7th & 8th Grade Social Studies

7th Social Studies Update, Week 9

2007-10-12T13:38:00.000-04:00

SUBJECT: Social Studies Update, Week 9
DATE: October 11, 2007

TO: 7th Grade Parents

Upcoming Studies:
We start one of the studies that I find most enjoyable. The Spice study program will connect history of the past with the commerce of the present. Students should see the value of Social Studies during the next three weeks. Next week, ask them what beer had to do with the Pilgrims. Over the two-week period, we will be answering several unusual questions.

Quiz 15.1:Students are getting the hang of this Social Studies course and studying for a humanities course. The average score on the last test was about 95%. Anyway you look at it, they are doing very well.

8th Social Studies Update, Week 9

2007-10-12T13:37:00.001-04:00

SUBJECT: Social Studies Update, Week 9
DATE: October 12, 2007

TO: 8th Grade Parents

Upcoming Studies:
We complete a basic study of Maps and their legends. Next week we will begin to view the Thomas Jefferson PBS special by Ken Burns with the hopes that students visiting his home will have an appreciation for what he has done to improve our nation.

Monticello:
The final roster is set. I have sent messages to parents asking some to drive. Heavenly Ham Box lunches will be ordered at the beginning of the week and I will retrieve them on Friday. The school gates will be open on Saturday morning by 6:30 AM and we will depart promptly at 7:00 AM. We will return students to the Food Lion parking lot (next to Bennett’s Point Grill) by 9:30 PM. If we will be off that time by more than 30 minutes, we will call you. I will give drivers directions and emergency phone numbers on Saturday morning before we depart. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Pep Ralley On Friday:
We will have a Pep Rally on Friday, October 12, 2007, during the last hour of school. The Cross County team, Volleyball teams, and Boys Soccer Team will be introduced to the entire school. They have been asked to wear their uniforms at that event.

Picture Day on Wednesday, October 17th:
Yes, that’s right. Next week, on Wednesday, the school will take the pictures that will be placed in the yearbook. There is a make-up day in November, but for those here, please make sure they are ready for the picture.

Fall Field Day for Middle School:
We have a fun-filled, team-building day planed for the Middle School students on 19 October 2007. Many of the exercises involve running and races, so please encourage your students to wear comfortable outfits and shoes that support these activities.

Dance:
Our first 2007-2008 dance will be held on Friday, 19 October 2007. Dance begins at 7PM and ends at 10PM. Seventh grade students decorate the gym and sixth grade students remain behind to clean up after the dance.

Mayor Bell is Visiting:
Mrs. Freemyer has arranged for Mayor Bell to visit the 8th grade class here at TDS on Tuesday, October 23rd from 2:45-3:15. He will address the students on how he failed and succeeded when he was the age of our students.

End of the Quarter:
I know it is hard to believe, but the end of our first 9-week period (1/4 of the year) will be upon us on Wednesday, October 24th. We will be posting individual Report Cards on the school website on or before Thursday, November 2nd. You will need to use your password to check your student’s grades. Let us know if you need assistance.

Fall Carnival:
Lower school will have their annual fall carnival on Wednesday, October 24th. Middle School students will be assisting adult volunteers at their booths that afternoon.

Faculty Workday, Thursday, October 25th:
Faculty will be working on Report Cards during the Faculty Workday. There are no classes for the students on that day.

Faculty Professional Development Day, Friday, October 26th:
Mrs. Hobbs has arranged for a speaker and facilitator to come and provide continuing education for the staff on Friday, October 26th. Therefore, we will not have classes on that date.

Basketball Interest Meeting:
During the final period of the day, Coach A. Hobbs, Coach P. Hobbs, Coach Delaney, and Mr. Forringer will be conducting a basketball interest meeting in gym with school students. Students will be told during the meeting about when tryouts will be conducted and the requirements to play. We will send them on to you once they are available.

Fall Sports Award Night:
Letters, Pins, and Trophies will awarded on Tuesday, October 30th during the pot luck dinner and awards ceremony. Dinner begins at 6:30 PM and ceremonies begin at 7:00 PM. You are asked to bring a cover dish, salad, side, or dessert to share with others.

Volleyball Games This Week:
Games may also be found on the TDS Athletics Web Page. TDS volleyball teams will play as follows:

16 Oct 07(Tuesday)-Girl’s A Team will play at Trinity beginning at 4:00 PM.
Directions:
Trinity School4011 Pickett Rd.Durham, NC 27705919-402-8262
15-501 South Toward Chapel Hill
Right onto Garrett Rd.
Left onto Pickett Rd.
School will be at the end of the road
18 Oct 07(Thursday)-Girl’s B Team will play at Duke School beginning at 4:00 PM. Girl’s A Team will play at Duke School beginning at 5:00 PM.
Directions:
Duke School3716 Old Erwin Rd.Durham, NC 27705919-493-2642
Left onto Bennett Memorial
Left onto Hillsborough
Left onto 751
Right onto Erwin
School is on the right
Boy’s Soccer Games This Week:
Boy’s Soccer Team has two games this week.

16 October 2007 (Monday)-Boy’s Soccer against Gorman at Holt Field and begins at 4:00 PM.
Directions to HOLT FIELD IN DURHAM:
85 North
Take exit 177B/Roxboro Rd. North and Turn Left off of I-85 North
Procede about 4.5 miles until you see Riverview Shopping Center on the Right.You will see in the shopping center a Blockbuster and a Kroger’s Grocery Store.
The first street just past the shopping center will be Rippling Springs Rd.
Turn Right on Rippling Springs Rd. and proceed to the 1st Street on the left which is Hedgerow Place
It is the Old Farms City Park.
Turn into the park and then make an immediate left towards Holt Field just inside the fenced area.
Soccer Field will be straight ahead inside the fence.
Baseball Field will be beside the soccer field on the right inside the fenced area.
18 Oct 07 (Firday)- Boy’s Soccer will play at Duke School beginning at 4:00 PM.
Directions:
Duke School3716 Old Erwin Rd.Durham, NC 27705919-493-2642
Left onto Bennett Memorial
Left onto Hillsborough
Left onto 751
Right onto Erwin
School is on the right
Cross Country This Week:
17 Oct 2007 (Wednesday)- Meet will be at Emerson Waldorf. Walk Through begins at 4:00PM and run starts at 4:30.
Directions:
Emerson Waldorf School - cross country and basketball6211 New Jericho Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516Take 85 South Take Exit 165Take left at the bottom of the ramp 86 SouthGo for 5.1 miles till you see Lockhart's Store on your right.Immediately after the railroad tracks, turn right onto Millhouse Rd.* Turn right at the EWS sign onto New Jericho Rd.

