Pride and Basketball

Big year coming up in 7th Grade Social Studies, so let's begin our year with a fun combination of pride in our nation, and my love of basketball (turn your volume up!):

Test

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Project Progress

With one week from our due date (Friday, May 30) and 160 minutes of class time remaining, let's talk about some things that will help us complete these projects as efficiently as possible:

1. Have we all broken into smaller groups of 2 or 3 and taken responsibility for at least 1 building? This has proven very effective in the 3 or 4 classes that have implemented this strategy, so we're all going to. (in hindsight, this might have been a good way to start!)

2. Exchange phone numbers, sn's, e-mails whatever - get together this weekend for a couple hours and work together. Not alone, together!

3. Bring materials home if you need to. I'll do all the cutting for you, as usual, but feel free to bring anything home if you'd like to.

4. Backgrounds and Layouts should be complete by end of class Friday.

5. Each building's green "profile sheet" should be in the hands of that group, complete with correct pictures, correct measurements, and correct blueprints/designs.

Project Updates

Well, so far, so... so. Mixed progess throughout the classes. Some are doing fantastic (5th Period!), some need a complete restructuring, as will happen tomorrow. I want to make sure a few points are clear as we have 9 days left to work:

1. The final due Date is now Friday, May 30th. I gave an extra day because I'm nice :)
2. We need to talk nicely to each other. I know we get frustrated with the work habits or ideas of our peers, but we all need to be polite. You attract more flies with honey than vinegar, so try it. Kill 'em with kindness!
3. Each class' cityscape should have a maximum of 3 items purchased. For example, trees, cars, or boats. I don't expect you all to make the boats, so you may buy them. But only 3. Otherwise, scale is thrown off and your parents spend too much money.
4. Each student can now earn 10 points per day based on behavior and productivity. Unproductive students lose points. I started doing that today, so look at the gradebook daily to see what your child did in class.
5. Measure twice, cut once. Heck, measure 3 times and cut once!
6. Please, please, please - no knives or anything sharp. You can't bring them to school, and will get in trouble if you do.
7. Each class should build at least 10 buildings (except 6th period - they should do 7-8). The more the merrier, of course.

2008 Chicago Project Draft

All done! This is what we've got:

7th Period (1st pick)
Sears Tower
Trump Tower
333 North Wacker
Marshall Field's Building
Wrigley
Old Water Tower
Chicago Theatre
NBC Tower
Xerox Tower
Arquitectonica
AT&T Center
1 South Wacker
Onterie (Ontario) Center

5th Period (2nd pick)
Aqua
John Hancock Building
Smurfit-Stone Building
Old Water Tower
Marshall Field's Building
Spertus
Lake Point Tower
RR Donnelly Building
Waldorf-Astoria
Grant Park
900 North Michigan
1 South Wacker
Alder Planetarium
Citygroup Center
Citadel Center

8th Period (3rd pick)
311 South Wacker
John Hancock Building
Aon Center
Arquitectonica
CNA
Streeter
IBM
Carson Pirie Scott
Chicago Board of Trade
NBC Tower
RR Donnelly
200 North Riverside
United Center
Alder Planetarium
Grant Park 3

2nd Period (4th pick)
Spire
Smufit-Stone
333 North Wacker
CNA
Canyon Ranch
Tribune Tower
NBC Tower
Museum of Science and Industry
Pinnacle
Elysian
Tides
Lake Point Tower
Carson Pirie Scott
Waldorf-Astoria
Grant Park 3


4th Period (5th pick)
Spire
Aon Center
Trump Tower
Sears Tower
Wrigley Building
Soldier Field
Marina City
2 Prudential Plaza
AT&T Corporation
IBM Building
Musuem of Science and Industry
Elysian
311 South Wacker
Chicago Board of Trade

6th Period (last pick)
2 Prudential Plaza
Tribune Tower
900 North Michigan
Aqua
Chicago Theatre
Marina City
Canyon Ranch
Tides
Chicago Theatre
Waterview Tower
Millenium Park
Canyon Ranch
Grant Park Tower 4
US Cellular Field
Spertus

New Chicago Skyline

Here's a couple nice photos. The first is the new skyline, should those that are proposed and under construction continue their paths to completion. The second is the new skyline at night with the Spire drawn in.

Chicago Project - Tasks 1 & 2

Task One (Monday's HW):
Select your project project theme, background, perspective, and details. Students should come to their committees with an idea of what their "cityscape" is trying to show, and why they've chosen their particular items. Please note the slideshow below for SPECIFIC names of details. Students need to come prepared.

