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October 30, 2006
MONDAY: The GREAT JAPAN EXAM! GIA agents who are familiar with this "intelligence" should be able to finish this exam within the class time limit of 70 minutes. Good luck! There is an option of taking the history and geography section today and the culture and government section on Wednesday.
TUESDAY: MEMORY TRICKS! And treats! Please read the special section regarding this yearly holiday treat planned in the GIA.
WEDNESDAY: Students who opted to take the second part of the exam will do so today, and there is also DEAR.
THURSDAY: Japan scrapbooks are due today. Students will make presentations which are a portion of their grade.
FRIDAY: Gracious extension, but LAST day to turn in Japan scrapbooks....BUT we'll be in the MAC LAB beginning our study of China!. So, please turn in your scrapbooks on Thursday if at all possible.
These dates just sneak up on me in my old age! Thought we were going to be in the lab beginning next week, but it's TODAY!
Posted by Glenn at 10:50 AM
Are you HAUNTED by lost books,empty agendas and missing homework? As a special HALLOWEEN treat, this GIA briefing will unlock ancient secrets that will lead to memory improvement! Check out these links and activities study tricks. Class will be a treat because we have special intelligence on memory lying in wait just for YOU!
In the meantime, try this AWESOME neuroscience site to test your memory!
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/chmemory.html
Here are some memory tricks from The Learning Web
http://www.thelearningweb.net/memory-tricks.html
Use Puzzle Maker to create ways of remembering your vocabulary!
http://www.puzzlemaker.com/
Play these Brain Boosters to get your mind stimulated!
http://school.discovery.com/brainboosters/
Try these four memory trick by Encarta(same ideas we'll cover, but here are some examples to try!)
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/Features/Guides/Default.aspx?article=HomeworkMemoryTricks
OR, if you want easier ideas, here are some from Sylvan Learning Center for elementary kids!
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/departments/elementary/?article=10memorytricks
Posted by Glenn at 09:57 AM
October 29, 2006
Here's a great opportunity for students to vote in the upcoming election. While we do not have time to review the candidates in depth,students are free to vote at one of our two student computer stations in the classroom during the hours of 8:30-4:30 Monday, October 30 through Friday, November 3.
Students will only be able to vote from a school computer. After they get to the Cobb Students Vote website, each student will need to select their grade level and school. After that, they just click on the candidates of their choice.
After the November 7 Election, we will be able to go back to the web site and check results by school. This is courtesy of Kennesaw State University.
http://maestro.homeftp.net/vote/index.htm
Posted by Glenn at 05:13 PM
October 23, 2006
Please note that students should be receiving a grade on their five paragraph essay by the end of this week. It takes a while to go read 85 papers, rough drafts, bibliographies and notecards.
PLEASE NOTE ALSO...It seems as if we have a great deal going on...paper, 1st book report and final. Students have had at least 5 days support in class to research and write their paper. Students have every Wednesday in class to read their book during DEAR. Students have been given every question which will be on their extensive Japan final. All they have to do is study and they are also being given time in class for that with games, memory tricks and review. There has been NO homework for the last few weeks except for working on the paper, the report and studying for the test. Students were given the opportunity to receive a completion grade of 100 for a successful MON crest. So...no GIA agent should be under duress right now!
CHECK OUT THE LINKS FOR EXAM INFORMATION! We'll add a few more questions and tips before the end of the week.
MONDAY: We have laptops today and tomorrow and today we'll review Dr. Tyson's blog in groups and share information. He has been in Japan for the last three weeks on a Fulbright Memorial Teacher Fund excursion. Click here to read about Dr.T's Great Adventure!
http://mabryonline.org/mglc/japan/index.html
TUESDAY: Mrs. Baylor has posted some awesome Japan links on her blog, so we'll explore some of those via a scavenger hunt as we wrap up our study of Japan.
http://mabryonline.org/blogs/baylor/
And, we'll continue to check the updates on Dr. Tyson's blog. Click here to look at these gorgeous pictures he took in Japan.
http://mabryonline.org/mglc/japan/images/japan/index/index.html
WEDNESDAY: Book reports are due on November 2. Today each student will have to provide evidence for a prep grade (Classwork/Notebook 15%)that they have indeed read their book and are working on their book report. This has been assigned for over a month and students have been aware since August that they are to read a book for each area we study. Scroll down and find the Japan Book Report blog entry for all the information. Click here for a preview of the mini-chat I'll have with each student today about their report. Download file
THURSDAY:Study time! Games, review and hot seat opportunities abound.
