Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

Today we began our classes by recognizing the awesome influence of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Students learned of his fight/influence for equal rights and his focus on serving others for the common good. It was a valuable lesson for us all.

Just a reminder.... there is a test scheduled for Wednesday. Students recieved their test review today in class. The questions were explained and questions were answered. Students are required to complete the reivew for tonight's homework. I will go over the correct answers in class tomorrow and continue to help the kids prepare for the Wednesday's test. Please make sure they are studying for this test.

Thanks for all your support!

Mr. Toole
"There is always room at the top"

Weekend Update

Just want to post a quick note to inform/remind you all about our upcoming Social Studies Chapter 9 Test. It is scheduled for next week Wednesday the 19th. I have posted a link to the review under the "Assignments Copies/Links" section. Students have been doing a great job studying Civics and our Constitution! Feel free to use the online civics investigations for a at home review.

Have a Fantastic Friday and a Wonderful Weekend!

-Mr.Toole
"Success comes in cans...Failure comes in cant's"

Civics/Constitution Online Investigation Day 2

Day #2: Individual Constitution Investigation and Quizzes

During class time, 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.

Please keep in mind, ALL Interactive Civic Sites are extremely valuable in gathering knowledge about our government for today's class, our unit test review and the future.

Step One: Take time to tour this online and interactive resource .
http://www.constitutioncenter.org/timeline/flash/cw.html

Step Two: Read Sections from the Preamble through Amendments 11-27. After each section, take the online quiz found under the quiz menu tab. Good luck and aim for a perfect score on each quiz!
http://www.phschool.com/curriculum_support/interactive_constitution/

Step Three: Explore these valuable online Constitution resources.
http://www.constitutioncenter.org/ncc_edu_Studying_the_Constitution.aspx
http://ratify.constitutioncenter.org/constitution/

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"