Task Two:
Each class needs to select (and rank) 20 items they wish to build. After Wednesday's Field Trip, classes will select those buildings they wish to build. Please refer to the Class Description for more specifics and categories to consider.

Chicago Project Introduction

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This is a fantastic video of Chicago's newest (future) landmark... the Chicago Spire (coming in 2011). It's a computer generated video, as the Spire obviously isn't complete yet, but still gives a great impression of the Spire's details. Also, it places a CG Spire into the Chicago Skyline - one the most beautiful skylines in the world.

It takes 5-10 minutes to load, and takes about 4-5 minutes long to watch. You'll also need quicktime to watch it. Enjoy!

Constitution Test Part 2 - Study This:

Tomorrow's final portion of the test will be 50 questions, covering these topics:

*Bill of Rights
*Amendment Process
*How a Bill Becomes a Law
*Judicial Branch
*Checks and Balances

And, some sample questions:
1. How many Amendments have actually been ratified?
27
2. At events like the State of the Union, the (blank) is the person who is hidden away in the event of an emergency.
Designated Survivor
3. Who is the leader of the Supreme Court?
Chief Justice
4. Is it possible to win the Presidency without actually getting the most votes?
Yes
5. In a Presidential Election, who breaks a tie?
House of Representatives
6. What kind of representation reflects the New Jersey Plan, giving power to the smaller states?
Equal Representation
7. What was the name of the “solution” to the slave population problem during the Constitutional Convention?
3/5ths Compromise
8. True/False: it is illegal to burn a flag.
False
9. How did the British Influence our Constitution?
Making sure ALL people follow laws.
10. The most prestigious chamber of Congress is led by the (blank) ?
Vice President (President Pro Tempore is 2nd, but usually leads b/c the VP has other things to do)

Constitution Test Clarifications

As lots of people are asking the same questions, maybe I can do some clarifying right now:

*50 Questions each day (Wednesday: 24 Questions on the Articles, Principles and Goals of the Preamble. 26 Questions on the Responsibilities and Duties of the 3 branches. )

*ALL Multiple Choice, matching, True/False, etc. NO ESSAYS.

*I'll do my best to have this graded ASAP. The aides are great at helping with this, so hopefully we can get it done quickly for the students.

Study Sessions - 5/7, 5/8

Anyone is welcome IF YOU'VE SIGNGED UP. With such great turnout, I can take all comers. I need people to sign up, and if you have, honor it and show up. You're welcome anytime between 7:15-7:45. Come when you can!

Field Trip Permission Slips Due 5/7

Please be sure to turn these in... you can't go if I don't get them!

If I get them by Wednesday, you get 5 points extra credit on the Constitution Test.

Homework for 5/5

Students should finish their (red) Take Home Quiz for tomorrow. They had ample class time, so it should already be done.

Before School Study - 5/6, 7:15-7:45

As the title of this post suggests, I'll be available in my room for some before school studying that anyone might need. I'll take all students interested, unless my room becomes too crowded.

See you tomorrow!

Constitution Sample Questions

Here's your first bunch of questions. See if you can get the answers. We'll discuss during our morning study session on Tuesday.

Have a lovely day :)

1. What is a “State of Nature?”
2. What is it called when somebody “gives permission” for another to do something?
3. What is a Social Contract?
4. Which part of the Constitution serves as its introduction, setting up the goals in it?
5. Which Goal deals with giving all people freedom and liberty?
6. Our military executing an attack against a group which has hurt us is called (which Preamble goal):
7. The preparation a vaccine to prevent an epidemic in America is an example of:
8. Which Goal of the Preamble would police officers arresting a suspect be called?
9. Which Goal is represented when states give up their different currencies for one American dollar system (like we have today)?
10. Which Article gives Powers to the Legislative Branch?

Notes from Class - 4/30 & 5/6

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Great Example of Sportsmanship

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/columns/story?columnist=hays_graham&id=3372631&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab5pos1

"The first pitch I took, it was a strike. And then I really don't remember where the home run pitch was at all; [I] just remember hitting it, and I knew it was out."

Prior to the pitch she sent over the center-field fence, she had just three hits in 34 at-bats this season. And in that respect, her hitting heroics would have made for a pleasing, if familiar, story line on their own: an unsung player steps up in one of her final games and lifts her team's postseason chances.

But it was what happened after an overly excited Tucholsky missed first base on her home run trot and reversed direction to tag the bag that proved unforgettable.

