Great job on the test!

Everyone did a great job preparing for the test.  I will have the tests graded by Monday and we will start with unit 2 on Monday.

Homework: Organize your unit so we can file it tomorrow.  Use the check list I gave you in class to make sure all written assignments are complete.  Everything you have done in unit one including note cards, quizzes, movie notes, and all pages printed in green will be filed tomorrow.  Make sure it all comes to school with you tomorrow.  

Review! Review! Review!

Don't forget your unit 1 test - Next Tuesday/Wednesday 


All homework since Tuesday has been to review for the test.  So far you have: 

1. Reviewed Assignment #3 and #4 as if you were going to have a quiz 
2. Created a sentence in your own words for each vocabulary word. 
3. Spent the class period today working on the review guide.  

Work on your review guide over the weekend.  We will have a practice test on Monday.  

Knights in the Middle Ages

We finished Assignment #9 by talking about towns, trade, and travel.  We discussed the writing of Giovanni Boccaccio who wrote a story of a group of people who escaped the Black Death by fleeing to a villa outside of the city of Florence, Italy.  (Assignment #10)
We watched the video, Europe in the Middle Ages - Knights.  The video focused on how knights had to win the favor of the nobles and the ladies.  Remember the colors the ladies wore to let the knight know how she felt about him?

Homework is to begin reviewing for the unit test which is next Tuesday/Wednesday depending on with day you have class.  Tonight please review assignments 3 and 4 as if you were going to have a quiz on it.  


This is not the video we watched in class, but it is entertaining.

Feudalism and Crusades

Today we covered 3/4ths of assignment #9 on the Feudal system and the Crusades.  We will finish the information on towns and trade tomorrow.  We are about to begin studying the much anticipated Black Death.

Homework:  Don't forget to get your quiz signed and complete assignment #12.  

Sorry for the delay!

I posted to the blog on Thursday but it seems that there may have been a problem because the post did not appear.  PLEASE remember that Net Community and the blog are only a back up for your planner.  You should write down your homework every day.  It is posted on the Smart Board each day when you enter the classroom.  If you are confused or frustrated about homework, please DO NOT WAIT, email me immediately so we can fix the problem.

On Thursday we had our first day of note taking.  I talked about how note taking requires students to multi-task.  You have to listen, write, watch for words or phrases on the board, and pay attention to pictures on the Smart Board.  I was very impressed with all of the 6th graders who did an excellent job of keeping up and staying engaged during class.

Homework for Thursday night was to study for the vocab quiz.  Homework for the weekend was Assignment #10.  I hope everyone saw my email regarding the puzzles.  ALL 6th GRADERS SHOULD CHECK THEIR SCHOOL EMAIL EVERY DAY.  If a teacher is trying to get in touch with you, the message will be on your email. 


Below is the guided note taking we worked in class, if you would like to review or you need another copy.

National Geographic - North America Before Columbus

This is a 13 minute clip of the video we watched in class.  You may review it to help you remember the key points of the video.  Remember that our focus in class is to explore what civilizations and tribes existed in North American at the time of Columbus' voyage and what happened when when the European and Native American cultures met.

Some of you said that the map in the unit was hard to read.  I agree. It is hard to find good maps that fit in a regular sized binder.  I gave all of the classes a new, larger map and asked everyone to copy the information from the smaller one to the larger one.

I've embedded an electronic version here if you'd like to print more copies.

Homework : Complete assignment #9. 

Vocab Cards unit #1, Cont.

After class today, all students should have 16 vocab cards completed for unit #1.  We reviewed all of the definitions in class to give everyone a chance to make corrections and check their definitions.

Homework: Begin review of vocab words for unit 1 vocab quiz.  The unit #1 vocab quiz will be Friday, 9/9.  Don't wait until the last minute to begin studying!  


Have a great Labor Day weekend and try to stay dry!

Vocab cards unit #1

By the end of class on Friday each student should have 16 complete vocabulary cards.  You will find the list of words in Assignment #5 in your unit.  Advanced warning: Your first vocab quiz will be Friday, 9/9. Don't wait until the last minute to begin studying!

Note: We will use an electronic note card program called Study Stack in unit 2.  If you would like to create electronic notes cards for unit one you may do it on your own.  Go to the site: www.studystack.com, create a FREE account and start making cards.  You must remember your username and password to retrieve your note cards so make sure you write it down somewhere.  Your planner would be a good place for that type of information.

Homework: Label the map found in Assignment #8.  There is an atlas in the back of your book that will help you label your map. Or you may use a world map you have at home or one you find on the internet.