Check out the links for each section of the test that we're reviewing.
FRIDAY: Essential Readings on Japan. Further study and investigation. Some of these questions will be included on the final. Check the TEST REVIEW LINKS for updates!
Here's a look at next week in the GIA.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 30, students will take the history and geography exam.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31 we have a special treat in store!
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, students will take the economics, culture and goverment portions of the exam.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2. This is the original date for the Japan book reports, but I will accept them tomorrow with out penalty.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3 LAST DAY students can turn in their Japan book reports. This is a one day extension.
Posted by Glenn at 08:09 AM
October 20, 2006
It's time to organize your notebooks and put on your thinking caps! THE GREAT JAPAN EXAM is COMING to to the GIA...MONDAY, October 30!
Essential questions and prompts for the test are divided into each section according to standards: History, Culture, Economics, Government, Geography...enjoy!
MONDAY, OCTOBER 30, students will take the history and geography exam.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31 we have a special treat in store!
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, students will take the economics, culture and goverment portions of the exam.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2. This is the original date for the Japan book reports, but I will accept them tomorrow with out penalty.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3 LAST DAY students can turn in their Japan book reports. This is a one day extension.
Posted by Glenn at 02:17 PM
October 16, 2006
It's CONFERENCE WEEK! This week we'll have an early release schedule! The BOOK FAIR is here! This morning classes are viewing the Book Fair video, a preview of the exciting books and resources available. Students will be visiting the BOOK FAIR with their Language Arts teachers this week. Parents, don't forget that your students' teachers may have a "wish list" of books they'd like for their classrooms.
FIVE PARAGRAPH ESSAYS are due TUESDAY, October 17. These are on the topic of dropping the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.
Check below for information on the MON Crest...this is a mini-project due Friday, October 20.
This week we will REVIEW the government, economy, culture, history, arts and recreation of Japan in preparation for our final exam. The tentative date for the exam is Monday, October 30.
Students should be organizing their notebooks in preparation for the exam...especially the intelligence section. It will be helpful to organize HISTORY, GOVERNMENT, ECONOMICS, CULTURE, ARTS AND RECREATION notes together. All the "summary" pieces such as the chapter review, inductive learning, etc. should be placed together also. Students will be receiving notes this week including the GIA STUDY Guide to Japan to supplement their materials to study for the test.
Posted by Glenn at 11:28 AM
October 14, 2006
This is a MINI-project, but such FUN!
In Japan, the MON crest represents a family and their name, perhaps including some history. In this mini-project,you'll create a crest to represent YOUR family name. The materials are simply different colors of construction paper. Click on these links to read about the MON crests and view some samples. Your crest is due Friday, October 20. Use one color of construction paper as the background, cut out the second piece of paper in a contrasting color. Select a SIMPLE design that represents your family, then glue that on the larger piece of construction paper.
http://www.japan-society.org/crest_jssdt.html
http://www.familyemblem.com/origin.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mon_(crest)
http://www.japanese-clip-art.com/kamon.html
Posted by Glenn at 08:32 PM
October 13, 2006
As we study Japan, students will be answering essential questions. Read on to view some of the questions that direct our study of Japan.
Use the five themes of geography to explain the cultural and physical geography of Japan.
How do three religions blend into what is uniquely Japan’s religious beliefs?
How did isolationism shape the current culture of Japan?
How did the ancient Samurai contribute to the culture of Japan?
What are the cultural traits of Japanese make them a distinct group?
What comprises their homogenous nature?
