Inca Webquest

Click on this link to get started:
http://www.projectpages.org/Audenried_Projects/Aztec,_Mayan,_and_Incan_Webquest.html

Walking the Inca Trail

Dear 8th graders:

Today you will "walk" in the shoes of the Incas. To start, follow the Inca trail by clicking the link here http://www.raingod.com/angus/Gallery/Photos/SouthAmerica/Peru/IncaTrail/index.html.

Afterward, check out a porter's photojournal of Machu Picchu by clicking the link here http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/04/americas_inca_trail_porter/html/1.stm.

Maya Webquest

8D: Today you will be completing a webquest on the Mayan Civilization. Follow this link to get started: http://www.history.com/topics/maya

Latin America Enrichment Lesson

8 D: Because I will see you twice over the next two days, we are going to complete a Webquest on the early Mesoamerican people.

1: Watch this:

2. Watch this:

About Mayan human sacrifice

Why did the Mayans practice human sacrifice?

MCAS tomorrow!

8th Graders:

Tomorrow is the ELA MCAS exam. Get a good night's sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and come ready to show what you know! We are so proud of all the hard work you have completed this year, and are looking forward to you showing everyone!

SLEEP WELL!

Professional Dress UPDATE

8th Graders:

Your group can opt for professional dress or regular school uniforms (khakis and polos). If you have silver band AND are presenting on FRIDAY, you may wear your silver band outfit on THURSDAY.

Dress code standards (from the enemy...Boston College): http://www.dba-oracle.com/dress_code.htm

If you have ANY questions, please ask Ms. Feldman or Ms. Joseph.

PBL Day 7: Wednesday, March 23

8th Graders:
Today is the last day before presentations!

Today you need to put the final touches on your presentations. You need to merge your powerpoint presentations into 1 single file titled "countryFINAL" in your section's folder on the T drive. You must have this step checked by me before you leave today to avoid confusion tomorrow.

Also, I have the LCD projector signed out for each class period. Your group is welcome to borrow it to practice your presentation. You should check to see how your slides will look projected up on the white board. Remember, you will be graded for the "look" of your presentation.

Presentation Rubric:



Oral Defense Rubric:

Tuesday's Homework

Forgot the article you need for evidence? Click below!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110314/ap_on_bi_ge/as_japan_earthquake_118

Sample Power Point... so far!

Take a look at the sample powerpoint I uploaded from 8A's South Korea group.

You and your group should discuss:
What is successful?
What can be improved?
What would you change?

PBL Day 6: Tuesday, March 22

8th Graders:

Today you will continue working on your PBL presentations. You have the entire class period to work. Stay focused! Also, I need you to complete the "Presentation Organizer" by the end of the class period. Essentially it's a storyboard for your Powerpoint. I will photocopy it and return it to your group tomorrow.

Also, today we will decide the order of presentations for this Thursday and Friday. Presentation order will be decided randomly, though I will take requests for the first slot.

Lastly, today your group must decide if you would like to wear professional dress or uniforms for your presentation. For professional dress, you cannot wear jeans, sneakers, leggings, or gym uniforms. I will post more specific guidelines and ideas after school today.

Monday's Homework Assignment

PBL Day 5: Monday, March 21

8th Graders:

Today you need to start working on your group's powerpoint presentation. You need to have at least 15 creative, organized, and well-formatted slides in your presentation. Keep in mind that you should have graphics like photos and cartoons, videos, and easy to read colors and text. Your powerpoint must:

1. Answer the question: would you be happy living in your assigned country?
2. Include key factual information related to the culture, educational system, politics, and economy of your assigned country.

It is YOUR challenge to figure out HOW you are going to divide the work amongst your group members. This is PART of the PBL process - cooperative, collaborate group work. Your powerpoint is due at 8AM THURSDAY MORNING.

PBL Day 4: Friday, March 18

8th Graders:

Below are the instructions for Friday's class. Work with your team to discover more information about your assigned country.

1. Go to the 'Economic Factors' page.
2. Follow the links to learn more about the culture of your country.
3. Record facts on your data collection template.

Thursday, March 17





8th Graders: Bored while you're home today? READ A NEWSPAPER! Here are some great options  -
http://www.boston.com/
http://www.nytimes.com/
http://www.usatoday.com/

Wednesday's Homework

Read and annotate the current event article for your country. Then, write a 10 sentence summary.

North Korea

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/11/world/asia/11iht-kim11.html?ref=southkorea

Mongolia

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/14/world/asia/14china.html?ref=mongolia

Japan

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/16/world/asia/16japan.html?ref=japan

Cambodia

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/23/world/asia/23cambodia.html?ref=cambodia

South Korea

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/22/technology/22iht-broadband22.html?ref=southkorea&pagewanted=print

Vietnam

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/22/business/global/22chinavietnam.html?ref=vietnam&pagewanted=print

PBL Day 3: Wednesday 3/16

8th Graders:

Below are the instructions for Wednesday's class. Work with your team to discover more information about your assigned country.

1. Go to the 'Political Factors' page.
2. Follow the links to learn more about the culture of your country.
3. Record facts on your data collection template.

Tuesday's Homework

PBL Day 2: Tuesday, March 15

8th Graders:

Below are the instructions for Tuesday's class. Work with your team to discover more information about your assigned country.

1. Go to the 'Educational Factors' page.

2. Follow the links to learn more about the culture of your country.

3. Record facts on your data collection template.

Beware the Ides of March

Julius Caesar's bloody assassination on March 15, 44 B.C., forever marked March 15, or the Ides of March, as a day of infamy. It has fascinated scholars and writers ever since.

Read more about this famous day in history here: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/03/0311_040311_idesmarch.html

Tsunami

Interested in learning more about the earthquake and tsunami in Japan? Check out CNN's homepage for videos, photos, blogs, and news articles: http://www.cnn.com/

PBL Day 1: Monday 3/14

8th Graders:

Below are the instructions for Monday's class. Work with your team to discover more information about your assigned country.

1. Go to the 'Cultural Factors' page.

2. Follow the links to learn more about the culture of your country.

3. Record facts on your data collection template.

4. Import graphics (if found) to your powerpoint. 

Monday's Homework: Read the following article and write a 10 sentence summary.
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2011/03/13/water_power_food_scarce_in_vast_swaths_of_japan/

Japan in the news!

A massive earthquake (8.9) hit Japan yesterday, March 10. Learn more about what happened by following this link to CNN.

PBL Homework 1

Here are the links for this weekend's history homework. Follow the link to learn more about your assigned country:

Cambodia
Japan
Mongolia
North Korea
South Korea
Vietnam

Remember, when you finish reading your country profile, you need to record interesting facts and questions that you have for your group or me.

Project Description

Problem Based Learning

We will be completing our first PBL of the school year! ...but what is a PBL? Here's the definition of a PBL from the Buck Institute, which educates teachers about using PBLs in their classrooms:

In Project Based Learning (PBL), students go through an extended process of inquiry in response to a complex question, problem, or challenge. Rigorous projects help students learn key academic content and practice 21st Century Skills (such as collaboration, communication & critical thinking).

You can learn more at the Buck Institute's homepage.

This project will have numerous components and include homework, class work, minor, and major assessment grades.