Look Up and Look Around

Movie: "Children of Heaven"  Today we will continue our screening of the Iranian film "Children of Heaven." As you watch, continue to make note of the similarities and differences between our two cultures. Additionally, continue to analyze the traits of the film's main characters. Who are they as human beings? How do you know? You will continue to use the Children of Heaven - Study Guide to keep track of your notes and ideas.

Reflection and Discussion  At the conclusion of "Children of Heaven," take some time to reflect. How has this movie and the lessons of the past week changed your ideas about people from the Middle East and the religion of Islam? Before you saw this movie, did you think differently about people from this part of the world than you do now? Has this movie challenged or changed any stereotypes that you used to have? Write your response in the space provided within your Children of Heaven - Study Guide. Next, identify one idea that you wrote down that you think is important enough to be shared with the members of your group and potentially with the whole-class. Be prepared to discuss.  

Video of the Day: "Look Up"  As many of you are about to begin a Winter Break, no doubt filled with gadgets of all sorts, from Chromebooks, to iPhones, to Xboxes, to Play Stations, to Androids, and everything else in between, I find it necessary to remind you to occasionally, "look up." Take a moment to look up from the screens that play such a huge roll in our daily lives nowadays and try to truly see what is happening all around you. Look up and see your family and friends. Look up and see what is happening in your community. Look up and see what is taking place right now across the nation and the world. Do not become so beholden to your gadgets and their screens that you fail to witness that actual life is unfolding all around you. Look up, look around, and see! Enjoy the video!   

Homework  Complete the Children of Heaven - Study Guide, which is due tomorrow, Friday, December 19.  

Academic Free Time

Academic Free Time  The end of the quarter is now just a couple of days away. What can you do between now and then to raise your grades and realize your academic potential? While time is running out, there is still time and that is what today is all about. Use this class period to focus, work hard, and make positive things happen for yourself. You may want to begin with checking your grades and assignments on School Loop. Are there missing or incomplete assignments for any of your classes that you could still complete? Do you need to advocate for yourself and/or ask a clarifying question by messaging one of your teachers? What about Accelerated Reader? How close to your goal are you? What can you do between now and Friday to make progress? Do you need to spend part of today reading and taking quizzes. This is your time. Use it wisely.  

"Children of Heaven" and Challenging Muslim Stereotypes

Zahra and Ali from "Children of Heaven" 

Building Background: Iran and Muslim Stereotypes  Last week, students in Ms. Rainey's class challenged you to examine your own knowledge and stereotypes about Muslims and the religion of Islam. You participated in a pre and post survey intended to measure your understanding and biases and watched an illuminating video produced by students presenting information about an often misunderstood group of people and religion. Today we are going to continue examining our own stereotypes and learning about people of the Middle East and the religion of Islam. 

Our focus today is on the people of Iran. Iran is  an important country in the center of the Middle East, and its people have a rich history dating back to ancient times.  

Iran also has a complicated relationship and history with the United States of America. Due to disagreements between the governments of our two countries, tensions exist. The image of the Iranian people that is often portrayed in the media is of a violent people that hate America and wish to do us harm. Images like the one below have been broadcasted on the news for years. If this is the only picture your see of Iranians, it could certainly shape the way you see them. 

Is this image representative of who the people of Iran are and how they feel about Americans?

And to be fair, the Iranian government and media is also guilty of pushing propaganda about America and Americans. As a result, the view of Americans for some Iranians is also likely skewed. How do we overcome these misrepresentations, stereotypes, and propaganda? I believe it starts with understanding our shared humanity. 

Below I have included some images from Humans of Tehran, which is a Facebook page dedicated to capturing the humanity of the people of Tehran, the capital city of Iran. Do the people in these pictures seem that much different from us? Do they change the way you see Muslims and people from the Middle East? 

Finally, watch the short video "Discover Iran in 2 Minutes" and see if you see Iran and its people in a new light.  

            

Movie: "Children of Heaven"  Now we will watch the film Children of Heaven which tells the heartwarming story of the relationship between a brother and sister from Iran. As you watch, pay attention to both the similarities and differences between your culture compared to that of the people of Iran depicted in the film. Also make note of the central characters' character traits. What human qualities do they exhibit? Finally, consider your own stereotypes you may have had about Muslims and/or people from the Middle East? Has this movie and today's lesson challenged or changed they way you see people who follow the religion of Islam and/or who live in this part of the world? If so, how? You will use the Children of Heaven - Study Guide to keep track of your notes and ideas. 