"I'm coaching third and I'm high-fiving the other two runners that came by -- then all of a sudden, I look up, and I'm like, 'Where's Sara?' And I look over, and she's in a heap beyond first base."

While she was doubling back to tag first base, Tucholsky's right knee gave out. The two runners who had been on base already had crossed home plate, leaving her the only offensive player on the field of play, even as she lay crumpled in the dirt a few feet from first base and a long way from home plate. First-base coach Shannon Prochaska -- Tucholsky's teammate for three seasons and the only voice she later remembered hearing in the ensuing conversation -- checked to see whether she could crawl back to the base under her own power.

As Knox explained, "It went through my mind, I thought, 'If I touch her, she's going to kill me.' It's her only home run in four years. I didn't want to take that from her, but at the same time, I was worried about her."

Umpires confirmed that the only option available under the rules was to replace Tucholsky at first base with a pinch runner and have the hit recorded as a two-run single instead of a three-run home run. Any assistance from coaches or trainers while she was an active runner would result in an out. So without any choice, Knox prepared to make the substitution, taking both the run and the memory from Tucholsky.

"And right then," Knox said, "I heard, 'Excuse me, would it be OK if we carried her around and she touched each bag?'"

If an opponent, on the losing side of a big time game, can see the big picture, shouldn't we all? Sports below the professional ranks isn't about winning and losing - it's about making us better people. They get it up in Washington.

Homework - April 29

Students need to complete their "Checks and Balances" worksheet.

And please note the typo - the third column should read "Keeping," not "keep." Sorry!

Notes from Class, April 28

These notes will cover Article 3 of the Constitution.

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And this image will review the checks and balances in place in our government.

http://www.alwantv.com/play.php?vid=389

Wow. Thought provoking video here. I suggest watching it with a few questions in mind:

1. What does an American "look like?"
2. Who is America currently at war with?
3. Who do you agree with, the store clerk, or the verbal majority of customers?
4. Can you name other terrorists who are not "Muslim" or "Arabic."
5. What would you have done if you were a customer in the store?
6. What is a jihad?

We are going to discuss this in our last class session of he Constitution Unit, discussing citizenship and your responsibilities in government. If you type a 500 word paper exploring these questions that I've listed above, as well as your opinions and experiences related to the matter (war, terrorism, race, speaking up, helping strangers, etc.), you will be rewarded with (up to) 20 extra credit points (depending on the quality of the work).

Notecards...

For some reason, notecards have been puzzling today. We do these so that students have a simple, clear way to review. Parents or friends or family can help a student review through being "quizzed," or a student can study alone. I expect students to do 50 of these, with 1 point of extra credit given for every one after 50 (max of 20 points). Students should use these to review for 20 minutes or so every night leading up to the Constitution Test.

The front should contain a vocab word, subject, or question. For example (just a bit more colorful, maybe):


The back should look like this (again, feel free to add a picture, symbol, ryhme or something else to make it "stick"):

Students should use the following items to make the notecards:
*Any notesheet or worksheet from class.
*Chapter 7, Secs 2 and 3.
*Chapter 8, Secs 1,2, and 3.
*Study Guide Vocab
*Study Guide Goals
*ESPECIALLY old quizzes!!

50 notecards are due Monday.

Constitution Test RESCHEDULED

Between my absences this week, a half day tomorrow, a field trip on Friday, and next week's band trip, we can't take the Constitution Test as scheduled. Instead, we'll postpone it for Wednesday and Thursday, May 7th and 8th. The questions and material will remain the same, but we'll take it a week later. Sorry to delay it, but it can only help by giving you more time, too.

Mr. Little on AIM

OMG isn't that sooooo creepy, 5th period?

Since so many students have questions about our unit, I'm trying to make myself a little more accessible. Seeing hta tmy "office hours" are generally after 9:00 PM anyway, I'll log onto IM so students can contact me with questions. I'm only doing this for the next 2 weeks, leading up to the Constitution Test (April 29 and 30). A few things to keep in mind:

1. My sn is jlittle1787
2. If I responsd slowly, it's because other students are responding as well... be patient, please.
3. Only contact me for school related questions, not my thoughts on the NBA playoffs or the state of Chicago baseball.

Constitution Unit - Week Three

We've been studying the Executive this week, as well as reviewing the Legislative powers, and touching on the Judicial Branch. Next week should tie up all these loose ends with discussions on Checks and Balances, Law Writing, etc. For tomorrow's Quiz, students should use our Notes from class to prepare for the following ideas:

1. List the responsibilities and duties of the Executive Branch.
2. Describe the qualifications for becoming the President/Vice President.
3. Explain how Presidents/VP's are elected (Electoral College).
4. Determine why the President "represents all people."
5. Recall NUMBERS - age, term limits, representative/Senator counts, Elector counts ,etc.

