The end of 2010 is upon us. Students have spent this week wrapping up semester tests and projects. I enjoy seeing a student's sense of accomplishment when they hand in a finished semester test or wrap up a semester project presentation. There have been some really cool educational happenings in Newell-Fonda Social Studies over the last couple of weeks.
In World Geography, students studied the people, places, ideas, and issues of Latin America. Each student prepared a project on a specific Latin American country. They were allowed to do the project any way they wanted to. Some chose videos and other chose to make Keynote presentations. We got a glimpse of each country as the students took turns presenting.
In United States history, the students have been studying the American Civil War and the reconstruction period following it. On one of our days, we took a Civil War battle tour. Using Google Earth and green screen technology, I created a 10 minute video where students were able to virtually visit real Civil War battle sites and see real pictures as they learned the information about each site. Students completed a tour guide as they watched the video. They were also able to download to their Macbooks and watch it with headphones at their own pace.
In World History, we have been studying the spread of the Muslim Empire in the ancient world. Islam contributed to many advancements in math, science, astronomy, medicine, and literature. In the Ancient Arabic world, a ruler created a House of Wisdom where scholars could study their chosen subject. Students got to participate in their own House of Wisdom day and compete against other groups in the class in various subjects to see who was the wisest of all.
As the calendar rolls over to 2011, I am excited to study new topics and help students experience new levels of understanding in Social Studies. Have a great winter break!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
November Happenings in Newell-Fonda Social Studies
Mr. B here with an update on Newell-Fonda Social Studies. The quarter is flying by and semester break is right around the corner.
In World Geography class, we just finished up our unit on the United States and Canada. Students learned about major landforms, climate regions, and governments in both the U.S. and Canada. The kids made videos that covered United States history in 2 minutes or less. The objective for this project was to find the major themes and events in American history. Next year, I think I'll be bumping the time limit up to 3 minutes. 2 minutes seemed to be just a little too short.
In United States history class we spent time discussing America from 1800-1860. This was a turbulent time in American history that is often overlooked. We studied the American expansion westward, the treatment of Native Americans, and the issue of slavery and how our leaders dealt with it. Students also played a railroad simulation game where they put themselves in the shoes of a railroad boss and attempted to take over the railroad companies of all their classmates. It was a great way to learn about the history of the railroad and also work on some math skills as students bought supplies and put companies up for auction.
In World History class, students are studying Ancient Rome. The Romans had a vast empire that contributed a lot to the world in form of architecture and government. Students have made a green screen video as a class showing the era of Rome known as Pax Romana when it flourished. A green screen video is where students are able to super-impose themselves in front of historic sites like the Coliseum or the Senate. The kids had fun and learned about Rome as well as working together.
There is a lot going on in Newell-Fonda Social Studies!
In World Geography class, we just finished up our unit on the United States and Canada. Students learned about major landforms, climate regions, and governments in both the U.S. and Canada. The kids made videos that covered United States history in 2 minutes or less. The objective for this project was to find the major themes and events in American history. Next year, I think I'll be bumping the time limit up to 3 minutes. 2 minutes seemed to be just a little too short.
In United States history class we spent time discussing America from 1800-1860. This was a turbulent time in American history that is often overlooked. We studied the American expansion westward, the treatment of Native Americans, and the issue of slavery and how our leaders dealt with it. Students also played a railroad simulation game where they put themselves in the shoes of a railroad boss and attempted to take over the railroad companies of all their classmates. It was a great way to learn about the history of the railroad and also work on some math skills as students bought supplies and put companies up for auction.
In World History class, students are studying Ancient Rome. The Romans had a vast empire that contributed a lot to the world in form of architecture and government. Students have made a green screen video as a class showing the era of Rome known as Pax Romana when it flourished. A green screen video is where students are able to super-impose themselves in front of historic sites like the Coliseum or the Senate. The kids had fun and learned about Rome as well as working together.
There is a lot going on in Newell-Fonda Social Studies!
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Recent Projects in Social Studies
It's been a fun month in Social Studies at the high school. In United States history, students were able to create projects on any topic they wanted from chapter 3 sections 1 and 2 in the textbook. Some of the topics covered were Andrew Jackson, Women's Rights, The Underground Railroad, and the Industrial Revolution. We saw all kinds of projects. Some groups made videos, some created stick figure animations, and others made mulitmedia presentations with pictures and music. One ambitious student even created an Underground Railroad video using the Xbox video game Halo.
In World History, students have been studying Ancient Greece and Alexander the Great. The students have been making graffiti notes, presentations with video and audio, composed Greek comedies and tragedies, and even held their own classroom olympics with medals awarded to the winners. Through these activities, the students learned about the Peloponnesian War, Alexander's Empire, Greek art, and the importance of athletic competitions in the lives of Greek citizens.
