Mrs. Stephens

Georgia General Assembly Website

Classwork and Homework:  Complete the Georgia General Assembly Scavenger Hunt.  This was given to all classes on Friday.  Use links below for answers.  MUST SEARCH!  DUE MONDAY!  Don't forget the political cartoon or cartoon strip for 1st Amendment is due Monday!  Scavenger Hunt should be finished and turned in no later than TUESDAY!

AC Class Website:  AC GA GOVT WEBSITE

3rd - 5th Period Website:  Scavenger Hunt 3rd - 5th

GA Government

Classwork: Today, classes finished up voting on BILLS with exception of a few students who have been absent.  Also, a packet was given to all students that will be used for upcoming assignment.  Students are to design a Political Cartoon or Cartoon Strip representing the ideas in the First Amendment.  The right to Assemble Peacefully and to Petition the Government  are the topic themes. They must start on Rough Draft tonight (if not done in class).

HOMEWORK:  Complete the ROUGH DRAFT copy for cartoon.  The idea MUST emphasize some aspect of the importance of 1st amendendment rights shown in modern context.  Think about what is going on in the news and world today!   Exact requirements are stated on handout.  The top 10 will be entered into a contest for cash prizes.  ALL STUDENTS will be given a grade for this cartoon, so do a good job!  No pencil allowed on final copy!

Georgia Government

Classwork:  Today, all classes continued our Mock Legislative Session and listened to individual student bills introduced.  The discussion/debate was great! Each class voted on bills.  Will continue tomorrow.

Homework:  Complete Government Court System Worksheet (2 pages) No textbook needed. One worksheet has the chart for students to use to complete questions on other worksheet.  Due Wednesday!

Georgia Laws

Classwork:  Today, we reviewed How a Bill Becomes a Law; I explained procedures each class will follow on Thursday when we hold our Mock Legislative Session. Students received a handout on the Order of Business for the Session and what their roles will be in class.  I checked their Homework (Bill).  Some were very interesting and well-written, and some need additional facts to receive a good grade on Thursday.  Students received a homework grade today but will need to look up facts/research so they can answer questions asked or give a counter argument for any objections raised when they actually present Bill to the class on Thursday.

HOMEWORK:  No new homework - ALL students should write a well-developed Bill for Thursday since their Oral Presentation of Bill will count as QUIZ grade.  Bills should all be written in ink or typed.  I need to make copies - many students received a good grade for HW today, but I told them to type or write in ink before Thursday. 

Wednesday -  Classes in 8th grade will not meet on regular schedule due to Writing TEST.  No new assignments or Homework.   Thursday will be Legislative Session!

Benchmark Test!

Classwork:  Today, all students viewed video on How a Bill Becomes A Law. They started an Open Book Quiz over Georgia's Government Chapter 15 .  Students were allowed to finish tonight to be sure they make a good grade instead of rushing.  Do NOT copy another student's in HOMEROOM or you will receive a ZERO. 

HOMEWORK:  Complete worksheet THREE BRANCHES OF LOCAL GOVT

Note:  2nd period went to the Theater to hear an ADMINISTRATION TALK  for all 8th Graders on Improving Behavior so did not have much class time.  They will still be taking the County Benchmark on Friday so study Chapter 15 at home! 

FRIDAY:  Take Benchmark Test in Class.  Start writing your own Bill to be read at Mock Legislative Session next week!  Handouts will be given to students that will contain sample Bills.  

Friday Homework:   Write your own proposed bill that you hope will become a law.  The Bill can be school or community related.  It needs to backed up with some research or data to support it.  For instance, if you say Reduce Homework for students to 2 nights per week, you would cite research that gives evidence it helps achievement, more family time, better rest, etc.  This should not be your 1st choice.  You will have to present your bill to class so don't make it silly, or you will be embarrased and receive a lower grade.   Some good ones in past included banning cell phones while driving, changing certain driving laws, creating a park, adding a break time at school, offering different sports at middle school level, etc. Put some thought into your BILL!

Georgia's Government

BRING TEXTBOOKS TO CLASS! Ms. Gorley was my substitute today and will also be in my classroom on Thursday and Friday while I complete Gifted Evaluation for 7th graders.  I was pleased with comments for all classes today EXCEPT 2nd PERIOD (previously my 7th period AC CLASS).   Ms. Gorley stated they never stopped talking (a problem I have had in past) and did not even have time to finish assignments that all other classes finished with extra time.  They stay behind due to excessive talking and problems transitioning between class activities.  WARNING:  This class will receive an extra essay to write on behavior if they do not drastically improve!  I will also give N 's in conduct this quarter since previous problems in this class. I hate to be negative on the Blog but will not see students to let them know this will be assigned unless huge difference occurs on Thursday and Friday.  If you read this blog, tell your friends!! 

THE BENCHMARK TEST IS ON FRIDAY, SO ALL STUDENTS NEED TO BE QUIET AND MAXIMIZING LEARNING WHILE IN CLASS! The Benchmark Grade will be counted as a DAILY GRADE for Social Studies since notes and review assignments are being completed this week in class.

HOMEWORK:  Complete Cornell Notes over pages 544 - 551 in Chapter 15 of Textbook! Due Thursday at beginning of Class!  

