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World Book Online

27 Sep
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Screenshot by Mr. Martin

Mr. Jet has taught you how to access and use World Book Online. There is a link for this resource on the right side of this class blog (under ‘class resources’). I have also added it to Moodle. Please use this site as you begin to collect and locate information for your project. The password has been shared in class. 

UN Day, Our Research Project, & More…

23 Sep

We have had a busy week! Here are some photos from today’s United Nations Day celebrations. Here are some videos from Mr. Hoover from students around the world sharing their views on peace.  

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Grade 6 social studies invited Mr. Jet to our classroom this week for a talk on how we find information for our project. What is information? Where do we find it? How do we know it’s good information? He shared some tips on how we can evaluate whether a source is good or not (i.e. Is the person who write that book an expert?) and also shared the World Book Online website, which we will use as one of our resources when doing our research project. Students also finished their first footstep for Out of Eden Learn. You have introduced yourself to our walking party and you are commenting and asking questions to learn more about the other students around the world who are in our walking party. Finally, what is a compelling question? That was also reviewed this week. Have a great weekend!

G.R.A.P.E.S.

20 Sep

https://youtu.be/6K4xqXYHI3k

I know some of you want to add this song to your playlist! :>)  This song is a review of the historical themes we have been learning about in class. 

Geography

Religion

Achievements (Science, Technology, Mathematics, Inventions)

Politics (Government)

Economy

Social Structures (including Culture)

A Busy Week!

11 Sep

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Students –

We learned about Paul Salopek’s Out of Eden Walk last week. Next, you will join our walking party for Out of Eden Learn and start your first footstep. Here are the towns or cities who will be in our walking party:

OUR TWO WALKING PARTIES (B/D BLOCKS AND F/H BLOCKS):
Location:  from the U.S.A. Atlanta, Georgia; Houston, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; Danville, California; Marblehead, Massachusetts; Oak Hill, Florida; Portland, Oregon; Oxnard, California; Hockessin, Deleware. From other countries: Accra, Ghana

Here are two photos of students learning about Paul Salopek and his journey.

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Photo by Rob Martin

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Photo by Rob Martin

Finally, students shared their Egypt and Mesopotamia mind maps in a gallery walk and we worked on developing skills in giving feedback and learning what is helpful (good) vs. Not so helpful or detailed feedback (Mmmmm….not so good). We will continue to work on this throughout the year because one thing you will be doing a lot of on Out of Eden Learn is giving feedback and asking questions to other students in our walking party.

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Helpful, detailed feedback on the right vs. Not so-detailed feedback. We will continue to work on this skill. (Photo by Rob Martin)

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Gallery Walk for our Mind Maps

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Gallery Walk

Mind Mapping – Thinking about our Thinking

1 Sep
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Photo by Rob Martin

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Photo by Rob Martin

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Photo by Rob Martin

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Photo by Rob Martin

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Photo by Rob Martin

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Photo by Rob Martin

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Photo by Rob Martin

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Photo by Rob Martin

A few photos from the past two days where we are learning about the power of mind (concept) mapping, why we do it, how we can organize our ideas, and how we can collaborate to share our thinking. Students will now do a mind map for the civilization they are studying (Egypt or Mesopotamia). We look forward to seeing these next class. 

First Two Weeks

19 Aug
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Photo by Rob Martin

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Photo by Rob Martin

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Photo by Rob Martin

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Photo by Rob Martin

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Photo by Rob Martin

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Photo by Rob Martin

A few photo from our first two weeks of school – using our new magnetic whiteboards to jigsaw ideas and share learning. “What is a great social studies class?” and learning how to distinguish hunters-gatherers and early famers. 

What makes my life easier?

15 Aug
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Image source: Morguefile

What inventions do you benefit from today? Think about one you carry with you and one at home that makes your life easier. Add your answers to the comment section.

Our First Week

10 Aug

AGreat Social Studies Class...What is Social Studies?

You will soon learn how to access this blog, make a comment and use our Moodle page. I hope these two sites will help support your learning this year. During our first days together, we talked about what you thought social studies is and what a great (social studies) class looks like. Here are the two anchor charts I created after we collected all of the results. 

