Monday-Thursday

•      This week we will attempt to finish Malcolm X.  This will mean a tremendous amount of effort on all of our parts to complete the film, readings, codifications, statistics analysis, and reflections.  We will cover a lot including: Malcolms' transformation mentally, his attempt to transform the Black community, and our own reflections of our future. 

Standards used this week


11.A Know and apply the concepts, principles and processes of scientific inquiry.

12.B Know and apply concepts that describe how living things interact with each other and with their environment.

13.A Know and apply the accepted practices of science.

13.B Know and apply concepts that describe the interaction between science, technology and society.

16A. Apply the skills of historical analysis and interpretation.

16B. Understand the development of significant political events.

16D. D. Understand Illinois, United States and world social history.

18A. Compare characteristics of culture as reflected in language, literature, the arts, traditions and institutions.

18B. Understand the roles and interactions of individuals and groups in society.

18C. Understand how social systems form and develop over time.





Common Core Threads used this week



RH.6-8.1.

Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.

RH.6-8.2.

Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.

RH.6-8.3.

Identify key steps in a text’s description of a process related to history/social studies (e.g., how a bill becomes law, how interest rates are raised or lowered).
RST.6-8.4.

Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 6–8 texts and topics.

Lesson plans - week of May 14, 2012

Monday

• Today we will spend some time preparing for our field trip to see Bully tomorrow.  We will have discussion, write a bit, analyze some statistics, and attempt to understand how bullying affects us at May? Here are a few questions to think about: 1) how does bullying affect you? 2) how does bullying affect others around you? 3) how does bullying impact your school? 4) what can be done about bullying in schools and in our community? 

Tuesday 

• Today we will go to AMC Theaters to view Bully.  After watching the film, we will have discussions reflecting on what we learned and how it affects our school and community? 

Wednesday 

• Today we will begin to create PSA's on bullying.  You can have the option to make a video, an audio, or graphic PSA regarding bullying.  You PSA must include: a message, text, a fact you learned from the movie, and a call for action.  

Thursday 

• Today we will continue our PSA's from Wednesday

Friday 

• Today we will get back into Malcolm X.  We will dedicate the entire period to the film and book.  Today we will learn about the effect of Malcolm's bad decisions.  In jail, he is introduced to something special: a new identity that helped him develop a new understanding of the world around him.  

Standards used this week

11.A Know and apply the concepts, principles and processes of scientific inquiry.

12.B Know and apply concepts that describe how living things interact with each other and with their environment.

13.A Know and apply the accepted practices of science.

13.B Know and apply concepts that describe the interaction between science, technology and society.

16A. Apply the skills of historical analysis and interpretation.

16B. Understand the development of significant political events.

16D. D. Understand Illinois, United States and world social history.

18A. Compare characteristics of culture as reflected in language, literature, the arts, traditions and institutions.

18B. Understand the roles and interactions of individuals and groups in society.

18C. Understand how social systems form and develop over time.

Common Core Threads used this week 

• RH.6-8.1.

 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.

• RH.6-8.2.

 Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.

• RH.6-8.3.

 Identify key steps in a text’s description of a process related to history/social studies (e.g., how a bill becomes law, how interest rates are raised or lowered).

• RST.6-8.3.

 Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks.

• RST.6-8.4.

 Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 6–8 texts and topics.

Lesson plans - week of May 7, 2012

Monday

• Today we will be going on a field trip to the Shedd Aquarium.  While there you will have time to explore on your own, but we will also be participating in a Squid dissection lab.  Did you know that squid can change colors? Did you know that they only live for short periods of time? I;m sure you'll enjoy the experience, be sure to make the most of it. 

Tuesday 

• Today we will reflect on our experiences at the Shedd Aquarium, particularly on what you learn during the lab.  
• We will also get back to reading Malcolm X.  Today we will learn about Malcolm's father and the work he did with other African Americans.  Some think he was murdered because he urged Black people to go back to Africa.  What do you think of that?  Should Black people have gone back to Africa? 