7th Social Studies Update, Week 8

2007-10-09T14:39:00.000-04:00

SUBJECT: Social Studies Update, Week 8
DATE: October 5, 2007

TO: 7th Grade Parents

Upcoming Studies:We will continue our study of the Age of Discovery. On Monday, we will go over the questions at the end of the Chapter 15.1. We will play our question and answer game on Monday, and then again on Tuesday, before our quiz. I will also conduct a review on Monday during lunch. I’m sure that the students will be prepared for this quiz. On Wednesday, students will watch a PBS special on how to navigate the seas before the age of Global Positioning. On Friday, we begin to work on our Spice Project.

8th Social Studies Update, Week 8

2007-10-09T14:37:00.000-04:00

SUBJECT: Social Studies Update, Week 8
DATE: October 5, 2007

TO: 8th Grade Parents

Upcoming Studies:
We finished Book 1 test today. Students have Book 2, and the related questions, so we can discover how the different colonies became separate states. Next week we will do some very basic Map interpretation and study. At the end of the exercise, students will be tested on their skills and a grade will be awarded once we take a simple quiz. In addition, we will begin to view the Thomas Jefferson PBS special by Ken Burns with the hopes that students visiting his home will have an appreciation for what he has done to improve our nation.

Monticello:
The final roster of those attending the trip has been developed. If an adults name is on the attached list, please complete the Heavenly Ham form and have your student return it to me on Monday. I will give them a blank sheet on Monday, during class, and have them complete their request.
Student
Student
Adults
Asrani, Aarti
Neff, Sophie
Bingaman, Helen
Baroff, Jessica
Nwokolo, Anisah
Cleary, Elena
Brintle, Kirstie
Slentz, Hanna
Dellaero, Joanne
Cleary, Olivia
Soo, Lindsay
Faherty, Kate
Dellaero, Matthew
Speer, Kira
Freemyer, Dan
Dobbs, Lauren
Veasey, Morgan
Freemyer, Stephanie
Faherty, Henry
Weaver, Korey
Goldstein, Alan
Gallagher, Holland
Vosburgh, Thomas
Hardin, John
Hardin, Caroline
Wolf, John
McKaig, Mrs.
Kendrick, Kevis
Yerkes, Tristan
Sikes, James
Logan, Charles

Slentz, Cris
Lowman, Alec

Thakur, Mugdha
MacKinnon, Aaron

Veasey, Laurie
Martinez, Edgar

Vishnevsky, Cathy
McCarthy, Jaclyn

Vosburgh, Jennifer
McKaig, Harrison

Wolf, Phil

PROGRESS REPORTS:
Check PCE that has been sent home today. They have the current Progress Report for your Middle School Student.

Volleyball Games This Week:
Games may also be found on the TDS Athletics Web Page. TDS volleyball teams will play as follows:

8 Oct 07(Monday)-Girl’s A Team will play Immaculata at Home beginning at 4:00 PM.

9 Oct 07(Tuesday)-Girl’s B Team will play Voyager in TDS Gym beginning at 4:00 PM.
Boy’s Soccer Games This Week:
Boy’s Soccer Team has two games this week.

8 October 2007 (Monday)-Boy’s Soccer at Immaculata and begins at 4:00 PM. Game is at Piney Woods Park.
Directions to: Piney Woods Park - Woodcroft Pkwy
15-501 S towards Chapel Hill
Take Martin Luther King Blvd. Exit
Stay on Martin Luther King for about 3 miles
Take a right onto Fayetville St.
Take a left onto Woodcroft Pkwy.
Park will be on the right about a 1/4 up the road just past apartments

12 Oct 07 (Firday)- Boy’s Soccer will play Carolina Friends at Carolina Friends School beginning at 4:00 PM.
Carolina Friends School4809 Friends School Rd.Durham, NC 27705919-383-6602
Take 70 West towards 85
Make a left onto old 70/rt.10
Make a left onto Murphy School Rd.
Turn onto Friends School Rd.
Cross Country This Week:
9 Oct 2007 (Tuesday)- Meet will be at Carolina Friends. Walk Through begins at 4:00PM and run starts at 4:30.
Directions:
Carolina Friends School4809 Friends School Rd.Durham, NC 27705919-383-6602
Take 70 West towards 85
Make a left onto old 70/rt.10
Make a left onto Murphy School Rd. Turn onto Friends School Rd

8th Social Studies Update, Week 7

2007-09-28T08:43:00.000-04:00

SUBJECT: Social Studies Update, Week 7
DATE: September 27, 2007

TO: 8th Grade Parents

Upcoming Studies:
We are reviewing student answers for the written package from Book 1. We should complete all chapters early next week and we will then view the NC documentary film concerning the “Lost Colony.” The homework for every night next week is to review the answers for the questions. The Book 1 test will be on Friday, October 5, 2007. The 25 questions that will be asked will be selected from the questions in the Book 1 package. We have reviewed the answers in class and on Tuesday afternoon, and every afternoon through Thursday evening, student’s may come to my class and I will have available a recommended response so they can again check their answers. On Friday, October 5, 2007, as they are taking the test, I will collect Book 1 and issue them the next Book in the series, along with a new pack of questions.

From the Desk of Mrs. Aronson (Middles School Field Trip):
The 7th and 8th grades will be attending a play, Shakespeare’s “A Comedy of Errors,” in Raleigh. Currently, all but four of the 8th grade students will be riding on the Bus to Fletcher Theater. The following is a list of students that we have permission slips for. Those students missing slips have been provided a blank form to complete. If you see an error below, please contact Mr. Sikes who will initiate the search for the check and documents that will allow us to take your student off campus.
8th Grade
(Names Excluded)

No School Tomorrow:
You are reminded that teachers will be preparing Progress Reports for your student on Friday, September 28, 2007 and there will be no classes on that day.