Welcome back (2016 – 2017)

5 Aug
Co-teachers

Ms. Lucy (Learning Support), Mr. Martin (Social Studies), and Mr. Ranson (EAL Support)

Orange you are glad to be on the Grade 6 Team

The Grade 6 Team – ‘Orange’ you glad to be in 6th grade?

Dear Students –

Welcome to 6th grade Social Studies. Along with our Moodle page, our class blog will host videos, student work, helpful links and much more! Please use it as a resource in Social Studies. You can ‘follow’ this page by adding your email address to the widget on the top right side of the blog (see image below).If you follow the blog, you will receive an email message anytime I post something new on the blog.

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There are many things you can do to keep updated on Middle School events. You should read the Middle School Daily Bulletin blog each day for information about clubs, sports, M.S. parties, etc. Here are some general reminders for students from all of your 6th grade teachers:

  • Store backpacks and belongings in your locker and carry only the necessary items to class with you.

  • Use the bathroom during break times. Teachers may permit short bathroom/brain breaks during the block as per discretion.

  • Students should remain outside the classroom until the teacher is in the room, and/or until five minutes before the start of class.

  • Belongings are not to be stored in the classroom between classes.

  • Devices should remain switched off until directed by teacher.

  • Cell phones in class are for class purposes only (pictures, recording, etc.).

  • Eating is permitted only outside the classroom.

  • Student use of the common area is with teacher permission and supervision.

Have a great year, and please see your advisory teacher or your classroom teacher if you ever have any questions. E-mail me, if you have questions about Social Studies.

Mr. Martin (mrobert@aischennai.org)

 

 

 

Bye! Bye! Have a Nice Summer!

3 Jun
G6 team

Bye, Bye from the Grade 6 Team

Keep calm

LAST Day! Are you ready to KAHOOT?

1 Jun
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B block class – I will miss you all.

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Lekhana storms into the lead and wins at the end. Good job, everyone!

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Ted moves into the lead, but eventually fades to 4th place!

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D Block students – we’ll miss you!

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Hmmm….what’s the answer?

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“I can’t believe I got that wrong!” said Gregor.

H block

Best of luck next year, H Block!

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Goodbye G Block! We’ll miss you.

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Goodbye from the Humanities team (L.A. and S.S.)

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Have a great summer! Stay in touch!

Best of luck to our sixth graders! 

Last Week of 6th Grade

30 May

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Students,

We have arrived to our FINAL week of the school year. I want to thank you for your hard work, positive attitude and for making this a special year for us. We will miss you next year, especially those students who are leaving AISC. The following students will be returning to their country or going to another country for school next year: Chanmin, Changik, ChanWoo, Charlotte, Cyril, Jihyeon, Romane, Seohyeon, Yeobin, and Youhei. 

Make sure you exchange new email addresses and stay in touch with your friends. Goodbye is not forever, especially in the age of technology where we can easily keep in touch. Post a comment to wish someone well, tell us your summer vacation plans, and/or to mention something you will miss about social studies. It has been a true pleasure to teach you. Have a great summer!

Mr. Martin and Ms. Jaya

Textbook Return

23 May

0618531270bPlease return your social studies textbook on Thursday (G/H) and Friday (B/D) blocks. Thanks!

Watch the world population grow in under six minutes

17 May

Watch human population grow from 1 CE to present and see projected growth in under six minutes. One dot = 1 million people. Video via WorldPopulationHistory.org. (WorldPopulationHistory). Very cool video, but also scary when you think about our Earth’s limited resources and the environment. What do you notice when you watch this video (See – Think – Wonder).

Uber vs Rickshaw Race!

8 Apr

Transportation in India….Uber vs. rickshaw drivers in New Delhi. Who will win? 

Are you drinking enough water?

5 Apr

I love Ted-Ed videos! This is a new one I watched today. While this is not about ancient history, I think it’s important and an interesting video to watch, especially as temperatures heat up in Chennai. Make sure you drink enough water. The fact that we spend a lot of time talking about why civilizations started near water resources is a good enough connection. Drink.More.Water. :>)

 

 

Welcome back! New Unit – Egypt!

