Work for the Week of 1.28 to 2.3

For all 8th graders who need to access the bag of websites for their World War I themes assessment, please click here. This assessment is due on Monday at 9:00 AM.

I will be adding more in terms of assignments for this week's extra credit towards the end of the week.

Syllabus for 7.3 Social Studies

Week of 1/30- 2/3

Monday: Greatest Video of All Time started.. Take home quiz given today. Due tomorrow.	HW: Finish take home quiz on the Constitution.
Tuesday: Collect take home quizzes. Continue Greatest Video of all time.	HW: Make sure notes on video are completed.
Wednesday: Finish greatest video of all time notes.	HW: Complete veritable cornucopia of Constitutional items enrichment sheet. Due on Monday, 2.6.
Thursday: Conferences	HW: Complete veritable cornucopia of Constitutional items enrichment sheet. Due on Monday, 2.6.
Friday: The voice of the dispossessed: "Eyes on the Prize."	HW: Complete veritable cornucopia of Constitutional items enrichment sheet. Due on Monday, 2.6.

Syllabus for 8.3 Social Studies

Week of 1/30- 2/3

Mr. Kannan- Email: akannan@op97.org

Blog Address: http://op97-kannan783.blogspot.com/

Monday: Introduce sections 1 and 2 on Notetaking Guides for World War I.	HW: Finish sections 1 and 2 on Notetaking Guides from Chapter 21.
Tuesday: Introduce sections 3 and 4 on Notetaking Guides for World War I.	HW: Finish sections 3 and 4 on Notetaking Guides from Chapter 21.
Wednesday: Outline next phase and distribute take home assessment that is due on Monday, 2.6 at the start of class.	HW: Finish take home assessment.
Thursday: Conferences	HW: Finish take home assessment on World War I.
Friday: To Be Announced	HW: Finish take home assessment on World War I.

All best.
Mr. Kannan

The Constitution with one Group and World War I with the other

This week in the realm of 7/8.3 Social Studies, a real interesting dynamic is emerging. On one hand, the promises and possibilities of liberal democracy will be developing with our discourse on the Constitution in 7.3 Social Studies. Students are able to emerge to the very basic idea of the growth of American liberalism, the protection of liberties, and the progressive notion of transforming what is into what can be. On the flipside, the 8.3 discourse will be centered on World War I, a period of time where liberalism, conservativism, progressivism, and any other type of positive- ism failed into a morass of suffering, destruction, death, and agony. (I think I might be bordering on the slightly schizophrenic with facilitating the discourse in both.)

7th Grade Work for the week of 1.23- 1.27
Monday- Quiz on Goals, Principles, Thinkers and Preamble to the Constitution. No notes allowed.
HW: Finish reading section in textbook on Executive Branch.
Tuesday- Concept attainment on Executive Branch.
HW: Compose outcome sentences on the Executive Branch.
Wednesday- RTI Quizzlet on the Executive and Legislative Branches. Discuss Electoral College.
HW: In class options on Electoral College homework assignment.
Thursday- Distribute work back and discuss Legislative and Executive Branches.
HW: Prepare for Monday's quiz on Legislative, Executive, Goals, Principles, Thinkers, and Preamble to the Constitution.
Friday- In class preparation for Monday's quiz on Legislative, Executive, Goals, Principles, Thinkers, and Preamble to the Constitution.

8th Grade Work for the week of 1.23- 1.27
Monday: Introduce World War I. Discuss initial findings. Chapter 20 Enrichment Sheets are due before 3:30. Students will not be asked for their homework. They must submit it on their own recognizance. Due to Graduation Pictures, there will not be an open note quiz on Chapter 20.
HW: Think about why World War I was one of the most horrific moments in human history.
Tuesday: Introduce the maps of the time period and introduce the themes of World War I.
HW: Preview forthcoming themes. Review covered themes.
Wednesday: Finalize discussion of World War I Themes.
HW: Review covered themes.
Thursday: Return work and take questions on Themes of World War I.
HW: Start previewing the World War I Theme Bag of Websites on the blog.
Friday: Work on World War I Themes Enrichment Sheet, googledoc access, and complete over the weekend. Those with internet access difficulties will have to find some time to access the websites over lunch or on Monday and complete the task on their own. Please plan ahead. All work must be submitted to me on Monday by 3:30.

