Week 7 Assignments 10/19

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No assignments this week except to finish up reading their books and get going on their book reports. If anyone is already done, we can do some presentations this week. Please let me know ahead of time by emailing me at cmahmhprz@aol.com.

We will be learning about the Wampanoag Indians this week and you may like for your child to view this wonderful video produced by Plimoth Plantation at http://www.scholastic.com/scholastic_thanksgiving/webcast.htm This week have them watch the Wampanoag Indian video and save the other videos for  upcoming weeks.

The next 4 weeks we are going to be focusing on a Thanksgiving theme. There are two things I would like to do. First of all, I would like to have the children perform a Thanksgiving play the last week before co-op (11/16) during the lunch hour. We will be practicing this play from 2:30-3:00 the next 3 weeks. I will be inviting the younger kids to participate as well. Costumes will be simple and I will have more information about that next week.

Secondly, I wanted to see if there was any interest in doing a special lunch on November 16th, either bringing treats to share, having a potluck or something else. Let me know your thoughts and ideas on this. We could have the children each bring something for the church's food bank that week.

Please email me with your thoughts. See you Friday!

Week 6 Assignments

Be sure to look at the art blog as there is a supply the children need to bring this week.

Last week the kids learned about the Iroquois Indians. If you and your child would like to learn more, I found this great website that will teach them more.

http://www.bigorrin.org/iroquois_kids.htm

You're child may wish to come to class with a drawing, projects or information to share with the class. I like to start each class giving the kids a chance to show more of what they learned at home.

We learned about the homes the people lived in called longhouses. Here is a short documentary (12 minutes) that teaches a lot about their homes and lifestyles. Please preview it as it does contain information about their belief system.

Assignment: This week have your child start thinking about how they will share the book they have read. They will be presenting the projects so they will need to be prepared to speak in front of the class. Here are some ideas to get them started. 

• Book in a Box  Decorate a box to represent the book and fill it with objects that sybolize different aspects of the story. 
• Book Timeline  Use words and pictures to make a timeline of important events  from the book. 
• Write a diary that one of the story's main characters might have kept before, during, or after the book's events. Remember that the character's thoughts and feelings are very important in a diary.
• Construct puppets and present a show of one or more interesting parts of the book.
• Dress as one of the characters and act out a characterization.
• Design costumes for dolls and dress them as characters from the book. Explain who these characters are and how they fit in the story.
• Write and perform an original song that tells the story of the book.
• Design a book jacket for the book. I STRONGLY suggest that you look at an actual book jacket before you attempt this.
• Create a newspaper for your book. Summarize the plot in one article, cover the weather in another, do a feature story on one of the more interesting characters in another. Include an editorial and a collection of ads that would be pertinent to the story.
• Book Mobile  Create a mobile using the four story elements (setting, character, plot, theme).
• Shoebox Diorama  An oldie, but a goodie, create a diorama of an important scene from the book.
• Book Collage  Create a collage using pictures that represent different parts of the book.
• Movie Poster  Pretend the book is going to be made into a movie and create a poster to promote the movie.
• Main Character  Make a 3-D model of the main character and write an interview with that character.
• Setting  Make and label a detailed map of an important setting from your book.
• Scrapbook  Make a scrapbok with items and pictures athat are important to the life of the main character and to the story.
• Interview a character from your book. Write at least ten questions that will give the character the opportunity to discuss his/her thoughts and feelings about his/her role in the story. However you choose to present your interview is up to you.

Week 5 Assignments

Please take a moment to join the class roster at right. Then leave me a comment below letting me know you did. Don't forget to visit the art class blog. Thanks!

I was so impressed with everyone's enthusiasm and research that went into the Explorers Reports! Some of the students were new to speaking in front of a group and were a little nervous while others were quite comfortable. Some are just learning to research and write reports with other students having a lot of experience doing it. For me, this class is not just about the history of the United States, it is also an opportunity to sharpen these skills for the kids.

I really have three goals with this class. Here is what I believe I want to see developed and sharpened throughout the year:

• Opportunities to interact with other students about the lessons they are learning. Reasoning, critical thinking and just the confidence to share will be my goal with your child. We will do this through monthly public speaking projects and class discussions.

