PLEASANT SURPRISES

It was just my dad's birthday yesterday; you know my dad is very special to me, but I bet most of your dads (and moms) are equally important to you. I'd LOVE to read a page full of posts about how you surprised one or both of your parents this week. I'm talking GO-OUT-OF-YOUR-WAY-THEY-NEVER-EXPECTED-IT-WOW-WOW-WOW-CAN'T-STOP-SMILING surprised! It doesn't have to be a birthday, or Father's/Mother's day to MAKE THEIR DAY. So I CHALLENGE you to think up something creative, do it, and tell us what you did and how they reacted.

You can do one of three things:
1. Respond by commenting under this post, or
2. Share your story on Edmodo (school facebook-like site) if you're a member in the group 63Forever, or
3. Just do something nice for your parents and don't tell anyone; having done something special is what's most important anyway, right?

Nathan Wick

Sometimes bad things happen to really good people. It happened to my family. Tragedy never warns you either. It just hits you right in the face; and when that happens there are all kinds of ways to react - but at the core of it all, a person can do two things: either crumble or stand tall and do whatever it takes to beat the tragedy. This week, a student at my former school had an accident, and he and his family instantly have a lot of uncertainty in their face. Time has probably all but stopped for them. The waiting is the hardest - if results of an important test are expected in the afternoon, it makes the morning feel like an eternity. Whether the results or news is good or bad, though, we still have to face the next hurdle and do all we can to get over it. In Nate's case, maybe the hurdle is waking up or responding to commands; then eventually talking and walking and eating and laughing and playing sports again and going back to school. He will do all those things. We all wish they'd happen sooner, but sometimes things worth while take a long time to happen. For the Wick's sake, I hope it doesn't take 79 days for things to get back on track (as my dad was in the hospital 79 days), but whenever the fighter gets back home and returns to normal life, it will be worth it. Tragedy is a good teacher .. but it's like the teacher you hate when they're teaching, but look back on and realize how much you learned from them. Nate, keep fighting. Tough times only strike only a certain kind of person - the tough type. 

A thousand things add up that you don't realize when you're staying in a hospital, driving to and from places, eating meals away from home. If you feel willing to help the Wicks with their sudden battle - click here. Read more about Nate and donate to the family. Right now, money should be the last thing on their mind. 

Travel and first week

It was great getting to know you all!

In case you didn't get to see it all while entering the auditorium for the rally, here is the video that played. It was only half of a school year, but some of these images and memories will stick with me as long as I live. 

Thanks everyone! 

Ancient, and Modern, Indian terms

Read my story. Feel my struggle.

 A letter from an untouchable (this story is fiction based on the Indian Caste System).

Pharaoh Project check-list

______   All requirements completed

______   Pictures/videos added if using them

______   Names capitalized

______   Names and places spelled correctly

______   Extra reading about Pharaoh

______   Sources added to final page

______   Decide who is presenting each slide

______   Practice your presentation


Requirements 

Let's Settle - what's the best location?

Where would you choose to settle?

On the map to the left, you will indicate a specific location for settlement based on geographic features, natural resources, and prior knowledge. Write an essay to analyze the location of your settlement citing justifications with specific textual evidence.  You must include at least 4 pieces of evidence that provide accurate reasoning for settling in that geographic location as well as explaining the importance of the natural resources (example).

Environmental Factors
British Museum map website
Nile River Valley
Gifts of the Nile
Map of ancient Egypt


Directions:
1. Create a new document in your SS folder named "My Settlement" 
2. Read/use each resource provided above to gather background information for making a decision
3. Write a 2-3 sentence paragraph explaining the location you chose and why you chose it
4. Name your city/settlement and type it above your paragraphs (be creative!)
5.Check for fluency, grammar, spelling. 

Just a Boy

As we begin our journey to understand King Tut and the radical intrigue associated with this most famous of Egyptian pharaohs, we can barely begin before we reach his death. So, did this boy change the course of history? Did he save a trouble civilization? Did his reign mark the beginning of a golden age in ancient Egypt?

Most likely the answers are no, no, and ...... no. 

But he did do a good job of keeping tomb robbers out ... even though he was dead. Maybe we give that credit to the people who buried him.

Either way, access this interactive website to learn more about the Boy, his short life and the marvelous findings of his perfectly intact (unopened) tomb - interactive site.

Oh yeah, and there may or may not have been a cursed placed on his tomb ... here's the story behind the curse.

Article about Discovery, from the time of discovery.
Period 4 re-writing of the article.

Correct the Lies about ancient Egypt

See how many of the lies you can correct. There are 10 total. On this already set up google doc, number 1-10. Rewrite each statement to make it true. Initially try this without any help, but if you need it, dig into your note guides to help you correct the errors. 

Should the Pyramids have been built?!

Cool ... but necessary?

Ok, big question for you: SHOULD THE PYRAMIDS OF EGYPT HAVE BEEN BUILT? I agree with those who say, "but they're so cool and huge and impressive and serve as a lasting memory of ancient accomplishment." Other people say building the pyramids were a waste of time, manpower and resources. What other people say really doesn't matter at all ... what does matter is what YOU say. You have three entire days to answer one question ... easy right? Well it might not happen as quickly as you think. Get your assignment and resource document below. Ready, GO!

Assignment/resource document
WHAT WE ALL THINK (document to share your thoughts on pyramids)

Egypt Mixed Bag

Today we'll read and discuss a variety of topics within ancient Egypt - taking timeouts to dig a little deeper at times, watching a few video clips and gaining a true understanding of life in ancient Egypt.

Note taking questions

Reading information

Ancient Egypt review/study/learn tool

Nobleman and Farmer

Today we compare the social classes of Egyptian Nobles and Farmers - like today's society, rich people and middle class people do some things the same, while other parts of their life are greatly different. Use the two readings below to complete the compare/contrast chart also found below.

Noble     Farmer
Compare/Contrast chart

The MIGHTY NILE

The Nile River provided EVERYTHING, literally, for ancient Egypt. Today we will watch and read about how life was impacted during ancient times by this wonderful source of life. Then, we will dig into the modern impact of the mightiest river in all the world. 

Reading document

Acrostic Poem template

Egypt day 3 and 4: MAP

To the left you can click on an example map assignment.

Clicking on the map checklist link will open a detailed list of expected locations, features and colors for you map.

Take your time and be accurate - understanding a civilization's geography is vital to appreciating its impact on history.


On the back side of your map, answers these 6 questions - click here to get the questions.

Egypt day 2: Fill the gap and Hieroglyphics activities

 Activity 1: CHALLENGE ... try to correctly fill in the missing information about the geography of ancient Egypt using context clues, what you may already know, or a good old fashioned guess. At this point, that's ok. We will return to this the next day and see how accurate you were. Click here to get the fill-in the gap document. See how many of the 25 gaps you can fill in correctly!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Activity 2: read and learn about ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics at this website. When you have completed tasks, get a blank "cartouche" from Mr. Klumper and write your name inside in hieroglyphics. Write your name in English on the bottom. Enjoy!

HIEROGLYPH alphabet

Hammurabi fair or cruel?

Hammurabi on a Plane

Hammurabi Project

Several different Kings came to power during the civilization of Mesopotamia. No one was more influential, however, than King Hammurabi. His rule changed the course of history and continues to impact today's society.

You are FREE to demonstrate learning in whatever way you choose. Remember with great freedom comes great responsibility. Below you will find the rules, grading, options and note taking sections to help you begin your journey to answer the following question:

"What impact did Hammurabi have on history and do you believe he was fair or cruel?"

Hammurabi Project
Suggested resources
Account info (usernames and passwords)
*Individual Projects information*