the atomic bomb, and the events that brought the war to an end.  Furthermore, the students will be required to choose a topic from World War II that they will use this for their fourth quarter project.  Details and deadlines for the project will be given upon return from spring break.  Great job this quarter, I enjoy and treasure the moments with each of my students.  Enjoy your break!

Ms. Van Borkulo

8th grade homework due February 19 2013

8th Grade: The students are required to answer the following questions:

1. How was the Bolshevik Revolution connected to the Red Scare in the United States?
2. Explain what Anarchists are and what they did to create fear in the United States? How did the United States Government respond?
3. Finally, who are Sacco and Vanzetti, how are they connected to the Red Scare, and what happened to them?

No Homework for the 7th Grade!!!

7th and 8th Homework due February 13 2013

7th Grade:  Workbook pages 9 - 11 need to be complete.  This was assigned yesterday in class however some students did not complete all pages and need to finish the work at home tonight.  In addition, The students have an assignment in the Junior Scholastic title, "A Fight For Freedom." This assignment is for Black History month and is about the Freedom Fighters in Birmingham, Alabama 1963. The following requirements are due tomorrow:

• Read Article on pages 8 - 11
• Complete a who, what, when, where, and why about the article
• Who was involved in the incident?
• What happened?
• When did the Freedom Fighters fight for equality?
• Where did the event take place?
• Why did the Freedom Fighters take the action they did?
• Define words to know 
• Finally, use the timeline on pages 10 and 11 and write down years and the main event that took place.

8th Grade:  Using the handout I gave you answer the following question:

• Explain the Foreign Policy that the United States used in dealing with Nicaragua and Mexico in the 1920's.  Also, what pact did the United States, France, and Great Britain sign and what did it state?

7th and 8th grade weekly update!

7th Grade: The students are finishing up chapter 3 on the Industrial Era and the impact on the United States both at home and abroad.  This will take us to our studies of Imperialism. As a class, all students are required to have chapter 3 complete through the review.  This includes:

1. Lesson 1: pages 66 - 70 followed by questions 1-5 to be answered in complete sentences
2. Lesson 2: pages 71 - 74 followed by questions 1-5 to be answered in complete sentences
3. Lesson 3: pages 75 -79 followed by questions 1-5 to be answered in complete sentences
4. Review: pages 82-83 followed by questions 1 -20 to be answered in complete sentences
5. 26 definitions to be defined in notebook

The students have had time in class to work on this and those that did not finish were required to check out a book and complete the requirements at home.

8th Grade: As a class we are in the midst of reviewing some key issues that the United States faced at home and abroad in the 1920's.  This review is necessary in order for the students to understand the social and economic issues that would have an impact on the outbreak of World War II.

The students were required to answer the following question for homework:

• What happened during the Harding Administration both positive and negative and what impact did this have on our country as a whole!

Keep working hard everyone,

Ms. Van

Homework due January 31st 2013

7th Grade:   The students are required to answer the following question based on our discussion in class today and yesterday:

• How did the mass arrival of immigrants affect the United States and its citizens from the late 1800's - early 1900's in the following areas:
• Socially
• Economically
• Physically
• Geographically
• The question needs to be answered in paragraph format with a short introduction and transitions from one area to the next.  I gave specific examples and instructions on how to approach this question as well as encouraged the students to include their own ideas and understanding of each idea.

8th Grade:  Explain the 3 ways the League of Nations dealt with disputes between countries.

1. Discuss differences and come to peaceful resolutions
2. Economic Sanctions
3. Physical Sanctions

Homework due January 8 2013

8th Grade:  The students need to complete Government pages 81 - 88, which covers Pressure Groups, Public Opinion, and Propaganda. On Friday students will have a government test that will cover all topics discussed prior to winter break through this week.

7th Grade:  The students need to complete the handout on, "The Start of the Ku Klux Klan." On Friday the 7th graders will have a test on Reconstruction.

EXTRA CREDIT:  7th Grade: What is the significance of the burning cross?