Students and Parents,

6th GRADE: This week we are learning probably the most difficult standards--GOVERNMENT. Students tend to struggle with this domain because they are still very young and don't quite grasp how governments across the world operate. I have a variety of teaching strategies--flip notes, a gummy bear simulation and a new rap--to ensure students master the government standards.

**Homework: Students are to create a promotional poster for the European Union. They will receive guidelines on Friday and the assignment will be due Monday. Also, I am hosting a study session for the MCSD Quarterly Benchmark Assessment (or QBA) in social studies on Monday, October 12 from 4:05-5:15. I hope your child can make it!

Monday: Distribution of power flip notes + video

Tuesday: Citizen participation flip notes + video

Wednesday: Presidential vs. parliamentary illustration +  gummy bear simulation (*parents please donate a pack of gummy bears for this assignment)

Thursday: Governments of the U.K., Germany and Russia foldable notes

Friday: European Union writing activity (in class) and EU promotional poster (homework)   

7th GRADE: In 7th grade, we are also learning about government and just like in 6th grade students struggle with these standards. But have no fear! I will ensure that your child masters this domain. One day each week students will participate in the GREAT program (Gang Resistance Education and Training) taught by Officer Joseph Copeland of the Columbus Police Department.

**Homework: Begin to study for the MCSD Quarterly Benchmark Assessment (or QBA) in social studies. I am hosting a study session on Tuesday, October 13 from 4:05-5:15. All 7th grade students are welcome.

Monday: GREAT program with Officer Copeland

Tuesday: Forms of government notes + videos

Wednesday: Parliamentary vs. presidential illustration + gummy bear simulation

Thursday: Governments of Saudi Arabia, Iran and Israel foldable notes

Friday: Economics vocabulary review

Students and Parents,

6th GRADE: All week long students will work on a district-mandated packet called DBQ (document-based question). Students are provided with documents and guiding questions. Students will analyze the documents and write an essay that answers the question "What was the underlying cause of World War I?"

**Homework: Complete DBQ essay. Parents you can assist your child by proof reading their essay and having them correct any grammatical and/or spelling errors.

7th GRADE: In 7th grade, we will continue to learn about the history of Southwest Asia. This is very relevant to our lives because controversies in the Middle East are always on the news. My goal is to get students to understand HOW and WHY there is no peace in the Middle East. One day each week students will participate in the GREAT program (Gang Resistance Education and Training) taught by Officer Joseph Copeland of the Columbus Police Department.

**Homework: Work on GREAT project! Students must complete 4 hours of service in the community, get a letter from a person/company that supervised the service, and design a visual aid to present their service. The GREAT project is due THIS Monday, 10-5-15.

Monday: GREAT program with Officer Copeland

Tuesday: Israel-Palestinian T-chart notes + video

Wednesday: Wars in the Middle East guided notes + videos

Thursday: R.A.F.T. choice assignment

Friday: R.A.F.T. choice assignment

Students and Parents,

6th GRADE: This is going to be a fun week in 6th grade social studies! We will be learning a history rap to reinforce the history standards we learned last week. We will end the week learning about the European Union and completing a writing assignment.

**Homework: Get grade report signed; attend academic study hall on Wednesday from 4:00-5:00 p.m. Study hall will be mandatory for some students (who received an additional letter to take home) but it is open for any student who needs to make up work and/or retake a quiz to improve a grade!

Monday: History quiz (grade reports were sent home today; parents please sign and return)

Tuesday: Impact of WWII (grade reports sent home; parents please sign and return)

Wednesday: History Rap

Thursday: History Rap

Friday: European Union writing activity (in class) and EU promotional poster (homework)   

7th GRADE: In 7th grade, we are moving on to the history of Southwest Asia. This is very relevant to our lives because controversies in the Middle East are always on the news. My goal is to get students to understand HOW and WHY there is no peace in the Middle East. One day each week students will participate in the GREAT program (Gang Resistance Education and Training) taught by Officer Joseph Copeland of the Columbus Police Department.

**Homework: Work on GREAT project! Students must complete 4 hours of service in the community, get a letter from a person/company that supervised the service, and design a visual aid to present their service. The GREAT project is due Monday, 10-5-15.

Monday: GREAT program with Officer Copeland

Tuesday: Religions Quiz

Wednesday: Ottoman Empire flow chart notes + videos

Thursday: Ancient Israel timeline

Friday: Modern Israel T-chart notes + video

Students and Parents,

This week in 6th grade we are learning about the history of Europe, including exploration and the world wars. My student teacher, Jessica Jackson, from Columbus State University will be teaching these standards. The students LOVE Ms. Jackson and I'm excited about her leading the lessons this week.

**Homework: Due 9-21-15 Choice Assignment #2. Students will choose from 3 activities and complete one over the weekend.

Monday: European exploration tri-fold

Tuesday: Tracing empires

Wednesday: Outbreak of World War I

Thursday: Aftermath of WWI

Friday: Quiz; choose and begin choice activity #2 

In 7th grade, we will focus on ethnic groups and religions of the Middle East. The Georgia Performance Standards require us to cover Judaism, Christianity and Islam. I will be TEACHING, not preaching. One day each week students will participate in the GREAT program (Gang Resistance Education and Training) taught by Officer Joseph Copeland of the Columbus Police Department.

**Homework: Work on GREAT project! Students must complete 4 hours of service in the community, get a letter from a person/company that supervised the service, and design a visual aid to present their service. The GREAT project is due Monday, 10-5-15.

Monday: GREAT program with Officer Copeland

Tuesday: Ethnic vs. Religious Groups notes and Venn Diagram

Wednesday: Religions chart-- Judaism section + Jewish sensory figure

Thursday: Religions chart--Christianity section + compare and contrast chart

Friday: Religions chart--Islam section + Muslim cartoon analysis

Students and Parents,

This week in 6th grade we are finishing up environmental issues. Students had a choice assignment that they were to finish over the weekend and it was due today. They had a choice of the T-shirt, the double bubble map, or the DANGER sign and it was to be glued in students' interactive notebook. For the remainder of the week, we will focus on cultural characteristics of Europe including language, religion and literacy.

**Homework: No formal homework this week. Simply visit heymrsellis.weebly.com to review concepts we are covering this week!

Monday: Labor Day

Tuesday: Language Diversity foldable + notes 

Wednesday: Religions Chart

Thursday: Literacy Rate Cornell notes

Friday: Literacy Rate Bar Graph 

In 7th grade, our learning target this week is "I can explain the factors that impact where people live and why." We will learn about population distribution through notes and map analysis. Then we will move onto literacy rate and standard of living. One day each week students will participate in the GREAT program (Gang Resistance Education and Training) taught by Officer Joseph Copeland of the Columbus Police Department.

**Homework: Brainstorm for GREAT project. Also, visit heymrsellis.weebly.com to review concepts we are covering this week!

Monday: Labor Day

Tuesday: Population Distribution Cornell Notes

Wednesday: Population Map Analysis + questions

Thursday: Literacy Rate Foldable + bar graph

Friday: GREAT Program (GREAT project was explained; topic due 9/11/15)