• Learning to research topics and clearly present unit projects. I want to see the kids take their learning farther than a once a week history class. With each student doing their own research, we can deepen our discussions and have a richer experience. 

• I want the students to find excitement in learning and especially in their learning about the people of the past. Each student is an individual and has had different levels of exposure to the topics we are exploring. My goal is not to give 'em the facts as much as it is to ignite a passion for their own  individual leaning. I want to see them take it as far as they want to go! 

I am excited as we head into our next unit. I hope that as I continue to learn the best way to present the material that each class will be better than the last. This is a growing and learning experience for me as well. I always want to improve and never become stagnant. With that in mind, I would like to introduce our next unit...

North American Indians

This past weekend we went to a wonderful yearly event in Perrysburg called "They Walked Here Before Us". It is a Native American Powwow and was a wonderful experience. I recommend you try to go next year! 

Here is a Reading Rainbow episode to get the kids excited. If you have any trouble viewing it, you may be able to get it at your library. The title is The Gift of the Sacred Dog. 

The Gift of the Sacred Dog from WVPT on Vimeo.

Assignment: 

After watching the above video have your child make up a their own Native American name. We will be sharing them in class.

This month the children will be doing book reports on a historical fiction title. Below you will find some book options but you are welcome to choose any you would like. If your child is not reading, or is a reluctant reader, feel free to use audio books or have a read aloud time. I will give more information later on how to do the book reports. They will have a few weeks to complete this assignment.

*I have not pre-read most of these books. Please use discretion.

Buffalo Before Breakfast - Mary Pope Osborne (Reading Level 2.5)
The Magic Tree House takes Jack and Annie back in time by almost 200 years. On the Great Plains, they meet a Lakota boy who shows them how to hunt buffalo. But something goes wrong! They must stop a thousand buffalo from stampeding!

Meet Kaya - Janet Beeler Shaw (Reading Level 4.3)

Video Summary.. 

Children of the Longhouse - Joseph Bruchac (reading level 4.2)
When Ohkwa'ri overhears a group of older boys planning a raid on a neighboring village, he immediately tells his Mohawk elders. He has done the right thing -- but he has also made enemies. Grabber and his friends will do anything they can to hurt him, especially during the village-wide game of Tekwaarathon (lacrosse). Ohkwa'ri believes in the path of peace, but can peaceful ways work against Grabber's wrath?

"An exciting story that also offers an in-depth look at Native American life centuries ago".

The Birchbark House - Louise Erdrich (Reading Level 4.9)

An Ojibwa girl named Omakayas grows into an impressive young woman struggling to survive as a Native American in the 1800s. In the first of a cycle of novels partly based on her own family history, Erdrich offers a compelling and original saga, told from the point of view of a young Ojibwa girl on an island in Lake Superior in 1847.

Trail of Tears - Joseph Bruchec (reading level 4.3)

It is October 1, 1838, and John Ross, the chief of the great Cherokee Nation, is looking at his home for the last time. He and his people are about to begin the long march west. Today is their first day on the Trail of Tears.

This captivating true story of the Cherokee Indians, forced to leave their land and travel 1,200 miles to Oklahoma, and their survival against all odds, is set against the backdrop of American history at its most dramatic. With bright, unique illustrations and clear, moving text, this epic story of friendship, war, hope, and betrayal will appeal to both boys and girls interested in learning more about our Native American heritage.

Om-kas-toe of the Blackfeet - Kenneth Thomasma (reading level 4.8)

Life changes dramatically for the Blackfeet people in the early 1700's when a twin brother and sister discover a strange animal and succeed in bringing it back to the tribe.  (Sonlight book)

Easy Readers: 

Little Runner of the Long House - Betty Baker(Reading level 1.9)

Week 4 Assignments

This past week we learned about ships and sailing. We also had the opportunity to hear 3 explorer presentations which were very well done. Next week we will hear the rest of the presentations and finish out our explorers study.

We made maps in class and I gave the kids instructions to finish them at home doing the following steps:

1. To make your map look ancient, tear the edges slightly. Gently wipe both sides with a used, damp tea bag. Crumple the map into a ball and leave it to dry.

2. When your map is dry, carefully uncurl it, put it on a sheet of paper, and brush it with cooking oil. Then blot it dry with paper towels. It should now look and feel like genuine parchment.