With conferences coming up, my hope is that you have been able to schedule a time to meet with teachers or will be attending the Office Hours option for those who are able to do so. If I can be of any further assistance in this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.
All best.
Mr. Kannan

As promised, here is this week's extra credit opportunities.

Video Extra Credit- You might want to open up a couple of tabs so you can view the video in one tab and then complete the googledoc in another. You might have to jump back and forth between both.
For this week's seventh grade extra credit option via YouTube, click here for the video. After viewing it, click here for the googledoc that needs to be completed for extra credit.

For this week's eighth extra credit option via YouTube, click here for the video. After viewing it, click here for the googledoc that needs to be completed for extra credit.



Web Extra Credit- You might want to open up a couple of tabs so you can view the video in one tab and then complete the googledoc in another. You might have to jump back and forth between both.
This week's website for extra credit can be found here. Examine it, see what is there, and, if there are any interactive activities, go ahead and investigate them. Then, click here for the googledoc that needs to be completed for extra credit.

Best wishes.
Mr. Kannan

The Cold Increases, as well as the Rigor... of Academics, that is!

Indeed, the cold air and the frigidity of Chicago Winters are upon us. The first snowfall captivated many students. One student tried to remark about it in the middle of class and faced the terse response: "And this impacts our work how?" Yes, the truth of rigor is upon us.

7th Grade Work for the week of 1.16- 1.20
Monday (Dr. King's Day- No School) and Tuesday- Students should concentrate on memorizing the Preamble, as well as their notes on goals and principles to the Constitution.
Wednesday- Preamble memorization/ recitation. Finalize Thinkers to the Constitution.
Thursday- Outcome Sentences on Legislative Branch.
Friday- Study for Monday's quiz on Thinkers, Goals, Principles, and Preamble to the Constitution.

8th Grade Work for the Week of 1.16- 1.20
Monday (Dr. King's Day- No School)- Work on projects.
Tuesday- Collect 5 identifications from everyone. Introduce LeGuin.
Wednesday- Read "Those Who Walk Away from Omelas." Projects are due at 3:30 or 5:00 PM.
Thursday- LeGuin and Industrialization and Progressivism.
Friday- Chapter 20... in a day.


One quick and final point needs to be made. For both groups of students, nightly and incremental preparation is the only way through the dense forest of academic rigor. Even if students don't have something "written," such as a worksheet or some type of homework that is going to be submitted, this does not mean that homework is absent. Rather, it is the highest form of a test. It is a test of character, to see if a student is willing to give more to themselves, their learning, and their emerging scholarship. For example, if the assignment is to study the Thinkers of the Constitution, have students reviewed through flash cards, online review material (The Quizzlet icon could be helpful here), formed study groups to help review, engaged in nightly identification as to where confusion is and where clarity can lie? These are the questions that are placed upon our students. I have little doubt that if students "buy in" to this idea and if they receive help from parents/ guardians/ stakeholders, success will be evident.

As promised, here is this week's extra credit opportunities.

Video Extra Credit- You might want to open up a couple of tabs so you can view the video in one tab and then complete the googledoc in another. You might have to jump back and forth between both.
For this week's seventh grade extra credit option via YouTube, click here for the video. After viewing it, click here for the googledoc that needs to be completed for extra credit.

For this week's eighth extra credit option via YouTube, click here for the video. After viewing it, click here for the googledoc that needs to be completed for extra credit. Please note: You should not access the video link until Wednesday, when we finish with the LeGuin short story.


Web Extra Credit- You might want to open up a couple of tabs so you can view the video in one tab and then complete the googledoc in another. You might have to jump back and forth between both.
This week's website for extra credit can be found here. Examine it, see what is there, and, if there are any interactive activities, go ahead and investigate them. Then, click here for the googledoc that needs to be completed for extra credit.

Best wishes.
Mr. Kannan

The New Year Welcomes with Intense Challenges

I wish all of our students a hearty "Welcome back." There is little doubt that all of our students are excited and passionate about their returns. I am sure they have been eagerly anticipating returning to Julian and I know that they are truly excited to come back to B Wing, 4th Floor.

