Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Finishing American Indian Story: Sources and Essays...

Happy Camel Day,

      Below are the targets that are our focus this week.  Please reread them and commit them to memory.  Our challenge this week is to look deeply at the sources we are using.  When we analyze a source there are a few things we must keep in mind:

-Point of view
-Author's Purpose
-Credibility  


I can deconstruct sources to reveal an author's point of view and purpose.
I can evaluate the credibility of a source.
I can analyze the relationship among diverse sources on the same topic.
I can select specific evidence to support an interpretation.

      Our "to-do" list is as follows...
1. Pass Back Rubrics from Seminar
2. Print Mosaics and place in text sets
3. Discuss "Weekly Contributions"
4. Finish Geronimo Story/History
5. Comp/Contrast with other source

Engage.  Plug in.  Connect.   CONTRIBUTE.  Enjoy and have a great day Kiddies.


From the cluttered minds of C & Dubbs, Teachers
School District of Waukesha
Waukesha STEM Academy

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

BAM, FOX RIVER!!!

Happy Field Trip Day Y'all,

      Here is the post from yesterday which includes reminders, time frame, and the Survival Structures design brief.  Enjoy and have fun!

Blog Post from yesterday.

From the cluttered minds of C & Dubbs, Teacher
School District of Waukesha
Waukesha STEM Academy

Monday, November 5, 2012

Fox River and Survival Structures...


Happy Monday Again Gang,

Please look at the reminders below so you have a heads up for tomorrow. Also, the design brief for the Bear Grylls Survival Structures is posted below. Please survey the information.

-Dress for the weather!  Forecast: 30 degrees and a good chance of rain.
-Pack a cold lunch!  No cold lunch = you don't eat.
-Take a pencil or pen along.
-We are walking to the FRS.  DO NOT BE LATE TO SCHOOL.  We will leave at 7:30 a.m.
-We will eat lunch at the FRS.
-We will return around 12:30-12:45.
-Once we get back:
1) mock election
2) STEaM. FC competitors: Sim Computers will probably NOT be available, so be prepared to work on your essay, research or city planning.



Collecting, GATHERING, and Observing
Bark
Leaves
Sticks
Grass
Pine Cones

Survival Structures: Sheltering Structures
In order to survive in an outdoor environment, one must be able to use what they have access to.  We will be bringing materials with us, but we must also use the materials nature provides.  We will need to use our observation skills along with our skills in gathering.  Think back to our buddy Bear Grylls.  Remember that a survival structure must keep a person warm and dry.  Warm enough to keep us from freezing or exposure.  Key words: WARM, DRY, and INSULATED.


Linking & Binding

Design Challenge: 
Design a survival structure that will keep a person warm and dry using the resources you have at your disposal.  The trick with building this structure at the E.B. Shutz Nature Sanctuary is that we cannot use any living plant matter or wildlife.  DUE TO THE FACT RESOURCES ARE LIMITED, PLEASE REALIZE THAT OTHER GROUPS MAY BORROW PIECES FROM YOUR STRUCTURE AS THE ROTATIONS PROCEED.  



1.We will start out by taking 10-15 minutes to spread out and gather materials in nature.  
2. When the timer goes off, you will then be given 5-10 minutes to brainstorm and sketch with your group.  
3. The remainder of the time during this center is to get to building.


Warm, Dry, and Insulated

Criteria: 
The structure you build must:
- Have a sketch of your structure
- Be three-dimentional
- Incorporate 2-3 items you have found in your natural surroundings.
- Incorporate 2-3 items we have brought with us.
- Be free standing for the duration of the rotation


Materials:  Items from natural surroundings whatever can be gathered.
Tape, Aluminum Foil, Rubber Bands, Paper Clips
Tools: Your hands



From the cluttered minds of C & Dubbs, Teachers
School District of Waukesha 
Waukesha STEM Academy

Geronimo Part II: 5 Paragraph Essays & Deconstructing Sources...

Good Morning 8th Graders,

      Please view the short Brainpop that is linked below before or after Community Circle.

5 PARAGRAPH ESSAY

     Think back to Friday.  We started viewing a media source that took a deep look into the life of a Native American by the name of Geronimo.

      Geronimo lived from June 16, 1829 – February 17, 1909.  He was a prominent leader of the Bedonkohe Apache who fought against Mexico and the United States for their expansion into Apache tribal lands for several decades during the Apache Wars. "Geronimo" was the name given to him during a battle with Mexican soldiers. His Chiricahua name is often rendered as Goyathlay or Goyahkla in English.


After an attack by a company of Mexican soldiers killed his mother, wife and three children in 1858, Geronimo joined revenge attacks on the Mexicans. During his career as a war chief, he was notorious for consistently urging raids upon Mexican Provinces and their towns, and later against American locations across Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas
In 1886 Geronimo surrendered to U.S. authorities after a lengthy pursuit. As a prisoner of war in old age he became a celebrity and appeared in fairs but was never allowed to return to the land of his birth. He later regretted his surrender and claimed the conditions he made had been ignored. Geronimo died in 1909 from complications of pneumonia at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
      Please get out your Cornell Notes from last Friday and continue them today as we finish.  Below are the 4 learning targets we are trying to focus on.  Read them to try and understand what they mean:

I can deconstruct sources to reveal an author's point of view and purpose.
I can evaluate the credibility of a source.
I can analyze the relationship among diverse sources on the same topic.
I can select specific evidence to support an interpretation.

Sincerely,
C & Dubbs

From the cluttered minds of C & Dubbs, Teachers
School District of Waukesha
Waukesha STEM Academy