Water for Sixth Grade LIVE: Stone Age Review

For the first time ever, Water for Sixth Grade is going Live. Why, you ask? Because I want to help you. I want to do whatever I can to help you prepare for your Stone Age test. "WSG Live" is a new feature that allows me to help you study without actually being with you. With this post, we will be able to review, discuss, and practice together. I will ask you some questions, you can ask each other questions, or ask me. I will be sitting at my computer helping you review. I will be taking off comment moderation which will allow your comments to go right to the blog, so we can see them and have a smooth discussion. You will not have to wait for your comments to be approved. You simply have to refresh your screen and continue messaging. Remember, to publish a comment, click "Name/URL" and type: 3Dan K. (Class period, first name, last initial).
The time window for this new feature is:
8:00 p.m.--8:30 p.m.

Stone Age Test: Friday, September 30th, 2011.

Let's GLOG about the Stone Age!

We have been blogging since school began. I think you have all done a good job with it. We will continue to blog until this school year is over, right up to the last day. Blogging and Water for Sixth Grade is our main tool to help us learn and review. Today, however, we are going to switch the "B" with a "G" and do some GLOGGING. What is glogging, you ask? Well, simply put, it is a Virtual Poster. Instead of giving each of you a big poster paper and getting out our colored pencils and markers, we will be making a poster on the Internet, which provides us some big advantages. Today, you will be making a Stone Age Glog to help us review for our test on FRIDAY. Glogging is quite simple and I am confident will we pick up on it quite quickly. There are some things you need to be aware of, so pay attention.

Go to Glogster to "log In" to begin making your Stone Age Glog.

Usernames for each class period

Task: With your partner, create a glog about the Stone Age. This is a review project, so show me what you know and what you've learned.

Material you can use:

Guided Notes for Lesson 1 and 2

Otzi the Iceman

I Discovered Fire

Before We Ruled the Earth

Vocabulary Packet
Deadliest Warrior: Neanderthal Vs. Cro-Magnon
Cave Art

"Educating Andy"

I would like to introduce you to a very good friend of mine named "Andy." Andy is not very bright when it comes to Ancient Civilization. He is also seriously lacking any common sense skills. Andy has been feeling down in the dumps lately because he doesn't know anything about anything. Recently, we had a conversation:

Andy: "Gosh, I just feel dumb lately."

Mr. Klumper: "You aren't dumb, Andy, you just don't know anything."

So, I told him I could help him at least learn about ancient civilizations. For this, I am turning to you, my intelligent 6th graders to help educate Andy. We will be trying to educate Andy all year about the ancient worlds we learn about. The first ancient civilization we will teach Andy about is the Stone Age. I told Andy we would teach him about the Stone Age first, and he got really excited and made a bunch of neanderthal noises. So, it is now up to you to Educate Andy.
Here are a few possible topics to teach him about: Otzi the Iceman, Deadliest Warrior: Neanderthal Vs. Cro-Magnon, Cave art, Hunters/Gatherers Notes, Early Farmers Notes, Vocabulary words from your packet, I Discovered Fire, Before We Ruled the Earth..., You Are There, and anything else you would like to tell him.

Task: In order to receive extra credit for social studies, you need to post a comment with 5 pieces of information that we covered throughout the Stone Age unit.

Since you are blogging to a real person, it would be good to start by saying hello to him.
DUE: Extra Credit window closes Thursday night at Midnight.
Extra Credit: 10 points available depending on the quality of your post.

Stone Age Animals

I want to teach you about some Stone Age animals. Because of the movie "Ice Age," some prehistoric animals are more common than others. Animals such as the Mammoth and Sabre Tooth cat are two examples. Even the sloth, made famous by "Sid" is now a lot more well-known. However, there are other prehistoric animals that I would like you to learn about, in addition to the more common ones above. (Not dinosaurs). So, I have attached a website for you to read that gives short descriptions of 5 Stone Age aniamls: Mammoth, Mastodon, Sabre Tooth, Cave Lion, and the Megatherium. Wouldn't it be cool if these animals still roamed the earth today? Well, they don't, but we can still learn about them and imagine what it would be like if they were. Imagination. Use it.

Task: Using this website on Stone Age animals, tell me one thing you learned about each of the five animals listed.

Example: "1. Sabre Tooth Tiger: I learned that......."

DUE: Friday, September 23rd. Midnight.

Points: 5 Points for each animal you do=Total: 25 points.