EDpuzzle Video Assessment: The Indus Valley Civilization

Edpuzzle Video Assessment: The Indus Valley  Today you will demonstrate some of what you've learned about the Indus Valley Civilization by completing a mini-video assessment through EDpuzzle. After the clicking the link, click "Login," "Student," and then "Sign in with Google." If you have trouble logging in, let me know. If you never signed up in the first place back in September, you will want to click on "I'm a new student." You will be asked to "Add a class." Copy and paste your class code. 4th period students your code is epRoxy. 6th period your code is ep8vlN.

Once you're logged in, locate the Social Studies video "Indus Valley Civilization: Crash Course." This is the same video we watched as a class yesterday and will cover some of the same things you have been learning about this week. If you have headphones, use them. As the video progresses, it will stop periodically and ask you a question. You must answer the question in order to proceed. Your score on this activity will count towards your assessment grade in this class. Good luck! 

Week of Coding: From the White House to Lakeview  It's been impressive to see how many of you have demonstrated both an interest and a skill for computer coding as part of Computer Science Education Week's "Hour of Code" initiative. Everyone from President Obama to our very own Lakeview Middle School students have been getting in on the act. Keep coding! Keep creating! Keep reaching for the stars!  

Academic Free Time  If you finish the EDpuzzle activity early, you have earned academic free time. You may use this time to complete Social Studies assignments, such as The Indus Valley Civilization - Cognitive Content Dictionary or the Map of South Asia. You may use this time to complete Language Arts assignments, such as the  "I Am From" Poem  and 100 Word Challenge: 5 Words (Week #15). You may use this time to read and/or take A.R. quizzes. You may use this time to make up in incomplete or missing assignments. You may use this time to check School Loop and/or communicate with teachers about your grades and assignments. Lastly, you may also use this time to participate in Hour of Code activities. Please use your time wisely! 

The Indus Valley Civilization: Guided Reading and Videos

 Today's Focus Question  How did people live in the first Indus Valley civilization?

The Indus Valley Civilization: "Into" Video Civilization  Before we read about the Indus Valley Civilization, we are going to watch a short computer-generated video that I think will help you better visualize what life may have been like for people living during this time. 

The Indus Valley Civilization: Guided Reading  Now we will read about the Indus Valley civilization from an excerpt from our Social Studies workbooks. In addition to finding out how people lived in this civilization, we will also learn about its economy and some of its mysteries. 

Like the Nile River Valley, the Indus Valley was surrounded by desert and
included a river flooded each year, bringing forth rich soil and the threat of floods.

Indus Valley cities were well organized, which must have been the result of central planning.

Indus Valley homes included a bathroom, a toilet, a sewage system, and a trash chute.

The Indus Valley economy was based on farming and trade. Traders imported and exported a variety of goods.

Little is known about the writing system of the Indus Valley civilization.
Scholars have not been able to read the symbols found on stone seals and pottery. 

Crash Course Video: The Indus Valley Civilization  Finally, let's get the Crash Course take on the Indus Valley Civilization. Watch the video carefully because it will be used tomorrow as part of an EDpuzzle assessment. 

Homework  Complete The Indus Valley Civilization - Cognitive Content Dictionary 
and the Map of South Asia, both of which are due tomorrow, Friday, December 12.   

The Indus Valley Civilization: Vocabulary Study

 Today's Focus Question  How did people live in the first Indus Valley civilization?

The Indus Valley Civilization: Vocabulary Study  Today we will continue learning about the Indus Valley civilization of ancient India by studying some of the key vocabulary related to this remarkable civilization, using the document The Indus Valley Civilization - Cognitive Content Dictionary, which can be found in your Social Studies folders. We will be using an excerpt from our Social Studies textbook, which has been placed in your Social Studies folders (and which you can also find here), to help us understand the lesson's key words and concepts.

Online Game: The Indus Trader  Did you know the very first civilization in India began in place known as the Indus Valley? I invite you to learn about the people that made up one of India's earliest civilizations by going to the BBC's Primary History: Indus Valley site here. Feel free to explore the site and feel free to play the game Indus Trader in which you get to explore the ancient cities of India.

Homework Complete the assignment The Indus Valley Civilization - Cognitive Content Dictionary, which will be due on Friday, December 12.   