Monticello:
Monday is the required day to send in the forms for this voluntary trip. I already have forms and checks for those listed below. If you sent in a slip, and your name does not appear, please contact me so I can begin to search for your papers.
(Names Excluded)

7th Social Studies Update, Week 7

2007-09-28T08:41:00.000-04:00

SUBJECT: Social Studies Update, Week 7
DATE: September 27, 2007

TO: 7th Grade Parents

Upcoming Studies:
We are at the Scientific Revolution and the use of the step-by-step Scientific Method of investigation. The test for section 14.5 will be on Tuesday, October 2, 2007. On Wednesday, October 3, 2007, students will be going to Raleigh for the Shakespeare play, and we will then begin our study of the Spice Trade. Shortly, your student will be digging through the spice rack and copying what you have in your cabinets. Please be patient, I’ll explain why next week.

From the Desk of Mrs. Aronson (Middles School Field Trip):
The 7th and 8th grades will be attending a play, Shakespeare’s “A Comedy of Errors,” in Raleigh. Currently, all of the 7th grade students will need to ride in parent cars to Fletcher Theater. Unfortunately, we do not have enough volunteers to drive all of the students. If you can drive, please send us a response to this message and provide your name and number of seatbelts that you have available. We expect to leave TDS around 8:45AM and return about 1:00PM. The following is a list of students that we have permission slips for. Those students missing slips have been provided a blank form to complete. If you see an error below, please contact Mr. Sikes who will initiate the search for the check and documents that will allow us to take your student off campus.
(Names Excluded)

Volleyball Games This Week:
Games may also be found on the TDS Athletics Web Page. TDS volleyball teams will play as follows:

2 Oct 07(Tuesday)-Girl’s A Team will play Trinity at Trinity beginning at 4:30 PM.

Directions:
Trinity School4011 Pickett Rd.Durham, NC 27705919-402-8262
15-501 South Toward Chapel Hill
Right onto Garrett Rd.
Left onto Pickett Rd.
School will be at the end of the road
2 Oct 07(Tuesday)-Girl’s B Team will play Gorman in TDS Gym beginning at 4:00 PM.
4 Oct 07 (Thursday)- Girl’s B Team will play Cresset at Cresset beginning at 4:00 PM. Girl’s A Team will play Cresset at Cresset beginning at 5:00 PM.
Direction:
Cresset Christian Academy3707 Garrett Rd.Durham, NC 27707919-489-2655
15-501 South towards Chapel Hill.
Right onto Garrett Rd.
School will be about a 1/2 mile down the road on the right.
5 Oct 07 (Friday)- Girl’s B Team will play Durham Academy at Durham Academy Middle School beginning at 4:00 PM. Girl’s A Team will play Durham Academy at Durham Academy Middle School beginning at 5:00 PM.
Durham Academy Middle School3116 Academy Rd. (Academy Rd. at University Dr.)Durham, NC 27707
15-501 South
Take first exit
Left off exit onto 751
Go about 5 miles
Cross over 15-501 business
School is on the right

Boy’s Soccer Games This Week:
Boy’s Soccer Team has two games this week.

2 October 2007 (Tuesday)-Boy’s Soccer at Trinity and begins at 4:30 PM.
Directions:
Trinity School4011 Pickett Rd.Durham, NC 27705919-402-8262
15-501 South Toward Chapel Hill
Right onto Garrett Rd.
Left onto Pickett Rd.
School will be at the end of the road
4 Oct 07 (Thursday)- Boy’s Soccer will play Cresset at Cresset beginning at 4:00 PM.
Directions:Cresset Christian Academy3707 Garrett Rd.Durham, NC 27707919-489-2655
15-501 South towards Chapel Hill.
Right onto Garrett Rd.
School will be about a 1/2 mile down the road on the right.
Cross Country This Week:

3 Oct 2007 (Wednesday)- Meet will be at Trinity. Walk Through begins at 4:00PM and
Directions:
Trinity School4011 Pickett Rd.Durham, NC 27705919-402-8262
15-501 South Toward Chapel Hill
Right onto Garrett Rd.
Left onto Pickett Rd.
School will be at the end of the road

7th Social Studies Update, Week 6

2007-09-21T16:45:00.001-04:00

SUBJECT: Social Studies Update, Week 6
DATE: September 21, 2007

TO: 7th Grade Parents

Upcoming Studies:
It’s hard to believe, but today we finished 1/8th of this school year. Time is flying buy, and we are all busy. Students just finished their study of Martin Luther and Calvin. We are now reviewing the Reformation in England and how the Catholic Church initiated changes through the Council of Trent. I conducted a voluntary “Working Lunch” for any 7th grade student that wanted to attend with the goal of answering questions they may have had concerning the Reformation. Response was good. I think we had 8 attend on the first day and about 12 on the next day. Test average for that Quiz 14.3 was 97.5%. Lowest score was 70% and the highest score was 105%. I will do this again next Monday and Tuesday for those who wish to study with me for Quiz 14.4.

From the Desk of Mrs. Freemyer:
The T.A.B. Scholastic magazines are finally here! Take a look through the magazine, place your order on the back page, and return the order form by Tuesday, September 25 to Mrs. Freemyer! In an effort to keep your orders and money organized, if you could please place both the order form and your check payment inside a sealed envelope with your child’s name written on the front, I would greatly appreciate it. Make checks payable to Scholastic Book Clubs. Pleas do not send cash, and do not mail.

No School Next Friday:
You are reminded that teachers will be preparing Progress Reports for your student on Friday, September 28, 2007 and there will be no classes on that day.

Volleyball Games This Week:
Games may also be found on the TDS Athletics Web Page. TDS volleyball teams will play as follows:

25 Sept 07(Tuesday)-Girl’s B Team will play Durham Academy in TDS Gym beginning at 4:00 PM. Girl’s A Team will play Durham Academy in TDS Gym Beginning at 5:00 PM.
26 Sep 07 (Wednesday)- Girl’s B Team will play Voyager at St. Mary’s Gym beginning at 4:00 PM.
Directions:
Turn left out of the TDS Drive
Turn Left onto US 70
After you pass under the I-85 bridge, turn right onto Pleasant Green Road at the next stoplight
Continue on Pleasant Green until you reach the intersection of St. Mary’s Road
Gym is across the intersection, behind the old church.