28 Mar

Students – We hope you had a nice, restful, and fun vacation, whether you stayed in Chennai or traveled. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow and starting our new unit this week, Egypt. We will also start footstep #2 for Out of Eden Learn. There are 10 weeks left in the school year and the time will go quickly. Show your best effort and finish the year on a strong note! Here are a couple of more funny cartoons I recently discovered on a funny website named Wrong Hands.

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Tour the World (Music Video)

24 Mar

Greetings! I hope you are enjoying your spring break. Whether you are here in Chennai or traveling, travel safely. I found this video today when looking for resources and fun stuff for you. Check it out!

Share your photo on National Geographic

12 Feb
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Chennai, India (Photo by Rob Martin)

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Kashmir, India (Photo by Rob Martin)

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Everest Base Camp Trek (Photo by Rob Martin)

Why do we move? Why can’t we sit still? What makes human beings seek out new horizons? Out of Eden Walk wants you to share a photo. The deadline for doing this is February 15th. Please see Paul Salopek’s most recent blog post for information. The assignment is called Built to Walk and you can find out more information here. The hashtag is #Yourshot. 

You can upload your photos which show human movement. There are so many things you can share just from Chennai alone. Here are three photos from India and Nepal that I have taken. If you have a photo and want help, save it and come and see me on Monday. I will help you. Have a nice weekend!

Middle School Theatre

23 Jan

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The Middle School Theatre Department invites you to attend a unique theatrical event, “A History of the Universe in 77 minutes”. It’s a play that covers the whole of history, from the big bang right up to the present.  As the narrative unfolds, the play takes the audience on a thrilling roller coaster ride through some of the most memorable moments in our past, with some serious themes wrapped up in a whole lot of comedy. 

Tickets for the play are only 250 rupees and can be bought before and after school at the Main Entrance and the Elementary Gate. A donation of the ticket money will go to Chennai Flood Relief projects. Performance Dates and times are 28th of January at 5:00 p.m. and 29th of January at 6:00 p.m. Suitable for all ages, we hope to see you there!

I enjoyed the sneak peek at the assembly, and it looks great. Many of your classmates have been working hard to prepare for it. Please go and support them!

Are you ready to Kahoot?

21 Jan

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Are you ready to play an awesome review game? Get ready for your next class, as we review for our ancient India Test!

The History of the Earth (Animated Video)

19 Jan

The Earth is really, really old. Over four and a half billion years old, in fact. How do we begin to comprehend a number that large? It helps to put it on a more fathomable scale. Watch to see where Earth’s major events would fall on a timeline stretching across the US. I’d like to thank Mrs. Hall for sharing this with Ms. Jaya and me.

Great Quotes

19 Oct
Quote by Andrew Zimmern

Quote by Andrew Zimmern

I saw this quote on Instagram today, and it made me think about the Out of Eden Learn project, and the goals – looking beyond what’s in front of you and noticing new details in your neighborhoods as you make your maps.  In class you are watching Paul walk with a group of students from Georgia. Watch how he models slow journalism and teaches students to look for small details. India is an amazing place with so much history and culture. Try new things, meet new people.

Best Inventions/Innovations in History

19 Sep

What were the best inventions or innovations in history? I saw this article on History.com: 11 Innovations That Changed History. I also found this article from The Atlantic magazine, The 50 Greatest Breakthroughs since the Wheel.  Finally, here is one other article from International Business Times: Top Ten Greatest Inventions That Changed The World. Do you agree or disagree? Would you add any others? One of our GRAPES (historical themes) is achievements (A).  Share your opinion and comment.

The True Size Of… (Fun Stuff!)

9 Sep
Image from The True Size Of... (screenshot by Mr. Martin)

Image from The True Size Of… (screenshot by Mr. Martin)

Check out a new interactive map project, The True Size Of…. It lets you visualize how big countries really are, rather than how big they appear when distorted on a map. Created by James Talmage and Damon Maneice, the site uses Google Maps to show the actual size of different countries and landmasses. You can drag countries around the map, and they’ll dynamically shift to show how big they are relative to each other. For example, look how the United States, China, and India would all almost fit into Africa. It’s an interesting site. Take a look at it and compare India and your country to other regions of the world.