Water for Sixth Grade T-Shirt

Ladies and gentleman, you have a very rare opportunity. For the first time EVER, Water for Sixth Grade T-shirts are available to you. Perhaps you didn't even know WSG T-shirts existed, but they do, and you have the opportunity to get one this week. In the past, these t-shirts have only been given away to one student per month. Now, the t-shirts are available to anyone who wants one. I think it would be awesome to see a bunch of 6th graders walking the halls of this school proudly displaying the site we use to learn about Social Studies and Life. You do NOT have to get a t-shirt, but you can if you want. Whether you get a t-shirt or not has no effect on your grade whatsoever. The t-shirt will be displayed in class, but the picture I have attached to this post shows what the logo will be. I have seen the shirts and they look very sharp. (WAY better than last years' shirt). If you would like to get a T-shirt, fill out the order form and include your size and $6 for the shirt. That's it. For only $6, you could have a Water for Sixth Grade t-shirt.

T-Shirt Order form DUE Friday, September 23rd, 2011.

Cost: $6

Order Form

Discovering Otzi the Iceman

It is time to search for Otzi. Today, you will be joining me as I enter the Alps in search for Otzi the Iceman. Otzi, who happens to be the oldest body ever found, is an extremely important "artifact" because he can teach us so much about what life was like when he roamed the Earth. We can study his weapons, tools, and clothing. We can also study his bones to get an idea of what people looked like. Otzi is truely an amazing discovery. However, today, you will watch as I search for Otzi and discover all the artifacts that were found with his body. The story of Otzi doesn't end there, however, because Otzi the Iceman did not die of natural causes. Was he murdered? Did he die in battle? Was he sick? You will read the evidence and try to solve the oldest mystery in the world.

Task #1: Using the Otzi PowerPoint, fill out your guided notes in your Otzi Packet. This will be done together, but you can follow along on your own screen.

Task #2: Watch the Video "Discoverying Otzi" and watch as the body and artifacts are discovered. In your Otzi packet, record all the artifacts found and why they are important.

Task #3: Sketch a scene of the area in which Otzi was discovered in. Try to place the items in the correct spot based on where they were found.

Task #4: Read the possible theories on how Otzi died. Post a comment telling me what you think caused Otzi's death and why.
Theory #1: Hypothermia
Theory #2: Robbery
Theory #3: Assassination
Theory #4: Died in battle

In-Class blogging. There will be material about Otzi on the test.

Stone Age: You Are There

Today you have a unique opportunity. Today you will experience the Stone Age. You will not be reading about it, you will not be watching a video about it, you will not be doing worksheets about it, and you will not be listening to me talk about it. True, those are all ways you can learn about something, but today, you will be learning about the Stone Age by actually going there. That's right. You will warp back in time and spend one day in the Stone Age. While you are there, you have two goals: Learn about this wild and uncivilized place and survive. Throughout your day in the Stone Age, you will have to make decisions on what you are going to do. The decisions you make will have consequences-some good, some bad. But it is up to you to make them, and deal with the outcome. With that said, let's get on to our task below...

Task #1: Play the game "Stone Age: You Are There." Throughout your experience, you will record your journey on your "score sheet." Keep track of your decisions, consequences and point total. At the end, ask yourself, "How did my day in the Stone Age go?" then tell me about it on your sheet. YOU MUST USE COMPLETE SENTENCES.BONUS QUESTIONS: (post a comment with your answers. In-class activity. You may have to go back and find the answers in the game) 
1. List 3 animals from this game.
2. What is found in caves that helps us learn about the Stone Age?
3. What is the best method of hunting the Irish Elk?
4. What tool is most effective in cutting through rough animal hide?
5. Describe a neanderthal. (3 things).

Task #2: Replay the game making different decisions. Fill out another score sheet.
Task #3: Read about the Stone Age. With these two links: Mr. Donn's Early Humans and Prehistoric Humans at Kidspast.

Just Tell Me Something...

As a student in the 21st century, you have a huge advantage in learning. What is this huge advantage, you ask? The Internet. I am a huge fan of computers and the internet (perhaps even obsessed) but I honestly think it is a great tool to use in our learning, and I think most people would agree. Being that we have the internet and tons of instant information at our disposal, it would be a shame for us not to use it. As we start out in our Ancient World journey, lets dive in and see what we can find. For this blog activity, please, Just Tell Me Something! Your task is below.

