Ancient Civ

January 19, 2016

Last Week:

Students worked on improving their writing skills as we researched and wrote a summary of how monotheism began in Mesopotamia and spread throughout the region. This particular activity asked students to explain who, where, when, and what happened. Students were also asked to provide supporting details from the article.

The second activity which students worked on was to organize facts about Hammurabi's Code and the Ten Commandments. During this activity we had them make a table with one column for comparing (how they were alike) and one column for contrasting (how they were different). Students then were asked to write a paragraph contrasting the two documents.

For students who wanted more of a challenge, an opportunity to extend the lesson by explaining why they thought Hammurabi with his Code, and Moses with his Commandments are both pictured in the United States Supreme Court.

U.S. Supreme Court Chambers

                                                       Hammurabi & Moses  (and others)

Both of these activities are in the process of being graded and will be posted in Parent Portal this week. 

Up-Coming Events:
Students are starting to research needed to complete their newspaper front page. This I hope will be a challenging and creative opportunity for students to present what they have learned about the Phoenicians and Lydians. 



Vogel's Corner:

As the end of the marking period closes in, I have been receiving missing / incomplete assignments from students seeking to improve their grades.  I have reminded students in class that they need to physically show me their completed assignment,( whether it is on the computer, or a paper activity) in order to receive credit.  Time to do this is in class while we are working independently, during study hall or Interdisciplinary.

As a parent viewing Parent Portal, what you need to look for are incomplete and missing assignments marked respectively with an I or an M.  When these appear, it is an invitation to have your child complete those assignments. 

IS THERE A TIME FOR EXTRA HELP?
When possible, the fifth grade staff has made our rooms available to students looking for an opportunity to work on assignments during our shared lunch period. Students can find Mr. Vogel in his room on most B days.