Happy Friday

Tea divers: "Even though he knew the likelihood of shark encounters was low, Eric still had anxiety about the dive."

Check out more "food art" HERE

Grammar Review

Each day until June 2, students will review and work on different grammar lessons. On June 2, students will have their year end grammar test.

Today's review: Conjunctions

Mayan Discussion Questions

Please prepare notes for each question and be prepared to discuss your answers on TUESDAY MAY 17th DURING OUR MAYAN DISCUSSION. Participation in the discussion is required, these questions will guide you through the exercise. 

1.  The Maya built thousands of pyramids and the Egyptians less than one hundred.  Why are the   Egyptian pyramids so much more famous than the Mayan pyramids?  Why are pyramids associated with Egypt and not Central America?

2.  Pyramids played an important role in Mayan culture and life.  What was the significance of these pyramids?  how were they the center of Mayan beliefs?

3.  Pakal the Great was a Mayan king in the 7th century, and builder of one of the greatest  pyramids.  Why did Pakal build his great pyramid?  What was he preparing for with this pyramid?

4.  What is Chichen Itza?  Where is it located?  Why is this place so important to Mayan beliefs and   culture?

5.  To try to solve the mysteries of the Maya scientists and explorers go cave diving.  What are the  dangers of cave diving?  What precautions must divers take to ensure their safety?  Why is cave diving so dangerous?

6.  Many keys to the secrets of the Mayan world are in the Popul Vuh.  What are the Popul Vuh?

 7.  There are no temples or pyramids in Candelaria.  Why do scientists go to Candelaria to solve the mystery of the passage to the Maya underworld?

 Helpful Links: (from http://www.whiteriver.k12.sd.us/FamilyResearch.htm)

The Palenque Project:  http://www.mesoweb.com/palenque/current_dig.html

Omniglot:  A Guide to Written Language:  http://www.omniglot.com/writing/mayan.htm

The Popul Vuh:  http://www.sacred-texts.com/nam/pvuheng.htm

Palenque:  http://www.utexas.edu/cofa/a_ah/dir/precol/maya_palenque.html

 

Creature Feature

Today's Lesson

Good Day Poodles,

1. Be AWESOME today.

2. Click HERE for the MesoAmerican Ballgame assignment

-Miss B

See the Future

If you're wondering how the rest of the year will go, you can now see what our plan is for each day from now until June 15th. Just click the "calendar" tab above or follow the calendar on the toolbar to the right.

Updates...GALORE

Ahoy my mateys.

I apologize for my lacking web presence over the past few weeks, but I can say that our yearbook is now done, and our fundraising week for Doernbecher Children's Hospital is also complete! I am back and ready to finish this year as I always have: blogging up a storm!!

So, check in often and look for important updates about our class.

Pronouns

 This week we have spent some time reviewing pronouns. Just a reminder to students that the "Agreeable Pronoun" handout is homework due WEDNESDAY May 4th at the beginning of the period!

IFCC Simulation

For the next 2 weeks students will prepare for the IFCC (International Federation of Characters Conference).  The theme of this year's conference is meeting challenges.

The conference will take place over 2 periods in class next week.

Students will hear a "featured speaker" and then rotate through 6 stations or "break out sessions" these sessions include:

1. Challenges your character faced
2. Personality traits
3. Artifact
4. Recommendation
5. Theme summary and costume
6. Added chapter

To prepare for the IFCC students are to fill out their 3 page registration packet (this is white and was given to students in class on Tuesday, May 3).  To help students prepare the packet has been broken into pieces with individual deadlines. These deadlines are listed below:

• Due May 4: #1 Adjectives that describe you and #4a challenges
• Due May 5: #2 personality trait passage and #4b Personality traits
• Due May 6: #4c Object and #4d Recommendation, as well as Added Chapter rough draft
• Due May 9: #3 Theme Summary
• Due May 10: Added Chapter Final Draft
• Due at the end of class May 10: Name Tag and Registration Form
• Conference: May 11th

Students will have time to complete these items in class the day before they are due, and are encouraged to stay on track (this means, not to work ahead), except for the added chapter which should be done entirely at home.

Check the blog for more updates! I look forward to a fun and challenging IFCC!!