Computer Lab 9/14/11

For today's assignment you will need to visit:
www.texasindians.com

To find information for the worksheet simply navigate around.

Also, because I'm feeling nice, I'll open the last extra credit project up for submissions worth either a replacement daily grade or 10 points on your last project grade. They'll be due on Friday.

Mr. H

DECK THE WALLS!

It's time to get some decorations up in the halls and my classroom, so for our next extra credit project we'll be getting a little creative...

Create a representation of the state of Texas created from recycled material that can be hung on the wall or from the ceiling. When choosing materials make sure they are durable and light enough that they won't rip tape off or the ceiling tiles down. Use items like cardboard, tissue paper, old pictures, recycled cans, or whatever else you can find. This will earn you two free homework passes or one replacement daily grade redeemable in my class at any time.

Texas with Recycled License Plates.

• It must be in the shape of the state of Texas.
• Materials must be recycled; do not buy new materials.
• It must be able to be hung with tape or string (light).
• It must be at least the size of a sheet of paper.

Projects are due no later than Friday, September 9th.

Don't forget important upcoming dates:

• Monday, September 5th- Labor Day, no school.
• Wednesday, September 7th- Maps and Reports due for Regions project.
• Friday, September 9th- Advertisements due for Regions project; extra credit due.

Week One, Done...

We're one week in to what is already shaping up to be a terrific year. I have already been impressed with the quality of work and level of questioning displayed on our assignments so far. I already am feeling the challenge to be more challenging. That is really exciting as a teacher, and extremely rewarding for the students.

Did someone say extra credit?
For a replacement 100 you need to create a list of universities found in the cities on our map from Thursday. You can use the Internet, your brain, your friends...whomever. Here's and example:
1. Austin- The University of Texas at Austin
2. Waco-....
Remember, it's due Monday.

We'll start our next project on Monday over t four regions of Texas. If you'd like to get a head start you can do some searches on them in your spare time. They are:

• Coastal Plains.
• North Central Plains.
• Great Plains.
• Mountains and Basins.

Remember to include "Texas" in any search. Or you could search "Texas Geographic Regions".

To get to Evernote for board notes and resources, click here.

See you Monday!

Mr.H

New Year, New Subject

Welcome to 2011-12 Texas History!

I am very excited to be teaching Texas History this year and following many of my students from 6th to 7th grade. It will be a year full of changes for us all, but many things will be familiar.

PBL- My class will still be based in Project Based Learning, incorporating traditional teaching methods and student collaboration to create and synthesize information. There will be more of a focus on historical figures and events, but this works very well within the PBL format.

Cross-Curriculum- While we won't have our A and B teams in 7th grade, teachers will still be collaborating to emphasize themes throughout the day. More of an emphasis will be placed on writing skills as you will be producing two different writing samples for the STAAR testing program.

Positive Incentives- Rewards are an important part of doing the right thing and we will continue to supply you with fun activities and privileges for living up to our expectations. Look out for some fun trips at the end of each semester for those students that earn it.

I'm looking forward to a great 2011-12 school year!

Conflict, Hardship, and Revolution

It has been quite the roller coaster ride in class lately learning about the hardships and conflicts and in Africa. We began learning about apartheid in South Africa, traveled to a tribal conflict in Rwanda, and ended discussing the atrocities that are occurring in the Darfur province of Sudan.

Many students were shocked and touched by the images they saw of the suffering in Darfur. The more people know about what has gone on there the sooner it may stop. The more we learn about others mistakes the less likely we are to repeat them. Here are some links you can check out that gives more info, news, and ways to help in Darfur.

Daily Darfur News
Save Darfur
New York Times- Sudan

Our next project will focus on the current social and political revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. There are exciting changes that have recently taken place and are currently taking place and we will be researching news articles, first hand accounts, and video footage online.

As these revolutions were said to have been organized via social media we will be blogging about the experience on a new program to Manor Middle School called gaggle. The service will be open to students as long as we have it and allows students to email, blog, video search, and social network. There are also other features such as online document storage that we will be exploring over the next couple of months.

I'm very excited to explore these changes in the world and try our new online tools. Here are some links if you want to check out the news on your own.

Tunisia Revolution
Egypt Revolution
Libya Revolution/Conflict

Viva la Revolucion,
Mr. Hanson

We are moving along with our new culture region, Africa. Last week students learned about South Africa and it's oppressive apartheid history through assignments and watching the movie Invictus. I hope students enjoyed the experience, and learned a little more about world history.

This week we will finish out our government type presentations (sorry about the delay) as well as a map showing some physical features on the continent of Africa. Following that we will research some conflicts in the history of Africa which will lead in to some current conflicts in the Northern region.

To get a background on what is currrently going on in Northern Africa and the Middle East you can research the following links.

Dogo News for Kids

Time News for Kids

The people in these countries have either overthrown their dictators and monarchs or are demanding their government be changed. The people want to be in control; the people want democracy and a limited government.

Stay up on your news, and I'll see you in class.

Mr. Hanson

Welcome Back!!! Semester 2 is under way!!!

Greetings, and I hope the winter break treated you well. We made it through our first day back and made some changes in class:

1. Points are now under a strict system and should work great with student reminders.


2. Bathroom permission is now given through the mighty whisk.


3. Class managers will be explained this Friday and change once a week.


4. Wednesday tutorials are make-ups or extra help only. No 'hanging out' or 'computer games'.

I was very impressed with the grades from most of my students this first semester and anticipate only improvement in the next. Keep up the good work!

Our next culture region is Europe. Here are some websites to check out:

European Geography

European History Quiz

Good Luck!!!

Mr. Hanson