American Studies: As we complete the first trimester, the students should be feeling good in general about their effort and engagement in American Studies. They have pushed themselves to do more than memorize facts. Being critical readers and analyzers of information has been a big part of their skill set.
We are now in the middle of the Civil War unit looking at the events leading up to the war. Students are seeing all the compromise that went forth leading up to the war.
IB History: We completed the unit on Germany leading up to World War II. Our focus for the next few weeks is World War II. We will look at causes, major events, effects and how the world changed after 1945. The seniors are working on their Internal Assessment historical investigations. With plenty of practice on their Extended Essays, the IA should come very easily to our seniors.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Week in Review: November 9-13
American Studies: The critical reading and note taking skills were assessed in an in class essay. Students used their notes, brainstormed and wrote an outline, gave each other feedback and then they started writing on the topic of:
In what ways did the United States expand (grow) economically and geographically in the early to mid-1800’s? How was some of the economic growth connected to the geographic expansion? Support your answer with specific examples focusing on Economics and Technology and Geography.
In what ways did the United States expand (grow) economically and geographically in the early to mid-1800’s? How was some of the economic growth connected to the geographic expansion? Support your answer with specific examples focusing on Economics and Technology and Geography.
A major goal for all the teachers is to help our students become independent learners confident in their skills and curious, ready to ask questions and learn. I push my students to engage by being responsible to themselves and to each other. Collaboration is central to learning.
IB History: Speaking of collaboration, the seniors continue to push back against collaborating via Web 2.0 tools like Google Docs and Mindmeister. However, they do work together in class when they are asked to share their research and analysis on the two main topics of the Germany unit. We have been focusing on building knowledge about the Weimar Republic and the Rise of the Nazis. The students are making the connections between what happened economically, socially, politically, religiously, the arts and technologically to understand the rise and downfall of democracy in Germany before World War II.
As the seniors continue to become more independent learners focusing their learning around inquiry, it is important to validate their efforts. So do ask to see your child's mind maps of their research and the question listing all the students put together in a shared Google Doc.
As the seniors continue to become more independent learners focusing their learning around inquiry, it is important to validate their efforts. So do ask to see your child's mind maps of their research and the question listing all the students put together in a shared Google Doc.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Week in Review: November 2-6
American Studies: I really enjoyed reading the student blog posts this week on Moroccan political parties and the students possible immigration once they complete university one day. The historical connection is to the development of the first political parties in American history (Democrat Republicans and Federalists) and to the question of why people move (westward expansion of early pioneers).
Looking at the coming week, we will work on note taking skills from my lecture and from the textbook. It is one more step in the development of the students to work with various information sources and to be able to organize it in a meaningful way.
IB History: With the seniors staying home most of the week, they had the opportunity to work through their reading, outlining and written proposal for their Internal Assessments. As our class uses online learning tools like Google Docs and Mindmeister, it was not difficult to switch to a virtual classroom. It offered an opportunity for the students to push themselves to become more independent learners as they will have to be next year in university.
Speaking of being independent learners, the guideline for the Internal Assessment with its timeline can be found at the Edline course page. The students have a very clear, step by step framework to guide them to complete their papers.
Looking at the coming week, we will work on note taking skills from my lecture and from the textbook. It is one more step in the development of the students to work with various information sources and to be able to organize it in a meaningful way.
IB History: With the seniors staying home most of the week, they had the opportunity to work through their reading, outlining and written proposal for their Internal Assessments. As our class uses online learning tools like Google Docs and Mindmeister, it was not difficult to switch to a virtual classroom. It offered an opportunity for the students to push themselves to become more independent learners as they will have to be next year in university.
Speaking of being independent learners, the guideline for the Internal Assessment with its timeline can be found at the Edline course page. The students have a very clear, step by step framework to guide them to complete their papers.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Week in Review: October 26-30
American Studies: Our focus this week was on how to prepare for essay tests. We reviewed how to construct a study plan, make efficient use of one's study time, how to be a better critical reader and how to take notes. In most cases, the students already knew all of these skills but realized how important it is for them to be smart and effective learners who use their time well. We completed the week starting the new unit on the early 1800's and Westward Expansion. With a couple writing assignments for their blogs as homework, do check out your what your child is thinking and writing about on his/her blog.
IB History: The students were introduced to the new unit of study on Germany 1919-1939. We viewed a video on the Weimar Republic and Hitler's early efforts to take power. With three excellent reading recourses and an inquiry-centered research project called the Germany Learning Pursuit, the seniors are progressing to become more independent, self-motivated learners. We finished the week with a lecture on the Weimar Republic and will pick up with another one on the rise of the Nazis when we return to class. The students also should be working on their Internal Assessment in the form of a historical investigation on a topic of their choosing. The written proposal for their topic is due on November 11.
