Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Happy Holidays


Dear Parents and Students:

As I think about you guys and girls at my family home in Brooklyn, NY, I hope you are enjoying your Holiday Break. Remember this is a special season and there is a reason that our culture identifies this time of year as special. Thus, I am giving extra credit to any student, who attends a cultural event and takes a picture, during the holidays. Theatre, dance recitals, parades, and other cultural celebrations will be accepted. Finally, write a two paragraph summary (which includes the name of the event), explaining the event, and how it relates to your knowledge of culture.

Meanwhile, enjoy the break and return with a well rested mind, ready to learn. Take care and happy holidays.

Truly,
        Mr. Amaye-Obu

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Review: North Africa World History Quiz 4


Geography:
North African and Southwest Asian countries/capitals:
1. Rabat, Morocco
2. Algiers, Algeria
3. Tunis, Tunisia
4. Tripoli, Libya
5. Cairo, Egypt
6. Khartoum, Sudan
7. Jerusalem, Israel
8. Amman, Jordan
9. Beirut, Lebanon
10. Damascus, Syria
11. Ankara, Turkey
12. Baghdad, Iraq
13. Tehran, Iran
14. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
15. Sanaa, Yemen
16. Muscat, Oman
17. Kuwait City, Kuwait
18. Doha, Qatar
19. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
20. Bahrain, Bahrain
21. Nicosia, Cyprus

Mountains: Atlas, Zagros, Mount Ararat
Rivers: Nile, Euphrates, Tigiris
Seas: Mediterranean, Red, Black, and Caspian Seas; Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Strait of Hormuz, Bosporus Strait, Dead Sea, Sea of Marmara
Other landforms: Sahara Desert, Arabian Peninsula, Anatolia, Mesopotamia


Culture: hunter-gatherer, fertile, irrigation, Hajj,
Government: Mandate
Economics: OPEC, Primary Product, Secondary Product, Petrochemical
Middle East Conflicts & Players: Israeli Conflict, PLO, Sunni vs. Shiites, Iraq vs. Iran, Kurd Nationalism, US vs. Iraq, Al-Qaeda, Religious Fundamentalism, Opec, Role of Women, Westernization vs. Traditional Culture.

Review: Europe World History Quiz 4


Geography
Western European Countries & Capitals:
1. London, United Kingdom
2. Dublin, Ireland
3. Reykjavik, Iceland
4.Oslo, Norway
5. Stockholm, Sweden
6. Copenhagen, Denmark
7. Berlin, Germany
8. Amsterdam Netherlands
9. Brussels, Belgium
10. Paris, France
11. Bern, Switzerland
12. Vienna, Austria
13. Rome, Italy
14. Holy See (Vatican City)
15. Madrid, Spain
16. Lisbon, Portugal
17. Andorra La Vella, Andorra
18. San Marino, San Marino
19. Luxembourg, Luxembourg
20. Monaco, Monaco

Peninsulas: Iberian, Italian, Balkan, Scandinavian, Jutland
Mountains: Pyrenees, Alps, Ural, Caucasus, Carpathian, Apennines
Straits: Strait of Gibraltar, Strait of Dover, English Channel, Bosporus Strait
Seas: North Sea, Norwegiain Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Bay of Biscay
Rivers: Rhine,Loire, Seine

Economics: European Union, currency, euro, tariff, standard of living, Court of Human Rights
Government: Chief of Union (EU), Prime Minister of United Kingdom, President of France, Pope Benedict XVI, three capitals of EU

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Current Events: Due Wednesday, Dec. 15th



Dear Parents and Students:

        As announced, Current Events will be mandatory this week. Visit one of the following links and select a story of your choice. The story must relate to the five fields of social studies- history, government, economics, geography, or culture. There are two new additional sites for diversity of reliable sources and most current event stories will be accepted. You may also follow this week's goal to study our two different geographical regions.
7th Grade- Find a current event that took place in Europe.
6th Grade- Find a current event that took place in North Africa.
      English Tea will be served to our 7th Grade class during class presentations of Current Events or North African (Arabica) Tea for the 6th Graders. Students, who cannot participate should provide a note and water will be provided. Participating students can have their parents donate Twinings of London Tea (7th Grade) or Tazo Vanilla (6th Grade) tea, for class refreshments. 
        (And...) Do not forget to write a two paragraph summary of the article in your own words (copy & pasting is not acceptable).
 Be sure to include your source of information and a summary of the article. Any questions?
 Signing Out- Mr. A
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
http://www.nytimes.com/
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/
http://ocean.nationalgeographic.com/ocean/critical-issues/

