Public Service Announcement:

I am not stupid.

And neither are you. So stop copying “answers” from random websites. This is cheating. If you choose to do this, you are cheating. You are also making a lazy decision and making yourself look bad. So don’t.

Am I making myself clear? I wouldn’t tolerate this if we were in class together, so why do some of you think it’s okay because an assignment is online?

Let’s say you are confused by a question, and you haven’t been able to find the answer in the reading. So you Google it. Fine, that’s acceptable so far.

Now let’s say you find some information online that seems to fit the question you’re struggling with. Cool. Gotta love technology.

Here is what you do:

• Read the new info
• UNDERSTAND what it is saying
• Write down the info IN. YOUR. OWN. WORDS.
• Make sure the info matches what the question is actually asking

Here is what you DON’T do:

• Read the new info
• Copy and paste the info into your assignment (even if you change a couple words, IT’S STILL CHEATING)

By putting down someone else’s ideas, using most or all of their words, it doesn’t help you understand the info, and it certainly doesn’t show me you’re learning anything.

I have spent over TEN HOURS just grading assignment #1. What took so long, you wonder? I had to keep stopping and putting answers into Google to find what website they were copied from. Not okay.

So here’s the deal. I was going to start grading assignment #2 (Geography of Greece Part 2) tonight. However, I am going to give yall 24 hours to make “edits” on Part 2. This is your chance to go back and make sure all answers are in your OWN words.

To do this:

1. Go to Google Classroom
2. “Un-submit” Part 2
3. Make your changes
4. Click “Submit”

For those of you who gave me your own words and thoughts, keep doing it. It’s the right thing to do and you’ll be better for it 🙂

Happy Friday! Usually, I am a little more excited for Fridays, probably because normally I am much more tired by the end of the week. Oh well, we can’t break with tradition… Friday’s are still great!

Joke of the Day:

What do you call a bear with no teeth?

A gummy bear!

Hope you all are starting to get into a new routine. If not, keep trying!

I was on the phone with a great friend of mine last night and we had a really good talk. We both agreed that part of the reason why everything feels so odd right now is because things also feel so normal. It’s hard to adjust to our new lifestyles when everything feels like it SHOULD a typical day.

If you are feeling out of sorts right now, or maybe your parents are (check in on them!), keep in mind we are all in the same boat!

Just a reminder: two assignments are due on Google Classroom tonight by midnight. Please press submit!

Take care of yourselves!! 🙂

Hello! Happy Thursday! Do me a favor and don’t lose track of which day of the week it is… Not only because I don’t want you to miss your assignment deadline (which is tomorrow), but also because we need to stay in some sort of a routine.

Joke of the day:

On my test there was a question asking what “plagiarism” was. So I copied my answer from the person next to me.

p.s. I obviously am not encouraging plagiarism! But I still thought it was witty.

No new assignments today! There are two assignments on Google Classroom due TOMORROW at midnight.

• Geography of Greece Part 1
• Geography of Greece Part 2

If you have completed all assignments (not just for this class!) and you’re feeling bored, attached below is a link to today’s CNN10 and some mandalas you can color if you have a printer.

https://www.cnn.com/cnn10

Keep your spirits up and help out around the house! 🙂

Joke of the Day:

Nothing ruins a Friday more than suddenly realizing it’s actually Wednesday.

🙂

Today I am posting Geography of Greece Questions Part 2 on Google Classroom. Both Part 1 and Part 2 need to be completed and submitted on Google Classroom by midnight this Friday, March 20th.

Below you will find the questions and textbook pages. You can use these as a resource, but you still must submit the assignments on Google Classroom.

If you have questions, shoot me an email at ulfersk@dearbornschools.org

Joke of the day:

What’s red and smells like blue paint?

Red paint.

Hi team!

No new assignments will be posted today. I will post Geography of Greece Questions Part 2 tomorrow.

Geography of Greece Part 1 and 2 are DUE THIS FRIDAY! Make sure to submit these assignments on Google Classroom.

Feeling bored? Stay informed:

Joke of the Day:

What did the Buddhist ask the hot dog vendor?

Make me one with everything.

Alright, here is my goal: I want to cover some info of Ancient Greece, which would have been our next unit anyway. My plan is to post one or two assignments on Google Classroom every week. Each assignemnt will be due on Friday! I will upload the assignments here on the blog, but you will need to complete and SUBMIT the assignments on Google Classroom.

Please keep in mind that these assignments, although graded, are less about scores, and more about continuing to engage our minds and skills!