Wednesday 

• Today we will continue to watch the film Malcolm X and reflect on his experiences and how they relate to our own.  

Thursday 

• Today we will continue to watch the film Malcolm X and reflect on his experiences and how they relate to our own. 

Friday 

• Today we will continue to watch the film Malcolm X and reflect on his experiences and how they relate to our own. 

Standards used this week

11.A Know and apply the concepts, principles and processes of scientific inquiry.

12.A Know and apply concepts that explain how living things function, adapt and change.

12.B Know and apply concepts that describe how living things interact with each other and with their environment.

13.A Know and apply the accepted practices of science.

13.B Know and apply concepts that describe the interaction between science, technology and society.

16A. Apply the skills of historical analysis and interpretation.

16B. Understand the development of significant political events.

16D. D. Understand Illinois, United States and world social history.

18A. Compare characteristics of culture as reflected in language, literature, the arts, traditions and institutions.

18B. Understand the roles and interactions of individuals and groups in society.

18C. Understand how social systems form and develop over time.

Common Core Threads used this week 

• RH.6-8.1.

 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.

• RH.6-8.2.

 Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.

• RH.6-8.3.

 Identify key steps in a text’s description of a process related to history/social studies (e.g., how a bill becomes law, how interest rates are raised or lowered).

• RST.6-8.3.

 Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks.

• RST.6-8.4.

 Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 6–8 texts and topics.

Lesson plans - week of May 1, 2012

Monday

• Today the 7th grade will begin to read Malcolm X.  We will learn about his childhood; more importantly we will learn about his father and his death.  
• Today the 8th grade will have law students from John Marshall in our room again to discuss constitutional law again.  Today, they will be focusing on the 2nd amendment.  

Tuesday

• Today the 7th and 8th grade will continue to learn about Malcolm X.  We will read chapter 2, which is related to Malcolm's childhood and his education.  

Wednesday 

• Today the 7th and 8th grade will continue to learn about Malcolm X.  We will continue reading chapter 2, write about our schooling, and watch a bit more of the movie.  

Thursday 

• Today the 7th and 8th grade will continue to learn about Malcolm X.  We will read chapter 3 today, which is all about Malcolm's childhood jobs.  

Friday 

• Today I will not be in attendance and you will be with a sub.  For the assignment, you will need to complete a current events template that I leave based on any newspaper article in the RedEye.  You will have the entire period to complete the worksheet.  

Standards used this week

16A. Apply the skills of historical analysis and interpretation.

16B. Understand the development of significant political events.

16D. D. Understand Illinois, United States and world social history.

18A. Compare characteristics of culture as reflected in language, literature, the arts, traditions and institutions.

18B. Understand the roles and interactions of individuals and groups in society.

18C. Understand how social systems form and develop over time.

Common Core Threads used this week 

• RH.6-8.1. Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.
• RH.6-8.2. Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
• RH.6-8.3. Identify key steps in a text’s description of a process related to history/social studies (e.g., how a bill becomes law, how interest rates are raised or lowered).

Lesson plans week of 3-6-12

Tuesday

• As ISAT approaches (starting Wednesday for the 7th grade), I think that it is important to spend at least one day preparing for what lies ahead.  Today, we will go over the format of the test, what content (type of questions) could be asked of you, and some key vocabulary that you may encounter.  We will also look at some more example questions.  

Wednesday 

• Today we will be use science as a relaxation room while you take a break from the other tests.  Today we will watch a movie on our galaxy, the milky way.  You will be responsible for answering some important questions that the movie covers.  

Thursday 

      -  Today we will be setting up the the background knowledge for the four season lab. It will be important to introduce key vocabulary, concepts, and skills that will be used during the lab.

      - We will also set up the mock model earths that will be using during the lab. 