Good luck... I may post some sample questions later - so check back in.

Notes from Class, April 14 & 15

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Our notes from Article 2, divided over 2 days.

Constitution Unit - Week Two

Another Quiz tomorrow - this time covering the last parts of the "Basics" and Article One. Things to study/know:

1. The Seven Articles
2. The Seven Principles
3. The Characteristics/Requirements of each House of Congress
4. The Great Compromise and the conflict of Representation

Please, let me know if you have any questions. I am leaving town for the afternoon, but should return tonight to answer any questions you should have. Please let me know how I can help, and be patient... I'll get back to you as soon as I can (about 8:00).

Notes from Class, April 8 & 10

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Notes from Class, 4/7

My apologies for not getting this up sooner. A crying baby demanded some attention!

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Look Who's a Sox Fan...

Ben Franklin... international diplomat, writer, inventor... and Sox Fan. Congrats, Pale Hose on a tremendous first week of baseball. And Joe "Grand Slam" Crede - Ben loves ye!

Homework for the week of 4/7

Monday: Read pages 252-254, then list 10 responsibilites of the Legislative Branch.

Wednesday: Read pages 206-210 in your textbook, then complete your chart from class (Questions/Issues with slavery)

Constitution Unit - Week One

As we've begun the Constitution Unit, we also start weekly Quizzes to serve as checkpoints. If students are having problems with the amount of new (and sometimes "heavy") material, these quizzes will supplement the Study Guide and methods of teaching to hopefully make the Constitution easier to understand.

This week, we've discussed the first 4 goals on the Study Guide, and we'll have a quiz Monday (April 7th) covering those goals. Be sure to understand:

1. What influenced the Constitution (Romans, Brits, Early Americans, Enlightenment)
2. Why we need government (state of nature, consent, social contract)
3. Goals of the Preamble
4. Articles of the Constitution
5. Principles of the Constitution

This quiz is light... it's only 10 questions or so. Review your notes and ask me if you have questions.

Boys Soccer Team

As is always the case, making cuts is one of the toughest parts of coaching/teaching. With 34 boys trying out, we have to cut kids who have played quite a bit of soccer - competition is tough, and these boys deserve congrats for their skill, work ethic, and attitude.


The 2008 Boys Soccer Team is:
Ryan Morrissey (7th grade)
Scott Holakovsky (6)
Andy Kryk (8)
Ryan Koniecko (7)
Ryan Bovard (6)
Marty Lyman (7)
Jack Malooly (8)
Mark Picel (8)
Ben Stearns (7)
Nick Rossi (7)
Zach Froats (8)
Justin Marquez (8)
Shawn Kurian (7)
Alejandro Canales (8)
Finnian Burke (7)
Christian Torrijos (7)
Kishore Palla (7)
Justin McDonald (7)
Matt Dismang (8)
Tim Chow (8)
Adam Azriel (6)

Managers: Karolina Kijowski, Tara Marcoski, Kelsey Miller

Our season begins Thursday vs. Gower... be sure to wish the boys luck!

Homework for the Week of 3/31

Monday: Students need to write a 1-page paper, "What government means to me." This is simply a free write; students should identify what government does, what it is, and how they feel about it. Typed responses should be 250 words. Written answers should be 1 page.

Wednesday: Students need to Illustrate what life would look like "in a state of nature," something we talked about in class. Students need to draw an illustration or picture, then write 3 sentences describing what they've drawn.

Thursday: Read and outline Textbook pages 248-251, please.

Friday: Little Books are Due! They're on the 6 goals of the Preamble, and each page must include:

-Title (Goal)
-Picture supporting/describing goal
-Sentence describing picture/goal

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

My two favorite Irish blessings, courtesy of my grandfather:

May you have the hindsight to know where you've been,
the foresight to know where you're going,
and the insight to know when you're going too far!

&

He who loses money, loses much.
He who loses a friend, loses more.
He who loses his faith, loses everything.

"John Adams" on HBO

Wow... what a great series so far. I'm only an hour into it, but so far so goo. Few videos are both interesting and informative, as this seems to be. If you haven't watched it yet, I highly recommend it. It's rated PG for mild language and mild violence, but I do highly suggest that parents watch it FIRST, as there are some "questionable" scenes that you might want to reconsider before letting your child watch (the ratings people seem to have missed a few things :(. They're relevant to the story, but I still suggest it. This is a 7-week mini series, ending in late April. Seeing that it's an HBO "film," I'm sure it will be available On Demand and re-broadcast repeatedly on their 12 channels.

