7th Grade Virtual Voyager #5 - Celebrations

As we finish up our study of Ancient Rome, we have learned that traditions and celebrations define one culture from another as well as unite people regionally, ethnically, and/or religiously.  The following sites contain a variety of holidays, celebrations, games, and stories that define people around the world:
Holidays and Observances Around the World
It's International
Celebrations Around the World
Holiday Celebrations
Winter Celebrations
Festivals Around the World
New Year Celebrations Around the World

Scan the list of topics about food, dance, games, customs, traditions, crafts, names, superstitions, proverbs, folktales, and toys.  Look for your assigned country and read about the information available on that chosen topic.  Then, return to the blog and post a reflection using the story pyramid model.

Example:
Topic
Two strong words, defining the topic
Three words, describing the setting of the topic (when/where/how)
Four words, stating the origin/beginning of the topic
Five words, describing an interesting fact
Six words, describing a second interesting fact
Seven words, describing a third interesting fact
Eight words, stating why you chose the topic

Carnival
Brazil's Fame
Saturday through Thursday
Its not about history
Begins 40 days before Easter
The parade tells a different story annually
A time of camaraderie, freedom, no work
After seeing "Rio," I wondered why they partied 

Virtual Voyager #4 - Religion

So far in our study of ancient civilizations we have encountered Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, and Buddhism.  We have also experienced Confucianism and Daoism as well as the varied beliefs of Mesopotamia and Egypt.  Regardless of who you are, where you live, or when you live, there are family or cultural ideas that direct the thoughts, actions, and deeds of a society.

Your task is to research the religion or ideals practiced by the people in your assigned country.


1.  Start by finding your country on Geographical Distribution of Major World Religions (http://www.worldreligions.psu.edu/maps-introduction.htm).

2.  Please note your country might have more than one.  Please report on the religion with the largest following.  If you are not familiar with the religion, make sure you visit URI Kids (http://www.uri.org/kids/world_hind.htm) and read about your country's religion.

3.  Lastly, return to the blog and report your findings in one of our Write to Learn strategies such as Think Back, 3-Minute Pause, 3-2-1, Dice, or RAFT.

Virtual Voyager #3 - Government

Whose the boss?  Your country doesn't run by itself and once you understand who is in power and the definition of that power, you will begin to see how a government impacts society and economy.  Your task is to research your country's government type and define it, to identify your country's leader(s) and their titles, and to summarize the length of time that person(s) is in power.

Begin by using the CIA World Factbook (https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/an.html) to look up your country.  When you open your country, click on the government tab.  READ the headings to locate desired information.  Then, using Kids Net (http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/fo/Form_of_government) find your country's government type to learn more about it.

Reflect on the following questions and post your response on the blog.

3 =  List your country's capital city, the date of elections, and the length of service.

2 = Name 2 official leaders and their titles.

1 = In your opinion, what does that government type mean for your country and its people?

8th Grade Constitution Assessment

We the People of the Social Studies Classes, in Order to form a more perfect Curriculum, establish Relevance, insure academic Tranquility, provide for the Common Core, promote the Student Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Education to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution Project for Vernon Middle School of Marion.

(Ah, Mrs. Woerner, you are so clever!)

The following links might be helpful in completing one, two, or all three of your project choices.  You're welcome.

