Extra Help Sessions

If you need extra help with any of your Social Studies work (blogs, eBook, readings), my after school help session schedule is:

Mondays - until 3:30

Tuesdays - until 4:30

Thursdays - until 4:00

Fridays - until 3:30

You can also email me with your questions, problems, comments, etc. at msdeusclass@gmail.com.

For an instant response most evenings from 5 - 8pm I am logged in and online.

Traditions

Valentine's Day candy

Traditions are often defined as actions or beliefs that are handed down over time. They are things that become a part of our customs, or habits. Do you always go to the same place for vacation? If so, then that is a tradition. Traditions are centered around our culture and form part of what makes each one of us who we are. Food, music, dance, religion, even dress can form part of a tradition. Some traditions are passed down from generation to generation. Sometimes totally new traditions are made when two people marry and blend their traditions to make something unique.

Many Irish for example wear green clothes on March 17th, St. Patrick's Day. In many countries people exchange chocolates, flowers and romantic cards on February 14th, Valentine's Day. In Spain it is tradition to eat a special cake on January 6th called a roscón. In my husband's family it is a tradition to have lunch together every Sunday. Aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents are all expected to attend Sunday dinner. A friend of mine likes to go to the same restaurant every year on her birthday. That has become her birthday tradition. For some American families eating turkey on Thanksgiving nad watching American college football games is a yearly tradition. Everyone's traditions can be different. We are all unique and so our traditions can be as well.

In my family we had a tradition about decorating the family Christmas tree. First we had to go and see the big Christmas tree be lit in New York City's Rockefeller Center. That was the sign that we could now start decorating the house for the holidays. We always had an artificial tree. My Dad was afraid a real one would catch on fire and burn down the house! Tree decorating night meant that the tree was brought down from its out of season hideout in the attic. Mom made hot chocolate with marshmallows. We ate sugar cookies and listened to Christmas carols while we decorated the tree always in the same order: lights, ornaments, tinsel, star. The final family tree tradition was that the tree didn't come down and get put away until after my birthday on January 16th.

I have such happy memories of tree decorating that I have tried to continue the tree tradition with my own children. While we don't go to New York City to see the tree lighting, we do drink hot chocolate with whipped cream or marshmallows, eat cookies, listen to Christmas carols and decorate the tree in the same lights, ornaments, tinsel, star order. Our tree, however, is always a real tree! It will be interesting to see if my daughters keep this tradition alive when they are older and have their own families.

Roscón de Reyes (3 Kings Cake)

Your Traditions

So, what are your family traditions? Post on your blog a minimum of 250 words describing a tradition followed in your family. Consider these questions: 

• What is it? 
• When does it occur? 
• What makes it special? 
• Is it a new tradition or an old one?
• Do you think you will continue this tradition when you have a family of your own?                        Why or why not?

Your post should be written in paragraph form and have an introduction and a conclusion.

Feel free to add images. You will be commenting on your classmates' posts, as well.

Don't forget to check your spelling and grammar!

POST DUE DATE: MONDAY SEPTEMBER 26th by 8pm.

Poll Results! New Poll!

Well, it's official! The region Grade 7 seems most interested in learning about is.....Europe! 

Please take a moment to take the new poll, and let's see which countries are most popular!

Chikuminuk Lake, Alaska

Just about all of you got that Where in the World 2 was Alaska. Not only did some if you get the photo's relative location, but some of you even got its actual location! 


Chikuminuk Lake is located within the boundaries of the 1.6 million acre Wood-Tikchik State Park. The park is home to many wild animals and is a paradise for hunters and fishermen.

Thank you, Hannah, for the addition information provided in your comment!

Even more information and photos can be found here:

Chikuminuk Lake, Alaska

Where in the World? 3

Ok, class, you guys are getting the hang of this! The last post was too easy! So my mission is to challenge you with a more difficult one. I think I may have found just the picture! I'm ready for your best educated guesses!

So, here we go - same as the last 2 times. Write your location guess and why. Good luck! ☺

Homework Days

Social Studies 7 Homework Days
Please see below to see which days you will be assigned Social Studies homework.

Social Studies 7A:
Week 1: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday (Days 1, 3, 4)
Week 2: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday (Days 7, 8, 10)

Social Studies 7B:

Week 1: Monday, Thursday, Friday (Days 1, 4, 5)

Week 2: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday (Days 7, 8, 10)

Please check the AISC portal and/or class blog for assignment information.

