xMr. Brown's Social Studies

Unit 2 - History of Southwest Asia

We finally made it to Unit 2. After working on some basic review for a couple of weeks and then spending a little extra time on Unit 1, we are moving back to our regular pace. We will have to speed up a little in some parts to catch up to where we need to be, but we can work on this throughout the year. No reason to cut any one unit short.

Below is a word document regarding the standards we will be working with for this unit. Ms. Jones and I decided to include SS7G7b in this unit. It fits well with one of the lessons. The pacing guide recommends we complete it during the first unit.

Download unit_2_standards.doc

For Monday, September 29 and Tuesday, September 30, both Blue and Silver Days are completing a short review discussion on the European partitioning of the Middle East, completing the early years of the Arab-Israeli Conflict timeline and watching a coordinating video on the formation of Israel and the ongoing military battles between the Israelis and Arabs. After completing the timeline, we will step back and discuss how Zionism, anti-semitism and the Holocaust led to the formation of

Israel

.

DON'T FORGET: Retakes and make-ups are your responsiblity to schedule. Please do not wait until the last few days before the end of the nine weeks. If you wait too long, neither Mrs. Clark nor I may have the schedule available to let you get it in.

Congrats to our Students of the Week for September 29 - October 5. Both of these people put a lot of work and enthusiasm into the class. Our Blue Days student is Lauren W. and the Silver Days winner this week is Jalen B. Thanks for all the two of you do!!!

A Thought to Remember - "If you want to understand today, you have to search yesterday." - Pearl Buck (First American woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature)

We are starting Unit 2, but one last thing...

Guys and Gals,

Please don't take this as criticism, but as advice. Many of you did not take the needed time to prepare for the exam and map quiz we took the last two days. An in-depth study guide was provided and the answers were given out or available on this blog. We discussed and reviewed the map portions twice. Yet, the scores do not show the effort we expect.

Here is the advice. Use your resources and prepare. That's it! Though you retain a lot of the information, studying is a necessary part in taking a test. We will move to Unit 2, but for those who need to revisit Unit 1, we will find a way for extra help. It is important to have that 80%. As we have discussed, this is not for the grade, but to make sure you meet or exceed the Standards for each section. As always, retakes are available; please schedule with Mr. Brown or Mrs. Clark.

We want you to succeed. Our objective is to be here for each of you. If you don't understand something or believe we are not approaching a lesson in a way that best relates to you, please let us know. You know that besides talking to us, a note in the mailbox that explains your needs will help us to develop lessons that are more appealing and effective. We may plan the lessons, but each of you has an important role in providing us with ideas that makes World Studies more interesting and "yes" educational.

DON'T FORGET: Retakes and make-ups for the Three Religions of the Middle East Quiz will be offered on Thursday and Friday of this week. Mr. Brown has spoken to each of those who need to retake or make-up this quiz. Prepare!!! You Can Do It!!!

Congrats to our Students of the Week for September 22 - September 28. For Blue Days, we have two: Edgar A. and Jeffrey P. Our Silver Days Student is Oyemi S. Thanks for working so hard and keeping a positive attitude.

A Thought to Remember - "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." (anonymous)

Review Question Answers

Okay, here are the answers to the Unit 1 Study Guide. Don't forget the map section of the test. Study the maps and find the locations. As I told you all, the maps will definitely be material on the test. Good Luck and of course S T U D Y!

Download 0809_unit_1_stud_guide_ans.doc

DON'T FORGET: Retakes and Makeups for The Three Religions quiz will also be given on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Blue Day test is Tuesday and Silver Day is Wednesday

It's test time...It's test time...Can you feel the excitement?

Blue classes today and Silver classes on Monday will complete information for Unit 1. We are working on the standard covering the religions of the Arabs, Persians, and Kurds of SW Asia. Student were also provided with a study guide for the Unit 1 exam. This study guide is provided below. It is important that students take the time to study and prepare for this exam. It is the first of only two or possibly three during this nine week period. This is a major chunk of your grade.

Download 0809_unit_1_study_guide.doc

DON'T FORGET: ANSWERS TO THE STUDY GUIDE WILL BE POSTED ON THE BLOG ON SUNDAY. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A COMPUTER, STOP BY ON MONDAY AND PICK ONE UP FROM MR. BROWN OR MRS. CLARK.

Congratulations to all the students who met or exceeded the state standards in 7th Grade World Studies on the 4 1/2 week progress report. In 7A, that is only a few people short of half. Let's definitely make it well over half next time.

A Thought to Remember - "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain, and most fools do, but it takes character and self control to be helpful and supportive of all people." Dale Carnegie (speaker and writer)

We're Movin' On

Blue Classes and Silver Classes today and tomorrow are working on an activity covering the differences between the Sunni and Shia Muslims. Links to the follow-up power point and handout are below. Also, the classes are working on developing an understanding of what the differences and similarities are between ethnic and religious groups. The short group assignment sheet can also be downloaded in this message.

The classes will complete the information for Unit 1 on Friday and Monday with a lesson that covers the differences between Arabs, Persians, and Kurds. We will complete this unit with a short session on literacy issues of the region. Students will be provided the study guide for the exam and given an opportunity to work on it in class. Answers will be available on the blog over the weekend or by stopping by the classroom.