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

The Study of North Africa & Southwest Asia: 6th Grade

     
     When we begin to study Ancient Egypt & Mesopotamia certain  concepts like
geographic location, landforms, and culture will play a large role in the creation of civilization.
Feel free to click on the textbook link here, to help at home.
         Students will be given a map of North Africa and Southwest Asia. They will be asked to fill in the bodies of water: Mediterranean, Black, Caspian, and Red Seas; Nile, Euphrates, Tigris, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Aden and the Dead Sea. Also include the Atlas Mountains, Taurus Mountains, Mt. Ararat, Arabian Peninsula, Anatolia, Zagros Mountains, Plateau of Iran, Bosporus.
3. On the back of the map, students should create a table. Here, they will list all the 21 countries, capitals, population, currrency, and literacy rate %. So, saddle up and get ready for this journey

Table of Contents: 2nd Nine Weeks

Table of Contents

1. Preassessment: World/USA Map
2. Many Regions, Many Cultures
3. From Coast to Coast
4. Zoomer 11/1  - 11/5
5. O’ Canada Immigration
6. Mini-Poster timeline
7. Current Event 11/8
8. Back In Time Notes
9. Current Event 11/17
10. Canada World Factbook
11. Constitutional Monarchy
12. Canadian Map (New)
13. Test 3

Sunday, November 28, 2010

The Study of Europe:7th Grade


Welcome back Students! I hope you got your rest during Thanksgiving Break because we are ready to begin our study on Europe. For the next two weeks, we will discuss the geography, history, economics, governments, and cultures that make up Europe. Please feel free to click on our textbook link here, to assist you at home. Finally, I want students to have a basic, but comprehensive understanding of Europe. If, I ask you, what is the European Union or the issue in Bosnia, you should be able to give me a basic explanation of what these topics are. So, saddle up and get ready to learn and ride! Signing out, Mr. Amaye-Obu

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Holiday Events: Orlando, FL


Parents,

If you are looking for an opportunity to take the family to a nice cultural event, please click here! Extra credit for summary paragraphs (2) on any events, including just watching a Thanksgiving Parade.
Happy Thanksgiving!



Truly,
        Mr. Amaye-Obu

Monday, November 22, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving


Dear Parents and Students:

        Due to the success of the Timeline Project and the volume, I have decided to cancel the Timeline Pt. 2 Project: Calendars. I would like to also wish all of the Cornerstone Academy Family a Happy Thanksgiving Break. Remember to appreciate the traditions of our American culture, as we thank those who give in the spirit of charity to those who live without. We thank those who serve our country locally and abroad. We thank those Administrators, Teachers, Parents, Students, family members and friends, who sacrifice daily for our good. I would like to say thank you and I hope students will join me in this gratitude. Signing out.


Truly,
        Mr. A

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

World History Test 3 Review

                                                           Ottawa, Canada Photo supplied by Ottawa Wikipedia.Org
Students,
             Study the following material for this week's Test V. We are moving through our study on geographic, political, and Canada.
Quiz now Test 3
1. Geography of Canada:
10 Provinces: Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchwan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island
3 Territories: Nunavut, Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories 
Capital- Ottawa, Ontario
Bodies of Water: Mackensie River, Great Bear Lake, Great Slave Lak, Hudson Bay, Baffins Bay, Davis Strait, Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Berring Strait, Gulf of Alaska, Yukon River.

2. Back In Time Notes: Vocabulary- Calendar, Chronology, time, history, circa, decade, century, millennium.
Pope Gregory XIII
Julius Caesar
Gregorian Calendar- 2/24/1582
Julian Calendar 45 BCE- 1582

3. The World At Your Fingertips: Citizen, Economics, Government, Five Themes of Geography, Scarcity, Five Fields of Social Studies, history, culture.

4. Constitutional Monarchy- Constitutional Monarchy, parliament, Prime Minister, Head of State, Head of Government, separatists, judiciary.
 