Boy’s Soccer Games This Week:
Boy’s Soccer Team has one game this week.

25 September 2007 (Tuesday)-At Durham Academy Middle School and begins at 4:30 PM.
Directions:
Durham Academy Middle School3116 Academy Rd. (Academy Rd. at University Dr.)Durham, NC 27707
15-501 South
Take first exit
Left off exit onto 751
Go about 5 miles
Cross over 15-501 business
School is on the right
Cross Country This Week:
26 September 2007 (Wednesday)- Meet will be at Duke Middle School. Walk Through begins at 3:30PM and first run begins about 4:00PM.
Directions:
Duke School3716 Old Erwin Rd.Durham, NC 27705919-493-2642
Left onto Bennett Memorial
Left onto Hillsborough
Left onto 751
Right onto Erwin
School is on the right

8th Social Studies Update, Week 6

2007-09-21T16:37:00.000-04:00

SUBJECT: Social Studies Update, Week 6
DATE: September 21, 2007

TO: 8th Grade Parents

Upcoming Studies:
It’s hard to believe, but today we finished 1/8th of this school year. Time is flying buy, and we are all busy. Students just finished acting as historic figures or are in the process of writing a Persuasive Argument paper about who they think deserves the title, “Discoverer of America.” The paper is to be turned in for grade on Thursday, September 27, 2007. I have booked the Computer Lab for the 8th grade study hall. This should ensure that students have the technology resources they desire to type the work, should they choose to do so. In class, between now and the end of the quarter, we will be covering the balance of the Book 1questions and will take a test on the Book questions on Wednesday, October 3, 2007. Our colonization simulation exercise is rapidly approaching and I will tell you more about that in the next update.

From the Desk of Mrs. Freemyer:
The T.A.B. Scholastic magazines are finally here! Take a look through the magazine, place your order on the back page, and return the order form by Tuesday, September 25 to Mrs. Freemyer! In an effort to keep your orders and money organized, if you could please place both the order form and your check payment inside a sealed envelope with your child’s name written on the front, I would greatly appreciate it. Make checks payable to Scholastic Book Clubs. Pleas do not send cash, and do not mail.

No School Next Friday:
You are reminded that teachers will be preparing Progress Reports for your student on Friday, September 28, 2007 and there will be no classes on that day.

7th Grade Social Studies Update, Week 5

2007-09-17T14:01:00.000-04:00

SUBJECT: Social Studies Update, Week 5
DATE: September 13, 2007

TO: 7th Grade Parents

Upcoming Studies:Our second Quiz was completed on Monday, September 10, 2007. The students did well on the test, but the average score was not as high as on the first test. Class average on this quiz was 83.5%. The drop in scores is to be expected. The students are naturally experimenting, trying to figure out how much study is required to do well. Others are trying other techniques and ways to study. I would ask you to let them learn about how they learn. After the third test, I will pull those students who are struggling into a special lunch study hall and give them extra support and coaching. This will be done for those students whose average is in the C+ or below range. Remember that I drop the lowest score at the end of each grading period so the student can make a mistake, and still not prematurely loose confidence, and fear that they will end up with a poor mark. This allows them to learn, yet stay in the game. Our next test has been moved back to Wednesday, September 19. If we complete all of the review by that date, we will not need to move it farther back. Please recall that our objective here is to master the ideas and concepts, not meet an artificial time schedule.

8th Grade Social Studies Update, Week 5

2007-09-17T14:00:00.000-04:00

SUBJECT: Social Studies Update, Week 5
DATE: September 13, 2007

TO: 8th Grade Parents

Upcoming Studies:
On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of this week, your students have presented their Tribal First American Region PowerPoint presentation. They were better then last year’s presentations (probably because my instructions were clearer), and the students better understand the information that they read in the first 12 chapters of the First Americans book. They will hand in their notes at the beginning of class on Monday and I will grade them, combine their presentation scores, and provide them with an overall grade for the task. Also, our first Book 1 test will be conducted during class on Monday. It will require them to respond to twenty-five short answer questions that will come directly from their study packages. Their answers will need to be in the form of complete sentences. Tuesday we will review the tests and project grades. We may also begin a review of the day 5 questions from their package. On Wednesday, we have several guests from the past visiting and they will try to convince our student body that they should have the title of “Discoverer of America.” After hearing the arguments, the students will be required to write a persuasive paper for grade.

Volleyball Games This Week:
Games may also be found on the TDS Athletics Web Page. TDS volleyball teams will play as follows:

18 Sept 07(Tuesday)-
Girl’s B Team will play at Trinity in the Trinity Gym beginning at 4 PM.
Girl’s A Team will play at Trinity in the Trinity Gym beginning at 5 PM.
Directions:
Trinity School4011 Pickett Rd.Durham, NC 27705919-402-8262
15-501 South Toward Chapel Hill
Right onto Garrett Rd.
Left onto Pickett Rd.
School will be at the end of the road
20 Sep 07 (Thursday)- Girl’s B Team will play Carolina Friends in the Carolina Friends School Gym beginning at 4 PM. Girl’s A Team will play Carolina Friends School (CFS) in the CFS Gym beginning about 5 PM.
Directions:
Carolina Friends School4809 Friends School Rd.Durham, NC 27705919-383-6602
Take 70 West towards 85
Make a left onto old 70/rt.10
Make a left onto Murphy School Rd.
Turn onto Friends School Rd.
Cross Country Team This Week:
The team has one meet this week.
19 September 2007 (Wednesday)-Meet at Emerson Waldorf begins at 4:00 PM.

Directions:
Emerson Waldorf School - 6211 New Jericho Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Take 85 South
Take Exit 165
Take left at the bottom of the ramp 86 South
Go for 5.1 miles till you see Lockhart's Store on your right.
Immediately after the railroad tracks, turn right onto Millhouse Rd.
Turn right at the EWS sign onto New Jericho Rd.

Boy’s Soccer Games This Week:
Boy’s Soccer Team has two games this week.