THURSDAY CLASSWORK:  Students will view a short video on How a Bill Becomes A Law and will receive a True/False Worksheet that will have to be completed in class and will count as a QUIZ GRADE!  Students may use their textbooks to complete it if they bring to class!

 

Welcome Back! Happy New Year!

HOMEWORK REMINDER:  Don't forget the short homework assignment due on Tuesday from all classes except 6th period (if not finished on Thursday before Winter Break).  See the last post for details - paragraph should be a summary and review of  the movie Race to Freedom viewed on Wednesday and Thursday in class before Break.  6th period is exempt from the assignment.  They had Excellent Behavior when I was running late for class due to parent meeting in Counselor's Office.  I walked into my classroom to find them already viewing movie quietly - all were seated with no time wasted. GREAT JOB! 

All projects have been graded and recorded on Pinnacle (except 7th period AC Social Studies).  The majority of students did a great job, and I enjoyed reading their creative writing and viewing artwork.  7th period projects were graded but will be recored on Pinnacle for the new 3rd week grading period. 

Tuesday is a start of a NEW UNIT of study!  We will be learning and reviewing GOVERNMENT with special emphasis placed on Georgia and Local Government to prepare for the upcoming Benchmark Test in Social Studies.  The BENCHMARK Test will be administered on Friday - results will be reported to the county and compared to other schools.  All students need to take the test on Friday or do a make-up.

TUESDAY CLASSWORK:  

Warm-Up - What is our government in the United States and Georgia based upon?   The written  Constitution.  

According to GA Constittuion, the public safety function of the government is to  ___________________ (protect people and their property)

1. Review the 3 branches of Government.  Students will complete a Chart in Class.

2. Students will view PowerPoint presentation on Georgia Government. 

3. Start and FINISH THIS ASSIGNMENT FOR HOMEWORK: Take Cornell Notes on pages 544 - 551 in text. Cornell notes are DUE THURSDAY over these pages!

 

ANTEBELLUM ERA

CLASSWORK:  Students finished sharing their presentations/skits/artwork for the Indian Removal Unit today.  I was very impressed with student work  - most products were very creative, and students shared new facts they learned.  It takes a long time to grade all of student work in packets since I am reading each and every page!  Grades will probably not be posted until after Christmas since final grades for teachers are not due until January 9th.

TODAY ALL STUDENTS received NOTES over Chapter 7 that were typed for them instead of having to take notes!   My Holiday Present to students :) Students had to READ and Highlight important facts and WRITE 15 Questions over material.  Answers should be written on back of paper for each question.    After the Holidays, students will exchange papers and try to answer the questions.  Students had to turn in their questions at the end of class today. 

HOMEWORK:  Students need to complete 2 Worksheets over Differences between North and South before the Civil War.  They will read article and answer questions.  No TEXTBOOK NEEDED FOR THE REST OF THIS YEAR!  

WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY CLASSWORK:   All students will view the Video "Race To Freedom" about the Underground Railroad.  The movie shows the complicated relationships between Plantation owners and slaves and the hardships faced by slaves.  

Assignment OVER HOLIDAYS:   Write a reflection paragraph over the movie to turn in after you return from Winter Break.  Your paragraph should answer the following questions:  What did you learn from watching Race to Freedom?  Briefly summarize plot and DESCRIBE some of the sumbols for slaves so they could safely communicate.  Include your opinion/review of the movie and a rating (One - Five Stars).  Explain the reason for your rating.  Do you feel the actors/actresses did a good job of portraying the emotions experienced by the slaves?

HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY BREAK WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY!

The Indian Removal

WEDNESDAY

Classwork:  Today, students continued to work on Station Activities.  At this point, students should be almost finished with all of tasks on the Table of Contents for "The Good, The Bad, The Ugly" Unit on Native Americans in Georgia.  Thursday, students will have one last class day to work on activities but should be working at home to finish all work   - DUE ON FRIDAY AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD!  

THIS UNIT GRADE WILL BE COUNTED FOR 3 Daily Grades, 1 Test Grade, and 2 Homework Grades since students have been working for 2 weeks on this project.  Tonight, students should organize all of work and check off all tasks completed on Table of Contents so they can see what work is left to do.  All work should be neatly organized and stapled to packet BEFORE class on Friday.  10 points will be deducted if students have to hunt for their work during class presentations.  My plan is to take up packets immediately and call on each student to share something they created or something they learned from work on unit.  I will check off the Presentation Box on Table of Contents.  If a student is not ready to turn in at beginning of class on Friday,  the student will not get credit for the Presentation (so 10 points deducted).  

The GOOD NEWS is NO TEST will be given before Winter Vacation!  Most students have been working diligently on tasks and have learned a great deal of information during the Unit so no further assessment will be required. 

Indian Removal

All students took the QUIZ over Indian Removal today in class and continued to work on Learning Station Activities.  Quiz Grades are posted and are  Very High for most students - Many A's on this quiz!

Homework:  NO NEW HOMEWORK but continue working on Learning Station Activities.  See previous posts for more information.  If choosing the electronic poster activity, Look on the Projects Section of my blog for examples of good electronic posters from a previous year.  ANYONE can choose to do one for an extra credit.