Monday, November 15, 2010

Canada: CIA World Factbook

Students,

    Visit the following link and list the updated information of these terms:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ca.html
1. General Governor (Government)2. Prime Minister (Government)
3. Population (People)
4. Life Expectancy (People)
5. Ethnic Groups (People)
6. Religions (People)
7. Literacy (People)
8. Administrative Divisions (Government)
9. Independence Day
10. Executive Branch- Head of State & Government
11. GDP of Canada (Economy)
12. GDP Per Capita (Economy)
13. Agricultural Products (Economy)
14. Industries (Economy)
15. Military- man power available for Military. (Military)
16. What are some exports of Canada (Economy)
17. Imports? (Economy)

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Table of Contents: 2nd Nine Weeks

Table of Contents

1. Preassessment: World/USA Map
2. Many Regions, Many Cultures 
3. From Coast to Coast 
4. Zoomer 11/1  - 11/5
5. O’ Canada Immigration
6. Mini-Poster timeline
7. Current Event
8. Back In Time Notes

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Current Events: Due Wednesday, Dec. 8th




Dear Parents and Students:

        As announced, Current Events will be mandatory this week. Visit one of the following links and select a story of your choice. The story must relate to the five fields of social studies- history, government, economics, geography, or culture. There are two new additional sites for diversity of reliable sources and most current event stories will be accepted. You may also follow this week's goal to study our two different geographical regions.
7th Grade- Find a current event that took place in Europe.
6th Grade- Find a current event that took place in North Africa.
      English Tea will be served to our 7th Grade class during class presentations of Current Events or North African (Arabica) Tea for the 6th Graders. Students, who cannot participate should provide a note and water will be provided. Participating students can have their parents donate Twinings of London Tea (7th Grade) or Tazo Vanilla (6th Grade) tea, for class refreshments. 
        (And...) Do not forget to write a two paragraph summary of the article in your own words (copy & pasting is not acceptable).
 Be sure to include your source of information and a summary of the article. Any questions?
 Signing Out- Mr. A
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
http://www.nytimes.com/
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/
http://ocean.nationalgeographic.com/ocean/critical-issues/

Friday, November 5, 2010

Mini-Poster List of Events

Mini-Poster List of Events (due 11/8)
Directions: Select 15 events from BCE & 15 events from CE. Place accurately on timeline.

Before Common Era (3200 BCE -45 BCE)

3rd Century BCE Erathothenes calculates the circumference of Earth, establishing the study of Geography.
1700 BCE Indo-European Aryans invade Indus Valley Civilization in modern-day India.
551-479 BCE Kongfuzi aka Confucius teaches system of philosophy in China, later adopted by the Han Dynasty.
206 BCE- 220 CE Han Dynasty expands the trade along the Silk Road to European sources.
563-485 BCE Siddharttha Gautama also known as Buddha develops Buddhism in ancient India.
55 BCE Julius Caesar invades Britain
48-45 BCE Gaius Julius Caesar appointed dictator of Rome, assasinated and replaced by successor Emperor Octavian Augustus
146 BC The Battle of Corinth establishes Roman control over Greece
264-146 BCE Punic Wars- Rome vs. Carthage
323-146 BCE Alexander the Great conquers Persian Empire, establishing Greek or Hellenistic Period
612 BCE Fall of Assyrian Empire to the Persian Empire at the sack of Nineveh
2400 BCE Sargon of Akkad establishes Babylon
689 BCE Fall of Babylon to the Assyrian Empire under Sennacherib
3200 BCE Sumerians invent wheel transportation
2700 BCE Minoan Civilization begins in Crete
1600 BCE Myceanean Civilization begin in Greece.
2600 BCE The city of Mohenjo-Daro is built in the Indus Valley (India)
1194-1184- Trojan Wars
2070-1600 BCE Xia Dynasty becomes first civilization in China
3100 B.C.E- An early form of hieroglyphics appears in Egypt; cuneiform, the earliest known form of script  appears in Sumer
3100 B.C.E. Menes (Narmer) unifies lower and upper Egypt.
2532 BCE Great Sphinx is completed
Code of Hammurabi circa 1760 B.C.E.
1047-930 BCE King Saul unifies the Kingdom of Israel
509 BCE The Roman Republic is founded
540 BCE Pythagoras develops 'Pythagorean Theorem' and argues spherical Earth
499-449 BCE Persian Wars, Xerxes invades Greece to punish rebellion.