John Adams is often referred to as the "forgotten" founding father, when compared to his fiery cousin Samuel, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson, not to mention others who have a stake in history (George Mason, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock) and are more well known. By most accounts this is a very accurate representation of the Revolutionary era. It's based on the book of the same name, by David McCullough.

Also recommended: the website that I linked above, and also here. It's interactive with a timeline, episode synopsis, interviews, and primary source information related to the Revolution.

This video will revolutionize the way this unit is taught (pun intended, sorry!), as we can use it to walk-through the events so much more clearly. I'm very happy with how the pieces of this unit are falling into place, not just now, but for the future. I've already begun drawing up next years plans to use this video, as well as a far more comprehensive and lengthy unit using primary sources. I've got great stuff on the Boston Massacre, Continental Congresses, etc., and we'll use them along with this video. It will be a nice addition, though I'm sorry it didn't make it to this year, current students!

American Revolution Test

Studying hard? If so, here's your reward: 10 sample questions, as well as the short answer preview. I'll repost later today/tonight the answers. I've been sick this weekend, so if I'm late, be patient, please!

Multiple Choice:
1. The French and Indian War starts this Revolution… what is the cause of it?
a. Native Americans are frustrated with British settlers taking their land.
b. The French and British are at war all over the world, and their rivalry spreads to America.
c. The Americans want independence.
d. The French had a friendly relationship with the Native Americans, while the British did not.

2. After that War, thee British passed a law called the (blank), forbidding colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains.
a. Stamp Act
b. Proclamation of 1769
c. Sugar Act
d. Proclamation of 1763

3. After that War, the British were left with this problem:
a. How do they stop the Colonists from getting Independence?
b. They’re broke from years and years of fighting
c. How do they stop the French from taking more land?

4. The first tax passed by the British:
a. Stamp Act
b. Sugar and Molasses Act
c. Townshend Act
d. Patriot Act

5. The Colonists’ biggest problem with these British taxes was:
a. They didn’t want to pay extra money.
b. Such taxation without representation.
c. They were placed on its most popular items to sell.
d. Taxes were just plain unfair.

Matching:
31. Song played by the British after they suffered defeat and surrendered to the Americans at Yorktown. The World Turned Upside Down

32. America’s “First Traitor”. Benedict Arnold

33. A spy for the Americans, and former teacher. Executed after being found sneaking British troop movements out of camp in the soles of his shoes. Nathan Hale

34. New style of warfare used by the colonists; sneaky hit and run attacks. Guerrilla

35. Two different treaties that ended the French and Indian, Revolutionary Wars, but shared the same name! Treaty of Paris

Short Answer: You only have to do ONE of these on the test.
51. Explain what Ben Franklin meant when drawing the above cartoon ("Join or Die"). What was the intended response?


52. Identify which tax/act this pamphlet (from Before the Revolution Notes) protested, and Describe how it does so. Use 2 pieces of evidence to describe it!


53. Recall your “perspective” from our class activity (Slave, Woman, Patriot, Trader, Loyalist, Soldier); Distinguish what your group wanted to get out of the war, citing one specific example from the primary source selection. Remember – you’re the expert!

American Revolution Test - Monday, 3/17

Our test covering the American Revolution will be on Monday. Students were given study guides nearly 2 weeks ago, have made notecards to review vocab, and have been coming to me to ask questions. This is a 50-60 question test, so it's important that students prepare for it seriously. They should study nightly beginning tonight, so they can resolve any problems that arise. The Test is simple in format - Multiple Choice, Matching, Map Recognition, and Chronological Order. In reference to the textbook, this test covers Chapters 5 and 6.

We've done a great deal of discussion and activity on this topic. It's hard to "cram" or just look at stuff to "study." Instead, this test is designed to measure a student's work over an entire unit of work. You can't cram for this test as many traditional tests are. I encourage students to review their notes, their goals, and class activities to be sure they're knowledgeable of everything they should.

I'll be checking my e-mail intermittently this weekend for any questions.

The State of Spartan Basketball

I don't use the website for basketball very often, but I think today is a good day to. Our Varsity Girls Basketball team lost a playoff game last week, a game I don't think we should have lost - to a team we've never lost to. I was so upset that our season was over - with a loss - that I think I made a mistake and overlooked another great comeback by the girls, and what was almost a glorious come back. Down 22-6 midway through the 3rd quarter, we came back to lose 27-24. That's an 18-5 run, and under pressure, too. I'm personally disappointed that I missed a chance to praise my girls for such a finish. That's the thing any athlete takes away with them (or should). This game should give us a great work ethic and a refusal to quit. My girls have that, and I'm very happy they do. That's a product of their home environments, their own attitudes, and so on.

