Week of April 14th

(A few examples of the tiles students created)

Dear Parents,
I came home today (without leaving school) excited to share how impressed I was by the amazing discussion one class participated in this morning. Though the subject (specifically the conflict in Palestine and Israel) can be quite complex and not pleasant, students did such a fine job engaging completely. Their questions and how well they listened to and built off each other's comments really did have me in awe.

Another class, began a trivia review on the Middle East. Their obvious motivation and how they worked together to help each other was also commendable. The third class? I didn't have the pleasure to see them today but they too, continue to march to a similar and very impressive beat. I guess what I am saying is, "It is going to be hard to say good-bye to the seventh graders." Their passion for learning really is a lot of fun to be around and makes me happy to be their guide.

In the coming week, we will not be meeting but just a couple times. Our plans are to finish up the Middle East. There are several "loose ends." As students are aware, there will not be a final on the Middle East and West Asia but material from this region will be included on the final. To help students better prepare, specifics will also be added to the Final Study Guide.

For the final month of classes, students can expect to be studying Europe and Russia. Those who care to get a head start might want to peruse the mini-text as we will be using this in class.

That's it for this week. Please give your son/daughter a gentle pat on the back as truly, what I saw today and most recently really is pleasing.

Have a wonderful weekend!


Kindly,
Matt Piercy
7th Grade Social Studies

Week of April 7th

Dear Parents,

Our power point presentations are over and I really was impressed. If you haven't seen your son/daughter's show, you might ask them to either show you it or tell you about it. It was not only obvious that they learned a lot about their two specific countries, but also evident was how hard so many worked in preparing for their presentations. Please ask your son/daughter about how they did overall and if their were specific areas they know they can focus on in future projects and presentations. Rubrics were returned this week.

This week we also watched the first segment of a a video students are really enjoying. It pleases me to see how intrigued they are. After our book quiz at the beginning of the week (Monday=7A and 7B and Tuesday=7C), we will continue the video. As mentioned last week, the "follow along" sheets will be collected when we are finished, including the little bit of research for a few of the questions. I am expecting the responses to demonstrate students' full thought and expression.

Next week we also will be doing a review of the country presentations with a fun cooperative trivia game. Students' notes will come in handy and will be collected with their game sheet. As well, we will discuss a few hot issues (Palestine/Israel and War in Iraq) of the region and I plan to send students home with interview questions. These interview questions will be compiled from students during our discussions.

Should be another fun week! Thank you.



Kindly,
Matt Piercy
7th Grade Social Studies

Week of March 31st

Welcome back from Spring Break! As hard as it is for me to believe, we are into the 4th quarter. Before the break, we did our best to squeeze in all the Middle East powerpoint presentations but not everyone had the chance to present. Several students will be giving their presentation this week. Tomorrow, I will speak to classes about the order of who still gets to present. If your son/daughter is on the following list, I recommend they look over their slideshow and practice their presentation a few more times so they are fresh for Tuesday (7B and 7C) and Wednesday (7A).
7A
Lauren
Justin
Zeke

7B
Nina
Peter
Camille
Tsukasa

7C
Juan
Kyle
Kawai
Andrew
Emily
Tessa
Lucas

At the conclusion of the presentations, we will have a a little trivia review game and note sharing session. Additionally this week, we will begin watching an extremely informative, easy to follow, and fun video on the Middle Eastern countries. Students will be given a handout I made that coincides with the movie. Most of the questions can be answered in class as we watch but a few questions were intentionally written so students would extend what they were seeing by doing a little research. This extension will need to be finished for homework.

Also this week, on Thursday students will have the choice to either work in teams or with a partner. The assignment will be to carefully read the National Geographic West Asia mini-text. This is supplementary material as it enlarges our more specific region of focus. A quiz will be given which will test how well students comprehended what was read. I will be available for questions but also part of working with another student(s) is to provide the opportunity for students to help each other. As well, students will have several days to read and take notes so it largely comes down to being responsible for what is read. I also plan to encourage students to take notes and hopefully some will even outline. What is not able to be read in class on Thursday will be homework for Thursday night and over the weekend as the quiz will be given on the following dates: Monday (7A and 7B) Tuesday (7C)


Well, this wraps it up for this week. My appreciation continues for the support you provide at home. Again, welcome back to school!


Kindly,
Matt Piercy
7th Grade Social Studies

Week of March 10th

Dear Parents,

WOW! I've seen just a few student's Power Point presentations and I am very impressed. I congratulate their efforts. If you have not seen the work your son/daughter has created, I encourage you to ask them over the weekend. They may even wish to practice with you. In the coming week, our class time will be dedicated to students getting up in front of their peers and teaching the countries they researched. Their Power Points will serve as a helpful tool as they teach (and do not just read). This past week, we discussed in class what will contribute to successful presentations. Students all have the rubric and their only homework is to practice, practice, practice. During the presentations, the rest of the class will be an "inviting" audience and will also be responsible to take notes.

In the coming week, I also am expecting students to finish their Arabic tiles. I hope to have a photo taken of these by Thursday. Again, my feeling was one of "Wow." I look forward to sharing with you the results of both this week's presentations, as well as a photo of the wonderful art that our very own, Cindy Yarawamai, was so kind to integrate (thank you Cindy!).

As always, I welcome your questions. Otherwise, have a delightful weekend, week ahead, and Spring Break with your son/daughter.



Kindly,
Matt Piercy
7th Grade Social Studies

Week of March 3rd

Dear Parents,
This past week in class, we engaged in some wonderful discussions based on the value of thinking critically as well as the incredible history of the Middle East. We are working on note taking skills, specifically with respect to drawing out main ideas and organizing facts. Many students have been very active in our discussions and this is always appreciated. In the coming week, we will conclude with this "background work".

