Tuesday, April 30, 2019
First, read part 1 of the story "Rikki-tikki-tavi" in The Language of Literature book (link to listen), pages 122-128 and answer the comprehension questions.

First, you will choose which of the two criteria you will write
your first body paragraph about (criteria: scale, significance,
physical effort, genius) and then locate the evidence in the
document you are using in the DBQ "The Maya:  What Was
their Most Remarkable Achievement?" Find two pieces of
evidence that you will you use (either highlight a direct
quotation or paraphrase what a map shows). Then, you will
write your first body paragraph.
Template:

Baby thesis, evidence, reasoning, evidence, reasoning,
bridge.

Baby thesis:  ____________ was a remarkable (synonym)
Mayan achievement because it was criteria.

Evidence:  In the excerpt/map in Document A/B/C/D, it
states/shows, "_________________."

Reasoning:  This proves/means that ____________.

2nd evidence:  In addition, the excerpt/map in Document
A/B/C/D, it states/shows, "_________________."

Reasoning:  This proves/means that _________.

Bridge:  Another reason your Mayan achievement was
remarkable (synonym) was because it was 2nd criteria.

Monday, April 29, 2019
Today we will synthesize the documents in the Maya DBQ and decide which achievement was the most remarkable (trade routes, architecture, mathematics, or calendar).  Then, you will decide which two of the four criteria (scale, physical effort, genius, or significance) you are basing it on.
Share with your table:
Based on _________ and ___________, the most remarkable Mayan achievement was ___________.
Then, go to Google Classroom.  You will write your introductory paragraph in the document there.  You need:
1) Hook
2) Background Info
3) Thesis
4) Forecast

Friday, April 26, 2019
Today, during fourth period, we will join Ms. Buckman's students down in the garden.  
Then, for fifth period, we will be watching the documentary "Maya:  Engineering an Empire" (link) and answering comprehension questions.

Thursday, April 25, 2019
Today we will finish the Performance Task on the SBAC.  Students who have completed the Performance Task may work on the CAT test (short answer test). Students done with both may read.
Some strategies include:

• Use the linereader
• Read questions before reading the text
• Reread the text
• Use the highlighting tool to locate answers
• Use the copy/paste function to use the text as evidence
• Use the strikethrough tool to eliminate unlikely answers.

Some possible tips for doing well on the test before you start:

• Get plenty of sleep
• Eat breakfast
• Wear comfortable clothes

Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Today we will continue the Performance Task on the SBAC.  Students who have completed the Performance Task may work on the CAT test (short answer test). Students done with both may read.  Some strategies include:

• Use the linereader
• Read questions before reading the text
• Reread the text
• Use the highlighting tool to locate answers
• Use the copy/paste function to use the text as evidence
• Use the strikethrough tool to eliminate unlikely answers.

Some possible tips for doing well on the test before you start:

• Get plenty of sleep
• Eat breakfast
• Wear comfortable clothes

Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Today we will continue the Performance Task on the SBAC.  Students who have completed the Performance Task may work on the CAT test (short answer test). Students done with both may read. Some strategies include:

• Use the linereader
• Read questions before reading the text
• Reread the text
• Use the highlighting tool to locate answers
• Use the copy/paste function to use the text as evidence
• Use the strikethrough tool to eliminate unlikely answers.

Some possible tips for doing well on the test before you start:

• Get plenty of sleep
• Eat breakfast
• Wear comfortable clothes

Monday, April 22, 2019
Today we will continue the Performance Task on the SBAC.  You will be working on the Performance Task during both fourth and fifth period.  Some strategies include:

• Use the linereader
• Read questions before reading the text
• Reread the text
• Use the highlighting tool to locate answers
• Use the copy/paste function to use the text as evidence
• Use the strikethrough tool to eliminate unlikely answers.

Some possible tips for doing well on the test before you start:

• Get plenty of sleep
• Eat breakfast
• Wear comfortable clothes

Thursday, April 18, 2019
Today we will continue the Performance Task on the SBAC.  Some strategies include:

• Use the linereader
• Read questions before reading the text
• Reread the text
• Use the highlighting tool to locate answers
• Use the copy/paste function to use the text as evidence
• Use the strikethrough tool to eliminate unlikely answers.

Some possible tips for doing well on the test before you start:

• Get plenty of sleep
• Eat breakfast
• Wear comfortable clothes

Today during fifth period, you will decide which of the four achievements was the greatest. You will prepare to write a five-paragraph essay about it. You will need to use two criteria (physical effort, genius, significance, or scale) to support. Finally, you will need to find evidence within the documents to support your argument.

Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Today we will continue the Performance Task on the SBAC.  Some strategies include:

• Use the linereader
• Read questions before reading the text
• Reread the text
• Use the highlighting tool to locate answers
• Use the copy/paste function to use the text as evidence
• Use the strikethrough tool to eliminate unlikely answers.

Some possible tips for doing well on the test before you start:

• Get plenty of sleep
• Eat breakfast
• Wear comfortable clothes

During fifth period, we will look at Document D and answer questions.
Possibly unfamiliar words:

sacred (adjective)--related to a god or religion

ceremonial (adjective)--used in a ceremony or done as part

of a ceremony

mesh (verb)-- if two parts of an engine or machine mesh,

they fit closely together and connect with each other

observatory (noun)--a special building from which scientists

watch the moon, stars, weather etc

Question 5 frame sentence:

Based on ______________, the Mayan calendar was remarkable because ______________.

Physical effort, genius, significance, or scale?

Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Today we will begin the Performance Task on the SBAC.  Some strategies include:

• Use the linereader
• Read questions before reading the text
• Reread the text
• Use the highlighting tool to locate answers
• Use the copy/paste function to use the text as evidence
• Use the strikethrough tool to eliminate unlikely answers.

Some possible tips for doing well on the test before you start:

• Get plenty of sleep
• Eat breakfast
• Wear comfortable clothes

During fifth period, we will finish writing about Document B:

Questions 4 and 5 frame sentence:

Based on ______________, Mayan architecture was remarkable because ______________.
Physical effort, genius, significance, or scale?
Next, we will study the Mayan system of mathematics in Document C and answer the questions. Sentence frame for number 5:

Document C:

Based on ______________, the Mayan system of mathematics was remarkable because ______________.

Physical effort, genius, significance, or scale?

Monday, April 15, 2019
Remember:  Reading Counts points are due June 5th!

Fourth Quarter Points (from 3/18/19--6/5/19)

(due June 5, 2019)

Points earned in Reading Counts	Grade
27-30	A
24-26	B
21-23	C
18-20	D
17 or fewer	F

Today we will continue the SBAC.  Some strategies include:

• Use the linereader
• Read questions before reading the text
• Reread the text
• Use the highlighting tool to locate answers
• Use the copy/paste function to use the text as evidence
• Use the strikethrough tool to eliminate unlikely answers.

Some possible tips for doing well on the test before you start:

• Get plenty of sleep
• Eat breakfast
• Wear comfortable clothes

During fifth period, we will study the excerpt in Document B for the DBQ "The Maya:  What was their most remarkable achievement?" and answer the questions.  
Possibly unfamiliar words:

urban center (noun)--a city with a large population

architectural remains (noun)--the parts of a building that are
left after the rest has been destroyed or has disappeared

catalogue (verb)--to make a
complete list of all the things in a group

masonry (noun)--building with stone

densest (adjective)--containing the most buildings

Friday, April 12, 2019
Today we will continue the SBAC.  Some strategies include:

• Use the linereader
• Read questions before reading the text
• Reread the text
• Use the highlighting tool to locate answers
• Use the copy/paste function to use the text as evidence
• Use the strikethrough tool to eliminate unlikely answers.

Some possible tips for doing well on the test before you start:

• Get plenty of sleep
• Eat breakfast
• Wear comfortable clothes

During fifth period, we will study the map in Document A for the DBQ "The Maya:  What was their most remarkable achievement?" and answer the questions.  
For question 5, use this sentence frame:

scale, genius, physical effort, and significance

Based on ______________, the Mayan trade routes were remarkable because ______________.

Thursday, April 11, 2019
Today we will continue the SBAC.  Some strategies include:

• Use the linereader
• Read questions before reading the text
• Reread the text
• Use the highlighting tool to locate answers
• Use the copy/paste function to use the text as evidence
• Use the strikethrough tool to eliminate unlikely answers.

Some possible tips for doing well on the test before you start:

• Get plenty of sleep
• Eat breakfast
• Wear comfortable clothes

During fifth period, we will read the Background Essay for the DBQ "The Maya:  What was their most remarkable achievement?" and answer the questions.  First, write the definitions for the unfamiliar words in question 6:

Question 6 definitions:

Mesoamerica--the southern part of North

America, extending from central Mexico to

Honduras and Nicaragua

slash-and-burn agriculture--the practice of

cutting and burning forests to prepare fields

for farming

classic--relating to the period of highest

development

city-states--independent settlements,

sometimes walled, and often including the

surrounding territory

ritual--a ceremony with an established order,

often related to religion

glyphs--picture writing

Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Today we will begin taking the SBAC.  Some strategies include:

• Use the linereader
• Read questions before reading the text
• Reread the text
• Use the highlighting tool to locate answers
• Use the copy/paste function to use the text as evidence
• Use the strikethrough tool to eliminate unlikely answers.

Some possible tips for doing well on the test before you start:

• Get plenty of sleep
• Eat breakfast
• Wear comfortable clothes

During fifth period, we will begin the hook exercise for our new DBQ "The Maya: What Was Their Most Remarkable Achievement?"
Which of the eight achievements listed is the most remarkable--based on scale, genius, effort, and significance?

Frame sentence:
Based on _________ and _________, the most remarkable achievement is _____________.  This is the most remarkable achievement because ___________.

Tuesday, April 9, 2019
Today we will begin a practice test and discuss strategies for taking the SBAC.  Some strategies include:

• Use the linereader
• Read questions before reading the text
• Reread the text
• Use the highlighting tool to locate answers
• Use the copy/paste function to use the text as evidence
• Use the strikethrough tool to eliminate unlikely answers.

Some possible tips for doing well on the test before you start:

• Get plenty of sleep
• Eat breakfast
• Wear comfortable clothes

Next we will learn about the geography of Latin America, in a slideshow (link) and taking notes.

Monday, April 8, 2019
Welcome back! Today we will begin our unit on the Americas.
Chapter 14, section 1, page 384--389. Answer questions in complete sentences.

Section 1 p. 384--389

1. Why is the soil fertile in Mesoamerica?
2. What kinds of landforms and climates do North and South America have in common?
3. Why might it be hard to define written language?
4. What landform do most scientists think the first people crossed to reach America?
5. How do you think the geography of the Americas affected early peoples’ search for food?
6. How did farming settlements lead to the development of building, trade, art, and organized religion?
7. How might the Olmec civilization have influenced later civilizations in Mesoamerica (list at least two developments)?
8. How did farming (crops, irrigation) in Mesoamerica change? List two changes.