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Welcome back! We have our first full week of school this week… time to put on our game face.
9/9 Quick Write:
The first thing we will do today is locate where we all grew up on a large, classroom world map. You will be given a sticker and asked to place it in the area where you grew up. If you moved around a lot, then pick the place that you lived the longest, or the place that is most meaningful to you. After all of our stickers are placed, we will have a visual of how we truly are a class from around the world.
After this, we will look at the seven units in this course, and together we will identify where each unit/region is located on the world map. This will give us an accurate visual reference we can use as we progress into our first unit. As we go through each unit, I want to hear some of the prior knowledge you have about each place.
9/6 Quick Write: I will be collecting FOUR Quick Writes today. Use the “Quick Write Binder” to redo any if necessary.
Please be sure to tun in your labeled and colored world map if you took it home yesterday!
Today we will be taking a Pre-test. As I explained in class on Tuesday, I am part of a study through the University of Michigan. This study will help me become a better teacher. To do that, I need to figure out where we are as a class, so we can look at our growth, both as a class, and also my growth as a better teacher for you! The Pre-test will allow me to measure this.
Remember:
This is NOT graded
You do NOT need to study
If you have accommodations during tests, you will be accommodated
This is not something that you need to worry about– it’s just a way of knowing where we are as a class
We will spend 15 minutes going through directions and any readings together, then you will have 30 minutes to write (unless accommodated).
After that, you will be FREE of History class for a few days! No homework 🙂 (unless you need to finish an Quick Writes or the map from Thursday).
Today we will be reviewing our world maps. After our Quick Write, we will use this website to drag each ocean and continent to where they properly belong. Then we will have the rest of class to label and color our own world map outline. *Make sure you’ve titled your map, drawn a compass rose, and labeled the equator!!*
These maps are due today at the end of class, so if you’re missing any information on your map, make sure to add it during our review at the end of class.
If we have time after you have turned in your map, we will discuss the seven units in this course, and together we will identify where each unit/region is located on the world map. This will give us an accurate visual reference we can use as we progress into our first unit tomorrow.
Please remember that we have a Pre-test tomorrow…. this will NOT affect your grade, and is simply to help me know where to start our unit. Have a nice evening 🙂
Now that you have gotten to know me a little bit better, we will be bettering our world map skills.
 First, you will do your best to draw a world map from memory, trying to include all seven continents, four oceans and a compass rose. You will only have 5 minutes to do as much as you can.
After we have refreshed ourselves on where all of the continents and oceans are located, you will use this World Map Outline handout to label and color your own map. Instructions on everything you need to include are below:
We will use the rest of class to complete these maps. Be efficient with your time today since we will not have a lot of work time tomorrow to finish this. ***Your World Map is due tomorrow, Thursday, Sept 5th!***
Welcome back! I hope you enjoyed the four day weekend and caught up on some sleep!
9/3 Quick Write:
This week we will be beginning our first unit. However, before we can jump right into studying ancient people and historical events, we need to be comfortable with WHERE all these people and events were located.
The next few days we will refresh ourselves on what we already know about maps and will create our own world map. This way, when we discuss Africa or South America, we will already have an accurate picture in our minds of specifically where in the world we are talking about.
To begin class we will take a look at the Week’s Agenda (below).
Please note that we will have a pre-test on Friday. This is NOT graded. The intention of a pre-test is to figure out what you already know, so I can customize our first unit! Again, no pressure and no grade… this is just to help me!
After we wrap up our Anthropology Activity from Thursday, we will progress into reviewing maps. First, you will do your best to draw a world map from memory, trying to include all seven continents, four oceans and a compass rose. You will only have 5 minutes to do as much as you can.
After we have refreshed ourselves on where all of the continents and oceans are located, you will use this World Map Outline handout to label and color your own map. Instructions on everything you need to include are below:
We will use the rest of class to complete these maps. Be efficient with your time today since we will not have a lot of work time tomorrow to finish this. Your World Map is due at the end of class Thursday, Sept 5th.
8/29 Quick Write: You will be turning in THREE Quick Writes today! If you missed any, you are responsible for making them up! (check out the “Quick Write” binder).
After we review the Scavenger Hunt… (and pass out the prizes), we will be starting an Anthropology Activity. This activity will involve you working with your table group and analyzing various artifacts (or an object made or used by people in the past) and inferring what significance each object has. Specifically, you will be examining artifacts from MY life and inferring how they relate to me being your teacher and this class. We may need to wrap up this activity next week.
Please note: Hopefully by now you have all of your social studies school supplies– (most important… a notebook and folder/binder JUST for this class). If not, either snag them this weekend or ask me directly and I will happily provide you with the material.
Get ready to start Unit 1 next week! And have a relaxing and rejuvenating long weekend!
After the Quick Write, we will continue to go over classroom expectations. Then we will have a Syllabus Scavenger Hunt. The table who completes the most questions in the allotted time will get a prize tomorrow! If you still have any questions after we have reviewed the syllabus, please be sure to ask me! Either in class, during passing time, or email me! A copy of the syllabus can be found in yesterday’s post.
After the Scavenger Hunt, I will introduce myself with an Anthropology activity. Working as a table group, you will need to examine, analyze and evaluate various artifacts and make inferences about the significance of the items in my life. Due to time, it is likely we will finish this activity tomorrow.
Welcome back… Day Two! Time to get into the groove of things!
Today we have a full class period to introduce the expectations of this course and this classroom.
First, you will complete today’s Quick Write in your social studies notebook. You will be adding the next two days’ Quick Writes on to this page, and turning in all three Quick Writes this Friday.
Once we review the Quick Write, we need to catch up on a little housekeeping that many classes did not get to yesterday. You will subscribe to THIS blog, and Google Classroom. When subscribing to this Iblog, remember to CONFIRM your SUBSCRIPTION. To do this, go to your email (the one you used to subscribe) and open the email titled: “Please Confirm Subscription” and click the confirmation link. Instructions for enrolling in Google Classroom and subscription to Iblog can be found in yesterday’s post.
After housekeeping, I will pass out the syllabus for this course. After we read it together, as table groups you will complete a Syllabus Scavenger Hunt. The table who completes the most questions in the allotted time will get a prize tomorrow! If you still have any questions after we have reviewed the syllabus, please be sure to ask me! Either in class, during passing time, or email me!
Today will be quite simple since it is the first day and we have shortened class periods. Class will be only about 20 minutes.
But fear not! We will use our 20 minutes well. Today in class I will introduce myself briefly, and we will go over an overview of this week’s agenda.
Next, you will fill out a index card with some information about yourself. This info is meant to help me, help you, so please be thoughtful about your responses, especially when telling me about how you learn best!
After the index cards, we will use Chromebooks to subscribe to this blog and Google Classroom! Make sure you go to your email and CONFIRM YOUR SUBSCRIPTION for this blog.
Before you leave I will pass out a letter to your parents where I will introduce myself and outline expectations of this course. Please be sure to give the letter to your parents or guardians when you get home tonight! Find the letter below!
My name is Ms. Ulfers and I will be your World History teacher this year… welcome to 7th grade! It may be a hard transition back into our school routine after the relaxation of summer vacation, but I am extremely excited to take on this new year with y’all.
This blog, along with Google Classroom, will be a helpful resource for you when you’re absent, to clarify any questions you may have from class, and for your parents. I am also consistently available through email, ulfersk@dearbornschools.org. Please review the email policy in the “Classroom Guidelines/Syllabus” document attached below.
See you soon!!
Below you will find our Classroom Guidelines/Syllabus and a letter to your parents that I will email and pass out to you in class.