18 September 2007 (Tuesday)-At Trinity and begins at 4:30 PM.
Directions:
Trinity School4011 Pickett Rd.Durham, NC 27705919-402-8262
15-501 South Toward Chapel Hill
Right onto Garrett Rd.
Left onto Pickett Rd.
School will be at the end of the road

20 September 2007 (Thursday)-Against Gorman at Holt Field and begins at 4:00 PM.
Directions:
HOLT FIELD IN DURHAM:
85 North
Take exit 177B/Roxboro Rd. North and Turn Left off of I-85 North
Proceed about 4.5 miles until you see Riverview Shopping Center on the Right.You will see in the shopping center a Blockbuster and a Kroger’s Grocery Store.
The first street just past the shopping center will be Rippling Springs Rd.
Turn Right on Rippling Springs Rd. and proceed to the 1st Street on the left which is Hedgerow Place
It is the Old Farms City Park.
Turn into the park and then make an immediate left towards Holt Field just inside the fenced area.
Soccer Field will be straight ahead inside the fence. Baseball Field will be beside the soccer field on the right inside the fenced area.

7th Grade Social Studies Update, Week 4

2007-09-17T13:58:00.000-04:00

SUBJECT: Social Studies Update, Week 4
DATE: September 7, 2007

TO: 7th Grade Parents

Upcoming Studies:Our first Quiz was completed on Wednesday, September 5, 2007. The students did well on the test, scoring an average of 91.5%. Eleven of the students made the maximum score of 105% (extra credit questions). The range from high to low score was 45%. We have begun our study of section 14.2, which deals with the Renaissance moving north to Germany and Flanders. This section will prepare our students for the Reformation studies we will do after Monday’s Quiz. They have study guides for this section, and we read the chapter together in class. I would suggest that they review the study guide and the section questions before Monday’s quiz. Also, I give students their grades immediately after the quiz. We compute the marks on a weekly basis so they may learn about how they learn. Hopefully, this will allow them to immediately see that their grade is associated with the effort they provide. Ask to look at the bottom of their planner, in the yellow region, and you will see their current grade.

8th Grade Social Studies Update, Week 4

2007-09-17T13:56:00.000-04:00

SUBJECT: Social Studies Update, Week 4
DATE: September 7, 2007

TO: 8th Grade Parents

Upcoming Studies:
Thanks to Mr. Coburn’s extra effort, the 8th grade was in the Computer Lab four days and four study hall periods this week allowing them to develop their slides, using PowerPoint, which will be presented to their classmates starting Monday. The goal of this exercise is to increase their knowledge of pre-Columbian Amerindians, illustrate how environment affects cultures, and help our students develop public speaking abilities. I anticipate that we will cover three tribes a day, so oral presentation should run through Wednesday, September 12. On Thursday and Friday we will review the Daily questions for Days 3 & 4. Rosh Hashanah begin at sundown on Wednesday and run through Thursday, so testing has been postponed until Monday, September 17. Our first test will cover Chapters 1-12 in Book 1.

First Eighth Grade Trip:
Attached is the permission slip for the Monticello Trip. Please complete the form if you wish your student to attend. Add your name to the bottom if you wish to join us. Have your students return the signed slip to me. Make checks payable to TDS. I will copy the check number and pass it to our Business Manager for processing. This will keep me in the loop, and she will not need to hunt me down to tell me what checks she has received. I hope to reduce her workload. Remember that the trip is strictly voluntary. It is meant for the love of learning, so if your student has a conflict, I will ensure they know it is all right to miss this trip. Once I have the permission slip, I will give those participating a lunch order form for a box lunch from Heavenly Ham.

Volleyball Games This Week:
Games may also be found on the TDS Athletics Web Page. TDS volleyball teams will play three times this week.

11 Sept 07(Tuesday)-Girl’s B Team will play Cresset Christian Academy in the TDS Gym beginning at 4 PM. Girl’s A Team will play Cresset Christian Academy in the TDS Gym beginning about 5 PM.

12 Sept 07 (Wednesday)-Girl’s B Team will play at Cary Academy starting at 4:30 PM.
Directions:
Cary Academy1500 N. Harrison Ave.Cary, NC 27513919-677-3873
147 South to 40 East.
Exit Harrison Ave.
Take a right off the exit ramp onto Harrison Ave.
School is about 2 miles on the left

14 Sept 07 (Friday)- Girl’s B Team will play at Carolina Friends School beginning at 4 PM. Girl’s A Team will play at Carolina Friends School beginning about 5 PM.
Directions:
Carolina Friends School4809 Friends School Rd.Durham, NC 27705919-383-6602
Take 70 West towards 85
Make a left onto old 70/rt.10
Make a left onto Murphy School Rd.
Turn onto Friends School Rd.
Cross Country Team This Week:
Two meets this week.
11 September 2007 (Tuesday)-Meet at Durham Academy begins at 4:15 PM.
Directions:
Durham Academy Upper SchoolRidge Rd.Durham, NC
15-501 South to Cornwallis Exit
Left off exit onto Cornwallis Rd.
Take first right after going under the bridge
Right onto Pickett Rd.
Right on Ridge Rd.
School is on the right

12 September 2007 (Wednesday)-Meet at Cary Academy begins at 4:30 PM.
Directions:
Cary Academy1500 N. Harrison Ave.Cary, NC 27513919-677-3873
147 South to 40 East.
Exit Harrison Ave.
Take a right off the exit ramp onto Harrison Ave.
School is about 2 miles on the left

Boy’s Soccer Games This Week:
Boy’s Soccer Team has three games this week.

11 September 2007 (Tuesday)-At Cresset Academy and begins at 4:15 PM.
Directions:
Cresset Christian Academy3707 Garrett Rd.Durham, NC 27707919-489-2655
15-501 South towards Chapel Hill.
Right onto Garrett Rd.
School will be about a 1/2 mile down the road on the right.

12 September 2007 (Wednesday)-At Cary Academy and begins at 4:30 PM.
Directions:
Cary Academy1500 N. Harrison Ave.Cary, NC 27513919-677-3873
147 South to 40 East.
Exit Harrison Ave.
Take a right off the exit ramp onto Harrison Ave.
School is about 2 miles on the left
14 September 2007 (Friday)-At Carolina Friends School and begins at 4 PM.
Directions:
Carolina Friends School4809 Friends School Rd.Durham, NC 27705919-383-6602
Take 70 West towards 85
Make a left onto old 70/rt.10
Make a left onto Murphy School Rd.
Turn onto Friends School Rd.