A map quiz at the beginning of the next week. As students are accustomed, labeling and spelling each country correctly is important. The quiz is on the following dates:
7B and 7C = Monday
7A= Tuesday

Also in the coming week, we will discuss verbal presentation skills and a rubric on how the Country Presentations will be assessed will be gone over in class. Mrs. Kaniho has reported that students are working diligently and that their creativity and level of committment is leading to many very wonderful projects. I am eager to see them! As students are aware, the Power Points will serve as a visual and help guide both the presenter and the class as the countries are being shared. The due dates for the Power Points are:
7C = Tuesday
7A and 7B= Wednesday

Last, we are fortunate this coming week to have a little surprise. You might ask your son/daughter later in the week how the art integrated project went. Pictures are sure to follow on the blog.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please ask. Have a splendid weekend!


Kindly,
Matt Piercy
7th Grade Social Studies

Week of February 25th

Dear Parents,

Old news first. Before Theme Week, students took a final test on South America. The test was returned this week and as I told each class, I was impressed with how much they demonstrated they knew on the test. The average score was an 84%. Please ask your son/daughter to see the test.

This week, we jumped right in to a study of a new region of the world--the Middle East. From the initial day, it was clear several students remembered prior bits and pieces they have learned from years past, especiallly last year. Many gaps and a much broader understanding is certain to result in our studies. As you may well be aware, an introductory research project was outlined (please see below) and your child is in the midst of learning as much as they can about the two countries they chose. Everyone should be working on this research over the weekend. After the research is gathered, Mrs. Kaniho will be working creatively with classes in designing Power Point presentations that will be shared in Social Studies class. Should be a lot of fun!

I'll leave you with a few questions that excited me and show how capable your children are of critical thinking. I think it also exhibits how so many of them wonder and want to understand more. Have a wonderful weekend. A few questions asked the opening day were:
--"How are the economies different in the Middle East and how are they different from other regions (North and South America)?"
--"How do they get water if they don’t have access to it?"
--"Jesus was born in the Middle East, right?" "So, why aren't most of the people in the Middle East Christians?"

Pretty powerful stuff--economics, utilization of resources, and religion. Again, have an wonderufl weekend. Thanks for taking time to read this.


Kindly,
Matt

MIDDLE EAST POWER POINT

STEP ONE=RESEARCH

Pick 2 Middle Eastern countries from the list below and research them:
IRAQ..............IRAN............ SAUDI ARABIA
TURKEY ....... CYPRUS ........ ISRAEL
LEBANON......YEMEN ......... OMAN
QATAR...........BAHRAIN......UNITED ARAB EMIRATE
KUWAIT.........JORDAN.......SYRIA

WHILE RESEARCHING, TAKE NOTES. THE MINIMUM IS THAT YOU MUST FILL IN THE GRAPHIC ORGANIZER I PROVIDE (green sheet)

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STEP TWO=Make a Power point production.

Creatively introduce and teach this topic. I recommend you begin with your introduction/title and then show each of the following.

Be creative! The minimum is that you include all the information listed below. How you will teach this in your Power point will be different. I hope!
GEOGRAPHY
Where is the Middle East and what countries make up this region? These countries should be the fifteen from our introductory mapping/scramble.

Then, introduce/show the two countries you will be focusing your Power point on.

POPULATION
Who lives there? Or, what ethnicities are in each country?
How many people live there?
*More than just numbers, compare populations.

ECONOMY
How do people earn a living? How much do they earn (GDP)?
What are the most important natural resources in the country?
Where are these resources?

CULTURE
Three major religions are home to this area.
What are these religions?
Give a minimum of 3 bullets for what each religion is about.
What are people’s religion in each of your countries? (percentages)

Find out and show/explain at least 5 different cultural facts for each of your countries. (this can be a picture and an explanation for each culture)
Ideas include: music, dance, sports, language, traditions, food,
celebrations, etc.

CURRENT EVENTS
What is BIG news in the two countries you are studying? Include two current events news articles + at least 3 bulleted points that summarize the article.
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Please do your best to select creative images. Images that you don’t think other students will use.

ONLY PUT A FEW WORDS ON EACH SLIDE!!!

Please also use sound/music that best fits your presentation. I am thinking music from the region.

Also, make sure you cite where images and information comes from.

Week of February 4th

Dear Parents,

While walking out of Kaloko today, it was exciting to hear two students contemplate their dreams of the future. Both would like to travel through South America and write a book. As I told them, I hope they do. I'd surely buy whatever they wrote!

This past week, several students impressed me with what they learned and demonstrated in their journal research work. In addition, many of the collages were very artistically created. I so much appreciate student dedication and effort. Later next week you might ask your son/daughter to show you their journal (7C already has been given their critiqued work back)

Wednesday and Thursday of this past week, students successfully created outlines of the journal topics researched (Oil, Carnival, and the Galapagos). These outlines were incredibly thorough and the process we went through appeared very useful. On Monday, any missing pieces will be given to students and their creations should prove helpful in preparing for the next test. Test?

This coming week, we will wrap up our South America study. On Monday, a comprehensive review sheet will be provided to students. We will discuss this page in class, in preparation for Friday's final test. As well, this week, I look forward to further explanatory/discussion lessons on several topics we've touched on (Machu Pichu, Nazca Lines, and Thor Heyerdahl). We also will be watching a few short videos (Galapagos, Carnival, and Hugo Chavez) to support what is already known.

If there are questions, please let me know. I continually am thankful for all the support provided of Social Studies. Thank you!


Kindly,
Matt Piercy
7th Grade Social Studies