Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Social Studies/Current Events - Waving Flag

Waving Flag Song - Lyrics and song

K'Naan releasing Haiti charity song

Rapper Knaan has rewritten his anthem Wavin' Flag to help raise funds for Haiti relief.
Somali-Canadian rapper reworks Wavin' Flag to support relief effort





Video of the Young CANADIAN artists for Haiti


 

THE "Why Should We Care About
Haiti, Chile and Other Places Impacted By NaturalDisaster ASSIGNMENT...
Imagine you hear someone say to you, "I'm tired 
of hearing about Haiti, Chile and other places where there
 is natural disaster. It's sad, it's terrible what the earthquake did to the people of Haiti.
But I donated already 
and now I'm tired of hearing about it.
Besides, what can
I do anyways???"


What would you say to convince this person 
that they should care? 
What would you say to this 
person to convince them that if we don't 
care, who will?? 
How would you convince them to change their
attitude? 
What would you say to change their views??

PART I: In the form of a letter persuade this 
person to care. Give reasons that would convince
them on an emotional level and a factual level. Your letter should be 3-4 paragraphs if you 
are in grade 7 (intro paragraph, 1-2 middle paragraphs and a conclusion paragraph), and 4-5 
paragraphs if you are in grade 8(intro paragraph, 2-3 middle paragraphs and a conclusion paragraph). You can address the letter to "Dear Friend" or "Dear 
Dude with  Attitude"...

PART II: Take your letter and create a powerpoint that reflects images of Haiti, other people around the world and connections to home.
Your powerpoint must be of at least 10 slides with your letter incorporated between slides. All images must be appropriate and
sensitive to the nature of the current events issue. Be sure to incorporate music (not necessarily
"Waving Flag" to the powerpoint). Use transitions and many effects, but ensure that they do not detract from the message.
*** If you prefer, you do NOT HAVE TO INCLUDE ALL OF YOUR LETTER IN THE POWERPOINT... just the main ideas. Be sure to include a FULL DRAFT OF THE WHOLE LETTER AT THE END OF THE POWERPOINT  FOR EVALUATION.

* Be sure to organize your ideas using the storyboard organizer.
When you are finished you will present the powerpoint to the class.

*A Evaluation Rubric has been given to you in class. Please use it.

**  This assignment may now be completed in partners (writing the letter) and composing the powerpoint.Due Date: for this persuasive letter rough draft is April 1((I'm not fooling you!!) That is for both Mr. C's class and my class.

Anne Frank and Holocaust Persuasive Writing Prompt

ELA READING: ANNE FRANK AND RESISTING HITLER

Reading/Writing Assignment #1 - Resisting Hitler Letter
Imagine you are Helmuth from the short story, "Resisting Hitler" and you have merely 2 months to live as you sit in jail. Remember you received a punishment for standing up to the Nazis and their hate propaganda of the Jewish people. You have the opportunity to compose a letter to your brother with the last words you wish to share. What would you say?

The assignment from the RAFTS model.
Role - You are writing from Helmuth's perspective
Audience - Your brother (and peers)
Form - Friendly letter format
Topic - Words of wisdom, final thoughts on the resistance against the Nazis
Strong Verb - Explain your reasons for making the sacrifice and doing what was right or persuade your brother to carry on your mission

Follow these steps for writing:
1) PREWRITE - Brainstorm what you will include in the letter, thinking about the reasons and facts that connect to the story and what you know about the resistance.
Do this in the form of a detailed web with many branches.

Outline - What will you include in the INTRODUCTION, MIDDLE PARAGRAPHS/BODY and CONCLUSION? Create a detailed OUTLINE.

2) DRAFT - Compose the letter. Ensuring that you paint a "sensory picture" - identifying reasons why you went against the Nazis. Use at least 8 transitions in your writing.

3) REVISING - Check over the organization, details, content, word choice. Have you included all the details in the right order to paint the picture??

4) EDITING - Proofread and ensure that your letter is free of mechanical errors (grammar, capitalization, spelling and punctuation errors) and that the sentences and paragraphs are composed well.

5) PUBLISHING AND PRESENTING - Create an "AUTHENTIC" letter that reflects the time period. How could you make it reflect a young man in a WWII jail??


Reading Assignment  #2 - Anne Frank, Hero of the 21 Century
We will be completing a persuasive writing piece that connects to our lesson on Anne Frank.

The prompt:
Anne Frank was voted by Time Magazine as one of the most role models of the 21st century. In the form of a persuasive essay, explain to young people today why this is true (with multiple reasons and factual support) and why we should be aware of and learn about the Holocaust

MUSE - THE RESISTANCE
This song is not exactly about Anne Frank, but it makes me think about her family doing all they can to stay together. Listen to the lyrics and think about what connections you can make. Let this song be your "muse"...  :-)





Fractions Test Tips

REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING TIPS AND INCLUDE ON YOUR STUDY SHEET.


B - Brackets


E - Exponents


D- Dividing
M- Multiplying * Do these operations from left to right, depending on how they are presented.


A- Adding
S- Subtracting * Do these operations from left to right, depending on how they are presented.




DIVIDING FRACTIONS - "Flip and Multiply (the second fraction in the equaition) by the reciprocal
ex: 1/2 ~ 3/4 = 1/2 x 4/3           ***FYI  ~ means divide...


MULTIPLYING FRACTIONS - Just multiply numerator x numerator and
denominator x denominator


ADDING AND SUBTRACTING - YOU CHANGE THE FRACTIONS SO THEY HAVE THE SAME DENOMINATOR so... you need to create EQUIVALENT FRACTIONS (multiply the same number with the denominator and numerator...


MIXED NUMBER AND IMPROPER FRACTIONS


Change the following mixed number to an improper fraction.
1 2/3 (3 X 1 + 2) = 5/3




Change an improper fraction to a mixed number


Denominator divided into the Numerator.


8/5 8 divided by 5 = 1 and 3/5 (and it's in lowest terms)

WORD PROBLEMS HINTS FOR PROBLEM SOLVING...

Addition
in all, total, sum, both, combined, all together, how many, perimeter

Subtraction
fewer, left, how much, change, how many more, how much more, less, difference, minus, remains

Multiplication
total, in all groups (read and look for concepts that relate to grouping), times, twice, rate, area

Division
how many each, how many groups, divided equally (read and look for concepts that mean dividing something into equal groups)

Ex #11. Regina has wet weather on about 3/10 of the days in a year (365 days in year). It has wet weather on about four times as many days as it has fog. On what fraction of days of the year does Regina have fog?
  Numbers you will use: 3/10 and  4 times

Note operation words "as many" - means division.
3/10 ~  4/1 = 3/10 x 1/4 = 3/10  (remember the question only asks what fractin of the days are fog.)