10, 20 years from now, what will they take away from this last game? I hope that it was "just another game" they fought valiantly in. That became our trademark, making teams sweat! We took Jefferson to halftime - twice - just a basket away. We came back from being down 18-1 to Old Quarry, cutting it to 27-21. Jefferson averaged over 40 points a game - we held them to 27 once and 32 another. We lost to Old Quarry by an average of 5 points over 5 meetings. What's so special about that? Those teams are a combined 27-3 in conference! And 45-5 over the last 2 years!

We shot only 6% against a team last week, and held them to 18 points. We lost that game, but still held a team below 20 points and got the ball back enough to take 7 good shots inside the last 30 seconds. We lost another two a team that has already played 30 games together as a travel team, but only after trading the lead for 36 of the 40 minutes during that game.

Despite a loss, or a couple in a row, we ended our season fighting. I can't tell you how proud I am of my girls for that. 10, 20 years from now, I won't remember our record, or our trophies, or shooting percentages, but what great girls they are... what great workers, fighters, and teammates they were. They've set a standard for other girls to follow. All future Spartan teams will be held to their standard. They had fun and worked hard. Is there much more to basketball than that?! To Jackie, Anglea, Raven, Jamei, Maura, Bridget, Maddie, Malak, Maddie and Amber - you'll be missed... great season(s), girls!

I'd also like to reference another great coach's blog, which inspired this post, and can also be found on the blogroll directly to the right of this post.

Another Interesting Video

No more video!

An Impressive Perspective on Life - EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY

A Professor at Carnegie Mellon University,Dr. Randy Pausch knows he is dying. This video will leave you thinking when it's over. Take 10 minutes of your time to watch it. It would do us all some good.

For up to 15 points extra credit, write a 250 word response to this video. How did it make you feel? What should life be about - work or enjoyment (or both)? What mark do you leave on others? Are you proud of how you have lived your life so far? What about your dreams? What are your dreams? How will you pursue those dreams in life? 20 years from now - what will you be most proud of? This is due in person by Friday morning, 2/28, or via e-mail by 5:00 pm on Monday evening, 3/3.

Extra Credit Reminder...

This is a repost from a few weeks ago. With all of our new snow, I thought it may be useful for students to be reminded that civic helpfulness gets you extra credit in my class.

As much of our time in Social Studies this half of the year will be spent discussing true citizenship, why not start now? I want you all to go help your neighbors tonight and tomorrow, no matter who they are. If you can do 5 homes (that includes driveways, sidewalks, and walkways to the front door), and get the signatures of those living there, I'll reward your good citizenship with 20 points extra credit. Want to team up and do it with a friend? Good teamwork and friendship can be rewarded as well: I'll give you 20 points when the 2 of you get 8 driveways done together. Simply print this post and have them sign it.

When you do things for other people, you do far more than just relieve them of a task on their to-do list. The feeling of gratefulness that a neighbor (like you!) went out of their way to help them out is something special. Especially for your generation, when you have far more tempting, preventing, and distracting you from helping others. So log off AIM, MySpace, turn off the TV, put aside the Wii, and just unplug yourself in general... and go help a neighbor. Be a good citizen, and make your community a better place. You'll never know when they'll return the favor!

Just imagine... 150 7th graders X 5 driveways each... every home in our district can be shoveled because of your good citizenship!

Parents - if students can't get someone's signature, your signature and note will be a suitable replacement.

Homework DUE Wednesday, 2/27

Students need to complete the following 3 worksheets for Wednesday's classes:

American Revolution Timeline
American Revolution Vocab Chart (stop at 14!)
American Revolution WS - Beginning and Declaration

Students should have read through Chapter Six, Section 2 by now, too.

THIS is Spartan Pride

Pack the Place went wonderfully, thanks to the work of everyone involved. I'm very happy about this, as basketball is something I'd like to make a big thing at Lakeview. Mrs. Mesker, the Leadership Team, Mrs. Foellmer, our Administrators, Ms. Casey, many students, and our coaches worked hard to make this thing special, and it was. I'm very proud of our school, and the students who led the efforts to make this successful.