How did the Tokugawa shogunate establish a strong central government?
Discuss the feudal system in Japan, identifying the hierachy of established. Compare and contrast with the feudal system in Europe.
What was the motivation behind the Acts of Seclusion?
How did Matthew Perry’s entry into Edo Bay change the culture and government of Japan?
What changes were brought about by the Meiji emperor and his reign?
How did the Japanese create an empire in the Pacific?
During the period of militarism, what lands did Japan conquer?
What were the reasons for bombing Pearl Harbor? For the US dropping bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima?
After Japan surrendered, the U.S. occupied Japan for several years. What were the priorities for that occupation?
What other steps were taken to ensure Japan would no longer be a threat to America and the world?
Discuss the Japanese constitution, explaining why it was unique and the new rights it ensured.
How did the economic miracle occur in Japan after WWI?
Who are Japan’s trading partners?
Japan's GDP includes what major products?
What is their current trade policy?
What primary documents deepen understanding about …
...Matthew Perry’s visit to Japan?
...President Truman’s decision to bomb Japan?
Discuss Japan's martial arts and recreational activities.
What traditions are uniquely Japanese?
Reflecting on the "cultural encounters" experience,can you identify some broader ideas that explain these Japanese customs?
Discuss the changing roles of women in Japan.
Posted by Glenn at 07:44 PM
October 11, 2006
On Tuesday, October 17, your typed five paragraph essay is due along with your note cards and rough draft. This is a one day extension from the original assignment. Your paper should be typed double spaced (so I can make corrections). There should be an introductory paragraph with five-seven sentences, three paragraphs (four is acceptable) with five to seven sentences that detail the position you are taking and note the reasons. Your conclusion should be a summary paragraph of five to seven sentences.
Click below to assist in building your thesis, or opening statement.
Citation Machine will assist you in organizing and citing your resources correctly. Use the MLA style. You can also find this information on the Mabry Middle School Media Center blog as Mrs. Hendrix instructed you.
Citation Machine
Five Paragraph Essay Wizard
Five Paragraph Essay Assistance
The above links will assist you in finishing your essay.
Posted by Glenn at 11:43 AM
October 10, 2006
Sound file of the news of dropping the bomb
Click here to read about Truman's Decision to bomb Japan
Sadako and Ten Thousand Paper Cranes
Avalon Project at Yale Law School
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_bombings_of_Hiroshima_and_NagasakiPosted by Glenn at 04:08 PM
October 08, 2006
This week students will work in class on their five paragraph essay on the bombing of Hirshima and Nagasaki. This is not an essay on the events, but on the decision itself.
Students researched the background of these events and took notes in the Media Center last week.
Each student's rough draft should be finished by Thursday. After the rough draft has been approved, students may type their papers. The essays are due on Monday, October 16.
There will be one grade for notecards and research and one grade for the paper itself.
Information regarding this project should be in the MISSIONS section of the students' GIA notebooks.
Research links are on the blog, but students also explored COBB ONLINE RESOURCES to write their papers.
Continued discussion of the history of these events and the controversy surrounding them will be ongoing in class as students develop their papers.
Posted by Glenn at 08:41 PM
October 01, 2006
MONDAY: Breaking Bread, Bridging Cultures. Today we'll celebrate with our Bread project. Come prepared with your bread and a description to type in for our slide show to be viewed on Friday. Today we'll snack on bread as we read an article from Jr. Scholastic about Japan, " Where Ancient Meets Modern" and participate in a short play about Matthew Perry's voyage into Edo Bay in the 1800's.
TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY: Media Center. We're getting serious about research! We'll be "gathering intelligence" these three days, using all the resources the Media Center has to offer. Our topic is TOP SECRET right now...but here's a hint! We're checking out research sites for our late October i-movie project, honing our research skills, and learning how to appropriately site sources for research papers to come!
FRIDAY: Students will present their TANKAS to the Empress (moi)! Then students will present lessons the technology projects they worked on LAST week.
Posted by Glenn at 08:40 PM
