Socratic Seminar/ ECA

Mrs. Cobb's Class: We continued our Socratic Seminar today. Students did not finish so we will continue it on Monday after the ECA multiple choice section which should take about half the period. Mr. Hogue's Class: Students in Mr. Hogue's class took the multiple choice section of the ECA today. They will take the essay portion tomorrow just like Mrs. Cobb's class. Monday Mr. Hogue's classes will continue with Socratic Seminar and likely have to finish on Tuesday. Getting closer.....

Socratic Seminar

Today students worked on their preparation for Socratic Seminar. We were able to start them today. We will hopefully finish the seminar tomorrow. The ECA essay is scheduled for Friday and the multiple choice section on Monday.

Preparation for Socratic Seminar

Hello! Today students turned in their self-evaluation for their oral presentation. They then discuss the PLT results. Students were shown an exemplar and were reminded to explain keeping the question in mind. Students were then given time to review the data posted in the classroom about their countries to use to answer their Socratic Seminar questions. Most classes will be given some extra time tomorrow to finish up their pre-write before beginning the socratic seminar. Cobb's class will complete socratic seminar on Wed and Thurs and Hogue/Clark will go on Wed and Monday with the ECA on Thursday and Friday.

Amish Acres

Hi! Today we had a great trip to Amish acres. We watched live performance of Tom Sawyer and then topped it off with a great lunch, including dessert! Students need to be sure self-evaluation is completed for Tuesday! Also, if any students were assigned a retake, that is on Tuesday as well. Please send me a direct post when you believe you are coming to see me! Enjoy the great 3 day weekend!

Data Sharing for Socratic Seminar

Hello! Today students worked in their small groups to share their data and create their charts. Students were given the socratic seminar questions to be thinking about. They are not due until Wednesday when we start the socratic seminar, but students can be thinking about what they would answer and some of their reasons. They wouldn't be able to record the support until class on Tuesday, but it would give them a head start. Students were also given time in class to complete their self-evaluation of their presentation. These are due on Tuesday. Tomorrow is Amish Acres!!!!

Still Presenting!

Hello! Today students were presenting. Students are doing a good job with this. We will finish tomorrow. Tomorrow we will also complete a self-evaluation about the presentations, get the vocabulary quizzes back, and complete the green and blue presentation evaluations. Thursday we will be creating charts in a our groups of about 8. Friday is the field trip to Amish Acres! Fun!

Presentations Begin!

Hello! Today students were given a few extra minutes to finish the PLTs from Friday. I explained how to fill out the presentation sheets and we began our presentations! Students started off on a good note! Tomorrow we will be able to just get started from the beginning of class; so be prepared to go tomorrow if you didn't today!

Vocabulary Quiz

Hi! It was nice to be back today! We reviewed 3 of the vocabulary words with a quick Prezi and students were given a few minutes to study for the quiz. Students then took the quiz and read an Upfront Magazine. Some students took advantage of coming in outside of class to work with their partners either before school or at lunch. Remember....presentations start Monday and you will be graded on your half of the information only. Hope this has been fun for you! Tomorrow we will take the quarter 4 PLT. Students are reminded to only spend about 10 min or so on part 1 and then spend the rest on part 2. Good luck tomorrow and have a great weekend! I will be out returning to the doctor for a check!

Last Day of Working on Presentations in Class

Hello all! Today students were finishing their presentations and hopefully had a chance to practice. Students will not present until Monday or Tuesday. Tomorrow students will take the ECA Vocabulary Quiz and Friday the PLT. Study!:) I hope to be back tomorrow!

Research Complete!

Hello! Today students worked on their research and studied with their partner on the vocabulary. Students then viewed the CNN Student News and discussed it as well as Upfront Magazine. Students should be ready to share research for a formative grade tomorrow (not an assessment grade)

IMC work day on Current Evenets

Hello! Today we were in the IMC working on completing our pink research packets. Students were each suppose to bring in a copy of 2 different current events from their country. Some students didn't have any which made it difficult to work. Students will be given a small amount of time tomorrow in class to work on sharing information. The pink sheets are due as they walk in to class. This is very important to have this first task completed as students will be working on their oral presentations starting Thursday. Final vocabulary quiz is tentatively set for Tuesday of next week. All students should work on them.

Friday

Hey all. Today students worked in the IMC with their partner to further their research on the country of their choice. Hopefully, you got a lot accomplished and I provided the first three pages of the Wicki for each country. If you did not get yours, ask your teacher for a copy. You can also print your own from home, as well. Also, you are to be collecting some current events from the last few weeks per your country. You can also print any other research you think you may need. Remember, we are a little resource challenged at school of late.

A word about GDP. This, of course stands for Gross Domestic Product. It can be confused with GNP Gross National Product. The difference is that GDP only counts the "in country" production value of goods and services where as GNP counts in-country and out-of-country as long as it is owned by a business in-country. Follow that? When talking or showing GDP please use GDP per capita (total divided by the population) and PPP (PPP takes into account the relative costs and the inflation rates of the countries) and it stands for purchasing power parity. This means that it takes into consideration inflation of currency and prices etc. This is a more true number to be used to compare people in a country's buying power compared to other countries. You always have to compare your numbers with those of another country for the numbers to really make sense. For example I always compare other countries to the United States because we are familiar with daily life and the buying power of the US dollar. You always compare things to make sense of them.

The vocabulary test will be moved back another week to May 14 (Tuesday) because of the ISTEP being moved back. The following are the possible assessments remaining (chance to raise your grade) for the school year. Of course, these are subject to change as we must remain flexible as always. This is just a heads-up.

Vocabulary test
Oral presentation along with a visual
Analysis of countries presented to be used in our final Socratic Seminar
Final PLT number 4for sixth grade social studies
ECA (End of Course Assessment)

This looks like a lot so they are subject to change.

 On another note, today was my last day at school for this year. My Mom is ill and I need to be available to help her and my Dad with some day-to-day needs. I will miss all of you greatly and I may appear here on Edmodo from time to time. Feel free to ask me questions concerning your countries or events happening in your countries. I would love to chat about them and help you with resources, if I can. I will have a long-term sub and hopefully that person will teach the entire rest of the year. Curriculum will continue as it has as Mrs. Cobb will lead the way. I will be involved with determining your final grade (Mr. Hogue's classes).

Types of Economies

Hello! Today we did a simulation called Cobb/Hogue Cool Catz Company where students experienced 3 types of economies: market, command, and mixed. Students then took some quick notes on each type from a power point. They also viewed a quick video clip about them which added a fourth, traditional. (posted) Students then were able to look at their country and determine which type it was. Some classes had a little time to research their country. Students MUST find a current event article and bring to class tomorrow. You can clip it from the newspaper or print it off from the internet. Some groups will be ready for this 4 big idea tomorrow as we will be researching all class in the IMC.

Wednesday - Inflation-Supply and Demand

Today students text coded two articles on Inflation and Supply and Demand. They also recorded on a poster information vital to those two articles that were just text coded. Friday, we will be back in the IMC again. Please bring in printed copies of your information so you and your partner can pull important facts and discuss them (with your partner).