Seven Wonders of the World
1. Great Pyramids of Giza ca 2560 BCE
 2. Hanging Gardens Of Babylon 600 BCE built by Nebuchadnezzar II
3. Temple of Artemis at Ephesus 550 BCE
4. Statue of Zeus at Olympia circa 432
5. Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus completed by wife of King Mausolus 353 BCE
6. Colossus of Rhodes by Charles of Lindos 292 BCE
7. Pharos of Alexanderia 247 BCE

Common Era (CE) 33 CE - 2010

2008 -United States elects first African American President, Barack Obama.
2008 United States enter Recession.
2001-2008 President George Bush send troops in War on Terror to Iraq and Afghanistan.
2001 USA- New York City/Washington D.C.  is attacked by Islamic Fundamental Terrorist, killing over 3,000 people and destroying the World Trade Center Complex.
1991 USSR is dissolved.
1969 Apollo 11 lands on the moon with the first astronauts to walk on the moon.
1965 The Civil Rights Act signed into law, ending 100 years of segregation of freed African Americans.
1957 USSR- Russia sends first artifical satellite into space called Sputnik.
1948 United Nations created to prevent another World War./ The state of Israel is created by the British.
1933-1945 WWII begins in Europe with Nazi invasion of Poland and ends with atomic bomb dropping over Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
1929 Stock Market crash of the United States causes The Great Depression.
1914-1918 WWI begins in Europe. Ten milllion dead.
1909 Sigmund Freud lectures on Psychoanalysis in the US
1884 Mark Twain Adventures of Huckleberry Finn published.
1879 Thomas Edison invents an incandescent lamp.
1869 Suez Canal opens in Egypt controled by the British Empire.
1860 American Civil War begins. / 1863 Abraham Lincoln declares enslaved Africans in the south free in the Emancipation Proclamation.
1854 Japan opens trade to the West, starting with the United States.
1848 Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels publishes The Communist Manifesto.
1848 Famous Seneca Falls Convention discussing women's rights.
1845 Potato famine in Ireland kills app. one million and causes mass emigration.
1830s Indian Removal Act in United States causes forced Trail of Tears of Native Americans.
1833 Slavery abolished in Britain.
1812 United States declares war on Britain./ British forces burn Washington D.C.
1810 Simon Bolivar begins fight for South American independence from Spain.
1808 United States ban importation of enslaved Africans from Africa.
1805 Haiti gains independence from France, as the second independent Republic of the Americas
1799 Rosetta Stone found in Egypt
1790 Britain begins 80 yr practice of sending convicts to Australia.
1789 General George Washington elected as the first President of the United States.
1789 French Revolution begins in France./ 1799 Napolean declared emperor of France.
1780s James Watt develops steam engine.
1775-1783 American Revolution begins.
1773 The Boston Tea Party/ African American Phillis Wheatley publishes poetry.
1765 Mozart writes Symphony No. 1 at age nine.
1762 Catherine II (The Great) becomes Czarina of Russia.
1752 Benjamin Franklin invents the lightning rod. Franklin also invents Franklin stove, bifocal glasses, and catheter.
1760 King George III, the English ruler, who lost the American colonies, crowned.
1726 Johnathan Swift publishes Gulliver's Travels.
1719 Daniel Defor publishes Robinson Crusoe.
1690 John Locke publishes, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding.
1688 "Glorious Revolution," establishes Protestant William and Mary as King & Queen of England, succeeding King James II
1687 Sir Issac Newton publishes Principles of Natural Philosophy.
1670s Ashanti Empire forms in West Africa.
600s Mayan Civilization begin construction of Chichen Itza.
1649 Taj Mahal completed by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan
1639 Japan expells all Europeans.
1636 Harvard University is established as the 1st institution of Higher Learning in the United States.
1620 Mayflower Pligrims land in Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts.
1600s Great Wall of China completed.
300 Latin Vulgate translation of the bible using (Septuagint 2nd - 3rd Century BCE) and Hebrew scrolls.
1611 King James I of England orders the translation of the bible.
1609 Galileo studies with first telescope.
1607 1st permanent English settlement in North America established at Jamestown, Virginia.
1600 British East India Company founded for trade in Asia.
1586 Kabuki Threatre begins in Japan.
1588 English defeat Spanish Armada
1558 Elizabath I becomes Queen of England
1564 William Shakespeare born.
1543 Nicolaus Copernicus publishes theory on how the planets orbit the sun.
1526 Mogul Empire begins in India
1529 Spanish Priest Bernardino de Sahagun translates Aztec encyclopedia.
1521 Hernandez Cortes conquers Aztecs Empire, giving the Spanish Crown the wealthest and most powerful Empire in Europe.
1517 Martin Luther publishes the 95 Theses, starting the Reformation.
1517 Benin Kingdom begin sale of first enslaved Africans.
1509 Henry VIII crowned King of England. He will create the Church of England
1502 Amerigo Vespucci navigator of Columbus' ships, sailed to South America in published account.
1485 King Richard III killed in battle.
1498 Vasco da Gama sails around the Cape of Good Hope to reach India.
1492 Christobal Colombo "discovers" the new world for The Spanish Crown.
1452 Leonardo da Vinci born (Mona Lisa 1503).
1438 Machu Picchu built by the Incan Empire.
1400s Benin Kingdom of West Africa flourishes.
1438 Inca Empire established.
1378 The legendary figure, 'Robin Hood,' appears in Piers Plowman.
1337 Hundred Years' War begins between England and France
1325 Aztecs expand an empire in Mexico.
1300s Kingdom of Zimbabwe emerges as a major trading empire.
1275 Marco Polo visits the Kublai Khan along the Silk Road in China.
1211 Genghis Khan creates the largest continuous Empire under the Mongols.
1192 Minamoto Yoritomo becomes 1st Shogun of Japan.
1163 Construction begins on Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris.
577 Tales of the Legendary King Arthur published.
1095-1272 Crusades 1-4 reclaim and lose Jerusalem to the Islamic expansion.
1066 William the Conqueror or the Duke of Normandy becomes English King. Normans from France defeat the Saxons of England.
1000 Sei Shonogan writes diary in Japan called, The Pillow Book.
900 Kingdom of Ghana flourishes in Africa.
400 BCE -900 CE Kingdom of Axum rules in Ethiopia.
800 Arabian Tales including "Aladdin" published in The Thousand and One Nights
800 Charlemagne the Frank (France) is crowned emperor of the West by Pope Leo II.
793 Vikings invade Britain beginning a century of invasions.
750 Pueblo period begins in southwestern North America.
700 Beowulf is 1st recorded.
597 Augustine of Canterbury converts Anglo-Saxon King Ethelbert in England, to Christianity. Augustine becomes first Archbishop of Canterbury.
466-511 Clovis I unities the Franks to become the King of the Franks.
625 Muhammad ibn ‘Abdullāh begin reciting the Koran, starting the Islamic religion.
640 Alexandria, Egypt Arabs in Islamic expansion discover famous library of 300,000 scrolls.
711 Islamic Moors take Hispania in Muslim expansion from Arabian Peninsula.
80 CE Roman Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheatre) completed under Emperor Titus.
50 CE Londinium or London founded by Romans as a supply port.
220 CE Woodblock Printing developed in China.
313 CE Byzantine Emperor Constantine proclaims Christianity a lawful religion in the Roman Empire.
370 CE Asian Hun migrate to Europe, pushing Germanic Visigothic Tribes into Roman Empire.
1300s CE The Black Death devastates Europe killing 1/4 of the population.
409 CE Roman legions withdraw from Britain.
449 CE Germanic Angles, Saxons, and Jutes invade Britain.
455 CE Viking Vandals sack Rome.
476 CE Fall of Western Roman Empire to Germanic tribes.
1095 CE Pope Urban II calls for 1st Crusades to reclaim "Holy Lands" from Muslim control.
33-141 CE Religion of Chrisitianity begins as a persecuted Jewish sect and spreads throughout southeast Asia, Africa, and Europe.
1450 CE Johannes Gutenberg introduces Printing Press.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