This week we will focus on the Geography of Ancient Greece. Like always, we will try to understand why people settled in a particular area, and what benefits and challenges that area offered.

Attached are two documents. One is a PDF called “Ch. 25: Setting the Stage” and the other document is called “Ancient Greece: Geo Questions Part 1”.
Use the PDF “Setting the Stage” to answer the questions in Part 1.
These questions will be due this FRIDAY, March 20th. Make sure to SUBMIT on Google Classroom when you’re done.

I will be posting a second assignment on Wednesday, the 18th.

I hope you’re all staying relatively relaxed! Email me with any questions you might have. Cheers!

Joke of the day…

Did you hear about the restaurant called Karma?

There are no menus; you get what you deserve!

Haha, get it? Because karma!

So I know many of you are confused, some of you might be worried, and many of you are excited for time off! Regardless of where you are at, your parents and guardians are definitely feeling concerned and stressed out, so be kind to them and help out where you can!

I need to be honest with each of you. Right now teachers are very confused. We are getting a lot of instructions from our bosses, but because our bosses are also confused (because none of us have done this before!), the instructions keep changing.

Here is the goal (#1): Stay healthy!! By this, I mean physically (cover your cough, avoid large groups, wash your hands), but also mentally and emotionally. Don’t sit in a dark room looking at a screen for hours at a time, just because you can.

• Go outside.
• Talk with people on the phone.
• Talk to people in your home!
  
  When I see you all again, I want you to be emotionally and mentally healthy, as well as no cough.

Goal #2: We want yall to keep learning during this time. It’s not about grades or scores, it’s about continuing to gather new knowledge in our heads and practice skills we have been developing for the whole year.

Here is the problem: a lot of you do not have consistent access to technology. If you’re reading this, good! Keep checking blogs, Google Classroom and your email!
But many of yall will not see this, which means you will not have access to assignments and readings.
Or, perhaps, you have infrequent access because you’re sharing the computer or phone with siblings or parents.
We teachers are very concerned about not leaving anyone behind, but because we are relying on technology so much, we don’t know how to reach everyone.

I don’t have any answers yet. I am watching a million emails come in with various suggestions. I am talking with teachers in other districts and states about what they’re doing. But no solid solutions have came yet.

If YOU have ideas about how we can work together and learn some stuff this month, please let me know! Yall are far wiser than a lot of adults give you credit for, so email me if you have suggestions.

On that note…. I will be reaching out again throughout this week with things to keep your brain engaged. In the meantime, check in with your other teachers (who are also stressing out trying to get assignments to you).

Cheers yall!

Hi team!!

Obviously, we are not taking the India Wrap assessment today. I know everything feels a little funny, and I assume it will feel like that for the next four weeks. Here are the important things I want you to pay attention to:

• Wash your hands, cover your cough, STAY HEALTHY
• Check your email regularly!!
  • Teachers are going to send out info through email, blogs, and Google Classroom. Please check these sites DAILY if possible

I will be in touch with you all next week. Until then, stay safe and catch up on some sleep!!

Hi team… happy half day!!

I know we have shortened time together today, but regardless, please expect to put some work into class!

3/13 Quick Write:

We are reviewing the Gupta Empire today. Then we will take a quick assessment on the Mauryans and Guptas, plus there will be a couple questions on the Ganges River, Mohenjo Daro, and Buddhism/Hinduism. It will be short and is meant to show your general understanding of our India discussions.

After this, you will be one class closer to the weekend! Please be safe and have some fun 🙂

Hey, happy Thursday! I hope we are finally starting to get used to the time change now!

3/12 Quick Write:

Today we are wrapping up our conversation on Emperor Ashoka and the Mauryan Empire. I have sad news… Ashoka didn’t rule forever 🙁 About 45 years after Ashoka died, the Mauryan family lost their power and India was thrown into chaos. For about 500 years, different people tried to take over and control various parts of the land. Finally, our next ruling family came to power and united India… the Guptas!

The Gupta Empire is seen as a Golden Age for Ancient India. As a class, we are going to review what a golden age means, and then discuss the various achievements that came out of the Gupta dynasty.

You will select two Gupta accomplishments and read about them in the textbook.

Then you will fill out the Thought Map/Organizer below. Make sure to connect these ancient achievements with modern day life!

Tomorrow, Friday, is a half day! We will briefly review Ashoka and the Gupta’s, then take a short assessment to show you have a general understanding of Ancient Indian leadership.

See you soon!