Ok, that might be overselling it a bit.

In any event, the new year brings with it some intensely formidable challenges for all of our students. Seventh graders will be tackling the Constitution along with the Exam to accompany it. Eighth graders will wrap up Progressivism in one week and then head into the First World War. It is a great time for us, filled with field trips to DuSable Museum for the 7th grade and Tommy Guns' Garage for the 8th graders. All of our students will have to focus on work completion and ensuring that time is not wasted in making sure they are not "left behind." (ISATs are coming up soon, right?)

Work for 7.3 Students- Week of 1.9- 1.13
Monday and Tuesday- 20 IT FITS Cards due Wednesday. In class time on Monday and Tuesday to work on completion.
Wednesday- Introduce Constitution through Inductive Learning Task.
Thursday- Introduce Preamble and Goals of the Constitution. Start memorizing Preamble.
Friday- Discuss goals and introduce Principles to the Constitution. Continue memorizing Preamble.
** If anyone needs to make up Chapter 7 quiz given on last week of break, they must make lunchtime appointment with me before Friday the 13th.

Work for 8.3 Students- Week of 1.9- 1.13
Monday- Introduce Progressivism. Read first two sections of chapter 19. Finish enrichment sheet on "Crony Capitalism," due Tuesday at the start of class. (If internet access is a concern, arrive to the Media Center or come in Monday or Tuesday during lunch.)
Tuesday- Introduce Themes for Progressivism Unit. Compose three identifications from last night's reading.
Wednesday- Discuss themes and introduce projects with expectations. Finish reading Chapter 19, two additional identifications on the last sections of the chapter. Five identifications due on Tuesday, 1.17.
Thursday and Friday- In class work on projects/ identifications. Five identifications are due on
Tuesday, 1.17 and projects are due on Wednesday, 1.18.

Two new features to this blog will need to be discussed. Each week I will be including a section of the weekly blog entries entitled "Video Extra Credit" and another section entitled "Web Extra Credit." There will be Googledoc forms to be completed if students wish to earn more extra credit. For 8th graders, as the work piles on, the need to stockpile points with these items could be helpful. For 7th graders, the Constitution Exam awaits. I don't think I need to say more about the need to complete extra credit. Of course, the quote of the week extra credit is still present and able to be employed for extra credit, as well.

All best and happy hunting.
Mr. Kannan
Video Extra Credit- You might want to open up a couple of tabs so you can view the video in one tab and then complete the googledoc in another. You might have to jump back and forth between both.
For this week's seventh grade extra credit option via YouTube, click here for the video. After viewing it, click here for the googledoc that needs to be completed for extra credit.

For this week's eighth extra credit option via YouTube, click here for the video. After viewing it, click here for the googledoc that needs to be completed for extra credit.

Web Extra Credit- You might want to open up a couple of tabs so you can view the video in one tab and then complete the googledoc in another. You might have to jump back and forth between both.
This week's website for extra credit can be found here. Examine it, see what is there, and, if there are any interactive activities, go ahead and investigate them. Then, click here for the googledoc that needs to be completed for extra credit.

Best wishes.
Mr. Kannan

Week Before Winter Break with work to be done

No doubt the fundamental thoughts of our students turn to the impending winter break. I can only wish them all the best for a well deserved time away from the rigors of Julian academic and social life. Yet, before this point is reached, there is one more week of work and focus is required to meet such an adversary:

7th Grade
Monday- All students will be submitting their writing tasks for Chapter 6 along with two sets of Chapter 6 questions. This collection will be worth 800 points and my hope is that students will be eagerly working towards meeting this deadline.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday- Students will be working nightly in completing reading and assigned questions from Chapter 7. This is extremely challenging reading because it sets up the Constitution. This unit is something that will require students to focus their energies both in these nights and carry that knowledge with them over after the break, as the Constitution will be our focus of study for January and February.
Friday- Start the process of assembling IT FITS Cards for Chapter 7.
I am confident that student focus will be harnessed in working this week, aided through the use of daily points rubrics.