7th Grade Social Studies Update, Week 3

2007-09-06T13:14:00.000-04:00

SUBJECT: Social Studies Update, Week 3
DATE: August 31, 2007

TO: 7th Grade Parents

Upcoming Studies:
Next week students will have a short week. We will review for our first quiz, covering Chapter 14, Section 1. It will be a 10 questions quiz. They have watched the PBS series about the Medici family, read 14.1 together in class, and will have the opportunity to participate in a quiz game concerning the material, using questions that they helped write. Test will be on Wednesday. We will then move on to cover the Renaissance as it moved north into the rest of Europe.

No School on Monday:
It helps to remind folks that Monday is Labor Day and TDS is closed for the Holiday.

Week 1 & 2 Newsletters:
Attached to this first newsletter are copies of the first two week’s newsletters that are posted on my school “web page.”

Parents Association will Meet at 6 PM:
Parents Association will conduct its monthly meeting at TDS, September 5, 2007. Meeting begins at 6 PM.

Lower School Open house on Thursday:
You are reminded that the Lower School open house will be conducted on Thursday night, September 6, 2007.

Volleyball Game at TDS:
Friday, September 7, 2007 will be our first, home A-Team Volleyball game. Opponent will be Cary Academy and match will begin at 4:30.

Purple Communication Envelopes (PCE):
We are getting in the routine that hopefully will keep you informed. The PCEs will go home today. Please remove the communications material and send back the folder on Tuesday. If you have information you wish to send, these PCE folders are an excellent way to ensure we get the message.

Thursday Night’s Message to Parents:
After the meeting, a few of you came up and made comments about my statement concerning the belief that my subject was the least important subject that the students are enrolled in here at TDS. I did not mean to infer that it was a waste of time, but that, in my opinion, the Language Arts course, Math course, and Science course, have more relevance and are more important. I tell the students, if you can write and communicate effectively with your fellow citizens, then you will be the boss. One must also be able to work with numbers and explain the world around them. This is one reason that I am so pleased with what I have seen Mrs. Freemyer do during the first two weeks of class. She has provided the students with a Rubric and clearly articulated her standards. Students will definitely be ready for the new S.A.T. and learn to write well under her tutelage. Also, from what I have observed, Mr. Weaver’s math class is both challenging and fun. Ms. Sauer walks around smiling because she cannot get over how smart and pleasant your children are to each other. This will be a great year.

8th Social Studies Update, Week 3

2007-09-06T13:12:00.000-04:00

SUBJECT: Social Studies Update, Week 3
DATE: August 31, 2007

TO: 8th Grade Parents

Upcoming Studies:
Next week students will be in the Computer Lab creating a PowerPoint presentation on a Region of North America and the First Americans who lived in that region. The goal of this assignment is to enhance their ability to speak before an audience, work with current electronic media, write effective outlines, and expand their knowledge of pre-Columbian America. A copy of a letter given to them, restating the requirements is attached should you wish to review the task.

No School on Monday:
It helps to remind folks that Monday is Labor Day and TDS is closed for the Holiday.

First Eighth Grade Trip:
This is a repeat of a message sent last week. Our first trip will be to Monticello. We will depart TDS at 7:30 using the TDS Activity Bus on Saturday, October 20, 2007. The Monticello Education foundation asked us to arrive at the pick-up site by 11:30, with the tour of Thomas Jefferson’s house, and grounds, to begin at 12:00. The “Liberty” educational program that we have enrolled in will last 4 hours. It is my intent to stop on the return trip in either Danville or Lynchburg so students can purchase an evening meal. As usual, parents are welcome, and encouraged, to attend any of our trips. We will purchase box lunches for participants from Heavenly Ham. We will also obtain a discount for the special guided tour. The anticipated cost of this strictly voluntary trip will be $30.00 for both parents and students.

Parents Association will Meet at 6 PM:
Parents Association will conduct its monthly meeting at TDS, September 5, 2007. Meeting begins at 6 PM.

Lower School Open house on Thursday:
You are reminded that the Lower School open house will be conducted on Thursday night, September 6, 2007.

Volleyball Game at TDS:
Friday, September 7, 2007 will be our first, home A-Team Volleyball game. Opponent will be Cary Academy and match will begin at 4:30.

Purple Communication Envelopes (PCE):
We are getting in the routine that hopefully will keep you informed. The PCEs will go home today. Please remove the communications material and send back the folder on Tuesday. If you have information you wish to send, these PCE folders are an excellent way to ensure we get the message.

Thursday Night’s Message to Parents:
After the meeting, a few of you came up and made comments about my statement concerning the belief that my subject was the least important subject that the students are enrolled in here at TDS. I did not mean to infer that it was a waste of time, but that, in my opinion, the Language Arts course, Math course, and Science course, have more relevance and are more important. I tell the students, if you can write and communicate effectively with your fellow citizens, then you will be the boss. One must also be able to work with numbers and explain the world around them. This is one reason that I am so pleased with what I have seen Mrs. Freemyer do during the first two weeks of class. She has provided the students with a Rubric and clearly articulated her standards. Students will definitely be ready for the new S.A.T. and learn to write well under her tutelage. Also, from what I have observed, Mr. Weaver’s math class is both challenging and fun. Ms. Sauer walks around smiling because she cannot get over how smart and pleasant your children are to each other. This will be a great year.

8th Social Studies Update, Week 2

2007-08-25T12:36:00.000-04:00

SUBJECT: Social Studies Update, Week 2
DATE: August 25, 2007

TO: 8th Grade Parents

Upcoming Studies:
This week the students will begin our study American History, concentrating on the period before 1492. They will be asked to read from Joy Hakim’s Book, The First Americans, Prehistory-1600 and will be required to answer several thought provoking questions from each chapter they read. Reading assignments requirements very from two - four chapters per night. But don’t let this bother you. I encourage you to look at the chapters. The book is small, the print is big, there are lots of pictures, and each page has an average of 3-4 paragraphs. There are an average of three pages per chapter.