Downloads for Wed the 17th and Thu the 18th assignments:

Download sunni_or_shia.ppt

Download sunni_or_shia_guided_notes.doc

Download ethnic_and_religious_groups_handout.doc

DON'T FORGET: Progress Reports and Spring CRCT scores were sent home today. Please make sure you give them to your parents.

DON'T FORGET #2: Start preparing now for the Unit 1 Exam next Tuesday for Blue Days and Wednesday for Silver Days. Make sure you have all your work and notes for this unit. You will need them to complete the study guide. Also, it is not too early to study the geography maps. You all know that these will definitely be on the test.

Congratulations to our 7A World Studies Students of the Week: For The Blue Days is Jeremy C. and for the Silver Days is Jessline T. Thanks for working so hard and always being a positive addition to class!

A Thought to Remember - "Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow." Albert Einstein (scientist)

The Week is Finished...On to New Topics Monday

Both Blue and Silver classes finished quizzes and work to be prepared for the end of the first Progress Report. We ended the week for both days by discussing the Five Pillars of Islam and using guided notes while watching the video, 30 Days as a Muslim. It is definitely timely to be studying this topic around 9/11. The Blue Day classes had outstanding discussions and debates about Islam, terrorism, and their own feelings about the issues. I wish we could have continued on with this on Silver Days, but technical difficulties didn't allow us to start watching the video on Wednesday. I was impressed by the insight of these young minds. The discussions were fascinating.

Parents who might be interested in seeing 30 Days as a Muslim, can check it out on You Tube. It is presented in five sections of about 9 minutes each. The students have really seemed to find it interesting.

On Monday, we will jump into the differences between Sunni and Shia Muslims and begin discussing the peoples of SW Asia. All of the work on religion and the people in Unit 1 helps the students to understand why the government, social system, and economic structure work they way each does in this region. Later units deal with these topics.

REMINDER - REMINDER - REMINDER #1: Tuesday, September 16, is an early release day. Please check the Griffin School website for more details. http://www.cobb.k12.ga.us/~griffin/

REMINDER - REMINDER - REMINDER #2: The first 4 1/2 week progress reports will be sent home with students on Wednesday, September 17.

A Thought to Remember - "We Will Never Forget"

One day down...only four to go for the week

Silver classes completed the re-take/make-up for the Basic Geography Quiz. This was allowed in class for both Blue and Silver days. Retakes are usually not allowed in class, but require a student to schedule a time before or after school. Due to the fact that progress reports are coming so soon, I made an exception. We also reviewed for the Three Religions Quiz and discussed student progress updates.

Many students are not doing a very good job at getting classwork and homework assignments turned in. This really impacts your grade. Remember, participation and homework/classwork count for 30% of your overall grade.

DON'T FORGET: Quiz on The Three Religions of SW Asia - Tuesday for Blue classes and Wednesday for Silver classes. This grade will be included on the upcoming progress report. The best resources to study are the Venn Diagram notes, the goldenrod definition sheet, and the readings of Chapter 15 Sections 4 and 5. Included are basic answers for the definitions and general notes for the Venn Diagram:

Download Definitions.doc

Download three_religions_of_sw_asia_notes.doc

DON'T FORGET #2: The first 4 1/2 week progress reports will be sent home with students on Wednesday, September 17.

Congratulations to our Students of the Week!!! For the Blue Days is Senad C. and for the Silver Days is LaKia S. and D'Angelo A. Silver has two this week because I accidently gave out both Student of the Week awards to Blue Day students last week. (OOPS)

A Thought to Remember - "If you really want to do something, you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse." - Jim Rohn (motivational speaker)

First Progress Report is Coming...

Ok all, the first 4 1/2 week progress report is up next week. Can you believe it! Stay focused and keep working hard. All your extra effort will definitely pay off.

Today, the Blue classes did retakes and makeups for the Basic Geography quiz, watched an interactive review power point on The Three Religions of SW Asia, and reviewed for a Three Religions quiz on Tuesday. Also, Blue classes were provided with a current grade report and all graded paperwork was returned.

The Silver classes will do the same as today's Blue classes and will have The Three Religions quiz during their class sessions on Wednesday.

Quiz on The Three Religions of SW Asia - Tuesday for Blue classes and Wednesday for Silver classes. This grade will be included on the upcoming progress report. The best resources to study are the Venn Diagram notes, the goldenrod definition sheet, and the readings of Chapter 15 Sections 4 and 5.

Though we are working out of a class set of books, you are able to have a textbook or textbook CD for your use at home. Please just let us know.

Lastly, we must all congratulate Ms. Ford as she becomes Mrs. Clark tomorrow. What an exciting time for her!

A Thought to Remember - "I love being married. It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life." - comedian Rita Rudner (Just for you, Mrs. Clark)

Keepin' Busy!

For Wednesday, September 3 and Thursday, September 4, students will be reading Chapter 15 Sections 4-5 of the textbook and taking group notes and defining key terms. We will also begin a review power point over the three religions of the Middle East. Students who need to complete a re-take of the Basic Geography quiz or were absent, will do so on Thursday and Friday. Re-takes are offered to any student who receives less than an 80% on the quiz or exam.

The next scheduled quizzes are planned for next week. A quiz on Tuesday and Wednesday will cover comparisons and contrasts of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It will also cover the basic beliefs of Islam. The second quiz on Thursday and Friday will cover the geography of SW Asia. This is based upon the information each student was to complete on the political and physical map lessons.

A Thought to Remember - "Your focus determines your reality" Qui-Gon Jinn (Star Wars/Episode 1)