Thanks to Dhara Puvar, Anna Jedralski, and Lidya Jacob for taking the photos/video found above, and to Mrs. Foellmer for making the final video. It's very nicely done, so be sure to compliment the ladies!

Remember when Money was GREEN?

On March 13th - just 3 1/2 weeks away - the Treasury releases its most drastically colored banknote, a purple finski. Here's a great interactive site describing the features of the new bill - as well as the reasons behind the change. Some may barely notice the "yellowish" 10 spot or the blue 50's, so this change is most visable and most drastic to most.

The Chicago Spire - Video

This is a fantastic video of Chicago's newest landmark... the Chicago Spire (coming in 2011). It's a computer generated video, as the Spire obviously isn't complete yet, but still gives a great impression of the Spire's details. Also, it places a CG Spire into the Chicago Skyline - one the most beautiful skylines in the world.

Here's the video. It takes 5-10 minutes to load, and takes about 4-5 minutes long to watch. You'll also need quicktime to watch it. Enjoy!
http://www.fxguide.com/modules/NewsUpload/files/08Feb/spire/chicago_spire_fxguide.mov

Homework for the Week of 2/11

Students need to complete Questions 11-16 & 20- 15 on page 162. WICS, of course!

The Week Ahead in SS

After being gone for 3 1/2 school days, Monday will be a day to reestablish some of our goals in the classroom. We have a quiz Friday on the Before the Revolution unit we were working on before my son's birth. Study Guides will go out Tuesday for that quiz, and we'll finish up notes, review, and wrap up the unit this week. Next Tuesday starts off our "American Revolution" unit, which ironically comes right after President's day. This is a short unit, as a larger part of our time will be spent on part 3 of the Revolution - studying the Constitution. That will begin sometime in early March. To summarize:

Monday: Review Poster people, get back on track in SS.
Tuesday: Study Guides go out.
Friday: Quiz! (Before the Revolution - Textbook Chapter 5)

Little Little is Here!!

Hi everyone... our "little" family has officially become the Little Family. Mrs. Little gave birth to Mason Edward Little (8 lbs., 11 ounces; 20 inches) this afternoon at 4:03, and I'm the happiest man alive... becoming a father is a feeling that's impossible to describe. He's not really that big, but he's got HUGE hands and feet, just like his daddy. And already lots more hair :(

Here's a few pictures, but don't be surprised if a camera happy new dad goes nuts with a few more in the coming days.

Update: Mrs. Little is feeling very well tonight, though tired. Mason's slept almost all day, except for his routine feeding. You need to watch everything around him, because the little dude might eat it. He might catch up to his daddy by the time he's 13. Think Mr. Dvorak or Mr. Dodd would mind a 6'10" kid on their teams in a few years? :) We're headed home tomorrow, and I'll be a very happy man to have our family at home. Here's a slideshow of a few more pictures... I'll add to it when we get a chance to catch our breath!

Snow + Good Citizenship = SS Extra Credit

As much of our time in Social Studies this half of the year will be spent discussing true citizenship, why not start now? I want you all to go help your neighbors tonight and tomorrow, no matter who they are. If you can do 5 homes (that includes driveways, sidewalks, and walkways to the front door), and get the signatures of those living there, I'll reward your good citizenship with 20 points extra credit. Want to team up and do it with a friend? Good teamwork and friendship can be rewarded as well: I'll give you 20 points when the 2 of you get 8 driveways done together. Simply print this post and have them sign it.

When you do things for other people, you do far more than just relieve them of a task on their to-do list. The feeling of gratefulness that a neighbor (like you!) went out of their way to help them out is something special. Especially for your generation, when you have far more tempting, preventing, and distracting you from helping others. So log off AIM, MySpace, turn off the TV, put aside the Wii, and just unplug yourself in general... and go help a neighbor. Be a good citizen, and make your community a better place. You'll never know when they'll return the favor!

Just imagine... 150 7th graders X 5 driveways each... every home in our district can be shoveled because of your good citizenship!

Parents - if students can't get someone's signature, your signature and note will be a suitable replacement.

In case you need a reminder that the excuse you're currently thinking up to avoid shoveling is lame:

Upcoming Quiz

We're having a quiz very soon... students should start preparing now. This quiz will be approximately 40 questions, and will cover the Map, Timeline, and Vocab of the "Before the Revolution" Unit. I recommend making notecards with photos, pictures, and definitions to help students best learn what's coming up. We've reviewed almost all of the vocab, so students should have correct answers.

Study Guides should be coming out Friday or Monday.