The World Timeline Project: (Miniposter due 11/8; Poster due 11/11)


World Timeline Project

Objective: In order to understand Ancient History, students must have a firm knowledge about the chronology of history and time. To help facilitate this knowledge, students are assigned the task of creating a timeline poster called, Back In Time. The poster will consist of:
a. Poster Timeline from 8000 BC/BCE -2010 AD/CE
b. Mini- Poster timeline from 3000 BCE - 2010 CE
c. Photo enhancements depicting “listed events”
d. accurate placement of events on the timeline

Material: Mini Timeline WKST, List of Events, Poster (color of choice), Markers/Color Pencils, measuring ruler, and ready student!

Procedure:
1. Copy down vocabulary terms of timeline
2. Copy down the List of Events, used on the timeline
3. Create mini timeline (grade 30% of project) from 3000 BC/BCE to 2010 AD/CE placing 30 Listed events on the timeline.
4. Using the List of Events, select 50 or more events (15 in BC/BCE Era & 15 in AD/CE)  
5. Create a large Poster  timeline of 8000 BC/BCE - 2010 AD/CE, accurately placing events on the timeline.
6. Mini-Poster due Monday, Nov. 8th.
7. Presentations worth 10pts Extra Credit

Conclusion: Provide 1-2 paragraphs about what you learned during the project and provide examples during the assignment.
 List of Events:

Mini-poster links coming soon! 
Poster List of Events Link

Table of Contents: Updated 11/1/201015.

