Mesopotamia: The Civilization of Sumer

The Civilization of Sumer: Vocabulary Study  Today we are going to be studying the key vocabulary related to the 'Civilization of Sumer,' using the document The Civilization of Sumer - Cognitive Content Dictionary located in your Social Studies Google Classroom. We will be using an excerpt from our Social Studies textbook to help us understand the lesson's key words and concepts.

Homework  Complete your The Civilization of Sumer - Cognitive Content Dictionary, which is due Friday, October 14.  

Lakeview Students Rock the Vote!

Are you ready to cast your vote? 

California Student Mock Election  Alex Padilla, Secretary of State of California, wants young people to get involved in the democratic process. He says: "Young people have the potential to be a powerful force in elections, but only if they get involved and make voting a habit. To encourage students to become active voters once they are old enough to cast a ballot, [we] are inviting high school and middle school students, teachers and principals to participate in the MyVote California Student Mock Election, which will take place on October 11, 2016. School registration is now open."

"The Student Mock Election will stir students' interest in voting by tapping into the excitement of the campaign season. As students learn about the candidates and issues, they discover how government and politics affect every part of their lives. They gain firsthand knowledge of how citizens make their voice heard in our democracy, and experience the power of their votes when they are joined by thousands of California students and millions more across the United States who will vote in student mock elections this year."

Today, Lakeview students, you will have the opportunity to have your voice heard and rock the vote in the Library at lunch. 

Exploring the Issues  Today, you will have the opportunity to vote for president of the United States, the United States Senate, and on various California propositions. To help you learn more about the candidates and to better understand the issues, I put together the Google Slide show featured below. I will also provide each of you with an Election Study Guide, on which you can take notes as you work to make informed decisions when you cast your ballot today. 

      

Now it's time for you to do a little independent research about the issues and candidates before you cast your vote. To learn more about the propositions and the California candidates for the U.S. Senate check out the link here. To learn more about the presidential candidates check the links here and here.

Mesopotamia with EDpuzzle

Getting Started with EDpuzzle  It's time to sign-up for an exciting online interactive video program:  EDpuzzle. Once you get there, click on "I'm a new student." Then click 'Sign up with Google.'

EDpuzzle Video: "Mesopotamia: From Nomads to Farmers"  Today you will be watching a video and answering a series of questions about Mesopotamia. The video will stop periodically and you'll be required to answer a question before being allowed to continue. To be successful, you must pay close attention to the content of the video. If you have your own headphones, please use them. Otherwise, you must listen to your video as quietly as possible.  You can watch the video and answer the questions at your own pace. If you don't finish in class today, please finish for homework outside of class. This assignment will count towards your assessment grade. 

Homework  Complete the Mesopotamia: From Nomads to Farmers EDpuzzle activity. Deadline: Friday, October, 14. 

The Fertile Crescent: Main Idea and Details

Appropriate Behavior with the Substitute  I'm sorry I couldn't be with you today. I fully expect you to be on your very best behavior with your substitute today. Please stay in your seats, stay focused on the work outlined here on the Blog, and, most importantly, treat your substitute with decency and respect. Remember, I can monitor your computer use from home and expect to see that you focused on your assignments and not goofing around.If you don't have a working Chromebook today, partner up with someone at your table and work with them. I expect to receive a positive report form the substitute upon my return. Students that choose to not to be their best selves today may receive serious consequences upon my return. Have a great day!

The Fertile Crescent: Main Idea and Details  Our central task as we read today about Mesopotamia's "Fertile Crescent" is to identify the main ideas and details of key paragraphs and passages from our text. To better understand how to identify main ideas, check our the graphic below.  

The supporting details, on the other hand, serve to support, strengthen, and elaborate upon the main idea.  

In your Social Studies Google Classroom, you will find the document The Fertile Crescent: Main Idea and Supporting Details. With the members of your team, read each passage or paragraph and work to identify the main idea and supporting details.  

Academic Business Time  On Monday several important assignments are due, including you Civilization Concept Map, The Fertile Crescent: Main Idea and Supporting Details and The Fertile Crescent - Cognitive Content Dictionary. If need be, you may use the remainder of class time to work on completing your assignments. Otherwise, you may use this time to silent read, take AR quizzes, read Newsela articles of your choice, or practice your typing.   

Mesopotamia: The Fertile Crescent (Day 2)

Warm-Up Video  Let's get familiar with today's content by watching the brief video below.  

The Fertile Crescent: Main Idea and Details  Our central task as we read today about Mesopotamia's "Fertile Crescent" is to identify the main ideas and details of key paragraphs and passages from our text. To better understand how to identify main ideas, check our the graphic below.  

The supporting details, on the other hand, serve to support, strengthen, and elaborate upon the main idea.  

In your Social Studies Google Classroom, you will find the document The Fertile Crescent: Main Idea and Supporting Details. With the members of your team, read each passage or paragraph and work to identify the main idea and supporting details. 

Homework  Complete the assignment The Fertile Crescent: Main Idea and Supporting Details, which is due and must be 'turned in' by Monday, October 10.     

Mesopotamia: The Fertile Crescent

Introductory Video: Discover Mesopotamia with Bugs Bunny  Let Bugs Bunny take you on a one minute introductory tour of Mesopotamia, the world's very first civilization, in the video below.  

The Fertile Crescent: Vocabulary Study  Today we are going to be studying the key vocabulary related to the geography of Mesopotamia, also known as the 'The Fertile Crescent,' using the assignment The Fertile Crescent - Cognitive Content Dictionary located in your Social Studies Google Classroom. We will be using an excerpt from our Social Studies textbook, which can also be found in your Social Studies Google Classroom (and which you can also find here), to help us understand the lesson's key words and concepts.

Homework  Complete the assignment Fertile Crescent - Cognitive Content Dictionary, which is due on Monday, October 10.  

What Is a Civilization?

Concept Map: Civilization  The world's first cities began as farming villages. As early cities grew in size and power, some of them gave rise to civilizations. But what exactly is a civilization? Considering that we are studying 'Ancient Civilizations' this year, understanding the answer to that question is essential. 

To help us make better sense of what a civilization is, we are going to make a Civilization Concept Map today. You can find a document of the same name in your Social Studies Google Classroom.

Using the Concept Map (and the textbook excerpts below), we will first examine the characteristics or features of a civilization. Next, we will come up with a list of non-examples: examples that do not fit the criteria for a civilization. Then, we will decide on examples that do seem to embody our understanding of what a civilization is. Finally, we will decide on a definition for the concept  of civilization. Additionally, we will add images throughout our concept map to help us better understand the concept. (This assignment is due Monday, October 10.)     
    

 

Review Video  Now that we have a better sense of what a civilization is, let's review what makes a civilization a civilization by watching the short informative video below. How is your civilization concept map both similar and different to the information put forth in the video?