Book 1 Complete, Egypt and Shadow Puppets

Language Arts

In Language Arts this week, students completed or are very close to completing their first book in our Characters Across Series unit.  We spent time this week talking about noting character changes from the beginning to the end of the story.  This could be a list or a graphic organizer.  We looked at changes in feelings, thoughts, beliefs, relationships etc. We then looked at the SOURCE of those changes-were they events, people, internal thinking, something else?  Once we have identified the source, we need to consider if those changes are permanent or not and what the significance of the changes are for our character.

We also began our writing unit by developing claim ideas about a character, theme or other big idea.  This will be a claim that can stretch across two texts.  Next week we will work on developing our body paragraphs.

Also, I will be offering three LA Help Sessions after school for students who want additional time to work or additional help from me.  These sessions will go until 4:30 and the dates are:

October 15th

October 23rd 

November 11th

Social Studies

In Social Studies this week, we transitioned from Mesopotamia from Egypt.  Students participated in a Breakout (similar to an escape room) titled "The Timekeeper" where they had to use their knowledge of Mesopotamia and their problem skills to unlock a series of locks.

We also did a geography challenge to introduce the major physical features of Egypt.  Next week, we will start talking about the social structure and economy of Egypt.

Drama

This week in Drama, we started our puppetry unit.  Students looked at samples of shadow puppetry  and then practiced creating shadow puppets with their hands.  We then looked at cut-out shadow puppets and students started to create a script with pre-made puppets as well as ones they created.  Mr. Lovett, the Bosch Center manager spent some time explaining the effect that lighting has on a production and students got to use different colored gels to adjust the mood of their performance.  

On Monday of next week, we will be making two puppets: a sock puppet and an object puppet.  Students will need to bring in a sock, the longer the better and an object (empty water bottle, juice container, milk container etc.).  I will provide the googly eyes, ribbon, buttons etc.