Friday

      -  We will be conducting the four seasons lab. The lab consists of students moving through 1 of 4 stations that represent each of the seasons. The students will hold up their model's of earth and observe where the light falls on the model and what season it is emulating. This lab will help students visualize the different seasons. 

Lab setup day

Standards used this week
11.A: I can design an inquiry investigation
13.A: I can know and apply accepted practices of science.


Common Core Standards used this week.

RST.6-8.1. Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts.
RST.6-8.2. Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; provide an accurate summary of the text distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
RST.6-8.3. Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks.
RST.6-8.4. Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 6–8 texts and topics.
RST.6-8.5. Analyze the structure an author uses to organize a text, including how the major sections contribute to the whole and to an understanding of the topic.
RST.6-8.6. Analyze the author’s purpose in providing an explanation, describing a procedure, or discussing an experiment in a text.
RST.6-8.10. By the end of grade 8, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 6–8 text complexity band independently and proficiently

Lesson plans - week of 2-21-12

Tuesday

• Today we will be designing cars powered by balloons.  You be responsible for creating a car out of supplies that we give you that will travel forward powered only by a balloon's force.  

Wednesday 

• Today we will be testing our balloon cars.  You will record maximum distance, time, and calculate speed for each car tested today.  

Thursday 

• Today we will look at more Crime stastistics from Chicago.  Today we will read a news article related to crime "crackdown" and look at a map of Chicago.  We will analyze the data we find and attempt to make sense of it.  

Friday 

• Today we will start a unit on the Earth and Solar System.  We will take a short survey to see what your interests are and what you already know.  

Standards used this week.  

11.A: I can design an inquiry investigation 

11.D: I can know and apply concepts that describe force and motion and the principles that explain them. 

13.A: I can know and apply accepted practices of science.  

Common Core Standards used this week. 

• RST.6-8.1. Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts.
• RST.6-8.2. Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; provide an accurate summary of the text distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
• RST.6-8.3. Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks.
• RST.6-8.4. Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 6–8 texts and topics.
• RST.6-8.5. Analyze the structure an author uses to organize a text, including how the major sections contribute to the whole and to an understanding of the topic.
• RST.6-8.6. Analyze the author’s purpose in providing an explanation, describing a procedure, or discussing an experiment in a text.
• RST.6-8.10. By the end of grade 8, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 6–8 text complexity band independently and proficiently

Lesson plans - week of February 6, 2012

Monday

• Today we will take a test on the physics concepts we've been studying for the past two weeks.  You will need to know how to calculate speed, determine distance, read time, Newton's three Laws of Motion, and the types of forces.  

Tuesday 

• Today Mr. Pawlus will teach you more about physics.  

Wednesday 

• Today we will look at the recent crime statistics released from 2011.  We will analyze a lot of data and attempt to make sense of it.  

Thursday 

• Today we will work on vocabulary skills.  It is important we develop ways to increase our vocabulary; hopefully today's activity will work out well.  

Friday 

• Today we will do an inquiry day activity.  You can research anything you wish to learn more about.  You will be responsible for discovering something new about a topic you are interested in and writing it down.  You will also need to write down new vocabulary, the sources you used, and what exact topics you searched in the search engine.  

Standards used this week.  

11.A: I can design an inquiry investigation 

11.D: I can know and apply concepts that describe force and motion and the principles that explain them. 

13.A: I can know and apply accepted practices of science.  

Common Core Standards used this week. 

• RST.6-8.1. Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts.
• RST.6-8.2. Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; provide an accurate summary of the text distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
• RST.6-8.3. Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks.
• RST.6-8.4. Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 6–8 texts and topics.
• RST.6-8.5. Analyze the structure an author uses to organize a text, including how the major sections contribute to the whole and to an understanding of the topic.
• RST.6-8.6. Analyze the author’s purpose in providing an explanation, describing a procedure, or discussing an experiment in a text.
• RST.6-8.10. By the end of grade 8, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 6–8 text complexity band independently and proficiently