15. Landforms16. World History Quiz 2
17. Land, Air, & Water18. 10 Hispanic Facts
19. Natural Disasters HW20. The World At Your Fingertips
21. Map Study 222. World History Test 2

Monday, November 1, 2010

Current Event: Volcanic Eruption, Earthquake, and Tsunami in Asia


Dear Students:

The study of Geography includes the natural events the continue to occur each day around the world. It is important to be aware of world events due to the significance and impact on the United States. Thus, to begin our curriculum on current events, enclosed is the link to the major natural disasters that occurred in Indonesia, last week. Read the article and decipher what actually occurred.
Directions:
1. Summarize the events in two-three paragraphs.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11640961

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Important Class Information


Dear Parents and Students:

Please be advised of the following dates. Grades will be posted via Engrade and Progressbook. All current assignments will be applied to the second nine weeks report card. Grades will also be posted on Progressbook during the second nine weeks.

October 28: The End of the 1st Marking Period
October 29:  Student Holiday, Teacher Workday.
Truly Yours,
                  Mr. A

Monday, October 18, 2010

Animaniacs - Nations Of The World

Test 2: Review (Oct. 19-20, 2010)

Students,
       The following links provide valuable information used in class and evaluated in Test 2. Please make sure to study the Landform terms, the types of Natural Habitats, Disasters and culture.Remember the extensive definition of culture given in class and you will do fine on Test 2.


Culture (E.B. Taylor 1890) is an organized system of learned behavior patterns, always made manifest by a group.
    *Making that group distinctive from other groups.
    * It is non-instinctive, but rests on biological base of:
a. colorvision b. bipedal locomotion c. opposable thumb. d. brain capacity
    * Transmitted through language, is cumulative, embraces both artifact and attitude, and is human kind’s chief adaptive mechanism.
Landform Vocabulary
Natural Habitats
Natural Disasters
Hispanic Heritage Facts
Culture 

Friday, October 15, 2010

Hispanic Heritage Month: Extra Credit Celebration

Dear Parents and Students:


Although Hispanic Heritage Month is coming to a close (Sept. 15-Oct. 15), it is important to understand the statement being made by our brothers and sisters in the Latino community. To be aware of the diverse cultures and variety of languages, customs, foods, and people around us can open everyone to new worlds to explore. I would like to thank Guest Speaker Marytza Sanz, from the local Latino Leadership , for visiting and sharing some aspects of Hispanic culture with many of our students.

And for the students, who missed out on our wonderful cultural discourse, I have assigned extra credit for attending the closing of Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010 at the Orlando Fashion Square Mall from 12pm -5pm. The extra credit is optional and student attendance is not mandatory or necessary. For others, go experience Hispanic culture with food, dance, and art. Please take a photo near a cultural exhibit for proof of attendance. As always, make sure you have a parent or guardian with you at all times. I hope to see some of you there!


Signing Out,
                  Mr. A





Monday, October 11, 2010

Google Analytics Setting


Endangered Species

The Endangered Species List: (Due Oct. 18-19)

The modern concept of human-environment interaction leaves little room for wild life and the beauty it supports. Many students had difficulty finding plants and animals from their study region in the Map Study assignment. Please follow the link to a complete listing of endangered species list based on region or Species Profile.
http://www.earthsendangered.com/index_s.asp
Directions:
1. Find your Map Study region in the Species Profile.
2. Select 10 animals that are endangered in that region.
3. Be sure to record each animal's scientific name, local name, and why the animal has been hunted to near extinction.
Plants
1. Click on the following link to access the endangered species plants.
http://www.earthsendangered.com/plant_list_html.asp
2. Record the scientific name for your five different plants.
3. Copy and paste the scientific name into google search.
4. Identify the local name of the plant.

The following link is also a reliable Endangered Species Watch Site:
http://www.worldwildlife.org/home-full.html

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Cornerstone Academy Important Dates

Dear Parents and Students:

Please take note of the following information and dates. And as always, visit the website for important information concerning the World of Social Studies at Cornerstone.- Mr. A
http://www.cornerstonecharter.com/index.html

The Cornerstone Academy Middle and High School (Grades 6-12) Open House is on Tuesday, October 12, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.  Parents, please meet in the Church Sanctuary at 6:30 p.m., for a brief introduction by school administration.  You will follow a school "bell schedule", visiting all classes, in a seven (7) period day.

