Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Important Animal Kingdom Information

IMPORTANT ANIMAL KINGDOM INFORMATION
On Wednesday, May 29, we will be heading to the Animal Kingdom. If your student is attending the trip, please have them ready to go at the backside of the school (Minerva) between 6:15am and 6:30am.  The buses will be leaving at 6:45am whether you are there or not, so be ON TIME!  Students are allowed to bring their own electronic devices, but please be aware that the teachers and JLCP are not responsible for lost or stolen items. It is very important that your student bring some money for lunch as well.  Please also pack a poncho or raincoat in case of rainy weather.  Students should also be dressed according to JLCP dress code. We are hoping our shirts are going to be ready Tuesday evening so that we can pass them out on the bus. Students who are not attending the trip will receive their shirts on Thursday. We will be leaving Orlando around 3:45pm, and our estimated time of arrival back at JLCP is between 6:30-7:00 pm. Students will be calling home when we are outside St. Augustine. Students will be picked up at the back of school, but please park in the grass.  DO NOT PARK IN THE BUS LOADING ZONE.  We will not be able to unload if cars are in the way of the buses. Please email me with any questions or concerns at schemerm@duvalschools.org .

Monday, May 27, 2013

EOC Review Packets Update

EOC review packets are currently being graded.  All students with missing EOC packets have had their grades updated in grade portal.  If you received a zero on your EOC packets, I highly suggest you take advantage of the extra credit project (listed in blog post below).

I will do my best to update the scores for all of the completed EOC packets by the end of the week.

If you have any questions in regards to your grades, please email me at schemerm@duvalschools.org .

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Extra Credit Project (Updated as of 5/27)

Students in need of some extra credit points will be given the opportunity to complete the following project in class during the next week.  I have print outs of the project ready to hand out to B-Day students on Tuesday.  With the Animal Kingdom trip happening on Wednesday, any A-Day students can print out the directions below or stop by my classroom on Tuesday for a printed copy (students not attending the trip will receive a copy on Wednesday). This extra credit project will be due to me by no later than Monday, June 3rd (B-Day) and Tuesday, June 4th (A-Day).  Students are welcome to work with a partner, but will earn full credit for collaboration should they choose to work individually.  A short presentation (no more than 2-3 minutes) will also be included in the final grade.

End of the Year Extra Credit Project

For your end of the year extra credit project, you will be creating your own country from the ground up.  Based on what we’ve learned throughout the year, you should know that there are many different variables involved in the running of a country.  You will make all of the important decisions about how your country will thrive.

Answer all questions with DETAILED responses.  Points will be deducted for one word or one sentence answers without any explanation.
1. Country’s Name - Be creative! ___________________________________________________________________
2. Country’s Capital - ____________________________________________________________________________
3. Type of Government - Must be DETAILED.  For instance, if you choose a democracy, you must explain how your voting process will work, what the title of your leader or leaders will be, and your reasoning behind choosing that particular form of government.  Use Chapter 3, Lesson 4 as a resource.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4.  Different Regions of Your Country - Depending on the size and location of your country, how many different regions are there?  What are they called?  What separates one region from another?  Use Chapter 2, Lesson 2 as a resource.
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5. Natural Resources - Include at least 3.  Use Chapter 2, Lesson 1 as a resource.
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6. Geographical Landscape - Your geographical landscape should connect with your natural resources.  For example, if you have a desert landscape, then growing crops would not be one of your choices.  Use Chapter 1, Lesson 2 as a resource.
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7. Duties & Responsibilities of Citizens - Examine the duties and responsibilities of Americans.  What do you feel your country’s citizens would need to do in order to ensure peace and prosperity? Use Chapter 3, Lesson 3 as a resource.
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8.Naturalization Process - What will be the process for becoming a citizen of your country? Use Chapter 3, Lesson 2 as a resource. 
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________9. Economy - What type of economy will you have (traditional, market, or command)?  Explain how it will impact your government and your people.  Use Chapter 17, Lesson 1 as a resource.
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10. National Budget - Create a pie chart (in the space below) displaying the amount of money each part of your government will receive.  Think about education, healthcare, armed forces, etc.  This should be based off your own personal core values and beliefs.  Provide a short explanation for each part of the government you included and your reasoning for their percentage of the national budget. Use Chapter 8, Lesson 4 as a resource.















Using 3 plain sheets of paper, create the following to turn in with your question sheet:

1. Design your country’s flag.  You must think of and explain the symbolism involved in the colors and shapes included in your flag.  For example, the U.S. flag has 50 stars for each state, and 13 stripes for the 13 original colonies.  

2 & 3. Create both a political and physical map of your country.  Both maps should have a key, a scale, a compass rose, and show any borders your country has with other countries (real or fictitious).  They should both be colorful, creative, and neat.
Physical Map- Include all landforms, lakes, and waterways.  Label the different  regions as well.
Political Map- Include your nation’s capital and at least 3 other major cities.  

PROJECT RUBRIC

Points Possible
Project
Expectations
20
Question Sheet
All questions are answered in DETAIL.  There is evidence of research using the book as a resource.  Answers are creative and not taken directly out of the book.
20
Flag
Flag is creative, colorful, and neat.  A detailed explanation of the reasoning behind the included colors or symbols is included.
20
Maps
Both maps include a key or legend, scale, compass rose, and borders with other countries (if applicable).  The physical map includes all landforms, lakes, waterways, and different regions.  The political map includes the nation’s capital and at least 3 other major cities.
15
Presentation
All presenters participate equally in the presentation.  Presenters are prepared and knowledgeable of their country’s characteristics.  Presenters are able to answer questions about their country from teacher or students.
25
Collaboration
(If applicable, students working individually earn full credit for collaboration)
Both group members treat each other with respect.  Responsibilities are equally divided among group members.  (Individual points will be taken away from students during work period if they socialize, distract other students, or fail to contribute to the group’s overall effort.)


Wednesday, May 15, 2013

EOC Review Packets & Helpful Website

EOC Review Packet #1
EOC Review Packet #2

Civics & Economics Online Resources & Games

Civics EOC Exam Update

All students should have received their 1st EOC review packet in class by now.  This packet is to be used as a study guide for the Civics EOC exam on Thursday, May 23rd (B-Day) and Friday, May 24th (A-Day).  Once students have completed their 1st EOC review packet, they are to show it to Mr. Schemer completed in order to receive their 2nd EOC review packet.  Both packets will be due on the day of their period's EOC, and students are being provided full class periods to work on these packets.  The 1st review packet will count as a homework grade, and the 2nd review packet will count as a classwork grade, so make sure they are completed and turned in on the day of the EOC.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Test Postponed

Due to 8th grade takeover day on Friday, the chapter 10, 17 and 18 test will be postponed to Monday, 5/6 (A-Day) and Tuesday, 5/7 (B-Day).  The study guides will still be due on Thursday, 5/2 (A-Day) and Friday, 5/3 (B-Day).  They will be checked for completion and handed back the same period to be used for preparation for the test.