Surveys and the Indus Valley Civilization

One of the few surviving artifacts depicting what people of the Indus Valley looked like.

7th Grade Social Studies Surveys  Before we begin our lesson on the civilization of the Indus Valley today, we will first participate in a pair of surveys created by students in Ms. Rainey's 7th grade Social Studies class. You can find a link to the student-designed activities on Ms. Rainey's Blog here. 

 Today's Focus Question  How did people live in the first Indus Valley civilization?

The Indus Valley Civilization: Vocabulary Study  Today we will begin learning about the Indus Valley civilization of ancient India by studying some of the key vocabulary related to this remarkable civilization, using the document The Indus Valley Civilization - Cognitive Content Dictionary, which can be found in your Social Studies folders. We will be using an excerpt from our Social Studies textbook, which has been placed in your Social Studies folders (and which you can also find here), to help us understand the lesson's key words and concepts. Some images have also been posted below to help you conceptualize these new terms.

Young children rely on their parents. 

The organization of Indus Valley cities is clear evidence of central planning.

Food surpluses were stored in the granary. 

We import a lot of goods from China.

U.S. exports are being shipped to foreign nations. 

Buildings can collapse.

Civilizations can collapse too.

Homework Complete the assignment The Indus Valley Civilization - Cognitive Content Dictionary, which will be due on Friday, December 12.   

Computer Science Education Week: Hour of Code

Welcome to Hour of Code  The 'Hour of Code' is a nationwide initiative by Computer Science Education Week to introduce millions of students to one hour of computer science and computer programming. To learn more, watch the videos below. 

 and computer pg.

'Hour of Code' Activity Menu  Each of you will now have an opportunity to choose from a menu of 'Hour of Code' activities designed by the Khan Academy. There will be sound playing, so make sure you have your headphones handy. Review the activities below and select the one that most interests you. Enjoy your hour!

Hour of Drawing with Code: This hour teaches you how to program using JavaScript, one of the world's most popular programming languages. You will use JavaScript to program drawings, finishing with a fun draw-a-wild-animal project. This tutorial requires good typing skills and a keyboard. Recommended ages: 10+. 

Hour of Webpages: This hour teaches you to make your own webpages using the basics of HTML and CSS, finishing with a holiday greeting card. You need good typing skills and a keyboard to program in HTML/CSS. Recommended ages: 10+.​

Hour of Databases: This hour teaches the fundamentals of databases, which are how apps store data about users and content. You will use SQL to create tables, insert data into them, and do basic querying, finishing with a project to create a database for an imaginary store. You need good typing skills and a keyboard to program in SQL. Recommended ages: 12+.

Ancient India: Mapping the Geography of South Asia (Day 2)

Mapping Activity: The Geography of South Asia Today you will continue to demonstrate what you have learned about the land, important places, and geographic features in and around the Indian subcontinent, by labeling a blank image of the region using the assignment Map of South Asia (which can still be found in your Social Studies folders). Remember the directions for how to complete the activity are included with the assignment. Maps and geography resources of the region can be accessed in yesterday's Social Studies blog entry. 

Online Game: The Indus Trader  Did you know the very first civilization in India began in place known as the Indus Valley? If you finish your Map of South Asia early today, I would like to invite you to learn about the people that made up one of India's earliest civilizations. Go to the BBC's Primary History: Indus Valley site here. Feel free to explore the site and feel free to play the game Indus Trader in which you get to explore the ancient cities of India.

Homework  Complete the Map of South Asia, which is formally due next Friday, December 12. 

Ancient India: Mapping the Geography of South Asia

Mapping Activity: The Geography of South Asia Today you will demonstrate what you have learned about the land, important places, and geographic features in and around the Indian subcontinent, by labeling a blank image of the region (similar to the one featured above). In your Social Studies Folder you can find the assignment Map of South Asia. Directions for how to complete the activity are included with the assignment. 

You may utilize various resources to help you complete the activity. The maps below, featured in our Social Studies textbooks and found online, I find particularly helpful. 

This mapping activity builds upon content that we have studied in class and serves as one way to demonstrate what you have learned about the geography of ancient India and South Asia. Therefore, it will count towards your Social Studies assessment grade. This assignment will be due on Friday, December 12. 

Homework  Complete The Geography of South Asia - Notetaking Study Guide and The Geography of South Asia - Cognitive Content Dictionary, which are both due tomorrow, Friday, December 5.