New Electives:
Students received a listing of their elective assignments in the Purple Communications Envelopes (PCE) that Mr. Weaver sent home on Friday. We will begin these courses on Monday. Please have your student return their PCE Monday morning. Remind them to place the PCE in the container that Mr. Weaver will place between his door and Mr. Forringer’s door.

First Eighth Grade Trip:
Our first trip will be to Monticello. We will depart TDS at 7:30 using the TDS Activity Bus on Saturday, October 20, 2007. The Monticello Education foundation asked us to arrive at the pick-up site by 11:30, with the tour of Thomas Jefferson’s house, and grounds, to begin at 12:00. The “Liberty” educational program that we have enrolled in will last 4 hours. It is my intent to stop on the return trip in either Danville or Lynchburg so students can purchase an evening meal. As usual, parents are welcome, and encouraged, to attend any of our trips. We will purchase box lunches for participants from Heavenly Ham. We will also obtain a discount for the special guided tour. The anticipated cost of this strictly voluntary trip will be $30.00 for both parents and students.

8th Grade Faculty Page:
Should you find a need to review any of the letters like this one, I will be placing it on my Faculty Web Page so you will have a ready reference file.

Middle School Open house on Thursday:
You are reminded that the Middle School open house will be conducted on Thursday night. Come hear about your student’s classes from the teachers that instruct them. Activities for this event begin in the Cafeteria at 6:30 P.M.

College Color Day:
Friday, August 31, 2007 will be our first, “Wear the Colors of your Favorite College” day. If you see your student digging through closet for their favorite Duke Blue, Carolina Blue, State Red, or other school memorabilia, now you will know why.

My Absence: I will be gone on Monday-Wednesday of this week. My father-in-law passed on Saturday and my family will be in Chattanooga for a few days. This is not a sudden event, and we have been expecting to receive this news for over 3 months. We have had an opportunity to prepare ourselves. Many people feel a compelling need to do something in cases like this, but I would ask you not to worry or react. However, if you still have a need to do something, we ask that you donate to the Speer Fund that the school has started. Thank you.

7th Grade Social Studies Update, Week 2

2007-08-24T13:37:00.001-04:00

SUBJECT: Social Studies Update, Week 2

DATE: August 24, 2007

TO: 7th Grade Parents

Upcoming Studies:
We will begin our study of World History with a review of the Renaissance in Europe. Students will view the PBS series, “The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance.”

Social Studies Updates Will Be Sent Using E-mail:Still do not have your emails, but will collect them during the Middle School Open House on Thursday, 30 August 2007. Once we complete a 2007-2008 list-serve for the 7th grade, the weekly mailings will begin. Please send me your address so I can add you to the list-serve.

7th Social Studies Update, Week 1

2007-08-24T13:19:00.000-04:00

SUBJECT: Social Studies Update, Week 1

DATE: August 22, 2007

TO: 7th Grade Parents

Upcoming Studies:
We will review the Rules & Procedures of daily class routine during the first two days. On Friday, 24 August 2007, we will discuss Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs an how we may apply that concept to people and events in our study of History. On Friday, we will also discuss ways the students can ensure they receive an “A” in this course.

Social Studies Updates Will Be Sent Using E-mail:
Emails will be sent to you on a weekly basis. This will begin once we obtain the 7th grade mailing list. Please send me your address so I can add you to the list serve.

New Electives:
Students will receive a briefing on Wednesday about what new electives will be offered during the first semester. They are to review them that night with you and bring the form back to their advisor on Thursday. We need to have them so Mr. Weaver may create the rosters for the classes. Mr. Weaver created a purple take-home folder. Please make sure that the signed form is placed back into that plastic file folder and returned the next day. The normal day we will send home messages in the future has been changed from Thursday to Friday, so this is the day to ask for the messages.

Grade Faculty Page:
I have Faculty WebPages that will provide you additional information about our courses. To get to the site, go to the TDS web page, “Contact Us” menu, and select the website below our names. We hope you find it informative.

Quick glance at our Middle School Schedule:
Students will start each day with three 45-minute periods and have a 3 minute time period to switch classes. The homeroom period will be for 15 minutes and begin after the third class is completed. We then return to a 45-minute class, a three-minute period to move to the last 45-minute class before lunch. Lunch is now 45 minutes. The last academic class will be from 1:15-2:00. The elective period and study hall period have been switched. The last thing each day will be the 30-minute study hall period.

Baseball Team 2008

2007-08-24T13:17:00.000-04:00

General Information: This is a Spring Sport. Tryout and Procedures will be posted in January 2008.

8th Grade Week 1

2007-08-24T12:13:00.000-04:00

SUBJECT: Social Studies Update, Week 1
DATE: August 20, 2007

TO: 8th Grade Parents

Upcoming Studies:
We will begin by studying the Big Bang Theory and finding out how long mankind has existed, in relationship to the beginning of the universe. Hopefully, it will put the last 6000 years of recorded history into perspective.

New Electives:
Students will receive a briefing on Wednesday about what new electives will be offered during the first semester. They are to review them that night with you and bring the form back to their advisor on Thursday. We need to have them so Mr. Weaver may create the rosters for the classes. Mr. Weaver created a purple take-home folder. Please make sure that the signed form is placed back into that plastic file folder and returned the next day. The normal day we will send home messages in the future has been changed from Thursday to Friday, so this is the day to ask for the messages.

Eighth Grade Advisors:
My fellow 8th grade advisor is Mrs. Freemyer. We will work hard to send you updated information and reminders each week about school activities. If you would please reply to this first message with a quick, “Got It”, I would be grateful. If I do not get a response, I will assume that I have the wrong address and will be bugging you for the correct one. If you wish to add an address, or change the one we have used, please let me know during the reply.

8th Grade Faculty Pages:
Both Mrs. Freemyer and I have Faculty WebPages that will provide you additional information about our courses. To get to the site, go to the TDS web page, “Contact Us” menu, and select the website below our names. We hope you find it informative.