The Scholastic Book Fair continues this week, through Thursday, October 14.  The Book Fair will be open to all parents and students during Open House.

October 15:  Statewide Professional Day, Student Holiday, Teacher Non Workday.
October 28: The End of the 1st Marking Period
October 29:  Student Holiday, Teacher Workday.
 
Truly Yours,
                  Mr. A


 

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Environmental Topics

                                    Environmental Topics
Following our study on landforms is the unit on natural habitats and natural disasters. The combination of climate, landforms, plants, and animals creates complex habitats that are interdependently based. Habitats like rain forests, deserts, tundras, grasslands, oceans, and even urban environments identify different environments that are linked to basic landforms such as rivers, mountains, and swamps.
We, also briefly studied the Ring of Fire with connections to the natural disasters of earthquakes and volcanoes. However, we have also tracked the coordinates of three hurricanes: Danielle, Earl, & Fiona this year. Thus, our knowledge of types of natural disasters is growing. The link provided will take you to the National Geographic Study on Natural Disasters & Weather.

The Natural Disaster Assignment Directions: Due Oct. 10-11
1. Select three natural disaster topics from the National Geographic Natural Disaster Page.
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/?source=NavEnvND
2. In one paragraph for each disaster: a. explain how the disaster is created. b. how the disaster impacts the environment; c. the natural purpose of disaster.
3. Take the National Geographic- Natural Disaster Quiz. Record your score!
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/quiz-natural-disasters/


Landform Habitats Assignment :( Past due 9/30/2010)
1. Select two natural habitats from the National Geographic Habitats Page.
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitats/?source=NavEnvHab

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

The Table of Contents

Students:

Please be advised that keeping an organized notebook helps improve your grades. Make sure each assignment is in order with an assignment head and title. Signing out, Mr. A!
 
1. Classroom Rules
2. World Pre-Assessment
3. Section 1: Key Term
4. Orange Peel Map/ Hurricane Tracking
5. Zoomer 8/30--9/3
6. Find the Absolute Location/ Find the Degree.
7. World History Quiz I
8. Earth's Physical Geography- Section 2 Terms/questions
9. Geographical Landforms Definitions.
10. Earth's Landforms Foldable
11. Zoomers 9/13-9/17
12. Map Study
13. Zoomers 9/20-9/24
14. Test 1
15

Monday, October 4, 2010

NASA : A Universe to Discover

 
The Official NASA Website http://www.nasa.gov/home/index.html

Hispanic Heritage Month

Welcome Students!

Included in this post are links to safe and credible websites about Hispanic Heritage Month. Use the following site to identify five interesting facts about Hispanics in America according to the Census Bureau.


National Hispanic Heritage Month http://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/

Extra Credit: Due Friday, Oct. 8th
1. Poster Collage on Hispanic Heritage Month
2. 25pts for culture- food, music, family, artists, actors.ess, books etc.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Engrade

This is a quick link to the online gradebook, Engrade. Parents and students are to sign in by creating a username and password. Once this is done, please personally see Mr. A for an access number to your account. As always, please practice safe internet browsing. Parents should always supervise students while accessing the internet. Signing out... -Mr. A

www.engrade.com

Syllabus: World History (6th Grade)

