Wednesday November 4, 2009   On November 10, 1969, the television show Sesame Street debuted. Some of the more popular characters included: Big Bird, Burt & Ernie, Cookie Monster, Oscar the Grouch, and Elmo. If you were asked to create a new Sesame Street character that would appeal to children and offer some type of educational value, what type of character would you create and why? Be sure to include the name, appearance, and traits of your new character.

Thursday November 5, 2009   On this day in 1923, the traffic light was patented. The first traffic light would appear in Cleveland, Ohio. How do you think the colors of the traffic light: red, yellow and green, were decided upon? What feelings or emotions can colors symbolize? What is your favorite color and why?

Friday November 6, 2009   On this day in 1815, Women’s Rights Leader Elizabeth Cady Stanton was born. Stanton is well known for her work in the furthering of women’s rights. Why do you think women were not allowed to vote for such a long time? How do you think women and other minority groups were able to increase their rights throughout history? What groups today have their rights limited or restricted?

Monday November 9, 2009   November is “Good Nutrition Month.” Think back to the different types of food you ate this weekend. Are you getting enough servings from each of the food groups? Create a plan for how you will eat healthier over the next month, or how you will continue to eat healthy. What foods will you focus on?

Tuesday November 10, 2009   No quickwrite today.   Please get ready for your test.   Once you have only a sheet of lose leaf and your binder on your desk, I’ll give you a test and you may begin.

Wednesday November 11, 2009  Journals due next Thursday.   Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey, not the bald eagle, to be our country’s symbol. If you had the opportunity to help decide on our nation’s symbol, would you choose the turkey or the bald eagle? Or would you choose a different animal all together? Explain your answer.

Thursday November 12, 2009   In November 1835, Samuel Langhorne Clemens, Mark Twain, was born in Missouri. During his life he worked as a newspaper reporter, riverboat pilot, and later a writer of fiction. What type of job would you like to have in the future? What skills will you need for this job?

Friday November 13, 2009   November is “Child Safety & Protection Month.” Think about the different items in your house or classroom that may be dangerous for kids. Choose several of the items and explain how they could be made safer by you or an adult.

Monday November 16, 2009   On this day in 1877, the phonograph was invented. This machine allowed people to listen to phonograph records. How do you think listening to these records was different than listening to today’s CDs or MP3’s? What may be the advantages and disadvantages of each type of machine? How else do you listen to music and what may some inventions in the future include?

Tuesday November 17, 2009   In December of 1865, the 13th Amendment was passed. This amendment abolished, or ended, slavery. Why do you think it was important for our country to end slavery? How might life be different today if the Confederacy (the South) had won the Civil War? What if slavery had ended in America with the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776?  Hand in notebooks today

Wednesday November 18, 2009  Think about the different countries throughout the world. Why do you think some countries are wealthy, while others are poor? How can some nations produce billions of dollars in exports while others suffer from mass starvation and poverty? How do countries interact with each other? What is “trade” and why is it important?

Thursday November 19, 2009  No quickwrite today.  Hand in you notebook.

Monday November 30, 2009   On December 3, 1967, the first successful heart transplant was conducted. It is important to keep your heart, along with the rest of your body, healthy. Writing in paragraph form, create a list of ten (10) activities that will help keep your heart and other parts of your body healthy.

Tuesday December 1, 2009   December 10th is “Human Rights Day.” What do you consider to be the rights of every human? Make a list of your ideas. Looking at your list, do you think there are certain rights that are less or more important than others? Explain your thoughts. What about at school, what should be the rights of all students?

Wednesday December 2, 2009   In December 1911, the South Pole was discovered. If you were able to travel to the South Pole, who would you want to take along with you and why? You can choose from anyone – someone you know, someone famous, someone alive, someone who is no longer living, anyone. Explain your answer and describe what you would do there.

Thursday December 3, 2009   In December of 1903, the Wright Brothers made their first flight. Orville and Wilbur had to do a great deal of teamwork in order to be successful. Think of a time that you were involved in teamwork. Explain the situation and why you feel teamwork was needed to be successful.

Friday December 4, 2009   As Americans, we are able to celebrate any holiday we choose. Why do you think this choice is important? Would you be happy if the government forced us to celebrate only certain holidays and events? What are some holidays other ethnic groups celebrate in America?

Monday December 7, 2009   This month, winter officially begins. What is your favorite winter activity that involves snow and why? What snow activity would you most like to do and why? Do you enjoy living in an area of the country that receives snow? Why or why not?

Tuesday December 8, 2009  As we will talk about in class, an utopia is an ideal or perfect society. What is your idea of an utopia? Explain in detail what life is like in your perfect world.

Wednesday December 9, 2009   December 27th is “Visit the Zoo Day.” When people visit zoos, they get the opportunity to see a variety of different animals from all over the world. Do you believe that zoos are a good thing to have? Why or why not?

Thursday December 10, 2009   New Year's Eve is rapidly approaching. Begin thinking about your New Year's resolutions or goals. What do you hope to accomplish or do this upcoming year. Record your goals and explain them in detail.

Friday December 11, 2009   In 1789, the first U.S. Presidential election was held. If you were running for President at that time, what issue(s) would you have based your campaign on? If you were running now what would you tell people? How would you get elected? What do you feel are the most important issues to address?

Monday December 14, 2009   In January of 1892, Ellis Island opened. This was the point of entry to the United States for millions of immigrants. Put yourself in the shoes of those first immigrants to the United States. What do you think were some of their feelings, their hopes, and their fears?

Tuesday December 15, 2009  For the past several weeks we have talked about the Industrial Revolution and conditions in the work place. Congress is currently debating weather to provide health insurance for all Americans. Do you think everyone should be covered by free insurance? What role should the government take in making sure work is safe for individuals? If someone gets injured on the job, should the employer be held responsible. Explain.

Wednesday December 16, 2009   When we come back from break the second quarter will be nearly finished. Think of a way that you can work harder today. This can either be at school, at home, or elsewhere. Write about your plan to improve your personal performance.   Hand in notebooks