Civics Online Investigation

Students and Parents, this posting is for today's online civics investigation. Students should follow the steps outlined to complete today's classwork. This will also serve as a valuable review for next weeks Constitution/Civics Test.

Interactive Online Civics Investigation
Day One. Investigation and Challenge

Students are only allowed on the listed sites below. Failure to follow this instruction will result in a zero score, loss of computer use and an after-school detention.

Read 3 Branches of Our Government (Found at site below):

http://www.trumanlibrary.org/whistlestop/teacher_lessons/3branches/1.htm

Challenge 1: Compete against the computer or the person next to you. Record scores on the challenge 1 records sheet when finished.

http://www.trumanlibrary.org/whistlestop/teacher_lessons/3branches/3bgovt.htm

Challenge 2: Access the following
Log onto the first link and then open another tab fro the second and 3rd links to find the answers needed.

http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/indepth/constitution_day/activities/index.asp?article=scavenger_ques

http://ratify.constitutioncenter.org/constitution/

http://www.constitutioncenter.org/ncc_edu_Studying_the_Constitution.aspx


Challenge 3: Try to get all these Constitution Questions answered correctly:

http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/indepth/constitution_day/activities/quiz/index.asp

Any extra time…..explore freely here! Or any of the other sites used today.

http://www.congressforkids.net/Constitution_index.htm

United States Constitution

Students are actively investigating The United States Constitution.
I anticipate the Chpt.9/Constitution Test to be scheduled for Jan. 19th

All students will receive a current grade update written and signed by me in their planners tomorrow, Jan. 7th. Many students are doing fantastically well and they should be complimented, unfortunately some are not doing so well. Those that are not doing well are invited to stay in with me at lunch tomorrow (Fri) and recieve an extra opportunity to make up some missing work and improve their grade.

A reminder, as shared with parents and students in the beginning of the year, students who have an overall grade less than 70% may complete and turn in missing work for a reduced/late grade.

Just a quick heads up..... No school for students this month Jan. 20th & 21st. Also, Student-led conferences are the first week of February. More details will be posted as the dates approach.

Mr. Toole
"Busyness does not always equal productiveness"

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I hope all of you have had a blessed holiday and are enjoying the winter vacation. Please take time to relax, have fun, and don't forget to enjoy reading a nice book over break.

Also.....here is your extra credit present. This online learning experience will provide some review and preview information for our upcoming Constitution studies.

Please click on the link next to this posting or copy and paste it in your browser.
Make sure to read all pages and completely answer the questions on pgs. 2, 4, 5, 7 &15a.
Work should be completed accurately and turned in when we return from break.

Extra credit site listed below.

http://www.trumanlibrary.org/whistlestop/teacher_lessons/3branches/1.htm

2nd Trimester Begins

One third of the school year has already passed. Wow! I can't believe it and I bet most of you can't either. Turkey leftovers are long gone and families are hustling around trying to juggle schedules, priorities, and find the best deals on this year's best gifts. Please don't forget the gift of time. Time is a gift we can all give and it doesn't cost us a penny. Give yourself, your children, your friends and family the gift of time. Time together. Whether your child will say it or not...It is a gift that means so much.

This Friday, Dec. 10th, reports cards are sent home with your children. Please review these with your child and then sign the report card envelope and send it back to school on Monday. Please have all envelopes returned to their advisory teacher by Dec. 15th.

We began our new (2nd) Trimester on Monday. I will be inputting our first scores today. All students have a fresh and hopefully positive start.

I am fortunate to have your children in class. They are a great group!

Mr. Toole
"You Can't Make Snow Angels Sitting Inside"

Happy Thanksgiving!

A Happy Thanksgiving to all you Turkeys! I hope the holiday break provides you with ample time to celebrate and give thanks with your family and friends. I am very thankful and fortunate to be your teacher. You 'turkeys' (a.k.a students) are great.

If anyone is interested in extra credit, it is available on the link next to this post. It is due in final form when you return on the 29th.

Enjoy your break! and Go Lions:)

Mr.Toole

"A drowning turkey doesn't complain about the size of the life preserver"

Happy Hunting!

Good luck and safe shooting to all our hunters out there!
I will be trying my best to bag a Big Buck as well!!!!!

There was a fantastic turnout for student led conferences on Tuesday and Thursday! It was great to see most of of our students and parents.

Students just took the Chpt. 7 Test on the American Revolution and our studies will lead us to the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution.

Mr.Toole
"The best preparation for tomorrow is the right use of today"

Student Led Conferences and Chpt 7 Test

Parents and students,

It was great to see many of you at student led conferences Tuesday night. I enjoyed speaking with many of you. If you were in attendance and I was unable to talk with and you wanted to touch base or ask me any questions, feel free to email me at bob.toole@staff.spartaschools.org. For those of you who have not attended conferences, we have them scheduled Thursday (11th) night as well from 4:30-7:00pm. I hope to see you there!

Our chapter 7 Test is scheduled for this Friday. Students received their review on Tuesday and we covered it in class today. They should have the review questions answered for class tomorrow. In class we will go over the correct responses and review more as a class to prepare for Friday's test. Ask your student how they/you can earn an extra 5% on the test.

Some of the review questions are listed below.

1. Why did African Americans join the Continental Army?

2. Americans proved that they were able to beat the British army at which two significant battles? (How did they win?)

3. Explain Washington’s military strategy later in the war.

4. Who became a major ally of the Americans during the war?(why?)
*Which battle did that ally help the Americans win? (How?)

5. What type of warfare was fought by the Americans in the South?
*Why was that effective?

6. What was the name of the treaty at the end of the war?

7. Who won the war?

8. Explain what the winner got in the treaty. (details of treaty)

9. What was the name of the pamphlets (2) written by Thomas Paine before and during the war?
* What was the purpose of these pamphlets?

10. Rewrite this quote in your own words: “These are the times that try men’s souls.” (look up online if needed)

11. Make a list of the American army’s strengths and weaknesses and the British army’s strengths and weaknesses.

12. Answer the Geography Challenge questions on pg. 99