Quick glance at our Middle School Schedule:
Students will start each day with three 45-minute periods and have a 3 minute time period to switch classes. The homeroom period will be for 15 minutes and begin after the third class is completed. We then return to a 45-minute class, a three-minute period to move to the last 45-minute class before lunch. Lunch is now 45 minutes. The last academic class will be from 1:15-2:00. The elective period and study hall period have been switched. The last thing each day will be the 30-minute study hall period.

8th Grade 2007-2008 Newsletters

2007-08-24T12:02:00.000-04:00

Week 1:http://mrsikes.blogspot.com/2007/08/8th-grade-week-1.html

7th Grade 2007-2008 Newsletters

2007-08-24T12:01:00.000-04:00

Week 1:http://mrsikes.blogspot.com/2007/08/7th-social-studies-update-week-1.html
Week 2:http://mrsikes.blogspot.com/2007/08/7th-grade-social-studies-update-week-2.html

8th Grade Homework

2007-08-24T11:31:00.002-04:00

Will be added soon

7th Grade Homework

2007-08-24T11:31:00.001-04:00

Will be added soon.

8th Grade Saturday Trips

2007-08-24T11:12:00.000-04:00

-Monticello, VA

Visit Thomas Jefferson's house.
20 October, 2007
Depart TDS at 6:30a.m. Return about 9:30p.m.
Cost: $30
Voluntary Participation

-Richmond, VA

Visit Hollywood Cemetery.
Visit Confederate White House.
15 March, 2008
Depart 7:00a.m. Return 5:00p.m.
Cost: $20
Voluntary Participation

-Appomattox Courthouse

Visit the site where Confederate General Robert E. Lee fought his last battle and surrendered.
26 April, 2008
Depart 7:00a.m. Return 5:00p.m.
Cost: $20
Voluntary Participation

8th Grade American History Course Overview

2007-08-17T17:27:00.000-04:00

American History - - - 8th Grade
Triangle Day School Academic Year 2007-2008

COURSE OVERVIEW: A study of United States History while highlighting North Carolina where pertinent. Civics, understanding human or national motivations, and defining our connections with past events are areas of emphasis. Through stories of individuals, events will be reviewed by using Who, What, Where, When, Why, and So What as guiding techniques.
Key topics will include:
1) The First Americans – Travelers to Western Hemisphere
2) Making Thirteen Colonies – Why different colonies
3) From Colonies to Country – US Revolutionary War Causes and Results
4) The New Nation – Early US as an Infant Country
5) Liberty for All? – Slavery and Results
6) War, Terrible War – US Civil War
7) Reconstruction and Reform – Life and Government after the US Civil War
8) An Age of Extremes – Success and Sharing the Wealth
9) War, Peace, and All That Jazz – Early 20th Century United States
10) All the People – Civil Rights and late 20th Century United States

TEXT:
1) A History of US, series of books by Joy Hakim
2) Freedom: A History of US, Joy Hakim

DAILY REQUIRED MATERIALS: Each student is expected to bring all of the following to class.
1) Appropriate Text
2) Completed Homework and Projects
3) A three ring binder (Can be shared with other classes)
4) Writing utensil

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS: A variety of methods will be used. Students should expect not only to be learners, but also instructors.

STUDENT ASSESSMENT AND GRADING:
Students can expect to be assessed in a number of ways. There will be text related assessments given on pre-announced dates and book assessments given on designated Fridays. Quick writing exercises will be used as homework assignments to review and reinforce concepts presented during class activities. Homework completion and each project will be counted as test scores. Students will be provided a weekly review of their current grade that may be used by them for self reflection. As everyone experiences an occasional bad day, one test grade will be dropped per quarter. Grading procedures are reviewed with each student during the first week of classes. Grading scale will be in accordance with the Student Handbook.

RULES AND EXPECTATION: Students receive a detailed review of classroom procedures and rules during the first week of classes. They will be asked to sign a listing of these expectations and acknowledge that they understand the reviewed requirements. A copy is provided to them for their reference throughout the year.

SATURDAY FIELD TRIPS: Throughout the year the 8th grade will be given the opportunity to voluntarily attend field trips to Richmond, VA, Monticello, VA, Appomattox, VA and other locations. The students will not receive extra credit for these trips as they are meant to enhance their love of learning and increase class cohesion.

7th Grade Social Studies Overview

2007-08-17T16:55:00.000-04:00

World History II - - - 7th Grade
Triangle Day School Academic Year 2007-2008

COURSE OVERVIEW: We will continue our historical study of World Cultures in the Eastern Hemisphere and begin a study of cultures in the Western Hemisphere. Emphasis will be placed on nations that contributed to the United States of America heritage. A key focus of this course will be to answer “Why?” mankind does what it does and to critically look at the “So What?” factor of events. I also hope to provide strategies for students to adopt that will aid them in their studies of other Humanities courses.

Key Topics of Study:
1) The Renaissance and Reformation
2) The first global age of Africa, Europe, and Asia
3) The Age of Absolutism
4) The Enlightenment
5) The French Revolution
6) Revolutions in Europe
7) Life during the Industrial Age
8) Nationalism Triumphs in Europe
9) The Growth of Western Democracies
10) The New Imperialism
11) New Global Patterns
12) World War I and the Aftermath
13) Russian Revolution
14) The Crisis of Democracies in the West
15) World War II and the Aftermath
16) The World Since 1945

TEXT:
World History: Connection to Today
World History Unfolding: Essay Writing Program – 1500 to Present

DAILY REQUIRED MATERIALS:
1) World History: Connections to Today
2) Homework and/or material for projects
3) A three-ring binder with loose leaf-paper (may be combined with other classes)
4) Writing utensil, colored pencils & highlighter (unless announced otherwise)

INSTRUCTION METHODS:
A variety of methods will be used. Students should expect not only to be learners, but also be instructors.

STUDENT ASSESSMENT AND GRADING:Students can expect to be assessed in a number of ways. There will be text related section and chapter assessments given on pre-announced dates that may be found on the Middle School Homework Page. Writing program assignments will be treated as tests. Homework completion and special projects will be counted as test scores. Students will be provided a weekly review of their current grade to post on their personal planner that may be used by them for self-reflection. As everyone experiences an occasional bad day, one test grade will be dropped per quarter. Grading procedures are reviewed with each student during the first week of classes.