In World Geography, the students have been spending their time learning about the United States and Canada and the different cultures that make up these countries. Students made projects using the 5 themes of Geography. Some groups made gameshows based on the material, others made 3 dimensional maps, and some created videos. It was good to see the students take a variety of avenues to cover the material. This month, the students were also able to have a live conversation with Dr. Cook from Crown College. Dr. Cook is an anthropologist who has studied cultures for many years while living in the Philippines and teaching at Crown College. The students were able to ask Dr. Cook questions about how to stay objective while studying people different from themselves. Dr. Cook also spoke with the students about learning and maintaining a thirst for knowledge as they continue their education.
It has been an eventful month in Newell-Fonda Social Studies and November is shaping up to be just as exciting and educational.
In World History, students have been studying Ancient Greece and Alexander the Great. The students have been making graffiti notes, presentations with video and audio, composed Greek comedies and tragedies, and even held their own classroom olympics with medals awarded to the winners. Through these activities, the students learned about the Peloponnesian War, Alexander's Empire, Greek art, and the importance of athletic competitions in the lives of Greek citizens.
In World Geography, the students have been spending their time learning about the United States and Canada and the different cultures that make up these countries. Students made projects using the 5 themes of Geography. Some groups made gameshows based on the material, others made 3 dimensional maps, and some created videos. It was good to see the students take a variety of avenues to cover the material. This month, the students were also able to have a live conversation with Dr. Cook from Crown College. Dr. Cook is an anthropologist who has studied cultures for many years while living in the Philippines and teaching at Crown College. The students were able to ask Dr. Cook questions about how to stay objective while studying people different from themselves. Dr. Cook also spoke with the students about learning and maintaining a thirst for knowledge as they continue their education.
It has been an eventful month in Newell-Fonda Social Studies and November is shaping up to be just as exciting and educational.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
U.S. History
U.S. History Students,
You have now completed your research project for United States history. The next step is to reflect on the process and learn how we could improve. Using a pages document, answer the following questions completely. Once you are finished, put it into the class dropbox.
1. How did your group work go? If you could go back and choose a different group, would you? Why or why not? (5 sentences)
2. Reflect on your topic for the research project. What was easy about that topic? What was difficult about it? Give reasons. (6 sentences)
3. Think about the way you chose to do the project. Would you choose a different way if you could it again? Why or why not? (5 sentences)
4. No project is perfect. If you were the teacher, what would you change to make this project go better? You must find something to improve. (5 sentences)
You have now completed your research project for United States history. The next step is to reflect on the process and learn how we could improve. Using a pages document, answer the following questions completely. Once you are finished, put it into the class dropbox.
1. How did your group work go? If you could go back and choose a different group, would you? Why or why not? (5 sentences)
2. Reflect on your topic for the research project. What was easy about that topic? What was difficult about it? Give reasons. (6 sentences)
3. Think about the way you chose to do the project. Would you choose a different way if you could it again? Why or why not? (5 sentences)
4. No project is perfect. If you were the teacher, what would you change to make this project go better? You must find something to improve. (5 sentences)
World Geography
World Geo Students,
Now that you've completed your project on the United States and Canada, it's time to reflect on your work and the process. Using a pages document, please answer the following questions. Once you have fully completed the reflection, put it into the class dropbox on the server. Happy writing!
1. How did your group work together? If you could go back and do things differently, would you chose the same group? Why or why not? (5 sentences)
2. Reflect on your idea for your project. Are you happy with the idea you chose? How could you improve your idea? (5 sentences)
3. No project is perfect. Think about the whole process we've been through as a class. If you were the teacher, how would you change the way this project was done. You must find something to improve. (6 sentences)
Now that you've completed your project on the United States and Canada, it's time to reflect on your work and the process. Using a pages document, please answer the following questions. Once you have fully completed the reflection, put it into the class dropbox on the server. Happy writing!
1. How did your group work together? If you could go back and do things differently, would you chose the same group? Why or why not? (5 sentences)
2. Reflect on your idea for your project. Are you happy with the idea you chose? How could you improve your idea? (5 sentences)
3. No project is perfect. Think about the whole process we've been through as a class. If you were the teacher, how would you change the way this project was done. You must find something to improve. (6 sentences)
Sunday, October 10, 2010
World History
World History students. Here is the link for the online collaborative whiteboard for you to take real time notes on chapter 5 section 2. Have fun working together and being creative. Remember to save your work. Happy studying.
http://www.imaginationcubed.com/
http://www.imaginationcubed.com/
Friday, October 8, 2010
World Geography Students
Today you will all become Mayor of your own cities! Here's the link to the Electrocity game. Have fun learning about natural resources, economics, the environment, and keeping people in your city.
http://www.electrocity.co.nz/
Happy studying.
http://www.electrocity.co.nz/
Happy studying.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)