IB History: The students were introduced to the new unit of study on Germany 1919-1939. We viewed a video on the Weimar Republic and Hitler's early efforts to take power. With three excellent reading recourses and an inquiry-centered research project called the Germany Learning Pursuit, the seniors are progressing to become more independent, self-motivated learners. We finished the week with a lecture on the Weimar Republic and will pick up with another one on the rise of the Nazis when we return to class. The students also should be working on their Internal Assessment in the form of a historical investigation on a topic of their choosing. The written proposal for their topic is due on November 11.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Week in Review: October 19-23
American Studies: The students returned from Explore Morocco to a discussion of how Moroccan government services were a part of the lives of the people they met. We also covered some other aspects of the ESPRAT construct applying the students' recent learning of how the American government was created to provide services for the young American nation. We ended the week with an exam reviewing the American Revolution and the organization of government through the Constitution.
IB History: It was a big week for our seniors as they completed work on their Extended Essays. They also took their Unit 6 essay exam drawing from their Mindmeister mind maps where they answered the five essential questions drawing from their reading and classroom work.
IB History: It was a big week for our seniors as they completed work on their Extended Essays. They also took their Unit 6 essay exam drawing from their Mindmeister mind maps where they answered the five essential questions drawing from their reading and classroom work.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Week in Review: October 12-16
American Studies: Having spent the past week in Russia with my IB students, I will look forward to the coming week for the American Studies students. We completed our studies of the Revolution and Constitution unit. This means the students will be assessed in a unit exam. It is very important for them to review their reading, notes and research reports in preparation for the exam.
IB History: What a learning opportunity our students experienced in Russia! Do look to have your children review each day of their time in Russia. Ask them to reflect and share their learning. Looking at the coming week, the students will be assessed on the Rise of Stalin unit. It is very important that everyone complete their mind map of essential/unit questions in preparation for the exam.
IB History: What a learning opportunity our students experienced in Russia! Do look to have your children review each day of their time in Russia. Ask them to reflect and share their learning. Looking at the coming week, the students will be assessed on the Rise of Stalin unit. It is very important that everyone complete their mind map of essential/unit questions in preparation for the exam.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Week in Review
Edline is up and running for you the parents. I am told the students will receive their activation codes first thing this coming week. They will now be using Edline for their homework assignments instead of this blog. So please visit your child's course in Edline and view the homework for the coming week.
American Studies: The students were introduced to several political scientists/philosophers who laid the groundwork for Jefferson and Madison in their efforts to write the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. We also began the process of learning how to analyze primary and secondary source documents and artifacts. It will be an ongoing process to understand what resources can offer us in the form of valid information. In reviewing the Constitution, the students are writing blog posts about the parts that they feel are most important. Check out what they have to say on their blogs. :)
IB History: We continued our study of the history of the Soviet Union as it transitioned from Lenin's to Stalin's policies. The students are building out online mind maps focusing on the five unit questions adopted from the IB. I think it is becoming quite an eye opener for the students to see how Stalin used brute force, coercion and propaganda to consolidate his power. Portions of our class are centered on student discussion around provided questions and student reading of the textbook. I guide these discussions providing clarification and added details helping to make connections in the students' learning. Your students need to continue their efforts to take notes from these discussions as this seminar discussion model is similar to what they will experience in college courses. Professors do not lecture but provide additional materials as the students analyze and build their understanding from the discussion prompted by the professor's questions.
The students are finishing up their Paper 1 exam rewrites. It is a good exercise to have them reflect and fine tune their document analysis skills. They will be gaining even more practice with these skills by peer editing their partners' papers.
American Studies: The students were introduced to several political scientists/philosophers who laid the groundwork for Jefferson and Madison in their efforts to write the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. We also began the process of learning how to analyze primary and secondary source documents and artifacts. It will be an ongoing process to understand what resources can offer us in the form of valid information. In reviewing the Constitution, the students are writing blog posts about the parts that they feel are most important. Check out what they have to say on their blogs. :)
IB History: We continued our study of the history of the Soviet Union as it transitioned from Lenin's to Stalin's policies. The students are building out online mind maps focusing on the five unit questions adopted from the IB. I think it is becoming quite an eye opener for the students to see how Stalin used brute force, coercion and propaganda to consolidate his power. Portions of our class are centered on student discussion around provided questions and student reading of the textbook. I guide these discussions providing clarification and added details helping to make connections in the students' learning. Your students need to continue their efforts to take notes from these discussions as this seminar discussion model is similar to what they will experience in college courses. Professors do not lecture but provide additional materials as the students analyze and build their understanding from the discussion prompted by the professor's questions.
The students are finishing up their Paper 1 exam rewrites. It is a good exercise to have them reflect and fine tune their document analysis skills. They will be gaining even more practice with these skills by peer editing their partners' papers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
