Hola mis alumnos!

      Today is Camel Day, October 12, 2011.  You have heard me say before that good readers INTERACT WITH TEXT.  Good readers interact with text just like having a conversation with the author.  As we interact with text, we need to leave tracks of thinking.  This makes our thinking visible.  It brings it to real life OUR INNER VOICE that is so hard to hear sometimes. 

       Think about the tracks animals leave in the snow or the mud.  You can't see the animal.  You can't even touch the animal, but you know it has been there from the tracks it's left.  Readers need to leave tracks so that other readers and teachers can see the thinking.  Thoughts are invisible unless you leave tracks that they have been there. 

      Here is how we are going to start to leave tracks...
L         
Q or ?  
??      
!   
R     

That's it.  Have fun! 

Wait, I haven't told you what those tracks mean.  Silly Mr. C! 

L   new learning(At times this will be the answer to our questions.)
Q or ?  questions we have(These are the things that go on our Q and A forms.)
?? you are confused/gaps in knowledge
!  exciting or surprising information(These are very similar to the L, but they could be just random facts that surprised us.)
R for a connection (reminds me of...)

Tracks like these hold our thinking so we can come back later to see it.  If you are reading an article that is yours you can write these TEXT CODES right on it.  If you are reading a book that isn't yours feel free to use a post-it.  Have fun interacting with text and leaving tracks. 

Sincerely,
C
P.S. I hear and I forget.
I see and I remember.
I do and I understand.
Do your best and forget the rest!

     

From the cluttered mind of C, Teacher

School District of Waukesha

Waukesha STEM Academy

Happy Camel Day Everyone!

      Today is Wednesday, September 28, 2011.  By the end of class today we should be finishing up our Life Maps, and thinking about what we want to share tomorrow.  As we finish, there are a few things we need to do...

1. Check our work by using the rubric.

2. Think about talking points/nuggets that we want others to know about your history.

3. Check out the link below if you finish early. 

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/worldhistory/holocaust/

      I do realize the link is a bit childish, however, it is packed full of additional readings, activities, and a short quiz that tests your background knowledge.  Play around and click on some of the things you see.  Remember, we will be launching into our HOLOCAUST exploration on Friday.  Enjoy.

Yours Truly,

C

From the cluttered mind of C, Teacher

School District of Waukesha

Waukesha STEM Academy

Welcome to the Blogosphere my friends...

Howdy Ya'll,

      Today is Tuesday, September 20, 2011.  If you are reading this you are interacting with a blog I started for all my special students.  So, consider yourself special in my eyes.  Anyways, down to the nitty gritty.  You all have embarked on a project that explores the Second Industrial Revolution.  Once you have conducted a few days of research with the online U.S. History textbook and other resources online, you will be required to create a blog of your own.

Take a few minutes to watch the link below on your own.  As you watch, think about the blog you will be creating.  Your blog will be yours to show your learning by expressing your voice and ideas with others.  Your teachers hope you enjoy this project not only for the product you will be creating, but also for the content we are focussing on. 

Here is your link to a video on blogs:
http://www.brainpop.com/technology/computersandinternet/blogs/

Here are some links that may help you connect with the U.S. History content:
http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/ushistory/industrialrevolution/

http://www.brainpop.com/technology/scienceandindustry/assemblyline/

Have fun with this project and make it yours! 

Yours truly,
C
P.S. I hear and I forget.
I see and remember.
I do and I understand.
Do your best and forget the rest!

From the cluttered mind of C, Teacher

School District of Waukesha

Waukesha STEM Academy

Online Learning Guide: Video, Document, & Photo Reflection...