Where in the World? 2

Ok, class - here's the next picture challenge!

So where in the world is this? Just like last time - post as a comment your best guesses! Don't forget to include the region you believe it to be located in and why. Good luck! ☺

The Everglades

The Everglades - America's Wetlands

Congratulations to Alex, Anna Savva and Otis! The correct answer was: the state of Florida in the United States of America in North America! Specifically, this is a picture of the Everglades! Get ready for the next picture and happy guessing!

A favorite spot!

Since the first country we are going to study on our tour around the world in 175 days is the United States of America, and I, myself, am an American citizen, I have chosen a favorite place in the US.

In case you don't recognize it, this picture was taken in North America in the United States. It is a picture of New York City, my hometown. To be more specific this is the view from the South Street Seaport in Lower Manhattan. In the picture you can see the Brooklyn Bridge in the forefront and the Manhattan Bridge behind it. The yellow boat is a water taxi, which for a small fee takes people from Manhattan island across the East River to the borough of Brooklyn.

This is one of my favorite places mostly because I just really love the view. There is so much to do and see in this part of Manhattan. The South Street Seaport is a big shopping center with lots of restaurants, shops and even a few museums. It's a fabulous place for people watching. There is a place to play miniature golf and even a "beach." It's a lot of fun to get ice cream and sit on the benches and watch the boats go by. If you look to the right, you can even see the Statue of Liberty. Sometimes there are fireworks, and there are always street performers dancing, singing and acting for the large crowds of tourists and native New Yorkers.

Anyone visiting New York City should definitely make it a point to go down to the South Street Seaport and enjoy the sights and sounds of the city. It's a special place where all of the beauty and diversity of New York surround you.

Where in the World?

Take a look at this picture:

Now post your best guess as to in which region this location can be found. Is it in North America? South America? Asia? Africa? Europe? What do you think? Why?

Week B

Happy Monday, Grade 7! You made it through Week A and are now ready to tackle Week B! I am confident Week B will be a breeze! Just keep up the good work and being all things "P" - patient, pleasant, polite, punctual, present and prepared! Let's have a great year! ☺

Blogging Comments

Hi, Class!

As you most likely already know, an important part of the blogging experience is the commenting part. While it is a requirement that every week you post comments on different blogs, my sincere hope is that you come to view this less like a "homework assignment" and more like a real chance to interact with your classmates, and yes, me, in a different and hopefully fun way. It's my hope that we all learn a lot more about and from each other. 

That said, I figured it would be a good idea to give you some guidelines/tips on how to be a good, make that, great, poster. I found these tips on a blog I happen to follow and am reposting a slightly modified version for you.

How to Comment on a Blog Post

The purpose of commenting on a blog is to start a conversation based on a blog post.  It is a relationship that is created between the poster and the commenter.  Posting on a fellow classmate’s blog is like having a conversation with them in person.  When commenting on a blog post, you should ask yourself if you would say what you wrote on their blog to them face to face…if the answer to that question is no, you should rethink your comment.

1. Write your comment like a letter by including a greeting, content and a closing. 

2. Always use correct spelling, punctuation, grammar and spacing. 

3. Compliment the writer in a specific way, ask a question or add new information. 

4. Write a relevant comment that is related to the post. 

5. Do not just leave a comment like, “Cool post” or “I like ur blog”.  These comments are not conversation catalysts. 

6. If you have a differing opinion than those of the poster, be positive in your delivery of your comment.  You can say things like, “I appreciate your post, and you made some good points, but I think….” or “I enjoyed reading your post about school uniforms.  I can see why many parents and students would like uniforms, but I like to express myself through my clothing….” 

7. Always read over the comment and edit before submitting. If you make a mistake, correct it as soon as possible. You also reserve the right to edit or even delete your posts and try again. If you think your post has been misinterpreted, post a clarification and attempt to explain your comments more clearly but always remember to be respectful and demonstrate decorum. 

Your words represent you.... 

Happy commenting!!! ☺

Source:

Palevich, Megan, and Kathleen McGeady. "Fostering Thinking, Creativity, and Digital Citizenship Through Blogging." Web log post. Middle School 101. Edublogs.org, 17 Oct. 2010. Web. 19 May 2011. <http://middleschool101.edublogs.org/2010/10/17/fostering-thinking-creativity-and-digital-citizenship-through-blogging/>.