8th Grade
In class work will be focused on completing Assessments on Howard Zinn. These assessments are due on Friday at the end of class. Each student will submit an assessment as well as a completed enrichment sheet on the Zinn Reading.

Next week, I hope to publish a post of all the things that students can do over break in terms of extra credit that can keep skills sharp over the break and help their grades in Social Studies at the same time.

All best.
Mr. Kannan

To do for the week of 12.12- 12.16

Seventh Grade
Students need to be completing their Chapter 6 Writing Tasks. Final drafts are due on 12.19, along with two completed sets of Chapter 6 questions. Students should be working nightly on the completion of these writing tasks.

Eighth Grade
Students need to be working towards completing their Howard Zinn Assessments. The completed assessment and the Enrichment Sheet on the Zinn Article are both due on 12.23. Students should be working nightly on the completion of both items.

Happy Hunting and all best.
Mr. Kannan

The Arduous Path of Change

Attention all 7.3 Students- After grading the Chapter 6 Exams, I have decided that I will make the decision as to which Chapter 6 Writing Task to take for any student who has scored under an 80% on the Chapter 6 Exam. I will explain my rationale during class. If you have scored below an 80%, you will most probably wind up completing the Identifications and Pictures Task. Please check your grade online by Saturday night and then confirm by examining the Identifications and Picture Task.

With the icy air of December, a stinging reminder of the difficulty of change is upon us. The challenging nature of evolution and growth is something that is present in the natural ebb and flow of the seasons, but also with our own students. The work is becoming tougher, the demands more intense. Yet, somehow, as nature evolves to such change, so do our students. It is my hope that such evolution will be present this week, also.

7th Graders:
1) Exams returned back on Monday- Revisions of the exam are due on Friday, 12/9. A copy of the revisions policy can be found here.
2) Students will start their Chapter 6 Writing Tasks this week. Students should make their choice as to which task to complete no later than Monday evening. I would invite stakeholders to open this discussion with students in order to guarantee the best possible product and the least painful process in delivering said product. Questions to ask:
* "What did you get on the Chapter 6 Exam?" If the answer to this is any percentage that is below an 80%, the student will have to complete the identifications and pictures task. This rationale will be explained in class on Monday, 12.5.
* "Which task is the most appealing to you? Why do you think the way you do?"
* "Which task do you think you can realistically complete in a solid manner by the due date of the 19th?"
* "Which task do you absolutely know you cannot do?"
* "Which task is the easiest for you to complete with in class and at home time?"
Most of our students are great talkers. (So true.) They can articulate their thoughts in a verbal fashion quite eloquently, so I invite you to talk to them about their choices. Sometimes, when they have to explain why they do what they do, a moment of clarity is present. This might be the process with our students.
3) Students will work on their Chapter 6 Writing Tasks both in class and at home. Students must complete their work by Monday, 12/19. They must turn in a completed Chapter 6 Writing Sample as well as two completed sets of homework questions from Chapter 6.

8th Grade Students
The name of this week's game is Zinn. No doubt, the old historian has been opening up some really interesting discussion points. The concept of annotation has also been one that has seen some embrace on the part of our students. I think that this is a good step in preparing our students, our emerging scholars, for what they will face next year at the next level.
1) Students will finish their Zinn reading this week.
2) Students will start on the Zinn Enrichment sheet by Tuesday night.
3) Students will select their Zinn Project by Thursday night and have in class time and out of class time devoted to its completion. Students will have to complete one project on Howard Zinn's article and one enrichment sheet on Zinn by Friday, 12.23.

For thos who are completing the "IT FITS" Cards, this might help:

For all students, if down time is present, why not complete some extra credit on the blog on quotations. 20 to 25 points each quote could come in handy at the end of the trimester.

As we make the mad dash towards Winter Recess, I can only remind students and stakeholders that what we do now and in the next two weeks has relevance and meaning. Let us return from break rested and confident that we gave everything we had in the work leading up to it, and do not have to play a massive and futile game of "catch- up" when we return from it.

As always, if I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
All best and happy hunting.
Mr. Kannan

Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/stoo57/5768884884/sizes/l/in/photostream/
and http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/