Task #1: Using the websites under "Browse the Ancient World" on the right side of WSG, read about the ancient world and tell me Five (5) things you either learned or thought was interesting from the websites. Try to tell me about a variety of places, not just five things about one place. I want YOU to tell me something about the ancient world. Use complete sentences and number each piece of information you share. (1-5)

Remember, sign your name with the correct format: 3Dan K. (if i were in period 3)

IMPORTANT: This blog activity is worth 20 completion points. DUE: Friday, September 9th, at Midnight.

"I Discovered Fire"

Johnny's first stop on his adventure is the Stone Age. Things are going poorly for the people of the Stone Age because they have no idea how to use and control fire. Luckily, Johnny has arrived and will try to help these people control fire. Can he figure it out? Read to find out....

Read: "I Discovered Fire"

Learning Through Artifacts

If the above slideshow does not work, click this link: Study Artifacts

Welcome to the Stone Age. The hard thing about this amazing and dangerous place is that there were no books written during this time. People barely knew how to communicate, let alone write books. So, how do we learn about a time period when no books were written? No records kept? Through Artifacts. Scientists find artifacts (objects made by people) and study them to learn what the people were like, their age, where they lived, etc. We are going to step inside the shoes of a scientist and learn how to study artifacts to help us learn.
TASK: For this activity, you will study 12 sets of artifacts. For each group of artifacts, your task is to figure out things about the person who owned them. What can you learn about each person based on the artifacts shown? Age, gender, likes/dislikes, where they live, etc. All questions scientists try to answer while studying Stone Age artifacts.

In-Class blogging. Write your answers in your notebook. Number 1-12.

KELO News Video from SEAL Night

This is my friend, David Rutherford, US Navy SEAL.

My Navy SEAL Experience

On Wednesday, September 7th, I had the awesome opportunity of participating in a presentation put on by a US Navy SEAL. His name is David B. Rutherford and he is an amazing guy. During his presentation of his "Froglogic concepts," he put my friend Jason and I through a taste of SEAL training so the audience could get a "real life" look at what SEALs have to go through. My 2 hours of participation taught me that what the SEALs have to go through is a physical and mental achievement and accomplishment like no other in the world. Push-ups, flutter kicks, air squats, and bear crawl were doable, but it was the freezing water that began to take its toll, especially when "Instructor Rutherford" would make us stay in the water for a prolonged amount of time. Despite the cold and the sand, I thought it was a great experience. One that I will never forget. I hope to do something like this again in the future. (P.S. Thanks to Kane T. for filming this event, since my camera did not work.)
For more about David B. Rutherford and his Froglogic concepts, visit his website at http://www.teamfroglogic.com
Enjoy the video.

I Am Challenged

Johnny Rawten spent his 6th grade year time traveling to the ancient civilizations of the past. Now, after six years of no adventures, he gets a chance to go back but this time, things will be much different. Johnny must complete a specific task in each of the 8 worlds in order to move on to the next. If Johnny is able to complete each of the 8 tasks, he will be able to save the Tiger and himself. Now, read about how this adventure begins as Johnny is challenged by the Buddha.
Read: I Am Challenged

Questions for story, click here.

A Delicious Ancient Recipe

Ever have trouble remembering something? You know the name but can't quite put your finger on it? Perhaps its something you have even said before and its on the tip of your tongue, but just can't seem to recall it? Well, many people experience that problem. It's called "forgetfulness" and some people have it worse than others. But no matter what, we have all forgotten something at one point or another. Since this can become a problem, we need a solution-and I have one. It helps people remember things when it is tied to something they like. So, if we take something we are suppose to remember and tie it to something that is meaningful to us, we will be more likely to remember it. Since we are beginning the Ancient World this week, I want to help you remember the names of the ancient worlds we will be studying about. To help you remember, I took all the names of the ancient worlds and combined it with something I love. Hopefully, this helps you become more familiar with the names of these ancient places. Now, complete your task!

Task #1: Watch the Video.

Task #2: To help remember the names, connect the names of the Ancient world to the "item" from the Artery Clogger Hamburger. What ancient names goes with what food item?

Example: "Stone Age is the grill"

The Ancient World is Upon Us

I thought we had a great week of school. Enjoy your three day weekend. When we return to Social Studies, the Ancient World will be upon us. Prepare yourself. It will be an adventure like no other. There are no other kids that I would want to bring along for this journey then you. Be focused next week. The ancient world is a dangerous place, but also a place of amazing things. Tuesday, we begin.....