Take a look at these self-assessment and reflection questions: 

Self-Assessment

Check Your Understanding §  What questions did the photographs, videos, and readings raise in your mind? §  Where could you find the answers to these questions? §  What can we learn about this time period in history from what we have seen and read? §  I used to think, but now I know…

After you have read through the questions scroll down and find some of the links pertaining to slavery.  As you view and analyze these sites think about the feeling and reactions they stir in you.  Write down those thoughts and feelings.  If you feel so inclined, feel free to post a comment as well.  PLEASE ANSWER ALL 4 OF THE ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS.   

Slavery and Civil Rights:

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/ushistory/civilrights/

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/usgovernmentandlaw/billofrights/

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/ushistory/slavery/

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/ushistory/undergroundrailroad/

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/ushistory/brownvsboardofeducationoftopeka/

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/famoushistoricalfigures/jackierobinson/

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/famoushistoricalfigures/martinlutherkingjr/

CIVIL WAR:

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/ushistory/civilwarcauses/

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/freemovies/civilwar/

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/famoushistoricalfigures/abrahamlincoln/

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/famoushistoricalfigures/frederickdouglass/

YOU TUBE

http://youtu.be/YPXHrMDvBm0

http://youtu.be/Jc1RbUxQv4E

 

Underground Railroad Interactive Map

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/socsci/books/applications/imaps/maps/g5s_u6/index.html

Underground Railroad Map and Information

http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/underground/routes.htm

Slavery in America maps

http://www.slaveryinamerica.org/geography/ugrr_1860.htm

Scholastic Interactive Underground Railroad Website

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/underground_railroad/index.htm

National Geographic Underground Railroad

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/railroad/

From the cluttered mind of C,

Teacher School District of Waukesha

Waukesha STEM Academy

8th Grade Historical Literacy

Horsemanship: the journey continues...

Hey cowpokes!!

This is my Lady.

      The horse is rich in lore and mythology.  The 
Norse god Odin rode upon an eight-legged steed named Sleipnir.  Horses have been revered as symbols of freedom- oftentimes without the proper restraints.  It is associated with both burial rites and birth-with individuals riding into and out of this world. 

      Horse people in Chinese astrology are friendly and adventurous, and they can be very emotional.  In Greek Mythology, the chariot of Apollo, the sun god, is pulled by stallions, as is the chariot of Surya in the Hindu tradition.   

Lady girl and I have spent
 a few years together.

No one single animal has contributed more to the spread of civilization than the horse.  Before the horse’s domestication the distance between people and societies was great, and there was little interaction.  The horse served humanity in travel, in war, in agriculture, and in most other major areas of life.  ITS ENERGY IS EXPANSIVE. 

The symbolism of the horse is complex.  It can represent MOVEMENT & TRAVEL.  More than one historical legend speaks of the CLAIRVOYENCE of horses and their ability to recognize those involved in magic.  They are symbols that can express the magical side of humans.   

That there horse looks
perty in a saddle!

HORSE BRINGS WITH IT NEW JOURNEYS.  IT WILL TEACH YOU HOW TO RIDE INTO NEW DIRECTIONS TO AWAKEN AND DISCOVER YOUR OWN FREEDOM AND POWER.   

Horse fact #2: Horses are "PREY" animals.  This means that they are the food of predators. 

This, taken from Animal Speak by Ted Andrews

This day, June 21, 2011 in Kiel, WI

Home of my first horse experiences.

Horsemanship: when horses attack...

To those that care to listen,

      It is midday of day 2 here on Golden Bear Farm where I have decided to take a break in order to think and reflect.  Day 1 and Day 2 brought a lot so far.  Normally when I visit here, Lady is the horse that gets my attention.  However, I have decided to take on a new horse to focus my attention and affection.  The horse's name is Bo.  Here are a few pictures I took while he was attacking me.  He wasn't really attacking me; I'm just trying to see if you are paying attention. 