MISD Library Resources (All the links to the technology tools are here too!): http://mhs.marion-isd.org/media_center/resources/
LawCraft:  http://www.icivics.org/games/lawcraft
StreetLaw - Landmark Supreme Court Cases:  http://www.streetlaw.org/en/landmark/home
ABC News:  http://abcnews.go.com/
CBS News:  http://www.cbsnews.com/
NBC News:  http://www.nbcnews.com/
Cedar Rapids Gazette:  http://thegazette.com/
Presidents of the United States:  http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents
Current Supreme Court Justices:  http://www.supremecourt.gov/about/biographies.aspx
US Supreme Court Justices:  http://www.judiciary.senate.gov/nominations/SupremeCourt/SupremeCourtJustices.cfm
Seven Roles for One President:  http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/seven-roles-one-president
3-minute Guide to the Bill of Rights:  http://ed.ted.com/lessons/a-3-minute-guide-to-the-bill-of-rights-belinda-stutzman
Magna Carta for Kids:  http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/magna-carta-kids-11691.html
Virginia Declaration of Rights:  http://kids.librarypoint.org/george_mason_virginia_declaration_of_rights
English Bill of Rights:  http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/en/English_Bill_of_Rights
The Bill of Rights:  http://www.ducksters.com/history/us_bill_of_rights.php
Women's Suffrage: http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/suffrage/history.htm

Virtual Voyager #2 - Geography

     A few weeks ago, you became a country's newest student ambassador when you drew the country's name.  For some students, their countries were familiar and for others, their countries were very foreign.  Regardless, you are now linked to that country and you will be together all year long!  Today, your task will be two-fold.  (That means you have to do two things...)
     First, you will need to summarize your country's absolute location in 20 words or less.  HINT - Absolute location includes an exact "address" in which your country is located.  (Latitude/Longitude, hemisphere(s), continent, capital, etc.)  Then, you will need to summarize your country's relative location in 20 words or less.  HINT - Relative location includes other countries or landforms that can be found in and/or around your country's location.
     For example, imagine I was assigned the United States of America.  In 20 words or less, I need to summarize the absolute location of the USA.
1.  Located in the Northern and Western Hemispheres, the USA and its capital, Washington D.C., are located at 38°53′N/77°01′W. (19 words)
In 20 words or less, I need to summarize the relative location of the USA.
2. The USA is bordered by Canada (north), Mexico (south), the Pacific Ocean (west), and the Atlantic Ocean (east). (18 words)
     Make sure you proofread and post using your class code (1A, 1W, 2A, 4W, etc) as well as your first and last name. This will be graded.  You are NOT allowed to post comments on other students' posts.

8th Grade Music of the American Revolution

The following links are the lyrics to the songs of the American Revolution.

"The Liberty Song" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Liberty_Song

"The World Turned Upside Down" http://ingeb.org/songs/ifbutter.html

"Yankee Doodle" (scroll down to FULL VERSION) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yankee_Doodle

"Johnny Has Gone For A Soldier" http://lyrics.wikia.com/James_Taylor:Johnny_Has_Gone_For_A_Soldier

"God Save the 13 States" http://www.musicanet.org/robokopp/usa/godsavet.htm

8th Grade Iowa Biographies

People and their stories make history rich.  The IA GenWeb Project (http://iagenweb.org/linn/bios/index.htm) is a website that collects and catalogs biographies of the men and women who helped establish Iowa.  Use the website and surf through the alphabetized names and skim until you find one that interests you.  Then, read the biography and post a summary that reflects that individual's contribution to history.

7th Grade Virtual Voyager #1 - Current Events

Newspapers are divided into different parts.  There are normally 14 parts of a newspaper that include: International, Politics, Local, Business, Technology, Science, Health, Sports, Entertainment, Weather, Obituaries, a cover page story, and the table of contents.
      
PART I  Using a newspaper, choose 5 of the following 9 topics and make a post on the blog that gives the title of the article.
1. International
2. Politics
3. Local
4. Business
5. Technology
6. Science
7. Health
8. Sports
9. Entertainment

For example:  The Gazette Wednesday, August 28, 2013
1. International - "Envoys: West could hit Syria in days" (Amman/Beirut, Lebanon)
2. Politics - "Some in Congress push for vote ahead of possible strike" (Washington D.C.)
3. Local - "Council unanimously backs casino deal" (Cedar Rapids)
8. Sports - "Hawkeyes open Big Ten on road" (Iowa City)
9. Entertainment -  "Last swim of summer" (Cedar Rapids)

PART II Now use one of the current events sources from the blog to find an article on your assigned country.  Read the article and post a summary paragraph on the blog.

