What We're Learning Lately 04/12/13

Here's what Ms. Svoboda's classes have been learning lately:

8th Grade English
We recently finished a comparison paper, but we are currently on a grammar unit.  Specifically, we're learning the difference between subjects, direct objects, indirect objects, and objects of prepositions.  Below is a picture of an 8th grader demonstrating these parts of speech on the overhead.

7th Grade English
We are currently writing persuasive papers using specific argument forms.  Below are photos of the students composing their papers on their iPads.

6th Grade Social Studies

We are finishing up our Medieval Europe unit by designing castles using a draw program in the computer lab.  Below you can see this in progress.

Sixth Grade: Feudalism Role Play

Kings and queens, ladies and lords, knights and peasants -- for their Medieval Europe unit, our sixth graders recently did a role play which explored the positions of feudal society.  Oaths were taken, peasants oppressed, deals made, power achieved.  Have a look at the photos below.  The miserable “peasants” you'll see weren’t actually in pain, of course; we just have some vivid actors!

8th Grade Research Papers

As has happened for many years, the 8th graders wrote substantial research papers this winter.  It was a complex project involving several months of research and writing.  Below is a photo of those students who wrote the best papers this year and made it onto our "Writers Hall of Fame" board!  Three of their papers were also sent on to the National History Day competition.  If you're interested in having a peek at their hard work, click on the links below the photo.  (The students were asked to put fake names on these three papers for privacy/safety sake).

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BwacH4nGemC8OXNYVThEZ0FwVm8/edit?usp=sharing

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BwacH4nGemC8MzllZHZJOXBMR0E/edit?usp=sharing

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BwacH4nGemC8ZUxLX0dqVV9vOGM/edit?usp=sharing

Sixth Grade Social Studies: ROME DEBATES

The sixth graders recently debated whether or not the Roman Empire should have expanded.  Expansion would have affected the population of slaves, the distribution of land, trade, military expenditure, relations with neighboring powers, and even women's rights.  The sixth graders had fun dressing up and pretending to be Roman politicians and personalities, and of course they had fun arguing with each other!  Have a look at the video montage below.

Getting to Know Our Fellow Super Friends

As part of our "Super Friends" program, the sixth graders recently interviewed each other within small groups and created placards for one another based on those interviews.  This is just one of the ways we've gotten to know and appreciate each other this year.  Below are some photos of this activity.

What We're Doing for the New Year

Hi 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Folks,

For the new years, all my classes are starting new units.

For social studies, the 6th graders have started a unit on ancient Rome.  We'll be learning about Rome's rise to power, how Rome kept that power, and its lasting influence on the world.  We'll all do some fun projects along the way.  We'll start out by creating a travel brochure for ancient Rome (in conjunction with Computer Class), and we'll also be creating Roman architecture models.

For English, the 7th graders have begun their History Day projects.  They'll be researching a historical topic and then creating a webpage based on their research.  Several of these websites will then be submitted to the Minnesota History Day competition.

The 8th graders have also begun History Day projects for English class, but rather than create websites, they will be writing research papers.  It is a great chance to engage them in the research, writing, and editing processes which will benefit them so well once in high school, and of course, eventually college.

Obviously, we're going to be very busy!

Lisa Svoboda

Sixth Grade China Unit With Mr. Olson

China Unit With Mr. Olson

The sixth graders have almost finished their unit on China.  My student teacher, Jacob Olson, taught most of the unit, and thus the students could enjoy a different teaching style for a few weeks.  Mr. Olson was very informative and led some fantastic discussions and activities with them.  For this unit, the students also went to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts to see the Terra Cotta Warrior exhibit . 

Below you’ll see some photos of projects they created for the China unit and a morning Tai Chi lesson.  We’ll miss Mr. Olson, and we wish him good luck!