Notes from Class - Thursday and Friday (1/30 and 1/31)

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Elections are in 7 Days

This may be a post more for parents, but with elections coming up it's important to know WHAT you are voting for, as well as WHO is campaigning for those vaccancies. The Dupage Board of Elections has published a preview of the choices (please allow time for the pdf to load). You'll have to do a little more homework to decide which candidate you like the best, but at least you know what to expect now. Unless, of course, you've already voted :( Oops!

Great Site for City Comparisons

This is a great website to compare the demographic information of any neighborhood in the nation (by zip code). We'll use this in the future to enhance an already useful activity during our Chicago/IL unit. In the meantime, compare the information of your neighborhood to a few friends or relatives, and bring in an intelligent analysis of it (150 word minimum) for up to 10 points extra credit!

Thanks, Mr. Urbas, for such a great find.

http://zipskinny.com/

Projects, Quizzes, and Grades

Projects are nearly done being graded. They should be in the gradebook by Thursday. States and Capitals Quizzes will be graded after that, so expect them back by Monday of next week. With a backlog of 200 points in some cases, grades will make a major shift this week. Parents and students should pay attention to the online gradebook to monitor this progress. Mid-Terms come out Tuesday, but those grades may change dependant upon student work through our project and quiz.

Homework for the Week of 1/14

We're getting back into a routine, here, so homework will pick up this week. Expect to see cleaned-out binders and fresh "Daily Goals" sheets as well. We're beginning a new unit - the American Revolution.

Monday: Please complete your reading of 140 - 145, and answer questions 2-7 in complete sentences.

Tuesday: Please do your "Key Places of the American Revolution" Map WS.... in full color!

Wednesday: Please complete your Vocab Chart, #'s 1-20. #1 may be hard to find, so don't worry if you don't find it.

An example of "Pack the Place..."

Click Here to get a visual of what Pack the Place could/should look like.

Varsity Spartans

Our Varsity Girls Basketball Team played great today, and finished 2nd in the Westmont Rotary Club Tournament. With just 3 practices under their belt, the girls played tough ball, and all 3 games were close. We eventually lost to Old Quarry in the Championship, led by their Tournament MVP. Losing is never the objective, but the way we played is, and I'm very proud of my girls. My team is a very good one, and we'll learn overcome any opponent with one or two great players. I'll take my TEAM over any one girl any day.

Congrats to Maura Killian for being named on the All-Tournament Team, too. Any young player looking to learn what it takes to be a better player should ask her - she's poured her heart into basketball the last 12 months, and the results are clear as day. Well done, Maura.

Student Projects - Pirates and Slavery

Please pardon me if I goofed on a credit or two for the project. I wanted to quickly get them up after perusing the students' work this evening. If I made an error, please tell me so I can correct it immediately.

Ever Use an Excuse?

Maybe you should put into perspective what exactly your excuse is. Are you taking advantage of your gifts? Or, quite simply - are you working your hardest, when others in a far less advantageous position than you truly are? All students - give me a 100 word response to this, and you'll earn 10 points extra credit. This message transcends sport - it's a life lesson. How does this message affect you?

Extra Credit due Friday, January 18. You'd better not be thinking about an excuse to skip it.

A Few Good Basketball Videos

Pardon my diversion from the classroom, but I've found a couple great clips to share not just with my girls, but any aspiring ballplayer or athlete.

Steve Nash and "Early Specialization" What do you think that means... early specialization. How does that relate to the clips weaved into the video's start?


Whatever the case... this is why every young athlete should admire Steve Nash, and not LeBron, Kobe, or Melo - "If you want to be good, you've got to practice."

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And another:



Still want to complain that "the spider is hard?"

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And just for fun:



You've got no idea what watching MJ was like. And like this commercial, life almost froze while he played. Every moment was an opportunity for something special, something amazing, something nobody had ever though of, let alone done. Everybody loved MJ, every kid wanted to be MJ, and families watched the Bulls together, even if they didn't like basketball. Jordan made basketball a way of life, and this video captures that for 30 seconds... although Nike's just trying to sell shoes. (And what sweet shoes they were!)

Mike was special because of his relentless work ethic and competitiveness. Yes, he had talent, but hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work. And this was a man who was cut from his small-town basketball team as a Sophomore in High School. It's never too late to start getting better...

Pirates, Slaves, and a Dame!

Projects looked great today... especially in regard to the Mock Trial - those 3 classes pulled off near perfect performances, and a few students' truly got into character... I might start selling tickets in the future :) And the non-Trial work was just as good. The creativity and thoughtfulness of students when given freedom to work is a pleasure to see. Good job to all!