Posted on May 23, 2013 by Mr. O'Neil
Social Studies – Tests were returned and discussed. We have reached the point of the year where I pick and choose material to cover before we leave in June. We started the chapter on ancient Greek democracy. There will be no chapter test, but there will be a vocabulary quiz on a date to be determined. Students worked on vocabulary squares in class today. If they didn’t finish, the definitions are available on the Quizlet flash cards (see tab above).
Exploring Logic – As students have become more confident and familiar with the game of chess, it has allowed us to analyze game strategy more deeply. Today we examined chess positions to determine whether or not to exchange material.
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Posted on May 17, 2013 by Mr. O'Neil
Social Studies – Processing activity collected. We reviewed the student note packet in great detail, and students had ample opportunity to add to what they’d already included on their own. The Guide to Student Notes link has been posted, and the chapter test has been moved to Wednesday because I won’t be in the classroom on Monday (yes, more school improvement work). We’ll review in class on Tuesday and start the next chapter.
Exploring Logic – Challenging class as students had to combine writing down their moves with using a clock. A lot to juggle the first time you try it! Everyone did a fabulous job. Corrections were due.
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Posted on May 14, 2013 by Mr. O'Neil
For the last time this year, I will be at the MISD today with the school improvement team working on our state reporting requirements. Mrs. Harbour has subbed several time at Iroquois and is scheduled to be with the students today.
Social Studies – Yesterday we started a two-day activity investigating the artifacts of a Shang tomb. Students will complete this activity today, and possibly begin the Processing activity– also a two-day activity. When I return to the classroom on Wednesday, I’ll determine where each class stands and set a date for the chapter test.
Exploring Logic – Except for absent students, we completed the presentations yesterday. Beginning today, students now have at least two openings that they are familiar with and can adapt the underlying logic to their own games.
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Posted on May 8, 2013 by Mr. O'Neil
Social Studies- We took the chapter 17 test on the First Unification of India and the vocabulary quiz for the corresponding key content terms (only three this chapter). Test will be returned and discussed on Friday.
Exploring Logic – Work period for openings presentations that are due tomorrow. It will take three full class periods for all of the students to present, but they need to be ready to go tomorrow in case their name comes up. Collected this week’s assignment (pages 3 and 4).
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Posted on May 6, 2013 by Mr. O'Neil
Social Studies: Due to technical difficulties, many of the Buddha Interviews that were recorded in the computer lab were unplayable. I have invited any students who wish to re-record thier interviews to drop in early or stay late any day this week and I will help them. Students will get full credit for the assignment whether they redo it or not.
Today we finished our vocabulary squares and played The Matrix review game. Test and vocabulary quiz will be on Wednesday.
Exploring Logic: Algebraic Notation – We’ve been using it informally for weeks now, but we’ll take a more in-depth look at how chess moves are recorded and studied by writing down our moves as we play.
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Posted on May 4, 2013 by Mr. O'Neil
I don’t even teach language arts this year, but this article written by the executive director of writing at the University of Denver is too good not to share.
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Posted on May 2, 2013 by Mr. O'Neil
Social Studies – Students who wanted to got a chance to record their interviews with Buddha. Some of them have been posted here already. I will add to the list as I receive them. Tomorrow we will continue with the Mauryan Empire, a short chapter that we might even finish before the end of class. The test will be next week on Wednesday.
Exploring Logic – Assignments were returned today. Corrections are due tomorrow. We analyzed some positions that required using many of the tactics we learned this week. A couple of them were quite challenging!
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Posted on May 2, 2013 by Mr. O'Neil
Students were required to script an imaginary interview with the Buddha. Recording the interview was optional. Here are a few that are completed. More will be added… stay tuned!
GB and DK
NA and JV
HM and CW
DC and MW
JW
KB and JM
MO and LS
PS and JN
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Posted on April 30, 2013 by Mr. O'Neil
Social Studies – We are working on the Processing activity from chapter 16, an interview with Buddha. Students have been writing an imagined interview that they will get an opportunity to record in the computer lab tomorrow. Students who wish to, may use a smart phone or other electronic device to make their recording, but this is optional. I have explained to students that the phones are only to be used for recording the project. Normal school policies regarding personal electronics still apply. If you feel your student lacks the maturity to handle this, tell them no.
Exploring Logic – We practiced checkmates using the ChessKids website in the computer lab.
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Posted on April 24, 2013 by Mr. O'Neil
Social Studies – Took the chapter 15 test. Due to the amount of writing on it, students may not get them returned until Friday.
Exploring Logic – Today’s tactics: Skewers and Pins.
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