For example:  ABC News - "Brazil Grants Visas to Syrians Fleeing Conflict," September 24, 2013
     The conflict in Syria has led to a deterioration in living conditions for Syrians.  Brazil has responded by offering a refuge for Syrians by granting special visas to those wishing to leave the warring nation.  Brazil's refugee population continues to increase adding to the already existing 3 million Syrian immigrants.

8th Grade "The Cost of War"

The French and Indian War was a financial burden that Great Britain looked to the American Colonies to pay off.  So a war with the American Colonies continued to strain the Crown's pockets as well as stress their military resources.  Although the technology has changed, past and present wars all have human, economic, social, and political costs.

Using the website "Costs of War," http://costsofwar.org/ and working in a small group, read an article from each pull down menu (human, economic, social, and political costs).  Then, TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU READ and READ IT AGAIN IF NECESSARY.  If you have questions - ASK FOR HELP.  If you don't have questions, complete the case study organizer and post your group's findings on the blog.

Lawrence of Arabia

In order to complete the Chapter 1 activity, please use the following link:
http://www.pbs.org/lawrenceofarabia/players/index.html

Chapter 2: The Training of a Desert Fighter
http://www.pbs.org/lawrenceofarabia/revolt/survival.html

Picturing the West

Painters and photographers were amazed by the spectacular scenery of the West.  View the work of painters Albert Bierstadt and Frederic Remington and photographers William H. Jackson or Ansel Adams.  Then, choose one piece of artwork to analyze.

"The Sierra Nevada in California"

Albert Bierstadt

"Dismounted Moving Led Horses"

Frederic Remington

"Hot Springs on Gardiners River"

William H. Jackson

"Clearing Winter Storm"

Ansel Adams

Westward Ho! CyberHunt

Head west on the wagon trail to learn more about early pioneers who settled the frontier.


Use "The Oregon Trail" (http://www.america101.us/trail/Allabout.html) to read and record the answers on your worksheet.

Pep Talk from Kid President

We all need a little encouragement every now and then. Kid President, knowing this, has put together a video you can play each morning as you wake up or to share with your friend who needs a kick in the right direction. Take a moment and spread some encouragement. "It's everybody's duty to give the world a reason to dance." (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-gQLqv9f4o)

Virtual Voyager ##7 - Rank Order

How does your country rank in the world?
     Using CIA Photius Ranking (http://www.photius.com/rankings/), click on four different Factbook Data Fields (geographic area, infant mortality rate, oil consumption, GDP - PPP, population, internet users, roadways, people living with HIV/AIDS, life expectancy, oil production, GDP per capita).  Find you country's rank (they are in highest to lowest).
     Then, record the fields researched, your country's rank, and WHY YOU THINK THAT IS.  (You are going to have to use what you know about your country thus far to make an educated guess.)

FOR EXAMPLE:  ARGENTINA

1.  Internet users in Argentina are estimated 10 million people and ranked 27th in the world.  I think Argentina is ranked 27th because it is geographically remote and establishing internet connections outside of major cities is very difficult.

2. Argentina is ranked 24th in roadways with 229,144 km.  In addition to the geography limiting the amount of roads in Argentina, I think climate might affect the usefulness of a permanent road.  Rain and flooding probably wash out roads.  Additionally, due to the climate, the number of vehicles might be limited (warm weather) and people walk, ride animals, or bikes.

3.  Argentina produces 745,000 barrels per day ranking 26th in world oil production.  The countries producing more oil than Argentina are the typical large oil producers and Argentina would have to have vast oil reserves to keep up with the production of countries like Kuwait.

4.  Argentina is ranked 135th in world infant mortality rate.  That means per there are approximately 14 infant deaths for every 1,000 live births in Argentina.  Other countries ranking higher on the list are undeveloped or developing countries that do not have the resources for supporting infant lives.  Argentina must have hospitals and trained medical staff to keep the infant mortality rate low.