World History I Syllabus
Teacher: Mr. Cowan Amaye-Obu   
Department: Social Studies
Course Title: World History I
School Year: 2010-2011
(407) 608-7171
Textbook: World Cultures & Geography McDougal-Littel 2005
Course Description: The goal is for students to gain knowledge and understanding of foundational geography concepts and the basic outline of ancient history. Emphasis will be placed on geographical landforms, current global issues, technology and the historical period from the ancient Egyptians to the ancient Romans.  
Statement on Course Objectives & Sunshine State Standards: Through notebook organization, class assignments, homework, projects, quizzes, and exams students upon completion of this course will be able to:
    * Use latitude and longitude coordinates to understand the relationship between distance,     regions, time-zones, and people. SS.6.G.1.1
    * Analyze the purpose of various maps projections (political, physical, and special) and identify major geographical features such as rivers, estuaries, mountain ranges, and many other natural wonders. SS.6.G.1.2
    * Differentiate between continents, regions, countries, and cities in order to understand the complexities of regions created by civilizations. SS.6.G.2.2
    * Explain how the physical landscape has affected the development of agriculture and industry in the ancient world. SS.6.G.3.1 Special attention will be paid to: family and ethnic relationships in ancient cultures, the ancient world’s ecosystems, the impact of different belief systems in the ancient world, and trace significant migrations and analyze their results. SS.6.G.3.1-4.3
    * Identify the democratic concepts developed in the ancient world and their influence on the American government, SS.6.C.1 while demonstrating civic participation, the role of government and the political process. SS.6.C.2
    * Use timelines to identify chronological order of historical events. SS.6.W.1
    * Discover terms (decades, century, epoch, millennium, BC/BCE, AD/CE) and designation of time periods. SS.6.W.1.2
    * Interpret primary and secondary sources. SS.6.W.1.3
    * Describe the roles of historians and recognize varying historical interpretations             (historiography)
Grading: In order to assure equity in the class, all assignments must be completed by the due date and time. Assignments and other responses will not be accepted if they are more than one day late. For assignments and other responses that are one day late, 20 pts will be deducted.
* Grade Scale: 90-100 A, 80-89 B, 70-79 C, 60-69 D, 50-59 F, 1-49 I
* Grade Percentage: Test/Quizzes 35%, Notebook 30%, Classwork 15%, Homework         10%, and Projects 10%
Tests and Quizzes: Test/Quizzes will be given bi-weekly in order to assess student knowledge acquisition levels. Quizzes will be given the second week of each month while tests will take place on the fourth week. Before each examination students will participate in organized informal assessment activities to review material. Absent students must make up their test upon return to school.
Notebook: An organized notebook will include classwork, homework, and test, in chronological order. The notebook will insure students are on task and completing assignments. Notebook reviews will be given tri-weekly.
Classwork: Classwork is given daily and all work must be complete before the end of the period.
Homework: Homework will be assigned two-three day per week and is due at the beginning of each period for grading.
Projects: Special attention will be paid to projects to incorporate real-work experience in the classroom. Selected projects will be on display in the classroom for viewing.
Classroom Rules and Procedures: Students must adhere to the Orange County Code of Conduct and Cornerstone School Rules at all times. The classroom rules and procedures are an extension of the Cornerstone Academy morale and expectations. Upon entering the classroom students are expected to:
    1. Come to class on time.
    2. Come to class prepared.
    3. Raise your hand before you get out of your seat.
    4. Raise your hand before you speak.
    5. Complete all your assignments.
Bathroom Policy: Students are given six class bathroom passes every nine weeks. Students will not be given additional passes due to the access to the bathroom between periods. Therefore, students must use their bathroom passes wisely.
Finally, Cornerstone Academy stands for excellence and I expect every student to perform to the best of their abilities. Additional help will be given at the end of each class for those with special issues. So, let’s get ready for World History! 
                                            World History II Syllabus
                                      

Teacher: Mr. Cowan Amaye-Obu   
Department: Social Studies
Course Title: World History I
School Year: 2010-2011
Contact: CAmaye-obu@CornerstoneCharter.com
(407) 608-7171
Textbook: World Cultures & Geography McDougal-Littel 2009/

Course Description: The goal is for students to gain knowledge and understanding of foundational geography concepts and the basic outline of ancient history. Emphasis will be placed on geographical landforms, current global issues, technology and the historical period from the ancient Egyptians to the ancient Romans.  

Statement on Course Objectives & Sunshine State Standards: Through notebook organization, class assignments, homework, projects, quizzes, and exams students upon completion of this course will be able to:
Geography
Understand how to use maps and other geographical representations, tools, and technology to report information. SS.7.G.1
Understand physical and cultural characteristics of places. SS.7.G.2
Standard 3: Understand the relationships between the Earth's ecosystems and the populations that dwell within them.
Standard 4: Understand the characteristics, distribution, and migration of human populations.
Standard 5: Understand how human actions can impact the environment.
Standard 6: Understand how to apply geography to interpret the past and present and plan for the future.
Economics
Standard 1: Understand the fundamental concepts relevant to the development of a market economy.
Standard 2: Understand the fundamental concepts relevant to the institutions, structure, and functions of a national economy.
Standard 3: Understand the fundamental concepts and interrelationships of the United States economy in the international marketplace.
Civics & Government
Standard 1: Demonstrate an understanding of the origins and purposes of government, law, and the American political system.
Standard 2: Evaluate the roles, rights, and responsibilities of United States citizens, and determine methods of active participation in society, government, and the political system.
Standard 3: Demonstrate an understanding of the principles, functions, and organization of government.
Standard 4: Demonstrate an understanding of contemporary issues in world affairs, and evaluate the role and impact of United States foreign policy.