Friday, December 18, 2009

Today students received their Ancient Egypt tests back. The scores were rather disappointing considering that the students were given a study guide that was identical to the test. These study guides were corrected in class so that every student had an equal opportunity to study and receive a perfect score on the test. Many students did not take advantage of this opportunity and their scores reflects this.

Today we are exploring the website mentioned below on our laptops, then enjoying time with our book buddies for the remainder of the day. Have a great weekend!

Next week- Monday is a regular school day. Tuesday is a full school day with Christmas parties beginning at 1. Wednesday is an early release day, with lunch being served at 11 and students heading home for the vacation at 11:30. Wednesday AM is also the Pajama/Polar Express party. Please wear or bring clean, school-appropriate pajamas for watching the Polar Express in the gym.

Extra

The following is an excellent site for further exploration into Ancient Egypt that we may explore on Thursday if everyone finishes the test or Friday. We will also be finishing a film on Nefertiti Friday or Monday.

http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/

Tue, Dec 15, 2009

Today we continued on the road to the test on Ancient Egypt which we will be taking on Thursday (day after tomorrow!!). There is no soc st class on Wednesday because of the dress rehearsal for the Christmas Concert Wednesday night. The students have their completed and corrected study guides to study. Good luck, and see you at the concert!

Monday, December 14, 2009

Today we continued reviewing for the test on Thursday. For homework students received a study guide to help them continue to study for the test on Ancient Egypt on Thursday!

Friday, Dec 11, 2009

It has been a busy week- my apologies for not posting this week. We have continued to work on Ancient Egypt, learning about building pyramids, why the Pharaohs built pyramids, and the discovery of Tutankhamun's undisturbed tomb. There has been very little homework with the exception of students who needed to correct and pass in the Ancient Egypt skill packet again. Next week we will begin reviewing for the test, which will take place Thursday, Dec 16th. Once we are back from break we will begin studying matter in science and Ancient Mesopotamia in social studies.
Students will be receiving a study guide for vocabulary today, some students elected to take theirs yesterday. This is basically a matching exercise to help students review and remember the vocabulary, places and people. Next week students will receive more tools to help them review information for the test.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Today we read a play about building pyramids- this seems to be a good way for students to understand and assimilate new concepts. Homework is to finish the Vocab & Comprehension worksheet.

Thursday, Dec 3, 2009

Thursday we read a play about the embalming process and watched a 6 minute PBS special on embalming that the students seemed to enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yo4Fbm1X-CM We finished reading the chapter on Egypt. Students need to complete the packet for tomorrow.

Mon & Tue, Nov 30 & Dec 1 2009

Welcome back! Hope everyone had a wonderful, restful Thanksgiving holiday! Monday we continued with Ancient Egypt. There was no homework.
Tuesday we explored two web lessons on making a mummy and building a pyramid. We also continued to read in our social studies books, and for homework needed to complete the 3rd page (number 20) in the packet. The web addresses for the two lessons are: http://kids.discovery.com/fansites/tutenstein/mummymaker/mummymaker.html (yes, type mummymaker twice) www.bbc.co.uk/history/interactive/games/pyramid_challenge/index_embed.shtml

Later in the week we will be watching a PBS special on a real mummification and acting out a play about Beshet the Burial Priest.

Report cards will be coming home Friday.