Week of 10/22 Social Studies Update

Dear Parents,

What a full week! The attached pictures are from our incredible afternoon going up LaeLae. There is "Climbing All the Way to Top," "Celebration," "Lunch with a View," "Exhausted," and "Rolling Down."

The results of the Canada Mapping Quiz were excellent. We are beginning to tie up “loose” ends and today we spoke about a variety of topics. Classes 7A and 7C have the assignment to write in their journals this weekend. Today a few discussions centered on the following:
The Navajo and Reservations
Cuba and Fidel Castro
The Caribbean and the Nobel Peace Prize (tying in the current event of Al Gore)
The Far North Video (Native Peoples of Northern Canada)

As students are well aware, each topic is vast and is able to be explored a lot more in depth. The overarching question, “What is Freedom” can certainly be woven in to each of the topics. Additionally, this week we spoke about how to begin improving journals and everyone’s journal has notes that outline a few ideas.

In the coming week, we will finish up our North America textbook by reading about the Dominican Republic. We will also begin a Central America/Caribbean country study. A component of this will once again be mapping as well as research. The final project will be to make a brochure. Students will all receive a rubric clearly outlining the expectations. You might ask your son/daughter later in the week to speak to you about how they are planning on designing their brochure. As well, you might ask them to see their rubric :-)

Have an excellent weekend!

Thank you,
Matt Piercy
7th Grade Social Studies

10/8 Social Studies Update

Dear Parents,

Welcome to this “new” format of parent communication regarding Social Studies. Last week we enjoyed Mexican food fare while we watched a rather informative video. Your help with this was appreciated by more than just our stomachs.

Last week we also began talking about “Traditions.” Students enjoyed, and surely will remember, watching and listening to the first few minutes of the Broadway portrayal of Fiddler On the Roof (attach web address). This is where Tevye, a father of five daughters, begins with a most theatrical presentation of “Tradition,” a song highlighting his attempt to maintain his family and religious traditions.
(If interested, please see: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8304062612871026050). As a class, we discussed the significance of this. We also read more about traditions in the chapter “Digging Up the Past” in our text. Vocabulary words were assigned to be completed in the journal, per the usual format.

This week, students will have a few family specific questions pertaining to “traditions.” As well, students have known about this week’s quiz since the beginning of last week. Everyone received a 1/2 sheet that read as follows:

Social Studies Quiz
7A October 8th (Monday--changed to Tuesday :-) )
7B October 9th (Tuesday)
7C October 8th (Monday)

What to study:
--The chapter on population and Mexico City
--Your worksheet on Mexico City
--Your notes (Mexico City, immigration)
--Your journal (vocabulary)
--Your notes/worksheet on the movie

Remember, I am interested in the BIG ideas and concepts. As you study, ask yourself questions that begin with: Who...? What...? Why...? Also, think back on our lively class discussions :-)



Besides the quiz this week, we will read a little about French Quebec and also Indigenous Peoples of Northern Canada. This will include mapping and more journal work.

As always, thank you very much for your involvement at home. I look forward to meeting with you in the coming weeks!


Most Kindly,
Matt Piercy
7th Grade Social Studies