Social Studies 6 book

Houghton Mifflin History-Social Science; World History, Ancient Civilizations; ISBN #0-618-42394X

Social Studies 7 book

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies; Across the Centuries, 21st Century Edition; ISBN #0-395-93066-9

Social Studies 8 book

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies; A More Perfect Union, 21st Century Edition;ISBN #0-395-93067-7

Math 8/7 book

Saxon Math 8/7 with PreAlgebra; ISBN #1-56577-509-0

A New School Year!

Welcome back, students (and parents)!  I’m looking forward to a great school year with you all.  I’m happy to be teaching Social Studies 6, 7 and 8, and Math 8/7.  It’s been a great year so far, and I’ve enjoyed my time with you!  

Please contact me with any questions at emansoor@gsbh.net.  I’m at school from 8:30-1:00 every day, but I am happy to schedule meetings at other times with advance notice.

We will not be continuing the book rental program this year.  I will be posting the ISBN #s of our textbooks this week if anybody would like to purchase them for home use this year.

 

KEEP HOLY WEEK HOLY

Good Shepherd Church and your local church offer many ways to observe the solemnity of the season. I hope you and your family can participate in some of rituals of our highest holy period.

Social Studies for Grade 8: Students are studying our westward expansion; the fullfillment of  our “Manifest Destiny”.

Social Studies for Grade 7: All the knights in battles with Vikings make the Feudal Europe period an interesting one for the students.

Social Studies for Grade 6: Students are learning about the Han Dynasty, the Silk Road, and Confucianism, to name a few key concepts.

8 / 7 math:  On Monday the students will be tested on Lessons 50-55.  Review of the corrections is the best way to prepare for this test.

Two films that I’d like to recommend for vacation watching are Emmanuel’s Gift, set in Ghana; and on NOVA Riddles of the Sphynx. Good family fare!

Mrs. Mansoor has announced that she plans to return on April 22.  All the students are eager to have her back.

Immigrants to America and Ancient Japan and India

STUDENTS OF 8/7 MATH: Please complete the pie graph started on Friday.  Bring to class a protractor and a compass.

SOCIAL STUDIES GRADE 8: I wish the 8th graders much luck on their performances of “Oklahoma” starting on Thursday.  In Social Studies we will complete the chapter on “The People of the New Nation “.

SOCIAL STUDIES GRADE 7:  Seventh Graders are learning about Medieval Japan, the life in the court of Kyoto and the impact of Shogun culture.  All very interesting!

SOCIAL STUDIES GRADE 6:  Sixth Graders are immersed in the many new words and concepts needed to understand ancient Indian culture. Did you know, for example, that “ahimsa”, the practice of non-violence, is practiced very strictly by the Jains, a branch of Hinduism?

February is Black History Month

The students in Grades 6, 7, and 8 have written mini-biographies of  renowned African Americans who are not current athletes, musicians, or actors. Please ask your child to talk about a different person every day.  The mini-bios are on the 7th Grade bulletin board. We are also reviewing the events of the Civil Rights struggles of the 60s.  Family discussions will give our history greater meaning.

Grades 6, 7, and 8 are completing unit tests this week.

Celebrate With Us!

Celebrate Catholic Schools Week with us!  The Good Shepherd website has  list of activities that includes something for everyone.  Join us at one of the Masses that will be led by student groups.  See the website for details on which class will be at which Mass.  Also listed is the variety of activities that will take place at school this week.

Grade 8 Social Studies: We learned that George Washington had three pieces of advice when he left office:  Be more loyal to the nation than to your region, avoid political parties, and avoid permanent foreign alliances.  What do you think?  Words of wisdom or antiquated advice? On Friday there will be a test on identifying Western African countries.

Grade 7 Social Studies:  Instead of Friday, the 7th Graders will be tested on the Western African countries on Thursday. This week we will learn how the Songhai became the greatest trade empire of West Africa in the 15oos.

Grade 6 Social Studies:  Monday will be our test on the gods and goddesses of Greece.  The students had a 2 1/2 hour Walk Through the Ancient Worlds presentation on Wednesday which summarized and elaborated on their studies of Ancient Rome, Greece, and Egypt.  Fun and fabulous!

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK COMING UP!

Please plan to attend the Sunday Mass, Jan. 27th,  that your child’s grade is participating in. Peruse the classroom displays in the Parish Hall.  Catholic Schools Week is a celebration of our whole school community; children, parents, and teachers.  There is something fun for everyone!

Grade 8 Social Studies:  Students are practicing debating skills  in preparation of the February Santa Monica High School Learning Fair.

Grade 7 Social Studies: Bamako, Mali has been in the news.  Current events are coinciding with our study of Mali’s ancient culture.  Now that’s relevant!

Grade 6 Social Studies:  On Wednesday, student are participating in                 “Walk Through the Ancient World” led by professional presenters.  The event will be held in O”Ryan Hall from 10:00 -12:30.  PARENTS ARE INVITED!

Keep Mrs. Mansoor in your prayers as she prepares for a surgery on Feb. 4th.  She intends to return to the classroom at the end of February.