      I have learned a lot in the short period of time I have spent up here so far.  There are many things to keep in mind when you are training a horse.  In all actuality "training" a horse is nothing more than CREATING A RELATIONSHIP with a horse.  
      In order to start a conversation with a horse a human takes time understanding horse psychology and horse language.  I'll get into horse psychology another time if anyone is interested, but for now let me say that horse language is made up of 7 GAMES. 
1. The Friendly Game      2. The Porcupine Game
3. The Driving Game       4. The Yo-Yo Game
5. The Circle Game         6. The Sideways Game
7. The Squeeze Game

These games are the games horses play with each other when they are out in the middle of a pasture grazing or in the wild on the open plains.  If a human can understand the language and speak it back to a horse a LINE OF COMMUNICATION can be opened.  Then, let the fun begin!

Random horse fact #1:  Horses have BILATERAL VISION.  For those of you who would like more details on bilateral vision send me a comment.    

I hope you all enjoy reading this.  More to come.  I CAN'T STOP LEARNING!!

Yours truly,
C
P.S. We shall not cease from exploration and, the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.  -T.S. Eliot

Grayson, Lola, and Bridget...

Hey gang!

      I love to see all these comments even though the summer is well underway.  Keep up the comments so we all may keep in touch.  Since so many of you have expressed interest in continuing the blog, I am working on a new post that will be found here this evening.  As of now, I am up here on Golden Bear Farm with my friends Steve and Marie Deibele.  Today is day 2 of horse training.  More to follow...

Yours Truly,

C

P.S. I hear and I forget.

I see and I remember.

I do and I understand.

Do your best and forget the rest.  

From the cluttered mind of C, Teacher

School District of Waukesha

Waukesha STEM Academy

STEREOTYPING...

Some of you have expressed continued interest and confusion about stereotyping.  Here is a short clip that may help you make connections and build understanding.  After watching this, think about how this applies to your moment in history. 

http://youtu.be/_hJFi7SRH7Q

This should be able to help you with #4 as well. 

From the cluttered mind of C, Teacher

School District of Waukesha

Waukesha STEM Academy

Friday... High Five!!

Dear Cool Classes,

      Today is Friday, May 27, 2011.  I will be out this morning until 12:00.  This afternoon we have a field trip to the YMCA.  This kind of makes me want to start singing The Village People...   Anyways, here is your schedule for the day.

9:35-10:15 ROTATION 1
10:15-10:55 ROTATION 2
10:55-11:35 ROTATION 3
11:40-12:20 LUNCH 

      During your rotations today you are responsible to do any one of these things: 1. Finish your Embedded Inquiry Guides  2. Work on your Glogs  3. FINISH YOUR TIMELINES FROM MISS CASSIER & MR. S  The books for your inquiries can be found in the lounge.  They are in the same place we kept our book club books.   

http://www.brainpop.com/english/studyandreadingskills/internetsearch/

      Check out this Brainpop on Internet Searches if you want to.  It may help some of you find things you are looking for.  Use this time to work and think.  Have fun thinking.

From the cluttered mind of C, Teacher

School District of Waukesha

Waukesha STEM Academy

Bias...

Hey there Hilarious Historians,

      Today is Thursday, May 26, 2011.  If you look at your embedded scoring guides for your inquiries, number four asks you about bias, prejudice, race, stereotyping, and ethnic origin.  Here is what dictionary.com had to say about BIAS...

      -to cause favoritism in (a person); influence, especially unfairly
     - mental tendency or inclination, esp an irrational preference or prejudice

http://youtu.be/bCJe42LGnB4 

(This is a link might help you understand bias a little bit.)

Your task for #4 is to find an example of bias, prejudice, stereotyping, race, and ethnic origin within SLAVERY, WWII, or THE CIVIL WAR. 

Check out what dictionary.com had to say about PREJUDICE...

1. an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason.

2. any preconceived opinion or feeling, either favorable or unfavorable.

3. unreasonable feelings, opinions, or attitudes, especially of a hostile, regarding a racial, religious, or national group.

From the cluttered mind of C, Teacher

School District of Waukesha

Waukesha STEM Academy